Comparative immunomodulation potential of Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Miers ex Hook. F., Tinospora sinensis (Lour.) Merrill and Tinospora cordifolia growing on Azadirachta indica A. Juss.

Guduchi has been widely used in the traditional medicine as an immunomodulator. Description of guduchi in Ayurvedic literature resemble with T. sinensis rather than with commonly available T. cordifolia and hence this may be used as substitutes for T. sinensis. T. cordifolia growing on Azadirachta indica commonly called Neem-guduchi has more immunomodulatory potential. Thus, immunomodulatory activity of three Tinospora spp. was assessed by checking humoral and cell mediated immune responses to the antigenic challenges with sheep RBCs and by neutrophil adhesion tests on albino Wistar rats using Guduchi-Satwa, a well known dosage form. Results revealed that Neem-guduchi possesses higher immunomodulatory potential at the dose of 300 mg/kg, po and validated the traditional claim. Hence, Neem-Guduchi can be employed in immunomodulatory formulation prepared using guduchi.

Transcriptional and metabolic adaptation of human neurons to the mitochondrial toxicant MPP(+).

Assessment of the network of toxicity pathways by Omics technologies and bioinformatic data processing paves the road toward a new toxicology for the twenty-first century. Especially, the upstream network of responses, taking place in toxicant-treated cells before a point of no return is reached, is still little explored. We studied the effects of the model neurotoxicant 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP(+)) by a combined metabolomics (mass spectrometry) and transcriptomics (microarrays and deep sequencing) approach to provide unbiased data on earliest cellular adaptations to stress. Neural precursor cells (LUHMES) were differentiated to homogeneous cultures of fully postmitotic human dopaminergic neurons, and then exposed to the mitochondrial respiratory chain inhibitor MPP(+) (5 µM). At 18-24 h after treatment, intracellular ATP and mitochondrial integrity were still close to control levels, but pronounced transcriptome and metabolome changes were seen. Data on altered glucose flux, depletion of phosphocreatine and oxidative stress (e.g., methionine sulfoxide formation) confirmed the validity of the approach. New findings were related to nuclear paraspeckle depletion, as well as an early activation of branches of the transsulfuration pathway to increase glutathione. Bioinformatic analysis of our data identified the transcription factor ATF-4 as an upstream regulator of early responses. Findings on this signaling pathway and on adaptive increases of glutathione production were confirmed biochemically. Metabolic and transcriptional profiling contributed complementary information on multiple primary and secondary changes that contribute to the cellular response to MPP(+). Thus, combined 'Omics' analysis is a new unbiased approach to unravel earliest metabolic changes, whose balance decides on the final cell fate.

Chemopreventive potential and safety profile of a Curcuma longa extract in women with cervical low-grade squamous intraepithelial neoplasia.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether Curcuma longa Linn extract, NBFR-03, can arrest low-grade squamous intraepithelial neoplasia (LSIL) a 12 week intervention study was performed. METHODS: Of a total of 1473 women undergoing Pap smear screening, 88 cases had LSIL. Only those with persistent LSIL subsequent to antimicrobial therapy, and willing to follow the protocol (N=21), were included for clinical examination, Pap smears, colposcopy, clinical biochemistry, urinalysis and assessment of serum IL-6, being conducted before and after treatment. Standardised NBFR-03 (0.2gm) capsules were administered, twice daily, for 12 weeks. RESULTS: None progressed to higher grade lesion as assessed by Pap smears and colposcopy. Sixteen cases regressed to atypia, ASCUS or inflammatory pattern; 3 persisted as LSIL, 1 discontinued early because of itching, and 1 did not start. None developed any significant abnormality clinically or biochemically. Micrometry showed a significant reduction in nuclear diameter and nucleocytoplasmic ratio after treatment (p<0.02, and <0.05 respectively). Serum IL-6 levels showed a significant decline (mean 248∓ 156 (SEM) vs 27.7∓ 10.5 (SEM) pg/ ml; p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Use of NBFR-03 for 12 weeks was associated with an arrest or regression of LSIL in Pap smears and colposcopy, with reduction in the circulating IL-6 levels.

Some unique ethnomedicinal uses of plants used by the Korku tribe of Amravati district of Maharashtra, India.

The present ethnobotanical study was carried out among the ethnic groups (Korku tribe) in the Chikhaldara, Achalpur and parts of Morshi in Amravati district of Maharashtra, India. A field survey of the study area was carried out during 2000-2004 to document the medicinal utility of plants occurring in this area by Korku tribe. Traditional uses of 66 plant species belonging to 40 families are described under this study. The documented ethnomedicinal plants were mostly used to cure skin disorders, diarrhea, jaundice, tuberculosis, stroke, migraine, menstrual problems, fertility problems, urinary problems, piles, wounds and poison bites. The medicinal plants used by the Korku tribe are arranged alphabetically followed by family name, herbarium number, local name, parts used, mode of preparation and medicinal uses.