Crab Pentapeptide and Its Anti-inflammatory Activity on Macrophage Cells

International Journal of Peptide Research and Therapeutics - Marine fishes have long been known due to their nutritional and pharmaceutical importance. In this study, marine crab (C. natator) body...     

Trace Element Determination and Cardioprotection of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Terminalia pallida</Emphasis> Fruit Ethanolic Extract in Isoproterenol Induced Myocardial Infarcted Rats by ICP-MS

The trace elements and minerals in Terminalia pallida fruit ethanolic extract (TpFE) were determined by the instrument inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and the cardioprotection of TpFE against isoproterenol (ISO)-administered rats was studied. Rats were pretreated with TpFE (100, 300, and 500 mg/kg bw) for 30 days, with concurrent administration of ISO (85 mg/kg bw) for two consecutive days. The levels of trace elements and minerals in TpFE were below the permitted limits of World Health Organization standards. ISO administration significantly increased the heart weight and cardiac marker enzymes in serum, xanthine oxidase, sodium, and calcium in the heart, whereas significantly decreased body weight, reduced glutathione, glutathione-S-transferase, superoxide dismutase, and potassium in the heart. Oral pretreatment of TpFE significantly prevented the ISO-induced alterations. This is the first report that revealed the determination of trace elements and mineral nutrients of TpFE by ICP-MS which plays a principal role in the herbal drug discovery for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.     

Affinity of Tau antibodies for solubilized pathological Tau species but not their immunogen or insoluble Tau aggregates predicts in vivo and ex vivo efficacy

Background

A few tau immunotherapies are now in clinical trials with several more likely to be initiated in the near future. A priori, it can be anticipated that an antibody which broadly recognizes various pathological tau aggregates with high affinity would have the ideal therapeutic properties. Tau antibodies 4E6 and 6B2, raised against the same epitope region but of varying specificity and affinity, were tested for acutely improving cognition and reducing tau pathology in transgenic tauopathy mice and neuronal cultures.

Results

Surprisingly, we here show that one antibody, 4E6, which has low affinity for most forms of tau acutely improved cognition and reduced soluble phospho-tau, whereas another antibody, 6B2, which has high affinity for various tau species was ineffective. Concurrently, we confirmed and clarified these efficacy differences in an ex vivo model of tauopathy. Alzheimer’s paired helical filaments (PHF) were toxic to the neurons and increased tau levels in remaining neurons. Both toxicity and tau seeding were prevented by 4E6 but not by 6B2. Furthermore, 4E6 reduced PHF spreading between neurons. Interestingly, 4E6’s efficacy relates to its high affinity binding to solubilized PHF, whereas the ineffective 6B2 binds mainly to aggregated PHF. Blocking 4E6's uptake into neurons prevented its protective effects if the antibody was administered after PHF had been internalized. When 4E6 and PHF were administered at the same time, the antibody was protective extracellularly.

Conclusions

Overall, these findings indicate that high antibody affinity for solubilized PHF predicts efficacy, and that acute antibody-mediated improvement in cognition relates to clearance of soluble phospho-tau. Importantly, both intra- and extracellular clearance pathways are in play. Together, these results have major implications for understanding the pathogenesis of tauopathies and for development of immunotherapies.

     

Synthesis and characterization of starch based bioplatics using varying plant-based ingredients,plasticizers and natural fillers

With the ever-increasing demand of plastics in the world and their consequent disastrous effects on environment, a suitable environmental-friendly substitute like bioplastics/biodegradable plastics is the need time. This study centers on green-production of a variety of bioplastic samples from (1) banana peel starch (BPP) and (2) a composite of banana peel starch, cornstarch and rice starch (COM) with varying amounts of potato peel powder and wood dust powder as fillers, respectively. Two different plasticizers – Glycerol and Sorbitol – have been utilized separately and in a 1:1 combination. A total of 12 samples of each of two types of bioplastics were made using multiple amounts and combinations of the fillers and plasticizers, to test the differences in the physical and chemical characteristics (moisture content, absorption of water, solubility in water, solubility in alcohol, biodegradation in soil, tensile strength, Young’s modulus and FT-IR) of the produced samples due to their different compositions. The differences in the properties of the bioplastic samples produced make them suitable for usage in many different applications. All 24 of the samples produced were synthesized using natural and environmentally safe raw material and showed biodegradation, thus proving to be a good alternative to the conventional plastics.     

BAD,a Proapoptotic Protein,Escapes ERK/RSK Phosphorylation in Deguelin and siRNA-Treated HeLa Cells

This study has been undertaken to explore the therapeutic effects of deguelin and specific siRNAs in HeLa cells. The data provided clearly show the silencing of ERK 1/2 with siRNAs and inhibition of ERK1/2 with deguelin treatment in HeLa cells. Additionally, we are providing information that deguelin binds directly to anti-apoptotic Bcl-2, Bcl-xl and Mcl-1 in the hydrophobic grooves, thereby releasing BAD and BAX from dimerization with these proteins. This results in increased apoptotic activity through the intrinsic pathway involved in rupture of mitochondrial membrane and release of cytochrome C. Evidence for inhibition of ERK1/2 by deguelin and escape of BAD phosphorylation at serine 112 through ERK/RSK pathway has been further fortified by obtaining similar results by silencing ERK 1/2 each with specific siRNAs. Increase in BAD after treatment with deguelin or siRNAs has been interpreted to mean that deguelin acts through several alternative pathways and therefore can be used as effective therapeutic agent.     

Development of tumor lysis syndrome (TLS): A potential risk factor in cancer patients receiving anticancer therapy

Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) is characterized by hyperuricaemia, hyperphosphatemia, hyperkalaemia, as well as hypocalcaemia due to the breakdown of tumor cells undergoing cancer therapy (chemo/radio). Therefore it is of interest to evaluate oxidative stress using selective biological markers [Malondialdehyde (MDA), Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Glutathione (GSH) and Catalase (CAT)] in TLS. We report the marked differences (statistically significant with control) observed among a selected set of biomarkers of oxidative stress (MDA = 8.66±1.37; SOD = 0.15±0.11; GSH = 2.25±.77; CAT = 0.76±.57) in TLS patients in addition to other conventional biomarkers. Moreover, correlation was investigated among the parameters of oxidative stress and other circulating biomarkers of TLS. Data suggest the use of SOD, MDA, and GSH as potential diagnostic biomarker for TLS with other biomarkers.     

Suppressive effect of Withania somnifera root powder on experimental gouty arthritis: An in vivo and in vitro study

The effect of Withania somnifera L. Dunal root powder on paw volume and serum lysosomal enzyme activities was investigated in monosodium urate crystal-induced rats. The levels of beta-glucuronidase and lactate dehydrogenase were also measured in monosodium urate crystal incubated polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMNL). A significant increase in the level of paw volume and serum lysosomal enzymes was observed in monosodium urate crystal-induced rats. The increased beta-glucuronidase and lactate dehydrogenase level were observed in untreated monosodium urate crystal incubated polymorphonuclear leucocytes. On treatment with the W. somnifera root powder (500/1000 mg/kg body weight), the above changes were reverted back to near normal levels. W. somnifera also showed potent analgesic and antipyretic effect with the absence of gastric damage at different dose levels in experimental rats. For comparison purpose, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) indomethacin was used as a standard. These results provide evidence for the suppressive effect of W. somnifera root powder by retarding amplification and propagation of the inflammatory response without causing any gastric damage.     

Investigation of the spectral characteristics of Sm3+ ions in lead borosilicate glass for photonic applications

Different concentrations of Sm₂O₃-doped lead borosilicate glass were synthesized using a melt–quenching method and their characteristics were analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy absorption, emission, and decay curves. From the XRD patterns, the noncrystalline nature of titled glass was confirmed. The structural groups that existed in the host glass were observed from FTIR spectra. The Judd–Ofelt (JO) intensity parameters and oscillator strengths were derived from the absorption spectra and compared with various reported systems. The excitation luminescence levels of the Sm³⁺ ion radiative properties were further computed using the JO intensity parameters. Effective bandwidth, emission cross-sections (σ_e), and several lasing properties were assessed from emission spectra and compared with other reported glass systems. The decay curves of the ⁴G_5/2 level of Sm³⁺ ion were also been measured and examined. Additionally, the colour coordinates of the Commission International de I'Éclairage chromaticity were assessed. The titled glass were suitable for visible reddish orange luminescence devices based on all obtained parameters.