Phytochemical screening, antimicrobial activity, in vitro and in vivo antioxidant activity of Berberis lycium Royle root bark extract

Abstract Antioxidants are materials that scavenge or remove free radicals from living systems. The oxidation process ends in the production of free radicals. These free radicals are the chief birthplace of cancerous cells. Antioxidizing agents remove free radical intermediates by terminating oxidation processes by being oxidized themselves. On the other hand, infectious diseases affect the world on a large scale. To fight these diseases several synthetic compounds have been used. Plant based medications play important role in this regard. So, the current research aimed to investigate the antibacterial and antioxidant effect of Berberis lycium Royle root bark (BLR) extract. Berberis lycium Royle was used for phytochemical analysis and also as antimicrobial and antioxidant agents. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated by the agar well diffusion method. Current study revealed that BLR was rich in phytochemicals and toxic against tested pathogenic bacteria. BLR showed the highest activity against S. pyogenes (13.3±0.8 mm). The lowest antibacterial activity was reported against E. coli (0±0 mm). In case of minimum inhibitory concentration, it was observed that BLR with 10 μg/mL concentration showed the highest activity while 2.5 μg/mL of BLR showed the least inhibitory activity. The highest In vitro antioxidant activity was recorded as 65% at 100 µg/mL. In case of in vivo antioxidant activity level of CAT, GSH and SOD were decreased while that of MDA was enhanced in groups treated with CCl4 as compared to the control group. BLR extract treatment reversed all these changes significantly. Current results indicate that BLR is effective against bacterial pathogens and also has antioxidant potential.

Photosynthetic acclamatory response of Panicum antidotale Retz. populations to root zone desiccation stress

Growth of plants is severely reduced due to water stress by affecting photosynthesis including photosystem II (PSII) activity and electron transport. This study emphasised on comparative and priority targeted changes in PSII activity due to progressive drought in seven populations of Panicum antidotale (P. antidotale) collected from Cholistan Desert and non-Cholistan regions. Tillers of equal growth of seven populations of P. antidotale grown in plastic pots filled with soil were subjected progressive drought by withholding water irrigation for three weeks. Progressive drought reduced the soil moisture content, leaf relative water content, photosynthetic pigments and fresh and dry biomass of shoots in all seven populations. Populations from Dingarh Fort, Dingarh Grassland and Haiderwali had higher growth than those of other populations. Cholistani populations especially in Dingarh Grassland and Haiderwali had greater ability of osmotic adjustment as reflected by osmotic potential and greater accumulation of total soluble proteins. Maximum H2O2 under water stress was observed in populations from Muzaffargarh and Khanewal but these were intermediate in MDA content. Under water stress, populations from Muzaffargarh and Dingarh Fort had greater K+ accumulation in their leaves. During progressive drought, non-Cholistani populations showed complete leaf rolling after 23 days of drought, and these populations could not withstand with more water stress condition while Cholistani populations tolerated more water stress condition for 31 days. Moreover, progressive drought caused PSII damages after 19 days and it became severe after 23 days in non-Cholistani populations of P. antidotale than in Cholistani populations.

Comparative metabolomic responses of low- and high-cadmium accumulating genotypes reveal the cadmium adaptive mechanism in Brassica napus

Recently, oilseed rape has gathered interest for its ability to withstand elevated metal contents in plant, a key feature for remediation of contaminated soils. In this study, comparative and functional metabolomic analyses using liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry were undertaken to explore the metabolic basis of this attribute under cadmium (Cd) stress. Results revealed both conserved and differential metabolomic responses between genotype CB671 (tolerant Cd-accumulating) and its sensitive counterpart ZD622. CB671 responded to Cd stress by rearranging carbon flux towards production of compatible solutes, sugar storage forms and ascorbate, as well as jasmonates, ethylene and vitamin B6. Intriguingly, IAA abundance was reduced by 1.91-fold, which was in connection with tryptophan funnelling into serotonin (3.48-fold rise). In ZD622 by contrast, Cd provoked drastic depletion of carbohydrates and vitamins, but subtle hormones alteration. A striking accumulation of unsaturated fatty acids and oxylipins in CB671, paralleled by glycerophospholipids build-up and induction of inositol-derived signalling metabolites (up to 5.41-fold) suggested ability for prompt triggering of detoxifying mechanisms. Concomitantly, phytosteroids, monoterpenes and carotenoids were induced, denoting fine-tuned mechanisms for membrane maintenance, which was not evident in ZD622. Further, ZD622 markedly accumulated phenolics from upstream sub-classes of flavonoids; in CB671 however, a distinct phenolic wiring was activated, prioritizing anthocyanins and lignans instead. Along with cell wall (CW) saccharides, the activation of lignans evoked CW priming in CB671. Current results have demonstrated existence of notable metabolomic-based strategies for Cd tolerance in metal-accumulating oilseed rapes, and provided a holistic view of metabolites potentially contributing to Cd tolerance in this species.

P2253Intake of the omega 3 PUFAs formulation EPA:DHA 6:1 by aged rats reduced shedding of microvesicles from spleen-derived cultured leukocytes and their ability to promote senescence in endothelial cells

Introduction

Ageing is associated with the appearance of endothelial senescence promoting endothelial dysfunction and, ultimately, cardiovascular events. Circulating microvesicles (MVs) of patients with acute coronary syndrome promoted premature endothelial senescence by stimulating the local angiotensin system. Omega 3 PUFAs have been shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease in patients at high risk.

Purpose

This study investigated whether a 7-day intake of the omega 3 formulation EPA:DHA 6:1 by rats affects the level of MVs released by spleen-derived cultured leukocytes as well as their ability to promote premature senescence in target endothelial cells (ECs), and, if so, to clarify the underlying mechanism.

Methods

Middle-aged male Wistar rats (M, 48-week old) received 500 mg/kg/d of either EPA:DHA 6:1, EPA:DHA 1:1, or vehicle (CTL) for 7 days. Thereafter, spleen-derived leukocytes, a rich source of MVs, were prepared and cultured for 24 h. Cultured ECs were prepared from porcine coronary arteries. Senescence-associated β-galactosidase activity (SA-β-gal) was assessed by C12FDG, protein expression level by Western blot analysis, oxidative stress by dihydroethidium using confocal microscopy, and procoagulant MVs by prothrombinase assay. Spleen-derived leukocytes from untreated young (Y, 12-week) and old (O, 72-week) rats were also studied.

Results

Shedding of MVs by spleen-derived leukocytes significantly increased with increasing age. Incubation of ECs with leukocyte-derived MVs (10 nM Phtd Ser eq.) from M and O but not those from Y induced premature senescence after 48 h. The stimulatory effect of M-MVs was prevented by losartan and associated with oxidative stress. M-MVs induced an upregulation of senescence markers (p16, p21, p53), pro-atherothrombotic markers (VCAM-1, ICAM-1, tissue factor), the pro-inflammatory marker cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) but not COX-1, and of the angiotensin system (angiotensin-converting enzyme and type 1 angiotensin receptor), whereas endothelial NO synthase was down-regulated. A one-week intake of EPA:DHA 1:1 and 6:1 by M rats decreased the leukocyte-derived MVs shedding by about 14% and 24%, and EPA:DHA 6:1 reduced their ability to induce ECs senescence by 38%. The stimulatory effect of M-MVs on the expression of target proteins was also observed with those from the EPA:DHA 1:1 but not with those from the 6:1 group.

Conclusion

These findings indicate that ingestion of EPA:DHA 6:1 by middle-aged rats reduces not only the shedding of MVs by spleen-derived leukocytes but also their ability to induce pro-senescent, pro-thrombotic and pro-inflammatory responses in endothelial cells most likely by decreasing the local angiotensin system. They further suggest that EPA:DHA 6:1 may help to delay ageing-related endothelial dysfunction.

Acknowledgement/Funding

Unrestricted research grant from PIVOTAL Therapeutics Inc.

In vitro monitoring of hoop strains during impaction grafting of the femur

A test was designed to monitor hoop strains around the proximal femur during impaction grafting. Four electrical resistance strain gauges were attached to Sawbone femurs just below the level of the lesser trochanter. Experimentation with these femoral models included the use of a device called an "impactometer", which delivered controllable impaction energies. Test material used was ovine morsellised bone graft prepared from sheep femoral condyles. Instruments used were "X-change" revision instruments from the Exeter hip system. Maximum strains occurred at the medial and lateral cortices and there were lesser strains on anterior and posterior cortices. These findings raise questions about the quality of impaction anterior and posterior to the femoral stem. At the medial and lateral gauges significant differences in levels of strain were recorded at the three different levels of impaction. An individual hoop strain was found to have three components: peak, rapid drop and slow drop. The strain level did not drop back to the starting point at the end of the drop phase but dropped only halfway back to the starting level. This resulted in a rise in strain levels in a stepladder pattern. Strains continued to rise significantly when the impaction process was continued beyond the endpoint of impaction. Early recognition of the endpoint of impaction can save the weak femoral bone from unnecessary high levels of hoop strain.

Intracapsular fractures of the femoral neck in younger patients

BACKGROUND

Most femoral neck fractures in younger patients have a different mechanism, treatment, and prognosis from those in elderly patients.

AIMS

To evaluate the results of internal fixation of femoral neck fractures in patients aged between 20 and 60 years, and to determine reasons for failure.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Thirty three patients aged between 20 and 60 years who sustained a femoral neck fracture between 1995 and 2000 were reviewed. This represents 5.6% of the total femoral neck fractures admitted to the unit during this period.

RESULTS

In 26 patients (78.8%) the fracture resulted from higher energy trauma. Of 23 patients with displaced fractures four patients (17.4%) developed avascular necrosis and one patient (4.3%) developed non-union. Factors influencing outcome were mechanism of injury, pre-operative fracture displacement, adequacy of fracture reduction and delay in surgery.

CONCLUSION

Our study emphasises the importance of timely surgery and adequate reduction of displaced femoral neck fractures in younger patients.

Perceived efficacy and risks of infection following intra-articular injections: a survey of orthopaedic surgeons

BACKGROUND

Efficacy of intra-articular injections is controversial and published studies on efficacy and risks are few.

AIMS

We sought the opinion of practicing orthopaedic consultants in order to establish the perceived benefits and risks of infection following intra-articular steroids.

METHODS

A questionnaire was sent to all the orthopaedic consultants in the UK and Ireland on the use of intra-articular steroids.

RESULTS

A total of 853 completed questionnaires (response rate 57.4%) were analysed. The perceived risk of infection was 1:1000 in almost half of the surgeons polled and 1:10,000 in one third. The 759 consultants who administer intra-articular steroids recalled sixty-eight cases of infection; 85.2 % of the surgeons rated efficacy 5 or above on a visual analog score of 1-10.

CONCLUSIONS

Correct patient selection, proper indications for use, and a limited number of appropriately spaced injections were all perceived to be important to achieve maximum benefit without serious side-effects.

A useful technique for the management of pelvic discontinuity in revision hip surgery

Pelvic discontinuity is a distinct form of bone loss occurring in association with total hip arthroplasty. The mechanically stable environment, which is prerequisite for successful graft incorporation, cannot be achieved with routine acetabular fixation techniques. A ring made from pelvic reconstruction plate, which is fixed to ilium, ischium and pubis from within the acetabulum, when combined with medial wall mesh cage and impaction bone grafting, not only allows excellent fixation of the pelvic discontinuity but also allows recreation of acetabular bone stock. This versatile technique provides a fundamentally stable construct because of fixation into all three bones of the pelvis. (Hip International 2004; 14:149-54).

Antibacterial Schiff bases of oxalyl-hydrazine/diamide incorporating pyrrolyl and salicylyl moieties and of their zinc(II) complexes

Schiff bases derived from oxaldiamide/oxalylhydrazine and pyrrol-2-carbaldehyde, or salicylaldehyde respectively, as well as their Zn(II) complexes have been prepared and tested as antibacterial agents. These Schiff bases function as tetradentate ligands, forming octahedral Zn(II) complexes. The ketonic form for the diamide derived Schiff base and the enolic form of the hydrazide derived Schiff base were the preferred tautomers for coordination of the metal ions. The title compounds and their Zn(II) derivatives were evaluated for antibacterial activity against several bacterial strains which easily develop resistance to classical antibiotics, such as Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Some of them showed promising biological activity in inhibiting the growth of such organisms.

Effect of cobalt (ii), copper (ii), nickel (ii) and zinc(ii) metal ions on the biological activity of triazine derived ligand

A new Schiff-base triazine-derived ligand and its cobalt (II), copper (II), nickel (II) and zinc (II) metal complexes have been synthesised and characterised on the basis of elemental analysis, molar conductance, infrared, HNMR and electronic spectral, and magnetic susceptibility data. In order to asssess the effect of metal ions on the antibacterial activity, the ligand and its complexes have been screened against bacterial species Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. In all cases the activity/potency has substantially increased on complexation against one or more bacterial species.