Preclinical HbA1c level studies of makaradhwaja and siddha makaradhwaja after chronic administration to male Sprague-Dawley rats

Background: Makaradhwaja (MD) and Siddha Makaradhwaja (SMD) are Ayurvedic preparations used as traditional medicines for different clinical indications in the rural population. Principle purpose of using MD is controlling hypotension and while SMD is useful in peripheral circulatory failure treatment. In this study we evaluate the influence of these preparations on HbA1c (%) level.Methods: To find out the average plasma glucose concentration over prolonged period of time, MD and SMD were administered chronically to the male Sprague-Dawley rats at a dose of 40 mg/kg. After 28 days of chronic administration of MD and SMD the following changes were noted and Glycated Hemoglobin (HbA1c) level was determined.Results: The results of the study of in vitro quantitative determination of rat HbA1c concentrations in serum studies, MD demonstrated a negligible (0.61%) decrease in the HbA1c level of the blood of the male rat (p=0.902). Whereas SMD demonstrated a negligible (1.83%) increase in the HbA1c level of the blood of the male rat (p=0.782).Conclusions: Between these preparation MD slightly decreases HbA1c level of the blood of the male rat, whereas SMD found in increasing HbA1c level of the blood of the male rat

CONTRIBUTION À L’ÉVALUATION ET À LA CARTOGRAPHIE DE LA SENSIBILITÉ À L’ÉROSION HYDRIQUE DES SOLS DU SOUS BASSIN VERSANT DE L’OUED DE SAIDA (OUEST DE L’ALGÉRIE)

The sub-watershed of WadiSaidawich is a part of Macta watershed is characterized by a semiarid climate. Erratic rains, usually in stormy character, combined with anthropozoogenic pressure (deforestation, urbanization, overgrazing) cause a severe erosion. According to the National Agency of water resources, sediment yield (sediment from erosion) is estimated at 29667 t / year, which contribute to the siltation of the dam of Ouizert. This study was conducted using a Geographic Information System (GIS), allowed to characterize different areas of the sub-watershed, producing a synthetic map of the distribution of degrees of susceptibility to erosion. Indeed, Three classes of multifactorial vulnerability to water erosion were distinguished, areas with low vulnerability 40.18%; areas with medium vulnerability 24.93% and 34.88% highly vulnerable areas. Thus, classes with medium and high multifactorialvulnerability represent 60% of the area. This first mapping study is a tool to help decision makers to better manage water resources and soil and taking into account the expectations and needs of the rural populatio

Ceramide Inhibition Leads to Changes in the Sphingomyelin Pathway in Cancer

Sarcomas are rare, malignant tumors arising from connective tissues. Each year, approximately 12,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with sarcomas. Among them, osteosarcoma (bone) and synovial sarcoma (muscle) are aggressive pediatric sarcomas. Sphingomyelin is a cell membrane sphingolipid, which plays a key role in cell growth and mitosis. Sphingomyelin is upregulated in osteosarcoma and synovial sarcoma. The metabolic intermediate of the sphingolipid pathway, ceramide, is critical in cellular signal transduction and apoptotic pathways. The natural marine product jaspine B has been shown to inhibit sphingomyelin synthase, the enzyme that synthesizes sphingomyelin from ceramide. Jaspine B induced apoptosis in cancer cells by inhibiting sphingomyelin synthase, which resulted in an increase in ceramide. Jaspine B was effective at preventing tumor growth in intro and vivo. Cells treated with Jaspine B, responded by diverting excess ceramide into other branches of the sphingomyelin pathway. We observed a dynamic response to Jaspine B treatment in the sphingomyelin pathway that varied in vivo and in vitro

Natural Products and Small Molecules Targeting Cellular Ceramide Metabolism to Enhance Apoptosis in Cancer Cells

Molecular targeting strategies have been used for years in order to control cancer progression and are often based on targeting various enzymes involved in metabolic pathways. Keeping this in mind, it is essential to determine the role of each enzyme in a particular metabolic pathway. In this review, we provide in-depth information on various enzymes such as ceramidase, sphingosine kinase, sphingomyelin synthase, dihydroceramide desaturase, and ceramide synthase which are associated with various types of cancers. We also discuss the physicochemical properties of well-studied inhibitors with natural product origins and their related structures in terms of these enzymes. Targeting ceramide metabolism exhibited promising mono- and combination therapies at preclinical stages in preventing cancer progression and cemented the significance of sphingolipid metabolism in cancer treatments. Targeting ceramide-metabolizing enzymes will help medicinal chemists design potent and selective small molecules for treating cancer progression at various levels

Prevalence of Dermatophytic Infection and Detection of Dermatophytes by Microscopic and Culture Methods

Background: Dermatophytosis is considered as one of the major public health problems in the world and is the most commonly diagnosed skin disease in Bangladesh. The prevalence and characteristics of dermatophytic infections vary with climatic conditions, age, lifestyle and population migration patterns. Objective: To determine the prevalence of dermatophytic infection and sensitivity of different diagnostic procedures among the patients visiting dermatology outpatient department of Tairunnessa Memorial Medical College & Hospital, Gazipur, Bangladesh (TMMCH). Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was done during a period of 12 months from July 2015 to June 2016. Total 80 specimens were collected based on clinical presentations irrespective of age and sex. The diagnosis was confirmed by microscopic examination using 20% potassium hydroxide (KOH) and culture on Sabouraud’s dextrose agor medium. Results: Out of 80 samples, 31(38.75%) were found positive by culture and 21 (26.25%) were found positive by microscopic method which were also found positive by culture. This study found that most (51.62%) of the dermatophyteinfected cases were in the age group of 21−40 years followed by 41−60 years (29.03%) with male and female distribution 58.06% and 41.94% respectively The maximum number of infections was reported from groin followed by hands/legs and feet. Conclusion: The result of this study shows higher prevalence of dermatophytosis in both genders in this area. An accurate diagnosis can help in proper and effective treatment of dermatophytosis

Quantifying Fluorescently Labeled Ceramide Levels in Human Sarcoma Cell Lines in Response to a Sphingomyelin Synthase Inhibitor

Sphingolipid metabolism is an important process in sustaining the growth needs of rapidly dividing cancer cells. Enzymes that synthesize sphingolipids have become attractive targets in cancer pharmacology. Ceramide is a precursor for synthesizing sphingolipids such as sphingomyelin, sphingosine-1-phosphate, and glucosylceramide. Sphingomyelin synthase (SMS) is the enzyme that transfers a phosphatidylcholine to ceramide to generate sphingomyelin. To test the inhibition of SMS, scientists assess the buildup of ceramide in the cell, which is cytotoxic. Because ceramide is a small lipid molecule, there are limited tools like antibodies to detect its presence. Alternatively, designated machines for small-molecule separation coupled with mass spectrometry detection can be used; however, these can be cost-prohibitive. We used a commercially available NBD-ceramide to apply to human cancer cell lines in the presence or absence of a known SMS inhibitor, jaspine B. After short incubation times, we were able to collect cell lysates and using solvent extraction methods, run the cellular material on a thin-layer chromatography plate to determine the levels of intact fluorescently labeled ceramide. Brighter fluorescence on the TLC plate correlated to greater SMS inhibition. Small molecules can then be screened quantifiably to determine the biological impact of inhibiting the sphingolipid metabolism pathways involving ceramide

Can Hemp Help? Low-THC Cannabis and Non-THC Cannabinoids for the Treatment of Cancer

Cannabis has been used to relieve the symptoms of disease for thousands of years. However, social and political biases have limited effective interrogation of the potential benefits of cannabis and polarised public opinion. Further, the medicinal and clinical utility of cannabis is limited by the psychotropic side effects of ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (∆9-THC). Evidence is emerging for the therapeutic benefits of cannabis in the treatment of neurological and neurodegenerative diseases, with potential efficacy as an analgesic and antiemetic for the management of cancer-related pain and treatment-related nausea and vomiting, respectively. An increasing number of preclinical studies have established that ∆9-THC can inhibit the growth and proliferation of cancerous cells through the modulation of cannabinoid receptors (CB1R and CB2R), but clinical confirmation remains lacking. In parallel, the anti-cancer properties of non-THC cannabinoids, such as cannabidiol (CBD), are linked to the modulation of non-CB1R/CB2R G-protein-coupled receptors, neurotransmitter receptors, and ligand-regulated transcription factors, which together modulate oncogenic signalling and redox homeostasis. Additional evidence has also demonstrated the anti-inflammatory properties of cannabinoids, and this may prove relevant in the context of peritumoural oedema and the tumour immune microenvironment. This review aims to document the emerging mechanisms of anti-cancer actions of non-THC cannabinoids