Design, synthesis, and molecular modeling of heterodimer and inhibitors of α-amylase as hypoglycemic agents.

A series of rosiglitazone-based heterodimers were designed and synthesized, and their α-amylase and antioxidant activity was evaluated. The binding mode of the compounds at the active site of PPARγ and α-amylase enzyme was explored using MolDock docking method. In molecular docking studies against crystal structure of PPARγ (PDB code: 1FM6), compounds 10 and 13 showed interaction with amino acids Arg379, Asp379, Asn385, Ala387, Glu388, Val389, Glu390, and Lys438. Docking results of α-amylase enzyme (PDB code: 5EOF) with compounds 10 and 13 showed excellent interaction with amino acids Ala169, Lys172, Asp173, Tyr174, Val175, Arg176, and Lys178. Depending on the docking score, the designed compounds were selectively prioritized for synthesis. All synthesized compounds were subjected to in vitro α-amylase activity and antioxidant activity. Compounds 10 and 13 were to possess higher potency than acarbose, and most of the compounds showed antioxidant activity. Additionally, the most active compound 10 was evaluated for in vivo anti-diabetic activity.

Design, synthesis, docking and anti-inflammatory evaluation of novel series of benzofuran based prodrugs.

Several new benzofuran derivatives were synthesized, via appropriate synthetic route as anti-inflammatory agents. The anti-inflammatory activity of the prepared compounds was evaluated using carrageenan rat model. Among the synthesized compounds, some compounds showed comparable anti-inflammatory activity to nimesulide, the standard drug taken for anti-inflammatory studies. Docking study of the prepared compounds was performed for the study of interaction of molecules with the active site of COX-2. Preliminary biological studies and docking gave an interesting insight, into the validity of employing benzofuran analogues as good anti-inflammatory agent.

Synthesis, biological evaluation and molecular modeling study of pyrazole derivatives as selective COX-2 inhibitors and anti-inflammatory agents.

A novel series of pyrazole derivatives were synthesized and evaluated in vivo for their anti-inflammatory activity in carrageenan-induced rat paw edema model. Among all compounds, 5a, and 5b showed comparable anti-inflammatory activity to Nimesulide, the standard drug taken for the studies. In silico (docking) studies were carried out to investigate the theoretical binding mode of the compounds to target the cyclooxygenase (COX-2) using Autodock 4.2.

The Epidemic Diseases Act (1897): A study of international and domestic pressures on British epidemic policy formation in India.

The Epidemic Diseases Act (EDA) was enacted in February 1897 by the Government of India to prevent and control the spread of the plague. Since then, the Act has become a key legal tool for the control of epidemics/pandemics in India. We attempted to understand the international and domestic pressures that led to the adoption of the EDA in three ways. First, we analyse the legislative structure (Bombay Municipal Act of 1888, Indian Railways Act of 1890, and Act I of 1870) that dealt with infectious or contagious diseases in colonial India before the EDA came into force. Second, we focus on the linkages between international and domestic pressures that necessitated the adoption of the EDA. Third, we analyse the discussions of the Council of the Governor General of India on the bill titled 'A Bill to Provide for the better prevention of the spread of Dangerous Epidemic Diseases', which later became the Epidemic Diseases Act No. III of 1897. We situate the EDA in an international context of International Sanitary Conferences, quarantine, trade concerns, and pilgrimage to Mecca in order to understand the pressures that impacted British epidemic policy formation in colonial India.