Current study was designed to evaluate protective effect of mangiferin and its interaction with low dose of nitric oxide (NO) modulators in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) inoculated rats. Male wistar rats (200-300 g, n = 8 per group) were used in the study. On day ''0'' of study arthritis was induced in rats by injecting 0.2 ml CFA in sub-planter region of right hind paw of animals. Treatment with methotrexate (5 mg/kg), mangiferin (10-30 mg/kg) alone and in combination with NO modulators was given (i.p.) from days 14 to 28. After 28 days, blood and joint synovial fluid was collected for biochemical analysis and rat paws were excised to estimate MDA and SOD in tissue (paw) homogenates. CFA inoculation significantly increases (1) arthritic index, (2) ankle diameter, (3) paw volume, and (4) serum TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, and synovial TNF-α levels (p < 0.001). The serum Th (IFN-γ) and Th (IL-4) cytokine levels, MDA levels in rat paw tissue homogenates and serum NF-κB levels were also found significantly increased. Significant decrease in serum IL-10 levels and SOD activity was found after CFA inoculation. These CFA-induced arthritic changes, cytokine profile, and oxidative stress markers were significantly reversed by mangiferin (10-30 mg/kg) treatment alone and in combination with L-arginine and L-NAME nitric oxide modulators (p < 0.05). Treatment with methotrexate (5 mg/kg) also significantly reversed these adjuvant changes (p < 0.05). However, effect of methotrexate was less marked as compared to mangiferin (30 mg/kg) alone and in combination with L-NAME (10 mg/kg), but was comparable or slightly better than mangiferin (10 and 20 mg/kg). Thus, on the basis of our findings, we can suggest that interaction of mangiferin with nitric oxide modulators may have therapeutic value for chronic inflammatory disease such as RA.

No abstract

These results are suggestive of protective effects of pentoxifylline and its potentiation in combination with low dose of NO modulators. These results may provide new pharmacological therapy for management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Background: Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder and is marked by inflammation and death of neurons in the striatum region of the midbrain. It has been reported that expression of NF-κB increases during Parkinson’s disease, which promotes oxidative stress, stimulates release of proinflammatory cytokines, and induces expression of nitric oxide. Therefore, in this study, we have used mangiferin a specific NF-κB inhibitor. Mangiferin is a polyphenolic compound traditionally used for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Method: The study utilized male Wistar rats weighing 200–250 g (56 rats; n = 8/group). On day “0,” stereotaxic surgery of rats was done to induce 6-hydroxydopamine lesioning in rats. Coordinates for substantia nigra were anteroposterior-2 mm, mediolateral-5 mm and dorsoventral-8.2 mm. After 14 days, those rats which show at least 210 contralateral rotations after administration of apomorphine (0.5 mg/kg S.C.) were selected for the study and were given treatment for 28 days. On day 28 of treatment, rats were subjected to behavioral studies to evaluate the effect of mangiferin and their brains were taken out after euthanasia to perform biochemical, molecular and immunological studies. Results: Treatment with mangiferin significantly improves the key parameters of locomotor activity and oxidative stress and reduces the parameters of inflammatory stress. Also, the activity of caspases was reduced. Significant decrease in activity of both cyclooxygenase 1 and 2 was also observed. Maximum improvement in all parameters was observed in rats treated with grouping of mangiferin 45 µg/kg and levodopa 10 mg/kg. Treatment with levodopa alone has no significant effect on biochemical and molecular parameters though it significantly improves behavioral parameters. Conclusion and Implications: Current treatment of Parkinson’s disease does not target progression of Parkinson’s disease. Results of this study suggest that mangiferin has protective effect in hemi-Parkinsonian rats. Therefore, the combination therapy of mangiferin and levodopa can be helpful in management of Parkinson’s disease.

Introduction: Different types and intensity of resistance training/ exercises lead to variable cortisol responses, which is essential for growth and homeostasis on short term and long term basis. But the variable responses are not accurately defined to be of any help in tailoring one’s exercise program. Aim: To study the effect of resistance exercise on serum cortisol and its correlation to blood glucose in healthy non obese subjects. Materials and Methods: It was an experimental analytical pilot study extending from February 2017-July 2018 involving 48 healthy non obese subjects (24 males and 24 females) of age group 18-25 years, were enrolled in the study after the screening protocol. High volume exercise training regimen was used involving major muscle group of arms, legs and trunk. Regime involved five exercises with three sets. Between each set, subjects took 30 seconds rest and with each exercise, a rest period of one minute. Height, weight were measured to calculate Body Mass Index (BMI) and serum blood glucose was done along with serum cortisol. Results: The serum cortisol levels in males in pre-exercise group was 145.47±33.67 μg/dL while postexercise group had 116.57±34.40 μg/dL reflecting moderately significant decrease (p<0.01). The serum cortisol levels in females in pre-exercise group were 141.83±38.38 μg/dL while in postexercise group 118.46±35.53 μg/dL with a moderately significant decrease (p<0.01). The Random Blood Sugar (RBS) levels in both males and females postexercise was significantly increased (p<0.05). There was decrease in serum cortisol levels in comparison to rise in RBS in both genders, a highly significant decrease (p<0.001) in males in comparison to moderately significant decrease (p<0.05) in females. Conclusion: Resistance exercise induced decrease in cortisol hormone and its interplay with serum glucose can be better understood by multivariate/elaborate studies on a large sample size.