Anti-obesity effect and UHPLC-QTOF-MS/MS based metabolite profiling of Solanum nigrum leaf extract

Objective: To evaluate the antioxidant potential and pancreatic lipase inhibitory action of optimized hydroethanolic extracts of Solanum nigrum. Methods: Optimized extraction for maximum recovery of metabolites was performed using a combination of freeze-drying and ultrasonication followed by determination of antioxidant and antiobesity properties. The ultra-high performance liquid chromatography equipped with mass spectrometry was used to analyze metabolite profiling of Solanum nigrum. Computational studies were performed using molecular docking and electrostatic potential analysis for individual compounds. The hypolipidemic potential of the most potent extract was assessed in the obese mice fed on fat rich diet. Results: The 80% hydroethanolic extract exhibited the highest extract yield, total phenolic contents, total flavonoid contents along with the strongest 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl scavenging activity, total antioxidant power, and pancreatic lipase inhibitory properties. The 80% hydroethanolic extract not only regulated the lipid profile of obese mice but also restricted the weight gain in the liver, kidney, and heart. The 80% hydroethanolic extract also reduced alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase concentrations in serum. The effects of plant extract at 300 mg/kg body weight were quite comparable with the standard drug orlistat. Conclusions: Solanum nigrum is proved as an excellent and potent source of secondary metabolites that might be responsible for obesity mitigation.

Anti-obesity effect and UHPLC-QTOF-MS/MS based metabolite profiling of Solanum nigrum leaf extract

Objective: To evaluate the antioxidant potential and pancreatic lipase inhibitory action of optimized hydroethanolic extracts of Solanum nigrum. Methods: Optimized extraction for maximum recovery of metabolites was performed using a combination of freeze-drying and ultrasonication followed by determination of antioxidant and antiobesity properties. The ultra-high performance liquid chromatography equipped with mass spectrometry was used to analyze metabolite profiling of Solanum nigrum. Computational studies were performed using molecular docking and electrostatic potential analysis for individual compounds. The hypolipidemic potential of the most potent extract was assessed in the obese mice fed on fat rich diet. Results: The 80% hydroethanolic extract exhibited the highest extract yield, total phenolic contents, total flavonoid contents along with the strongest 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl scavenging activity, total antioxidant power, and pancreatic lipase inhibitory properties. The 80% hydroethanolic extract not only regulated the lipid profile of obese mice but also restricted the weight gain in the liver, kidney, and heart. The 80% hydroethanolic extract also reduced alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase concentrations in serum. The effects of plant extract at 300 mg/kg body weight were quite comparable with the standard drug orlistat. Conclusions: Solanum nigrum is proved as an excellent and potent source of secondary metabolites that might be responsible for obesity mitigation.

Development of α-tocopherol surface-modified targeted delivery of 5-fluorouracil-loaded poly-D, L-lactic-co-glycolic acid nanoparticles against oral squamous cell carcinoma

Objective: The aim of the study to develop surface modified targeted moiety α-tocopherol (α-t) encapsulated with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-poly-D, L-lactic-co-glycolic acid nanoparticles (PLGA NPs) toward the anticancer activity against oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Materials and Methods: 5-FU was conjugated with the polymer, PLGA by ionic cross-linking and α-tocopherol use as a functionalized surface moiety. Characterization, drug entrapment efficiency, and in-vitro drug release system were optimized at different pH 7.4 and pH 4.5. The in-vitro cell was performed to optimize the anticancer activity through MTT assay and apoptotic staining assay was also performed by flow cytometry to evaluate the cellular apoptotic activity and cellular uptake. Results: The particle size was distributed within an average range of 145–162 nm, the polydispersity index values lie 0.16–0.30, and the surface charge was at the negative side, –17mV to –23mV. The in vitro drug release system showed more sympathetic situation at pH 7.4 as compared to pH 4.5, for targeted NPs, approximately 86% and 69%, respectively. The non-targeted 5-FU-PLGA NPs showed drug release of 83% and 64% at pH 7.4 and 4.5 subsequently. In vitro anticancer activity confirmed the intense inhibition by α-t-FU-PLGA NPs of 79.98% after 96 h treatment of SCC15 cells and confirmed the steady-state inhibition of 83.74% after 160 h incubation in comparison to 5-FU-PLGA NPs. Subsequently, the early apoptosis, 27.98%, and 16.45%, and late apoptosis, 47.29%, and 32.57%, suggested the higher apoptosis rate in targeted NPs against OSCC. Conclusions: The surface modified α-t-FU-PLGA NP was treated over SCC15 cells, and the oral cancer cells have shown the high intensity of cellular uptake, which confirmed that the target moiety has successfully invaded over the surface of cancer cells and shown advanced targeted delivery against OSCC

Isolation, serotype diversity and antibiogram of Salmonella enterica isolated from different species of poultry in India

Objective:To study the occurrence and serotype diversity of Salmonella isolates in different species of poultry (chicken, emu and duck) and determine their resistance pattern against various antibiotics of different classes. Methods:About 507 samples comprising 202 caecal contents and 305 fecal samples from chicken, emu and duck were processed for isolation of Salmonella enterica. Salmonellae were isolated and detected by standard protocol of ISO 6579 Amendment 1:Annex D. Genetic confirmation was also made by using 16S rRNA genus specific PCR. Serotype specific PCR was also done to detect the most common serovars viz. Salmonella Enteritidis, Salmonella Typhimurium and Salmonella Gallinarum. All obtained isolates were subjected to a set of 25 antibiotics to study their antibiogram by using Baeur-Kirby disk diffusion method. Results:Out of 507 samples processed, 32 isolates of Salmonella enterica (18 from caecal contents and 14 from faecal samples) were obtained, of which 24 belonged to 6 different serovars, 6 were untypeable and 2 were rough strains. Salmonella Enteritidis was the most predominant serotype (9), followed by Salmonella Typhimurium (5), Salmonella Virchow (4), Salmonella Gallinarum (3), Salmonella Reading (2) and Salmonella Altona (1). Antibiotic resistance pattern was maximum (100%) to oxacillin, penicillin and clindamycin, followed by ampicillin (68.75%), tetracycline (65.62%), nalidixic acid (56.25%) and colistin (46.87%). High sensitivity of isolates was recorded for chloramphenicol (96.87%) followed by meropenem (84.37%). Conclusions:Occurrence of high proportion of serovars in our study which can cause serious gastroenteritis in humans is a matter of concern. Salmonella Altona has been detected for the first time in India from poultry. This serotype is known to cause serious outbreaks of gastroenteritis in humans. Multidrug resistant isolates were recovered at high percentage which can be attributed to non-judicious use of antibiotics both in prophylaxis and treatment regimen. This observation draws serious attention as poultry serves as an important source of transmission of these multidrug resistant Salmonella serovars to humans.

child with roberts syndrome

Roberts syndrome Is a genetically determined rare birth defect causing, skeletal deformities, particularly symmetrical limb reduction and craniofacial anomalies. For any child with limb and craniofacial bony malformations, this syndrome should be considered in the differentials. Although this syndrome represents only a small proportion of the total number of individuals with limb deficiency, it is important to be identified in order to give accurate genetic counselling including recurrence risk in siblings and possible prenatal diagnosis. This is the case report of a 22 days old male infant who presented with defective development of all four extremities and craniofacial abnormalities. The overall clinical and radiological features were suggestive of Roberts syndrome

Beliefs and perceptions about cancers among patients attending radiotherapy OPD in Delhi, India.

The prevalence of beliefs and myths amongst cancer patients is a reflection of the level of knowledge in the community regarding cancer. Such beliefs influence the health seeking behaviour of patients and may lead to delay in seeking medical care. The present study revealed that myths and misconceptions are widely prevalent among cancer patients in India. The perception regarding causation of cancer among cancer patients varied from curses, evil eye and spirits to past sins. Only one third of the patients believed that cancer can be detected in its early stages and that it can be cured. The average time taken by patients to report to a doctor after suspecting their disease was 2 years. The majority of patients held fatalistic views about the outcome of cancer. Most (60%) were being discriminated against by their family and society. All these findings highlight that despite considerable medical knowledge of risk factors and treatment modalities, possible social-behavioral strategies for the prevention and control of cancer have not been adequately addressed, especially among South Asian patients.

Role of ventriculoperitoneal shunt in post-tuberculous meningitis hydrocephalous

Thirty-two patients with post-tuberculous meningitic hydrocephalous were admitted. Thirty were subjected to ventriculoperitoneal shunt. Diagnosis was based on CSF analysis and CT scan. Five patients at a Glasgow Coma Score of 3-7 underwent an external ventricular drainage as an initial procedure followed by shunt in 3 patients when condition improved, 17 patients who were conscious at the time of admission made good recovery as compared to 13 patients with altered consciousness who either died [5 patients], or were disabled [8 patients] even after surgery. A mortality of 22% was noted. An early detection and referral is desired to improve the prognosis