This study was undertaken to assess the pharmacodynamic interaction of fenugreek, insulin and glimepiride on sero-biochemical parameters in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. A total of 56 male Sprague-Dawley rats, randomly divided into seven Groups. Group 1: Non-diabetic control; Group 2: Streptozotocin induced diabetic control; Groups 3, 4 and 5 were treated with insulin, glimepiride and fenugreek seed powder, respectively; Groups 6 and 7: Insulin + fenugreek seed powder treatment and glimepiride + fenugreek seed powder treatment respectively, in diabetic rats. Body weights, blood glucose, lipids total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), triglycerides (TG) and proteins (total protein, albumin, globulin, A/G ratios) were studied at different time intervals. Rats were sacrified at the end of 8 weeks, pancreas and aorta collected for histopathological study. The results of Group 2 showed significantly (p<0.05) higher concentration of glucose, TC, TG, LDL, globulin, A/G ratios and significantly (p<0.05) lower concentration of albumin, total protein, HDL and body weights when compared to Group 1 at the end of 4(th) and 8(th) weeks intervals with marked alteration in histopathology of pancreas and aorta. All the treatment Groups 3-7 showed significantly (p<0.05) improvement in the all the parameters and the Groups 6 and 7 showed highest decrease in the concentration blood glucose, TC, TG, LDL and increase in the albumin, total protein and body weights during 6(th) and 8(th) week, respectively. The treatment with fenugreek, insulin and glimepiride countered the alteration in the sero biochemical parameters in diabetic rats, and their combination was found a positive interaction in improving the sero biochemical status of diabetic rats.

Ulcerative colitis (UC), is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease characterized by recurrent episodes of inflammation and ulceration of the colonic mucosa. This study aimed to explore the therapeutic potential effects of visnagin (VIS), a natural furanochromone using a murine model, focusing on tight junction protein expression, oxidative stress, apoptosis and associated inflammation in a dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) induced UC model. A total of 36 male C57BL/6 mice were divided randomly into six groups (n = 6): Group 1 served as the control, group 2, treated with DSS (2% with three 5-day cycles diluted in distilled water administered orally). Group 3 (VIS) perse alone (60 mg/kg b. wt), orally for 31 days, Group 4-low dose of VIS (30 mg/kg b. wt for 31 days with DSS, group 5-high dose VIS (60 mg/kg b. wt) for 31 days with DSS and Group 6 Dexamethasone sodium @ 1 mg/kg b. wt-IP with DSS for 31 days. Disease progression and therapeutic outcomes were assessed by monitoring clinical symptoms, body weight changes, colon length, Disease activity index (DAI), oxidative stress indices, gross and histopathological analysis, inflammatory cytokine levels and immunohistochemical expression. Results demonstrated that VIS co-administration, particularly at high doses, significantly mitigated DSS-induced weight loss, colon shortening. This protective effect was further supported by a significant reduction in oxidative and nitrosative stress which was evident from decreased levels of nitrite and Malondialdehyde (MDA) in VIS treated groups 4 and 5. Further, VIS suppressed pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IFN-γ, NF-κB, IL-17, MPO and TGF-β) while increasing anti-inflammatory IL-10 levels in colon tissues. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis revealed significantly reduced mRNA expression of TNF-α and IL-17 along with increased occludin expression in groups 4, 5 and 6. VIS also improves intestinal barrier by increasing the expression of tight junction occludin, as confirmed through RT-PCR. Immunohistochemical analysis showed strong positive immunoreactivity for NF-κB, COX-2, NLRP3 and TNF-α in DSS group, which wa notably reduced in VIS-treated groups. Additionally, VIS improved intestinalbarrier integrity by upregulating occluding expression. Histopathological analysis further confirmed that VIS attenuated DSS-induecdcolonic lesions. In conclusion, VIS exhibits potent anti-inflammatory and mucosal-protective properties, making it a promising therapeutic candidate for managing UC. Its ability to modulate inflammatory pathways and enhance intestinal barrier function suggests its potential as an alternative treatment for UC.

Liquid biopsy offers dynamic and noninvasive analysis of cellular biomarkers, thereby presenting enormous potential for early detection of cancer, cancer staging, prediction of relapse, real-time examination of therapeutic efficacy, perception of therapeutic targets, and understanding the resistance mechanisms. Nanotechnology has emerged as a novel tool to widen the application horizon of liquid biopsy. Several nanomaterials, nanodevices, nanostructures, and nanosensors have been explored for improved application of liquid biopsy for biomarker detection. The circulating tumor cells (CTCs), circulating tumor proteins (CTP), miRNA and extracellular vesicles (EVs) are some of the important biomarkers for detection by liquid biopsy in bodily fluids. Herein, we have discussed the state of the art and beyond in advances in nanotechnology and in increasing the specificity, sensitivity, and purity with which we detect liquid biopsy biomarkers. The opportunities and prospects of these advanced innovative nanomaterials and technologies in clinical applications are explored. Furthermore, various isolation and biosensing strategies for visualization and signal amplification using nanomaterials are summarized. The utilization of nanotechnology-based liquid biopsy may provide greater insights for improved treatment, diagnosis, and prognosis of cancer.

Background: Hepatotoxicity is an adverse complication in 5-Fluorouracil cancer treatment. Inflammation, oxidative stress, apoptosis and DNA damage are essential in the pathogenesis of liver damage. The present study evaluated the ameliorative effect of Naringenin (NG) in 5-FU at two different intervals in hepatic damage. Methods: Total (n=48) Albino Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups (N=12), Control-normal saline (group-1) per oral, 5-FU (group-2) @ 20 mg/kg b.wt was injected intraperitoneal (IP) for first 5 days, NG (group-3) @100 mg/kg b. wt/day orally for 28 days. Another group-4 was concurrently treated with NG along with 5-FU for 28 days and sacrificed on the 14th and 28th day of the experiment. Result: On exposure to 5-FU, biochemical variation of liver enzymes (ALT, AST, ALP and TP) were significantly increased while NG treatment significantly reduced these biomarkers in group 2 on 14th day and 28th day of the experiment. Furthermore, NG treatment significantly reduced lipid peroxidation and increases the antioxidant profile. It also significantly reduced elevated concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines like tumour necrosis factor (TNF-α), interleukin -1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6) with increased concentrations of interleukin-10 (IL-10) along with reduced immunohistochemical expression of nuclear factor kappa light chain enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) and Caspases -3 (Cas-3) by NG. On histopathology, pathological lesions were observed to support biochemical variations in group-2 rats. In group-4 rats, NG ameliorates liver enzymes, inflammatory cytokines and oxidative indices through an anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic property.