Mesenchymal stem cells- an excellent therapeutic agent for cancer.

Despite rapid advancement in research of diagnostics and therapeutics, cancer is the most dangerous disease-causing millions of deaths worldwide. Many of the conventional anticancer therapies can even lead to developing resistance to therapy and recurrence of cancer. To find a new, alternative treatment strategy for a variety of ailments scientists and researchers have turned their attention to cell therapies and regenerative medicine.

Comparative neuroprotective effects of native curcumin and its galactomannoside formulation in carbofuran-induced neurotoxicity model.

Toxicity of the pesticide carbofuran (CF) can be alleviated by curcumin, if not for its poor bioavailability. Hence, we investigated the effect of a bioavailable curcumin-galactomannan complex (CGM) on CF-induced neurotoxicity in rats in comparison to that of unformulated standard curcumin (CS). The CF (5 mg/kg b.

Amelioration of Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiac and Renal Toxicity by Oxycarotenoid Lutein and Its Mechanism of Action.

We set out to determine the effect of oxycarotenoid lutein on reducing cardiac and renal toxicity induced by doxorubicin (DXR). We started with oral administration in rats of lutein for 15 d before administering DXR (30 mg/kg body weight, intraperitoneally, in a single dose). Animals in all groups were sacrificed 24 h after DXR administration.

Anticarcinogenic activity of meso-zeaxanthin in rodents and its possible mechanism of action.

Anticarcinogenic activity of meso-zeaxanthin (MZ), a xanthophyll carotenoid with profound antioxidant activity, was evaluated against 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MC)-induced sarcoma in mice. Oral administration of MZ at different doses significantly increased tumor latency period. In 3-MC control group, animals started developing sarcoma on 6th week.

Carotenoid lutein protects the kidney against cisplatin-induced acute renal failure.

Cisplatin is one of the most potent anticancer drugs available for the treatment of a variety of tumors. One of the side effects of this drug is nephrotoxicity. Current research evidence indicates that the renal toxicity is mainly due to the reactive oxygen molecules generated by cisplatin.

Effect of carotenoid lutein on N-nitrosodiethylamine-induced hepatocellular carcinoma and its mechanism of action.

Oxycarotenoid lutein (3,3'-dihydroxy-β,ε-carotene) was checked for anticarcinogenic activity against N-nitrosodiethylamine-induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in rats. Lutein could significantly reduce the altered morphological and pathological changes in the liver induced by N-nitrosodiethylamine. Biochemical analysis of serum and tissues indicated that alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, and alkaline phosphatase were significantly elevated in the control group and significantly reduced in the lutein-treated groups.

Cytotoxic and antioxidant properties of selected Scutellaria species from the Western Ghats of Peninsular India.

Context: Scutellaria (Lamiaceae), commonly known as 'Skullcaps', has been extensively used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Recently, much emphasis has been given to this genus due to the rich source of bioflavonoids that contribute to its biological properties. Therefore, different species of Scutellaria are being explored worldwide.

Amelioration of radiation-induced damages in mice by carotenoid meso-zeaxanthin.

Purpose: The present study was undertaken to evaluate the radioprotective effect of meso-zeaxanthin, a xanthophyll carotenoid with profound antioxidant activity.

Materials And Methods: Swiss albino mice were treated with different doses of meso-zeaxanthin (50 and 250 mg/kg body weight, orally) five days before irradiation and sacrificed at different time points. The protective effects of meso-zeaxanthin on mortality, haematological parameters, bone marrow cellularity and gastrointestinal system of irradiated mice were studied.

Antimutagenic activity of Lutein--an oxycarotenoid present in the macula and its inhibition of cytochrome P 450 enzymes in vitro.

Carotenoid lutein was investigated for its antimutagenic activity in vitro by Ames test using Salmonella typhimurium strains TA 98, TA 100, TA 102 and TA 1535. Mutagens used were direct acting mutagens such as sodiumazide (NaN3) (5μg/ plate), nitro-o- phenylendiamine (NPDA) (20μg/ plate), N-methyl- N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine(MNNG) (1μg/ plate), tobacco extract (50mg/ plate) and acetamidofluorene (AAF) (20μg/ plate) which needed microsomal activation. Lutein significantly inhibited the mutagenicity produced by direct acting mutagens as well as mutagens needing activation by cytochrome P450 enzymes at very low concentration (IC50 < 50 μg/plate).

Carotenoid lutein protects rats from gastric ulcer induced by ethanol.

Background: Carotenoid lutein was evaluated for antiulcerogenic activity in rats.

Methods: Gastric ulcer was induced in fasted rats by oral administration of ethanol (95%) (5 mL/kg body weight). Lutein (100 and 250 mg/kg body weight) was administered everyday for 5 days prior to alcohol administration.

Hepato-protective potential of carotenoid meso-zeaxanthin against paracetamol, CCl4 and ethanol induced toxicity.

Hepato-protective potential of carotenoid meso-zeaxanthin [(3R, 3'S)-beta, beta-carotene-3, 3'-diol] was studied using in vivo rat models. Paracetamol (3 g/kg body wt, orally), 20% ethanol (7.5 g/kg body wt, orally) and CCl4 (2.

Antioxidant activity of carotenoid lutein in vitro and in vivo.

Carotenoid lutein was evaluated for its antioxidant potential both in vitro and in vivo. Lutein was found to scavenge superoxide radicals, hydroxyl radicals and inhibited in vitro lipid peroxidation. Concentrations needed for 50% inhibition (IC50) were 21, 1.

Anti-mutagenic and anti-carcinogenic potential of the carotenoid meso-zeaxanthin.

Meso-zeaxanthin was investigated for antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic activity, using the Ames test (Salmonella typhimurium strains TA 98, TA 100, TA 102 and TA 1535) with direct acting mutagens like sodium azide (NaN3) (5 μg/ plate), nitro-o-phenylendiamin (NPD) (20 μg/ plate), N-methyl- N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) (1μg/ plate) and tobacco extract 50 mg/ plate) and with a mutagen needing microsomal activation, acetamidofluorene (AAF) ( 20 μg/ plate). The carotenoid was found to inhibit the mutagenicity induced by NaN3, NPD and MNNG in a concentration dependent manner, as well as that with AAF and the tobacco extract. Concentrations needed for 50 % inhibiton was found to be 50 μg/ plate for the chemical mutagens and 100 μg/ plate for tobacco extract.

Carotenoid lutein protects rats from paracetamol-, carbon tetrachloride- and ethanol-induced hepatic damage.

Objectives: Carotenoids are a class of natural fat-soluble pigments that are found in many fruits and vegetables. Consumption of a diet rich in carotenoids has been epidemiologically correlated with a lower risk for several diseases. In the present study the carotenoid lutein (3,3'-dihydroxy-beta,epsilon-carotene) was evaluated for its hepatoprotective activity in rats.