Antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and cytotoxicity potentials of green-synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles using the aqueous extract of .

The current research involved the synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) using an aqueous extract of shoots, and subsequent characterization via different analytical methods, such as UV-Vis spectroscopy, Scanning electron microscope (SEM), Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Transmission electron microscope (TEM), and zeta potential. The biological effects of the ZnO-NPs were then tested against C3A hepatocyte cells and L6 myocyte cell lines via series of analysis, including cytotoxicity, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antidiabetic effect via enzymatic inhibition. The UV-Vis analysis showed a maximum absorption spectrum at 360, and the TEM analysis reveals a spherical and hexagonal structures, with an average dimension of 28.

Correlates of somatic symptom disorder among internally displaced persons in Ogoja displacement settlements, Nigeria: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Experiences of displacement have been associated with the prevalence of mental health disorders owing to certain factors.

Objectives: This study aimed to identify the correlates of Somatic Symptom Disorder (SSD) among internally displaced adults in Ogoja displacement settlements, Nigeria.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 335 respondents.

Diagnostic and Therapeutic Approaches for Glioblastoma and Neuroblastoma Cancers Using Chlorotoxin Nanoparticles.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GB) and high-risk neuroblastoma (NB) are known to have poor therapeutic outcomes. As for most cancers, chemotherapy and radiotherapy are the current mainstay treatments for GB and NB. However, the known limitations of systemic toxicity, drug resistance, poor targeted delivery, and inability to access the blood-brain barrier (BBB), make these treatments less satisfactory.

Fractions of Hoslundia opposita Vahl and hoslundin induced apoptosis in human cancer cells via mitochondrial-dependent reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation.

Background: Cancer remains one of the leading causalities of several morbidity and mortality with negative impact on global economy due to low workforce and management/treatment cost. A number of conventional therapies have been explored in the management/treatment of cancer including chemotherapeutic intervention, radiotherapy, and surgery. Among these treatment modalities, chemotherapy remains the most popular first line of intervention in management/treatment of cancer, and natural products have been implicated as the main source of antineoplastic agents with phenomenal efficacy.

Sociodemographic correlates and associated factors of depression and anxiety among internally displaced adults in Ogoja, Nigeria.

Background: Displaced persons in Nigeria experience various difficulties at different stages of their displacement, including mental and physical problems. These experiences have been associated with different types of mental disorders.

Aims: This study sought to identify sociodemographic correlates and other factors associated with depression and anxiety among internally displaced adults in Ogoja, Cross River State, Nigeria.

Comparative Study of the Antioxidant Constituents, Activities and the GC-MS Quantification and Identification of Fatty Acids of Four Selected Species.

Mill. (Asteraceae) is a plant genus comprising distinctively of aromatic plants of about 500-600 species. Since most of these plants have not been previously studied, extensive profiling helps to validate their folkloric uses and determine their potential value as sources of plant-derived drug candidates.

In Vitro Evaluation of the Anti-Diabetic Potential of Aqueous Acetone Extract (AAHPE) with Molecular Docking Relevance in Diabetes Mellitus.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic condition that can lead to significant complications and a high fatality rate worldwide. Efforts are ramping up to find and develop novel α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitors that are both effective and potentially safe. Traditional methodologies are being replaced with new techniques that are less complicated and less time demanding; yet, both the experimental and computational strategies are viable and complementary in drug discovery and development.

Medicinal Properties and In Vitro Biological Activities of Selected Helichrysum Species from South Africa: A Review.

The genus Mill comprises hundreds of species that are mostly flowering perennial shrubs. Some of these plants that belong to the species are used in traditional medicine to treat cough, back pain, diabetes, asthma, digestive problems, menstrual pain, chest pain, kidney disorders, skin disorders, wounds, open sores, among other conditions, but, only a few scientific studies are reported in the literature with sufficient information that validates the acclaimed folkloric benefits of these plants. This review, therefore, provides a comprehensive update of the available information on the cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, anti-proliferative, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral, anti-HIV, anti-malarial, anti-ulcerogenic, anti-tyrosinase, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidant activities of selected species of interest: , , , and Schrank, using scientific databases as well as electronic and print sources.

Design, synthesis, and evaluation of 3,7-substituted coumarin derivatives as multifunctional Alzheimer's disease agents.

Multitarget directed ligands (MTDLs) are emerging as promising treatment options for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Coumarin derivatives serve as a good starting point for designing MTDLs due to their inherent inhibition of monoamine oxidase (MAO) and cholinesterase enzymes, which are complicit in AD's complex pathophysiology. A preliminary series of 3,7-substituted coumarin derivatives were synthesised and evaluated for enzyme inhibitory activity, cytotoxicity as well as neuroprotective ability.

Neuroprotective Activities of Bulbs and Amaryllidaceae Alkaloids: Implications for Parkinson's Disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases and affects approximately 6.3 million people worldwide. To date, the treatment of PD remains a challenge, as available treatment options are known to be associated with serious side effects; hence, the search for new treatment strategies is critical.

Inhibition of γH2AX, COX-2 and regulation of antioxidant enzymes in MPP-exposed SH-SY5Y cells pre-treated with rutin.

Many plant-derived bioactive compounds such as rutin are reportedly effective in attenuating neuronal death in most neurodegenerative disorders. Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by the gradual degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra of the midbrain, and has previously been modelled in-vitro through the specific neurotoxic activity of 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP) on dopaminergic neurons. Rutin is a bioflavonoid with multiple pharmacological effects, and this study investigated the neuroprotective effects of rutin in the human dopaminergic SH-SY5Y cell line using the neurotoxin MPP.

Corrigendum to "Antiproliferative and Apoptosis Induction Potential of the Methanolic Leaf Extract of (G. Don)".

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1155/2015/756482.].

Sleep Deprivation and Neurological Disorders.

Sleep plays an important role in maintaining neuronal circuitry, signalling and helps maintain overall health and wellbeing. Sleep deprivation (SD) disturbs the circadian physiology and exerts a negative impact on brain and behavioural functions. SD impairs the cellular clearance of misfolded neurotoxin proteins like -synuclein, amyloid-, and tau which are involved in major neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.

An Insight into the Mechanism of Holamine- and Funtumine-Induced Cell Death in Cancer Cells.

Holamine and funtumine, steroidal alkaloids with strong and diverse pharmacological activities are commonly found in the Apocynaceae family of . The selective anti-proliferative and cell cycle arrest effects of holamine and funtumine on cancer cells have been previously reported. The present study evaluated the anti-proliferative mechanism of action of these two steroidal alkaloids on cancer cell lines (HT-29, MCF-7 and HeLa) by exploring the mitochondrial depolarization effects, reactive oxygen species (ROS) induction, apoptosis, F-actin perturbation, and inhibition of topoisomerase-I.

Neuroprotective Activities of (Amaryllidaceae) Extract and Its Chemical Constituents.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative condition that progresses as age increases, and some of its major symptoms include tremor and postural and movement-related difficulties. To date, the treatment of PD remains a challenge because available drugs only treat the symptoms of the disease or possess serious side effects. In light of this, new treatment options are needed; hence, this study investigates the neuroprotective effects of an organic extract (BHE) and its bioactive compounds using an in vitro model of PD involving the toxin 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP) and SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells.

Regulation of AKT/AMPK signaling, autophagy and mitigation of apoptosis in Rutin-pretreated SH-SY5Y cells exposed to MPP.

Accumulating evidence suggest that apoptosis, autophagy and dysregulation of signaling pathways are common mechanisms involved in Parkinson's disease (PD) pathogenesis, and thus development of therapeutic agents targeting these mechanisms may be useful for the treatment of this disease. Although rutin (a bioflavonoid) is reported to have pharmacological benefits such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antitumor activities, there are very few reports on the activity of this compound in 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP)-induced PD models. Accordingly, we investigated the effects of rutin on apoptosis, autophagy and cell signaling markers (AKT/AMPK) in SH-SY5Y cells exposed to MPP.

4-Oxatricyclo[5.2.1.0]dec-8-ene-3,5-dione Derivatives as NMDA Receptor- and VGCC Blockers with Neuroprotective Potential.

The impact of excitotoxicity mediated by -methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor overactivation and voltage gated calcium channel (VGCC) depolarization is prominent among the postulated processes involved in the development of neurodegenerative disorders. NGP1-01, a polycyclic amine, has been shown to be neuroprotective through modulation of the NMDA receptor and VGCC, and attenuation of MPP-induced neurotoxicity. Recently, we reported on the calcium modulating effects of tricycloundecene derivatives, structurally similar to NGP1-01, on the NMDA receptor and VGCC of synaptoneurosomes.

Open and rearranged norbornane derived polycyclic cage molecules as potential neuroprotective agents through attenuation of MPP- and calcium overload-induced excitotoxicity in neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells.

The neuroprotective effects of closed polycyclic cage molecules such as NGP1-01, memantine and amantadine have been extensively explored. These effects are mostly linked to the antagonism of the N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor- and the blockage of voltage gated calcium channels (VGCC). The synthesis of structurally related open and rearranged cage derivatives has been studied in depth.

Cytotoxic and Apoptotic Induction Potential of Extracts from Fermented Thunb. Seeds on Cervical and Liver Cancer Cells.

The anti-cancer activities of many fermented foods and beverages are now scientifically established. is a condiment prepared from fermentation of (melon) seeds and consumed in many countries of West Africa. Its anti-oxidative and anti-hyperlipidaemic properties have been reported.

Differential Sensitivity of Two Endothelial Cell Lines to Hydrogen Peroxide Toxicity: Relevance for In Vitro Studies of the Blood-Brain Barrier.

Oxidative stress (OS) has been linked to blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction which in turn has been implicated in the initiation and propagation of some neurological diseases. In this study, we profiled, for the first time, two endothelioma cell lines of mouse brain origin, commonly used as in vitro models of the blood-brain barrier, for their resistance against oxidative stress using viability measures and glutathione contents as markers. OS was induced by exposing cultured cells to varying concentrations of hydrogen peroxide and fluorescence microscopy/spectrometry was used to detect and estimate cellular glutathione contents.

Exploitation of a novel phenothiazine derivative for its anti-cancer activities in malignant glioblastoma.

Glioblastoma remains the most malignant of all primary adult brain tumours with poor patient survival and limited treatment options. This study adopts a drug repurposing approach by investigating the anti-cancer activity of a derivative of the antipsychotic drug phenothiazine (DS00329) in malignant U251 and U87 glioblastoma cells. Results from MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) and clonogenic assays showed that DS00329 inhibited short-term glioblastoma cell viability and long-term survival while sparing non-cancerous cells.

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of HIV Post-Exposure Prophylaxis among Medical Doctors in a Tertiary Hospital in Nigeria.

Background And Objectives: Healthcare workers are exposed to accidental infections from contaminated body fluids in the course of their duties. HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is the measure instituted to manage exposure to potentially contaminated body fluids and prevent HIV infection. Ignorance of the appropriate measures to take may increase the risk of acquiring HIV infection from accidental exposure.

Cytotoxic and cell cycle arrest properties of two steroidal alkaloids isolated from Holarrhena floribunda (G. Don) T. Durand & Schinz leaves.

Background: The plant Holarrhena floribunda (H. floribunda; G. Don) is indigenous to sub-Saharan Africa and is traditionally used to treat several ailments.

Attenuation of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress, Impaired Calcium Homeostasis, and Altered Bioenergetic Functions in MPP-Exposed SH-SY5Y Cells Pretreated with Rutin.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder that affects approximately 1% of the population over the age of 65 years. While treatment options for PD are limited, reports show that plant-derived bioactive compounds such as rutin possess numerous pharmacological benefits, including antioxidant and antiapoptotic activities. This study aimed to investigate the potential role of rutin in MPP-treated SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells, an established cell model of PD.

GRP78/BIP/HSPA5 as a Therapeutic Target in Models of Parkinson's Disease: A Mini Review.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder characterized by selective loss of dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta of the midbrain. Reports from postmortem studies in the human PD brain, and experimental PD models reveal that endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is implicated in the pathogenesis of PD. In times of stress, the unfolded or misfolded proteins overload the folding capacity of the ER to induce a condition generally known as ER stress.