ABSTRACT
Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a chronic complication of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. However, there is still inadequate understanding of the exact mechanism related to progressive diabetic renal disease. The GLUT-1 XbaI gene polymorphism in the glucose transporter has been suggested in the development of DN. However, its association with T2DM and DN is controversial and has not been established in different ethnic populations. To enhance the understanding of GLUT-1 XbaI gene polymorphism in the context of T2DM and DN. We investigated the possible genetic association of GLUT-1 XbaI polymorphism with T2DM and DN in North Indian population. 100 T2DM patients and 100 patients of DN with 100 healthy controls were included in the study. GLUT-1 XbaI polymorphism was determined by PCR (polymerase chain reaction) and RFLP (restriction fragment length polymorphism). The obtained data showed no significant association between GLUT-1 XbaI gene polymorphism with T2DM and DN leading us to conclude that GLUT-1 XbaI gene polymorphism may not have major effects on T2DM and DN in North Indian population.
ABSTRACT
Dietary components present in foods, spices and herbs are source of natural compounds viz. phenols, flavonoids, tocopherols, ascorbic acid and carotenoids with potential benefits. Ginger is one such herb commonly used throughout the world as a spice for dietary as well as medicinal purpose since ancient period. Here, we investigated the methanolic extract of Zingiber officinale rhizome (ZOME) for anticancer activity against human cervical cancer HeLa cells and breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells and antioxidant activity using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydroxyl (DPPH) scavenging assay, 2,2'-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiozoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) cation decolorization test. Antiproliferative activity was substantiated by 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and colony formation assay for cell viability and cell proliferation, Hoechst staining was performed to examine apoptosis. Our results demonstrated that ZOME inhibited the proliferation and colony formation in HeLa and MDA-MB-231 cells, in a dose- and time-dependent manner and induced typical changes in nuclear morphology, chromatin condensation and fragmentation, membrane shrinkage and blebbing in both cells indicated apoptotic property of Z. officinale. ZOME exhibited potent antiradical activity against DPPH and ABTS. On the basis of the results of the present study, it may be suggested that Z. officinale has promising anticancer and antioxidant properties. Since, Z officinale has been commonly used throughout the world as a spice for dietary as well as for medicinal purposes since prehistoric times. Therefore, enriched use of Z. officinale as dietary material could be recommended in ethno-medicine for the management of cervical and breast cancers. Moreover, further studies are needed to isolate and characterize the potent compounds for further adjuvant therapy against such malignancies.
ABSTRACT
Solanum nigrum is a traditional Indian plant acclaimed for its medicinal properties since antiquity. Among all plant parts fruit berries have shown to be most pharmacologically active part. In the present investigation, we tried to characterize the bioactive principles of chloroform fraction of S. nigrum (CFSn) fruit berries using GC-MS analysis. We could identify 29 compounds belonging to different chemical classes viz. alkaloids, flavonoids, carbohydrates, glycosides, phytosterols, proteins, phenolic compounds, and saponins. More specifically, we found two novel phenolic compounds, benzoiisovanillin and syringic acid (4-hydroxy-3, 5-dimethoxybenzoic acid), which may be responsible for its pharmacological properties. Our phytochemical investigation of CFSn was well supported by its total phenolic content and antioxidant activity which we evaluated subsequently. Further, we investigated the anticancer activity against breast cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7) as well. Our in vitro results indicated that CFSn exhibited significant antiproliferative activity against both these cell lines and due induction of cancer cell death through apoptosis. Our study emphasizes the need for isolation and characterization of specific bioactive compounds of CFSn and determination of their mechanism of action responsible for its anticancer activity in breast cancer cells.
ABSTRACT
Agents of choice may be introduced in to the mouth via dental restorations, but this concept is only in embryonic stages and needs to be explored, modified, controlled and gauged to make it useful. This study aims at indicating the common therapeutic agents that are being delivered via dental restorations, modern restorative materials successfully delivering agents, and methods of agent incorporation; elaborating the potential for future use of such systems. Relevant publications from the last fifty years were included by searching 'dental restorations', and 'drug delivery systems' via [Mesh terminology]. Specific exclusion and inclusion criteria were set. It was found that the arena of drug delivery via dental restorations seems to be restricted to fluoride, the most commonly delivered agent via restorations. Glass ionomer cements including resin modified GICs; composites including compomers, and nanocomposites; and to some extent amalgam are the materials being researched upon. Although most research surrounds systems that rely upon recharge, modern microcapsules have been designed that can be used to incorporate the agent into the restoration. There is a dearth of work been done on the factors affecting the delivery of agents. So far, the dicalcium phosphate anhydrous [DCPA] incorporated nanocomposite is the most promising fluoride-delivering restorative material with a competent blend of fluoride releasing and mechanical properties. DCPA-incorporated nanocomposite and ion impregnable microcapsules are new horizons for drug delivery using dental restorations
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To identify commonest SAAG "serum-ascites albumin gradient" value in patients with cirrhotic disease having esophageal varices and to discover values of serum ascites and serum albumin
MATERIAL AND METHODS: This cross sectional was conducted on 100 cirrhotic patients with ascites to calculate SAAG level in serum and ascitis fluid the value of SAAG was examined [>/=1.1 g/dl] and high SAAG was measured to be >/=1.1 g/dl and Low SAAG when it is <1.1g/dl to rank the esophageal varices. All the cases included in the study under went upper GI endoscopy
RESULTS: From total 100 patients, male were 62 and female were 38. SAAG was 2.01 +/- 0.52. Esophageal varices [EV] found in 87 patients and were absent in 13 patients. Grades of the esophageal varices highlighted significant correlation with degree of SAAG [p<0.01] with r =0.55 [p<0.01] of Pearson correlation coefficient. With uses of ROC curve a SAAG value i.e. >/=1.65 +/- 0.014 g/dl was an correct marker of the occurrence of EV; cutoff points for the higher predictive value 98% were positive, and 96% were nagetive
CONCLUSION: In the cirrhotic patients having ascites, the occurrence of EV is related only with SAAG and size of EV are mainly associated to the degree of SAAG. A SAAG value of >/=1.65 +/- 0.014 g/dl is a helpful mean to predict the occurrence of EV in cirrhotic patients with ascites
ABSTRACT
Of the 4070 children admitted in the department of pediatrics at Sheikh Zayed Hospital, 830 [24%] presented with diarrhea. Eleven of these [1.3%] were diagnosed as cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome characterized by microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia and acute renal failure. Only 3 had positive stool cultures [E. coli in 2 and shigella dysenteria in 1]. Two children expired [mortality 18%]. The rest recovered with conservative management and peritoneal dialysis [82%]. This syndrome has not been reported from other centers in Pakistan. It needs to be remembered as a complication of diarrhea and a cause of acute renal failure in children