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Nyctanthes arbor-tristis L. is a mythical plant used in traditional Indian medicinal systems for the treatment of inflammation, rheumatoid arthritis, and pain-related responses. However, its bioactive compounds and underlying mechanism of action have not been fully elucidated. This investigation aimed to study the anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive effects of the bioactive extract of N. arbor-tristis (NATE), both in vitro and in vivo, elucidate the possible mechanism of action, and determine its chemicals. We studied the anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive activities of NATE on lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages, paw-ear edema, and acetic acid-induced pain in rats and analysed its chemical components using Liquid Chromatography Electrospray Ionization Tandem Mass Spectrometric (LC-ESI-MS). NATE efficiently reduced the production of various inflammatory mediators and factors, such as free radicals, lipid peroxidation, nitrous oxide (NO), reactive oxygen species (ROS), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1beta (IL-1β), and IL-10, as well as their corresponding mRNA expression in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells (p < 0.001). Furthermore, NATE inhibited the activation of a key signaling pathway, nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB), as it caused a decrease in the degradation of inhibitor of kB alpha (IkBa). Administration of NATE significantly inhibited carrageenan-induced paw edema (p < 0.001), TPA-induced ear edema, and the production of inflammatory factors (p < 0.01). NATE revealed anti-nociceptive impacts in acetic acid-induced writhing and tail immersion experiments (p < 0.001) as well as no toxicity signs. A total of six compounds, namely iridoid glycoside (6,7-di-O-benzonylnyctanthoside), arborsides A, arborsides C, betulinic acid, kaempferol 3-O-glucoside, and kaempferol 3-O-rutinoside, were characterized through the examination of their mass spectra in correlation with those documented in a database of mass spectra. The present study furnishes scientific corroboration of the inhibitory potency of N. arbor-tristis as a promising herbal treatment for inflammation and pain responses without toxicity, offering a scientific basis for future drug development strategies aimed at ameliorating inflammatory diseases. [Display omitted] • The main compounds of NATE were identified by LC-ESI-MS. • NATE showed significant in-vitro antioxidant activity. • NATE significantly reduced inflammation via NF-kB signalling inhibition. • Oral administration of NATE exhibited anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive activities. • NATE did not induce toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Activated microglial cells in the central nervous system (CNS) are the main contributors to neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. Inhibiting their activation will help in reducing inflammation and oxidative stress during pathogenesis, potentially limiting the progression of the diseases. The immunomodulation properties of dental pulp-derived stem cells (DPSC) make it a promising therapy for neurodegenerative disorders. This study aims to determine whether secretory factors of DPSC (DPSC℗) inhibit inflammation and proliferation of microglial cells and define the molecular mechanisms. Our quantitative RT-PCR analysis showed that the DPSC℗ reduced the markers of the inflammation and induced anti-inflammatory molecules in microglial cells. DPSC ℗ reduced the intracellular and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and mitochondrial membrane potential in microglial cells. In addition, DPSC ℗ decreased the cellular bioenergetics parameters related to oxygen consumption rate (OCAR) and extracellular acidification rate (ECAR). We found that DPSC℗ inhibited microglial cell proliferation by activating a checkpoint molecule, Chk1 leading an arrest at the G1 phase of the cell cycle. To define the mechanism, we performed the western blot analysis and observed that the MAPK P38 pathway was inhibited by DPSC℗. Furthermore, a System biology analysis revealed that the BDNF and GDNF, secretory factors of DPSC, blocked at the phosphorylation site (Tyr 182) of the P38 molecule resulting in the inhibition of downstream signaling of inflammation. These data suggest that the DPSC℗ may be a potential therapeutic agent for neurodegenerative diseases. [Display omitted] • DPSC℗ reduced inflammatory markers, and induced anti-inflammatory markers in microglial cells. • DPSC ℗ reduced the intracellular and mitochondrial ROS production. • DPSC ℗ decreased the mitochondrial functions of cellular bioenergetics parameters. • DPSC℗ activated CHK1, arrested cells at the G1 phase, and inhibited P38MAPK pathway. • DPSC℗ BDNF and GDNF inhibited the P38 molecule to reduce cell proliferation and inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Engineered organic nanoparticle (ONP)-mediated co-delivery of genes and therapeutic agents is emerging as a powerful tool in the treatment of several genetic and non-genetic disorders. The ONP-based combinatory approach provides a technological platform that delivers genes with chemo/radio/photo/immunotherapies for the prevention or treatment of disease progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fenton method is well recognized for organic pollutant degradation. However, traditional Fenton method has several drawbacks for practical application. In this regard different catalysts and modified Fenton processes are developed for better efficiency. In this study, a new catalyst is developed for methylene blue (MB) and methyl orange (MO) degradation under heterogeneous photo-Fenton process in presence of H 2 O 2 and visible light. Finally, the catalyst was successfully applied for real textile wastewater degradation also. Here the as-prepared catalyst is the Co(II), which is adsorbed on the bilayer structure of sodium dodecyl sulfate (an anionic surfactant) formed on alumina support. The catalyst is designated as Co-SMA. The degradation characteristics of both the dyes are discussed. The MB, being a cationic dye, gets fully adsorbed on Co-SMA surface and the reaction proceeds on the solid surface with zero order kinetics. On the other hand, the degradation of MO follows first order kinetics because of its low adsorption. The efficiency of decolorization of real wastewater is found to be >92% in 60 min time of reaction with 10 g L −1 of Co-SMA, 37.9 mM H 2 O 2 and 10,010 lx light intensity. Leaching of cobalt from Co-SMA is very less during the reaction which is advantageous for environmental applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chitosan (CS) in its hydrogel bead form is widely used to remove metal ions from aqueous medium. In the present work CS gel beads were modified with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), an anionic surfactant, in a novel way, with formation of bilayer (admicelle) on to it. The concentration of SDS used for CS bead modification was 6000 mg/L. These surfactant-modified chitosan beads were designated as POSTCS beads. In the next step, Ni(II) was loaded on the SDS bilayer present in the POSTCS beads through a process called ‘adsolubilization'. The loading of nickel was ∼4 times higher in POSTCS beads compared to that in normal CS beads. The property of surfactant to form admicelle helped in enhanced Ni(II) adsorption, and its stabilization. Further Ni@NiO core-shell type particles were formed on POSTCS beads by borohydride reduction. The particles were characterized by XRD, FTIR, SEM/EDX and TEM analysis. The as-prepared particles exhibited excellent catalytic activity for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) to 4-aminophenol (4-AP) in the presence of borohydride. The reduction was carried out with various catalyst doses, and it was found to follow first order rate. The turn over number (TON) and turn over frequency (TOF) of the catalyst at a dose of 2.0 g/L and 1 × 10 −4 M 4-NP concentration were found to be 3.0115 × 10 19 molecules/g and 5.019 × 10 16 molecules/g/s, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract During biotic stress, plants use several mechanisms to protect themselves that include the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), induction of pathogenesis-related proteins and cell death. Some plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are known to act as bio-control agents that protect crops against pathogens. The biocontrol activity of PGPR Paenibacillus lentimorbus (B-30488) against Sclerotium rolfsii showed previously where several defense-related genes were upregulated with ROS induction in tomato. We further evaluate the other possibility, i.e. role of autophagy in enhancing defense in tomato using PGPR. Confocal microscopy revealed the presence of an acidotropic dye Mono Dansyl Cadaverine (MDC) stained autophagosomes in B-30488 treated healthy and infected plants. These autophagosomes almost disappeared in plants treated with an autophagy inhibitor chloroquine. The results were also confirmed by ultrastructural analysis of leaf tissues using transmission electron microscopy. Enhanced expression of autophagy-related genes was also monitored in B-30488 primed fungal infected tissues as compared to control by qRT-PCR. Results of ROS accumulation, fluorescence, confocal and transmission electron microscopy and gene expression analysis revealed induction of autophagy using B-30488 as a biocontrol agent suggesting a role in enhancing disease resistance in tomato. Overall, the present study indicated a role of B-30488 as a biocontrol in enhancing disease resistance in tomato and also assists a better understanding of fungal pathogenesis that is expected to be useful in developing new strategies for disease control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]