ABSTRACT
The link between obesity-induced systemic inflammation and decreased insulin signalling is well-known. It is also known that peripherally produced inflammatory cytokines can cross the blood-brain barrier, resulting in the release of neurotoxins that can ultimately lead to the demise of central nervous system integrity. A high-mesembrine Sceletium tortuosum extract was recently shown to possess cytoprotective and mild anti-inflammatory properties in monocytes and to target specific p450 enzymes to reduce adrenal glucocorticoid synthesis. This is significant since the aetiology of both obesity and diabetes is linked to inflammation and excess glucocorticoid production. Given the interlinked nature of glucocorticoid action and inflammation, central immunomodulatory effects of two Sceletium tortuosum extracts prepared by different extraction methods were investigated. Human astrocytes were pre-treated for 30 min, before exposure to Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide for 23.5 h (in the presence of treatment). Cytotoxicity, mitotoxicity and cytokine responses (basally and in response to inflammatory stimulus) were assessed. In addition, total polyphenol content, antioxidant capacity and selected neural enzyme inhibition capacity were assessed for both extracts. The high-mesembrine Sceletium extract exerted cytoprotective and anti-inflammatory effects. In contrast, the high delta7-mesembrenone extract, rich in polyphenols, exhibited potent antioxidant effect, although with relatively higher risk of adverse effects with overdose. We conclude that both Sceletium tortuosum extracts may be employed as either a preventative supplement or complimentary treatment in the context of obesity and diabetes; however, current data also highlights the impact that extraction methods can have on plant product mechanism of action
Subject(s)
Humans , Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal/pharmacology , Astrocytes , Indole Alkaloids/pharmacology , Mesembryanthemum/chemistry , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Acetylcholinesterase/metabolism , Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal/analysis , Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal/isolation & purification , Antioxidants , Cell Line , Cholinesterase Inhibitors , Indole Alkaloids/analysis , Indole Alkaloids/chemistry , Plant Extracts/chemistry , Plant Extracts/isolation & purificationABSTRACT
The link between obesity-induced systemic inflammation and decreased insulin signalling is well-known. It is also known that peripherally produced inflammatory cytokines can cross the blood-brain barrier, resulting in the release of neurotoxins that can ultimately lead to the demise of central nervous system integrity. A high-mesembrine Sceletium tortuosum extract was recently shown to possess cytoprotective and mild anti-inflammatory properties in monocytes and to target specific p450 enzymes to reduce adrenal glucocorticoid synthesis. This is significant since the aetiology of both obesity and diabetes is linked to inflammation and excess glucocorticoid production. Given the interlinked nature of glucocorticoid action and inflammation, central immunomodulatory effects of two Sceletium tortuosum extracts prepared by different extraction methods were investigated. Human astrocytes were pre-treated for 30 min, before exposure to Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide for 23.5 h (in the presence of treatment). Cytotoxicity, mitotoxicity and cytokine responses (basally and in response to inflammatory stimulus) were assessed. In addition, total polyphenol content, antioxidant capacity and selected neural enzyme inhibition capacity were assessed for both extracts. The high-mesembrine Sceletium extract exerted cytoprotective and anti-inflammatory effects. In contrast, the high delta7-mesembrenone extract, rich in polyphenols, exhibited potent antioxidant effect, although with relatively higher risk of adverse effects with overdose. We conclude that both Sceletium tortuosum extracts may be employed as either a preventative supplement or complimentary treatment in the context of obesity and diabetes; however, current data also highlights the impact that extraction methods can have on plant product mechanism of action.
Subject(s)
Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal/pharmacology , Astrocytes/drug effects , Indole Alkaloids/pharmacology , Mesembryanthemum/chemistry , Neuroprotective Agents/pharmacology , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Acetylcholinesterase/metabolism , Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal/analysis , Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal/chemistry , Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal/isolation & purification , Antioxidants/analysis , Antioxidants/chemistry , Antioxidants/isolation & purification , Antioxidants/pharmacology , Astrocytes/immunology , Astrocytes/metabolism , Cell Line , Cell Survival/drug effects , Cholinesterase Inhibitors/analysis , Cholinesterase Inhibitors/chemistry , Cholinesterase Inhibitors/isolation & purification , Cholinesterase Inhibitors/pharmacology , Cytokines/antagonists & inhibitors , Cytokines/metabolism , Drug Discovery , Enzyme Inhibitors/analysis , Enzyme Inhibitors/chemistry , Enzyme Inhibitors/isolation & purification , Enzyme Inhibitors/pharmacology , Ethnopharmacology , GPI-Linked Proteins/antagonists & inhibitors , GPI-Linked Proteins/metabolism , Humans , Indole Alkaloids/analysis , Indole Alkaloids/chemistry , Lipopolysaccharides/toxicity , Medicine, African Traditional , Monophenol Monooxygenase/antagonists & inhibitors , Monophenol Monooxygenase/metabolism , Nerve Tissue Proteins/analysis , Nerve Tissue Proteins/chemistry , Nerve Tissue Proteins/isolation & purification , Nerve Tissue Proteins/pharmacology , Neuroprotective Agents/analysis , Neuroprotective Agents/chemistry , Neuroprotective Agents/isolation & purification , Oxidative Stress/drug effects , Plant Extracts/chemistry , Plant Extracts/isolation & purificationABSTRACT
An alternative format for presentation of the MEDLINE Update is presented. Utilization of a statewide closed-circuit television network is time-saving and cost-effective for the audience. Differences in and audience response to this alternative programming are described.
Subject(s)
Education, Continuing/organization & administration , MEDLARS/education , Television , Indiana , United StatesABSTRACT
In 1966, the Indiana University School of Medicine Library became part of a statewide teletype network. Biomedical personnel throughout Indiana may use the resources of the Library by requesting either specific books and articles or bibliographic searches through local public libraries which relay the requests to the School of Medicine Library. All transactions except reference questions receive twenty-four-hour service. The popularity of such a facility is indicated by the fact that 472 identified borrowers used it during the twenty-five months between its inception and December 31, 1968. Over half of the borrowers have used it repeatedly, and as many as 358 transactions have occurred in a single month. The largest group of borrowers consists of practicing physicians. It is felt that the enthusiastic response to the service justifies its continuation and expansion.