In-Silico Study Of Molecular Properties, Bioactivity And Toxicity Of 2-(Substituted Benzylidene)Succinic Acids And Some Selected Anti-Inflammatory Drugs

Succinic acid and its derivatives have many important uses, especially in pharmaceutical and polymer industry. The 2-(substituted benzylidene)succinic acids also known as substituted phenylitaconic acids are utilized in the synthesis of some lignans, lignanamides and renin inhibitors. In view of this, the present in-silico study aimed to calculate the molecular properties, bioactivity score and toxicity of several benzylidenesuccinic acids as well as some selected anti-inflammatory drugs by computational methods. The study revealed that all the compounds obeyed Lipinski’s rule of five, indicating drug likeness properties. The bioactivity data revealed that the 2-(substituted benzylidene)succinic acids were active as Nuclear receptor ligands, Enzyme inhibitors, GPCR ligands and Ion channel modulators. Among all, 2-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzylidene)succinic acid was predicted as non-toxic with better in-silico molecular properties and bioactivity as Nuclear receptor ligand, Enzyme inhibitor, GPCR ligand, Ion channel modulator and Protease inhibitor compared to some of the predicted anti-inflammatory drugs.

Phthalate contamination of some plants and herbal products / Contaminación de algunas plantas y productos herbales con ftalatos

Phthalate derivatives cause a number of risks to human health and the environment. Essential oil and volatile fractions of some vegetables and herbal products were extracted by hydrodistillation and percolation methods to analyze using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for evaluation of phthalate contaminations. The results revealed that four vegetables and all aromatic waters were contaminated by phthalate derivatives including di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP), diisobutyl phthalate and di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) (0.1-7.95%). Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), a widely used synthetic antioxidant, was also found in the most of the aromatic waters in the range of 3.15-61.3%. In addition, three vegetable samples contained diazinon (0.36-4.61%), an organophosphorus insecticide. Plants and herbal preparations may be contaminated by the absorption of phthalates from contaminated water or soil or by the migration of phthalates from inexpensive recycled plastic. Regarding the widespread use and associated health risks of phthalates, effective quality and safety regulations for herbal products should be implemented with respect to their phthalate content.

Los derivados de ftalato causan una serie de riesgos para la salud humana y el medio ambiente. El aceite esencial y las fracciones volátiles de algunos vegetales y productos a base de hierbas fueron extraídos mediante hidrodestilación y métodos de percolación y luego fueron analizados mediante cromatografía de gases y espectrometría de masas (GC-MS) con el propósito de identificar contaminación con ftalatos. Los resultados revelaron que cuatro productos herbales y todas las aguas aromáticas analizadas estaban contaminadas con derivados de ftalato, incluyendo el ftalato de dibutulo (DBP), ftalato de diisobutilo y ftalato de bis(2-etilhexilo) (DEHP) (0.1-7.95%). El butilhidroxitolueno (BHT), un antioxidante sintético ampliamente utilizado, también se encontró en aguas aromáticas en el rango de 3.15- 61.3%. Además, tres muestras vegetales contenían diazinón (0.36-4.61%), un insecticida organofosforado. Las plantas y las preparaciones herbales pueden ser contaminadas a partir de absorción de ftalatos del agua o el suelo contaminados o por la migración de ftalatos desde plástico reciclado de bajo costo. Con respecto al uso generalizado y los riesgos asociados a la salud de los ftalatos, deben implementarse normas efectivas de calidad y seguridad para los productos a base de hierbas con respecto a su contenido de ftalato.

Black-Tongued Witch – Really?

Black hairy tongue (BHT) also known as Lingua villosa nigra is an acquired, benign condition which is characterized by abnormally hypertrophied and elongated papilliform papillae on the dorsal surface of the tongue. Apart from black; it may also appear brown, yellow, green or blue. BHT typically causes aesthetic concerns to the patient. Gagging, nausea, dysgeusia, xerostomia, burning mouth syndrome and halitosis can be the very rare presenting complaints in some patients. In India, however, black tongue is believed to associate with witches and unfortunate doom spellers. We are reporting a case of olanzapine induced BHT who became a victim of very popular but irrational myth in Indian society.

Effect of Yoga on pulmonary function tests.

Background: Yoga is considered to be a very good exercise for maintaining proper health. The present work was planned to find effects of 10 weeks Yoga practice on some pulmonary function tests. Methods: The present study was conducted on 40 subjects, (30 males and 10 females) who came voluntarily as subjects for the project with written and informed consent. It was a prospective study on healthy volunteers from both sex of age between 20 to 65 years. Various Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs) were measured. Results: Respiratory rate was decreased while Breath Holding Time (BHT) and Maximum Ventilatory Volume (MVV) were found to be increased in both male and female subjects. Conclusions: From this study we conclude that yoga practice can be advocated to improve respiratory efficiency for healthy individuals as well as an alternative therapy or as adjunct to conventional therapy in respiratory diseases.

Antioxidant and free radical-scavenging properties of seeds flavonoids extract of Cedrus atlantica Manetti , Linum usitatissimum L. and Ocimum basilicum L. species.

This work aims to evaluate the antioxidant activity of seeds flavonoids extract of Cedrusatlantica Manetti (Pinaceae), Linum usitatissimum L. (Linaceae) and Ocimum basilicum L. (Lamiaceae) species by using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl(DPPH) method. In DPPH scavenging assay the IC50value of the extract was found to be respectively 0.40, 1.21 and 0.41 mg.ml-1while to the IC50 value of the reference standard Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) was 0.003 mg.ml-1. The seeds flavonoids extract of C. atlantica Manetti had a strong scavenger power of free radicals. This study suggests that the mean species may act as a providing antioxidant properties and offering effective protection from free radicals. Then, it’s necessary to identify and isolate the compounds that are responsible to the antioxidant activity.

Modeling pulmonary fibrosis by abnormal expression of telomerase/apoptosis/collagen V in experimental usual interstitial pneumonia

Limitations on tissue proliferation capacity determined by telomerase/apoptosis balance have been implicated in pathogenesis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. In addition, collagen V shows promise as an inductor of apoptosis. We evaluated the quantitative relationship between the telomerase/apoptosis index, collagen V synthesis, and epithelial/fibroblast replication in mice exposed to butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) at high oxygen concentration. Two groups of mice were analyzed: 20 mice received BHT, and 10 control mice received corn oil. Telomerase expression, apoptosis, collagen I, III, and V fibers, and hydroxyproline were evaluated by immunohistochemistry, in situ detection of apoptosis, electron microscopy, immunofluorescence, and histomorphometry. Electron microscopy confirmed the presence of increased alveolar epithelial cells type 1 (AEC1) in apoptosis. Immunostaining showed increased nuclear expression of telomerase in AEC type 2 (AEC2) between normal and chronic scarring areas of usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP). Control lungs and normal areas from UIP lungs showed weak green birefringence of type I and III collagens in the alveolar wall and type V collagen in the basement membrane of alveolar capillaries. The increase in collagen V was greater than collagens I and III in scarring areas of UIP. A significant direct association was found between collagen V and AEC2 apoptosis. We concluded that telomerase, collagen V fiber density, and apoptosis evaluation in experimental UIP offers the potential to control reepithelization of alveolar septa and fibroblast proliferation. Strategies aimed at preventing high rates of collagen V synthesis, or local responses to high rates of cell apoptosis, may have a significant impact in pulmonary fibrosis.

Antioxidant activity of Palmarosa essential oil (Cymbopogon martini) grown in north Indian plains

Objective: The present study deals with the in vitro study of antioxidant activity of essential oil from Palmarosa (Cymbopogon martini) of family gramineae. Methods:The in vitro study of antioxidant activity of Palmarosa essential oil has been done by using DPPH assay, Nitrogen oxide assay, reducing power assay, β-carotene bleaching assay and FRAP method. Results: IC50 values observed for DPPH and NO assay were 0.125 mg/mL and 12.5 μg/mL, respectively.In beta carotene bleaching method, the oil showed 93.15% bleaching for the first hour and it increased to 51.1% in second hour. There was a constant increase in the reducing activities with the increase in concentrations in both reducing activity and FRAP mehods. In all the methods BHT and Gallic acid were kept as standards. Conclusions: The results clearly indicate that Palmarosa essential oil is effective in scavanging free radical and has the potential to be powerful antioxidant.

Antioxidant activity of garlic essential oil (Allium Sativum) grown in north Indian plains

Objective: To assess in vitro antioxidant activity of the essential oil isolated from fresh rhizomes of garlic (Allium sativum) of the family Alliaceae in an yield of 0.2% (v/w). Methods:2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), Nitrogen oxide scavenging, reducing power and毬-carotene bleaching assays were conducted. BHT and gallic acid were kept as standards.Results:IC50 values observed for DPPH and nitric oxide scavenging assays were 0.5 mg/mL and 50毺g/mL respectively. In reducing power assay absorbance increased linearly with increasing concentration of the oil, in毬-carotene bleaching method also there is 84% bleaching in first one hour and it decreased to 45 % by the completion of second hour. Conclusions: The results clearly indicate garlic essential oil is effective in scavenging free radical and has the potential to be powerful antioxidant.

Isolation and identification of four isoflavones and one pterocarpan from BUYANGHUANWUTANG / 中草药

Object To study the antithombotic portion and bioactive fraction of BUYANGHUANWUTANG (BHT), a decoction of astragalus in combination with peony and several other ingredients. Methods The EtOAc portion of BHT extract was repeatedly separated by chromatography and identified by means of spectral analysis. Results One pterocarpan, (6aR, 11aR) 9, 10-dimethoxypterocarpan-3-O-?-D-glucopyanoside (Ⅴ) and four isoflavones, formononetin (Ⅰ), calycosin (Ⅱ), formononetin-7-O-?-D-glucopyanoside (Ⅲ), and calycosin-7-O-?-D-glucopyranoside (Ⅳ) were identified. Conclusion All five compounds were isolated for the first time from BHT.

Enhancement of O-dealkylation in Mouse Liver by Dietary Administrations of BHA and BHT: Studies with Isolated Perfused Livers and Hepatic Microsomes

Effects of feeding 2(3)-tert-butyl 4-hydroxyanisole (BHA) and 3, 5-di-tert-butyl 4-hydroxytoluene (BHT) on the rates of mixed function oxidation and conjugation enzyme reactions have been determined using isolated hepatic microsomal fractions and isolated perfused livers of mice. The treatments with either of the antioxidants have increased the rates of O-demethylation for p-nitroanisole and of O-deethylation for 7-ethoxycoumarin up to 2-fold, both in microsomes and in perfused liver. Analysis of the perfusate showed that the increased amounts of p-nitrophenol and 7-hydroxycoumarin produced by the elevated mixed-function oxidase activities were reflected by the increase in the amounts of glucuronide conjugates and not in the increase for the amounts of the sulfate ester conjugates. Comparison of results also indicated that in the perfused liver, the maximal rate of metabolite conjugation is limited by the maximal rates of the initial mixed function oxidase activities.

The Relationship Between Increased Intracranial Pressure and Central alpha-Adrenoceptors

The author attempted to clarify the nature of alpha-adrenoceptors in relation to the pressor response to the increased intracranial pressure(ICP) in urethane-anesthetized rabbits, using the epidural balloon method. 1) The blood pressure increased in parallel with the raised ICP which was made by gradual inflation of the balloon. 2) B-HT 920, an alpha2-agonist, which elicited depressor and bradycardiac responses in normal rabbits inhibited markedly the pressor response to the raised ICP. 3) Piperoxan, an alpha2-antagonist, potentiated the pressor response to the raised ICP. 4) Piperoxan antagonized the depressor and bradycardiac responses by B-HT 920 as well as the inhibitory effect of B-HT 920 on the pressor response to the raised ICP. 5) The pressor response to the raised ICP were not affected at all by prazosin, an alpha1-antagonist. 6) Neither the depressor and bradycardiac responses by B-HT 920 itself nor the inhibitory effect of B-HT 920 on the pressor response to the raised ICP were significantly affected by prazosin. It is inferred from these observations that the central alpha-adrenoceptors play an important role in producing the pressor response to the raised ICP and that the receptors involved here seems to be of alpha2-type.

The Relationship Between Increased Intracranial Pressure and Central alpha-Adrenoceptors

The author attempted to clarify the nature of alpha-adrenoceptors in relation to the pressor response to the increased intracranial pressure(ICP) in urethane-anesthetized rabbits, using the epidural balloon method. 1) The blood pressure increased in parallel with the raised ICP which was made by gradual inflation of the balloon. 2) B-HT 920, an alpha2-agonist, which elicited depressor and bradycardiac responses in normal rabbits inhibited markedly the pressor response to the raised ICP. 3) Piperoxan, an alpha2-antagonist, potentiated the pressor response to the raised ICP. 4) Piperoxan antagonized the depressor and bradycardiac responses by B-HT 920 as well as the inhibitory effect of B-HT 920 on the pressor response to the raised ICP. 5) The pressor response to the raised ICP were not affected at all by prazosin, an alpha1-antagonist. 6) Neither the depressor and bradycardiac responses by B-HT 920 itself nor the inhibitory effect of B-HT 920 on the pressor response to the raised ICP were significantly affected by prazosin. It is inferred from these observations that the central alpha-adrenoceptors play an important role in producing the pressor response to the raised ICP and that the receptors involved here seems to be of alpha2-type.