Phytochemicals targeting oxidative stress, interconnected neuroinflammatory and neuroapoptotic pathways following radiation

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sajad Fakhri ◽  
Sana Piri ◽  
Seyed Zachariah Moradi ◽  
Haroon Khan
Keyword(s):  
Animal Studies ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Leaf Extracts ◽  
Active Compounds ◽  
The Public ◽  
Symptoms Of Depression ◽  
Human Use ◽  
Preclinical And Clinical Studies ◽  
Anxiety Depression ◽  
Neuropsychiatric Conditions

Background: Withania somnifera (WS), also known as Ashwagandha, is commonly used in Ayurveda and other traditional medicine systems. WS has seen growing, worldwide use by the public due to its reputation as an adaptogen. This popularity has elicited increased scientific study of its biological effects, including a potential application for neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. Objective: This review aims to provide a comprehensive summary of preclinical and clinical studies examining the neuropsychiatric effects of WS, specifically its application in stress, anxiety, depression, and insomnia. Methods: Reports of human trials and animal studies of WS were collected primarily from the PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases. Results : WS root and leaf extracts exhibited noteworthy anti-stress and anti-anxiety activity in animal and human studies. WS also improved symptoms of depression and insomnia, though fewer studies investigated these applications. WS may alleviate these conditions predominantly through modulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal and sympathetic-adrenal medullary axes, as well as through GABAergic and serotonergic pathways. While some studies link specific withanolide components to its neuropsychiatric benefits, there is evidence for the presence of additional, yet unidentified, active compounds in WS. Conclusion: While benefits were seen in the reviewed studies, significant variability in the WS extracts examined prevents a consensus on the optimum WS preparation or dosage to treat neuropsychiatric conditions. WS appears generally safe for human use; however, it will be important to investigate potential herb-drug interactions involving WS if used alongside pharmaceutical interventions. Further elucidation of active compounds of WS is also needed.

Effects of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) on Stress and the Stress-Related Neuropsychiatric Disorders Anxiety, Depression, and Insomnia

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex B. Speers ◽  
Kadine A. Cabey ◽  
Amala Soumyanath ◽  
Kirsten M. Wright
Keyword(s):  
Animal Studies ◽  
Withania Somnifera ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Leaf Extracts ◽  
Active Compounds ◽  
Symptoms Of Depression ◽  
Human Use ◽  
Preclinical And Clinical Studies ◽  
Anxiety Depression ◽  
Neuropsychiatric Conditions

Background: Withania somnifera (WS), also known as Ashwagandha, is commonly used in Ayurveda and other traditional medicine systems. WS has seen an increase in public use worldwide due to its reputation as an adaptogen. This popularity has elicited increased scientific study of its biological effects, including a potential application for neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. Objective: This review aims to provide a comprehensive summary of preclinical and clinical studies examining the neuropsychiatric effects of WS, specifically its application in stress, anxiety, depression, and insomnia. Methods: Reports of human trials and animal studies of WS were collected primarily from the PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases. Results: WS root and leaf extracts exhibited noteworthy anti-stress and anti-anxiety activity in animal and human studies. WS also improved symptoms of depression and insomnia, though fewer studies investigated these applications. WS may alleviate these conditions predominantly through modulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal and sympathetic-adrenal medullary axes, as well as through GABAergic and serotonergic pathways. While some studies link specific withanolide components to its neuropsychiatric benefits, there is evidence for the presence of additional yet unidentified active compounds in WS. Conclusion: While benefits were seen in the reviewed studies, significant variability in the WS extracts examined prevents a consensus on the optimum WS preparation or dosage from treating neuropsychiatric conditions. WS generally appears safe for human use; however, it will be important to investigate potential herb-drug interactions involving WS if used alongside pharmaceutical interventions. Further elucidation of active compounds of WS is also needed.

SPECIAL PROBLEMS IN TOXICITY TESTING OF LONG ACTING DEPOT CONTRACEPTIVES

1974 ◽  
Vol 77 (1_Suppla) ◽  
pp. S315-S354 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Neumann ◽  
R. von Berswordt-Wallrabe ◽  
W. Elger ◽  
K.-J. Gräf ◽  
S. H. Hasan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biological Effects ◽  
Histological Finding ◽  
Toxicity Testing ◽  
Prolactin Secretion ◽  
List Type ◽  
Human Species ◽  
Prolactin Plasma Level ◽  
Human Use ◽  
Long Acting ◽  
Reproductive Processes

ABSTRACT Two types of so-called "depot contraceptives", long-acting steroids which are of interest for human use, were studied in animals. Norethisterone oenanthate, mainly gestagenic in the human and other species, turned out to be predominantly oestrogenic in rats. This oestrogenicity caused indirectly, via an enhanced hypophysial prolactin secretion, the well-known hypophysial and mammary tumours in rats. Another synthetic gestagen, 4,6-dichloro- 17- acetoxy- 16α-methyl-4,6-pregnadiene-3,20-dione, which might be considered in its biological actions similar to preparations containing chlormadinone acetate or medroxy-progesterone acetate, induced no signs of oestrogenicity in dogs. It is surmised that its gestagenic influence indirectly, and probaby, via an enhanced hypophysial prolactin secretion caused "mammary nodules" in this "non-rodent" species. These studies have born out mainly two facts: A synthetic steroid, norethisterone oenanthate, exerted different biological effects in different species: it was a gestagen in the rabbit, whereas in rats, its predominant influence was oestrogenic. The hypophysial prolactin secretion was enhanced in various species by different mechanisms: in rats, the oestrogenicity caused an increased prolactin plasma level, whereas in dogs, a gestagen with obviously no inherent oestrogenicity, 4,6-dichloro-17-acetoxy-16α-methyl-4,6-pregnadiene-3,20-dione, converted the histological appearance of the anterior pituitary into a condition with a greatly increased number of eosinophils. This histological finding was interpreted as an indicator for a hypersecretion of prolactin. Hence, animal work with "gestagens" has only limited predictive value with respect to their possible effects in the human species. Therefore, inflexible recommendations are not helpful in solving the safety problem of long-acting steroids which affect primarily reproductive processes.

scholarly journals Magnets and self-retractable wire for endoscopic septotomies: From concept to first-in-human use.

Endoscopy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
François Huberland ◽  
Ricardo Rio Tinto ◽  
Sonia Dugardeyn ◽  
Nicolas Cauche ◽  
Cécilia Delattre ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Animal Studies ◽  
Unmet Needs ◽  
Previous Knowledge ◽  
Esophageal Diverticulum ◽  
Gi Tract ◽  
Single Procedure ◽  
Compression Anastomosis ◽  
Human Use ◽  
Epiphrenic Esophageal Diverticulum ◽  
Safe Performance

Background and study aims: A medical device that allows simple and safe performance of an endoscopic septotomy could have several applications in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. We developed such a device by combining two magnets and a self-retractable wire to perform a progressive septotomy by compression of the tissues. We describe here the concept, preclinical studies, and first clinical use of the device in symptomatic epiphrenic esophageal diverticulum (EED). Materials and methods: The MAGUS was designed based on previous knowledge of compression anastomosis and current unmet needs. After initial design, the feasibility of the technique was tested on artificial septa in pigs. A clinical trial was then initiated to assess the feasibility and safety of the technique. Results: Animal studies showed that the MAGUS can perform a complete septotomy at various levels of the GI tract. In two patients with symptomatic EED, uneventful complete septotomy was observed within 28 and 39 days after the endoscopic procedure. Conclusions: This new system provides a way to perform endoluminal septotomy in a single procedure. It appears to be effective and safe for managing symptomatic EED. Further clinical applications where this type of remodeling of the GI tract could be beneficial are under investigation.

scholarly journals Determination of Chemical Constituents and Antioxidant Activities of Leaves and Stems from Jatropha cinerea (Ortega) Müll. Arg and Jatropha cordata (Ortega) Müll. Arg

Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 212
Author(s):  
Yeimi Cecilia Vega-Ruiz ◽  
Corina Hayano-Kanashiro ◽  
Nohemí Gámez-Meza ◽  
Luis Angel Medina-Juárez
Keyword(s):  
Antioxidant Activity ◽  
Antioxidant Activities ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Chemical Constituents ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Antioxidant Compounds ◽  
Leaf Extracts ◽  
Methanolic Extracts ◽  
Northwestern Region ◽  
High Concentrations

Jatropha species have been shown to be an important source of secondary metabolites with different biological effects. Jatropha cinerea (Ortega) Müll. Arg and Jatropha cordata (Ortega) Müll. Arg are distributed in the Northwestern region of Mexico, are adapted to extreme weather conditions and are widely used (stems, leaves, and sap) in traditional medicine. The aim of the present study was to carry out the phytochemical characterization and the evaluation of the antioxidant activity in methanolic extracts of stems and leaves from J. cinerea and J. cordata. The compounds present in the extracts of both species were characterized by ESI-IT-MS/MS and quantified by HPLC-DAD. The results showed that the stem extracts of both species are rich in phenolic acids, while the leaf extracts are rich in flavonoids. Some of the main compounds found were gallic acid, gentisic acid, 3,4-Dihydroxybenzoic acid, vitexin, isovitexin, and catechol. Both species showed high concentrations of phenols and total flavonoids and antioxidant activity. J. cordata showed the highest antioxidant capacity and the highest concentration of phenolic compounds. Overall, both Jatropha species are a natural source of antioxidant compounds with potential biotechnological uses.

scholarly journals LARVICIDAL ACTIVITY OF LANTANA INDICA AND VITEX NEGUNDO ON CULEX QUINQUEFASCIATUS

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 414
Author(s):  
Rathnasagar K ◽  
Thiyagaraj Anand
Keyword(s):  
Larvicidal Activity ◽  
Culex Quinquefasciatus ◽  
Binding Protein ◽  
Inhibitory Effect ◽  
Negative Control ◽  
Vitex Negundo ◽  
Leaf Extracts ◽  
Active Compounds ◽  
Sterol Binding

Objectives: The activity of two different leaf extracts of Lantana indica and Vitex negundo is tested against the 3rd and 4th instar Culex quinquefasciatus larvae to evaluate the potency of the extracts as a larvicide and to find an ecologically sustainable alternative to chemical insecticides. A bioinformatics screening approach was performed to evaluate the in vivo results.Methods: The obtained larvae’s from nearby water sources were tested with N, N-diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET) as the positive control which is the commercial chemical mosquito repellent and the solvents used for the respective plant extracts act as the negative control. Petroleum ether (PE), ethyl acetate (EA) and an aqueous (AQ) extract were prepared for both L. indica and V. negundo extracts, and its larvicidal activity was tested. A docking based approach was used to study the inhibitory effect of known active compounds from L. indica and V. negundo against acetylcholine esterase (AChE) and sterol binding protein as targets.Results: On comparing the results between three plants extract for its larvicidal activity, the EA extract of V. negundo and L. indica is found to be potent with a low LC50 value. Further, the docking studies between active compounds of L. indica and V. negundo with AChE and Sterol binding protein as targets showed that the compound tangeritin-1 had a good docking score compared to DEET and could be a natural alternative for larvicidal activity in the mosquito.Conclusion: Individual activity of tangeritin-1 could be further studied with mosquito mortality studies and molecular simulations and develop tangeritin-1 as a potential larvicidal compound for commercial use.

scholarly journals Assessment of Phytotoxic Potential of Potato Genotypes

2017 ◽  
Vol 75 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-22
Author(s):  
Dorota Sołtys-Kalina
Keyword(s):  
Correlation Coefficient ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Biologically Active ◽  
Test Plant ◽  
Laboratory Studies ◽  
Leaf Extracts ◽  
Potato Leaf ◽  
Active Compounds ◽  
Step Procedure ◽  
Total Glycoalkaloids

Abstract In the laboratory studies on allelopathy, phytotoxicity is defined as a negative impact of plant’s extracts or natural compounds derived from plants, on germination and/or growth of the tested (acceptor) plant. Glycoalkaloids are the main biologically active compounds of the potato and are involved in potato phytotoxicity (the correlation coefficient of the length of the test plant with the concentration of total glycoalkaloids present in the leaf extracts of forty potato genotypes was r = -0.41). The assessment of phytotoxic abilities of the potato is a two-step procedure which consists of determining glycoalkaloids in potato leaf extracts and analyzing the root and hypocotyl lengths of the test plant growing in potato leaf extracts.

scholarly journals The importance of public health in radiology and radiation protection

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zuzana Bárdyová ◽  
Martina Horváthová ◽  
Katarína Pinčáková ◽  
Darina Budošová
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Ionizing Radiation ◽  
Radiation Safety ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Physical Factors ◽  
Constant Attention ◽  
The Public ◽  
Many Sources ◽  
Safety Knowledge

The ionizing radiation belongs to the basic physical factors that can be measured. We forget often about its risks and the possible damage to our health. The imaging methods which use the ionizing radiation increase the diagnostics quality and they have become a certainty for many medical workers. Therefore, they are being used without rational thinking many times. With this is related to increasing the cumulative dose of patients. Next problem can be radiation safety knowledge of medical workers. The enormous increase in the use of sources ionizing radiation in medicine and rapid development, there may be a disproportionate acquisition of radiation safety knowledge of healthcare workers. At the same time, constant attention must be paid to the biological effects of radiation and realize epidemiology studies. In all the areas mentioned the public health has space. However, it is sad that presently, the radiation safety is not considered important enough in Public Health.  Based on many sources, it is safe to say that this is a major problem, because the public health itself can play an important role in radiation safety. It is important to point out, that safety and effectivity of using the source of ionizing radiation is one of the main components of Good Medical Practice.

scholarly journals Importance of color stability of the esthetic restoration materials

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 6096
Author(s):  
Thuraya Abdulrahim Basudan ◽  
Ibrahim Alhussain Bahshan ◽  
Mohammed Khashman Almutairi ◽  
Nwaf Ahmed Alkadi ◽  
Jehad Aymen Al Qiriaqri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dental Care ◽  
Dental Health ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Color Stability ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Medical Treatments ◽  
The Public ◽  
Human Use

Color stability has a vital role in several factors. Including the cosmetic appearance, confidence while smiling, and facial emotions, and in some patients, it denoted healthy and vital dental health. Dental discoloration denotes the lack of dental care. This varies from excessive use of external artificial coloration materials such as coffee, tea, and fizzy drinks. Also, in some cases, the dental discoloration is due to internal pathological conditions or due to medical treatments usage. Radiation has been remarked as one of the causes that cause dental discoloration. In addition to that, chemotherapy was also associated with dental discoloration. Some medications, such as tetracycline and antihistamines, were linked to dental discoloration. The literature discussed in-vitro experiments for the substances affecting the teeth' color status. Coffee was the most significant cause for dental discoloration, either human use (in-vivo) or laboratory experiments (in-vitro). The sociodemographic status was linked to the variance of dental discoloration. Future recommendations are concerned about the public health sector. The WHO should offer comprehensive dental care for all people all over the world, and not exclusive for specific socioeconomic areas. Practical plans for screening dental pathologies should be investigated and for systematic pathologies that might be associated with dental issues.  

Linguistic Markers in Individuals With Symptoms of Depression in Bi-Multilingual Context

2019 ◽  
pp. 216-240
Author(s):  
Anbu Savekar ◽  
Shashikanta Tarai ◽  
Moksha Singh
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Emotional Health ◽  
Psychological Process ◽  
Function Words ◽  
Linguistic Markers ◽  
Symptoms Of Depression ◽  
Stigma Of Mental Illness ◽  
Verbal Content ◽  
Linguistic Behavior ◽  
Anxiety Depression

Depression has been identified as the most prevalent mental disorder worldwide. Due to the stigma of mental illness, the population remains unidentified, undiagnosed, and untreated. Various studies have been carried out to detect and track depression following symptoms of dichotomous thinking, absolutist thinking, linguistic markers, and linguistic behavior. However, there is little study focused on the linguistic behavior of bilingual and multilingual with anxiety and depression. This chapter aims to identify the bi-multilingual linguistic markers by analyzing the recorded verbal content of depressive discourse resulting from life situations and stressors causing anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation. Different contextual domains of word usage, content words, function words (pronouns), and negative valance words have been identified as indicators of psychological process affecting cognitive behavior, emotional health, and mental illness. These findings are discussed within the framework of Beck's model of depression to support the linguistic connection to mental illness-depression.

Entomotourism: The Allure of the Arthropod

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (7) ◽  
pp. 733-750
Author(s):  
Raynald Harvey Lemelin ◽  
Elizabeth Y. S. Boileau ◽  
Constance Russell
Keyword(s):  
Social Sciences ◽  
Animal Studies ◽  
Monarch Butterfly ◽  
Whale Watching ◽  
The Public ◽  
Wildlife Tourism ◽  
The Social ◽  
Tourism Studies ◽  
Human Animal ◽  
Public Imagination

AbstractWildlife tourism is often associated with charismatic megafauna in the public imagination (e.g., safaris, whale watching, bear viewing). Entomotourism (insect-focused tourism) typically is not on the radar, but each year thousands of peoples visit monarch butterfly congregations and glow worm caves, and participate in guided firefly outings. Elsewhere, millions of peoples visit butterfly pavilions, insectariums, and bee museums. Calculations of visitation numbers aside, researchers in tourism studies have largely ignored the appeal of these animals, relegating these types of activities to the recreational fringe. By highlighting the popularity of entomotourism, this article challenges the vertebrate bias prevalent in the social sciences and seeks to move entomotourism from the margins to the mainstream of research on tourism in human/animal studies.

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