Strong Binding of Phytochemicals to the Catalytic Domain of Tyrosine Hydroxylase as a Trojan Horse Decreases Dopamine in Dopaminergic Cells: Pharmaceutical Considerations in Schizophrenia and Parkinson's Disease

BACKGROUND

Imbalances in dopamine levels result in neurological and psychological disorders such as elevated dopamine in Parkinson's disease.

OBJECTIVE

Despite a considerable number of advertisements claiming Aloe-vera's effectiveness in PD treatment, it has hidden long-term disadvantages for healthy people and PD patients.

METHODS

In the present investigation, the impacts of Aloe-vera on dopaminergic cells were evaluated.

RESULTS

The results indicated that the focal adhesion kinase (FAK) enhancement was in line with the Bax/Bcl2 ratio decrement, reactive oxygen specious (ROS) production, and nonsignificant alteration in the sub-G1phase of the cell cycle. It led to glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) upregulation but did not significantly change the BDNF level involved in depression and motor impairment recovery. These events apparently resulted in the enhancement in dopaminergic cell viability and neurite length and attenuated PI+ cells. However, it also induced neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) overexpression and nitric oxide (NO) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) production. Notably, docking results of the catalytic domain in tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) with the Aloe-vera constituents showed strong binding of most Aloe-vera constituents with the catalytic domain of TH, even stronger than L-tyrosine as an original substrate. Following the docking results, Aloe-vera downregulated TH protein and attenuated dopamine.

CONCLUSION

It can be hypothesized that Aloe-vera improves PD symptoms through enhancement in antiapoptotic markers and neurotrophic factors, while it suppresses TH and dopamine in the form of a Trojan horse, later resulting in the future deterioration of the disease symptoms. The results provide cues to pharmaceutical companies to use the active components of Aloe-vera as putative agents in neurological and psychiatric disorders and diseases to decrease dopamine in patients with enhanced dopamine levels.

The particle size of drug nanocarriers dictates the fate of neurons; critical points in neurological therapeutics

Neurological disorders and diseases are on the rise in the world, while pharmacists are being encouraged to encapsulate drugs into the nanocarriers. The critical key question is which size of nanocarrier has a promising neurotherapeutic effect. In the present study, FTY-720, an FDA approved drug, was encapsulated into O/W nanocarriers. SEM and DLS data indicated in ultrasonication and stirring methods resulted in spherical nanocarriers with a particle size of 60 and 195 nm (nF60 and nF195), respectively. Further to investigate the effect of particle size on neuronal cells, MTT assay, PI flow-cytometry, LDH release, and NO production examinations were performed. Results showed that small nanocarriers increased cell viability along with the decline of dead cells, while both nanocarriers decreased LDH release and NO production as compared to the conventional drug. Notably, qRT-PCR and western blotting data related to apoptotic markers indicated in the increase of cell mortality in cells treated by nF190 was not due to the increase of apoptosis and Bax/Bcl2 ratio. It is worth mentioning that integrin α5 as a cell surface receptor involves in neuritogenesis was over-expressed in neuronal cells treated by small nanocarriers. However, nF60 increased PTK2 over-expression along with neurite outgrowth, as well. In other words, nanocarriers at the size of 60 nm are preferred to 195 nm as a drug carrier in neurotherapy due to profound impacts on neural cells. Thanks to small nanocarrier broad positive action on neural viability and neurite outgrowth. The present study discloses a pharmaceutical strategy to design drugs based on their particle size efficiency.

Strong binding active constituents of phytochemical to BMPR1A promote bone regeneration: In vitro, in silico docking, and in vivo studies

Two of the most problematic orthopedic and neurosurgeon visits are associated with spine and craniofacial fractures. Therefore, more attention needs to be paid to finding a medicine to repair these fractures. Amongst the most mysterious herbs, Aloe vera stands out. In the present study, the ameliorating function of A. vera on osteogenesis was studied in vitro and in vivo. Osteoblast-like cells were exposed to A. vera, followed by analysis of cell viability, lactate dehydrogenase release, and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. The results showed an enhanced cell biocompatibility in a dose-dependent manner due to attenuated intracellular ROS production. Furthermore, a docking study indicated that the strong affinity of A. vera constituents to type I bone morphogenic protein receptor (BMPR1A) without the involvement of the BMPR1A chain B. The induction of osteogenesis prompts extracellular calcium deposition by osteoblasts, which affirms successful in vitro bone regeneration. However, injection of A. vera in rats with critical size calvarial defects induced Runx2, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), OCN, and BMP2 genes overexpression, which led to the formation of victorious bone with enhanced bone density and ALP activity. It is worthy to note that Aloin has the highest affinity to BMPR1A, whereas there are no reports regarding the impact of Aloenin, Aloesin, and γ-sitosterol on osteogenesis. Furthermore, some of them have antitumor potency, and it might be proposed that they are considered as a bone substitute in the osteotomy site of osteosarcoma with the aim of bone recovery and suppression of osteosarcoma. The whole consequences of this investigation manifests the plausibility of using A. vera as an antioxidant and osteoconductive substitute.

Effects of different rearing systems on muscle and meat quality traits of slow- and medium-growing male chickens

1. This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of production system on the meat quality of slow- and medium-growing chickens. A total of 1075 1-d-old male chicks were equally divided into 6 experimental groups, represented by three strains (SG: TETRA-H, MG1: TETRA HB Color, MG2: Shaver Farm) and were reared in a poultry house in floor pens (12 males/m(2)). 2. On d 49, 150 healthy birds (50/genotype) were placed in a free-range family farm while the rest of the birds remained indoors. All birds were fed ad libitum and consumed the same diet. On d 70, 20 birds of each experimental group were slaughtered and muscle samples were taken from the left breast and thigh muscles. 3. Thigh muscle of SG males kept on free range was darker (L* = 75.12 vs. 78.33) with lower frying loss (45.9% vs. 55.9%) compared with the indoor group. Similar results were obtained from the MG1 group. Free-range MG2 males had lighter thigh meat (L* = 50.7 vs. 57.8) and lower frying loss compared to the indoor group. 4. In general, the indoor treatment had a lower impact on breast meat than the outdoor system. Regardless of the rearing system, genotypic differences were more pronounced in thigh than in breast muscle.

What do we need to eradicate rubella in the Islamic Republic of Iran?

To evaluate the need for congenital rubella syndrome prevention in our national health programme we aimed to determine the rate of anti-rubella positivity in umbilical cord blood samples 8 years after measles-rubella mass vaccination in the Islamic Republic of Iran. In a cross-sectional study we tested umbilical cord blood samples for anti-rubella IgG and IgM by ELISA in 154 deliveries at a university hospital in Tehran. Overall 72.7% of umbilical cord blood samples were positive for anti-rubella lgG and 27.3% were negative. All of the samples were negative for anti-rubella IgM. In the samples with a history of mothers' rubella vaccination, only 87.5% were positive for anti-rubella IgG. The results suggest the need for another mass vaccination for rubella in women of child-bearing age and continuation of routine vaccination of infants, plus consideration of obligatory anti-rubella IgG testing before pregnancy in women who were not vaccinated and vaccination of women before marriage.

The persistence toxicity of four insecticides against adult Hippodamia varigata (Coleptera: Cocinellidae)

In order to investigate the effects of four insecticides on Hippodomia variegata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), the predator of Aphis fabae, an experiment was carried out using IOBC/wprs method. Persistence toxicity of insecticides has been evaluated in the greenhouse condition. The insecticides abamectin 1.8 EC, deltamethrin 2.5 EC, imidacloprid 350 SC, and proteus OD 110 were used at recommended field rates. The insecticides were applied on broad bean foliage using a hand sprayer, until run-off. Contact toxicity of aged residues of insecticides on adult predator was evaluated using the cage-method. The trials were laid out in randomized complete design (CRD) with 3 replicates and an untreated check. The arcsine transformation was used for analysis. The mortality of adult predator, after 24 h contact with fresh residues of abamectin, deltamethrin, imidacloprid and proteus were 53.4, 52.1, 63.4 and 65.1%, respectively. After 5 days the effect of residues decreased so that the adult mortality diminished to 32.4, 36.5, 56.1 and 57.5% for mentioned above insecticides. 15-day old residues lead to 8.8, 23.1, 56.3 and 57.5%; and 31-day old residues lead to 8.8, 22.7, 29.5 and 41.7% mortality for these insecticides, respectively. Based on this study, abamectin and deltamethrin with persistence less than 5 d are classified as short lived (Class A) while imidacloprid and proteus with persistence between 16 to 31d, classified as moderately persistent (Class C) compounds.

Effect of religious cognitive- behavior therapy on religious content obsessive compulsive disorder and marital satisfaction

Objective

Religious themes commonly feature in religious with Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). OCD which includes cognitive, emotional, and behavioral components, is a debilitating chronic disorder and can affects on patient’ marital satisfaction. The aim of us was to evaluate efficacy of Religious Cognitive- Behavior therapy (RCBT) on religious oriented Obsessive-Compulsive disorder and marital satisfaction.

Method

This is a randomized controlled clinical trial. This study conducted on 90 OCD outpatients with 17 and more Yale Brown obsessive compulsive scale(Y-BOCS) and religious content OCD. Intervention consists of 10 weekly RCBT. We used Enrich scale for asses’ marital satisfaction and Y-BOCS scale before and after treatment.Data were analyzed by ANCOVA/ANOVA repeated measure test using SPSS version ver.15.

Result

In our study duration of OCD was 11.5 ± 8.6 years & 11.5 ± 8.8 years and duration of marriage was 16.88 ± 11.6 & 13.51 ± 10.9 years Yale Brown scores after intervention decreased with significant difference (p = 0.001). There were significant difference between mean scores of two groups (p = 0.001). Comparison of obsession subscale and compulsion subscale of Yale Brown scale showed decreasing trend in both of obsession subscale and compulsion either within or between group is statistically significant (p = 0.001).Also marital satisfaction significantly improved in case group (p = 0.001).

Conclusion

In religious patients with religious contents, religious based interventions like religious CBT could significantly increase clinical responses. Also theses interventions could improve marital status. These results suggest that Religious Cognitive-Behavior Therapy can be effective for religious oriented OCD patients.

Experimental model of faecal coliform removal in anoxic wastewater stabilisation ponds

Wastewater stabilisation ponds are a good alternative for treating different types of wastewaters due to their simplicity, effectiveness and low cost. It has been found that the volumetric organic loading (VOL) on ponds affects pathogen removal inversely whereas temperature has a positive effect. This was confirmed in the present studies on "anoxic" ponds, which were loaded in the range between conventional organic loading levels for anaerobic and facultative stabilisation ponds. In addition, other environmental factors (light, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration, and oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) were also found to influence pathogen removal in the model ponds. The effects on faecal coliform removal of volumetric organic loading and temperature are represented in the form of a multiple regression model. The equation developed was found to apply at a significance level of 95% with p < 0.001.