The use of negative oxygen ion clusters [O2-(H2O)n] and bicarbonate ions [HCO3-] as the supportive treatment of COVID-19 infections: A possibility.

The COVID-19 or novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is challenging worldwide healthcare system and severely affecting global economy. Furious efforts to end the pandemic including prevention of spread of SARS-CoV-2, use of antiviral drugs, symptomatic treatments and vaccination are underway. But there are no effective treatments available to save the dying patient in stage 2 (pulmonary) and stage 3 (hyperinflammation) of the infection. The detailed genetic and phenotypical analysis of SARS-CoV-2 revealed that the spike protein (S1) has increased positive charges (compared to SARS-CoV) on them and are responsible for attachment to human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor and infection by the virus. In addition, it was also reported that the inflammation in the tissue rendered the lung environment more acidic supporting the fusion of SARS-CoV-2 with the cells. We hypothesize that the intermittent use of the oxygen ionizer generating negative oxygen ion clusters [O2-(H2O)n] and sodium bicarbonate nebulizer (generating HCO3-); when connected to ventilator inlet or oxygen concentrator will neutralize the spike protein of the virus in respiratory tract and lungs and change the lung environment to neutral/alkaline condition respectively facilitating improved oxygen pressure in blood. These physical changes can effectively reduce the viral burden and help the patient recover from the infection faster.

Antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties of Spilanthes oleracea with potential effect in chronic fatigue syndrome infirmity.

BACKGROUND: Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) holds a mystery for researchers due to its multifactorial nature; hence, its diagnosis is still based on symptoms and aetiology remains obscured. Number of scientific evidences regarding the role of oxidative stress, immune dysfunction in CFS and alleviation of symptoms with the help of nutritional supplements guided us to study effect of ethanolic extract of Spilanthes oleracea (SPE) in CFS. OBJECTIVES: Present study was designed to evaluate antioxidant, immunomodulatory properties of S. oleracea flower to ameliorate CFS infirmity in mice. MATERIALS AND METHOD: In order to induce fatigue, experimental animals were stressed by chronic water - immersion stress model. Meanwhile, parameters like immobility period and tail withdrawal latency were assessed. On the 21st day, mice blood was collected and they were immediately sacrificed for biochemical estimations. RESULTS: Biochemical analysis results revealed that CFS elevates lipid peroxidation, nitrite level and diminishes the endogenous antioxidant enzyme like catalase level in stressed animal's brain homogenate. Stressful condition developed muscle fatigue leading in alteration of lactate dehydrogenase level (LDH), Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and Triglycerides (TG) levels. Concurrent and chronic treatment of SPE for 21 days restored all these behavioural despairs and associated biochemical adaptation in mice in dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSION: The outcome of this study indicates ability of SPE in amelioration of CFS by mitigating the oxidative stress and thus provide a powerful combat against CFS which may be due to its antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties.

Therapeutic potential of ethyl acetate fraction of Tephrosia purpurea Linn. leaves in a rat model of gout.

OBJECTIVE: The present study is to determine the potential treatment effects of ethyl acetate fraction of Tephrosia purpurea Linn. leaves (EATP) against gout. METHODS: Gout in experimental rats was induced with potassium oxonate at the dose of 250 mg/kg (intraperitoneal injection) for 7 consecutive days; EATP was administered 1 h after administration of the potassium oxonate on each day of experiment. Potassium oxonate was discontinued on the 8th day; thereafter allopurinol (10 mg/kg, p.o.) and EATP (200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o.) were continued until day 14. The uric acid level was measured from serum and urine during the experiment. Other biochemical parameters were assessed, including blood and urine creatinine, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and total protein. Blood urea nitrogen, serum aspartate aminotransferase serum alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase were also measured. The blood was analyzed for levels of malondialdehyde and the antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase. Histopathological and radiological changes in the ankle of rats were observed after completion of the experiment. RESULTS: EATP was able to decrease serum uric acid and creatinine level; it also reduced inflammation, oxidative stress and lysosomal enzyme level, which has a role in acute inflammation. EATP increased uric acid excretion through urine due to its uricosuric effect. CONCLUSION: EATP lowered the serum uric acid level and increased the urine uric acid level through excretion, which is useful in the treatment of gout. Hence the EATP was found to be helpful in the treatment of gout.

Low-intensity current (LIC) stimulation of subcutaneous adipose derived stem cells (ADSCs) - A missing link in the course of LIC based wound healing.

Millions of people die as a result of fatal injuries accounting for 9% of the total global annual deaths. Non fatal injuries generally result in variety of wounds. The normal wound healing process is slow and takes weeks to months, depending on the type of wound. In last two decades, electrotherapy called low-intensity currents (LIC) for the treatment became popular for faster wound healing, as well as in management of nonresponding and ulcerative wounds. It was reported that LIC mimics 'the current of injury' which is generated by body on wounding and helps in faster wound healing. Researchers have also studied the migration of localized cell and other bio-molecules under the influence of LIC helping the wound to heal faster. Literature review has also suggested that, electrical stimulation of isolated adipose tissue derived stem cells (ADSCs) releases growth factors and differentiates in to specialized cells like fibroblasts and keratinocytes in laboratory conditions. These research areas are well explored and emerged as independent state-of-the-arts therapies and technologies. Considering the fact, that adipose tissue (along with ADSCs) is present subcutaneously, a new hypothesis is proposed which states that 'low intensity current (LIC) stimulation of wound stimulates subcutaneous adipose tissue containing ADSCs which releases different growth factors and also differentiates into certain cells like fibroblasts, neurons and keratinocytes. These cells easily migrate to wound site due to lipolysis and loosening of fat tissue, resulting in faster wound healing'. Thus this hypothesis provides a missing link between two state of the art technologies; first one is 'LIC based electrotherapy' and second one is 'in-vitro LIC stimulation of ADCSs' where role and significance of in-situ ADCSs were never studied.