NOPR Collection: [Pages 647-754]

Probiotics in Pediatrics

2021-10-04T09:35:47Z

Title: Probiotics in Pediatrics Authors: Vijayaraghavan, S; Bangotra, Ridhika; Somasekar, R; Bhuminathan, S; Bajaj, Bijender Kumar Abstract: The gut microbiota is critically important for development and maturation of the mucosal immune system right from birth till the whole life. The development of the immune system in neonates is especially important because it is not fully matured. However, its growth begins before birth. It depends on various factors like mode of delivery, mother’s microbiota, antibiotic consumption, mother’s milk, eating habits of infants and other environmental factors. Alterations in gut microbiota (dysbiosis) may disturb the gut homeostasis, and hamper the development of immune system. However, dysbiosis in infants may be averted by administration of probiotics. Mother’s milk contains various nutritive components along with some beneficial bacteria, probiotics (lactobacilli and bifidobacteria) which help in the development of gut microbiome of the infant. Probiotics, in particular, serve an important role in sustaining eubiosis in an infant's body. Any dysbiotic condition, particularly in infants, may be associated with a number of diseases/disorders like diarrhea, gastrointestinal problems, and allergic issues. Atopic dermatitis (AD) is one such common allergic problem prevalent in paediatrics. The probiotics serve as modulators of immune response and acts as immunobiotics. AD-related inflammation can be successfully managed by the intervention of probiotics. This review presents the potential of probiotics for proper development of infants’ immune system, and for prevention and treatment of various diseases, especially the ever-rising cases of AD. Page(s): 653-661

Micronutrients for child health

2021-10-04T09:30:41Z

Title: Micronutrients for child health Authors: Gui, Hong; Hamid, Aaqib; Hamid, Jozey Abstract: Micronutrients in the diet, such as vitamins and trace minerals, are necessary for increasing the physiological processes in growing children apart from their normal growth and development. Inadequate consumption of micronutrients, such as iron, zinc, potassium, calcium and vitamins leads to severe deficiency and impacts long-term health outcome. Nutritional rehabilitation clinics (NRCs) play a vital role in providing routine facility based care for severe acute malnutrition and medical complications in addition to the dietary assessment of micronutrients. In this comprehensive review, we have elaborated the importance of essentially the trace elements and vitamins, their role in the overall growth and quality health care in children. Page(s): 662-670

Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Hook. f. and Thoms. and Arabinogalactan exert chemopreventive action during B(a)P induced pulmonary carcinogenesis: Studies on ultrastructural, molecular and biochemical alterations

2021-10-04T09:26:27Z

Title: Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Hook. f. and Thoms. and Arabinogalactan exert chemopreventive action during B(a)P induced pulmonary carcinogenesis: Studies on ultrastructural, molecular and biochemical alterations Authors: Mohan, Vandana; Koul, Ashwani Abstract: Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Hook. f. and Thoms. (Tc) is a medicinal plant gaining considerable attention owing to its wide range of pharmacological properties. Though there are ample reports which have documented its biological activity in various clinical disorders, there is a paucity of information regarding its anticancer activity particularly against B(a)P induced lung cancer. So, the present study evaluates the chemopreventive potentials of aqueous extract of Tc (Aq.Tc) and its active component; Arabinogalactan (AG) against Benzo(a)pyrene [B(a)P] induced pulmonary carcinogenesis in BALB/c mice. B(a)P resulted in significant alteration in carcinogen metabolizing enzymes (CME’s), reduced glutathione and lipid peroxidation levels. B(a)P also inflicted clastogenic damage, disturbed phospholipid saturation, protein secondary structures and glycogen content. Altogether these events resulted in the alterations in cellular arrangement of pulmonary tissue, depicting the outburst of lung carcinogenesis. However, Aq.Tc and AG significantly helped to normalize the disturbed levels of CME’s and antioxidant machinery. Clastogenic changes, phospholipid saturation, protein secondary structures and glycogen content were also alleviated with Aq.Tc and AG administration. Additionally, B(a)P+ Aq.Tc and B(a)P + AG treated groups revealed the classical features of apoptosis. The results suggest that the aquatic extract of gudichi (Aq.Tc) and Arabinogalactan (AG) modulate various key processes associated with carcinogenesis and can be used as effective chemopreventive agents. Page(s): 671-687

Secoisolariciresinol diglucoside lignan concentrate of flaxseeds exhibits chemoprotective role in non-melanoma skin cancer through inhibition of CDK4 and upregulation of p53

2021-10-04T09:21:40Z

Title: Secoisolariciresinol diglucoside lignan concentrate of flaxseeds exhibits chemoprotective role in non-melanoma skin cancer through inhibition of CDK4 and upregulation of p53 Authors: Patel, Yash S.; Patel, Bhoomika M. Abstract: Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) serve as target for various cancers including skin cancer. Secoisolariciresinoldiglucoside (SDG) and lignans exert anticancer effect on colon cancer through inhibition of CDKs. However, reports of SDG lignan concentrate (SLC) of Linum usitatissimum (L.) on skin cancer are not available. Hence, in this study, we evaluated the effect of SLC of L. usitatissimum on skin cancer, and determined the mechanism of action. Cell viability studies were done using the A-375 cell line. Skin cancer was induced by dimethyl Benz(a) anthracene and croton oil in female balb/c mice. SLC (5%) was administered from the 7^th to 16^th week after which we evaluated serum and tissue parameters. The IC50 value of SLC was found to be 93.7 μg/mL on the A-375 cell line. Skin cancer control animals exhibited increased tumor volume and burden and an increase in non-specific serum markers and tissue markers. Treatment with SLC decreased tumor volume and burden, and serum and tissue markers. Histopathological studies also depicted protection with SLC treatment. Docking studies revealed that SDG exhibits a good binding score with CDK4. Skin cancer control mice showed significantly increased CDK4 mRNA and decreased p53 mRNA levels which were prevented by SLC treatment. SLC exhibited a chemopreventive effect in skin cancer depicted by a reduction in serum biomarker, oxidative stress, collagen levels, tumor volume, tumor burden, and histopathological studies. These effects are mediated through the inhibition of CDK4 and upregulation of p53. Page(s): 688-696