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Epilepsy is a chronic central nervous system disorder that occurs not only with the imbalance of glutamatergic neurons and inhibitory gamma-aminobutyric acid (γ-GABA) neurons, but also with abnormal Central cholinergic neuronal regulation. Since long term usage of antiepileptic drugs cause high incidence of pharmacoresistance and untoward side effects, attention has been paid in recent years to screen bioactive compounds from natural medicinal plants for the treatment of several neurological disorders including Epilepsy. Keeping in view of relative importance of natural medicinal plants, the present study is mainly focused to characterize the anti-convulsant effect of Bacopa monnieri (BM), an Indian herb which is being extensively used in Ayurvedic treatments related to neurological complications. The present study is designed to assess the neurotoxicity of Pentylene tetrazole (PTZ), an epileptic compound with particular reference to Cholinergic system and ATPases in different brain regions of rat to explore the possible antiepileptic effect of different extracts of BM in comparison with Diazepam (DZ) (Reference control). The activity levels of Acetyl cholinesterase (AChE) and ATPases were decreased in different regions of brain during PTZ induced epilepsy which were increased in epileptic rats pretreated with different extracts of Bacopa monnieri except EAE and AE. In addition Acetylcholine (ACh), levels were increased during PTZ induced epilepsy when compared with normal control and levels were reversed on pretreatment with different extracts of BM. Recoveries of these parameters suggest that the bioactive factors present in the extracts offer neuroprotection by interrupting the pathological cascade that occurs during epileptogenesis.

Different kinds of secondary metabolites present in the medicinal plants play an important role to alleviate different human ailments including neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, epilepsy and schizophrenia etc. Recently we have isolated and characterized a novel bioactive compound viz. 3-(3,4-dimethoxy phenyl)-1-4(methoxy phenyl)prop-2-en-1-one from the methanolic extract of Celastrus paniculatus (CP) which has been widely used for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. The present investigation is mainly aimed to evaluate the neuroprotective potential of the above bioactive compound against ketamine-induced schizophrenia with particular reference to catecholaminergic metabolism using in vivo and in silico methods. Ketamine-induced schizophrenia caused significant elevation in biogenic amines (epinephrine, nor epinephrine, dopamine and 5-HT) and monoamine oxidase activity levels which were restored to normal during the treatment with the bioactive compound akin to the reference compound, clozapine. In addition, the compound has shown highest binding score against all the biogenic amine receptors viz. D1, D2, D3, D4 and serotonin receptor, 5-HT2A with lowest inhibition constant values than the reference compound, clozapine. The present findings suggest that modulation of CNS monoamine neurotransmitter system might partly contribute to the impairments associated with schizophrenia and the plant compound alleviates the monoaminergic abnormalities associated with the neurological dysfunction.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Epilepsy, a common chronic neurological disorder characterized by repeated, spontaneous seizures, also known as seizure disorder. Seizure related neuronal injury has been assumed to be mediated by glutamate, the excitatory amino acid, in the central nervous system that causes a sudden imbalance between the inhibitory and excitatory signals in the brain with glutamate, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), noradrenaline, serotonin, and dopamine. Since long term usage of antiepileptic drugs cause high incidence of pharmacoresistence and untoward side effects, attention has been paid in recent years to screen bioactive compounds from natural medicinal plants for treatment of several neurological disorders including Epilepsy. Keeping in view of relative importance of natural medicinal plants, the present study is mainly focused to characterize the anti-convulsant effect of Bacopa monnieri (BM), an Indian herb which is being extensively used in Ayurvedic treatments related to neurological complications. The present study is designed to assess the neurotoxicity of Pentylene tetrazole (PTZ), an epileptic compounds, on the Glutamate metabolism and Amino transferases in different brain regions (Cerebral cortex, Cerebellum, Pons medulla and Hippocampus) of rat and to explore the possible antiepileptic effect of different extracts (Ethanol, n-Hexane, Chloroform, Ethyl acetate, n-Butanol and Aqueous extracts) of BM in comparison with Diazepam (DZ) (Reference control). The activities of glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH), glutamine synthetase (GS) and glutamine content were decreased in different regions of brain during PTZ induced epilepsy which were increased in epileptic rats pretreated with different extracts of Bacopa monnieri except EAE and AE. Glutaminase activity was increased in PTZ induced epilepsy and decreased on pretreatment with all the extracts of BM except AE. In addition aspartate (AAT) and alanine aminotransferase (ALAT) activity levels were increased during PTZ induced epilepsy when compared with normal control and levels were reversed on pretreatment with different extracts of BM. Recoveries of these parameters during antiepileptic treatment suggest that the bioactive factors present in the extracts offer neuroprotection by interrupting the pathological cascade of glutamatergic hyperexcitation that occurs during epileptogenesis.

Emerging drug resistance in clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus might be implicated to the overexpression of NorA efflux pump which is capable of extruding numerous structurally diverse compounds. However, NorA efflux pump is considered as a potential drug target for the development of efflux pump inhibitors. In the present study, NorA model was constructed based on the crystal structure of glycerol-3-phosphate transporter (PDBID: 1PW4). Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation was performed using NAMD2.7 for NorA which is embedded in the hydrated lipid bilayer. Structural design of NorA unveils amino (N)- and carboxyl (C)-terminal domains which are connected by long cytoplasmic loop. N and C domains are composed of six transmembrane α-helices (TM) which exhibits pseudo-twofold symmetry and possess voluminous substrate binding cavity between TM helices. Molecular docking of reserpine, totarol, ferruginol, salvin, thioxanthene, phenothiazine, omeprazole, verapamil, nalidixic acid, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, and acridine to NorA found that all the molecules were bound at the large hydrophobic cleft and indicated significant interactions with the key residues. In addition, structure-based virtual screening was employed which indicates that 14 potent novel lead molecules such as CID58685302, CID58685367, CID5799283, CID5578487, CID60028372, ZINC12196383, ZINC72140751, ZINC72137843, ZINC39227983, ZINC43742707, ZINC12196375, ZINC66166948, ZINC39228014, and ZINC14616160 have highest binding affinity for NorA. These lead molecules displayed considerable pharmacological properties as evidenced by Lipinski rule of five and prophecy of toxicity risk assessment. Thus, the present study will be helpful in designing and synthesis of a novel class of NorA efflux pump inhibitors that restore the susceptibilities of drug compounds.

Parkinson disease (PD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the loss of dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra, decreased striatal dopamine (DA) levels, and consequent extrapyramidal motor dysfunction. PC 12 cells originate from pheochromocytoma cells of rat adrenal medulla and share many common characteristics with substantia nigra cells. They produce DA, several growth factors, such as nerve growth factor, fibroblast growth factor and transforming growth factor, and express DA receptors. Hence, these cells are being used to study the alterations in dopaminergic neurons, in vitro, that occur during Parkinson’s disease. Since long term usage of antiparkinsonian drugs cause high incidence of pharmacoresistence and untoward side effects, attention has been paid in recent years to screen bioactive compounds from natural medicinal plants for treatment of several neurological disorders including Parkinson’s disease. Keeping in view of relative importance of natural medicinal plants, the present study is mainly focused to characterize the anti-parkinsonian effect of Bacopa monnieri (BM), an Indian herb which is being extensively used in Ayurveda treatments related to neurological complications. The present study was designed to assess the neurotoxicity of rotenone on DA-producing PC12 cells and explore the possible antiparkinsonian effect of BM in comparing with Levodopa (LD) (Reference control). The survivability studies of PC 12 cell-lines were analysed using MTT assay. Pre-treatment with BM extract significantly ameliorated morphological damage, cell viability, and apoptosis of PC12 cells exposed to RT. Hence BM extract can be effectively used in the treatment of PD and other related neurological disorders.

Objectives To evaluate the effectiveness of radiochemotherapy and chemotherapy on human papilloma virus induced cervical cancer patients by the estimation of serum proteins and magnetic resonance imaging. Methods HPV 16/18 viral DNA was detected in the plasma of cervical cancer patients ( n = 50) by PCR using HPV consensus primers. Of the 50 cervical cancer patients, 25 cases undergoing radiation with chemotherapy and another 25 cases undergoing chemotherapy. Levels of pre- and post-treated serum squamous cell carcinoma antigen, soluble CD44, cancer antigen-125 were measured and evaluated the tumour size at pre- and post-radiation based on magnetic resonance images. The effectiveness of treatment was evaluated in terms of protein levels and represented as whisker line graphs. Results Of the amplified 50 samples, HPV 16 and 18 strains were identified as 48 and 44%, respectively. Serum protein levels were significantly increased in both pre-treated groups when compared to healthy group. Post-treated (radiotherapy) cervical cancer patients’ shows decreased tumour size when compared to pre-treated groups. Taking consideration of proteins, squamous cell carcinoma antigen, soluble CD44, cancer antigen-125 levels are more decreased in patients treated with radiochemotherapy than chemotherapy alone. The decreased levels of proteins were significantly higher in early stage of the cervical cancer than the advanced stage of cancer patients. Conclusion Serum levels of protein markers are more improved in patients treated with radiochemotherapy than chemotherapy hence, radiochemotherapy may be the best choice of treatment with reference to proteins at early stage of cervical cancer when compared to chemotherapy alone.

Ricinus communis (RC) is a traditional medicinal plant which has been used by Chenchu and Yerukula tribes for treating their liver ailments. The present work is aimed to explore the hepatoprotective efficacy of Ricinus communis against d -galactosamine (D-GalN) induced hepatitis rat model and its therapeutic potential compared with standard drug, silymarin (100 mg/kg.bw). In vitro antioxidant activity of Methanolic extract of Ricinus communis leaves (MERCL) was assayed through DPPH and H 2 O 2 free radical scavenging activity. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of MERCL using HPLC, demonstrated that Rutin was found to be predominant bioactive compound in the extract. Hepatitis was induced by treating the rats with D-GalN at a single intraperitoneal dose of 800 mg/kg.bw. Serum markers viz, Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were significantly increased and the activity levels of antioxidant enzymes such as Superoxide dismutase (SOD),Catalase (CAT), Glutathione reductase (GR), Glutathione peroxidase (GPx), non-enzymatic antioxidant Glutathione (GSH) levels were decreased in the liver of hepatitis induced rats when compared to controls. Pre and post treatment with MERCL significantly altered the enzyme activities, GSH and MDA to normal levels. Histopathological observations also showed protective and curative effects of MERCL against D-GalN intoxication. These results demonstrated that MERCL significantly protected the liver from d -galactosamine induced hepatitis, improved the curative effect in the liver and hence, MERCL can be used as a potent hepatoprotective drug in future.

The use of toxins as novel molecular probes to study the structure-function relationship of ion-channels and receptors as well as potential therapeutics in the treatment of wide variety of diseases is well documented. The high specificity and selectivity of these toxins have attracted a great deal of interest as candidates for drug development. This review highlights the involvement of the proteins and peptide toxins as well as non-proteinaceous compounds derived from both venomous and non-venomous animals, in anti-nociception and anti-inflammation. The possible mechanisms of these potential therapeutic agents and possible clinical applications in the treatment of pain and inflammation are also summarized.

In the modern era, Epilepsy is one of the most prevalent serious neurological disorders, affecting 0.5 to 1.0% of the world’s population. Epileptic seizures are paroxysmal clinical events arising from neuronal hyper-excitability and hypersynchrony of the cerebral cortex, either locally (partial seizures) or diffusely in both hemispheres (generalized seizures). The agitated neuronal activity that occurs during a seizure is caused by a sudden imbalance between the inhibitory and excitatory signals in the brain with glutamate, ?-aminobutyric acid (GABA), noradrenaline, serotonin, and dopamine. Since long term usage of antiepileptic drugs cause high incidence of pharmacoresistence and untoward side effects, attention has been paid in recent years to screen bioactive compounds from natural medicinal plants for treatment of several neurological disorders including Epilepsy. Keeping in view of relative importance of natural medicinal plants, the present study is mainly focused to characterize the anti-convulsant effect of Bacopa monnieri (BM), an Indian herb which is being extensively used in Ayurvedic treatments related to neurological complications. The present study was designed to assess the neurotoxicity of PTZ on the metabolism of Biogenic amines (Nor-epinephrine, Epinephrine, Dopamine, Serotonin) in different brain regions (Cerebral cortex, Cerebellum, Pons medulla and Hippocampus) of rat and explore the possible antiepileptic effect of different extracts (Ethanol, n-Hexane, Chloroform, Ethyl acetate, n-Butanol and Aqueous extracts) of BM in comparison with Diazepam (DZ) (Reference control). PTZ-Induced epilepsy caused significant decrease in all the catecholamine levels in all brain regions. On par with Diazepam pretreatment, different extracts of BM except aqueous extract (AE) significantly increased the monoamine contents in all the regions of brain. Mono amine oxidase (MAO) activity levels showed elevation in different brain regions of rat during PTZ-induced epilepsy which was reversed in epileptic animals pretreated with different extracts except AE and DZ. These findings suggest that BM causes perceptible changes in the biogenic amine metabolism as one of the major facets of its anticonvulsant activity. Hence, BM extract can be effectively used in the treatment of Epilepsy and other related neurological disorders.

The present investigation is taken up to evaluate the antiviral efficacy of phenolics isolated from Sophora interrupta Bedd and their antioxidant role in the brain and lungs of chicken during Newcastle disease virus (NDV) induced oxidative stress. The activity levels of selected antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalyse (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) levels were significantly decreased in brain and lung tissues of NDV infected animals over controls causing oxidative stress. In addition, histopathological alterations disclosed that lungs of NDV infected chicken were affected severely as evidenced by the alterations in alveolar cell morphology, congestion, necrotic and degenerative changes whereas degeneration of Purkinje cells, neuronal necrosis, degeneration in myelin sheath and compression of cells were observed in the brain of NDV infected chickens. These reduced antioxidant defence mechanisms and histopathological abnormalities were restored to normal when chicken were pre-treated with the phenolics isolated from Sophora interrupta Bedd at the dose of 300 mg/Kg Bw/day for one week. Pre-treatment with the phenolics isolated from the above medicinal plant also caused significant reduction in the titre levels of NDV. These results suggest that pre-treatment with the phenolics isolated from Sophora interrupta Bedd exhibited significant antiviral activity and thus the plant extract may be used as a prophylactic treatment for the prevention of NDV infection in chicken.

The study described here was carried out to investigate the anticonvulsant effect of different extracts of Centella asiatica with respect to cholinergic activity on pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced seizures. Rats were randomly divided into eight groups of six rats each: nonepileptic rats treated with saline; PTZ (60 mg/kg, IP)-induced seizure rats treated with saline; PTZ-induced seizure rats pretreated with n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, n-butanol, and water extracts of C. asiatica; and PTZ-induced seizure rats pretreated with diazepam (2 mg/kg body wt). The seized rats pretreated with different extracts were administered a dose of 200 mg/kg body wt orally for 1 week before induction of epilepsy. Increased acetylcholine content and decreased acetylcholinesterase activity were recorded in different brain regions during PTZ-induced seizures. Pretreatment with C. asiatica extracts caused recovery of the levels of acetylcholine and acetylcholinesterase. These findings suggest that C. asiatica causes perceptible changes in the cholinergic system as one of the facets of its anticonvulsant activity.

The current investigation has been conducted to investigate the influence of ginger on hepatic antioxidant enzymes system in ethanol treated rats. Ethanol significantly decreased the superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and glutathione content while an increase of malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were estimated in the hepatic tissue. This effect was reversed by a treatment with 1% dietary ginger for 4 weeks in rats by improved antioxidant status which suggest that treatment of ginger may have protective role against the ethanol induced hepatotoxicity.

Background: To study the anticonvulsant effect of different extracts of Centella asiatica (CA) in male albino rats with reference to Na + /K + , Mg 2+ and Ca 2+ -ATPase activities. Materials and Methods: Male Wistar rats (150±25 g b.w.) were divided into seven groups of six each i.e. (a) control rats treated with saline, (b) pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced epileptic group (60 mg/kg, i.p.), (c) epileptic group pretreated with n-hexane extract (n-HE), (d) epileptic group pretreated with chloroform extract (CE), (e) epileptic group pretreated with ethyl acetate extract (EAE), (f) epileptic group pretreated with n-butanol extract (n-BE), and (g) epileptic group pretreated with aqueous extract (AE). Results: The activities of three ATPases were decreased in different regions of brain during PTZ-induced epilepsy and were increased in epileptic rats pretreated with different extracts of CA except AE. Conclusion: The extracts of C. asiatica, except AE, possess anticonvulsant and neuroprotective activity and thus can be used for effective management in treatment of epileptic seizures.