NOPR Collection: Pages 57-126

Therapeutic potentials of herbal drugs for Alzheimer’s disease—An overview

Wed, 01 Feb 2017 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Therapeutic potentials of herbal drugs for Alzheimer’s disease—An overview Authors: Kumar, Anil; Singh, Arti; Aggarwal, Archi Abstract: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a well known progressive neurodegenerative disorder having complex pathophysiology. Currently, drugs that are used symptomatically in the treatment of AD include acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs) (rivastigmine, galantamine, donepezil) and N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist (memantine). Limited bioavailability of these drugs stresses continuity of search for novel therapeutics for this slow growing but complex disease. Herbal drugs are being used to treat memory related problems, including Alzheimer’s from time immemorial. Both preclinical and clinical studies demonstrated the therapeutic potential of herbal drugs for the prevention of AD. Herbal drugs have been shown to be effective against Alzheimer’s possibly due to their pleiotropic and multifaceted action that includes antioxidants, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective action. This review highlights the therapeutic potential of herbal drugs for the treatment of AD. Page(s): 63-73

Mitochondrial membrane-bound activity of arginase is independent of nitrogen excretion pattern in ureogenic and non-ureogenic vertebrates

Wed, 01 Feb 2017 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Mitochondrial membrane-bound activity of arginase is independent of nitrogen excretion pattern in ureogenic and non-ureogenic vertebrates Authors: Suman, Mishra; Rajnikant, Mishra Abstract: Arginase, that regulates metabolism of arginine, is widely distributed in organisms. The two major isoforms, cytosolic Arginase-I, and mitochondrial Arginase-II have been characterized well. However, reports also suggest another mitochondrial membrane-bound arginase which is extracted by washing the mitochondria with KCl. Here, we studied this mitochondrial membrane-bound arginase among vertebrates. Our observations support that arginase activity is predominant in cytosol which is designated as Arginase-I. The mitochondrial membrane-bound Arginase (mbArg) which resembles Arginase-II seems independent of nitrogen excretion pattern because of its presence both in ureogenic and non-ureogenic vertebrates. Page(s): 74-78

Isolation, proliferation, characterization and in vivo osteogenic potential of bone-marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (rBMSC) in rabbit model

Wed, 01 Feb 2017 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Isolation, proliferation, characterization and in vivo osteogenic potential of bone-marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (rBMSC) in rabbit model Authors: Ninu, AR; Maiti, Swapan Kumar; Kumar, Shiva MU; Kumar, Sandeep; Sangeetha, P; Kritaniya, Deepika; Gupta, Saurabh; Saxena, Abhisek; Kumar, Naveen Abstract: Information on isolation, characterization of rabbit MSC and its evaluation in critical bone defect (CSD) is scarcely available. Here, we attempted to isolate, proliferate, differentiate, characterize and evaluate the in vivo osteogenic potential of bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) collected from New Zealand White rabbits. They were isolated and proliferated in antibiotic supplemented DMEM (Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle’s media). Osteogenic differentiation of rabbit bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (rBMSCs) was induced by osteogenic supplements and evaluated by alizarin red staining and alkaline phosphatase activity assay and characterized by specific CD surface antigen markers through FACS (Fluorescent activated cell shorting) and RT-PCR. Day ‘0’ cells were round/oval and floating, and on day 3-5, cell attachment with spindle/polygonal/star morphology was seen. On subsequent passages, they assumed uniform spindle shaped morphology. After culturing in respective differentiation media rBMSCs showed increased alkaline phosphatase activity, intense alizarin red staining, blue staining for Alcian blue and deep red colour on oil red O staining supporting the osteogenic, chondrogenic and adipogenic differentiation ability. In vivo osteogenic potential of rBMSCs was evaluated in a 30 mm critical sized defect of rabbit radius. The cellular morphology of plastic adherent cells was seen as single cell form in P0 and in P1, P2 and P3, as elongated/spindle-shape in clusters. The rBMSCs were positive for CD44, CD73 and CD105 and negative for CD34 and CD45 and could differentiate to osteogenic cells in osteogenic induction media. The in vivo experiments in rabbit CSD model confirmed that rBMSCs promote faster healing of critical size defects. Hence, we may suggest that rBMSCs are suitable for bone formation in fracture healing and non-union. Page(s): 79-87

Anti-inflammatory activity of cyclo-oxygenase2 inhibitory anionic protein fraction from Lamellidens marginalis (Lamarck)

Wed, 01 Feb 2017 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Anti-inflammatory activity of cyclo-oxygenase2 inhibitory anionic protein fraction from Lamellidens marginalis (Lamarck) Authors: Chakraborty, Mousumi; Bhattacharya, Sourav; Bose, Madhura; Sasmal, Saumya Kanti; Gupta, Mradu; Mishra, Roshnara Abstract: Aqueous extract of freshwater mussel, Lamellidens marginalis is known to possess potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. Here, we have made an attempt to purify anti-inflammatory protein from Lamellidens marginalis extract (LME). Aqueous LME was prepared, and total protein was precipitated by 60% ammonium sulfate followed by purification through ion exchange chromatography. Isolated fractions were studied for anti-inflammatory activity in in vitro and in vivo experimental models. Active fractions were characterized by SDS PAGE and HPLC. Protein recovered from ammonium sulfate precipitation showed four distinct peaks in diethyl-aminoethyl cellulose ion exchange chromatography when eluted with stepwise salt gradient. Protein fraction eluted in 0.5 M sodium chloride solution showed maximum specific activity and anti-inflammatory activity in acute model and adjuvant induced chronic inflammation model. This fraction also showed cyclo-oxygenase 2 (COX2) enzyme inhibitory activity in in-vitro system. In SDS-PAGE 0.5 M NaCl fraction showed multiple bands after Coomassie brilliant blue staining and three distinct peaks in HPLC. In this study, we identified an anti-inflammatory protein fraction with high anionic property which could be attributed to inhibition of COX2 enzyme activity. Page(s): 88-97