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Abrus precatorius is a tropical medicinal plant with multiple medicinal benefits whose seeds have not yet been studied against cervical cancer. Herein, we have assessed the antioxidant and antiproliferative properties of seed extracts (ethyl acetate and 70% ethanol) prepared from Soxhlet and Maceration extraction methods against Hep2C and HeLa Cells. We observed that the APE (Sox) extract had a significantly higher total flavonoid content, APA (Mac) extract had a high total phenolic content, and APA (Sox) extract had a high total tannin content. Further, HPLC analysis of extracts revealed the presence of tannic acid and rutin. Moreover, APA (Sox) exhibited the highest free radical scavenging activity. APE (Mac) had the best antiproliferative activity against Hep2C cells, while APA (Sox) had the best antiproliferative activity against HeLa cells. In Hep2C cells, APE (Mac) extract revealed the highest SOD, catalase activity, GSH content, and the lowest MDA content, whereas APA (Mac) extract demonstrated the highest GST activity. In HeLa cells, APA (Sox) extract showed the highest SOD, GST activity, GSH content, and the least MDA content, whereas APA (Mac) extract showed the highest catalase activity. Lastly, docking results suggested maximum binding affinity of tannic acid with HER2 and GCR receptors. This study provides evidence that A. precatorius seed extracts possess promising bioactive compounds with probable anticancer and antioxidant properties against cervical cancer for restricting tumor growth.

Abrus precatorius is a widely distributed tropical medicinal plant with several therapeutic properties, however its seed extract has not been studied against cervical cancer (CaCx) till date. Herein, we have assessed the antioxidant and antiproliferative properties of A. precatorius seed extracts (ethyl acetate and 70% ethanol) prepared from different extraction methods (Soxhlet and maceration) against human cervix carcinoma cells (Hep2C). We observed a significantly higher total flavonoid content of APE (sox) i.e.,112.7±0.127 mg Quercetin Equivalent/g of extract than others; total phenolic content of APA (mac) seed extract was higher i.e.,108.53±0.089 mg Quercetin Equivalent/g of extract and total tannin content of APA (sox) was higher i.e., 98.98± 0.011 mg tannic acid equivalents/g of extract. In addition, tannic acid, rutin and piperine were identified in extracts by HPLC. Furthermore, APA (sox) exhibited the highest radical scavenging activity with an IC50 value of 14.49±0.93µg/ml. APE (mac) showed the most significant antiproliferative activity with IC50 value of 85.90±0.93µg/mL against Hep2c cells. SOD and GST activity was observed as highest in the APA(Mac) extract whereas the catalase activity and GSH content was maximum in the APE(Mac) extract. Further, the MDA content was observed to be the least in APE(Mac) extracts. Docking results suggested maximum binding energy between tannic acid and Her2 receptor compared to doxorubicin (standard). This study provides evidence that A. precatorius seed extracts possess promising bioactive compounds with probable anticancer and antioxidant properties against CaCx which might be utilized as a possible herbal remedy aimed at restricting tumor growth.

Levels of Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), a proangiogenic growth factor is elevated and dopamine downregulated in proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). This study aims to investigate whether IGF-1 with dopamine can together modulate vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) to prevent proliferative diabetic retinopathy while also attenuating angiogenic effects of IGF-1.Effect of combination of levodopa L-Dopa with IGF-1 was tested on normal retinal pigment epithelium cells (ARPE-19) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), followed by tube formation. Invivo analysis of anti-angiogenic potential assessed by chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay. Diabetes induction in wistar rats at two time points, 12 and 16 weeks, treated with L-Dopa+IGF-1 and analysed for morphological variations, serum and tissue dopamine levels, gene expression by real-time PCR and western blot assay.L-Dopa+IGF-1 on ARPE-19 cells caused no toxicity and worked synergistically. Reduced number of vessels observed. Significant improvement in inner retina thickness (*p 0.05) was observed when L-Dopa was given alone and/or with IGF-1. Dopamine levels improved significantly in both serum and tissue (*p 0.05). Levels of VEGF and IGF-1 receptors reduced significantly in 12 weeks. Western studies suggest that L-Dopa+IGF-1 modulates its effects via Akt/ERK dependent pathway.First ever report on synergistic effect of L-Dopa+IGF-1 in a rat model of diabetic retinopathy. Even though the effect of L-Dopa in combination with IGF-1 is comparable to levels of L-Dopa alone, this study presents an interesting finding of neuroprotective function of IGF-1, which has been studied in disease models of Parkinson's but not diabetes.

Lens organ culture has been widely used as a model system for studying cataract induction and prevention. While rat lenses remain transparent and viable for a week or longer in culture, they do not increase in weight. This study was undertaken to determine what accounts for the lack of weight increase.Lenses from 4-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats were cultured using standard methods. Histological analysis was performed on sections from methacrylate embedded tissue. 35S-labeled amino acids were used to metabolically label lenses in culture for the purpose of analyzing protein synthesis. BrdU labeling was used to assess synthesis of DNA in vivo and in vitro.Lenses from young, rapidly growing rats do not increase in weight after being put into organ culture. Protein synthesis continues in the cultured lenses although at decreased levels as time in culture increases. Lens epithelial cells continue to synthesize DNA as indicated by BrdU labeling, however, the normal migration of epithelial cells from the proliferative zone to the equator does not occur in culture. In the cultured lens, the shape of the lens bow gradually changes, becoming compressed towards the capsule.The differentiation of lens epithelial cells into fibers is arrested in the cultured lens; consequently lenses in organ culture do not grow normally.