Antiglycation potential of metal ions and polyphenolic extract of chickpea on thiol-protease inhibitor: A management for diabetic complications

Glycation is the non-enzymatic adduct formation between reducing sugars or dicarbonyls with proteins and is a crucial molecular event under hyperglycaemic conditions of diabetes. The accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) due to glycation of proteins has been implicated in several diseases associated with ageing and diabetes. Thus, investigating the antiglycation potential of some trace metal ions (Manganese; Mn2+, and Zinc; Zn2+) and polyphenolic extract of chickpea seeds (PEC) on the methylglyoxal (MGO) induced glycation of a phytocystatin isolated from chickpea was taken up to find an inexpensive and non-toxic therapeutic means of medicating protein glycation and associated diabetic complications. The current study focused on the comparative analyses of these micronutrients and herbal extracts in inhibiting protein glycation and AGEs formation in a quest to develop nutraceuticals for managing diabetes. The effect of metals (Mn2+, Zn2+) and PEC on protein glycation was assessed by different techniques, i.e., glycation-specific AGE fluorescence and absorbance, thiol protease inhibitory activity assay, and conformational alterations by spectroscopic assays. This study revealed the significant anti-glycation potencies of Mn2+, Zn2+, and PEC against the MGO-induced glycation of CPC, which might pave the way for resolving pathological complications of diabetes by combining higher levels of efficacy, selectivity, and safety in humans. Moreover, characterization and identification of different AGEs formed during the glycation process in diabetics was done to apply the same for determining the onset of glycation at the early stage so that appropriate steps be taken to address the menace of diabetic complications.

Synthesis and antibacterial activity of nanoenhanced conjugate of Ag-doped ZnO nanorods with graphene oxide

In this paper, we report a successful synthesis of ZnO nanorods using the microwave-assisted technique, solid-state reaction method was utilized for the preparation of Zn_1-xAg_xO (x = 0.05, 0.1), Hummer's modified method for graphene oxide (GO) along with the sonication method to prepare GO-based Ag-doped ZnO (Zn_1-xAg_xO/GO: x  = 0.05, 0.1) nanocomposites. These nanorods and nanocomposites were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and Raman spectroscopy for structural properties, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) along with energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy for morphological analysis, and UV-Vis spectroscopy for optical properties. XRD, FTIR, and Raman measurements substantiated that each sample is well crystallized in the single-phase polycrystalline wurtzite hexagonal structure of ZnO. The average crystallite size is found to be in decreasing order ranges 40 nm to 29 nm, respectively, along with a significant reduction in the optical bandgap. The SEM images showed a clear evidence of nanorods of ZnO, while the EDX spectra verified the presence of Zn, Ag, O, and C elements in the synthesized samples with their nominal percentage. Furthermore, the prepared nanocomposites effectively inhibited the growth ofStaphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. In comparison to pure ZnO nanorods, GO-based Ag-doped ZnO nanorods showed improved antibacterial activity against both S. aureus and E. coli.

Aiding Cancer's "Sweet Tooth": Role of Hexokinases in Metabolic Reprogramming

Hexokinases (HKs) convert hexose sugars to hexose-6-phosphate, thus trapping them inside cells to meet the synthetic and energetic demands. HKs participate in various standard and altered physiological processes, including cancer, primarily through the reprogramming of cellular metabolism. Four canonical HKs have been identified with different expression patterns across tissues. HKs 1-3 play a role in glucose utilization, whereas HK 4 (glucokinase, GCK) also acts as a glucose sensor. Recently, a novel fifth HK, hexokinase domain containing 1 (HKDC1), has been identified, which plays a role in whole-body glucose utilization and insulin sensitivity. Beyond the metabolic functions, HKDC1 is differentially expressed in many forms of human cancer. This review focuses on the role of HKs, particularly HKDC1, in metabolic reprogramming and cancer progression.

Unraveling the Sweet Secrets of HCC: Glucometabolic Rewiring in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the primary form of liver cancer. It causes ∼ 800 000 deaths per year, which is expected to increase due to increasing rates of obesity and metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Current therapies include immune checkpoint inhibitors, tyrosine kinase inhibitors, and monoclonal antibodies, but these therapies are not satisfactorily effective and often come with multiple side effects and recurrences. Metabolic reprogramming plays a significant role in HCC progression and is often conserved between tumor types. Thus, targeting rewired metabolic pathways could provide an attractive option for targeting tumor cells alone or in conjunction with existing treatments. Therefore, there is an urgent need to identify novel targets involved in cancer-mediated metabolic reprogramming in HCC. In this review, we provide an overview of molecular rewiring and metabolic reprogramming of glucose metabolism in HCC to understand better the concepts that might widen the therapeutic window against this deadly cancer.

Anticancer Potential of Biogenic Silver Nanoparticles: A Mechanistic Study

The continuous loss of human life due to the paucity of effective drugs against different forms of cancer demands a better/noble therapeutic approach. One possible way could be the use of nanostructures-based treatment methods. In the current piece of work, we have synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using plant (Heliotropiumbacciferum) extract using AgNO3 as starting materials. The size, shape, and structure of synthesized AgNPs were confirmed by various spectroscopy and microscopic techniques. The average size of biosynthesized AgNPs was found to be in the range of 15 nm. The anticancer potential of these AgNPs was evaluated by a battery of tests such as MTT, scratch, and comet assays in breast (MCF-7) and colorectal (HCT-116) cancer models. The toxicity of AgNPs towards cancer cells was confirmed by the expression pattern of apoptotic (p53, Bax, caspase-3) and antiapoptotic (BCl-2) genes by RT-PCR. The cell viability assay showed an IC₅₀ value of 5.44 and 9.54 µg/mL for AgNPs in MCF-7 and HCT-116 cell lines respectively. We also observed cell migration inhibiting potential of AgNPs in a concentration-dependent manner in MCF-7 cell lines. A tremendous rise (150–250%) in the production of ROS was observed as a result of AgNPs treatment compared with control. Moreover, the RT-PCR results indicated the difference in expression levels of pro/antiapoptotic proteins in both cancer cells. All these results indicate that cell death observed by us is mediated by ROS production, which might have altered the cellular redox status. Collectively, we report the antimetastasis potential of biogenic synthesized AgNPs against breast and colorectal cancers. The biogenic synthesis of AgNPs seems to be a promising anticancer therapy with greater efficacy against the studied cell lines.

Non-enzymatic glycation of protein induces cancer cell proliferation and its inhibition by quercetin: Spectroscopic, cytotoxicity and molecular docking studies

Methylglyoxal (MG) is a potent glycating agent which reacts with proteins to form advanced glycation end products (AGEs). These chemically stable AGEs crosslink with proteins and could lead to amyloid formation that has the role in several diseases including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. In this piece of work, glycation-induced conformational changes in HSA were observed with quenching of tryptophan fluorescence by 73.8% (41 nm red shift) and loss of hydrophobicity of HSA. CD spectroscopy result reaffirmed secondary structure changes in HSA. Moreover, MG-induced changes in HSA, proceeds to amyloid structure as characterized by an increase in thioflavin (ThT) fluorescence and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images of HSA aggregates. Quercetin was found to inhibit both AGEs production and amyloid formation. Viability of MCF-7 cells was found to be increased with AGEs treatment, illustrating proliferation of cancer cells. Wound healing assay also revealed increased proliferation and migration of cells in the presence of AGEs. Additionally, molecular docking analyses were performed to demonstrate interactions involved in the stabilization of HSA-quercetin complex. The binding affinities of quercetin were found to be (K _d = 10⁵ M ^-1) much higher compared with MG (K _d = 10² M ^-1). From this study, it is quite clear that quercetin reverses the effect of MG by sterically inhibiting the interaction between HSA and MG. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Food additive dye (quinoline yellow) promotes unfolding and aggregation of myoglobin: A spectroscopic and molecular docking analysis

Protein aggregation leads to vast conformational changes and plays a key role in the pathogenesis of various neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. In the current piece of work, we have explored the interaction of quinoline yellow (QY) with myoglobin (Mb) at two different pH (3.5 and 7.4). Various spectroscopic techniques such as turbidity, Rayleigh light scattering (RLS), UV-Vis absorbance, fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), far UV-CD along with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and molecular docking have been utilized to characterize dye-induced aggregation in Mb. Binding results showed that interaction between QY and myoglobin is spontaneous and static in nature with high K_SV value of 2.14 × 10⁴ M^-1. On the other hand, thermodynamics studies (∆H & ∆S) revealed that complex formation was driven by hydrogen and Van der Walls forces. Molecular docking analysis showed strong binding affinity (K_d = 4.95 × 10⁴ M^-1) between QY and Mb at Pro100, Ile101, Lys102, Glu105, Glu136, Arg139, Lys140, and Ala143 residues. The intrinsic fluorescence and circular dichroism studies indicated that QY induced conformational changes in Mb at pH 3.5. Turbidity and RLS studies showed aggregation of Mb in the presence of QY (0.2-5 mM). Moreover, kinetics data revealed nucleation independent aggregation of myoglobin in the presence of QY. TEM analysis further established amorphous nature of Mb aggregate induced by QY. At pH (7.4), QY was unable to induce aggregation in myoglobin; it might be due to repulsive nature of negatively charged dye and myoglobin or partially altered states of protein could be pre-requisite for binding and aggregation.

Glycation induced conformational transitions in cystatin proceed to form biotoxic aggregates: A multidimensional analysis

Hyperglycaemic conditions facilitate the glycation of serum proteins which may have predisposition to aggregation and thus lead to complications. The current study investigates the glycation induced structural and functional modifications of chickpea cystatin (CPC) as well as biological toxicity of the modified protein forms, using CPC-glucose as a model system. Several structural intermediates were formed during the incubation of CPC with glucose (day 4, 8, 12, & 16) as revealed by circular dichroism (CD), altered intrinsic fluorescence, and high ANS binding. Further incubation of CPC with glucose (day 21) formed abundant β structures as revealed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and CD analysis which may be due to the aggregation of protein. High thioflavin T fluorescence intensity and increased Congo red absorbance together with enhanced turbidity and Rayleigh scattering by this modified form confirmed the aggregation. Electron microscopy finally provided the valid physical authentication about the presence of aggregate structures. Functional inactivation of glucose incubated CPC was also observed with time. Single cell electrophoresis of lymphocytes and plasmid nicking assays in the presence of modified CPC showed the DNA damage which confirmed its biological toxicity. Hence, our study suggests that glycation of CPC not only leads to structural and functional alterations in proteins but also to biotoxic AGEs and aggregates.

Investigating the preventive effects of baicalin and gallocatechin against glyoxal-induced cystatin aggregation

Several mammalian proteins form pathological deposits under nonphysiological conditions that are associated with many degenerative diseases. Protein aggregation is associated with aging, as well as a variety of diseases, including cystic fibrosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. There is a lack of any potential anti-amyloidogenic agents and therapeutics till date. Polyphenols have been accredited with myriad biological effects. An analysis of the effects of natural agents like baicalin (BC) and gallocatechin (GC) on aggregation process can open new avenues for the treatment of protein misfolding diseases. Thus, investigation of the effects of these flavonoids on Buffalo Heart Cystatin (BHC) aggregation induced by a reactive metabolic dialdehyde, glyoxal (GO), was taken up. Results have shown that elevated concentration of GO forms aggregates of BHC, which was characterized by an increase in the ANS fluorescence intensity, an increase in ThT fluorescence intensity, red shift in Congo red absorbance, negative ellipticity peak at 217 nm in the far-UVCD and BHC aggregates displaying by TEM. Using fluorescence spectroscopic analysis with Thioflavin T, CD and electron microscopic studies, anti-aggregation effects of polyphenols, BC and GC were analyzed. The study showed that BC and GC produced concentration-dependent anti-aggregation effects with GC producing a more pronounced effect than BC. The study proposed a mechanistic approach assuming structural constraints and specific aromatic interactions of polyphenols with sheets of BHC aggregates.

Synopsis on Managment Strategies for Neurodegenerative Disorders: Challenges from Bench to Bedside in Successful Drug Discovery and Development

The maintenance of health requires successful cell functioning, which in turn depends upon the proper and active conformation of proteins besides other biomolecules. However, occasionally these proteins may misfold and lead to the appearance and progression of protein conformational diseases. These diseases apart from others include several neurodegenerative disorders (NDDs) such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson disease, Huntington's disease, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and other lesser known diseases. Although much knowledge has been gained, these NDDs still warrant advance research in the elucidation of their mechanisms as well as effective therapeutic interventions and proper management. There is an ever-growing and urgent need to improve the diagnosis and management of NDDs due to their devastating nature, serious social impact and neuropsychiatric symptoms. It is also envisioned that we may be able to encourage, develop, and strengthen the cell defenses against amyloid toxicity and prevent neuronal destruction and consequently neurodegeneration. In this review, the implications of protein misfolding and aggregation in NDDs are discussed along with some of the most recent findings on the curative and beneficial effects of natural molecules such as polyphenols. This paper also reviews the anti-aggregation and protective effects of some organic and peptidic compounds duly supported experimentally, as prospective future therapeutics for NDDs. The synopses presented in this review shall prove helpful in further understanding of the causes, cures and management of lethal NDDs.

Molecular prevalence of Babesia bigemina in Rhipicephalus microplus ticks infesting cross-bred cattle of Punjab, India

Babesiosis is an economically important tick-borne apicomplexan protozoan disease of cattle in tropical and subtropical regions. In the present study, Rhipicephalus microplus engorged female ticks were collected from 135 apparently healthy cattle from different agro-climatic zones of Punjab, India, to investigate the carrier status of Babesia bigemina infection in vector tick by using microscopy and PCR based assays. PCR when applied on DNA extracted from the egg masses harvested from ticks showed 1.48% (2/135) samples as positive, whereas 4.44% (6/135) samples were positive when product of primary PCR was used as template in nPCR. Further, among the DNA samples isolated from the unfed larval stages that emerged from egg masses laid by ticks, only 1.48% (2/135) samples were detected as positive for B. bigemina in PCR, while 7.41% (10/135) samples were detected positive in nPCR assay. Statistically, non-significant (p > 0.05) difference in prevalence rates was observed across different agro-climatic zones and between different age groups of cattle from which engorged ticks were collected. It can, thus, be concluded that prevalence of B. bigemina in the vector tick, R. microplus in Punjab state of India indicates an endemic status of the organism and a further study is needed for the management and control of the bovine babesiosis.

Spectroscopic evaluation of the interaction between pesticides and chickpea cystatin: comparative binding and toxicity analyses

The binding study of pesticides with proteins is of great importance in ecotoxicology. In this study, a comparative interaction mechanism of phytocystatin with three pesticides has been presented, each from a different class-glyphosate herbicide (GPS), chlorpyrifos insecticide (CPF), and mancozeb fungicide (MCZ). The interaction of purified chickpea cystatin (CPC) has been characterized by fluorescence, UV, and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopic methods. The study revealed association constants (Ka) of 52 M(-1), 1.145 × 10(3) M(-1), and 36.12 M(-1) for the interaction of CPF, MCZ, and GPS with CPC, respectively, signifying the high affinity interaction for MCZ. Structural changes (at tertiary and secondary levels) were confirmed by UV-visible, intrinsic fluorescence and CD spectroscopy. The results showed that the effect on the CPC structure was more pronounced in the case of MCZ, which was followed by CPF and then GPS. The functional analysis of the pesticide treated inhibitor showed a decline in antipapain activity which varied with the time and dose as well as the class of pesticide. MCZ was relatively much more toxic as compared to CPF and GPS. Reactive oxygen species responsible for inhibitor damage were also analyzed. The results obtained implicate that the exposure of plants to pesticides may lead to physicochemical changes in proteins such as phytocystatins leading to physiological damage to the plant system.

Molecular detection of Babesia bigemina infection in apparently healthy cattle of central plain zone of Punjab

Bovine babesiosis is an important tick-borne disease caused by the parasites belonging to the genus Babesia, distributed worldwide and infecting a wide range of domesticated and wild cattle, occasionally man. The present study was conducted to determine the prevalence of B. bigemina infection in apparently healthy cattle from central plain zone of Punjab, India. Examination of Giemsa-stained peripheral thin blood smears revealed 2.45 % (5/204) animals to be positive for piroplasms of B. bigemina. However, genomic DNA isolated from these blood samples when subjected to primary PCR revealed a positivity of 7.35 % (15/204) as detected by the amplification of a 278-bp product in the agarose gel. PCR products obtained from the primary PCR of B. bigemina, when employed as template in nested PCR produced the amplicons of desired size (170 bp) was detected in 30.39 % (62/204) of the samples. It can thus be concluded that B. bigemina infection is prevalent in apparently healthy cattle population of this region and PCR assays can serve as a valuable tool for epidemiological studies in endemic areas.

Conformational behaviour and aggregation of chickpea cystatin in trifluoroethanol: effects of epicatechin and tannic acid

Conformational alterations and aggregates of chickpea cystatin (CPC) were investigated upon sequential addition of trifluoroethanol (TFE) over a range of 0-70% v/v. CPC on 30% and 40% v/v TFE addition exhibited non-native β-sheet, altered intrinsic fluorescence, increased thioflavin T fluorescence, prominent red shifted shoulder peak in Congo red absorbance, and enhanced turbidity as well as Rayleigh scattering, suggesting the aggregate formation. TEM results confirmed the formation of fibrillar aggregates at 30% and 40% v/v TFE. On increasing concentration of TFE to 70% v/v, CPC showed retention of native-like secondary structure, increased intrinsic and ANS fluorescence. Thus our results show that favourable condition for fibrillation of CPC is in the range of 30-40% TFE. Moreover, anti-aggregational effects of polyphenols, epicatechin (EC) and tannic acid (TA) were analysed using ThT binding assay and other biophysical assays. EC and TA produced a concentration dependent decline in ThT fluorescence suggesting inhibition of the fibril formation. Furthermore, TA in comparison to EC, served as a more effective inhibitor against amyloid fibril formation of CPC. This work supports the universality of the amyloid-like aggregation not restricted to some special categories of protein and the fact that this aggregation can be prevented.

Coprological investigation on neonatal bovine cryptosporidiosis in Ludhiana, Punjab

An overall prevalence of 38.90 % was recorded for bovine cryptosporidiosis on coprological examination of 144 faecal samples collected from neonatal cattle calves from organised dairy farms in and around Ludhiana, Punjab by modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining. Further, a gradual decline in the percent prevalence was seen with increase in the age of the host from <1 month (64.1 %) to 4-5 months (12.5 %). The highest prevalence was recorded during the monsoon season (47.06 %) followed by summer (37.73 %) and winter (30.0 %) season and the seasonal variation was statistically significant (p ≤ 0.05). Female calves showed higher prevalence (44.32 %) than their male counterparts (27.66 %). Further, prevalence of cryptosporidiosis was significantly higher (p ≤ 0.05) in the diarrhoeic calves (52.70 %) as compared to the non-diarrhoeic (24.28 %) thus indicating a relatively higher risk (1.75 times) of the disease in diarrhoeic than normal calves.

Comparison of nested PCR and microscopy for the detection of cryptosporidiosis in bovine calves

The comparative efficacies of different conventional parasitological methods and nested PCR for diagnosis of bovine cryptosporidiosis in faecal samples were evaluated. Among the 100 samples collected from calves in and around Ludhiana Direct faecal smear staining technique revealed 25.0 % positivity for the oocysts of Cryptosporidium spp. with sensitivity and specificity of 68.12 and 92.98 %, respectively. Zinc sulphate solution floatation and saturated sugar solution floatation staining techniques showed sensitivity and specificity of 83.92 and 96.36; 81.03 and 98.14 %, respectively. Products of the primary PCR of Cryptosporidium spp. directed against small subunit (18S) ribosomal RNA when employed as template in nested PCR produced the amplicons of desired size (834 bp) in 47.0 % of the samples. Amplification of 834 bp fragment was also observed in positive control, while no amplification was observed in negative control. Results indicated PCR assays as highly sensitive and specific techniques for the screening of the samples for Cryptosporidium spp. but in developing countries and under field conditions where limited resources do not allow the application of PCR assays, concentration staining methods are recommended.

Novel antibodies in the treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have revolutionised the treatment of malignancies, especially non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Antibody-based therapies target tumour cells expressing a specific antigen while sparing the majority of normal cells leading to a decrease in treatment-associated toxicity. Rituximab, a monoclonal antibody directed against CD20 on B cells, was the first monoclonal antibody to be approved by the US Food and Drug Association (FDA) in 1997 for the treatment of patients with relapsed/refractory, follicular or low-grade NHL . However, it was soon realised that not all patients respond to rituximab therapy and close to 60% of patients with follicular lymphoma who were previously sensitive to rituximab become 'resistant' to repeat rituximab therapy. This led to further attempts to improve the antitumour activity of anti-CD20 mAbs (i.e. 2nd/3rd generation anti-CD20s), and to identify additional potential targets on lymphoma cells other than CD20. A number of these antibodies directed against lymphoma cell targets other than CD20 are now undergoing development, many of which are currently in clinical trials. This manuscript focuses on an overview of these 'non-anti-CD20' novel mAbs for NHL.