Ameliorating reactive oxygen species-induced <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vitro</Emphasis> lipid peroxidation in brain,liver, mitochondria and DNA damage by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Zingiber officinale</Emphasis> Roscoe

Iron is an essential nutrient for a number of cellular activities. However, excess cellular iron can be toxic by producing reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as superoxide anion (O₂⁻) and hydroxyl radical (HO^·) that damage proteins, lipids and DNA. Mutagenic and genotoxic end products of lipid peroxidation can induce the decline of mitochondrial respiration and are associated with various human ailments including aging, neurodegenerative disorders, cancer etc. Zingiber officinale Roscoe (ginger) is a widely used spice around the world. The protective effect of aqueous ethanol extract of Z. officinale against ROS-induced in vitro lipid peroxidation and DNA damage was evaluated in this study. The lipid peroxidation was induced by hydroxyl radical generated from Fenton’s reaction in rat liver and brain homogenates and mitochondrial fraction (isolated from rat liver). The DNA protection was evaluated using H₂O₂-induced changes in pBR-322 plasmid and Fenton reaction-induced DNA fragmentation in rat liver. The results indicated that Z. officinale significantly (P<0.001) protected the lipid peroxidation in all the tissue homogenate/mitochondria. The extract at 2 and 0.5 mg/ml could protect 92 % of the lipid peroxidation in brain homogenate and liver mitochondria respectively. The percent inhibition of lipid peroxidation at 1mg/ml of Z. officinale in the liver homogenate was 94 %. However, the extract could partially alleviate the DNA damage. The protective mechanism can be correlated to the radical scavenging property of Z. officinale. The results of the study suggest the possible nutraceutical role of Z. officinale against the oxidative stress induced human ailments.     

Activating <Emphasis Type="Italic">quasi</Emphasis>-organizational memory in environmental scenario building

This paper presents the results of an on-going research project aiming at developing GraviCS, an information system supporting local government and citizens in managing argumentations during the setting up of a Regional Natural Park in Southern Italy. We consider that organizational memory, structured within information systems supporting decision-making and action in organizational environments, can be a useful means for developing multilevel (individual, group, organizational) collaborative learning; in this sense the system architecture was designed referring to the organizational domain emerging in the decision making context of a Natural Park and was finalized to the dynamic representation of the organizational memory. Starting from the case study – the process for the Gravina Natural Park setting-up – , the paper describes the system's architecture and discusses some issues related to: possible dynamic representations of organizational memory; creation, use and storage of decision/learning histories.     

Hepatoprotective effect of<Emphasis Type="Italic">Hygrophila spinosa</Emphasis> and<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cassia occidentalis</Emphasis> on carbon tetrachloride induced liver damage in experimental rats

The present study was undertaken to analyze the levels of some known antioxidant (both enzymic and non enzymic) activities in the rootsof Hygrophila spinosa andCassia occidentalis also to find out the hepatoprotective effect of the same in carbon tetrachloride induced liver damage in albino rats. The roots were found to be rich in antioxidants. Liver damage in rats were induced by carbon tetrachloride. To find out the hepatoprotective activity, the aqueous extract of the plant root samples were administrated to rats for 15 days. The serum marker enzymes Aspartate transaminase, Alanine transaminase and Gama Glutamyl were measured in experimental animals. The increased enzyme levels after liver damage with carbon tetrachloride were nearing to normal value when treated with aqueous extract of the root samples. Histopathological observation also proved the hepatoprotectivity of the root samples.     

Anti-Oxidative Effect of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cassia auriculata</Emphasis> on Streptozotocin Induced Diabetic Rats

The anti oxidative effect of administration of 100 mg/kg bw and 200 mg/kg bw of the flower powder of Cassia auriculata (CFP) for 45 days to normoglycemic and diabetic rats (streptozotocin induced) was studied. Anti oxidative effect was not observed in normoglycemic rats in the experiment. There was significant (P > 0.05) increase in the level of Thio Barbituric Acid Reactive Substances (TBARS), hydroperoxide and conjugated dienes and significant (P > 0.05) decrease in the catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities and in the level of ascorbic acid, vitamin E and reduced glutathione in diabetic rats. The flower powder of Cassia auriculata significantly (P > 0.05) decreased the TBARS, hydroperoxide and conjugated dienes and increased the antioxidant enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase) and non enzymic anti oxidants (ascorbic acid, vitamin E and reduced glutathione). The antioxidatve effect of 200 mg/kg bw CFP was significantly (P > 0.05) better than 100 mg/kg bw CFP and the reference drugs (tolbutamide and metformin). The mode of action of CFP remains to be elicited.     

Antihyperglycemic,antihyperlipidemic and antioxidative potential of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Prosopis cineraria</Emphasis> bark

Alloxan administration in male Swiss albino mice, induced diabetes by increasing blood glucose concentration and reducing hepatic glycogen content as compared to normal control group. Besides, serum lipid profile parameters such as total-cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein and very low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol were also elevated, whereas, the level of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol was reduced significantly (P<0.05) in diabetic mice. Treatment of diabetic animals with crude ethanolic extract of bark of Prosopis cineraria (P. cineraria) for 45 days, significantly lowered blood glucose level, elevated hepatic glycogen content and maintained body weight and lipid-profile parameters towards near normal range. Declined activity of antioxidant enzymes and concentration of non-enzymatic antioxidants were also normalized by drug treatment, thereby reducing the oxidative damage in the tissues of diabetic animals and hence indicating the anti-diabetic and antioxidant efficacy of the extract.     

Hypolipidemic Effect of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Celastrus paniculatus</Emphasis> in Experimentally Induced Hypercholesterolemic Wistar Rats

The objective of the present study was to evaluate hypolipidemic effect of methanolic extract of Celastrus paniculatus in experimentally induced hypercholesterolemic rats. Hypercholesterolemia was induced by feeding the animals with high fat diet. Oral administration of methanolic seed extract (50%) of Celastrus paniculatus at the optimized dose of 65 mg/kg body weight, substantially reduced the plasma total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL cholesterol in comparison with induced hypercholesterolemic animal group and the results were comparable with the standard hypocholesterolemic drug and almost similar to the control group. Atherogenic index and liver weight of treated animals also showed significant decrease compared to the hypercholesterolemic animals. It substantially increased the HDL cholesterol level as compared to control group. A significant increase in the activities of lipoprotein lipase and plasma LCAT enhanced hepatic bile acid synthesis and thereby, increased degradation of cholesterol to neutral sterols. Furthermore, the activities of HMG-CoA reductase, glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase and malate dehydrogenase were significantly reduced. Histological studies showed less cholesterol deposits in the aorta of animals fed with seed extract of C. paniculatus compared to the induced hypercholesterolemic animals not given C. paniculatus supplement.     

Allergens/Antigens,Toxins and Polyketides of Important <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aspergillus</Emphasis> Species

The medical, agricultural and biotechnological importance of the primitive eukaryotic microorganisms, the Fungi was recognized way back in 1920. Among various groups of fungi, the Aspergillus species are studied in great detail using advances in genomics and proteomics to unravel biological and molecular mechanisms in these fungi. Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus parasiticus, Aspergillus nidulans and Aspergillus terreus are some of the important species relevant to human, agricultural and biotechnological applications. The potential of Aspergillus species to produce highly diversified complex biomolecules such as multifunctional proteins (allergens, antigens, enzymes) and polyketides is fascinating and demands greater insight into the understanding of these fungal species for application to human health. Recently a regulator gene for secondary metabolites, LaeA has been identified. Gene mining based on LaeA has facilitated new metabolites with antimicrobial activity such as emericellamides and antitumor activity such as terrequinone A from A. nidulans. Immunoproteomic approach was reported for identification of few novel allergens for A. fumigatus. In this context, the review is focused on recent developments in allergens, antigens, structural and functional diversity of the polyketide synthases that produce polyketides of pharmaceutical and biological importance. Possible antifungal drug targets for development of effective antifungal drugs and new strategies for development of molecular diagnostics are considered.     

Mechanism of Antidiabetic Action of Compound GII Purified from Fenugreek (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Trigonella foenum graecum</Emphasis>) Seeds

To study the mechanism of action of water soluble compound GII purified from fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum) seeds which was shown earlier to have antidiabetic effect in the subdiabetic, moderately and severely diabetic rabbits. In rabbits (1–1.5 kg bw) diabetes was induced by intravenous injection of 80 mg/kg bw of alloxan. They were fed with GII at a dose of 50 mg/kg bw daily once in the morning for 15 days in the subdiabetic and moderately diabetic and 30 days in the severely diabetic rabbits. Serum total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), LDL + VLDL cholesterol [(LDL + VLDL)C], HDL cholesterol [(HDL)C], total tissue lipids, glycogen and enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism (glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, polyol pathway) hexokinase, glucokinase, pyruvate kinase, malic enzyme, glucose-6-phosphatase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, aldose reductase and sorbitol dehydrogenase and antioxidant enzymes glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and superoxide dismutase were estimated. Liver and kidney function parameters were also estimated. Treatment with GII for 15 days in the subdiabetic and moderately diabetic rabbits and for 30 days in the severely diabetic rabbits (i) decreased the elevated lipids TC, TG, (LDL + VLDL)C and increased the decreased (HDL)C, (ii) decreased the elevated liver and heart total lipids, TC and TG, (iii) increased the decreased liver and muscle glycogen, (iv) increased the decreased hexokinase, glucokinase, pyruvate kinase, malic enzyme, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, (v) decreased the increased glucose-6-phosphatase, sorbitol dehydrogenase, aldose reductase. Results thus show that treatment with GII compound purified from fenugreek seeds for 15 days in the subdiabetic and moderately diabetic and 30 days in the severely diabetic rabbits corrects the altered serum lipids, tissue lipids, glycogen, enzymes of glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, glycogen metabolism, polyol pathway and antioxidant enzymes. Histopathological abnormalities (fatty infiltration and other cellular changes) seen in the pancreas, liver, heart and kidneys were repaired after treatment with GII. In fact partially damaged pancreas was repaired. Liver and kidney function test results were normal in the GII treated animals indicating that GII treatment is safe and free from any side effects.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">In vitro</Emphasis> released antigens in diagnosis and immunomonitoring of filaria and tuberculosis

In vitro released antigens by living parasites or bacteria underin vitro maintenance or short term culture showing specific humoral immune response have been explored in development of immunodiagnostics for infectious diseases such as filariasis and tuberculosis in our laboratory. ELISA usingB. malayi mf ES antigen has been explored for detecting IgG antibody by Indirect ELISA and antigen by Inhibition ELISA and in immunomonitoring of carriers as well as clinical filarial cases. A ten year follow up of mf carriers with DEC therapy showed disapperance of antigen and antibody followed by reappearance in few cases in an endemic area. None of the cases followed developed clinical symptoms suggesting the need for long term monitoring and treatment of microfilaraemic carriers. Further immunomonitoring was found to be useful in confirming filaria aetiology in the absence of microfilaremia and determining appropriate period of treatment of acute, early clinical and occult filarial infections for clinical relief and cure.Indirect Stick Penicillinase ELISA system using Mtb EST-6 antigen for detecting tuberculous IgG antibody and a Sandwich Penicillinase ELISA system using affinity purified antibody for detecting circulating antigen were explored in tuberculosis. A combination of both the assay systems with a sensitivity of 70% and specificity of 98% was found to be promising in the precise diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis. Further antigen detection was found to be useful in bone and joint tuberculosis.     

Antidiabetic and antioxidant effects of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Picrorhiza kurrooa</Emphasis> rhizome extracts in diabetic rats

Picrorhiza kurrooa is mentioned in Ayurveda for the treatment of many disorders, but it has not been subjected to systematic scientific investigations to assess its antidiabetic effect. The oral administration of aqueous and methanol extracts of P. kurrooa rhizomes (250 and 500 mg / kg body weight / day) for 15 days significantly reduced blood glucose, glycosylated haemoglobin and increased total hemoglobin, plasma insulin in alloxan-induced diabetes in albino rats. The treatment also showed significant correction in the level of nitric oxide radicals, superoxide radicals, peroxynitrite radical, lipid peroxidation, glutathione, glutathione reductase, glutathione-S-transferase, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase in the pancreas of alloxan diabetic rats.     

Potential Effect of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacopa monnieri</Emphasis> on Nitrobenzene Induced Liver Damage in Rats

The study was designed to evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of ethanolic extract of Bacopa monnieri in acute experimental liver injury induced by Nitrobenzene in rats. The extract at the dose of 200 mg/kg body weight was administered orally once every day for 10 days. The increased serum marker enzymes, Aspartate transaminase, Alanine transaminase and alkaline phosphatase were restored towards normalization significantly by the extract. Significant increase in SOD, CAT and GPx was observed in extract treated liver injured experimental rats. Histopathological examination of the liver tissues supported the hepatoprotection. It is concluded that the ethanolic extract of Bacopa monieri plant possess good hepatoprotective activity.