Free fatty acids regulating action of Capparis decidua fruit on dyslipidemia in rats

Capparis decidua belongs to family Capparidaceae in wastelands of India. The study aim was to determine the role of C. decidua fruits on the free fatty acids (FFA) profile in fat-rich diet (FRD) dyslipidemic rats. The methanolic extract of edible fruit of C. decidua (CD) was given orally to obese dyslipidemic rats at the dose of 125 mg/kg and 250 mg/kg for consecutive 28 days. CD treatment in FRD rats significantly restricts the body weight gains. Blood lipid profile was altered dose dependently and significantly after 4-week treatment with CD to FRD. rats. It significantly (p<0.05) enhanced serum FFA especially, g-linolinate, a-linolinate, arachidonate, ecosapentaenoate, docosapentaenoate and docosahexaenoate. Moreover, w3-PUFA content was also enhanced (50.3% and 78.8%) in the serum of CD treated animals, whereas MUFA was lowered (31.1% and 40%). Therefore, Capparis decidua fruit has a promising role on dyslipidemia and obesity and has the capabilities to regulate beneficial free fatty acids.

Light driven mesoscale assembly of a coordination polymeric gelator into flowers and stars with distinct properties

Control over the self-assembly process of porous organic–inorganic hybrids often leads to unprecedented polymorphism and properties. Herein we demonstrate how light can be a powerful tool to intervene in the kinetically controlled mesoscale self-assembly of a coordination polymeric gelator. Ultraviolet light induced coordination modulation via photoisomerisation of an azobenzene based dicarboxylate linker followed by aggregation mediated crystal growth resulted in two distinct morphological forms (flowers and stars), which show subtle differences in their physical properties

Phyto-chemical Standardization of Herbal Formulation (PMM3) for Blood Sugar Attenuating Actions in Streptozotocin induced Rats

The present study was intended to prepare herbal formulation, PMM3 using purified and modified parts of five common Indian herbs like, Trigonella foenum-graccum, Tinospora cordifolia, Scoparia dulcis, Adhatoda vasica and Cassia occidental. PMM3 was standardized using physico-chemical, phytochemical, UV-VIS spectral, HPTLC, AAS and GC methods. The phenolics and flavonoids contents were assessed. Anti-hyperglycaemic activities of PMM3 was evaluated on Streptozotocin induced (50mg/kg, i.v) diabetic rats. PMM3 (50-150 mg/kg, p.o) exhibited best potentiality in reducing blood glucose within 14 days treatment in comparison with Diabecon® (Himalaya, India) at the same dose. The preset observation identified formulation PMM3 for anti-hyperglycaemic effect

Identification and characterization of a bactericidal and proapoptotic peptide from cycas revoluta seeds with DNA binding properties

Nowadays, novel pharmacies have been screened from plants. Among them are the peptides, which show multiple biotechnological activities. In this report, a small peptide (Ala–Trp–Lys–Leu–Phe–Asp–Asp–Gly–Val) with a molecular mass of 1,050 Da was purified from Cycas revoluta seeds by using reversed-phase liquid chromatography. This peptide shows clear deleterious effects against human epidermoid cancer (Hep2) and colon carcinoma cells (HCT15). It caused inhibition of cancer cell proliferation and further disruption of nucleosome structures, inducing apoptosis by direct DNA binding. A remarkable antibacterial activity was also observed in this same peptide. Nevertheless, no significant lysis of normal RBC cells was observed in the presence of peptide. Additionally, an acetylation at the N-termini portion is able to reduce both activities. Bioinformatics tools were also utilized for construction of a three-dimensional model showing a single amphipathic helix. Since in vitro binding studies show that the target of this peptide seems to be DNA, theoretical docking studies were also performed to better understand the interaction between peptide and nucleic acids and also to shed some light on the acetyl group role. Firstly, binding studies showed that affinity contacts basically occur due to electrostatic attraction. The complex peptide-ssDNA was clearly oriented by residues Ala1, Lys3 and Asp6, which form several hydrogen bonds that are able to stabilize the complex. When acetyl was added, hydrogen bonds are broken, reducing the peptide affinity. In summary, it seems that information here provided could be used to design a novel derivative of this peptide which a clear therapeutic potential

Identification and characterization of mitochondrial abasic (AP)-endonuclease in mammalian cells

Abasic (AP)-endonuclease (APE) is responsible for repair of AP sites, and single-strand DNA breaks with 3′ blocking groups that are generated either spontaneously or during repair of damaged or abnormal bases via the DNA base excision repair (BER) pathway in both nucleus and mitochondria. Mammalian cells express only one nuclear APE, 36 kDa APE1, which is essential for survival. Mammalian mitochondrial (mt) BER enzymes other than mtAPE have been characterized. In order to identify and characterize mtAPE, we purified the APE activity from beef liver mitochondria to near homogeneity, and showed that the mtAPE which has 3-fold higher specific activity relative to APE1 is derived from the latter with deletion of 33 N-terminal residues which contain the nuclear localization signal. The mtAPE-sized product could be generated by incubating (35)S-labeled APE1 with crude mitochondrial extract, but not with cytosolic or nuclear extract, suggesting that cleavage of APE1 by a specific mitochondria-associated N-terminal peptidase is a prerequisite for mitochondrial import. The low abundance of mtAPE, particularly in cultured cells might be the reason for its earlier lack of detection by western analysis

Down-regulation of 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase 1 expression in the airway epithelium ameliorates allergic lung inflammation

Allergic airway inflammation is characterized by increased expression of pro-inflammatory mediators, inflammatory cell infiltration, mucus hypersecretion, and airway hyperresponsiveness, in parallel with oxidative DNA base and strand damage, whose etiological role is not understood. Our goal was to establish the role of 8-oxoguanine (8-oxoG), a common oxidatively damaged base, and its repair by 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase 1 (Ogg1) in allergic airway inflammatory processes. Airway inflammation was induced by intranasally administered ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) pollen grain extract (RWPE) in sensitized BALB/c mice. We utilized siRNA technology to deplete Ogg1 from airway epithelium; 8-oxoG and DNA strand break levels were quantified by Comet assays. Inflammatory cell infiltration and epithelial methaplasia were determined histologically, mucus and cytokines levels biochemically and enhanced pause was used as the main index of airway hyperresponsiveness. Decreased Ogg1 expression and thereby 8-oxoG repair in the airway epithelium conveyed a lower inflammatory response after RWPE challenge of sensitized mice, as determined by expression of Th2 cytokines, eosinophilia, epithelial methaplasia, and airway hyperresponsiveness. In contrast, 8-oxoG repair in Ogg1-proficient airway epithelium was coupled to an increase in DNA single-strand break (SSB) levels and exacerbation of allergen challenge-dependent inflammation. Decreased expression of the Nei-like glycosylases Neil1 and Neil2 that preferentially excise ring-opened purines and 5-hydroxyuracil, respectively, did not alter the above parameters of allergic immune responses to RWPE. These results show that DNA SSBs formed during Ogg1-mediated repair of 8-oxoG augment antigen-driven allergic immune responses. A transient modulation of OGG1 expression/activity in airway epithelial cells could have clinical benefits

Free fatty acids regulating action of Capparis decidua fruit on dyslipidemia in rats

Capparis decidua belongs to family Capparidaceae in wastelands of India. The study aim was to determine the role of C. decidua fruits on the free fatty acids (FFA) profile in fat-rich diet (FRD) dyslipidemic rats. The methanolic extract of edible fruit of C. decidua (CD) was given orally to obese dyslipidemic rats at the dose of 125 mg/kg and 250 mg/kg for consecutive 28 days. CD treatment in FRD rats significantly restricts the body weight gains. Blood lipid profile was altered dose dependently and significantly after 4-week treatment with CD to FRD. rats. It significantly (p<0.05) enhanced serum FFA especially, -linolinate, -linolinate, arachidonate, ecosapentaenoate, docosapentaenoate and docosahexaenoate. Moreover, 3-PUFA content was also enhanced (50.3% and 78.8%) in the serum of CD treated animals, whereas MUFA was lowered (31.1% and 40%). Therefore, Capparis decidua fruit has a promising role on dyslipidemia and obesity and has the capabilities to regulate beneficial free fatty acids

Free fatty acids regulating action of Capparis decidua fruit on dyslipidemia in rats

Capparis decidua belongs to family Capparidaceae in wastelands of India. The study aim was to determine the role of C. decidua fruits on the free fatty acids (FFA) profile in fat-rich diet (FRD) dyslipidemic rats. The methanolic extract of edible fruit of C. decidua (CD) was given orally to obese dyslipidemic rats at the dose of 125 mg/kg and 250 mg/kg for consecutive 28 days. CD treatment in FRD rats significantly restricts the body weight gains. Blood lipid profile was altered dose dependently and significantly after 4-week treatment with CD to FRD. rats. It significantly (p<0.05) enhanced serum FFA especially, -linolinate, -linolinate, arachidonate, ecosapentaenoate, docosapentaenoate and docosahexaenoate. Moreover, 3-PUFA content was also enhanced (50.3% and 78.8%) in the serum of CD treated animals, whereas MUFA was lowered (31.1% and 40%). Therefore, Capparis decidua fruit has a promising role on dyslipidemia and obesity and has the capabilities to regulate beneficial free fatty acids

8-Oxoguanine DNA glycosylase-1 links DNA repair to cellular signaling via the activation of the small GTPase Rac1

8-Oxo-7,8-dihydroguanine (8-oxoG) is one of the most abundant DNA base lesions induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS). Accumulation of 8-oxoG in the mammalian genome is considered a marker of oxidative stress, to be causally linked to inflammation, and is thought to contribute to aging processes and various aging-related diseases. Unexpectedly, mice that lack 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase-1 (OGG1) activity and accumulate 8-oxoG in their genome have a normal phenotype and longevity; in fact, they show increased resistance to both inflammation and oxidative stress. OGG1 excises and generates free 8-oxoG base during DNA base-excision repair (BER) processes. In the present study, we report that in the presence of the 8-oxoG base, OGG1 physically interacts with guanine nucleotide-free and GDP-bound Rac1 protein. This interaction results in rapid GDP→GTP, but not GTP→GDP, exchange in vitro. Importantly, a rise in the intracellular 8-oxoG base levels increases the proportion of GTP-bound Rac1. In turn Rac1-GTP mediates an increase in ROS levels via nuclear membrane-associated NADPH oxidase type 4. These results show a novel mechanism by which OGG1 in complex with 8-oxoG is linked to redox signaling and cellular responses