Bhallataka Rasayana: A Boon in Cancer Treatment

Bhallataka (Semecarpus Anacardium) is one of the Rasayana drugs mentioned in Ayurveda. Semecarpus Anacardium plant belongs to the family Anacardiaceae having allergic expressions as contact dermatitis which originates the fear about use in mind but in Ayurveda it have been used since tradition in various diseased conditions like wounds, piles, uncontrolled cell growth, abdominal lumps etc. Despite these conditions it is more likely used as Rasayana for diseased free long life. Rasayana medicines help in rejuvenating the cells and tissues with antioxidant and cyto-protective properties. In Vitro effects of Semecarpus Anacardium extracts Bhallataka has been evaluated pharmacologically on the isolated tissues and the whole animal. The therapeutic effects of the extract are due to its chemical constituents as phenols, glycosides and lipids mainly. The review supports the information on the use of Semecarpus Anacardium extracts in different cancer conditions.

Pathophysiological Responses of Pinna nobilis Individuals Enlightens the Etiology of Mass Mortality Situation in the Mediterranean Populations

Due to the rapid decrease of Pinna nobilis populations during the previous decades, this bivalve species, endemic in the Mediterranean Sea, is characterized as ‘critically endangered’. In addition to human pressures, various pathogen infections have resulted in extended reduction, even population extinction. While Haplosporidium pinnae is characterized as one of the major causative agents, mass mortalities have also been attributed to Mycobacterium sp. and Vibrio spp. Due to limited knowledge concerning the physiological response of infected P. nobilis specimens against various pathogens, this study’s aim was to investigate to pathophysiological response of P. nobilis individuals, originating from mortality events in the Thermaikos Gulf and Lesvos and Limnos islands (Greece), and their correlation to different potential pathogens detected in the diseased animals. In isolated tissues, several cellular stress indicators of the heat shock and immune response, apoptosis and autophagy, were examined. Despite the complexity and limitations in the study of P. nobilis mortality events, the present investigation demonstrates the cumulative negative effect of co-infection additionally with H. pinnae in comparison to the non-presence of haplosporidian parasite. In addition, impacts of global climate change affecting physiological performance and immune responses result in more vulnerable populations in infectious diseases, a phenomenon which may intensify in the future.

Role of Phospholipases A2 in Vascular Relaxation and Sympatholytic Effects of Five Australian Brown Snake, Pseudonaja spp., Venoms in Rat Isolated Tissues

Human envenoming by Australian brown snakes (Pseudonaja spp.) may result in potentially life-threatening hypotension and subsequent cardiovascular collapse. There have been relatively few studies of the cardiovascular and sympathetic effects of Pseudonaja spp. venoms. In this study, we have examined the effects of venom from five brown snake species—P. affinis, aspidorhyncha, inframacula, nuchalis, and textilis—on cardiac inotropic and chronotropic responses, vascular tone, and sympathetic nerve-induced vascular contractions in rat isolated tissues. The role of phospholipases A2 (PLA2s) in venom-induced effects was assessed with the sPLA2 inhibitor varespladib. In rat isolated left and right atria, there were no physiologically relevant effects of Pseudonaja venoms (0.1–30 µg/ml) on left atrial force of contraction (inotropy) or right atrial rate (chronotropy). In contrast, in isolated small mesenteric arteries precontracted with a thromboxane mimetic, each of the five brown snake venoms (at 30 µg/ml) caused marked vasorelaxation (−60 to –90% of contractile tone). Pretreatment with varespladib (1 µM) significantly inhibited the vasorelaxation caused by P. aspidorhyncha, P. nuchalis, and P. textilis venoms. Electrically induced sympathetic nerve-mediated contractions of mesenteric arteries were significantly attenuated by only P. textilis, and P. affinis venoms (30 µg/ml) and these sympatholytic effects were inhibited by varespladib (1 µM). Based on their inhibition with the sPLA2 inhibitor varespladib, we conclude that PLA2 toxins in P. aspidorhyncha, P. nuchalis, and P. textilis venoms are involved in brown snake venom-induced vasorelaxation and the sympatholytic effects of P. affinis, and P. textilis venoms. Our study supports the promising potential role of varespladib as an initial (pre-referral) and/or adjunct (in combination with antivenom) therapeutic agent for brown snake envenoming.

A A Pharmacological Study of Anupa and Jangala Deshastha Shitivaraka (Celosia argentea Linn.). W.S.R. Mootralkarma

Pharmacology, the science of drug action, has helped to elucidate many basic physiological and pathological mechanisms in health and disease. Various animal experimental models have been designed to study the effect of drugs on living organisms and isolated tissues. These give an insight about where and how a drug acts, the mode of action of a drug, its effect on various body systems and probable adverse effects before administration of a drug. Therefore, the object of pharmacology is to provide such scientific data in animals as well as humans, which forms the basis of rational therapeutics. The Jalamahabhuta is fundamental base of origin for kapha dosha and mootra. These are supposed to have Asray-Asrayi Sambandha . It means these are directly proportional to each other. So by using the drug which is having the mootrala property Kapha may be controlled. Here an effort is made to prove this concept with modern parameters like immunomodulation, anti-inflammatory and antihistaminic activity.

A survey on the Frequency of Sarcocystis in Bandar Abbas, Iran in 2019 - 2020

Background: The zoonotic Sarcocystis parasite has an obligatory two-host life cycle that mainly involves herbivorous animals as intermediate hosts and carnivorous animals as definitive hosts. Objectives: Lack of reliable study and published data bout frequency of Sarcocystis in livestock of Hormozgan Province and consumed meat led us to investigate in abattoirs and slaughterhouses of Bandar Abbas, Iran, in 2019 - 2020. Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 400 meat samples of three types of animals (cow, sheep, goat) belonging to Hormozgan, Fars, and Kerman provinces were studied from September 2019 to January 2020 using naked eye examination for detection of macroscopic Sarcocystis cysts and pepsin digestion method accompanied by squeezing methods performed to examine striated muscles for microscopic cyst types. Isolated tissues of the esophagus, heart, and diaphragm of 400 slaughtered animals were examined for Sarcocystis. Results: The carcasses of all the animals were investigated to detect Sarcocystis macroscopic cysts, all of which were negative. However, microscopic examination of isolated tissues by pepsin digestion showed a total frequency of 92.25% in these animals. Analysis revealed that cows bred in Hormozgan and goats imported from Kerman are significantly infected and play an important role in the distribution of disease (P < 0.05). Conclusions: These results and obtained data indicated that a large volume of imported meats to Hormozgan is contaminated with this parasite, and more control should be applied over slaughtered livestock. Also, the people of the community who consume these meats should be given proper and complete training.

Induction in vitro of adventitious morphogenesis in isolated tissues of the genus Rubus plants using cytokinins from adenine and diphenylurea groups

The eff ect of cytokinins from the adenine and diphenylurea groups on adventitious organogenesis in vitro in isolated tissues of the genus Rubus plants was studied. Leaf explants and callus of red raspberry of the Volnitsa variety, blackberry of the Chester Thornless variety and the Rubus odoratus species were cultivated in the dark at a temperature of +25 ±2 °C on Murashige and Skoog medium. The medium contained 0.5 mg/l of gibberellic acid (HA), 0.5 mg/l of indolylacetic acid (IAA), and 6-benzylaminopurine (6-BAP) at concentrations of 0, 1, 2 and 4 mg/l or thidiazuron (TDZ) at concentrations of 0.1, 0.2 and 0.4 mg/l. The number of explants that formed adventitious shoots and the number of shoots per explant were taken into account. It has been established that for the induction of adventitious morphogenesis from leaf explants and calluses of red raspberry and blackberry the use of 6-BAP is more eff ective, thydiazuron is more eff ective for Rubus odoratus. The optimal concentration for 6-BAP is 2 mg/l and 0.2 mg/l for TDZ. Exceeding these concentrations of cytokinins can cause shoot vitrifi cation. For blackberry, it is possible to increase the content of 6-BAP in the medium for the induction of morphogenesis to 4 mg/l. The unequal ability to regenerate adventitious shoots in diff erent genotypes was revealed. In optimal variants of the experiment, the maximum frequency of their formation ranged from 13.3 % in Rubus odoratus to 40.0 % in blackberry. The use of the established optimal concentrations of growth regulators made it possible to obtain regenerated plants from callus that underwent long-term cultivation (for 10 months) on artifi cial nutrient media during tissue selection for tolerance to heavy metal salts and pesticides. Despite the reduced morphogenetic potential of tissues undergoing prolonged cultivation in vitro, 3 red raspberry regenerant plants and 1 Rubus odoratus plant were obtained from callus selected for tolerance to cobalt chloride. 9 blackberry plants and 7 red raspberry plants were regenerated from the tissues selected for pesticide tolerance.

Neuroprotective and Neuromodulatory Effects Induced by Cannabidiol and Cannabigerol in Rat Hypo-E22 cells and Isolated Hypothalamus

Background: Cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabigerol (CBG) are non-psychotropic terpenophenols isolated from Cannabis sativa, which, besides their anti-inflammatory/antioxidant effects, are able to inhibit, the first, and to stimulate, the second, the appetite although there are no studies elucidating their role in the hypothalamic appetite-regulating network. Consequently, the aim of the present research is to investigate the role of CBD and CBG in regulating hypothalamic neuromodulators. Comparative evaluations between oxidative stress and food intake-modulating mediators were also performed. Methods: Rat hypothalamic Hypo-E22 cells and isolated tissues were exposed to either CBD or CBG, and the gene expressions of neuropeptide (NP)Y, pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) and fatty acid amide hydrolase were assessed. In parallel, the influence of CBD on the synthesis and release of dopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NE), and serotonin (5-HT) was evaluated. The 3-hydroxykinurenine/kinurenic acid (3-HK/KA) ratio was also determined. Results: Both CBD and CBG inhibited NPY and POMC gene expression and decreased the 3-HK/KA ratio in the hypothalamus. The same compounds also reduced hypothalamic NE synthesis and DA release, whereas the sole CBD inhibited 5-HT synthesis. Conclusion: The CBD modulates hypothalamic neuromodulators consistently with its anorexigenic role, whereas the CBG effect on the same mediators suggests alternative mechanisms, possibly involving peripheral pathways.

Screening and evaluation of ethanolic extract from Casuarina equisetifolia inflorescence on isolated chick rectum, frog rectum and frog rectus abdominus muscle for identification of muscarinic and nicotinic receptor’s action

The present experiments were undertaken to justify the use of an ethanolic extract from inflorescence of Casuarina equisetifolia, Family: Casuarinaceae, influencing the nicotine responses on isolated chick rectum and frog rectum (Smooth Muscles) and frog rectus abdominus muscle (Skeletal Muscle). The isolated tissues were mounted in organ bath filled with physiological solution and was suitably aerated. After equilibration, responses were taken to different doses of nicotine (log doses) till a ceiling response was obtained. A sub-maximal dose of nicotine was selected and responses to this dose was taken and ensured that there is reproducibility of response. The drum was allowed to move for 1min., different concentrations of extracts into the organ baths were added and allowed to act for 1min without flushing the baths, then the sub-maximal dose of nicotine was added and allowed to act for 1min. this procedure was repeated (without extract) till the original response was obtained. The inference drawn from these experiments, the ethanolic extract of inflorescence of Casuarina equisetifolia antagonised the action of nicotine on isolated chick rectum, relaxed the effect of nicotine on frog rectum and it potentiated the effect of nicotine on frog rectus abdominus muscle. The nicotine receptors of rectus abdominus is activated, perhaps by the prevention of hydrolysis of acetylcholine by the extract. Based on the results obtained from the isolated chick rectum the ethanolic extract is having antinicotinic activity and it may act on the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) as well as muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs) on other isolated tissues. The extract might contain ganglionic blocking activity or non-specific activity or membrane stabilising activity also. Keywords: Nicotine, Ethanolic extract, Inflorescence of Casuarina equisetifolia, Isolated Chick Rectum, Isolated Frog Rectum and Isolated Frog Rectus Abdominus Muscle.