Neuroprotective Efficacy of Phytoconstituents of Methanolic Shoots Extract of Calligonum polygonoides L. in Hypercholesterolemia-associated Neurodegenerations.

BACKGROUND: Small molecule phytocompounds can potentially ameliorate degenerative changes in cerebral tissues. Thus, the current study aimed to evaluate the neuroprotective efficacy of phytocompounds of methanolic shoots extract of Calligonum polygonoides L. (MSECP) in hypercholesterolemia-associated neurodegenerations. METHODS: Phytochemical screening of the extract was made by LCMS/MS and validated by a repository of the chemical library. The hypercholesterolemia was induced through the intraperitoneal administration of poloxamer-407 with a high-fat diet. The in-silico assessments were accomplished by following the molecular docking, ADME and molecular dynamics. MMPBSA and PCA (Principal Component Analysis) analyzed the molecular dynamics simulations. Consequently, in-vivo studies were examined by lipid metabolism, free radical scavenging capabilities and histopathology of brain tissues (cortex and hippocampus). RESULTS: 22 leading phytocompounds were exhibited in the test extract, as revealed by LCMS/ MS scrutiny. Molecular docking evaluated significant interactions of apigenin triacetate with target proteins (HMGCR (HMG-CoA reductase), (AChE-Acetylcholinesterase) and (BuChE- Butyrylcholinesterase). Molecular dynamics examined the interactions through assessments of the radius of gyration, RSMD, RSMF and SASA at 100 ns, which were further analyzed by MMPBSA (Molecular Mechanics Poisson-Boltzmann) and PCA (Principal Component Analysis). Accordingly, the treatment of test extract caused significant alterations in lipid profile, dyslipidemia indices, antioxidant levels and histopathology of brain tissues. CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that apigenin triacetate is a potent phytoconstituent of MSEPC and can interact with HMGCR, AChE, and BuChE, which resulted in improved hypercholesterolemia along with neuroprotective ameliorations in the cortex and hippocampus.

Cytomorphological Analysis and Interpretation of Nitric Oxide-Mediated Neurotoxicity in Sleep-Deprived Mice Model.

Background: Sleep deprivation (SD) is a biological stress condition for the brain, and the pathogenesis of SD is closely related to elevated oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, a major cause of neurodegeneration. This oxidative stress-mediated cell death is attributed to rise in calcium ion influx which further excites or alters the neurotransmitters level by activating neuronal nitric oxide (NO) synthase (nNOS) release of NO in mouse SD model. This study indicates that the nitrergic neurons are possible therapeutic targets for the amelioration of SD-induced cognitive dysfunction and behavioral alterations. Purpose: SD is considered as a risk factor for various neurodegenerative diseases. SD leads to biochemical, behavioral, and neurochemical alterations in animals. This study was designed to explore the possible involvement of a nitrergic neuron system in six days SD-induced morphological and neurodegenerative changes in mice. Methods: Using nNOS immunohistochemistry, we have investigated the effects of SD on nNOS positive neurons. Immunohistochemical study for the distribution of nNOS positive neuronal cell bodies was carried out in the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex (PFC), and amygdaloid nuclei of mice brain. Results: Sleep-deprived animals showed a significantly increased number of nNOS positive neurons and altered neuronal cytomorphology as compared with the control group. Conclusion: These results indicate that total SD may induce morphological changes in nNOS positive neurons in the brain, thus increasing NO synthesis, which is implicated in SD-induced neuronal cell death.

Sleep Quality of Covid-19 Recovered Patients in India.

Objective: The second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic in India was widespread and caused psychological distress among the citizens. Hospitals were running at a premium, increasing deaths and trepidation stories were on air by media, this generated sleep disturbances for many. This study aimed to examine the sleep quality of Covid-19 recovered patients in India during the second wave of the pandemic. Methods: Patients who had recently recovered from Covid-19 were invited to participate in this cross-sectional study using various social media platforms. An online survey questionnaire, including socio-demographics, health-related information, Covid-19 related information, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), was administered in June 2021. Descriptive statistics were used to compare the scores among the mild, moderate, and severe groups. ANOVA was used to find the difference between the groups for global PSQI scores. Results: A total of 311 participants (261 mild, 45 moderate, and 5 severe) provided usable responses. The Global PSQI score for the overall study sample was 8.22 ± 3.79. In the severe group, scores were higher 16.8 ± 2.59, and statistically significant from mild or moderate groups. Sleep quality of Covid-19 recovered patients was found to be statistically significantly different based on their gender (P < .001), annual income (P < .001), employment status (P < .001), and marital status (P < .001). Conclusion: Females, employment in the private sector, annual income below rupees 11 lakh, and unmarried Covid-19 recovered patients reported poor sleep quality. As our findings indicate poor sleep quality among the Covid-19 recovered patients during the second wave in India, designing psychological interventions is recommended to support their wellbeing post-recovery.

Scopoletin: Antiamyloidogenic, Anticholinesterase, and Neuroprotective Potential of a Natural Compound Present in Argyreia speciosa Roots by In Vitro and In Silico Study.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by depositions of amyloid ß (Aß) peptides aggregates resulting in plaques formation in the central nervous system (CNS). This study evaluates the disease-modifying potential of scopoletin against multiple factors associated with AD such as cholinesterase enzymes, Aß peptides, and neuroprotective properties against Aß- and H2O2-induced cytotoxicity under in vitro conditions. Scopoletin was identified and quantified using UPLC-QTOF (ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), respectively. The antiamyloidogenic potential was evaluated by thioflavin T and congo red binding assay. Inhibition of key enzymes, that is, acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase, was investigated by Ellman's assay. UPLC-QTOF analysis showed that most abundant phytoconstituent present in Argyreia speciosa hydroalcoholic root extract was scopoletin followed by festuclavine and ergometrine. Scopoletin was further quantified using novel reverse phase (RP)-HPLC method developed in this study. The neuroprotective potential of scopoletin was found to be 69% against Aß42-induced neurotoxicity and 73% against H2O2-induced cytotoxicity in PC12 cell culture at 40 µM final concentration. At the same concentration, scopoletin inhibited Aß42 fibril formation up to 57%. The IC50 concentration for AChE and BuChE enzyme inhibition by scopoletin was 5.34 and 9.11 µM, respectively. The antiaggregation and enzyme inhibition results were complemented with strong molecular interactions of scopoletin with target proteins validated by in silico molecular docking analysis. Based on this study, it can be concluded that scopoletin can be used as a lead for amelioration of symptoms and disease-modifying effects in AD.

Downregulation of Candidate Gene Expression and Neuroprotection by Piperine in Streptozotocin-Induced Hyperglycemia and Memory Impairment in Rats.

There is accumulating evidence showing that hyperglycemia conditions like diabetes possess a greater risk of impairment to the neuronal system because high glucose levels exacerbate oxidative stress, accumulation of amyloid-beta peptides, and mitochondrial dysfunction, and impair cognitive functions and cause neurodegeneration conditions like Alzheimer's diseases. Due to the extensive focus on pharmacological intervention to prevent neuronal cells' impairment induced by hyperglycemia, the underlying molecular mechanism that links between Diabetes and Alzheimer's is still lacking. Given this, the present study aimed to evaluate the protective effect of piperine on streptozotocin (STZ) induced hyperglycemia and candidate gene expression. In the present study, rats were divided into four groups: control (Vehicle only), diabetic control (STZ only), piperine treated (20 mg/kg day, i.p), and sitagliptin (Positive control) treated. The memory function was assessed by Morris water maze and probe test. After treatment, biochemical parameters such as HOMA index and lipid profile were estimated in the serum, whereas histopathology was evaluated in pancreatic and brain tissue samples. Gene expression studies were done by real-time PCR technique. Present data indicated that piperine caused significant memory improvement as compared to diabetic (STZ) control. The assessment of HOMA indices in serum samples showed that piperine and sitagliptin (positive control, PC) caused significant alterations of insulin resistance, ß cell function, and insulin sensitivity. Assessment of brain and pancreas histopathology shows significant improvement in tissue architecture in piperine and sitagliptin treated groups compared to diabetic control. The gene expression profile in brain tissue shows significantly reduced BACE1, PSEN1, APAF1, CASPASE3, and CATALASE genes in the piperine and sitagliptin (PC) treated groups compared to Diabetic (STZ) control. The present study demonstrated that piperine not only improves memory in diabetic rats but also reduces the expression of specific AD-related genes that can help design a novel strategy for therapeutic intervention at the molecular level.

Test for Non-Synergistic Interactions in Phytomedicine, Just as You Do for Isolated Compounds.

Phytomedicine has often been used as "alternative therapy," which in our opinion is unfortunate as it prevents its main actions being systematically studied, side effects explored, and toxicity tested, like all single-compound-based medicine. Our group is interested in finding which traditional or modern phytomedicines actually work and which are simply "working" through placebo, standardizing phytomedicine preparations, studying their toxicity, and finding active molecules in plants for modification and chemical synthesis as single compounds. Although fluctuation in efficacy due to seasonal and geographical variations in phytomedicine remains a concern, if well regulated, even plant extracts without isolated compounds can serve medicinal needs where single-compound options are currently not great. A potential concern with such phytomedicine is frequent mixing of ingredients in commercial formulations without test of synergism. Our study on the use of 2 traditional plants for Parkinson disease shows a clear lack of synergism, and to study nonsynergism better, we developed a new visualization approach. In this commentary, using our study on Parkinson disease as an example, we make a case for better evaluation of phytomedicines, especially testing for synergistic interactions. We also critique our own exploration of oxidative stress and few behavioral parameters alone to lay grounds for what we and hopefully others can do in future to extract more information from their phytomedicine studies. We hope this commentary acts as a good warning for anyone mixing 2 phytomedicines without testing.

Complete Comparison Display (CCD) evaluation of ethanol extracts of Centella asiatica and Withania somnifera shows that they can non-synergistically ameliorate biochemical and behavioural damages in MPTP induced Parkinson's model of mice.

Parkinson's disease remains as one of the most common debilitating neurodegenerative disorders. With the hopes of finding agents that can cure or reduce the pace of progression of the disease, we studied two traditional medicinal plants: Centella asiatica and Withania somnifera that have been explored in some recent studies. In agreement with the previous work on ethanol extracts of these two plants in mice model, we saw an improvement in oxidative stress profile as well as behavioral performance in 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) induced Parkinson-like symptoms in Balb/c mice. Given the known potential of both the herbal extracts in improving Parkinson-like symptoms, we expected the combination of the two to show better results than either of the two but surprisingly there was no additivity in either oxidative stress or behavioural recovery. In fact, in some assays, the combination performed worse than either of the two individual constituents. This effect of mixtures highlights the need of testing mixtures in supplements market using enthomedicine. The necessity of comparing multiple groups in this study to get most information from the experiments motivated us to design a ladder-like visualization to show comparison with different groups that we call complete comparison display (CCD). In summary, we show the potential of Centella asiatica and Withania somnifera to ameliorate Parkinson's disorder.

Critical evaluation of ayurvedic plants for stimulating intrinsic antioxidant response.

Oxidative damage caused by free radicals plays an important role in the causation and progression of many diseases, including aging. Free-radical damage is countered by many mechanisms, including both active antioxidant enzymatic activity in our body and passive antioxidants. Antioxidant response of our body can accommodate increased oxidative damage in diseased states to a level but beyond that level, additional antioxidants are required to combat the increased stress. Apart from the regular dietary sources of antioxidants, many traditional herbal medicines demonstrate a potential to boost antioxidant activity. Rasayana chikitsa that deals with rejuvenation and revitalization is a branch of the Indian traditional medical system of ayurveda. We review some select herbs described in rasayana chikitsa that have been assessed by modern means for stimulating intrinsic antioxidant responses in humans. A critical evaluation of rasayana chikitsa will likely provide urgently needed, actual stimulants of our physiological antioxidant responses and not just more passive antioxidants to add to an already large catalog.

Experimental neurodegeneration in hippocampus and its phytoremidation.

Present study reports cytological and biochemical changes associated with stress induced neurodegeneration in hippocampal subregion of the brain in animals subjected to physical stressors such as immobilization or swimming stress for specific period of time. Studies also demonstrate neuroprotective activity of herbal extract in brain.

Fungistatic activity of Semecarpus anacardium Linn. f nut extract.

Alcoholic extract of dry nuts of S. anacardium showed dose dependent antifungal activity in vitro against Aspergillus fumigatus and Candida albicans. At 400 mg/ml concentration, growth of both the fungi was inhibited and considerable reduction in size of cells and hyphae was observed. Sporulation also decreased.