Honey proteins regulate oxidative stress, inflammation and ameliorates hyperglycemia in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats

Abstract Background Diabetes Mellitus (DM) poses a serious health problem worldwide and several inflammatory mediators are involved in the pathogenesis of this disease. Honey composed of various constituents which have been proven to have immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of this study is to investigate the in vitro and in vivo effects of Ziziphus honey and its isolated crude proteins in modulation of immune system and inflammation involved in the pathogenesis of diabetes. Methodology The proteins from Ziziphus honey were isolated by ammonium sulfate precipitation and estimated by Bradford method. In vitro anti-inflammatory activities were evaluated by inhibition of reactive oxygen species (ROS) from phagocytes via chemiluminescence immunoassay and nitric oxide (NO) by Griess method. Cytotoxicity was evaluated by MTT Assay. The comparative effect of oral and IP routes of honey and isolated proteins was observed in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic male Wistar rats. qRT-PCR technique was utilized for gene expression studies. Results The honey proteins suppressed phagocyte oxidative burst and nitric oxide (NO) at significantly lower concentrations as compared to crude honey. The isolated proteins showed promising anti-inflammatory and hypoglycemic effects along with maintenance of body weight of rodents via both oral and IP routes, with significant down-regulation of inflammatory markers TNF-α, IL-1β, IFN-γ, iNOS, caspase 1, Calgranulin A (S100A8) and NF-κB expression in diabetic rats. Conclusion The isolated honey proteins showed better immunomodulatory and therapeutic potential at significantly lower doses as compared to crude honey

Production Optimization and Industrial Applications of Amylase From Indigenous Bacterial Species Using Banana Peels

Introduction: Alpha amylases are starch hydrolyzing enzymes that possess high industrial demand. Various strategies have been adopted to enhance cost-effective enzyme production of which utilization of agro-industrial waste is very promising. Methodology: In this study two amylase producers Bacillus megaterium and Exiguobacterium auranticum were isolated and identified by 16sRNA sequencing their growth conditions were optimized via submerged fermentation using banana peels as carbon source. Bacillus megaterium found to be mesophilic alkaline (37℃, pH of 9) strain giving 472 U/ml while Exiguobacterium auranticum found to be acidic thermophilic (50°C, pH 5) that gave 391 U/ml. Results and Conclusion: Production of amylase by acidic thermophilic E. auranticum is reported here for the first time. The crude enzyme also showed better chocolate and curry stain removal capacity when combined with commercial detergent. Also juice clarification assay showed promising results which indicates that the enzymes could be potentially used in detergent and food industry

NO-cGMP-K channel-dependent anti-nociceptive activities of methanol stem bark extract of Piptadeniastrum africanum (Mimosaceae) on rats

Objective: To explore anti-hyperalgesic properties of methanol extract of Piptadeniastrum africanum stem bark (PAME) and it possible action mechanism. Methods: PAME was tested on carrageenan induced hyperalgesia using plantar test (thermal) and analgesymeter (mechanical) in rats, on prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) induced mechanical hyperalgesia and vincristine induced neuropathic pain in rat, both with analgesymeter. Modulators of NO/ cGMP/K+ channel pathway and endogenous opioids receptor antagonists and/or agonists were used to determine the possible action mechanism of PAME. Results: PAME significantly decreased carrageenan induced thermal and mechanical hyperalgesia, as well as PGE2 induced mechanical hyperalgesia. PAME significantly protected the animals against the installation of neuropathic pain. Anti-nociception activity produced by PAME was significantly blocked in animals pre treated with all the antagonists (naloxone, NW-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), methylene blue and glibenclamide). Conclusions: Results of this study reveal that, PAME administrate orally, can induce anti-hyperalgesic action against installation of inflammatory pain as well as neuropathic pain. The mechanism underlying PAME anti-hyperalgesic effect could probably be associated with an activation of opioid receptors and NO/cGMP/K+ channel pathway