Objective:To test whether the larvicidal activity of citral against Fasciola varies by season.
Methods:Mortality of Fasciola larva in different month of year (2011-2012) in in vitro and in vivo condition were observed at 2 h, 4 h, 6 h and 8 h exposure of citral.
Results:In vitro toxicity of citral against redia was highest in between the June to August (8 h LC50: 2.58-2.62 mg/L), whereas against cercaria 8 h LC50 was in between 3.44-2.62 mg/L. Highest in vivo toxicity against redia was noted in between June to August (8h LC50: 4.20-5.09 mg/L). The lowest toxicity was observed from November to April. The highest temperature, free carbon dioxide, and lowest pH, dissolved oxygen were observed from June to August.
Conclusions:The present study conclusively shows that varying a biotic factor can significantly alter the in vitro and in vivo toxicity of citral against sporocyst redia and cercaria larva.

Purpose: Intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) provides higher dose to target volumes and limits the dose to normal tissues. IMRT may be applied using either simultaneous integrated boost (SIB-IMRT) or sequential boost (SEQ-IMRT) technique. The objectives of this study were to compare acute toxicity and objective response rates between SIB-IMRT and SEQ-IMRT in patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer. Materials and Methods: Total 110 patients with locally advanced carcinoma of oropharynx, hypopharynx, and larynx were randomized equally into the two arms (SIB-IMRT vs. SEQ-IMRT). Patients in SIB-IMRT arm received dose of 66 Gy in 30 fractions, 5 days a week, over 6 weeks. SEQ-IMRT arm’s patients received 70 Gy in 35 fractions over 7 weeks. Weekly concurrent cisplatin chemotherapy was given in both arms. Patients were assessed for acute toxicities during the treatment and for objective response at 3 months after the radiotherapy. Results: Grade 3 dysphagia was significantly more with SIB-IMRT compared to SEQ-IMRT (72% vs. 41.2%; p = 0.006) but other toxicities including mucositis, dermatitis, xerostomia, weight-loss, incidence of nasogastric tube intubation and hospitalization for supportive management were similar in both the arms. Patients in SIB-IMRT arm showed better treatment-compliance and had significantly less treatment-interruption compared to SEQ-IMRT arm (p = 0.028). Objective response rates were similar in both the arms (p = 0.783). Conclusion Concurrent chemoradiation with SIB-IMRT for locally advanced head and neck cancer is well-tolerated and results in better treatment-compliance, similar objective response rates, comparable incidence of mucositis and higher incidence of grade 3 dysphagia compared to SEQ-IMRT.

Purpose: Intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) provides higher dose to target volumes and limits the dose to normal tissues. IMRT may be applied using either simultaneous integrated boost (SIB-IMRT) or sequential boost (SEQ-IMRT) technique. The objectives of this study were to compare acute toxicity and objective response rates between SIB-IMRT and SEQ-IMRT in patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer. Materials and Methods: Total 110 patients with locally advanced carcinoma of oropharynx, hypopharynx, and larynx were randomized equally into the two arms (SIB-IMRT vs. SEQ-IMRT). Patients in SIB-IMRT arm received dose of 66 Gy in 30 fractions, 5 days a week, over 6 weeks. SEQ-IMRT arm’s patients received 70 Gy in 35 fractions over 7 weeks. Weekly concurrent cisplatin chemotherapy was given in both arms. Patients were assessed for acute toxicities during the treatment and for objective response at 3 months after the radiotherapy. Results: Grade 3 dysphagia was significantly more with SIB-IMRT compared to SEQ-IMRT (72% vs. 41.2%; p = 0.006) but other toxicities including mucositis, dermatitis, xerostomia, weight-loss, incidence of nasogastric tube intubation and hospitalization for supportive management were similar in both the arms. Patients in SIB-IMRT arm showed better treatment-compliance and had significantly less treatment-interruption compared to SEQ-IMRT arm (p = 0.028). Objective response rates were similar in both the arms (p = 0.783). Conclusion Concurrent chemoradiation with SIB-IMRT for locally advanced head and neck cancer is well-tolerated and results in better treatment-compliance, similar objective response rates, comparable incidence of mucositis and higher incidence of grade 3 dysphagia compared to SEQ-IMRT.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is associated with exaggerated cerebral response including emotional processing following visceral stimulation; though data on this issue is available in female IBS patients, it is scanty among males. Hence, we aimed to study brain response of male IBS patients following rectal balloon distension as compared to healthy controls using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Data between diarrhea and constipation predominant IBS (IBS-D and IBS-C) were also compared. METHODS: Rectal balloon distension threshold was assessed in 20 male IBS patients (10 IBS-C and 10 IBS-D) and 10 age-matched male healthy controls. Subsequently, fMRI on all the participants was performed at their respective rectal pain threshold. The fMRI data were analysed using the Statistical Parametric Mapping software. RESULTS: IBS patients showed greater cerebral activations in insula, middle temporal gyrus, and cerebellum in the left hemisphere compared to healthy controls. Neural activation was found in bilateral precuneus/superior parietal lobules in controls but not in patients with IBS. The brain activation differed among IBS-C and IBS-D patients; while the right mid-cingulate cortex was activated in IBS-C, the left inferior orbito-frontal cortex, left calcarine, and bilateral fusiform gyri were activated among patients with IBS-D following rectal balloon distension. CONCLUSIONS: Brain response to rectal balloon distension differed among male patients with IBS and controls and among patients with IBS-C and IBS-D. Differential activation among patients with IBS-C and IBS-D was seen in the brain regions controlling affective motivation, homeostatic emotions, and autonomic responses to pain.
Brain* ; Cerebellum ; Constipation ; Diarrhea ; Female ; Humans ; Irritable Bowel Syndrome* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Male* ; Motivation ; Pain Threshold ; Parietal Lobe ; Temporal Lobe

Flavonoids are a widely distributed group of phytochemicals having benzo-pyrone nucleus, and more than 4,000 different flavonoids have been described and categorized into flavonols, flavones, flavanones, isoflavones, catechins and anthocyanidins. Flavonoids occurs naturally in fruits, vegetables, nuts, and beverages such as coffee, tea, and red wine, as well as in medical herbs. Flavonoids are responsible for the different colors of plant parts and are important constituents of the human diet. Flavanoids have different pharmacological activities, such as antioxidant, anti-allergic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antimutagenic and anticancer activity. Naringenin belongs to the flavanones and is mainly found in fruits (grapefruit and oranges) and vegetables. Pharmacologically, it has anticancer, antimutagenic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiproliferative and antiatherogenic activities. Naringenin is used for the treatments of osteoporosis, cancer and cardiovascular diseases, and showed lipid-lowering and insulin-like properties. In the present review, detailed pharmacological and analytical aspects of naringenin have been presented, which revealed the impressive pharmacological profile and the possible usefulness in the treatment of different types of diseases in the future. The information provided in this communication will act as an important source for development of effective medicines for the treatment of various disorders.
Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Antineoplastic Agents ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Antioxidants ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Flavanones ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Isoflavones ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Neoplasms ; drug therapy

AIM: The fruits of Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standl. (Cucurbitaceae), a commonly used vegetable, are reported to possess various medicinal properties. In previous studies, the fibrinolytic potential of an ethanolic extract of fruits of Lagenaria siceraria was investigated in comparison with kaempferol isolated from it. The aim of the present study was to explore its mechanistic antithrombotic potential and antiplatelet activity using a wide dose range in different in vitro and in vivo models, and to quantify the total phenolic, flavonoid, and kaempferol contents using a colorimetric method. METHOD: The antithrombotic potential was investigated using tail bleeding time in mice, a plasma recalcification assay, and pulmonary thromboembolism in mice. The antiplatelet activity was studied using an in vitro model to investigate IC50 value. RESULTS: A significant amount of total phenols, flavonoids, and kaempferol was quantified in L. siceraria ethanolic extract. An ethanolic extract of the fruits of L. siceraria showed a significant increase in tail bleeding time and plasma recalcification time, significant protection against ADP induced pulmonary thromboembolism in mice, and also inhibited the platelet aggregation induced by ADP in vitro. The study suggested that the fruits of L. siceraria exhibit significant antithrombotic potential due to inhibition of ADP-mediated platelet aggregation and the involvement of various non-cellular chemical mediators of blood. CONCLUSION This finding may be helpful in treating the serious consequences of the thrombus formed in blood vessels which include atherothrombotic diseases, such as myocardial or cerebral infarction. So, further investigation should be done for revealing exact mechanism of action behind these types of activities.
Adenosine Diphosphate ; Animals ; Calcium ; blood ; Cucurbitaceae ; chemistry ; Female ; Fibrinolytic Agents ; analysis ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Fruit ; Goats ; Kaempferols ; analysis ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Mice ; Phytotherapy ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Platelet Aggregation ; drug effects ; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors ; analysis ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Polyphenols ; analysis ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Pulmonary Embolism ; blood ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; Rats, Wistar ; Thrombosis ; prevention & control

OBJECTIVE: To develop a qNMR method for quantitative analysis of triacylglycerols in fruit oil of Hippophae rhamnoides (seabuckthorn, SBT) and analyze commercial samples of SBT oils using GC-MS and FTIR. METHODS: SBT fruit oil (IPHRFH) was extracted with hexane and the triglyceride (TAG) was isolated by vacuum liquid chromatography. Six different branded SBT oils purchased from e-commerce suppliers (Amazon) and in-house prepared SBT oil was analyzed by qNMR and fatty acyl composition of TAGs determined by using NMR. In-house oil was also analysed by GC-MS and FTIR spectroscopy. RESULTS: The qNMR results showed that the oil contained 80.3% of triacylglycerol (TAG). The SBT oil TAGs comprised of linolenate 6.6%, palmitoleate/oleate 65.4%, and total saturated fatty acyl chain including palmitate 28% as determined by qNMR. GC-MS analysis revealed that the major acyl functionalities present in the TAG were palmitoleic acid 36.5%, oleic acid 12.9%, palmitic acid 21.2%, and linoleic acid 18%. Of the six commercial samples analyzed, samples from only one supplier (SW) were fruit oil; All others were the seed oils or mix of fruit oil and seed oil. The labels for samples except for the SW did not indicate whether it was fruit oil or seed oil. CONCLUSION The results suggest that SBT oil should be analyzed by combination of GC-MS, FTIR and qNMR for factual content of free fatty acid or TAGs, which are chemically different in nature and affect the quality of oil. GC-MS showed the content of omega free fatty acids after hydrolysis, while qNMR and FTIR showed the content of TAGs. The major acyl functionalities found in SBT fruit oil TAGs are palmitoleate/palmitate/oleate, while linoleate and linonelate make up a minor fraction. Furthermore, analysis of commercial samples showed discrepancies between label claims and actual content.