Frankincense: A neuronutrient to approach Parkinson's disease treatment.

Parkinson's disease (PD), characterized by tremor, slowness of movement, stiffness, and poor balance, is due to a significant loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta and dopaminergic nerve terminals in the striatum with deficit of dopamine. To date the mechanisms sustaining PD pathogenesis are under investigation; however, a solid body of experimental evidence involves neuroinflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and apoptotic cell death as the crucial factors operating in the pathogenesis of PD. Nutrition is known to modulate neuroinflammatory processes implicated in the pathogenesis and progression of this neurodegenerative disorder. Consistent with this notion, the Burseraceae family, which includes the genera Boswellia and Commiphora, are attracting emerging interest in the treatment of a wide range of pathological conditions, including neuroinflammation and cognitive decline. Bioactive components present in these species have been shown to improve cognitive function and to protect neurons from degeneration in in vitro, animal, as well as clinical research. These effects are mediated through the anti-inflammatory, antiamyloidogenic, anti-apoptotic, and antioxidative properties of bioactive components. Although many studies have exploited possible therapeutic approaches, data from human studies are lacking and their neuroprotective potential makes them a promising option for preventing and treating major neurodegenerative disorders.

Accelerative Wound-Healing Effect of Aqueous Anthocephalus Cadamba Leaf Extract in a Diabetic Rat Model.

Impaired wound healing is a major concern in diabetic patients due to unregulated chronic hyperglycemia which further may lead to ulcer, gangrene, and its complications. The present study unveils the accelerative effect of aqueous Anthocephalus cadamba leaf extract on wound healing in diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced in 30 Sprague Dawley female rats by using streptozotocin (except control group I) at the dose of 60 mg/kg intraperitoneally. Diabetic rats were randomized in 3 groups viz. diabetic control group (II), diabetes + Kadam plant leaf extract group (III), and diabetes + 5% povidone-iodine solution group (IV). Surgically sterile wound of 1.77 cm2 was created on the dorsal area of anaesthetized rats. The experimental parameters were assessed by hematobiochemical, histopathological, and western blot techniques. The A cadamba extract treatment group (III) (D + KPLE) showed a significant increase in the percentage of wound closure (82%) at day 21 as compared to the diabetic control group (42%), nondiabetic control group (I) (49%), and povidone-iodine treatment group (75%) group (IV). The findings of the present study suggest that the (D + KPLE) group (III) exhibited marked epithelial regeneration, neovascularization, collagen deposition, and fibroblast proliferation along with higher expression of vascular endothelial growth factor as compared to the diabetic control group (II), which was confirmed by histopathological examination and western blot analysis. The present study suggests that the topical application of aqueous A cadamba leaf extract exhibits accelerative wound-healing properties in diabetic rats.

Isolation and molecular characterization of Mannheimia haemolytica and Pasteurella multocida associated with pneumonia of goats in Chhattisgarh.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to isolate and characterize the Mannheimia haemolytica and Pasteurella multocida from blood, nasal discharge, and lung tissue of pneumonic goats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 14 goats were investigated for pneumonic pasteurellosis. Of 14 goats, nasal swabs and blood samples were collected from 10 clinically diseased animals. Moreover, lung tissue and heart blood samples were collected during necropsy of four goats died with pneumonia. All the samples were processed for the isolation of M. haemolytica and P. multocida in the laboratory. Bacterial isolates were identified by cultural and biochemical characters and 16S rRNA sequence analysis. All the isolates were subjected to susceptibility testing using commonly used antimicrobials. M. haemolytica isolates were characterized by PHSSA gene detection. P. multocida isolates were characterized by KMT1 gene detection and capsule typing. RESULTS: On necropsy of dead goats, the pneumonia was characterized as acute fibrinous bronchopneumonia. Bacterial culture revealed the isolation of M. haemolytica (7) and P. multocida (5) of 10 clinical cases. Moreover, M. haemolytica and P. multocida were coisolated from two of the lung tissues. Furthermore, one of the other two lung tissues showed the isolation of M. haemolytica while the other showed recovery of P. multocida. Bacterial isolates were specifically identified by the 16S rRNA sequence analysis. The isolates showed reduced susceptibility to ß-lactams, aminoglycosides, and fluoroquinolones. Moreover, the PHSSA and KMT1 genes were specifically detected among M. haemolytica, and P. multocida isolates, respectively. All P. multocida isolates belonged to serogroup A. CONCLUSION: The present study reported an occurrence of pneumonic pasteurellosis caused by M. haemolytica and P. multocida in a goat flock.

Bioprospecting of Wild Mushrooms from India with Respect to Their Medicinal Aspects.

The forest region of the Ranchi District of Jharkhand, India, is rich with various wild mushrooms. Of the 200 samples collected, 9 species were identified and subjected to medicinal studies. For antibacterial assay, 4 strains of bacteria (namely, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Pseudomonas fluorescens, and P. putida) were used. For antifungal assay, 4 strains of fungi (namely, Aspergillus niger, A. flavus, Microsporum canis, and Cladosporium herbarum) were used. Also, tests such as the α-amylase inhibition assay, a measure of antidiabetes activity, and antioxidant assays such as the DPPH, ferric-reducing antioxidant power, and acetylcholinesterase-inhibitory assays, which determine anti-Alzheimer disease properties, were carried out. Agaricus bisporus, A. campestris, Russula cyanoxantha, and Amanita pantherina all showed a maximal zone of inhibition against P. putida and M. canis. Ganoderma lucidum, Astraeus hygrometricus, and R. emetica all showed a maximal zone of inhibition against E. coli and A. flavus. Pleurotus populinus showed a maximal zone of inhibition against P. fluorescens and C. herbarum. P. pulmonarius showed a maximal zone of inhibition against S. typhi and M. canis. Also, all the collected samples showed α-amylase-inhibitory activity. A. hygrometricus showed maximal DPPH activity and ferric-reducing antioxidant power, whereas A. bisporus showed maximal acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity.