Molecular Docking Analysis Reveals the Promising Role of Apigenin as a Potential Treatment for Neurological Disorders.

Objectives: Neurological disorders represent a significant global health challenge, necessitating the exploration of novel therapeutic agents. Apigenin, a natural flavonoid abundantly found in various plants, has garnered attention for its potential neuroprotective properties. In this study, we employed molecular docking simulations to investigate the interaction between apigenin and key molecular targets associated with neurological disorders.

Acceptance of team-based learning by students and faculty: A pilot study.

Background & Objective: Team-Based Learning (TBL) is an interactive instructional approach characterized by collaborative peer teaching in both large and small group settings. The study aims to assess usefulness of the TBL in enhancing student learning outcomes and engagement in graduate classes.

Methods: This mixed method study was conducted from January 2023 till July 2023 at the Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences at Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan, a questionnaire was distributed to graduate students in Endocrine and Reproductive course after TBL on 'Hormonal changes in Pregnancy'.

Case Report and Literature Review of an Atypical Polymyalgia Rheumatica and Its Management.

Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is a systemic inflammatory disease of the elderly population that increases in incidence as age advances. It is characterised by the sudden or sub-acute onset of symptoms affecting the shoulder and pelvic girdles, often accompanied by constitutional symptoms. Due to the lack of consensual diagnostic criteria and specific laboratory or radiological investigations for PMR, its diagnosis can be very challenging, particularly because it can be mimicked or masked by other geriatric syndromes.

Unlocking therapeutic potential of trigonelline through molecular docking as a promising approach for treating diverse neurological disorders.

Neurological disorders pose significant challenges in terms of treatment options, necessitating the exploration of novel therapeutic approaches. Trigonelline, a naturally occurring alkaloid found in various plants, has emerged as a potential treatment option. It has also been reported that trigonelline is involved in several pathways like; Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant, Inflammatory, Neuroprotection and Neurotrophic, Mitochondrial Function and Energy Metabolism.

Naringenin, a Functional Food Component, Improves Motor and Non-Motor Symptoms in Animal Model of Parkinsonism Induced by Rotenone.

Parkinson's disease (PD) and other age-related neurodegenerative ailments have a strong link to oxidative stress. Bioflavonoid naringenin has antioxidant properties. The effects of pre- and post-naringenin supplementation on a rotenone-induced PD model were examined in this work.

Co-administration of saffron and chamomile: to determine the efficacy as an adjuvant therapy for mild to moderate depression in human subjects. A pilot randomized clinical trial.

Objective: To determine the combined effects of chamomile and saffron herbs as an adjuvant therapy in patients with metabolic alterations associated with mild to moderate depression.

Methods: The prospective, randomised, blinded, end-point pilot study was conducted at the Aga Khan University, Karachi, from August to October 2020, and comprised patients with mild to moderate depression with or without diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidaemia. The subjects were randomised into intervention group A, which was given herbal tea sachets containing saffron 1mg and chamomile 20mg for twice a day oral use for a month along with medications, and control group B, which was advised to continue their routine medications.

Combating effects of Azadirachta indica leaves extract on biochemical and neuropsychological decline observed in diabetes.

Diabetes is a group of metabolic disorder effecting health of wide number of population and cause neuropsychological decline. In the present study, effect of AI leaves extract on neuropsychological behaviors was observed in diabetic rat's model. Rats were divided into 4 groups as control (saline treated healthy rats), positive control (pioglitazone treated diabetic rats), diabetic control (untreated diabetic rats) and AI leaves extract treated diabetic rats.

Interactions of Apigenin and Safranal with the 5HT1A and 5HT2A Receptors and Behavioral Effects in Depression and Anxiety: A Molecular Docking, Lipid-Mediated Molecular Dynamics, and In Vivo Analysis.

Background: The current study utilizes in silico molecular docking/molecular dynamics to evaluate the binding affinity of apigenin and safranal with 5HT1AR/5HT2AR, followed by assessment of in vivo effects of these compounds on depressive and anxious behavior.

Methods: The docking between apigenin and safranal and the 5HT1A and 5HT2A receptors was performed utilizing AutoDock Vina software, while MD and protein-lipid molecular dynamics simulations were executed by AMBER16 software. For in vivo analysis, healthy control (HC), disease control (DC), fluoxetine-, and apigenin-safranal-treated rats were tested for changes in depression and anxiety using the forced swim test (FST) and the elevated plus-maze test (EPMT), respectively.

Ameliorative effects of half-dose saffron and chamomile combination on Psycho-endocrinological changes in a diabetic murine model.

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder with an increasing prevalence worldwide. Reduction in blood insulin level alters brain function by inducing oxidative stress with changes in dopamine and norepinephrine neurotransmission, ultimately leading to neuropsychological symptoms. The efficacy of currently available psychotropic drugs is not satisfactory.

A randomized clinical trial to test efficacy of chamomile and saffron for neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory responses in depressive patients.

Depression is one of the common psychiatric problems in growing world population caused by long-term stressful events that may trigger the down regulation of neurogenesis. The pathogenesis of depression initially relies on serotonin deficiency which is associated with depressive feelings. Tryptophan (TRP) depletion participate crucial role in inducing depressive symptoms.

Effects of Nonpharmacological Interventions on Disruptive Vocalisation in Nursing Home Patients With Dementia-A Systematic Review.

Background: Vocally disruptive behaviour is a common and difficult to treat condition in older residents with dementia. The aim of this systematic review is to evaluate the efficacy of nonpharmacological interventions in its management in persons with dementia residing in a nursing home.

Methodology: A systematic search was conducted using Ovid MEDLINE, CINAHL, and Cochrane databases and reference lists from relevant publications on various nonpharmacological approaches to manage vocally disruptive behaviour in nursing home residents.

Natural remedies for Alzheimer's disease: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the common type of dementia and is currently incurable. Existing FDA-approved AD drugs may not be effective for everyone, they cannot cure the disease nor stop its progression and their effects diminish over time. Therefore, the present review aimed to explore the role of natural alternatives in the treatment of AD.

A new progestin from fungal transformation of norethisterone and its comparative antimicrobial studies.

Fungal transformation of a norethisterone (17α-ethynylestra-4-en-17β-ol-3-one) (1) by using Macrophomina phaseolina and Paecilomyces variotii was studied. A new metabolite, 17α-hydroxymethyl-androst-4-en-11β-ol-3-one-17β-acetate (2) with novel changes and a known metabolite, 17α-ethynylestradiol (3) were obtained from 1 by using M. phaseolina and P.

Exposure to noise augments behavioral deficits in mice: Protective effect of banana peel extract.

The study is aimed to evaluate the protective impact of banana peel extract (BPE) following noise induce behavioral deficits in male mice. Animals were separated into two groups (control and test, 12 in each). Control mice were given drinking water, at the same time test group was given BPE (400 mg/kg; oral administration).

The Role of K-Ras and P53 in Biliary Tract Carcinoma.

Objective: To focus mainly on the role of proto-oncogene Ki-ras2 Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (K-Ras) and tumour-suppressor gene p53 which are among the most commonly mutated genes in biliary tract carcinomas.

Methods: The systematic review comprised research articles published between 2002 and 2019 on PubMed and Google Scholar databases which were searched using the terms 'TP53', 'K-Ras', 'mutation', 'biliary tract carcinoma', 'cholangiocarcinoma', and 'murine model'. Repetitions, duplicates and irrelevant articles were excluded.

Tryptophan lessens reserpine induced anxiety, depression and memory impairment by modulating oxidative stress and serotonergic activity.

Reserpine (Res)-induced depletion of monoamines and altered neurotransmission and produces oxidative stress. Tryptophan (TRP) regulated the serotonin neurotransmission. Because systemically injected Res induced behavioral deficits and oxidative stress, while, dietary components prevented these adverse effects, we used TRP a pharmacological tool to prevent Res- induced changes in behavior, memory impairments, oxidative stress and regulation of serotonin neurotransmission in rats.

Quercetin exhibits potent antioxidant activity, restores motor and non-motor deficits induced by rotenone toxicity.

The rotenone-induced animal model of Parkinson's disease (PD) has been used to investigate the pathogenesis of PD. Oxidative stress is one of the main contributors of neurodegeneration in PD. Flavonoids have the potential to modulate neuronal function and combat various neurodegenerative diseases.

Therapeutic Potential of Curcumin in Reversing the Depression and Associated Pseudodementia via Modulating Stress Hormone, Hippocampal Neurotransmitters, and BDNF Levels in Rats.

Depressive state adversely affects the memory functions, especially in the geriatric population. The initial stage of memory deficits associated with depression is particularly called as pseudodementia. It is the starting point of memory disturbance before dementia.

Diet supplements of banana fruit pulp mitigates repeated noise stress induced behavioral deficits and oxidative stress.

The current study was designed to determine the outcome of banana fruit pulp (BFP) on repeated noise stress exposure (NSE)-induced behavioral deficits and oxidative stress in male mice. BFP (600mg/kg b.w) was administered orally once daily for 2 weeks prior exposure to noise stress.

Spirulina platensis (Blue-green algae): A miracle from sea combats the oxidative stress and improves behavioral deficits in an animal model of Schizophrenia.

Spirulina platensis (blue-green algae) is a nutritional supplement. It constitutes of high content of protein, antioxidants, various phytopigments and possesses neuroprotective activities. Schizophrenia (SZ) is recognized as a neuropsychiatric disorder in humans with a reduced lifespan followed with impairments in social as well as vocational functioning.

Supplementation of Taurine Insulates Against Oxidative Stress, Confers Neuroprotection and Attenuates Memory Impairment in Noise Stress Exposed Male Wistar Rats.

Noise has always been an important environmental factor that induces health problems in the general population. Due to ever increasing noise pollution, humans are facing multiple auditory and non-auditory problems including neuropsychiatric disorders. In modern day life it is impossible to avoid noise due to the rapid industrialization of society.