Pathology and molecular characterization of chicken infectious anemia virus and in silico antigen prediction.

The present study investigated five poultry flocks (size 142-600 birds) suspected of chicken infectious anemia (CIA) from Maharashtra, India. The necropsy of dead birds revealed severe atrophy of the thymus, gelatinization of bone marrow, subcutaneous hemorrhages, growth impairment, and severe anemia. Specific PCR targeting, 1390 bp fragment of the CIAV, VP1 gene was used in this study. Sequence analysis revealed that CIAV sequences of this study were grouped in genotype A. At the nucleotide level identity of 99.6% or more was seen between field sequences. At the amino acid level identity of 100% was seen between field sequences and NGP-1. Also, VP1 protein sequences of this study showed high identity with TJBD40, GD-K-12 strains from China and AB046590 strain from Japan. Further, the protein sequences of field CIAV had 0.7% to 2.5% divergence from VP1 sequences of vaccine strains. Antigenic epitopes of VP1 protein were predicted by SVMTriPtool and the field CIAV presented substitutions in two epitopes. To conclude, present study confirms the circulation of genotype A of CIAV in Maharashtra, India and predicted VP1 proteins of field CIAV revealed changes in two epitopes compared to vaccine strains.

Berberis lycium fruit extract attenuates oxi-inflammatory stress and promotes mucosal healing by mitigating NF-κB/c-Jun/MAPKs signalling and augmenting splenic Treg proliferation in a murine model of dextran sulphate sodium-induced ulcerative colitis.

PURPOSE: There is a growing interest in developing phytomolecule-based therapies for the management of inflammatory disorders owing to rising cost of treatments and unwarranted effects. The present work attempted to assess the efficacy and mechanisms of Berberis lycium Royle fruit extract (BLFE) in mitigating chemical-induced colitis in mice. METHODS: Colitis was induced in Balb/C mice using dextran sulphate sodium (DSS) and protective effects of BLFE were examined. Several oxi-inflammatory parameters, histopathological changes, epithelial barrier integrity and activation of NF-κB/c-Jun/MAPKs in colon tissue were determined. Splenic T cell subpopulations were also gauged to evaluate the systemic effects of BLFE in the modulation of immune responses. RESULTS: BLFE treatment effectively improved animal survival rate, DAI score, colon length and structural damage in DSS-exposed mice. Expression of oxi-inflammatory markers such as MPO, IgE, iNOS, ICAM-1, MCP-1 and RANTES as well as Th1/Th2/Th17 cytokines were decreased in BLFE treated animals. On the other hand, an increased mRNA expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4/IL-10), tight junction proteins and IgA levels were also observed during BLFE treatment. BLFE appeared to modulate intestinal epithelial cell proliferation (PCNA) and apoptosis (Bcl2/Bax), thereby suggesting its role in the maintenance of intestinal integrity. Analysis of inflammatory signalling pathways indicated robust activation and expression of NF-κB/c-Jun/MAPKs (JNK and p38) in DSS treated animal which was strongly abrogated by BLFE treatment. BLFE supplementation also enhanced the proliferation of CD3+CD4+CD25+ Treg cells indicating suppression of inflammatory activation. CONCLUSION: These observations provide compelling evidence that BLFE could be considered as a viable natural strategy in the prevention and management of ulcerative colitis.

Iridoid glycosides fraction from Picrorhiza kurroa attenuates cyclophosphamide-induced renal toxicity and peripheral neuropathy via PPAR-γ mediated inhibition of inflammation and apoptosis.

BACKGROUND: Picrorhiza kurroa Royle (Scrophulariaceae) is an important medicinal herb being widely used in variety of ailments. PURPOSE: The present study was envisaged to evaluate the effects of iridoid glycosides enriched fraction (IGs) from Picrorhiza kurroa rhizome against cyclophosphamide (CP) -induced renal toxicity and peripheral neuropathy. METHODS: Mice in different groups were pretreated with 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg; p.o. doses of IGs for 21 days, followed by cyclophosphamide intoxication for consecutive two days. Further, to identify the putative role of PPAR-γ receptors for the protective effect of IGs, an additional group of mice were pretreated with PPAR-γ antagonist BADGE (5 mg/kg; i.p.) followed by IGs (100 mg/kg; p.o.) for 21 days before CP intoxication. RESULTS: IGs pretreatment decreased the hyperalgesic responses toward acetone and heat in acetone drop and tail immersion tests. The abolition of intramyelin odema, cytoplasmic vacuolization and axonal degeneration of sciatic nerve were observed in IGs pretreated mice in a dose-dependent manner. IGs treatment also attenuated the altered serum biochemical markers for renal injury. Furthermore, the treatment prevented renal tubular swelling, granular degeneration and glomerular damage. The levels of IL-1ß and TNFα in different group revealed the anti-inflammatory effect of IGs, which was further confirmed by improvement in altered expressions of NF-kB in kidney and sciatic serve. Bax/Bcl-2 expressions and caspase 3/9 activity in renal tissues showed the anti-apoptotic effect of IGs. IGs pretreatment also improved the PPAR-γ expression in the kidney tissues. All the observed protective effects of IGs were suppressed after pretreatment with BADGE. CONCLUSION: Present study concludes that IGs from Picrorhiza kurroa attenuates CP-induced renal toxicity and peripheral neuropathy via PPAR-γ -mediated pathways.

Cytocompatible Anti-microbial Dressings of Syzygium cumini Cellulose Nanocrystals Decorated with Silver Nanoparticles Accelerate Acute and Diabetic Wound Healing.

The ever increasing incidences of non-healing skin wounds have paved way for many efforts on the convoluted process of wound healing. Unfortunately, the lack of relevance and success of modern wound dressings in healing of acute and diabetic wounds still remains a matter of huge concern. Here, an in situ three step approach was embraced for the development of nanocomposite (NCs) dressings by impregnating silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) onto a matrix of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) isolated from Syzygium cumini leaves using an environmental friendly approach. Topical application of NCs (ointments and strips) on acute and diabetic wounds of mice documented enhanced tissue repair (~99% wound closure) via decrease in inflammation; increase in angiogenesis, collagen deposition, and rate of neo-epithelialization that ultimately led to formation of aesthetically sound skin in lesser time than controls. Due to the synergistic action of CNCs (having high water uptake capacity) and AgNPs (anti-microbial agents), NCs tend to increase the expression of essential growth factors (FGF, PDGF and VEGF) and collagen while decreasing the pro-inflammatory factors (IL-6 and TNF-α) at the same time, thus accelerating healing. The results suggested the potential of these developed anti-microbial, cytocompatible and nanoporous NCs having optimized AgNPs concentration as ideal dressings for effective wound management.

In vivo diabetic wound healing potential of nanobiocomposites containing bamboo cellulose nanocrystals impregnated with silver nanoparticles.

In diabetes, hyperglycemic state immensely hinders the wound healing. Here, nanobiocomposites (NCs) developed by impregnation of in situ prepared silver nanoparticles in the matrix of bamboo cellulose nanocrystals were investigated for their ability to hasten the progress of healing events in streptozotocin induced diabetic mice model. Wounds treated with topically applied NCs (hydrogels) showed full recovery (98-100%) within 18days post wounding in contrast to the various control groups where incomplete healing (88-92%) was noticed. Biochemical estimations documented a marked decrease in the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α leading to decreased inflammation in NCs treated mice. Significantly increased expression of collagen and growth factors (FGF, PDGF, VEGF) upon NCs treatment resulted in improved re-epithelialization, vasculogenesis and collagen deposition as compared to control groups. Hence, developed nanobiocomposites showcased potential to serve as highly effective and biocompatible wound dressings for diabetic patients.

Consumption of green tea epigallocatechin-3-gallate enhances systemic immune response, antioxidative capacity and HPA axis functions in aged male swiss albino mice.

The present investigation assessed the potential of green tea phytochemical epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) in alleviating age-associated aberrations in immunity, hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and redox homeostasis using 16 months old male Swiss albino mice. Four groups of animals (n = 6 per group) were supplemented with either aqueous EGCG at 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg/animal or vehicle control for 6 weeks. A concurrent analysis of CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes in splenocytes, differential leucocyte population, T cell differentiation markers in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), neutrophil functions, immunoglobulins profile in intestine, circulatory HPA axis hormonal levels as well as inflammatory and oxidative stress in the liver was performed. We observed a remarkable increase in plasma dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) levels of 100 mg EGCG fed animals while eosinophils and monocytes counts in blood increased. EGCG consumption increased the fraction of CD3+CD8+ cells in splenocytes and CD28 expression on PBMCs. The immunoglobulins profile revealed decreased production of secretory IgA, IgE and IgG1/IgG2a ratio. Liver extracts showed increase in superoxide dismutase activity and total antioxidant capacity while lipid peroxidation along with inflammatory markers (IL-6 and TNF-α) decreased. Our results collectively show that EGCG consumption during aging strengthens systemic immunity by enhancing cellular immune response and simultaneously attenuating antibody response aided by an increase in adrenal DHEA production. Thus, consumption of green tea may be beneficial in alleviating some of the deleterious aspects of aging and immunosenescence in elderly.

In situ functionalized nanobiocomposites dressings of bamboo cellulose nanocrystals and silver nanoparticles for accelerated wound healing.

An innovative approach was adopted where in situ synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from leaf extract mediated reduction of AgNO3 were simultaneously impregnated into the matrix of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) isolated from Dendrocalamus hamiltonii and Bambusa bambos leaves, for formation of nanobiocomposites (NCs) in film and ointment forms. Here, use of plant CNCs was chosen as an alternate to bacterial cellulose for wound dressings. NCs possessing water absorption capacity and strong antibacterial activity showed synergistic effect on in vivo skin wound healing and documented faster and significant wound closure in treated mice. NCs exhibited lesser inflammation and early vasculogenesis at day 3 coupled with increased fibroblasts and collagen content at day 8 leading to faster neo-epithelization by day 14. Highly effective, biocompatible, and easy to apply NCs wound dressings (ointment and films) containing low amounts of Ag (0.05±0.01wt%) are potential candidates for effective skin repair.

A bimodal molecular imaging probe based on chitosan encapsulated magneto-fluorescent nanocomposite offers biocompatibility, visualization of specific cancer cells in vitro and lung tissues in vivo.

Multifunctional hybrid nanocomposite material, consists of chitosan encapsulated iron oxide (as MRI contrasting agent), CdS (as fluorescent probe) nanoparticles and podophyllotoxin (as anticancer drug) was synthesized and characterized. The TEM studies suggested the size of the NPs to be in the range of 80-100 nm. These nanocomposites were treated with different cancer cell lines viz., KB, C6 and A549 cells. Fluorescence imaging and Perl's Prussian blue staining confirmed the presence of these nanocomposites inside both KB and C6 cells but not in A549 cells. Cytotoxicity experiments revealed that these biopolymer coated nanocomposites showed minimal toxicity towards cancerous cells. Further the intraperitoneal administration of one of the nanoformulations to Wistar rats suggested deposition of these nanocomposites in the lungs. The hematological, biochemical and histopathological analysis confirmed that these nanocomposites are safe to use as a novel dual mode imaging material.