Phytochemical content, antioxidant properties, and antibacterial activities of Centella asiatica L.

The present study is an evaluation of Centella asiatica ethanolic extract in terms of total phenolic content, total flavonoids, total flavonols, anthocyanin, antioxidants, and antibacterial activities. Centella asiatica plants were collected from Guilan province, Iran. High-performance liquid chromatography-Diode array detector analysis demonstrated that the ethanolic extract of C. asiatica contained phenolic substances such as sinapic acid, catechin, quercetin, p-coumaric acid, hesperidin, eugenol, and hesperetin. The predominant phenolic compound in the extract was hesperetin. The antibacterial activities of the extract were highly potent against S. aureus and B. cereus. These findings suggest that C. asiatica is rich in phenolic compounds and can be utilised for future cosmetic and pharmaceutical purposes.

The role of melatonin on caspase-3-like activity and expression of the genes involved in programmed cell death (PCD) induced by in vitro salt stress in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) roots.

BACKGROUND: Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is the most cultivated forage plant as a model in legumes. Salinity stress due to Na+ toxicity causes severe, oxidative stress as a main reason for program cell death (PCD) in plants. Melatonin application can increase plant productivity in response to diverse stressors via modulating plant antioxidant mechanisms and PCD inhibition in plants. RESULTS: Alfalfa roots were subjected to different concentrations of in vitro salinity supplemented with melatonin (0.1, 10 and 15 µM) for ten days. Application of melatonin under salinity stress reduced ROS, H2O2 and [Formula: see text] content and showed a dramatic impact on TTC reduction and augmented cell viability. Interestingly, melatonin inhibited caspase 3-like protease activity and could decrease DNA fragmentation induced by salinity while increased expression of anti-apoptotic genes BI-1, UCP1-UCP2 involved in PCD pathway. In contrast, in 300 mM salinity, γVPE gene as a proapoptotic of PCD down-regulated significantly. CONCLUSIONS: For the first time, present data showed that, melatonin plays a major function in preventing PCD in alfalfa root meristem cells. We attempted to offer a mechanism for the function of melatonin as an anti-apoptotic agent by demonstrating significant actions of melatonin on mitochondria proteins, such as UCPs, in a manner similar to animal cells.

Association of sleep-disordered breathing with severe chronic vascular disease in patients with type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Severe chronic vascular disease (CVD) is a major cause of co-morbidity and mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes (DM2). Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) has been linked to CVD in the general population due to enhanced sympathetic activation, oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, and hypertension; however data for DM2 patients is scarce. Therefore, the aim of the present analysis to assess whether SDB is associated with CVD in patients with DM2, independent of other known associated factors. METHODS: We analyzed cross-sectional data of 679 patients with DM2 from the DIACORE-SDB sub-study for association of SDB with CVD. SDB was assessed with a validated 2-channel ambulatory monitoring device. CVD was ascertained as a previous diagnosis of peripheral artery disease (PAD), coronary artery disease (CAD), or stroke via medical records and general practitioners. RESULTS: Of the analyzed 679 patients, 228 (34%) had SDB (respiratory event index [REI] ≥15/hour); and were significantly more often affected by CVD than patients without SDB (38% vs. 23%, p < 0.01; PAD 7% vs. 2%, p = 0.01; CAD 27% vs. 18%, p = 0.01; stroke 11% vs. 6%, p = 0.07). Regression analysis accounting for known modulators of CVD, such as age, body-mass index, systolic blood pressure, duration of DM2, HbA1c, smoking status, and low-density lipoprotein showed that the REI was independently associated with CVD (OR 1.099 per 5 REI points; 95%CI = [1.024, 1.179]). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with DM2, SDB is significantly associated with CVD, independent of other known modulators of atherosclerosis.

Histopathological observations on protective effects of vitamin E on endosulfan induced cardiotoxicity in rats.

The protective effects of vitamin E was investigated on the cardiotoxicity induced by endosulfan administration. Male rats in different groups were given endosulfan (2 mg per kg body weight per day in corn oil through gavage), vitamin E (200 mg per kg body weight twice a week in corn oil through gavage) and endosulfan and vitamin E at the same dose and route, to the control group corn oil is given at the dose rate of 2 mL per rat per day through gavage, for a period of28 days. The animals were sacrificed and heart tissues were collected and subjected to histopathology. The result indicated, sever congestion, haemorrhages with interstitial oedema. In some places there was diapedesis of leukocytes. Myocardium showed different degrees of degeneration, some of the myofibrils were found to be granular with pyknotic nuclei. Thickening of wall of arteries were seen. In the Vitamin E and endosulfan treated group the above mentioned lesions were significantly decreased in their severity. This study brought to light the protective effects of vitamin E on the toxic pathological lesions caused by endosulfan administration.