Effects of Different Irradiation Treatments on Total Saponins Content of Sapindus mukorossi

Sapindus mukorossi Gaertn is also known as Mu Huanzi, You Huanzi, soap tree, etc. The pericarp of Sapindus mukorossi contains many saponins, which is a type of natural non-ionic surfactant. Its extract has vigorous surface activity and biological activities such as bacteriostasis, oxidation resistance, and free radical scavenging. The Sapindus mukorossi extract is an environmentally friendly washing product that microorganisms can be rapidly decompose in nature without any environmental pollution.This study aims to investigate the effects of E-beam and Co60-γ irradiation on the total saponins content in the crude extract of the S mukorossi. The S mukorossi powder is irradiated with E-beam and Co60-γ ray at doses of 0, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 kGy for E-beam and 0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 Gy, respectively, for Co60-γ ray. The changes in the content of total saponins in the crude extract, total detergency, and the bacteriostatic abilities before and after the irradiation were analyzed. The results showed that the content of total saponins in samples irradiated by E-beam was significantly higher than that in non-irradiated samples. The saponins yield was the highest at a radiation dose of 6 kGy, and the detergency and bacteriostatic ability were also the strongest. After low-dose Co6-γ irradiation, the total saponins in the S mukorossi crude extract, and detergency and bacteriostatic ability had no apparent change. Conclusion: E-beam irradiation at a dose of 6 kGy can effectively improve the content of total saponins in the crude extract of S mukorossi powder. In addition, its effects on detergency and bacteriostatic abilities are relatively significant. The findings provide sufficient reference data for the further development of S mukorossi commodities.

Preparation of Liposomal Raloxifene-Graphene Nanosheet and Evaluation of Its In Vitro Anticancer Effects

Background In current years, researchers have shown their prime interest in developing multifunctional drug delivery systems, especially against cancers, for effective anticancer outcomes. Methodology Raloxifene (RLX) loaded liposomal-graphene nanosheet (GNS) was developed. The novelty of this work was to enhance the solubilization of RLX and improvement of its bioavailability in the disease area. So, the selection of optimized formula design of experiment was implemented which produced the desired formula with the particle size of 156.333 nm. Further, encapsulation efficiency, in vitro release, and thermodynamic stability of optimized formulation were evaluated. The optimized formulation exhibited prolonged release of RLX for a longer period of 24 h, which can minimize the dose-related toxicity of the drug. Furthermore, optimized formulation demonstrated remarkable thermodynamic stability in terms of phase separation, creaming, and cracking. Results The cytotoxicity study on the A549 cell line exhibited significant ( P < .05) results in favor of optimized formulation than the free drug. The apoptotic activity was carried out by Annexin V staining and Caspase 3 analysis, which demonstrated remarkable promising results for optimized liposomal formulation. Conclusion From the findings of the study, it can be concluded that the novel optimized liposomal formulation could be pondered as a novel approach for the treatment of lung cancer.

Serum Metabolomic Analysis of Radiation-Induced Lung Injury in Rats

Radiation-induced lung injury is a common complication of radiotherapy for lung cancer, breast cancer, esophageal cancer, and thymoma. This study aims to illustrate biomarkers of radiation-induced lung injury and its potential mechanism through the study of metabolomic alterations in serum of Sprague-Dawley rats with different radiation doses. Serum from 0, 10, or 20 Gy irradiated rats were collected and subjected to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The result showed that there were 23 dysregulated metabolites between the 10 Gy irradiation group and the 0 Gy control group, whereas 36 preferential metabolites were found between the 20 Gy irradiated rat serum and the control groups. Among them, there were 19 common differential metabolites in the 2 irradiation groups, including 3 downregulated (benzyl thiocyanate, carbazole, and N-formyl-L-methionine) and 16 upregulated metabolites. We further analyzed the metabolic pathways of different metabolites; the results showed that there were 3 significant enrichment pathways in the 10 Gy vs 0 Gy group and 7 significant enrichment pathways in the 20 Gy vs 0 Gy group. Among them, taurine and hypotaurine metabolism, riboflavin metabolism, and glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism were the common metabolic enrichment pathways of the 10 Gy vs 0 Gy group and the 20 Gy vs 0 Gy group.

Preliminary Phytochemical Analysis: In-Vitro Comparative Evaluation of Anti-arthritic and Anti-inflammatory Potential of Some Traditionally Used Medicinal Plants

Background: Colchicum autumnale, Strychnous nux-vomica and Aloe barbadensis are the medicinal plants clinically utilized for the management of rhuematic disorders. Purpose: The present work was focused to evaluate the in-vitro anti-arthritic and anti-inflammatory activities of Colchicum ( Colchicum autumnale), Nux-vomica ( Strychnous nux-vomica), and Aloe-vera ( Aloe barbadensis). Research Design: Primarily, the aqueous-ethanolic extracts of these medicinal plants were phytochemically screened followed by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) analysis. Anti-arthritic activity by protein denaturation method and anti-inflammatory activity by human red blood cell (HRBC) membrane stabilization method at the concentration of 125, 250, and 500 µg/mL along with standard were performed. Results: Phytochemical screening revealed that alkaloids, saponins, terpenoids, phenols, and anthraquinones were found in all the extracts, and organic acids, amine group, aromatic or aliphatic compounds, esters and halogens, and phenolics were identified by FTIR. Protein denaturation method revealed that colchicum, nux-vomica, and aloe-vera showed maximum 98.5%, 99.6%, and 72.3% of inhibition at 500 µg/mL compared with that of standard drug, that is, Diclofenac sodium. Membrane stabilization method showed that colchicum, nux-vomica, and aloe-vera showed maximum 40.20%, 35.67%, and 40.1% protection at 500 µg/mL when compared with standard drug. Conclusion: It is concluded from the current study that extracts of colchicum, nux-vomica, and aloe-vera showed more potent effect and thus can be used as alternative options for the management of inflammatory and arthritic ailments.

The Adaptive Responses in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer A549 Cell Lines Induced by Low-Dose Ionizing Radiation and the Variations of miRNA Expression

Objective To study the effects of adaptive response in A549 cells induced by low-dose radiation and the miRNAs expression. Methods A549 cells were irradiated with 50 mGy and 200 mGy initial doses, respectively, and then irradiated with a challenge dose 20 Gy at 6 hours interval. The biological effects and miRNA expression were detected. Results The apoptosis rates of 50 mGy-20 Gy and 200 mGy-20 Gy groups were significantly lower than that of only 20 Gy irradiation group ( P < .05). The percentage of G2/M phase cells of 50 mGy-20 Gy and 200 mGy-20 Gy groups was significantly decreased relative to the 20 Gy group ( P < .05). One miRNA (mir-3662) was upregulated and 15 miRNAs (mir-185, mir-1908, mir-307, mir-182, mir-92a, mir-582, mi-r501, mir138-5p, mir-1260, mir-484, mir-378d, mir-193b, mir-127-3p, mir-1303, and mir-654-5p) were downregulated both in 50 mGy-20 Gy and 200 mGy-20 Gy groups than that of the 20 Gy group. Go and KEGG enrichment analysis showed that the target genes were significantly enriched in cell communication regulation, metabolic process, enzyme binding, and catalytic activity signaling pathways. Conclusion Low-dose X-ray of 50 mGy and 200 mGy radiation can induce adaptive apoptosis response prior to 20 Gy in A549 cells. Sixteen differently expressed miRNAs may play important roles in the adaptive effect of low-dose radiation.

Low-Dose Ionizing Radiation Therapy: A Novel Treatment for Post-Concussion Syndrome?

A subset of victims who experience concussion suffer from persistent symptoms spanning months to years post-injury, termed post-concussion syndrome (PCS). Problematically, there is lack of consensus for the treatment of PCS. Concussion injury involves a neurometabolic cascade leading to oxidative stress and neuroinflammation which parallels the oxidative stress loading occuring from age-related neurodegenerative conditions. Historical and recent evidence has emerged showing the efficacy of low-dose radiation therapy for many human diseases including neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzhiemer’s disease (AD). Due to the pathognomonic similarities of oxidative stress and neuroinflammation involved in PCS and neurodegenerative disease, treatments that prove successful for neurodegenerative disease may prove successful for PCS. Recently, low-dose ionizing radiation therapy (LDIR) has been documented to show a reversal of many symptoms in AD, including improved cognition. LDIR is thought to induce a switching from proinflammatory M1 phenotype to an anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype. In other words, a continual upregulation of the adaptive protection systems via LDIR induces health enhancement. It is hypothesized LDIR treatment for PCS would mimic that seen from early evidence of LDIR treatment of AD patients who suffer from similar oxidative stress loading. We propose the application of LDIR is a promising, untapped treatment for PCS.

Comparing High and Low-Dose Radio-Iodine Therapy in Thyroid Remnant Ablation Among Intermediate and Low-Risk Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma Patients—Single Centre Experience

The role of Iodine-131 therapy is well established as an adjuvant therapy and for thyroid remnant ablation in differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC); however controversy still exists regarding its appropriate dose. Purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of low-dose and high-dose Iodine-131 ablation therapies in low- and intermediate-risk PTC patients. Eighty-four patients were divided equally into Group I: Ablated with high dose of Iodine-131 and Group II: Ablated with low dose of Iodine-131. Iodine-131 WBS, serum TG levels and USG neck of all patients were performed at first presentation, 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years follow up. Results are as follows: Group I: 64%, 72%, and 76% intermediate-risk patients were disease free at the follow up intervals of 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years, respectively. Similarly 70%, 82%, and 82% low-risk patients were disease free at above mentioned intervals. Group II: 56%, 60%, and 64% were disease free among intermediate-risk patients while percentage of disease free low-risk patients was 70%, 76%, and 76% at follow up intervals. Low dose of radioactive Iodine-131 was found as effective as high dose in thyroid remnant ablation of PTC patients.

Choline Chloride Mediates Salinity Tolerance in Cluster Bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L.) by Improving Growth, Oxidative Defense, and Secondary Metabolism

Choline chloride (CC) application enhanced the tolerance of cluster bean ( Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L.) against salinity stress. The aim of the study was to determine the protective role of CC on plant growth, photosynthesis, and biochemical indicators of oxidative stress. The seeds of BR-99 (tolerant) and BR-2017 (sensitive) were surface sterilized and sown in plastic pots containing river sandy soil. The design of the experiments was completely randomized with 4 replicates per treatment. Three weeks after germination, salinity (150 mM) was imposed. Then plants were sprayed with different concentrations of CC (3, 5, and 10 mM), while normal plants were sprayed with distilled water. Salinity decreased growth attributes, relative water contents, photosynthetic attributes, total soluble proteins, total free amino acids, phenolic, flavonoids, ascorbic acid, proline, and glycine betaine and increased the levels of oxidative stress indicators. However, the application of CC (particularly 5 mM) improved growth attributes, photosynthetic pigments, and activities of antioxidant compounds by reducing the levels of H2O2, malondialdehyde in salt-stressed plants in both cluster bean varieties. BR-99 variety showed more tolerance to salinity stress than that of BR-2017 in the form of greater oxidative defense and osmotic adjustment and clear from greater plant dry masses. Thus, our results showed that the application of CC (5 mM) is an efficient strategy for field use in the areas, where salt stress soils limit agriculture production.