Hippocampal neurogenesis modulated by Quinic acid: A therapeutic strategy for the neurodegenerative disorders.

Neural progenitor cells (NPCs) reside in the brain and participate in the mechanism of neurogenesis that permits the brain to generate the building blocks for enhancement of cognitive abilities and acquisition of new skills. The existence of NPCs in brain has opened a novel dimension of research to explore their potential for treatment of various neurodegenerative disorders. The present study provides novel insights into the intracellular mechanisms in neuronal cells proliferation, maturation and differentiation regulated by Quinic acid (QA).

Antiseizure Activity of in the Pentylenetetrazol-Induced Seizure Model in Mice: Involvement of Flavonoids and Alkaloids.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate whether Otto Kuntze organic and aqueous extracts are able to control seizures induced by pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) in mice based on flavonoid fingerprints and alkaloidal contents.

Materials And Methods: Ethanolic extract and decoction-derived fractions from roots, leaves, and stems were subjected to chromatographic fingerprinting using AlCl and screening for their antiseizure effects using PTZ-induced acute seizure model. From the fractions that showed potent bioactivities, plausible antiseizure alkaloids were isolated using thin layer chromatography, and their structures were elucidated using H NMR, 2D NMR, C NMR, and FAB-HR ( or ).

Urease and human glioblastoma (U87) cells growth inhibitory iridoid glycoside acetates from Linn.

The present study was undertaken on the chemical constituents of ethanol extract of aerial parts of Linn., and their determination of growth inhibitory activity against glioblastoma multiforme cell line (U87) and urease inhibitory activity. Six constituents were isolated including two new arbortristoside F tetraacetate () and arbortristoside G heptaacetate () and four known arborside A tetraacetate (), arborside C pentaacetate (), 6,7-di--acetyl-6-hydroxyloganin hexaacetate () and nyctanthoside heptaacetate () iridoid glycoside acetates.

Neurogenin-2 induced neuronal differentiation in co-cultured bone marrow stromal and neonatal cortical cells.

Objective: To explore a novel and dynamic role for neurogenin-2 in promoting cortical neurogenesis in cells produced from co-culturing neonatal cortical neural progenitor cells with bone marrow stromal cells.

Methods: The experimental study was conducted from June 2016 to January 2019 at the neuropharmacology laboratory of the Hussein Ebrahim Jamal Research Institute of Chemistry, International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences, Karachi. The growth of cells at different stages in harvested cells was determined by 3-(4, 5- dimethyl thiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay.

Modulation of Apoptotic and Akt/PI3K/mTOR pathways to target Glioblastoma Cells using synthetic compound PGEA-AN.

Objectives: To investigate the anticancer potential of a novel synthetic derivative of a naturally occurring diterpenoid against glioblastoma.

Methods: The in vitro study was conducted at the Ojha Campus of Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, from February to December 2021, and comprised U87 cells. The 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay was used to determine the growth inhibitory effect of 16(R and S) - phenylamino-cleroda3, 13(14) Zdiene- 15, 16 olide and standard drug temozolomide against glioblastoma cells, and half-maximal inhibitory concentration was calculated.

N-(2-hydroxy phenyl) acetamide ameliorate inflammation and doxorubicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats.

Doxorubicin (DOX) is an anthracyclin antibiotic used for the treatment of various cancers. Nephrotoxicity is among the serious side effects of DOX, therefore, DOX-induced nephrotoxic model has been widely used to study nephropathies. The objectives of this study is to investigate the possible anti-inflammatory and nephroprotective effects of salicylic acid derivative, N-(2-hydroxy phenyl) acetamide (NA-2), in a rat model of DOX-induced nephrotoxicity.

Levetiracetam ameliorates epileptogenesis by modulating the adenosinergic pathway in a kindling model of epilepsy in mice.

Background: Levetiracetam (LEV) has been found to have an antihyperalgesic effect via acting on the adenosine system. However, the effects of LEV on the modulation of the adenosine system in the brain have not been elucidated in the prevention of seizures and epilepsy. The present study aimed to explore the possible LEV mechanisms of action in the adenosine signaling systems in an animal model of epilepsy.

Alpha terpineol directs bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells toward neuronal lineage through regulation of wnt signaling pathway.

Central nervous system anomalies give rise to neuropathological consequences with immense damage to the neuronal tissues. Cell based therapeutics have the potential to manage several neuropathologies whereby the differentiated cells are explored for neuronal regeneration. The current study analyzes the effect of a bioactive compound, alpha terpineol (AT) on the differentiation of rat bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) toward neuronal lineage, and explores regulation of differentiation process through the study of Wnt pathway mediators.

Combination of metformin and sub-therapeutic dose of valproic acid prevent valproic acid-induced toxicity in animal model of epilepsy.

Valproic acid (VPA) is one of the most prescribed drugs for epilepsy. Extended use of VPA not only induces hepatotoxicity but also impairs the cognitive functions. Metformin has been reported to prevent epileptogenesis and enhance memory.

In-vitro inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome by 3,6-dihydroxyflavone (3,6-DHF): a therapeutic strategy for the treatment of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.

Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome complex has an important role in immune system and its abnormal activation is associated with the pathogenesis of various inflammatory and auto-immune diseases. The study reveals the anti-inflammatory effects of 3,6-dihydroxyflavone (3,6-DHF). Here, we aimed to determine the inhibitory effects of 3,6-DHF on NLRP3 inflammasome and its associated components, thereby determining the signaling pathways involved in the inhibition.

Design, Synthesis and Characterization of [G10a]-Temporin SHa Dendrimers as Dual Inhibitors of Cancer and Pathogenic Microbes.

As the technologies for peptide synthesis and development continue to mature, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are being widely studied as significant contributors in medicinal chemistry research. Furthermore, the advancement in the synthesis of dendrimers' design makes dendrimers wonderful nanostructures with distinguishing properties. This study foregrounds a temporin SHa analog, [G10a]-SHa, and its dendrimers as globular macromolecules possessing anticancer and antibacterial activities.

Serum Stable and Low Hemolytic Temporin-SHa Peptide Analogs Disrupt Cell Membrane of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

Anti-microbial peptides (AMPs) have attracted major attention due to their potential bio-activities against some multidrug resistant pathogens. The present study evaluated the mechanism of actions of highly potent AMP temporin-SHa analogs, i.e.

Opuntiol Inhibits Growth and Induces Apoptosis in Human Glioblastoma Cells by Upregulating Active Caspase 3 Expression.

Background: Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) is a deadly tumor with poor prognosis. Resistance to apoptosis considered as an important factor in treatment failure. Therefore, identification of new compounds that facilitates apoptosis is crucial.

Antimicrobial and biofilm inhibiting potential of an amide derivative [N-(2', 4'-dinitrophenyl)-3β-hydroxyurs-12-en-28-carbonamide] of ursolic acid by modulating membrane potential and quorum sensing against colistin resistant Acinetobacter baumannii.

Acinetobacter baumannii is Gram-negative, an opportunistic pathogen responsible for life-threatening ventilator-associated pneumonia. World Health Organization (WHO) enlisted it as a priority pathogen for which therapeutic options need speculations. Biofilm further benefits this pathogen and aids 100-1000 folds more resistant against antimicrobials and the host immune system.

In vivo anticonvulsant activity of 2-propanone-1,3,5,5-trimethyl-2-cyclohexen-1-ylidine in pilocarpine and strychnine induced-seizure models.

An imbalance between inhibitory (GABA) and excitatory (Glutamate) neurotransmission contribute to the development of epilepsy. Earlier studies reported that dysregulation of GABA and glutamatergic activities resulted in status epilepticus (SE) and ultimately support the development of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), a type of resistant epilepsy. In the earlier work, 2-propanone-1,3,5,5-trimethyl-2-cyclohexen-1-ylidine demonstrated anticonvulsant activity against pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizures.

A Novel Variant in Dopamine Receptor Type 2 Gene is Associated with Schizophrenia.

Background: Being the primary target of antipsychotic therapy, dopamine receptor type 2 (DRD2) remains a point of interest in schizophrenia pathology. Polymorphisms in DRD2 have been shown to alter patients' response to antipsychotics. DRD2 SNP rs6275 (C>T) have found to be associated with schizophrenia in different populations; however, data remains inconsistent.

Neuronal transcription program induced in hippocampal cells cocultured with bone marrow derived mesenchymal cells.

Several approaches have been applied to harvest bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) and to differentiate into neurons or neuronal-like cells through chemical stimulation or exposing to growth factors. To date, the data regarding induction or regulation of neuronal transcription program in neuronal-like cells derived from BMSCs is yet unknown. The objective of this study is to co-culture BMSCs with neonatal hippocampal cells and generate neuronal-like cells by direct cell-to-cell contact system without using neuronal growth factors or neurobasal medium.

Synthesis of lactobionic acid based bola-amphiphiles and its application as nano-carrier for curcumin delivery to cancer cell cultures in-vitro.

Curcumin is highly effective against various types of cancers; however, its low aqueous solubility, high metabolism and non-specificity hinder its efficacy. This study reports the synthesis of three lactobionic acid containing bola-amphiphiles and their investigation for curcumin nano-vesicular delivery into cancer cells. Synthesized bola-amphiphiles were capable of forming nano-vesicles and curcumin loading in a lipophilicity dependent manner.

Attenuation of cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury by N-(2-Hydroxyphenyl) acetamide and its gold conjugated nano-formulations in mice.

The attenuation of cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) in mice by N-(2-hydroxyphenyl) acetamide (NA-2) and NA-2-conjugated gold nanoparticles (NA2-AuNPs) was investigated. Male BALB/c mice (n = 54) were divided into nine groups having six animals in each group. Animals in groups 3-9 were pre-treated for 5 days with test compounds, whereas, animals in group 1 and 2 received normal saline.

Novel Mannich base 3FB3FA8H induces apoptosis by upregulating P53 pathway in neuroblastoma cells.

P53 plays an important role in maintaining genetic stability and development of resistance against tumors. Dysregulation of P53 gene is one of the key factors contributing to the etiology of neuroblastoma which causes cells to evade apoptosis. Activating P53 pathway can be a therapeutic alternative to the currently available medicinal strategies.

Antiproliferative and apoptotic effects of proteins from black seeds (Nigella sativa) on human breast MCF-7 cancer cell line.

Background: Nigella sativa (NS), a member of family Ranunculaceae is commonly known as black seed or kalonji. It has been well studied for its therapeutic role in various diseases, particularly cancer. Literature is full of bioactive compounds from NS seed.

Effectiveness of Simvastatin 1% oral gel and mouthwash used as an adjunct treatment of scaling and root planning in the treatment of periodontal diseases.

Simvastatin is an anti-hyperlipidemic drug which reduces the cholesterol synthesis and also has anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and anti-microbial action against the bacteria. This develops the interest of periodontologist to use it in combination with conventional treatment to treat periodontal diseases. The objective of the study was to develop the gel and mouthwash of simvastatin and use it locally to treat gingivitis and periodontitis as an adjunct to scaling and root planning.

The effects of aspirin gel and mouthwash on levels of salivary biomarkers PGE2, TNF-α and nitric oxide in patients with periodontal diseases.

Inflammation and its mediators have an important role in gingivitis and periodontitis. Prostaglandin is one of the eicosanoid involved in many chronic inflammatory diseases, including periodontal diseases. Aspirin irreversibly acetylates cyclooxygenase and inactivate this enzyme responsible for the production of PGE that mediates pain and inflammation.

Effects of 1% amitriptyline gel and mouthwash in patients with periodontal diseases via local drug delivery system: A randomized control clinical trial.

Amitriptyline, an agent universally used to treat depression, has an anti-inflammatory activity and a potential for lowering inflammatory mediators. Periodontal diseases like gingivitis and periodontitis if untreated contributes to gingival tissue destruction and bone resorption. These diseases are commonly treated with conventional non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents and antibiotics along with standard periodontal treatment.

N-(2-hydroxyphenyl) acetamide (NA-2) elicits potent antitumor effect against human breast cancer cell line (MCF-7).

Breast cancer is the most dominating malignancy in females worldwide. Treatment with conventional chemotherapeutics is associated with severe adverse effects. Thus need of new compounds, with better therapeutic potential and lesser side effects still exist.