Quercetin exhibits potent antioxidant activity, restores motor and non-motor deficits induced by rotenone toxicity

The rotenone-induced animal model of Parkinson’s disease (PD) has been used to investigate the pathogenesis of PD. Oxidative stress is one of the main contributors of neurodegeneration in PD. Flavonoids have the potential to modulate neuronal function and combat various neurodegenerative diseases. The pre- and post-supplementation of quercetin (50 mg/kg, p.o) was done in rats injected with rotenone (1.5 mg/kg, s.c). After the treatment, behavioral activities were monitored for motor activity, depression-like behavior, and cognitive changes. Rats were decapitated after behavioral analysis and the brain samples were dissected out for neurochemical and biochemical estimation. Results showed that supplementation of quercetin significantly (p<0.01) restored rotenone-induced motor and non-motor deficits (depression and cognitive impairments), enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities (p<0.01), and attenuated neurotransmitter alterations (p<0.01). It is suggested that quercetin supplementation improves neurotransmitter levels by mitigating oxidative stress via increasing antioxidant enzyme activity and hence improves motor activity, cognitive functions, and reduces depressive behavior. The results of the present study showed that quercetin pre-supplementation produced more significant results as compared to post-supplementation. These findings show that quercetin can be a potential therapeutic agent to reduce the risk and progression of PD.

Development of Novel Method for the Estimation of Total Cholesterol in Chicken Eggs

Background: Cholesterol estimation in eggs was mostly done by High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography which are tedious, expensive and time consuming methods. Thus, there is a need to determine cholesterol content by an easy spectrophotometric method which is not expensive and tedious. The present study was aimed to determine the cholesterol content in chicken eggs spectrophotometrically so as to provide better information about the nutritional quality of an egg. Methods: The experiment was conducted on 24 healthy layer birds of Dahlem Red (DR). 45 egg samples were randomly collected fresh in the morning. Total cholesterol was determined by enzymatic colorimetric method by using biochemical estimation kit (Agappe Diagnostics Ltd.). The pure yolk was separated and determined enzymatically for cholesterol estimation. The method is newly evaluated, rapid, simple and accurate. Result: The methodology designed herein can provide specific, accurate and suitable method for estimation of total cholesterol in chicken eggs. The average cholesterol content of Dahlem red was 12.59±0.09 mg/ml in egg yolk or 195.66±2.80 mg/egg yolk.

Estimation of sedimentation and grain quality indicators of the winter bread wheat varieties

The current paper has presented the study results of SDS-sedimentation and grain quality indicators of the winter bread wheat varieties in an interstation variety testing from the research institutions of the Russian Federation, Ukraine and France. The research work was carried out in 2017–2019 in the field of the laboratory for breeding winter bread wheat, the forecrop was maize for grain. The purpose of the research was to estimate SDS-sedimentation, protein percentage in grain, quantity and quality of gluten in the winter bread wheat varieties of interstation variety testing, for the subsequent introduction of the best samples in the breeding process aimed at improving grain quality. Grain quality indicators of the winter bread wheat varieties were identified in the laboratory for biochemical estimation of breeding material and grain quality using IR spectroscopy on ‘SpektraStar 2200’ analyzer. There was established that according to the SDS-sedimentation most of the samples corresponded to strong wheat (50–63 ml). There have been identified the genotypes with the highest values of this trait, such as ‘Shef’ (58 ml), ‘Nakhodka’ (59 ml) and ‘Don 107’ (61 ml). The largest gluten content in grain was identified in the varieties ‘Don 107’, ‘Shef’, ‘Kavalerka’, ‘Timiryazevka 150’ and ‘Nakhodka’ (25.5–26.2%). The largest protein percentage in grain has been identified in the varieties ‘Don 107’, ‘Shef’, ‘Aksinya’, ‘Nakhodka’ and ‘Timiryazevka 150’ (12.5-12.8%). The varieties ‘Don 107’, ‘Shef’, ‘Nakhodka’ and ‘Timiryazevka 150’ were identified according to the studied traits and were recommended to be involved in the breeding process as parental forms.

Experimental evaluation of Streblus asper hydroalcoholic extract for antistress activity

Stress is the causative factor for various diseases and disorders faced by the majority of the diseased population. The leaves of (S. ) are attributed to properties as per literature. The S. extract as tested for activity in animals. The study deals with the evaluation of S. extract for activity using cold immobilization stress. The S. extract (200 and 400 mg/kg) was administered to treatment groups 1 hour before stress methods for ten consecutive days. Induction of the stress procedure was repeated for ten days. Rats fasted overnight on 10th days, On 11th days the blood was collected from the retro-orbital vein for biochemical estimation under . Liver function profiles (SGOT, SGPT, and ALP), lipid profiles (TC, TG, HDL, LDL, and VLDL), differential leukocyte count (, eosinophils, lymphocyte, and ), and organs weight (adrenal gland, spleen, liver, and kidney) were evaluation parameters of activity in thecold immobilization stress. The dose group 400 mg/kg p.o.of S. extract for activity in cold immobilization showed significant variation (P&lt; 0.1) when is compared with the stress control group. Therefore, it was revealed that S. extract showed potential activity.

Cardioprotective activity of Piper betle juice in isoproterenol induced hypertrophic rat models

Impaired electrolytes (preferably Na+, K+, Cl-, HCO3-) is one of the key fundamental complications associated with cardiac hypertrophy (enlarged heart) mediated heart failure. Piper betle (P. betle - family Piperaceae) due to its potent antioxidant activity is used in various pharmacological applications. The present study evaluates the cardioprotective (anti-hypertrophic) potential of aqueous (juice) extract of P. betle in restoring electrolyte homeostasis, thereby its ability to curb the fundamental progression of hypertrophy. Isoproterenol (ISO - 10 mg/kg b.w., i.p., 7 days) induced cardiac hypertrophic rats were developed that were simultaneously treated with the standard drug losartan (50mg/kg b.w., orally., 7days) and aqueous juice extract of P. betle (30mg/kg b.w., orally., 7 days). The biochemical estimation of glucose, protein, cholesterol, cardiac marker enzymes like SGOT, SGPT, LDH, enzymatic antioxidants namely SOD, catalase, GPx and electrolytes (Na+, K+, Cl- and bicarbonate) in serum were statistically performed along with the histopathological analysis of left ventricles (H&amp;E stain). The present study showed increased levels of glucose, protein, cholesterol, cardiac marker enzymes, reduced enzymatic antioxidants with reduced electrolytes during cardiac hypertrophy (ISO) that were reflected in a histopathological analysis by thickened abnormal myocardial architecture which was reversed similar to normal in plant juice administered rats. Hence, this study demonstrated the beneficial effect of P. betle (aqueous juice) on electrolytes (Na+, K+, Cl-, HCO3-), thereby imposing an interventional effect against cardiac hypertrophy.

Phytochemicals Analysis and Antimicrobial activity of leaf and stem of Ipomoea staphylina Roem. & Schult

Ipomoea staphylina Roem. &amp; Schult.A plant belonging to Convolvulaceae is commonly found on hedges and bushes in the forests and wastelands. It is a perennial, woody and glabrous shrub with pink flowers. Traditionally Ipomoea staphylina is used for respiratory disorders. Traditionally genus Ipomoea is used as purgative, dyspepsia, anthelmintic, bronchitis. Medicinal plants are the primary sources of medicines in Ayurvedha, Siddha, and Folk medicine systems. In India, about 95% of all modern drugs are derived from medicinal plants and very likely most of these medicines are used by people to cure many ailments. The Ayurvedic literature Sarangdhar Samhita&quot; highlighted the concept of polyherbalism to achieve greater therapeutic efficacy. The active phytochemical constituents of individual plants are insufficient to meet the desirable therapeutic effects.When combining the multiple herbs in a particular ratio, it will give a better therapeutic effect and reduce the toxicity. Most of them are active even at a low dose and safe at a high dose. Thus they have superior risk to benefit ratio. Based on this the present study deals with physicochemical, phytochemical studies such as and biochemical estimation of medicinal plant of a combined mixture of polyherbal Ipomoea staphylina., also study evaluates the ethanol and methanol extracts of leaf and stem for their preliminary phytochemical analysis, antibacterial and antifungal activity. In the study of the phytochemical analysis reveals the presence of carbohydrate, protein, flavonoids, glycosides, alkaloids. The Ipomoea staphylina of ethanolic leaf and stem extract showed potent antimicrobial activity in all the tested concentrations against E.coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis and Aspergillus niger.Ipomoea staphylina could be exploited as a valuable source of antibacterial agent enriching with known antimicrobial compounds. Further studies needed for future drug development to treat various infectious diseases by microbes.

Cerebrospinal fluid adenosine deaminase level as a diagnostic marker in adult tuberculous meningitis: a study conducted in a tertiary care hospital of Eastern India

Background: Tubercular meningitis is one of the highly prevalent form of meningitis in the world and is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in developing countries like India. Lack of early and timely diagnosis and subsequent initiation of treatment makes the fatality rate even higher. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis is most important aspect of lab diagnosis in tuberculous meningitis (TBM) worldwide. The objective of this study was to study the cerebrospinal fluid CSF adenosine deaminase (ADA) levels in TBM and non-TBM meningitis cases and to determine its diagnostic significance as a biochemical marker of TBM infection.Methods: The study population comprised three different patient groups. TBM (n=36), pyogenic meningitis (n=17) and aseptic meningitis group (n=12). Total 75 subjects were enrolled consecutively in the study and CSF specimens were collected from them. ADA and other cytological and biochemical estimation were carried out using standard protocol.Results: ADA level in TBM in compare to non-TBM was more and mean ADA level of TBM, AM and PM are 26.423±3.8, 2.602±0.5 and 6.29±0.3 respectively. There are highly significant differences between the TBM and non-TBM groups and also in compare with individual groups.Conclusions: CSF ADA levels are elevated in the TBM cases as compared to the non-TBM - meningitis cases. Results are statistically significant. It is a simple and inexpensive diagnostic adjunctive test in the rapid and early diagnosis of TBM.