Molecular prospect of type-2 diabetes: Nanotechnology based diagnostics and therapeutic intervention.

About ninety percent of all diabetic conditions account for T2D caused due to abnormal insulin secretion/ action or increased hepatic glucose production. Factors that contribute towards the aetiology of T2D could be well explained through biochemical, molecular, and cellular aspects. In this review, we attempt to explain the recent evolving molecular and cellular advancement associated with T2D pathophysiology. Current progress fabricated in T2D research concerning intracellular signaling cascade, inflammasome, autophagy, genetic and epigenetics changes is discretely explained in simple terms. Present available anti-diabetic therapeutic strategies commercialized and their limitations which are needed to be acknowledged are addressed in the current review. In particular, the pre-eminence of nanotechnology-based approaches to nullify the inadequacy of conventional anti-diabetic therapeutics and heterogeneous nanoparticulated systems exploited in diabetic researches are also discretely mentioned and are also listed in a tabular format in the review. Additionally, as a future prospect of nanotechnology, the review presents several strategic hypotheses to ameliorate the austerity of T2D by an engineered smart targeted nano-delivery system. In detail, an effort has been made to hypothesize novel nanotechnological based therapeutic strategies, which exploits previously described inflammasome, autophagic target points. Utilizing graphical description it is explained how a smart targeted nano-delivery system could promote ß-cell growth and development by inducing the Wnt signaling pathway (inhibiting Gsk3ß), inhibiting inflammasome (inhibiting NLRP3), and activating autophagic target points (protecting Atg3/Atg7 complex from oxidative stress) thereby might ameliorate the severity of T2D. Additionally, several targeting molecules associated with autophagic and epigenetic factors are also highlighted, which can be exploited in future diabetic research.

Nano-based approach to combat emerging viral (NIPAH virus) infection.

Emergence of new virus and their heterogeneity are growing at an alarming rate. Sudden outburst of Nipah virus (NiV) has raised serious question about their instant management using conventional medication and diagnostic measures. A coherent strategy with versatility and comprehensive perspective to confront the rising distress could perhaps be effectuated by implementation of nanotechnology. But in concurrent to resourceful and precise execution of nano-based medication, there is an ultimate need of concrete understanding of the NIV pathogenesis. Moreover, to amplify the effectiveness of nano-based approach in a conquest against NiV, a list of developed nanosystem with antiviral activity is also a prerequisite. Therefore the present review provides a meticulous cognizance of cellular and molecular pathogenesis of NiV. Conventional as well several nano-based diagnosis experimentations against viruses have been discussed. Lastly, potential efficacy of different forms of nano-based systems as convenient means to shield mankind against NiV has also been introduced.

Current advances in nanocarriers for biomedical research and their applications.

Nanodrug delivery systems sometimes referred to as nanocarriers (NCs) are nanoengineered biocompatible materials or devices, which in conjugation with desired bioactive compounds plays an indispensable functional role in the field of pharmaceutical and allied sciences. The diversified ability of this bioengineered colloidal or noncolloidal molecule to breach the biological barriers to reach the targeted location in the biological system uplifts its other versatile natures of mono- or polydispersity in biodistribution. Furthermore, its nontoxicity and biodegradability result in making it a unique candidate for its purpose as drug delivery system. A number of different conjugations of chemical and biological substances are currently implemented for the synthesis of this biofunctional hybrid nanomaterial by simple methods. The use of these bioconjugated as a nanoparticulated system is currently being used for the treatment of various deadly incurable infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and disorders such as diabetes and cancers of various forms. Henceforth, the objective of the present review article is to provide overviews of the diversified and types of nanoparticulated systems, their beneficial as well as deleterious impacts along with the future prospect of nanodrug delivery system based on present status.

Anti-nephrotoxic activity of some medicinal plants from tribal rich pockets of Odisha.

BACKGROUND: Gentamicin, a strong cationic drug accumulated at biological membranes causes net increase in oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation leading to necrotic changes in renal tubles and consequently precipitates acute nephrotoxicity. Several phytoconstituents and plants extracts demonstrated significant anti-oxidant and cyto-protective activities. Vitex negundo Linn. (VN), Oroxylum indicum Vent. (OI) and Barringtonia acutangula Linn. (BA) are widely found throughout the Asian sub-continent including India, used extensively in different forms of Indian traditional medicine like Ayurveda and Unani. OBJECTIVE: Nephroprotective activity of extracts of VN roots, OI whole plant and BA leaves were investigated against experimentally induced acute nephrotoxicity [Gentamicin (i.p; 80mg/kg for 7 days)] in Wistar rats as test animals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The rats were treated with Cystone (5 mL/kg; p.o) taken as positive control and methanol-dichloromethane (1:1) extracts of VN, OI and BA (200 mg/kg; p.o) as test drugs for 7 days. Following the said treatments, biochemical parameters of urine (volume, creatinine and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)) and serum (urea, creatinine, albumin and total protein) were estimated. Renal anti-oxidant markers viz., superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and lipid peroxidation (LPO) in renal tissue were assayed. Tissue sections of kidneys from different groups were made and histopathological features were observed. RESULT: The extracts of VN, OI and BA significantly attenuated the nephrotoxicity by elevation of body weight, CAT, GPx and SOD or lowering urine LDH and creatinine, serum urea; serum creatinine and LPO respectively. Histopathological score of VN, OI and BA treated groups were 1+, 2+ and 2+ respectively against 4+ of the toxic group. CONCLUSION: The findings suggested the significant nephroprotection of VN roots followed by OI whole plant and BA leaves.

Screening and characterization of extracelluar L-asparaginase producing Bacillus subtilis strain hswx88, isolated from Taptapani hotspring of Odisha, India.

OBJECTIVE: To screen and isolate an eco-friendly, a thermophilic and potent L-asparaginase producing bacterium, with novel immunological properties that may obviates hypersensitivity reactions. METHODS: In the present study bacterial strain isolated for extracellular L-asparaginase production from hotspring, identified by morphological, biochemical and physiological tests followed by 16S rDNA technology and the L-asparaginase production ability was tested by both semi quantitative and quantitative enzymatic assay. RESULTS: The bacterial strain was identified as Bacillus subtilis strain hswx88 (GenBank Accession Number: JQ237656.1). The extracellular enzyme yielding capacity isolate Bacillus subtilis strain hswx88 (23.8 IU/mL) was found to be 1.7 and 14.5 times higher than the reference organism Pectobacterium carotovorum MTCC 1428 (14.2 IU/mL) and Bacillus sp. BCCS 034 (1.64 IU/mL). CONCLUSION: The isolate is eco-friendly and useful to produce bulk quantity of extracellular, thermophilic L-asparaginase for the treatment of various tumor cases and for preparation of acrylamide free fry food preparation.

Nephroprotective effect of Bauhinia variegata (Linn.) whole stem extract against cisplatin-induced nephropathy in rats.

The nephroprotective activity of the ethanolic extract of Bauhinia variegata (Linn.) whole stem against cisplatin-induced nephropathy was investigated by an in vivo method in rats. Acute nephrotoxicity was induced by i.p. injection of cisplatin (7 mg/kg of body weight (b.w.)). Administration of ethanol extract at dose levels of 400 and 200 mg/kg (b.w.) to cisplatin-intoxicated rats for 14 days attenuated the biochemical and histological signs of nephrotoxicity of cisplatin in a dose-dependent fashion. Ethanol extract at 400 mg/kg decreased the serum level of creatinine (0.65 ± 0.09; P<0.001) and urea (32.86 ± 5.88; P<0.001) associated with a significant increase in body weight (7.16 ± 1.10; P<0.001) and urine volume output (11.95 ± 0.79; P<0.05) as compared to the toxic control group. The ethanol extract of B. variegata at 400 mg/kg (b.w.) exhibited significant and comparable nephroprotective potential to that of the standard polyherbal drug cystone. The statistically (one-way-ANOVA followed by Tukey-Kramer multiple comparison) processed results suggested the protective action of B. variegate whole stem against cisplatin-induced nephropathy.

Pharmacological efficacy of argemone mexicana plant extract, against cysteamine-induced duodenal ulceration in rats.

OBJECTIVE: The plant Argemone mexicana is traditionally used as diuretic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal agent, and has wound-healing property. This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of A. mexicana aerial part of the plant (methanolic and aqueous extract p.o.) on duodenal ulceration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was carried out on the duodenal ulceration model by using cysteamine hydrochloride. Ranitidine (20 mg/kg) was used as standard drug. RESULTS: Both the extracts of the plant A. mexicana produced a significant activity in cysteamine-induced duodenal ulceration. The aqueous extract at the dose-dependent manner showed the potent activity than methanolic extract. CONCLUSION: The plant A. mexicana Linn. Increased healing of gastric ulceration and prevented the development of experimentally induced duodenal ulceration in rats.

Antimycotic potential of Crataeva religiosa Hook and Forst against some selected fungal pathogens.

Crataeva religiosa Hook and Forst belonging to family Capparidaceae (Cappaceae) was selected based on its ethnopharmacological uses like diuretic, laxative, lithonotriptic, antirheumatic, antiperiodic, bitter tonic, rubifacient and counterirritant and was investigated to evaluate in vitro antimycotic potential of petroleum ether, chloroform, ethanolic and aqueous extracts against Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, Candida krusei, Cryptococcus marinus and Aspergillus niger by disc diffusion method. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of C. religiosa extracts were found in the range of 0.062 - 0.5 mg/disc. The ethanolic extract significantly inhibits the growth of selected fungal pathogens, whereas aqueous extract do not show zone of inhibition against the tested Candida species. The results indicate the possible therapeutic uses of the plant as a potent antifungal agent.

Optimization of some physical and nutritional parameters for the production of hyaluronidase by Streptococcus equi SED 9.

The effects of some physical and nutritional parameters were studied for the optimum production of an extracellular enzyme hyaluronidase employing Streptococcus equi SED 9 by submerged fermentation. The effects of initial pH, incubation temperature and time, inoculum level and age of inoculum were studied. The maximum enzymatic activity was obtained with an initial pH 5.5, incubation temperature 37 degrees C, incubation time for 48 h and inoculum level 10% with inoculum age 48 h. The effects of various carbon and inorganic nitrogen sources, vitamins, amino acids and growth hormones were studied. The results indicated that dextrose, ammonium sulfate, nicotinic acid, L-cysteine and kinetin showed the highest enzymatic activity among them.

Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of some 1-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)-3-(3-nitrophenyl)-5-(4-substituted phenyl)-4-bromo-2-pyrazolines and 1-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)-3-(3-nitrophenyl)-5-(4-substituted phenyl)-2-pyrazolin-4-ones.

A series of 1-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)-3-(3-nitrophenyl)-5-(4-substituted phenyl)-2-pyrazolin-4-ones (4a-e) have been synthesized by the oxidation of 1-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)-3-(3-nitrophenyl)-5-(4-substituted phenyl)-4-bromo-2-pyrazolines (3a-e) with dimethylsulfoxide. The structure has been established on the basis of spectral data (IR,1H NMR). The synthesized compounds have been screened in vitro for their possible antimicrobial activity.