Emerging Role of Flavonoids as the Treatment of Depression

Depression is one of the most frequently observed psychological disorders, affecting thoughts, feelings, behavior and a sense of well-being in person. As per the WHO, it is projected to be the primitive cause of various other diseases by 2030. Clinically, depression is treated by various types of synthetic medicines that have several limitations such as side-effects, slow-onset action, poor remission and response rates due to complicated pathophysiology involved with depression. Further, clinically, patients cannot be given the treatment unless it affects adversely the job or family. In addition, synthetic drugs are usually single targeted drugs. Unlike synthetic medicaments, there are many plants that have flavonoids and producing action on multiple molecular targets and exhibit anti-depressant action by affecting multiple neuronal transmissions or pathways such as noradrenergic, serotonergic, GABAnergic and dopaminergic; inhibition of monoamine oxidase and tropomyosin receptor kinase B; simultaneous increase in nerve growth and brain-derived neurotrophic factors. Such herbal drugs with flavonoids are likely to be useful in patients with sub-clinical depression. This review is an attempt to analyze pre-clinical studies, structural activity relationship and characteristics of reported isolated flavonoids, which may be considered for clinical trials for the development of therapeutically useful antidepressant.

Effects of Biological Sex and Stress Exposure on Ventromedial Prefrontal Regulation of Mood-Related Behaviors

The ventral portion of the medial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) regulates mood, sociability, and context-dependent behaviors. Consequently, altered vmPFC activity has been implicated in the biological basis of emotional disorders. Recent methodological advances have greatly enhanced the ability to investigate how specific prefrontal cell populations regulate mood-related behaviors, as well as the impact of long-term stress on vmPFC function. However, emerging preclinical data identify prominent sexual divergence in vmPFC behavioral regulation and stress responsivity. Notably, the rodent infralimbic cortex (IL), a vmPFC subregion critical for anti-depressant action, shows marked functional divergence between males and females. Accordingly, this review examines IL encoding and modulation of mood-related behaviors, including coping style, reward, and sociability, with a focus on sex-based outcomes. We also review how these processes are impacted by prolonged stress exposure. Collectively, the data suggest that chronic stress has sex-specific effects on IL excitatory/inhibitory balance that may account for sex differences in the prevalence and course of mood disorders.

Pharmacological evaluation for Anti-Anxiety and CNS depressant activity of hydro-alcoholic leaves extract of Pongamia pinnata

The aim of this study was to assess the anti-anxiety and CNS depressant properties of hydro-alcoholic extract of Pongamia pinnata leaves (HALEPP). Standard methods were used to screen the HALEPP's phytochemicals, which showed that the extract contains Flavones, alkaloids, glycosides, proteins and amino acids, gum and mucilage as well as flavonoids, saponins, and steroid hormones. Even at the dose level of 1000 mg/kg body weight, the HALEPP showed no signs of toxicity or mortality in the acute toxicity report. The anti-anxiety behaviour of was studied using light and dark model methods in rats. The CNS depressant action was studied using the extract and actophotometer (Rolex) in rats. The research group (HALEPP 200 gm/kg treated) animals displayed strong anti-anxiety and CNS depressant behaviour similar to the control group (diazepam treated) animals in the current study. The study's findings suggest that the hydro-alcoholic Pongamia pinnata leaf extract has strong anti-anxiety and CNS depressant properties. Keywords: Pongamia pinnata, Anti-Anxiety & CNS depressant

Comparison of the hypotensive efficacy of propofol infusion versus nitroglycerin infusion in functional endoscopic sinus surgery

Background FESS is a common minimally invasive surgery that requires a clear field to be performed well. Hypotensive anesthesia is one of the most common maneuvers performed to help in keeping the field clear. An ideal drug for hypotensive anesthesia should be cheap and familiar to the anesthesiologist. So, being familiar with propofol and by using its cardio-depressant action, the idea of the research was developed. The idea of the study was to compare propofol infusion versus nitroglycerine infusion as a hypotensive agent. Results The mean duration of surgery was longer in the NTG to the propofol group. There was a high statistical significance in the average blood loss in the propofol group compared to the NTG group. The visibility of the operative field also was significant in the propofol group as compared with the NTG group. The mean heart rate in the NTG group was higher than the mean heart rate in the propofol group. The MAP in both groups was within a close range. Conclusion Propofol and NTG can produce a safe and effective controlled hypotension during FESS. Whereas, propofol has better surgical field visibility, less surgical bleeding, and less tachycardia during FESS.

Process to Reduce Ash in Flotation of Hard-to-Float Fine Coal

The most proportion of mineral impurities in this coal sample is Kaolin, which is very argilliferous and harmful for fine coal flotation. In this paper, the authors use recleaning process and add depressant inslurryto reduce the concentrate ash. The results show that the most appropriate depressant is sodium haxametaphosphate and the best flotation conditions are 80g/L feed concentration, 0.80l/t Kerosene dosage, 0.06l/t 2-octyl alcohol dosage, approximately 800g/t sodium haxametaphosphate dosage, and 4 minutes depressant action time. Consequently, the concentrate ash content decreases 5% than batch-floatation test.