Methyldecanoate isolated from marine algae Turbinaria ornata enhances immunomodulation in LPS-induced inflammatory reactions in RAW 264.7 macrophages via iNOS/NFκB pathway.

This study identifies the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory potential of a fatty acid methyl ester segregated from the brown algae Turbinaria ornata and identified by nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry as methyl 6,12-dimethyltridecanoate (ET). Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of ET were studied on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory reaction in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Moreover, in silico docking studies of isolated ET with inflammatory markers TNFα, NFκB, and COX-2 showed potent binding scores suggesting anti-inflammatory potential. ET significantly reduced LPO and increased LPS-induced SOD, catalase, and GSH levels. Molecular docking results were further confirmed by checking mRNA levels of selected cytokines (IL6 and IL10), followed by protein expression of iNOS and NFκB in LPS-induced macrophages. ET significantly upregulated the expression of IL10 and downregulated the expression of IL6, iNOS, and NFκB, confirming the inhibition of LPS-induced inflammation via the iNOS/NFκB pathway.

Correction: Protective role of air potato (Dioscorea bulbifera) of yam family in myocardial ischemic reperfusion injury.

Correction for 'Protective role of air potato (Dioscorea bulbifera) of yam family in myocardial ischemic reperfusion injury' by Hannah Rachel Vasanthi et al., Food Funct., 2010, 1, 278-283.

Nymphaea nouchali Burm. f. hydroalcoholic seed extract increases glucose consumption in 3T3-L1 adipocytes through activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma and insulin sensitization.

Nymphaea nouchali Burm. f. (Family - Nymphaeaceae) is a well-known medicinal plant used in the Indian ayurvedic system of medicine for treating diabetes. The seeds especially have been prescribed for diabetes. The hydroalcoholic extract of N. nouchali seeds has been demonstrated to possess anti-hyperglycemic effects in diabetic rats, but the functional mechanism remains unknown. The nuclear receptor, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) is noted to play an important role in glucose and lipid homeostasis. This study was hence focused in evaluating the effect of the extract on PPARγ activation, adipocyte differentiation, and glucose consumption in 3T3-L1 cells. Cell viability was assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT), followed by adipogenesis assay using Oil Red O technique. Glucose consumption of preadipocytes and adipocytes in the presence of the extract was also determined. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed to identify the expression of genes involved in glucose consumption in the adipocytes. MTT assay confirmed the extract to be nontoxic, and Oil Red O staining confirmed enhanced adipocyte differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells in a dose-dependent manner. The extract also increased the expression of PPARγ target gene, which in turn enhanced the expression of GLUT-4. The data, therefore, suggests that N. nouchali seed extract promotes adipocyte differentiation and glucose consumption by inducing PPARγ activation, which in turn increases mRNA GLUT-4 expression and subsequently enhances insulin-responsiveness in insulin target tissues.

Gingival, plasma and salivary levels of melatonin in periodontally healthy individuals and chronic periodontitis patients: a pilot study.

INTRODUCTION: Periodontal disease is an inflammatory condition affecting tooth supporting structures in which dysregulated immune response and oxidative stress mediate tissue destruction. Melatonin, the pineal gland hormone is a regulator of circadian rhythm, an antioxidant and an immunomodulator. Previous studies have shown lowered melatonin levels in saliva, plasma and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) of patients with periodontal disease. Till date no study has assessed the melatonin levels in gingival tissues. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five healthy individuals and 15 chronic periodontitis patients were recruited for this pilot study. 5ml of whole saliva, 2 ml peripheral blood and gingival tissue samples were obtained from each individual at 8.00 am in fasting state. Melatonin assay was performed with a commercially available ELISA kit. Statistical analysis was done to assess the difference in mean melatonin levels among the groups. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference was found in mean melatonin levels between healthy individuals and chronic periodontitis patients in saliva (p=.266) and plasma (p=.933) samples, whereas in gingival tissue samples (p=.015), the melatonin levels were significantly lowered in chronic periodontitis patients compared to healthy individuals. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the presence of melatonin in gingival tissue. Furthermore, melatonin levels are lowered in gingival tissues of chronic periodontitis patients.

Protective role of air potato (Dioscorea bulbifera) of yam family in myocardial ischemic reperfusion injury.

Hydroalcoholic extract of Dioscorea bulbifera (DB), a yam variety called air potato, was tested for its protective effect on myocardial ischemic/reperfusion (I/R) injury in rats due to apoptosis and necrosis. Myocardial I/R injury was induced by 30 min ischemia followed by 2 h reperfusion by perfusing isolated rat hearts with Krebs Henseilet bicarbonate (KHB) buffer in a Langendorff set up. Pretreatment of DB (150 mg kg(-1) body weight) for 30 days significantly reduced myocardial infarct size and improved the ventricular function (aortic flow and coronary flow, LVDP, LVmax dp/dt). Role of DB on apoptosis was also evaluated by determining caspase 3 as well as by examining pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic proteins Bax and Bcl2 by Western blot analysis followed by TUNEL assay. DB also prevented I/R-mediated down regulation of survival protein Akt and HO-1. Our results indicated that Dioscorea bulbifera could ameliorate myocardial ischemia and reperfusion injury by improving ventricular function and inhibition of cardiomyocyte necrosis and apoptosis.

Hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity of two iridoids from Mussaenda 'dona aurora'.

Mussaenda 'dona aurora' (sepals) has been investigated for its hepatoprotective and antioxidant activities. The highest activity was observed in the ethyl acetate fraction. The separation of the ethyl acetate fraction gave two iridoids, sanshiside-D and lamalbide. Sanshiside-D exhibited a hepatoprotective activity greater than silimarin as was evidenced by significant reduction of ALT and AST in the serum enzyme levels.