Distribution of Anopheles culicifacies and Detection of its Sibling Species E from Madhya Pradesh: Central India.

BACKGROUND: Anopheles culicifacies is an important vector of malaria in Southeast Asia, contributing to almost 70% of malaria cases in India. It exists as a complex of five morphologically indistinguishable species A, B, C, D and E with varied geographical distribution patterns. In India, 8% of the total population of Madhya Pradesh (Central India) contributes about 30% of total malaria cases, 60% of total falciparum cases and 50% of malaria deaths. An. culicifacies is the major malaria vector in this state. Vector control mainly relies on the proper identification and distribution of vector species exists in a particular area. The present study was carried out to identify the distribution of An. culicifacies sibling species in certain endemic district of Central India, Madhya Pradesh. METHODS: The An. culicifacies mosquitoes collected from the study districts were identified morphologically. The genomic DNA was isolated from the mosquitoes and subjected to Allele specific PCR targeting D3 domain of 28S ribosomal DNA. RESULTS: The mean prevalence of An. culicifacies during the study period was in the range of 8-120 per man per hour (PMH). From the study areas species B was identified from Jabalpur, Chindwara and Hoshangabad, Species C from Hoshangabad only, Species D from Narsinghpur and Khandwa and sibling species E from Mandla, Chindwara and Hoshangabad respectively. CONCLUSION: This is the first report to detect species E from Madhya Pradesh region which necessitate for reconsideration of species distribution of each An. culicifacies sibling species that would enable to develop required vector control strategies.

Comparative toxic effect of nitrogen mustards (HN-1, HN-2, and HN-3) and sulfur mustard on hematological and biochemical variables and their protection by DRDE-07 and its analogues.

The chemical warfare agents sulfur mustard (SM) and nitrogen mustards (HN-1, HN-2, and HN-3) are highly reactive vesicants. The study was planned to investigate the protective efficacy of amifostine, DRDE-07 and their analogues, and few conventional antidotes (30 minutes pretreatment) against dermally applied SM and nitrogen mustards in preventing hematological and biochemical changes in mice. Mustard agents (1.0 median lethal dose [LD(50)]) induced a significant decrease in the body weight and spleen weight. A significant decrease in the white blood cell (WBC) count and an increase in serum transaminases and alkaline phosphatases (ALPs) were observed. A significant decrease in reduced (GSH) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) and an increase in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances were also observed. All the mustard agents increased DNA fragmentation. The effects of SM were significantly ameliorated by DRDE-07 analogues, and with nitrogen mustards the protection was partial. Overall, DRDE-30 (propyl analogue) followed by DRDE-35 (butyl analogue) are favored as safer and better compounds.

Protective effects of propolis on inorganic mercury induced oxidative stress in mice.

Protective potential of propolis was evaluated against mercury induced oxidative stress and antioxidant enzymatic alterations in mice liver. Exposure to mercuric chloride (HgCl2; 5 mg/kg; ip) induced oxidative stress by increasing lipid peroxidation and oxidized glutathione level along with concomitant decrease in glutathione and various antioxidant enzymes. Mercury intoxication deviated the activity of liver marker enzymes in serum. Conjoint treatment of propolis (200 mg/kg; po) inhibited lipid peroxidation and oxidized glutathione level, whereas increased glutathione level. Activities of antioxidants enzymes, i.e., superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione-S-transferase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase were also restored concomitantly towards control after propolis administration. Release of serum transaminases, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase and y-glutamyl transpeptidase were significantly restored towards control after propolis treatment. Results suggest that propolis augments the antioxidants defense against mercury induced toxicity and provides evidence that it has therapeutic potential as hepatoprotective agent.

Pharmacological intervention of tiferron and propolis to alleviate beryllium-induced hepatorenal toxicity.

Intervention of chelating agent tiferron (sodium-4,5-dihydroxy-1,3-benzene disulfonate; 300 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) with propolis (honey beehive product; 200 mg/kg, p.o.) was evaluated to encounter the characteristic biochemical and ultra-morphological alterations following subchronic exposure to beryllium. Female albino rats were challenged with beryllium nitrate (1 mg/kg, i.p.) daily for 28 days followed by treatment of the above-mentioned therapeutic agents either individually or in combination for five consecutive days. Exposure to beryllium increased its concentration in the serum, liver and kidney, and caused significant alterations in cytochrome P450 activity, microsomal lipid peroxidation and proteins. Activities of alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, bilirubin, creatinine and urea in the serum and activity of acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, adenosine triphosphatase, glucose-6-phophatase and succinic dehydrogenase in the liver and kidney were significantly altered after beryllium administration. Beryllium exposure also induced severe hepatorenal alterations at histopathological and ultra-morphological level. Tiferron along with propolis dramatically reversed the alterations in all the variables more towards control rather than their individual treatment. The study concludes that pharmacological intervention of tiferron and propolis is beneficial in attenuating beryllium-induced systemic toxicity.