The Role of Interleukin-10 in Leprosy: A Review

Leprosy continues to be an important health issue in several endemic countries. The global incidence of this disease is greater than 200,000 new cases detected annually. This number has remained relatively stable during the past eight years, indicating ongoing transmission. The elimination of this disease, remains - a challenge for clinicians and scientists. Since leprosy is an infectious disease, the immune system plays an essential role in its development and progression. The unique immune response in each individual is due to the interaction of various cytokine products, both pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Interleukin-10, an anti-inflammatory cytokine, plays a vital role in the immunity and pathogenesis of leprosy. Evidence suggests that interleukin-10 plays a cruicial roles in the clinical manifestation and progression of the disease in all subtypes of leprosy. An understanding of the biomolecular aspects of this disease is imperative and may lead to the discovery of new treatment-modalities and/or more effective prevention methods.

Response surface methodology-based optimization of ultrasound-assisted extraction of β-sitosterol and lupeol from astragalus atropilosus (roots) and validation by HPTLC method

Objective: To optimize the ultrasonication method for efficient extraction of P-sitosterol and lupeol from the roots of Astragalus atropilosus using Box-Behnken design of response surface methodology (RSM), and its validation by high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) method. Methods: Ultrasonication method was used to extract β-sitosterol and lupeol from Astragalus atropilosus (roots). RSM was used to optimize the different extraction parameters viz. liquid to solid ratio (10-14 mL/g), temperature (60-80 °C) and time (40-60 min) to maximize the yield of β-sitosterol and lupeol. The quantitative estimation of β-sitosterol and lupeol was done in chloroform extract of Astragalus atropilosus by validated HPTLC method on 10 cm × 20 cm glass-backed silica gel 60F

Acaricidal activity of the essential oils from Citrus hystrix (Rutaceae) and Cymbopogon citratus (Poaceae) on the cattle tick Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus larvae (Acari: Ixodidae)

@# Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus serves as an important ectoparasite of livestock and a vector of several pathogens resulting in diseases, subsequently affecting the agricultural field as well as the economy. The extensive use of synthetic acaricides is known to cause resistance over time and therefore a much safer, effective and environmentally friendly alternative to overcome tick infestation should be implemented. Larval immersion tests (LIT) were done to evaluate the effects of Citrus hystrix (Family: Rutaceae) and Cymbopogon citratus (Family: Poaceae) essential oils (EOs) for their individual and combined (1:1) acaricidal activity against the cattle tick. Results showed that LC50 and LC90 values in 24 and 48 hours for Cit. hystrix EO were 11.98% and 24.84%, and 10.95% and 21.71% respectively. LC50 and LC90 values for Cym. citratus EO were 1.21% and 6.28%, and 1.05% and 6.12% respectively. The mixture of EOs from two plants in 1:1 ratio (Cit. hystrix 50%: Cym. citratus 50%) was found to exhibit antagonistic effect (synergistic factor < 1). The 24 hours and 48 hours LC50 and LC90 values for combined EOs were 1.52% and 2.84%, and 1.50% and 2.76% respectively. Individual and combined essential oils were subjected to qualitative analysis using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to screen the chemical components present in EOs. Our results showed that the combination of Cit. hystrix and Cym. citratus at 1:1 ratio resulted in an antagonistic effect and the use of Cym. citratus alone is more toxic to R. (B.) microplus, making it a better alternative to chemical based acaricide.

Quantitative estimation of hesperidin by HPTLC in different varieties of citrus peels

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To develop a simple, selective, sensitive and accurate high-performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) method to determine the quantity of hesperidin in different varieties of citrus fruits.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The method was carried out in aluminum-backed silica gel 60 F254 plates with ethyl acetate-methanol-water 15:3:2 (%, v/v) as mobile phase.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A compact band was obtained for hesperidin at Rf value of (0.40±0.04). The calibration plot was linear in the range of 100-800 ng/spot of hesperidin and the correlation coefficient of 0.998 6 was indicative of good linear dependence of peak area on concentration. Limit of detection (8.87 ng/spot), limit of quantification (23.21 ng/spot), accuracy (less than 2%) and recovery (ranging from 98.55-99.38) were found satisfactory.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The method developed can be used for routine analysis of hesperidin in crude drug as well as in herbal and pharmaceutical dosage form containing citrus fruits as an ingredient.</p>

Ticks (Ixodidae) and other ectoparasites in Ulu Muda Forest Reserve, Kedah, Malaysia.

A survey of ticks and other ectoparasites was carried out during a national biodiversity scientific expedition at Ulu Muda Forest Reserve, Kedah, Malaysia from 23-29 March 2003. A total of 161 animals comprising 20 species of birds, 16 species of bats, six species of non-volant small mammals and 12 species of reptiles were examined for ticks and other ectoparasites. From these animals, nine species in five genera of ticks, 10 species in two families of Mesostigmatid mites and five species of chiggers were collected. Three of the ectoparasitic species found, Dermacentor auratus, Ixodes granulatus and Leptotrombidium deliense are of known public health importance. This survey produced the first list of ticks and other ectoparasites in the forest reserve and the third study of ectoparasites in Kedah. Fourteen species of these ectoparasites are new locality records.

Evaluation of the hepatoprotective effect of ecbalium elaterium, convolvulus pilosellifolius, cyperus bulbosus and echinacea angustifolia against experimentally induced liver injury in rats

Ecbalium elaterium, Convolvulus piosellifollus, Cyperus bulbosus and Echinacea angustifolia were selected for studying their hepatoprotective effects against induced liver toxicity by CCI4 in rats. The extent of liver protection is reflected by measuring the biochemical parameters: serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase [SGOT], serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase [SGPT], alkaline phosphatase [ALP] and total bilirubin that indicate the condition of liver cells. Extracts that showed good reduction in the biomarker levels were further subjected for histopathological study to explore the extent of protection of hapatocytes. Only the extract of Ecbalium elaterium was effective in reducing the elevated enzyme levels at the 500 mg/kg dose. However, in the histopathological study the extract failed to restore the normal appearance of hepatocytes. All the results were compared with silymarin, as a reference hepatoprotective drug

A survey of ectoparasites in Gunung Stong Forest Reserve, Kelantan, Malaysia.

A survey of ticks and other ectoparasites was carried out during a national biodiversity scientific expedition at Gunung Stong Forest Reserve, Kelantan, Malaysia from 23-29 May 2003. A total of 272 animals comprised of 12 species of birds, 21 species of bats, 7 species of rodents and 2 species of insects were examined for ticks and other ectoparasites. From these animals, 5 species in 4 genera of ticks; 7 species in 2 families of Mesostigmatid mites and 5 species of chiggers were collected. Among the ectoparasites found were Ixodes granulatus and Leptotrombidium deliense, which are of known medical importance. A tick island consisting of 10 nymphal stages of Dermacentor spp was observed feeding on Rattus tiomanicus.

Role of MR chlangiopancreatography in biliary obstruction- A clinico-radiologic and opreative study

Thirty-five patients with obstructive jaundice suspected clinically [19 males and 16 females, their ages ranged from 5 to 81 years] were included in this study. All patients were subjected to complete medical history, full clinical examination, biochemical study [liver function tests and hepatitis markers], abdominal US and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography [MRCP]. Twenty-three patients were operated upon. ERCP was done in nine patients as well as percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography [PTC] and drainage transhepatic cholangiography [PTD] in two patients. One patient was diagnosed by ultrasound [US] and MRCP to have primary sclerosing cholangitis. MRCP images revealed extrahepatic biliary obstruction in 34 cases with good quality images. It demonstrated the levels of obstruction in all patients but diagnosed their causes in 33 only [16 were malignant, 11 calcular, one primary sclerosing cholangitis, 3 post-cholecystectomy stricture of CBD, one papillary stenosis and one chronic pancreatitis]. In two patients, there was a distal obstruction of undetermined origin by MRCP and one patient had calcular obstruction by ERCP [false -ve]

Inclusion complexion of ketoprofen with B-cyclodextrin and hydroxypropyl B-cyclodextrin in water and in solid state

Inclusion complexation of ketoprofen with beta -cyclodextrin[beta -CD] and hydroxypropyl beta cyclodextrin [HP beta -CD] in aqueous solutions and in the solid phase were examined by phase solubility diagrams, infrared spectroscopy, and diffraction patterns. Ketoprofen-cyclodextrin inclusion complexes were obtained applying different techniques including spray drying, freeze drying, evaporation under vacuum and co-grinding in presence and absence of water. The dissolution profile of ketoprofen was highly improved in the complexed from compared to non- treated ketoprofen or its physical mixtures with either- beta CD or HP beta-CD in the same ratio

Evaluation of ketoprofen B-cyclodextrin inclusion complex formulated into tablets, capsules and suppositories

Ketgoprofen beta Cyclodextrin [beta CD] inclusion complexes prepared by co-grinding, freeze drying and evaporation under vacuum were formulated into tablets, capsules and suppositories. The prepared ketoprofen dosage forms were evaluated with regard to their dissolution, behavior and compared to comercial ketoprofen dosage forms. Directly compressed ketoprofen beta -CD tablets showed relatively better dissolution characteristics than a commercial ketoprofen capsule dosage from. Manually filled hard gelatin capsules of either the spray dried complex or the ground mixture showed a very fast dissolution rate compared to the tested commercial ketoprofen capsules. on the other hand, suppositories containing ether the freeze dried complex or the ground mixture gave rise to a relatively faster in vitro release than those containing non-treated ketopfrofen or the tested commercial ketoprofen suppositories

Laboratory evaluation of five pesticides for control of Leptotrombidium fletcheri (Acari: Trombiculidae).

Five pesticides were evaluated against laboratory colonies of Leptotrombidium fletcheri (Womersly and Heaslip) by the Pasteur pipet technique. The pesticides were dieldrin (LC50 = 3.6 ppm, LC99 = 18.2 ppm), bromopropylate (LC50 = 9.2 ppm, LC99 = 239.6 ppm), dicofol (LC50 = 27.8 ppm, LC99 = 118.1 ppm), fenthion (LC50 = 15.4 ppm, LC99 = 29.7 ppm), and malathion (LC50 = 84.7 ppm, LC99 = 313.9 ppm). Dieldrin was the most toxic. Dicofol was recommended for further evaluation in field trials.