Moringa oleifera Lam. as a potential plant for alleviation of the metabolic syndrome-A narrative review based on in vivo and clinical studies.

The metabolic syndrome (MetS) refers to the co-occurrence of risk factors, including hyperglycaemia, increased body weight, hypertension and dyslipidemia, which eventually lead to diabetes and cardiovascular disease, a common health problem worldwide. Recently, there has been an increasing interest in the use of plant-based products for the management of MetS, because of their less detrimental and more beneficial effects. Moringa oleifera (Moringaceae), commonly known as drumstick, is cultivated worldwide for its nutritional and medicinal properties. This review focuses on the in vivo and human studies concerning the potential of M. oleifera in the alleviation of MetS and its comorbidities. The search for relevant articles was carried out in PubMed and Google Scholar databases. Randomised controlled and clinical trials from the PubMed database were included in this review. The results suggested that the administration of M. oleifera, in vivo, shows clear signs of improvement in MetS indices. Despite fewer human studies, the existing data documented convincing results that uphold the potential of M. oleifera against MetS. Therefore, future research discussing the probable mechanism of action is much needed which could further assure the usage of M. oleifera in the treatment regimen of MetS.

Detection of co-infection of Gardnerella vaginalis and Atopobium vaginae using qualitative PCR: A better predictor of bacterial vaginosis.

The present study aimed to determine the utility of detection of co-infection of Gardnerella vaginalis and Atopobium vaginae using qualitative PCR for diagnosing bacterial vaginosis (BV). Vaginal samples (n = 385) categorized as positive (n = 108) or negative (n = 208) for bacterial vaginosis based on the Nugent scoring system, were analyzed for the presence of G. vaginalis and A. vaginae by conventional PCR. We compared the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and odds ratio for the detection of each bacterium alone with the combination of the two bacteria for diagnosing BV. The detection of co-infection of the two bacteria demonstrated a sensitivity of 96%, a specificity of 82.9%, a positive predictive value of 68.5%, a negative predictive value of 98.2% with an odds ratio of 116 (CI -32 - 409). In our study, we found a high sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value and odds ratio for the detection of co-infection of A. vaginae and G. vaginalis for the diagnosis of BV.

Therapeutic Potential of Green-Engineered ZnO Nanoparticles on Rotenone-Exposed D. melanogaster (Oregon R+): Unveiling Ameliorated Biochemical, Cellular, and Behavioral Parameters.

Nanotechnology holds significant ameliorative potential against neurodegenerative diseases, as it can protect the therapeutic substance and allow for its sustained release. In this study, the reducing and capping agents of Urtica dioica (UD), Matricaria chamomilla (MC), and Murraya koenigii (MK) extracts were used to synthesize bio-mediated zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) against bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli) and against rotenone-induced toxicities in D. melanogaster for the first time. Their optical and structural properties were analyzed via FT-IR, DLS, XRD, EDS, SEM, UV-Vis, and zeta potential. The antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of the fabricated ZnO-NPs were evaluated employing cell-free models (DPPH and ABTS) and the well diffusion method, respectively. Rotenone (500 µM) was administered to Drosophila third instar larvae and freshly emerged flies for 24-120 h, either alone or in combination with plant extracts (UD, MC, an MK) and their biogenic ZnO-NPs. A comparative study on the protective effects of synthesized NPs was undertaken against rotenone-induced neurotoxic, cytotoxic, and behavioral alterations using an acetylcholinesterase inhibition assay, dye exclusion test, and locomotor parameters. The findings revealed that among the plant-derived ZnO-NPs, MK-ZnO NPs exhibit strong antimicrobial and antioxidant activities, followed by UD-ZnO NPs and MC-ZnO NPs. In this regard, ethno-nano medicinal therapeutic uses mimic similar effects in D. melanogaster by suppressing oxidative stress by restoring biochemical parameters (AchE and proteotoxicity activity) and lower cellular toxicity. These findings suggest that green-engineered ZnO-NPs have the potential to significantly enhance outcomes, with the promise of effective therapies for neurodegeneration, and could be used as a great alternative for clinical development.

Protective effects of green and white tea against benzo(a)pyrene induced oxidative stress and DNA damage in murine model.

In the current investigation, the ameliorative effect of green tea (GT) and white tea (WT) against benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) induced oxidative stress and DNA damage has been studied in the livers and lungs of Balb/c mice. A single dose of BaP (125 mg/kg, b.w. orally) increased the levels of lipid peroxidation (LPO) and decreased endogenous antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutahione reductase (GR), catalase (CAT), and glutathione (GSH) significantly. Pretreatment with GT and WT for 35 days before a single dose of BaP elevated the decreased activity of GR, SOD, and CAT in liver tissue and also tended to normalize the levels of GSH and LPO in both hepatic and pulmonary tissues. The percentage of DNA in comet tail and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine levels reflected the decreasing pattern of DNA damage from the BaP-treated group to the groups that received pretreatment with GT and WT. Our study concludes that both GT and WT are effective in combating BaP induced oxidative insult and DNA damage. However, WT was found to be more protective than GT with respect to CAT (only in the liver), percentage of DNA in comet tail (only in the lungs), GST activity, and GSH content in both the tissues.

Synergistic effects of piperine and curcumin in modulating benzo(a)pyrene induced redox imbalance in mice lungs.

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of curcumin alone and with adjuvant piperine against benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) induced oxidative stress in lungs of male Swiss albino mice. Mice were pretreated either with curcumin (100 mg/kg body weight), or piperine (20 mg/kg body weight), and in combination of both for one week, followed by single dose of benzo(a)pyrene (125 mg/kg body weight) treatment. Treatment with benzo(a)pyrene resulted in increased levels of lipid peroxides (LPO), protein carbonyl content (PCC) and with consequent decrease in the levels of tissue antioxidants like superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and reduced glutathione (GSH), which however, were increased significantly following curcumin treatment, but the increase was more pronounced when piperine was used as an adjuvant. BaP treatment alone did not alter significantly the GST activity. Pretreatment with curcumin increased the GST activity in BaP treated group, which was enhanced further upon synergistic treatment with piperine and curcumin. Therefore, combined administration of curcumin and piperine shall prove to be more effective in attenuating BaP induced toxicity.

Persistence of SARS-CoV-2 in COVID-19 patients during the second wave of the pandemic in India.

INTRODUCTION: India witnessed the catastrophic second wave of COVID-19 during the summer months of 2021. Many patients with non-resolution of symptoms admitted to dedicated COVID-19 treatment centers required prolonged inpatient care which led to the unavailability of beds for other COVID-19 patients. The objective of this study was to determine the duration of SARS-CoV-2 positivity in moderate and severe COVID-19 patients requiring long-term pulmonary care as well as to find out the association between different variables with the persistence of the virus. METHODOLOGY: A retrospective chart review of clinical and laboratory data of patients with moderate and severe COVID-19 between 1st April 2021 and 15th July 2021 admitted for more than 28 days and requiring long-term pulmonary care was carried out at National Cancer Institute, AIIMS, India. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected with real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction-based tests. Data from all consecutively included patients satisfying the selection criteria were presented temporally and analyzed by Fisher's exact test (p < 0.05). RESULTS: All 51 patients tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA at the 5th week of initial laboratory confirmation of COVID-19. The majority of the patients (38; 74.5%) remained positive for viral RNA till the 6th week and the median duration of viral positivity was 45 days. The clinical presentation of SARI at admission was significantly higher among patients with viral persistence till the 6th week (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The median duration of the viral positivity was 45 days and SARI at admission was significantly associated with viral persistence till the 6th week.

Rickettsial Diseases: Not Uncommon Causes of Acute Febrile Illness in India.

Rickettsial diseases (RDs) are major under-diagnosed causes of arthropod borne acute febrile illness (AFI) presenting with a range of symptoms from mild self-limiting fever to fatal sepsis. The spotted fever group (SFG) and typhus group (TG) are major RDs, which are commonly caused by Rickettsia conorii and Rickettsia typhi, respectively. The limited availability and role of serological tests in the acute phase of illness warrants rapid reliable molecular methods for diagnosis and epidemiological studies. Two hundred patients with AFI in whom the routine fever diagnostics were negative, were enrolled over a period of two months (April 2019 to May 2019). DNA was extracted and in-house nested PCR using primers specific for both SPG and TG pathogens was used. The positive amplified products were sequenced for species identification and phylogenetic analysis was performed using MEGA 7.0.14 software (iGEM, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA). The demographic details of the RD cases were documented. The prevalence of RD among AFI cases was 7% (14/200); SFG and TG were identified as the cause in 4% and 3% of AFI cases, respectively. The median age of the RD cases was 22 years (range 2-65). The median duration of fever was 3 days (range 1-12). The RD cases presented with respiratory symptoms or signs (44.44%), jaundice (22.22%), abdominal pain (22.22%), diarrhea (22.22), vesicular rash (11.11%), vomiting (11.11%), loss of appetite (11.11%), headache (11.11%), leukocytosis (88.88% with mean count 22,750/mm3), and thrombocytopenia (33.33%). The cases were treated empirically with piperacillin-tazobactam (66.66%), clindamycin (44.44%), cefotaxime (33.33%), meropenem (33.33%), metronidazole (33.33%), doxycycline (22.22%), azithromycin (22.22%), ceftriaxone (11.11%), and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (11.11%). The mortality among the RD cases was 11.11%. The present pilot study shows that RD is not an uncommon cause of AFI in north India. The febrile episodes are usually transient, not severe and associated with heterogenous clinical presentation without documented history of tick exposure in the hospitalized patients. The transient, non-severe, febrile illness could be due to transient rickettsemia resulting from empirical antimicrobial therapy as the rickettsial organisms are expected to be more susceptible to higher doses of ß-lactam antibiotics. The study emphasizes the molecular method as a useful tool to identify rickettsial etiology in AFI.

Scrutinizing antioxidant interactions between green tea and some medicinal plants commonly used as herbal teas.

Meta-analysis reports suggested that green tea (GT) consumption is associated with mild to moderate effects on major global killers. To enhance the health promoting potential of GT, one of the strategies is to combine it with traditionally used medicinal plants (Ocimum gratissimum, Cymbopogon citratus, Cymbopogon flexuosus, and Hibiscus rosa-sinensis). The aim of this investigation was to evaluate and compare the possible synergistic antioxidant interaction of binary combinations of GT with medicinal plants. Overall, GT and O. gratissimum combination showed the highest antioxidant potential and strongest synergistic interaction at EC50 . A strong correlation was found between antioxidant capacity (DPPH, ABTS, NO, and hemolysis) and total phenolic content (TPC) (except lipid peroxidation) for individual infusions, but very weak correlation was observed for GT combinations. Whereas, for both individual and binary aqueous infusions, moderate to strong correlation was observed between antioxidant parameters and FTIR-selected peak (3250-3290 cm-1 ) omitting lipid peroxidation for single infusions. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The combination of GT with certain medicinal plants used as herbal teas can demonstrate synergistic interactions that may boost the health promoting potential of GT. This study provides basis for future designing and formulation of beverages containing GT combinations based on their antioxidant interactions that can potentially enhance the efficacy of GT as a chemopreventive agent. It may also promote the consumption of GT combinations that may help in realizing untapped potential of underutilized plants.

Exploiting the Allelopathic Potential of Aqueous Leaf Extracts of Artemisia absinthium and Psidium guajava against Parthenium hysterophorus, a Widespread Weed in India.

Artemisia absinthium and Psidium guajava are powerful sources of secondary metabolites, some of them with potential allelopathic activity. Both the species grow together in India with a weed (Parthenium hysterophorus) that is becoming extremely invasive. The aim of the present research was to test the allelopathic effect of A. absinthium and P. guajava aqueous leaf extracts on seed germination, seedling growth (shoot and root length), as well as some biochemical parameters (enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants, photosynthetic pigments, osmolytes, and malondialdehyde by-products) of P. hysterophorus plants. Leaf extracts of both A. absinthium and P. guajava constrained the germination and seedling development (root and shoot length), affected pigment content (chlorophylls, carotenoids), stimulated the activity of antioxidant enzymes, and increased the level of malondialdehyde by-products of P. hysterophorus plants. Non-enzymatic antioxidants (glutathione and ascorbic acid) in P. hysterophorus leaves were, conversely, negatively affected by both leaf extracts tested in the present experiment. Although A. absinthium was more effective than P. guajava in impacting some biochemical parameters of P. hysterophorus leaves (including a higher EC50 for seed germination), P. guajava extract showed a higher EC50 in terms of root inhibition of P. hysterophorus seedlings. The present study provides the evidence that A. absinthium and P. guajava extract could be proficiently exploited as a botanical herbicide against P. hysterophorus.

Combinatorial screening of cell proliferation on poly(L-lactic acid)/poly(D,L-lactic acid) blends.

We have combined automated fluorescence microscopy with a combinatorial approach for creating polymer blend gradients to yield a rapid screening method for characterizing cell proliferation on polymer blends. A gradient in polymer blend composition of poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) and poly(D,L-lactic acid) (PDLLA) was created in the form of a strip-shaped film and was annealed to allow PLLA to crystallize. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) microspectroscopy was used to determine the composition in the gradients and atomic force microscopy was used to characterize surface topography. Osteoblasts were cultured on the gradients and proliferation was assessed by automated counting of cells using fluorescence microscopy. Surface roughness varied with composition, was smooth on PDLLA-rich regions and was rough on the PLLA-rich regions. Cell adhesion was similar on all regions of the gradients while proliferation was faster on the smooth, PDLLA-rich end of the gradients than on the rough, PLLA-rich end of the gradients. These results demonstrate the feasibility of a new, combinatorial approach for evaluating cell proliferation on polymer blends.

Synergistic antioxidant interactions between green tea and Ocimum gratissimum

Objective: To evaluate the antioxidant interactions between aqueous infusions of green tea and Ocimum gratissimum at different ratios. Methods: Antioxidant activities of aqueous infusion of green tea and Ocimum gratissimum (leaves) alone or in combination at various proportions (3:1, 2:1, 1:1, 1:2, 1:3) were determined by DPPH, ABTS, NO and ex-vivo assays including lipid peroxidation and haemolysis. Total phenolic content and flavonoid content was calculated by Folin-Ciocalteu reagent and aluminum chloride colorimetry method, respectively. A correlation study was also conducted between the antioxidant activity and total phenolic/flavonoid content of various infusions. The interactions were analyzed by combination index applying CompuSyn software. Results: Green tea exhibited high radical scavenging ability as compared to Ocimum gratissimum infusion. Combination of green tea and Ocimum gratissimum exhibited moderate antagonism to strong synergistic interaction at various ratios. A strong correlation was found between total phenolic content/total flavonoid content and antioxidant activities of individual infusions (green tea and Ocimum gratissimum). For binary mixture at different ratios, a weak to strong correlation was observed between total phenolic content and antioxidant activity and almost no correlation between total flavonoid content and antioxidant potential. Conclusions: Overall, green tea and Ocimum gratissimum combination (1:1) displayed the highest antioxidant potential and maximum synergism.

Modulation of CYP1A1, CYP1B1 and DNA adducts level by green and white tea in Balb/c mice.

In the current investigation the ameliorative effect of 2% extract of green tea (GT) and white tea (WT) against benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) induced toxicity and DNA damage has been studied in liver and lung of Balb/c mice (8 animals per group). The activities of phase I enzymes such as 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) and pentoxyresorufin O-depentylase (PROD) were found to be increased (p<0.05) both in liver and lung of BaP treated (125 mg/kg b.w. orally) group. The enhanced activities of EROD and PROD were inhibited in group that received pretreatment with GT and WT for 35 days. Pretreatment with GT and WT also elevated (p<0.05) the level of detoxifying enzymes such as glutathione S-transferase (GST) and quinone reductase (QR) in both the tissues. The BaPDE-DNA adducts level reflected the decreasing pattern from BaP treated group to the groups that received pretreatment with GT and WT. BaP exposure induced drastic alterations in the morphology of erythrocytes, pretreatment of GT and WT to BaP administered groups showed reduced alteration in topography of erythrocytes. WT elucidate greater efficacy in ameliorating BaP toxicity, but further long term studies are required to validate white tea as a cancer chemopreventive agent.

Redispersible hybrid nanopowders: cerium oxide nanoparticle complexes with phosphonated-PEG oligomers.

Rare earth cerium oxide (ceria) nanoparticles are stabilized using end-functional phosphonated-PEG oligomers. The complexation process and structure of the resulting hybrid core-shell singlet nanocolloids are described, characterized, and modeled using light and neutron scattering data. The adsorption mechanism is nonstoichiometric, yielding the number of adsorbed chains per particle N(ads) = 270 at saturation. Adsorption isotherms show a high affinity of the phosphonate head for the ceria surface (adsorption energy DeltaG(ads) approximately -16kT) suggesting an electrostatic driving force for the complexation. The ease, efficiency, and integrity of the complexation is highlighted by the formation of nanometric sized cerium oxide particles covered with a well anchored PEG layer, maintaining the characteristics of the original sol. This solvating brushlike layer is sufficient to solubilize the particles and greatly expand the stability range of the original sol (