Chemical characterization and effects of volatile oil of Alpinia zerumbet on the quality of collagen deposition and caveolin-1 expression in a muscular fibrosis murine model

This study evaluated the effect of the volatile oil of Alpinia zerumbet (VOAz) on caveolin-1 gene expression and muscular fibrosis. The rats were immobilized to induce fibrosis of the gastrocnemius muscle, and they were treated with VOAz. Collagen quality was assessed by histology and the expression of the caveolin-1 (CAV-1) gene was evaluated using qPCR. Histomorphological analysis indicated a significant reduction in the perimeter, width, and intensity of collagen in the treated groups, thus showing that the oil was effective in regulating the quality of collagen at the three concentrations. The results of expression levels suggested a decrease in the lesioned group and in two treatment groups (0.0115 µg/g and 0.009 µg/g). However, with the lowest concentration (0.0065 µg/g), no significant difference was observed, with levels similar to those found in healthy tissue. Therefore, the results showed that VOAz has the potential to be a non-invasive and low-cost alternative to aid in the treatment of muscular fibrosis.

Pharmacology and Phytochemistry of Coriander

Coriander, named as Coriandrum sativum Linn, belongs to the family Umbelliferae and is one of the most popular and well-known spices/condiments and herbal medicines. The essential oils and fatty oils are the two major active chemical constituents present in the plant. The other minor ingredients found to be present are monoterpenes hydrocarbons i-e limonene, γ-terpinene, α-pinene, p-cymene, borneol, citronellol, camphor, geraniol, and geraniol acetate and abd heterocyclic components such as pyrazine, pyridine, thiazole, furan and tetrahudrofuran derivatives, isocoumarins, coriandrin, dihydrocoriandrin, coriandrons A-E, flavonoids. The volatile oil from the leaf contains aromatic acids such as 2-decenoic acid, E-11-tetradecenoic acid, undecyl alcohol, tridecanoic acid, capric acid, undecanoic acid, and more. The current pharmacological research reveals the application of coriander has antibacterial and antifungal activity.

Anti-Ulcerative Colitis Activity of the Aqueous Leaves Extract of Khaya Senegalensis in Acetic Acid-Induced Colitis Rat Model

intestinal tract mainly colon. The disease is characterized by diarrhoea, blood in the stool, abdominal pain, and weight loss. Khaya senegalensis a plant commonly called dry zone Mahogany has been used as a remedy for several human gastrointestinal ailments. Objectives: To investigate the effect of aqueous leaves extract of Khaya senegalensis in the acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis rat model. Study design: Preclinical randomised controlled trial. Methods: extraction was done using water, initial phytochemical screening and oral LD50 were determined. Colitis was induced in rats using 4% acetic acid administered intra rectally. The rats were divided into five groups, group 1 received water, groups 2, 3, and 4 received graded doses of leaves extract while group 5 received prednisolone as the positive control. Symptomatic parameters like the daily stool consistency and appearance and histological parameters such as ulcer area, lesson severity score, ulcer index, weight/length ratio and percentage cure were measured. Results; The leaves extract showed presence of alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, saponins, steroids, volatile oil etc. The oral LD50 was greater than 5000mg/kg and the efficacy of the 400mg/kg extract administered group was not statistically significantly different from the positive control group that received the standard drug prednisolone. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the aqueous leaves extract of Khaya senegalensis possess significant anti-ulcerative colitis activity on acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis rat models and appears to be safe.

Insights into the Protective Effects of Thymoquinone against Toxicities Induced by Chemotherapeutic Agents

The drugs used to treat cancer not only kill fast-growing cancer cells, but also kill or slow the growth of healthy cells, causing systemic toxicities that lead to altered functioning of normal cells. Most chemotherapeutic agents have serious toxicities associated with their use, necessitating extreme caution and attention. There is a growing interest in herbal remedies because of their pharmacological activities, minimal side effects, and low cost. Thymoquinone, a major component of the volatile oil of Nigella sativa Linn, also known as black cumin or black seeds, is commonly used in Middle Eastern countries as a condiment. It is also utilized for medicinal purposes and possesses antidiabetic, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, anti-microbial, immunomodulatory, and antioxidant properties. This review attempts to compile the published literature demonstrating thymoquinone’s protective effect against chemotherapeutic drug-induced toxicities.

Lasia spinosa Chemical Composition and Therapeutic Potential: A Literature-Based Review

Lasia spinosa (L.) is used ethnobotanically for the treatment of various diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, inflammation of the lungs, bleeding cough, hemorrhoids, intestinal diseases, stomach pain, and uterine cancer. This review is aimed at summarizing phytochemistry and pharmacological data with their molecular mechanisms of action. A search was performed in databases such as PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar using the keywords: “Lasia spinosa,” then combined with “ethnopharmacological use,” “phytochemistry,” and “pharmacological activity.” This updated review included studies with in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo experiments with compounds of known concentration and highlighted pharmacological mechanisms. The research results showed that L. spinosa contains many important nutritional and phytochemical components such as alkanes, aldehydes, alkaloids, carotenoids, flavonoids, fatty acids, ketones, lignans, phenolics, terpenoids, steroids, and volatile oil with excellent bioactivity. The importance of this review lies in the fact that scientific pharmacological evidence supports the fact that the plant has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, cytotoxic, antidiarrheal, antihelminthic, antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic, and antinociceptive effects, while protecting the gastrointestinal system and reproductive. Regarding future toxicological and safety data, more research is needed, including studies on human subjects. In light of these data, L. spinosa can be considered a medicinal plant with effective bioactives for the adjuvant treatment of various diseases in humans.

Obtaining of a Milk Drink with Mushrooms and Bioactive Compounds

Fermented dairy products are a rich source of nutrients. Buttermilk is part of fermented dairy products and is highly valued by consumers due to its sensory and nutritional qualities. The study aims to capitalize on buttermilk by adding mushroom powder and volatile oil of dill and caraway encapsulated in sodium alginate. The research was performed over for 20 days using sensory and physicochemical analysis methods. The samples analyzed were plain buttermilk, buttermilk with encapsulated dill volatile oil, buttermilk with encapsulated caraway volatile oil, buttermilk with added mushroom powder, buttermilk with added mushroom powder and encapsulated dill volatile oil and buttermilk with the addition of mushroom powder and encapsulated caraway volatile oil. The results of the physicochemical analyzes were statistically processed using the Minitab program. The addition of mushroom powder in buttermilk has positively influenced its sensory characteristics, and the results obtained from physicochemical analyzes were superior to plain buttermilk. The addition of volatile oil of dill and caraway has positively influenced both the sensory and physical-chemical characteristics of buttermilk.

How Digitization Lowers Oil & Gas Industry Break Even Cost

The Oil&Gas industry has experienced three price crises over the past twelve years. Swings in the key variables of politics, economy and technology affect supply and demand dynamics and consequently oil prices. The rise of unconventional sources brought the industry into a recurrent surplus of supply, putting pressure on prices and the combination of a supply shock, shortage of storage and an unprecedent demand drop brought prices to a 30-years low in April 2020. Although volatile oil prices make it challenging for oil companies to manage their markets, the silver lining in low oil prices is that it forced the industry to focus on rendering their internal operations more efficient. O&G producers cut their costs dramatically to remain profitable. The industry embarked on an optimization path and consequently accelerated the adoption of digital transformation. The COVID-19 crisis along with increasing societal pressure has only been a catalyzer to this digital transformation, unlocking significant operational improvements and reducing carbon emissions. According to the latest Rystad Energy analysis average breakeven price dropped 35% between 2014 and 2018, and an additional 10% over the last 2 years, to a $50 breakeven price per barrel.