Chemopreventive efficacy zingerone (4-[4-hydroxy-3-methylphenyl] butan-2-one) in experimental colon carcinogenesis in Wistar rats.

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide. Development of naturally occurring inexpensive and safe alternatives can be effective in suppressing colon related proliferations. Zingerone (4-[4-hydroxy-3-methylphenyl] butan-2-one), a polyphenolic alkanone of ginger, has massive pharmacological properties and thus can be used as promising candidate against various ailments. In the current study, we aimed at demonstrating the protective effect of zingerone against experimental colon carcinogenesis and elucidating its possible mechanism by studying inflammatory and Nrf-2 signaling cascade. Four groups of animals (I-IV) were made with six animals each. Group I (control) was given normal saline orally. Group II was given 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) at the dose rate of 20 mg/kg body weight. Group III and IV were treated with DMH at the dose rate of 20 mg/kg body weight and also received oral treatment of zingerone at a dose rate of 50 and 100 mg/kg body weight, respectively, for first 5 weeks and animals were euthanized after 16 weeks. Our results reveal that DMH treated rats exhibited elevated ROS and MDA levels, increased activity of cytochrome P450 2E1 and serum marker enzyme carcinoembreyonic antigen (CEA), increased no of aberrant crypts of foci (ACF), and elevated expression of inflammatory and proliferative proteins. Nrf-2 was downregulated by DMH treatment. Treatment with zingerone to DMH treated rats, resulted in alterations in the activity of the cytochrome P450 2E1 and CEA. In addition, immunostaining of NF-kB-p65, COX-2, iNOS, and PCNA, Ki-67 was suppressed by zingerone. Furthermore, zingerone administration also attenuated the level of IL-6 and TNF-α and it also helps in preserving mucous layer. Thus, zingerone could be considered as a good chemopreventive agent in experimental model of colon carcinogenesis. Further studies are required to study other pathways involved in colon carcinogenesis and their modulation buy zingerone.

Revisiting the systemic lipopolysaccharide mediated neuroinflammation: Appraising the effect of l-cysteine mediated hydrogen sulphide on it.

The present research was ventured to examine the effect of l-cysteine on neuro-inflammation persuaded by peripheral lipopolysaccharides (LPS, 125 µg/kg, i.p.) administration. No behavioral, biochemical, and inflammatory abnormality was perceived in the brain tissues of experimental animals after LPS administration. l-cysteine precipitated marginal symptoms of toxicity in the brain tissue. Similar pattern of wholesome effect of LPS were perceived when evaluated through the brain tissue fatty acid profile, histopathologically and NF-ĸBP65 protein expression. LPS was unsuccessful to alter the levels of hydrogen sulphide (H2S), cyclooxygenase (COX) and lipoxygenase (LOX) enzyme in brain tissue. LPS afforded significant peripheral toxicity, when figured out through inflammatory markers (COX, LOX), gaseous signaling molecules nitric oxide (NO), H2S, liver toxicity (SGOT, SGPT), and inflammatory transcription factor (NF-ĸBP65) and l-cysteine also provided a momentous protection against the same as well. The study inculcated two major finding, firstly LPS (i.p.) cannot impart inflammatory changes to brain and secondly, l-cysteine can afford peripheral protection against deleterious effect of LPS (i.p.).

Comparison of Outcomes of Vision and Eye Screening of Children of Four Orphanages and School Children of Riyadh.

PURPOSE: The purpose was to compare vision and ocular disease among orphans to age-matched school children and determine the barriers they faced for ophthalmic care in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. METHODS: Children of four orphanages of Riyadh (Gr1) were screened for vision refractive error (RE) and eye ailment on "World Sight Day-2019." They were compared to age-matched school children (comparison group; Gr2). The rates of RE, strabismus, amblyopia, and allergic conjunctivitis were estimated in two groups. The coverage of existing eye services for orphan children was reviewed. RESULTS: We screened 53 children of Gr1 and 106 school children of Gr2. The risk of RE was statistically significantly higher in school children compared to orphan children (odds ratio [OR] = 2.4 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.2; 4.8] P = 0.01). The coverage of refractive services for Gr1 was significantly lower than for Gr2 (OR = 0.09 [95% CI 0.02; 0.4] P = 0.001). In Gr1, blurry vision (12 children), red eye (2), and itchy eyes (1) were the main symptoms. In Gr2, no child had eye complaints. In Gr1, amblyopia (1), strabismus (1), history of ocular trauma and surgery (1), eye medications needed (2), and systemic health problems were noted in 9 children. In Gr2, amblyopia (4), strabismus (4), and history of ocular surgery were noted in 2 children. CONCLUSION: Orphan children had less rate of myopia compared to school children. However, unattended ocular pathologies were detected during the screening campaign. The coverage of refractive services was low in these underprivileged children compared to school children.