Comparative evaluation of ethyl acetate and n-Hexane extracts of Cannabis sativa L. leaves for muscle function restoration after peripheral nerve lesion.

Peripheral nerve injuries are one of those complex medical conditions for which a highly effective first-line treatment is currently missing. The use of natural compound as medicines to treat various disorders has a long history. Our previous research explored that crude Cannabis sativa L. accelerated the recovery of sensorimotor functions following nerve injury. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the effects of n-Hexane and ethyl acetate extracts of C. sativa L. leaves on the muscle function restoration in a mouse model after sciatic nerve injury. For this purpose, albino mice (n = 18) were equally divided into control and two treatment groups. The control group was fed on a plain diet while treatment groups were given a diet having n-Hexane (treatment 1) and ethyl acetate (treatment 2) extracts of C. sativa L. (10 mg/kg body weight), respectively. The hot plate test (M = 15.61, SD = 2.61, p = .001), grip strength (M = 68.32, SD = 3.22, p < .001), and sciatic functional index (SFI) (M = 11.59, SD = 6.54, p = .012) assessment indicated significant amelioration in treatment 1 as compared to treatment 2 group. Furthermore, muscle fiber cross-sectional area revealed a noticeable improvement (M = 182,319, SD = 35.80, p = .013) in treatment 1 while muscle mass ratio of Gastrocnemius (M = 0.64, SD = 0.08, p = .427) and Tibialis anterior (M = 0.57, SD = 0.04, p = .209) indicated nonsignificant change. A prominent increase in total antioxidant capacity (TAC) (M = 3.76, SD = 0.38, p < .001) and momentous decrease in total oxidant status (TOS) (M = 11.28, SD = 5.71, p < .001) along with blood glucose level indicated significant difference (M = 105.5, SD = 9.12, p < 0.001) in treatment 1 group. These results suggest that treatment 1 has the ability to speed up functional recovery after a peripheral nerve lesion. Further research is necessary, nevertheless, to better understand the extract's actual curative properties and the mechanisms that improve functional restoration.

Axonal Regeneration: Underlying Molecular Mechanisms and Potential Therapeutic Targets.

Axons in the peripheral nervous system have the ability to repair themselves after damage, whereas axons in the central nervous system are unable to do so. A common and important characteristic of damage to the spinal cord, brain, and peripheral nerves is the disruption of axonal regrowth. Interestingly, intrinsic growth factors play a significant role in the axonal regeneration of injured nerves. Various factors such as proteomic profile, microtubule stability, ribosomal location, and signalling pathways mark a line between the central and peripheral axons' capacity for self-renewal. Unfortunately, glial scar development, myelin-associated inhibitor molecules, lack of neurotrophic factors, and inflammatory reactions are among the factors that restrict axonal regeneration. Molecular pathways such as cAMP, MAPK, JAK/STAT, ATF3/CREB, BMP/SMAD, AKT/mTORC1/p70S6K, PI3K/AKT, GSK-3ß/CLASP, BDNF/Trk, Ras/ERK, integrin/FAK, RhoA/ROCK/LIMK, and POSTN/integrin are activated after nerve injury and are considered significant players in axonal regeneration. In addition to the aforementioned pathways, growth factors, microRNAs, and astrocytes are also commendable participants in regeneration. In this review, we discuss the detailed mechanism of each pathway along with key players that can be potentially valuable targets to help achieve quick axonal healing. We also identify the prospective targets that could help close knowledge gaps in the molecular pathways underlying regeneration and shed light on the creation of more powerful strategies to encourage axonal regeneration after nervous system injury.

Dietary biomolecules as promising regenerative agents for peripheral nerve injury: An emerging nutraceutical-based therapeutic approach.

Peripheral nerve damage is a debilitating condition that can result in partial or complete functional loss as a result of axonal degeneration, as well as lifelong dependence. Many therapies have been imbued with a plethora of positive features while posing little risks. It is worth noting that these biomolecules work by activating several intrinsic pathways that are known to be important in peripheral nerve regeneration. Although the underlying mechanism is used for accurate and speedy functional recovery, none of them are without side effects. As a result, it is believed that effective therapy is currently lacking. The dietary biomolecules-based intervention, among other ways, is appealing, safe, and effective. Upregulation of transcription factors, neurotrophic factors, and growth factors such as NGF, GDNF, BDNF, and CTNF may occur as a result of these substances' dietary intake. Upregulation of the signaling pathways ERK, JNK, p38, and PKA has also been seen, which aids in axonal regeneration. Although several mechanistic approaches to understanding their involvement have been suggested, more work is needed to reveal the amazing properties of these biomolecules. We have discussed in this article that how different dietary biomolecules can help with functional recovery and regeneration after an injury. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Based on the information known to date, we may conclude that treatment techniques for peripheral nerve injury have downsides, such as complications, donor shortages, adverse effects, unaffordability, and a lack of precision in efficacy. These difficulties cast doubt on their efficacy and raise severe concerns about the prescription. In this situation, the need for safe and effective therapeutic techniques is unavoidable, and dietary biomolecules appear to be a safe, cost-efficient, and effective way to promote nerve regeneration following an injury. The information on these biomolecules has been summarized here. Upregulation of transcription factors, neurotrophic factors, and growth factors, such as NGF, GDNF, BDNF, and CTNF, as well as the ERK, JNK, p38, and PKA, signaling pathways, may stimulate axonal regeneration.

Calotropis procera (leaves) supplementation exerts curative effects on promoting functional recovery in a mouse model of peripheral nerve injury.

Peripheral nerve injuries are among those complicated medical conditions, which are still waiting for their highly effective first-line therapies. In this study, the role of Calotropis procera crude leaves was evaluated at different doses for their effectiveness in improving functional recovery following sciatic nerve injury-induced in the mouse model. Thirty-two healthy albino mice were divided into four groups as Normal chow group (control, n = 8) and C. procera chow groups (50 mg/kg (n = 8), 100 mg/kg (n = 8) and 200 mg/kg (n = 8)). Behavioral analyses were performed to assess and compare improved functional recovery along with skeletal muscle mass measurement in all groups. Serum samples were analyzed for oxidative stress markers. Results showed that C. procera leaves at dose-dependent manner showed statistically prominent (p < .05) increase in sensorimotor functions reclamation as confirmed by behavioral analyses along with muscle mass restoration and prominent decline in TOS and momentous increase in TAC along with the augmented activity of antioxidative enzymes.

Methanolic extract of Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) escalates functional restoration following a compression injury to the sciatic nerve in a mouse model.

Peripheral nerve injury (PNI) is one of the major health concerns faced by the community at present. Till now, available therapeutic approaches are ineffective to fully heal a nerve injury and to assure the functional recovery entirely. Natural compounds can prove attractive and effective drug candidates to bridge up this gap. In this scenario, the present study was designed to explore the role of methanolic extract of Foeniculum vulgare (F. vulgare) seeds in accelerating the function regain following a sciatic nerve injury in a mouse model. For this purpose, 12 adult healthy albino mice (BALB/C), 8-10 weeks old, were grouped as control (Ctrl, n = 6) and treatment (Trt, n = 6). The treated group was given methanolic extract of F. vulgare (200 mg/kg per day) started from the day of nerve crush until the end of the study. The sensorimotor function regain assessed by hot plate test, grip strength, and SFI assessments was found significantly (p < .05) ameliorated in the F. vulgare-treated group. A prominent improvement in the muscle mass of the treated group further affirmed these effects. Furthermore, morphometric analysis of muscle fiber cross-sectional area of tibialis anterior muscle between groups revealed a noticeable improvement in muscle fibers' diameter of the treated group. Conclusively, these findings suggest that F. vulgare methanolic extract exhibits the potential to escalate functional recovery following a peripheral nerve injury. However, the real players of this extract and the mechanism involved in boosting functional restoration need to be dissected by further work.

Retrospective study of frequency of ABO and Rhesus blood group among population of Safdarabad and Faisalabad cities of Pakistan.

OBJECTIVE: The current study aimed to investigate the ABO and rhesus (Rh) blood group frequency in the people of District Faisalabad and Sheikhupura, Punjab Province, Pakistan. The retrospective study was conducted on more than thirty thousand people including both male and female patients admitted to the Tehsil Headquarter Hospital, Safdarabad and The Best Hospital, Faisalabad. Blood samples were taken from each subject and subsequently ABO and Rh blood groups were evaluated separately. The antigen antibody agglutination slide test for blood grouping (ABO) and Rh were used to assess the blood group frequencies. RESULTS: The frequencies of ABO blood group distribution indicated that blood group B was predominant in the people of Safdarabad followed by O, A and AB respectively. While, among people of Faisalabad, blood group O was predominant followed B, A and AB respectively. Rh negative phenotype was found lesser distributed as compared to the positive Rh phenotype.

Human gut microbiota and its association with pathogenesis and treatments of neurodegenerative diseases.

Human gut microbiota consists of various microorganisms whose numbers are similar to those of human cells. Human gut microbes and the brain form bidirectional communications through the brain-gut-axis, and play a central role in normal physiological processes and in pathogenesis of many human diseases. Accumulating evidence has demonstrated the crucial effect of gut microbes in proper brain functions and under disease conditions. Here we first focus on revealing current knowledge of the role of gut microbes in neural development and functions. We then summarize mutual relationships between gut microbes and human diseases, in particular neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and Multiple sclerosis. Finally, we highlight ongoing studies in exploring gut microbes in treatments of human diseases. Applying gut microbes as a means in treatment of human diseases is becoming a promising research direction, and has a great potential in clinical practice.

Calotropis procera (root) escalates functions rehabilitation and attenuates oxidative stress in a mouse model of peripheral nerve injury.

Peripheral nerve injuries result in sensorimotor functional loss, leading to permanent disability and physical dependency with immense cost and reduced quality of life. These injuries are among those complicated medical situations which still are waiting for their first-line treatment. This study was designed to investigate the role of Calotropis procera (crude roots) in accelerating functional retrieval following mechanically induced sciatic nerve injury in healthy albino male mice. Following acclimatization, mice were grouped equally as "Control" fed on normal chow and "Root" fed on C. procera root (100mg/kg/day) mixed chow. A mechanical crush was induced in right sciatic nerve of animals. Behavioral analyses (grip strength, SFI, pinprick and hot plate tests) were conducted for assessing sensorimotor function reclamation and blood was collected for oxidative stress assessment. Significantly earlier retrieval of sensorimotor activities (p<0.05), reduced total oxidant status, increased total antioxidant capacity with prominently enhanced arylesterase and paraoxonase activities (p<0.001) in treatment group suggested positive impact of C. procera roots on quickening functional recovery and combating oxidative stress following nerve injury. Thus C. procera root can be considered as potential candidate drug for further investigation to seek bioactive compound/s that may actually responsible for ameliorative functional recovery following nerve injury.