Magainins are a family of potent antimicrobial cationic peptides that possess antimicrobial activity, anti-tumour activity, although the anticancer mechanism is still unclear. We investigated the effects of Magainins on apoptosis induction in human cervical carcinoma (HeLa) cells. Lapachone, an anticancer drug, was used as a positive control. The results demonstrated that Magainins inhibited proliferation of HeLa cells in a dose-dependent manner and had greater efficacy than that of lapachone. IC50 values of the test compound ranged from 1.2±0.1 to 5.5±0.86 µM for 2 to 24 h time periods

Respiratory diseases and mortality due to indoor air pollution are amongst the greatest threats to health in the developing countries of Asia. In commercial kitchens, the working conditions are harder than in offices despite the fact there are limited data specially dealing with commercial kitchens. A study was therefore undertaken to characterize the levels of pollutants in gas, electric and biomass fuel based stoves using parlors. An attempt was also made to find out the impact of indoor air quality on health status of working people. Work zone environmental pollution was assessed by measuring the RSPM (Respirable Suspended Particulate Matter), SOx, NOx and aerial temperature of kitchens. Total 500 workers (cooks, helpers and servers) were examined and their health data was collected. Cooks health was affected than helpers and servers. The observations revealed that the concentrations of RSPM (90-889 µg/m3 ), SOx (40-60 µg/m3 ), NOx (3.5-60 µg/m3 ) and aerial temperature (38-450 C) were above permissible limits in kitchens.

Solid – Lipid Nanoparticles (SLNs) based 0.1 % topical gel of soy isoflavones was formulated with the aim of better penetration through stratum cornea and efficient deposition of soy isoflavones in dermal matrix so as to aid in reversing postmenopausal skin aging. Isoflavoneaglycones were extracted from whole herbal soy extract and were characterized with respect to physical, spectral and antioxidant activity. SLNs prepared by microemulsion template technique were characterized by photon correlation spectroscopy for size and by Scanning Electron Microscopy for morphology. The nanoparticulate dispersion was suitably gelled and characterized with respect to pH, spreadability, rheology, drug content, in-vitro permeation using pig ear skin model and its safety was assessed using primary skin irritation studies. The developed SLN-based gel showed about 60% deposition of soy isoflavones in dermal matrix and showed no skin irritation on intact rabbit skin.

A great number of preclinical and clinical studies have not only confirmed but have also extended the medicinal uses of species of the genus Phyllanthus mentioned in traditional medicine. While effects of the extracts of Phyllanthus amarus & Phyllanthus fraternus on cardiovascular system using their different concentrations has not been previously reported. The cardiovascular activity was evaluated by using isolated frog heart perfusion technique. The extracts of P. amarus & P. fraternus at a dose of (50-200 µg/ml) had no effect on the cardiovascular system of normal frog heart whereas, when given to a hypodynamic heart the extracts improved its function. The current study reveals the cardiotonic activity of extracts of P. amarus & P. fraternus by improving the function of a hypodynamic heart. Digoxin was used as a positive control.

Calotropis gigantean Linn is distributed in Himalaya region and all over India. This plant is widely used for different types of therapeutic activities. The present study was planned to investigate the number of constituents present in chloroform extract of whole plant of Calotropis gigantean Linn. by quantitative GC-MS analysis and phytochemical screening. From the GC-MS analysis we concluded that chloroform extract has 15 constituents. The preliminary phytochemical screening reveals the presence of alkaloids, steroids, triterpenoids, resins and carbohydrates.

Trans fat is the common name for unsaturated fat with trans-isomer (E-isomer) fatty acid(s). Because the term refers to the configuration of a double carbon-carbon bond, trans fats are sometimes monounsaturated or polyunsaturated, but never saturated. While some trans fat occurs naturally, most of it is artificial. It is found in partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Foods that contain artificial trans fat include margarines, shortenings, and fry oils, as well as many baked good, mixes, and packaged foods. Fat should not be completely eliminated from anyone’s diet but it is important to understand the difference between good fats and unhealthy fats. Unsaturated fats come from plants, nuts and seeds and are “good” fats, such as olive, canola, peanut and corn oil. The unsaturated fats are classified into monounsaturated and polyunsaturated. Unhealthy fats include the trans fatty acids (trans fat) and saturated fats. Artificial trans fat results from partial hydrogenation of plant oils. It raises bad cholesterol (LDL cholesterol) as do saturated fats and dietary cholesterol and decreases good cholesterol (HDL). This results in an increased risk of coronary heart disease. Trans fat is the most dangerous type of dietary fat. It increases bad (LDL) cholesterol and lowers good (HDL) cholesterol.

The currently approved therapies for Alzheimers disease (AD) in the US are designed to modify the function of specific neurotransmitter systems in the brain. While these palliative treatments can benefit some patients for a period of time, they do not halt the relentless cognitive and behavioral deterioration that characterize this neurodegenerative disorder. Alzheimers disease (AD) and vascular dementia (VaD) are both associated with deficits in cholinergic neurotransmission that are amenable to therapeutic intervention. The cholinesterase inhibitor, donepezil, is clinically effective in both AD and VaD. There are various additional therapies which might be useful, if the diagnosis and treatment is started at the early stage.