Effect of myricetin on cognitive impairments in the transgenic Drosophila model of Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder involving the loss of dopaminergic neurons. Despite the availability of many drugs to ease the life of PD patients, there is no permanent cure until now. Now-a-days, there has been a considerable attention towards the use of herbal products to treat PD patients worldwide due to less side effects. In this context, here we investigated myricetin, a common plant derived flavonoid, on the cognitive impairments exhibited by the transgenic Drosophila expressing human ?-synuclein in the neurons. The PD flies were allowed to feed on the diet having 10, 20 and 40 ?M of myricetin for 24 days and then assayed for cognitive impairments. The exposure of myricetin showed a dose dependent significant delay in the cognitive impairments. Molecular docking studies showed the positive interaction between myricetin and ?-synuclein. The results suggest a protective effect of myricetin against the cognitive impairments.

Behcet’s Disease: Presented with Genital Ulcer.

Behcet’s disease which can affect almost every organ system of the body and is diagnosed mainly clinically is a rare condition. The presence of certain clinical features, elimination of other possible causes of patient’s symptoms and if possible proof of vasculitis by biopsy of an involved tissue supports a diagnosis. We report a young female presented with 7-day history of vulval ulcer and erythema nodosum. Diagnosis was made according to International Study Group criteria for Behcet’s disease and histological findings. She was treated with corticosteroid, colchicine and dapsone which caused significant clinical improvement. We report this case to increase awareness among physicians on Behcet’s disease to improve its management.

Pregnancy Located below the Internal Os --- Cervical and Caesarean Scar Ectopics.

Cervical pregnancy is an extremely rare condition with potential grave consequences if not diagnosed early and treated properly. Here we report two cases of early cervical ectopic pregnancy with a history of previous one caesarean section. One case severely bled during evacuation and curettage and was successfully treated by hysterotomy followed by digital separation of product of conception. Another case was managed conservatively by medical method with injectable methotrexate.

Possible modulating action of plant infusion of Ocimum sanctum L. on chromosomal aberrations and sister chromatid exchanges induced by chlormadinone acetate in human lymphocytes in vitro.

Chlormadinone acetate (CMA) is a synthetic progesterone analogue. It has its usage in oral contraceptives formulations and also for estrous synchronization of animals. The aim of the present study is to study the anti- genotoxic activity of the plant infusion against the CMA induced genotoxic damage on cultured human lymphocytes, using chromosomal aberrations and sister chromatid exchanges (SCFs) as parameters. For chromosomal aberration analysis, the treatment of 40 microM of CMA was associated with 4.33% abnormal metaphases. The treatment of 40 microM of CMA, separately with 1.075 x 10(-4), 2.125 x 10(-4) and 3.15 x 10(-4) gm l(-1) of plant infusion results in the reduction of the number of abnormal metaphases i.e. 2.67%, 2.00% and 1.67% respectively. For sister chromatid exchange analysis, the frequency of sister chromatid exchange per cell (SCE(S)/Cell) for the treatment of 40 microM of CMA was 6.43. The treatment of 40 microM of CMA, separately with 1.075 x 10(-4), 2.125 x 10(-4) and 3.15 x 10(-4) gm l(-1) of plant infusion results in the significant reduction of the frequency of SCE(S)/Cell i.e. 3.76, 3.01 and 2.94, respectively, as compared to the CMA (40 microM) treatment alone (6.43). The used dosages of plant infusion did not increase chromosomal aberrations and sister chromatid exchanges at significant level as compared to the untreated. The results of the present study suggest that the plant infusion per se does not have genotoxic potential, but can modulate the genotoxicity of chlormadinone acetate in human lymphocytes in vitro.

Protective role of nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) against the genotoxic damage induced by ethynodiol diacetate in human lymphocytes in vitro.

Antioxidants and plant products are reported to reduce the genotoxic damage of steroids. In our present study we have tested different dosages of nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) against the genotoxic damage induced by ethynodiol diacetate in the presence of S9 mix. Treatments with nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) results in the reduction of the genotoxic damage. A significant decrease was observed at all the tested doses of NDGA in sister chromatic exchanges of number of abnormal cells. The results suggest a protective role of NDGA against the genotoxic damage.

Impact of zinc deficiency on vibrio cholerae enterotoxin-stimulated water and electrolyte transport in animal model.

The effect of zinc deficiency on the function of the intestine to absorb water and electrolytes was studied in animal models, stimulated by Vibrio cholerae enterotoxin. Sprague-Dawley rats, used in the study, were divided into four groups: Zinc-deficient, ad libitum zinc-fed control, zinc weight-matched control, and zinc-deficient acutely-repleted. 14C-labelled polyethylene glycol solution was used for measuring the absorption capacity of the small intestine. Significantly lower absorption of water and sodium per cm of the intestine was observed in the zinc-deficient animals compared to the ad libitum zinc-fed control animals (p < 0.01). An improved absorption capacity was equally observed in the zinc-deficient acutely-repleted animals and ad libitum zinc-fed control group. The zinc-deficient animals showed four times greater cholera toxin-induced net secretions of water and sodium compared to the ad libitum zinc-fed group (p < 0.01), while a 40% reduction was observed in the zinc-deficient acutely-repleted group. The results suggest that zinc deficiency is associated with reduced absorption of water and electrolytes and increased secretion of the same stimulated by cholera toxin.

Intensive nutrition education with or without supplementary feeding improves the nutritional status of moderately-malnourished children in Bangladesh.

This prospective randomized trial was carried out to test the efficacy of a specific intervention for reducing the extent of their malnutrition and to change behaviour of mothers relating to child-feeding practices, care-giving, and health-seeking practices under the Bangladesh Integrated Nutrition Project (BINP). The study was conducted in rural Bangladesh among 282 moderately-malnourished (weight-for-age between 61% and 75% of median of the National Center for Health Statistics standard) children aged 6-24 months. Mothers of the first intervention group received intensive nutrition education (INE group) twice a week for three months. The second intervention group received the same nutrition education, and their children received additional supplementary feeding (INE+SF group). The comparison group received nutrition education from the community nutrition promoters twice a month according to the standard routine service of BINP. The children were observed for a further six months. After three months of interventions, a significantly higher proportion of children in the INE and INE+SF groups improved (37% and 47% respectively) from moderate to mild or normal nutrition compared to the comparison group (18%) (p < 0.001). At the end of six months of observation, the nutritional status of children in the intervention groups improved further from moderate to mild or normal nutrition compared to the comparison group (59% and 86% vs 30%, p < 0.0001). As the intensive nutrition education and supplementation given were highly effective, more children improved from moderate malnutrition to mild or normal nutritional status despite a higher incidence of morbidity. The frequency of child feeding and home-based complementary feeding improved significantly (p < 0.001) in both the intervention groups after three months of interventions and six months of observation. Body-weight gain was positively associated with age, length-for-age, weight-for-length, frequency of feeding of khichuri, egg, and potato (p < 0.05). Ability of mothers to identify malnutrition improved from 15% to 99% in the INE group and from 15% to 100% in the INE+SF group, but reduced from 24% to 21% in the comparison group. Use of separate feed pots, frequency of feeding, and cooking of additional complementary feeds improved significantly in the INE and INE+SF groups compared to the comparison group after three months of interventions and six months of observation. It can be concluded from the findings of the study that intensive nutrition education significantly improves the status of moderately-malnourished children with or without supplementary feeding.