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Abstract : Oxidative Stress Promotes Eating Behavior and Obesity in C. elegans via EGL-4 / DAF-16 Signaling
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Abstract: Oxidative stress is associated with pathophysiological progress of many diseases. The objective of study was to investigate whether increased environmental oxidative stress stimulation can promote excessive eating behavior, a common cause of obesity, and to identify the molecular mechanism.The cGMP-dependent kinase (PKG) activator 8-pCPT-cGMP was applied in worm swimming assay to study behavior shifting between quiescence and foraging in C. elegans. Genetically modified C. elegans (egl-4 loss or gain of function, and daf-16 mutant) were treated with paraquat, an oxidative stress inducer. Worm’s foraging behavior, body fat accumulation and body length were determined. The foxo1::gfp-transfectedHEK293 cells and C. elegans (daf-16::gfpTJ356) were further used to examine the effect of paraquat on PKG expression and FOXO nuclear translocation.A novel swimming assay using PKG activator stimulation was developed, which allows the rapid and effective study of foraging behavior in C. elegans. Paraquat treatment significantly inhibited quiescence, promoted foraging behavior, increased body fat accumulation and body growth. These responses were associated with diminished PKG expression/activation and increased FOXO (DAF-16) nuclear translocation in both transfected C. elegans and HEK293 cells.Our data suggest that PKG/FOXO signaling may plays an important role in mediating oxidative stress-induced excessive eating behavior and obesity development. Keywords: Oxidative stress, Eating behavior, Obesity, EGL4/cGMP-dependent protein kinases, DAF-16/FOXO, C. elegans, HEK293 cells. Download Full Article |
Abstract : Formulation and Evaluation of Antimicrobial Activities of Herbal Cream Containing Ethanolic Extracts of Azadirachta indica Leaves and Aloe Vera Gel
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Abstract: The antimicrobial activity of ethanolic extract of dried leaves of Azadirachta indica (Neem), fresh gel of Aloe vera, combination of the two extracts and the creams formulated with these extracts were evaluated. The preliminary in vitro antimicrobial activity of the extracts at various concentrations and those of their creams were determined against some microorganisms using the agar cup plate method. The growth inhibition zones of the extracts on the microorganisms were noted. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was also determined by agar dilution method. The physical properties of the creams formulated with these extracts were evaluated using standard procedures. Gram positive bacteria were more susceptible to Neem extract of which Staphylococcus aureus was the most susceptible with the lowest MIC value (2.5mg/ml). The fungal strain Candida albicans had the lowest MIC value (2.0mg/ml) for the Aloe vera gel extract. The MIC values (mg/ml) of Neem leaves against Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeroginosa, Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger were 5.00, 5.00, 2.50, 10.00, 2.50, 5.00 respectively, while MIC of Aloe extract were 8.00, 8.00, 4.00, 8.00, 2.00, 4.00 respectively. Among the formulated creams, the formulation containing equal concentrations of the extracts (1:1) showed the highest antimicrobial activity, however the commercial brand Funbact A® had better antimicrobial activity. Most of the creams showed comparable physical properties. The study showed that the creams containing equal concentrations of the two ethanolic extracts have high potentials as topical antimicrobial agents especially against skin infections due to the tested Gram positive bacteria and Candida albicans. Keywords: Azadirachta indica, Aloe vera, Antimicrobial activity, Herbal Creams. Download Full Article |
Abstract : Development and Evaluation of Controlled Release Bilayer Tablets of Hydrochlorothiazide and Losartan Potassium
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Abstract: The aim of the present research work was to develop bilayer tablet dosage form containing combination of immediate and sustained matrix prepared from Hydrochlorothiazide (HTZ) and Losartan Potassium (LP) respectively for the treatment of hypertension and its associated complications. Immediate release HTZ was prepared using different superdisintegrants. LP sustained layer was prepared by compression technique. Both pre-compression and post-compression parameters were analyzed for all the tablets. In vitro release studies were carried out as per USP in pH (1.2) and phosphate buffer pH (6.8) using USP-XXI type II. Bilayer tablet (F6) formulated using higher concentration of HPMC K 15 exhibiting higher LP release rate (83.553± 0.22) for the period of 12 h. The In vitro release profile of drug from sustained matrix could be best expressed by First order as the plot showed highest linearity (R2 = 0.990) and diffusion was the dominating mechanism of drug release. The stability and FTIR studies are also indicating the absence of strong interaction between drug and polymer and compatibility among them. Keywords: Hydrochlorothiazide, Losartan potassium, Bilayer tablets, kinetic models, controlled release.Download Full Article |
Abstract : In Vitro Activity of Cocoa Powder Extracts on Some Biomarkers Implicated in P. falciparum Malaria Pathogenesis
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Abstract: Malaria is a public health concern in many developing countries, including Ghana, and efforts are being made to eradicate it. Extracts from natural products have been used in several malaria endemic areas for malaria prophylaxis and treatment. Natural cocoa powder has been reported to possess in vitro direct inhibitory on P. falciparum. This study investigated the effect of natural cocoa powder on inducible nitric oxide, TNF-α and IL-10, biomarkers that play different roles in malaria pathogenesis. Chloroform and ethylacetate fractions of cocoa powder were cultured together with phytohemagglutinin-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) for 24 hours at 37°C with 5% CO2. Cell free supernatants were harvested and assayed for iNO, TNF-α and IL-10. Inducible NO was determined by diazotization reaction developed by Griess. TNF-α and IL-10 were determined by ELISA. This study showed that TNF-α and iNO in phytohemagglutinin-stimulated PBMCs were significantly reduced by cocoa fractions (p < 0.05), but IL-10 levels did not change significantly (p > 0.05), although TNF-α is known to up-regulate IL-10.Apart from the documented direct inhibitory effect of cocoa powder on P. falciparum, it can be hypothesized that the antiplasmodial activity of unsweetened cocoa powder could also be due to its ability to significantly inhibit iNO and TNF-α, inflammatory substances implicated in severe malaria pathogenesis. Keywords: Antiplasmodial activity, Cytokines, fractions, Peripheral blood mononuclear cells, Supernatants.Download Full Article |
