Rutin Improves Anxiety and Reserpine-Induced Depression in Rats.

Mental disorders have a poor clinical prognosis and account for approximately 8% of the global burden of disease. Some examples of mental disorders are anxiety and depression. Conventional antidepressants have limited efficacy in patients because their pharmacological effects wear off, and side effects increase with prolonged use. It is claimed that herbal medicine's antioxidant capacity helps regulate people's mood and provide a more substantial pharmacological effect. With this background, the purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of rutin on reserpine-induced anxiety and depression in rats. The animals were divided into groups of six rats each: normal control (water), a depression model, a rutin-treated rat model, and an amitriptyline-treated rat model. According to the results, 14 days of treatment with rutin, once daily, showed a modest antidepressant effect. This effect was mediated by increased serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine levels in cortical and hippocampal regions. The antioxidant and vasodilator properties of rutin may contribute to its antidepressant properties. According to this study, rutin has shown antidepressant effects by reducing antioxidant activity and acetylcholinesterase.

Nanotechnology-based approaches applied to nutraceuticals.

Nutraceuticals and food industries are opening to a tremendously upcoming technology in the field of "Nano science". A new prospect has been defined by nanotechnology by conferring modified properties of nanomaterials and its application in the development of nanoformulations, nutritional supplements and food industry. Nanomaterials reveal exclusive properties because of their small size and high surface/volume ratio; thus, they have a complete application in nutraceuticals and food sector. In the existent review article, we obligate to present a comprehensive outline of the application of nanomaterials in development of advanced nano-based nutraceuticals with enhanced bioavailability, solubility, improved encapsulation efficiency, increased stability, sustained and targeted drug delivery, protection against degradation and microbial contamination and with improved pharmacological activity. It also highlights the importance of nanomaterials as nanosensors/nano-bio sensors for encapsulating peptides, antibodies, enzymes, etc. and in the food packaging industry and its future application. Thus, the review aims to focus on the benefits and new dimensions provided by nanomaterials and nanotechnology in health sectors by improving treatment strategies and quality of life.

Evaluation of Gamma Amino Butyric Acid (GABA) and Glibenclamide Combination Therapy in Streptozotocin Induced Diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Type 1-diabetes (T1D) is characterized by autoimmune destruction of ß-cells and loss of endogenous insulin. A lifelong dependency on exogenous supply of insulin presents a great challenge in the pharmacotherapy of T1D that elicits a quest for alternative therapies, which can protect ß-cells and revive their insulinogenic functions. GABA (γ-aminobutyric acid) has immunoprotective and ß-cell regenerative capabilities. Co-administration of an insulin secretagogue, such as glibenclamide (Glib), along with GABA may enhance the pancreatic insulin output in T1D. OBJECTIVE: The present study evaluated the possible mechanism of GABA in the improvement of glucose tolerance and its effects in streptozotocin (STZ) induced T1D along with Glib. METHODS: Wistar rats (180-220 g) were administered a single dose of STZ (55 mg/kg, i.p.). GABA (100 mg/kg, i.p.) and Glib (5 or 10 mg/kg, i.p.) alone or in combination were administered for 28 days. Body weight (b.w.), water consumption, fasting blood glucose (FBG), oral glucose tolerance, plasma lipids, insulin, and muscle GLUT-4 (glucose transporters) protein level were assessed. RESULTS: T1D significantly decreased b.w. and increased water-intake in rats. An increase in FBG and a decrease in plasma insulin and muscle GLUT-4 indicated STZ-triggered destruction of ß-cells in diabetic rats accompanied with dyslipidemia. GABA or Glib (10 mg/kg) significantly improved b.w., plasma insulin and GLUT-4 levels, and ameliorated FBG and blood lipid profile in diabetic rats. GABA and Glib (5 mg/kg) combination therapy achieved far better control over hyperglycemia and related pathogenic conditions (b.w., water-intake, insulin, GLUT-4, lipids). The anti-diabetic effect of combination therapy was significantly more pronounced in comparison to individual drug treatments. Histopathological analysis revealed an increase in the number of functional pancreatic-islets by combination therapy. CONCLUSION: GABA revitalized ß-cells against STZ-toxicity. GABA and Glib synergistically augmented insulin secretion that can be used to manage T1D and its complications. GABA has the potential to remarkably enhance the therapeutic outcome in diabetic patients and reduce the dose of existing anti-diabetic drugs such as Glib.

Anti-atherogenic effect of Nepitrin-7-O-glucoside: A flavonoid isolated from Nepeta hindostana via acting on PPAR - α receptor.

Atherogenic dyslipidemia is a condition and responsible for the induction of major cardiovascular diseases. Traditionally, Nepeta hindostana a medicinal plant commonly used as cardioprotective in Indo-Pak regions has gained importance because of its therapeutic active flavonoid Nepitrin-7-O-glucoside. Flavonoid-glycosides are steroids having the ability to exert specific, decisive action on the cardiac muscle. In the present research work flavonoid, Nepitrin-7-O-glucoside was isolated from methanolic extract via chromatographic techniques. The structure was elucidated and confirmed by different spectral techniques like Mass and 1H NMR spectrometry. Various preclinical atherosclerosis parameters such as lipid levels, SGOT/SGPT, body weight, histology of aorta and heart were estimated and beneficial effect of Nepitrin in high-fat diet (HFD) induced atherosclerosis for six weeks were observed. Outcomes of the preclinical results showed and proved that Nepitrin significantly improved dyslipidemia at an effective dose of 50 mg/kg as compared with HFD control and Simvastatin. Molecular docking showed significant binding affinity towards the target PPAR-α receptor (PDB: 2P54). Further the docked ligands with PDB: 2P54 were exposed to molecular dynamics studies to confirm the dynamic behaviour of PPAR-α receptor. Outcomes of the results of the in-vivo study and molecular dynamics study were in correlation with each-others. Further, it can be concluded that Nepitrin has a potent antiatherogenic agent and act by reducing the lipid levels via acting on PPAR-α receptor and regenerating the damaged cells.