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• Antibiotic mediated gut dysbiosis led to memory decline in mice. • Vitamin K2 co-administration partially reversed the gut dysbiosis associated cognitive decline. • Vitamin K2 reduced the oxidative stress and protected the antibiotic induced neuronal damage. Vitamin K2/ Menaquinones produced predominantly by the gut microbiome improve bone health and prevent coronary calcification. The central nervous system has been linked with gut microbiota via the gut-brain axis and is strongly associated with psychiatric conditions. In the present study, we show the role of Vitamin K2 (MK-7) in gut dysbiosis-associated cognitive decline. Gut dysbiosis was induced in mice by administering Ampicillin (250 mg/kg twice a day orally) for 14 days and Vitamin K2 (0.05 mg/kg) for 21 days with or without antibiotic treatment and altered gene expression profile of intestinal microbes determined. This was followed by behavioural studies to determine cognitive changes. The behavioural observations are then correlated with proinflammatory, oxidative, and brain and intestinal histopathological changes in antibiotic-treated animals with or without vitamin K2 administration. With the use of antibiotics, Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Firmicutes, and Clostridium's relative abundance reduced. When vitamin K2 was added to the medication, their levels were restored. Cognitive impairment was observed in behavioural trials in the antibiotic group, but this drop was restored in mice given both an antibiotic and vitamin K. Myeloperoxidase levels in the colon and brain increased due to gut dysbiosis, which vitamin K2 prevented. The acetylcholine esterase and oxidative stress markers brought on by antibiotics were also decreased by vitamin K2. Additionally, vitamin K2 guarded against alterations in intestine ultrastructure brought on by antibiotic use and preserved hippocampus neurons. So, it can be concluded that vitamin K2 improved cognitive skills, avoided hippocampus neuronal damage from antibiotics, and lowered intestine and brain inflammation and oxidative stress. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Aim of the study: Alstonia scholaris Linn. (R.Br.,) has been used in traditional and folklore medicine for the treatment of diabetes. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of ethanolic extract of the leaves of A. scholaris (known as EEAS) in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Materials and methods: The streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were orally treated with vehicle (2% w/v Tween 80), glibenclamide (0.25mg/kg) and EEAS (100, 200 and 400mg/kg) to the respective treatment groups. The blood glucose level, body weight, glycosylated hemoglobin, muscle and liver glycogen, lipid profile, lipid peroxidation, antioxidant status were measured and histopathology of pancreas was performed after 6 weeks of treatment and compared to the control. Results: EEAS and glibenclamide were found to significantly (p<0.001) reduce the blood glucose level, glycosylated hemoglobin and lipid peroxidation, whereas they increased body weight, liver and muscle glycogen and antioxidant status. The antidiabetic effect was sustained from 1 week onwards till the end of the study. The histopathology of pancreas revealed that the pancreatic β-cell damage with streptozotocin did not reverse in any of the treatment groups. Conclusion: It has been concluded that EEAS, in addition to the antidiabetic activity, also possess antihyperlipidemic and antioxidant activities in the streptozotocin-induced diabetic model. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Background: This study was designed to assess the effect of one traditionally used antifertility plant, Dendrophthoe falcata (L.f.) Ettingsh (Loranthaceae), on female reproductive system, fertility and safety, by oral administration to adult female Wistar rats. Study Design: After the oral acute toxicity study, the hydroalcoholic extract of the aerial parts was administered at three doses. Treatment started at weaning and continued until Day 0 postpartum. Results: The LD50 value was found to be 4.55 g/kg body weight. Vaginal opening occurred earlier in treated females when compared with controls. Analysis of vaginal smears revealed that all animals were cycling, although the length of the diestrus was longer in treated groups. In postcoital testing, the extract was found to be more effective in causing significant anti-implantation activity and reduction in the number of litters born. The extract also exhibited weak estrogenic activity when given alone, and when given along with ethinyl estradiol, it exhibited slight antiestrogenic activity in immature ovariectomized rats. Conclusion: All observations suggest that the extract has antifertility effect and is safe at effective doses employed in the study. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

H. pylori have gradually acquired resistance to the commonly used antibiotics because of their use in many parasitic and anaerobic infections, which leads to treatment failure of various gastric and duodenal diseases associated with H. pylori infection. The present research work aimed to isolate and characterize the bioactive compound from the methanol extract of stem of Berberis aristata DC. This is traditionally used for the treatment of dyspepsia, dysentery and diarrhea against antibiotic-resistant gastric pathogen H. pylori. The in vitro antimicrobial activity of Berberine an active isolated compound from methanol extract of stem of Berberis aristata DC against drug-resistant H. pylori strain isolated from North Indian GERD patients. The H. pylori strain was only collected from those, who were devoid of any kind of anti -H. Pylori therapy. The methodology was in determining the Minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) using the microdilution method and disk diffusion method. H. pylori isolate was included in this study. Berberine from methanol extract of stem of Berberis aristata DC showed its potency on H. pylori -infected isolated from GERD patients with a maximum inhibition at 0.000075 μg/ml. Prevalence of metronidazole resistance ranges between 50 and 90% in developing countries including India. The emergence of dual drug resistance was reported in various studies. This study suggests that Berberine an isolated compound from methanol extract of stem of Berberis aristata DC used commonly known as Daru Haldi potentially active for the treatment of drug-resistant H. pylori infection. Berberine from methanol extract of stem of Berberis aristata DC with a concentration of 0.000075 μg/ml shows a positive effect safely and effectively. Image 1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Aim of the study: Alstonia scholaris (Family: Apocynaceae) is a medicinal plant which is indicated for the treatment of various diseases including arthritis in folklore medicine. The purpose of this study is to investigate the antiarthritic activity and in vivo antioxidant role of A. scholaris leaves in animal models. Materials and methods: The ethanol extract of A. scholaris leaves (EEAS) was tested against Freund''s Complete Adjuvant (FCA) induced arthritic rats. Arthritis assessment and body weight were measured daily till day 28 whereas nociceptive threshold was measured once in 2 days. On day 28, the animals were anaesthetized, synovial fluid withdrawn and leukocyte concentration was determined. The animals were sacrificed, synovial tissue was extracted and estimated for the myeloperoxide, malonaldehyde, glutathione, glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase. Effect of EEAS on ethanol and sodium salicylate induced gastropathy was also studied. Results: EEAS significantly decreased the arthritis which was evident with arthritis index, body weight and leukocyte infiltration. EEAS significantly reduced gastric lesion indices and gastric juice secretion. It also significantly decreased the levels of lipid peroxidation and myeloperoxide in the articular tissue, whereas it significantly increased the antioxidant enzymes glutathione, glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase. Conclusion: The present study is suggestive that EEAS has prominent antiarthritic activity which may be attributed to its analgesic, anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressant and antioxidant activities. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

[Display omitted] • Expanded porous starch matrix (EPSM) bears akin physicochemical properties of porous starch (PS). • EPSM has higher pore size, surface area, and adsorption capacity than PS. • EPSM bears moisture labile structure, and un-controlled formation of pores. • EPSM can replace PS application after addressing its technical challenges. Exposing the hydrated-soft-starch matrix of intact grain or reconstituted flour dough to a high-temperature-short-time (HTST) leads to rapid vapor generation that facilitates high-pressure build-up in its elastic matrix linked to large deformation and expansion. The expanded starch matrix at high temperatures dries up quickly by flash vaporization of water, which causes loss of its structural flexibility and imparts a porous and rigid structure of the expanded porous starch matrix (EPSM). EPSM, with abundant pores in its construction, offers adsorptive effectiveness, solubility, swelling ability, mechanical strength, and thermal stability. It can be a sustainable and easy-to-construct alternative to porous starch (PS) in food and pharmaceutical applications. This review is a comparative study of PS and EPSM on their preparation methods, structure, and physicochemical properties, finding compatibility and addressing challenges in recommending EPSM as an alternative to PS in adsorbing, dispersing, stabilizing, and delivering active ingredients in a controlled and efficient way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: Eleutherine indica L. has been used for healing of wound, painful and irregular menstruation, dysentery and lesions, and topically used as antiseptic and antimicrobial agent in folk medicine. In the present study, methanolic extracts of Eleutherine indica was subjected to scientific investigation for in-vivo cutaneous wound healing in wistar rat. Materials and methods: In-vivo wound healing activity of Eleutherine indica was evaluated by using circular excision experimental models, followed by histopathological and western blot analysis. The healing potential was comparatively assessed with a reference gentamicin sulfate hydrogel (0.01% w/w). Wound contraction measurement, hydroxyproline estimation and western blot for COL3A1, bFGF, Smad-2, -3, -4, and -7 were performed. Results: The methanolic extract of Eleutherine indica showed accelerated wound healing activity as evidenced by fast wound contraction rate and higher hydroxyproline content of granulation tissue. Western blot revealed the Smad-mediated collagen production promoting property of Eleutherine indica methanolic extract. Histopathological examinations also supported the experimental findings. Conclusion: The study revealed that Eleutherine indica promotes wound healing by augmenting Smad-mediated collagen production in wound granulation tissue. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]