Comparable to 17α- methyl testosterone, dietary supplements of Tribulus terrestris and Mucuna pruriens promote the development of mono-sex, all-male tilapia fry, growth, survival rate and sex-related genes (Amh, Sox9, Foxl2, Dmrt1).

To evaluate Tribulus terrestris and Mucuna pruriens for inducing all-male tilapia, mixed-sex Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, (mean weight 0.025 ± 0.009 g; mean length 1.25 ± 0.012 cm), were given a meal supplemented with either T. terrestris powder (commercial fish feed, 40% crude protein) (TT group), M. pruriens seed extract (MP group), MP + TT (mixed group), 17α-methyl testosterone (MT, control positive), or without supplements (control negative). The MP extracts significantly increased (P < 0.05) the final weight, weight gain, weight gain rate, and specific growth rate while feed conversion ratio was significantly decreased (P < 0.05). Plant extracts markedly improved (P < 0.05) the survival rate, proportion of males, and total testosterone compared to control and MT. Estrogen levels were lower in groups with plant extract than other groups. Fifteen days post-feeding, the Amh gene was expressed in the brain of O. niloticus fries with higher levels in MP, TT, and MT groups. Additionally, the expression of the Sox9 and Dmrt1 genes as a male related genes in fish fry gonads revealed significantly (P < 0.05) higher levels in groups fed on MP, TT, and MT compared to control after 30-day post-feeding, whereas; Foxl2 gene expression as a female related gene was significantly (P < 0.05) lower in fish fed on MP, TT, and MT compared to other groups after 30 days post feeding. Histologically, MT, MP, TT, and the mixture all exhibited solely male reproductive traits without noticeable abnormalities. This study concluded that each of the TT or MP extracts can induce sex reversal in tilapia while having no negative health impact compared to MT as the growth and survival rate in the treated groups with TT and MP were higher than control and group treated with MT.

Recovery of motor function is associated with rescue of glutamate biomarkers in the striatum and motor cortex following treatment with Mucuna pruriens in a murine model of Parkinsons disease.

There is growing interest in the use of natural products for the treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD). Mucuna pruriens has been used in the treatment of humans with PD. The goal of this study was to determine if daily oral treatment with an extract of Mucuna pruriens, starting after the MPTP-induced loss of nigrostriatal dopamine in male mice, would result in recovery/restoration of motor function, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) protein expression in the nigrostriatal pathway, or glutamate biomarkers in both the striatum and motor cortex. Following MPTP administration, resulting in an 80 % loss of striatal TH, treatment with Mucuna pruriens failed to rescue either striatal TH or the dopamine transporter back to the control levels, but there was restoration of gait/motor function. There was an MPTP-induced loss of TH-labeled neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta and in the number of striatal dendritic spines, both of which failed to be recovered following treatment with Mucuna pruriens. This Mucuna pruriens-induced locomotor recovery following MPTP was associated with restoration of two striatal glutamate transporter proteins, GLAST (EAAT1) and EAAC1 (EAAT3), and the vesicular glutamate transporter 2 (Vglut2) within the motor cortex. Post-MPTP treatment with Mucuna pruriens, results in locomotor improvement that is associated with recovery of striatal and motor cortex glutamate transporters but is independent of nigrostriatal TH restoration.

Low dietary oyster mushroom spent substrate limitedly ameliorates detrimental effects of feeding combined marula seed cake and mucuna seed meal as soya bean replacements in broiler chickens.

This study investigated ameliorative effects of dietary oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) spent substrate (OMSS) in broiler chickens fed diets supplemented with combined marula seed cake (MSC) and mucuna seed meal (MSM) replacing soya bean meal (SBM). In a completely randomised design (CRD), 400 day-old Ross 308 chicks were randomly allocated to 5 iso-nitrogenous-energetic diets (control with 100% SBM, control with 60% MSC and 40% MSM replacing SBM (MSC + MSM), MSC + MSM with 1.25% OMSS, MSC + MSM with 2.5% OMSS, and MSC + MSM with 5% OMSS) each with 8 replicate pens of 10 during starter, grower and finisher phases. Dietary MSC + MSM decreased (P < 0.001) feed intake (FI), body weight gain (BWG), and feed conversion efficiency (FCE); slaughter weight, hot carcass weight (HCW), cold carcass weight (CCW), breast weight, and back lengths (P < 0.001); serum SDMA and alanine transaminase (P < 0.05). In contrast, it increased the weights of the thigh (P < 0.001), wing (P < 0.01), liver (P < 0.001), proventriculus (P < 0.001), gizzard (P < 0.001), duodenum (P < 0.001), jejunum (P < 0.001), ileum (P < 0.001), and caecum (P < 0.01) and serum alkaline phosphatase (P < 0.05) and cholesterol (P < 0.01). Further, it increased meat redness and decreased its hue angle at 45 min post-slaughter (P < 0.01) whilst it decreased its pH (P < 0.01) and increased its shear force (P < 0.05) at 24 h post-slaughter. Compared to higher levels, low (1.25%) dietary OMSS improved, though limitedly, FI, BWG, and FCE at grower and finisher phases only (P < 0.001) whilst it reversed MSC plus MSM-induced deleterious effects on slaughter weight, HCW, and CCW (P < 0.001) and increases in gizzard weight (P < 0.001) and meat shear force at 24 h post-slaughter (P < 0.05). Otherwise, OMSS generally decreased (P < 0.05) serum SDMA and alanine transaminase whilst it abrogated and augmented increases in serum alkaline phosphatase (P < 0.05) and cholesterol (P < 0.01), respectively, and reversed the increase and decrease in meat redness (P < 0.01) and hue angle (P < 0.05), respectively. In conclusion, dietary replacement of SBM with combined MSC plus MSM induced deleterious effects in broiler chickens that were limitedly abrogated by low (1.25%) inclusion level of OMSS.

Enhanced Physicochemical Stability of the L-DOPA Extract of Mucuna pruriens Seeds by Adding Phyllanthus emblica.

Levodopa (L-DOPA) is an essential drug for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. Currently, L-DOPA can be produced by chemical synthesis and can also be found naturally in many herbs, especially Mucuna Pruriens (MP). According to clinical research, the MP extract containing L-DOPA for the treatment of Parkinson's disease could reduce side effects more than the synthetic one. Unfortunately, MP extracts can be easily degraded. Changes in physical and chemical properties such as the appearance (color, melt, solid lump) and the reduction of L-DOPA content in the extract were commonly observed. Therefore, it is necessary to develop an extraction procedure to stabilize the extract of L-DOPA. This study attempted to enhance the extraction process by modifying the traditional acidification approach using hydrochloric acid, citric acid, or ascorbic acid. According to the stability test results, using Phyllanthus emblica water (PEW) as a solvent improved the preservative properties more than other solvents. The color of the PEW-MP powder changed slightly after 12 months of accelerated storage, but the amount of L-DOPA remained the highest (73.55%). Moreover, L-DOPA was only detected in MP and PEW-MP, but not PEW alone (the HPTLC chromatogram at Rf 0.48 and the HPLC chromatogram at Rt 6.0 min). The chemical profiles of PEW and L-DOPA observed in the chromatograms indicated that they are independently separated. As a result, they can be applied to a quality control process. Therefore, PEW was proven to be a powerful solvent for L-DOPA herbal extract that could be readily used as a raw material for herbal products.

Effects of supplementing processed velvet beans (Mucuna pruriens L. DC. var. utilis) on nutrients intakes, growth performance, and blood profile in goats.

Ruminant production in West Africa faces both qualitative and quantitative feeding constraints during the dry season and animal diseases in smallholder farms. High-protein legume seeds can represent an alternative and sustainable feed that could enhance animal performance. The use of legume beans, limited by their anti-nutritional factor contents, can be improved through different detoxification methods. The study evaluated the effects of processed velvet beans compared to raw velvet beans on the nutritive value of the beans, nutrient intakes, growth performance, and blood profile in West African Dwarf (WAD) goats. Four diets were tested, including 22.22% of raw velvet beans (RW diet), soaked beans (SK diet), boiled beans (BL diet), or roasted beans (RT diet). Twenty WAD goats of 6.85 ± 0.93 kg of body weight were divided equally into 4 groups and fed one of the four experimental diets. The processing method affects the crude protein content of velvet beans; in particular, tannin content was reduced with soaking or boiling. Dry matter and nutrient intakes resulted significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the SK diet compared to the control. Daily weight gain was highest in SK and RT diets and lowest in BL and the control diets RW. Therefore, the FCR was highest in BL and lowest in SK diets. In addition, SK diet showed the lowest feeding cost (1046.70 XOF/kg WG in SK). Our study revealed that processed velvet beans obtained using simple methods (e.g., soaking, boiling, or roasting) could be used as low-cost protein supplements in smallholder farms to enhance goats' performance. The soaking method appears the simplest and cheapest process that smallholder farmers can easily use to enhance goats' productivity and improve their livelihoods.

Dietary supplementation of low levels of unprocessed Mucuna pruriens utilis seed meal induces mild antinutritional entero-physio-metabolic perturbations without compromising performance and meat quality in finisher broilers.

The rapidly growing world human population accentuates the need for improved production especially of protein-rich food. Broiler meat production offers opportunity to ensure security of this food. However, the production of modern broilers is not only limited by high feed costs due to dietary use of expensive energy and protein sources but also their meat possesses undesirable quality attributes. This study thus examined the effect of dietary Mucuna pruriens utilis seed meal (MSM) on growth performance, blood profile, carcass traits, and meat quality in finisher broiler chickens. In a completely randomised design (CRD), 320 21-day-old chicks were randomly allocated to 32 pens in which they were allotted 4 dietary treatments with 0, 2.5, 5, and 10% MSM, each with 8 replicate pens of 10 birds, for 28 days. Growth performance, carcass characteristics, internal organs, haemato-biochemistry, and meat quality were measured. Results showed that dietary MSM did not affect (P > 0.05) broiler performance, weights, and lengths of carcass cuts and internal organs, haematology, and meat quality. The only exception was MSM-induced increase in duodenal weight (linear, P < 0.05) and serum phosphorus (quadratic, P = 0.05) in contrast to a decrease in procalcitonin (quadratic, P < 0.01) and serum levels of total protein (linear, P < 0.05; and quadratic, P < 0.01), albumin (quadratic, P < 0.05), and bilirubin (quadratic, P = 0.001). Therefore, MSM could be supplemented up to 10% without compromising performance, carcass traits, internal organs, haemato-biochemistry, and meat quality in finisher broiler diets.

Prevention of seminal vesicle damage by Mucuna pruriens var. pruriens seed extract in chronic unpredictable mild stress mice.

CONTEXT: Thai Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC. var. pruriens (Fabaceae) or T-MP seed extract has been shown to improve sexual performance and sperm quality. OBJECTIVE: This study investigates the preventive effects of T-MP against seminal vesicle damage, apoptotic and Nrf2 protein expression in mice under chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-eight male ICR mice were divided into four groups: control, CUMS, T-MP300 + CUMS and T-MP600 + CUMS. Mice in control and CUMS groups received distilled water, while those in treated groups were pretreated with T-MP extract (300 or 600 mg/kg BW) for 14 consecutive days. The CMUS and co-treated groups were exposed to one random stressor (of 12 total) each day for 43 days. Components and histopathology of the seminal vesicle were examined, along with localization of androgen receptor (AR) and caspase 3. Expression of seminal AR, tyrosine phosphorylated (TyrPho), heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70), caspases (3 and 9) and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) proteins was investigated. RESULTS: T-MP extract at a dose of 600 mg/kg BW improved seminal epithelial damage and secretion of fluid containing essential substances and proteins in CUMS mice. It also increased the expression of AR and TyrPho proteins. Additionally, T-MP increased expression of Nrf2 and inhibited seminal vesicular apoptosis through the suppression of Hsp70 and caspase expression. CONCLUSION: T-MP seeds have an antiapoptotic property in chronic stress seminal vesicle. It is possible to apply this extract for the enhancement of seminal plasma quality.

Neuroprotection by Mucuna pruriens in Neurodegenerative Diseases.

The medicinal plant Mucuna pruriens (Fabaceae) is widely known for its anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. It is a well-established drug in Ayurveda and has been widely used for the treatment of neurological disorders and male infertility for ages. The seeds of the plant have potent medicinal value and its extract has been tested in different models of neurodegenerative diseases, especially Parkinson's disease (PD). Apart from PD, Mucuna pruriens is now being studied in models of other nervous systems disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and stroke because of its neuroprotective importance. This review briefly discusses the pathogenesis of PD, AD, ALS and stroke. It aims to summarize the medicinal importance of Mucuna pruriens in treatment of these diseases, and put forward the potential targets where Mucuna pruriens can act for therapeutic interventions. In this review, the effect of Mucuna pruriens on ameliorating the neurodegeneration evident in PD, AD, ALS and stroke is briefly discussed. The potential targets for neuroprotection by the plant are delineated, which can be studied further to validate the hypothesis regarding the use of Mucuna pruriens for the treatment of these diseases.

Mucuna pruriens seeds extract boosts growth, immunity, testicular histology, and expression of immune-related genes of mono-sex Nile tilapia (Oreochromisniloticus).

Nutraceuticals have received increased attention in sustainable aquaculture. Consequently, the present study aimed to evaluate the dietary effects of Mucuna pruriens (MP) seed extract on growth performance, immune status, hepatic function, biochemical profiles, gonadal histology, and expression of immune-related genes in mono-sex Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Fish were allocated into four groups and received MP at rates of 0 (control), 2, 4, and 6 g/kg diet, respectively, for 90 days. The results revealed that MP significantly (P<0.05) modulated growth performance (specific growth rate, final length, and length gain rate, body mass gain, and feed conversion ratio), lysozyme activity, and liver enzymes (AST, ALT). However, a non-significant effect on nitric oxide (NO) or immunoglobulin M (IgM) levels was detected, whereas the dietary inclusion of MP had a hypoglycemic effect. In terms of plasma globulin, albumin, globulin/albumin ratio, and cortisol, the MP receiving groups showed insignificant difference (P<0.05) when compared to controls, except for the 2 g MP-supplemented group. The lower inclusion concentration of MP (2 g/kg diet) demonstrated the best result (P < 0.05) for gonadosomatic index (GSI) and plasma testosterone level that was consistent with the histological findings reflecting an improvement in the testicular development compared with the control group. Expressions of complement component (C5) and interleukin 1-ß (IL-1ß) genes were significantly up-regulated in MP receiving groups. In conclusion, M. pruriens can be used as a safe natural economic feed additive and a low inclusion level of 2 g/kg diet is recommended to improve growth, enhance immunity, maintain liver functioning, improve testicular development, and to modulate immune-related genes in the mono-sex O. niloticus.

Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Velvet Bean (Mucuna pruriens) Substances in LPS-Stimulated RAW 264.7 Macrophages.

In this study, Mucuna pruriens extracts were used to verify their application as a natural-based raw material with anti-inflammatory function. A nitric oxide inhibition activity assay showed that M. pruriens extracted with hot water (MW), M. pruriens extracted with 70% ethanol (ME), and M. pruriens extracted with 70% acetone (MA) presented NO inhibition activity; among them, MW and ME demonstrated the best activity and were selected for Western blot analysis. After identifying the expression patterns of inflammation-related proteins, such as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cell (NF-κB), through Western blots, both MW and ME showed inhibition patterns. As a result of analyzing L-DOPA contained in M. pruriens through ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC), high L-DOPA content was detected in MW, ME, and MA. Therefore, it can be concluded that M. pruriens extracts have the potential for use as an anti-inflammatory material.

Mucuna pruriens Seed Aqueous Extract Improved Neuroprotective and Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitory Effects Compared with Synthetic L-Dopa.

L-dopa, a dopaminergic agonist, is the gold standard for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. However, due to the long-term toxicity and adverse effects of using L-dopa as the first-line therapy for Parkinson's disease, a search for alternative medications is an important current challenge. Traditional Ayurvedic medicine has suggested the use of Mucuna pruriens Linn. (Fabaceae) as an anti-Parkinson's agent. The present study aimed to quantify the amount of L-dopa in M. pruriens seed extract by HPLC analysis. The cytotoxicity and neuroprotective properties of M. pruriens aqueous extract were investigated by two in vitro models including the serum deprivation method and co-administration of hydrogen peroxide assay. The results showed the significant neuroprotective activities of M. pruriens seed extracts at a concentration of 10 ng/mL. In addition, the effects of L-dopa and M. pruriens seed extract on in vitro acetylcholinesterase activities were studied. M. pruriens seed extract demonstrated acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity, while synthetic L-dopa enhanced the activity of the enzyme. It can be concluded that the administration of M. pruriens seed might be effective in protecting the brain against neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. M. prurience seed extract containing L-dopa has shown less acetylcholinesterase activity stimulation compared with L-dopa, suggesting that the extract might have a superior benefit for use in the treatment of Parkinson's disease.

Poisoning After Ingestion of Mucuna pruriens Seeds on Reunion Island.

Mucuna pruriens seeds contain levodopa, a dopamine precursor that composes the standard treatment to manage symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Also known as velvet bean, this plant is often involved in cases of intense pruritus after contact with the hair that grows on its beans. This case report describes the effects in a 58-y-old woman after ingestion of 5 raw seeds of M pruriens on Reunion Island, a French tropical island territory close to Mauritius, in the Indian Ocean. About 40 min after ingesting the plant, the patient showed adverse digestive symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and abundant diarrhea followed by a state of confusion, hallucinations, and amnesia. She was brought to the emergency department. After medical examination, her vitals were normal, and only her nausea lingered. The poison control center was contacted by the medical team. The plant, previously well described and known by the patient, was later picked from the garden and reviewed by the Indian Ocean toxicovigilance department. Expert botanists confirmed the plant species to be M pruriens. The patient ate the raw seeds after reading articles on the Internet, without confirming whether the seeds should have been cooked before consumption. This case highlights that ingesting raw, unprepared M pruriens seeds can cause severe digestive symptoms, possibly accompanied by neurologic disorders.

Seed extract of Thai Mucuna pruriens reduced male reproductive damage in rats induced by chronic stress.

CONTEXT: Thai Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC. var. pruriens (Fabaceae) (TMP) is known to enrich reproduction but preventive effects on stress related adverse reproductive parameters are not documented. OBJECTIVE: This study investigates the protective property of TMP seed extract on reproductive damage under chronic stress (CS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups. The control and CS groups received distilled water, whereas the pre-treated rats received the aqueous TMP seed extract at doses of 150 and 300 mg/kg BW for 20 days before co-treatments with CS induction (immobilization and forced swimming) for 81 days. Serum was used to determine the cortisol and testosterone levels. Histology of testis and epididymis was observed with localization of androgen receptor (AR). Sperm parameters and the expression of steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR), cytochrome P450 family 11 subfamily a member 1 (CYP11A1), AR, HSP70, caspases (3 and 9) and tyrosine phosphorylation (TyrPho) proteins were investigated. RESULTS: TMP extract improved cortisol level (0.84 ± 0.02 µg/dL) and protected against the damage of reproductive tissues and sperm parameters (count [49.78 ± 3.74 million sperm/mL], viability [90.01 ± 1.17%] and precocious acrosome reaction [1.38 ± 0.48%]). Expression of testicular StAR, CYP11A1, AR and HSP70 proteins was improved. Caspase expression was decreased in treated rats. TMP increased AR expression in CS sperm. Moreover, TyrPho protein expression was corrected after TMP administration. CONCLUSIONS: TMP seed protected against adverse reproductive parameters in CS via improvements of functionally testicular markers and reductions of apoptotic proteins. It is possible to develop the TMP beans as an alternative medicine in treating of male subfertility caused by CS.

Characterization of Cowhage-induced Pruritus in Sensitive Skin: An Observational Laboratory Study.

Sensitive skin is a prevalent syndrome, characterized by discomfort in response to mild stimuli, which impacts on quality of life. Pruritus is one of the major symptoms of sensitive skin. However, the pathomechanism of sensitive skin is insufficiently understood. As an experimental model for pruritus, the cowhage skin prick test might provide insight into the understanding of sensitive skin. This study aimed to specify the characteristics of cowhage-induced pruritus in sensitive skin. Female volunteers, 20 with sensitive skin and 20 controls, were recruited. Self-report questionnaires were distributed and the responses evaluated; moreover, alongside assessments by dermatologists, skin physiology assessments, lactic acid sting test, capsaicin test and cowhage skin challenge were performed. Pruritus in sensitive skin was perceived as more intense and longer-lasting than in normal skin, with different qualities of accompanying sensations. Cowhage skin challenge results showed moderate consistency with clinical assessments. The results suggest that cowhage skin challenge could be a new tool for the assessment of sensitive skin.

Itch processing in the brain.

Itch is a sensation defined as the urge to scratch. The central mechanisms of itch are being increasingly studied. These studies are usually based on experimental itch induction methods, which can be classified into the following categories: histamine-induced, induction by other non-histamine chemicals (e.g. cowhage), physically induced (e.g. electrical) and mentally induced (e.g. audio-visual). Because pain has been more extensively studied, some extrapolations to itch can be proposed and verified by experiments. Recent studies suggest that the itch-processing network in the brain could be disrupted in certain diseases. This disruption could be related to the implication of new regions or the exclusion of already engaged brain regions from itch-processing network in the brain.

Enzymatic Preparation of Bioactive Peptides Exhibiting ACE Inhibitory Activity from Soybean and Velvet Bean: A Systematic Review.

The Angiotensin-I-converting enzyme (ACE) is a peptidase with a significant role in the regulation of blood pressure. Within this work, a systematic review on the enzymatic preparation of Angiotensin-I-Converting Enzyme inhibitory (ACEi) peptides is presented. The systematic review is conducted by following PRISMA guidelines. Soybeans and velvet beans are known to have high protein contents that make them suitable as sources of parent proteins for the production of ACEi peptides. Endopeptidase is commonly used in the preparation of soybean-based ACEi peptides, whereas for velvet bean, a combination of both endo- and exopeptidase is frequently used. Soybean glycinin is the preferred substrate for the preparation of ACEi peptides. It contains proline as one of its major amino acids, which exhibits a potent significance in inhibiting ACE. The best enzymatic treatments for producing ACEi peptides from soybean are as follows: proteolytic activity by Protease P (Amano-P from Aspergillus sp.), a temperature of 37 °C, a reaction time of 18 h, pH 8.2, and an E/S ratio of 2%. On the other hand, the best enzymatic conditions for producing peptide hydrolysates with high ACEi activity are through sequential hydrolytic activity by the combination of pepsin-pancreatic, an E/S ratio for each enzyme is 10%, the temperature and reaction time for each proteolysis are 37 °C and 0.74 h, respectively, pH for pepsin is 2.0, whereas for pancreatin it is 7.0. As an underutilized pulse, the studies on the enzymatic hydrolysis of velvet bean proteins in producing ACEi peptides are limited. Conclusively, the activity of soybean-based ACEi peptides is found to depend on their molecular sizes, the amino acid residues, and positions. Hydrophobic amino acids with nonpolar side chains, positively charged, branched, and cyclic or aromatic residues are generally preferred for ACEi peptides.

Therapeutic potential of Mucuna pruriens (Linn.) on ageing induced damage in dorsal nerve of the penis and its implication on erectile function: an experimental study using albino rats.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of ethanolic seed extract of Mucuna pruriens on damaged dorsal nerve of the penis (DNP) in aged rat in relation to penile erection. METHODS: The rats were divided into four groups Young (3 months), Aged (24 - 28 months), Aged + M. pruriens, and Young + M. pruriens (200 mg/kg b.w/60 days) and were subjected to the hypophysial - gonadal axis, nerve conduction velocity (NCV), and penile reflex. DNP sections were stained with nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NaDPH) diaphorase, androgen receptor (AR), and osmium tetroxide. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) dUTP Nick-End Labeling (TUNEL) staining, electron microscopy(EM) and histometric analyses were done. RESULTS: Significant disturbance in hypophysial - gonadal axis was noted in aged rat. With reduced number of myelinated fibers, diameter, vacuolization, indentation of the myelin sheath, and degeneration. nNOS and its cofactor (NaDPH diaphorase) were reduced in aged rat DNP. NCV was slow in aged rats and concomitant poor penile reflex was also noted. AR showed reduced expression in aged rat DNP when compared to young and control groups. TUNEL positive cells were increased in aged rat DNP. These pathological changes were remarkably reduced or recovered in M. pruriens treated aged rats. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate a multi-factorial therapeutic activity in penile innervations towards sustaining the penile erection in the presence of the extract in aged rats and justifying the claim of traditional usage.

Characterization of a plant-growth-promoting non-nodulating endophytic bacterium (Stenotrophomonas maltophilia) from the root nodules of Mucuna utilis var. capitata L. (Safed Kaunch).

Nonrhizobial root nodule endophytic bacteria are known to have beneficial effects on host plants and are also considered contaminants or opportunists. They grow either individually or as a co-occupant of the root nodules of legumes. In this study, a nonrhizobial endophytic bacterial strain was isolated from the root nodules of the medicinal legume Mucuna utilis var. capitata L.; phenotypic, genotypic, and agricultural characterization was performed using a HiMedia kit and 16S rRNA sequencing. This strain showed tremendous seedling growth potential (30%), compared with the control, as well as a strong antagonistic nature against the plant pathogenic fungus Fusarium udum when plant growth parameters were analyzed. The strain, identified by 16S rRNA as Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, showed a multitude of plant-growth-promoting attributes both direct (IAA, phosphate solubilization) and indirect (ACC deaminase, siderophore) and enhanced the growth of host plant in field trials. This is the first report of the plant-growth-promoting potential of this endophytic bacterium from the nodules of M. utilis var. capitata L.; hence, it has potential for use in various biotechnological applications in various industries.

Characterization of cowhage-induced pruritus in inflamed and non-inflamed skin.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Pruritus is a major symptom of many inflammatory diseases and impacts greatly the quality of life in patients. We aimed to specify the characteristics of experimentally induced pruritus in normal skin and in experimentally induced inflammatory dermatitis in healthy volunteers. METHODS: Skin inflammation was induced by the repeated application of sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS 2%) on the volar forearms of 30 healthy volunteers. Inflammatory dermatitis intensity was assessed using the eczema score adapted from Frosch and Kligman. Non-histaminergic pruritus was induced by cowhage spicules rubbed on the volar forearms and recorded for 30 min on a 10-cm visual analogue scale (VAS) in both non-inflamed and inflamed skin. RESULTS: Induction of inflammatory dermatitis by SLS resulted in a mild inflammatory dermatitis with an inflammation score of 2.3 ± 0.1 within 7 days of treatment. Cowhage-induced pruritus was of markedly higher intensity (P < 0.001), and all but two individuals had higher maximum pruritus intensity in inflamed skin as compared to non-inflamed skin, whereas the kinetics of the pruritus response were similar. The quality of cowhage-induced pruritus was significantly different with more 'burning' and 'painful sensations' in inflamed skin (P < 0.01). Maximum pruritus intensity in inflamed skin strongly correlated with maximum pruritus intensity in non-inflamed skin (r = 0.51, P = 0.004). Skin hydration, skin barrier integrity and dermatitis severity did not correlate with pruritus intensity. CONCLUSION: Taken together, pruritus in inflamed skin is perceived as more intense, painful and burning. This may explain, in part, why pruritus is a major driver of quality-of-life impairment in patients with chronic inflammatory skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis.

Deterioration of digestive physiology of Bactrocera cucurbitae larvae by trypsin inhibitor purified from seeds of Mucuna pruriens.

Peptidase inhibitors (PIs) are plant proteins that are found to be effective against various digestive peptidases of insects. The present study isolated and characterized a trypsin inhibitor from mature dry seeds of Mucuna pruriens and investigated its effect against Bactrocera cucurbitae larvae, a major pest of cucurbitaceae crops, for its inhibitory activity. The purified trypsin inhibitor from M. pruriens seeds gave a molecular weight of ~11 kDa on SDS-PAGE. M. pruriens trypsin inhibitor (MPTI) exhibited inhibitory effect on growth of melon fruit fly larvae (64-72 h old) as it resulted in prolongation of larval, pupal and total development period. There was a significant increase in larval mortality with increase in concentration of MPTI. Nutritional indices decreased significantly at all the concentrations of MPTI. Quantitative RT- PCR revealed that the mRNA expression level of trypsin and chymotrypsin genes was reduced while that of GST, esterases, AP, SOD and catalase were enhanced. It can therefore be inferred that MPTI can serve as a promising agent for biocontrol that can reduce the problems caused by fruit fly and other similar catastrophic pests. This study provides the fundamental information for future successful strategies for pest management.