Two new taxa of Pogostemon (Lamiaceae) from India

Kumar, V. S. & Sharma, B. D. 1995. Two new taxa of Pogostemon (Lamiaceae) from India. - Nord. J. Bot. 15: 163–166. Copenhagen. ISSN 0107–055X.
A new species Pogostemon hedgei and a new variety P. speciosus var. filiformis , are described from South India. Both belong to sect. Pogostemon .     

Osteogenic protein-1, a bone morphogenic protein member of the TGF-β superfamily,shares chemotactic but not fibrogenic properties with TGF-β

We have previously shown that recombinant human osteogenic protein-1 (rhOP-1), a bone morphogenetic protein member of the TGF-β superfamily, can induce new bone formation when implanted with an appropriate carrier at subcutaneous sites in rats and can restore completely large diaphyseal segmental defects in laboratory animals. The role of OP-1 in the early events of bone induction viz, chemotaxis of phagocytic leukocytes, and fibroblastic mesenchymal cells is currently unknown. In the present study, we examined the effect of rhOP-1 on chemotaxis of phagocytic leukocytes (human neutrophils and monocytes) and fibroblastic mesenchymal cells (infant foreskin fibroblasts). Since OP-1 is structurally related to TGF-β1, we assessed the effects of OP-1 on several other fibroblast functions (in addition to chemotaxis) known to be modulated by TGF-β1. Our results demonstrated that rhOP-1, like TGF-β1, is a potent chemoattractant for human neutrophils, monocytes, and fibroblasts. However, in contrast to TGF-β1, OP-1 does not to stimulate fibroblast mitogenesis, matrix synthesis [collagen and hyaluronic acid (hyaluronan)], or production of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP), i.e., fibroblast functions associated with fibrogenesis. These results clearly demonstrate a dichotomy between these two members of the TGF-β superfamily with regard to fibrogenic effects on fibroblasts but a similarity in their chemotactic properties. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Potential roles of myoglobin autoxidation in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury.

The source(s) of reactive partially reduced oxygen species associated with myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury remain unclear and controversial. Myoglobin has not been viewed as a participant but is present in relatively high concentrations in heart muscle and, even under normal conditions, undergoes reactions that generate met (Fe3+) species and also superoxide, hydrogen peroxide, and other oxidants, albeit slowly. The degree to which the decrease in pH and the freeing of copper ions, as well as the variations in pO2 associated with ischemia and reperfusion increase the rates of such myoglobin reactions has been investigated. Solutions of extensively purified myoglobin from bovine heart in 50 mM sodium phosphate buffer were examined at 37 degrees C. Sufficiently marked rate increases were observed to indicate that reactions of myoglobin can indeed contribute substantially to the oxidant stress associated with ischemia/reperfusion injury in myocardial tissues. These findings provide additional targets for therapeutic interventions.     

Effects of textile dye stuff effluent on food utilization of Cyprinus carpio (Linn.)

Dye stuff effluent at 15% caused 100% mortality within 24 hr; 96 hr LC50 value being 10% concentration. Prolonged exposure of C. carpio to chosen sublethal concentrations (1, 3, 5, 7 or 9%) reduced the food intake and increased the maintenance cost. Exposure also caused significant reduction in growth rate and conversion efficiency; these values averaged to 11 mg/g/day and 28% in the control group (0% concentration) respectively and decreased to 0.8 mg/g/day and 4% respectively at 9% concentration.     

Dexamethasone induced alterations in the levels of proteases involved in blood pressure homeostasis and blood coagulation in rats

This study was designed to investigate the alterations in the levels of various proteases such as anglotensin converting enzyme (ACE), kallikrein, aminopeptidases, urokinase and plasmin in serum-heart and kidney and to find out whether the changes in the levels of these enzymes could explain the pathogenests of hypertension induced by Dexamethasone (Dex). Dex was administered to Male Wistar rats (180-200 g body weight) at a dosage of 2.5 mg/kg/week subcutaneously on alternate days for 2 weeks. One more week was included in this investigation to oversee the recovery process. Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) showed significant elevation during administration and after withdrawal of Dex. The levels of enzymes such as angtotens'm converting enzyme, carboxypeptidase-N and leucine ammopeptidase were found to be elevated in serum as well as in tissues. The level of kallikrein was observed to decrease in serum and tissues and that of thrombin, plasmin and uroldnase exhibited variations. Thus, treatment with Dex altered the levels of these proteases which might have a role in the pathogenesis of hypertension and in altered blood coagulation.     

C-Dimethylated Flavones as Possible Potential Anti-Tubercular and Anticancer Agents.

The present investigation describes an intramolecular Oxa-Michael addition of penta-substituted phenols to the enone of the tether in the presence of iodine as the oxidizing agent. Ten C-Dimethylated flavones with moderate to good yields ( 10a – j , 60–89 %) were isolated by heating the corresponding C-dimethylated chalcones using iodine in DMSO. Using the Microplate Alamar Blue test (MABA) technique, the drugs′ quantitative drug susceptibility against the H37Rv strain of replicating Mycobacterium TB was determined. The sensitivity of two of the developed compounds ( 10e , 10h ) was up to 6.25 g/mL. The human lung adenocarcinoma cell lines (A549) were used in the anticancer study, which was carried out using the MTT cell proliferation assay. In A549 cell lines, four flavones demonstrated anticancer activity with IC₅₀ values between 39 and 48 μM. The C-dimethylated flavones, 10b (3,4-dimethoxy), 10c (2,3,4-trimethoxy), 10e (p-fluoro) and 10 g (N-methyl indole) substitutions on ring ‘B’ showed good anticancer activity with IC₅₀ values 39.17, 39.21, 48.43 and 43.48 μM, respectively. The compounds 10b , 10c , 10d , 10e , and 10i had improved binding and interaction profiles among all the compounds examined during the current In Silico research, as shown by the docking simulations against two targets EGFR and MTB MurI.