What is autism?

The term "Autism spectrum disorder" (ASD), in vogue at present, has evolved after continual substantial developments taking place over more than a century. ASD is a heterogeneous, multi-factorial, developmental disability in which an unusual pattern of development takes place during infant and toddler years. As per DSM-5, Autism spectrum disorder is a combined phrase for a family of complex developmental disabilities inclusive of "Autistic Disorder, Pervasive Developmental Disorder not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS), and Asperger's Disorder".

Nilotinib, an approved leukemia drug, inhibits smoothened signaling in Hedgehog-dependent medulloblastoma.

Dysregulation of the seven-transmembrane (7TM) receptor Smoothened (SMO) and other components of the Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway contributes to the development of cancers including basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and medulloblastoma (MB). However, SMO-specific antagonists produced mixed results in clinical trials, marked by limited efficacy and high rate of acquired resistance in tumors. Here we discovered that Nilotinib, an approved inhibitor of several kinases, possesses an anti-Hh activity, at clinically achievable concentrations, due to direct binding to SMO and inhibition of SMO signaling.

Dexamethasone and Fludrocortisone Inhibit Hedgehog Signaling in Embryonic Cells.

The hedgehog (Hh) pathway plays a central role in the development and repair of our bodies. Therefore, dysregulation of the Hh pathway is responsible for many developmental diseases and cancers. Basal cell carcinoma and medulloblastoma have well-established links to the Hh pathway, as well as many other cancers with Hh-dysregulated subtypes.

Protective effects of Spinacia oleracea seeds extract in an experimental model of schizophrenia: Possible behavior, biochemical, neurochemical and cellular alterations.

Schizophrenia is one of the psychotic mental disorders characterized by symptoms of thought, behavior, and social problems. Newer biomedicine and pharmacotherapy has been investigated for the treatment of various neuropsychiatric disorders in the past few decades. Spinacia oleracea is one of these, reported to have beneficial effect against several neurodegenerative disorders.

Protective effects of stigmasterol against ketamine-induced psychotic symptoms: Possible behavioral, biochemical and histopathological changes in mice.

Background: Stigmasterol, a naturally occurring phytoestrogen has been reported to possess many pharmacological activities. The aim of the present study was to screen the effect of stigmasterol against ketamine-induced mice model of psychosis.

Methods: The behavioural studies included an assessment of locomotor activity, stereotypic behaviours, immobility duration, step down latency and effects on catalepsy.

Hedgehog pathway and smoothened inhibitors in cancer therapies.

The hedgehog (Hh) pathway plays an important role in cancer development and maintenance, as ~25% of all cancers have aberrant Hh pathway activation. Targeted therapy for inhibition of the Hh pathway was thought to be promising for achieving clinical response in the Hh-dependent cancers. However, the results of new clinical trials with smoothened (SMO) antagonists do not show much success in cancers other than basal cell carcinoma.

Targeting oxidative stress, acetylcholinesterase, proinflammatory cytokine, dopamine and GABA by eucalyptus oil (Eucalyptus globulus) to alleviate ketamine-induced psychosis in rats.

Essential oil of eucalyptus species is among the most common traded essential oils in the world. There is an increasing interest in the application of eucalyptus oil as a natural additive in food and pharmaceutical industry. The present study was undertaken to identify the phytoconstituents present in the essential oil of Eucalyptus globulus leaves (EO) and ascertain their protective effect against ketamine-induced psychosis in rats.

Potential effect of spermidine on GABA, dopamine, acetylcholinesterase, oxidative stress and proinflammatory cytokines to diminish ketamine-induced psychotic symptoms in rats.

Ketamine, N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor antagonist has been implanted in such behavioural and biochemical alterations in animals similar to human psychosis. Spermidine, a biogenic polyamine, involved in various cellular functions in living organisms, on the contrary possess NMDA receptor agonistic effect. Therefore, we aimed to study the effect of spermidine (10 and 20 mg/kg, i.

Brain targeted oral delivery of doxycycline hydrochloride encapsulated Tween 80 coated chitosan nanoparticles against ketamine induced psychosis: behavioral, biochemical, neurochemical and histological alterations in mice.

To develop statistically optimized brain targeted Tween 80 coated chitosan nanoparticulate formulation for oral delivery of doxycycline hydrochloride for the treatment of psychosis and to evaluate its protective effect on ketamine induced behavioral, biochemical, neurochemical and histological alterations in mice. 3 full factorial design was used to optimize the nanoparticulate formulation to minimize particle size and maximize entrapment efficiency, while independent variables chosen were concentration of chitosan and Tween 80. The optimized formulation was characterized by particle size, drug entrapment efficiency, Fourier transform infrared, Transmission electron microscopy analysis and drug release behavior.

Antidepressant and anxiolytic effects of Garcinia indica fruit rind via monoaminergic pathway.

Depression and anxiety are the most crippling neuropsychiatric disorders of this modern era. These mostly occur as anxiety followed by depression or in mixed state. Therefore, there is an urgent need of a safe and effective treatment, which proves its worth in this ailment.

Protective effect of gallic acid in experimental model of ketamine-induced psychosis: possible behaviour, biochemical, neurochemical and cellular alterations.

Gallic acid has been reported to possess a number of psychopharmacological activities. These activities are attributed to the antioxidant potential due to the presence of phenolic moeity. The present study was carried out to investigate the protective effects of gallic acid in an experimental model of ketamine-induced psychosis in mice.

Potential drug targets and treatment of schizophrenia.

Schizophrenia is one of the most prevalent chronic psychiatric disorders that affect 1% of the world's population. Despite its societal burden, pathophysiology of schizophrenia remains poorly understood. Currently available drugs predominantly control positive symptoms, and often have no or poor control on negative and related cognitive symptoms, which strongly affect functional outcome in schizophrenia.

Trachyspermum ammi Seeds Supplementation Helps Reverse Scopolamine, Alprazolam and Electroshock Induced Amnesia.

The present study was designed to explore the beneficial effects of successive 10 days administration of Trachyspermum ammi seed's powder (TASP) along with diet (at the dose of 0.5%, 1.0% and 2.

3-Aryl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazole derivatives as new multitarget directed ligands for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, with acetylcholinesterase and monoamine oxidase inhibitory properties.

A series of 3-aryl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazole derivatives was synthesized in good yield and assayed in vitro as inhibitors of the mice acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and two goat liver monoamine oxidase (MAO) isoforms, MAO-A and MAO-B. Most of the compounds demonstrated a good AChE and selective MAO-B inhibitory activities in the nanomolar or low micromolar range. N-((3-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazole-4-yl) methylene) benzenamine (3e, pIC50 = 4.

Protective effects of total alkaloidal extract from Murraya koenigii leaves on experimentally induced dementia.

Dementia is a syndrome of gradual onset and continuous decline of higher cognitive functioning. It is a common disorder in older persons and has become more prevalent today. The fresh leaves of Murraya koenigii are often added to various dishes in Asian countries due to the delicious taste and flavor that they impart.

Antiamnesic activity of an ayurvedic formulation chyawanprash in mice.

Chyawanprash (Chy) is an ayurvedic formulation commonly consumed in Indian households. Chy is a comprehensive herbal tonic, prepared from around 50 herbs employing anwala (Emblica officinalis) as the basic ingredient. The present study was undertaken to explore the beneficial effects of Chy (at the dose of 1 and 2% w/w of diet) administered daily for 15 successive days in mice with memory deficits.

Hypolipidemic and weight reducing activity of the ethanolic extract of Tamarindus indica fruit pulp in cafeteria diet- and sulpiride-induced obese rats.

Objectives: To investigate the effect of ethanolic extract of fruit pulp of Tamarindus indica Linn. (Family: Caesalpiniaceae) on obesity in rats using cafeteria diet-induced obesity and antipsychotic drug (sulpiride)-induced obesity.

Materials And Methods: Cafeteria dietwas administered for 40 successive days to male Wistar rats and sulpiride (20 mg/kg, i.

Combination of aripiprazole and ethanol attenuates marble-burying behavior in mice.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is characterized by absurd, recurrent thoughts (obsessions) followed by certain stereotyped actions (compulsions). 5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) abnormalities may be involved in OCD, and further, cause changes in serotonergic transmission that may have direct or indirect effects on the neuronal firing of other neuromodulators affecting thoughts, feelings and behaviors. Serotonin-related genes that are found in OCD include those coding for the 5-HT transporter (5-HTT) and receptors (5-HT(2A), 5-HT(2B), 5-HT(2C) and 5-HT(1B)) as well the 5-HT enzyme tryptophan hydroxylase.

Soybean supplementation helps reverse age- and scopolamine-induced memory deficits in mice.

Phytoestrogens are nonsteroidal plant compounds that are able to exert estrogenic effects. Soybean is a rich source of phytoestrogens, especially isoflavones. Soy isoflavones are utilized for estrogen replacement therapy.

Effect of ritanserin and leuprolide alone and combined on marble-burying behavior of mice.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by absurd, recurrent thoughts (obsessions) followed by certain stereotyped actions (compulsions). OCD can impair all areas of brain functioning and produce devastating effects on patients and their families. Marble-burying behavior of mice is a well-accepted paradigm to screen anti-compulsive activity.

Reversal of memory deficits by Coriandrum sativum leaves in mice.

Background: Coriandrum sativum L., commonly known as coriander and belonging to the family Apiaceae (Umbelliferae), is cultivated throughout the world for its nutritional value. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of fresh Coriandrum sativum leaves (CSL) on cognitive functions, total serum cholesterol levels and brain cholinesterase activity in mice.

Beneficial effect of chyawanprash on cognitive function in aged mice.

Objective:  Chyawanprash is an Ayurvedic formulation which is used traditionally to increase vitality, vigor and for delaying the aging process. The present study sought to explore the beneficial effects of chyawanprash on cognitive function of aged mice.

Method:  In the present study, chyawanprash (CHY) was administered orally in two concentrations (1 and 2% w/w of the diet) for 15 successive days to 17 different groups of young (8 groups) and aged (9 groups) mice.

Effect of soybean supplementation on the memory of alprazolam-induced amnesic mice.

Soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merr. (Leguminoseae), is known as golden bean.

Antiamnesic potential of Murraya koenigii leaves.

Murraya koenigii leaves commonly known as curry patta are added routinely to Indian gravy and vegetarian dishes as a favorite condiment. The effects of Murraya koenigii leaves (MKL) on cognitive functions, total serum cholesterol level and brain cholinesterase activity in young and aged mice fed orally with a diet containing 2%, 4% and 8% w/w of MKL for 30 days consecutively, were investigated. The memory scores were measured using various exteroceptive and interoceptive behavioral models.

Effect of Anwala churna (Emblica officinalis GAERTN.): an ayurvedic preparation on memory deficit rats.

The present study was aimed at investigating the effects of Anwala churna (Emblica officinalis GAERTN.), an Ayurvedic preparation, on memory in rats. Anwala churna was administered orally in three doses (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) for 15 days to different groups of young and aged rats.