ABSTRACT
The mint oil obtained from Mentha arvensis L. is an important ingredient of ointments, pain balms, lozenges, syrups and various cosmetic preparations. Using half sib progeny selection method, CSIR-CIMAP, Lucknow, India has developed a new chemotype (MAC/BS-11) of Mentha arvensis. Essential oil extracted from the aerial shoots of this chemotype (MaP) is rich in pulegone. Here, we conducted a blind pharmacological study using MaP to evaluate its therapeutic profile against skin inflammation using in vivo and in silico assays. Results of this study conclude that MaP significantly (P <0.05) reduced the skin thickness, ear weight and pro-inflammatory cytokines production in 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced mouse ear inflammation model. In vivo toxicity profiles indicate that it is safe for topical application on skin. Molecular docking study also revealed its strong binding affinity to the active site of the pro-inflammatory proteins. These findings suggest that MaP, a pulegone rich essential oil of Mentha arvensis, could be a potential therapeutic candidate for the treatment of skin inflammation.
ABSTRACT
Background. The relevance of population-based cancer registries for planning and implementing cancer control programmes cannot be overemphasized. There are some urban registries in India but very few rural registries despite India being predominantly rural. There are several obstacles to setting up a rural registry including lack of cancer awareness in the rural population and inaccessibility of modern medical facilities. The first rural cancer registry was set up in 1987 at Barshi (population 0.4 million) in western Maharashtra by adopting a methodology suitable for rural areas. Methods. The innovative methodology supplemented the usual registry methodology by regular interaction with the community to educate them on warning signals for cancer, raise cancer awareness and motivate suspected individuals to seek medical attention. Cancer detection clinics were held in villages. Results. The reliability indices show that the registry is of an acceptable standard. The registry activity has increased cancer awareness in this population (p<0.01), increased the frequency of early cervical cancers (stages I and IIa) by more than 2-fold during the past 16 years and significantly decreased the relative risk of death (hazard ratio 0.7 [0.5–0.9]). Conclusion. The innovative methodology has facilitated the process of cancer registration in rural areas. It has had a positive impact on cancer awareness, stage at presentation and survival of cervical cancers—the predominant cancer in the area. The registry has created a resource for epidemiological studies in a rural area where national and international studies are currently being undertaken.