The Removal of Binary Mixture of Dyes by Heterogeneous Fenton Oxidation: Kinetics, Product Identification and Toxicity Assessment.

The removal of mixture of two azo dyes, Acid blue 29 and Ponceau xylidine, was studied by heterogeneous Fenton and Fenton-type processes using hydrogen peroxide and sodium persulphate as oxidants in the presence of and nano and micro- particles as catalysts. The synthesised nano- particles were characterised using analytical techniques viz. FT-IR, TEM, EDX, powder XRD and VSM. We have examined the effects of particle size on the COD removal efficiency and the reusability of the catalyst after optimising pH, and concentrations of catalyst and oxidant. Combination of nano-  and hydrogen peroxide possessed higher COD removal efficiency, which was accelerated in acidic pH and inhibited at pH > 6. Total consumption of hydrogen peroxide confirmed the efficiency of the optimised parameters. The mechanism of the formation of intermediate ions and products are proposed. COD removal and consumption of hydrogen peroxide follow pseudo-first-order kinetics. The toxicity of the solutions was assessed using Aliivibrio fischeri light loss and Escherichia coli growth inhibition assays. Both the assays showed different toxicity levels for the same solution.

Patterns of tobacco and e-cigarette use status in India: a cross-sectional survey of 3000 vapers in eight Indian cities.

BACKGROUND: Tobacco smoking is one of the biggest and avoidable public health threats in the world, especially in low- and middle-income countries. India represents a highly complex public health environment due to the large number of smokers and complexities arising from tobacco use in different forms, including a variety of smokeless tobacco (SLT) products. Electronic cigarettes, an alternative nicotine delivery system with significantly less harmful emissions than smoke, could be an option for those who are unable to achieve smoking abstinence using other available means. This study, which we believe is the first of this kind in India, was conducted to obtain data on the characteristics and tobacco use profile of e-cigarette users (vapers) in India. METHODS: An interview-based survey was performed in the 8 largest metropolitan cities in India using a convenience sampling approach involving a total of 3000 subjects. Inclusion criteria were being a current e-cigarette user and aged 18 years or more. Interviewers were asked to continue recruitment until a total sample of 375 was reached in each target city. RESULTS: A total of 3000 vapers (81.4% males and 18.6% females, median age 29 years) participated to the study. The majority (80%) were first exposed to nicotine via tobacco smoking, SLT use, or both. Most of the subjects (79%) believed that e-cigarettes were less harmful than smoking. The vast majority of smokers (71.3%) reported smoking cessation (30.0%) or reduction in consumption (41.3%) with the help of e-cigarettes. Similar changes were observed in SLT users. Participants reported minimal side effects and some health benefits after e-cigarette use initiation. CONCLUSION: Indian vapers who participated to this study were predominantly smokers and SLT users before e-cigarette use initiation, with the majority subsequently quitting or reducing tobacco use. Minimal side effects of e-cigarette were experienced, while some health benefits were also reported.

Phytochemicals of Aristolochia tagala and Curcuma caesia exert anticancer effect by tumor necrosis factor-α-mediated decrease in nuclear factor kappaB binding activity.

RATIONALE: The active compounds or metabolites of herbal plants exert a definite physiological action on the human body and thus are widely used in human therapy for various diseases including cancer. Previous studies by our group have reported the anticarcinogenic properties of the two herbal plants extracts (HPE) of Aristolochia tagala (AT) Cham. and Curcuma caesia (CC) Roxb. in diethylnitrosamine-induced mouse liver cancer in vivo. The anticarcinogenic properties of these extracts may be due to the active compounds present in them. OBJECTIVES: Our objective was to analyze the phytochemical constituents present in AT and CC, to assay their antioxidant properties and to determine their role in a possible intervention on tumor progression. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Qualitative and quantitative analysis of constituent with anticancer properties present in the crude methanol extract of the two plants CC and AT was carried out following standard methods. Separation of the phytochemical compounds was done by open column chromatography. The extracts were eluted out with gradients of chloroform-methanol solvents. Ultraviolet-visible spectra of individual fractions were recorded, and the fractions were combined based on their λmax. The free radical scavenging activity of crude extracts and fractions obtained was also determined; the radical scavenging activity was expressed as IC50. High-performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) analysis of fractionated compounds was carried out to identify partially the phytochemical compounds. The anti-inflammatory and anticancer activity of AT and CC extracts was studied in DEN induced BALB/c mice by analyzing the tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels in serum and the nuclear factor kappaB (NF-κB) binding activity in nuclear extracts of the liver. RESULTS: It was observed that both AT and CC contained compounds such as phenolics, tannins, flavonoids, terpenoids, etc., and both extracts exhibited antioxidant capacity. HPTLC analysis revealed the presence of phenolic compounds in CC and indicated the presence of anthocynidin 3-glycosides, 6-hydroxylated flavonols, some flavones and chalcone glycosides in AT and also confirmed the presence of compounds such as terpenes, phenols, steroids, and other organic compounds in CC and presence of flavonoids in AT. In vivo studies carried out in BALB/c mice showed that exposure to DEN caused an increase in TNF-α and NF-κB binding activity. The HPE (CC or AT) was seen to revert this effect. CONCLUSIONS: The current paper documents the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activity of the two extracts probably through TNF-α-mediated decrease in NF-κB binding activity. The active components of AT and CC may act as the potential anticancer agents in hepatocellular carcinoma and warrants further investigation.

Inhibitory potential of methanolic extracts of Aristolochia tagala and Curcuma caesia on hepatocellular carcinoma induced by diethylnitrosamine in BALB/c mice.

CONTEXT: Aristolochia tagala (AT) and Curcuma caesia (CC) have been used traditionally by local herbal practitioners for cancer treatment and as chief ingredients of many polyherbal formulations for various types of ailments. However, there is void in scientific study to evaluate their anti-cancer property. AIMS: The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-carcinogenic properties of the crude methanolic extracts of roots of AT and rhizomes of CC in BALB/c mice exposed to a hepatocarcinogen, diethylnitrosamine (DEN). SETTINGS AND DESIGN: (I) Toxicity of herbal plant extracts (HPE); (II) Anticancer studies; (III) Histological studies; and (IV) Biochemical studies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To evaluate the effects of these two HPE either alone or following DEN exposure, serum transaminases (aspartate aminotransferase [AST], alanine aminotransferase [ALT]), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and cancer marker enzyme acetylcholine esterase (AChE) were assayed in mice. In addition, histological study was also carried out under similar conditions. The antioxidant potentials of the HPE were evaluated by monitoring the activity of antioxidant enzymes and metabolites, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione (GSH). STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Statistical analysis was performed by GraphPad Prism 6 Software using one-way analysis of variance followed by the Tukey's multiple comparisons test. Significance was set at P < 0.05. RESULTS: Our findings show that DEN administration elevated AST, ALT, ALP, and AChE activities. CC or AT extracts attenuated the increased activities of these marker enzymes. The activities of antioxidant enzymes, which were decreased following DEN administration, were significantly increased in mice treated with CC or AT. CONCLUSIONS: The present study clearly documents anticarcinogenic and antioxidant properties of AT and CC in DEN-induced mouse liver cancer in vivo.

Dimethylnitrosamine-induced reduction in the level of poly-ADP-ribosylation of histone proteins of blood lymphocytes--a sensitive and reliable biomarker for early detection of cancer.

Poly-ADP-ribosylation (PAR) is a post-translational modification of mainly chromosomal proteins. It is known to be strongly involved in several molecular events, including nucleosome-remodelling and carcinogenesis. In this investigation, it was attempted to evaluate PAR level as a reliable biomarker for early detection of cancer in blood lymphocyte histones. PAR of isolated histone proteins was monitored in normal and dimethylnitrosamine (DMN)-exposed mice tissues using a novel ELISA-based immuno-probe assay developed in our laboratory. An inverse relationship was found between the level of PAR and period of DMN exposure in various histone proteins of blood lymphocytes and spleen cells. With the increase in the DMN exposure period, there was reduction in the PAR level of individual histones in both cases. It was also observed that the decrease in the level of PAR of histones resulted in progressive relaxation of genomic DNA, perhaps triggering activation of genes that are involved in initiation of transformation. The observed effect of carcinogen on the PAR of blood lymphocyte histones provided us with a handy tool for monitoring biochemical or physiological status of individuals exposed to carcinogens without obtaining biopsies of cancerous tissues, which involves several medical and ethical issues. Obtaining blood from any patient and separating blood lymphocytes are routine medical practices involving virtually no medical intervention, post-procedure medical care or trauma to a patient. Moreover, the immuno-probe assay is very simple, sensitive, reliable and cost-effective. Therefore, combined with the ease of preparation of blood lymphocytes and the simplicity of the technique, immuno-probe assay of PAR has the potential to be applied for mass screening of cancer. It appears to be a promising step in the ultimate goal of making cancer detection simple, sensitive and reliable in the near future.

Aqueous extract of betel nut-induced adducts on pMTa4 DNA acquires stability in the presence of Na+ and K+ ions.

Betel nut (BN), a natural carcinogen to humans, is used as a masticator across the globe by a large segment of the human population. The primary carcinogens of BN are alkaloids, in particular arecoline. Upon nitrosation, arecoline can potentially interact with DNA, forming adducts and initiating carcinogenesis. Though considerable evidence exists in support of the carcinogenicity of BN, the molecular mechanism of its induction of carcinogenesis is unknown. This investigation was undertaken to directly demonstrate adduct formation on DNA and to study its characteristics, such as its frequency of formation and stability. A plasmid DNA construct, pMTa4, was chosen to determine the stoichiometry and dynamics of adduct formation. This construct was exposed to aqueous extract of betel nut (AEBN) in vitro and in vivo and analyzed. Spectrophotometric analysis revealed a significant red shift in the pMTa4 DNA spectrum. The gel electrophoretic mobility of pMTa4 DNA was also retarded in an AEBN dose- and exposure time-dependent manner, indicating BN-specific adduct formation on the DNA. These results conclusively demonstrate that adducts are formed on DNA by BN extract, and suggest that one AEBN-induced adduct was formed every 3 NT on pMTa4 DNA under the experimental conditions. Trace amounts of monovalent cations, such as Na+ or K+ ion (≥0.5 mmol), conferred stability to the adducts on DNA, which were otherwise unstable beyond 24 h.