A CRITICAL REVIEW ON PHARMACOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF HYDROGEN SULFIDE (H2S) ON NF-κB CONCENTRATION AND ICAM-1 EXPRESSION IN RENAL ISCHEMIA REPERFUSION INJURY.

Until recently hydrogen sulfide (H2S) was the least appreciated of the three gasotransmitters but now recognized as 3Y gaseous mediator after nitric oxide(NO) and carbon monoxide (CO). H2S regulates a number of physiological processes like vasorelaxation, prevention of inflammation, leukocyte adhesion, anti-prolifera- tive effects, anti-thrombotic effects, resistance to oxidative stress and protection against ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI). However, considerable amount of research is still needed to evaluate the mechanisms involved in the therapeutic effects of H2S in IRI such as its effects on nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-KB) concentration and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression in renal IRI and ARF (acute renal failure). More than a decade of good repute among researchers, H2S research has certain results that need to be clarified more such as whether H2S is pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory agent. Moreover, pathways adopted by H2S in the protein modification and its effects on cell signalling specially its effect on NF-KB in the process of inflamma- tion are not fully elucidated. H2S has delighted researchers and a great deal of information is being generated every year.The main purpose of the review is to provide an update on the development in the research of H2S in renal IRI due to uncertainty of the exact role of H2S on ICAM-1 expression and NF-KB concentration whether it inhibits or activates them.

IMPACT OF ISOPRENALINE AND CAFFEINE ON DEVELOPMENT OF LEFT VENTRICULAR HYPERTROPHY AND RENAL HEMODYNAMIC IN WISTAR KYOTO RATS.

Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is a compensatory mechanism in response to an increased work load on the heart. This study investigated the impact of chronic isoprenaline and caffeine (I/C model) administration on cardiac geometry, systemic hemodynamic and physiological data in rats as LVH develops. LVH was induced by administering isoprenaline (5 mg/kg s.c. every 72 h) and caffeine (62 mg/L) in drinking water for 14 days to Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats. Mean arterial pressure (MAP), systolic blood pressure (SBP), heart weight, LV weight, LV chamber diameter and thickness of myocardium were observed as LVH indicators. MAP was significantly higher (142 ± 13 vs. 119 ± 2 mmHg, respectively) while heart rate (HR) in LVH was lower (314 ± 9 vs. 264 ± 18 BPM) compared to control WKY. Heart weight, LV weight and kidney weight were 31%, 38% and 7%, respectively, greater in the LVH group as compared to the control WKY (all p < 0.05).The myocardium thickness was 101% greater while LV chamber diameter was 44% smaller in the LVH group as compared to the control WKY (p < 0.05). The superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione reductase (GSH) and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) levels were significantly reduced while malonodialdehyde (MDA) level increased in LVH as compared to control WKY (all p < 0.05). In conclusion, isoprenaline and caffeine (I/C) induces LVH and cardiac hypertrophy with increases in blood pressure, fluid excretion and reduced renal hemodynamics. Prooxidant mechanism of the body and arterial stiffness are dominant in this disease model. This model of LVH is easily generated and associated with low mortality.

Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad (bitter apple fruit): a review of its phytochemistry, pharmacology, traditional uses and nutritional potential.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad is a valuable cucurbit plant, widely distributed in the desert areas of the world. Citrullus colocynthis fruits are usually recognized for its wide range of medicinal uses as well as pharmaceutical and nutraceutical potential. This review aims to appraise the published information on the ethnobotanical knowledge, phytochemistry, ethnopharmacology, nutraceutical potential and safety studies of Citrullus colocynthis (bitter apple) fruit, with critical analysis on the gaps and potential for future studies. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A literature survey was performed by searching the scientific databases including PubMed, Scopus, SciFinder, Google Scholar, Web of Science, ACS as well as published books. RESULTS: The plant has been reported to possess a wide range of traditional medicinal uses including in diabetes, leprosy, common cold, cough, asthma, bronchitis, jaundice, joint pain, cancer, toothache, wound, mastitis, and in gastrointestinal disorders such as indigestion, constipation, dysentery, gastroenteritis, colic pain and different microbial infections. Several bioactive chemical constituents from fruits were recorded, such as, glycosides, flavonoids, alkaloids, fatty acids and essential oils. The isolation and identification of curcurbitacins A, B, C, D, E, I, J, K, and L and Colocynthosides A, and B were also reported. The fruit of Citrullus colocynthis has been studied extensively for its wide range of biological activities, which include antioxidant, cytotoxic, antidiabetic, antilipidemic, insecticide, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory. The plant was also shown to be rich in nutritional value with high protein contents and important minerals as well as edible quality of seed oil. CONCLUSION: It is evident from the literature that Citrullus colocynthis possesses a wide range of medicinal uses and has been well studied for its antidiabetic, anticancer, antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities, while its therapeutic potential for gut, airways and cardiovascular disorders remains to be explored. Critical analysis revealed that the plant has the huge potential for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical application, with some indications for the presence of synergistic and /or side effects neutralizing combinations of activities.