Equilibrium between anti-oxidants and reactive oxygen species: a requisite for oocyte development and maturation.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are required for cellular functioning and are controlled by anti-oxidants. The ROS influence the follicles, oocytes, endometrium, and their environment. The luteinizing hormone surge initiates a massive recruitment of ROS that modulates major reproductive functions namely, oocyte maturation, ovarian steroidogenesis, corpus luteal function, and luteolysis.

Implication of Formulation Strategies on the Bioavailability of Selected Plant-Derived Hepatoprotectants.

Plant-derived active ingredients with hepatoprotective activity have been used extensively in the treatment of various liver diseases. These compounds are used either in their natural form or the chemical constituents present therein serve as templates for the development of synthetic-based therapeutic entities. Current research interests are focused on formulation development and pharmacokinetic studies of herbal medicines.

Formulation and optimization of doxorubicin loaded polymeric nanoparticles using Box-Behnken design: ex-vivo stability and in-vitro activity.

Biodegradable nanoparticles (NPs) have gained tremendous interest for targeting chemotherapeutic drugs to the tumor environment. Inspite of several advances sufficient encapsulation along with the controlled release and desired size range have remained as considerable challenges. Hence, the present study examines the formulation optimization of doxorubicin loaded PLGA NPs (DOX-PLGA-NPs), prepared by single emulsion method for cancer targeting.

Development and optimization of psychological stress model in mice using 2 level full factorial design.

Introduction: Psychological stress has long been a silent killer, impairing normal physiological functions and leading to a variety of diseased conditions. However, the existing animal models for studying psychological stress have been marred by their inherent limitations warranting further research in their development and optimization.

Methods: In this study 2 full factorial design was utilized for the development and optimization of psychological stress model in mice by applying different stressors viz.

Development and Optimization of an Ex Vivo Colloidal Stability Model for Nanoformulations.

Nanotechnology is having a significant impact in the drug delivery systems and diagnostic devices. As most of the nanosystems are intended to be administered in vivo, there is a need for stability models, which could simulate the biological environment. Instability issues could lead to particle aggregation and in turn could affect the release of the drug from the nanosystems and even lead to clogging of the systemic blood circulation leading to life-threatening situation.

CD90 a potential cancer stem cell marker and a therapeutic target.

Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs) have been recently identified and their role in carcinogenesis has been ascertained. CSCs have been correlated with high relapse in certain cancers, multiple drug resistance against chemotherapy and metastasis. Several markers such as CD133, CD24, CD44, EpCAM, and CD26 have been identified to isolate and characterize CSCs.

Role of cortisol and superoxide dismutase in psychological stress induced anovulation.

Stress has been identified as a potential trigger for reproductive dysfunctions, but the psycho-physiological pathway behind the effect of stress on ovulation remains unexplored. The present research work highlights the plausible mechanism of psychological stress on ovulation in mice by targeting superoxide dismutase (SOD), an enzyme involved in ovulation. For this, three consecutive studies were carried out.

Abortifacient potential of methanolic extract of Anthocephalus cadamba stem bark in mice.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Medicinal plants possessing abortifacient activity have been used traditionally for a long time in folk medicine. Anthocephalus cadamba, is one such herb that has been known to possess abortifacient potential in ethnobotanical literature, but has not been validated scientifically.

Materials And Methods: The methanolic extract of Anthocephalus cadamba stem bark (MEAC) was prepared and tested for abortifacient, estrogenic and uterotrophic activity.