TRADITIONAL HEALING WITH ANIMALS (ZOOTHERAPY) BY THE MAJOR ETHNIC GROUP OF KARBI ANGLONG DISTRICT OF ASSAM, INDIA

Objective: To survey and document the traditional knowledge related to medicinal uses of animals among the ethnic groups in Karbi Anglong district of Assam. Methods: A long term field survey was conducted from July 2008 to October 2009 by performing personal interviews through structured questionnaire with more than 500 respondents, who provided information regarding the use of different animals and their products in their traditional medicine. Most of the information on the use of various animals in traditional medicine by them was provided by elderly people in the age groups of more than 50 years. Results: A total of 48 different animals were recorded to be used for different ethno-medical purposes against various diseases, including tuberculosis, asthma, cancer, paralysis, jaundice, leprosy, toothache, rabies, dysentery, baldness, rheumatism, arthritis, weakness, piles etc. The highest percentage of animals used for traditional treatment is mammals (about 40%) followed by insects (about 21%) and birds (about 19%). Conclusion: The findings reveal a rich traditional knowledge of indigenous people of Karbi Anglong about the use of animals and their product in traditional medicine. It is suggested that this kind of traditional knowledge should be included into the scientific literature for the conservation and management of medicinal faunistic resources

Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia) Extract Mediated Biochemical, Haematological and Histological Alterations in Mice

Tinospora cordifolia (TC), a medicinal plant deeply integrated into India's folklore and Ayurvedic medical tradition, has been a reliable remedy for addressing various health concerns. Despite its proven efficacy in managing diseases, it is essential to exercise prudence regarding its dosage, as excessive consumption may result in undesirable consequences. This present study seeks to ascertain if the methanolic extract of TC triggers any adverse effects on organ function, haematological parameters, or biochemical profiles. The extract was administered intra peritoneally (IP) into the Swiss albino mice at a concentration of 300mg/kg body weight and observations were taken on 7th and 14th day. In comparison to control groups, the levels of haemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume (PVC), red blood corpuscles (RBC), red cell distribution width (RCW), and platelet count increase. However, significant decrease was also observed in the levels of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and lymphocytes. Blood biochemical analysis reveals a significant increase in urea but a subsequent decrease in blood sugar levels. The findings unequivocally illustrate the disruption in the seminiferous tubules of the testis, accompanied by a decrease in spermatid count. Furthermore, observable damage to kidney tissues was noted. Based on these observations, it can be inferred that, despite its multifaceted therapeutic applications, TC extract may exert toxic effects in mice

Chlorambucil and ascorbic acid-mediated anticancer activity and hematological toxicity in Dalton's ascites lymphoma-bearing mice

112-124Chlorambucil is an anticancer drug with alkylating and immunosuppressive activities. Considering various reports on the possible antioxidant/protective functions of ascorbic acid (vitamin C), it was aimed at to explore the modulatory effect of ascorbic acid on therapeutic efficacy and toxicity induced by chlorambucil. Dalton’s ascites lymphoma tumor serially maintained in Swiss albino mice were used for the present experiments. The result of antitumor activity showed that combination treatment with ascorbic acid and chlorambucil exhibited enhanced antitumor activity with 170% increase in life span (ILS), which is significantly higher as compared to chlorambucil alone (ILS 140%). Analysis of apoptosis in Dalton’s lymphoma tumor cells revealed a significantly higher apoptotic index after combination treatment as compared to chlorambucil alone. Blood hemoglobin content, erythrocytes and leukocytes counts were decreased after chlorambucil treatment, however, overall recovery in these hematological values was noted after combination treatment. Chlorambucil treatment also caused morphological abnormalities in red blood cells, majority of which include acanthocytes, burr and microcystis. Combination treatment of mice with ascorbic acid plus chlorambucil showed less histopathological changes in kidney as compared to chlorambucil treatment alone, thus, ascorbic acid is effective in reducing chlorambucil-induced renal toxicity in the hosts. Based on the results, for further devel­opment, hopefully into the clinical usage, the administration of ascorbic acid in combination with chlorambucil may be recommended

Simeprevir and Eltrombopag as Potential Inhibitors of SARS-CoV2 Proteases: A Molecular Docking and Virtual Screening Approach to Combat COVID-19

The present study investigates the binding affinities of 61 FDA approved drugs against two key proteases of SARS-COV2, 3-chymotrypsin-like protease and papain-like protease. We also investigated the ADMET properties of the top 10 best binding drugs to understand the druglikeness property

Unlocking nature's arsenal: Exploring the molecular interactions of Tinospora cordifolia phytochemicals with anti-apoptotic receptor proteins

<p>Indigenous medicinal plants frequently undergo diverse experiments aimed at discovering new drugs. Tinospora cordifolia (TC), commonly known as Giloy, is a climbing plant primarily found in the Indian subcontinent and belongs to the Menispermaceae family. In the present study, a wide array of phytochemical compounds falling into categories such as alkaloids, steroids, sesquiterpenoids, diterpenoids, phenolics, aliphatic compounds, and polysaccharides, among others, as documented in various sources, were subjected to molecular docking with wellestablished receptors associated with cancer progression. The results revealed that certain phytochemical compounds, including syringin, neotigogenin, and cordifolin, displayed the high binding energy with different receptors such as solution structure of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 in complex with an acyl-sulfonamide-based ligand (2O22), structure of the BIR domain of IAP-like protein 2 (1XBO), structure of BIRC7-UbcH5b-Ub complex (4AUQ), and crystal structure of Human Hsp90 with RL1 (4L8Z). Hence, it is reasonable to propose that these compounds may hold promise as potential anti-cancer agents, as they exhibit the potential to interfere with the activity of these receptors, potentially leading to their downregulation</p&gt

Unlocking nature's arsenal: Exploring the molecular interactions of Tinospora cordifolia phytochemicals with anti-apoptotic receptor proteins BY

<p><strong>Unlocking nature's arsenal: Exploring the molecular interactions of </strong><i><strong>Tinospora cordifolia</strong></i><strong> phytochemicals with anti-apoptotic receptor proteins</strong></p><p><i>Indigenous medicinal plants frequently undergo diverse experiments aimed at discovering new drugs. Tinospora cordifolia (TC), commonly known as Giloy, is a climbing plant primarily found in the Indian subcontinent and belongs to the Menispermaceae family. In the present study, a wide array of phytochemical compounds falling into categories such as alkaloids, steroids, sesquiterpenoids, diterpenoids, phenolics, aliphatic compounds, and polysaccharides, among others, as documented in various sources, were subjected to molecular docking with well-established receptors associated with cancer progression. The results revealed that certain phytochemical compounds, including syringin, neotigogenin, and cordifolin, displayed the high binding energy with different receptors such as solution structure of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 in complex with an acyl-sulfonamide-based ligand (2O22), structure of the BIR domain of IAP-like protein 2 (1XBO), structure of BIRC7-UbcH5b-Ub complex (4AUQ), and crystal structure of Human Hsp90 with RL1 (4L8Z). Hence, it is reasonable to propose that these compounds may hold promise as potential anti-cancer agents, as they exhibit the potential to interfere with the activity of these receptors, potentially leading to their downregulation.</i></p><p> </p&gt

Unlocking nature's arsenal: Exploring the molecular interactions of Tinospora cordifolia phytochemicals with anti-apoptotic receptor proteins BY

<p><strong>Unlocking nature's arsenal: Exploring the molecular interactions of </strong><i><strong>Tinospora cordifolia</strong></i><strong> phytochemicals with anti-apoptotic receptor proteins</strong></p><p><i>Indigenous medicinal plants frequently undergo diverse experiments aimed at discovering new drugs. Tinospora cordifolia (TC), commonly known as Giloy, is a climbing plant primarily found in the Indian subcontinent and belongs to the Menispermaceae family. In the present study, a wide array of phytochemical compounds falling into categories such as alkaloids, steroids, sesquiterpenoids, diterpenoids, phenolics, aliphatic compounds, and polysaccharides, among others, as documented in various sources, were subjected to molecular docking with well-established receptors associated with cancer progression. The results revealed that certain phytochemical compounds, including syringin, neotigogenin, and cordifolin, displayed the high binding energy with different receptors such as solution structure of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 in complex with an acyl-sulfonamide-based ligand (2O22), structure of the BIR domain of IAP-like protein 2 (1XBO), structure of BIRC7-UbcH5b-Ub complex (4AUQ), and crystal structure of Human Hsp90 with RL1 (4L8Z). Hence, it is reasonable to propose that these compounds may hold promise as potential anti-cancer agents, as they exhibit the potential to interfere with the activity of these receptors, potentially leading to their downregulation.</i></p><p> </p&gt

Repurposing potential of Ayurvedic medicinal plants derived active principles against SARS-CoV-2 associated target proteins revealed by molecular docking, molecular dynamics and MM-PBSA studies

All the plants and their secondary metabolites used in the present study were obtained from Ayurveda, with historical roots in the Indian subcontinent. The selected secondary metabolites have been experimentally validated and reported as potent antiviral agents against genetically-close human viruses. The plants have also been used as a folk medicine to treat cold, cough, asthma, bronchitis, and severe acute respiratory syndrome in India and across the globe since time immemorial. The present study aimed to assess the repurposing possibility of potent antiviral compounds with SARS-CoV-2 target proteins and also with host-specific receptor and activator protease that facilitates the viral entry into the host body. Molecular docking (MDc) was performed to study molecular affinities of antiviral compounds with aforesaid target proteins. The top-scoring conformations identified through docking analysis were further validated by 100 ns molecular dynamic (MD) simulation run. The stability of the conformation was studied in detail by investigating the binding free energy using MM-PBSA method. Finally, the binding affinities of all the compounds were also compared with a reference ligand, remdesivir, against the target protein RdRp. Additionally, pharmacophore features, 3D structure alignment of potent compounds and Bayesian machine learning model were also used to support the MDc and MD simulation. Overall, the study emphasized that curcumin possesses a strong binding ability with host-specific receptors, furin and ACE2. In contrast, gingerol has shown strong interactions with spike protein, and RdRp and quercetin with main protease (Mpro) of SARS-CoV-2. In fact, all these target proteins play an essential role in mediating viral replication, and therefore, compounds targeting aforesaid target proteins are expected to block the viral replication and transcription. Overall, gingerol, curcumin and quercetin own multitarget binding ability that can be used alone or in combination to enhance therapeutic efficacy against COVID-19. The obtained results encourage further in vitro and in vivo investigations and also support the traditional use of antiviral plants preventively