Bioactive carbohydrate polymers from marine sources as potent nutraceuticals in modulating obesity: a review.

The majority of bioactive polysaccharides are present in some marine creatures. These polysaccharides are considered as promising anti-obesity agents, their anti-obesity properties involve a number of mechanisms, including suppression of lipid metabolism and absorption, impact on satiety, and prevention of adipocyte differentiation. Obesity is linked to type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other metabolic syndromes. In this review various bioactive polysaccharides like chitin, chitosan, fucosylated chondroitin sulphate, chitooligosaccharides and glycosaminoglycans have been discussed for their anti-obesity effects through various pathways. Critical evaluation of observational studies and intervention trials on obesity, lipid hypertrophy, dyslipidemia, and type 2 diabetes was done with a primary focus on specific marine fauna polysaccharide as a source of seafood that is consumed all over the world. It has been observed that consumption of individual seafood constituents was effective in reducing obesity. Thus, marine derived novel bioactive polysaccharides have potential applications in food and pharmaceutical industries.

Coffee leaf extract exhibits anti-obesity property and improves lipid metabolism in high-fat diet-induced C57BL6 obese mice.

In the present study, the effect of coffee leaf extract (CLE) on in vitro enzyme inhibition was studied. Furthermore, its impact on the high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice (C57BL/6) at the levels of 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight along with positive control (orlistat) and the normal group maintained with starch-fed diet (SFD) was observed. CLE had significant α amylase and lipase enzyme inhibitory properties. In HFD-induced obese mice, treatment with CLE significantly reduced the body weight gain. The investigation demonstrated that CLE administration lowered blood glucose, total cholesterol, total triglycerides and LDL levels while increasing the HDL levels. It reduced the development of fatty liver by reducing hepatic fat accumulation and decreased the fat cell size in the adipose tissue. Further, CLE significantly increased the liver antioxidant enzyme activities and lowered the levels of hepatotoxicity markers in the serum when compared to the HFD-fed mice. The treatment also downregulated the mRNA expression of lipogenic transcription factors (SREBP-1c, CEBP-α) and enzymes (ACC, FAS) than HFD. Overall, the results indicate that coffee leaves have anti-obesity potential and can be used as functional ingredients in the development of innovative products for managing lifestyle disorders such as obesity.

In vitro fermentation of glycosaminoglycans from mackerel fish waste and its role in modulating the antioxidant status and gut microbiota of high fat diet-fed C57BL/6 mice.

Bioactive polysaccharides such as glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) exhibit potential health benefits for several health complications including obesity. The gut microbiota plays a key role in regulating host metabolism, nutrition and immunity. The present work assessed the potential of extracted GAGs (e-GAGs) in maintaining the gut microbiota and ameliorating the effects of high fat diet in in vitro and in vivo models. The in vitro fermentability of e-GAGs extracted from mackerel fish waste was analyzed with Lactobacillus plantarum (LP) and Bifidobacterium bifidum (BB); e-GAGs at 0.5 and 1% proved their prebiotic nature up to 48 h. The pH value decreased from 6.23 to 3.32, the cell density increased from 1.70 to 2.32, the viable cell count increased from 8 to 12 log CFU mL-1, and short chain fatty acid (SCFA) production was ≈33, 31 and 36% for LP and ≈37, 29 and 34% for BB in terms of acetic acid, propionic acid and butyric acid, respectively. In vivo studies on high fat diet (HFD)-fed C57BL/6 mice with e-GAGs (380 and 760 mg kg-1 diet) showed ameliorated gut microbiome and tissue/plasma antioxidant enzyme activities, and also the e-GAG-fed group showed significantly (P < 0.05) decreased lipid peroxidation. Cecal microbial analysis showed the health-promoting effects of e-GAGs in reducing (P < 0.05) the obesity ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes (F/B) within the range (5.32 and 5.26) compared with HFD (6.23). Hence, e-GAGs can be a potential molecule for the treatment of obesity by restoring the redox status under oxidative stress and ameliorating the gut microbes that produce SCFAs which are known to have health beneficial effects.

Outcomes of accelerated collagen cross linking in progressive paediatric keratoconus.

Purpose: To determine the efficacy and safety of pediatric accelerated cross linking (CXL). Methods: A prospective study on progressive keratoconus (KC) cases under ≤18 years of age. Sixty four eyes of thirty nine cases underwent epithelium-off accelerated CXL protocol. Visual acuity (VA), slit-lamp examination, refraction, pentacam reading of keratometry (K), corneal thickness, and thinnest location pachymetry were noted. Cases were followed up on days 1, 5, and at 1st, 3rd, 6th, and 12th-month post procedure. Results: Statistically, significant improvement of the mean aided VA, K, and mean corneal astigmatism (p < 0.0001) was noted. Mean Kmax reading reduced from 55.5 ± 5.64 (47.4-70.4) diopter (D) preoperatively to 54.41 ± 5.51 (46-68.3) D at 12 months postaccelerated CXL. Two cases had progression. Complications encountered were sterile infiltrate and persistent haze. Conclusion: Accelerated CXL is effective and efficacious in pediatric KC.

Consensus guidelines on management of oral potentially malignant disorders.

Oral cancer is usually preceded by oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) and early detection can downstage the disease. The majority of OPMDs are asymptomatic in early stages and can be detected on routine oral examination. Though only a proportion of OPMDs may transform to oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), they may serve as a surrogate clinical lesion to identify individuals at risk of developing OSCC. Currently, there is a scarcity of scientific evidence on specific interventions and management of OPMDs and there is no consensus regarding their management. A consensus meeting with a panel of experts was convened to frame guidelines for clinical practices and recommendations for management strategies for OPMDs. A review of literature from medical databases was conducted to provide the best possible evidence and provide recommendations in management of OPMDs.

Studies on the partial characterization of extracted glycosaminoglycans from fish waste and its potentiality in modulating obesity through in-vitro and in-vivo.

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are bioactive polysaccharides or glycoconjugates found in the fish waste having significant health impacts. In the present study it has been attempted to extract GAGs from mackerel fish waste through chemical and enzymatic methods. Further, the extracted GAGs (e-GAGs) were analyzed for their composition (uronic acid, total sugar & sulfate), chemical characterization was carried out through techniques of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) & Proton NMR. Further, probable major GAGs present was identified by enzymatic digestion. The biological potential of the extracted glycoconjugate was assessed further through in-vitro and in-vivo studies. In-vitro biological activity showed good lipase inhibition (IC50, 2.6 mg/mL) and bile acid binding properties (dose-dependent). Lipid accumulation lowered in the e-GAGs differentiated 3T3L1 preadipocyte cells have also been observed. The high fat fed animal (in-vivo) study showed ameliorative effect via reducing blood sugar∼1.28↓, lipid profile↓, plasma insulin∼3.5↓, improved glucose tolerance, and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR, ∼3.0↓). Furthermore, elimination of bile acid (BA) due to GAG-BA binding properties resultant in removal of elevated fecal triglyceride and cholesterol suggesting its lipid lowering activity. Regulation of various proteins linked to carbohydrate and lipid metabolism including fatty acid synthase (FAS), low density lipoproteins receptor (LDL-R), 7α-hydroxylase, glucose transporter-4 (GLUT4) and Peroxisome proliferator- activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) were significant (p < 0.05) with e-GAGs treatment when compared to HFD group. Thus, the e-GAGs showed potential hypolipidemic activity through elimination of bile acid binding property together with regulating the specific protein related to obesity and its associated complications.

Modulation of obesity associated metabolic dysfunction by novel lipophilic fraction obtained from Agaricus bisporus.

AIM: The present study aimed to prepare a novel lipophilic fraction rich in fat soluble bioactive from Agaricus bisporus and investigated its impact through in vitro and in vivo assessments since the prospective biological activities of fat soluble components from mushrooms are limited. METHODS: Ergosterol concentrate fraction (ECF) preparation followed by subsequent characterization of the extract using various analytical techniques (HPLC-UV, Mass spectroscopy, NMR). Furthermore, the fraction has been evaluated for antioxidant activity, DNA protection ability, hypolipidemic properties by in vitro specific enzyme inhibition and in vivo animal model (C57BL/6). KEY FINDINGS: The fraction majorly contains ergosterol (504 mg/100 g dw) and linoleic acid (71.92 %). In vitro studies showed that the fraction limited free radicals induced DNA damage, exhibited significant free radical scavenging activities (IC50 of DPPH 15.64; ABTS 8.28 mg/ml), and inhibited HMG-CoA reductase activity (IC50 5.03 mg/ml). Further, in vivo study showed that ECF treatment significantly (p < 0.05) improved insulin sensitivity (reduced plasma glucose & insulin, increased adiponectin) and reduced inflammatory markers (CRP & TNF-α) in comparison to high fat fed mice. Furthermore, ECF has significantly reduced plasma lipid profile and accumulation of lipids in liver. This could be due to down regulation of mRNA expression of lipogenic transcription factors such as SREBP-1c and SREBP-2, and key lipogenic enzyme ACC. Moreover, ECF treatment has suppressed protein expression of FAS, induced cholesterol clearance by enhancing LDL-R protein expression. SIGNIFICANCE: The present work for the first time evaluated the synergistic potential of ergosterol and linoleic acid to improve antioxidant defense system and ameliorate obesity associated metabolic dysfunction.

White LED active α-Fe2O3/rGO photocatalytic nanocomposite for an effective degradation of tetracycline and ibuprofen molecules.

The formation of phase pure magnetically separable α-Fe2O3 and α-Fe2O3/rGO nanostructures were achieved through a simple hydrothermal technique. The properties of synthesized materials were investigated through different analytical techniques. The formation of phase pure FO and FO/rGO nanostructures were confirmed by XRD analysis with crystallite size of about ∼42 nm and ∼65 nm, respectively. The morphological analysis reveals the formation of sphere-like nanoparticles with high agglomeration. The UV-DRS analysis clearly shows the enhanced visible-light activity of FO/rGO nanoparticles. The BET analysis revealed the mesoporous property of FO/rGO nanocomposite. The enhancement in the photoinduced charge transfer process is observed after including rGO nanoparticles with FO. The photocatalytic efficiency of nanomaterials was analyzed using tetracycline and ibuprofen as model organic pollutants under white LED irradiation. The enhanced photocatalytic degradation ability of FO/rGO nanocomposite is studied against both tetracycline and ibuprofen molecules.

Impact of phenolic concentrate from tender coconut water and coconut testa on high fat cholesterol fed C57BL6 mice.

Coconut testa and tender coconut water (TCW) are by-products of coconut processing industries which are rich in natural phytonutrients, if not exploited properly it may add up to environmental pollution. In the current study, phenolic concentrate (PHE) from coconut testa and tender coconut water (TCW) concentrates were examined for their effect on high fat fed C57BL/6 mice at the level of 50 & 100 mg and 500 & 1000 mg/kg body weight respectively. Results showed increasing body weight in high fat fed animals when compared to starch fed control (ND/SFD) group. Treatment with concentrates of PHE and TCW reduced their body weight dose dependently. Lipid profile like triglycerides, cholesterol and LDL levels were significantly decreased, whereas HDL levels increased, indicating its health beneficial effect. Catalase, SOD, GPx, TBARS in tissues, analysis of OGTT, serum insulin levels, advance glycation and atherogenic protection were augmented at different levels in the treated groups. In conclusion, phenolic concentrate prepared from the coconut testa and tender coconut water concentrate revealed their hypolipidemic property which can be exploited further in the development of health foods.

Concentrates from tender coconut water and coconut testa beneficially modulates tissue lipid profiles in high-fat fed rats.

The present study involved feeding of tender coconut water concentrate (TCW) and testa phenolic concentrate (PHE) to high fat fed animals. Analysis of serum showed increased HDL-C in concentrates treated group and therefore higher protection against atherogenesis compared to high fat fed group. Lesser fecal fat content and higher level of liver cholesterol were observed in high fat fed group, treatments with TCW and PHE ameliorated significantly. Fat content in the organs (liver, heart, kidney and adipose) of HFD group was high. Furthermore, certain fatty acids observed in the tissues were 14:0, 16:0, 18:0, 18:1, 18:2, 20:0, 20:3 and 20:4, among which 14:0, 16:0 & 18:0 are the major saturated fatty acids that increased significantly in high fat fed group when compared with starch fed group and ameliorated with TCW and PHE dose dependently. These results clearly indicate both the concentrates (TCW and PHE) restrict excess accumulation of lipids and altered composition of fatty acids in tissues as well as serum which are the risk factors for development of insulin resistance, hyperlipidemia, dyslipidemia etc., related to obesity. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13197-021-05178-2.

Comparative Study Based on Analysis of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Detection and Prediction Using Machine Learning Models.

As the number of COVID-19 cases increases day by day, the situation and livelihood of people throughout the world deteriorates. The goal of this study is to use machine learning models to identify disease and forecast whether or not a person is infected with the virus or another common illness. More articles about COVID-19 will be released starting in 2020, but we still do not have a reliable prediction mechanism to diagnose the disease with 100% accuracy. This comparison is done to see which model is the most effective in detecting and predicting disease. Despite the fact that we have immunizations, we require a best-prediction strategy to assist all humans in surviving. Researchers claimed that the supervised learning method predicts more accurately than the unsupervised learning method in the majority of studies. Supervised learning is the process of mapping inputs to derived outputs using a set of variables and created functions. This will also help us to optimize performance criteria using experience. It is further divided into two categories: classification and regression. According to recent studies, classification models are more accurate than other models.

Application of Anatomically Designed 2-Dimensional V Plate in Management of Mandible Fracture: A Pilot Study.

Background: Mandible is the only mobile facial jaw bone and it aides in various functions such as phonation and mastication. Therefore, management of mandible fracture becomes inevitable due to its functional and anatomical importance. Fracture fixation methods and techniques have steadily evolved with various osteosynthesis systems. In this article, we discuss the management of mandible fracture using a newly designed two-dimensional (2D) hybrid V-shaped plate. Purpose: In this paper, we have evaluated the efficacy of the newly developed 2D V-shaped locking plate in the management of mandibular fractures. Method: We have assessed 12 cases of different mandibular fractures ranging from symphysis, parasymphysis, angle and subcondylar region. Treatment outcome was assessed both clinically and radiologically at regular intervals with various intraoperative and postoperative parameters. Result: Results of this study suggest that fixation of mandible fracture with the 2D hybrid V-shaped plate facilitates anatomic reduction and functional stability and carries a low morbidity and infection rate. Conclusion: The 2D anatomic hybrid V-shaped plate can be a suitable alternative to conventional miniplate and 3D plates as it offers satisfactory anatomic reduction and functional stability. Positioning the plate in relation to the mental nerve and plate adaptation along the angle region are much easier.

Isoptericola sediminis sp. nov., Isolated from Chilika Lagoon.

A yellow-colored, Gram-stain-positive, rod shaped, non-motile bacterium, designated as strain JC619T, was isolated from the sediment of Chilika lagoon, India. Strain JC619T shows highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (99.08%) with Isoptericola chiayiensis KCTC 19740T followed by Isoptericola halotolerans KCTC 19046T (98.6%) and other members of the genus Isoptericola (< 98%). NaCl is required for growth of strain JC619T and tolerates up to 18% (w/v) and pH up to 10. Strain JC619T grows optimally at temperature 30 °C, NaCl concentration of 3% (w/v), and at pH 7.5. The genome size of strain JC619T is 3.2 Mb with G+C content of 73.0 mol%. ANI scores of strain JC619T are 81.9% and 80.1% and dDDH values are 24.4% and 22.7% with I. chiayiensis KCTC 19740T and I. halotolerans KCTC 19046T, respectively. Respiratory quinones are MK-9(H4) and MK-9(H2). Predominant fatty acids (> 10%) are anteiso-C15:0, iso-C16:0, and iso-C15:0. Major polar lipids of strain JC619T are phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositolmannoside, diphosphatidylglycerol, and phosphatidylinositol. Strain JC619T is catalase positive but cytochrome oxidase negative and reduces nitrate. The genomic distinction of strain JC619T with its nearest related species of the genus Isoptericola is well supported with chemotaxonomic characteristics and differential physiological properties. Therefore, strain JC619T represents a new species under the genus Isoptericola for which Isoptericola sediminis sp. nov. is proposed. Type strain is JC619T (=KCTC 49244T =NBRC 114063T).

Potential role of mycosterols in hyperlipidemia - A review.

Cardiovascular diseases associated with obesity are alarmingly increasing in both developed and developing countries. Obesity is mainly ascribed to higher lipid accumulation in the body. There are several simple approaches to treat this condition like lifestyle modification, dietary intervention, physical activities, drug treatment etc. There are many drugs available in the market to treat hyperlipidemia condition, but those drugs have many fatal adverse effects on human health. In view of this, it is reasonable to suggest some preventive measures by functional food ingredients as human health has acclimatized to these since thousands of years. Phytosterols have been studied since decades for its hypocholesterolemic effect in human nutrition. Although the mycosterols from fungi are still under- exploited, ergosterol and derivatives from fungal source have promising health beneficial effects in obesity associated cardiovascular diseases. This review aims to summarise the investigations on mycosterol with respect to obesity in the last decade and also scope of future research on its application in functional food supplements.

Paracoccus aeridis sp. nov., an indole-producing bacterium isolated from the rhizosphere of an orchid, Aerides maculosa.

A Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, coccoid-shaped, catalase- and oxidase-positive, non-denitrifying, neutrophilic bacterium designated as strain JC501T was isolated from an epiphytic rhizosphere of an orchid, Aerides maculosa, growing in the Western Ghats of India. Phylogenetic analyses based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that strain JC501T belonged to the genus Paracoccus and had the highest levels of sequence identity with Paracoccus marinus KKL-A5T (98.9 %), Paracoccus contaminans WPAn02T (97.3 %) and other members of the genus Paracoccus (<97.3 %). Strain JC501T produced indole-3 acetic acid and other indole derivatives from tryptophan. The dominant respiratory quinone was Q-10 and the major fatty acid was C18 : 1ω7c/C18 : 1ω6c, with significant quantities of C18 : 1ω9c, C17 : 0 and C16 : 0. The polar lipids of strain JC501T comprised phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, diphosphatidylglycerol, an unidentified glycolipid, two unidentified aminolipids, two unidentified lipids and four unidentified phospholipids. The genome of strain JC501T was 3.3 Mbp with G+C content of 69.4 mol%. For the resolution of the phylogenetic congruence of the novel strain, the phylogeny was also reconstructed with the sequences of eight housekeeping genes. Based on the results of phylogenetic analyses, low (<85.9 %) average nucleotide identity, digital DNA-DNA hybridization (<29.8 %), chemotaxonomic analysis and physiological properties, strain JC501T could not be classified into any of the recognized species of the genus Paracoccus. Strain JC501T represents a novel species, for which the name Paracoccus aeridis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JC501T (=LMG 30532T=NBRC 113644T).

Rhodobacter sediminicola sp. nov., isolated from a fresh water pond.

A phototrophic bacterium, designated as strain JA983T, was isolated from a freshwater pond in Gujarat, India. The strain was yellowish brown, catalase- and oxidase-positive, rod-to-oval shaped, Gram-stain-negative and motile. Growth was observed at 20-35 °C. NaCl was not required for optimum growth and up to 5 % was tolerated. Growth was observed at pH 6.0-8.0, with an optimum at pH 7.0. An unidentified glycolipid, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, two unidentified aminolipids (AL1, AL2) and two unidentified lipids (L1 and L2) are the polar lipids of JA983T. Q10 is the only quinone. C18 : 1 ω7c/C18 : 1 ω6c is the major fatty acid. JA983T showed highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with the type strains of Rhodobacter sphaeroides (98.99%), Rhodobacter megalophilus (98.99 %), Rhodobacter johrii (98.99 %) and other members of the genus Rhodobacter with less than 98.7 % similarity. In a 16S rRNA gene sequence-based phylogenetic tree, JA983T formed a different sub-clade with its nearest phylogenetic members of genus Rhodobacter. Phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, phylogenetic and genomic [average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) differences indicated that JA983T is significantly different from other species of the genus Rhodobacter and thus represents a novel species of the genus for which the name Rhodobacter sediminicola sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JA983T (=KCTC 15782T=NBRC 113843T).

Afifella aestuarii sp. nov., a phototrophic bacterium.

An oval- to rod-shaped, motile, Gram-stain-negative, oxidase-positive, catalase-negative, pink-coloured phototrophic bacterium (designated as strain JA968T) was isolated from an estuary near Pata, Gujarat, India. Cells had an intracytoplasmic membrane architecture as lamellae and divided by budding. Strain JA968T had bacteriochlorophyll-a and spirilloxanthin series carotenoids as photosynthetic pigments. The strain exhibited photolithoautotrophic, photoorganoheterotrophic and chemoorganoheterotrophic growth modes and required thiamine as a growth factor. Strain JA968T had C18 : 1ω7c/C18  : 1ω6c as the predominant fatty acid with ubiquinone-10 (Q-10) and menaquinone-10 (MK-10) forming the quinone composition. The genomic DNA G+C content of the strain was 63.5 mol%. Pairwise comparison of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain JA968T was highly similar to Afifella marina DSM 2698T (99.9 %) and Afifella pfennigii DSM 17143T (98.4 %). The average nucleotide identity values were 92 % between strain JA968T and A. marina DSM 2698T, and 78 % between strain JA968T and A. pfennigii DSM 17143T. The digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain JA968T and A. marina and A. pfennigii were 49 and 19 %, respectively. The genomic distinction was also supported by differences in phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics. We propose that strain JA968T represents a new species of the genus Afifella with the name Afifella aestuarii sp. nov. The type strain is JA968T (=KCTC 15634T=NBRC 113338T).

Pouch of Douglas internal hernia successfully treated laparoscopically.

A rare case of internal herniation of a peritoneal defect in the pouch of Douglas is being reported. It presented as a case of intestinal obstruction, which after investigation, on laparoscopic exploration was found to be a case of internal hernia getting obstructed in the pouch of Douglas. It was successfully treated by marsupialisation of the defect laparoscopically. A 33-year-old female presented with pain abdomen and vomiting. On investigations, she was found to be having a small intestinal obstruction. Conservative trial failed and then diagnostic laparoscopy was done, which revealed a peritoneal defect in the pouch of Douglas with the incarcerated distal ileal loop. Contents were reduced, and laparoscopic marsupialisation of the peritoneal defect was done. A rare case of defect in peritoneum with no defect in muscular layer in the pouch of douglas. Internal hernia is being reported and successfully treated laparoscopically by marsupialisation for the first time.

Rhodomicrobium lacus sp. nov., an alkalitolerent bacterium isolated from Umiam lake, Shillong, India.

A Gram-stain-negative, motile, alkali-tolerant, swollen-rod shaped, reddish brown coloured, phototrophic bacterium designated as strain JA980T, was isolated from freshwater sampled at Umiam lake, Shillong, India. Strain JA980T grew well up to pH 9.0. Respiratory quinones were ubiquinone 10 and rhodoquinone 10. The major fatty acid was C18: 1ω7c/C18:1ω6c with minor amounts of C18:0, C16:0, C18:0 3-OH and C16:0 3-OH. Strain JA980T contained bacteriochlorophyll-a and carotenoids of the spirilloxanthin series. The polar lipids of strain JA980T comprised phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, diphosphatidylglycerol, an unidentified phospholipid, unidentified amino lipids (AL1,3,4,5) and an unidentified lipid (L1). Strain JA980T had the highest (99.57 %) 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to the type strains of Rhodomicrobium vannielii ATCC17100T and Rhodomicrobium udaipurense JA643T. The genome of strain JA980T was 3.88 Mbp with a DNA G+C content of 62.4 mol%. Based on the results of phylogenetic analyses, low in silico DNA-DNA hybridization values (33 %), low (87 %) average nucleotide identity results, chemotaxonomic characteristics and differential physiological properties, strain JA980T could not be classified into either of the two recognized species of the genus Rhodomicrobium, suggesting that it represents a novel species, for which the name Rhodomicrobium lacus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JA980T (=KCTC 15697T= MCC 3714T= NBRC 113803T).

Guggulipid ameliorates adjuvant-induced arthritis and liver oxidative damage by suppressing inflammatory and oxidative stress mediators.

BACKGROUND: Arthritis is a common degenerative joint disease characterized by deterioration of articular cartilage, subchondral bone, and associated with immobility, pain and inflammation. The incessant action of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during progressive arthritis causes severe oxidative damage to vital organs and circulatory system. PURPOSE: In this study we investigated the ability of guggulipid (GL), a lipid rich extract from the gum resin of the plant Commiphora whighitii to suppress the progressive arthritis and associated liver oxidative stress both in vivo and in vitro. STUDY DESIGN/METHODS: The anti-arthritic ability of GL was demonstrated in vitro using IL-1ß stimulated bovine nasal cartilage model and in vivo Freund's complete adjuvant-induced arthritic rat model. Collagen/proteoglycan degradation and pro-inflammatory mediators were monitored in the harvested culture medium of nasal cartilage by estimating the levels of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), hydroxy proline, glycosaminoglycans and inflammatory mediators. Further, anti-arthritic ability of GL was evaluated in vivo by measuring enzymatic and non-enzymatic mediators of cartilage degradation, inflammation and oxidative stress markers. RESULTS: GL significantly inhibited the IL-1ß stimulated cartilage degradation in vitro by mitigating the MMPs activity, collagen degradation and secretion of pro-inflammatory mediators. Further, GL significantly reduced the adjuvant-induced paw swelling and body weight loss in vivo. GL remarkably reduced the MMPs and hyaluronidases activities in serum and bone homogenate along with altered hematological parameters. GL also mitigated the elevated bone resorbing enzymes cathepsins, exoglycosidases and phosphatases. Additionally, GL effectively mitigated ROS and oxidative stress-mediators recuperating the altered serum/liver oxidative stress and liver damage incurred during arthritic progression. CONCLUSION: In summary, the study clearly demonstrates the protective efficacy of GL against arthritis and its associated oxidative stress, particularly, liver oxidative damage. Hence, GL could be a potential alternative and complementary medicine to treat inflammatory joint diseases.