Probing the mechanism of the anti-diabetic potential of a terpenoid from Elephantopus scaber L., an Indian ethnomedicinal plant in STZ diabetic rats- In vivo and in silico analysis

Plants have always been an exemplary source of drugs and many of the currently available drugs have been derived directly or indirectly from them. Since ancient times, traditional medicines all over the world have advocated the use of plants to treat diabetes. Elephantopus scaber L. assumes significance because it has shown by us to possess high hypoglycemic effect and justifies the traditional claims of being anti-diabetic drug candidate. The terpenoid isolated from Elephantopus scaber L. demonstrated promising antihyperglycemic property with an increase in insulin levels but the mode of action had not been investigated. Since increased insulin levels are associated with β-cells of the pancreas, histological studies were undertaken to evaluate the effect of the compound on β-cells protection in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. Streptozotocin is known to cause damage to β-cells and hence the protective and curative role of terpenoid was evaluated on the restoration of β-cells. The regeneration of damaged β-cells on the administration of the terpenoid is evident from histological and ultra-structural investigations. In histological observations, islets of extract-treated diabetic rats are seen to have numerous cells with normal histoarchitecture. Ultrastructural studies revealed β-cells of compound-treated diabetic rats to contain granulated secretory vesicles. The plant may act independently or synergistically to regenerate the damaged endocrine pancreas and thereby stimulation of insulin secretion in β-cells as revealed by LM and TEM. To further confirm the mode of action of the compound, in silico docking with target proteins like PPARγ, which plays a role in protecting β-cells from damage was undertaken. The docking analysis in the active sites of 2PRG was performed by Schrodinger program. The docking results showed good binding interactions of the ligand with the target at the very low energy level. In our in silico analysis, terpenoid isolated from E. scaber clearly demonstrated that it could improve the diabetic condition by increasing insulin secretion from remnant or regenerated pancreatic β-cells and could promote insulin sensitization and glucose uptake activities, which was a supporting evidence to the histological studies. Thus the terpenoid from E. scaber can be considered for developing into a potent antidiabetic drug.

Effect of Probiotics against Marine Pathogenic Bacteria on Artemia franciscana.

Presently an effort has been made to determine the effectiveness of probiotics against marine pathogenic bacterial load ingested by Artemia franciscana nauplii. In this experiment Artemia franciscana nauplii was allowed to ingest pathogenic bacterial strains, viz. Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Salmonella paratyphi, Vibrio cholerae and Shigella sp. Probiotic organism (Bioremid) was used against the pathogenic strains on Artemia franciscana nauplii. On completion of the experiment it was observed that the use of Probiotic organism (Bioremid) reduced the pathogenic bacterial load, especially that of Shigella sp. on Artemia franciscana.

Development of polyvinyl chloride biofilms for succession of selected marine bacterial populations.

Present investigation was made to bring out the pattern of biofilm formation by heterotrophic bacteria on nontoxic material, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) sheet fitted wooden rack that was immersed in seawater and the study was conducted in Tuticorin coast. Samplings were made over a period of 7 days with the following time period intervals: 30 min, 1, 2, 4, 24, 48, 72, 96, 120 and 144 hr. Bacterial enumeration was made by spread plate method on nutrient agar medium and characterization of bacterial isolates up to generic level was done. Gram-negative bacteria like Pseudomonas sp., Enterobacter sp., Aeromonas sp., Cytophaga sp. and Flavobacterium sp. were found to be the pioneer in colonizing the surface within 30 min and seven genera were represented in the biofilm. Among them two genera were found belonging to Gram-positive groups which included Micrococcus and Bacillus sp. The early stage biofilm i.e. up to 24th hr was wholly constituted by Gram-negative groups. However, the population density of Pseudomonas sp. was found to be higher (315 CFU) when compared to other Gram-negative forms. Occurrence of Gram-positive group was noted only at 48th hr old biofilm (28 to 150 CFU). The period between 48 and 96th hr was the transition where both the Gramnegative and Gram-positive groups co- existed. After 96th hr, the biofilm was found constituted only by Grampositive groups. The isolates of early stage biofilm were found to produce allelopathic substance like bacteriocin.

Seasonal distribution of physico- chemical parameters in effluent discharge area of Uppanar estuary, Cuddalore, south-east coast of India.

Seasonal distribution of physico-chemical characteristics such as rainfall, pH, salinity, temperature, light extinction coefficient, dissolved oxygen, biological oxygen demand and nutrients like total phosphorus, inorganic phosphate, nitrite, nitrate and reactive silicate has been studied at two stations of Uppanar estuary in relation to effluent discharges from SIPCOT industries. There are 44 industries discharges their effluents into Uppanar estuary, which may influence the biota. Nutrient concentrations were higher during monsoon season and low during summer season. The mean concentrations of nutrients were high at station 1 than station 2 due to discharges from industries, coconut husk retting grounds near the station 1. In the present study, the physico-chemical characteristic of Uppanar estuary carried out and variations are discussed.

Pre-hospital delay in acute myocardial infarction in an urban Indian hospital: a prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Successful treatment of acute myocardial infarction is dependent on early presentation of the patient to the hospital. The factors that contribute to delay in seeking treatment have not been systematically evaluated in the Indian milieu. METHODS: Patients admitted with acute myocardial infarction to a 125-bed urban community hospital were evaluated prospectively. A record of admission characteristics, prior medical history, pre-hospital symptoms and treatment patterns was completed within 48 hours of each admission. Independent predictors of delayed admission were identified by logistic regression. RESULTS: Of 144 consecutive admissions with myocardial infarction, 133 had completed data as per the protocol [mean (SD) age 59 (12.7) years; 79.6% men]. The distribution of presentation times was skewed, with the mode, median and mean being 1, 3 (interquartile range 1.25-11) and 10.9 (SD 20.5) hours, respectively. Seventy-nine patients (59.4%) consulted a general practitioner prior to hospital referral and 48 patients (36.1%) delayed admission to hospital by more than 6 hours from the onset of symptoms. On multivariate analysis, individuals who were initially seen by a general practitioner (OR 5.57; 95% CI 1.84-16.8) and those over the age of 65 years (OR 3.24; 95% CI 1.06-9.89) were identified as 'delayers', while patients with severe symptoms (OR 0.32; 95% CI 0.12-0.87) or prodromal angina (OR 0.25; 95% CI 0.08-0.82) minimized delay. CONCLUSION: Though 50% of patients with acute myocardial infarction present to hospital within 3 hours, about 36% delay seeking treatment by more than 6 hours. Besides age and the pattern and severity of symptoms, visits to the general practitioner were found to be an independent correlate of delay.

Survival after cardiopulmonary resuscitation in an urban Indian hospital.

BACKGROUND: Survival after cardiopulmonary resuscitation depends upon the quality of pre-hospital support, availability of resuscitation equipment and the competence of the resuscitator. There are few data on the prognosis of patients undergoing such resuscitation in India. METHODS: In a retrospective analysis of 215 resuscitations done in a 125-bed community hospital between January 1995 and November 1997, return of spontaneous circulation and survival to discharge were evaluated. Multivariate methods were used to identify the predictors of successful outcome. RESULTS: Of all the patients, 14.4% were alive at discharge. Survival after a cardiorespiratory arrest in the hospital was 18.4%, which was significantly better than survival after pre-hospital events (5.9%; p = 0.027). Multivariate predictors of survival at discharge were resuscitation duration of less than 20 minutes [odds ratio (95% confidence limit): 32.6 (6.5-164.3)], presentation with ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation [odds ratio: 18.5 (4.4-77.9)], in-hospital cardiorespiratory arrest [odds ratio: 5.2 (1.2-21.6)] and female sex [odds ratio: 3.2 (1.1-9.6)]. Bystander resuscitation, though rarely provided, increased survival at discharge (p = 0.026). CONCLUSIONS: With 5.5 resuscitation attempts needed for one live discharge after in-hospital cardiorespiratory arrest and 17 attempts to save a life after pre-hospital events, our outcomes are comparable to those reported from developed nations. A return of pulse after shorter durations of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, ventricular fibrillation or tachycardia as the abnormal presenting rhythm, in-hospital location of cardiorespiratory (CR) arrest and female sex were independent predictors of live discharge. Age and aetiology of CR arrest did not influence the outcome.