Effect of Abutilon indicum in thyroxine-induced hyperthyroidism in rat

The study was designed to investigate the antithyroid activity of the crude methanolic (70%) extract of aerial parts of Abutilon indicum in male albino rats. The extract was prepared and analyzed for the presence of phytochemical constituents through preliminary chemical analysis, antioxidant assay and GC-MS. The in vivo antithyroid activities in thyroxine-induced hyperthyroidism were studied. Phytochemical analysis showed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids and phenols, also verified by the data obtained from GC-MS. Thyroxine increased the levels of triiodothyronine (4.9 ± 0.1 ng/mL) and total thyroxine (9.4 ± 0.2 μg/dL); while, A. indicum at the doses of 300 and 500 mg/kg, showed significant decrease in the elevated levels of triiodothyronine (3.0 ± 0.1 and 2.6 ± 0.2 ng/mL) and thyroxine (7.7 ± 0.2 and 7.1 ± 0.2 μg/dL), respectively. Histopathological studies showed the restoration of filled follicular colloids in extract-treated animals. The results show that A. indicum exhibits dose-dependent antithyroid effects.

Antibacterial activity of Cathormion umbellatum

The aim of this study was to determine the antibacterial activity of Cathormion umbellatum extracts against seven antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The pods, leaves and branches of C. umbellatum were extracted with ethanol and methanol. The disc diffusion assay was used to screen the antibacterial activity and broth microdilution and colorimetric assay were used to measure the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values. The result indicated that the highest inhibition zone (11 mm) was presented in ethanolic pods extract against multidrug resistance Klebsiella pneumoniae. The lowest MIC value of 0.05 mg/mL was obtained from branch extracted with ethanol against colistin resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The lowest MBC values of 1.56 mg/mL were obtained when using C. umbellatum leaves extracted with methanol against all test antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This is the first report presented C. umbellatum extracts have the potential to eliminate antibiotic-resistant bacteria in patients. These findings show the antibacterial effect of C. umbellatum.

Reintroduction of nitrofurantoin in the treatment of uncomplicated urinary tract infection

The present study was designed to reintroduce an older antimicrobial nitrofurantoin among a group of prescribers and to explore the relationship between the reintroduction and corresponding shift in sensitivity pattern of the microbes. The microbial sensitivity against ciprofloxacin before intervention was 46.6%, which significantly increased after intervention (51.8%). Treatment with nitrofurantoin resulted in a total clinical cure rate of 80.6%, of which rate of clinical cure achieved in expected time was 66.1% and delayed was 14.5%. The rate of total clinical cure with nitrofurantoin corresponded closely with the proportion of urinary isolates sensitive to nitrofurantoin. i.e., 86.3%. This preliminary study revealed that revival might be an effective strategy to increase the sensitivity and to delay the emergence of resistance.

Experimental models for vascular endothelial dysfunction

Vascular endothelial dysfunction is characterized by apoptosis of endothelial cells, an imbalance between vasoconstrictory and vasodilatory substances, the imbalance between ROS and antioxidants, vascular remodeling, loss of vascular integrity which leads to an increased risk of cardiovascular complications. To date, no therapeutic intervention is available as a promising agent. This may be due to a poor understanding of the underlying mechanism involved in vascular endothelial dysfunction in the pathogenesis. Animal models sharing identical features as that of humans are paramount to understand fundamental physiology, mechanism and to explore new targets for developing therapeutic agents. Thus, it becomes mandatory to re-explore the available animal models for a better understanding of molecular pathways involving vascular endothelial dysfunction. The purpose of this paper is to review different models for vascular endothelial dysfunction to the outlook for developing new drugs to treat vascular endothelial dysfunction.

Tongxinluo preserves the renal function in diabetic kidney disease via protecting the HK-2 cells from the patterns of programmed cell death

This study was explored the renoprotective effect of Tongxinluo (a Traditional Chinese Medicine) on diabetic kidney disease and its underlying mechanism. The results revealed significant (p<0.05) up-regulation of the expression of Bcl-2 and down-regulation of NF-κB p-p65, ASC, NLRP3, caspase-1, cleaved GSDMD, IL-1β, caspase-3, Bax and the ratio of Bcl-2 and Bax in immortalized proximal tubular HK-2 cells cultured by hyperglycemia combined with hyperlipidemia. In db/db mice, Tongxinluo treatment substantially decreased the 24 hours albuminuria excretion rate and the urine albumin-creatinine ratios and renal morphologic abnormalities. Similarly, the levels of NF-κB p-p65, NLRP3, caspase-1, cleaved GSDMD, IL-1β, caspase-3, and the ratio of Bcl-2 and Bax were down-regulated by Tongxinluo treatment in the kidney samples of db/db mice (p<0.05). Taken together, according to the anti-pyroptosis and anti-apoptosis effect of Tongxinluo, it shows the potential to be effective for the treatment of diabetic kidney disease.

Effects of paeonol on proliferation and collagen synthesis of rat cardiac fibroblasts induced by aldosterone

The aim of this study was to explore the possible molecular mechanisms of paeonol in preventing ventricular remodeling. The cell viability of neonatal rat cardiac fibroblasts was detected by the method of MTT. RT-PCR and Western blot were used to measure the expression of TGF-β1, type I collagen and type III collagen. After treating the cardiac fibroblasts with paeonol, the cell viability decreased (p<0.01), and the expression of TGF-β1, type I collagen and types III collagen was significantly reduced (p<0.01). Thus, paeonol can inhibit the proliferation of fibroblast cells induced by aldosterone. The molecular mechanism is related to the down-regulation of TGF-β1 and type I and III collagen gene expression.

Wound healing properties of the protein kinase A inhibitor and the mechanisms of their development

The regenerative activity of the protein kinase A inhibitor was investigated using externally on the model of the flap skin wound. The pronounced wound healing effects of the protein kinase A inhibitor had been revealed. They are based on the activation of mesenchymal progenitor cells. The development of this phenomenon was associated with the direct influence of the protein kinase A inhibitor on mesenchymal progenitor cells. The most significant stimulation of their growth potential occurred in the context of the impact of growth factors in particular fibroblast growth factor secreted by the stromal cells. Moreover, in situ, there was an increase not only in proliferating activity but also in the intensity of the specialization processes of progenitors. Without cytokines stimulation, the change in the pattern of cellular cAMP-mediated signal does not affect the maturation rate of precursors.