Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) and Nitric Oxide (NO) have become recognized as important gaseous signaling molecules with enormous pharmacological effects, therapeutic value, and central physiological roles. NO is one of the most important regulators of the pathophysiological condition in central nervous system (CNS). It is critical in the various functioning of the brain; however, beyond certain concentration/level, it is toxic. H2S was regarded as toxic gas with the smell like rotten egg. But, it is now regarded as emerging neuroprotectant and neuromodulator. Recently, the use of donors and inhibitors of these signaling molecules have helped us to identify their accurate and precise biological effects. The most abundant neurotransmitter of CNS (glutamate) is the initiator of the reaction that forms NO, and H2S is highly expressed in brain. These molecules are shedding light on the pathogenesis of various neurological disorders. This review is mainly focused on the importance of H2S and NO for normal functioning of CNS.

After publication of the original article [1], it came to our attention that Professor Junyang Jung was omitted from the authorship.

Short-lived reactive nitrogen species and reactive oxygen species have acquired significant attention in the field of biomedical science. Nitric oxide (NO), which was thought to be an unstable gas and pollutant, is now regarded as a gas transmitter like H2S and CO. NO is synthesized inside the mammalian body by l-arginine via three different isoforms of NO synthase whereas pyruvate is a glycolysis product and substrate for TCA cycle. Due to poor solubility and stability, therapeutic potential of pyruvate is limited. Ethyl pyruvate (EP) is now considered as a suitable replacement of pyruvate. In this paper, we will try to focus the effect of NO and EP in Schwann cell dedifferentiation, proliferation, nerve degeneration, and regeneration during Wallerian degeneration (WD) of peripheral nerve injury along with their neuroprotective effects, cardiovascular functioning, support in hepatic complication, etc.

Background of the study: Depression is a prevalent mental disorder characterized by various symptoms, including low mood, lack of pleasure, changes in appetite and sleep, and difficulty concentrating. Antidepressants are commonly used to manage depression as well as other related disorders, such as anxiety and somatoform disorders. This study aimed to investigate the adverse drug effects experienced by adult patients who were using antidepressants at Chitwan Medical College Teaching Hospital in Nepal. Methods: This study was a retro-prospective, observational study consisting of 117 adult patients under antidepressant medication. The adverse drug profile for the patients was collected using an antidepressant side effect checklist developed by the NHS foundation trust. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 20. Result: The study group consisted of adult patients using antidepressants at Chitwan Medical College Teaching Hospital, Chitwan, Nepal. The mean age of the group was 40.9 ± 12.8, with 63.2% females and 36.7% males. The most common conditions for which antidepressants were prescribed were depression (49.5%), anxiety disorder (31.6%), and somatoform disorder (13.6%). Amitriptyline was the most commonly used medication in monotherapy (64.1%), followed by escitalopram and sertraline. Dry mouth, weight gain, drowsiness, blurred vision, problems with sexual function, and an increase in appetite were the most commonly reported adverse effects. The incidence of certain adverse effects was higher in the multiple therapy group than in the monotherapy group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The incidence of adverse drug effects is high in patients taking antidepressants, especially those receiving multiple medications. Educating patients about common side effects and prescribing monotherapy whenever possible are crucial in reducing the incidence.

Absence seizures are associated with generalised synchronous 2.5–4 Hz spike-wave discharges causing brief and sudden alteration of awareness during childhood, which is known as childhood absence epilepsy (CAE). CAE is also associated with impaired learning, psychosocial challenges, and physical danger. Absence seizures arise from disturbances within the cortico-thalamocortical (CTC) network, including dysfunctional feed-forward inhibition (FFI); however, the precise mechanisms remain unclear. In epileptic stargazers, a genetic mouse model of CAE with chronic seizures, levels of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and expression of GABA receptors are altered within the CTC network, implicating altered GABAergic transmission in absence seizures. However, the expression of GABA synthesising enzymes (GAD65 and GAD67) and GABA transporters (GAT-1 and 3) have not yet been characterised within absence seizure models. We found a specific upregulation of GAD65 in the somatosensory cortex but not the thalamus of epileptic stargazer mice. No differences were detected in GAD67 and GAT-3 levels in the thalamus or somatosensory cortex. Then, we assessed if GAD65 upregulation also occurred in Gi-DREADD mice exhibiting acute absence seizures, but we found no change in the expression profiles of GAD65/67 or GAT-3. Thus, the upregulation of GAD65 in stargazers may be a compensatory mechanism in response to long-term dysfunctional FFI and chronic absence seizures.

Aim: Nepal’s medicinal plants are culturally important and have diverse benefits. Senna alata belongs to the family Leguminosae and is a valuable plant utilized for medicinal and ornamental purposes. The aim of the research was to extract Senna alata leaves by successive maceration with various solvents. Methods: In this study, various methods were utilized to evaluate phytochemistry, overall phenolic and flavonoid content, in-vitro antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cytotoxicity assay, anti-thrombolytic activity, and antibacterial activities. Results: The extractive values of Senna alata were determined as 1.58%, 0.78%, and 5.92% in hexane, ethyl acetate, and methanol, respectively. GC-MS analysis revealed major compounds such as 3-Methylmannoside, Neophytadiene, Campesterol, and Vitamin E in the leaf extract. Qualitative phytochemical screening verified the tannin content, carbohydrates, flavonoids, cardiac glycosides, glycosides, and saponins in the methanol extract. The total phenolic and flavonoid values were 46.36±4.5 mg GAE/gm and 480.4±3.055 QE/gm of dried extract, respectively. The extract exhibited significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, with IC50 values of 29.81 and 9.93, respectively. Furthermore, it demonstrated cytotoxic activity with an LC50 value of 767.85 in the brine shrimp bioassay. In terms of thrombolytic activity, the extract showed clot lysis percentages of 7.89% and 10.13% at concentrations of 10 mg/ml and 25 mg/ml, respectively. Conclusion: In conclusion, the methanolic extract of Senna alata leaves displayed therapeutic potential, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic, thrombolytic, and antibacterial effects. The existence of several chemicals via GC-MS analysis also verified plant's potential for therapeutic use.