Gabriela Gönciová is a PhD. student at University of Pavol Jozef Šafárik in Košice marine origin compounds. At medical faculty of the at the same university.

Statement of the Problem: Spisula polynyma is an edible kind of clam, which is also known as the Stimpson surf clam or the Atlantic surf clam. S. polynyma was initially found off the coast of Japan and used for sushi. (+)-Spisulosine (Figure 1), a natural analog of the membrane phospholipid sphingosine, was isolated from this clam. 285) was in phase I clinical trial in patients with advanced solid tumors. Laboratory examination showed abnormalities such as anemia, lymphopenia, and dose limiting increase in liver enzymes (alkaline phosphatase, transaminases, and bilirubin). Hepato were considered as a limiting adverse effects for spisulosine. Homospisulosine is a synthetic derivative of spisulosin prepared by a complete stereoselective synthesis and minimal information about its antiproliferative activity have focused on monitoring the potential mechanism of action of homospisulosin on various tumor cell lines. Materials and methods: The cytotoxic effect of tested compounds o human cancer cell lines was studied by using MTT colorimetric microculture assay. Mechanism of action of most effective compound was studied by flow cytometric analysis. Findings: In our experiments we found out, that homospisulosine significantly reduced proliferation in HeLa cells. Using other experiments we demonstrated the ability of homospisulosine cell cycle and induce apoptosis. Conclusion & Significance: The seas and oceans form source not only food for human population. There are lots of unexplored substances, which present potential in About homospisulosine we have very little informations. us to test its biological activity. To explain the mechanism of action of homospisulosine requires not only in vitro but also in vivo future.

Alexandra Nagyová is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Pharmacology at Pavol Jozef Šafarik University in Košice, Slovakia. She completed her masters' degree in Pharmacy at Comenius University in Bratislava

Statement of the Problem It is well-known that chemotherapeutic agents lack selectivity - thus killing healthy cells and their use may simultaneously lead to serious adverse effects. Marine ecosystem is a rich reservoir of biologically active compounds with strong anticancer and cytotoxic properties. Such compounds include the jaspine B (Fig.1) (pachastrissamine), which has a cytotoxic activity against a wide range of tumor cell lines. Jaspine B derivatives are nowdays being intensively studied for their anticancer potential. The purpose of this study is to investigate antiproliferative effects of different synthetic jaspine B analogues in vitro and to understand the underlying mechanisms of action Methodology & Theoretical Orientation Jaspine B derivatives with tetrahydrofuran structure 209, 210, 211, 301 (Fig.1) were tested using: MTT assay to evaluate their cytotoxic activity. Flow cytometry was used to enlighten the underlying mechanis of action. Findings Our results prove that jaspine B derivative 209 displayed the highest antiproliferative activity in all cell lines with the significant cytotoxic effect in Jurkat and with the lowest cytotoxicity in 3T3. We proved that 209 analogue is capable of apoptosis induction and cell cycle arrest. Conclusion & Significance: Jaspine B derivative 209 has been suggested as a potential anti-tumor agent. Our results generate new possibilities for further in vivo efficacy studies with this synthetic compound.

Atiqah Aziz has her expertise in discovering pharmaceutical potential from multiple Malaysian natural products and currently she expand her interest in molecular biology and cell biology in studying the molecular mechanisms and morphological changes of cancer cell lines towards natural products or complementary medicine products in Malaysia. She has been working as a researcher since 2008 at University of Malaya (UM), which known as one of the top university in Malaysia. She holds a Bachelor Degree in Biology and Master Degree in Applied Biology

Generally, various synthetic anti-cancer drugs have been given to cancer patient as a pain relievers. Nevertheless, in long term usage, those drugs are more likely to produce side effects. Hence, an alternative approach from natural plant products is essentially needed for the treatment of cancer. Poor antioxidant status and high oxidative stress associated with breast cancer risk. Thus, it is essential for Malaysian women to obtain a good antioxidant status by consuming a diet rich in vitamins A and E as well as selenium and adopt healthy behaviour to reduce oxidative stress in order to prevent breast cancer. Bark and leaf of P. macrophylla revealed active radical scavenging activities in methanol crude extracts leading to its potential to act as a natural antioxidant source. Moreover, P. macrophylla has shown outstanding anti-cancer potential as it showed high cytotoxic activities against breast cancer cells with more than 90% of cell death. LC/MS analysis of methanolic extracts generated mass fragmentation pattern that represent two compounds known as Isopolycerasoidol and Isopolycerasoidol methyl ester which were previously identified in other Pseuduvaria species and also responsible for the elevation of apoptosis prevalence in human breast cancer. This plant has illustrated interesting biological activities which could be a potential pharmaceutical agents for the treatment of cancer and other various chronic diseases.

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The Liver is a target organ for the many chemical products. During normal cellular activities, various processes inside of cells produce reactive oxygen species (ROS). Some of the most common ROS are hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), superoxide ion (O2°-), and hydroxide radical (OH°). These compounds, when present in a high enough concentration, can damage cellular proteins and lipids or form DNA adducts. Injection of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) intraperitoneally into model animals induces acute liver injury mediated by trichloromethyl radical (CCL3°) as reactive metabolites in hepatocytes. In this study, the cellular process in this type of liver injury was analyzed from the aspect of liver function and the antioxidant activity of methabolic extract of Centaurea incana. The results that we are obtained shows that the Carbon tetrachloride on dose 3 ml/kg is responsible of hepatotoxicity. On the contrary, their association to methabolic extract cancels their toxics effects on the tissues, by the decrease of serum transaminases levels (TGO, TGP), and reinfence the antioxidants capacities of defence by decrease the cytosolic MDA, this will prove the preventive effect of methabolic extract on the toxicity of the CCL4.

Jetsada Ruangsuriya has been researching on bone tissue engineering since 2007 with Iain Gibson at the University of Aberdeen, UK. After graduating, he had taken the position of lecturer and researcher at Chiang Mai University, Thailand. He has focused on the effects of herbal extracts on bone and cartilage as well as continued searching for cheap and safe biomaterial for bone and cartilage tissues as the implanted materials to treat the tissue defects. He has found that the Cissus quadrangularis Linn (CQ) is of interest for bone treatments. As the herbal medicine, certain private companies have developed the whole dried plant into capsules, which are claimed to treat osteoporosis. With limited evidence to support the effect of CQ on bone, he has set up the research on the effects of various herbal plants on bone cells since then

Cissus quadrangularis Linn. (CQ) has been reported as herbal medicine for bone fracture healing in many parts of Asian countries due to a variety of active compounds found in the stem of CQ. These active compounds might have a strong effect on bone remodeling process and lead to the application for bone diseases such as osteoporosis. Within this study, the crude extract was derived from ethanol extraction of CQ and subjected to hexane partition generating ethanolic fraction. HLPC analysis of both crude extract and ethanolic fraction revealed that beta-sitosterol was undetectable in the ethanolic fraction. In contrast, the ethanolic fraction was enriched with quercetin and rutin at 9% and 115% compared with those in the crude extract, respectively. Both crude extract and ethanolic fraction were further investigated in MG-63 cells, a human osteoblast cell line. Ethanolic fraction significantly enhanced osteogenic markers such as alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and hydroxylproline level whereas the crude extract had no effect on those markers. Furthermore, the ethanolic fraction significantly activated the expression of osteoprotegerin (OPG), an anti-osteoclastogenic molecule as well as inhibited receptor activator of nuclear factor κ ligand (RANKL), an osteoclastogenic factor. Likewise, osteocalcin (OC), a bone turnover marker was inhibited. From these results, it could be summarized that ethanolic fraction, which is deprived of beta-sitosterol but enriched with quercetin and rutin, enhanced osteogenic, but inactivated osteoclastogenic processes. The finding in this study provides a supporting evidence for the uses of CQ in traditional medicine to treat the imbalance of bone turnover process, like osteoporosis.

Bernard Somers is a second year PhD Student of Medicinal Chemistry at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ. His thesis will involve the phytochemistry and bioactivity of the African traditional food and medicinal herb, African spider plant (cleome gynandra). During his undergraduate studies at University of Scranton in Scranton, PA, Bernard obtained a Bachelors in Neuroscience along with minors in Biochemistry and Entrepreneurship while graduating cum laude. He founded the still-thriving and growing Chess Club and was lead aquarist for Scranton’s Aquatic Systems Society. Bernard attended a Tropical Biology internship with Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama studying bat feeding ecology during the Summer of 2013. During the Summer of 2014, he was accepted to a prestigious medicinal chemistry internship at University of Michigan where he synthesized potential anti-pancreatic cancer agents and tested their efficacy on MIA PaCa cell lines. Bernard’s mission is to positively impact humanity.

Amaranth (Amaranthus spp.), spider plant (Cleome spp.), and nightshade (Solanum spp.) are popular African indigenous vegetables (AIVs) that are commonly incorporated into many ethnic African and some Asian recipes. These crops are easy to grow, and are rich sources of essential micronutrients. In this study, an HPLV-UV method was used to measure the β-carotene (Vitamin A) and α-tocopherol (Vitamin E) content of three amaranth, four spider plant, and eight nightshade accessions grown in New Jersey. The results of this study will be used to breed future Zambia, Kenya, and Tanzania varieties that contain high amounts of micronutrients to support efforts to combat malnutrition throughout Africa. The α-tocopherol content of amaranth accessions was found to range from trace levels to 1.13± 0.02 mg/100g while β-carotene ranged from 1.00±0.45 mg/100g to 4.85±0.56 mg/100g. α-tocopherol content of spider plant accessions ranged from 3.04±1.77 mg/100g to 7.32±2.21 mg/100g and β-carotene ranged from 4.40±1.08 mg/100g to 17.80±4.80 mg/100g. The α-tocopherol content of nightshade accessions was determined to range from 6.41±0.28 mg/100g to 22.97±1.99 mg/100g while β-carotene ranged from 6.23±0.04 mg/100g to 13.88±1.09 mg/100g.

Winai is a faculty member of Kanchanabhisek Medical and Public Health Technology (KMPHT) College. He obtained his Bachelor’s Degree from Mahidol University while his Master’s degree from Slipakorn University. He finished his Doctoral Degree from Chulalongkorn University where he also is a regular fixture. His field of interest is more on aromatherapy. He has been on the research field for 5 years but has made a total of 6 publications. He is currently in line with Chulalongkorn and Mahidol University as a co-adviser for the research “Effects of essential oil to the brain wave” and “Effects of essential oil to insomnia”

Introduction: Insomnia is the most common complaint for all sleeping problems and has been under researched. The treatment of choices is hypnotics, but these pills contain several adverse effects. Traditionally, Ylang Ylang oil has been used as a treatment for insomnia in Thailand, but its effects has not been systematically proven. The aim of this research study is to examine the effect of Ylang Ylang oil on sleep quality of Kanchanabhisek Medical and Public Health Technology (KMPHT) College’s students measured by PSQI (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index). Design: This study was conducted in two random groups in a format of pre-test and post-test design. Methods: The study sample consists of 30 subjects (15 male and 15 females). In this study the intervention group was assigned to use Ylang Ylang oil, while the control group used sweet almond oil. The sample subjects were instructed to score PSQI questions in the first and the seventh day for comparison. Results: The total PSQI score of Ylang Ylang oil group (x = 3.90 ) is significantly decreased when comparing with the control group of almond oil group (x = 9.86) (p-value < 0.05). No period or carry–over effect was observed. Conclusion: The results from this study show that Ylang Ylanng oil improves the sleeping quality of college students.

Laura Trejo is a researcher, professor and responsible for the Unit of Virology and Cancer of the Faculty of Biological Sciences, UANL, has her specialty in virology, has published more than 35 papers in reputed journals and has been serving as reviewer of papers in several renowned journals and as a reviewer of national project support agencies. She has been a trainer of undergraduate and postgraduate students in her expertise area; her line of research in "Antiviral effect of natural products" has given rise to 5 recent publications, presentations in national and international congresses and development of a patent.

The investigation of natural products isolated from marine sources is an interesting approach in the development of new antiviral agents. Sulfated polysaccharides (SPs) and polyphenols (PPs) extracted from five Mexican seaweeds (Macrocystis pyrifera, Eisenia arborea, Pelvetia compressa, Ulva intestinalis and Solieria filiformis) were tested in this study in order to evaluate their effect on the Measles virus (MeV) infection in vitro. The effect of SPs and PPs on cell viability was determined by MTT assay; their antiviral activity on MeV infection was evaluated by syncytia reduction assays and confirmed by qPCR. The tested metabolites showed antiviral activity and no cytotoxicity at inhibitory concentrations, resulting in therapeutic indexes >1500 in all cases. Looking at the mode of action of these metabolites, time of addition experiments and viral penetration assays suggest that SPs tested in this study are acting at different levels within the first stages in viral infection, while virucidal assays showed that PPs have a direct inactivation effect on the virions. SP2, SP5, PP2 and PP5 showed the highest antiviral activities and were selected to determine their combined effect. The best synergistic effect was observed for combinations of SP2 at IC50 with SP5 at IC25, and SP5 at IC25 with PP2 at IC50. The synergistic effect observed in this study would allow reducing the treatment dose and minimizing or delaying the induction of antiviral resistance. SPs and PPs of the selected seaweed species thus appear as promising candidates for the development of natural antiviral agents.

Sang Hee Shim has her expertise in natural products chemistry. She has studied on bioactive secondary metabolites from medicinal plants and their associated microbiomes including endophytes. She investigated a lot of bioactive secondary metabolites from halophyte-derived microbial cultures and is trying to elucidate interactions between plants and their endophytes.

Six new isochroman derivatives (annulohypoxylomans A−C, 1−3; annulohypoxylomanols A and B, 6 and 7; and annulohypoxyloside, 8), an isocoumarin (annulohypoxylomarin A, 4), and an azaphilone derivative (xylariphilone, 5) were isolated from an ethyl acetate extract derived from cultures of the endophytic fungus JS540 found in the leaves of Zizania caduciflora. The JS540 strain was identified as Annulohypoxylon truncatum. The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated by one- and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry and by comparison with related compounds from the literature. The anti-inflammatory activities of the isolated compounds were evaluated in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated bone marrow-derived dendritic cells. Xylariphilone (5) exhibited significant inhibitory effects on LPS-induced interleukin (IL)-6, IL-12 p40, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α production with IC50 values of 5.3, 19.4, and 37.6 μM, respectively.

HOU Peng is a Mphil student in marine environmental science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. Specifically, she is currently working on 1) Developing of high throughput pipeline for biosynthetic DNA assembly, DNA transformation, and product isolation. 2) To shed light on antibiotic resistance, by studying how those antibiotic-producing strains utilizing tailoring enzymes on NRPS to avoid self-intoxification, provide an early warning system for novel antibiotics development

Natural products produced from marine bacteria function as an immense reservoir for anti-infective drugs and therapeutic agents. Nowadays, heterologous expression of gene clusters of interests has been widely adopted as an effective strategy for natural product discovery. Briefly, the heterologous expression flowchart would be: biosynthetic gene cluster identification, pathway construction and expression, and product detection. However, gene cluster capture using traditional Transformation-associated recombination (TAR) protocol is low-effienct (0.5% positive colony rate). To make things worse, most of these putative new natural products are only predicted by bioinformatics analysis such as antiSMASH, and their corresponding natural products biosynthetic pathways are either not expressed or expressed at very low levels under laboratory conditions. Those setbacks have inspired us to focus on seeking new technologies to efficiently edit and refractor of biosynthetic gene clusters. Recently, two cutting-edge techniques have attracted our attention - the CRISPR-Cas9 and Gibson Assembly. By now, we’ve tried to pretreat Brevibacillus laterosporus strain genomic DNA with CRISPR-Cas9 nucleases that specifically generated breaks near the gene cluster of interest. This trial resulted in an increase in the efficiency of gene cluster capture (9%). And using Gibson Assembly by adding certain operon regardless of end compatibility, the silent construct (~80kb) has been successfully refactored into active one. With the appearances of the new molecular tools, we’re confident to belive that development of a high throughput mature pipeline for DNA assembly, transformation, product isolation and identific

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Around seven percent of tribal population of India lives in Rajasthan. Rajasthan has rich cultural diversity and biodiversity. Ethno botany can be defined as the total natural and traditional relationship and the interactions between man and his surrounding plant wealth from times immemorial, due to sheer, necessity, intuition, observation and experimentation. Medicinal plants are valuable and are used for the production of various drugs. These plants produce a high diversity of natural products or secondary metabolites like Mahanimbicine, Andrographine, murrayaline, lupeol and limonin etc. with a prominent function in the protection against diseases like diabetes, kidney stones, osteoporosis, tumours, opthalmia, leucorrhoea, bronchial asthma, diarrhea, cancer etc. The present report gives an account of traditional medicinal uses of common medicinal plants of Rajasthan. A total of 18 plant species belonging to 13 families are reported, that are being used for various purposes. For each plant necessary information like botanical name, family of plant species, local name and medicinal uses are given.

MENG JIA has completed her Bachelor degree in Nanjing Unversity and now is studying for MPhil degree in Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. She majored in chemistry in Nanjing University and now has focused on marine drugs and natural products in Environmental Science Program for two years.

A novel antibiotic was separated from secondary metabolites of Paenibacillus polymyxa CICC 10580, with activity against pathogen. The molecular formula of the compound was deduced to be C35H47NO8 ([M+Na]+, m/z 632.326) by the analysis of high resolution mass spectrum. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) was used to elucidate the structure of the compound, named as paenibacillaene. Paenibacillaene is a conjugated-tetraene contained compound which has similar UV absorption with bacillaene. As a bacteriostatic agent, paenibacillaene inhibits a couple of strains. Particularly, the minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) against Staphylococcus aureus UST950701-005 reached 5 μg/mL. The biosynthetic pathway of paenibacillaene was predicted based on the silico analysis of gene cluster. Furthermore, combining the analysis of NMR signals and the ketoreductases in relative polyketide synthase (PKS), several chiral centers of paenibacillaene were identified. Paenibacillaene is quite unstable when exposed to light or room temperature, which compromised its antibiotic capacity. However, No cytotoxicity and excellent antibacterial activity make it to be a promising antibiotic.

My study focuses on the role that estrogen may play in cardiovascular disease in healthy menopausal women. Menopausal health demands priority in Korea due to increase in life expectancy and growing population of menopausal women. Our research group concentrates on traditional Korean herb or prescription for improvement and treatment of various target diseases including age-related damages and menopausal disorders as well as drugs and supplements; providing clinical basis for their efficacy and safety and developing and transferring technologies for prevention and treatment of relevant conditions using the materials

Statement of the Problem: Women who have experienced menopause are at greater risk for immune imbalance including hormone problem. Estrogens are involved in immune response at least of the humoral immunity and androgens and progesterone. However, hormone replacement therapy has limitations of breast cancer incidence. Herbal medicines, which have less adverse effects, have received attention to compensate for the problems related to hormone replacement therapy. The purpose of this study is to demonstrated the immunological efficacy of T. tetragonioides (TT) using ovariectomized animal models. Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: TT have been used for improving women’s health and treating inflammatory diseases. The sequencing analysis from the nuclear genome makes the Internal transcribed spacer region a valuable resource for plant species identification. We sought to investigate the effects of TT the level of inflammation markers (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-12, IL-17, IFN-γ) using ovariectomized mice. Findings: As a result of ITS gene analysis, 20 individuals collected from different region showed 99% homology. IL‐1β, IL‐2, IL‐12, IL‐17, and IFN‐γ in CD4 + T cells were significantly reduced in ovariectomized animal model. It also showed an increase in anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10). In addition, they displayed significant immuno modulating activities including inhibition of generation of TNF-α, IL‐1β and IL-12 of immune cell cytokine production in mesenteric lymph node, whereas increased the cytokine of IL-4 and IL10. Conclusion & Significance: These results suggest to target the modulation of inflammatory immune responses for the treatment of menopausal symptoms and related diseases. Image Figure 1 : Immunoreactivity of TT species identified. Recent Publications (minimum 5) 1. Maurizio C, Silvia C, Alberto S, Bruno S, Maria Elena S, Barbara V, Rainer H. S (2006) Estrognes and autoimmune diseases 1089:538-547. 2. Hyunjin P, Leena Y, Hyun Sook K (2013) Effects of fermented soybean paste chungkukjang on the immunoreactivity in ovariectomized mice. Journal Korean Society Food science and nutrition 42:1930-1939. 3. Rainer H (2008) The complex role of estrogens in inflammation. Endocrine reviews 28:521-574. 4. Jin Ah R, Byoung Seob K, Hye Won L, Da sol K, Suna K, Yong Hyen L, Sunmin P (2016) Tetragonia tetragonioides (pall.) Kuntze protects estrogen deficient rats against disturances of energy and glucose metabolism and decreases proinflammatory cytokines. Experimental biology and medicine 0:1-13

Afaf Al groshi has her expertise in pharmacognosy, phytochemistry, natural products and in vitro cytotoxicity study. She has built this work after years of experience in research, evaluation, teaching and administration in education institutions.

n-Hexane, dichloromethane and MeOH extracts of the leaves and tubers of Asphodelus aestivus were screened for their cytotoxicity against two human cancer cell lines, namely, lung (A549) and prostate (PC3) using the in vitro MTT assay. Significant cytotoxicity was observed with A. aestivus tubers against both cell lines, whereas, the dichloromethane extract of A. aestivus leaves showed activity only against the lung (A549) cell lines with the IC50 value of 90 µg/mL. The n-hexane and the dichloromethane extracts of tubers exhibited relatively high level of cytotoxicity against the prostate cancer cells (PC3) with the IC50 values of 80 and 19 µg/mL, respectively. The dichloromethane extract of the tubers also showed considerable cytotoxicity against the lung (A549) cancer cells (IC50 value of 16 µg/mL). The selectivity index (SI) for A. aestivus tubers was also determined using the human normal prostate cell line (PNT2). The tubers revealed high degree of cytotoxic selectivity on prostate cancer cells (SI=26).

Y. Yi has an experience of natural products research in cosmetic science. He evaluate the materials as ingredients in cosmetics, and have teached cosmetic material and natural products in department of cosmetics science, Hoseo University, Republic of Korea.

This study was to confirm the effects of anti-melanogenesis and anti-inflammatory effects from Opuntia humifusa fruit and stem extracts. A potent anti-oxidant activity was showed from the leaf extract at IC50 value of 38.33±1.07 μg/mL and fruit extract at IC50 value of 40.23±2.21 μg/mL by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. Also, phenolic contents were confirmed total phenolic assay by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Fraction of taxifolin from leaf extract was identified using HPLC and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The extracts of Opuntia humifusa fruit and stem were confirmed about toxicity effect in B16 F1 by cell viability. Melanin contents was decreased. Opuntia humifusa fruit and stem extracts had a positive effect of melanin synthesis inhibition for skin whitening. In investigating the anti-inflammatory activities of Opuntia humifusa, the results of cell viability indicated that taxifolin did not show cytotoxicity on RAW264.7 cells at 500 μM of concentration. The result show that taxifolin inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced production of Nitrite oxide (NO). In addition, taxifolin indicated the inhibition of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced tumor necrosis factor (TNF) -α and interleukin (IL) -6 production by cytokine assay and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 expression by western blot analysis, meaning that taxifolin had a significant anti-inflammatory effect. Our results suggested that taxifolin from Opuntia humifusa has anti-melanogenesis and anti-inflammatory activities. This research was supported by a grant of the Korea Healthcare technology R&D project, Ministry of Health & Welfare, Republic of Korea. (Grant No. : HN14C0085).

Suman chowdhury has her expertise in Ethnopharmacology, Phytomedicine, Molecular Pharmacology, Insilco studies and Neurodegenerative disorder- Alzheimer's disease. She is currently in her 4th year of PhD and her research area involves studies on Indian spices and medicinal plant extracts and their active ingredients for their neuroprotective role. She did her master’s in biotechnology from Jamia hamdard university, New Delhi, India.

N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) play key role in glutamatergic neurotramission, which is critical for synaptic plasticity and survival of neurons. However, ‘slow excitotoxicity’ at post- synaptic neurons promotes gradual neurodegeneration as occurred in Alzheimer’s disease. In view of this natural and synthetic compounds that act as antagonist against NMDA receptor considered as potential target in neurodegenerative disorder such as Alzheimer’s disease. The present study explores various spices phytoconstituents such as Piper nigrum, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Eugenia caryophyllus, Cuminum cyminum and Eletteria cardamom as a source of novel NMDA receptor antagonist. Molecular docking of approx 240 phyto-compounds, against NMDA receptor was performed and their ADMET descriptors were determined. X-ray crystallographic structure of NMDA (PDBID-1PBQ) was downloaded from Protein Data Bank. Protein preparation was done using Schrodinger Suite and the docking protocol was validated (RMSD= 0.974 Å). Structures of phytocompounds were downloaded from Pubchem database and ligand preparation was done using Ligprep. Extra precision docking of prepared protein and ligands was done using Glide module (Gridbased Ligand Docking with Energetics) and output was analyzed in XP visualizer. Out of 240 compounds analyzed Caffeic acid, Cinnamic acid, Octanoic acid, Capric acid, Valeric acid, Palmitic acid, Sotolone, Niacin, Butanoic acid and Dehydrodieugenol were the top 10 leads on the basis of Glide score ranging from-9.25 to -7.13Kcal/mol. Higher numbers of conformations, low docking score and the lowest binding energy indicated better affinity of the compounds to the NMDA receptor. Owing to the diverse and rich source of plants, use of herbs and spices as medicine dates way back in history. Due to side-effects of drugs, phyto-constituents have gained enormous consideration as an alternative. The phytocompounds from spices showed potent NMDA antagonist property and provides a lead towards finding more potent anti-Alzheimer's drug.

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Context: Sarcococca saligna (Buxaceae) and its related species are traditionally used for the management of ulcer, rheumatism, gout, skin infections and for management of diabetes. Objective: The present research work explores in-vitro Acetylcholinestrase (AChE), butrylcholinestarase (BChE), anti urease, and anti α-glucosidase potential of Sarcococca saligna. Material and methods: In-vitro AChE, BChE, urease and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities were carried out. IC50 of test sample as well as that of standard drugs were calculated using EZ-Fit enzyme kinetic software. Results: Aq:meOH extract of leaves were inactive against AChE whereas it gave inhibition of 89.26±0.26 against BChE with an IC50 of 9.71±0.1, the inhibition was 56.34±0.26 and 91.34±0.12 by aq:meOH ext. of roots with an IC50 of 141.9±0.15 and 4.51±0.09 against AChE and BChE respectively. Percent inhibition against urease enzyme shown by aq:meOH extract of leaves was 29.82±1.83, its IC50 was calculated as 330.96±1.15 whereas aq:meOH extract of roots gave 66.56±1.24 inhibition and its IC50 was calculated i.e. 155.75±1.15. Similarly the results recorded against α-glucosidase were 15.58±0.14 % inhibition recorded by aq:meOH extract of leaves, its IC50 was 660±0.31 whereas aq:meOH extract of roots gave inhibition of 39.12±0.31 % and IC50 was 208±0.78. Discussion and conclusion: The research work justified the local use of S. saligna in gout and ulcer disorders. This study also provides the evidence that S. saligna also possesses inhibitory potential against, urease, AChE and BChE as well as alpha-glucosidase enzyme hence this specie can be helpful in management of diabetes, ulcer and alzhimer’s disease.

Zahra Gholamnezhad, M.Sc, Ph.D; Assistant Proffesor of Pysiology in Neurogenic Inflammation Research Centre And Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. She has her expertise in exercise and respiratory physiology especially evaluating the role of herbal medicine in those processes. She had published 25 articles which 17 of them are in Scopus and her H index is 7. She had her investigation on different experimental model such as diabetes, inflammation, asthma and exercise.

Statement of the Problem: Nigella sativa (N. sativa) had been known as an immunomodulator as well as a tonic agent. Therefore, in this study the effect of N. sativa supplementation on the splenocyte immune response of sedentary and exercise animal had been evaluated. Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into control sedentary (C), moderate trained (MT), (V=20m/min, 30min/day, 6 days a week, for 8 weeks), overtrained (OT) (V=25m/min, 60min/day, 6 days a week, for 11 weeks), control sedentary + N. sativa (NC), moderate trained + N.sativa (NM) and overtrained + N.sativa (NO). At the end of study; cell viability, proliferation, interleukin 4 (IL-4) and interferon- (IFN-) secretion in non-stimulated, and concavaline A (Con A)-stimulated splenocytes were evaluated. Findings: In the absence of mitogen, cell viability of NC and NO groups, cell proliferation of NC and NM groups, IFN concentration of NM and NO groups and IL-4/IFN ratio of NC, NM and NO groups was increased compared to non-treated groups (p<0.05-p<0.001); while, IL-4 supernatant content of NM group was lower than non-treated groups. In the presence of mitogen, cell viability of NC and NO groups, the IL-4 concentration of NC (p<0.001) and NO (p<0.05) groups, IFN concentration and IL-4/IFN ratio of NM group was increased compared to non-treated animals; while IL-4/ IFN ratio was decreased in NC group compared to non-treated groups. In addition, the IL-4/ IFN ratio of stimulated and non-stimulated splenocyte supernatant was increased in NM group compared to NC and NO groups (p<0.05-p<0.001). Conclusion & Significance: Chronic administration of N.sativa may balance Th1/Th2 cytokine profile of splenocyte in favour of Th1, especially in overtraining and non-stimulated situation. Moderate exercise and N. sativa supplementation could improve disorders with Th2 elevation such as overtraining syndrome and cancer.

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Many classical drugs are claimed to have blood sugar lowering properties that make them valuable for people with or at high risk of type 2 diabetes. Vijaysar (Pterocarpus marsupium) and Gaumutra (Indian cow urine) both have been shown antidiabetic property since primordial time and both shows synergistic effect in combination for hypoglycaemic activity. The study was undertaken to investigate the hypoglycaemic and anti-diabetic effects of the combination of Vijaysar and Gaumutra which is a classical preparation mentioned in Ayurveda named as Pramehari ark. Rats with Type 2 diabetes which is induced by streptozotocin (STZ, 35mg/kg) given a high-fat diet for one month and compared with normal rats. Diabetic rats showed raised level of body weight, triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and D-glucose concentration and other serum, cardiac and hypertrophic paramters in comparison of normal rats. After treatment of different doses of drug the level of parameters like TG, total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and D-glucose concentration found to be decreased in standard as well as in treatment groups. In addition treatment groups also found to be decreased in the level of serum markers, cardiac markers, and hypertrophic parameters. The findings demonstrated that Pramehari ark prevented the pathological progression of type 2 diabetes in rats.

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Solanum xanthocarpum (Family Solanaceae) is a well-known anti-allergic drug in Asian system of medicines. In the present study, ethanolic fraction of S. xanthocarpum whole plant was examined for spasmogen-induced contractile responsiveness in isolated guinea pig tracheal preparations. Additionally, physiological and biochemical effects of S. xanthocarpum extract (0.6 and 1.2 mg/kg) and dexamethasone (2.5 mg/kg) treatments were investigated in ovalbumin induced model of bronchial asthma in wistar rats. Histamine content in lungs and inflammatory markers, including cell counts, IgE, cytokines such as IL-4, IL-5, IL-1β, TNF-α, LTD-4, and nitrite levels in both blood and bronchoalveolar fluid were analysed. Breathing rate and tidal volume as lung function parameters were examined by spirometer. Pre-treatment with S. xanthocarpum flower extract inhibited allergen induced tracheal response in the order of histamine>methacholine>bradykinin induced contractions. Oral treatment for 28 days with drug extract (1.2 mg/kg) significantly (p<0.01 and p<0.05) inhibited infiltration of inflammatory cytokines, IgE, nitrites and circulating cells particularly eosinophils, in blood/serum and bronchoalveolar fluid of asthmatic rats. Improvement in lung functions and histamine levels (p<0.05) support these findings. Results of the study suggest therapeutic potential of S. xanthocarpum in allergic asthma possibly related to its ability to block histamine (H1) receptors, inhibit cellular response and subsequent production of inflammatory cytokines in airways.

Dr. Divyakant Patel has completed his PhD at the age of 35 years from Jodhpur National University. He is the professor and HOD of Pharmacognosy of Arihant School of Pharmacy and Bio-Research Institute.. He has published more than 25 papers in reputed journals and has been serving as an editorial board member of repute. He received 10 lacs Rs grant for Inspire Program

From time immemorial, man has been depending on plants as medicine. Helminthic infections are among the most common infections in man, affecting a large proportion of the world’s population. Helminthiasis is an infection of the human body with parasitic worm such as roundworms, earthworms, hookworms, flukes, tapeworms and pinworms. The worms usually only involve the intestinal tract but sometimes they may invade other organs. These helminthic diseases can be treated by various herbal drugs. The present study was done with the aim to formulate suspension using traditionally valuable herbs like Neolamarckia cadamba and Alstonia scholaris. Evaluation of prepared polyherbal suspension was done by various parameters.

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Pterois russelli is a venomous fish belonging to scorpionidae family. Regarding to high significance value for tracing potential therapeutic molecules and special agents from venomous marine creatures, the present study was aimed to characterization of the Persian Gulf lionfish venom. Proteolytic, phospholipase, hemolytic, coagulation, edematogenic and dermonecrotic activities were determined for extracted venom. The LD50 of P. russelli venom was determined by intravenous injection in white Balb/c mice. Phospholipase A2 activity was recorded at 20 mg of total venom. Coagulation activity on human plasma was shown by Prothrombin Time (PT) and activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (APTT) assays and coagulation visualized after 7 and 14 s respectively for 60 mg of crude venom. LD50 was calculated as 10.5 mg/kg. SDS-PAGE revealed the presence of major and minor protein bands between 6 and 205 kDa. Different amounts of crude venom ranged from 1.87 to 30 mg showed proteolytic activity on casein. The highest edematic activity was detected at 20 mg. Our findings showed that the edematic activity was dose dependent and persisted for 48 h after injection. The crude venom did not induce dermonecrotic activity on rabbit skin and showed no hemolytic activity on human, mouse and rabbit erythrocytes. This is the first report for phospholipase A2 and coagulation activity in venomous fish and venomous marine animals respectively. Proteolytic activity of P. russelli venom is in accordance with the other genara of scorpionidae family. According to venom activity on intrinsic and extrinsic coagulation pathways, lionfish venom would be contained an interesting pharmaceutical agent. This study is pending to further characterization of phospholipase A2, coagulation, and protease activities and also in vivo activity on animal model of surface and internal bleeding.