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Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is an heterogenous, endocrine, metabolic, and multidisciplinary disorder of reproductive-aged females that aggravates insulin resistance, hyperandrogenism, obesity, menstrual irregularities, and infertility. Bitter melon is consumed as vegetable in various parts of the world. The purpose of this study was to provide the rationale for the folkloric uses of bitter melon (Momordica charantia L.) in reproductive abnormalities. HPLC analysis of standardized aqueous methanolic extract of bitter melon revealed the presence of various phytochemicals such as quercetin, gallic acid, benzoic acid, chlorogenic acid, syringic acid, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, and cinnamic acid. Twenty-five Swiss albino adult female rats (120–130 g) were acquired and divided into two groups (5 + 20). Letrozole (1 mg/kg p.o.) was used for four weeks to induce PCOS in twenty rats. Disease induction was confirmed by vaginal smear cytology analysis under the microscope. Animals were further divided into four groups, with one group as PCOS group, and the remaining three are treated with standardized extract of bitter melon (500 mg/kg p.o.), bitter melon plus metformin (500 mg/kg p.o.), and metformin alone for the period of next four weeks. After four weeks, the rats were euthanized at diestrus stage. Ovaries of the experimental animals were removed and fixed in 10% buffered formalin, and blood samples were obtained from direct cardiac puncture and stored. Ovaries histopathological analysis showed cystic follicles (9–10) in PCOS group, while, in all the treatment groups, we found developing and mature follicles. Similarly, hormone analysis showed significant ( p < 0.001 ) reduction of LH surge, insulin, and testosterone levels and improvement in FSH levels. Lipid profile and antioxidant enzymes status were also significantly ( p < 0.001 ) improved. In conclusion, the study validates the bitter melon potential as an insulin sensitizer and ovulation enhancer and authenticates its potential in PCOS management.

Daily exposure to a number of xenobiotics is the major contributing factor to liver injury. The present study investigated the mechanism of hepatoprotection by glycyrrhizin, curcumin and cinnamon in two distinct models of hepatotoxicity i.e., by using Concanavalin-A (ConA) and Acetaminophen (APAP). For this evaluation, balb/c mice were pretreated with glycyrrhizin (200 mg/kg i.g.), curcumin (100 mg/kg i.g.) and cinnamon (200 mg/kg i.g.) extracts for 14 days followed by administration of ConA (15 mg/kg i.v.) and APAP (200 mg/kg i.p.) for 8 hours. At the end of the experiment, mice were dissected and blood and liver samples were collected for biochemical and histopathological analysis. Statistical analysis by using one-way ANOVA followed by DMR test was performed for the significance of results. The results showed that pre-treatment of glycyrrhizin, curcumin and cinnamon ameliorated the damaging effects of ConA and APAP on the liver as indicated by the serum transaminase enzymes and total protein levels. In addition, ConA and APAP exerted severe damage on liver tissues as confirmed from the histopathological analysis. However, glycyrrhizin, curcumin and cinnamon prevented liver injury, possibly through antioxidant mechanism. In conclusion, glycyrrhizin, curcumin and cinnamon possessed antioxidant properties with therapeutic potential in liver injury related to oxidative stress.

Oxidative stress-induced uncontrolled inflammation is the hallmark of non-healing or chronic wounds. A vast number of chronic wound healing modalities involve the utilization of antioxidants for their free radical scavenging and inflammation curtailing properties. Based on the pharmacological profile of its isomer and the reported antioxidant potential of isovanillin, the present study is aimed to investigate the wound healing and anti-inflammatory activity of isovanillin using in vivo models. Among isomers of vanillin, o-vanillin has shown better pharmacological activity and isovanillin has also been reported for its promising pharmacological role as an antioxidant, antispasmodic and antidiarrheal compound. For evaluation of antioxidant, antimicrobial, wound healing, anti-inflammatory, and anti-angiogenic potential of isovanillin in excision wound model and burn wound models. ELIZA test was used for the estimation of antioxidant and inflammatory parameters. Analgesic activity was assessed by carrageenan induced paw edema, xylene induced ear edema, acetic acid induced writhing test. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated by disc diffusion Antioxidant of isovanillin was assesed with an IC50 value of 30.29 ± 1.86 µg/ml using by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method. In wound healing (excision and burn wound) models isovanillin assisted dose-dependent wound contraction and re-epithelialization. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) when % wound contraction of isovanillin (10% ointment) was compared to the standard treatment group. Isovanillin-treated animals showed complete re-epithelialization, reduced inflammatory cells, and development of hair follicles on histopathological analysis of skin samples, Furthermore elevation of enzymatic antioxidants such as CAT and SOD in liver tissues along with marked (p p > 0.05) as compared to indomethacin (10 mg/kg). Anti-inflammatory activity in xylene-induced ear edema shown by isovanillin (10mg/kg) was comparable (p Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli and pseudomonas aeruginosa. Based on our investigation, it was concluded that isovanillin possesses antimicrobial, wound healing, and anti-inflammatory activity mediated by upregulation of antioxidant enzymes and downregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-α).

Phenolic acids (PAs) are one of the utmost prevalent classes of plant-derived bioactive chemicals. They have a specific taste and odor, and are found in numerous medicinal and food plants, such as Cynomorium coccineum L., Prunus domestica (L.), and Vitis vinifera L. Their biosynthesis, physical and chemical characteristics and structure–activity relationship are well understood. These phytochemicals and their derivatives exert several bioactivities including but not limited to anticancer, cardioprotective, anti-inflammatory, immune-regulatory and anti-obesity properties. They are strong antioxidants because of hydroxyl groups which play pivotal role in their anticancer, anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective potential. They may play significant role in improving human health owing to anticarcinogenic, anti-arthritis, antihypertensive, anti-stroke, and anti-atherosclerosis activities, as several PAs have demonstrated biological activities against these disease during in vitro and in vivo studies. These PAs exhibited anticancer action by promoting apoptosis, targeting angiogenesis, and reducing abnormal cell growth, while anti-inflammatory activity was attributed to reducing proinflammatory cytokines. Pas exhibited anti-atherosclerotic activity via inhibition of platelets. Moreover, they also reduced cardiovascular complications such as myocardial infarction and stroke by activating Paraoxonase 1. The present review focuses on the plant sources, structure activity relationship, anticancer, anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective actions of PAs that is attributed to modulation of oxidative stress and signal transduction pathways, along with highlighting their mechanism of actions in disease conditions. Further, preclinical and clinical studies must be carried out to evaluate the mechanism of action and drug targets of PAs to understand their therapeutic actions and disease therapy in humans, respectively.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory illness caused by an autoimmune disorder of synovial membrane resulting in synovial membrane dysfunction. The available treatment particularly focuses on inhibiting macrophage proliferation and reducing the generation of pro-inflammatory cytokines. However, therapeutic success of current treatment options at targeted site is limited; therefore, development of promising therapeutic strategy is the need of time that may provide better targeted delivery of drug with added safety. In development of precision medicine to manage RA, nanotechnology is a viable option to be considered. Recent research using nanoparticles for the treatment of RA, particularly polymeric nanoparticles, has been discussed in this article. Using polymeric nanoparticles as a therapeutic method has shown considerable promise of enhancing treatment success over standard medications used in routine. It is exclusively evident that the viability of using nanoparticles is mainly owed due to their biocompatibility, chemical stability, controlled drug release, and selective drug delivery to inflamed tissues in RA model animals. The current analysis focuses on the critical design characteristics of RA-targeted nanotechnology-based strategies in quest of better therapeutic strategies for RA, and to identify leading polymer as the most effective medications in RA therapy.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory arthropathy, autoimmune in nature, leading to disability of joints involving structural destruction of articular bone and cartilage due to inflammation in synovium resulting in joint stiffness, swelling and pain. Nanomedicine has played a crucial role in improving the efficacy of treatment by controlling the release of pharmacologically active ingredients to increase bioavailability and achieve uniform and targeted delivery of drug. In this study, we prepared celecoxib, gingerol and oleanic acid loaded PLGA nanoparticles by solvent evaporation method and nanoparticles were characterized by particle size, zeta potential, polydispersity index, entrapement efficiency and FTIR. FCA is induced in right hand paw of rats for induction of arthritis. Celecoxib, gingerol and oleanic acid loaded PLGA nanoparticles coated with chitosan were given orally to rats for the evaluation of anti-arthritic effect of this nanoformulation in rats. Animals were divided into six groups for 21 days trial. On 21st day blood samples were collected for evaluation of hematological and lipid profile parameters. The data was subjected to statistical analysis by applying one way ANOVA and tukey test. At the end of study it was concluded that PLGA loaded celecoxib, gingerol and oleanic acid coated with chitosan have excellent effects in minimizing the side effects and increasing the therapeutic efficacy of drugs.

Today hydrocarbons/oil pollution causes serious damage to our environment. Chemical or physical methods are failed to degrade such contaminants hence biodegradation provides simple and cost effective process. In this study the biodegradation potential of Aspergillus niger for different hydrocarbons was analyzed. Two kinds of hydrocarbons i.e. edible (almond oil, mustard oil and cooking oil) and non-edible (engine oil, diesel and petrol) were used. For the initial screening, culture was inoculated in Bushnell-Haas (BH) plate assay each plate containing respective hydrocarbon. Aspergillus niger displayed highest growth on medium containing cooking oil. While least growth was noted on petrol and diesel. Furthermore to analyze the degradation ability of Aspergillus niger, dextrose media was used. The biodegradable efficiency of Aspergillus niger was noted on the basis of dry weight, total protein, total sugar and reducing sugar in presence of hydrocarbons. The highest growth of Aspergillus niger was noted on media containing 2% cooking oil after 6 days of incubation. Among the non-edible hydrocarbons highest growth was noted on 3% engine oil after 6 days of incubation. Total protein content on edible hydrocarbon was found to be higher than non-edible hydrocarbons. Total sugar content showed great variation among edible and non-edible hydrocarbons. Reducing sugar was found to be very low in both edible and non edible hydrocarbon containing media. 2, 6-dichlorophenol indophenols (DCPIP) dye assay was also used for detection. The highest reduction in absorbance was observed on edible hydrocarbons than non-edible hydrocarbons. Hence Aspergillus niger have ability to degrade hydrocarbons at different rate. Key words: Biodegradation, Aspergillus niger, edible hydrocarbons, non edible hydrocarbons.