Sesamol as a potent anticancer compound: from chemistry to cellular interactions.

Sesamol (SM), a well-known component isolated from sesame seeds (Sesamum indicum), used in traditional medicines in treating numerous ailments. However, numerous molecular investigations revealed the various mechanisms behind its activity, emphasizing its antiproliferative, anti-inflammatory, and apoptosis-inducing properties, preventing cancer cell spread to distant organs. In several cells derived from various malignant tissues, SM-regulated signal transduction pathways and cellular targets have been identified. This review paper comprehensively describes the anticancer properties of SM and SM-viable anticancer drugs. Additionally, the interactions of this natural substance with standard anticancer drugs are examined, and the benefits of using nanotechnology in SM applications are explored. This makes SM a prime example of how ethnopharmacological knowledge can be applied to the development of contemporary drugs.

Effect of mydriatic eye drops (combined 0.8% tropicamide and 5% phenylephrine) on the measurements of corneal parameters using Pentacam.

Purpose: The purpose of the study is to investigate the effects of combined 0.8% tropicamide and 5% phenylephrine on the corneal parameters using Pentacam. Methods: The study was performed on 200 eyes of 100 adult patients visiting the ophthalmology clinic for evaluation of refractive errors or cataract screening. Mydriatic drops (Tropifirin; Java, India) containing tropicamide 0.8%, phenylephrine hydrochloride 5%, and chlorbutol 0.5% (as a preservative) were instilled into the eyes of the patients three times every 10 minutes. The Pentacam was repeated after 30 minutes. The measurement data of various corneal parameters from different Pentacam displays (keratometry, pachymetry, densitometry, and Zernike analysis) was manually compiled on an Excel spreadsheet and analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) 20 software. Results: Analysis of Pentacam refractive maps revealed a statistically significant increase (P < 0.05) in the values of radius peripheral (cornea front), pupil center Pachymetry, pachymetry apex, thinnest location Pachymetry, and cornea volume. However, pupil dilation did not affect the Q-value (asphericity). Analysis of the densitometry values revealed significant increase in all zones. Aberrations maps revealed statistically significant increase in the value of spherical aberration after the induction of mydriasis, but the values of Trefoil 0º, Trefoil 30º, Koma 90º, and Koma 0º were not affected significantly. We did not observe any untoward effect of the drug, except transient blurring of vision. Conclusion: The current study showed that routine mydriasis in the eye clinics leads to a significant increase in various corneal parameters including corneal pachymetry, cornea densitometry, and spherical aberration as measured by Pentacam, which can influence the decision-making in the management of various corneal diseases. The ophthalmologists should be aware of these issues and make adjustments in their surgical planning accordingly.

Protective effect of vanillic acid against diabetes and diabetic nephropathy by attenuating oxidative stress and upregulation of NF-κB, TNF-α and COX-2 proteins in rats.

Diabetes is the most prevalent disorder in the world characterized by uncontrolled high blood glucose levels and nephropathy is one of the chief complications allied with hyperglycemia. Vanillic acid; the main bioactive compound derived from natural sources such as vegetables, fruits and plants possesses various pharmacological activities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative. The current study was designed to investigate the antidiabetic and renoprotective effects of vanillic acid by its various pharmacological activities. Streptozotocin (50 mg/kg)/nicotinamide (110 mg/kg) was used to induce diabetes in rats. Oral administration of vanillic acid once daily for 6 weeks (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg) significantly reduced the hyperglycemia, increased liver enzymes and normalized lipid profile that was altered in diabetic rats. Moreover, vanillic acid attenuated the impaired renal function as evidenced by a reduction in serum creatinine, urea, uric acid and urinary microproteinuria levels with a concomitant increase in urinary creatinine clearance in the nephropathic rats. Diabetic rats showed a marked increase in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and superoxide anion generation (SAG) along with decreased reduced glutathione (GSH) in the renal tissue which was ameliorated in the vanillic acid-treated rats. Histopathologically, vanillic acid treatment was associated with reduced damage with normalized structural changes in renal tissue. Furthermore, treatment groups showed the suppression of upregulation of nuclear factor (NF)-κB, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, cyclo-oxygenase (COX)-2 and up-regulation of Nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf-2) in the renal tissue. In conclusion, vanillic acid's ameliorative impact on diabetic nephropathic rats may be attributed to its powerful free radical scavenging property, down-regulation of NF-κB, TNF-α, COX-2 and up-regulation of Nrf-2 proteins in renal tissue.

A Comprehensive Review on Medicinal Herbs and Novel Formulations for the Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the most prevalent neurodegenerative diseases reported in the aging population across the globe. About 46.8 million people are reported to have dementia, and AD is mainly responsible for dementia in aged people. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is thought to occur due to the accumulation of ß-amyloid (Aß) in the neocortex portion of the brain, nitric oxide mediated dysfunctioning of blood-brain barrier, reduced activity of serine racemase enzyme, cell cycle disturbances, damage of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors and glutamatergic neurotransmission. Modern treatment methods target the pathways responsible for the disease. To date, solely symptomatic treatments exist for this disease, all making an attempt to counterbalance the neurotransmitter disturbance. Treatments able to prevent or at least effectively modifying the course of AD, referred to as 'disease-modifying' drugs, are still under extensive research. Effective treatments entail a better indulgence of the herbal bioactives by novel drug delivery systems. The herbal bioactive administered by novel drug delivery systems have proved beneficial in treating this disease. This review provides detailed information about the role of medicinal plants and their formulations in treating Alzheimer's disease which will be highly beneficial for the researchers working in this area.

Stevioside protects against rhabdomyolysis-induced acute kidney injury through PPAR-γ agonism in rats.

We explored the potential role of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) in stevioside-mediated renoprotection using rhabdomyolysis-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) model in rats. Rhabdomyolysis refers to intense skeletal muscle damage, which further causes AKI. Glycerol (50% w/v, 8 ml/kg) was injected intramuscularly in rats to induce rhabdomyolysis. After 24 hr, AKI was demonstrated by quantifying serum creatinine, urea, creatinine clearance, microproteinuria, and electrolytes in rats. Further, oxidative stress was measured by assaying thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, generation of superoxide anion, and reduced glutathione levels. Additionally, serum creatine kinase (CK) level was assayed to determine glycerol-induced muscle damage in rats. Pathological changes in rat kidneys were studied using hematoxylin-eosin and periodic acid Schiff staining. Moreover, the expression of apoptotic markers (Bcl-2, Bax) in rat kidneys was demonstrated by immunohistochemistry. Stevioside (10, 25, and 50 mg/kg) was administered to rats, prior to the induction of AKI. In a separate group, bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (BADGE, 30 mg/kg), a PPAR-γ receptor antagonist was given prior to stevioside administration, which was followed by rhabdomyolysis-induced AKI in rats. The significant alteration in biochemical and histological parameters in rats indicated AKI, which was attenuated by stevioside treatment. Pretreatment with BADGE abrogated stevioside-mediated renoprotection, which is suggestive of the involvement of PPAR-γ in its renoprotective effect. In conclusion, stevioside protects against rhabdomyolysis-induced AKI, which may be attributed to modulation of PPAR-γ expression.