Palm Oil Derived Tocotrienol-Rich Fraction Attenuates Vascular Dementia in Type 2 Diabetic Rats.

Vascular dementia (VaD) is a serious global health issue and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients are at higher risk. Palm oil tocotrienol-rich fraction (TRF) exhibits neuroprotective properties; however, its effect on VaD is not reported. Hence, we evaluated TRF effectiveness in T2DM-induced VaD rats. Rats were given a single dose of streptozotocin (STZ) and nicotinamide (NA) to develop T2DM. Seven days later, diabetic rats were given TRF doses of 30, 60, and 120 mg/kg orally for 21 days. The Morris water maze (MWM) test was performed for memory assessment. Biochemical parameters such as blood glucose, plasma homocysteine (HCY) level, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) level, and histopathological changes in brain hippocampus and immunohistochemistry for platelet-derived growth factor-C (PDGF-C) expression were evaluated. VaD rats had significantly reduced memory, higher plasma HCY, increased AChE activity, and decreased GSH and SOD levels. However, treatment with TRF significantly attenuated the biochemical parameters and prevented memory loss. Moreover, histopathological changes were attenuated and there was increased PDGF-C expression in the hippocampus of VaD rats treated with TRF, indicating neuroprotective action. In conclusion, this research paves the way for future studies and benefits in understanding the potential effects of TRF in VaD rats.

Actividad inmunomoduladora de la Bauhinia racemosa Lam / Immunomodulatory activity of Bauhinia Racemosa Lam

Objetivo: Evaluar la actividad del extracto metanólico de la corteza del tallo de la Bauhinia Racemosa Lam en ratones albinos suizos. Material y métodos: La inmunidad humoral específica fue evaluada mediante el ensayo de hemaglutinación de antincuerpos ( H.A. Titer) y la inmunidad no específica fue evaluada mediante el test de aclaramiento de carbono y el test de adhesión de neutrofilos. Resultados: se encontró que el extracto del tallo de Bauhinia racemosa (MEBR) era efectivo para el incremento del H.A Titer. La respuesta primaria y secundaria no mostró un ascenso significativo en el H.A Titer en el grupo con estado inmune normal al compararlo con el grupo control. Sin embargo, en el grupo de inmunodeprimidos donde la inmunidad estaba suprimida mediante ciclofosfamida se observó un aumento significativo en el H.A Titer (p<0.01) a dosis de 200mg/kg cuando se comparaba con la ciclofosfamida. El extracto del tallo de Bauhinia racemosa mostró un aumento significativo (p<0,05) en la actividad fagocítica a dosis de 200mg/kg (p.o) en el test de aclaramiento de carbón. En el test de adhesión de neutrófilos el extracto del tallo de Bauhinia racemosa mostró un aumento significativo (p<0,01) del porcentaje de adhesión de neutrófilos a dosis de 200mg/kg (p.o) Conclusión: El presente estudio sostiene al MEBR como un prometedor agente inmunomodulador(AU)

Aim: To evaluate immunomodulatory activity of methanolic extract of stem bark of Bauhinia racemosa Lam swiss albino mice. Material and Methods: The specific humoral immunity was assessed by performing hemagglutinating antibody titer (H.A.Titer) and the non-specific immunity was assessed by performing carbon clearance test and neutrophil adhesion test. Results: The methanolic extract of stem bark of Bauhinia Racemosa (MEBR) was found effective in increasing the H.A.Titer. Primary and secondary antibody response showed no significant rise in H.A.Titer in normal immune status group when compared with control group, whereas in immunosupressed group, where immunity was suppressed by cyclophosphamide, significant rise in H.A.Titer (p<0.01) was observed at dose of 200 mg/kg (p.o.) when compared with cyclophosphamide. MEBR showed significant increase (p<0.05) in phagocytic activity at dose of 200 mg/kg (p.o.) in carbon clearance test. In neutrophil adhesion test MEBR showed significant (p<0.01) rise in percentage neutrophil adhesion at dose of 200 mg/kg (p.o.). Conclusion: Present study, therefore, reveals that MEBR) holds promise as immunomodulatory agent(AU)