Sesame lignans as promising anti-inflammatory agent: Exploring novel therapeutic avenues with in silico and computational approach

Innumerable health-beneficial properties of sesame lignans like sesamol, sesamolin, sesamin and sesaminol make them lucrative agents in the pharmaceutical industry. To specify the mode of action of these phytochemicals, detailed computational physicochemical properties evaluation, and toxicity assessment (using free web servers and databases), as well as binding interactions with physiological inflammatory effectors (such as COX-2, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6) by means of rigid ligand-receptor docking (using software), have been thoroughly investigated. Interestingly, sesame lignans are conformed to have drug-likeness, indicating their efficacy and suitability like established therapeutics. These bioactive lignans possess drug-like attributes and effectively act as ligands in the present in-silico study. The basic pharmacokinetic profile of these compounds has suggested non-polar solvents or delivery systems for them to enhance their bioavailability in physiological systems. However, all the sesame lignans are toxic to the liver cells with a50 % lethal dose in the range of 500-1500 mg/kg. Toxicity study indicated minimum toxicity of lignans to normal cellular milieu, but noticeable cytotoxic effects against several cancerous cell lines suggesting their anti-carcinogenic properties. Finally, the findings of the molecular docking study have depicted a high affinity of these ligands for target proteins, even better than traditional anti-inflammatory drugs- Indomethacin and Ibuprofen. The molecular interactions have represented sesaminol as the most effective and Sesamol as the least potent ligand for target receptor whereas COX-2 seems to be the most vulnerable target. The docking scores varied widely (-4.7 to -11.0 kcal/mol). The present in-silico approach is expected to provide valuable resources for optimizing bioactive molecules as future-generation therapeutics before pre-clinical and clinical studies

Protective role of Ipomoea aquatica Forsk. crude extract on rat tissues in the presence of acephate and carbofuran by histopathology and cytometric determination

118-124Ipomoea aquatica Forsk., commonly called water spinach ( ‘kalmi’ in Bengali) is an underexploited local green leafy vegetable having enormous scope as a cheap antioxidant source. The study explores the ameliorative effect of aqueous I. aquatica extract (IAE) in acephate and carbofuran treated Wistar male rats. Aqueous IAE (@ 20 mg/kg body wt.), administered to rats treated with organophosphate acephate (@ 30 mg/kg body wt.) and carbamate carbofuran (@ 0.1 mg /kg body wt.), attenuated the cholinesterase activity in brain, liver and cellular blood and reformed the histological perturbations in the brain cortex as well as the kidney anomalies, to a good extent. The IAE also upregulated the NF-E2-related factor-2 (Nrf-2) and MnSOD gene expression against pesticide toxicity. Hence, results of the present study intervenes into a new approach of justifying the deleterious side effects of pesticides that are commonly used, and how green leafy vegetables can help ameliorate those harmful effects

Protective role of Ipomoea aquatica Forsk. crude extract on rat tissues in the presence of acephate and carbofuran by histopathology and cytometric determination

Ipomoea aquatica Forsk., commonly called water spinach ( ‘kalmi’ in Bengali) is an underexploited local green leafy vegetable having enormous scope as a cheap antioxidant source. The study explores the ameliorative effect of aqueous I. aquatica extract (IAE) in acephate and carbofuran treated Wistar male rats. Aqueous IAE (@ 20 mg/kg body wt.), administered to rats treated with organophosphate acephate (@ 30 mg/kg body wt.) and carbamate carbofuran (@ 0.1 mg /kg body wt.), attenuated the cholinesterase activity in brain, liver and cellular blood and reformed the histological perturbations in the brain cortex as well as the kidney anomalies, to a good extent. The IAE also upregulated the NF-E2-related factor-2 (Nrf-2) and MnSOD gene expression against pesticide toxicity. Hence, results of the present study intervenes into a new approach of justifying the deleterious side effects of pesticides that are commonly used, and how green leafy vegetables can help ameliorate those harmful effects

Discerning the proximate composition, anti-oxidative and prebiotic properties of de-oiled meals: Mustard and Rice-bran

The de-oiled meals are the less economically viable counterparts obtained from post oil-extraction process. These de-oiled meals are extremely rich constituents of various nutrients such as carbohydrate, protein, dietary fibre and minerals. However, in addition to the nutrition, it also has a significant content of various anti-nutritional factors that can be removed by simple processing methods. These de-oiled meals are largely discarded and disposed of as waste, leaving only a small portion to be used for feeding animals. The progressively increasing demand for alternative sources of naturally occurring feed stuffs necessitates utilisation of de-oiled meals to its full potential for feeding animals and fishes that are being raised/cultured for commercial objectives. In this paper, we have analysed the nutrient, anti-oxidants, as well as anti-nutritional composition of the two de-oiled meals mustard and rice-bran, followed by evaluation of their prebiotic properties with respect of Lactobacillus acidophilus bacteria. The de-oiled meals were good sources of protein, carbohydrate crude fibre, polyphenols and flavonoid. They were found to contain low amounts of phytates and tannates and demonstrated prebiotic activities comparable to that of commercial inulin. The de-oiled meals also inhibited amylase enzyme activity. The mustard meal had the highest amylase inhibitory activity i.e., 49.75%. Therefore, these edible oil industry wastes have a great potential to serve as a nutrient dense food for animals and their utilisation will help to reduce the burden on environment as well as meet the ensuing demand gap

Bacteria against bacteria: Green silver nanoparticle fabrication, antioxidant, anti-biofilm and antibacterial activities

411-424The current study focuses on the assessment of antioxidant and antibacterial properties of Ag nanoparticles (NP) synthesised using a pathogen Shigella flexneri 29508 in a green synthesis techinque. The synthesis has been confirmed with evolution of surface plasmon resonance band in the absor[ption spectrum of Ag-NPs. The nanosize, homogeneity, and high stability of the particles are confirmed by dynamic light scattering technique. Spherical morphology with an average particle size of 50 nm has been observed by TEM analysis. EDAX clearly demonstrated the presence of elemental silver. Using conventional tests, the antioxidant capacity of the greenly produced Ag-NPs has been assessed. The results showed considerable antioxidant potential, demonstrating the potential of nanoparticles to combat free radicals and guarding against oxidative stress. Additionally, a small number of clinically significant bacterial strains have been used to test the antibacterial effectiveness of the produced Ag-NPs. To assess the detrimental impact of the nanoparticles on bacterial development, Resazurin-based micro-dilution viability test, disc diffusion, and spread plate assay techniques for MIC and MBC determination have been used. The results showed that the tested bacterial infections are resistant to a variety of powerful antibacterial agents in various degrees. Additionally, two biofilm-forming bacterial strains have been used to test the biosynthesized Ag-NPs' biofilm inhibitory and eradicating activities, and the findings demonstrated its powerful anti-biofilm potential. The success of the green synthesis of Ag-NPs utilizing bacteria is highlighted in this study, and their antioxidant, antibacterial, and antibiofilm properties are discussed

Sesame lignans as promising anti-inflammatory agent: Exploring novel therapeutic avenues with in silico and computational approach

547-559Innumerable health-beneficial properties of sesame lignans like sesamol, sesamolin, sesamin and sesaminol make them lucrative agents in the pharmaceutical industry. To specify the mode of action of these phytochemicals, detailed computational physicochemical properties evaluation, and toxicity assessment (using free web servers and databases), as well as binding interactions with physiological inflammatory effectors (such as COX-2, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6) by means of rigid ligand-receptor docking (using software), have been thoroughly investigated. Interestingly, sesame lignans are conformed to have drug-likeness, indicating their efficacy and suitability like established therapeutics. These bioactive lignans possess drug-like attributes and effectively act as ligands in the present in-silico study. The basic pharmacokinetic profile of these compounds has suggested non-polar solvents or delivery systems for them to enhance their bioavailability in physiological systems. However, all the sesame lignans are toxic to the liver cells with a50 % lethal dose in the range of 500-1500 mg/kg. Toxicity study indicated minimum toxicity of lignans to normal cellular milieu, but noticeable cytotoxic effects against several cancerous cell lines suggesting their anti-carcinogenic properties. Finally, the findings of the molecular docking study have depicted a high affinity of these ligands for target proteins, even better than traditional anti-inflammatory drugs- Indomethacin and Ibuprofen. The molecular interactions have represented sesaminol as the most effective and Sesamol as the least potent ligand for target receptor whereas COX-2 seems to be the most vulnerable target. The docking scores varied widely (-4.7 to -11.0 kcal/mol). The present in-silico approach is expected to provide valuable resources for optimizing bioactive molecules as future-generation therapeutics before pre-clinical and clinical studies

Calcium, iron and essential fatty acid composition of bengali mother’s milk: a population based cross-sectional study

Background: Extensive literature is available that highlights only a healthy mother ensures the optimal growth of an infant. Human milk fatty acid is the only component which is influenced more by maternal diet. Beside the lipid fraction of maternal milk, micro and macro elements play major roles in execution of development of new-born. Aims and Objectives: For the first time, the present study entails to exhibit the relative concentration of essential nutrients of human milk of Bengali mothers with typical Bengali food habit with aims to observe (i) the level of Calcium (Ca), Iron (Fe) (ii) the composition of lipid in Bengali mothers’ milk and (iii) maternal dietary habit and its influence on these nutrients. Materials and Methods: 19 colostrum, 14 transitional milk and 16 matured milk samples were collected from Bengali mothers, belonging to higher income group (HIG) and medium income income group (MIG). Milk lipid was extracted, and then converted to fatty acid methyl ester to analyse by gas liquid chromatography. Phospholipid content was determined spectrophotometrically. Ca and Fe contents were determined by atomic absorption microscopy. Results: Ca content changed in an ascending order throughout the lactation period in both HIG and MIG mothers, so as the lipid content of HIG mothers. Daily intake of Ca is higher in HIG mothers than MIG, but not Fe. Ca content is linearly correlated with maternal age and BMI. Conclusion: Ca, Fe and fatty acid composition of mothers’ milk are influenced by maternal dietary intake. Linear correlation signifies that demand of calcium to neonate increases as maternal age progress. Eicosapentaenoic acid, arachidonic acid and docosahexaenoic acid are of great importance for neonatal growth which is solely dependent on maternal fish intake. Consumption of mustard oil results in a significant amount of nervonic acid which is an imperative component of nerve tissue

Biochemical assessment of extract from <em>Oxalis corniculata</em> L.: Its role in food preservation, antimicrobial and antioxidative paradigms using <em>in situ</em> and <em>in vitro</em> models

230-243Food poisoning, often due to microbial contamination and improper storage practice, is a matter of concern. Plants and plant based products are gaining interest in processed food in food industry as an alternative to synthetic antimicrobials. In this context, here, we analysed flavonoid rich methanolic extract from the creeping woodsorrel, Oxalis corniculata L. leaf for its biochemical assessments along with its bioactivity against some common pathogenic bacteria. The bioactivity of the extract as evaluated in both in vitro and in situ methods, verified that the Oxalis corniculata leafextract exert reduces power, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, inhibition in liposome peroxidation, and DPPH free radical quenching activity. The extract also inhibited the formation of peroxide during subsequent storage in the oil-emulsion system as well as in heated oil. The greater reducing activity of the extract prevented hydroxyl radical induced pUC18 DNA strand breaks and there by retain its original conformation. The extract also prevented the oxidative damage of goat liver cells during Fenton reaction. In vitro antimicrobial experiments implied that extract has inhibitory effect against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella Typhi, S. Typhiimurium and Vibrio cholera. E. coli showed the highest and V. cholera the lowest sensitivities against the extract. Moreover, the extract can be utilized for preservation of fish meat as it prevented the growth of food poisoning bacteria S. aureus during storage at 10°C. HPLC chromatogram detected the predominance of three active principal components, i.e. flavonoids in the following order: rutin>p-hydroxybenzoic acid>ferulic acid