Study on the Phytochemical, Antioxidant and In Vitro Anticancer activity on root extract of Simarouba glauca DC

Plant made medicine plays main role in drug formulation and synthesis with moderate or no side effects. Simarouba glauca is exotic to India and known for its phytomedicine property belonging to the Simaroubaceae family prominent for its leaves arrangement and is called “Lakshmi taru” or “Paradise tree”. The goal of this study was to present the preliminary phytochemicals, antioxidants, and cytotoxicity mechanism of S. glauca root extracts in terms of apoptosis in cell cycle. Phytochemical, qualitative, and antioxidant assay analyses were performed with the standard protocol using HPTLC and cytotoxicity studies were analysed using a flow-cytometer. The Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of saponins, flavonoids, steroids, and triterpenoids. Furthermore, the extracts demonstrated potent antioxidant activity and could serve as a lead source of natural antioxidants. In a concentration-dependent manner, anticancer study demonstrated cytotoxicity against the A549 cell line by stopping the cells at the S-phase. The main investigation reveals the antiproliferative properties of S. glauca methanolic root extract. Identification of cytotoxic compounds and their mode of action require further in-depth research. The outcome of our investigation offers compelling evidence that S. glauca methanolic root extract can be used as an effective ethnomedicinal agent with the ability to treat human disorders

Plant Based Proteins: Sustainable Alternatives

Proteins can be procured from both plants and animals. Plant proteins are more preferable as the animal proteins may cause adverse health effects to human life. Proteins derived from plant sources are less expensive and hence are more cost effective. Quality of proteins relies on several factors and biological value is one such factor. Proteins with major essential amino acid are with high biological value. Every plant source is deficient in one or more essential amino acids so it is recommended to include multiple plant-based diets. Also proteins obtained from plant sources are less palatable so it is important to add flavor in order to make it more palatable. The quality and quantity of the proteins also depend on the techniques used for isolation and purification of proteins. Elucidation of the structure of proteins involves the use of techniques like nuclear magnetic resonance, X-ray crystallography and spectroscopy. Apart from the structural analysis the functioning of the protein could be determined by amino acid sequencing which could be performed using mass spectroscopy. Ultrasound assisted extraction, enzyme assisted protein extraction and electro activation method are few of the isolation and purification method which can be used in isolation and purification of these proteins. Owing to the vast availability of plant-based proteins it has various industrial applications like, plant based protein can be used as a dairy substitute, plant based meat analogue and its use as bioactive peptides which have been briefly discussed in the review

Community mapping of COVID-19 cases admitted from April to June 2020 at a tertiary health care hospital in Raigad district in Maharashtra, India

Introduction: At end of 2019, a novel coronavirus caused severe acute respiratory syndrome, which emerged in Wuhan, Hubei province of China. Health professionals have always used conventional mapping (in recent times geographic information systems [GIS] mapping) as a useful tool for better tracking which further facilitated better management of deadly contagions such as SARS-CoV 2. This study aimed to map geographically the positive patients admitted in a dedicated COVID-19 hospital which is a tertiary care hospital from April to June 2020 to gain insight into the local viral transmission and pattern of geographical spread because of ongoing cluster transmission. Objectives: The aims of this study were (1) to locate geographically the COVID-19 cases admitted from April to June 2020 at a tertiary health-care facility, (2) to study trends and patterns of geographical spread, and (3) to identify geographical clustering of cases, if any. Materials and Methods: This was an observational, cross-sectional, secondary data-based study. The study was conducted at MGM Medical College Hospital, Kamothe. The data were collected from existing surveillance and lab data records. The data were analyzed in Excel and Epi info. Specialized GIS software was used for mapping to Taluka level based on patients’ addresses using standard “.shp” files for the local area. Results: There were a total of 968 cases. The majority of which were from Raigad district (839, 87%). The Panvel taluka in Raigad District having Panvel as a major city and the thickly populated urban area has shown clustering of cases extending to neighboring Uran taluka. Conclusion: For better preparedness, we need to keep tracking new outbreaks through GIS and promote further advances in mapping technologies

Evaluation of histopathological and ultrastructural changes in the testicular cells of Wistar rats post chronic exposure to gold nanoparticles

9-15Gold nanoparticles (GNP) have numerous therapeutic potentials due to their ability to cross blood barriers. However, limited data is available showing GNPs crossing the blood testicular barrier. Here we report results of chronic exposure (90 days) to GNPs ranging in size 5 to 20 nm in male Wistar rats. Histopathological and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis show GNPs distributed and accumulated in majority of the testicular tissues. This shows the ability of GNPs of specific sizes to cross the blood testicular barrier effectively, indicating possible insignificant toxicity to spermatogenesis process due to chronic exposure. Thus, GNPs of smaller size can possibly be used for various therapeutic and diagnostic purposes

Embryonic Zebrafish Model - A Well-Established Method for Rapidly Assessing the Toxicity of Homeopathic Drugs - Toxicity Evaluation of Homeopathic Drugs Using Zebrafish Embryo Model -

Objectives: Advancements in nanotechnology have led to nanoparticle (NP) use in various fields of medicine. Although the potential of NPs is promising, the lack of documented evidence on the toxicological effects of NPs is concerning. A few studies have documented that homeopathy uses NPs. Unfortunately, very few sound scientific studies have explored the toxic effects of homeopathic drugs. Citing this lack of high-quality scientific evidence, regulatory agencies have been reluctant to endorse homeopathic treatment as an alternative or adjunct treatment. This study aimed to enhance our insight into the impact of commercially-available homeopathic drugs, to study the presence of NPs in those drugs and any deleterious effects they might have, and to determine the distribution pattern of NPs in zebrafish embryos (Danio rerio). Methods: Homeopathic dilutions were studied using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy with selected area electron diffraction (SAED). For the toxicity assessment on Zebrafish, embryos were exposed to a test solution from 4 - 6 hours post-fertilization, and embryos/larvae were assessed up to 5 days post-fertilization (dpf) for viability and morphology. Toxicity was recorded in terms of mortality, hatching delay, phenotypic defects and metal accumulation. Around 5 dpf was found to be the optimum developmental stage for evaluation. Results: The present study aimed to conclusively prove the presence of NPs in all high dilutions of homeopathic drugs. Embryonic zebrafish were exposed to three homeopathic drugs with two potencies (30CH, 200CH) during early embryogenesis. The resulting morphological and cellular responses were observed. Exposure to these potencies produced no visibly significant malformations, pericardial edema, and mortality and no necrotic and apoptotic cellular death. Conclusion: Our findings clearly demonstrate that no toxic effects were observed for these three homeopathic drugs at the potencies and exposure times used in this study. The embryonic zebrafish model is recommended as a well-established method for rapidly assessing the toxicity of homeopathic drugs