BENEFICIAL OUTCOMES AFTER COMBINED THERAPY WITH AZATHIOPRINE AND PIOGLITAZONE IN PRECLINICAL ARTHRITIC MODELS

Objectives: The present study was designed to investigate the antioxidant and anti-arthritic activities of azathioprine-pioglitazone combination therapy to check whether it has an add on benefit over monotherapy with azathioprine or pioglitazone on disease activity in rodent models. Methods: The antioxidant activity of test drugs and their combination was screened by H2O2 and nitric oxide scavenging assays. They were further evaluated for anti-arthritic activity using in vitro models such as protein denaturation and membrane stabilization and in vivo methods such as formaldehyde and complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA)-induced arthritis. Results: The combination of test drugs showed better inhibition of free radicals in both H2O2 and nitric oxide scavenging assay than individual counterparts revealing its potential antioxidant activity. They also showed significant inhibition of protein denaturation and proliferation of the red blood cell in in vitro models. The test drugs showed significant inhibition of the paw volume in both the formaldehyde and CFA-induced arthritis along with reverting the altered biochemical parameters. These findings were corroborated by radiological and histopathological studies. Conclusions: Combination of azathioprine and pioglitazone exhibited better antioxidant and anti-arthritic effect than the individual drugs showing synergistic interaction between them

ANTI-HYPERLIPIDEMIC ACTIVITY OF METHANOLIC EXTRACT OF SYZYGIUM ALTERNIFOLIUM BARK AGAINST HIGH-FAT DIET AND DEXAMETHASONE-INDUCED HYPERLIPIDEMIA IN RATS

Objective: The present study is an attempt to investigate its anti-hyperlipidemic activity of methanolic extract of Syzygium alternifolium (MESA) usinghigh-fat diet (HFDs) and dexamethasone-induced hyperlipidemia.Methods: MESA bark was evaluated for anti-hyperlipidemic activity in HFD and dexamethasone-induced hyperlipidemic rats. A comparison was alsomade between the action of S. alternifolium bark extract and a known anti-hyperlipidemic drug atorvastatin (10 mg/kg body weight). The results ofthe study were expressed as mean ± standard error, and data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance test followed by Dunnett's t-test formultiple comparisons. Values of p<0.05 were considered as significant.Results: Oral administration of 100, 200 mg/kg body weight of the MESA bark exhibited a significant reduction (p<0.01) in serum lipid parameterssuch as total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), very LDL, and increase in high-density lipoprotein in hyperlipidemic rats of bothmodels as compared to hyperlipidemic control statistically. These extracts were found to possess better anti-hyperlipidemic potential.Conclusion: Our results demonstrated that MESA bark possessed significant anti-hyperlipidemic activity and hence it could be a potential herbalmedicine as an adjuvant with existing therapy for the treatment of hyperlipidemia.Keywords: Syzygium alternifolium, Hyperlipidemia, High-fat diet, Dexamethasone

Placement and source effects of phosphate fertilizers on phosphorus availability and reaction products in two reduced-till soils: A greenhouse study

Citation: Khatiwada, Raju, et al. “Placement and Source Effects of Phosphate Fertilizers on Phosphorus Availability and Reaction Products in Two Reduced-Till Soils: A Greenhouse Study.” Soil Science, vol. 179, no. 3, Mar. 2014, pp. 141–152. journals.lww.com, doi:10.1097/SS.0000000000000055.Crop yields are limited primarily by unavailability of nutrients in agricultural soil. Adoption of reduced tillage and no-tillage systems leads to stratification of nutrients in surface soil, so management of phosphorus (P) in these systems is a major issue. The objective of this research was to understand the influence of placement (broadcast vs. deep-placed P) and fertilizer source (granular versus liquid P) on the reaction products of P under greenhouse conditions using soil columns. Phosphorus was added at a rate of 75 kg/ha to two soils: an acid soil from Manhattan, KS, and a slightly acid to neutral soil from Ottawa, KS. At 5 weeks after P application soil pH, resin-extractable P, and speciation of P in soils were determined at different distances from the point of fertilizer application. Scanning electron microscope with energy dispersive X-ray analysis(SEM-EDXA) and synchrotron-based X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy were used to understand P speciation. Results for P fertilizer sources and placement with respect to resin-extractable P showed no clear differences between the treatments except for granular broadcast and granular deep-placed treatments in the Ottawa soil.Reaction products formed after application of P in two soils showed some clear differences. The XANES speciation revealed that Fe-P-like forms dominated in the acidic soil, whereas adsorbed and Fe and Ca-P-like forms dominated in the neutral to slightly acid soil. No clear trends in reaction products were detected with respect to P source or the P placement method. Furthermore, SEM-EDXA analysis of incubated fertilizer granules extracted from soils at 5 weeks showed enrichment of Al, Fe, and Ca in the zones of remaining P in incubated granules, indirectly indicating that these cations enter and or remaining in the granules and begin to react with P before the granules dissolve completely

ANTIHYPERLIPIDEMIC ACTIVITY OF CASSIA FISTULA BARK USING HIGH FAT DIET INDUCED HYPERLIPIDEMIA

Objective: To study the antihyperlipidemic and anti atherosclerotic activity of Cassia fistula extracts in experimentally induced atherosclerotic rats.Methods: In this study, the antihyperlipidemic activity of Cassia fistula bark was evaluated by the administration of high fat diet. Atherosclerosis was induced in wistar rats by feeding with high cholesterol diet for 21 d. Oral feeding of cholesterol (500 mg/kg b.w./day) dissolved in coconut oil (0.5 ml/rat/day) caused an elevation in total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, VLDL cholesterol triglycerides serum of rats.Results: Administration of Cassia fistula extracts (methanolic and ethyl acetate extract at 500 mg/kg respectively) along with high cholesterol diet reduced the raised serum level of total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL, VLDL and increased the serum HDL level as compared to the control group (High cholesterol group). Histopathology study of heart has shown decrease in myocardial degeneration and inflammation which may be attributed to the anti atherosclerotic activity of the Cassis fistula bark extracts.Conclusion: These results suggested that Cassia fistula bark possess significant antihyperlipidemic activity.Â

Speciation of phosphorus in a fertilized, reduced-till soil system: in-field treatment incubation study

Citation: Khatiwada, Raju, Ganga M. Hettiarachchi, David B. Mengel, and Mingwei Fei. “Speciation of Phosphorus in a Fertilized, Reduced-Till Soil System: In-Field Treatment Incubation Study.” Soil Science Society of America Journal 76, no. 6 (2012): 2006–18. https://doi.org/10.2136/sssaj2011.0299.Phosphorus management in reduced-tillage systems is a great concern for farmers. Conclusive positive results of deep-banding P fertilizers compared with broadcast application and the chemistry of reduced-tillage systems remain unclear. Knowledge of the dominant solid P species present in soil following application of P fertilizers and the resulting potential P availability would help us understand and efficiently manage P in reduced-tillage systems. The objective of this research was to study the influence of placement (broadcast vs. deep-band P), fertilizer source (granular vs. liquid P), and time on the reaction products of P under field conditions. Changes in soil pH, resin-extractable P, total P, and speciation of P were determined at different distances from the point of fertilizer application at 5 wk and 6 mo after P application at a rate of 75 kg ha−1 to a soil system that was under long-term reduced tillage. Resin-extractable P was lower for broadcast treatments compared with deep-band treatments for both time periods. Resin-extractable P was greater in the liquid P-treated soils than in the granular P-treated soils. Speciation results showed that granular P fertilizers tended to form Fe–P-like forms, whereas liquid forms remained in adsorbed P-like forms in the soil 5 wk after application; moreover, speciation results showed granular P fertilizers precipitated less when deep-banded. During the 6-mo period following application, reaction products of broadcast granular, broadcast liquid, and deep-band granular fertilizers transformed to Ca-phosphate or mixtures of Ca-, Fe- and adsorbed-phosphate-like forms, whereas deep-band liquid P remained as mainly adsorbed P-like forms. Deep-banding of P would most likely provide a solution that is both agronomically and environmentally efficient for reduced-till farmers

ANTIHYPERTENSIVE EFFECT OF RUTIN: PHARMACOLOGICAL AND COMPUTATIONAL APPROACH: PHARMACOLOGICAL AND COMPUTATIONAL APPROACH

Objective: Phenolic compounds, such as flavonoids, have aroused great scientific interest due to their diverse pharmacological activities. Several studies suggested that flavonoids act as antihypertensive by inhibiting angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE). In the present study, rutin, which is a citrus flavonoid, was evaluated for its antihypertensive activity using in vivo and in vitro models. Rutin was screened for in vitro assay procedures such as diphenylpicrylhydrazyl and nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) for its antioxidant activity. Methods: Its antihypertensive effect was investigated in Nω-Nitro-l-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride-induced hypertensive rats, and various parameters such as blood pressure and heart rate were measured; in vitro ACE inhibitory activity was carried out against ACE, aiming at a better understanding of the interaction of this flavonoid with the enzyme. To understand its binding affinity with the angiotensin-converting enzyme, molecular docking studies were carried out using ligand fit of Maestro 9.1 (Schrodinger Software Inc.). An in silico study of rutin was performed for the prediction of Absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination (ADME) by utilizing a web-based program (www.swissadme.ch). This software computes physicochemical descriptors as well as predicts pharmacokinetic properties and drug-like nature of one or multiple small molecules (blood–brain barrier, cytochromes P450, and P-glycoproteins). Results: Rutin at different dose levels of 200 and 400 mg/kg was tested, and the results have shown its antihypertensive, hypotensive, and negative chronotropic effects. Its antihypertensive activity might be mediated through angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition (half maximal inhibitory concentration=66.01 μg/mL). In vitro studies also revealed the antioxidant activity of rutin, thus playing a major role in reducing oxidative stress associated with hypertension. The rutin showed optimum binding affinity with a molecular target (angiotensin-converting-enzyme) with the binding energy of −9.0 kcal/mol as compared to the standard (−6.3 kcal/mol). These results indicated that rutin is one of the potential ligands to treat hypertension. ADME results revealed the three violations of rutin (such as molecular mass, hydrogen donor, and acceptors) of five, and the standard captopril has got zero violations which clearly indicated the probability for its higher oral bioavailability. Conclusion: From the above, it is concluded that rutin possesses antioxidant and antihypertensive activities

Data of in vivo screening of antiulcer activity for methanolic extract of Vernonia elaeagnifolia DC

The data present in this article is related to evaluation of standardized methanolic extract of Vernonia elaeagnifolia aerial parts [MEVE], a species of Asteraceae family for antiulcer potential. Antiulcer activity of MEVE (200 and 400 mg/kg, b.w., p.o.) was evaluated with ethanol and aspirin induced ulcer models and pylorus ligation induced gastric ulcer model. The antioxidant potential of MEVE was evaluated with nitric oxide radicals, hydroxyl radical and H2O2 radical scavenging assay against standard ascorbic acid to correlate antioxidant and antiulcerogenic action. MEVE significantly protects the gastric mucosa against the ethanol and aspirin induced ulcer and pylorus ligation induced ulcer challenge. MEVE had shown significant [normal control: p < 0.0001, disease control: p < 0.0001, standard: p < 0.0001] decrease in the ulcer index produced by all three models in rats as compared to the standard drug omeprazole [20 mg/kg, b.w., p.o.].The present data suggest that aerial parts of Vernonia elaeagnifolia possess significant antiulcer activity, which may attributed to its antioxidant mechanism of action. Keywords: Antiulcer activity, Vernonia elaeagnifolia, Omeprazole, Ethanol, Aspirin, Pylorus ligatio

In vitro and in vivo evaluation for immunomodulatory activity of methanol extract of Sphaeranthus indicus (Linn)

The aim of the present investigation is to evaluate the immunomodulatory activity for methanolic extract of Sphaeranthus indicus Linn. at different doses as 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg bd.wt. in healthy wistar albino rats. The assessment of immunomodulatory activity was evaluated for humoral immunity (antibody titre, plaque forming cell assay and quantitative haemolysis of SRBC) and cellular immunity (delayed type hypersensitivity, T- cell population and drug induced myelosuppression) with antigen challenge by sheep RBCs. Methanolic extract of Sphaeranthus indicus along with the antigen (sheep red blood cells) showed significant increase in the circulating antibody titer and the number of plaque forming cells (PFC) in the spleen at the dose of 100 mg/kg bd.wt. as compare to 200 and 400 mg/kg bd.wt. Methanolic extract of Sphaeranthus indicus also showed significant (p &lt; 0.01) increase in the DTH response, restoration of histological parameters, increase in lymphocytes and rosettes formation in T-cell population at dose of 400 mg/kg bd.wt. as compare to  100 and 200 mg/kg bd.wt. The present investigation reveals that Sphaeranthus indicus can be used as immunomodulator for activation of both specific and non- specific immune responses

Data of antihyperlipidaemic activity for methanolic extract of Tagetes patula Linn. flower head along with piperine, as bioavailability enhancer

The data present in this article is associated with influence of piperine (secondary metabolite) on the antihyperlipidemic and antioxidant activity of methanolic extract of Tagetes patula (METP). METP was evaluated for antihyperlipidemic and antioxidant potential. Phytoconstituents of METP were identified using gas chromatography linked with a mass spectrometer. in vivo antihyperlipidemic activity of METP at the dose of 200 and 400 mg/kg b. wt. and 200 and 400 mg/kg b. wt. along with piperine (20 mg/kg b. wt.) were evaluated by Propylthiouracil induced and Triton X-100 induced hyperlipidemia in rats. Propylthiouracil significantly increased the serum TC (p<0.01), TG (p<0.01), LDL (p<0.01) and VLDL (p<0.01) levels and induction of HDL (p<0.01) at a dose of 400 mg/kg b. wt. along with piperine. Triton X-100 at a single dose of i.p increased lipid levels within 48 h. Increased lipid levels were significantly reduced TC (p<0.01), TG (p<0.01), LDL (p<0.05) and VLDL (p<0.05) by METP at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg b. wt. along with piperine. Current data were also supported by histological study of livers, Cord pattern of hepatocytes, few periportal lymphocytes in focal area observed in hyperlipidemic rats and hepatocyte, periportal and centrilobular region of liver appear normal in treated group. METP along with piperine (capability to enhance bioavailability and has a property of increasing oral absorption of drugs) showed promising antioxidant and antihyperlipidemic activity which suggests the further use of Tagetes patula extract for the management of hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis. Keywords: Antihyperlipidemic activity, Tagetes patula, Piperine, Triton X-100, Bioavailability, GC–M