Advancement in contemporary diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for rheumatoid arthritis.

This review is intended to provide a summary of the pathogenesis, diagnosis and therapies for rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common form of inflammatory autoimmune disease with unknown aetiology. Bone degradation, cartilage and synovial destruction are three major pathways of RA pathology. Sentinel cells includes dendritic cells, macrophages and mast cells bound with the auto antigens and initiate the inflammation of the joints. Those cells further activates the immune cells on synovial membrane by releasing inflammatory cytokines Interleukin 1, 6, 17, etc., Diagnosis of this disease is a combinational approach comprises radiological imaging, blood and serology markers assessment. The treatment of RA still remain inadequate due to the lack of knowledge in disease development. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, disease modifying anti rheumatic drugs and corticosteroid are the commercial drugs to reduce pain, swelling and suppressing several disease factors. Arthroscopy will be an useful method while severe degradation of joint tissues. Gene therapy is a major advancement in RA. Suppressor gene locus of inflammatory mediators and matrix degrading enzymes were inserted into the affected area to reduce the disease progression. To overcome the issues aroused from those therapies like side effects and expenses, phytocompounds have been investigated and certain compounds are proved for their anti-arthritic potential. Furthermore certain complementary alternative therapies like yoga, acupuncture, massage therapy and tai chi have also been proved for their capability in RA treatment.

Population Dynamics and Conservation Implications of Decalepis arayalpathra (J. Joseph and V. Chandras.) Venter., a Steno Endemic Species of Western Ghats, India.

Decalepis arayalpathra, a critically endangered plant species, has a restricted and fragmented population in Southern Western Ghats, India. This study is a first attempt to evaluate genetic diversity and population structure in the nine wild populations of D. arayalpathra based on molecular pattern realized through the marker assays. Principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) and Nei's unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic average (UPGMA)-based hierarchical clustering of both the marker assays suggest strong genetic clustering between the individuals corresponding to their geographical ranges. Mantel test also corroborates a close genetic proximity between genetic and geographic data (r = 0.389). Population genetic analysis revealed low levels of gene flow [inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) = 0.289 and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) = 0.847] between the populations, in line with high genetic differentiation (Gst = 0.531 with ISSR and 0.440 with RAPD), which was also supported by analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA), that 54 % (ISSR) and 64 % (RAPD) total variation resided within populations. Bayesian model-based STRUCTURE analysis detected three genetic clusters showing the high degree of admixture within population. Based on the findings, such as inbreeding depression and the loss of genetic diversity, suggestions for conservation strategies are provided to preserve the genetic resources of this endangered species.

Enhancement of anti arthritic effect of quercetin using thioglycolic acid-capped cadmium telluride quantum dots as nanocarrier in adjuvant induced arthritic Wistar rats.

In this present study, we investigated thio glycolic acid-capped cadmium telluride quantum dots (TGA-CdTe QDs) as nano carrier to study the antiarthritic activity of quercetin on adjuvant induced arthritic Wistar rats. The free radical scavenging activity of QDs-QE complex was evaluated by 2,2'-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide anion scavenging assays. Fifteen days after adjuvant induction, arthritic rats received QDs-QE complex orally at the dose of 0.2 and 0.4mg/kg daily for 3 weeks. Diclofenac sodium (DF) was used as a reference drug. Administration of QDs-QE complex showed a significant reduction in inflammation and improvement in cartilage regeneration. Treatment with QDs-QE complex significantly (P<0.05) reduced the expressions lipid peroxidation and showed significant (P<0.05) increase in activities of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) catalase (CAT) levels in paw tissue. C-reactive protein (CRP), rheumatoid factor (RF), red blood cells (RBC) and white blood cells (WBC) count and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) of experimental animals were also estimated. Histology of hind limb tissue in experimental groups confirmed the complete cartilage regeneration in arthritis induced rats treated with QDs-QE complex. Based on our findings, we suggest that the QDs act as nano carrier for the drugs used in the treatment of various degenerative diseases.