Bioprospective of Citrus Sinensis Linn. Leaves: Its Volatile Oil as a Weapon on Convulsion in Zebra Fish Larvae Seizure Model

The dissertation highlights the pharmacognostical phytochemical and the anti-epileptic activity of the leaves of Citrus sinensis L which belonging to the family Rutaceae which should easily available variety in South Asian places , It has been used traditionally to treat ailments like constipation, cramps, colic, diarrhea, bronchitis, tuberculosis, cough, cold, obesity, menstrual disorder, angina, hypertension, anxiety, depression and stress. Leaf extracts of C. sinensis have been used in Nigerian local folk medicine to treat neurological disorders and to facilitate the digestion of food. It has also been used as an antidiabetic, antibacterial, antifungal, hypotensive, antioxidant, insect repellent, larvicidal, antiviral, uricosuric, anti-yeast, antihepatotoxic and antimutagenic agent due to the presence of copious oil. The morphological evaluvation showed the adherence of general characters to the family. • Detailed microscopical studies reveals the usual leaf characters like vascular bundles showing both xylem and phloem, anamocytic stomata, are seen only in lower epidermis. Two layers of palisade cells and secretory cavities are present. • Scanning electron microscope (SEM) shows presence of anamocytic stomata in the abaxial side of leaf. Stomata aperture and epidermal cells are clearly seen. • Petiole is winged, showing vascular bundle in the centre and secretory cavities. • Powder microcopy, microscopical analysis, vein islet number, vein termination number, stomatal number, stomatal index, palisade ratio, physiochemical parameters, ash values, extractive values, loss on drying were determined and represented. • Preliminary Phytochemical screening showed the presence of carbohytrates, proteins,amino acids, saponins, flavaonoids , triterpenes and volatile oils are present. • Identification of inorganic minerals of the leaves of C.sinensis by energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer(EDS) showed the presence of minerals. • Total flavanoids and total phenolic contents were determined and presented as 26.73 ± 1.10µg/g, 879.13 ± 0.92 µg /g. • GC-MS profile of the VOCSL showed the presence of α-Pinene, β-Pinene, Sabinene, Myrcene, Limonine, Terpinolene, Linalool and β-Elemene as major components along with many minor terpenes. • The 3 Rs (Reduction, Refinement, Replacement) of ethical principle was implemented that help to minimize harms to animals used in science. • In our investigation we used zebra fish larvae which is an emerging novel preclinical in vivo model that support rapid decision making in the early phases of drug discovery process. • We performed preliminary toxicological studies of VOCSL on the embryo and larvae of zebra fish and found no pronounced retardation in zf embryo development when exposed to normal concentrations (0.5 to 1.5µl/ml) which showed that VOCSL of leaf would produce no hazard to early life stages Danio rerio but standard toxin podophyllotoxin showed 100% mortality at 0.01µg/ml. • Larval toxicity study was carried out on zf larvae of 5dpf. From the experiment it was observed that there was no mortality in 0.5 and 0.75µl/ml concentrations. But 5% and 10% mortality was observed at 1 and 2 µl/ml concentrations respectively. No mortality was observed in the control. 100% mortality was observed in the standard podophyllotoxin at 0.5 µg/ml concentration. • We used Pentylene tetrazole (PTZ) to induce seizure like behaviour and increase in high speed moved distance travelled by PTZ treated zf larvae. • In our model VOCSL significantly decreases seizure like behaviour and also decrease in highspeed distance travelled at 0.5,1, 1.5µl/ml after treatment (p≤0.001) which is encouraging and comparable to the standard drug phenytoin. • The result exhibited concentration dependent inhibition of locomotor activity confirming its anticonvulsant characteristics. • We recommend further investigations in animal model and clinical trials to confirm the potential therapeutic effect

Sexually transmitted infections among men who have sex with men: a retrospective study in a tertiary care hospital

Background: Men who have sex with Men (MSM) have a higher prevalence of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STI) than the heterosexual men. In India, NACP recommendations to reduce HIV prevalence among MSM include early detection of HIV and other STI by screening and treatment. We conducted a study of STIs among MSM attending our OPD. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of STIs in MSM attending our OPD.Methods: 1215 MSM among 9008 patients who attended our OPD between June 2015 and May 2016 were included in the study. Detailed history was taken and clinical examination carried out. Urethral discharge and urine samples were tested for Gonococcal infection. Smears from ulcers were tested for Syphilis, Chancroid, Herpes and Donovanosis. Serum samples were tested for HIV and other STIs like Syphilis and Herpes.Results: Among 1215 MSMs, 55 (4.5%) tested positive for VDRL and TPHA and 33 (2.7%) tested positive for HIV. 24 (2%) had urethritis (10 GU and 14 NGU), 15 (1.25%) had Balanophosthitis, 12 (1%) had genital herpes, 9 (0.75%) had genital scabies, 6 (0.5%) had Genital Wart and 2 (0.16%) had Molluscum contagiosum. Prevalence of these STIs were far higher in MSMs than in heterosexual men.Conclusions: This study highlights the higher prevalence of STIs among MSMs and the need for early intervention and treatment in this high-risk population

Origin of giant dielectric permittivity and weak ferromagnetic behavior in (1−x)LaFeO3−xBaTiO3 (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 0.25) solid solutions

The solid solutions of (1−x) LaFeO3–xBaTiO3 (0.0≤x≤0.25) have been synthesized successfully by the conventional solid-state reaction method. Room temperature (RT) X-ray diffraction studies reveal the stabilization of orthorhombic phase with Pbnm space group. Complete solubility in the perovskite series was demonstrated up to x=0.25. The dielectric permittivity shows colossal dielectric constant (CDC) at RT. The doping of BaTiO3 in LaFeO3 exhibit pronounced CDC up to a composition x=0.15, further it starts to decrease. The frequency-dependent dielectric loss exhibits polaronic conduction, which can attribute to presence of multiple valence of iron. The relaxation frequency and polaronic conduction mechanism was shifted towards RT as function of x. Moreover, large magnetic moment with weak ferromagnetic behavior is observed in doped LaFeO3 solid solution, which might be the destruction of spin cycloid structure due to insertion of Ti in Fe–O–Fe network of LaFeO3

Ginger Oil Nanoemulsion Formulation Augments Its Antiproliferative Effect in Ehrlich Solid Tumor Model

Cancer is a disease that is characterized by uncontrolled cell proliferation. Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer among women. Ginger oil is a natural cancer fighter and anti-oxidant. However, the minimal absorption of ginger oil from the gastrointestinal tract accounts for its limited medicinal efficacy. The present study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of a nanoemulsion preparation of ginger oil on its oral bioavailability and in vivo anti-cancer efficacy. Ginger oil nanoemulsion was prepared by a high-pressure homogenization technique using different surfactants (Tween 20, 40, and 80). The prepared formulations were evaluated for droplet size, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential (ZP), pH, viscosity, and stability by calculating the creaming index percentage. The best formulation was evaluated for shape by TEM. The antitumor activity of the best nano-formulation was determined in comparison with the free oil using the in vivo Ehrlich solid tumor (EST) model. The prepared ginger oil nanoemulsion formulations exhibited acceptable droplet size in the range from 56.67 ± 3.10 nm to 357.17 ± 3.62 nm. A PDI of less than 0.5 indicates the homogeneity of size distribution. The oil globules possessed a negative charge ranging from −12.33 ± 1.01 to −39.33 ± 0.96 mV. The pH and viscosity were in the acceptable range. The TEM image of the best formulation appeared to be spherical with a small size. The ginger oil nanoemulsion reduced in vivo tumor volume and weight, extended animals’ life span, and ameliorated liver and kidney function in EST-bearing mice. These effects were superior to using free ginger oil. Collectively, the present study demonstrated that the ginger oil nanoemulsion improved oral absorption with a subsequent enhancement of its anti-proliferative efficacy in vivo, suggesting a nano-formulation of ginger oil for better therapeutic outcomes in breast cancer patients