A review on scope of immuno-modulatory drugs in Ayurveda for prevention and treatment of Covid-19

The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS CoV-2) infection attacking mainly on the immune system of a body. It is a potentially fatal disease that is of public health and economy concern globally. In December 2019, COVID-19 outbreak occurred in Wuhan city, Hubei Province, China furthermore spread worldwide. Research is underway in many countries to develop effective vaccines and drugs for the COVID-19. In Ayurveda, Acharya Charaka explained the concept of an epidemic condition in Janapadodhwans Adhayay and combating of these diseases is to be done by Panchakarma (five procedures of purification), Rasayana Chikitsa (immune-modulators therapy) and Sadvritta (good conduct). Rasayan dravyas (immuno modulators drugs) of Ayurveda can be used for health promotion, immune-modulation, prevention and reduce disease burden from COVID-19. Drugs such as Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal), Guduchi (Tinospora cordifoloia (Willd.) Miers), Amalaki (Phyllanthus emblica L.), Mulethi (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.), Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus Willd), Chireta (Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Nees), Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum L.) Punarnava (Boerhaavia diffusa L.) and Pippali ((Piper longum L.) For symptom management of COVID-19 like illness Agastya Haritaki, Anutaila, AYUSH–64 can be used. Scientific research on these drugs may reveal the new approach for the prevention and management of COVID-19. The main aim of this article is to review research which has already conducted and currently being carried out on the herbal plant for their immunomodulation property which have a possible application in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19

A MYCOLOGICAL STUDY OF CLINICAL SAMPLES FROM SUSPECTED MYCOSES IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

 Objective: The objective of this study was to isolate and identify the fungal agents obtained from clinical samples of suspected mycoses patients attending Yenepoya hospital.Methods: Various clinical samples obtained from patients were subjected to preliminary examination according to standard mycological protocols such as KOH mount, wet mount, Gram's staining, and Indian ink examination. Causative organisms were identified by macroscopically and microscopically after growth on sabouraud's dextrose agar (with or without cycloheximide and chloramphenicol) and confirmed by lactophenol cotton blue mount, slide culture technique, urease test, and growth on chrome agar accordingly.Results: Of 274 clinical samples, 125 were culture positive in which the fungal isolates obtained were dermatophytes (all 3 genera), Candida species (including Candida albicans), Fusarium species, Aspergillus fumigatus, and Cryptococcus neoformans. Male predominance was found among the patients being 6:3 male:female ratio.Conclusion: Among the superficial infection, Trichophyton mentagrophytes was found to be predominant isolates; however, in systemic infection, C. albicans was the predominant isolates

A cross-sectional study on co-infection of hepatitis B and hepatitis C among people living with HIV/AIDS from a tertiary care hospital of Central India

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections are prevalent throughout the world. HIV infection increases the risk of HBV and HCV liver disease especially when HIV-associated immunodeficiency progresses. Aims and Objectives: This study was carried out with the objectives as follows: Estimation of the prevalence of HIV- Hepatitis co-infection, determine CD4+T lymphocyte count in co-infected patients, identify most common opportunistic infections in HIV – Hepatitis co- infection. Materials and Methods: A hospital-based, prospective, cross-sectional, and observational study was carried among people with confirmed HIV infection. HIV antibody, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), and HCV antibody tests were done in all patients visiting to integrated counseling and testing center. HIV, HBV, and HCV viral load were done in all serologically confirmed patients. In HBsAg positive patients various markers for hepatitis such as hepatitis B envelop antigen (HBeAg), anti-hepatitis B core antibody (HBcAb), and anti-hepatitis B envelop antibody were also done. Results: Out of 357 people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA) patients 15/357 (4.20%) were co-infected with HBV, 03/357 (0.84%) were co-infected with HCV. The overall seroprevalence of Hepatitis virus (HBV+HCV) in PLHA patients was found to be 5.04% (18/357). CD4+T lymphocyte count 2000 IU/mL. All hepatitis B co-infected patients were positive for HBcAb test; HBeAg was positive in 40% (n=06). All HBeAg positive were having viral load >2000 IU/mL. Conclusion: HIV-infected patients are more prone to hepatitis associated liver diseases and exposure to the HBV infection than the general population

Voltage Gated Calcium Channels Negatively Regulate Protective Immunity to Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Mycobacterium tuberculosis modulates levels and activity of key intracellular second messengers to evade protective immune responses. Calcium release from voltage gated calcium channels (VGCC) regulates immune responses to pathogens. In this study, we investigated the roles of VGCC in regulating protective immunity to mycobacteria in vitro and in vivo. Inhibiting L-type or R-type VGCC in dendritic cells (DCs) either using antibodies or by siRNA increased calcium influx in an inositol 1,4,5-phosphate and calcium release calcium activated channel dependent mechanism that resulted in increased expression of genes favoring pro-inflammatory responses. Further, VGCC-blocked DCs activated T cells that in turn mediated killing of M. tuberculosis inside macrophages. Likewise, inhibiting VGCC in infected macrophages and PBMCs induced calcium influx, upregulated the expression of pro-inflammatory genes and resulted in enhanced killing of intracellular M. tuberculosis. Importantly, compared to healthy controls, PBMCs of tuberculosis patients expressed higher levels of both VGCC, which were significantly reduced following chemotherapy. Finally, blocking VGCC in vivo in M. tuberculosis infected mice using specific antibodies increased intracellular calcium and significantly reduced bacterial loads. These results indicate that L-type and R-type VGCC play a negative role in M. tuberculosis infection by regulating calcium mobilization in cells that determine protective immunity

Post Harvest Handling of Fruit Crops

Fruits are classified as perishable agricultural commodities. When fruits are harvested prematurely or when they are overripe, their storage life is shortened and their quality deteriorates. Therefore, it is important to harvest fruits at the appropriate stage of maturity in order to ensure good quality and better storage. Nevertheless, the inadequate implementation of proper handling techniques for agricultural produce has led to a significant occurrence of post-harvest losses, resulting in the wastage of valuable resources such as time and financial investments. The lack of appropriate handling procedures and chemical treatment methods are leading to significant losses in commodities. Therefore, it can be deduced that producers are currently experiencing significant economic detriment as a result of inadequate handling techniques, insufficient understanding of the underlying factors contributing to postharvest loss, and a dearth of effective preservation methodologies. However, the mitigation of loss can be achieved through the implementation of appropriate management and handling procedures. This review focuses on various aspects of post-harvest handling methods for preservation of fruits for longer time for processing and value addition

Differential gene expression in irradiated potato tubers contributed to sprout inhibition and quality retention during a commercial scale storage

Abstract Current study is the first ever storage cum market trial of radiation processed (28 tons) of potato conducted in India at a commercial scale. The objective was to affirm the efficacy of very low dose of gamma radiation processing of potato for extended storage with retained quality and to understand the plausible mechanism at the gene modulation level for suppression of potato sprouting. Genes pertaining to abscisic acid (ABA) biosynthesis were upregulated whereas its catabolism was downregulated in irradiated potatoes. Additionally, genes related to auxin buildup were downregulated in irradiated potatoes. The change in the endogenous phytohormone contents in irradiated potato with respect to the control were found to be correlated well with the differential expression level of certain related genes. Irradiated potatoes showed retention of processing attributes including cooking and chip-making qualities, which could be attributed to the elevated expression of invertase inhibitor in these tubers. Further, quality retention in radiation treated potatoes may also be related to inhibition in the physiological changes due to sprout inhibition. Ecological and economical analysis of national and global data showed that successful adoption of radiation processing may gradually replace sprout suppressants like isopropyl N-(3-chlorophenyl) carbamate (CIPC), known to leave residue in the commodity, stabilize the wholesale annual market price, and provide a boost to the industries involved in product manufacturing