Exploring the effects of vasoactive constituents in large cardamom: implications for the anti-hypertensive effect via eNOS coupling pathway - an in-vitro study in rat endothelial cells

Endothelial dysfunction, linked to reduced eNOS expression and nitric oxide (NO) availability, contributes to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Large cardamom exhibits antihypertensive effects by augmenting NO levels and antioxidant activity. To decipher its mechanisms, selected constituents were docked with eNOS-associated target genes such as GTP cyclohydrolase I (GTPCH-1) and (dihydrofolate reductase [DHFR]). Endothelial damage induced by L-NAME and fructose was countered by assessing nitric oxide metabolites (NOx), tetrahydrobipterin (BH4 levels), GCH-I expression and super oxide dismutase (SOD) activity after constituent incubation. Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside and petunidin-3-O-glucoside notably restored impaired vascular markers in both models. These phytoconstituents are likely to activate GCH-BH4-eNOS pathways, upregulating SOD and NO expression, maintaining endothelial integrity. Large cardamom's antihypertensive effects may stem from these components, synergistically enhancing endothelial NO release via the eNOS pathway.

Targeting Viral ORF3a Protein: A New Approach to Mitigate COVID-19 Induced Immune Cell Apoptosis and Associated Respiratory Complications

Infection with SARS-CoV-2 is a growing concern to the global well-being of the public at present. Different amino acid mutations alter the biological and epidemiological characteristics, as well as immune resistance of SARS-CoV-2. The virus-induced pulmonary impairment and inflammatory cytokine storm are directly related to its clinical manifestations. But, the fundamental mechanisms of inflammatory responses are found to be the reason for the death of immune cells which render the host immune system failure. Apoptosis of immune cells is one of the most common forms of programmed cell death induced by the virus for its survival and virulence property. ORF3a, a SARS-CoV-2 accessory viral protein, induces apoptosis in host cells and suppress the defense mechanism. This suggests, inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 ORF3a protein is a good therapeutic strategy for the treatment in COVID-19 infection by promoting the host immune defense mechanism.

Formulation and evaluation of magnesium sulphate nanoparticles for improved CNS penetrability

Magnesium (Mg²⁺) is the fourth most abundant cation in the human body and is involved in maintaining varieties of cellular and neurological functions. Magnesium deficiency has been associated with numerous diseases, particularly neurological disorders, and its supplementation has proven beneficial. However, magnesium therapy in neurological diseases is limited because of the inability of magnesium to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB). The present study focuses on developing magnesium sulphate nanoparticles (MGSN) to improve blood-brain barrier permeability. MGSN was prepared by precipitation technique with probe sonication. The developed formulation was characterized by DLS, EDAX, FT-IR and quantitative and qualitative estimation of magnesium. According to the DLS report, the average size of the prepared MGSN is found to be 247 nm. The haemocompatibility assay studies revealed that the prepared MGSN are biocompatible at different concentrations. The in vitro BBB permeability assay conducted by Parallel Artificial Membrane Permeability Assay (PAMPA) using rat brain tissue revealed that the prepared MGSN exhibited enhanced BBB permeability as compared to the marketed i.v. MgSO₄ injection. The reversal effect of MGSN to digoxin-induced Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase enzyme inhibition using brain microslices confirmed that MGSN could attenuate the altered levels of Na⁺ and K⁺ and is useful in treating neurological diseases with altered expression of Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase activity.

Apoptosis promoting activity of selected plant steroid in MRMT-1 breast cancer cell line by modulating mitochondrial permeation pathway

Escape from apoptosis is one of the main demeanor characteristics of cancer cells. Mitochondria are key players in initiating and regulating the intrinsic apoptosis pathway. Hexokinase2 (HK2) is ubiquitously expressed in several cancer cells and is essential for cell survival and death. The binding of HK2 to mitochondria promotes cell proliferation, while AKT-1 mediated pathway is crucial in this process. Peimine, a steroidal alkaloid derived from plant steroids, is screened for docking properties, ADMET properties, and drug-likeness. Apoptosis targets are predicted by network pharmacology using 47 genes associated with apoptosis. According to in silico study, peimine has the potential for dual Targeting on HK2 and AKT1. For further confirmation, peimine was subjected to Cell culture studies using MRMT-1 rat breast cancer cells. The elevated levels of cytochrome c and Caspase 9 activity indicate that the intrinsic apoptosis pathway causes cell death. The decreased glucose uptake by the MRMT-1 cells indicates that pimine inhibits glucose transport by inhibiting the membrane HK2.

A Mini Review on the Various Facets Effecting Brain Delivery of Magnesium and Its Role in Neurological Disorders

Magnesium is an essential cation present in the body that participates in the regulation of various vital body functions. Maintaining normal level of magnesium is essential for proper brain functions by regulating the activities of numerous neurotransmitters and their receptors. Various studies have been reported that magnesium level is found to be declined in both neurological and psychiatric diseases. Declined magnesium level in the brain initiates various cumbersome effects like excitotoxicity, altered blood-brain permeability, oxidative stress, and inflammation, which may further worsen the disease condition. Shreds of evidence from the experimental and clinical studies proved that exogenous administration of magnesium is useful for correcting disease-induced alterations in the brain. But one of the major limiting factors in the use of magnesium for treatment purposes is its poor blood-brain barrier permeability. Various approaches like the administration of its organic salts as pidolate and threonate forms, and the combination with polyethylene glycol or mannitol have been tried to improve its permeability to make magnesium as a suitable drug for different neurological disorders. These results have shown their experimental efficacy in diseased animal models, but studies regarding the safety and efficacy in human subjects are currently underway. We present a comprehensive review on the role of magnesium in the maintenance of normal functioning of the brain and various approaches for improving its BBB permeability.

Cardioprotective Effect of Marsdenia tenacissima and Sansevieria roxburghiana in Doxorubicin-induced Cardiotoxicity in Rats in vivo: The Role of Dresgenin and Lupeol

Objectives

The major adverse effect of doxorubicin (DOX) in cancer treatment is cardiac toxicity. Murva is a controversial plant used in the Ayurvedic system, which consist of more than 12 medicinal plant roots found in different parts of India. Marsdenia tenacissima (MT) is an acceptable source in Murva, whereas Sansevieria roxburghiana (SR) Schult & Schult.f. (S. zeylanica Roxb.) are also considered as Murva in West Bengal, India. The present study focused on the evaluation of the cardioprotective mechanism as well as the in vivo cardioprotective potential of methanol extracts of MT and SR on rats by using in silico methods.

Materials and Methods

A total of 48 rats were divided into 8 groups with 6 in each group. DOX 20 mg/kg, intraperitoneally (i.p.) was administered to all rats on the 13^th day, with the exception of group 1. Group 2 was the disease control, group 3 was the treated with the standard drug propronolol, and groups 4 to 5 were treated with two lower doses of methanol extract of MT (MEMT) and methanol extract of SR (MESR), whereas group 7 received higher dose combinations of both extracts for 14 continuous days. Blood and tissue antioxidant levels as well as cardiac enzymes were measured at the end of the study. Damage to cellular functional units was analyzed by histopathological study. Dresgenin from MT similarly lupeol from SR were taken as ligands for the target peroxisome proliferator activated receptors (PPARα) protein to find out the mechanism of action. High-performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) fingerprinting was performed to determine the number of phytoconstituents present in both extracts.

Results

The combination that showed the most significant (p<0.001) effect on altered cardiac enzymes and antioxidant enzyme levels in both blood and tissues also corrected the extreme damage in cellular functional units. Dresgenin and lupeol showed binding scores of -8.2 (kcal/mol) and -9 (kcal/mol), respectively, with PPARα. HPTLC reports revealed that 17 and 12 peaks were found at 254 nm for dresgenin and lupeol, respectively.

Conclusion

The study results concluded that the combination of MESR and MEMT and that of MESR and MEMT exerted cardioprotective activity via binding of dresgenin and lupeol to PPARα. The order of efficacy was the extract combination > MESR > MEMT.

'Magnesium'-the master cation-as a drug-possibilities and evidences

Magnesium (Mg²⁺) is the 2nd most abundant intracellular cation, which participates in various enzymatic reactions; there by regulating vital biological functions. Magnesium (Mg²⁺) can regulate several cations, including sodium, potassium, and calcium; it consequently maintains physiological functions like impulse conduction, blood pressure, heart rhythm, and muscle contraction. But, it doesn't get much attention in account with its functions, making it a "Forgotten cation". Like other cations, maintenance of the normal physiological level of Mg²⁺ is important. Its deficiency is associated with various diseases, which point out to the importance of Mg²⁺ as a drug. The roles of Mg²⁺ such as natural calcium antagonist, glutamate NMDA receptor blocker, vasodilator, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent are responsible for its therapeutic benefits. Various salts of Mg²⁺ are currently in clinical use, but their application is limited. This review collates all the possible mechanisms behind the behavior of magnesium as a drug at different disease conditions with clinical shreds of evidence.

Trachoma in the Pacific Islands: evidence from Trachoma Rapid Assessment

AIMS

To establish the presence or absence of trachoma in the Pacific Island region.

METHODS

Trachoma Rapid Assessment methodology was used in Kiribati, Nauru, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and Fiji. Advised by key informants, high-risk communities were chosen from each country. All available children aged 1-9 years and adults > or = 40 years were examined.

RESULTS

A total of 903 adults > or = 40 years and 3102 children aged 1-9 years were screened at 67 sites. Rates of active trachoma in children were >15% in all sites in Kiribati and >20% in all sites in Nauru. However, there was a high variability of rates of active trachoma in survey sites in Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and Fiji with rates ranging from 0% to 43% (average 23.3%), 6.0% to 51.9% (average 30.5%) and 0% to 48.8% (average 22.1%) respectively. Average rates of scarring trachoma in adults were 61.9% in Kiribati, 12.5% in Nauru, 38.2% in Vanuatu, 67.0% in the Solomon Islands and 18.8% in Fiji. Rates of trichiasis and trichiasis surgeries suggest the possibility of blinding trachoma in the region.

CONCLUSION

The findings indicate that trachoma is present in all the Pacific Island countries screened. Further prevalence studies are required, and trachoma control measures should be considered.