Protective effect of potassium and chitosan supply on growth, physiological processes and antioxidative machinery in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) under drought stress.

Drought stress is one of the extreme effects of climate change causing large losses in production of crop plants. The risk of recurrent droughts has increased in next decades hence, the development of shot-gun, inexpensive and effective approaches is essential to ensure high yield of crops in drought-prone areas of the world. Exogenous application of nutrients such as potassium (K) has been reported to increase abiotic resistance and improve yield in crops however, knowledge regarding interaction of K with osmoprotectants like chitosan (Ct) still remains elusive. Here, we report the effects of individual or combined K (using K2SO4 as a source) or Ct application on growth, physiological processes and antioxidative defense system of sunflower under drought stress. At first, various doses of K (0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 g/l) and Ct (0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5 g/l) were foliar applied to evaluate their role in improving plant biomass, water status and total chlorophyll in drought-induced seedlings of sunflower. The optimized K (11.48 g/l) and Ct (0.28 g/l) doses were further tested in second experiment to understand the underlying mechanisms of drought tolerance. Foliar K + Ct spray markedly enhanced the leaf gas exchange characteristics, increased proline, soluble proteins, and free amino acids, upregulated antioxidant defense system and helped to maintain plant water status in sunflower exposed to drought stress. The impact of drought stress was more pronounced at vegetative than reproductive stage and positive effects of combined K and Ct application were related to improved physiological and metabolic processes to improve yield and quality of sunflower under drought stress.

Iron/iron oxide nanoparticles: advances in microbial fabrication, mechanism study, biomedical, and environmental applications.

Microbially synthesized iron oxide nanoparticles (FeONPs) hold great potential for biomedical, clinical, and environmental applications owing to their several unique features. Biomineralization, a process that exists in almost every living organism playing a significant role in the fabrication of FeONPs through the involvement of 5-100 nm sized protein compartments such as dodecameric (Dps), ferritin, and encapsulin with their diameters 9, 12, and ∼32 nm, respectively. This contribution provides a detailed overview of the green synthesis of FeONPs by microbes and their applications in biomedical and environmental fields. The first part describes our understanding in the biological fabrication of zero-valent FeONPs with special emphasis on ferroxidase (FO) mediated series of steps involving in the translocation, oxidation, nucleation, and storage of iron in Dps, ferritin, and encapsulin protein nano-compartments. Secondly, this review elaborates the significance of biologically synthesized FeONPs in biomedical science for the detection, treatment, and prevention of various diseases. Thirdly, we tried to provide the recent advances of using FeONPs in the environmental process, e.g. detection, degradation, remediation and treatment of toxic pesticides, dyes, metals, and wastewater.

Biological synthesis of metallic nanoparticles (MNPs) by plants and microbes: their cellular uptake, biocompatibility, and biomedical applications.

Metallic nanoparticles (MNPs) with their diverse physical and chemical properties have been applied in various biomedical domains. The increasing demand for MNPs has attracted researchers to develop straightforward, inexpensive, simple, and eco-friendly processes for the enhanced production of MNPs. To discover new biomedical applications first requires knowledge of the interactions of MNPs with target cells. This review focuses on plant and microbial synthesis of biological MNPs, their cellular uptake, biocompatibility, any biological consequences such as cytotoxicity, and biomedical applications. We highlighted the involvement of biomolecules in capping and stabilization of MNPs and the effect of physicochemical parameters particularly the pH on the synthesis of MNPs. Recently achieved milestones to understand the role of synthetic biology (SynBiol) in the synthesis of tailored MNPs are also discussed.

Enhanced remediation of bispyribac sodium by wheat (Triticum aestivum) and a bispyribac sodium degrading bacterial consortium (BDAM).

The use of plant-bacterial association is a promising approach for the enhanced remediation of pesticides. Generally, both rhizo- and endosphere bacteria assist their host plants to survive in the contaminated environment. In this work, we have studied the individual and combined effects of wheat (Triticum aestivum) and a previously optimized bispyribac sodium (BS) degrading bacterial consortium (BDAM) on the degradation of BS and plant biomass production. Results showed that the bacterial strains of the BDAM have successfully survived in the plant rhizo-as well as endosphere and enhanced degradation of BS and plant biomass. In soil spiked with 2 mg/kg and 5 mg/kg of BS and was planted and inoculated with BDAM (P_I) showed 100% degradation of BS both in rhizosphere soil and endosphere of the plant. However, during the same period (45 days) the degradation of BS was 96 and 90%, and 93 and 84% in inoculated but un-planted (I_UP) and planted but un-inoculated (P_UI) soils spiked with 2 and 5 mg/kg, respectively. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis of the treated samples showed novel degradation products of BS. Based on the results, we concluded that plant-bacterial association is an efficient tool for enhanced remediation of BS contaminated soil and herbicide free crop production.

Frequency and predictors of anxiety and depression among pregnant women attending tertiary healthcare institutes of Quetta City, Pakistan.

BACKGROUND: Anxiety and depression (A&D) are commonly reported among pregnant women from all over the world; however, there is a paucity of workable data from the developing countries including Pakistan. The current study, therefore, aims to find out the frequency and predictors of A&D among pregnant women attending a tertiary healthcare institutes in the city of Quetta, in the Balochistan province, Pakistan. METHODS: A questionnaire based, cross-sectional survey was conducted. The pre-validated Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were used to assess the frequency of A&D among study respondents. Anxiety and depression scores were calculated via standard scoring procedures while logistic regression was used to identify the predictors of A&D. SPSS v. 20 was used for data analysis and p < 0.05 was taken as significant. RESULTS: Seven hundred and fifty pregnant women responded to the survey. The majority of the respondents belonged to age group of 26-35 year (424, 56.4%) and had no formal education (283, 37.6%). Furthermore, 612 (81.4%) of the respondents were unemployed and had urban residencies (651, 86.6%). The mean anxiety score was 10.08 ± 2.52; the mean depression score was 9.51 ± 2.55 and the total HADS score was 19.23 ± 3.91 indicating moderate A&D among the current cohort. Logistic regression analysis reported significant goodness of fit (Chi square = 17.63, p = 0.030, DF = 3), indicating that the model was advisable. Among all variables, age had a significant association when compared with HADS scores [adjusted OR (odds ratios) = 1.23, 95% CI = 1.13-1.62, p < 0.001]. CONCLUSION: Moderate A&D was reported among the study respondents. Furthermore, age was highlighted as a predictor of A&D. The evidence from this study provides a motion of support programs for anxious and depressed pregnant women. The benefits of implementing good mental health in antenatal care have long-lasting benefits for both mother and infant. Therefore, there is a need to incorporate A&D screening in the existing antenatal programs.

Enhanced remediation of chlorpyrifos by ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) and a chlorpyrifos degrading bacterial endophyte Mezorhizobium sp. HN3.

For effective remediation of contaminants, plant-endophyte partnership is a promising field to be explored. Generally endophytic bacteria assist their host plant by withstanding the stress induced by the contaminants. The objective of this study was to explore the suitability of plant-bacterial partnership for chlorpyrifos (CP) remediation using ryegrass and a CP degrading endophyte, Mesorhizobium sp. HN3 which belongs to plant growth promoting rhizobia. The inoculated yfp-tagged Mesorhizobium sp. HN3 efficiently colonized in the rhizosphere, enhanced plant growth and degradation of CP and its metabolite 3,5,6 trichloro-2-pyridinol (TCP). Significantly lower CP residues were observed in the roots and shoots of plants vegetated in inoculated soil which might be attributed to the efficient root colonization of HN3yfp. These results suggest the involvement of Mesorhizobium sp. HN3yfp in CP degradation inside the roots and rhizosphere of plants and further emphasize on the effectiveness of endophytic bacteria in stimulating the remediation of pesticide contaminants. This is the first report which demonstrates the efficacy of bacterial endophyte for degradation of CP residues taken up by the plant and enhanced remediation of chlorpyrifos contaminated soil.

Histopathological Pattern Of Soft Tissues Tumors And Tumour Like Lesions In The Pathology Department Of Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar, Pakistan.

BACKGROUND: Soft tissues tumours are tumours of mesenchymal origin excluding epithelial, skeletal tissue, reticuloendothelial system, brain coverings and solid viscera of the body. The objective of this study was to know the histopathological pattern of soft tissues tumours in the Pathology Department of Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan. METHODS: This descriptive study was conducted on retrospective data from January 2009 to December 2013. All the soft tissues biopsy specimens were received in 10% formalin, labelled, gross performed, sections processed in alcohol, xylene, wax, block prepared, frozen, microtome sections taken and processed for H&E staining, mounted and reported by a Histopathologist. The inclusion criteria were any sufficient soft tissue tumour biopsy specimen of any age, sex, location in body whereas the exclusion criteria were autolysed biopsy specimen. A minimum of four and maximum of eight sections and 5 micron thick were taken from each specimen. RESULTS: A total of 267 soft tissues tumours biopsy specimens were received in the pathology laboratory with age range of 1-75 years, with mean age of 30.68±17.71 years. Male to female ratio was 1.13:1. Amongst the total, benign tumours were 176 (65.91%). Haemangioma, 73 (27.3%) was the commonest tumours followed by lipomas 41 (15.4%) cases. Amongst the total malignant tumours, i.e., 91 (34.08%), rhabdomyosarcoma, 35 (13.1%) was the commonest tumour followed by angiosarcoma 14 (5.2%) cases. CONCLUSIONS: Haemangioma is the commonest benign tumour and rhabdomyosarcoma is the commonest malignant tumour in this study.

Pharmacist intervention in improving hypertension-related knowledge, treatment medication adherence and health-related quality of life: a non-clinical randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: The study evaluated whether a pharmaceutical care intervention can result in better understanding about hypertension, increase medication adherence to antihypertensive therapy and improve overall health-related quality of life. METHODS: A non-clinical randomized control trial was conducted whereby participants received an educational intervention through hospital pharmacists. Hypertension knowledge, medication adherence and health-related quality of life were measured by means of self-administered questionnaires. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the demographic and disease characteristics of the patients. Inferential statistics were used for inter- and intragroup comparisons. SPSS 17 was used for data analysis. RESULTS: Three hundred and eighty-five hypertensive patients were randomly assigned (192 in the control group and 193 in the intervention group) to the study. No significant differences were observed in either group for age, gender, income, locality, education, occupation or duration of disease. There was, however, a significant increase in the participants' levels of knowledge about hypertension and medication adherence among the interventional group after completing the intervention. Significantly lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels were also observed among the interventional group after completion of the intervention. The interventional group, however, reported decreased yet significant health-related quality of life at the end of the interventional programme. CONCLUSION: Pharmacist intervention can significantly increase disease-related knowledge, blood pressure control and medication adherence in patients with hypertension. However, further research is needed to address the decreased health-related quality of life after completion of the study.

Hydrogen sulphide and tempol treatments improve the blood pressure and renal excretory responses in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Oxidative stress and suppressed H2S production lead to increased renal vascular resistance, disturbed glomerular hemodynamics, and abnormal renal sodium and water handling, contribute to the pathogenesis and maintenance of essential hypertension in man and the spontaneously hypertensive rat. This study investigated the impact of H2S and tempol alone and in combination on blood pressure and renal hemodynamics and excretory functions in the SHR. Groups of WKY rats or SHR (n=6) were treated for 4 weeks either as controls or received NaHS (SHR+NaHS), tempol (SHR+Tempol), or NaHS plus tempol (SHR+NaHS +Tempol). Metabolic studies were performed on days 0, 14, and 28, thereafter animals were anaesthetized to measure renal hemodynamics and plasma oxidative and antioxidant markers. SHR control rats had higher mean arterial blood pressure (140.0 ± 2 vs. 100.0 ± 3 mmHg), lower plasma and urinary H2S, creatinine clearance, urine flow rate and urinary sodium excretion, and oxidative stress compared to WKY (all p<0.05). Treatment either with NaHS or with tempol alone decreased blood pressure and oxidative stress and improved renal hemodynamic and excretory function compared to untreated SHR. Combined NaHS and tempol therapy in SHRs caused larger decreases in blood pressure (∼20-22% vs. ∼11-15% and ∼10-14%), increases in creatinine clearance, urinary sodium excretion and fractional sodium excretion and up-regulated the antioxidant status compared to each agent alone (all p<0.05). These findings demonstrated that H2S and tempol together resulted in greater reductions in blood pressure and normalization of kidney function compared with either compound alone.

Microalgae growth-promoting bacteria for cultivation strategies: Recent updates and progress.

Microalgae growth-promoting bacteria (MGPB), both actinobacteria and non-actinobacteria, have received considerable attention recently because of their potential to develop microalgae-bacteria co-culture strategies for improved efficiency and sustainability of the water-energy-environment nexus. Owing to their diverse metabolic pathways and ability to adapt to diverse conditions, microalgal-MGPB co-cultures could be promising biological systems under uncertain environmental and nutrient conditions. This review proposes the recent updates and progress on MGPB for microalgae cultivation through co-culture strategies. Firstly, potential MGPB strains for microalgae cultivation are introduced. Following, microalgal-MGPB interaction mechanisms and applications of their co-cultures for biomass production and wastewater treatment are reviewed. Moreover, state-of-the-art studies on synthetic biology and metabolic network analysis, along with the challenges and prospects of opting these approaches for microalgal-MGPB co-cultures are presented. It is anticipated that these strategies may significantly improve the sustainability of microalgal-MGPB co-cultures for wastewater treatment, biomass valorization, and bioproducts synthesis in a circular bioeconomy paradigm.

A combination of generated hydrogen sulfide and nitric oxide activity has a potentiated protectant effect against cisplatin induced nephrotoxicity.

Aim: Hydrogen sulfide and nitricoxide possess cytoprotective activity and in vivo, they are generated from exogenous sodium hydrosulfide and L-arginine respectively. Cisplatin is a major chemotherapeutic agent used to treat cancer and has a high incidence of nephrotoxicity as a side effect. The study aim was to explore the effects of NaHS and L-arginine or their combination on cisplatin induced nephrotoxicity in rats. Methods: Wistar Kyoto rats were given a single intraperitoneal dose of cisplatin (5 mg/kg) followed either by NaHS (56 µmol/kg, i. p.), L-arginine (1.25 g/L in drinking water) or their combination daily for 28-days. Post-mortem plasma, urine and kidney samples were collected for biochemical assays and histopathological analysis. Results: Cisplatin decreased body weights and increased urinary output, while plasma creatinine and urea levels were elevated, but sodium and potassium concentrations were diminished. The renal function parameters, blood urea nitrogen and creatinine clearance, were raised and decreased respectively. Regarding markers of reactive oxygen species, plasma total superoxide dismutase was reduced, whereas malondiadehyde was augmented.Cisplatin also diminished plasma and urinary H2S as well as plasma NO, while NaHS and L-arginine counteracted this activity on both redox-active molecules. Cisplatin cotreatment with NaHS, and/or L-arginine exhibited a reversal of all other measured parameters. Conclusion: In current study, NaHS and L-arginine as monotherapy protected the rats from cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity but the combination of both worked more effectively suggesting the augmented anti-inflammatory and antioxidative potential of test treatments when administered together.

The effects of tempol on renal function and hemodynamics in cyclosporine-induced renal insufficiency rats.

This study investigated the effects of tempol, a superoxide dismutase (SOD) mimetic and L-NAME, a nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor on the renal function and hemodynamics in cyclosporine A (CsA) induced renal insufficiency rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with either vehicle (C), tempol (T, 1 mmol/L in drinking fluid), L-NAME (L, 1 mmol/L in drinking fluid), CsA (Cs, 25 mg/kg/day via gavage), CsA plus tempol (TCs), CsA plus L-NAME (LCs) or CsA plus a combination of tempol and L-NAME (TLCs) for 21 consecutive days. At the end of treatment regimen, the renal responses to noradrenaline (NA), phenylephrine (PE), methoxamine and angiotensin II (Ang II) were determined. Cs and LCs rats had lower creatinine clearance (0.7 ± 0.1 and 0.6 ± 0.5 vs. 1.3 ± 0.2 mL/min/kg) and fractional excretion of sodium (0.12 ± 0.02 and 0.17 ± 0.01 vs. 0.67 ± 0.04%) but higher systolic blood pressure (145 ± 2 and 178 ± 4 vs. 116 ± 2) compared to the control (all p < 0.05), respectively. Tempol treatment in TCs or TLCs prevented the increase in blood pressure and improved creatinine clearance and sodium excretion compared to untreated Cs. The renal vasoconstriction in Cs or LCs to NA, PE and Ang II were lower than control by ∼35-48% (all p < 0.05). In TCs or TLCs, there was enhanced renal vasoconstriction to all agonist by ∼39-114% compared to Cs. SOD is important to counterbalance the hypertensive effect of a defective NO system and to allow the normal vasoconstrictor response of the renal vasculature to adrenergic agonists and Ang II in a model of CsA-induced renal insufficiency.

Kisspeptin-10 modulates the proliferation and differentiation of the rhesus monkey derived stem cell line: R366.4.

The rhesus monkey embryonic stem cell line R366.4 has been identified to differentiate into a number of cell types. However, it has not been well characterized for its response to drugs affecting reproductive endocrinology. Kisspeptins (KPs) are ligands for the GPR-54, which is known to modulate reproductive function. The current study was designed to determine the effect of the KP-10 peptide on R366.4 cells and to investigate the role of KP-GPR54 in the cell proliferation process. Four different doses (0.1, 1, 10, and 100 nM) of KP-10 and control were selected to evaluate cell growth parameters and cellular morphological changes over a 72 hr period. The cells were treated with kisspeptin-10 during the early rosette stage. Proliferation rates, analyzed by flow cytometry and cell count methods, were found to be decreased after treatment. Moreover, the number of rosettes was found to decrease following KP-10 treatments. Morphological changes consisting of neuronal projections were also witnessed. This suggested that KP-10 had an antiproliferative effect on R366.4 cells leading to a differentiation state and morphological changes consistent with neuronal stem cell development. The R366.4 stem cell line differentiates based on kisspeptin signaling and may be used to investigate reproductive cell endocrinology in vitro.

Expectations of a medical student: the deficit between 'what is' and 'what should be'.

BACKGROUND: Over past few decades, the expectations of medical students about their academics, extracurricular support from college and about their social life at campus have all been changed greatly. The relative scarcity of data about the expectations of Pakistani medical students has merited this study. METHOD: A cross-sectional survey was undertaken at Ayub Medical College, Abbottabad at the in December, 2012 based on random sampling technique. Expectation questionnaire of University of Northumbria for Survey of Student Attitudes, Experiences and Expectations was used. RESULTS: One hundred and sixty-two students responded to the questionnaire with 93 (58.1%) males. Students had a fairly realistic picture of academic demands and college environment. There was major difference in the opinions of male and female students about physical environment of college with female having prior misconception about it. Forty-eight percent student found medical education challenging. About 63.3% students had realistic picture about study habits needed in the college. About 77.9% and 73.8% students had reasonable picture of academic staff and teaching methods at the college respectively. Students had a fair picture of the thorough help from teachers. About 63.5% students seemed well-prepared for the extent to which they would need to be independent learners at medical college. However expectations of 55.6% students about non-academic support were higher than provided. Also only 20.3% students found social adjustments easier than expected. About 39.5% students had fairly accurate expectations regarding the physical environment of the college; however in gender based comparison, about 55% female students felt being mistaken about the environment. CONCLUSION: Academic demands are fairly in accordance with the expectations of students. However there is a need to make course content interesting and more understandable. Also the extracurricular support in form of various facilities should be bolstered. Most importantly, the physical environment needs to be made more amicable especially for female students.

Synergy between microalgae and microbiome in polluted waters.

Microalga-microbiome interactions are central to both health and disease of aquatic environments. Despite impressive advances in deciphering how microorganisms participate in and impact aquatic ecosystems, the evolution and ecological involvement of microalgae and the microbiome in polluted waters are typically studied independently. Here, the phycosphere (i.e., the consortia of microalgae and the related microbiome) is regarded as an independent and integrated life form, and we summarize the survival strategies exhibited by this symbiont when exposed to anthropogenic pollution. We highlight the cellular strategies and discuss the modulation at the transcriptional and population levels, which reciprocally alters community structure or genome composition for medium-term acclimation or long-term adaptation. We propose a 'PollutantBiome' concept to help the understanding of microalga-microbiome interactions and development of beneficial microbial synthetic communities for pollutant remediation.

Examining the intervening effect of earning management in governance mechanism and financial misstatement with lens of SDG and ESG: a study on non-financial firms of Pakistan.

In today's corporate world, a company's long-term viability and prosperity depend on its corporate governance practices. The present study investigates the interplay between financial misrepresentation, earnings management, and corporate governance within the context of Pakistan. To estimate the financial data of enterprises obtained from non-financial organizations listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange a panel regression analysis was conducted. The analysis covered the time from 2009 to 2020 and employed quantitative data. The findings of the study show that the different aspects of corporate governance mechanisms have varying levels of influence. Specifically, remuneration paid to directors had a significant impact on financial misstatement, while the size of the board strongly impacts the earning management. The financial misstatement was also found affected by the earning management. The M score (statistical model used to predict the probability of financial misstatement) positively influenced when board diligence was incorporated in the mediation of earning management. It is important to note that this study only considers the internal governance mechanisms of firms, suggesting that future research could benefit from the inclusion of external governance mechanisms for a more holistic model. This study is aligned with the ESG's governance aspects and SDG-17, providing valuable insights for specialists, financial backers, policymakers, and experts. The results of this study catalyze further research in this area and can aid in achieving SDG 17 by raising awareness of the significance of good governance practices, ethical reporting that leads to sustainable firm performance, and ensuring long-term economic growth and development.

Functional analysis of OsHSBP1 and OsHSBP2 revealed their involvement in the heat shock response in rice (Oryza sativa L.).

The heat shock response (HSR) induces the production of heat shock proteins (HSPs) through the activation of heat shock factors (HSF). HSF binding protein (HSBP) is reported to modulate the function of HSF by binding to their trimer and hence to regulate HSR. This report describes the role of OsHSBP1 and OsHSBP2 in the regulation of the HSR and seed development of rice. Both genes expressed ubiquitously in all tissues under normal growth conditions while their expression levels were significantly increased during recovery after heat shock treatment. Subcellular localization revealed the cytosol-nuclear localization of both OsHSBP1 and OsHSBP2 in onion epidermal cells. The yeast two-hybrid assay depicted the self-binding ability of both genes. Both genes were also important for seed development, as their knock-down lines were associated with significant seed abortion. The thermotolerance assay revealed that OsHSBP1 and OsHSBP2 are negative regulators of HSR and involved in acquired thermotolerance but not in basal thermotolerance since their over-expression transgenic lines pre-heated at sublethal temperature, showed significantly decreased seedling survival after heat shock treatment. Furthermore, antioxidant activity and gene expression of catalase and peroxidase was significantly increased in knock-down transgenic seedlings of OsHSBP1 and OsHSBP2 after heat stress compared with the wild type. The expression of heat specific HSPs was also increased significantly in knockdown line of both genes but in a specific manner, suggesting the involvement of HSBP genes in different pathways. Overall, the present study reveals the role of OsHSBP1 and OsHSBP2 in the regulation of the HSR and seed development of rice.

Exogenous hydrogen sulfide (H2S) reduces blood pressure and prevents the progression of diabetic nephropathy in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

The coexistence of hypertension and diabetes results in the rapid development of nephropathy. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is claimed to control the vascular and renal functions. This study tested the hypothesis that exogenous H2S lowers the blood pressure and decreases the progression of nephropathy in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) that were diabetic. Eighteen SHR were divided into three groups: SHR, SHR diabetic, and SHR diabetic treated with a group of Wistar-Kyoto rats serving as normotensive nondiabetic control. Diabetes was induced with streptozotocin (STZ) in two groups and one diabetic group received sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS), a H2S donor for 5 weeks. Blood pressure was measured in conscious and anesthetized states and renal cortical blood perfusion in acute studies. Plasma and urinary H2S levels, creatinine concentrations, and electrolytes were measured on three different occasions throughout the 35-day period. Diabetic SHR had higher blood pressure, lower plasma and urinary H2S levels, and renal dysfunction as evidenced by increased plasma creatinine, creatinine clearance, and decreased urinary sodium-to-potassium ratio and renal cortical blood perfusion. NaHS reduced blood pressure, increased H2S levels in plasma and urinary excretion, and reversed the STZ-induced renal dysfunction. The findings of this study suggest that the administration of exogenous H2S lowers the blood pressure and confers protection against the progression of STZ-induced nephropathy in SHR.

Methanolic Extract of Aerva javanica Leaves Prevents LPS-Induced Depressive Like Behavior in Experimental Mice.

Aim: Depression is a chronic recurrent neuropsychiatric disorder associated with inflammation. This study explored the pharmacological activities of Aerva javanica leaves crude extract (Aj.Cr) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced depressive-like behavior in experimental mice. Methods: Aj.Cr was evaluated for its phenolic and flavonoid contents, bioactive potential, amino acid profiling and enzyme inhibition assays using different analytical techniques followed by in-silico molecular docking was performed. In addition, three ligands identified in HPLC analysis and standard galantamine were docked to acetyl cholinesterase (AchE) enzyme to assess the ligand interaction along with their binding affinities. In in-vivo analysis, mice were given normal saline (10 mL/kg), imipramine (10 mg/kg) and Aj.Cr (100, 300, and 500 mg/kg) orally for 14-consecutive days. On the 14th day, respective treatment was given 30-minutes before intra-peritoneal administration of (0.83 mg/kg) LPS. Open field, forced swim and tail suspension tests were performed 24-hours after LPS injection, followed by a sucrose preference test 48-hours later. Serum corticosterone levels, as well as levels of nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-), interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), interleukin-6 (IL-6), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and catecholamines were determined in brain tissues. Results: In-vitro results revealed that crude extract of Aj.Cr possesses anti-depressant agents with solid antioxidant potential. In-vivo analysis showed that LPS significantly increased depressive-like behavior followed by alteration in serum and tissue biomarkers as compared to normal control (p < 0.001). While imipramine and Aj.Cr (100, 300, and 500 mg/kg) treated groups significantly (p<0.05) improved the depressive-like behavior and biomarkers when compared to the LPS group. Conclusion: The mitigation of LPS-induced depressive-like behavior by Aj.Cr may be linked to the modulation of oxidative stress, neuro-inflammation and catecholamines due to the presence of potent bioactive compounds exerting anti-depressant effects.

Protective Effects of p-CA Against Acute Liver Damage Induced by LPS/D-GalN in Wistar Albino Rats.

Aim: Liver regulates metabolism of biomolecules and injury of liver causes distortion of metabolic functions. This injury may be oxidative or inflammatory induced by numerous factors including alcohol, pathogens and xenobiotics. This scientific study was planned to investigate the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant potential of p-coumaric acid (p-CA) on Lipopolysaccharide/D-Galactosamine (LPS/D-GalN) induced liver injury. Methods: DPPH analysis, reducing power assay and HPLC analysis were performed during in-vitro studies of p-CA. Similarly, in-vivo experiments were performed using Wistar Albino rats. Normal control and intoxicated group received (5mL/kg normal saline p.o), standard treatment groups received ascorbic acid (100mg/kg p.o) and silymarin (25mg/kg p.o), while p-CA treatment groups received (100mg/kg p.o) for 28-days. After completion of 28-days, LPS/D-GalN injection (300 mg D-GalN/kg and 10 µg LPS/kg i.p.) was given at 6th, 12th and 24-hours to all groups except normal control group. Animals were sacrificed; serum and liver samples were harvested and subjected to biochemical and histological examinations, respectively. Results: The results revealed that p-CA possess strong antioxidant activity. Increased levels of leukocyte infiltration (TLC), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin (TBIL), lipid panel (eg TG, TC, LDL-C, VLDL-C), whereas decreased HDL-C levels noticed in LPS/D-GalN groups as compared to normal control groups. Pro-Inflammatory markers (eg TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1ß) and lipid peroxidation marker, eg malondialdehyde (MDA) increased while superoxide dismutase (SOD) and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels were decreased significantly in groups treated with LPS/D-GalN. ANOVA with Bonferroni post hoc analysis was used for statistical analysis of. H&E staining was done to assess architectural abnormalities among liver cells. Conclusion: In conclusion, p-CA could ameliorate LPS/D-GalN induced hepatic injury via regulation of immune responses, liver function enzymes, lipid profile, oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory markers.