Protective effect of capsaicin against methyl methanesulphonate induced toxicity in the third instar larvae of transgenic Drosophila melanogaster (hsp70-lacZ)Bg / 中国天然药物

Capsaicin (trans-8-methyl-N-vanillyl-6-nonenamide) is the main component in hot peppers, including red chili peppers, jalapenos, and habanero, belonging to the genus Capsicum. Capsaicin is a potent antioxidant that interferes with free radical activities. In the present study, the possible protective effect of capsaicin was studied against methyl methanesulphonate (MMS) induced toxicity in third instar larvae of transgenic Drosophila melanogaster (hsp70-lacZ)Bg. The third instar was allowed to feed on the diet having different doses of capsaicin and MMS separately and in combination. The results suggested that the exposure of third instar larvae to the diet having MMS alone showed significant hsp70 expression as well as tissue DNA and oxidative damage, whereas the larvae feed on the diet having MMS and capsaicin showed a decrease in the toxic effects for 48-h of exposure. In conclusion, capsaicin showed a dose-dependent decrease in the toxic effects induced by MMS in the third instar larvae of transgenic Drosophila melanogaster.

Role of Ocimum sanctum leaf extract on dietary supplementation in the transgenic Drosophila model of Parkinson's disease / 中国天然药物

AIM@#To evaluate the effect of Ocimum sanctum leaf extract on the dietary supplementation in the transgenic Drosophila model of Parkinson's disease.@*METHOD@#The effect of Ocimum sanctum leaf extract was studied on the transgenic Drosophila model of flies expressing normal human alpha synuclein (h-αs) in the neurons. O. sanctum extract at final concentrations of 0.042 8 × 10(-4), 0.87 × 10(-4), and 1.85 × 10(-4) g·mL(-1) of diet were established and the flies were allowed to feed for 21 days. The climbing assay and lipid peroxidation were taken as parameters for the study.@*RESULTS@#The supplementation of O. sanctum extract showed a dose-dependent significant delay in the loss of climbing ability and reduction in oxidative stress in the brain of PD model flies.@*CONCLUSION@#The results of the present study showed that the O. sanctum extract is potent in reducing the PD symptoms in transgenic Drosophila model.

Evaluation of micronucleus frequency by acridine orange fluorescent staining in bucccal epithelial cells of oral submucosus fibrosis [OSMF] patients

Oral submucosus fibrosis [OSMF] is a collagen-related disorder seen in habitual betel quids and smokers. This is a high risk precancerous condition in which the connective tissue fibers of the lamina propria and deeper parts of the mucosa becomes stiff with restricted mouth opening. Patients with severe cases have symptoms like difficulties in chewing, swallowing and speaking. In the present study 25 individuals were gutkha chewers and 25 were OSMF patients [chewing gutkha along with smoking] and 25 individuals were taken as controls. A significant increase in the frequency of micronuclei was observed in OSMF patients [34.4 +/- 1.79] as compared to gutkha chewers [14.4 +/- 0.73] and controls [4.36 +/- 0.27]. The number of micronucleated cells in OSMF, gutkha chewers and control groups were 19.84 +/- 0.69, 12.6 +/- 0.51 and 4.20 +/- 0.27, respectively and are significantly different at p < 0.05. Acridine orange is used due its fluorescence nature and easier visibility of the micronucleus present in the buccal epithelial cells. It is concluded that chewing gutkha along with smoking is more dangerous for human health as it hastens the incidence of OSMF