Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: an overview

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) including both traditional non-selective NSAIDs and the selective cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitors, are widely used for their anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. NSAIDs are a necessary choice in pain management because of the integrated role of the COX path way in the generation of inflammation and in the biochemical recognition of pain. NSAIDs are the competitive inhibitors of cyclooxygenase (COX), the enzyme which mediates the bioconversion of arachidonic acid to inflammatory prostaglandins (PGs). Their use is associated with the side effects such as gastrointestinal and renal toxicity. They are the most commonly employed first line drugs for all these conditions and many others-like musculoskeletal trauma, minor aches and pains, and dysmenorrhoea. The therapeutic anti-inflammatory action of NSAIDs is produced by the inhibition of COX-2, while the undesired side effects arise from inhibition of COX-1 activity. Thus, it was though those more selective COX-2 inhibitors would have reduced side effects. Based upon a number of selective COX-2 inhibitors (Rofecoxib, Celecoxib etc.) were developed as safer NSAIDs with improved gastric safety profile. Several newer applications like prophylaxis of stroke with aspirin are now common place. Use of these drugs for the prophylaxis of conditions like Alzheimer’s disease and colorectal cancer is being evaluated. Unfortunately, they have several toxicities ranging from minor heartburn to severe gastrointestinal haemorrhage and perforation. Therefore, newer NSAIDs have been introduced in recent years to circumvent this problem. In preliminary studies, these have shown better safety, efficacy, and tolerability but the full spectrum of adverse reactions of these drugs is yet to be fully known. This review can be used for further research as well as clinical purpose. Keywords: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), cyclooxygenase inhibitors, prostaglandins, aspirin

Salmonella enterica Serotype Uganda Infection in New York City and Chicago1

Outbreaks associated with distinct strains of Salmonella enterica serotype Uganda, a rare serotype, occurred in New York City and Chicago during the summer of 2001. Both outbreaks were linked to eating ready-to-eat pork products. This serotype may emerge as a more frequent cause of human infections

A Radial Flow Microfluidic Device for Ultra‐High‐Throughput Affinity‐Based Isolation of Circulating Tumor Cells

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/110045/1/smll201400719.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/110045/2/smll201400719-sup-0001-S1.pd

Assessment of anti-oxidant activity of Ficus benghalensis leaves: an In-vitro design

Background: Medicinal plants represent a rich source of natural anti-oxidants. The traditional medicine involves the use of different plant extracts of bioactive constituents. Ficus benghalensis is a large evergreen tree found throughout India. It is commonly called Banyan tree. It is used in traditional system of medicine like Ayurveda and homoeopathy. Ficus is a huge tropical deciduous or evergreen tree with more than 800 species. Objective: Anti-oxidant effect of ethnomedicinal important plant species Ficus benghalensis (Family-Moraceae) was screened. The aim of this study was to assess the in-vitro potential of methanolic extract of Ficus benghalensis leaves as a natural anti-oxidant. Method: Assessment of in vitro anti-oxidant activity of methanolic leaves extract of Ficus benghalensis was determined by DPPH free radical scavenging assay. Results: The methanolic extract of Ficus benghalensis leaves demonstrates a remarkable amount of phenolic content (54 μg/ml of GAE/100gm of extract) by using Folin-ciocalteu reagent. In-vitro anti-oxidant activity of methanolic leaves extract of Ficus benghalensis was determined by DPPH free radical scavenging assay, which showed significant anti-oxidant activity compared to standard anti-oxidant (ascorbic acid). A direct correlation between total phenol and anti-oxidant activity indicates polyphenols are the main anti-oxidants. Conclusion: These findings suggest the excellent medicinal bio-activity of Ficus benghalensis and explain the popularity of this plant in the folk medicine as a remedy for different disorders, thus supporting its folklore application as preventive remedy as an anti-oxidant. The present study shows that Ficus benghalensis leaves have radical scavenging activity and can be considered as good sources of natural anti-oxidants for medicinal and commercial uses. Keywords: Ficus benghalensis, anti-oxidant, DPPH scavenging activity, Folin-ciocalteu reagent

Beneficial effect of Curcumin in Letrozole induced polycystic ovary syndrome

Objective: To investigated beneficial effect of Curcumin (a phenolic curcuminoid derivative from Curcuma longa) in Letrozole induced PCOS in female Wistar rats. Methods: Letrozole (1 mg/kg) was administered per orally (p.o) for a period of 21 days for the induction of PCOS, followed by dose of Curcumin (100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg, p.o) for 15 days using 0.5% w/v CMC as vehicle. Results: The administration of Letrozole led to abnormalcy in serum sex steroid profile, lipid profile, glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin levels and depletion in antioxidant activity. Curcumin was able to successfully exert its protective effect by restoring all the parameters to normal and disappearance of cysts in ovaries. Conclusion: Curcumin showed beneficial effects in Letrozole induced PCOS in female Wistar rats. Its effect was comparable to that of Clomiphene citrate, most widely used treatment for ovulation induction in PCOS condition

Optimizing the Detection of Circulating Markers to Aid in Early Lung Cancer Detection

Improving early detection of lung cancer is critical to improving lung cancer survival. Studies have shown that computerized tomography (CT) screening can reduce mortality from lung cancer, but this involves risks of radiation exposure and can identify non-cancer lung nodules that lead to unnecessary interventions for some. There is a critical need to develop alternative, less invasive methods to identify patients who have early-stage lung cancer. The detection of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are a promising area of research, but current technology is limited by a low yield of CTCs. Alternate studies are investigating circulating nucleic acids and proteins as possible tumor markers. It is critical to develop innovative methods for early lung cancer detection that may include CTCs or other markers that are low-risk and low-cost, yet specific and sensitive, to facilitate improved survival by diagnosing the disease when it is surgically curable

Signaling-dependent phosphorylation of mitotic centromere-associated kinesin regulates microtubule depolymerization and its centrosomal localization

Although p21-activated kinase 1 (PAK1) and microtubule (MT) dynamics regulate numerous fundamental processes including cytoskeleton remodeling, directional motility, and mitotic functions, the significance of PAK1 signaling in regulating the functions of MT-destabilizing protein mitotic centromere-associated kinesin (MCAK) remains unknown. Here we found that MCAK is a cognate substrate of PAK1 wherein PAK1 phosphorylates MCAK on serines 192 and 111 both in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, we found that PAK1 phosphorylation of MCAK on serines 192 and 111 preferentially regulates its microtubule depolymerization activity and localization to centrosomes, respectively, in the mammalian cells

Estimation of Serum β-Carotene Levels in Oral Carcinoma

Oral Cancer is one of the most frequent malignant conditions affecting mankind today. Evidence in support of chemopreventive role for antioxidant nutrients like β-carotene and vitamin E are available in plenty. Antioxidants serve to stabilise the highly reactive free radicals thereby maintaining the structural and functional integrity of cells. Antioxidants status of the body can be considerably influenced by the diet. β-carotene is a pro-vitamin A and must be supplied through diet. Foods rich in, β-carotene have been found to reduce the risk of cancer It is a potent antioxidant because it works effectively even at low oxygen pressure found in living cells and tissues. An approach to the discovery and use of biomarkers for determining the efficacy of nutrient antioxidants as chemopreventive agents is to assess there ability to modulate their proposed mechanism of action in animal and small human clinical trials and then to link these actions to disease out comes and pathologic biomarkers. Keeping this in mind the present study was undertaken to evaluate serum-carotene level in oral cancer patients & to compare with the normal control group. Serum -carotene level was estimated by spectrophotometric method. The present study showed low levels of serum β-carotene in patients with oral carcinoma