Potential Antioxidant Role of Tridham in Managing Oxidative Stress against Aflatoxin-B1-Induced Experimental Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most fatal cancers due to delayed diagnosis and lack of effective treatment options. Significant exposure to Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), a potent hepatotoxic and hepatocarcinogenic mycotoxin, plays a major role in liver carcinogenesis through oxidative tissue damage and p53 mutation. The present study emphasizes the anticarcinogenic effect of Tridham (TD), a polyherbal traditional medicine, on AFB1-induced HCC in male Wistar rats. AFB1-administered HCC-bearing rats (Group II) showed increased levels of lipid peroxides (LPOs), thiobarbituric acid substances (TBARs), and protein carbonyls (PCOs) and decreased levels of enzymic and nonenzymic antioxidants when compared to control animals (Group I). Administration of TD orally (300 mg/kg body weight/day) for 45 days to HCC-bearing animals (Group III) significantly reduced the tissue damage accompanied by restoration of the levels of antioxidants. Histological observation confirmed the induction of tumour in Group II animals and complete regression of tumour in Group III animals. This study highlights the potent antioxidant properties of TD which contribute to its therapeutic effect in AFB1-induced HCC in rats

Immunity, Sex Hormones, and Environmental Factors as Determinants of COVID-19 Disparity in Women

The current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has resulted in a major global pandemic, causing extreme morbidity and mortality. Few studies appear to suggest a significant impact of gender in morbidity and mortality, where men are reported at a higher risk than women. The infectivity, transmissibility, and varying degree of disease manifestation (mild, modest, and severe) in population studies reinforce the importance of a number of genetic and epigenetic factors, in the context of immune response and gender. The present review dwells on several contributing factors such as a stronger innate immune response, estrogen, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 gene, and microbiota, which impart greater resistance to the SARS-CoV-2 infection and disease progression in women. In addition, the underlying importance of associated microbiota and certain environmental factors in gender-based disparity pertaining to the mortality and morbidity due to COVID-19 in women has also been addressed.Institute for Research and Medical Consultatio

Faculty readiness for online teaching at Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University during the COVID-19 crisis: a cross-sectional study [version 3; peer review: 1 approved, 2 approved with reservations]

Background: The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the education sector around the world. In order to control the spread of the virus, eLearning practice has been introduced in Saudi higher education. Such online communication has become an important tool to narrow the teaching practice gap. This study assessed the characteristics of eLearning and distance learning and the inclination of Imam Abdulrahman BinFaisal University (IAU) faculty members in terms of skills, and managing classes and tests using online learning tools. Methods: A QuestionPro questionnaire with 22 questions on eLearning experience, training experience, and skills and knowledge in the educational process of IAU teaching faculty was conducted through the online university e-mail domain. The questionnaire was sent to the IAU’s teaching faculty. The questionnaire’s reliability was studied using Cronbach’s a coefficient. The criterion value was statistically studied using the KMO (Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin) and Bartlett’s test. The variables associated with the present survey model were analysed using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). Results: The study showed positive responses and readiness (skills and abilities) and the effectiveness of IAU’s faculty members to perform e-learning activities during COVID-19. IAU faculty received a strong positive response, and the respondents were also impressed with and agreed on trainer knowledge, session management, communication and expertise on training topics. Conclusions: The positive response indicates the readiness of IAU to provide the necessary support (tools, information and updates) required for a successful online educational process

Multifactorial role of flavonoids in prevention and treatment of various cancers

Bioactive compounds isolated from plants have gained a lot of attention in recent years. Among them flavonoids, which consist of a large group of polyphenolic compounds, are at the forefront in the treatment of various diseases including cancer. Flavonoids possess anti-cancer properties and they exert their curative effect by modulating different cell-signalling pathways like the Nf-kB pathway, PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway and the JAK/STAT pathway. Flavonoids also possess anti-oxidant activity and they regulate the redox status and prevent damage caused by oxidative stress. Chemokines and cytokines play a key role in mediating the inflammatory response in a cell. Consequently, more inflammatory markers are recruited to the site of inflammation that leads to increased ROS and cause damage at the site of accumulation. The present review covers the recent studies, in vitro and in vivo, that highlight the promising potential of flavonoids in treating cancer.

Vijaya Ravinayagam's Quick Files

The Quick Files feature was discontinued and it’s files were migrated into this Project on March 11, 2022. The file URL’s will still resolve properly, and the Quick Files logs are available in the Project’s Recent Activity

Fabricating hierarchical ZSM-5 to induct long chain antioxidant coenzyme Q10 for biomedical application

The study investigates the hydrophobic antioxidant Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) adsorption over industrially relevant hierarchical ZSM-5 for potential therapeutic applications. The designing of hierarchical nanocomposites was optimized with two different NaOH/CTAB ratios (0.18 and 0.62) over ZSM-5 (SiO2/Al2O3 = 22–27) of different crystal sizes (0.5 µm, 2.0 µm and 3.0 µm) and different SiO2/Al2O3 ratios (23, 80, 280 and 1500) through top-down approach. Hydrothermal stability of samples was studied using 100% water steam at 700 °C and 750 °C for 2 h, respectively. Reassembling nano ZSM-5 into hierarchical composite was found to exhibit ordered/disordered hexagonal mesophase depending on alkaline treated ZSM-5 crystal sizes and silica to alumina ratios. The phase changes were analyzed using different textural characterizations such as X-ray diffraction, BET surface area, ammonia desorption technique, 27Al MAS NMR, thermogravimetric analysis and transmission electron microscope. 21 different nanoformulations were screened for CoQ10 adsorption and subsequently selected samples were applied for curcumin and ascorbic acid adsorption. Hierarchical ZSM-5 with SiO2/Al2O3 ratio 80 (ZSM-5-80 (0.62)) was found to be steam stable and optimum with highest Q10 adsorption (55%). The adsorption influence over different crystal size and silica to alumina ratios, clearly showed the dependency over synergistic action of textural characteristics such as external surface area, pore volume, and weak acidity. The structured nanosupports with pore sizes between 3 and 4.0 nm were found to exhibit highest CoQ10 adsorption. Keywords: Hierarchical, ZSM-5, Antioxidant, Q10 coenzyme, Biomedical applicatio

Design and Evaluation of Pegylated Large 3D Pore Ferrisilicate as a Potential Insulin Protein Therapy to Treat Diabetic Mellitus

An iron-based SBA-16 mesoporous silica (ferrisilicate) with a large surface area and three-dimensional (3D) pores is explored as a potential insulin delivery vehicle with improved encapsulation and loading efficiency. Fe was incorporated into a framework of ferrisilicate using the isomorphous substitution technique for direct synthesis. Fe3+ species were identified using diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The large surface area (804 m2/g), cubic pores (3.2 nm) and insulin loading were characterized using XRD, BET surface area, FTIR and TEM analyses. For pH sensitivity, the ferrisilicate was wrapped with polyethylene glycol (MW = 400 Daltons) (PEG). For comparison, Fe (10 wt%) was impregnated on a Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology Number 6 (KIT-6) sieve and Mesocellular Silica Foam (MSU-F). Insulin loading was optimized, and its release mechanism was studied using the dialysis membrane technique (MWCO = 14,000 Da) at physiological pH = 7.4, 6.8 and 1.2. The kinetics of the drug’s release was studied using different structured/insulin nanoformulations, including Santa Barbara Amorphous materials (SBA-15, SBA-16), MSU-F, ultra-large-pore FDU-12 (ULPFDU-12) and ferrisilicates. A different insulin adsorption times (0.08–1 h), insulin/ferrisilicate ratios (0.125–1.0) and drug release rates at different pH were examined using the Korsmeyer–Peppas model. The rate of drug release and the diffusion mechanisms were obtained based on the release constant (k) and release exponent (n). The cytotoxicity of the nanoformulation was evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay using human foreskin fibroblast (HFF-1) cells. A low cytotoxicity was observed for this nanoformulation starting at the highest concentrations used, namely, 400 and 800 μg. The hypoglycemic activity of insulin/ferrisilicate/PEG on acute administration in Wistar rats was studied using doses of 2, 5 and 10 mg/kg body weight. The developed facile ferrisilicate/PEG nanoformulation showed a high insulin encapsulation and loading capacity with pH-sensitive insulin release for potential delivery through the oral route

Natural Products as Source of Molecules with Therapeutic Potential

International audienc

Zeolitic Imidazole Framework/Silica Nanocomposite for Targeted Cancer Therapeutics: Comparative Study of Chemo-Drug Cisplatin (CPt) and Green Platinum (GPt) Efficacy

A chemo-drug such as cisplatin is effective for cancer treatment but remains non-specific, is susceptible to drug resistance, and induces several side effects on organ systems. Zeolitic imidazolate framework-8, a type of MOF, has gained attention, including as a drug delivery method for targeted cancer therapeutics. In this study, ZIF-8/Silica nanocomposite was synthesized using a one-pot hydrothermal technique using the Stober technique. We studied the effect of phyto-synthesized GPt and chemo-drug cisplatin CPt on ZIF-8/Silica for targeted efficacy of cancer therapy. The texture, morphology, and chemical environment of Pt on ZIF-8/Silica were analyzed using different characterization techniques such as XRD, FT-IR, BET, diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, SEM-EDX, TEM, zeta potential, and TGA analysis. The isothermal behavior of CPt and GPt adsorption was investigated using isotherm models like Langmuir, Freundlich, and Temkin isotherm. The adsorption kinetics indicating the adsorption efficiency of GPt and CPt are influenced by the concentration of Pt complex and the adsorption sites of ZIF-8/Silica. A high entrapment efficiency and loading capacity of GPt (86% and 4.3%) and CPt (91% and 4.5%) were evident on ZIF-8/Silica. The nanocomposite showed a pH-sensitive Pt release using a dialysis membrane technique. For instance, a high release of GPt (93%) was observed under pH = 6.6 in 72 h, while the release reduced to 50% at pH 7.4 in 72 h. The anti-cancer activity of nanoformulations was studied in vitro using MCF7 (breast cancer cells) and HFF-1 (human foreskin fibroblast) cells. The findings demonstrated that GPt is as effective as CPt; the EC50 value for MCF7 cells treated with ZIF-8/Silica/Cp/PEG was 94.86 µg/mL, whereas for ZIF-8/Silica/GPt/PEG it was 60.19 µg/mL