Perillyl Alcohol Protects Against Fe-NTA-Induced Nephrotoxicity and Early Tumor Promotional Events in Rat Experimental Model

Plants have been widely used as protective agents against a wide variety of processes and compounds that damage tissues via free radical mechanisms. Perillyl alcohol (PA) is a naturally occurring monoterpene found in the essential oils of numerous species of plants including mints, cherries and celery seeds. This monocyclic monoterpene has shown antioxidant and therapeutic activity in various studies against various xenobiotics. In this study, we have analyzed the effects of PA against single intraperitoneal dose of ferric nitrilotriacetate (Fe-NTA) (9 mg iron per kg body weight)-induced nephrotoxicity and early tumor promotional events. The pretreatment of Fe-NTA-treated rats with 0.5% per kg body weight dose and 1% per kg body weight dose of PA for seven consecutive days significantly reversed the Fe-NTA-induced malondialdehyde formation, xanthine oxidase activity (P < 0.001), ornithine decarboxylase activity (P < 0.001) and 3[H]thymidine incorporation in renal DNA (P < 0.001) with simultaneous significant depletion in serum toxicity markers blood urea nitrogen and creatinine (P < 0.001). Significant restoration at both the doses was recorded in depleted renal glutathione content, and its dependent enzymes with prophylactic treatment of PA. Present results suggest that PA potentially attenuates against Fe-NTA-induced oxidative damage and tumor promotional events that preclude its development as a future drug to avert the free radical-induced toxicity

The Place of Fieldwork in Geography and Science Qualifications

1. The place of fieldwork in geography and science qualifications across the 14-19 age range remains contested, unclear and sometimes under threat. This report explores these issues and was informed by a one-day, invitation-only workshop that we ran at the behest of the Field Studies Council. 2. We focus on issues relevant for those countries that use GCSEs (General Certificates of Secondary Education) as qualifications for 14-16 year-olds and Advanced Subsidiary (AS) and General Certificate of Education Advanced (A) levels as qualifications for 16-19 year-olds. We hope that this report will also be of value to those working in other jurisdictions that have or are introducing fieldwork at school level. 3. Fieldwork, which can be defined as any curriculum component that involves leaving the classroom and engaging in teaching and learning activities through first-hand experience of phenomena out-of-doors, has a long tradition in geography and in certain of the sciences, notably biology and environmental science/studies. 4. In geography, learning in the ‘real world’ is thought to be absolutely essential, contributing particular qualities that run through geography’s identity as a subject discipline from primary education to undergraduate study. It expresses a commitment to exploration and enquiry, and geography’s concern to discover and to be curious about the world. 5. In the sciences too, fieldwork is crucial. It can be regarded as that sub-set of practical science that is particularly valuable for introducing students to investigating the complexity and messiness of the real world. 6. Despite its benefits for student learning and motivation, fieldwork is perceived by some school managers as expendable; desirable but not a core requirement. 7. High quality qualifications in geography at GCSE and AS/A level require that students have experienced, from start to finish, a first-hand geographical investigation of a specific aspect of the world. 8. In geography, the individual study should be the method of assessment of fieldwork at AS/A level. At GCSE, where the 2014 criteria provide no option but to assess fieldwork through terminal examination, the potential of enhancing the place of fieldwork in specifications in a way that invests in curriculum and pedagogic advancement should be examined further, for example through the use of moderated student portfolios. 9. In the sciences, at both GCSE and AS/A level, it is important that practical work, of which fieldwork is a unique component, is subject to high quality assessment. The use of moderated student portfolios for the assessment of fieldwork has many strengths and should be explored to see if it can be introduced as a component within formal, summative assessment. 10. The more widespread practice of excellent fieldwork in the sciences and geography will require enhanced initial teacher education and subsequent teacher professional development. It takes time to become a teacher who can ensure that students have an outstanding fieldwork experience

Screening for cervical cancer (By VIA Test) among selected garments worker in Chattogram, Bangladesh

Background: Bangladesh is a densely populated country of South East Asia with low resource setting where cervical cancer is the 2nd leading cause of female cancer. In more than 80% cases are diagnosed at advanced and inoperable stage. Regarding socio demographic context of this country VIA has been introduced as a screening method for cervical cancer which is most simple, cost effective, and acceptable test for all women. In Bangladesh among 3 million garment workers more than 80% are women. The objective of this study was to identify prevalence of VIA positive cases among garment workers. So that it can reduce the incidence of cervical cancer in Bangladesh. Methods: It was a cross–sectional observational study conducted in some selected garment factories in Chattogram city of Bangladesh from January 2021 to July 2021, where we enrolled 534 female workers for VIA test. Results: Among all the respondents 56% were 30 years or younger, 38% were aged between 31 to 40 years. Among 534 participants, 44.9% completed primary education, 37.3% were smoker and 34.5% had their children at early age. Majority (86.7%) had excessive whitish discharge. Post coital bleeding and irregular bleeding was 2.6% and 2.2% respectively. Considering awareness, 61.8% had idea about cervical cancer, only 1.1% had undergone VIA test in the past. In our study we found 2.4% of participants were VIA positive cases. Conclusions: It is important to include the garment workers, while making public health policies and implementation of cervical cancer control program

Luteolin ameliorates ferric nitrilotriacetic acid induced renal toxicity and tumor promotional response in rat

355-360Ferric nitrilotriacetic acid (Fe-NTA) (9 mg Fe/kg body weight, ip) caused significant depletion in the detoxification and antioxidant enzyme armory with concomitant elevation in renal lipidperoxidation, serum toxicity markers viz. creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, hydrogen peroxide generation, ornithine decarboxylase activity and [3H] thymidine incorporation into renal DNA in wistar rats. However, pretreatment of animals with luteolin (10 and 20 µmol/kg body weight) for 7 consecutive days resulted in significant decrease in above parameters level. Renal glutathione content, glutathione metabolizing enzymes and antioxidant enzymes were also recovered to significant level. The enhanced reduced glutathione level and enzyme activities involved in xenobiotic metabolism and maintaining antioxidant status of cells is suggestive of a chemopreventive efficacy of luteolin against Fe-NTA mediated oxidative stress, toxicity and cell proliferation response in rats

Nephroprotective efficacy of chrysin against cisplatin-induced toxicity via attenuation of oxidative stress

AbstractObjectivesCisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity is the main cause for its dose-limited use in the treatment of various cancers and results in acute renal cell injury through generation of reactive oxygen species. Chrysin possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective efficacy of chrysin against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity.MethodsThirty male Wistar rats were divided into five groups with six rats in each group. Group I served as control and received corn oil (vehicle of chrysin) for 14 days and 0.9% saline (vehicle of cisplatin) on day 14 only. Group II received a single intraperitoneal injection of cisplatin on day 14. Group III and IV were pretreated with two different doses of chrysin in addition to cisplatin and group V received chrysin only. Rats were examined for the effect of chrysin on cisplatin induced depletion of antioxidant enzymes, induction of lipid peroxidation and DNA damage in the kidney, utilizing a well-established model of cisplatin-induced nephropathy.Key findingsPretreatment with chrysin significantly attenuated cisplatin-induced renal oxidative damage by diminishing the DNA damage and toxicity markers, such as creatinine and blood urea nitrogen, lipid peroxidation and xanthine oxidase activity, accompanied by increase in enzymatic (catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and glutathione-S-transferase) and non-enzymatic (reduced glutathione) antioxidant status. Histological findings further substantiated the protective efficacy of chrysin, which reduced cisplatin-induced renal damage.ConclusionsThe data of the present study suggest that chrysin effectively suppress cisplatin-induced renal injury by ameliorating oxidative stress.</jats:sec

Lupeol, a triterpene, prevents free radical mediated macromolecular damage and alleviates benzoyl peroxide induced biochemical alterations in murine skin

827-831<span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height: 115%;font-family:" times="" new="" roman";mso-fareast-font-family:"times="" roman";="" mso-ansi-language:en-in;mso-fareast-language:en-in;mso-bidi-language:hi"="" lang="EN-IN">In our earlier communication we have shown that Lupeol inhibits early responses of tumour induction in murine skin  .The free radical mediated damage to the cellular macromolecules such as DNA, proteins, lipids and alteration in the activities of quinone reductase and xanthine oxidase are important biochemical parameters of tumor development. The suppression of free radical mediated damage to cellular macromolecules and induction of quinone reductase along with depletion of xanthine oxidase are prominent characteristics of chemopreventive agents. In the present investigation, we have elucidated the mechanism of action of lupeol (Lup-20 (29)-en-3β)-01), a triterpene found in moderate amount in many vegetables. fruits and anti-tumor herbs. In the present investigation, lupeol significantly reduced the free radical mediated DNA-sugar damage and microsomal lipid peroxidation in an iron/ascorbate free radical gene rating system in vitro. Benzoyl peroxide, a known free radical generating tumor promoter mediated oxidation of proteins and modulation in the activities of quinone reductase as well as xanthine oxidase was significantly prevented by lupeol when tested on murine skin in vivo. It was concluded from this study that lupeol acts as an effective chemopreventive agent against cutaneous toxicity.</span

Gatifloxacin induces S and G2-phase cell cycle arrest in pancreatic cancer cells via p21/p27/p53.

Pancreatic cancer, despite being the most dreadful among gastrointestinal cancers, is poorly diagnosed, and further, the situation has been aggravated owing to acquired drug resistance against the single known drug therapy. While previous studies have highlighted the growth inhibitory effects of older generation fluoroquinolones, the current study aims to evaluate the growth inhibitory effects of newer generation fluoroquinolone, Gatifloxacin, on pancreatic cancer cell lines MIA PaCa-2 and Panc-1 as well as to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms. Herein, we report that Gatifloxacin suppresses the proliferation of MIA PaCa-2 and Panc-1 cells by causing S and G(2)-phase cell cycle arrest without induction of apoptosis. Blockade in S-phase of the cell cycle was associated with increased TGF-β1 expression and translocation of Smad3-4 complex to the nucleus with subsequent activation of p21 in MIA PaCa-2 cells, whereas TGF-β signalling attenuated Panc-1 cells showed S-phase arrest by direct activation of p27. However, Gatifloxacin mediated G(2)-phase cell cycle arrest was found to be p53 dependent in both the cell lines. Our study is of interest because fluoroquinolones have the ability to penetrate pancreatic tissue which can be very effective in combating pancreatic cancers that are usually associated with loss or downregulation of CDK inhibitors p21/p27 as well as mutational inactivation of p53. Additionally, Gatifloxacin was also found to synergize the effect of Gemcitabine, the only known drug against pancreatic cancer, as well as the broad spectrum anticancer drug cisplatin. Taken together our results suggest that Gatifloxacin possesses anticancer activities against pancreatic cancer and is a promising candidate to be repositioned from broad spectrum antibiotics to anticancer agent

Effect of <i>Emblica officinalis </i>(Gaertn) on CCl₄ induced hepatic toxicity and DNA synthesis in Wistar rats

430-436A single dose of CCl4 (1 ml/kg body weight, po in corn oil) increased the levels of SGOT (serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase), SGPT (serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase), LDH (lactate dehydrogenase), glutathione-S-transferase and depletion in reduced glutathione, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase. It also caused enhancement in the levels of lipid peroxidation (LPO) and DNA synthesis. There was also pathological deterioration of hepatic tissue as evident from multi vacuolated hepatocytes containing fat globules around central vein. The pretreatment of E. officinalis for 7 consecutive days showed a profound pathological protection to liver cell as depicted by univacuolated hepatocytes. Pretreatment with E. officinalis at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight, prior to CCl4 intoxication showed significant reduction in the levels of SGOT, SGPT, LDH, glutathione-S-transferase , LPO and DNA synthesis. There was also increase in reduced glutathione, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase. The results suggest that E. officinalis inhibits hepatic toxicity in Wistar rats