A Computational Study of Natural Compounds from Bacopa monnieri in the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease.

Keeping in view the public health-related issues of Alzheimer's disease (AD), its unpredictable occurrence and progression indicate the needs for best treatment options. The present bioinformatics study explores the binding pattern and molecular interactions between human acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) enzymes with natural compounds from Bacopa monnieri. The docking analysis between natural compounds as a ligand and AChE, BuChE as a receptor was completed using MGL tools Autodock 4.2 module. The analysis of the hydrophobic interactions, inhibition constants, and hydrogen bonds may indicates that they play a significant role in finding out the interacting position at the active site. However, after analyzing the binding energy (ΔG), the documented data shows that bacoside X, bacoside A, 3-beta-D-glucosylstigmasterol and daucosterol could be good inhibitors in the inhibition of AChE and BuChE activities. Therefore, our study indicates that the inhibition constants of the aforesaid natural compounds of Bacopa can be utilized for the development of inhibitors.

Effect of 2.45 GHz microwave radiation on the fertility pattern in male mice.

A number of studies have reported that male reproductive organs are susceptible to electromagnetic fields (EMFs). The aim of this study was to explore the effects of microwave radiation exposures on 6-8 weeks old male Swiss albino mice. Mice were divided into two groups: group I - sham-exposed (Control), and group II - microwaves-exposed (MWs). Mice were exposed to 2.45 GHz with power density 0.25 mW/cm2 and specific absorbtion rate (SAR) 0.09 W/kg. Exposure was given in Plexiglas cages for 2 h/day for 30 days. Results showed that 2.45 GHz microwave radiation resulted in a significant increase (p < 0.001) in catalase (CAT), malondialdehyde (MDA), reactive oxygen species (ROS) and decrease (p < 0.001) in the levels of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), testosterone and superoxide dismutase (SOD) (p < 0.05). Flow cytometer analysis of blood showed the formation of micronuclei in microwave-exposed group. Histopathological changes were also seen in seminiferous tubules of microwave-exposed group as compared to the sham-exposed group. It is concluded that 2.45 GHz microwave radiation exposure causes oxidative stress in testes and it may lead to detrimental and injurious effects on fertility potential of the male reproductive system of Swiss albino mice.

The influence of prenatal 10 GHz microwave radiation exposure on a developing mice brain.

Our objective was to investigate alterations in the developing mice brain after intrauterine microwave exposure from different gestation days (0.25 and 11.25) till term. Pregnant mice from 0.25 and 11.25 days of gestation were isolated from an inbred colony and divided into sham-exposed (control) and microwave-exposed (10 GHz) groups. The follow-up study of mice at 3 weeks of age showed significant reduction in the brain and body weight of microwave-exposed group. Results showed an increased level of lipid peroxidation, decreased level of glutathione and protein after microwave exposure on both 0.25 and 11.25 day of gestation. Moreover, changes in cytoarchitechure of hippocampus and cerebellum of the brain and reduction in Purkinje cell number were observed statistically significant after microwave exposure from both 0.25 and 11.25 days of gestation. In conclusion, the degree of severity of damage in neonatal mice brain was much higher, when exposure started from 0.25 day of gestation compared to 11.25 days of gestation.

Pathophysiology of cell phone radiation: oxidative stress and carcinogenesis with focus on male reproductive system.

Hazardous health effects stemming from exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic waves (RF-EMW) emitted from cell phones have been reported in the literature. However, the cellular target of RF-EMW is still controversial. This review identifies the plasma membrane as a target of RF-EMW. In addition, the effects of RF-EMW on plasma membrane structures (i.e. NADH oxidase, phosphatidylserine, ornithine decarboxylase) and voltage-gated calcium channels are discussed. We explore the disturbance in reactive oxygen species (ROS) metabolism caused by RF-EMW and delineate NADH oxidase mediated ROS formation as playing a central role in oxidative stress (OS) due to cell phone radiation (with a focus on the male reproductive system). This review also addresses: 1) the controversial effects of RF-EMW on mammalian cells and sperm DNA as well as its effect on apoptosis, 2) epidemiological, in vivo animal and in vitro studies on the effect of RF-EMW on male reproductive system, and 3) finally, exposure assessment and dosimetry by computational biomodeling.