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Monoamine Oxidase (MAO), which catalyzes the oxidative deamination of amines present in the brain and peripheral tissues, is involved in the metabolism of monoamines and is vital for cognition. This study was designed to examine the protective effect of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) on MAO and amine neurotransmitters such as dopamine (DA), serotonin (5-HT), non-adrenaline (NA) levels. In this experiment, out of five groups, three groups of animals were pretreated with one of the test drugs each i.e., Chrysin (10 mg/kg), ACV (0.7% v/v) and Rivastigmine (2.5 mg/kg) along with Zn with high fat diet (HFD) for 3 months and the rest two groups were that of control and disease induced. After the treatment period, mice were examined for MAO-A & B, DA, 5-HT and NA level estimation. The results showed that Zn with HFD had induced a significant increase (p < 0.01, p < 0.001) in MAO-A & B levels and a significant decrease (p < 0.001) in the levels of 5-HT, DA, and NA. Pretreatment of test drugs with Zn with HFD caused a restoration activity and a significant decrease (p < 0.01, p < 0.05) in MAO-A & B levels and a significant increase (p < 0.05, p < 0.01, p < 0.001) in the level of DA, 5HT and NA as compared to the Zn treated group. Amongst all three test drugs mentioned above, the ACV-treated group showed the most improvement during pretreatment. The findings suggest that ACV, might prove to be a beneficial nutraceutical & provide a protective effect against Alzheimer's disease (AD)-like neurological diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The immune system plays an important role in various diseased conditions. Patients with compromised immune function are at increased risk of exposure. Thus, the evaluation of immunomodulatory activity of plant extracts may be helpful for prophylactic treatment approach. Objectives: The aim of present study is to evaluate the effect of methanolic extract of Neolamarckia cadamba Linn. fruits for antioxidant, immunomodulatory and anticancer properties using in-vitro and in-vitro models. Methods: In the present investigation, antioxidant property of methanolic extract of Neolamarckia cadamba fruits (NCM) was evaluated by superoxide radical and DPPH scavenging activity. The immunomodulatory property of NCM extract was analysed by determining cytokines release (IL-2 and TNFα) in murine primary thymocytes. The effects of NCM extract on humoral and cellular immunity was analysed under in vivo conditions. The anticancer activity of the extract was evaluated on Jurkat J6 cell line by MTT assay. Results: The methanolic extract of Neolamarckia cadamba fruits showed superoxide and DPPH free radical scavenging antioxidant activity and significantly increased the cytokines release (IL-2 and TNFα) in murine primary thymocytes. The increased hemagglutination antibody titre and neutrophil adhesion as well as the restoration of cyclophosphamide-induced myelosuppression and DTH response confirm the stimulatory effect of NCM on T cells. In-vitro results on Jurkat J6 cell line showed the significant increase in cell death confirming its anticancer activity. Conclusion: Thus, it can be concluded that the methanolic extract of the fruits of Neolamarckia cadamba possesses antioxidant activity, immunomodulatory property as well as anticancer potential, suggesting its therapeutic efficiency in the treatment of immune disorders as well as cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Madhuca longifolia (M. longifolia) is also known as Mahua belonging to the family sapoteace family. M. longifolia is used in traditional and folklore system of medicine widely across India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka for its various pharmacological properties as in snake bites and in diabetes. Phytochemicals studies documented the different bioactive constituents, namely, glycosides, flavonoids, terpenes and saponins. The pharmacological studies proved that it possess wide range of biological activities such as antiulcer, antiinflammatory, antioxidant and antidiabetic activities. The toxicity studies reveal its non-toxic effect even at larger doses. Thus M. longifolia can be considered as a therapeutic agent for specific diseases. Scientific investigation on various isolated bioactive components and its efficacy on diseases proved the future usefulness of different species of Madhuca. This review summarizes the phytochemical, pharmacological, medicinal and non-medicinal uses of M. longifolia. Further exploration on M. longifolia for its therapeutic potential is however required for depth traditional knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The present study evaluates the possible mechanism of sildenafil citrate (SIL) for the attenuation of renal failure in diabetic nephropathic (DN) animals. Methods: Diabetic nephropathy was induced by a single dose of streptozotocin (STZ) (60 mg/kg, i.p.) and confirmed by assessing the blood and urine biochemical parameters on the 28th day of its induction. The selected DN animals were treated with glimepiride (0.5 mg/kg, p.o.) and SIL (2.5 mg/kg, p.o.) for a period of 6 weeks. Biochemical parameters in blood and urine were estimated after the 29th and 70th day of the protocol for the estimation of the effect of SIL. Result: There were significant alterations in the blood and urine biochemical parameters in STZ-treated groups which confirmed DN. There was a significant decrease in the triglyceride level in the SIL-only-treated group on the 70th day of the protocol. The histopathology study also suggested that SIL treatment results in the improvement in the podocyte count in DN animals. Conclusions: The present study concludes that SIL improves the renal function by decreasing the triglyceride level and improving the podocyte count in DN animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]