Phenolics-Enriched Fraction of Pterospermum Lanceifolium Roxb. efficiently Reverses the Hepatocellular Carcinoma in NDEA-Induced HCC Rats.

Hepatocellular Carcinoma is one of the most frequently diagnosed cancer and highly refractory for chemotherapeutics agents. Therefore, the study aims to explore the new therapeutic agents for HCC. Phenolics rich fraction of leaves of P. lanceifolium was studied against hepatic cancer cell lines (HepG2) and NDEA-induced HCC rat model system. The obtained results showed that PLE induces reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and chromatin condensation in nucleus and, alters the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) in HepG2 cell lines. The acridine orange/propidium iodide analysis and annexin-V FITC/PI analysis confirms that PLE induces apoptosis-mediated cell death in HepG2-cell lines. In In Vivo analysis, the administration of PLE in NDEA-induced rats declined the elevated biochemicals markers (ALT, AST, ALP, and GGT), interleukins, TNF-α, α-fetoprotein, carcinoembryonic antigen, and total bilirubin. PLE reinstated the level of antioxidant enzyme (GSH, GST, catalase, SOD, and GPX) and the expression of pro-apoptotic (p53, caspase-3, caspase-9, and Bax) and anti-apoptotic (Bcl-2) genes in a dose-dependent manner. The GC-MS analysis of Pterospermum lanceifolium fraction (PLE) represents the presence of palmitic acid, myristic acid, ß-sitosterol, and catechin as major bioactive phytocompounds. The study discloses the new lead for HCC that can be further useful for development of new chemopreventive agent.

Surviving high temperatures: a case study of the spotted munia (Lonchura punctulata).

Every year, a combination of summer with extreme weather events such as "heatwaves" affects the life of organisms on earth. Previous studies on humans, rodents, and some birds signify the impact of heat stress on their survival and existence. Over the past four decades, the frequency of heatwaves has increased because of global warming. Therefore, we performed a longitudinal study on a resident bird species, the spotted munia (Lonchura punctulata) by simulating a heatwave-like condition. We were interested in understanding how a Passeriformes native to a sub-tropical country deals with heatwave-like conditions. Initially, the birds were subjected to room temperature (25 ± 2 °C; T1) for 10 days, followed by a simulated heatwave-like condition (42 ± 1 °C; T2) for 7 days and again back to room temperature (25 ± 2 °C; RT1) for the next 7 days. To elucidate how birds cope with simulated heatwave conditions, we examined different behavioral and physiological parameters. We found that although heat stress significantly reduced total activity counts and food intake but, the body mass, blood glucose, and hemoglobin levels remained unaffected by any of the temperature conditions. Furthermore, HSP70 and biochemical markers of liver injuries such as ALP, AST, ALT, bilirubin direct, and bilirubin total were found elevated in response to the simulated heatwave-like condition, whereas uric acid and triglyceride were reduced. Creatinine and total protein levels were unaffected by the heatwave. The post heatwave treatment resulted in a rebound of the behavioral and physiological responses, but the recovered responses were not equivalent to the pre-heatwave levels (T1 conditions). Thus, the present study demonstrates heatwave-associated behavioral and physiological changes in a resident passerine finch which has tremendous physiological flexibility.

Hepatoprotective and Antioxidant Potential of Phenolics-Enriched Fraction of Anogeissus acuminata Leaf against Alcohol-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Rats.

Anogeissus acuminata is used to treat wounds, diarrhoea, dysentery, and skin ailments. However, its hepatoprotective effect against ethanol-induced liver damage is yet to be reported. The phenolic-enriched ethyl acetate fraction of Anogeissus acuminata (AAE) was evaluated for hepatoprotective activity against ethanol-induced liver toxicity in rats. The intoxicated animals were treated with a phenolic-rich fraction of Anogeissus acuminata (AAE) (100 and 200 mg/kg) and silymarin (100 mg/kg). The antioxidant activity of AAE was analysed. Biochemical markers (ALT, AST, ALP, GGT, and TBL) for liver injury in ethanol-administered animals resulted in higher levels of key serum biochemical injury markers, as evidenced by increased levels of ALT (127.24 ± 3.95), AST (189.54 ± 7.56), ALP (263.88 ± 12.96), GGT (91.65 ± 3.96), and TBL (2.85 ± 0.12) compared to Group I ALT (38.67 ± 3.84), AST (64.45 ± 5.97), GGT (38.67 ± 3.84), and TBL (0.53 ± 064) (p < 0.05). AAE administration decreased serum biochemical liver injury markers as manifested in Group III animals' ALT (79.56 ± 5.16), AST (151.76 ± 6.16), ALP (184.67 ± 10.12), GGT (68.24 ± 4.05), TBL (1.66 ± 0.082) (p < 0.05), and Group IV ALT (55.54 ± 4.35), AST (78.79 ± 4.88), ALP (81.96 ± 9.43), GGT (47.32 ± 2.95), TBL (0.74 ± 0.075) (p < 0.05). Group IV exhibited the most significant reduction in serum biochemical markers as compared to Group III (p < 0.05) and close to silymarin-treated Group V ALT (44.42 ± 3.15), AST (74.45 ± 5.75), ALP (67.32 ± 9.14), GGT (42.43 ± 2.54), TBL (0.634 ± 0.077). Gene expression indices and histoarchitecture were evaluated to demonstrate the potential of AAE. The bioactive fraction of Anogeissus acuminata was rich in phenolics and flavonoid content. GC−MS analysis identified gallic acid, palmitic acid, cis-10-heptadecenoic acid, 9-octadecenoic acid, epigallocatechin, 2,5-dihydroxyacetophenone, and catechin. Oral administration of AAE (100 and 200 mg/kg) lowered the elevated levels of the biochemical markers and interleukin, and enhanced the level of enzymatic antioxidant. It also downregulated the expression level of proapoptotic genes and upregulated the expression level of the antiapoptotic gene along with improved liver histopathology.