The antidepressant-like effect of Ocimum basilicum in an animal model of depression

We investigated the efficacy of Ocimum basilicum (OB) essential oils for treating depression related behavioral, biochemical and histopathological changes caused by exposure to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) in mice and to explore the mechanism underlying the pathology. Male albino mice were divided into four groups: controls; CUMS; CUMS plus fluoxetine, the antidepressant administered for pharmacological validation of OB; and CUMS plus OB. Behavioral tests included the forced swim test (FST), elevated plus-maze (EPM) and the open ?eld test (OFT); these tests were performed at the end of the experiment. We assessed serum corticosterone level, protein, gene and immunoexpression of brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) and glucocorticoid receptors (GRs) as well as immunoexpression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), Ki67, caspase-3 in the hippocampus. CUMS caused depression in the mice as evidenced by prolonged immobility in the FST, prolonged time spent in the open arms during the EPM test and reduction of open field activity in the OFT. OB ameliorated the CUMS induced depressive status. OB significantly reduced the corticosterone level and up-regulated protein and gene expressions of BDNF and GR. OB reduced CUMS induced hippocampal neuron atrophy and apoptosis, and increased the number of the astrocytes and new nerve cells. OB significantly increased GFAP-positive cells as well as BDNF and GR immunoexpression in the hippocampus.     

Discovery and characterization of [(cyclopentyl)ethyl]benzoic acid inhibitors of microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1

We describe a novel class of acidic mPGES-1 inhibitors with nanomolar enzymatic and human whole blood (HWB) potency. Rational design in conjunction with structure-based design led initially to the identification of anthranilic acid 5, an mPGES-1 inhibitor with micromolar HWB potency. Structural modifications of 5 improved HWB potency by over 1000×, reduced CYP2C9 single point inhibition, and improved rat clearance, which led to the selection of [(cyclopentyl)ethyl]benzoic acid compound 16 for clinical studies. Compound 16 showed an IC₈₀ of 24 nM for inhibition of PGE₂ formation in vitro in LPS-stimulated HWB. A single oral dose resulted in plasma concentrations of 16 that exceeded its HWB IC₈₀ in both rat (5 mg/kg) and dog (3 mg/kg) for over twelve hours.     

Fragment-based discovery of hepatitis C virus NS5b RNA polymerase inhibitors

Non-nucleoside inhibitors of HCV NS5b RNA polymerase were discovered by a fragment-based lead discovery approach, beginning with crystallographic fragment screening. The NS5b binding affinity and biochemical activity of fragment hits and inhibitors was determined by surface plasmon resonance (Biacore) and an enzyme inhibition assay, respectively. Crystallographic fragment screening hits with 1–10 mM binding affinity (K_D) were iteratively optimized to give leads with 200 nM biochemical activity and low μM cellular activity in a Replicon assay.     

Structural bases of PAS domain-regulated kinase (PASK) activation in the absence of activation loop phosphorylation

Per-Arnt-Sim (PAS) domain-containing protein kinase (PASK) is an evolutionary conserved protein kinase that coordinates cellular metabolism with metabolic demand in yeast and mammals. The molecular mechanisms underlying PASK regulation, however, remain unknown. Herein, we describe a crystal structure of the kinase domain of human PASK, which provides insights into the regulatory mechanisms governing catalysis. We show that the kinase domain adopts an active conformation and has catalytic activity in vivo and in vitro in the absence of activation loop phosphorylation. Using site-directed mutagenesis and structural comparison with active and inactive kinases, we identified several key structural features in PASK that enable activation loop phosphorylation-independent activity. Finally, we used combinatorial peptide library screening to determine that PASK prefers basic residues at the P-3 and P-5 positions in substrate peptides. Our results describe the key features of the PASK structure and how those features are important for PASK activity and substrate selection.     

Flt3 ligand (FL) and its influence on immune reactivity

Flt3 (fms-like tyrosine kinase 3) ligand (FL) is a potent hematopoietic cytokine that affects the growth and differentiation of progenitor and stem cells both in vivo and in vitro. Its capacity to augment strikingly the numbers of dendritic cells (rare antigen-presenting cells that induce and regulate immune responses) in mice and humans has stimulated considerable interest in its value as an investigational tool and therapeutic agent. In this review, we survey the hematopoietic properties and immunobiology of FL, and examine its therapeutic potential.     

Preparation of chicken IgY against recombinant E2 protein of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) and development of ELISA and ICA for BVDV detection

Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) infects cattle and may lead to persistent infection (PI). The PI animals harbor BVDV throughout their life and become immune tolerant against BVDV. Thus, diagnosis of this virus in herd is highly important. Recombinant E2 protein expression (using pET-32a in Escherichia coli) was confirmed by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting; then purified by Ni⁺ affinity chromatography. Chickens were immunized with BVDV-E2 protein, and IgY antibodies were extracted from egg yolk by PEG-6000. The peak titer of anti-BVDV-E2-IgY was 1:128,000 after the fifth immunization. IgY-based enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA) and immunochromatographic assay (ICA) were further developed. Coincidence of ELISA and ICA test with RT-PCR was 95.45 and 90.91%, respectively. The anti-BVDV-E2 IgY could be used in routine screening of BVDV infection. Besides, it can also be applicable while licensing and/or using live vaccines; screening of imported products containing bovine serum and strong surveillance of BVDV outbreaks.     

Metal accumulation in two contiguous eutrophic peri-urban lakes,Chivero and Manyame,Zimbabwe

Concentrations of aluminium, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, iron, lead, nickel and zinc were determined in surface water, benthic sediments, and the gills, liver and stomach muscle tissues of Oreochromis niloticus and Clarias gariepinus in peri-urban lakes Chivero and Manyame, Zimbabwe. Five sites were sampled in each lake once per month in November 2015, February, May, August and November 2016. Pollution load index detected no metal contamination, whereas the geo-accumulation index reflected heavy to extreme sediment pollution, with Fe, Cd, Zn, Cr, Ni and Cu present in both lakes. Significant spatial temporal variations were detected for Al, Cr, Cu and Pb across sites within and between the two lakes. High Fe, Al and Cr concentrations in water and sediments in lakes Chivero and Manyame derive from geogenic background sources in addition to anthropogenic loads and intensity. Elevated concentrations of Al, Pb, Cu, Cd, Fe and Zn detected in gills, liver and stomach tissue of catfish corroborate concentrations in water and sediments, and pose the highest ecological and health risk for hydrobionts in lakes Chivero and Manyame. Contiguity of peri-urban lakes exposes them to similar threats, necessitating creative water management strategies, which ensure ecological continuity.