Caesalpinia bonduc Linn Extracts Exhibit Hepatoprotective Effect on HepG2 Cells against Paracetamol by Up-regulating Glutathione Related Genes

Background: Caesalpinia bonduc (CB) is said to ownvarious pharmacological and therapeutic applicationagainst a number of diseases. It is used widely in folkmedicine to treat liver diseases. In the present study,we have made a sincere effort to evaluate thehepatoprotective activity of CB leaf extracts againstParacetamol (PCM) induced toxicity and theirmechanism of hepatoprotection in the humanHepatocarcinoma cells (HepG2 cells) therebyproviding scientific evidence for the same. Materialand Methods:The hepatoprotective activity of CB wasassessed in-vitro by the estimation of glutathione(GSH) and Malondialdehyde (MDA), anti-apoptoticassay/Annexin V and the expressions of genes such asGlutathione Reductase (GS-R) and GlutamateCysteine Ligase, Catalytic (GCLC). Results: Theobtained results suggest that the aqueous extract of CBpossess significant hepatoprotective activity. Thisactivity may be due to the possible antioxidantproperty and the free radical scavenging ability of theextracts, which might clear the toxic metabolites ofPCM. Conclusion: The present study suggests that theaqueous extract of CB have potential hepatoprotectiveactivity, which may prevent the lipid peroxidation ofthe cell membrane by its antioxidant properties.

Effect of Cissus quadrangularis Linn on skeletal growth in the neonates of diabetic rats.

Background: Infants of the diabetic mother are known to have reduced bone mineral content and hypocalcemia. Earlier, it has been shown that petroleum ether extract of Cissus quadrangularis (PECQ) can enhance the fetal skeletal ossification in normal rats. The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of PECQ on skeletal growth in the neonatal rats of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Methods: After confirmation of diabetes, the diabetic and non-diabetic female Wistar rats were kept for mating with healthy male rats. After positive vaginal smear test, the pregnant rats were divided into three groups; the normal (non-diabetic) control (NC), diabetic control (DC), and diabetic+CQ (D+CQ) groups. The rats in the D+CQ group were given PECQ (500 mg/kg B.Wt), whereas animals in NC and DC groups were given 0.5% carboxy methyl cellulose, throughout the gestational period. Femur from the 1 week old neonatal rats from each group was collected randomly and subjected to histological analysis. Results: Thickness of trabecular bone and periosteum was significantly reduced in the neonates of DC rats compared with the neonates of NC group. Pretreatment with PECQ significantly improved the thickness of trabecular bone and periosteum compared with neonatal rats of DC group. No significant differences were observed in the medullary cavity width of femur between the groups. Conclusion: Data from the present study suggest that the PECQ can effectively attenuate the diabetes-induced reduction in the early skeletal growth. However, further research is warranted to evaluate the exact mechanism of action of phytochemical constituents of PECQ that can cross the placental barrier.

Protective effect of Cissus quadrangularisLinn. on diabetes induced delayed fetal skeletal ossification.

Background: Delayed fetal skeletal ossification is one of the known complications of maternal diabetes. Objective: The present study was designed to evaluate the protective role of petroleum ether extract of Cissus quadrangularis (PECQ) on diabetes‑induced delayed fetal skeletal ossification. Materials and Methods: Female Wistar rats were rendered diabetic with streptozotocin (STZ, 40 mg/kg, intraperitonial) before mating. After confirmation of pregnancy, the pregnant rats were divided into three groups: normal control group, diabetic control group, and diabetic + CQ group. The diabetic + CQ group pregnant rats were treated with PECQ (500 mg/kg body weight) throughout their gestation period. Immediately after delivery, pups were collected from all three groups and processed for alizarin red S–alcian blue staining in order to examine the pattern of skeletal ossification. Results: Fewer ossification centers and decreased extent of ossification of forelimb and hindlimb bones were observed in the neonatal pups of diabetic control group as compared to those in the normal control group. PECQ pretreatment significantly restored the ossification centers and improved the extent of ossification of forelimb and hindlimb bones in the neonatal pups of diabetic + CQ group as compared to those in the diabetic control group. Conclusions: The results suggested that PECQ treatment is effective against diabetes‑induced delayed fetal skeletal ossification. However, further studies on the isolation and characterization of active constituents of PECQ, which can cross the placental barrier and are responsible for the bone anabolic activity are warranted.

Somatisation of symptoms in the geriatric population of mangalore city (a cross sectional study).

Aim & Objectives: This cross sectional study was conducted to bring out a better understanding of the link between somatic symptoms and underlying psychiatric conditions in geriatric population of Mangalore city. Material and methods: 200 subjects with the age above 50 years in the outpatient department of hospitals, except the psychiatry wards, and consist of a face to face interview using the standard HADS scale. Result: A total of 105 males and 95 females were interviewed during the study period. The HAD scores of the patients were noted. It was found that in the anxiety sub-scale of the HADS scale 79(39.50%) patients scored less than 8 ('normal') 29(14.50%) scored between 8 and 11 ('borderline abnormal') and 92(46%) patients scored more than 11 ( 'abnormal'). In the depression sub-scale of the HADS scale 79(39.50%) scored less than 8('normal') and 34(17%) scored between 8 and 11('borderline abnormal') and 87(43.50%) scored more than 11('abnormal').In the combined score,71(35.5%) scored less than 8('normal') 54(27%) scored between 16 to 22('borderline abnormal') 75(37.50%) scored more than 22('abnormal'). Among those who were borderline abnormal and abnormal on the HADS scale, it was found that somatic manifestations of underlying depression was found in 64.21% women and 63.81% men. The chief complaints of these patients mostly included dizziness(10.85%), GI symptoms (10.85%), headache(18.60%), menopausal symptoms(17.05%), sleep disturbances (18.60%), general malaise(14.73%) others(9.30%). Conclusion: The present study suggested that somatic symptoms could be due to an underlying psychiatric condition(depression). The patients might present with complain of dizziness, GI symptoms, headache, menopausal symptoms, sleep disturbances, general malaise. While examining a patient, the psychological well-being of the patient should be assessed too. Ageing is another important aspect, and aging patients are more prone to somatisation. This should be kept in consideration while examining a patient.

Titamium oxide (TiO2) assisted photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue.

The aqueous solution of methylene blue(MB) has been subjected to Photocatalytic degradation by UV radiation in presence of TiO2 photo-catalyst containing different concentrations of H2O2. The experiments conducted at different dye concentrations (12 and 20 ppm), catalyst loading, pH and H2O2 dosage (1-10 ml l-1), revealed that the degradation rate is strongly influenced by respective experimental parameters. However the influence of catalyst alone is not predominant in degradation. The decolorization of dye proceed to near completeness when H2O2 is used. The best degradation results are observed at 0.1 wt% of catalyst loading at pH 2 for TiO2/UV system. It has been found that the optimum concentration of H2O2 for 12 ppm and 20 ppm amount of the dye was 2ml l-1 for UV/H2O2 system. The kinetic of degradation of the dye followed the pseudo first order rate. The degradation studies using TiO2/UV/H2O2 system, indicates enhancement in the degradation rate of the dye compared to that of UV/H2O2 system alone.

A simple and inexpensive "cell dissociation sieve-tissue grinder" apparatus.

A simple and inexpensive cell dissociation sieve-tissue grinder apparatus consisting essentially of stainless steel sieve (the one popularly used for sieving tea leaves) and a glass syringe plunger acting as pestle, is described for making single cell suspension.

Connective tissue stromal changes in tumours and tumour-like lesions of the breast.

Between June 1994 and December 1995, one hundred and fifteen tumours and tumour-like lesions of the breast were studied in the Department of Pathology, Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore. Neoplasms constituted 80.9% and tumour like lesions accounted for 19.13%. Among the tumours, 51.6% were benign and 48.4% were malignant. Tumour-like lesions included the entire spectrum of fibrocystic disease. Tumours were common between 2nd and 8th decades while tumour-like lesions were uncommon above 6th decade. Whereas benign tumours exhibited ground substance, collagen and reticulin fibres in varying amounts, tumour-like lesions and carcinoma showed more of collagen fibres and less of ground substance. Elastosis and lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate were prominent features in carcinomas rather than in benign lesions.

Parathyroid cyst--a rare case report.

A rare case of parathyroid cyst in a forty six-year-old lady diagnosed clinically as solitary thyroid nodule is reported. An intra-operative diagnosis of parathyroid cyst was made which was confirmed histopathologically. The clinicopathologic aspects, diagnostic methods and treatment modalities of this unusual condition are briefly discussed.

Effect of cisplatin, rIFN-Y, LPS and MDP on release of H2O2, O2- and lysozyme from human monocytes in vitro.

Increased secretion of H2O2, O2- and lysozyme by human monocytes in vitro on treatment with cisplatin, rIFN-Y (interferon-Y), LPS (lipopolysaccharide) and MDP (muramyl dipeptide) is reported. It is suggested that increased production of these secretory products represent the activated state of monocytes. These in vitro activated monocytes could either kill the tumor cells via increased contact mediated cytolysis or cytolysis mediated via the release of the secretory products like H2O2, O2- and lysozyme.

Adreno cortical carcinoma in children--a case report of three cases.

Three cases of adrenal carcinomas are reported with emphasis on different radiological imaging techniques. It is felt that sonography and C.T. both have an important role in diagnosing masses of suprarenal region.