A computational approach to discover antioxidant and anti-inflammatory attributes of silymarin derived from Silybum marianum by comparison with hydroxytyrosol.

Medicinal plants possess therapeutic potential for reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated cellular damage. Hydroxytyrosol is one of the most potent antioxidants that served as control in the current study, including other synthetic antioxidants to computationally identify the antioxidant properties of Silymarin. The sequences of the receptors IκB kinase (IKK), Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap-1) and mitochondrial transcription factor A (Tfam) were retrieved from UniProtKB and homology modeling was performed using Swiss-Model server. Thereof the molecular docking and dynamic simulation studies were performed using Schrödinger's software version 11.5. From the current study, it was reported that on comparison of the binding energy of silymarin, hydroxytyrosol, α-tocopherol, ascorbic acid, butylated hydroxy anisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), Silymarin exhibited better affinities with IKK receptor followed by Hydroxytyrosol suggesting it as the best or comparable of all other known antioxidants that could potentially suppress inflammation and other diseases. Also, Silymarin exhibited poorest binding affinity with Tfam promoting mitochondrial biogenesis, thereby scavenging ROS. However, with Keap-1, Silymarin is ranked 4th in the list, whereas hydroxytyrosol exhibited highest binding affinity to release oxidative stress. The stability of docked complexes made us conclude that Silymarin has comparable antioxidant properties to hydroxytyrosol, better anti-inflammatory potential and mitochondrial biogenesis enhancing properties to ultimately reduce oxidative stress. Now it can be tested further for in vitro or in vivo studies as potential drug against oxidative insult.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

The Sclerotherapy-An Efficacious Approach in the Management of Vascular Lesions and Pyogenic Granuloma: Case Series with Literature Review.

Sclerotherapy is a targeted elimination of small vessels, varicose veins, and vascular anomalies by the injection of a sclerosant. Sclerotherapy aims to damage the vessel wall and transform it into fibrous tissue. The present study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of a sclerosing agent 3% polidocanol in the treatment of vascular lesions and pyogenic granuloma. The solution was injected intralesionally at multiple sites and was repeated after an interval of 2 weeks. The treatment effect was determined by clinical examination. Sclerotherapy with 3% polidocanol is effective in the treatment of vascular lesions and pyogenic granuloma. This treatment modality offers an alternative to conventional methods such as surgical excision, laser therapy, cryotherapy, steroid therapy, etc., in cases where conservative treatment is preferable. The advantage is that it causes minimal discomfort, negligible blood loss, less cumbersome, and above all is economical. There is no requirement of local anesthesia or postoperative dressings or any specific care. The patient can resume his daily activities immediately.