Celastrus paniculatus oil ameliorates NF-KB mediated neuroinflammation and synaptic plasticity in the scopolamine-induced cognitive impairment rat model.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Traditionally, Celastrus paniculatus Willd. (CP) oil has been utilized as a tranquilizer and memory enhancer. The present study investigated the neuropharmacological activity and efficacy of CP oil in ameliorating scopolamine-induced cognitive impairment in rats. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE: Cognitive deficiency was induced in rats by administration of scopolamine (2 mg/kg intraperitoneal injection) for a period of 15 days. Donepezil served as a reference drug and CP oil was tested as both preventive and curative treatments. Animals' behaviour was assessed through the Morris water maze (MWM), novel object preference (NOR), and conditioned avoidance (CA) tests. Oxidative stress parameters, bioamine concentration (dopamine, noradrenaline, and 5-hydroxytryptamine), nerve growth factor (NGF), interleukin-6 (IL-6), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-кB), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) were estimated. Synaptophysin immunohistochemistry was performed. RESULTS: Our results showed that CP oil ameliorated behavioural deficits. It reduced latency to find a hidden platform in MWM. Reduced novel object exploration time and discrimination index (p < 0.05) in the NOR. Reduced step-down latency and normalized conditioned avoidance response (p < 0.001) in the CA test. CP oil increased dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione, and catalase levels. It decreased malondialdehyde (MDA), acetylcholinesterase activity, IL-6, NF-кB (P < 0.001), TNFα, and NGF levels. Treatment showed approximate typical reactivity to synaptophysin. CONCLUSION: Our data is suggestive that CP oil treatment improves behavioural test outcomes, increases biogenic amine concentration, and decreases acetylcholinesterase activity, and neuroinflammatory biomarkers. It also restores synaptic plasticity. It thus improves cognitive functions against scopolamine-induced amnesia in rats by improving cholinergic function.

Antitumor effects of polyphenol-rich extract of Euphoria longana seed by vascular endothelial growth factor and transforming growth factor-beta signaling inhibition in experimentally induced oral cancer in rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Oral cancers are found to have high risk in South Central Asia due to exposure of various risk factors. Euphoria longana Lam. (EL) has been traditionally used to relieve insomnia, prevent amnesia, and treat palpitation. In addition, EL has been reported to have anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and antioxidant activities. The investigation was aimed to evaluate the mechanism of action and antitumor activity of polyphenol-rich EL seeds extract against oral cancer induced by 4-Nitroquinoline-1-oxide (4-NQO). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seven groups of Sprague-Dawley rats were formulated: normal animals, oral cancer induced with 4-NQO, EL-treated normal control, EL-treated disease control from 0-day, EL-treated disease control from 60 days, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-treated disease control from day 60, and combined EL- and 5-FU-treated disease control animals from day 60. The animal tongue was smeared with 0.5% 4-NQO at frequency of thrice a week for 12 weeks to induce oral cancer. At the end of treatment, excised tongues were used for biochemical and tumour-specific parameters along with histopathology assessment. RESULTS: Treatment with EL, 5-FU, and combination of both in diseased animals exhibited significant improvement in interleukin-6, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-ß) levels, antioxidant status together with histoarchitecture of the tongue tissue. In addition, the combination of both was slightly more effective than EL and 5-FU alone. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest antitumor activity of Euphoria longana Lam. Extract against 4-NQO induced oral cancer in rats, which could be attributed to alteration in the VEGF and TGF-ß signaling axis.

Alzheimer's disease: a scoping review of biomarker research and development for effective disease diagnosis.

INTRODUCTION: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is regarded as the foremost reason for neurodegeneration that prominently affects the geriatric population. Characterized by extracellular accumulation of amyloid-beta (Aß), intracellular aggregation of hyperphosphorylated tau (p-tau), and neuronal degeneration that causes impairment of memory and cognition. Amyloid/tau/neurodegeneration (ATN) classification is utilized for research purposes and involves amyloid, tau, and neuronal injury staging through MRI, PET scanning, and CSF protein concentration estimations. CSF sampling is invasive, and MRI and PET scanning requires sophisticated radiological facilities which limit its widespread diagnostic use. ATN classification lacks effectiveness in preclinical AD. AREAS COVERED: This publication intends to collate and review the existing biomarker profile and the current research and development of a new arsenal of biomarkers for AD pathology from different biological samples, microRNA (miRNA), proteomics, metabolomics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning for AD screening, diagnosis, prognosis, and monitoring of AD treatments. EXPERT OPINION: It is an accepted observation that AD-related pathological changes occur over a long period of time before the first symptoms are observed providing ample opportunity for detection of biological alterations in various biological samples that can aid in early diagnosis and modify treatment outcomes.

Usage trends for memory and vitality-enhancing medicines: A pharmacoepidemiological study involving pharmacists of the Gujarat region.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to explore the trends and rationale of use of memory and vitality-enhancing medicines (MVEM) in the Gujarat region. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective pharmacoepidemiological study involving pharmacists of Gujarat region was carried out in the year 2005. Pharmacists (n = 351) working in general and Ayurvedic medical stores were selected from 12 districts of Gujarat region. The pharmacists were explained about the objective of the study and were given a pretested, validated questionnaire. OUTCOME MEASURES: The questionnaire included the questions regarding herbal MVEM used most commonly, percentage sale of herbal MVEM - sold with or without prescriptions - age group of patients and professional groups who used these drugs most commonly. RESULTS: The number of individuals using MVEM was highest in the age group of 11-20 years (17.54%), followed by the 21-40 years group (17.12%), supporting the results that the professional group of students (17.29%) and the persons of business or service class (15.29%) are the highest users of these medicines. Evaluation of various constituents in the marketed polyherbal MVEM revealed that Brahmi (Bacopa monniera), Shankhpushpi (Evolvulus alsinoides), Ashwangandha (Withania somnifera), Jatamansi (Nardostychos jatamansi), Vacha (Acorus calamus) and Amla (Phyllanthus emblica) were the common ingredients in the polyherbal preparations. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights commonly used Ayurvedic medicines that can be explored for safely enhancing memory and vitality performance. Hence, detailed and scientifically designed research on these drugs would help to identify safe and effective drugs for enhancing the same.