030289   OGHENEMARO E F, JOHNSON J, ITOHAN I M, RICHARD S-O, MICHAEL O (Pharmaceutical Microbiology Dep, Delta State Univ, Abraka, Delta State, Email: felixenwa@yahoo.com) : Antimicrobial activity of aloe vera gel and honey against bacteria isolates from wound aspirates. Int J Pharm Sci Res 2018, 9(11), 4890-3.

Wounds may harbour diverse microorganisms, especially bacteria that are resistant to many conventional antibiotics. The aim of this study is therefore to evaluate the antibiotic activities of Aloe vera gel and honey against bacteria isolates from wounds. A cross sectional study of wound aspirates from a health care center was carried out to evaluate the antibacterial activities of Aloe vera and honey against bacteria isolates from wounds following standard microbiological procedures. The antimicrobial susceptibility of the isolates to standard antibiotic discs, Aloe vera and honey were done using the agar-diffusion method. The minimum inhibitory concentration of the Aloe vera gel and honey (alone and in combination) were also evaluated using the agar-diffusion method. The bacterial isolated were: Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus vulgaris, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Streptococcus pyogenes. The study showed that honey had a higher antibacterial activity than Aloe vera gel with an inhibition zone diameter (IZD) measuring mm. It also showed that Staphylococcus aureus was the most predominant pathogen found in wounds while Proteus vulgaris and Staphylococcus epidermidis were the least predominant.

3 tables, 7 ref

030272   LAXMI V M, LATHA D, JAYASREE A S (Microbiology Dep, CMS Coll of Science and Commerce, Coimbatore - 641 049, Email: m.muthulaxmi1@gmail.com) : Production and characterization of curdlan from Agrobacterium sp. Int J Pharm Sci Res 2018, 9(11), 4871-4.

Biopolymers are gaining more importance in our day-to-day life, due to the hazardous effect of synthetic plastics in our environment. Curdlan is one of the biopolymers, which has a broad field of applications in the food, pharmaceutical and medical industries. It is a polymer of glucose, produced by the family members of Rhizobiaceae. Curdlan [(1→3)-β-D-glucan] production takes place under the nitrogen starvation period during the cell growth. Fifty Agrobacterium sp. were isolated from root nodules collected from different localities of Coimbatore and Palakkad and screened by Aniline Blue method for the production of curdlan. The species was confirmed as Agro-bacterium fabrum by 16S rRNA sequencing. The accession number given by GenBank is MF521602. Curdlan was produced using different carbon and nitrogen sources. The extraction was done by Sodium hydroxide: Acetic acid precipitation. 0.12 gm of crude curdlan was obtained from 1.2 gm/100 ml of biomass. The product was stored for further research.

7 illus, 1 table, 22 ref

030258   JAYASREE A S, LATHA D, MUTHULAXMI V (Microbiology Div, CMS Coll of Science and Commerce, Coimbatore - 641 049, Email: jayasreeas2211@gmail.com) : Production of biosurfactant from Bacillus sp. and its larvicidal activity. Int J Pharm Sci Res 2018, 9(11), 4865-70.

Mosquitoes are becoming a serious threat to the humans causing infectious diseases like dengue, malaria, chikungunya, yellow fever etc. They multiply in large numbers in a polluted environment and stagnant water bodies. The control measures include the use of pesticides and chemical compounds which further causes harmful effects. Thus, an alternative solution is to use a biologically active compound which has larvicidal property and is eco-friendly. Biosurfactants are such compounds. In this present study, 75 isolates obtained from petroleum contaminated soil samples were screened and one potent isolate was selected and identified. The biosurfactant was produced from Bacillus subtilis B50. The crude compound was characterized as lipopeptide. Its larvicidal activity was tested using the similar stage of mosquito larvae at different concentration of crude biosurfactant (1 - 10 mg %). The LC₅₀ and LC₁₀₀ were calculated after observing the larvae for 72 h. The obtained results showed that as the time and concentration increases the mortality also increases. The maximum number of larvae was killed at a concentration of 1 - 4 mg for 72 h. The observations suggest the application of biosurfactant as an eco-friendly product for the eradication of mosquitoes.

6 illus, 3 tables, 30 ref

030305   REENA, DAHIYA M, KUMAR V, DUREJA H (Pharmaceutical Sciences Dep, Maharshi Dayanand Univ, Rohtak - 124 001, Email: harishdureja@gmail.com) : Formulation and evaluation of microspheres based oro-dispersible roxithromycin tablets using central composite design. Int J Pharm Sci Res 2018, 9(11), 4651-8.

The aim of this study was to develop microspheres based orodispersible tablets of roxithromycin using the solvent evaporation technique. The microspheres were formulated in to orodispersible tablets using direct compression technique by central composite design. The objective of the study was to analyze the effect of concentration of eudragit RS100 (X₁) and concentration of polyvinyl alcohol (X₂), on the entrapment efficiency of the drug. Tablets were evaluated for physical characteristics viz. weight variation, hardness, friability, disintegration time and in-vitro dissolution study. The hardness and weight variation of the tablet were found 4.7 ± 0.24 kg/cm² and 346.74 ± 3.74 mg, respectively. Friability of tablets was found 0.54 ± 0.04 which is less than 1 % or in the acceptable limit. Disintegration time and drug release were found 45 ± 0.51 seconds and 96.45 ± 2.24 % in one hour, respectively. The drug release data were subjected to drug release kinetics study.

12 illus, 9 tables, 12 ref

030290   OKMEN G, MAMMADHKANLI M, VURKUN M (Biology Dep, Mugla Sitki Kocman Univ, Mugla 48000, Turkey, Email: gultenokmen@gmail.com) : The antibacterial activities of Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr. & Perry against oral bacteria and its antioxidant and antimutagenic activities. Int J Pharm Sci Res 2018, 9(11), 4634-41.

Plants are an important source of substances which are claimed to induce biological activities. Although there are a few studies on antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of this plant, antimutagenic activity has not been studied and there is no study in Turkey. Antibacterial activities of Syzygium aromaticum against oral pathogens have not been reported until today. The scope of this work was to investigate the biological activities of S. aromaticum different extracts. The various extracts were screened for antibacterial activity. The bacteria were isolated from oral flora by traditional methods. The plant extracts were tested by Kirby-Bauer method. Other antibacterial activities tests are MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) and MBC (minimum bactericidal concentration). In addition to, the antioxidant activities of plant extracts were screened by the stable DPPH (2, 2-diphenyl1-picrylhydrazyl hydrate) free-radical. The antimutagenicity of the plant extracts were determined by Ames test using Salmonella typimurium strains. The highest antibacterial activity was determined as 20 mm inhibition zone from methanol extracts. The highest DPPH scavenging activity was found as 82 % from aqueous extract. S. aromaticum extracts have antibacterial, antioxidant and antimutagenic potentials. Our results support the use of this plant in traditional medicine and show that some of the plant extracts possess compounds with good biological activities.

8 tables, 50 ref

030240   DEBNATH R, MAJUMDER D, SINGHA A K, GHOSH D, MAITI D (Human Physiology Dep, Tripura Univ, Suryamaninagar - 799 022, Email: debasish.maiti@tripurauniv.in) : Bromelain plus peroxidase from pineapple induces apoptosis via mitochondrial dependent pathway in lymphoma cells. Int J Pharm Sci Res 2018, 9(11), 4610-8.

Bromelain is a protease present in pineapple fruit and stem. It is reported that commercially available pure bromelain has anticancer, antiinflammatory and other therapeutic effects. But there are few reports available on the biological activity of bromelain along with peroxidase which is present in pineapple fruit extract. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of bromelain with peroxidase from pineapple fruit against lymphoma cell line in in-vitro. Pineapple was purchased from the local market from Tripura. Bromelain isolated along with peroxidase and enzyme activity tested with the substrate. In-vitro cytotoxicity was determined by MTT assay, and apoptosis was determined by fluorescence microscopy, DNA fragmentation assay and by western blot analysis. Fluorescence microscopy analysis and the MTT assay showed significant apoptosis of lymphoma cell after treated with bromelain along with peroxidase in a dose- and time-dependent manner and was more apoptotic than bromelain alone. This was further confirmed by DNA fragmentation assay. Furthermore, western blotting analysis confirmed the mitochondrial pathway is involved in apoptosis of lymphoma cells. We reported for the first time that the efficiency of apoptosis of bromelain along with peroxidase is much higher than the only bromelain. This result may hint to use bromelain plus peroxidase from pineapple as a potent natural antitumor agent.

6 illus, 40 ref

030223   ALIMA Z, DEMAYO C G (Biological Sciences Dep, MSU - Iligan Institute of Technology, Iligan City 9200, Philippines, Email: cgdemayo@gmail.com) : Antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of selected plant extracts against human non-small cell lung adenocarcinoma (A549), human colon carcinoma cells (HCT116) and Chinese hamster normal ovary cells (AA8). Int J Pharm Sci Res 2018, 9(11), 4562-71.

Chemotherapy and radiation are the most prescribed methods of cancer treatments but these are highly toxic and also are carcinogenic thus alternative cures are being explored especially on the use of cytotoxic substances isolated from natural sources like plants known for their ethnomedicinal properties. Natural chemopreventive agents such as antioxidants isolated from plants are argued to be important in suppressing or reversing carcinogenesis and to prevent the development of invasive cancers thus research studies are now currently geared in the evaluation and determination of the cytotoxicity and antioxidant activity of plant extracts to serve as ideal cure. Since the acquisition and processing of highly cytotoxic and selective effects of plant-based compounds to cancer cells are still limited, this study was conducted on eight plant species known to have folkloric medicinal properties. The leaf ethanolic extracts were examined for their antioxidant properties and cytotoxicity against Human Non-Small Cell Lung adenocarcinoma (A549), Human Colon Carcinoma Cells (HCT116) and Chinese Hamster Normal Ovary Cells (AA8). Antioxidant properties were observed to be high in seven species. Only one species P. edule to have low antioxidant property but high toxicity to HCT116 cancer cell lines. Three other species C. ovatum, F. nota and P. odorata were both having high antioxidant properties and cytotoxicity to cancer cell lines HCT116 while four species S. contorta, T. copelandii, C. ramiflora and P. arborea have high antioxidant but relative very low toxicity to HCT116 cancer cell lines. While two species namely, C. ovatum and P. edule were cytotoxic to HCT116 cancer cell lines, only C. ovatum was found to be cytotoxic for both A549 cancer cell lines thus could be a good candidate as source of chemotherapeutic and chemopreventive compounds. The results that showed seven out of the eight species have high percentage of antioxidants can be argued that these species are candidate species as sources of chemopreventive compounds. Further studies are still needed to determine the compounds from these species that confer selective cytotoxicity to cancer cell lines.

5 illus, 4 tables, 69 ref

030308   SAHARIAH P, BORA J, PATAR A K, SYIEM D, BHAN S (Biochemistry Dep, North-Eastern Hill Univ, Shillong - 793022, Email: sry_bhan@yahoo.co.in) : Evaluation of antihyperglycemic and antioxidative effects of Dillenia indica L. using in-vivo approaches. Int J Pharm Sci Res 2018, 9(11), 4551-61.

Dillenia indica (DI) is a traditionally used medicinal plant which is reported to exhibit wide range of pharmacological activities. However, no vast scientific study has been conducted in this regard. The present study was designed to investigate the antihyperglycemic, antihyperlipidemic and antioxidative activities of the Dillenia indica fruits. Aqueous and methanolic extracts of the fruits were prepared and phenolic and flavonoid content of the extracts were determined. Diabetic mice were prepared with alloxan (150 mg/kg) body weight (b.w.). Antihyperglycemic study was carried out with doses (150-550) mg/kg b.w. of methanolic fruit extract (MFE) in diabetic mice. Biochemical analysis of lipid profile and liver marker enzymes were carried out. Antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione reductase) activity assessments and histopathological investigations were done in liver and kidneys of mice. From the studies we found that MFE possesses higher phenolic and flavonoid content and therefore were considered for further studies. From the antihyperglycemic study it was found that 350 mg/kg b.w. dose was the most effective in reduction of blood glucose level. Significant reduction in the levels of serum lipids and liver marker enzymes and significant increase in the activities of the antioxidant enzymes were observed in the treated group. Histopathological investigation showed that detrimental effects of oxidative stress were attenuated in the treated group. It was further concluded that Dillenia indica fruits were found to be quite effective against hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia and oxidative stress and therefore the fruits could be considered to be of therapeutic value in diabetes.

10 illus, 3 tables, 37 ref

030274   MAHDIZADEH R, MOEIN S, SOLTANI N, MALEKZADEH K, MOEIN M (Hormozgan Univ of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran, Email: smoein@razi.tums.ac.ir) : Study the molecular mechanism of Salvia species in prevention of diabetes. Int J Pharm Sci Res 2018, 9(11), 4512-21.

Diabetes mellitus is a widespread epidemic caused by insulin deficiency, decreased secretion, or both of them. This disease is one of the common metabolic disorders that affects 8.2 % of the world population and is expected to reach 4.5 % in 2025. More than 200 species of plants have antidiabetic properties, but the mechanism of their effect is not well defined. Most herbs that have anti-diabetic properties include to the family of Leguminoaceae, Lamiaceae, Liliaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Asteraceae, Moraceae, Rosaceae and Araliaceae. The antidiabetic activities of medicinal plants are attributed to the presence of polyphenols, flavonoids, terpenoids, coumarins and and other constituents which show reduction in blood glucose levels. Searching among the different literature resources and various database and in view of the above aspects, the present article provides a comprehensive review on the available antidiabetic salvia species that have been approved by pharmacological and clinical evaluations, and whose mechanism(s) of action is assured. Numerous mechanisms of actions have been proposed for Salvia species extracts. Some hypotheses relate to their effects on the activity of pancreatic beta cells, increase in the inhibitory effect against insulinase enzyme, increase of the insulin sensitivity or the insulin-like activity of the plant extracts. Other mechanisms may also be involved such as increase of peripheral utilization of glucose, increase of synthesis of hepatic glycogen or decrease of glycogenolysis, inhibition of intestinal glucose absorption, reduction of glycemic index of carbohydrates and reduction of the effect of glutathione.

3 illus, 1 table, 44 ref

030307   ROCHER A E, ANGELERI A A G, GUERRA F, PALAORO L A (Clinical Biochemistry Dep, Buenos Aires Univ, Buenos Aires, Argentina, Email: adrianarocher@yahoo.com.ar) : Use of sialic acid as a complementary method in the cytological diagnosis: Preliminary study. J Cytol 2018, 35(4), 242-6.

Cellular morphology does not allow, in many cases, to safely establish a diagnosis of malignancy or benignity. Sialic acid is found in the membranes of well‑differentiated mature cells, normally located in the alpha‑2,3 position. During tumor progression, changes occur in glycosylation of proteins and lipids, including alterations in the sialylation patterns of tumor cells. To confirm the overexpression of alpha‑2,6 sialinization in exfoliated cells of body fluids and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) as a malignant indicator mechanism, using glycan‑binding lectins. Thirty samples (20 effusion liquids and 10 BAL) diagnosed by Giemsa and Papanicolaou staining as negative and positive for malignancy, were studied. They were then stained with fluorescein‑labeled Sambucus nigra lectin (Sigma Chemicals, USA), which specifically recognizes sialic acid in alpha‑2,6 position. The fluorescence obtained at 515 nm evidenced the presence of sialic acid in the 2,6 position. Negative body fluids for malignancy showed a fine and homogeneous fluorescence pattern for reactive mesothelial cells. Neoplastic cells revealed a thick, heterogeneous pattern. In BAL, benign hyperplastic cells showed a homogeneous fine pattern while neoplastic cells showed a thick and heterogeneous fluorescence pattern. The pattern described was observed in all cases in the cell membrane. It was observed that the change in sialic acid conformation detected through Sambucus nigra Lectin could be used as a complementary method for the diagnosis of malignancy in different cytological samples.

4 illus, 3 tables, 14 ref

030345   YAN H, LIANG M, HAN B (Jiangsu Univ of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang 212000, China, Email: yanh1006@163.com) : A study on rapid non-destructive detection of eugenol in Caryophylli flos by NIR spectroscopy and partial least square. Indian J Pharm Sci 2018, 80(6), 1136-42.

A method for rapid non-destructive detection of eugenol in caryophylli flos was developed with near-infrared spectroscopy and chemometrics. One hundred and three samples were collected, and gas chromatography with internal standard was used to determine the reference value of eugenol in caryophylli flos. Near-infrared spectra were recorded from their powders and pretreated with standard normal variate and 1st derivative, and then a model was built with the chemometrics method, partial least square. Outliers of samples were detected. When 6 factors were adopted in a model, the performance was found to be the best. For prediction set, the slope was 0.9461, the offset was 0.3008, R-square was 0.9388, root mean square error of prediction was 0.6987 %, bias was -0.2815 % and residual prediction deviation was 5.89. The statistical analysis showed the predicted results were consistent with the reference values. It is feasible that near-infrared spectroscopy could be used to rapidly and accurately detect the main active content, eugenol in caryophylli flos as a method of quality control.

6 illus, 3 tables, 27 ref

030317   SHEHZADI N, HUSSAIN K, KHAN M T, BUKHARI N I, ISLAM M, SALMAN M, SIDDIQUI S Z, REHMAN A, ABBASI M A (The Univ of Lahore, Lahore-54000, Pakistan, Email: naureentanveerkhan@gmail.com) : Radical scavenging and endogenous defence system inducing activities of 5-[(4-chlorophenoxy)methyl]- 1,3,4-oxadiazole-2-thiol: A novel antioxidant. Indian J Pharm Sci 2018, 80(6), 1125-35.

5-[(4-chlorophenoxy)methyl]-1,3,4-oxadiazole-2-thiol owing to the presence of –SH group is expected to have a significant reducing potential, which could be translated into antioxidant potential and to prove this, the present study explored the antioxidant potential and binding pattern of this compound to oxidative stressrelated protein targets. The antioxidant properties were determined using in vitro methods with ascorbic acid and butylated hydroxytoluene as standards while interactions of 5-[(4-chlorophenoxy)methyl]-1,3,4- oxadiazole-2-thiol with protein tyrosine kinase 2-β and glutathione reductase were determined using online software, Mcule 1-Click Docking, 3DLigandSite and COACH. The antioxidant activity of 5-[(4-chlorophenoxy) methyl]-1,3,4-oxadiazole-2-thiol was found to be 89.30 ± 0.013, 81.20 ± 0.002, 80.52 ± 0.016, 54.81 ± 0.007, 52.87 ± 0.008, 34.44 ± 0.019 and 19.91 ± 0.014 % in hydrogen peroxide scavenging assay, 2,2-diphenyl-1- picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging assay, phosphomolybdenum assay, nitric oxide scavenging assay, reducing power assay, ferric thiocyanate assay and β-carotene bleaching assay, respectively. In all these assays, EC50 of 5-[(4-chlorophenoxy)methyl]-1,3,4-oxadiazole-2-thiol ranged from 0.32˗0.93 mg/ml. The docking results indicated excellent binding to protein tyrosine kinase 2-β and glutathione reductase, maximum for the latter. The results of the present study revealed that 5-[(4-chlorophenoxy)methyl]-1,3,4-oxadiazole-2-thiol has the propensity to abrogate oxidation by inducing endogenous defence system and preventing radical chain reactions, hence might be considered a potential antioxidant for further investigations.

5 illus, 2 tables, 58 ref

030252   HOSSAIN M A, PERVIN R, PARK N-H, KANG J W, LEE K J, SUH J W, PARK S C (Kyungpook National Univ, Daegu 702-701, Email: parksch@knu.ac.kr) : Development of a simple and sensitive HPLC method for the determination of rifaximin in serum and its application. Indian J Pharm Sci 2018, 80(6), 1108-14.

Rifaximin, a virtually non-absorbed rifamycin drug is gaining attention for its broad-spectrum of activity. A couple of methods have been reported for its determination in biological matrices. However, inconvenient sample preparation procedure, lack of sensitivity and long analysis time hindered the application of those methods in pharmacokinetic and toxicological study. Thus, a high performance liquid chromatography method has been developed and validated in this study for the sensitive quantification of rifaximin in serum. In this procedure, chromatographic separation was achieved by flowing a mobile phase comprise of acetonitrile and 0.1 % acetic acid (60:40, v/v) through a C18 column (150 × 4.6 mm, 5 μm). An ultraviolet detector was utilized to identify and quantify the compound. The method has been validated over a concentration range of 0.03-30.00 μg/ml (r² =0.9999) by utilizing 150 μl of serum. The accuracy of the method was 89.59- 98.84 %, and the intra- and inter-day precisions were 0.41-6.84 and 1.83-5.71 %, respectively. The compound was stable in different storage conditions. Insignificant amounts (2.40 ± 0.38 to 4.22 ± 1.10 μg/ml) of rifaximin were quantified in serum samples of rat from 2 to 8 h after oral administration. This method offers a rapid, sensitive, specific, reproducible, and stable tool for the quantitative determination of rifaximin in serum, which could be applicable in other biological matrices and species for pharmacokinetic and toxicological study of rifaximin.

3 illus, 3 tables, 19 ref

030342   WANG T-Y, LI Y, WU X, YANG X L, WANG Y, WANG D (Histology and Embryology Dep, Jinzhou Medical Univ, Jinzhou 121001, China, Email: wanganan1997@163.com) : Protective effects of melatonin on CCL₄ -induced acute liver damage and testicular toxicity in rats. Indian J Pharm Sci 2018, 80(6), 1100-7.

Effects of melatonin against carbon tetrachloride-induced acute liver and testicular toxicity in rats as well as the possible mechanisms were investigated in the present study. Rats were acclimatized and the serum levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and reduced glutathione were measured. The malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, and reduced glutathione concentrations in the hepatic homogenate, and histopathological changes in rat liver and testes were also determined. Membrane potential was analysed with flow cytometry. The expression level of telomerase and caspase-3 were determined by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Melatonin increased the content of serum reduced glutathione in rats with acute liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride. The extent of malondialdehyde formation was reduced; superoxide dismutase activity and the reduced glutathione contents were increased in the hepatic homogenate in melatonin groups. Histopathological examination of rat liver and testicular sections confirmed the biochemical observations. Melatonin significantly restored the plasma membrane potential and decreased mRNA level of telomerase and caspase-3. These results indicated that melatonin exerted a significant protective effect against acute hepatotoxicity induced by carbon tetrachloride in rats, which might be due to free radical scavenging, inhibition of lipid peroxidation, increasing antioxidant activity as well as restoration plasma membrane potential. The expression of telomerase and caspase-3 might partially contribute to the protective effects on carbon tetrachloride-induced acute liver damage. Reduced glutathione content might also partially contribute to the protective effects of melatonin on the oxidative damage caused by carbon tetrachloride in rat testis.

6 illus, 25 ref

030244   DISOMA C, ERKISA M, ORAN S, ALIOGLU I, ULUKAYA E, ARI F (Biology Dep, Uludag Univ, Bursa, Turkey, Email: ferdaoz@uludag.edu.tr) : Usnea filipendula induces apoptosis in human colon cancer cell lines. Indian J Pharm Sci 2018, 80(6), 1078-85.

Lichens are complex organisms living in a symbiotic relationship with fungi and algae have recently received special interest in cancer research. The cytotoxic activities of Usnea filipendula Stirt. lichen extract was investigated on colon cancer cell lines, HCT-15 and HT-29. Sulphorhodamine B and ATP cell viability tests were used to monitor cytotoxic activity. The mode of cell death (apoptosis/necrosis) was determined using caspase-cleaved cytokeratin 18 (M30), caspase-3/7 activity and fluorescence staining techniques that included, Annexin-V, Hoechst 33342 and propidium iodide. Usnea filipendula showed dose and timedependent antiproliferative effect in HCT-15 and HT-29 cells. The IC₅₀ values in HCT-15 and HT-29 cells were 17.92 and 41.87 µg/ml, respectively. The extract induced apoptosis in both cell lines especially in HCT-15 cells in which caspase-3/7 activity was increased. Usnea filipendula was cytotoxic to colon cancer HCT-15 and HT-29 cell lines by inducing early or late apoptosis as evidenced by translocation of phosphatidylserine, pyknotic nuclei and nuclear condensation. Further studies would help to understand the full potential of Usnea filipendula as a novel anticancer therapy.

6 illus, 39 ref

030267   KHANGEMBAM V C, SRIVASTAVA S K, LEISHANGTHEM G D, KATARIA M, THAKURIA D (Animal Biochemistry Div, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly - 243 122, Email: drvictoriachanu@rediffmail.com) : Evaluation of apoptosis inducing ability of Parkia javanica seed extract in cancer cells. Indian J Pharm Sci 2018, 80(6), 1069-77.

Bioactive compounds present in Parkia javanica seeds are reported to have anticancer effect. The present study was taken up to evaluate the apoptosis inducing ability of methanol extract of Parkia javanica seeds in cancer cells. The extract was found to cause 50 % cell death in HeLa and MCF-7 cells at 0.54 and 0.74 mg/ml, respectively, which is lower than that of normal healthy cells. In haematoxylin-eosin and fluorescent staining of the extract-treated cancer cells, chromatin condensation and nuclear fragmentation were observed. Fluorescent-activated cell sorting analysis using Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide also revealed the presence of apoptotic and secondary necrotic cell populations in the extract-treated cancer cells. In gel electrophoresis, DNA fragmentation, a biochemical hallmark of apoptosis was also observed. Caspase-3, an enzyme activated both in extrinsic and intrinsic pathways of apoptosis was detected in extracttreated HeLa cells by immunocytochemistry. The results of the present study suggested that Parkia javanica seed has the ability to induce apoptosis in cancer cells and could be considered in future endeavours for development of safer natural anticancer agent.

7 illus, 41 ref

030249   GRACE V M B, SANDEEP V, VISWANATHAN S, SATHYABAMA B E (Biotechnology Dep, Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences, Coimbatore-641 114, Email: berlinbiochem@gmail.com) : DSPC/cholesterol nano-formulated 9-cis-retinoic acid has potent therapeutic effect on A549 cell line. Indian J Pharm Sci 2018, 80(6), 1039-44.

The main objective of the present work was to develop liposomal nano-formulation for 9-cis-retinoic acid using di-stearoylphosphocholin/cholesterol mixture, to characterise and to evaluate its anticancer effect on A549 human lung cancer cell lines. The liposomes were prepared using thin film formulation method and characterization of particle size and shape were carried out employing dynamic light scattering and scanning electron microscopy techniques, respectively. The level of drug entrapment into the liposomes and liposomal stability were analysed using spectrophotometry and expressed in terms of percent entrapment. The level of 9-cis-retinoic acid in treated cells also was assayed using spectrophotometry. In vitro drug release level evaluated using a dialysis bag. The anticancer effect was studied using MTT and trypsin blue assays in human lung cancer cell line. The drug entrapment level achieved was 83.33 %. Viability of cancer cells was significantly reduced after liposomal 9-cis-retinoic acid treatment. From these results it could be concluded that the liposomal 9-cis-retinoic acid was easily taken up by the A549 cells compared to free 9-cis-retinoic acid, which might have enhanced the anticancer activity observed in this study.

6 illus, 33 ref

030324   SU S, WANG M, DING X, HOU Y, TANG J, LIU L, DONG M, JING L (China West Normal Univ, Nanchong, 637009 China, Email: starthlh@126.com) : Protein chip of Boletus speciosus frost polysaccharide revealed the molecular mechanism of antitumor and immunostimulatory activities on macrophages. Indian J Pharm Sci 2018, 80(6), 1029-38.

The polysaccharide of Boletus speciosus Frost has a backbone of (1→4)-α-L-mannopyranose residues, which branched at O-6 and the branches mainly comprised of (a→1)-α-D-galactopyranose residue. To find out signalling transduction pathways that mediate the effect of the polysaccharide of Boletus speciosus Frost on macrophages, the polysaccharide of Boletus speciosus Frost was used to stimulate the macrophages and 200 cytokines were detected with the help of a protein chip. Further analysis of the result revealed 48 upregulated and 73 down-regulated cytokines. All cytokines were imported into the KEGG pathway database and NCBI to identify the signalling pathway and biological functions involved, respectively. The results showed that the cytokines fulfilled valuable functions in the JAK-STAT signalling pathway and NF-kappa B signalling pathway. This study thus revealed that the edible fungus polysaccharides could stimulate immune cells to secrete immune factors, which could provide a scientific basis for targeting sugar immunization preparations.

4 illus, 5 tables, 30 ref

030300   PRADEEP P S, RANDHYA R, PRASAD B G (Dentistry Dep, DM WIMS Hospital, Wayanad, Kerala, Email: drpradeep.paisari@gmail.com) : Considering vascular endothelial growth factor elevation in sera as marker for oral squamous cell carcinoma metastasis. Indian J Dent Sci 2018, 10(4), 216-9.

Angiogenesis is the most important contributor for tumor growth and metastasis. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is thought to be one of the most contributing angiogenic factors and selective mitogen for vascular endothelial cells. This study was conducted to determine the circulating levels of VEGF in histopathologically proven well defined squamous cell carcinomas of the oral cavity with no metastasis and to compare with serum levels of patients with moderately and poorly differentiate squamous cell carcinomas with metastasis. This study included 20 patients with no metastasis, 20 patients with metastatic squamous cell carcinoma, and 20 healthy individuals as control. The values of healthy volunteers and patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma were compared for VEGF levels only. Statistical analysis showed that mean VEGF levels in the sera of oral squamous cell carcinoma patients with metastasis were significantly higher than that in patients with no metastasis. Moreover, serum VEGF level was understandably higher in both the groups than in controls. It may be safe to conclude that VEGF elevation in the serum can be a marker in case of metastatic oral squamous cell carcinomas.

7 tables, 22 ref

030339   VIJAYKUMAR B R, KANT R S, RAJENDRAN C, LEKSHMI S U, KEERTHANA S, MAHADEVAN A, SHANKAR S K, JAYSHREE R S (Microbiology Dep, Kidwai Cancer Institute, Bengaluru - 560 029, Email: microjayshree@gmail.com) : Restriction fragment length polymorphism-based genotyping of Toxoplasma gondii from autopsy-proven cases of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-associated cerebral toxoplasmosis. Ann Indian Acad Neurol 2018, 21(4), 250-5.

Published data on genetic characterization of Toxoplasma gondii (T.gondii) from clinical cases of toxoplasmosis from India is lacking. The present study was aimed at identifying genetic types of T. gondii in fatal cases of cerebral toxoplasmosis (CT) associated with HIV, from India. Archived tissues of CT were obtained postmortem from 25 acquired immunodeficiency syndrome patients between 2000 and 2014. Direct amplification of eight different loci, namely, SAG1, 5’‑3’SAG2, Alt. SAG2, SAG3, BTUB, GRA6, C22‑8, and L358 followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism was used to genotype the parasite. The canonical Types I, II, or III were not found in our study. More than 96 % of the cases harbored atypical genotypes–likely recombinants of the canonical types; one case closely corresponded to Type II genotype. Thus, a majority of T. gondii causing CT in South India belonged to a noncanonical lineage. These nonarchetypal genotypes differed from the conventional Types I, II, and III and caused devastating severity in patients with CT in the background of HIV. These results are a step further to deciphering the population genetics of this important zoonotic parasitic infection in Indian patients, information that has thus far been lacking.

1 illus, 2 tables, 30 ref

030238   DAS S, SAHOO K R, PARIDA B (Botany Dep, Berhampur Univ, Berhampur, Odisha) : Bactericidal activity of Hemidesmus indicus R. Br. root extract against clinically isolated uropathogens. J Med Plants Stud 2018, 6(6), 180-92.

The roots of Hemidesmus indicus R. Br. (Asclepiadaceae) are rich in tannins, saponin, alkaloids, flavonoids and phenolic compounds etc. It is used as tonic for nutritional disorders, diuretic for urinary problems due to its antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The present study was carried out to investigate the effect of diverse active constituents present in different solvent fractions of H. indicus root i.e. {petroleum benzene (PHI), chloroform (CHI), acetone (AHI), methanol (MHI)} against the clinically isolated uropathogenic bacteria i.e. Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis. Clinical isolates were collected from different patients suffering from urinary tract infections. Bioactivities of the different extracts were tested using various antibacterial methods on both solid and liquid media. Different qualitative and quantitative phytochemical tests were carried out using standard method. Phytochemical analysis of the fractions showed the presence of terpenoid, steroid, alkaloid, tannin, glycoside, coumarin and saponin. Among the 3 test bacteria, S. aureus was found to be a MDR strain having resistance to 6 antibiotics (CPM, CFM, CXM, CTX, NX and GEN) and H. indicus root extract was more effective against it. Our results showed that PHI, CHI, AHI and MHI can be used effectively in the treatment of multidrug resistant strains causing urine infection. However, future study can reveal the rationale behind the bactericidal activity and mode of action of the phytoconstituents present in H. indicus root extract.

2 illus, 5 tables, 40 ref

030220   ADOUNKPE F M, MEDEHOUENOU T C M, KLOTOE J R, DOUGNON V T (Abomey Calavi Univ, Cotonou, Bénin) : Antibacterial pharmacochemical activity. J Med Plants Stud 2018, 6(6), 175-9.

The phytochemical screening of Crateva religiosa G. Forst, a plant used in Benin in traditional veterinary medicine, has shown its richness in alkaloids. The objective of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial pharmacochemical activity "in vitro" of total alkaloids extracts of C. religiosa leaves and roots on pathogenic germs in comparison to Amoxicillin + clavulanic acid (AMC), a conventional broad-spectrum antibiotic. The extraction of these alkaloids was made by the Stas-Otto method followed by thin layer chromatography. Total alkaloid extracts from leaves and roots were found to be more active than AMC against species of Staphylococcus aureus (38), Escherichia coli (28), Klebsiella pneumoniae (26), Streptococcus agalactiae (23), and Citrobacter freundii (12) following agar-well diffusion method using two concentrations (50 mg/ml and 200 mg/ml). Total alkaloids extracts of C. religiosa leaves and roots (200 mg/ml) gave the largest inhibition diameters against all microorganisms tested compared to AMC. The minimum inhibitory concentration was estimated at 50 mg/ml. The results obtained confirmed the long-established antimicrobial activity of this plant and brought novelty that its alkaloids would intervene in its therapeutic effect.

2 illus, 3 tables, 21 ref

030283   MUHAMMAD A A, KABIR D M, LAWAL A D (Pharmacology Dep, Usmanu Danfodiyo Univ Sokoto, Nigeria) : Comparative study of the effect of different extracts of M. oleifera on some biochemical and histological parameters in rats. J Med Plants Stud 2018, 6(6), 84-90.

Moringa oleifera is a plant whose therapeutic significance has been reported scientifically. However, relatively few studies elucidate the safety of different extraction solvents used for the extraction of the plant bio actives. This study investigated the effect of administration of different solvent extracts of M. oleifera on liver and kidney functions of rats. Thirty six adult male rats were used and divided into four groups of nine rats each. Group 1 served as control. Different solvent extracts (aqueous, ethanol, and methanol) were administered to study groups (2, 3 and 4) at different doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg respectively. Biochemical parameters such as total protein, albumin, total and conjugated bilirubin, AST, ALT, urea and creatinine were determined after 3 days (acute) and 28 days (sub-chronic) using standard techniques. Histology of liver and kidney tissues was examined 28 days after administration of the extracts at the highest dose of 400 mg/kg. The results showed treatment-related abnormalities in most of the biochemical parameters of methanolic and ethanolic extracts of M. oleifera. However, aqueous extracts did not show any abnormality on the biochemical parameters. Methanolic and ethanolic extracts of M. oleifera significantly increased (p < 0.05) the activity of aspartate amino transferase, alanine aminotransferase, total bilirubin, urea and creatinine. It also showed significant decrease (p < 0.05) in the levels of total protein and albumin. The significant increase and decreases were however, dose dependent. This was supported by the result of histological evaluation of liver and kidney which did not show any abnormal feature following administration of aqueous extract of M. oleifera. The present study demonstrated some level of safety in the use of aqueous extract of M. oleifera when compared to methanolic and ethanolic extracts that revealed some form of abnormality in the kidney and liver tissues following 28 days of administration. This suggests that, care should be taken in the use of these extracts for their counterproductive consequences resulting possibly from chronic administration of the extract.

4 illus, 20 ref

030329   SYAHREZA A, SYAFRIL S, LINDARTO D (Endocrinology Metabolic and Diabetes Div, Sumatera Utara Univ, Lau Medan, Indones) : Comparison of sambiloto (Andrographis paniculata (Burm.F.) Nees) and salam (Syzygium polyanthum (Wight) Walp) extract mixture with simvastatin on ferritin concentration in dyslipidemic patients. J Med Plants Stud 2018, 6(6), 4-7.

Dyslipidemia is one of many risk factor in cardiovascular diseases and significantly correlated with increased inflammation marker, including ferritin concentration. Synthetic antidyslipidemic drugs, such as Simvastatin, may decrease ferritin concentration, even without many supporting study. However, long term use of synthetic drugs could cause side effects, so that phytopharmaca is becoming to consideration. The mixture of sambiloto and Salam extracts reported decreasing proinflammatory cytokines, cholesterol, and triglyceride. We try to compare the effect of sambiloto and Salam extract mixture with simvastatin on Ferritin concentration in dyslipidemic patients in this study. This clinical trial use prospective design with double blinded random sampling that involved 30 patients divided by two groups (simvastatin and sambiloto and salam extract mixture). Ferritin concentration before therapy compared to after examination was decreased but it was statistically insignificant ((150, 09 + 104, 95 vs 133, 63 + 94, 77) ng/dL; p = 0,079) not only in study group but also in control group ((172, 44 + 162, 7 vs 160, 75 + 164,7) ng/dL; p = 0,325). The decrease of ferritin in study group was bigger than the control group, but it was statistically insignificant ((17, 2 + 45, 24 vs 11, 69 + 53,15) ng/dL; p = 0,221). The mixture of sambiloto (Andrographis paniculata) and salam (Syzygium polyanthum) extract decreased ferritin concentration bigger than simvastatin, but statistically insignificant.

2 tables, 20 ref

030229   BODIGE D, ALLENKI V (SVS Group of Institutions, Telangana- 506 015) : Antihyperlipidemic activity of capsaicin in high fat diet induced rats. Int J Res Pharm Chem 2018, 8(4), 562-5.

Capsaicin is natural medicine extracts from capsicum and other pepper plants the systematic pharmacological studies carried out support its hyperlipidemic activity. The experimental model selected for the present study is administration high fat diet and cholesterol (0.5 %) orally at every alternative day. Treatment with Capsaicin significantly reduced elevated levels of cholesterol and total protein and significantly increased HDL cholesterol level in hyperlipidemic rats. There was a significant (P < 0.002) decrease in the amount of cholesterol, total protein levels in capsaicin and high fat diet treated group and Atrovastatin and high fat diet treated groups compared to respective high fat diet treated group.

3 illus, 7 ref

030309   SAKUNTALA M S V, RAO A L, CAREY M W (Pharmacy Dep, Jawaharlal Nehru Technological Univ Kakinada, Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh) : HPLC-PDA analysis of pazopanib in rabbit plasma using gefitinib as internal standard. Int J Res Pharm Chem 2018, 8(4), 553-61.

In the present investigation, a rapid, specific and sensitive isocratic HPLC method coupled with photodiode array detection (PDA) has been described for the assay of pazopanib in rabbit plasma using gefitinib as an internal standard. The pazopanib and internal standard gefitinib were extracted from rabbit plasma in a single step using acetonitrile. The analysis of pazopanib was performed on Hypersil ODS C18 (250 mm × 4.0 mm I.D., 5.0 μm particle size) column with a mobile phase, 0.01 M potassium dihydrogen orthophosphate (pH 3.6):acetonitrile (75:25, v/v) and UV detection set at 264 nm. The developed method was validated by evaluating system suitability, selectivity, sensitivity, linearity, precision, accuracy, ruggedness and stability in conformity with the guidelines of the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The results of validation parameters were found to be within the acceptance limits. Hence, the developed and validated method can be utilized for the routine determination of pazopanib in plasma samples of rabbit.

3 illus, 5 tables, 17 ref

030286   NAMRATHA T V, CHALUVARAJU K C, ANUSHREE A M (Pharmaceutical Chemistry Dep, Government Coll of Pharmacy, Bengaluru - 560 027) : A study on beta blockers - A brief review. Int J Res Pharm Chem 2018, 8(4), 508-29.

Beta blockers are agents or drugs which competitively inhibit the action of catecholamines at the beta adrenergic receptors, which are mainly used to treat variety of clinical conditions like angina, hypertension, asthma, COPD and arrhythmias. These drugs are also useful in several other therapeutic situations including shock, premature labor and opioid withdrawal, and as adjuncts to general anesthetics. These drugs produce their effect by interacting with the beta adrenergic receptors. In the present communication, an effort has been made to compile beta adrenergic receptors and the chemistry, discovery and development, classification and therapeutic applications of beta blockers.

5 illus, 1 table, 25 ref

030236   CREDO D, MASIMBA P J, MACHUMI F, HEYDENREICH M (Natural Products Development Dep, Muhimbili Univ of Health and Allied Science, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania) : Isolation of stigmasterol from 80 % aqueous ethanol root extract of Bridelia duvigneaudii J.Leon and its hypoglycaemic activity on oral glucose loaded white albino mice. Int J Res Pharm Chem 2018, 8(4), 492-501.

In this study, 80 % aqueous ethanol root extract of Bridelia duvigneaudii J.Leon was subjected to isolation of phytochemicals. The study led to the isolation of stigmasterol in pure state. The hypoglycaemic activity of stigmasterol was determined. Isolation of phytochemicals from the 80 % aqueous ethanol root extract of Bridelia duvigneaudii J.Leon was done using column chromatography packed with silica gel and eluted by solvents ranging from non-polar, medium polar and polar. The isolated pure compound (stigmasterol) was identified based on Nuclear Magnetic Resonance data (¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, COSY, HSQC and HMBC) and by comparing the spectral characteristics reported in the literature. Evaluation for hypoglycaemic activity of stigmasterol was conducted in normal albino mice by using Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT). The statistical analysis of results was carried out using Student t-test followed by one way Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey’s multiple comparisons at probability value (p < 0.05). Column chromatographic separation led to isolation of ubiquitous steroid compound, namely, stigmasterol10. At doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg, stigmasterol exhibited hypoglycaemic activity by lowering blood glucose in treated white albino mice statistically different from that of untreated group at 0.5, 1, 2, 3 and 4 hours after administration, p < 0.05. The present work revealed that, stigmasterol has good hypoglycaemic activity, thus, should be considered as a potential lead compound for developing hypoglycaemic agent (s) in future. However, further research is still needed to investigate the compound especially its various biological effects in this species.

11 illus, 4 tables, 31 ref

030322   SOGAN N, KAPOOR N, SINGH H, KALA S, NAYAK A, NAGPAL B N (World Health Organization, New Delhi–110 002, Email: b_n_nagpal@hotmail.com) : Larvicidal activity of Ricinus communis extract against mosquitoes. J Vector Borne Dis 2018, 55(4), 282–90.

Vector control strategies play significant role in reducing the transmission of malaria, dengue and other vector-borne diseases. The control of vector population using synthetic insecticides has resulted in development of insecticide resistance and negative effects on humans and environment. The present investigation evaluated the larvicidal potential of methanol, dichloromethane and hexane extracts of leaves and seeds of Ricinus communis (castor) plant against the early IV instar larvae of the dengue vector, Aedes aegypti, and malaria vector, Anopheles culicifacies. Plant extracts were screened for their efficacy against Ae. aegypti and An. culicifacies using WHO standard larval susceptibility test method. Dose response bioassay was performed to get lethal concentrations. Further, gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) analysis was carried out to identify the bioactive chemical constituents of the extracts of R. communis. Toxicity of the extracts towards non-target organism, Poecilia reticulata was also evaluated. The leaf and seed extracts of R. communis showed significant mortality against the larvae of Ae. aegypti and An. culicifacies at concentrations of 31.25, 62.5, 125, 250, 500 ppm; and 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64 ppm, respectively. At 24 h of the exposure period, the larvicidal activities were highest for the methanol extract of seeds with LC₅₀ 15.52 and 9.37 ppm and LC₉₀ 45.24 and 31.1 ppm for Ae. aegypti and An. culicifacies, respectively. The methanol extract of seeds and leaves was found to be safe towards non-target organism, P. reticulata. The GC-MS profile showed that seed extracts were having higher concentration of stigmasterol (7.5 %), β-sitosterol (11.48 %), methyl linoleate (2.5 %), vitamin E (11.93 %), and ricinoleic acid (34 %) than the leaf extracts. The seed extract of R. communis has better larvicidal activity than the leaf extract and can be used as an effective larvicide against mosquitoes. The non-toxicity of the extracts towards P. reticulata further suggests that these plant extracts could be used along with predatory fishes in integrated vector control approaches.

2 illus, 2 tables, 50 ref

030261   KADIAN K, VIJAY S, RAWAL R, SINGH J, ANVIKAR A, PANDE V, SHARMA A (Protein Biochemistry and Structural Biology Dep, ICMR–National Institute of Malaria Research, New Delhi–110 077, Email: arushar@gmail.com) : Genetic diversity and structural analysis of 4-diphosphocytidyl-2C-methylD-erythritol kinase (IspE) from Plasmodium falciparum. J Vector Borne Dis 2018, 55(4), 271–81.

Plasmodium parasite harbours unique methylerythritol phosphate (MEP) pathway which is obligatory for the biosynthesis of isoprenoids. In malaria parasites, the isoprenoids are indispensable during hepatic, erythrocytic and gametocytic stages. Owing to the criticality of MEP pathway and the potential of its enzymes to act as antimalarial drug target, this study comprehensively investigated the genetic diversity and structural composition of 4-diphosphocytidyl-2C-methyl-D-erythritol kinase (IspE), fourth enzyme of MEP pathway in Indian Plasmodium falciparum (PfIspE). The study employed sequencing, modeling and bioinformatics approaches to examine the genetic diversity and associated structural polymorphism in the PfIspE gene amplified from the clinical blood samples collected from seven malaria endemic geographical regions of India. The sequence analysis showed that PfIspE gene is highly conserved with 100 % sequence identity among all the P. falciparum Indian isolates as well as with the PfIspE gene of reference strain 3D7. Phylogenetic analysis suggested that PfIspE is highly evolved and differ sufficiently from human orthologue mevalonate kinase gene. Structural modeling studies revealed that PfIspE has conserved ATP and CDPME-binding domains. The active site was observed to be relatively rigid in architecture with > 60 % β-pleated sheets. The results of genetic, phylogeny and modeling studies strengthen the potential of PfIspE enzyme as a promising antimalarial drug target.

7 illus, 2 tables, 28 ref

030333   TELLO-MARTÍN R, DZUL-ROSADO K, ZAVALA-CASTRO J, LUGO-CABALLERO C (Autónoma de Yucatán Univ, Mérida, México, Email: cesar.lugo@correo.uady.mx) : Approaches for the successful isolation and cell culture of American Rickettsia species. J Vector Borne Dis 2018, 55(4), 258–64.

Rickettsia are intracellular vector-borne bacteria, which are the etiologic agent of severe infections that could inflict death to their host. The intracellular behaviour of Rickettsia makes the study of its genetics, proteomics and cellular processes very difficult. Hence, isolation remains an important experimental technique that permits the obtention of important yields of bacteria, useful for a broad range of experiments. Isolation of Rickettsia using passages in animals or embryonated eggs has been described for long time; however, it was until the 1990s that faster and more feasible approaches for cell culture were developed. Current isolation approaches are mainly based on shell vial culture, that varies according to the media, atmosphere or temperature conditions. These variations have allowed the establishment of isolates from different pathogenic and non-pathogenic Rickettsia species, using arthropod, animal or human samples. Purification method of bacteria has also witnessed changes alongside the quantification of its load in the resulting isolates, from the laborious and time consuming plaque assays, to the routinary use of real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), which is faster and more accurate. This review discusses various approaches that have been used for the isolation and purification of different Rickettsia species along with the mention of some successful examples. It indicated that a successful strategy for the isolation of Rickettsia requires a careful selection of media, cell lines and culture conditions which now are not as time consuming as used to be.

1 illus, 1 table, 68 ref

030321   SOFFAN A, SUBANDIYAH S, MAKINO H, WATANABE T, HORIIKE T (Plant Protection Dep, Gadjah Mada Univ, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, Email: alan.soffan@ mail.ugm.ac.id) : Evolutionary analysis of the highly conserved insect odorant coreceptor (Orco) revealed a positive selection mode, implying functional flexibility. J Insect Sci 2018, 18(6), 18.

Odorant coreceptor (Orco) represents one of the essential genes in the insect olfactory system, which facilitates signal transduction and heterodimerization with different odorant receptors (Ors) in the insect antennal dendritic membrane. Evolutionary analysis by detecting positive selection is important to examine the functional flexibility of Orco that potentially supports insect survival. The maximum likelihood codon substitution model was applied using CODEML program as implemented in PAML ver 4.9e package across 59 Orco codon sequences available from GenBank. These sequences represented five major insect orders and two reproductive systems (holometabola and nonholometabola). In the site model that identified common ω values for Orco, it was clearly shown that Orco was under strong purifying selection, indicated by the ω value that was far from 1 (ω: 0.03). However, in to the branch model, positive selection was detected to be acting on Dipteran lineages, whereas in the branch-site model, several sites were under significant positive selection occurring in the following four clades: Coleoptera, Diptera, Lepidoptera, and Psocodea. The typical evolutionary mode acting on Orco was consistent with the entropy value [H(x)], confirming that 48.9 % of the Orco site was under conservation (H(x) < 0.5), whereas 26.9 % of the Orco sites was under high variation (H(x) > 1). These findings confirmed that Orco genes are generally highly conserved and can possibly be used for the manipulation of insect pest control programs. However, positive selection that acts on certain lineages suggested future adaptive evolutionary ability of Orco to anticipate flexible functions for successful olfactory processes.

3 illus, 3 tables, 32 ref

030262   KAEWKRAJANG N, GROOTAERT P, BOONROTPONG S (Biology Dep, Prince of Songkla Univ, Songkhla 90112, Thailand,, Email: Singtoe.b@ psu.ac.th) : Genetic variation of the long-legged flies Phacaspis mitis complex (Diptera: Dolichopodidae) in Peninsular Thailand inferred from three mitochondrial genes. J Insect Sci 2018, 18(6), 6.

Phacaspis (Meuffels and Grootaert 1988) is a true marine dolichopodid fly genus. They are common on the mud flats in the front of mangroves where they deal with extreme conditions. The genus is represented in southern Thailand by Phacaspis mitis (Grootaert and Meuffels 2001) (Diptera: Dolichopodidae). Previous studies have focused on both taxonomy and classification of this genus, but there are a few studies focusing on this species in terms of molecular genetics. The objective of the present study was to investigate genetic variation and phylogenetic relationships of P. mitis using ribosomal DNA subunit 12S, ribosomal DNA subunit 16S, and cytochrome oxidase subunit I of mitochondrial genes. The specimens were collected in six coastal provinces from the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand. The phylogenetic relationship of combined mitochondrial genes revealed that P. mitis in peninsular Thailand is a monophyletic group that can be divided into two distinct clades. According to the haplotype network, 16 haplotype patterns were observed in P. mitis, but P. mitis was separated into two major haplotype networks. In addition, a positive correlation between genetic distance (FST) and geographical distance (km) was found among the populations of peninsular Thailand. The level of genetic differentiation between populations is influenced by geographic isolation. Moreover, P. mitis arose in late Eocene (35.5 Mya) and it diversified during the Plio-Pleistocene (3.14 Mya). Although, P. mitis is divided into two populations in this study, it is a well-supported monophyletic group.

5 illus, 5 tables, 52 ref

030256   ILIES D C, ONET A, WENDT J A, ILIES M, TIMAR A, ILIES A, BAIAS S, HERMAN G V (Oradea Univ, Oradea, 410048, Romania, Email: aurelia_onet@yahoo.com) : Study on microbial and fungal contamination of air and wooden surfaces inside of a historical Church from Romania. J Environ Biol 2018, 39(6), 980-4.

The degree of microbial contamination of air and surfaces reflect a potential risk of disease which increases proportionally with the density of microorganisms and the presence of pathogenic or potentially pathogenic species. The paper focus on the degree of bacterial and fungal contamination of air and surfaces inside a historical wooden church from Oradea city, Romania. The conventional technique of open plates (Koch sedimentation method) was used for the microaeroflora inside the wooden church. The air samples were taken from two places (from the middle of the room and from a corner, both places being at the same height), during different times of the day. In order to determine the fungi types present on the wood surfaces, dust samples were collected from five places inside the wooden church. The results obtained showed that the bacterial contamination of air had reached the maximum limit of 100 CFU/4 hrs, meanwhile fungal contamination had exceeded the contamination level C which provides 50 CFU/4 hrs according to the European Union Guide to Good Manufacturing Practice (1997). The fungi identified in the air inside of the wooden church belong to the genus : Aspergillus, Penicillium, Stachybotrys, Scopulariopsis, Arthrinium, Mucor, Rhizopus, Absidia and Geotrichum. The results obtained from the analysis of microaeroflora inside the wooden church highlights the presence of various species of fungi with potential health risk at worship place. The environmental conditions present within the church favours the development of fungi and bacteria.

2 illus, 35 ref

030291   OKTAY M K, SAHIN B, GÜNES H (Biology Dep, Mugla Sitki Koçman Univ, 48000, Mugla, Turkey, Email: haticegunes@mu.edu.tr) : Characterization of native Bacillus thuringiensis strains for cytotoxicity against human cancer cell lines. J Environ Biol 2018, 39(6), 958-65.

The aim of this study was to characterize fourteen B. thuringiensis strains for cyt and parasporin gene contents as well as cytotoxicity of parasporal proteins against different cancer cell lines. PCR was applied for screening of cyt 1/cyt 2 and six different parasporin genes. In addition, cyt negative (non-cyt) nine Bt strains were tested for hemolytic activity. Non-cyt and non-hemolytic parasporal proteins from nine Bt strains were alkali solubilized and activated by proteinase- K for in vitro cytotoxic activities. Five Bt strains carried cyt gene whereas only one strain Bt-Ba14 harbored parasporin 2 gene and showed 37 kDa protein on SDS-PAGE. Non-cyt 9 Bt strains were confirmed to be non-hemolytic. MTT -1 assay indicated that activated parasporal proteins (10 µg ml ) displayed selective cytotoxicity against HeLa, PC-3 and A549 cancer cell lines compared to a normal cell line BEAS-2B. Parasporal protein from Bt-Ba14 exhibited the highest cytotoxicity against all three cancer cells, however, not to normal cell line and caused cytocidal activity similar to that observed with parasporins. The study reported that non-cyt and non-hemolytic Bt strains from Turkey have parasporal proteins with cytotoxic activities against cancer cells.

5 illus, 28 ref

030310   SALAMA Y H, MADI S A, HAMED H A (Pharmacology Dep, Damascus Univ, Damascus, Syria, Email: ph.yousef2011@gmail.com) : Detecting the neurogenesis effect of erythropoietin and galantamine in the dentate gyrus and spatial memory in Alzheimer’s experimental rat model. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol 2018, 8(12), 1692-6.

Alzheimer’s disease is neurodegenerative disorder develops unreversed causing memory and behavior impairment. It is estimated that 35.5 million people are living with Alzheimer’s disease worldwide. The early symptoms of Alzheimer’s are short-term memory weakness and it develops gradually causing death. There is no curing medication for Alzheimer’s rather than some drugs that improve memory defects for a period of time. Many studies proved that erythropoietin (EPO) and galantamine (GAL) could improve neurogenesis in hippocampus, which is promising in finding a cure for Alzheimer’s. In this study, we compared neurogenesis effect of GAL and EPO and its effect on spatial memory. We used Wistar rats to make Alzheimer’s rat model by bilateral intracerebroventricular injection of streptozotocin. We used a dose of EPO 5000 IU/Kg intraperitoneal every other day for 14 days, and GAL group was treated with intraperitoneal daily dose of 5 mg/kg. Then, all groups were tested by Morris water maze test to compare spatial memory. Then, all rats were anesthetized and decapitated for immunohistochemical study by KI67 kit to investigate proliferated cells in dentate gyrus of hippocampus. The results driven from the histological study showed that both EPO and GAL significantly increase neuronal proliferation in dentate gyrus of hippocampus, but EPO has better effect on neurogenesis, whereas GAL could improve spatial memory more than EPO in Morris water maze test. GAL has better effect on spatial memory in short period study, but EPO increases proliferation more than GAL.

5 illus, 20 ref

030279   MBENGUE A, COLY M S, SOW A K, HOUNDJO S D, DIAW M, BÈYE F, SECK A, BA F, TOURE M, SARR F B, BA A, SAMB A (UCAD, Dakar, Senegal, Email: romdiaw@gmail.com) : Impact of exposure to biomass on the vascular function of Senegalese women. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol 2018, 8(12), 1680-4.

In rural Senegal, biomass fuels are the main and often the only source of domestic energy for cooking. Their combustion is a source of particles and many other chemical contaminants that could alter cardiovascular function. The aim of our study was to assess the effects of exposure to biomass fumes on vascular function in non-smoking women in rural Senegal. We conducted a cross-sectional 8-month study of 64 women (32 exposed to biomass smoke and 32 unexposed controls) who were active or housewives and involved in cooking. The subjects were aged 33.56 ± 9.34 years and 30.22 ± 6 years, respectively. All the women received a questionnaire with questions on sociodemographic characteristics, habitat characteristics, cooking habits, and biomass exposure conditions. Flow-mediated brachial arterial vasodilation flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) expressed as a percentage of the diameter was measured basally at rest and post-compression at 5, 30, 60, 90, and 120 s and 10 min after deflation. All participants were non-smokers. 12.5 % of subjects used gas in addition to biomass. Seniority was 18. 90 ± 10 years, with a mean daily biomass exposure of 4 ± 1 h. The analysis of cardiovascular parameters and blood sugar found no significant difference between the two groups. Kinetic FMD comparisons between the two groups showed significant differences at points 60 and 90 s 10 min post-occlusion. A negative correlation was found between FMD at 90 s after deflation and the duration of exposure in exposed women (r = 0.44 P < 0.05). Our results showed that exposure to biomass is implicated in the appearance of vascular dysfunction in non-smoking women.

3 illus, 2 tables, 32 ref

030248   GEETHA S, KUMAR S L D (Physiology Dep, Sri Devaraj Urs Medical Coll, Karnataka, Email: drgeetha.shivanna@gmail.com) : Does smoking affect intraocular pressure? A cross-sectional study. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol 2018, 8(12), 1662-7.

Tobacco smoking is linked to ocular conditions such as cataract, age-related macular degeneration, and glaucoma. Glaucoma is the most common cause of irreversible blindness and the second most common cause of blindness. Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) is a major, modifiable risk factor for glaucoma. This study was undertaken to determine the effect of tobacco smoking on IOP. A total of 200 apparently healthy males (100 smokers and 100 non-smokers) of 20–40 years were recruited. Smokers were categorized based on smoking index. IOP was recorded using Schiotz tonometer. Blood pressure (BP) was recorded using mercury sphygmomanometer. Mean age of the smokers was 28.71 years and that of the non-smokers was 29.31 years. Majority of the smokers (n = 79) used cigarettes and most of them (n = 55) smoked 1–10 cigarettes per day. More than half the smokers were light smokers. Bidi smokers totalled 30 in number and 30 % of them (n = 9) smoked 21–30 bidis a day. Mean IOP in the right eye and left eye in smokers was 14.68 mmHg and 15.69 mmHg, respectively, whereas they were 14.45 mmHg and 15.11 mmHg, respectively, in the non-smokers. 5 % of smokers showed elevated IOP. Mean systolic BP among smokers was 119.52 mmHg and in non-smokers; it was 118.92 mmHg. Mean diastolic BP among smokers was 79.82 mmHg, whereas in non-smokers, it was 79.48 mmHg. Tobacco smoking is not associated with raised IOP according to our study and tobacco smokers are not at a greater risk for developing elevated IOP.

2 illus, 3 tables, 35 ref

030263   KAMDI A S, KOKANE S, BOHRA P N, KALAMBE S M (Biochemistry Dep, Government Medical Coll, Maharashtra, Email: sarikakokane@yahoo.com) : The antipsychotic activity of alcoholic extract of Withania coagulans fruits in Swiss albino mice in haloperidol-induced catalepsy. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol 2018, 8(12), 1654-6.

Psychosis is considered as the diminished relationship with reality. In this serious mental disorder, people suffering have hallucinations or delusions as prominent symptoms. The hallucinations are sensory involvements that arise in the absence of an actual stimulus, whereas the delusions are the thoughts that are contrary to actual evidence. The numerous neuroleptic medications used today are not devoid of the adverse drug reactions. The Withania coagulans (WC) - A susceptible species, is not explored much for its central nervous system effects except in late seventies. Therefore, it was thought worthwhile to investigate this plant further for its antipsychotic activity. This study aims to investigate the antipsychotic activity of alcoholic extract of WC fruits in Swiss albino mice (SAM) in haloperidolinduced catalepsy. Haloperidol-induced catalepsy was the test used for assessing the antipsychotic activity of alcoholic extract at the doses of 200 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg, and 1000 mg/kg of WC fruits in SAM. There was statistically (P > 0.05) no significant association between alcoholic extract of WC fruits at the doses of 200 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg, and 1000 mg/kg with antipsychotic activity in SAM in haloperidol-induced catalepsy. Alcoholic extract of WC fruits did not demonstrate antipsychotic activity in haloperidol-induced catalepsy in SAM.

1 table, 16 ref

030280   MBENGUE A, SOW A K, HOUNDJO S D, DIAW M, COLY M S, FALL P M, OUEDRAOGO V, SECK A, TIENDREBEOGO A J F, BA F, TOURE M, SARR F B, BA A, SAMB A (UCAD, Dakar, Senegal, Email: romdiaw@gmail.com) : Assessment of ventilatory disorders in artisans exposed to wood dust. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol 2018, 8(12), 1641-6.

Wood dust is produced at virtually all stages of the wood industry. The most important wood-related risks are chemical hazards with the use of toxic, allergenic, and carcinogenic products which may alter respiratory function. Prevalence rates of ventilatory disorders are heterogeneous and no data are available in Senegal. The purpose of our study was to evaluate respiratory function in carpenters. A cross-sectional study was conducted from February to July 2017 in 70 male carpenters exclusively, from the city of Thiès. Each carpenter received a questionnaire and a spirometry test as a way of establishing a baseline state of all the subjects. The spirometry was subjected to the standardized validation procedure according to the American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society criteria. The average age is 39 years old. Among these carpenters, 14 % are active smokers and 17 % are former smokers. Seniority ranged from 1 to 48 years. Spirometry revealed a pure obstructive respiratory disorder in 32.85 % of cases. The obstruction is classified as mild in 17.14 % and moderate in 7.14 % of cases. A pure restrictive syndrome is present in 18.57 % and a mixed syndrome in 7.14 % of cases. Tobacco potentiates the effects of occupational airborne contaminants because smokers have more obstructive syndrome than ex-smokers 50 % versus 33.33 % (P = 0.02) and more restrictive syndrome than non-smokers 30 % versus 14.58 % (P = 0.01). Negative correlations between the duration of exposure and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), FEV1/forced vital capacity, and MEF 25–75 % had been found. Exposure to wood dust is implicated in the alteration of various respiratory function parameters.

4 illus, 2 tables, 25 ref

030293   PARAMESHWARI K, KUMAR S, PRIYADARSHINI BAI G, PRATHIMA C, NEETHA C (Pharmacology Dep, Shridevi Institute of Medical Sciences, Karnataka, Email: ravi_darshini@yahoo.co.in) : Nootropic activity of ethanolic extract of Alangium salvifolium leaves on Scopolamine mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol 2018, 8(12), 1625-30.

Alangium salvifolium possesses completely different medicine activities such as antioxidant, anticancer, antiinflammatory, bactericide, antifungal, and antifertility. It is also employed in the treatment of anxiety. The previous study is revealed significant of antidepressant activity of ethanolic extract of leaves of A. salvifolium (EASL) by stress-induced depression through forced swim test and tail suspension test models in Swiss albino mice. The present study was designed to explore learning and memory enhancing activity leaves of A. salvifolium in Swiss albino mice. EASL of two divided doses (EASL-100 and 250 mg/kg orally) and scopolamine (0.4 mg/ kg i.p.) per kg body weight was administrated for 7 days to individual groups of mice. The sensitivity behavioral models such as Elevated plus maze and Morris water maze were used to appraise learning and memory. However, scopolamine is the natural agent that is elicited cognitive state served as interoceptive models. The results area unit expressed as mean ± S.E.M. Statistical analysis was done by one-way analysis of variance test followed by Dunnett’s multiple comparison tests. P < 0.05 was measured as statistically significant. The results of this study showed that Alangium salvifolium at the doses of 100–250 mg/kg significantly (P < 0.05) improved abstraction short-term and memory, the exceptional reduction in transfer latency of the 6^th and 7^th days as a region of learning and memory. Within the elevated maze and reducing the escape latency within the Morris water maze. The results concluded, leaves of A. salvifolium have revealed as a significant memory enhancing activity altogether the screening models used.

2 tables, 24 ref

030234   CHETHAN K, SOWJANYA T (Physiology Dep, ESIC Medical Coll, Telangana, Email: k.chethan522@gmail.com) : A study on the effect of duration of Type 2 diabetes mellitus on nerve conduction velocity. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol 2018, 8(12), 1622-4.

Diabetic polyneuropathy, the most common type of neuropathy observed results from microvascular injury leading to damage of the nerve. Diabetic neuropathy depends on both duration as well as on the level of control of blood sugars. It depends more on the duration of diabetes. This study was done to see the effect of duration of Type 2 diabetes on median nerve conduction velocity (NCV). A total of 100 subjects were taken, 50 patients of Type 2 diabetes mellitus with duration of 5 years or more and another 50 patients with duration of diabetes being < 5 years. The entire recording was done using a four channel ADInstrument and compound muscle action potential were recorded using the LabChart software in both the groups. We found that there was a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in the NCV among the diabetic population 5 years or more (45.01 ± 17.18) compared to the 0.05) among the diabetic population 5 years or more (487.35 ± 60.74) compared to 0.05) among the diabetic duration of 5 years or more (0.00475 ± 0.0015) compared to < 5 years of diabetes (0.004602 ± 0.0015). Thus, from our study we would like to conclude that there is a link between the duration of diabetes and NCV.

2 tables, 9 ref

030239   DAYANA K, MANASA M R (Pharmacology Dep, Karwar Institute of Medical Sciences, Karnataka, Email: dr.manasamr@gmail.com) : Evaluation of antigenotoxic activity of ethanolic extract of Calotropis procera root in 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene induced genotoxicity in Wistar rats. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol 2018, 8(12), 1617-21.

Chemopreventive compounds may play an important role in cancer prevention. However, many chemopreventive agents available currently are associated with toxicity. Hence, there is a need to screen for newer compounds with chemopreventive potential. Many medicinal plants can be developed as prospective chemopreventive candidates. The aim of the study was to assess the protective effect of ethanolic extract of Calotropis procera root in 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) induced genotoxicity in Wistar rats by micronucleus assay. Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups randomly. Group 1 received distilled water (control group). Group 2 was administered DMBA (30 mg/kg body weight [BW], single dose) intraperitoneally on the 5^th day of the experiment. Group 3 rats were pretreated with C. procera root extract (500 mg/kg BW) orally for 5 days followed by DMBA injection intraperitoneally 2 h after C. procera root extract on the 5th day. Group 4 rats were given C. procera root alone orally for 5 days. The animals were sacrificed on the 6^th day, and bone marrow was harvested for the micronucleus test. The percentage of micronuclei in polychromatic erythrocytes (%MnPCE) and PCE: NCE were determined. Group 2 rats exhibited significant (P < 0.0001) increase in the %MnPCEs compared to control group. Group 3 and 4 rats did not show a significant increase in %MnPCEs compared to control group. The PCE: NCE ratio is decreased in Group 2 rats compared to the control group, but it is not statistically significant. The PCE: NCE ratio does not differ significantly from the control group in Groups 3 and 4. The ethanolic extract of C. procera root exhibits antigenotoxic activity in DMBA induced genotoxicity in Wistar rats.

2 illus, 1 table, 34 ref

030306   REKHA D, SUGANTHI B (Physiology Dep, Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences, Puducherry, Email: dr.d.rekha@gmail.com) : Effect of arm length and body mass index on abductor pollicis brevis long latency reflex. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol 2018, 8(11), 1573-6.

Long-latency reflex (LLR) is one of the late responses that occur after H-reflex on submaximal stimulation of the mixed nerve. Studies have been done to known the influence of height, arm length, and body mass index (BMI) on nerve conduction study. However, there are hardly studies done to know the effect of arm length and BMI on latency and amplitude of abductor pollicis brevis (APB) LLR among females. The objective of the study was to know the effect of arm length and BMI on APB LLR. The present cross-sectional study was conducted among 30 healthy adult female volunteers between the age group of 20 and 30 years. LLR recording was done during early follicular phase of the participants using EP/digital nerve conduction/EMG/machine (Recorders and Medicare System, India). LLR was obtained during stimulation of median nerve while abducting the thumb of the dominant hand of the participants. The tabulated data were analyzed using Karl Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Arm length was found to be positively correlated with APB LLR latency and negatively correlated with APB LLR amplitude with r = 0.280 and −0.110, respectively. BMI was found to be negatively correlated with both APB LLR latency and amplitude with r = −0.139 and −0.206, respectively. With increasing arm length, APB H-reflex latency increases, and amplitude decreases. With the increase in BMI, both APB H-reflex latency and amplitude decrease. Hence, arm length and BMI must be taken into consideration while interpreting APB H-reflex among females.

5 illus, 3 tables, 16 ref

030251   HARI P (Physiology Dep, MES Medical Coll, Kerala, Email: mediresearchdirect@gmail.com) : Oxidized low-density lipoprotein as an inflammatory marker in the cardiovascular disease. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol 2018, 8(11), 1539-42.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the world. Inflammation is a systemic body response aimed to decrease the toxicity of harmful agents and repair damaged tissue. Significantly, production of pro-oxidant is increased at sites of inflammation, suggesting that focal inflammation significantly contributes to the initiation of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (OxLDL) oxidation at early stages of plaque formation. OxLDL thought to promote atherosclerosis through involved inflammatory and immunologic mechanisms that lead to lipid dysregulation and foam cell formation. The objective of the study was to investigate the role of inflammation in the progression of CVD using OxLDL as a marker. The study was conducted in at MES Medical College Hospital, Kerala, written informed consent was obtained from all the volunteers recruited for this study. Persons having dyslipidemia were included as a test population, age, and sex-matched healthy subjects who attended the medical camp were included as a control population. A Pearson product - moment correlation was run to determine the relationship between OxLDL and high sensitive C reactive protein values. There was a strong, positive correlation between the two, which was statistically significant. The present study shows that circulating OxLDL is a sensitive marker of CAD that is correlated with other risk factors of CAD, further suggests that OxLDL may indeed play a causative role in coronary atherosclerosis. Markers of oxidative stress, such as OxLDL particles, are under investigation as possible biomarkers of CVD risk.

4 tables, 14 ref

030221   AGARWAL S, LUKHMANA S, KAHLON N, MALIK P, NANDINI H (Physiology Dep, ESIC Medical Coll and Hospital, Haryana, Email: namratakahlon@yahoo.co.in) : Nerve conduction study in neurologically asymptomatic diabetic patients and correlation with glycosylated hemoglobin and duration of diabetes. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol 2018, 8(11), 1533-8.

Diabetes-induced neuropathy is one of the most challenging complications of diabetes mellitus (DM). Large number of patients has subclinical neuropathy at the time of detection of diabetes. Nerve conduction studies (NCS) remain the most reliable, accurate, and sensitive measure of peripheral nerve function. The study of F waves is particularly useful for the diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy. The present study was conducted to study various nerve conduction parameters in neurologically asymptomatic diabetic patients with an attempt to evaluate their value in the early detection of subclinical diabetic neuropathy and to find out if any correlation exists. This case–control study was carried out on 44 neurologically asymptomatic established patients of Type II DM of both sexes, aged 40–60 years attending the medicine outpatient department (OPD). NCS parameters of various nerves were studied. Blood sugar and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were determined. A longer latency, smaller amplitude and slower conduction velocity were found in all the nerves. Persistence was found to be lower and F-wave minimum latency prolonged amongst the cases. Sensory and motor NCS were found to be inferior in those with higher HbA1c. Latency, amplitude, and Nerve conduction velocity (NCV) of sural nerve showed deterioration with the duration of diabetes. All parameters of median, ulnar and common peroneal nerves showed deterioration with the duration of diabetes with the exception of NCV in common peroneal nerve and persistence in median nerve. NCS parameters are valuable for identification and future prediction of diabetic peripheral neuropath.

4 tables, 17 ref

030336   VASANTHAN S, JOSHI P (Physiology Dep, Chirayu Medical Coll and Hospital, Madhya Pradesh, Email: joshiprabal@gmail.com) : Effect of aluminum toxicity and Bacopa monnieri on hexokinase enzyme activity in Wistar albino rats. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol 2018, 8(11), 1522-5.

Aluminum enters human body through food and drinking, cosmetics, and occupational exposures. Aluminum (Al) is a highly neurotoxic element causes neuronal degeneration in humans as well as in animals. Studies reported that Bacopa monnieri has anxiolytic, antidepressant, antioxidant, and memory-enhancing property. Hexokinase is a very important glycolytic enzyme and also rate-limiting enzyme determines the rate of glucose utilization by the cells. The study was planned to investigate whether Al exposure affects the hexokinase activity and protective effect of Bacopa on hexokinase activity in discrete regions of brain and other vital organs. Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups, each group consists of six. Group 1 as control received distilled water, Group 2 received Al chloride, Group 3 received crude extract of Bacopa, and Group 4 received Al as well as Bacopa. After 30 days of Al and Bacopa administration, rats were sacrificed, tissues were homogenized and hexokinase was assayed. In all the tissues (liver, muscle, kidney, cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum), Al treated as well as Al + Bacopa-treated animals showed significant decrease in hexokinase activity when compared with control animals. However, the Bacopa and Al-treated animals showed a marked increase in the hexokinase activity from Al alone treated animals. Moreover, no change in hexokinase activity was observed between control and Bacopa-treated animals. Al affects the hexokinase activity whereas, Bacopa enhances the hexokinase activity by inhibiting the toxic effects of Al.

1 table, 26 ref

030302   QADEER F, ABIDI A, FATIMA F, RIZVI D A (Pharmacology Dep, ERA’s Lucknow Medical Coll, Uttar Pradesh, Email: fardan.lko@gmail.com) : Effect of Pterocarpus marsupium in animal model of high carbohydrate diet-induced metabolic syndrome. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol 2018, 8(11), 1509-14.

Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a group of interconnected disorder linked to obesity, insulin resistance hypertension, and dyslipidemia. It is a risk factor for the development of Type II diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Thus, there is a need to search for therapeutic options for the treatment of MS. The present study was conducted to evaluate the protective effect of Pterocarpus marsupium (Bijasar) in animal model of high carbohydrate diet-induced MS. Adult male Wistar rats were divided into three groups. All the animals were given 20 % sucrose in drinking water ad libitum for 8 weeks for the induction of MS along with the following treatment. Group I (Control): Distilled water; Group II (PM group): Aqueous extract of P. marsupium (200 mg/kg/day); and Group III (Standard treatment): Metformin 100 mg/kg/day + Atorvastatin 10 mg/kg/day. Body weight, abdominal circumference (AC), blood glucose, and serum triglycerides were evaluated at the end of 4 weeks and 8 weeks. The aqueous extract of P. marsupium at a dose of 200 mg/dl caused a significant reduction (P < 0.05) in the body weight, AC, blood sugar and serum triglyceride levels when compared to the control group. Similar results were seen in the standard treatment group. PM was effective in the treatment of major components of MS in rat model of high carbohydrate diet-induced MS.

4 tables, 18 ref

030304   RAWAT N, MAANSI, KUMAR D, UPADHYAY A K (Veterinary Public Health and Epidemiology Dep, Govind Ballabh Pant Agriculture and Technology Univ, Uttarakhand, Email: maansi2000@rediffmail.com) : Virulence typing and antibiotic susceptibility profiling of thermophilic Campylobacters isolated from poultry, animal, and human species. Vet World 2018, 11(12), 1698-705.

Campylobacteriosis finds its place among the four important global foodborne illnesses. The disease, though self-limiting, needs antibacterial therapy in extraintestinal complications. Therefore, the present study was designed to estimate the prevalence of thermophilic Campylobacters in poultry, animals, and humans of the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand. A total of 609 samples comprising of poultry ceca (n = 116), poultry droppings (n = 203), and feces of pigs (n = 71), cattle (n = 61), sheep (n = 19), goat (n = 17), human beings (n = 88), and laboratory animals (n = 34) (rats, rabbits, and guinea pigs) were collected. The thermophilic Campylobacters, Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli were confirmed using multiplex polymerase chain reaction. The isolates were also screened for the presence of virulence genes, and their antibiotic susceptibility testing was done against eight antibiotics. An overall prevalence of 6.24 % was revealed with highest from poultry ceca (15.52 %), followed by poultry droppings (5.91 %), cattle feces (4.92 %), human stools (3.40 %), and pig feces (2.82 %). The virulence genes, namely cadF, flaA, virB11, and pldA, were present in 38 (100 %), 37 (97.37 %), 7 (18.42 %), and 14 (36.84 %) isolates, respectively. All the isolates were resistant to nalidixic acid, while all were sensitive to erythromycin and co-trimoxazole. It was concluded that the animals and humans in the region harbored the thermophilic Campylobacters which may contribute to the human illness. Resistance shown among the isolates may complicate the antimicrobial therapy.

5 illus, 5 tables, 48 ref

030340   WAGHAMARE R N, PATURKAR A M, VAIDYA V M, ZENDE R J, DUBAL Z N, DWIVEDI A, GAIKWAD R V (Veterinary Public Health Dep, Bombay Veterinary Coll, Maharashtra, Email: rupeshwaghmare@gmail.com) : Phenotypic and genotypic drug resistance profile of Salmonella serovars isolated from poultry farm and processing units located in and around Mumbai city, India. Vet World 2018, 11(12), 1682-8.

The extensive use of antimicrobials in poultry has led to an increase in bacterial multidrug resistance, and the emergence of multidrug-resistant nontyphoidal Salmonella is a global problem. This study was performed to detect antibiotic-resistant Salmonella serovars in poultry farming and processing environment. A total of 956 various samples, comprising 432 farm origin, 324 poultry processing stage wise and environmental, and 154 product processing stages and environmental samples, were collected from poultry farms and processing units located in and around Mumbai city. Of a total of 71 recovered isolates, 42 randomly selected Salmonella isolates were subjected for antibiotic susceptibility testing by disk diffusion method and serotyping. A total of 31 serotypically confirmed isolates were characterized for the presence of tetA, tetB, bla_TEM, and CTX-M gene. Higher resistance was recorded against Doxycycline (100 %), followed by Oxytetracycline (97.62 %), Neomycin (88.10 %), Erythromycin (83.33 %), Tetracycline (78.57 %), and Ceftizoxime (35.71 %). Resistance from 0.00 to 26.19 percent was found to antimicrobials, namely Norfloxacin (26.19%), Ampicillin (21.43 %), Azithromycin (21.43 %), Ciprofloxacin (19.05 %), Colistin (4.76 %), Streptomycin (16.67 %), Cefotaxime (14.19 %), Enrofloxacin (14.29 %), Amoxyclav (14.29 %), Gentamicin (7.14 %), Chloramphenicol (4.76 %), Amikacin (4.76 %), and Ceftazidime (0.0 %). Results demonstrate that the Salmonella Virchow dominated and all serotypes were found to carry Tetracycline resistance gene tetA, 5 isolates were found to be positive for bla_TEM, whereas none of the isolates were carrying tetB and CTX-M gene. This study revealed that there is a significant rise of Tetracycline resistance with the presence of tetA gene in Salmonella spp. which indicates selective pressure for adopting resistance against tetracycline group of antibiotics.

4 illus, 3 tables, 42 ref