Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by the accumulation of neurofibrillary tangles (NFT), deposition of beta amyloid plaques, and consequent neuronal loss in the brain tissue. Oxidative stress to the neurons is often attributed to AD, but its link to NFT and β-amyloid protein (BAP) still remains unclear. In an animal model of AD, we boosted the oxidative defense by N-Acetyl cysteine (NAC), a precursor of glutathione, a powerful antioxidant and free radical scavenger, to understand the link between oxidative stress and NFT. In mimicking AD, intracerebroventricular (ICV) colchicine, a microtubule disrupting agent also known to cause oxidative stress was administered to the rats. The animal groups consisted of an age-matched control, sham operated, AD, and NAC treated in AD models of rats. Cognitive function was evaluated in a passive avoidance test; neuronal degeneration was quantified using Nissl staining. NFT in the form of abnormal tau expression in different regions of the brain were evaluated through immunohistochemistry using rabbit anti-tau antibody. ICV has resulted in significant cognitive and neuronal loss in medial prefrontal cortex (MFC) and all the regions of the hippocampus. It has also resulted in increased accumulation of intraneuronal tau in the hippocampus and MFC. NAC treatment in AD model rats has reversed the cognitive loss and neuronal degeneration. The intraneuronal tau expression also minimized with NAC treatment in AD model rats. Thus, our findings suggest that an antioxidant supplement during the progression of AD is likely to prevent neuronal degeneration by minimizing the neurofibrillary degeneration in the form of tau accumulation.

Background and Aim: Social isolation stress (SIS) and individual housing have been shown to cause abnormal cognitive insufficiencies, altered anxiety levels, and signs of psychiatric diseases. Acorus calamus (AC), commonly known as Sweet Flag, has been widely used in India to treat neurological, metabolic, and respiratory disorders, indicating its potential therapeutic value. This study aimed to determine the antidepressant and antioxidative effects of AC on rats subjected to long-term, social-isolation-induced stress. Materials and Methods: This study involved 2-month-old male rats (24) weighing approximately 180200 g bred in-house. The rats were divided into four groups (n = 6): Group-1 received saline, Group-2 received SIS, Group-3 received only 50mg/kg AC, and Group-4 received 50mg/kg AC and SIS for 6 weeks. After this, behavioral, biochemical, and neuronal assay was conducted. Results: Behavioral experiments showed significantly higher activity levels (p < 0.001) in AC-treated rats than in the SIS group. In addition, rats subjected to SIS with AC treatment exhibited enhanced total antioxidants, superoxide dismutase, and neuronal assays compared to rats subjected to SIS alone. Conclusion: Acorus calamus treatment improved the antidepressant and antioxidant potential against SIS in rat brain tissue. Moreover, we proved that AC can effectively reverse the neurotoxicity induced by SIS in animal models. As we battle against the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic and social isolation, AC could be considered a supplementary treatment to alleviate depressive-like symptoms in our present-day lifestyle. Keywords: antidepressant, antioxidative effects, brain tissue, coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive brain disorder that affects neurological functioning specifically targeting cognition, memory and behaviour. Pathology starts with the accumulation of tau proteins which on phosphorylation can be destructive for brain function. With gold standard drugs like Donepezil, there have been several attempts made to discover adjuvant therapeutic molecules such as plant-based products that could not only ease the ill-toward effects of these drugs, but also lead to the betterment of the patients suffering from AD. These are crucial in the management of patients of AD, by associations with psychological vulnerabilities and the overall loss of health of such individuals ‘Resveratrol’ is one such plant-based molecule which is a stilbene polyphenol present in many of the commonly occurring plants. Resveratrol is reported to have anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties which brings about the neuroprotection. Several studies have also been conducted that targets the signalling cascades involved during the progression of AD. This review attempts to give a collective information of its properties, its synthesis, metabolism and mechanisms that could drive researchers forward for its therapeutic applications during the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.

Y Zebrafish have gained momentum as a leading experimental model in recent years. At present, the zebrafish vertebrate model is increasingly used due to its multifactorial similarities to humans that include genetic, organ, and cellular factors. With the emergence of novel research techniques that are very expensive, it is necessary to develop affordable and valid experimental models. This review aimed to highlight some of the most important similarities between zebrafish and humans by emphasizing the relevance of the first in simulating neurological disorders and craniofacial deformity.

The celiac trunk shows a trifurcate division which branches to supply the hepatobiliary system, stomach, parts of the digestive tract. The celiac trunk usually exhibits regular pattern of branching with few variations reported. This case report highlights on the vitality of anomalous branching of the celiac trunk and it branches. Surgical complications involving these organs would be partially explained by studying the anomalous branching of the vascular components supplying it. Here we have reported anomalous origin of three aberrant hepatic arteries, one accessory hepatic artery and an aberrant cystic artery. These variations are of importance to radiologists and hepatic surgeons.