http://nopr.niscpr.res.in/handle/123456789/68127 2026-10-12T17:06:52Z 2026-10-12T17:06:52Z Kaur, Mehakpreet Singh Rathore, Hirtik Kundu, Jyoti Banerjee, Dibyajyoti http://nopr.niscpr.res.in/handle/123456789/68138 2026-07-10T04:49:39Z 2026-07-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Letter to Editor Authors: Kaur, Mehakpreet; Singh Rathore, Hirtik; Kundu, Jyoti; Banerjee, Dibyajyoti Abstract: We have read with considerable interest the publication in Indian Journal of Experimental Biology titled “Evaluation of combined efficacy of Astragalus extract, vitamin E, and selenium on lead induced toxicity and apoptosis in rat ovaries” by Şahin M. et al 1 . The authors have addressed an important issue of lead-induced ovarian toxicity and for exploring the protective potential of Astragalus extract, both alone and in combination with vitamin E and selenium. Lead is one of the most sought environmental pollutants and several therapeutic strategies are being investigated. While the study presents promising findings though several methodological considerations can strengthen its translational relevance. Firstly, the 15 days lead exposure model with 15mg/kg/day is technically considered as a high exposure of lead and perhaps contributes to induction of acute toxicity2,3. The study evaluated very short-term outcomes. Long-term assessments for other endocrine disruptions and possible selenium-related toxicity would provide substantial understanding of the lasting effects and safety profile of the intervention. Given selenium’s narrow therapeutic index, monitoring potential toxicity is particularly important4,5. The absence of standard systemic toxicity markers is another limitation. Other conventional biochemical parameters such as liver function tests (LFT), renal function tests (RFT), and hematological profiling should be included to support the findings on systemic toxicity and recovery. Further, measurement of serum and ovarian tissue lead levels would have provided direct evidence of exposure to severity and treatment efficacy. A standard positive comparator group for current gold standard EDTA chelation therapy for lead toxicity compared with Astragalus extract would also have improved the study design6,7. The study design focused on concurrent treatment during lead exposure, preventive (pre-exposure) and therapeutic (post-exposure) models would have been primers to determine whether APS prevents tissue damage or facilitates reversal of established injury. Given the ovarian focus of the study, controlling for estrous stage is essential to reduce hormonal variability, thus synchronization of the estrous cycle8 should have been crucial for study findings. Page(s): 583

2026-07-01T00:00:00Z Panigrahy, Akanksha Mhaske, Tanvi Ganguli, Geetanjali http://nopr.niscpr.res.in/handle/123456789/68136 2026-07-09T10:20:13Z 2026-07-01T00:00:00Z

Title: From derma to nervous system: Exploring the therapeutic efficacy of azelaic acid in Neuroblastoma and Glioblastoma Authors: Panigrahy, Akanksha; Mhaske, Tanvi; Ganguli, Geetanjali Abstract: The study explores the potential of a naturally occurring phytochemical, azelaic acid (AZA) as an immunomodulator against two aggressive forms of cancer in the nervous system, such as Neuroblastoma and Glioblastoma. Neuroblastoma affects the peripheral nervous system in children below the age of five. Genetic mutations such as overexpression of gene functions like MYCN, which regulates cell growth and proliferation under normal conditions, or deletion of chromosomal subunits are demonstrated as the predominant cause of neuroblastoma. Glioblastoma, tumorigenesis in glial cells affects the central nervous system. The Isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH1) enzyme mutation is a critical marker for detecting glioblastoma. As the brain is immunologically inert, prognosis becomes even more difficult, causing death. Available drugs fail to cross the blood-brain barrier, thus lowering the efficacy. Additionally, chemotherapy and radiation therapy come with a lot of side effects, with increased cases of relapse. Hence, the requirement of a new therapeutic option is the need of the hour. Phytochemicals are natural compounds with therapeutic properties. AZA, a dicarboxylic acid naturally found in barley, wheat, and rye, is a known compound used in skin care products and helps cure acne vulgaris. Recently, in vitro studies have observed that Azelaic acid exhibits anti-proliferative and immunoregulatory effects on Acute Myeloid leukemia. However, a detailed mechanistic insight into the mode of action of neuroblastoma and glioblastoma is unexplored. In this review, we intend to discuss the known antineoplastic activities of azelaic acid in cancer and thereby design a hypothesis. Furthermore, a wide range of questions on the underlying mechanisms and whether AZA plays any role in the immunostimulatory effects on a tumor microenvironment in the immunologically inert brain will also be discussed and reviewed in this paper. Page(s): 584-592

2026-07-01T00:00:00Z ÇERÇİ, Burcu PİRİM, İbrahim http://nopr.niscpr.res.in/handle/123456789/68135 2026-07-09T10:18:31Z 2026-07-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Defining optimal MTT assay conditions in SH-SY5Y cells: A rotenone-based in vitro model of Parkinson’s disease Authors: ÇERÇİ, Burcu; PİRİM, İbrahim Abstract: Although the MTT assay is widely used to evaluate cell viability and cytotoxicity, its results are highly dependent on experimental parameters such as cell density, reagent concentration, and incubation conditions. In neuronal models, particularly in SH-SY5Y cells used for Parkinson’s disease studies, a lack of standardized optimization may lead to variability and misinterpretation of results. Therefore, the present study aimed to systematically optimize key parameters of the MTT assay and evaluate their impact under both normal and neurotoxic conditions. To optimize the MTT assay in SHSY5Y cells, we evaluated the effects of cell number, MTT concentration, incubation time, post-DMSO incubation period, and optical density at different wavelengths. These parameters were further examined in a rotenone-induced in vitro Parkinson’s disease model. In addition, results obtained from DMSO-treated SH-SY5Y cells were compared under varying assay conditions. Our results indicated that while the MTT method is affected by many parameters, the cell number, MTT concentration, measurement wavelength, and the waiting time after dissolving formazan crystals with DMSO have significant effects on OD values. Consequently, we determined that optimizing this method, which determines cell viability, toxicity, or cell metabolism, is crucial for obtaining and interpreting rational results. Page(s): 593-603

2026-07-01T00:00:00Z Djellal, Dounia Lakroune, Zehoura Gasmi, Salim Kebieche, Mohamed Chafaa, Smail Mimeche, Fateh Fetoui, Hamadi Soulimani, Rachid http://nopr.niscpr.res.in/handle/123456789/68134 2026-07-09T10:15:49Z 2026-07-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Exposure to THI during gestation and lactation impairs the striatum, hippocampus and cognition in rat offspring (G1/G2): The role of apricot kernel extract Authors: Djellal, Dounia; Lakroune, Zehoura; Gasmi, Salim; Kebieche, Mohamed; Chafaa, Smail; Mimeche, Fateh; Fetoui, Hamadi; Soulimani, Rachid Abstract: Thiacloprid (THI) is a widely used neonicotinoid suspected to exert neurotoxic effects in mammals, while bitter apricot kernels are traditionally used in folk medicine for the treatment of various diseases. In the context of limited data on thiacloprid-induced multigenerational neurotoxicity, this study aimed to evaluate the neurotoxic effects of THI exposure in utero and during lactation in rat offspring, as well as to investigate the neuroprotective potential of bitter apricot kernel extract as a natural protective strategy. Female rats were gavaged with 0.02 mg/kg THI or/and 50 mg/kg bitter apricot kernel extract from day1 of gestation to day21 of lactation, neurobehavioral tests were performed to assess the cognitive function of the rats' offspring. In addition, bioanalytical methods were performed to determine swelling and mitochondrial permeability, AchE and cytochrome-c activities, and redox status in striatal and hippocampal mitochondria of rat generations (G1, G2) at 100 days of age. The results showed that thiacloprid exposure impaired neurological behavior and cognitive performance, including memory and learning, in both the G1 and G2 offspring. It also induced mitochondrial edema and disrupted the cellular redox status. Conversely, bitter apricot kernel extract exhibited a significant cytoprotective effect against this neurotoxicity. Finally, thiacloprid demonstrates multigenerational neurotoxicity, leading to neuronal impairments, which can be mitigated by apricot kernel extract. Page(s): 604-622

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