Toxicity assessment of heavy metals translocation in maize grown in the Ganges delta floodplain soils around the Payra power plant in Bangladesh.

As a cereal crop, maize ranked third place after wheat and rice in terms of land area coverage for its cultivation, and in Bangladesh, it ranked second place after rice in its production. As the substitution of wheat products, maize has been used widely in baking for human consumption and animal fodder. However, maize grown in this soil around the coal-burning power plant may cause heavy metals uptake that poses a risk to humans. The study was conducted at the maize fields in the Ganges delta floodplain soils of Bangladesh to know the concentration of eight heavy metals (Ni, Cr, Cd, Mn, As, Cu, Zn, and Pb) in soil and maize samples using an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) and to estimate the risk of heavy metals in maize grains. Mean concentrations of heavy metals (mg/kg) in soil were in decreasing order of Zn (10.12) > Cu (10.02) > Mn (5.48) > Ni (4.95) > Cr (3.72) > As (0.51) > Pb (0.27) > Cd (0.23). The plant tissues showed the descending order of heavy metal concentration as roots > grains > stems > leaves. BCF values for As, Cd, Pb, and Mn in roots were higher than 1.0, indicating considerable accumulation of these elements in maize via roots. Total hazard quotient (Æ©THQ) of heavy metals through maize grain consumption was 3.7E+00 and 3.9E+00 for adults and children, respectively, indicating non-cancer risk to the consumers. Anthropogenic influences contributed to the heavy metals enrichment in the Ganges delta floodplain soils around the thermal plant, and potential risks (non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic) were observed due to the consumption of maize grain cultivated in the study area.

A Mouse Model of Helicobacter pylori Infection.

Infection with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is of great distress because of its vital role in the pathogenesis of chronic gastritis, peptic ulcers, and in the multi-step carcinogenic process of gastric cancer. The increasing antibiotic resistance pattern of H. pylori worldwide has prompted the World Health Organization to put this organism in the priority pathogens list. To study the disease biology, evaluation of drugs, treatment outcome and to come up with probable vaccination strategies, competent animal models that reproduce the signature of human infection are essential. Initial reports about animal colonization with H. pylori have shown significant heterogeneity, to such an extent that Barry Marshall, Nobel laureate for the discovery of H. pylori , infected himself with the bacterium to show its involvement in acute gastric illness. A paradigm-shift discovery of the H. pylori mouse-adapted strain SS1 has opened the avenues of research regarding the organism and its pathogenicity. Although the mouse model of H. pylori infection is being utilized all over the world, there are certain issues that need awareness and specific information to achieve successful, consistent colonization with symptoms resembling human. This chapter details an established and reliable protocol for the development of a competent mouse model for H. pylori infection leading to various gastro-intestinal diseases.

Novel virulence factor dupA of Helicobacter pylori as an important risk determinant for disease manifestation: An overview.

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a microaerophilic, Gram-negative, human gastric pathogen found usually in the mucous lining of stomach. It infects more than 50% of the world's population and leads to gastroduodenal diseases. The outcome of disease depends on mainly three factors: Host genetics, environment and bacterial factors. Among these, bacterial virulence factors such as cagA, vacA are well known for their role in disease outcomes. However, based on the global epidemiological results, none of the bacterial virulence (gene) factors was found to be associated with particular diseases like duodenal ulcer (DU) in all populations. Hence, substantial importance has been provided for research in strain-specific genes outside the cag pathogenicity island, especially genes located within the plasticity regions. dupA found within the plasticity regions was first demonstrated in 2005 and was proposed for duodenal ulcer development and reduced risk of gastric cancer in certain geographical regions. Due to the discrepancies in report from different parts of the world in DU development related to H. pylori virulence factor, dupA became an interesting area of research in elucidating the role of this gene in the disease progression. In this review, we shed light on the detailed information available on the polymorphisms in dupA and their clinical relevance. We have critically appraised several pertinent studies on dupA and discussed their merits and shortcomings. This review also highlights dupA gene as an important biomarker for DU in certain populations.

Berberine chloride mediates its antileishmanial activity by inhibiting Leishmania mitochondria.

Berberine chloride, a plant-derived isoquinoline alkaloid, has been demonstrated to have leishmanicidal activity, which is mediated by generation of a redox imbalance and depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane, resulting in a caspase-independent apoptotic-like cell death. However, its impact on mitochondrial function remains to be delineated and is the focus of this study. In UR6 promastigotes, berberine chloride demonstrated a dose-dependent increase in generation of reactive oxygen species and mitochondrial superoxide, depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane potential, a dose-dependent inhibition of mitochondrial complexes I-III and II-III, along with a substantial depletion of ATP, collectively suggesting inhibition of parasite mitochondria. Accordingly, the oxidative stress induced by berberine chloride resulting in an apoptotic-like cell death in Leishmania can be exploited as a potent chemotherapeutic strategy, mitochondria being a prime contributor.

The leishmanicidal activity of artemisinin is mediated by cleavage of the endoperoxide bridge and mitochondrial dysfunction.

Endoperoxides kill malaria parasites via cleavage of their endoperoxide bridge by haem or iron, leading to generation of cytotoxic oxygen-centred radicals. In view of the Leishmania parasites having a relatively compromised anti-oxidant defense and high iron content, this study aims to establish the underlying mechanism(s) accounting for the apoptotic-like death of Leishmania promastigotes by artemisinin, an endoperoxide. The formation of reactive oxygen species was confirmed by flow cytometry and was accompanied by inhibition of mitochondrial complexes I-III and II-III. However, this did not translate into a generation of mitochondrial superoxide or decrease in oxygen consumption, indicating minimal impairment of the electron transport chain. Artemisinin caused depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane along with a substantial depletion of adenosine triphosphatase (ATP), but it was not accompanied by enhancement of ATP hydrolysis. Collectively, the endoperoxide-mediated radical formation by artemisinin in Leishmania promastigotes was the key step for triggering its antileishmanial activity, leading secondarily to mitochondrial dysfunction indicating that endoperoxides represent a promising therapeutic strategy against Leishmania worthy of pharmacological consideration.

Synthesis, characterization and nucleic acid binding studies of mononuclear copper(II) complexes derived from azo containing O, O donor ligands.

Azo linked salicyldehyde and a new 2-hydroxy acetophenone based ligands (HL1 and HL2) with their copper(II) complexes [Cu(L1)2] (1) and [Cu(L2)2] (2) were synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic methods such as 1H, 13C NMR, UV-Vis spectroscopy and elemental analyses. Calculation based on Density Functional Theory (DFT), have been performed to obtain optimized structures. Binding studies of these copper (II) complexes with calf thymus DNA (ct-DNA) and torula yeast RNA (t-RNA) were analyzed by absorption spectra, emission spectra and Viscosity studies and Molecular Docking techniques. The absorption spectral study indicated that the copper(II) complexes of 1 and 2 had intrinsic binding constants with DNA or RNA in the range of 7.6 ± 0.2 × 103 M-1 or 6.5 ± 0.3 × 103M-1 and 5.7 ± 0.4 × 104 M-1 or 1.8 ± 0.5 × 103 M-1 respectively. The synthesized compounds and nucleic acids were simulated by molecular docking to explore more details mode of interaction of the complexes and their orientations in the active site of the receptor.

Antimicrobial activity of ellagic acid against Helicobacter pylori isolates from India and during infections in mice.

Objectives: Because of the rise in antimicrobial resistance, an inexpensive, diet-based treatment against Helicobacter pylori infection would be of great interest. The present study was performed to assess the in vitro effects of ellagic acid against clinical H. pylori strains that were resistant to antibiotics used for therapy and also to observe the morphological structure following treatment with ellagic acid. The effectiveness of ellagic acid in eradicating H. pylori infection in a murine (C57BL/6) infection model, one of the standard inbred mouse lines often used for experimental infection, was also assessed. Methods: A total of 55 strains were screened. The agar dilution method was used to determine the susceptibility of isolates to test compounds. Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the morphology following treatment with ellagic acid. The antibacterial activity of ellagic acid in an H. pylori SS1-infected mouse model and its effect on gastric mucosal injury were determined by histology and PCR. Results: Ellagic acid inhibited the growth of all 55 of the H. pylori strains tested. The MIC of ellagic acid ranged from 5 to 30 mg/L, showing its bactericidal properties in vitro. Ellagic acid also demonstrated anti-H. pylori efficacy in eradication of this organism in an in vivo model, as well as restitution and repair of H. pylori-induced gastric mucosal damage. Conclusions: The present study paves the way for the preventive and therapeutic use of ellagic acid against H. pylori infection and, thus, ellagic acid can be considered a promising antibacterial agent against H. pylori-associated gastroduodenal diseases in humans.

Induction of apoptosis in human colorectal cancer cell line, HCT-116 by a vanadium- Schiff base complex.

Vanadium compounds are well known for their therapeutic interventions against several diseases. Various biochemical attributes of vanadium complexes inspired us to evaluate the cancer cell killing efficacy of the vanadium complex, viz., vanadyl N-(2-hydroxyacetophenone) glycinate [VO(NG)2]. Previously we showed that VO(NG)2 is an effective anticancer agent in in vitro and in vivo cancer models and imposed miniscule side effects. Herein we report that VO(NG)2 is significantly cytotoxic to various cancer cell lines. Furthermore, this redox active vanadyl complex altered the redox homeostatsis of many human cancer cell lines significantly. VO(NG)2 actuates programmed cell death in human colorectal carcinoma cells(HCT-116) through mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization but in caspase independent manner, possibly by altering cellular redox status and by inflicting DNA damage. Thus, the present work is an attempt to provide many evidences regarding the potent and selective chemotherapeutic efficacy of the novel VO(NG)2.

A copper chelate induces apoptosis and overcomes multidrug resistance in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia through redox imbalance and inhibition of EGFR/PI3K/Akt expression.

T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is an aggressive form of cancer and the therapeutic outcome for T-ALL patients remains poor. Thus innovative therapeutic strategies with less toxic drugs are of immense need. Moreover combinational effect of redox imbalance with modulated EGFR/PI3K/Akt axis in T-ALL is still elusive. To explore more effective drugs we developed and characterized 5-SMAG, Cu-5-SMAG and Cu-OBPHA complexes by different spectroscopic methods and revealed that introduction of methoxy group and copper to the previously synthesized Schiff base ligand, NG can efficiently target leukemia by sparing the normal cells and overcomes MDR in T-ALL through induction of caspase3 dependent apoptosis as assessed by MTT, Cell-cycle, Annexin-V and caspase3 activation assay. However the ligand 5-SMAG fails to exert significant cytotoxicity. Moreover introduction of copper does not increase the efficacy of the drug molecule as Cu-OBPHA fails to exert significant effect compared to Cu-5-SMAG. Moreover Cu-5-SMAG targets T-ALL cells more than Cu-OBPHA because Cu-5-SMAG generates greater extent of redox imbalance compared to Cu-OBPHA and when this redox imbalance is reduced by application of NAC and PEG-Catalase, highest abrogation of apoptosis is observed following Cu-5-SMAG treatment In addition, Cu-5-SMAG significantly down-regulates the activation and expression of EGFR1, Akt and PI3K in drug-resistant T-ALL cells. Furthermore Cu-5-SMAG significantly increases the life-span of doxorubicin resistant and sensitive Ehrlich ascites carcinoma bearing Swiss albino mice without inducing any significant systemic toxicity compared to 5-SMAG and Cu-OBPHA treatment. Therefore typical architect of Cu-5-SMAG made it a promising new anti-leukemic agent irrespective of the MDR phenotype.

Curcumin as a potential therapeutic candidate for Helicobacter pylori associated diseases.

Curcumin, a yellow pigment and principal polyphenolic Curcuminoid obtained from the turmeric rhizome Curcuma longa, is commonly used as a food-coloring agent. Studies suggest that curcumin has a wide range of beneficial properties e.g., anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-cancer, anti-proliferative, anti-fungal and anti-microbial. These pleiotropic activities prompted several research groups to elucidate the role of curcumin in Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. This is the first review with this heading where we discussed regarding the role of curcumin as an anti-H. pylori agent along with its potential in other gastrointestinal diseases. Based on several in vitro, early cell culture, animal research and few pre-clinical trials, curcumin projected as a potential therapeutic candidate against H. pylori mediated gastric pathogenesis. This review sheds light on the anti-H. pylori effects of curcumin in different models with meticulous emphasis on its anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic effects as well as some critical signaling and effecter molecules. Remarkably, non-toxic molecule curcumin fulfills the characteristics for an ideal chemopreventive agent against H. pylori mediated gastric carcinogenesis but the foremost challenge is to obtain the optimum therapeutic levels of curcumin, due to its low solubility and poor bioavailability. Further, we have discussed about the possibilities for improving its efficacy and bioavailability. Lastly, we concluded with the anticipation that in near future curcumin may be used to develop a therapeutic drug against H. pylori mediated gastric ailments through improved formulation or delivery systems, facilitating its enhanced absorption and cellular uptake.

Helicobacter pylori plasticity region genes are associated with the gastroduodenal diseases manifestation in India.

BACKGROUND: Almost all Helicobacter pylori infected person develop gastritis and severe gastritis is supposed to be the denominator of peptic ulcer diseases, which may lead to gastric cancer. However, it is still an enigma why few strains are associated with ulcer formation, while others are not related with any disease outcome. Although a number of putative virulence factors have been reported for H. pylori, there are contradictory results regarding their connotation with diseases. Recently, there has been a significant attention in strain-specific genes outside the cag pathogenicity island, especially genes within plasticity regions. Studies demonstrated that certain genes in this region may play important roles in the pathogenesis of H. pylori-associated diseases. The aim of this study was to assess the role of selected genes (jhp0940, jhp0945, jhp0947 and jhp0949) in the plasticity region in relation to risk of H. pylori-related diseases in Indian population. METHODS: A total of 113 H. pylori strains isolated from duodenal ulcer (DU) (n = 61) and non-ulcer dyspepsia (NUD) subjects (n = 52) were screened by PCR and Dot-Blot to determine the presence of these genes. The comparative study of IL-8 production and apoptosis were also done by co-culturing the AGS cells with H. pylori strains of different genotype. RESULTS: PCR and Dot-Blot results indicated that the prevalence rates of jhp0940, jhp0945, jhp0947 and jhp0949 in the H. pylori strains were 9.8, 47.5, 50.8, 40.9 % and 17.3, 28.8, 26.9, 19.2 % isolated from DU and NUD, respectively. IL-8 production and apoptotic cell death were significantly higher in H. pylori strains containing jhp0945, jhp0947 and jhp0949 than the strains lacking those genes. Results indicated that the prevalence of jhp0945, jhp0947 and jhp0949 are associated with increased risk of severe diseases in India. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that presence of jhp0945, jhp0947 and jhp0949 were significantly associated with symptomatic expressions along with the increased virulence during in vitro study whereas jhp0940 seems to be negatively associated with the disease. These results suggest that jhp0945, jhp0947 and jhp0949 could be useful prognostic markers for the development of duodenal ulcer in India.

Helicobacter pylori strains harboring babA2 from Indian sub population are associated with increased virulence in ex vivo study.

BACKGROUND: The babA2 gene along with the cagA and vacA of Helicobacter pylori has been considered as a risk factor for the disease outcome in certain populations. This study was aimed to understand the role of babA2 of H. pylori with the background of cagA and vacA in disease manifestations in Indian sub population. METHODS: A total of 114 H. pylori strains isolated from duodenal ulcer (DU) (n = 53) and non-ulcer dyspepsia (NUD) patients (n = 61) were screened for the prevalence of these virulence markers by PCR. The comparative study of IL-8 production and apoptosis were done by co-culturing the AGS cell line with H. pylori strains with different genotypes. Adherence assay was performed with babA2 positive and negative strains. Two isogenic mutants of babA2 were constructed and the aforesaid comparative studies were carried out. RESULTS: PCR results indicated that 90.6 % (48/53), 82 % (50/61) and 73.6 % (39/53) strains from DU patients were positive for cagA, vacA, and babA2, respectively. Whereas the prevalence of these genes in NUD subjects were 70.5 % (43/61); 69.8 % (37/53), and 65.6 % (39/61), respectively. Although adherence to AGS cells was comparable among strains with babA2 positive and negative genotypes, but the triple positive strains could induce highest degree of IL-8 production and apoptosis, followed by the cagA (-)/vacA (-)/babA2 (+) strains and triple negative strains, respectively. The wild type strains showed significantly higher IL-8 induction as well as apoptosis in ex vivo than its isogenic mutant of babA2. CONCLUSION: PCR study demonstrated that there was no significant association between the distribution of babA2 genotype or of triple positive strains and disease outcome in this sub population. The adherence assay showed that there was no significant difference in the extent of adherence to AGS cells among babA2 positive and negative strains. But the ex vivo study indicated that the triple positive or even the babA2 only positive strains are involved in increased virulence. The wild type strains also exhibited increased virulence compared to the babA2 mutant strains. This inconsistency demonstrated that bacterial genotype along with host genetic polymorphisms or other factors play important role in determining the clinical manifestation of H. pylori infections.

M2 Polarization of Monocytes-Macrophages Is a Hallmark of Indian Post Kala-Azar Dermal Leishmaniasis.

The high level of functional diversity and plasticity in monocytes/macrophages has been defined within in vitro systems as M1 (classically activated), M2 (alternatively activated) and deactivated macrophages, of which the latter two subtypes are associated with suppression of cell mediated immunity, that confers susceptibility to intracellular infection. Although the Leishmania parasite modulates macrophage functions to ensure its survival, what remains an unanswered yet pertinent question is whether these macrophages are deactivated or alternatively activated. This study aimed to characterize the functional plasticity and polarization of monocytes/macrophages and delineate their importance in the immunopathogenesis of Post kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL), a chronic dermatosis of human leishmaniasis. Monocytes from PKDL patients showed a decreased expression of TLR-2/4, along with an attenuated generation of reactive oxidative/nitrosative species. At disease presentation, an increased mRNA expression of classical M2 markers CD206, ARG1 and PPARG in monocytes and lesional macrophages indicated M2 polarization of macrophages which was corroborated by increased expression of CD206 and arginase-1. Furthermore, altered vitamin D signaling was a key feature in PKDL, as disease presentation was associated with raised plasma levels of monohydroxylated vitamin D3 and vitamin D3- associated genes, features of M2 polarization. Taken together, in PKDL, monocyte/macrophage subsets appear to be alternatively activated, a phenotype that might sustain disease chronicity. Importantly, repolarization of these monocytes to M1 by antileishmanial drugs suggests that switching from M2 to M1 phenotype might represent a therapeutic opportunity, worthy of future pharmacological consideration.

Andrographolide Analogue Induces Apoptosis and Autophagy Mediated Cell Death in U937 Cells by Inhibition of PI3K/Akt/mTOR Pathway.

BACKGROUND: Current chemotherapeutic agents based on apoptosis induction are lacking in desired efficacy. Therefore, there is continuous effort to bring about new dimension in control and gradual eradication of cancer by means of ever evolving therapeutic strategies. Various forms of PCD are being increasingly implicated in anti-cancer therapy and the complex interplay among them is vital for the ultimate fate of proliferating cells. We elaborated and illustrated the underlying mechanism of the most potent Andrographolide analogue (AG-4) mediated action that involved the induction of dual modes of cell death-apoptosis and autophagy in human leukemic U937 cells. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: AG-4 induced cytotoxicity was associated with redox imbalance and apoptosis which involved mitochondrial depolarisation, altered apoptotic protein expressions, activation of the caspase cascade leading to cell cycle arrest. Incubation with caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-fmk or Bax siRNA decreased cytotoxic efficacy of AG-4 emphasising critical roles of caspase and Bax. In addition, AG-4 induced autophagy as evident from LC3-II accumulation, increased Atg protein expressions and autophagosome formation. Pre-treatment with 3-MA or Atg 5 siRNA suppressed the cytotoxic effect of AG-4 implying the pro-death role of autophagy. Furthermore, incubation with Z-VAD-fmk or Bax siRNA subdued AG-4 induced autophagy and pre-treatment with 3-MA or Atg 5 siRNA curbed AG-4 induced apoptosis-implying that apoptosis and autophagy acted as partners in the context of AG-4 mediated action. AG-4 also inhibited PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway. Inhibition of mTOR or Akt augmented AG-4 induced apoptosis and autophagy signifying its crucial role in its mechanism of action. CONCLUSIONS: Thus, these findings prove the dual ability of AG-4 to induce apoptosis and autophagy which provide a new perspective to it as a potential molecule targeting PCD for future cancer therapeutics.

Association of Intact dupA (dupA1) rather than dupA1 cluster with duodenal ulcer in Indian population.

BACKGROUND: The duodenal ulcer promoting gene (dupA) and dupA cluster in Helicobacter pylori have been described as a risk factor for duodenal ulcer development in some populations. Polymorphic gene dupA can be divided into two groups, intact dupA1 (long or short type based on the presence or absence of 615-bp extra sequences at the 5' region) having complete reading frame and other truncated dupA2 having frame-shift mutation. This study was aimed to elucidate the role of dupA of H. pylori and their clusters in the disease manifestation of Indian population. METHODS: A total of 170 H. pylori strains were screened for the presence of dupA, dupA alleles and dupA cluster by PCR and sequencing. Pro-inflammatory cytokine (IL-8) with different dupA variant H. pylori stimulated gastric epithelial cells (AGS cells) was measured by ELISA. RESULTS: A total of 50 strains (29.4%) were positive for dupA among the tested 170 strains. The prevalence of dupA1 in duodenal ulcer (DU) and non-ulcer dyspepsia (NUD) populations was found to be 25.5% (25/98) and 11.1% (8/72), respectively and 16.4% (28/170) of the tested strains had dupA1, cagA and vacAs1m1 positive. The distribution of long and short type dupA1 has not been significantly associated with the disease outcome. The dupA cluster analysis showed that 10.2% (10/98) and 8.3% (6/72) strains were positive among DU and NUD, respectively. IL-8 production was significantly higher in dupA1(+) , cagA (+), vacA (+) (902.5 ± 79.01 pg/mL) than dupA2 (+) , cagA (+) , vacA (+) (536.0 ± 100.4 pg/mL, P = 0.008) and dupA (-), cagA (+), vacA (+) (549.7 ± 104.1 pg/mL, P = 0.009). Phylogenetic analysis of dupA indicated that the Indian H. pylori strains clustered with East Asian strains but distinct from Western strains. This is the first known genetic element of Indian H. pylori that is genetically closer to the East Asian strains but differed from the Western strains. CONCLUSIONS: The intact dupA1 was significantly associated with DU than NUD (P = 0.029) but the dupA1 cluster has no role in the disease manifestation at India (P = 0.79). Thus, dupA1 can be considered as a biomarker for DU patients in India.

ROS and RNS induced apoptosis through p53 and iNOS mediated pathway by a dibasic hydroxamic acid molecule in leukemia cells.

Anticancer drugs induce apoptosis to cancer cells and also exhibit undesired toxicity to normal cells. Therefore development of novel agents triggering apoptosis and have low toxicity towards normal cells is most important. Hydroxamic acids suppress tumour cell growth through apoptosis but the underlying mechanism is poorly understood. Herein, we describe the apoptotic potential of a dibasic hydroxamic acid derivative, viz., oxayl bis (N-phenyl) hydroxamic acid (OBPHA), which induces apoptosis through generation of both ROS and NO in doxorubicin resistant T-lymphoblastic leukemia, CEM/ADR5000 cells. Present study discloses that OBPHA selectively kills cancerous cells irrespective of their drug resistant phenotype. We also determined the crystal structure of OBPHA to understand the structural requirements for apoptosis; the study reveals that the presence of substituted hydroxamic acid groups (-CO-NH-OH) favours the generation of NO possibly through auto degeneration. Along with the induction of caspase 3 mediated intrinsic apoptosis; OBPHA also activates p53 dependent signalling cascade and downregulates HDAC3 expression in a time dependent manner possibly due to increased ROS and NO production and simultaneous decrease in cellular GSH level. Thus ROS and NO mediated downstream signalling are essential for the anticancer effect of OBPHA. Therefore OBPHA, having a structurally relevant pharmacophore provides important insight into the development of new ROS and RNS generating chemicals inducing p53 dependent apoptosis.

Ligand dependent self-assembly of hydroxido-bridged dicopper units templated by sodium ion.

Crown-ether like interaction of two neutral [Cu2(µ-OH)(µ-L(1))] (H3L(1) = 2-(2'-hydroxyphenyl)-1,3-bis[4-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-3-azabut-3-enyl]-1,3-imidazolidine) fragments, around a central Na(+) cation as self-assembly template, led to the formation of [Na{Cu2(µ-OH)(µ-L(1))}2]ClO4 (1). Di-tert-butyl group substituted H3L(2) {2-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-hydroxyphenyl)-1,3-bis[4-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-hydroxyphenyl)-3-azabut-3-enyl]-1,3-imidazolidine} conversely yields only [Cu2(µ-OH)(µ-L(2))]·1.5H2O (2), by discarding aggregation around the Na(+) ion. The crown-ether type aggregate 1 exhibits ferromagnetic interactions within the double oxido-phenoxido [Cu2] fragments and weak antiferromagnetic interactions are mediated by the ONa(+)O bridges. Complex 2 registers only weak antiferromagnetic interactions within the oxido-phenoxido bridged [Cu2] entity. UV-visible and emission titration spectroscopy establish the interaction of cationic complex 1 with calf thymus DNA in Tris buffer and it cleaves supercoiled pBR322 DNA from in situ generated ROS.

A novel manganese complex, Mn-(II) N-(2-hydroxy acetophenone) glycinate overcomes multidrug-resistance in cancer.

Multidrug resistance (MDR) remains a significant problem for effective cancer chemotherapy. In spite of considerable advances in drug discovery, most of the cancer cases still stay incurable because of resistance to chemotherapy. We synthesized a novel, Mn (II) complex (chelate), viz., manganese N-(2-hydroxy acetophenone) glycinate (MnNG) that exhibits considerable efficacy to overcome drug resistant cancer. The antiproliferative activity of MnNG was studied on doxorubicin resistant and sensitive human T lymphoblastic leukemia cells (CEM/ADR 5000 and CCRF/CEM). MnNG induced apoptosis significantly in CEM/ADR 5000 cells probably through generation of reactive oxygen species. Moreover, intraperitoneal (i.p.) application of MnNG at non-toxic doses caused significant increase in the life-span of Swiss albino mice bearing sensitive and doxorubicin resistant subline of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells.

Malabaricone-A induces a redox imbalance that mediates apoptosis in U937 cell line.

BACKGROUND: The 'two-faced' character of reactive oxygen species (ROS) plays an important role in cancer biology by acting both as secondary messengers in intracellular signaling cascades and sustaining the oncogenic phenotype of cancer cells, while on the other hand, it triggers an oxidative assault that causes a redox imbalance translating into an apoptotic cell death. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Using a tetrazolium [{3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl}-2H-tetrazolium] based cell viability assay, we evaluated the cytotoxicity of a plant derived diarylnonanoid, malabaricone-A on leukemic cell lines U937 and MOLT-3. This cytotoxicity hinged on its ability to cause a redox imbalance via its ability to increase ROS, measured by flow cytometry using 5-(and-6)-chloromethyl-2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate and by decreasing glutathione peroxidase activity. This redox imbalance mediated apoptosis was evident by an increase in cytosolic [Ca(2+)], externalization of phosphatidyl serine as also depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane potential as measured by flow cytometry. There was concomitant peroxidation of cardiolipin, release of free cytochrome c to cytosol along with activation of caspases 9, 8 and 3. This led to cleavage of the DNA repair enzyme, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase that caused DNA damage as proved by labeling with 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI); furthermore, terminal deoxy ribonucleotide transferase catalysed incorporation of deoxy uridine triphosphate confirmed DNA nicking and was accompanied by arrest of cell cycle progression. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, compounds like MAL-A having pro-oxidant activity mediate their cytotoxicity in leukemic cells via induction of oxidative stress triggering a caspase dependent apoptosis.

Coinfection of Leptomonas seymouri and Leishmania donovani in Indian leishmaniasis.

Leishmania donovani is considered the causative organism of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL). Testing of 4/29 DNA samples from VL and PKDL patients as well as 2/7 field isolates showed an aberrant internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) pattern, which upon sequencing strongly matched Leptomonas seymouri, thus confirming its presence in Indian leishmaniasis.