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Saccharomyces cerevisiae Stm1 protein is a ribosomal association factor, which plays an important role in preserving ribosomes in a nutrition-deprived environment. It is also shown to take part in apoptosis-like cell death. Stm1 N-terminal region (Stm1_N1-113) is shown to recognize purine motif DNA triplex and G-quadruplex. Circular dichroism (CD) spectra of Stm1_N1-113 (enriched in positively-charged Lysine and Arginine; negatively-charged Aspartate; polaruncharged Threonine, Asparagine, Proline and Serine; hydrophobic Alanine, Valine, and Glycine) collected after 0 and 24 h indicate that the protein assumes beta-sheet conformation at the higher concentrations in contrast to intrinsically disordered conformation seen for its monomeric form found in the crystal structure. Thioflavin-T kinetics experiments indicate that the lag phase is influenced by the salt concentration. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) images collected for a variety of Stm1_N1-113 concentrations (in the range of 1-400 μM) in the presence of 150 mM NaCl at 0, 24, and 48 h indicate a threshold concentration requirement to observe the time-dependent amyloid formation. This is prominent seen at the physiological salt concentration of 150 mM NaCl with the fibrillation observed for 400 μM concentration at 48 h, whereas oligomerization or proto-fibrillation is seen for the other concentrations. Such concentration-dependent fibrillation of Stm1_N1-113 explains that amyloid fibrils formed during the overexpression of Stm1_N1-113 may act as a molecular device to trigger apoptosis-like cell death. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

D-Galactosamine (D-GalN) is a well-established hepatotoxic agent, whereas lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a bacterial endotoxin; and both in a combination induces the liver damage, which is similar to a human hepatic diseases. In this study, we have evaluated the hepatoprotective activity of the Giant or Black Pigweed, Trianthema portulacastrum L. against D-galactosamine in the presence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS/D-GalN) induced hepatotoxicity using Swiss albino mice. LPS/D-GalN treatment elevated the liver marker enzymes. The combined action of LPS/D-GalN decreased the production of antioxidants such as reduced glutathione (GSH), catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione S-transferase (GST) and increase in the malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) formation. Pretreatment with T. portulacastrum (TP) extract showed dose dependently attenuated liver marker enzymes, increased GSH content, upregulated enzymatic activities of antioxidants in liver, decreased MDA and NO formation. The results also revealed that LPS/D-GalN-treatment increased the inflammation as observed through neutrophil infiltrations and increased the formation of sinusoids as evidenced from the histopathological studies of liver tissue and the TP extract pre-treatment mitigated the neutrophil infiltration and sinusoids formation dose dependently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The common Giant Pigweed or Black Pigweed Trianthema portulacastrum L.is a well-known hepatoprotactant against chemical-induced toxicity. In this study, we evaluated the radioprotective activity of T. portulacastrum stem extract in Swiss albino mice through survival assay and confirmed by histopathology of the liver and jejunum. We observed that at higher concentrations (200 mg/kg body wt.) of extract, the survival of mice was 20% higher. The mechanism of protection was evaluated by endogenous colony-forming assay, bone marrow cell count, membrane integrity, and antioxidant enzymes of the liver. Histopathology of the liver and jejunum revealed that irradiated animals to have suffered loss of normal architecture of the liver in the form of hepatic sinusoid dilation and neutrophil infiltration, and distorted structure of villi in the jejunum of mice was observed. Pre-treatment of mice with extracts of Trianthema portulacastrum (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg body wt.) attenuated the effects of radiation in a dose-dependent manner. Further, the increased spleen colony numbers and augmented number of bone marrow cells in extract pre-treated mice, in comparison with untreated irradiated mice suggest the protective activity of T. portulacastrum. The treated group of mice also showed increased activities of antioxidant enzymes measured in tissue homogenates of the liver as compared to the untreated irradiated controls. Our present study demonstrated dose-dependent radioprotective property of T. portulacastrum against membrane damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medicinal plants are the major folk and traditional medicine for the prevention of diseases worldwide. Trianthema portulacastrum L. (family: Aizoaceae), a small perennial weed, found in the America, Africa, India, and other regions of the world, and are extensively used not only as medicine but also as vegetable for its various health benefits. Phytochemical analysis of T. portulacastrum reveals the presence of alkaloids, phytosterols, terpenoids, saponins, flavonoids and phenolic compounds. In vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated its pharmacological and biological activities. Different parts of T. portulacastrum L. are conventionally being used as analgesic, anti-pyretic, lipid lowering and microbicide agent; and protect liver and kidney from carcinogen, inflammation and oxidant chemicals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of the various supramolecular synthons for the synthesis of a new series of low molecular mass organic gelators (LMOGs) derived from simple organic salts. A new approach for the instant gelation of various different organic fluids at the room temperature is also presented.

Radiation-induced oxidation of membrane lipids and proteins appear to be responsible for damaging the red cell membranes. The membrane integrity of circulating red blood cells (RBCs) is compromised by the deleterious action of γ-radiation in humans. Trianthema portulacastrum L. is an inexpensive, non-toxic herb commonly used in ayurvedic medicine due to its significant pharmacological activities. Methanolic extract of different parts of T. portulacastrum L. contain carbohydrates, polyphenols, flavonoids, alkaloids and terpenoids; whereas saponin is present only in root extract, while cardiac glycosides are absent in root extract. Here, we explored the radio-protective role of leaf, stem, root and whole plant extracts of T. portulacastrum L. against the γ-radiation induced membrane damage of human red blood cells (RBCs). The RBCs on γ-irradiation (4 Gy) exposure showed elevated TBARS level while inhibited ATPase activities in the membrane ghosts. Treatment of RBCs-with different extracts of T. portulacastrum L. at different doses (50 μg/mL, 100 μg/mL, 200 μg/mL) 1h prior to the exposure of γ-radiation significantly mitigated these changes in the RBC membranes due to presence of antioxidants in the extracts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The compound, [Ru(dppe)2(CH3CN)Cl][BPh4] (1) has been synthesized from the precursor complex, [(PPh3)2Ru(CH3CN)3Cl][BPh4]. The complex has been structurally characterized. This complex has been found to be an efficient catalyst for the anti-Markovnikov addition of carboxylic acids to alkynes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) is the most common salivary gland malignancy. However, MEC arising in the minor salivary glands of the lower lip is extremely rare, and to date, only a few have been reported. In this study, we are reporting a case of MEC of the lower lip in a 60-year-old male patient. The patient presented with a slow growing mass in the lower lip for about three years with a recent history of an increase in size. Surgical excision and histopathological examination of the resected mass confirmed the diagnosis of low-grade MEC. We are presenting this case to highlight that although rare, MEC should be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis of any lip mass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]