Evaluation of Sechium edule fruit attenuation impact on the cardiomyopathy of the STZ-induced diabetic rats.

Sechium edule, commonly known as chayote is known for its low glycemic index, high fiber content, and rich nutritional profile, which suggests it may be beneficial for individuals with diabetes. While research specifically examining the impact of chayote on diabetes is limited, this study screened its biological impacts by using different biomarkers on streptozotocin-induced diabetic (STZ-ID) rats. The ethanolic extract of the Sechium edule fruits was assessed for different phytochemical, biochemical, and anti-diabetic properties. In the results, chayote extract had high phenolic and flavonoid contents respectively (39.25 ± 0.65 mg/mL and 12.16 ± 0.50 mg/mL). These high phenolic and flavonoid contents showed high implications on STZ-ID rats. Altogether 200 and 400 mg/kg of the extract considerably reduced the blood sugar level and enhanced the lipid profile of the STZ-ID rats. Additionally, they have decreased blood urea and serum creatinine levels. Besides, the levels of SGOT, SGPT, LDH, sodium, and potassium ions were significantly lowered after the administration period. More importantly, the electrocardiogram (ECG) parameters such as QT, RR, and QTc which were prolonged in the diabetic rats were downregulated after 35 days of administration of S. edule extract (400 mg/kg). And, the histological examination of the pancreas and kidney showed marked improvement in structural features of 200 and 400 mg/kg groups when compared to the diabetic control group. Where the increase in the glucose levels was positively correlated with QT, RR, and QTc (r2 = 0.76, r2 = 0.76, and r2 = 0.43) which means that ECG could significantly reflect the diabetes glucose levels. In conclusion, our findings showed that the fruit extract exerts a high potential to reduce artifacts secondary to diabetes which can be strongly suggested for diabetic candidates. However, there is a need to study the molecular mechanisms of the extract in combating artifacts secondary to diabetes in experimental animals.

Phytochemicals for treatment of diabetes.

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is one of the most prevalent metabolic disorders characterized by increased blood glucose levels and improper primary metabolism resulting from the defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. It is one of the most common health problems worldwide, and the prevalence of this disease is rapidly increasing, leading to microvascular (retinopathy, neuropathy and nephropathy) and macrovascular (heart attack, stroke and peripheral vascular disease) complications (Umar et al., 2010[18]). The number of individuals with diabetes is increasing due to population growth, aging, urbanization and increasing prevalence of obesity and physical inactivity. According to recent estimates, the greatest absolute increase in the number of patients with diabetes will be in India and the total number is projected to 79.4 million in 2030. It is expected that about 366 million are likely to be diabetic by the year 2030 (Rahman and Zaman, 1989[14]). Medicinal plants are the main source of organic compounds such as polyphenols, tannins, alkaloids, carbohydrates, terpenoids, steroids and flavonoids. These organic compounds represent a source for the discovery and development of new types of antidiabetic molecules. Many compounds isolated from plant sources have been reported to show antidiabetic activity. The key messages summarize some recent information in the field of antidiabetic phytochemicals.

Laser-induced effects in different biological samples.

Experiments were carried out on cancerous HeLa cells and blood serum using a double integrating sphere and a He-Ne laser to investigate the optical properties and cellular effects due to photodynamic therapy (PDT). In the first experiment, HeLa cells were exposed to Photofrin at concentrations of 0, 10, 20, 30, 50 and 112.4 microg/ml at an irradiance of 0.2 W/cm(2) using diode laser light. Using a confocal microscope, cell debris and morphological changes in HeLa cells were recorded at different Photofrin concentrations. The results showed cell debris in HeLa cells at the highest concentration of Photofrin. In a second experiment, photobleaching was observed in HeLa cells in the presence of various concentrations of 5-aminolaevulinic acid ranging from 0-50 microg/ml. There was progressive degradation of the 635 nm peak during continuous laser irradiation at an irradiance of 0.2 W/cm(2). We conclude that cells demonstrating high initial fluorescence undergo bleaching at a faster rate than those with lower fluorescence. Finally in a third experiment, cancerous and noncancerous blood serum was irradiated at an irradiance of 0.1 W/cm(2) using a He-Ne laser in conjunction with a double integrating sphere system. Forward and back scattering of normal and malignant serum showed an exponential decrease in fluorescence amplitude. The results indicate that there is notable amplitude difference between malignant and normal blood serum with malignant blood serum showing decreased scattering. These results have important implications for photodiagnosis and photodynamic therapy.

Two new diterpenoids from Salvia triloba.

Two new diterpenoids, trilobic acid (1) and trilobiol (2), have been isolated from the methanolic extract of Salvia triloba. Their structures were elucidated with the aid of NMR spectroscopy including two-dimensional-NMR techniques.

Acetates and benzoates of alkyl catechols and evaluation of their antibacterial activity.

Potential biologically active alkyl catechol esters were prepared and their antibacterial activity was determined against 12 Gram-positive and 16 Gram-negative bacteria. Esterification (acetylation and benzoylation) of mono-, di- and tetra- substituted alkyl catechols afforded the di-acetyl and di-benzoyl derivatives in each case. In the primary screening it was observed that the substitution of hydroxyl group in alkyl catechol with an acyl group generally resulted in a decrease of antibacterial activity. A number of acetyl and benzoyl derivatives inhibited the growth of Salmonella typhi. In case of Gram-positive bacteria only di-O-benzoyl-3,5,6,-tetra-(3-hexyl) catechol (26) showed a significant activity.

Effect of Mukteswar and Komarov strains of newcastle disease vaccines on egg production.

Effect of live mesogenic strains of Mukteswar and Komarov ND vaccines was studied on the egg production of laying birds. The results showed that pullets vaccinated with Mukteswar ND vaccine produced more eggs than the Komarov vaccinated or non vaccinated birds. The peak egg production was noted at the age of 29 weeks in these birds and this latter decreased. When birds were re-vaccinated with the same vaccine and route, at the age of 32 weeks, the egg production again increased to 81%. Intra muscular vaccination with Komarov ND vaccine demonstrated 11% less egg production than the birds vaccinated with Mukteswar ND vaccine. In all the experiments, birds were found to be severely affected by the hot weather resulting in a drop of egg production.

N-Formylcyclomicrobuxeine - A New Alkaloid from the Leaves of Buxus papillosa.

Studies on the alkaloidal constituents of the leaves of BUXUS PAPILLOSA have resulted in the isolation of a new steroidal base, (+)- N-formylcyclomicrobuxeine ( 1).