Can Probiotics Cure Inflammatory Bowel Diseases?

Gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, especially microbial dysbiosis play role in several GI ailments such as irritable bowel syndrome, colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel diseases, and antibiotic-associated diarrhoea. Role of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is multifactorial as it involves loss of maintaining intestinal epithelial barrier integrity, increased release of pro-inflammatory molecules, and microbial dysbiosis in gut microflora. Some specific pathogens also play a key role in the IBD development. The origin and causation are still in unfathomable condition and the exact root cause is unknown. Recently probiotic studies have been gaining importance because of their positive responses in their IBD experimental results. According to joint Food and Agricultural Organisation/World Health Organisation working group, probiotics are defined as live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amount confer health benefit on the host. These live beneficial microorganisms are considered helpful in improving gut colonization and perseverance thereby improves prophylactic effect. In the direction of IBD research, a number of studies are needed to standardize its methodology and its applicability on human usage. The particular review presents an overview of gut microflora and its impact on host health, types of IBD and existing therapies to treat this disorder, mechanism of several probiotic actions, role of probiotics in IBD prevention with their supporting evidences.

PEG-SO(3)H catalyzed synthesis and cytotoxicity of α-aminophosphonates.

One pot three-component PEG-SO(3)H catalyzed reaction of 4-(Pyridin-4-yl)benzaldehyde and triethyl phosphite with various primary amines afforded α-aminophosphonates with high yields by the Kabachnik-Field's reaction. These new structurally diversified set of α-aminophosphonates (4a-j) were evaluated for their anti-tumor activity on human chronic myeloid leukemia cells (K 562), human colon carcinoma cells (Colo 205) along with non-cancerous human embryonic kidney cells (HEK 293). They showed moderate activity on both cancerous cells and non-cancerous cells.

Sequential coupling/desilylation-coupling/cyclization in a single pot under Pd/C-Cu catalysis: synthesis of 2-(hetero)aryl indoles.

A new one-pot synthesis of 2-(hetero)aryl indoles via sequential C-C coupling followed by C-Si bond cleavage and a subsequent tandem C-C/C-N bond forming reaction is described. A variety of functionalized indole derivatives were prepared by conducting this four step reaction under Pd/C-Cu catalysis. The methodology involved coupling of (trimethylsilyl)acetylene with iodoarenes in the presence of 10% Pd/C-CuI-PPh(3) and triethylamine in MeOH, followed by treating the reaction mixture with K(2)CO(3) in aqueous MeOH, and finally coupling with o-iodoanilides. The single crystal X-ray data of a synthesized indole derivative is presented. Application of the methodology, in vitro pharmacological properties of the synthesized compound, along with a docking study is described.

Transition metal mediated construction of pyrrole ring on 2,3-dihydroquinolin-4(1H)-one: synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of novel tricyclic heteroarenes.

A facile two-step method for the construction of fused pyrrole ring leading to 5-substituted 2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrrolo[3,2,1-ij]quinolin-1-ones via C-C followed by intramolecular C-N bond forming reaction is described. In vitro pharmacological evaluation and molecular modelling studies of some of the compounds synthesized are presented.

Betanin a betacyanin pigment purified from fruits of Opuntia ficus-indica induces apoptosis in human chronic myeloid leukemia Cell line-K562.

Betalains are water-soluble nitrogenous vacuolar pigments present in flowers and fruits of many caryophyllales with potent antioxidant properties. In the present study the antiproliferative effects of betanin, a principle betacyanin pigment, isolated from the fruits of Opuntia ficus-indica, was evaluated on human chronic myeloid leukemia cell line (K562). The results show dose and time dependent decrease in the proliferation of K562 cells treated with betanin with an IC(50) of 40 microM. Further studies involving scanning and transmission electron microscopy revealed the apoptotic characteristics such as chromatin condensation, cell shrinkage and membrane blebbing. Agarose electrophoresis of genomic DNA of cells treated with betanin showed fragmentation pattern typical for apoptotic cells. Flow cytometric analysis of cells treated with 40 microM betanin showed 28.4% of cells in sub G0/G1 phase. Betanin treatment to the cells also induced the release of cytochrome c into the cytosol, poly (ADP) ribose polymerase (PARP) cleavage, down regulation Bcl-2, and reduction in the membrane potentials. Confocal microscopic studies on the cells treated with betanin suggest the entry of betanin into the cells. These studies thus demonstrate that betanin induces apoptosis in K562 cells through the intrinsic pathway and is mediated by the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria into the cytosol, and PARP cleavage. The antiproliferative effects of betanin add further value to the nutritional characteristics of the fruits of O. ficus-indica.