Our main objective was to investigate the effect of chronic administration of hydrogen sulphide donor (sodium hydrosulphide) on the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and concentration of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB) in a renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) model of WKY and L-nitro-arginine-methyl-ester (L-NAME)-induced hypertensive rats. Sodium hydrosulphide (NaHS) was administered intraperitoneally (i.p.) for 35 days while cystathionine gamma lyase (CSE) inhibitor dL-propargylglycine (PAG) was administered at a single dose of 50 mg/kg. Animals were anesthetised using sodium pentobarbitone (60 mg/kg) and then prepared to induce renal ischemia by clamping the left renal artery for 30 min followed by 3 h of reperfusion. Pre-treatment with NaHS improved the renal functional parameters in both WKY and L-NAME-induced hypertensive rats along with reduction of blood pressure in hypertensive groups. Oxidative stress markers like malondialdehyde (MDA), total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) and glutathione (GSH) were also improved by NaHS treatment following renal IRI. Levels of ICAM-1 and NF-kB concentration were reduced by chronic treatment with NaHS and increased by PAG administration after renal IRI in plasma and kidney. Treatment with NaHS improved tubular morphology and glomerulus hypertrophy. Pre-treatment with NaHS reduced the degree of renal IRI by potentiating its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanism, as evidenced by decreased NF-kB concentration and downregulation of ICAM-1 expression.

Oxidative stress is involved in the pathogenesis of a number of diseases including hypertension and renal failure. There is enhanced expression of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADPH oxidase) and therefore production of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) during renal disease progression. This study investigated the effect of apocynin, an NADPH oxidase inhibitor and catalase, an H₂O₂ scavenger on Cyclosporine A (CsA) nephrotoxicity in Wistar-Kyoto rats. Rats received CsA (25mg/kg/day via gavage) and were assigned to vehicle, apocynin (2.5mmol/L p.o.), catalase (10,000U/kg/day i.p.) or apocynin plus catalase for 14 days. Renal functional and hemodynamic parameters were measured every week, and kidneys were harvested at the end of the study for histological and NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4) assessment. Oxidative stress markers and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were measured. CsA rats had higher plasma malondialdehyde (by 340%) and BUN (by 125%), but lower superoxide dismutase and total antioxidant capacity (by 40%, all P<0.05) compared to control. CsA increased blood pressure (by 46mmHg) and decreased creatinine clearance (by 49%, all P<0.05). Treatment of CsA rats with apocynin, catalase, and their combination decreased blood pressure to near control values (all P<0.05). NOX4 mRNA activity was higher in the renal tissue of CsA rats by approximately 63% (P<0.05) compared to controls but was reduced in apocynin (by 64%), catalase (by 33%) and combined treatment with apocynin and catalase (by 84%) compared to untreated CsA rats. Treatment of CsA rats with apocynin, catalase, and their combination prevented hypertension and restored renal functional parameters and tissue Nox4 expression in this model. NADPH inhibition and H₂O₂ scavenging is an important therapeutic strategy during CsA nephrotoxicity and hypertension.

The application of natural products and supplements has expanded tremendously over the past few decades. Clinacanthus nutans (C. nutans), which is affiliated to the Acanthaceae family, has recently caught the interest of researchers from the countries of subtropical Asia due to its medicinal uses in alternative treatment for skin infection conditions due to insect bites, microorganism infections and cancer, as well as for health well-being. A number of bioactive compounds from this plant’s extract, namely phenolic compounds, sulphur containing compounds, sulphur containing glycosides compounds, terpens-tripenoids, terpens-phytosterols and chlorophyll-related compounds possess high antioxidant activities. This literature search yielded about one hundred articles which were then further documented, including the valuable data and findings obtained from all accessible electronic searches and library databases. The promising pharmacological activities from C. nutans leaves extract, including antioxidant, anti-cancer, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-venom, analgesic and anti-nociceptive properties were meticulously dissected. Moreover, the authors also discuss a few of the pharmacological aspect of C. nutans leaves extracts against anti-hyperlipidemia, vasorelaxation and renoprotective activities, which are seldom available from the previously discussed review papers. From the aspect of toxicological studies, controversial findings have been reported in both in-vitro and in-vivo experiments. Thus, further investigations on their phytochemical compounds and their mode of action showing pharmacological activities are required to fully grasp both traditional usage and their suitability for future drugs development. Data related to therapeutic activity and the constituents of C. nutans leaves were searched by using the search engines Google scholar, PubMed, Scopus and Science Direct, and accepting literature reported between 2010 to present. On the whole, this review paper compiles all the available contemporary data from this subtropical herb on its phytochemistry and pharmacological activities with a view towards garnering further interest in exploring its use in cardiovascular and renal diseases.

Dysregulation of lipid homeostasis contributes to obesity and can directly lead to several critical public health concerns globally. This paper aimed to present a brief review of related properties and the use of pancreatic lipase inhibitors as the future weight loss drug discovery and development procured from a wide range of natural sources. A total of 176 pancreatic lipase inhibitory peptides were identified from recent publications and peptide databases. These peptides were classified into three categories according to their peptide length and further analyzed using bioinformatic approaches to identify their structural activity relationship. Molecular docking analyses were conducted for each amino acid at the terminal position of the peptides to predict the binding affinity between peptide-enzyme protein complexes based on intermolecular contact interactions. Overall, the observations revealed the features of the inhibitory peptides and their inhibitory mechanisms and interactions. These findings strived to benefit scientists whose research may be relevant to anti-obesity drug development and/or discovery thereby support effective translation of preclinical research for humans’ health being.

(1) Background: The teaching profession has become more challenging due to the increased use of information technology, which potentially increases psychological distress among teachers. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress among school teachers in Malaysia during the period of the COVID-19 pandemic and its associated sociodemographic factors. (2) Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among primary and secondary school teachers in Malaysia. A validated DASS-21 questionnaire was used for mental health screening, and the study was conducted online during the pandemic period. (3) Results: The percentages of respondents with mild, moderate, severe, and extremely severe depression were 12%, 9.7%, 4.7%, and 3.1%, respectively. Those with mild, moderate, severe, and extremely severe anxiety accounted for 11.5%, 12.3%, 6.3%, and 6%, respectively. Those with mild, moderate, severe, and very severe stress accounted for 12.8%, 12%, 5.3%, and 2.5%, respectively. Perceived overworking was significantly greater during the pandemic compared to before the pandemic. Significant experience in teaching, and less perceived overworking before and during the pandemic were associated with better mental health. (4) Conclusions: Periodic mental health screening for teachers may be beneficial in preventing mental health disorders and improving the quality of student education. A full assessment and innovation of the curriculum and workload should be implemented.

Emerging investigations have indicated that many plant polysaccharides may be beneficial for treating metabolic diseases. To date, the therapeutic efficacy and potential toxicity of polysaccharides extracted from Clinacanthus nutans (C. nutans) remain unexplored. This study investigated the in vivo acute and subacute oral toxicological profiles of the highest doses of C. nutans bioactive polysaccharides (CNBP) extracted from the leaves using conventional toxicity methods. The total of 39 healthy 8–10 weeks male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 3) were randomly assigned to control (C), acute (A) and subacute (SA) groups receiving 125, 250, 500, 1,000, 2,000 or 3,000 mg/kg/day of CNBP extract, respectively. The acute group received a single dose of CNBP extract, whereas the subacute group received daily single doses of CNBP extract for 14 days. Oral administration of up to 3,000 mg/kg CNBP extract caused no abnormal signs of toxicity during 14 days. However, daily administration of 500 mg/kg or higher doses of CNBP extract for 14 days induced a mild degree of toxicity in the liver, characterised by elevated alkaline phosphatase levels with C (163 ± 9 U/L) vs. SA500 (222 ± 49 U/L), SA1000 (223 ± 29 U/L), SA2000 (238 ± 33 U/L) and SA3000 (252 ± 18 U/L). CNBP extracts exhibit therapeutic potential, exemplified by diuretic, natriuretic, anti-hypertensive, anti-tachycardia, reno-protective and cholesterol-lowering properties. Precautions should be taken when administering the extracts at higher doses and for longer durations.