Search

The potentiality of polypyrrole coated sawdust (PPy/SD) derived from the fruit of the gardening plant material of Cordia Sebestena to remove acidic dye and basic dye [Acidic Dye namely Acid Orange 7 (AO7) and Basic dye namely Basic Red 29 (BR29)] from aqueous solutions via adsorption was investigated. Adsorption experiments are carried out using batch system in order to do equilibrium adsorption isotherm, kinetics and thermodynamic studies. It is found that chemical modification of plant waste like sawdust coated with polypyrrole called polypyrrole composite is an efficient adsorbent for the removal of AO7 and BR29 from aqueous solutions. Finally, the performance of PPy/SD was compared with both the dyes. The experimental results indicated that adsorbent is effective and economically viable for the removal of both acidic (AO7) and basic (BR29) dyes and is most suitable for the removal of Acid Orange 7 from aqueous solutions than Basic Red 29.

Objectives Nod-like receptor pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) is one of the well characterized inflammasome that controls the maturation of pro-inflammatory cytokines and thereby the inflammation in pancreas which could be a promising target for anti-inflammatory drugs. The present study is aimed to explore whether luteolin can target the NLRP3 inflammasome and modulate its activity through the signaling protein, HSP70 in the ethanol-cerulein model of experimental pancreatitis. Methods Male albino Wistar rats were divided into four groups. Groups 1 and 2 rats received normal diet. Groups 3 and 4 rats received isocalorically adjusted diet containing ethanol for 5 weeks and cerulein (20 μg/kg body weight i.p., thrice weekly for the last 3 weeks of the experimental period). Additionally, group 2 and 4 rats received 2 mg/kg body weight of luteolin orally from third week. Results Luteolin co-administration decreased the serum levels of HSP70, oxidative stress markers, myeloperoxidase, GSH/GSSG and GST with concomitant downregulation in the mRNA expression of HSP70, caspase-1, ASC-NLRP3 and NF-κB. Spearman’s rank correlation test showed that serum HSP70 has positive correlation with the expression of ASC-NLRP3, caspase-1, NF-κB and 4-hydroxynonenal and negative correlation with GSH:GSSG ratio. Conclusions The modulating effect of luteolin on the expression of HSP70, NF-κB and thereby on ASC-NLRP3 complex may be claimed for its pancreato-protective activity.

Application of activated carbon (CSAC) and polypyrrole composite (PPC) developed from the precursor, fruit of the gardening plant material Cordia sebestena has been investigated for the removal of Direct Green 6 (DG6) from aqueous solution. Batch adsorption experiments were carried out using CSAC and PPC and a comparative study was also made. Effect of parameters, namely initial dye concentration, contact time, pH and temperature was studied. The kinetic studies were analysed with pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order models. Experimental isotherm data were also analysed with Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherm models. Thermodynamic parameters were also measured. Experimental results showed that percentage removal of DG6 was higher with PPC than the percentage removal obtained by CSAC. Hence, it is proposed that PPC is superior and efficient adsorbent for the removal of DG6 from aqueous solutions.

Background Obesity is a multifactorial disorder which is closely associated with hyperlipidemia. Avocados are edible fruits traditionally consumed for various health benefits including body weight reduction. Hypothesis/purpose To determine the hypolipidemic and anti-obesity effect of hydro-alcoholic fruit extract of avocado (HFEA) in rats fed with high fat diet (HFD). Study design Male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into four groups. Groups 1 and 2 rats were fed with normal diet. Groups 3 and 4 rats were fed with HFD for 14 weeks. In addition, Groups 2 and 4 rats were co-administered with 100 mg/kg body weight of HFEA from 3rd week onwards. Methods The HFEA was subjected to HPLC to quantify the major phytonutrients. Body mass index (BMI), adiposity index (ADI), total fat pad mass (TFP), blood lipid levels were determined in all the groups of rats. The mRNA expression of fatty acid synthase (FASN), lipoprotein lipase (LPL), fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) and leptin was also assessed. Results HFEA was found to contain flavonoids: rutin-141.79, quercetin-5.25, luteolin-165, phenolic compounds: gallic acid-198.57, ellagic acid-238.22, vanillic acid-4.79 and phytosterols: betasitosterol-70, stigmasterol-12.5 (mg/100 g). HFEA reduced BMI, ADI, TFP, blood cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL in rats fed with HFD. Serum leptin was found reduced in HFEA co-administered rats. The mRNA expression of FASN, LPL, and leptin in subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue was found to be significantly reduced in HFEA co-administered rats. The gene expression of fibroblast growth factor-21 (FGF21) was found to be significantly increased in HFEA treated rats when compared to HFD control rats. Conclusion The hypolipidemic effect of HFEA may be partly due to its modulating effect on endogenous fat synthesis and adiponectin formation through the transcription factor FGF21. The results also show that avocado fruit extract has profound influence on leptin activity, which controls satiety and hunger to regulate the food intake.

The paper deals with the study on application of activated carbon (Cordia sebestena activated carbon (CSAC)) and polypyrrole polymer composite prepared from the precursor fruit of the gardening plant material Cordia sebestena for the removal of cationic dye (basic dye namely Basic Red 29 (BR29)) from aqueous solutions. Adsorption experiments are carried out using batch system in order to do equilibrium adsorption isotherm, kinetics and thermodynamic studies. It is found that chemical modification of plant wastes like sawdust coated with polypyrrole called polypyrrole polymer composite is an efficient adsorbent for the removal of cationic dye BR29 from aqueous solutions when compared to activated carbon (CSAC).

The fruits of Persea Americana Mill., commonly known as Avocado, are traditionally consumed for various health benefits including weight reduction. Here, we studied the effect of hydroalcoholic fruit extract of Persea americana (HAEPA) on high fat diet (HFD) induced obesity in rats. Obesity was induced in male Sprague Dawley rats by feeding HFD for 14 wk. The hypolipidemic effect was evaluated by co-administering 25, 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg body wt. of HAEPA. There was a significant increase in weight gain, body mass index (BMI), blood lipids, low density lipoproteins (LDL), lipid peroxides (LPO) and serum transaminases in HFD fed rats. HFD+HAEPA fed rats showed a significant decrease in blood lipids, LPO, liver lipids and increase in antioxidant status when compared to HFD control rats. The activity of lipid metabolic key enzymes such as fatty acid synthase and HMG CoA reductase in liver were also found to be decreased significantly in HAEPA co-administered rats. Lipoprotein lipase activity was found increased in HFD+HAEPA rats. Among the 4 doses studied, 100 mg of HAEPA/kg body wt. exhibited optimum hypolipidemic activity. Histopathological observations in liver and visceral adipose tissue added more evidence for the lipid lowering effect of HAEPA. It can be concluded that avocado fruit extract can act as hypolipidemic agent probably by modulating the activities of HMG CoA reductase and fatty acid synthase in liver.

Variceal bleeding in cirrhosis is mainly due to platelet activation defect and secondary to coagulation defects. Secretion is an important process which release procoagulants for hemostasis. In the present investigation we have evaluated the secretory function of platelets in liver cirrhosis and also the simultaneous changes in cytosolic calcium (Ca2+) and the polymerization of actin in agonist- stimulated platelets in vitro.Liver cirrhotic patients with (n=27) or without (n=23) bleeding complication were included in the study. Control subjects (n=50) were also utilized for the study to compare the analytical data. Platelets were activated by collagen in vitro and the secretory response was assessed by the levels of nucleotides, serotonin, pyrophosphate (PPi) and inorganic phosphate (Pi) secreted into the extracellular fluid of the platelet suspension at various time intervals. During the course of secretion the alteration in the polymerization of actin was monitored simultaneously with the changes in the cytosolic Ca2+ level.The secretory response of platelets to collagen was significantly low in both bleeders and non-bleeders when compared to that of normal subjects. During secretion, low level of actin polymerization and cytosolic Ca2+ level were observed in the platelets of bleeders than in non-bleeders and normal subjects. The low secretory capacity of cirrhosis platelets could be correlated with low levels of actin polymerization and cytosolic Ca2+. The alterations were highly significant in the platelets of bleeders when compared to those of non-bleeders.The defective secretory activity of platelets in cirrhosis bleeders might be partly due to low polymerization of G-actin to F-actin which is required for platelet shape change and for the release of procoagulants. Cytosolic Ca2+ level seems to influence actin polymerization and thereby impairs platelet secretory response to agonists in cirrhosis patients with bleeding complication.AMAÇ: Sirozun başlıca komplikasyonlarından biri trombosit aktivasyon bozukluğu ile ilişkili olan varis kanamasıdır. Bu araştırmada, karaciğer sirozu olan hastalardan izole edilen trombositlerin, hemostaz için prokoagülan salınımında önemli bir süreç olan, sekretuvar kapasitesini belirledik. Ayrıca, in vitro olarak agonistle uyarılan trombositlerdeki sitosolik kalsiyumdaki (Ca2+) eş zamanlı değişiklikleri ve aktinin polimerizasyon durumunu da araştırdık. Bu çalışmanın amacı, karaciğer sirozunda trombositlerin sekretuvar fonksiyonunun aktin polimerizasyonunun seviyesinden ve sitosolik Ca2+ seviyesindeki değişikliklerden etkilenip etkilenmediğini değerlendirmekti. YÖNTEMLER: Trombositler in vitro olarak kollajen ile aktive edildi ve sekretuvar cevap çeşitli zaman aralıklarında trombosit süspansiyonunun hücre dışı sıvısına salınan nükleotid, serotonin, pirofosfat (PPi) ve inorganik fosfat (Pi) seviyeleri ile değerlendirildi. Salınım boyunca, aktin polimerizasyonundaki değişimler, sitosolik Ca2+ seviyesindeki değişikliklerle eş zamanlı olarak izlendi.İstirahat halindeki trombositlerdeki bazal serotonin seviyesi hem kanaması olan hem de kanaması olmayan bireylerde normal kişilerle karşılaştırıldığında anlamlı olarak düşüktü. Adenin nükleotidlerin seviyesi kanaması olan bireylerde anlamlı olarak düşüktü. Sirotik trombositlerin sekretuvar kapasitesi düşük olduğu bulundu ve düşük seviyelerdeki aktin polimerizasyonu ve sitosolik Ca2+ ile ilişkili olabilirdi. Kanaması olan bireylerin trombositlerindeki değişimler kanaması olmayan bireylerle karşılaştırıldığında anlamlı derecede yüksekti. SONUÇ: Sirozda trombositlerin bozuk sekretuvar aktivitesi, kısmen trombosit şekil değişikliği ve prokoagülanların salınımı için gerekli olan, globüler aktinin filamentöz aktine polimerizasyonunun düşük olmasına bağlı olabilir. Sitosolik Ca2+ seviyesi aktin polimerizasyonunu ve böylece agonistlere karşı trombosit sekretuvar cevabını etkiliyor gibi görünmektedir.

The edible fruits of Pithecellobium dulce (Roxb.) Benth. are traditionally used for various gastric complications in India. Here, we investigated the antiulcer activity of hydroalcoholic fruit extract of P. dulce (HAEPD) by applying cysteamine induced duodenal ulcer model in rats. Duodenal ulcer was induced in male albino Wistar rats by oral administration of cysteamine @ 420 mg/kg body wt. as a single dose. The rats were pre-administered orally with HAEPD @ 200 mg/kg body wt. for 30 days prior to ulcer induction. Rats pre-administered with ranitidine @ 30 mg/kg body wt. served as reference drug control. Ulcer score, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), glycoproteins, superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase and reduced glutathione levels were measured in the duodenum. Rats pre-administered with the HAEPD showed significantly reduced ulcer score comparable to that of ranitidine pretreated rats. The co-administration of HAEPD lowered the TBARS level and also restored the levels of glycoproteins, enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants. Histopathological observations confirmed the presence of inflammation, necrosis and hemorrhagic spots in the duodenum of ulcer control rats which were significantly reduced due to HAEPD treatment. No abnormal alterations were observed in normal rats treated with HAEPD at the dosage studied. The results demonstrated antioxidant and cytoprotective nature of P. dulce, and thereby its significant anti ulcer property.

Over-expression of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and nitric oxide (NO) formation are associated with the pathogenesis of liver cirrhosis. NO-related stress alters the functions of biomolecules, especially proteins, probably as a result of nitration. The aim of this study was to assess the level of protein nitration and its correlation with the severity of the disease. Liver cirrhosis patients with different grades of severity (grades A, B, and C according to the Child-Pugh classification) were enrolled in this study. Nitroprotein content, arginine, citrulline, NO in terms of total nitrite, nitrosothiol (RSNO) and protein carbonyls were measured in blood. Immunohistochemical detection of nitroprotein was carried out in liver sections of cirrhosis patients. A significant elevation in the levels of serum and platelet arginine, arginase, citrulline, plasma, and platelet nitroproteins, RSNO, total nitrite, protein carbonyls and also a significant amount of nitrated proteins by immunohistochemical detection in tissue were observed in cirrhosis patients. The alterations were highly significant in grade C patients with bleeding complications when compared to those of grade B and A patients. In platelets, both cytosolic and cytoskeletal proteins were found to be nitrated significantly. The level of nitrite seems to have positive correlation with the level of nitroproteins in different grades of cirrhosis. The level of nitroproteins in plasma, platelets and liver tissue can be correlated with the severity of liver cirrhosis.

Variceal bleeding due to abnormal platelet function is a well-known complication of cirrhosis. Nitric oxide-related stress has been implicated in the pathogenesis of liver cirrhosis. In the present investigation, we evaluated the level of platelet aggregation and concomitant changes in the level of platelet cytosolic calcium (Ca2+), nitric oxide (NO) and NO synthase (NOS) activity in liver cirrhosis. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the production of NO by NOS and level of cytosolic Ca2+ influence the aggregation of platelets in patients with cirrhosis of the liver. Agonist-induced aggregation and the simultaneous changes in the level of cytosolic Ca2+, NO and NOS were monitored in platelets of patients with cirrhosis. Platelet aggregation was also measured in the presence of the eNOS inhibitor, diphenylene iodinium chloride (DIC). The level of agonist-induced platelet aggregation was significantly low in the platelets of patients with cirrhosis compared with that in platelets from normal subjects. During the course of platelet aggregation, concomitant elevation in the level of cytosolic Ca2+ was observed in normal samples, whereas the elevation was not significant in platelets of patients with cirrhosis. A parallel increase was observed in the levels of NO and NOS activity. In the presence of the eNOS inhibitor, platelet aggregation was enhanced and accompanied by an elevated calcium level. The inhibition of platelet aggregation in liver cirrhosis might be partly due to greater NO formation by eNOS. Defective Ca2+ release from the internal stores to the cytosol may account for inhibition of aggregation of platelets in cirrhosis. The NO-related defective aggregation of platelets in patients with cirrhosis found in our study is of clinical importance, and the underlying mechanism of such changes suggests a possible therapeutic strategy with cell-specific NO blockers.

Bleeding complication and abnormal platelet functions are associated with liver cirrhosis. The aim of the present investigation was to assess the functional integrity of platelets in terms of lipids like cholesterol and phospholipids, glycoproteins and membrane-bound enzymes. Liver cirrhotic patients with bleeding complications were studied. Age and sex matched normal healthy volunteers were also involved in this study as a control group. Levels of cholesterol, phospholipids, glycoproteins and adenosine triphosphatases were assessed in isolated platelet membrane fraction. The level of glycoproteins and the activity of adenosine triphosphatases were found to be decreased significantly in cirrhotic patients. The cholesterol/phospholipid ratio was found to be altered significantly, indicating an alteration in the fluidity of platelet membrane. The results of this study reveal that the functional impairment of platelets in liver cirrhotic patients which is responsible for their bleeding tendency might also be due to altered lipid and enzyme levels in platelet membrane.

Background The modulating effect of methanolic extract of Emblica officinalis (MEEO) on ethanol (EtOH)- and cerulein (Cer)-induced pancreatitis in rats was investigated in this study. Methods Male albino Wistar rats were divided into four groups. Group 1 and 2 rats served as control and fed normal diet. Group 3 and 4 rats were fed isocalorically adjusted diet containing EtOH (36% of total calories) for 5 weeks and also subjected to intraperitoneal injection of Cer 20 µg/kg b.wt. thrice weekly for the last 3 weeks of the experimental period. In addition, group 2 and 4 rats received 200 mg/kg b.wt. of MEEO from 15th day till the experimental period. Serum levels of lipase (L), amylase (A), cytokines IL-1β, IL-18, caspase-1 and oxidative stress index (OSI) were determined. Levels of fecal trypsin, total collagen, caspase-1, myeloperoxidase (MPO), antioxidants and mRNA expression of caspase-1, IL-1β and IL-18 were determined in the pancreas. Results HPLC analysis showed the presence of rutin in MEEO. We observed a significant elevation in serum L/A ratio, IL-1β, IL-18, caspase-1, OSI, collagen, MPO activity and the mRNA expression of IL-1β, IL-18 and caspase-1 and significant reduction in fecal trypsin and antioxidant status in EtOH- and Cer-administered rats. The inflammatory markers were found to be reduced and the antioxidant status of pancreas was maintained in MEEO-coadministered rats. Conclusions The rutin rich nature of E. officinalis can be claimed for its anti-inflammatory and pancreato protective effects.

A significant increase in serum lipase, amylase, capase-1 and myeloperoxidase activities, oxidative stress index (OSI), IL-1beta and IL-18 was observed in rats receiving ethanol (EtOH) and high fat diet (HFD). Thymoquinone (TQ) supplementation along with EtOH and HFD significantly decreased the levels of serum lipase, amylase, capase-1, myeloperoxidase, OSI and maintained the antioxidant status when compared to untreated EtOH and HFD fed rats. Among the 4 doses, 100 mg of TQ/kg body weight was found to provide optimum protective effect on pancreas against EtOH and HFD induced abnormal changes. Histological observations added more evidence for the anti-inflammatory effect of TQ.

Aim To determine the circadian rhythm alteration of cortisol excretion and the level of corticosteroids in children with different grades of autism severity. Methods The study included 45 children with different grades of autism severity (low [LFA], medium [MFA], and high functioning autism [HFA]), 15 in each group, and 45 age/sex-matched children with typical development. The urinary levels of free cortisol (at three phases of 24-hour cycle), corticosteroids, vanilylmandelic acid, and 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid were determined. Results Alteration in the pattern of cortisol excretion (Phases I, II, and III) was observed in children with LFA (Phase I: 43.8 ± 4.43 vs 74.30±8.62, P = 0.000; Phase II: 21.1±2.87 vs 62±7.68, P < 0.001; Phase III: 9.9 ± 1.20 vs 40 ± 5.73, P < 0.001) and MFA (Phase I: 43.8 ± 4.43 vs 52.6±7.90, P < 0.001; Phase II: 21.1±2.87 vs 27.4±4.05, P < 0.001; Phase III: 9.9 ± 1.20 vs 19 ± 2.50, P < 0.001) compared to the control group. The corticosteroids excretion levels were higher in all the groups of children with autism than in the control group. The level of 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid was significantly higher in children with LFA (8.2±1.48 vs 6.8±0.85, P < 0.001) and MFA (8.2±1.48 vs 7.4± 0.89, P = 0.001) and not significantly higher in children with HFA than in the control group. The changes were correlated with degrees of severity of the disorder. Conclusion These data suggest that altered cortisol excretion pattern and high level of corticosteroids in urine may probably be a consequence of altered hypothalamic-pituitary- adrenal axis function, which may contribute to the pathogenesis and affect the severity of autism.

Ethnopharmacological relevance The ethnopharmacological importance of Pithecellobium dulce is evidenced by its traditional use for gastric complications. The aim of the study is to evaluate the gastroprotective activity and the mechanism of action of hydroalcoholic fruit extract of P. dulce (HAEPD) in rats by using chemical and stress induced ulcer models. Materials and methods Gastric ulcer was induced by administering alcohol (or) acetylsalicylic acid (or) hypothermic restraint stress to rats pretreated with HAEPD (200 mg/kg b wt for 30 day). Volume of gastric fluid, pH, acidity, activities of pepsin, H+, K+-ATPase, myeloperoxidase, mucin content, nucleic acids, glycoproteins and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) levels were assessed in gastric tissues. Results Ulcer score was significantly minimized in HAEPD administered animals. pH and acidity of gastric fluid were significantly minimized and the mucin, PGE2 levels were significantly maintained in drug pre administered animals. The activities of H+, K+- ATPase and myeloperoxidase were found to be significantly elevated in ulcer control animals and found to be decreased in drug pretreated animals. The cell proliferation was found to be enhanced in drug received animals. The total protein bound carbohydrate to total protein ratio was found to be significantly maintained by HAEPD. The effects were found to be comparable with that of standard drug omeprazole. Conclusion It is concluded that HAEPD possess a potent antiulcer activity probably by acting as cytoprotective and antiacid secretory agent.

This study was carried out to evaluate the acute and sub-acute toxicity profile of the hydroalcoholic fruit extract (HAEPD) of Pithecellobium dulce (Leguminosae). Albino rats were treated orally with 100, 200 and 500 mg kg(-1) bodyweight (BW) of HAEPD for 90 days to assess its sub-acute toxicity. HAEPD at single doses of 100, 500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 mg kg(-1) BW was also administered to rats to assess its acute toxicity. The rats were observed for physical discomfort, BW change and feeding habits. Pithecellobium dulce did not cause any abnormal changes in haematological or biochemical parameters. Pathologically, no gross abnormality in the tissue architecture was observed. The LD(50) was found to be 3916 mg kg(-1) BW and potential effective doses for efficacy studies are 100 and 300 mg kg(-1) BW as the minimum and maximum doses, respectively. It is concluded that HAEPD can be used safely for experimental and clinical trials.

Cancer metastasis is a complex multi-step process, responsible for a majority of cancer-related deaths by affecting the critical organs and causing complications in therapies. Hepatocellular carcinoma is a multi-factorial disease and is the third most common cause of cancer related mortality worldwide. Clinical and experimental studies have shown that MMP-2 and MMP-9 are involved in tumor invasion and metastases and their elevated expression has been associated with poor prognosis. Our recent studies showed a strong anti-oxidant and hepatoprotective effects of bacoside A (BA) against carcinogen. Nevertheless the effect of BA on the activities and expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 during hepatocellular carcinoma is not yet recognized. Therefore, the present study was designed to assess the same. Results of gelatin zymography study showed that BA co-treatment significantly decreased the activities of MMP-2 and MMP-9, which is increased during hepatocellular carcinoma. Further immunoblot analysis showed decreased expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in rats co-treated with BA compared to DEN-induced hepatocellular carcinoma. Our results reveal that BA exerts its anti-metastatic effect against DEN-induced hepatocellular carcinoma by inhibiting the activities and expressions of MMP-2 and MMP-9.

Altered copper homeostasis and oxidative stress have been observed in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Non-ceruloplasmin copper, the free form, is a potent pro-oxidant than the protein bound copper. The aim of the present study was to evaluate which form of copper can be correlated with the oxidative stress in the circulation and in the malignant liver tissues of hepatocellular carcinoma patients. Hepatocellular carcinoma patients (grades II and III, n = 18) were enrolled in this study. Serum levels of total, free and bound copper, ceruloplasmin, iron, iron-binding capacity, lipid peroxidation products, and enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants were quantified in serum and in malignant liver tissues and compared with those of normal samples (n = 20). A significant positive correlation between the serum non-ceruloplasmin copper and lipid peroxidation products and negative correlation with antioxidants were observed in hepatocellular carcinoma patients. In liver tissue, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase activity were significantly decreased with concomitant elevation in oxidative stress markers. Our experiment revealed that the elevation in non-ceruloplasmin copper has high relevance with the oxidative stress than the bound copper.

Chemoprevention is an effective approach to control hepatocarcinogenesis. Bacoside A, the active constituent of Bacopa monniera Linn., is anticipated to play a role in chemoprevention of liver cancer.In the present study, we investigated the chemopreventive effect of bacoside A against N-nitrosodiethylamine-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in an animal model.Administration of carcinogen showed a significant elevation in the levels of lipid peroxidation, serum tumor marker enzymes and liver injury marker enzymes with subsequent decrease in the levels of both hemolysate and liver antioxidant status. Bacoside A co-treatment maintained the N-nitrosodiethylamine-induced alterations at near normal level. Histopathological and electron microscopic study of the liver tissue also supports the above biochemical observations.From our findings we conclude that bacoside A is effective to prevent DEN-induced hepatocellular carcinoma by quenching lipid peroxidation and enhancing antioxidant status through free radical scavenging mechanism and having potential of protecting endogenous enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant activity.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) can function both as initiators and promoters in carcinogenesis. Antioxidants provide protection against cellular and molecular damage caused by ROS and RNS. We conducted a study to evaluate the levels of lipid peroxidation products, nitric oxide (NO) products and antioxidants in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Fifty one HNSCC patients, 33 healthy tobacco smokers/chewers as tobacco user controls, and 37 non-smokers/chewers as normal controls were recruited for this study. Lipid peroxidation products, NO products and antioxidants were measured using spectrophotometric methods. Lipid peroxidation products, including lipid hydroperoxide (LHP) and malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO) products, including nitrite (NO(2)(-)), nitrate (NO(3)(-)), and total nitrite (TNO(2)(-)) were found to be significantly elevated with a concomitant depletion of antioxidants in HNSCC patients as compared to tobacco users and normal controls. These derangements were also evident albeit to a lesser degree in tobacco users as compared to normal controls. Results from this study demonstrate a potential involvement of both ROS and RNS in the pathogenesis of HNSCC and also illustrate the risk of ROS/RNS induced damage healthy tobacco users are exposed to, implicating their higher risk for upper aerodigestive tract cancer.

Background We conducted a study to evaluate reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) simultaneously together with the antioxidant status in patients with cervical carcinoma. Methods We measured lipid peroxidation product, including malondialdehye (MDA), nitric oxide (NO) products, including nitrite (NO2−), nitrate (NO3−) and total nitrite (TNO2−) and antioxidant enzymes in 45 patients with cervical cancer and compared them against 30 healthy controls. Results Plasma as well as erythrocyte MDA and plasma NO levels was higher (p

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the magnitude of oxidative stress and levels of nitric oxide in patients with oral cavity cancer by analyzing the levels of lipid peroxidation products, antioxidants and nitric oxide products. Methods: This prospective study was conducted on 15 patients with biopsy proven squamous cell cancer of the oral cavity with clinical stage III/IV and an equal number of age and sex matched healthy subjects. The levels of lipid peroxidation products, antioxidants and nitric oxide products were determined by colorimetric methods. Results: Lipid peroxidation products like lipid hydroperoxide (LHP) and malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide products like nitrite (NO2 – ), nitrate (NO3 – ) and total nitrite (TNO2 – ) were significantly elevated, whereas enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants were significantly lowered in oral cavity cancer patients when compared to normal healthy subjects. Conclusions: Enhanced lipid peroxidation with concomitant decrease in antioxidants is indicative of oxidative stress that provides evidence of the relationship between lipid peroxidation and oral cavity cancer. Increased nitric oxide production represents a general mechanism in its pathogenesis.

The effect of various concentrations of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), a potent hepatoprotective agent on hydrogen peroxide-induced mitochondrial swelling was evaluated in vitro to find out the mechanism of action of the drug. Aliquots of sheep liver mitochondria were pre-incubated with various concentrations of UDCA [0-600 micrograms] and swelling was induced by hydrogen peroxide [1 mM]. Swelling was assessed at various time intervals and lipid peroxide, reduced glutathione status were also evaluated simultaneously. UDCA minimized hydrogen peroxide-induced swelling in a dose-dependent manner. Time-dependent elevation in the level of lipid peroxides was noted in mitochondria treated with hydrogen peroxide and this elevation was minimized in UDCA pre-treatment. UDCA also maintains the reduced glutathione level in mitochondria. UDCA acts against the oxidative stress imposed in liver mitochondria. It reduces lipid peroxidation-induced abnormalities such as swelling and thiol group depletion and the anti lipid peroxidative efficacy of the drug may be related to its hydrophilic nature which might protect the hydrophobic regions of the mitochondrial membranes which are prone for free radical-mediated reactions.