Ultrastructural and hormonal changes in rat cauda epididymal spermatozoa induced by Boswellia papyrifera and Boswellia carterii

Boswellia papyrifera and Boswellia carterii diffuses smoke polluting air that adversely affects indoor environment that certainly harm human health. Therefore, this study aims at ascertaining the effect of these plants on gonadal hormones and molecular changes in rat spermatozoa. The animals were exposed to 4 g/kg body weight of B. papyrifera and B. carterii daily for 120 days along with suitable controls. Significant decreases in FSH, LH and testosterone levels were evidenced, along with a reduction of protein, sialic acid, and carnitine levels. In sperm physiology, sperm count, motility, speed decrease, whereas sperm anomalies increase. TEM observation indicates morphological changes in plasma and acrosomal membranes, cytoplasmic droplet in the tail region, vacuolated, and disorganization of the mitochondrial sheath. These findings demonstrate that B. papyrifera and B. carterii smoke affects the process of sperm formation and maturation, which indicates the detrimental effects of these plants on the reproductive system.     

Rational design of biodegradable sulphonamide candidates treating septicaemia by synergistic dual inhibition of COX-2/PGE2 axis and DHPS enzyme

A new series of co-drugs was designed based on hybridising the dihydropteroate synthase (DHPS) inhibitor sulphonamide scaffold with the COX-2 inhibitor salicylamide pharmacophore through biodegradable linkage to achieve compounds with synergistic dual inhibition of COX-2/PGE2 axis and DHPS enzyme to enhance antibacterial activity for treatment of septicaemia. Compounds 5 b, 5j, 5n and 5o demonstrated potent in vitro COX-2 inhibitory activity comparable to celecoxib. 5j and 5o exhibited ED₅₀ lower than celecoxib in carrageenan-induced paw edoema test with % PGE2 inhibition higher than celecoxib. Furthermore, 5 b, 5j and 5n showed gastric safety profile like celecoxib. Moreover, in vivo antibacterial screening revealed that, 5j showed activity against S.aureus and E.coli higher than sulfasalazine. While, 5o revealed activity against E.coli higher than sulfasalazine and against S.aureus comparable to sulfasalazine. Compound 5j achieved the target goal as potent inhibitor of COX-2/PGE2 axis and in vivo broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against induced septicaemia in mice.     

Profiling the Lipophilic Fractions of Pithecellobium dulce Bark and Leaves Using GC/MS and Evaluation of Their Antioxidant,Antimicrobial and Cytotoxic Activities

Pithecellobium dulce has been used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments owing to its restorative properties. The biological activities and chemical profiles of the lipophilic fraction of P. dulce bark and leaves were assessed herein. Fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) and unsaponifiable matter (USM) were prepared and analyzed by GC/MS. A total of 40 compounds were identified in the bark saponifiable fraction, whereas 9 compounds were annotated in the leaves. Palmitic acid methyl ester was the major compound identified accounting for 41.48 % of the bark and 19.03 % of the leaves composition. Besides, linolenic acid methyl ester (22.40 %) and linoleic acid (12.69 %) were annotated in the leaves saponifiable fraction. A total of 63 compounds were detected in the bark USM and 4 compounds were identified in the leaves. Phytol represented the major component in the leaves (52.57 %) followed by lupeol (20.68 %) and lupenone (8.60 %). Meanwhile, n‐dodecane dominated in the bark USM accounting for 24.69 % of the total composition. The leaves and bark lipophilic fractions revealed moderate antioxidant and antibacterial activities. Both extracts showed no antifungal activity. No cytotoxicity was observed for both lipophilic fractions. P. dulce offers a good source of antioxidant compounds that can be introduced to food and pharmaceutical industry.     

Association of Allergic Symptoms with Dengue Infection and Severity: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

The relationship between the severity of dengue infection and allergy is still obscure. We conducted an electronic search across 12 databases for relevant articles reporting allergic symptoms, dengue infection, and dengue classification. These studies were categorized according to dengue severity and allergy symptoms, and a meta-analysis was performed by pooling the studies in each category. Among the included 57 articles, pruritus was the most common allergic sign followed by non-specified allergy and asthma(28.6%, 13%, and 6.5%, respectively). Despite the reported significant association of dengue with pruritus and total Ig E level(P \ 0.05), in comparison with non-dengue cases and healthy controls, there was no association between the different severe dengue group with pruritus, skin allergy, food allergy or asthma. However,removing the largest study revealed a significant association between asthma with dengue hemorrhagic fever(DHF) rather than dengue fever(DF). In comparison with DF, DHF was associated with Ig E positivity. Furthermore, specific-Ig E level was higher in secondary DF rather than primary DF. There was a possible association between allergy symptoms and dengue severity progression. Further studies are needed to clarify this association.     

Automatic methods for characterization of sexual dimorphism of adult femora: distal femur

Quantifying sex differences in femoral size and shape has extensive applications in forensics and prosthesis design. By applying strong statistical techniques such as principal component analysis (PCA), certain three-dimensional (3D) morphological variations of adult femora can be quantified over various femoral sizes. Coupling this statistical approach with a novel feature generation and extraction technique, localization of statistically significant (p < 0.05) features are automatically defined and measured. Also, predefined anatomical landmarks and surgical axes have been calculated automatically. In all methods, femoral scale is controlled as a possible parameter of shape. By extensively comparing measurements across 92 male and 74 female femora, the dimorphic characteristics of the distal femur are shown. These differences have not been accounted for in many prosthetic systems and consequently these systems have limited sizing accuracy.     

Spectrofluorimetric determination of certain biologically active phenothiazines in commercial dosage forms and human plasma

A validated simple and sensitive spectrofluorimetric method was developed for the determination of chlorpromazine hydrochloride, promethazine hydrochloride, trifluperazine hydrochloride, thioridazine hydrochloride, perazine maleate and oxomemazine. The method was based on condensation of malonic acid/acetic anhydride (MAA) under the catalytic effect of the tertiary amine moiety of the studied phenothiazines to provide a deep yellow to brown colour with green florescence. Relative fluorescence intensity of the products was measured at λ_exc 398 nm and λ_em 432 nm. Different variables affecting the reaction were studied and optimized. The method was successfully applied for the determination of the studied drugs in commercial dosage forms. The lower detection limits allowed the application of this method for the determination of the compounds in plasma as an example of a biological fluid. In addition, the method was considered specific for the determination of tertiary amines in the presence of primary and secondary amines; as a result, it was deemed suitable for the determination of the cited drugs in the presence of their degradation products resulting from N‐dealkylation or oxidation of the corresponding sulphoxides or sulphones. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Selective Synthesis and Structure of 6-Arylvinyl-2- and 4-Glucosyl-1,2,4-triazines of Expected Interesting Biological Activity

Abstract

The 6-β-arylvinyl-2- and 4-glucosyl-3-thioxo-2,3-dihydro-1,2,4-triazin-5(4H)-ones were synthesized with high selectivity using the recently developed amino protecting group strategy. The structure of these new glucosides was established chemically and spectroscopically. Also, some interesting chemical transformations and rearrangements were observed.     

Effect of Low-Level Laser on Some Metals Related to Redox State and Histological Alterations in the Liver and Kidney of Irradiated Rats

Biological Trace Element Research - This report explains the employing of a combination test of traditional cell culture with a quantitative real-time PCR for assessment of the antiviral effect of...     

Chlorogenic acid prevents hepatotoxicity in arsenic-treated mice: role of oxidative stress and apoptosis

Molecular Biology Reports - Arsenic is a potent and toxic heavy metal found in the environment that causes health problems, including liver disease, in humans and animals. Chlorogenic acid (CA) is...