Category: Readings

Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria are generally accredited as potential anti-diabetic agents, but the mechanism of action is still not clear. This study aimed to investigate the result of administration of Lactobacillus casei and Bifidobacterium bifidum on α-glucosidase enzyme, postprandial blood glucose level, and histological changes that occur in the pancreatic β-cells in streptozotocin (STZ (50 mg/kg body weight)) induced diabetic rats. The experimental diabetic rats were treated with a single dose of L. casei and B. bifidum alone and combination for 28 days. The diabetic animals of a positive control group were treated with the standard hypoglycaemic drug, acarbose (10mg/kg body weight). Maltose and starch tolerance tests were performed. Treatment demonstrated significant hypoglycemic activity, lower postprandial blood glucose levels induced by maltose and starch loading in diabetic rats. The results demonstrated that L. casei and B. bifidum had α-glucosidase inhibitory activity and can reduce blood glucose level observed from the maltose and starch tolerance test. Histological analysis showed treatment prevented the function of pancreatic islets and regenerate degenerated cells.

Orexins are hypothalamus-derived neuropeptides with versatile functions. The most explored domains of orexins’ functions are their influence on the central nervous system (CNS) implicated in the regulation of sleep/wakefulness cycle, food intake behavior, energy homeostasis, and cognitive processes. Orexins reportedly bear two isoforms, orexin-A (OXA) and orexin-B (OXB), that act via their specific G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), OX1R and OX2R. These peptides also play vital roles in various other peripheral organs where they regulate metabolism, neuroendocrine functions, blood pressure, as well as reproductive functions. Interestingly orexins also exhibit immuno-regulatory, anti-inflammatory properties and facilitate the mechanism of obesity resistance. Recent research has also shed light on significant role of orexins, in particular orexin A, in regulating reproductive functions in male since the Leydig cells, Sertoli cells, germ cells in various stages of the development, and even the epididymis and penis, manifest the OXA receptor. It will be intriguing to explore the properties of the orexins in reversing obesity, downregulation of inflammatory responses and mediation of male reproductive functions. The present article thus reviews these multitudinous properties of orexins and comprehends the possible connection among the behavioral, metabolic, anti-inflammatory functions of orexins with their roles in male reproduction.

Adipokines are peptides produced mainly by the fat tissue adipocytes and their levels are sensitive to alterations in metabolic state. While there is little known about the impact of adipokines on male reproductive control, both animal-based experimental data and clinical research suggest that they can influence numerous male fertility indices. Chemerin is a newly found adipokine which is generally recognized as a chemoattractant and chemokine. Chemerin has been correlated with inflammatory reactions and metabolic imbalances, as seen in various metabolic syndromes. A sex dimorphic chemerin expression pattern has also been shown with greater levels in men in comparison to women. Chemerin can thus be offered as a potential new candidate in the connection among metabolic disorders, inflammation and male reproduction. The present article explores the multidimensional metabolic and inflammatory roles of chemerin and discusses its impact upon the male reproduction.

Acid labile linkers have been used widely for various biomedical applications with preferential applications in drug delivery. In this report, we have synthesized, glycerol based b-thiopropionate esters having an acid-labile β-thiopropionate linker with Michael addition reaction between hydrophobic thiol and hydrophilic tri-glycerol diacrylate. The solvent free reaction and purification by simply solvent extraction instead of any sophisticated chromatographic techniques provide an upper edge for their application in biomedical or other fields. These β-thiopropionate esters can potentially be used for the delivery and release of hydrophobic drugs at acidic sites particularly in cancer cells.

Justicia adhatoda L. is an Indian medicinal plant traditionally used to treat respiratory ailments in Ayurvedic and Unani medicines.  It is widespread in the Indian subcontinent. The plant leaves are known to have broad range of pharmacological activities including analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and antibacterial properties. Some studies have highlighted the antimicrobial effects of its major bioactive components like vasicine and vasicinone However, not much work has been done to explore the enormous benefits that the bioactive components might hold. Hence, in the present study, we explored the plant for its potential as an effective anti- mycobacterial agent. We aim to investigate the antimycobacterial effect of J. adhatoda L. plant leaf extracts on Mycobacterium smegmatis and Mycobacterium bovis (BCG) and identify, and isolate th bioactive component(s) for the plant leaf extract. The isolated components were also analyzed further for their antimycobacterial activity in synergy with Isoniazid. The leaves of J. adhatoda L. were powdered and extracted with ethanol, water, ethyl acetate, and hexane and antimycobacterial activity was assessed by MABA. The ethanol extract showed >96% and 98% reduction in colony-forming units (CFU) at 100µg/ml on Mycobacterium smegmatis and Mycobacterium bovis (BCG) respectively. Active phytoconstituent from ethanol extract was isolated and further fractionated via Prep-TLC. They were bioassayed against M. smegmatis and M. bovis (BCG) to study cytotoxicity, synergy, and external damage on the bacteria. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) were carried out on treated bacilli to observe the external and internal cellular damage. The isolated fractions showed strong anti-mycobacterial activity, with low cytotoxicity and synergism when used with isoniazid. When subjected to electron microscopy, the fractions were found to adversely affect the cell wall and membrane of BCG, causing cytoplasmic leakage. Our study demonstrated that the active fractions isolated from J. adhatoda L. could be evaluated further for potentially effective anti-mycobacterial agents.