Evaluation of Antioxidant and Anti Parkinsonism Activity of Betaine in Experimental Rats

Aim and Objectives: The present study was aimed to evaluate anti parkinsonium effect of Betaine for its Applications in trigger factors in pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease and to understand development of new treatments approaches for PD. Betaine is naturally obtained product. It has antioxidant, neuroprotective activity. Hence, we inspected whether betaine can act as a protective agent in 6-OHDA induced oxidative stress on cerebellum of Sprague-Dawleyrats. Material and Methods Thirty-six adult Sprague-Dawley rats were dived into six groups. Rats were received unilateral 6- hydroxydopamine lesions for induction except normal and rats were treated with respective treatment. At the day of 21 rats were sacrificed. Prepared brain homogenate was used for further Biochemical estimation. Result: Betaine showed marked rise in SOD and Catalase activity as well as GSH content subsequently decreasing in the lipid peroxidation process. Our result suggests Betaine to be potent antioxidant at dose 12.5 and 25 mg/kg as compared to standard (L-dopa+Benserazide) and pro-inflammatory cytokines viz: TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 were significantly reversed by Betaine as compared to that of standard group (L-dopa+ Benserazide). Discussion and Conclusion: Betaine showed dose dependent effect by reducing LPO level as increasing SOD, GSH and Catalase activity and marked reduced proinflammatory cytokine, hence we conclude that betaine has good anti parkinsonism activity. Keywords: 6-OHDA, Antioxidant, Betaine, Pro-inflammatory cytokines

Potential Defensive Involvement of Methyl Jasmonate in Oxidative Stress and Its Related Molecular Mechanisms

Jasmonic acid (JA), cytokinins (CK), gibberellins (GA), abscisic acid (ABA), ethylene (ET), and salicylic acid (SA) are potent plant stress hormones (phytohormones/PTH). Methyl jasmonate (MeJA), a volatile ester of JA, is derived from the petals of Jasminum grandiflorum (jasmine). The MeJA has been meticulously confirmed for its food, agricultural, and therapeutic uses in the treatment of a range of serious illnesses. Several scientific articles have studied and reported on the role of free radicals in the development of life-threatening clinical illnesses. The inflammatory signaling pathway is triggered by a weak or interfering endogenous antioxidant system, or the elaborated production of free radicals, which causes damage to key cellular components. The current chapter focused on and demonstrated MeJA’s multifunctional role in antioxidant and anti-inflammatory signaling mechanisms such as inhibition of NF-B (nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK or MAP kinase) pathway inhibition/down-regulation of pro-inflammatory mediators (IL, TNF-), cyclo-oxygenase (COX), and (LOX). The antioxidant effect of MeJA’s interaction with miRNA, transcription of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related 2 (Nfr2), activation of sirtuins (SIRTs), antioxidant and redox signaling pathway were also discussed in the chapter

The Healthy Activity Program lay counsellor delivered treatment for severe depression in India: systematic development and randomised evaluation.

BACKGROUND: Reducing the global treatment gap for mental disorders requires treatments that are economical, effective and culturally appropriate. AIMS: To describe a systematic approach to the development of a brief psychological treatment for patients with severe depression delivered by lay counsellors in primary healthcare. METHOD: The treatment was developed in three stages using a variety of methods: (a) identifying potential strategies; (b) developing a theoretical framework; and (c) evaluating the acceptability, feasibility and effectiveness of the psychological treatment. RESULTS: The Healthy Activity Program (HAP) is delivered over 6-8 sessions and consists of behavioral activation as the core psychological framework with added emphasis on strategies such as problem-solving and activation of social networks. Key elements to improve acceptability and feasibility are also included. In an intention-to-treat analysis of a pilot randomised controlled trial (55 participants), the prevalence of depression (Beck Depression Inventory II ⩾19) after 2 months was lower in the HAP than the control arm (adjusted risk ratio = 0.55, 95% CI 0.32-0.94,P= 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Our systematic approach to the development of psychological treatments could be extended to other mental disorders. HAP is an acceptable and effective brief psychological treatment for severe depression delivered by lay counsellors in primary care

Therapeutic Outcomes of Isatin and Its Derivatives against Multiple Diseases: Recent Developments in Drug Discovery

Isatin (1H indole 2, 3-dione) is a heterocyclic, endogenous lead molecule recognized in humans and different plants. The isatin nucleus and its derivatives are owed the attention of researchers due to their diverse pharmacological activities such as anticancer, anti-TB, antifungal, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticonvulsant, anti-HIV, and so on. Many research chemists take advantage of the gentle structure of isatins, such as NH at position 1 and carbonyl functions at positions 2 and 3, for designing biologically active analogues via different approaches. Literature surveys based on reported preclinical, clinical, and patented details confirm the multitarget profile of isatin analogues and thus their importance in the field of medicinal chemistry as a potent chemotherapeutic agent. This review represents the recent development of isatin analogues possessing potential pharmacological action in the years 2016–2020. The structure–activity relationship is also discussed to provide a pharmacophoric pattern that may contribute in the future to the design and synthesis of potent and less toxic therapeutics

Molecular insights into Coumarin analogues as antimicrobial agents: Recent developments in drug discovery

A major global health risk has been witnessed with the development of drug-resistant bacteria and multidrug-resistant pathogens linked to significant mortality. Coumarins are heterocyclic compounds belonging to the benzophenone class enriched in different plants. Coumarins and their derivatives have a wide range of biological activity, including antibacterial, anticoagulant, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antitumour, and enzyme inhibitory effects. In the past few years, attempts have been reported towards the optimization, synthesis, and evaluation of novel coumarin analogues as antimicrobial agents. Several coumarin-based antibiotic hybrids have been developed, and the majority of them were reported to exhibit potential antibacterial effects. In the present work, studies reported from 2016 to 2020 about antimicrobial coumarin analogues are the focus. The diverse biological spectrum of coumarins can be attributed to their free radical scavenging abilities. In addition to various synthetic strategies developed, some of the structural features include a heterocyclic ring with electron-withdrawing/donating groups conjugated with the coumarin nucleus. The suggested structure−activity relationship (SAR) can provide insight into how coumarin hybrids can be rationally improved against multidrug-resistant bacteria. The present work demonstrates molecular insights for coumarin derivatives having antimicrobial properties from the recent past. The detailed SAR outcomes will benefit towards leading optimization during the discovery and development of novel antimicrobial therapeutics

The effectiveness of a low-intensity problem-solving intervention for common adolescent mental health problems in New Delhi, India: protocol for a school-based, individually randomized controlled trial with an embedded stepped-wedge cluster randomized controlled recruitment trial

Background Conduct, anxiety and depressive disorders account for over 75% of the adolescent mental health burden globally. The current protocol will test a low-intensity problem-solving intervention for school-going adolescents with common mental health problems in India. The protocol also tests the effects of a classroom-based sensitization intervention on the demand for counselling services in an embedded recruitment trial. Methods We will conduct a two-arm individually randomized controlled trial in six Government-run secondary schools in New Delhi. The targeted sample is 240 adolescents in grades 9-12 with persistent, elevated mental health symptoms and associated impact. Participants will receive either a brief problem-solving intervention delivered over 3 weeks by lay counsellors (intervention), or enhanced usual care comprised of problem-solving booklets (control). Self-reported adolescent mental health symptoms and idiographic problems will be assessed at 6 weeks (co-primary outcomes) and again at 12 weeks post-randomization. In addition, adolescent-reported impact of mental health difficulties, perceived stress, mental wellbeing and clinical remission, as well as parent-reported adolescent mental health symptoms and impact scores, will be assessed at 6 and 12 weeks post-randomization. We will also complete a parallel process evaluation, including estimations of the costs of delivering the interventions. An embedded recruitment trial will apply a stepped-wedge, cluster (class)-randomized controlled design in 70 classes across the six schools. This will evaluate the added impact of a classroom-based sensitization intervention over school-level recruitment sensitization activities on the primary outcome of referral rate into the host trial (i.e. the proportion of adolescents referred as a function of the total sampling frame in each condition of the embedded recruitment trial). Other outcomes will be the proportion of referrals eligible to participate in the host trial, proportion of self-generated referrals, and severity and pattern of symptoms among referred adolescents in each condition. Power calculations were undertaken separately for each trial. A detailed statistical analysis plan will be developed separately for each trial prior to unblinding. Discussion Both trials were initiated on 20 August 2018. A single research protocol for both trials offers a resource-efficient methodology for testing the effectiveness of linked procedures to enhance uptake and outcomes of a school-based psychological intervention for common adolescent mental health problems

HERBAL MEDICINAL PLANTS ACTIVE AGAINST COVID-19 USED BY TRIBAL COMMUNITIES FROM NANDED DISTRICT (MS), INDIA

Objective: Presently, the whole world is under threat and suffering from the disease COVID-19. WHO accepted that COVID-19 viral disease poses a serious health problem for the world and declared it as a pandemic. According to WHO Coronavirus (COVID-19), there have been 183,934,913 confirmed cases, including 3,985,022 deaths globally as of 6 July 2021. From India COVID-19 464357 active cases and 403281 deaths are being reported by MOH and FW, GOI as of 06 July 2021. The present scenario of the COVID-19 pandemic appears to provide no effective antiviral drug or vaccine therapy against this extremely contagious lethal infection. The COVID-19 mortality rate is found to be very high in people with weak immunity. India is a hub for herbals and that is the reason why the possibility to find a solution against COVID-19 is practically attainable. Methods: The present study emphasizes various herbal plants potentially considered as part of formulation or used in the management of COVID-19. Present data is collected from hilly tribal communities (Total= 180 respondents from which males are 112 and females 68) via., semi-structured questionnaires. Results: A total of 17 traditional herbal medicinal plant species belonging to 13 different families are being used extensively for the improved immune system of the human body to fight against COVID-19 by tribal communities in the studied area. Conclusion: This article will help researchers and industries to identify potential herbals for the treatment of COVID-19 viral infection

Recognition of Natural Products as Potential Inhibitors of COVID-19 Main Protease (Mpro): In-Silico Evidences

Abstract SARS-CoV-2 (2019-nCoV) emerged in 2019 and proliferated rapidly across the globe. Scientists are attempting to investigate antivirals specific to COVID-19 treatment. The 2019-nCoV and SARS-CoV utilize the same receptor of the host which is COVID-19 of the main protease (Mpro).COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 is burdensome to overcome by presently acquired antiviral candidates. So the objective and purpose of this work was to investigate the plants with reported potential antiviral activity. With the aid of in silico techniques such as molecular docking and druggability studies, we have proposed several natural active compounds including glycyrrhizin, bicylogermecrene, tryptanthrine, β-sitosterol, indirubin, indican, indigo, hesperetin, crysophanic acid, rhein, berberine and β-caryophyllene which can be encountered as potential herbal candidate exhibiting anti-viral activity against SARS-CoV-2. Promising docking outcomes have been executed which evidenced the worthy of these selected herbal remedies for future drug development to combat coronavirus disease. Graphic Abstrac

High-throughput metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses vet the potential route of cerpegin biosynthesis in two varieties of Ceropegia bulbosa Roxb.

Main conclusion: Exploration with high-throughput transcriptomics and metabolomics of two varieties of Ceropegia bulbosa identifies candidate genes, crucial metabolites and a potential cerpegin biosynthetic pathway. Abstract: Ceropegia bulbosa is an important medicinal plant, used in the treatment of various ailments including diarrhea, dysentery, and syphilis. This is primarily attributed to the presence of pharmaceutically active secondary metabolites, especially cerpegin. As this plant belongs to an endemic threatened category, genomic resources are not available hampering exploration on the molecular basis of cerpegin accumulation till now. Therefore, we undertook high-throughput metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses using different tissues from two varieties namely, C. bulbosa var. bulbosa and C. bulbosa var. lushii. Metabolomic analysis revealed spatial and differential accumulation of various metabolites. We chemically synthesized and characterized the cerpegin and its derivatives by liquid chromatography tandem–mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). Importantly, these comparisons suggested the presence of cerpegin and 5-allyl cerpegin in all C. bulbosa tissues. Further, de novo transcriptome analysis indicated the presence of significant transcripts for secondary metabolic pathways through the Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes database. Tissue-specific profiling of transcripts and metabolites showed a significant correlation, suggesting the intricate mechanism of cerpegin biosynthesis. The expression of potential candidate genes from the proposed cerpegin biosynthetic pathway was further validated by qRT-PCR and NanoString nCounter. Overall, our findings propose a potential route of cerpegin biosynthesis. Identified transcripts and metabolites have built a foundation as new molecular resources that could facilitate future research on biosynthesis, regulation, and engineering of cerpegin or other important metabolites in such non-model plants