Geraniol reverses obesity by improving conversion of WAT to BAT in high fat diet induced obese rats by inhibiting HMGCoA reductase

OBJECTIVES

Present report evaluates the protective effect of geraniol on high fat diet (HFD) induced obesity in rats and also determines the molecular mechanism of it.

METHODS

Rats were induced with obesity with administration of HFD for four weeks and geraniol 200 and 400 mg/kg p.o. was administered for the next four week in the respective groups. Blood glucose and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), lipid profile was estimated in the geraniol treated HFD induced obesity in rats. Moreover, docking study was performed to determine the specific mechanism of geraniol by targeting HMG-CoE A reductase (in silico).

RESULTS

There was significant increase in body weight and amelioration in altered serum glucose and lipid profile were observed in the geraniol treated group than negative control group. Weight of organs and adipose tissue isolated from different regions of the body was reduced in geraniol treated group than negative control. Moreover, geraniol interact with HMG-CoA reductase having binding energy -5.13.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, data of the report reveals that geraniol reduces obesity by promoting the conversion of white adipose tissue (WAT) to brown adipose tissue (BAT), as it interacts with HMG-CoA reductase in HFD induced obesity in rats.

Analysis of female pre-clinical students' readiness, academic performance and satisfaction in online learning: an assessment of quality for curriculum revision and future implementation

BACKGROUND

The acceptance of online courses by medical and dental students, especially during the coronavirus disease 2019 crisis, is substantial, as reported in various studies. However, the unfavourable online learning experiences of the students during the pandemic were also highlighted. As the teaching-learning process is returning to the "new normal," it is necessary to identify online learning domains implemented during the pandemic crisis that may be applied in pre-clinical courses in the future.

METHODS

A validated Student Online Learning Readiness questionnaire assessed pre-clinical students' online learning competence. Students' academic performance in face-to-face post-pandemic was compared with their performance in online settings during the pandemic crisis. Students' satisfaction with online learning was evaluated using a self-made survey questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, the t-test, and multiple regression analysis were used to analyze the data gathered with a p-value ≤ 0.05 considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

Except for social skills with classmates and groupmates, in which 47.5% of respondents indicated unreadiness, most students were prepared for online learning. Theory-wise, online learners outperformed traditional learners, but the difference was insignificant. In contrast, students' practical skills in face-to-face modality are significantly higher (p = 0.029). Students rated their satisfaction with online learning higher for interactions with instructors and staff and lower for interactions with classmates and group mates and skill acquisition.

CONCLUSION

Providing high-quality pre-clinical online teaching was achieved for theoretical components but not practical skills acquisition. Students' social engagement with peers is one of the key elements crucial to online learning success. Academic leaders and curriculum developers must recognize potential gaps as they transition to online learning.

The LC-MS/MS Identification and Analgesic and Wound Healing Activities of Lavandula officinalis Chaix: In Vivo and In Silico Approaches

We earlier emphasized in vivo the lavender plant's (Lavandula officinalis Chaix.) anti-inflammatory and estrogenic activities and described the chemical compositions of its hydro-ethanolic (HE) extract. We used LC-MS/MS and GC-MS analyses to profile the phytochemical composition of the HE extract and to assess the analgesic and wound-healing effects of both the hydro-ethanolic (HE) and polyphenolic (LOP) extracts in vivo and in silico. The analgesic activity was studied using two methods: acetic acid and formalin injections in mice. The wound-healing activity was carried out over 25 days using a burn model in rats. In the in silico study, the polyphenols identified in the plant were docked in the active sites of three enzymes: casein kinase-1, cyclooxygenase-2, and glycogen synthase kinase-3β. The LC-MS/MS identified some phenolic compounds, mainly apigenin, catechin, and myricetin, and the GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of 19 volatile compounds with triazole, D-glucose, hydroxyphenyl, and D-Ribofuranose as the major compounds. The HE and LOP extracts showed significant decreases in abdominal writhes, and the higher licking time of the paw (57.67%) was observed using the LOP extract at 200 mg/kg. Moreover, both extracts showed high healing percentages, i.e., 99.31 and 92.88%, compared to the control groups, respectively. The molecular docking showed that myricetin, amentoflavone, apigenin, and catechin are the most active molecules against the three enzyme receptors. This study sheds light on the potential of L. officinalis Chaix as a source of natural products for pharmaceutical applications for analgesic purposes as well as their utility in promoting burn-healing activity.

THP-1 Cells Line Cytotoxicity, Antileishmanial Activity, Brine Shrimp Lethality and Characterization of Silver Nanoparticles Synthesized Using Anchusa arvensis Aqueous Extract

The current development was focused on environmentally friendly and cost-effective synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). This investigation aims to synthesize AgNPs using Anchusa arvensis aqueous plant extract. The characterization was confirmed by means of different techniques including, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) Spectroscopy, and UV-visible analysis. The crystalline morphology of AgNPs is demonstrated by X-ray diffraction, with mean crystallite diameter ranges from 20–25 nm. The spherical geometry of particles was revealed via SEM images. The FT-IR Spectroscopy confirmed that, aqueous extract of plant contains essentials phytoconstituents such as, O–H stretching vibration of carboxylic acid, C–H is the stretching vibration of alkane, C–O indicate the stretching vibration of alcohol, C=C corresponds to stretching vibration of aromatic compounds, which were responsible for the formation of AgNPs. The synthesized nanoparticles were stable at temperatures up to 50 °C, as well as in neutral and basic pH, but were unstable at acidic pH. The synthesized AgNPs had promising antileishmanial and THP-1 Cell line cytotoxic activity against Leishmanial promastigotes, with an averaged mortality (%) of 85.3±0.7% at IC50 values of 35.3±1.81 μg/mL and 65.3±0.7% with IC50 values of 45.3±1.81 μg/mL, respectively. The brine shrimp lethality of synthesized nanoparticles showed that the concentration greater than 200 μg/mL was biologically compatible.

Assessing Medical Students' Knowledge of Genetics: Basis for Improving Genetics Curriculum for Future Clinical Practice

PURPOSE

The knowledge of genetics among medical students was assessed to identify and analyze gaps that serve as bases for the revision of the current genetics curriculum of the (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) MBBS Program of the College of Medicine at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University (PNU).

METHODS

A 65-item multiple-choice (MCQs) test in Genetics was administered to 71 second and fourth-year medical students to assess their knowledge in Genetics. MCQs were validated and tested for their reliability. Self-assessment of students' genetics knowledge was also determined by asking them whether their knowledge in genetics is sufficient or not sufficient for their future clinical practice. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.

RESULTS

Forty-one second-year and thirty fourth-year medical students took the Genetic test. Exam results showed insufficient knowledge of Genetics, with 43.85% among the students answering the exam correctly. In self-assessment, the majority (83.3% to 87.8%) of the respondents considered their knowledge of genetics insufficient for future clinical practice. A higher knowledge level of basic genetics compared with clinically related genetics concepts was observed. Generally, second-year students significantly scored higher in molecular and cytogenetics (P=0.012), principles of genetic transmission (P=0.022), and inheritance of genetic diseases (P=0.024), compared with the fourth-year medical students who only scored higher in items related to cancer genetics (P=0.022).

CONCLUSION

Medical students' genetics knowledge is insufficient, especially on clinically oriented concepts like genetic testing and genetic counseling and should be strengthened for future clinical practice. The fourth-year medical students do not retain the knowledge of genetics; thus, integrating medical genetics in clinical years is imperative.

In vitro and in vivo investigation of polypharmacology of propolis extract as anticancer, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and chemical properties

Numerous compounds derived from natural sources such as microbes, plants, and insects have proven to be safe, efficacious, and cost-effective therapeutics for human diseases. This study examined the bioactivities of propolis, a structural sealant and antibacterial/antifungal agent produced by honey bees. Chinese propolis was extracted in methanol or hexane. Propolis significantly reduced the numbers of viable cancer cells when applied as a methanol extract (IC50 values in μg/mL for the indicated cell line: MDA-MB-231, 74.12; LoVo, 74.12; HepG2, 77.74; MCF7, 95.10; A549, 114.84) or a hexane extract (MDA-MB-231, 52.11; LoVo, 45.9; HepG2, 52.11; MCF7, 78.01; A549, 67.90). Hexane extract also induced apoptosis of HepG2 cells according to activated caspase-3/7 expression assays (17.6 ± 2.9% at 150 μg/mL and 89.2 ± 1.9% at 300 μg/mL vs 3.4 ± 0.4% in vehicle control), suppressed the growth of Candida albicans and multiple multidrug-resistant and nonresistant Gram-positive bacteria, and inhibited croton oil-induced skin inflammation when applied as topical treatment. GC-MS identified hexadecanoic acid methyl ester as a major constituent (33.6%). Propolis hexane extract has potential anticancer, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory activities.

Comparative study of antioxidant and anticancer activities and HPTLC quantification of rutin in white radish (Raphanus sativus L.) leaves and root extracts grown in Saudi Arabia

The nutrient contents of Raphanus sativus L. (white radish) leaves (RSLs) and roots are known to have promising vital effects. We comparatively investigated the leaves and roots of R. sativus grown in Saudi Arabia to estimate the total phenol and flavonoid contents using the standard colorimetric methods. The antioxidant activity of RSLs and R. sativus roots (RSRs) were measured by 2,2′-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assays. Both extracts’ cytotoxic activity was assessed by MTT assay against several human cancer cell lines (A549, HepG2, MDA-MB-231, and MCF-7). High-performance thin-layer chromatography was used to identify and quantify the biomarker compound rutin in both extracts. The total phenolic content in RSLs (125.3 mg of gallic acid equivalent [GAE]/g) was higher than that in roots (95.8 of GAE/g), whereas the flavonoid content (44.5 mg of quercetin equivalent [QE]/g) was almost double compared in RSR extract (24.4 of QE/g). Similarly, RSLs exhibited a higher antioxidative activity than RSRs in both DPPH (IC50 216.8 vs 359.7 µg/mL) and ABTS (IC50 326.7 vs 549 µg/mL) models. RSLs also demonstrated the highest antiproliferative efficiency against all cell lines, with IC50 values of 217–453 µg/mL. The reversed-phase-high-performance thin-layer chromatography results showed the presence of rutin (5.2 µg/mg) only in RSLs. Our study indicates RSLs as a promising source of bioactive compounds compared with roots.