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Abstract Introduction: Mining is one of the main drivers of deforestation of tropical forests. This activity affects the storage of aboveground biomass of these ecosystems; therefore, their ability to contribute to the mitigation of global climate change. Objective: To assess the influence of soil properties on the aboveground biomass storage of post-mining forests in the Colombian Pacific. Methods: Plots were established in areas post-mining and with different successional ages (12-15 years, 30-35 years, and mature forest). The aboveground biomass and physicochemical parameters of the soil were measured. Results: An aboveground biomass of 15.58 t ha-1, 35.17 t ha-1, and 178.32 t ha-1 was recorded at 12-15 years, 30-35 years, and mature forests, respectively. The species with the highest biomass content in post-mining forests were Cespedesia spathulata and Clidemia septuplinervia. The aboveground biomass was positively correlated with organic matter (OM), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), CICE, total nitrogen (N), and silt. In contrast, the relationship was negative with sand, aluminum (Al), and potassium (K) content. It was evidenced that the relationship between aboveground biomass and soils differed in each successional age. When evaluating the changes of aboveground biomass and soils in the succession, it was observed that the aboveground biomass and total N increased with the recovery time. At the same time, the P and K decreased with succession. On the other hand, the contents of OM, Mg, Al, Ca, and CICE showed curvilinear tendencies since they increased in the first stages and then decreased in the advanced successional stages. Conclusions: Aboveground biomass increases with forest recovery time in the study area. This increase is influenced by the presence of two dominant species shared among the investigated ecosystems and by the soil's N, P, and K content.
Resumen Introducción: La minería es una de las principales causas de deforestación de los bosques tropicales. Esta actividad afecta el almacenamiento de biomasa aérea de estos ecosistemas; y, por tanto, su capacidad para contribuir a la mitigación del cambio climático global. Objetivo: Evaluar la influencia de las propiedades del suelo en el almacenamiento de la biomasa aérea de bosques post-minería del Pacífico colombiano. Métodos: Se establecieron parcelas en áreas post-minería con diferentes edades de sucesión (12-15 años, 30-35 años y bosque maduro). Se midió la biomasa aérea y parámetros fisicoquímicos del suelo. Resultados: Se registró una biomasa aérea de 15.58 t ha-1, 35.17 t ha-1 y 178.32 t ha-1 en 12-15 años, 30-35 años y bosque maduro, respectivamente. Las especies con mayor contenido de biomasa en los bosques post-minería fueron Cespedesia spathulata y Clidemia septuplinervia. La biomasa aérea se correlacionó positivamente con la materia orgánica (MO), calcio (Ca), magnesio (Mg), CICE, nitrógeno total (N) y limo. Por el contrario, la relación fue negativa con el contenido de arena, aluminio (Al) y potasio (K). Se evidenció que la relación entre la biomasa aérea y los suelos difería en cada edad sucesional. Al evaluar los cambios de la biomasa aérea y los suelos en la sucesión, se observó que la biomasa aérea y el N total aumentaron con el tiempo de recuperación. Al mismo tiempo, el P y el K disminuyeron con la sucesión. Por otro lado, los contenidos de OM, Mg, Al, Ca, y CICE mostraron tendencias curvilíneas ya que aumentaron en los primeros estadios y luego disminuyeron en los estadios sucesionales avanzados. Conclusiones: la biomasa aérea aumenta con el tiempo de recuperación del bosque en el área de estudio. Este incremento está influenciado por la presencia de dos especies dominantes compartidas entre los ecosistemas investigados y por el contenido de N, P y K del suelo.
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Trunk barks of Sacoglottis ceratocarpa Ducke (ScTB) are used in Amazonian folk medicine against hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia, although scientific information on efficacy and quality control is lacking. Thus, pharmacognostic parameters, qualitative phytochemical profile, antioxidant properties (DPPH, TEAC and FRAP), toxicity and cytotoxicity were evaluated. The purity tests in the quality control performed for the vegetable raw material showed compliance with the specifications in official compendiums. Tannins, catechins, terpenes and steroids were characterized. Bergenin, a gallic acid derivative, was isolated and identified. The ScTB was rich in total phenolic (0.420-0.562 g/g) and flavonoid (11.37-24.31 mg/g) content, and considerable antioxidant potential. ScTB did not demonstrate cytotoxicity for human erythrocytes and renal fibroblasts, nor toxicity for brine shrimp. The results demonstrated the importance of the pharmacognostic study for the immediate knowledge of the quality and qualitative chemical profile of the trunk barks, contributing to the safe and effective use of the species.
La corteza del tronco de Sacoglottis ceratocarpa Ducke (ScTB) se utiliza en la medicina popular Amazónica contra la hiperglucemia y la dislipidemia, aunque se carece de información científica sobre su eficacia y control de calidad. Así, se evaluaron parámetros farmacognósticos, perfil fitoquímico cualitativo, propiedades antioxidantes (DPPH, TEAC y FRAP), toxicidad y citotoxicidad. Las pruebas de pureza de la materia prima vegetal demostraron el cumplimiento de las especificaciones de los compendios oficiales. Se caracterizaron taninos, catequinas, terpenos y esteroides. Se aisló e identificó la bergenina, un derivado del ácido gálico. El ScTB fue rico en contenido fenólico total (0,420-0,562 g/g) y flavonoides (11,37-24,31 mg/g), y un considerable potencial antioxidante. ScTb no demostró citotoxicidad para células humanas, ni toxicidad para camarones en salmuera. Los resultados demostraron la importancia del estudio farmacognóstico para el conocimiento inmediato de la calidad y perfil químico cualitativo de las cortezas del tronco, contribuyendo al uso seguro y eficaz de la especie.
Subject(s)
Plant Extracts/chemistry , Plant Bark/chemistry , Medicine, Traditional , Phytochemicals/pharmacology , Antioxidants/pharmacologyABSTRACT
The widespread consumption of roasted plantain and fish (Bolle), a common delicacy in Bayelsa State has raised concerns over potential health risks associated with food processing contaminants such as acrylamides, polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs). The roasted plantain and fish are usually prepared by placing the peeled plantain and the dressed fish on a wired gauze and placed over a burning charcoal. The subacute toxicity study of this diet was investigated using twenty adult male rats averagely weighing 117.22 4.48 g. The rats were divided into four groups of five rats per group. Group A (Control), was fed with the standard rat chow, Group B; was fed with only the roasted plantain, Group C; was fed with only the roasted fish, and Group D; was fed with a combination of the roasted plantain and fish. The rats were given free access to the feed and portable water ad-libitum throughout the experimental protocol. Body/organ weight data were recorded before and after the completion of the experimental protocol. On day 15th of the experimental protocol, the rats were euthanized and blood specimens were obtained by cardiac puncture for biochemical analysis. The liver, kidney and heart were dissevered instantaneously and weighed. Findings from the study showed that the roasted plantain-fed group had significantly reduced body weight gain, and increased liver and kidney to body weight ratio (p>0.05). The plasma enzyme activity (AST, ALT and ALP) of the plantain-fed group were also significantly increased (p<0.05) while other groups showed non-significant differences (p>0.05) with the control group. The antioxidant status (CAT, SOD and GPx), haematological parameters (RBC, PCV, Hb, MCV, MCH, MCHC and platelet) of the plantain-fed groups were also significantly decreased (p<0.05) while other groups had non-significant changes (p>0.05) when compared to the control group. Malondialdehyde levels in the roasted plantain-fed group were also significantly increased (p<0.05).
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The recurrent nature of dermatophytes, combined with the development of resistance to antifungal agents, makes the management of these infections more difficult. The search for plant-based compounds that can effectively combat dermatoses offers an ideal alternative in the African cultural context. Aims: Fungal infections, such as those caused by Candida albicans, Aspergillus fumigatus, and Trichophyton mentagrophytes, pose an increasing challenge to public health. This study explores the antifungal efficacy and cutaneous toxicity of the hydroethanolic extract of Piliostigma thonningii, a medicinal plant used in Africa. Methodology: The methodology involved two main components. First, antifungal tests were conducted to evaluate the activity of the extract against the three fungal species using the double dilution method in inclined tubes. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentrations (MFC) were determined. Second, a cutaneous toxicity assessment was performed by applying the extract to the skin of female rabbits to observe reactions according to a modified Draize scale. Results: The results showed that the Piliostigma thonningii extract inhibits the growth of all three fungal species in a dose-dependent manner. The MFC values were 100 mg/mL for Aspergillus fumigatus and above 100 mg/mL for Candida albicans and Trichophyton mentagrophytes. Antifungal assays calculated the inhibitory concentrations necessary to ensure the survival of 50% of the microorganisms, with IC50 values of 8.2 mg/mL for Candida albicans, 10.26 mg/mL for Aspergillus fumigatus, and 16.75 mg/mL for Trichophyton mentagrophytes. Regarding skin toxicity, the results indicated that the extract is slightly irritating but not corrosive, with reversible effects within 72 hours. Conclusion: This suggests that Piliostigma thonningii is a promising therapeutic alternative. However, further research is needed to confirm its safety and clinical efficacy.
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The Solanaceae plant family is a large clade that includes Datura, a genus of plants with many species recognized for their severe pharmacological effects via tropane alkaloids like atropine, hyoscyamine and scopolamine. These alkaloids act as antagonists of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors with leading to a truly diverse pharmacological action, ranging from anticholinergic effects all the way through hallucinogenic properties. Datura plants have been used historically in traditional medicine and rituals worldwide but are infamous for poisoning due to the risk of severe anticholinergic toxicity, including death. Nevertheless, their pharmacology has become of interest for research due to potential therapeutic applications: specifically in controlling nauseousness and perhaps neurological disorders. In this review, we provide a summary of the botanical description and cultivation methods in addition to those on traditional use practices concerning phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology as compared with evidence-based information together emphasizing cautions against availability without stringent regulatory consideration for its modern medical uses or ritualistic purposes.
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Alcohol misuse and alcoholism pose significant health and socioeconomic challenges worldwide. Chronic consumption of alcohol can lead to the production of various reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as superoxide anion radicals, hydroxyl radicals, and hydrogen peroxide. This study aims to evaluate the effects of an aqueous extract of Citrullus lanatus seeds on lipid profiles and electrolyte levels after alcohol-induced toxicity in male Wistar rats. The rats were separated into five groups, each containing six individuals: Group A, which served as a positive control, was given only food and water; Group B, as a negative control, received only alcohol; Group C was administered 500 mg/kg of aqueous Citrullus lanatus seed extract (ASCL) for six weeks; Group D received a 35% alcohol solution for three weeks followed by 500 mg/kg of ASCL for an additional six weeks; and Group E received the same alcohol solution for three weeks and then underwent treatment with 1000 mg/kg of ASCL for six weeks. The duration of the experiment was nine weeks, with the treatment delivered via oral gavage. Comparisons showed that the group treated only with alcohol exhibited significant differences (P?0.05) relative to the control group, and the alcohol-only group also showed significant differences (P?0.05) when compared to the ASCL-treated groups concerning lipid profiles and electrolyte levels. The findings indicated that alcohol consumption resulted in hyperlipidemia, characterized by elevated levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), alongside reduced levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Conversely, treatment with ASCL demonstrated hypolipidemic effects. Alcohol intake was associated with hyponatremia and hypokalemia, conditions that were mitigated by ASCL treatment.
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Introduction: Concurrent Chemoradiation is the standard of care in the treatment of unresectable locally advanced head and neck cancer. Some of the acute side effects seen after or alongside the head and neck radiotherapy include dermatitis, mucositis, xerostomia, dysphagia and swallowing dysfunction. Evolving data demonstrate that acute toxicities may persist long?term and develop into late effects. In addition, late effects may manifest months or years after completion of therapy, persisting for years or even lifelong, far longer than previously believed. When severe, late effects may profoundly affect function and quality of life. The present study was conducted to analyze the spectrum of late radiation toxicities in head and neck cancer patients treated with radical external beam radiation therapy and to determine its prevalence and severity. Materials and Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted in the Department of Radiotherapy, Christian Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana. In all patients with a histopathological diagnosis of head and neck carcinoma who have received radical radiation therapy alone or definitive chemoradiation as part of cancer?directed therapy. Results: Salivary gland toxicity was the most common toxicity encountered in head and neck cancer survivors resulting in dysphagia followed by dental caries, subcutaneous late effects and dysphagia. As expected, the spectrum of side effects correlated with the primary site, stage of disease and ECOG performance status. Conclusion: Technological advancement in radiation planning and equipment has resulted in a reduction in the most feared side effects of radiation which has led to improvement in the quality of life of the survivors. As no technology can entirely protect normal tissues from irradiation, utmost care should be taken to minimize the radiation dose received by normal tissues by following preventive and supportive measures.
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Introduction: High dose rate (HDR) intracavitary brachytherapy (ICBT) is an integral element in the treatment of carcinoma uterine cervix. The main objective of brachytherapy in carcinoma cervix is to deliver a lethal dose to tumor cells without inducing unacceptable damage to the surrounding normal tissue. Because the absorbed dose falls off rapidly, higher doses can be safely delivered to the targeted tissue over a short time. The quest for optimum dose and fractionation schedule in HDR ICBT is still ongoing, and there is no uniform consensus. This study aimed to assess the acute dose?related toxicities of HDR brachytherapy schedule of 7 Gy x 3 fractions over 6 Gy x 4 fractions in the treatment of cervical cancer. Objective: The aim of this study was to study the acute treatment?related gastrointestinal (GI) and genitourinary (GU) toxicities between two HDR brachytherapy regimens. Material and Methods: This is a prospective institutional study carried out from May 2018 to September 2018. In this time period, 66 patients of cervical cancers fulfilling our inclusion criteria were treated with concurrent chemoradiation (CCRT) following brachytherapy. During treatment, patients were randomized to arm A—7 Gy per fraction for three fractions and arm B—6 Gy per fraction for four fractions. Acute GI and GU toxicities were assessed using Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) Version 4.03. All patients were kept for follow?up for 3 months in this study. Results: There is no statistically significant difference between the two arms for acute GI and GU toxicities, and the results were comparable. Conclusions: Considering the increased hospital burden of locally advanced cervical cancer patients in the Indian context, the HDR brachytherapy schedule of 7 Gy per fraction is preferable to 6 Gy per fraction for a lesser fractionation schedule.
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Potentilla fulgens Wall (Rosaceae), a well-known medicinal plant native to Asian regions has a rich history of traditional use for treating skin, gastrointestinal tract, and various metabolic disorders. Research has addressed that the plant is applied topically to treat conditions such as wounds, ulcers, and other skin ailments. Surprisingly, no prior investigation has explored the dermal toxicity of this plant. Therefore, the study was set to conduct the acute and subacute toxicity assessments on the ethyl acetate (EAPF) and methanol (MEPF) extracts of P. fulgenson Wistar rats. In the acute dermal toxicity study, rats received a single dose and were monitored for 14 days, while in the sub-acute study; they received a daily dose for 28 days. 2,000 and 5,000 mg/kg were tested by applying them to the shaved dorsal skin. Throughout the experiments, changes in physical appearance, behavior, and histological alterations were monitored. The results unequivocally revealed no abnormal physical or physiological changes, behavioral deviations, or mortality in any of the rats in both acute and sub-acute dermal toxicity assessments. Furthermore, there were no statistically significant differences (nsp > 0.05) in body weight, kidney, liver, spleen weights, hematological parameters, or blood biochemistry values between the treatment and control groups. These findings were further substantiated by the normal macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of the rats’ skin, kidneys, liver, and spleen. In conclusion, our study affirms that the application of EAPF and MEPF to the skin does not induce acute or subacute skin irritation nor elicit systemic toxic responses in rats.
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The eye is an intricate organ with multiple defense mechanisms and protective barriers. This organ is susceptible to infections, hereditary abnormalities, and vision impairments. Therefore, it is necessary to administer medicine to the eyes through the appropriate method. The conventional approach of ocular drug administration may be inefficient due to limited bioavailability. Targeted drug delivery systems based on nanocarriers can overcome some restrictions encountered due to the complex structure of the eye. In situ, gel-loaded niosomes may offer advantages in the field of ocular drug delivery. Niosomes, act as a promising carrier for hydrophobic and hydrophilic medicines, shielding them from fast clearance and degradation and allowing persistent release in ocular tissues. The inclusion of niosomes in the in-situ gels provides increased corneal retention, thereby ensuring enhanced medication penetration and prolonged contact time. Furthermore, niosomes are a potential choice for long-term therapy because of their ability to offer sustained drug release, lower dose frequency, and minimize systemic side effects. This article presents a detailed review of the current state of research on niosomes-loaded in-situ gel for ocular distribution, focusing on formulation techniques, characterization, toxicity, mechanisms of action, mechanisms of sol-gel transition, and prospective uses in a various ocular illness. In-depth reviews of the various corneal penetration and absorption models for the in-vitro, in-vivo, and ex-vivo research are also presented, along with a summary of the various patents and the commercial formulation of in-situ gels.
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Glycogen phosphorylase (GP) is a rate-limiting allosteric enzyme in the glycogenolysis pathway that contributes to hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes (T2D). Hence, researchers consider GP a validated target to treat T2D. Commercial antidiabetic drugs are effective but have undesirable effects. Our search for a safer drug led us to investigate a potential GP inhibitor that could modulate blood glucose levels with minimal or no side effects. Herein, we report seven structural analogs of the reference compound N-acetyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl amine (NBG) (analog of D-glucose) targeting the active site of human liver GPa (PDB ID: 1FC0). In silico molecular docking studies were conducted to predict GPa-ligand interactions. We analyzed drug-likeness and absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) parameters using AutoDock 4.2, Discovery Studio, SwissADME, ProTox-II, and ADMETlab web tools. Among all compounds, befunolol (?8.83 kcal/mol) exhibited the highest affinity than NBG (?6.20 kcal/mol) for the binding pocket of GPa and inferred a good pharmacokinetic profile. Toxicological endpoint prediction analysis showed befunolol as a non-hERG blocker and non-carcinogenic with a drug score (0.95) higher than NBG (0.30) and an LD50 value of 922 mg/kg. A molecular dynamics simulation of befunolol and NBG for 100 ns using Schrödinger software revealed the stability of protein-ligand complexes. Overall, our findings suggest that befunolol could represent a potential therapeutic drug candidate worth exploring in cell-based and pre-clinical studies.
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Background: Rabeprazole (RPZ), a widely used proton pump inhibitor, is known to have toxic effects on human beings. Objective: To evaluate the toxic effects of RPZ sodium (RPZ-Na) using plant-based eukaryotic test systems. Methods: The toxic effect of RPZ-Na (0.025-0.4 mM) was evaluated on Allium cepa, Allium sativum, and Cicer arietinum at different exposure times using CuSO4 as a reference standard. Results: RPZ-Na concentration-dependently reduced the root length of A. cepa and A. sativum, as well as the shoot and root lengths of C. arietinum. RPZ-Na at 0.1 to 0.4 µg/mL and at 48 h exposure time exerted toxic effects on the tested systems. Conclusions: RPZ-Na exerted a concentration- and time-dependent toxic effect on A. cepa, A. sativum, and C. arietinum. Therefore, it is important to take adequate precautions during its long-term use.
Antecedentes: El rabeprazol (RPZ), un inhibidor, de la bomba de protones del estómago, ampliamente utilizado; sin embargo, tiene efectos tóxicos en los seres humanos. Objetivo: Evaluar los efectos tóxicos del RPZ sódico (RPZ-Na) Utilizando plantas como modelos eucariotas para evaluación de toxicidad. Métodos: El efecto tóxico de RPZ-Na (0,025-0,4 mM) en Allium cepa, Allium sativum y Cicer arietinum en diferentes tiempos de exposición utilizando CuSO4como estándar de referencia. Resultados: RPZ-Na, de forma dependiente de su concentración, redujo la longitud de raíces de A. cepa y A. sativum, así como el tamaño de los brotes y la raíz de C. arietinum. RPZ-Na a 0,1 a 0,4 µg/mL y a 48 h de tiempo de exposición ejerció efectos tóxicos en los sistemas de prueba. Conclusiones: RPZ-Na ejerció un efecto tóxico dependiente de la concentración y el tiempo de exposición en A. cepa, A. sativum y C. arietinum. Por lo tanto, es importante tomar precauciones adecuadas durante su uso a largo plazo.
Subject(s)
Humans , Rabeprazole , Plants , Toxicity , Proton Pump InhibitorsABSTRACT
Background: Concurrent chemoradiation is one of the major treatments for locally advanced rectal cancer. As radiation therapy suppresses the bone marrow, it is essential to quantify the dose received by the pelvic bone marrow (PBM), which constitutes about 50% of the hematopoietic bone marrow. Methods: A prospective study conducted in 50 patients with locally advanced rectal cancer treated with long course concurrent chemoradiation. All the patients were followed up with weekly complete blood count for assessing hematological toxicities and were graded. PBM was contoured and subdivided into ilium bone marrow (IBM), lower pelvis bone marrow (LPBM) and lumbosacral bone marrow (LSBM). Volumes of bone marrow receiving different doses were quantified. Results: Among the 50 patients, 40 (80%) developed acute bone marrow toxicity, during the course of treatment. Highest grade of bone marrow toxicity developed in 20 (40%) patients which was grade 2. Compared to grade 1, grade 2 neutropenia patients exhibited significantly higher levels of V10 to V40 (p<0.05) in PBM and significantly higher levels of V20 in IBM and LSBM. In LPBM, compared to grade 1 leukopenia and neutropenia, grade 2 leukopenia and neutropenia exhibited significantly higher levels of V10 and V20 (p<0.05). Conclusions: Increased PBM V10 to V40, IBM V20, LSBM V20, LPBM V10 and V20 were significantly related to the higher grades of neutropenia in locally advanced rectal cancer patients undergoing long course concurrent chemoradiation. Increased LPBM V10 and V20 were also significantly related with higher grades of leukopenia.
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Malaria is a global health problem that causes 1.5–2.7 million deaths worldwide each year. Resistance to antima- larial drugs in malaria parasites and to insecticides in vectors is one of the most serious issues in the fight against this disease. Moreover, the lack of an effective vaccine against malaria is still a major problem. Recent develop- ments in nanotechnology have resulted in new prospects for the fight against malaria, especially by obtaining metal nanoparticles (NPs) that are less toxic, highly biocompatible, environmentally friendly, and less expensive. Numerous studies have been conducted on the synthesis of green NPs using plants and microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, algae, actinomycetes, and viruses). To our knowledge, there is no literature review that compares toxicities and antima- larial effects of some of the existing metallic nanoparticles, revealing their advantages and disadvantages. Hence, the purpose of this work is to assess metal NPs obtained through various green synthesis processes, to display the worth of future malaria research and determine future strategies. Results revealed that there are very few studies on green NPs covering all stages of malaria parasites. Additionally, green metal nanoparticles have yet to be studied for their possible toxic effects on infected as well as healthy erythrocytes. Morever, the toxicities of green metal NPs obtained from various sources differed according to concentration, size, shape, synthesis method, and surface charge, indicating the necessity of optimizing the methods to be used in future studies. It was concluded that studies on the toxic properties of green nanoparticles would be very important for the future.
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Aim: The present study assessed the potential of Moringa oleifera and Bacopa monnieri leaf extracts in amelioration of Cr (VI) induced oxidative stress in Drosophila melanogaster. Methodology: The 96 hr lethal dose (LD50) of chromium was determined by exposing flies to varied doses (10, 20, 30,40,50,60 mg kg-1) of Cr (VI) through diet. Later, flies were exposed to 0, 30 and 50 mg kg-1 of Cr and treated with leaf extracts to evaluate their alleviating effect on lipid peroxidation, catalase and glutathione-S-transferase. In silico studies analyzed the binding pattern of potential bioactive compounds in leaf extracts to the proposed target proteins. Results: LD50 was 50 mg kg-1 obtained through. The lipid peroxidation increased 2 folds with increase in Cr (VI), however, on treatment concentration with leaf extracts it decreased 1.5 times. While glutathione-s-transferase activity was reduced by 50% in Cr (VI) treated flies, the activity significantly increased by 66% and 76% after treatment with Bacopa and Moringa leaf extracts. Catalase activity showed 50% decrease in the flies treated with Cr (VI), while combined treatment of Cr (VI) and leaf extracts showed a significant increase (1.5 times) in catalase activity suggesting recovery. Molecular docking studies on the active phytochemicals of leaf extracts demonstrated their antioxidant potential on par with taurine (ligand), a known antioxidant. Interpretation: The leaf extracts significantly alleviated the Cr (VI) induced oxidative stress, promising a natural therapy to overcome the harmful effects of Cr (VI) exposure in life forms.
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The aim of the current investigation was to produce native banana starch (NBS) and hydroxypropyl banana starch (HPBS) , assess physicochemical properties, and evaluate toxicity. NBS was modified to its propyl form with a propylene oxide solution and characterized. The physicochemical properties of NBS and HPBS met the required specifications. The amylose content of NBS was found to be 25.41% ± 0.08%. The degree of substitution and hydroxyl propyl group % were found to be 0.028 and 2.894, respectively, which were within the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) acceptable limits of 0.2% and 7%, respectively. The NBS possesses superior swelling power (26.68 ± 1.06) compared to the HPBS swelling power (15.66 ± 0.61). In terms of soluble starch content (%), HPBS displayed a higher soluble starch content percentage (69.21 ± 2.04) compared to the NBS (17.01 ± 1.06). The HPBS yielded high viscosity relative to the NBS in all the concentrations of starch solutions. The increase in the soluble starch content and viscosity of propyl starch may be attributed to the increased number of hydroxy propyl group substitutions in the HPBS. For up to 14 days of the experimental period in the acute toxicity studies, the rats showed no symptoms of toxicity or fatalities. According to the findings of the subacute toxicity studies, neither the hematological nor the biochemical analyses showed any apparent abnormalities. The study’s overall results show that HPBS were safe up to doses of 1,000 mg/kg body weight, which may be regarded as a safe dosage. The modified starch’s enhanced physicochemical properties make it suitable for industrial use, and it meets FDA-approved limits, affirming its safety as a pharmaceutical excipient.
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This present study aimed to investigate the potential stems and leaves methanolic extract of Kyllinga nemoralis as an antiviral agent against Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 (HSV-1). The leaves and stems of K. nemoralis methanolic extract were assessed in the cytotoxicity test using the MTT assays. The plaque reduction assay was evaluated in the post-treatment assay, pre-treatment assay, virucidal assay, time-addition test, and time-removal test. Cytotoxicity screening of stems and leaves of K. nemoralis against Vero cells shows that the cytotoxicity concentration of 50% of cell viability (CC50) values was 0.75 mg/mL, which indicates that K. nemoralis is non-cytotoxic and safe. The antiviral assay provides a Selective Index (SI) value (CC50/EC50) to determine the good SI for antiviral activity. In post-treatment, the SI value for this extract against HSV-1 was 8.33. In pre-treatment, the SI value for this extract was 21.43. In the virucidal test, the SI value for this extract was 24.19 mg/mL. In the time addition assay, the plaque inhibition reached 43% when the extract was added at 2 h.p.i, and it dropped to 15% at 10 h.p.i. In the time removal assay, the plaque inhibition reached 50% after the extract was removed at 2 h.p.i., and it increased to 87% at 24 h.p.i. This study showed that K. nemoralis has potential as a drug used to fight herpes infections.
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This study investigates the effects of the simultaneous use of Morinda citrifolia fruit extract (MCFE) and amlodipine (AML) on rats’ antihypertensive activity and sub-chronic toxicity. The antihypertensive activity was assessed in 25 male Wistar rats divided into 5 groups: 1. normal, 2. negative control (NaCl 8%), 3. positive control [NaCl 8% + AML 1 mg/kg body weight (BW)], 4. Treatment-1 [NaCl 8% + MCFE (45 mg/kg BW)], and 5. Treatment-2 [NaCl 8% + MCFE (45 mg/kg BW) + AML (1 mg/kg BW)]. MCFE and AML were given orally on days 22–35. The blood pressure was measured on days 0, 7, 21, 28, and 35. The sub-chronic toxicity study was conducted with a repeated dose 28-day oral toxicity test. The results showed that the blood pressure reduction in the treatment-2 group was not significantly different from those in the positive control or treatment-1 group (p > 0.05). In addition, it changed aspartate aminotransferase, alanine transaminase, Blood urea nitrogen, creatinine levels, and histological parameters in the liver and kidneys. The simultaneous use of MCFE and AML might have the same activity as either AML or MCFE alone but could cause toxic effects on liver and kidney function. Therefore, simultaneous use should not be considered for hypertension therapy.
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This study evaluated the effect of incremental doses of oral alginate-stabilized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on toxicity outcomes and biodistribution over 14 days. Twenty-five male ddY mice strain were randomly divided into five groups as follows: control, silver ion 5.0 mg/kg BW, and AgNPs 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 mg/kg BW, respectively. There were no significant effects on body weight, organ index, hematology, or biochemical parameters in AgNPtreated mice at doses of up to 10 mg/kg BW. The silver content in tissue was undetectable, and no toxic effect was observed upon repeated oral administration at 2.5 mg/kg BW. However, histopathological analysis showed mild to severe colon and liver injuries in AgNPs groups at doses 5.0 mg/kg BW and higher. While, silver ion seems the most toxic form of silver which showed the highest silver deposition in all studied organs, an increase in Alt and lactate dehydrogenase levels, and perform severe pathological features in liver and colon tissues. These results suggest that the liver is the main target organ for toxicity of alginate-stabilized AgNPs. In the context of locally acting drugs, further bioactivity study on alginate-stabilized AgNPs is recommended at a dose lower than 2.5 mg/kg BW in which inconspicuous toxic effect is observed upon repeated oral administration
ABSTRACT
Background: Financial strain resulting from cancer treatment correlates with reduced quality of life, treatment nonadherence, bankruptcy, and maladaptive behaviours. This study aims to explore the potential of a supervised machine learning algorithm in predicting financial toxicity in cancer patients based on their Tweets. Methods: A dataset of Tweets related to cancer and financial toxicity was constructed using Twitter's API. The dataset was curated, and synthetic Tweets were generated to augment the final dataset. A supervised machine learning algorithm, specifically Multinomial Naïve Bayes, was trained and tested to predict financial toxicity in cancer patients. Results: The model demonstrated high accuracy (0.97), precision (0.95), recall (0.99), specificity (0.96), F-1 score (0.97) and area-under-the-receiver-operating-characteristics (0.98) in predicting financial toxicity from Tweets. Wordcloud visualizations illustrated distinct linguistic patterns between Tweets related to financial toxicity and those unrelated to financial toxicity. The study also outlined potential proactive strategies for leveraging social media platforms like Twitter to identify and support cancer patients experiencing financial toxicity. Conclusions: This study marks the first attempt to construct a dataset of Tweets related to financial toxicity in cancer patients and to evaluate a predictive model trained on this dataset. The findings highlight the predictive capabilities of the model and its potential utility in guiding health systems and cancer center financial navigators to alleviate economic burdens associated with cancer treatment.