Simple high-precision diode laser system with digital control.

A simple wavelength tunable diode laser system has been designed and fabricated for laboratory use. Both the current and temperature controllers are based on an AVR microcontroller, and the experimental controls have been implemented with the help of daemon programs running in a message passing interface environment, which allows the users to run the control server and client programs on separate computers. The stability of the controllers has been tested using a distributed feedback (DFB) diode laser with a central wavelength of 852.3 nm. A noise spectral analysis of the current controller with and without the use of the diode laser as the active load has been demonstrated. The absorption spectra of 6S 1/2→6P 3/2 transition of 133 C s, as recorded by using the DFB laser system developed, are also presented.

Antiradical and antiulcer effect of Sonneratia apetala Buch-Ham leaves against alcohol induced gastric mucosal injury / Efecto antirradical y antiulceroso de las hojas de Sonneratia apetala Buch-Ham contra la lesión de la mucosa gástrica inducida por el alcohol

Introducción: Sonneratia apetala Buch-Ham es un verdadero habitante de los manglares en Sunderban indio y se utiliza en la medicina popular para los trastornos digestivos. Método: El extracto hidrometanólico (20:80) de hojas de Sonneratia apetala (SA) se estandarizó químicamente por HPTLC y se evaluó por sus propiedades antirradicales y gastroprotectoras. Se determinaron los fenólicos y flavonoides presentes en SA y se evaluaron las actividades antirradicales mediante métodos in vitro como, DPPH (1,1-difenil-2-picrilhidrazilo), óxidos nítricos, superóxidos, hidroxilo y ABTS (2,2 / -azino-bis- Ácido 3-etilbenztiazolin-6-sulfónico). Además, se evaluó la eficacia gastroprotectora de SA en la ulceración oxidativa inducida por alcohol (50% v / v, 5 ml / kg) en ratas. Resultados: El SA químicamente estandarizado mostró presencia de compuestos polifenólicos. También mostró fuertes propiedades antirradicales. Las administraciones orales de SA (125 mg / kg y 250 mg / kg) protegieron significativamente la membrana mucosa gástrica del daño ulcerativo causado por el alcohol, similar al omeprazol (20 mg / kg) en ratas. Además, el tratamiento con SA redujo significativamente la elevación de los peróxidos de lípidos; mientras que aumentó la concentración de glutatión y catalasa en la mucosa gástrica con respecto a las ratas de control no tratadas inducidas por etanol. Conclusiones: Los resultados obtenidos de este estudio sugieren que la hoja de Sonneratia apetala tiene propiedades antioxidantes y tiene capacidad para proteger la lesión de la mucosa gástrica causada por la ingestión de alcohol. (AU)

Introduction: Sonneratia apetala Buch-Ham is a true mangrove inhabitant in Indian Sunderban and it is used in folk medicine for digestive disorders. Method: Hydro-methanolic (20:80) extract of Sonneratia apetala leaves (SA) was chemically standardized by HPTLC and evaluated for its antiradical and gastro-protective properties. Phenolics and flavonoids present in SA were determined and antiradical activities were assessed by in vitro methods like, DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl), nitric oxides, superoxides, hydroxyl and ABTS (2,2/-azino-bis-3-ethyl benzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid). Further, gastro-protective efficacy of SA was assessed in alcohol (50% v/v, 5 ml/kg) induced oxidative ulceration in rats. Results: Chemically standardized SA exhibited presence of polyphenolic compounds. It also showed strong antiradical properties. Oral administrations of SA (125 mg/kg and 250 mg/kg) significantly protected gastric mucosal membrane from ulcerative damage caused by alcohol, similar to Omeprazole (20 mg/kg) in rats. Moreover, SA treatment significantly reduced the elevation of lipid peroxides; while enhanced the concentration of glutathione and catalase in gastric mucosa in respect to ethanol induced untreated control rats. Conclusions The results obtained from this study suggest Sonneratia apetala leaf has antioxidant properties and has capabilities to protect gastric mucosal injury caused by alcohol ingestion. (AU)

Reposition of montelukast either alone or in combination with levocetirizine against SARS-CoV-2.

It has been hypothesised that antiallergic medications (AAMs) like montelukast and levocetirizine both the two bitter chloro compounds could be repurposed either alone or combinedly as an antiviral against SARS-CoV-2, like chloroquine/hydroxychloroquine (CQ/HCQ), another two bitter chloro compounds. Both AAMs and CQ/HCQ are bitter tasted chloro compounds. Depending on their these two similar physical properties and the safety and efficacy of AAMs by controlling over post viral episodes as comparing with viral inhibitory activities including SARS-CoV-2 by CQ/HCQ, a reposition of AAMs either alone/combinedly could be rationalised as an antiviral approach to nCoV.

Effect of Coelogyne cristata Lindley in alleviation of chronic fatigue syndrome in aged Wistar rats.

BACKGROUND: Swarna Jibanti scientifically known as Coelogyne cristata Lindley (Orchidaceae), an orchid mentioned in Ayurvedic medicine is used to promote healthy life span. OBJECTIVE(S): The present work was planned to study the efficacy of hydro-alcoholic extract of pseudobulbs of C. cristata (CCE) to assess its role on chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) induced behavioural and biochemical changes in aged Wistar rats compared to Panax ginseng (PG), a prototype anti-stress agent. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CFS was induced by forced swimming for consecutive 21 days for fixed duration (15 min sessions). The criteria of CFS due to fatigue were counted using locomotor activity, depression and anxiety through automated photactometer, immobility time and plus maze activity respectively. Acute toxicity study of CCE (upto 2 g/kg, Limit test) was also performed. For CFS, animals were divided into five groups, naive control, control, CCE treated (25 mg/kg b.w., 250 mg/kg b.w.) and standard PG treated (100 mg/kg b.w.) groups. All drugs were given orally for consecutive 21 days along with CFS. After assessing behavioural parameters, all animals were sacrificed at day 21 and in vivo antioxidant potential of CCE was determined by lipid peroxides, nitrite, catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in brain tissue. RESULTS: CCE was found to be non-toxic. CCE treated aged rats significantly improved (p < 0.001) the spontaneous locomotor movement with respect to control rats, while, decreased the mobility period or depression score. In CFS, CCE also enhanced the time spent (p < 0.001) in open arms while reducing the time spent in closed arm as compared to CFS control, indicating lowering anxiety score. Moreover, marked diminution in lipid peroxidation, nitrite and SOD level was exhibited after CCE treatment and significantly enhanced catalase level significantly (p < 0.01) with respect to CFS control. PG also showed similar actions. CONCLUSION: The results confirmed the potential therapeutic actions of CCE against experimentally induced CFS in aged rats that might be due to its CNS mediatory antioxidant properties.

Simultaneous observations of electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) and absorption (EIA) in a multi-level V-type system of 87Rb and theoretical simulation of the observed spectra using a multi-mode approach.

We report here simultaneous experimental observation of Electromagnetically Induced Transparency (EIT) and Electromagnetically Induced Absorption (EIA) in a multi-level V-type system in D2 transition of Rb87, i.e., F=2→F' with a strong pump and a weak probe beam. We studied the probe spectrum by locking the probe beam to the transition F=2→F'=2 while the pump is scanned from F=2→F'. EIA is observed for the open transition (F=2→F'=2) whereas EIT is observed in the closed transition (F=2→F'=3). Sub natural line-width is observed for the EIA. To simulate the observed spectra theoretically, Liouville equation for the three-level V-type system is solved analytically with a multi-mode approach for the density matrix elements. We assumed both the pump and the probe beams can couple the excited states. A multi-mode approach for the coherence terms facilitates the study of all the frequency contributions due to the pump and the probe fields. Since the terms contain higher harmonics of the pump and the probe frequencies, we expressed them in Fourier transformed forms. To simulate the probe spectrum, we have solved inhomogeneous difference equations for the coherence terms using the Green's function technique and continued fraction theory. The experimental line-widths of the EIT and the EIA are compared with our theoretical model. Our system can be useful in optical switching applications as it can be precisely tuned to render the medium opaque and transparent simultaneously.

Antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties of Indian Sunderban mangrove Bruguiera gymnorrhiza L. leave.

BACKGROUND: Bruguiera gymnorrhiza L. (family Rhizophoraceae) is a true mangrove habitat in Indian Sunderban and traditionally uses for liver disorders. OBJECTIVES: The aim was to evaluate antioxidant and hepatoprotective actions of leave extract of B. gymnorrhiza L. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hydro-methanolic extract of mangrove leaves (BR) was standardized using spectrophotometric and high-performance thin layer chromatography methods. Radical scavenging activities were assessed in different in vitro methods, like 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethyl benzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (+), superoxides, nitric oxides and hydroxyl radicals. Hepatoprotective efficacy of BR (125 mg/kg and 250 mg/kg, p.o) was measured in D-galactosamine (GalN) induced (200 mg/kg, i.p) hepatitis in Wistar rats. Silymarin (25 mg/kg, p.o) was used as known hepatoprotective agent. RESULTS: Polyphenols such as gallic acid, quercetin, and coumarin obtained from BR exhibited powerful antioxidant properties. Moreover, it produced dose-dependent protection against GalN induced hepatitis in rats. It significantly reduced GalN induced elevation of enzymes (alanine transaminase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase) in serum and resist oxidative stress marked by lipid peroxides, glutathione, and catalase in hepatic parenchyma. CONCLUSIONS: Polyphenols rich B. gymnorrhiza L. leaves ameliorate hepatic tissue injury through its antioxidant effects.

Antiradical and antidiabetic properties of standardized extract of Sunderban mangrove Rhizophora mucronata.

BACKGROUND: Mangroves have the ability to grow where no other vascular plants survive. Rhizophora mucronata is a true mangrove and traditionally used to treat diabetes and its allied complications. OBJECTIVES: In the present study, we standardized the 80% methanolic standardized extract of R. mucronata leaves (RH) and found out its antiradical and antidiabetic activities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The methanolic extract of R. mucronata leaves (RH) was standardized and quantified for phenolics, flavonoinds, gallic acid, quercetin, and coumarin. The reducing abilities and antiradical activities of RH were performed in vitro methods like, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, nitric oxides, superoxides, hydroxyl, and ABTS (2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethyl benzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid). Thereafter, RH was evaluated for it antidiabetic potentialities on streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type-2 diabetes. STZ (90 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) was administered to 2 days old pups to induce diabetes. RH was fed at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg and glibenclamide (positive control) at 5 mg/kg, when the rats were 6 weeks old and continued for 10 weeks. Fasting glucose was monitored before and after the treatment. Further, lipid peroxides and reduced glutathione level were estimated on rat liver. RESULTS: The results obtained from this study revealed RH possesses flavonoinds and also gallic acid, quercetin, and coumarin. Further, it has antiradical activities. It has also reduced blood glucose level in type-2 diabetic rats and reduced the formation of lipid peroxidation in liver. RH enhanced the level of glutathione in liver tissue. CONCLUSION: RH exhibits source of natural antioxidants and great potentialities as an antidiabetic agent by improving the hyperglycemia through its antiradical action.

Nardostachys jatamansi protects against cold restraint stress induced central monoaminergic and oxidative changes in rats.

Cold restraint stress (CRS) model exerts similar effect as physiological stress because it combines emotional stress (escape reaction) and physical stress (muscle work). It is well established that various responses to stress are regulated by sympathoadrenal system, brain monoaminergic systems and oxidative processes. Nardostachys jatamansi (NJE) is known to possess soothing and sedative action on the central nervous system. The present investigation was performed to explore the anti-stress activity of NJE on CRS model, through its effect on biochemical and neurochemical alterations. The rats were restrained in metallic chambers for 3 h at 4 °C was followed by sacrifice and assessment of stress related alterations. Hydro-ethanolic (30:70) extract of NJE was administrated orally at the doses of 200 and 500 mg/kg for 14 days and compared with vehicle control and Panax ginseng (100 mg/kg). Effects of NJE on CRS induced oxidative stress including reduced glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, glutathione-s-transferase were estimated. Dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin and 5-hydroxy indole acetic acid were measured in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus and hypothalamus by HPLC electrochemical detector. NJE at both doses significantly inhibited CRS induced oxidative stress. It significantly mitigated CRS induced altered level of neurotransmitters in different brain regions. The study implied that NJE has the ability to provide protection against CRS induced oxidative stress and neurochemical alterations. Findings indicated that NJE revealed potent anti-stress effect implicating its therapeutic importance in stress-related disorders.

Effects of Indian herbal formulation Body Revival on human platelet aggregation and myocardial ischemia in rats.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of Body Revival (BR), a compound traditional Indian herbal medicine, on human platelet aggregation and isoproterenol (IS)-induced myocardial ischemia (MI) damage in male Wistar rats. METHODS: BR suspension 10, 20 and 30 µg was mixed with platelet-rich plasma and incubated at 37 degrees centigrade for 30 min, respectively. Then, adenosine diphosphate (ADP, 20 mmol/L) or collagen (2 µg) was added in the mixture and the aggregation was observed against platelet-poor plasma mixed with equal volume of suspension of the same test samples. Wistar rats divided into 4 groups were used to investigate BR's effects on IS-induced MI. Levels of serum creatinine kinase (CK), aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) were estimated by standard commercial biological kits. Serum nitric oxide (NOx) was also measured. The lipid peroxides (LPO) and protein concentrations in heart tissues were measured. RESULTS: BR could inhibit ADP- or collagen-induced human platelet aggregation dose-dependently. Moreover, it could protect MI caused by IS in rats. BR reduced the levels of serum CK, AST, ALT and NOx dose-dependently and also lowered LPO in heart tissues in comparison with the MI control (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: BR can inhibit human platelet aggregation and protect MI caused by IS in rats.

Effects of Indian herbal formulation Body Revival on human platelet aggregation and myocardial ischemia in rats / 中西医结合学报

To study the effect of Body Revival (BR), a compound traditional Indian herbal medicine, on human platelet aggregation and isoproterenol (IS)-induced myocardial ischemia (MI) damage in male Wistar rats.

Stress modulating antioxidant effect of Nardostachys jatamansi.

The rhizomes of Nardostachysjatamansi, the plant commonly known as Jatamansi have been described in Ayurveda for their soothing and sedative action on the central nervous system. In the present study, the anti-stress effect of hydroethanolic extract (70%) of N. jatamansi (NJE) was evaluated in reference to its antioxidant property. Wistar rats were divided into four groups: naive, stressed, and T-200 and T-500 stressed with oral pre-treatment of NJE 200 and 500 mg/kg, respectively. Restraint of rats in metallic chambers for 4 h at 4 degreesC was followed by sacrifice and assessment of stress-induced alterations in biochemical parameters, incidence and severity of ulcers. Lipid peroxidation (LPO) and NO levels in stomach and LPO, NO levels and catalase activity in brain, plasma corticosterone level and adrenal ascorbic acid were measured. In vitro antioxidant activity of NJE was studied by measuring the free radical scavenging activity. NJE showed potent antioxidant activity and significantly reversed the stress-induced elevation of LPO and NO levels and decrease in catalase activity in the brain. It inhibited the incidence of gastric ulcerations and reversed the alterations in biochemical parameters/markers of stress-induced gastric ulceration. NJE also significantly altered stress-induced increase in adrenal and spleen weights and decrease in level of ascorbic acid in adrenal gland. Elevation of plasma corticosterone level was negated dose- dependently. The findings suggest that the NJE possesses significant anti-stress activity, which may be due to its antioxidant activity.

The role of antioxidant properties of Nardostachys jatamansi in alleviation of the symptoms of the chronic fatigue syndrome.

An experimental model of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is utilized for evaluation of antidepressant, anti-stress effects, wherein the rat is forced to swim in water for 15 min/day on 21 consecutive days. Rats were divided into stressed control, stressed plus standard drug (Panax ginseng) and stressed plus 200 and 500 mg/kg of test drug, i.e., Nardostachys jatamansi extract (NJE) given orally. The immobility during each 5 min periods of 0-5, 5-10 and 10-15 min of stress were noted. Similarly the climbing (struggling) behaviour was noted in the above four groups of rats in intervals of 5 min. The locomotor activity and also the anxiety state in animals were evaluated in an elevated plus maze after CFS in all the four groups. There was a significant increase in despair behaviour and anxiety in stressed control animals on successive days of CFS. Locomotor activity gradually decreased in stressed control group. Treatment with NJE (200 and 500 mg/kg) significantly reversed both paradigms. Biochemical analysis showed that CFS significantly increased lipid peroxidation, nitrite and superoxide dismutase levels and decreased catalase level in rat brain. Administration of NJE (200 and 500 mg/kg) tended to normalize both augmented lipid peroxidation, nitrite, superoxide dismutase activities and catalase level significantly. NJE per se has an antioxidant effect. The results indicate that CFS may lead to oxidative stress, which is mitigated by NJE and so its antioxidant property may be responsible for anti-stress effect of NJE.

Initial exploratory observational pharmacology of Valeriana wallichii on stress management: a clinical report.

Valeriana wallichii, an Indian medicinal plant, has been on trial for its role in stress disorders in hospital based clinical set-up. Hamilton's Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) was used and thorough clinical investigations were carried out to screen the subjects. Thirty-three subjects (20 male and 13 female; average age 34.2 years) were medicated with the plant extract in a fixed dose regime (500 mg/capsule, twice daily, p.o. after meal). They were thoroughly investigated clinically and using standard questionnaires based on different psychological rating scale at baseline (day 0), mid-term (day 30) and final (day 60). The observations exhibited that, V wallichii not only significantly (p < 0.001) attenuated stress and anxiety, but also significantly (p < 0.001) improved depression and also enhanced the willingness to adjustment. Nevertheless it did not alter memory, concentration or attention of the volunteers. The results suggest that V wallichii may be useful in the treatment of stress related disorders in human and may be a promising anti-stress agent in near future.

Purification of protein from a crude mixture through SDS-PAGE transfer method.

SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) transfer method was used for purification and enrichment of the protein from crude sample. Coomassie bluc/ZnSO4 stained protein band(s) containing intact polyacrylamide gel were loaded on to another polyacrylamide gel either alone or as pooled gel bands. Two/three bands were combined together and arranged tightly over one another, sealed with stacking gel and ran in another gel, which was quite useful for enrichment and purification of a particular protein from a complex mixture. Recovery of protein by gel transfer method was found to be 70% in case of ZnSO4 staining, whereas around 30% recovery was possible, following Coomassie blue staining. The method described here for purification of protein(s) from a complex mixture, following gel transfer procedure could be useful for further characterization of the desired protein.

Hepatoprotective activity of Adhatoda vasica aqueous leaf extract on D-galactosamine-induced liver damage in rats.

Adhatoda vasica leaf showed significant hepatoprotective effect at doses of 50-100 mg/kg, p.o., on liver damage induced by D-galactosamine in rats.

Effect of Sonachandi Chyawanprash and Chyawanprash Plus--two herbal formulations on immunomodulation.

The immunomodulatory effects of Sonachandi Chyawanprash and Chyawanprash Plus--two herbal formulations have been evaluated. Both the drugs increased the macrophage activity and their number indicating enhancement of non-specific immune response and reduction of chances of infection. Besides that both Sonachandi Chyawanprash and Chyawanprash Plus efficiently protected Cyclosporine A induced immunosuppression suggesting the immunoprotective role of the aforesaid herbal formulations.

Mechanism of regulation of phosphorylation-dephosphorylation of Ca2+, Mg2+ and Ca2+ -Atpases by modulator proteins isolated from rat brain cytosol.

Two proteins of molecular mass 13 kDa, a specific inhibitor of Na+, K+ -ATPase and another of 12 kDa, which can distinguish between Ca2, Mg2+ and Ca2+ -ATPase activities have been obtained from the pooled fractions isolated from rat brain, using Sephadex G-100 chromatography. In order to determine the key step(s), which is affected by the modulators, we have designed an in vitro experiment of phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of these ATPases in the absence and presence of the modulators. The results suggest that the phosphorylation step of Mg2+ -independent Ca2+ -ATPase is inhibited, while in Mg2+ -dependent Ca2 -ATPase, the dephosphorylation step is stimulated by the modulators. The findings support our earlier observation that the modulators are able to distinguish between Mg2+ -independent and dependent Ca2+ -ATPases activities.