Calotropis procera extract inhibits prostate cancer through regulation of autophagy.

Current treatment options available for prostate cancer (PCa) patients have many adverse side effects and hence, new alternative therapies need to be explored. Anticancer potential of various phytochemicals derived from Calotropis procera has been studied in many cancers but no study has investigated the effect of leaf extract of C. procera on PCa cells. Hence, we investigated the effect of C. procera leaf extract (CPE) on cellular properties of androgen-independent PC-3 and androgen-sensitive 22Rv1 cells. A hydroalcoholic extract of C. procera was prepared and MTT assay was performed to study the effect of CPE on viability of PCa cells. The effect of CPE on cell division ability, migration capability and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was studied using colony formation assay, wound-healing assay and 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate assay, respectively. Caspase activity assay and LDH assay were performed to study the involvement of apoptosis and necrosis in CPE-mediated cell death. Protein levels of cell cycle, antioxidant, autophagy and apoptosis markers were measured by western blot. The composition of CPE was identified using untargeted LC-MS analysis. Results showed that CPE decreased the viability of both the PCa cells, PC-3 and 22Rv1, in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Also, CPE significantly inhibited the colony-forming ability, migration and endogenous ROS production in both the cell lines. Furthermore, CPE significantly decreased NF-κB protein levels and increased the protein levels of the cell cycle inhibitor p27. A significant increase in expression of autophagy markers was observed in CPE-treated PC-3 cells while autophagy markers were downregulated in 22Rv1 cells after CPE exposure. Hence, it can be concluded that CPE inhibits PCa cell viability possibly by regulating the autophagy pathway and/or altering the ROS levels. Thus, CPE can be explored as a possible alternative therapeutic agent for PCa.

An in vitro comparative evaluation of casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate fluoride, tricalcium phosphate and grape seed extract on remineralization of artificial caries lesion in primary enamel.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate and compare the remineralization potential of casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate fluoride, tricalcium phosphate and grape seed extract on artificial caries lesions in primary enamel. STUDY DESIGN: A sample of 40 non-carious, primary molar teeth was collected and cut in longitudinal sections into three equal halves. Those 120 samples were divided into four equal groups. Group A: Sections treated with casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate fluoride (CPP-ACPF), Group B: Sections treated with tricalcium phosphate, Group C: Sections treated with grape seed extract Group D: Sections treated with deionized water (control group). Samples were evaluated for change in surface characteristics, mineral content using Scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM-EDX) and microhardness using Vicker's microhardness tester. Cavitated lesions were evaluated for Cone beam computer tomography to obtain baseline data post remineralization. RESULTS: The remineralization potential of grape seed extract was found to be greater compared to tricalcium phosphate followed by CPP-ACPF. CONCLUSION: All the three groups viz. CPP-ACPF, tricalcium phosphate and grape seed extract showed remineralization under the in vitro pH cycling model, while grape seed extract group showed significantly greater remineralization compared to the CPP-ACPF and tricalcium phosphate groups.

An in vivo comparative clinical and radiographic evaluation of a mixture of zinc oxide-Ocimum sanctum extract, zinc oxide-ozonated oil, and zinc oxide-eugenol as obturating materials in primary molars.

Background: To overcome some of the disadvantages of the current primary root canal obturating materials, there is a continued interest in search for chemical compounds with broader and more effective antibacterial action and less cytotoxicity. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate and compare in vivo the clinical and radiographic success of mixtures of zinc oxide-Ocimum sanctum extract, zinc oxide-ozonated oil, and zinc oxide-eugenol (ZOE) as obturating materials in pulpectomy of primary molars. Settings and Design: This was an in vivo randomized controlled clinical trial. Materials and Methods: Ninety primary molars selected were randomly divided into three groups. Group A was obturated with zinc oxide-O. sanctum extract, Group B with zinc oxide-ozonated oil, and Group C with ZOE. All the groups were evaluated for success or failure based on clinical and radiographic criteria at the end of 1, 6, and 12 months. Statistical Analysis Used: The intra- and inter-examiner reliability of the first and the second co-investigators was calculated by Cohen's kappa statistic. The data were analyzed using Chi-square test, P ≤ 0.05 (indicates statistical significance). Results: By the end of 12 months, the overall clinical success rate was 88%, 95.7%, and 90.9% in Groups A, B, and C, respectively; whereas the radiographic success rate was found to be 80%, 91.3%, and 86.4% in Groups A, B, and C, respectively. Conclusion: On the basis of the overall success rates of all the three obturating materials, the following order of performance can be concluded: zinc oxide-ozonated oil > ZOE > zinc oxide-O. sanctum extract.

Evaluation of Efficacy of Curcumin as an Add-on therapy in Patients of Bronchial Asthma.

BACKGROUND: Bronchial asthma being a chronic inflammatory disease of airways has numerous treatment options none of which have disease modifying properties. Curcumin, a yellow dietary pigment has varied pharmacological activities, prominent among which is an anti-inflammatory activity which may be crucial in bronchial asthma as has been proved by various in vitro and in vivo animal studies. AIMS: To determine the efficacy and safety of curcumin as an 'add-on' therapy in patients of bronchial asthma. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This study was conducted on 77 patients of mild to moderate Bronchial asthma who had a documented positive bronchodilator reversibility test with ≥15% improvement in forced expiratory volume one second (FEV1). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy seven patients were recruited for the study and randomized into either of the two groups, but 17 patients were lost to follow up. Thus Group A - Receiving standard therapy for bronchial asthma for 30d (n=30) and Group B - Receiving standard therapy for bronchial asthma + Cap Curcumin 500mg BD daily for 30d (n=30). The predefined primary endpoints were clinical assessments of dyspnoea, wheezing, cough, chest tightness and nocturnal symptoms, change in the pre-bronchodilator FEV1 during the treatment and hematological improvement. The secondary end points were assessed by the change in the post-bronchodilator FEV1, C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration and incidence of adverse events. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: The data was analysed by SPSS 17.0 software using one-way ANOVA or Paired t-test. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The results showed that curcumin capsules help in improving the airway obstruction which was evident by significant improvement in the mean FEV1 values. There was also significant improvement in the hematological parameters and absence of any clinically significant adverse events indicates dependable safety profile of curcumin capsules, though there was no apparent clinical efficacy. Therefore, it is concluded that curcumin is effective and safe as an add-on therapy for the treatment of bronchial asthma.