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Objective: To evaluate the immunostimulatory potential of cross-reactive molecule heat shock protein 60 (HSP60) of filarial parasite Brugia malayi and Leishmania donovani. Methods: HSP60 of Brugia malayi (BmHSP60) was amplified using gene-specific primer, cloned in pTriEx4 vector, expressed in BL21-DE3 cells, and recombinant HSP60 (rHSP60) of ～65 kDa was purified by affinity chromatography using Ni-NTA column. The recombinant protein was desalted by the dialysis membrane, and the presence of endotoxin level was determined by Limulus amebocyte lysate assay. The recombinant protein was tested for cell proliferation, nitric oxide release, expression of Th1 and Th2 cytokines, and transcription factors (STATs) in vitro using murine macrophage cell line (J774A.1). Results: Higher cell proliferation indicated that BmHSP60 had immunostimulatory potential. rBmHSP60 exposure upregulated the expression of iNOS, STAT1, STAT4, Th1 cytokines (IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-12), and nitric oxide release. In addition, no remarkable change was observed in the expression of IL-6, IL-10, and STAT3 in macrophage cell line J774A.1. The ELISA analysis showed the levels of IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-12 were upregulated while IL-10 level was downregulated, revealing that BmHSP60 triggered a Th1 immune response. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates that rBmHSP60 has immunogenic properties which effectively enhances the Th1 type immune responses, and can be used as an immunoprophylactic agent against leishmaniasis. Furthermore, in vivo studies are in progress to determine the protective role of rBmHSP60 against Leishmania donovani infection in a mouse model.
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Background: This study aimed to know the various histo-pathological patterns of endometrial biopsy and their incidence in patients of AUB.Methods: Patients in the age group between 21-75 years who had presented with AUB and underwent endometrial biopsy from 1st January 2017 to 31st December 2019 were included. The endometrial biopsy specimens which were already taken from patients with AUB were scrutinized for histopathological pattern. Various patterns of histo-pathology of endometrial biopsy were noted and studied.Results: Most common age group which was affected was between 36-40 years. The endometrial biopsies and curetting’s on histopathology revealed various patterns ranging from normal endometrium to malignancy. Patterns of normal cyclical endometrium (proliferative and secretory phases) were the most common patterns.Conclusions: Evaluation of women with AUB is important around the perimenopausal age group to detect any atypical and malignant changes and intervene early. Histopathological examination in correlation to radiological findings remain the standard procedures for diagnosis.
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Background: The available drugs for treating visceral leishmaniasis are limited. Moreover, the disease isassociated with suppression of immune function. Therefore, therapies with effective immunomodulatoryagents are needed which can decrease parasitic burden and enhance adaptive immunity.Objectives: The present study was planned to evaluate the antileishmanial efficacy of crude ethanolicextract of roots of Chlorophytum borivilianum (CBREE) against murine visceral leishmaniasis throughimmunomodulation.Materials and methods: The in vitro studies were carried out to check leishmanicidal activity againstpromastigote form and cytotoxicity against HeLa cells. The parasite load in liver smears, immunologicaland biochemical changes induced by 500 and 1000 mg/kg b.wt. of CBREE were assessed on 1, 7, 14 and 21post treatment days in infected and treated BALB/c mice.Results: CBREE showed inhibitory effect on growth of promastigotes with IC50 of 28.25 mg/mL andnegligible cytotoxicity. The extract was toxicologically safe in BALB/c mice when administered orally with5 g/kg b.wt. of extract. A significant reduction in parasite load was observed along with active immunomodulation through enhanced Th1 type of immune responses and suppressed Th2 type of immuneresponses.Conclusion: The treatment with both doses showed no toxic effect as evidenced by normal liver andkidney function tests and normal histological observations of liver and kidney. Therefore, it should befurther explored for its active components in pursuit of the new effective antileishmanial agents in theplant kingdom.© 2017 Transdisciplinary University, Bangalore and World Ayurveda Foundation. Publishing Services byElsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
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Background: Emergency contraception (EC) is usage of contraceptive method after an unprotected sexual intercourse. It provides a window of opportunity for females for prevention of an unplanned pregnancy. In India, emergency contraceptive usage continues to be very poor. Thus, this study was planned to analyse the knowledge, awareness, and practices of married women in Haryana towards EC methods.Methods: This observational study was undertaken in a single centre on a section of rural and urban population in Haryana. A total of 500 women of reproductive age group were included in the study. A series of questions were asked in a face to face interview from a pre-structured questionnaire in a non-formal yet confidential environment. The data were collected, analysed, and compared with data available in literature.Results: In our study, more than 50% women had never heard of EC. Of those who were aware, majority (95.83%) knew about EC pills. IUD as EC was known to a very few women (2.08%). Television was the most common source of information followed by family and friends. The most common source of procurement of EC pills was from chemist shops (83.3%). Very few women (4.1%), knew the correct time for taking the EC pills.Conclusions: Our study affirms a poor knowledge about use of emergency contraception among women in Haryana. Imparting knowledge through television, social media and incorporating and highlighting EC use in sex education programs can greatly help to increase the awareness and knowledge of correct EC use.
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The present work carries an analytical method development of prednisolone and 5- amino salicylic acid in tablet dosage form. The method is based upon Q – absorption ratio method for the simultaneous determination of the prednisolone and 5-amino salicylic acid. Both the drugs are widely used for bacterial cure and are recommended for the patients with mild to moderate inflammation of the digestive tract. Ulcerative colitis and crohn’s disease are the target disorders which are treated by both drug candidates. Absorption ratio method is used for the ratio of the absorption at two selected wavelength one of which is the iso-absorptive point and other being the λmax of one of the two components. Prednisolone and 5-ASA shows their iso-absorptive point at 283 nm in ethanol and 0.1N HCl respectively. The second wavelength used is 302 nm which is the λmax of 5-ASA in 0.1N HCl. The linearity was obtained in the concentration range of 1-10 μg/ml for prednisolone and 5-ASA. This method was applied to all pharmaceutical dosage form because there is no excipients interference between them. The results have been validated by recovery studies.
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Colon specific drug delivery has achieved utmost importance because the colon is an area that is vulnerable to a number of diseases including ulcerative colitis, crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome and carcinomas. And, preservation of formulation in upper GIT to colon is still important step. Treatment of these diseases with a colon-specific drug delivery system provides an interesting alternative over systemic drug administration because of lower dosing and fewer systemic side effects. Different challenges are associated with this delivery system like long transit time, enzymatic interference, intersubject variation of microflora etc. A variety of under clinical and commercially available approaches were designed for remediation of colonic ailments. Different dosage forms like tablets, capsules, pellets, multiparticulates, microspheres, liposome, nanoparticulates etc. were used for colon targeting. The present review article mainly focused on different approaches, mainly on formulation, carrier system and/or coating system, bioactive stability, patient compliance and evaluation of colon specific drug delivery system.