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Purpose The present work aimed to study the effect of aqueous extract of large cardamom (AELC) to prevent vascular remodeling and oxidative stress in Nω-Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME)-induced hypertension. Method Male Wistar rats were administered with L-NAME 40 mg/kg/day for 28 days by oral gavage. The treatments included captopril (20 mg/kg/day) or AELC (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg/day) along with L-NAME administration. Results L-NAME treated rats showed high systolic, diastolic and mean arterial pressure, decreased nitric oxide level, increased level of malondialdehyde in plasma, heart, aorta and kidney, hypertrophy of the vascular wall and reduced vascular response to acetylcholine in phenylephrine-precontracted aorta. Treatment with AELC markedly reduced the blood pressure, restored the nitric oxide level, reduced the malondialdehyde level, alleviated the hypertrophy in L-NAME-induced hypertensive rats. Additionally, it also improved the vascular response to acetylcholine in phenylephrine pre-contracted aorta. Conclusion In conclusion, our results demonstrate the preventive effect of AELC in L-NAME-induced hypertensive model, which is possibly related to antioxidant activities and restoration of nitric oxide level.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the anti-diabetic activity of ethanol extract of Tabernamontana divaricata (L.) and its ameliorative effect on oxidative stress in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Materials and Methods: Diabetes was induced by single intraperitoneal injection of alloxan monohydrate (140 mg/kg body weight). Methanol extract of T. divaricata was administered at the doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight in diabetic induced rats including glibenclamide (3 mg/kg) as a reference drug. In the continuous 21 days treatment, fasting blood glucose level was determined on 0, 7, 14 and 21 days. On day 21, serum lipid profiles and glycosylated hemoglobin, liver antioxidant enzymes levels were estimated. Results: Experimental findings showed a significant anti-diabetic potential of the extract in terms of reduction in blood glucose levels and a correct effect on the altered biochemical parameters. Observed data were found statistically significant in correction of antioxidant enzyme level accompanied with diabetes, particularly at the dose of 200 mg/kg body weight. Conclusion: Based on the results, it can be concluded that the T. divaricata is found to be effective in type 2 diabetes in rats and to have an ameliorative effect on the associated oxidative stress.

Background: ACE2, a component of the non-classic renin-angiotensin system (RAS), acts as a functional receptor for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV 2) spike protein, which enables the entry of the virus into the host cells. Non-classical ACE2 is one of two types of ACE2 that has a protective effect on vascular and respiratory cells. RAS modulators like angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) are among the first-line treatment for hypertensive patients. An upregulation in ACE2 levels with RAS modulators was observed in few preclinical studies, which raised concerns regarding possible increased infectivity among patients treated with RAS modulators. Method: For shortlisting the outcome effects, open-ended, English-restricted databases, published literature, and various clinical studies performed utilizing RAS modulators in COVID 19 patients were considered. Conclusion: Current evidence reveals no increased risk of COVID‐19 infection among hypertensive patients on ACEIs/ARBs compared to other antihypertensive medications. Several studies have demonstrated no detrimental effects of RAS modulators on clinical severity, hospital/intensive care unit stay, ventilation and mortality. Hence, we can conclude that neither ARBs nor ACEIs treatment will cause any side effects or undesirable interactions in COVID-19 infected hypertensive patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amomum subulatum, commonly known as large or black cardamom, is a commonly used spice in Indian kitchens and is traditionally used to treat various ailments. To add more knowledge about the medicinal values of the fruit, this study was conducted to evaluate the in vitro antioxidant activities of aqueous, methanol, ethanol, hydro alcohol, ethyl acetate, acetone and chloroform extracts of the fruit. Preliminary assessment was done to detect the presence of phytoconstituents using identification tests. The antioxidant activity was measured by employing methods such as diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay, total antioxidant activity equivalent to ascorbic acid, reducing power assay and superoxide anion scavenging assay. The antioxidant activities were compared with their respective phenol and flavonoid contents. Preliminary assessment revealed that large cardamom fruit is a good source of all the bioactive constituents as well as phenol and flavonoid essential for medicinal values. The extract obtained by polar solvents showed the highest antioxidant efficacy in relation to its phenol content. Also, all the solvent-soluble fractions showed a concentration-dependent antioxidant effect. Results from our study prove that large cardamom can alleviate oxidative stress, suggesting the potential of large cardamom as a functional food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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.

Objective: IBD is a chronic idiopathic gut condition characterised by recurring and remitting inflammation of the colonic mucosal epithelium. Benzimidazole is a prominent and attractive heterocyclic compound with diverse actions. Although seven locations in the benzimidazole nucleus can be changed with a number of chemical entities for biological activity, benzimidazole fused with a phenyl ring has caught our interest., Methods: To find and optimize novel 1-H phenyl benzimidazole compounds with favorable physicochemical features and drug-like characteristics for the treatment of IBD, in-silico studies and in-vitro approach were being used to identify and optimize these derivatives as potent inhibitors of IL-23 mediated inflammatory signaling pathway., Results: All six compounds exhibit favorable drug-like properties with good intestinal absorption properties. Its high affinity for the target JAK and TYK, which is thought to be a key immunological signaling cascade in the pathophysiology of IBD, is revealed by docking studies., Conclusion: Because of their effects on decreasing iNOS-derived NO release and IL-23-mediated immune signaling by decreasing COX-2 and LOX activity, it's conceivable that the compounds CS3 and CS6 are better options for the treatment of IBD based on in-vitro cell line investigations., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Background: Adverse effects associated with current therapy for Ulcerative colitis (UC) over prolonged treatment periods and the high relapse rate limit their use. Incorporating fruits as regular diet has beneficial role in the management of UC. Phloretin, a dihydrochalcone of apple is reported for its anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Our study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of phloretin on experimentally induced ulcerative colitis in rats., Methods: In vitro study was performed using Raw 264.7 cells stimulated with LPS (1μg/mL) and in in-vivo study, colitis was induced by intra rectal administration of 4% Acetic acid. Phloretin (50 mg/kg) was given orally for 3 days to Wistar rats after induction for the post-treatment group and 1 day before induction to the pre-treatment group. Macroscopical, biochemical and histopathological evaluations were performed to assess the effectiveness., Results: A concentration dependent inhibition of MPO and iNOS activity was obtained in LPS stimulated neutrophil cells. Phloretin exerted ameliorative effect in both pre and post-treatment groups by restoring plasma ALP and LDH level and reduce inflammatory markers like myeloperoxidase, nitric oxide and eosinophil peroxidase level as well as downregulates colon ICAM-1 gene in acetic acid induced ulcerative colitis in rats. Antioxidative potency was confirmed by restoring tissue GSH level. Phloretin prevents mucosal damage and it was confirmed by histopathological analysis., Conclusion: Collectively, our findings provide evidence that phloretin might be useful as a natural therapeutic agent in the management of UC as well as may pose a promising outcome for future clinical usage., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)