Oxidative stress responses in Wistar rats on subacute exposure to pharmaceutical wastewater

Effects of diclofenac, sulfamethoxazole, and wastewater from constructed wetlands on Eisenia fetida: impacts on mortality, fertility, and oxidative stress

Soil contamination with micropollutants is an important global problem and the impact of these pollutants on living organisms cannot be underestimated. The effects of diclofenac (DCF) and sulfamethoxazole (SMX), their mixture (MIX), and wastewater containing these drugs on the mortality and reproduction of Eisenia fetida were investigated. The impact on the activities of antioxidant enzymes in earthworm cells was also assessed. Furthermore, the influence of the following parameters of the vertical flow constructed wetlands on wastewater toxicity was investigated: the dosing system, the presence of pharmaceuticals and the plants Miscanthus giganteus. The compounds and their mixture significantly affected the reproduction and mortality of earthworms. The calculated values of LC50,28 days values were 3.4 ± 0.3 mg kg-1 for DCF, 1.6 ± 0.3 mg kg-1 for SMX, and 0.9 ± 0.1 mg kg-1 for MIX. The EC50 (reproduction assay) for DCF was 1.2 ± 0.2 mg kg-1, whereas for SMX, it was 0.4 ± 0.1 mg kg-1, and for MIX, it was 0.3 ± 0.1 mg kg-1, respectively. The mixture toxicity index (MTI) was calculated to determine drug interactions. For both E. fetida mortality (MTI = 3.29) and reproduction (MTI = 3.41), the index was greater than 1, suggesting a synergistic effect of the mixture. We also observed a negative effect of wastewater (raw and treated) on mortality (32% for raw and 8% for treated wastewater) and fertility (66% and 39%, respectively) of E. fetida. It is extremely important to analyze the harmfulness of microcontaminants to organisms inhabiting natural environments, especially in the case of wastewater for irrigation of agricultural fields.

Development and bioassessment of high nutria-omega 5 cookies through animal modeling

The food industry generates a diverse range of waste byproducts during fruit processing, which can be repurposed to create functional foods and other valuable commodities. In this particular study, leftover agro-waste from pomegranate juice was valorized to obtain pomegranate seed oil (PSO), while utilizing sunflower oilseed cake to produce sunflower meal protein concentrate (SMPC). These two extracted components were then combined as ingredients to produce High Nutria Omega 5 (HNO5) cookies. To ensure the quality and viability of pomegranate seed oil, a comprehensive set of laboratory analytical procedures were employed to evaluate its characteristics. Subsequently, different ratios of pomegranate seed oil and sunflower meal protein concentrate were utilized to develop the HNO5 cookie products. These cookies underwent thorough sensory, physicochemical, storage, and proximate evaluations as well as efficacy studies to assess their overall nutritional quality and shelf-life properties. As compared to the control feed, the findings of the renal and liver functional tests indicated a favorable effect on ALT, AST, ALP, serum urea, creatinine, albumin, globulins, total proteins, and A/G ratio. The results revealed that PSO and SMPC cookies containing 15% PSO and 15% SMPC exhibited stability in numerous physicochemical and sensory assessments. The punicic acid in HNO5 cookies significantly reduced the effects of starvation in rats and progressively improved several metabolic processes and overall health profiles. Graphical Abstract.

Mechanistic insights on the possible protective role of polyphenols extracted from Tamarix aphylla aerial parts against sodium arsenite-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

Arsenic exposure is associated with the induction of hepatotoxicity. Current study was aimed to investigate the hepato-protective ability of polyphenolic components of Tamarix aphylla (TA) ethanolic extract against sodium arsenite (SA)-induced liver injury of rats. Significantly higher quantities of phenolic (318.7±2.5 mgg-1GAE) and flavonoid (250.69 ±3.3 mgg-1QE) contents were present. Inhibitory concentration (IC50) exhibited an excellent potential for antioxidant (IC50= 25.99 μg/mL) assay. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) confirmed the existence of myercetin (10.40ppm), sinapic acid (2.131ppm), kaempferol (0.486ppm), caffeic acid (5.094 ppm). Forty-two rats were divided into 7 groups. Group 1 received normal saline (2 mL/kg/day, orally for 21 days), Group 2 received SA (10mg/kg/day for 21 days), and Group 3 received SA alone for 7 days (10mg/kg) and continues with silymarine for 21 days (25mg/kg orally). Group 4, 5, 6 received SA alone for 7 days and continue with TA extract up to 21 days (125mg/kg, 250mg/kg, and 500mg/kg orally) respectively, and Group 7 received TA extract (500mg/kg) for 21 days. SA was administered to all treated groups for 21 days. Treatment with polyphenolic ethanolic extract of TA restored the hepatic indices and oxidative markers in a dose-dependent manner. The upregulation in tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, and cyclooxygenase-2 upon SA treatment suggesting inflammation was normalized by the treatment of rats. Above mentioned biochemical findings were supported well with histopathological screening. Present findings suggest that TA polyphenolic ethanolic extract could mitigate the oxidative stress and inflammation induced by SA in liver tissue.

Microbe mediated remediation of dyes, explosive waste and polyaromatic hydrocarbons, pesticides and pharmaceuticals

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Environmental pollutants dyes, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, explosive waste and polyaromatic hydrocarbons.

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Environmental pollutants toxicity.

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Possible microbial biodegradation pathways of environmental pollutants.

Industrialization and human activities have led to serious effects on environment. With the progress taking place in the biodegradation field, it is important to summarize the latest advancement. In this review, we intend to provide insights on the recent progress on the biodegradation of environmental contaminants such as dyes, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, explosive waste and polyaromatic hydrocarbons by microorganisms. Along with the biodegradation of environmental contaminants, toxicity effects have also been discussed.

Cyperus iria aqueous-ethanol extract ameliorated hyperglycemia, oxidative stress, and regulated inflammatory cytokines in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a complicated metabolic disorder with no definite treatment. Cyperus iria (Cyperaceae) possess several traditional therapeutic uses. According to the folklore tales, the whole plant of Cyperus iria possesses antihyperglycemic activity. The present study was undertaken to investigate whether aqueous-ethanol extract of Cyperus iria can ameliorate the altered activities of carbohydrate metabolism in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats along with appraisal of inflammatory and stress markers involved in endocrine dysfunction. Presence of biophenolics and flavonoids might be responsible for the antidiabetic potential. STZ-induced diabetic rats were treated orally with Cyperus iria extract (125, 250, and 500 mg/kg) for 15 days. Blood samples were collected. Metformin was used as positive control. Significantly higher quantities of phenolic (82.79±0.003 mg/g GAE) and flavonoid (13.61±0.002 mg/g QE) contents were present. Inhibitory concentration (IC50) exhibited an excellent potential for both antioxidant (IC50= 3.22 μg/mL) and alpha amylase (IC50=36.29 μg/mL) inhibitory assays. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) confirmed the existence of myercetin, quercetin, kaempferol, and ferulic acid. Cyperus iria aqueous-ethanol extract exhibits good tolerance against glucose at 90 min in normal rats. Streptozotocin-induced hyperglycemia declined significantly at day 9 (265 mg/dL) along with improvement in inflammatory (TNF-α=15.6± 0.2 g/l, COX-2=357±0.396 U/l, IL-6= 572±0.99 pg/l) and oxidative stress markers (SOD= 163±0.616 and GSH-ST= 95.8±0.44 U/mL) along with biochemical parameters in a dose-dependent manner. Present study suggests that Cyperus iria aqueous-ethanol extract possesses hypoglycemic potential which might be attributed to the decrease in oxidative stress and inflammatory markers.

Looking into a highly thermostable and efficient recombinant manganese-catalase from Geobacillusthermopakistaniensis

Catalases, heme or non-heme, are catalysts that decompose hydrogen peroxide. Among them, non-heme or manganese-catalases have been studied from limited organisms. We report here heterologous production of a manganese-catalase, Cat-II_Gt, previously annotated as a hypothetical protein, from a thermophilic bacterium Geobacillus thermopakistaniensis. Recombinant Cat-II_Gt, produced as inactive inclusion bodies in Escherichia coli, was solubilized and refolded into a soluble and highly active form. Sequence homology, absorption spectra, resistance to sodium azide inhibition and activation by Mn²⁺ indicated that it was a manganese-catalase. Metal analysis revealed the presence of ∼2 Mn²⁺ and ∼2 Ca²⁺ per subunit of Cat-II_Gt. Recombinant Cat-II_Gt exhibited highest activity at pH 10.0 and 70°C. The enzyme was highly active with a specific activity of 40,529 μmol min^-1 mg^-1. The apparent K_m and k_cat values were 75 mM and 1.5 × 10⁴ s^-1 subunit^-1, respectively. Recombinant Cat-II_Gt was highly thermostable with a half-life of 30 min at 100°C. The structural attributes of Cat-II_Gt, including the metal and substrate binding residues, were predicted by homology modeling and molecular docking studies. High activity and thermostability and alkaline nature make Cat-II_Gt a potential candidate for textile and paper processing industries.

Pharmacological support to anti-arthritic prospective of physostigmine: a new approach

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a slowly progressing inflammatory autoimmune disease. Several features are involved in the RA pathogenesis in addition to environmental and genetic factors. Previously it has been reported that acetyl cholinesterase (AChE) activity is enhanced in old age and may contribute in the progression of RA. The current experimental work was projected to assess the activity of physostigmine (a cholinesterase inhibitor) for treatment of RA. In vitro and in vivo approaches were used for such evaluation. However, enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) was performed to determine the concentrations of Prostaglandins E2 (PGE2) and tumor necrosis factor-α in arthritic rats after treatment with physostigmine. Moreover, anti-oxidant assays were employed to calculate the level of super oxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase peroxidase (CAT) in tissue of treated animals. The results claimed the dose dependent protective and stabilizing effect of physostigmine on denaturation of albumin (egg and bovine serum) protein and human red blood cell membrane, respectively, through in vitro studies. Furthermore, the physostigmine (10 and 20 mg/kg) significantly (p < 0.001) reduced the swelling of paw after induction of arthritis with formaldehyde or complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) as compared to arthritic control animals. Moreover, significant (p < 0.001) reduction in the levels of inflammatory markers (PGE2 and TNF-α) at doses of 10 and 20 mg/kg of physostigmine has been observed in ELISA test. Likewise, there was a prominent rise in levels of SOD and CAT in animals treated with physostigmine. These findings pharmacologically conclude the anti-arthritic effect of physostigmine.

Antioxidant and Wound Healing Potential of Essential Oil from Citrus reticulata Peel and Its Chemical Characterization

BACKGROUND

Fruit peels are considered as waste and contribute to a major proportion of the biomass. They can be a good source of various therapeutic benefits. Peels biomass of citrus fruits is usually considered as garbage. Such peels may have many important and valuable medicinal components with pharmacological activities. Citrus reticulata, (Rutaceae family, local name tangerine) is a local seasonal fruit in Pakistan, a very good example of wastage of its peels.

OBJECTIVE

The study is based on the exploration of a citrus fruit peel derived essential oil, its chemical characterization, identification of various bioactive components and the exploration of pharmacological potentials (antibacterial and wound healing activity).

METHODS

Essential oil was recovered by hydro-distillation of freshly collected peels. Chemical constituents of oil were determined by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS) analysis. Antioxidant activities were evaluated by total phenolic contents, total flavonoid content, DPPH scavenging activity and reducing power assay. Antibacterial activity was determined using disc diffusion assay. In vivo wound healing potential was determined in rabbits after topical administration of oil. Wound scoring was calculated followed by histological study.

RESULTS

GC-MS analysis showed the presence of various components with the greatest proportion of D-Limonene (89.31%). Total flavonoid and phenolic contents were found to be 14.63 ± 0.95 mg CE/g and 17.03 ± 3.24 mg GAE/g respectively, while DPPH activity was found to be 73.32%. A better antibacterial activity was shown against E. coli. In vivo studies showed significant reduction in wound diameter in essential oil treatment groups. Further, the essential oil was found non-irritant in draize scoring.

CONCLUSION

The study concluded that essential oil of this fruit peel might be used for antibacterial and wound healing purposes.

Anti-arthritic activity of Ricinus communis L. and Withania somnifera L. extracts in adjuvant-induced arthritic rats via modulating inflammatory mediators and subsiding oxidative stress

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to evaluate the anti-arthritic activity of Ricinus communis leaves' and Withania somnifera roots' hydroalcoholic extracts in Complete Freund's adjuvant-induced arthritis in Wistar rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

HPLC and FT-IR analysis detected pharmacologically important phytocompounds in both plant extracts. Oral treatments including methotrexate (MTX; 3 mg/kg twice a week) and extracts at 250 and 500 mg/kg/day were initiated after arthritis induction. Changes in paw swelling, arthritic score, body weight, organ indices (thymus and spleen), hematological and biochemical parameters, and pro-/anti-inflammatory cytokine expression using qRT-PCR were assessed. Oxidative stress markers in hepatic tissue were determined. Histopathological and radiological examinations were also performed.

RESULTS

RCE (R. communis extract) and WSE (W. somnifera extract) demonstrated a reduction in paw swelling, arthritic score, and restoration of body weight and organ indices. Hematological parameters, serum inflammatory markers such as CRP and RF, and liver function markers of arthritic rats were significantly (P<0.01) ameliorated with RCE and WSE treatment. Both plants persuasively down-regulated IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17a, TNF-α, and RANKL and up-regulated IL-4, INF-γ, and OPG relative expression as well as alleviating hepatic oxidative stress parameters. Histopathological and radiological findings revealed a marked reduction in tissue inflammation and bone erosion in extracts treated groups.

CONCLUSION

The study findings suggest that R. communis leaves and W. somnifera roots have markedly subsided inflammation and improved health through modulating pro-/anti-inflammatory cytokine expression and reducing oxidative stress.

In vivo toxicities of the hospital effluent in Mahdia Tunisia

Hospital effluent (HE) is one of the most important sources of pharmaceuticals released into the environment. This kind of pollution is a recognized problem for both human health and aquatic life. Consequently, in the present study, we assessed the effects of untreated hospital effluent on mice via biochemical and histopathological determinations. Female mice were given free access to water bottles containing untreated HE at different dilutions for 21 days. Then clinical biochemistry and histopathology evaluation were conducted. Serum biochemistry analysis showed the presence of significant increase in cholesterol, triglycerides, glycaemia and total bilirubin. However, phosphatase alkaline and urea activities have been significantly decreased compared to the control group. No significant variation was observed for the rest of the studied parameters (high-density lipoproteins; low-density lipoproteins and uric acid). Additionally, multiple alterations, including cellular necrosis, leucocyte infiltration and congestion, were observed in different tissues of mice exposed to the tested HE.

Effects of contaminated surface water and groundwater from a rare earth mining area on the biology and the physiology of Sprague-Dawley rats

Previous studies have shown that an effective damage detection method for model rats from macro individual to micro cellular, was applied to assess the groundwater quality from rare earth metals tailings seepage. To determine whether it is universal method for measuring the toxicological damage caused by contaminated water around other mining areas to organisms at the organ-tissue-cell-chromosome-gene level. In this study, a rare earth mining area in North China was used as research base. Firstly, the core pollution factors in surface water and groundwater from five different sites were analyzed. Then, the degree of toxicological damage to Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats caused by contaminated water were systematically assessed using biological methods. Finally, the possible molecular mechanism of toxicological damage was further discussed. The synthesis results showed that the main pollution factors were some metal elements (Mn, Zn, Co, Ni) and rare earth elements (Sc, Nb, La, Ce, Pr, Dy and Y), which might cause significant DNA genetic damage to SD rats. Further, differential gene expression profile showed that DNA damage-inducible genes (Gadd45g and Ddit4), immunity-related genes (Mpo, Slpi and Elane) and two cancer-related genes (Mmp8 and Ltf) were used as a new prognostic and predictive biomarker for biosafety assessment. Therefore, this study provides a possible molecular mechanism for the toxicological damage, and also it provides a universal method to scientifically and effectively evaluate the water pollution risk for other mining areas.

Structural and functional analyses of a novel manganese-catalase from Bacillus subtilis R5

Catalases catalyze the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen. Limited reports are available on characterization of manganese-catalases. We describe here molecular cloning and expression in Escherichia coli of a putative manganese-catalase gene from mesophilic bacterium, Bacillus subtilis R5. The gene product, Cat_Bsu, produced as a soluble protein, was purified to apparent homogeneity and biochemically characterized. The absorption spectra and nonsignificant inhibition by sodium azide indicated that it is a manganese-catalase. The protein was in homohexameric form in solution, with a subunit molecular weight of 30 kDa, containing ~2 Mn²⁺ and ~1 Ca²⁺ per subunit. Cat_Bsu showed highest activity at pH 8.0 and 55 °C. It was found to be highly active with a specific activity of 25,290 μmol min^-1 mg^-1 and apparent K_m and k_cat values of 98 mM and 1.27 × 10⁴ s^-1 subunit^-1, respectively. Although from a mesophilic source, it exhibited a half-life of 2 h at 80 °C. Furthermore, the active site and metal binding residues in Cat_Bsu were predicted by homology modelling and molecular docking. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first characterization of a manganese-catalase from genus Bacillus.

Delonix regia a Folklore Remedy for Diabetes; Attenuates Oxidative Stress and Modulates Type II Diabetes Mellitus

BACKGROUND

The folkloric profile of Delonix regia demonstrates that it can be used in the management of diabetes.

OBJECTIVE

The present study was conducted to evaluate the safety profile of the aerial part extracts of Delonix regia and their antidiabetic potential along with improvement in oxidative stress.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Phytochemical screening, total phenolic, and flavonoid contents along with in-vitro antioxidant and alpha-amylase inhibitory activities were determined. HPLC analysis, acute toxicity, glucose tolerance, in-vivo antidiabetic effect along with the influence on biochemical, oxidative stress parameters, and comet assay of the active extract were performed and assessed.

RESULTS

Total phenolic (831.6±0.002 mg/g GAE) and flavonoid (361.4±0.002 mg/g QE) contents were found to be higher in the methanolic extract. Inhibitory concentration IC50 indicated better results for the methanolic extract in DPPH (47.6μg/mL) and alpha-amylase inhibitory (14.61μg/mL) assays. HPLC analysis of the methanolic extract confirmed the presence of quercetin, gallic acid, caffeic acid, cinnamic acid, ferulic acid, and p-coumaric acid. Acute oral toxicity exhibited no mortality and morbidity during the 24h period. The methanolic extract showed better tolerance to glucose. Streptozotocin- nicotinamide (55-110 mg/kg) induced hyperglycemia declined along with improvement in hematological, biochemical parameters and oxidative stress markers (SOD, CAT, H202) in a dose-dependent manner. The maximum effect was recorded at 500mg/kg dose. Comet assay was performed for genotoxic studies and it was observed that the methanolic extract of Delonix regia showed the maximum genoprotective effect at 100μg/mL.

CONCLUSION

The findings suggest that the methanolic aerial part extract of Delonix regia exhibited hypoglycemic, antioxidant, and hypolipidemic activities. The antidiabetic effect was comparable to glibenclamide suggesting its therapeutic use as a natural anti-diabetic remedy.

HPLC analysis, cytotoxicity, and safety study of Moringa oleifera Lam. (wild type) leaf extract

The study was planned to evaluate toxicity of M. oleifera leaf methanol extract in Wistar rats, cytotoxic potential and chemically characterize it. Acute toxicity study revealed no mortality at 2,000 mg/kg dose. In subchronic toxicity, 150, 300, and 600 mg/kg extract were administered in both sexes for 90 days. A decrease in body weight, cholesterol, and low-density lipoproteins, as well as an increase in the platelet count were observed. The histology of heart, lung, and kidney was normal. The oxidative stress biomarkers were normal in the liver tissue. In vitro cytotoxicity assay revealed that IC50 of the plant extract was more than 1,000 µg/ml. FTIR explored various functional groups and HPLC analysis indicated the presence of kaempferol and quercetin in the plant extract. These results showed that the plant extract might be safe up to 2,000 mg/kg single dose. The long term use of the plant extract was mostly devoid of major system toxicities. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: M. oleifera is a multipurpose tree. It is a cruciferous plant that has nutritional as well as medicinal properties. It is exhibited a multitude of nutraceutical or pharmacological properties such as anti-inflammatory, lipid-lowering, anticancer, hypoglycemic, and antihypertensive activities. It is widely used by local inhabitants for their health, food, agriculture, and cosmetic purposes. Among other plant parts, its leaves are mostly used as a functional food because of abundant proteins, β-carotene, polyphenol, vitamin C, and vitamin E. The current study was designed to validate its safety in acute and long term use. The data of this study suggested that the plant can be safely used as a nutraceutical as well as a nutritional food.

Chemical characterization, antioxidant evaluation, and antidiabetic potential of Pinus gerardiana (Pine nuts) extracts

Methanolic and ethyl acetate extracts of pine nuts were evaluated for in vitro antioxidant and inhibition of alpha-amylase activities. Pine nut extracts were orally administered to alloxan monohydrate-induced diabetes in mice at 250, 500, and 750 mg/kg. Both extracts showed a significant antioxidant and inhibition of alpha-amylase activities. Animal studies showed a decline in fasting blood glucose, hyperlipidemia, and weight loss in diabetic mice. The administration of plant extracts decreased the blood glucose level during the oral glucose tolerance test. Histopathological examination showed a decrease in alloxan-induced lesions in the pancreas, liver, and kidney of animals treated with pine nut extracts. Furthermore, pine nut extract ameliorated oxidative stress-induced hepatotoxicity in diabetic mice. The presence of quercetin, gallic acid, vanillic acid, benzoic acid, syringic acid, m-coumaric acid, and other phenolic compounds might be related to hypoglycemic, alpha-amylase inhibitory, antioxidant, and antihyperlipidemic potential of pine nut extracts. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Dry fruits are rich in dietary nutrients, minerals, and phytochemicals that can be used to treat and prevent lifestyle disease. Pine nuts are edible and have economic importance in addition to several traditional uses such as diuretic, antiseptic, expectorant, antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, antihypertensive, and antineuralgic properties. This study was conducted to investigate the pine nut extracts for their antioxidant and antidiabetic potentials using in vitro methods and animal disease model. The findings of the present study suggest that the extracts of Pine nuts may be helpful in treating hyperglycemia during diabetes and prevent its complications such as hepatic damage, nephrotoxicity, weight loss, and hyperlipidemia.

Polystichum braunii extracts inhibit Complete Freund's adjuvant-induced arthritis via upregulation of I-κB, IL-4, and IL-10, downregulation of COX-2, PGE2, IL-1β, IL-6, NF-κB, and TNF-α, and subsiding oxidative stress

Polystichum braunii (Spenn.) Fée is a traditional remedy for rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic inflammatory disorder of polygenetic origin. The current project was intended to demonstrate the role of inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers in the anti-arthritic activity of the P. braunii extracts. Methanolic and aqueous extracts of the plant roots were prepared by triple maceration. The phytochemical evaluation of the plant extracts was carried out by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The plant extracts at 150, 300, and 600 mg/kg/day and piroxicam (10 mg/kg/day) were orally administered to Wistar rats for 21 days that were previously immunized with Complete Freund's adjuvant (150 µl on right hind paw) except normal and arthritic control rats. Both plant extracts mitigated the paw oedema, restored the immune organ and body weights, and ameliorated the level of blood parameters such as haemoglobin, red blood cells, platelets, white blood cells, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), C-reactive proteins, and rheumatoid factor. The evaluation of gene expression using quantitative-real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) revealed the substantial downregulation of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, Interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, cyclo-oxygenase (COX)-2, nuclear factor (NF)-κB, and upregulation of IL-4, IL-10 and I-κB in polyarthritic rats treated with the plant extracts. Methanolic plant extract exhibited the maximum effect on upregulation of IL-4 (79 ± 3%), IL-10 (62.66 ± 4.93%), and I-κB (73.66 ± 3.05%) at 600 mg/kg/day. Treatment with the plant extracts also reduced the level of prostaglandin E2 and TNF-α in the serum of arthritic rats' dose dependently. It was also found that the plant extracts and piroxicam increased (p < 0.05) the activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase in the liver tissue while reduced the level of malondialdehyde in arthritic rats. Histological examination of ankle joints revealed that the plant extracts decreased the pannus formation, inflammation, and synovial hyperplasia in arthritic animals. HPLC analysis depicted that the plant extracts had contained kaempferol, quercetin, gallic acid, and other phenolic acids. It can be elucidated from the results that the extracts of P. braunii roots exhibited anti-arthritic activity in Wistar rats through modulation of inflammatory cytokines and boosting the antioxidant defense mechanism.

Antidiabetic Potential of Mangifera indica L. cv. Anwar Ratol Leaves: Medicinal Application of Food Wastes

Background and objectives: Anwar Ratol is one of the most famous cultivar of mango in South Asia, especially Pakistan. Mango leaves are left as food waste. This study evaluated the potential of mango (Anwar Ratol) leaves for their use against diabetes mellitus. Material and Methods: In this study, hydro-alcoholic extract of the plant leaves was prepared and evaluated by electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy (ESI-MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for the presence of phytochemicals. The plant extract was administered to Alloxan induced diabetic mice followed by evaluation through oral glucose tolerance test; determination of postprandial glucose, body weight, lipid profile and histopathological evaluation of pancreas. Results: Chemical evaluation revealed the presence of mangiferin, rhamnetin, catechin, epicatechin, iriflophenone 3-C-β-D-glucoside, gallic acid and other phenolic and flavonoid compounds. The plant extract exhibited a decrease in postprandial blood glucose following seven days therapy in diabetic mice. The extract also prevented the rise in blood glucose level as determined by glucose tolerance test in diabetic mice. Furthermore, therapy of diabetic mice with the extract prevented a decrease in body weight and decline in beta-cell mass associated with alloxan and improved lipid profile. Conclusion: The findings of the study clearly suggested that the leaf extract of the plant might possess anti-diabetic activity possibly due to the presence of mangiferin and other phytochemicals such as phenolic and flavonoid compounds. This study will serve as a basis for the use of mango leaf extract against diabetes. Furthermore, this study will also provide basis for the bioassay-based fractionation and isolation of active principles responsible for the antidiabetic potential of mango leaves.

Moringa rivae leaf extracts attenuate Complete Freund's adjuvant-induced arthritis in Wistar rats via modulation of inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers

Moringa rivae is widely used as a traditional remedy against arthritis. The present research was designed to evaluate the anti-arthritic potential of Moringa rivae extracts. Treatment of rats with adjuvant-induced arthritis with methanolic and aqueous extracts of M. rivae (150, 300 or 600 mg/kg), and piroxicam (10 mg/kg) was started orally at day 8 post-administration of complete Freund's adjuvant and continued till 28th day. The therapeutic effect of the plant extracts was assessed in arthritic rats by arthritic index, body weight, and haematological and biochemical parameters. Furthermore, the modulatory effect on gene expression (I-κB, IL-4 and IL-10, COX-2, IL-1β and IL-6, NF-κB, and TNF-α) in the blood was determined using qRT-PCR, while ELISA assay was used to find PGE2 and TNF-α concentrations in the serum. Oxidative stress parameters in the liver and ankle joint histopathology were also evaluated. Moreover, the most effective methanolic extract was further characterized by GC-MS for the presence of phytochemicals. Treatment with the plant extracts significantly restored arthritic index, change in the body weight and immune organ weight, and the histopathological indices. Both extracts significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the serum concentration of rheumatoid factor, C-reactive protein, PGE2, and TNF-α in arthritic rats. The extracts persuasively down-regulated the COX-2, PGE2, IL-1β, IL-6, NF-κB, and TNF-α, and up-regulated the mRNA expression of I-κB, IL-4, and IL-10. Both extracts increased the activities of CAT and SOD while reducing the formation of MDA in a dose- dependent manner in the liver. Histopathological evaluation showed that treatment with the plant extracts significantly (p < 0.05) reduced joint inflammation, pannus formation, and bone erosion in treatment groups in comparison to arthritic control. Phytochemicals detected by GC-MS in the methanolic extract included esters, alcohols, ketones, fatty acids, and vitamin E. These findings provide evidence of the anti-arthritic potential of M. rivae extracts in chronic polyarthritis model.

Evaluation of the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of solvent extracts of Tricholepis chaetolepis (Boiss) Rech. f. whole plant

The whole plant, Tricholepis chaetolepis, powder was investigated using proximate and fluorescence analysis along with determining the extractive values. Total phenolics, flavonoids and total protein contents of n-hexane, chloroform and methanolic extracts of the whole plant were also determined. The anti-diabetic activity of all the three extracts of the plant was determined by in vitro alpha-amylase inhibition assay. The anti-oxidant potential was evaluated using Phosophomolybdenum and DPPH methods. The anti-inflammatory potential of all extracts were determined by carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema model. The evaluation of the plant extracts exhibited the anti-diabetic, anti-oxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities in dose dependent fashion. The research concludes that Tricholepis chaetolepis extracts contain phenol, flavonoids, and tannins that show observable anti-oxidant and anti-diabetic potential. It is also concluded that the methanol extract of the plant showed the maximum effect against inflammation induced by carrageenan in rat paw oedema as compared with n-hexane and chloroform extracts.

Association of textile industry effluent with mutagenicity and its toxic health implications upon acute and sub-chronic exposure

Complex industrial discharges pose certain risks to the ecosystem. This study was aimed at identifying acute and sub-chronic toxicological effects of the textile industry wastewater. The textile wastewater was evaluated for the metals and organic pollutants by atomic absorption spectrophotometer and GC-MS respectively. In vitro genotoxicity and mutagenicity were assessed by Comet assay in peripheral lymphocytes isolated from Ovis aries and Ames test in Salmonella typhimurium strains TA-100 and 102 respectively. Physiological and behavioral changes along with systemic toxicity were determined in Rattus norvegicus albinus following acute and sub-chronic exposure. High amount of heavy metals such as Cr, Pb, Hg, As, and Cd were detected in textile wastewater. Organic pollutants such as 25-deacetoxy cucurbitacin-b, E-14-Hexadecenal, 11-Tricosene, and phthalates were also found. In vitro genotoxicity assessment in lymphocytes showed statistically significant DNA damaging potential of textile wastewater. Textile wastewater also showed significantly higher (p˂ 0.05) mutagenic potential in Salmonella TA-100 and TA-102 strains than sodium azide and 2-amino anthracycline. Acute exposure of textile wastewater to Rattus norvegicus was associated with several physiological changes and behavioral symptoms. Sub-chronic exposure of textile wastewater in Rattus norvegicus instigated the degeneration and necrosis of epithelial cells in renal tubules, hydropic degeneration and necrosis of hepatocytes, peri-bronchiolar infiltration and emphysema of the alveoli, and the degradation of myocardial cells. This study concludes that the textile wastewater may cause genotoxicity and mutagenicity, result in physiological and behavioral changes upon acute exposure, and inflict various pathological lesions upon sub-chronic exposure.