Genomic Analysis Highlights the Role of the JAK-STAT Signaling in the Anti-proliferative Effects of Dietary Flavonoid—‘Ashwagandha’ in Prostate Cancer Cells

Phytochemicals are dietary phytoestrogens that may play a role in prostate cancer prevention. Forty percent of Americans use complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) for disease prevention and therapy. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) contains flavonoids and active ingredients like alkaloids and steroidal lactones which are called ‘Withanolides’. We hypothesize that the immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties of Ashwagandha might contribute to its overall effectiveness as an anti-carcinogenic agent. The goal of our study was gain insight into the general biological and molecular functions and immunomodulatory processes that are altered as a result of Ashwagandha treatment in prostate cancer cells, and to identify the key signaling mechanisms that are involved in the regulation of these physiological effects using genomic microarray analysis in conjunction with quantitative real-time PCR and western blot analysis. Ashwagandha treatment significantly downregulated the gene and protein expression of proinflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-1β, chemokine IL-8, Hsp70 and STAT-2, while a reciprocal upregulation was observed in gene and protein expression of p38 MAPK, PI3K, caspase 6, Cyclin D and c-myc. Furthermore, Ashwagandha treatment significantly modulated the JAK-STAT pathway which regulates both the apoptosis process as well as the MAP kinase signaling. These studies outline several functionally important classes of genes, which are associated with immune response, signal transduction, cell signaling, transcriptional regulation, apoptosis and cell cycle regulation and provide insight into the molecular signaling mechanisms that are modulated by Ashwagandha, thereby highlighting the use of this bioflavanoid as effective chemopreventive agent relevant to prostate cancer progression

Finite element analysis over transmission region of coronavirus in CFD analysis for the respiratory cough droplets

The pandemic outbreak of COVID-19 is worldwide now which requires a novel solution to control the fast-spreading virus. The coronavirus analysis over the contaminated area and its speed of transmission if examined can prevent the spread of COVID-19. A wide range of such problems could be simplified through finite element analysis for a better solution. Many computational fluid dynamics problems could be solved by the finite element method (FEM) effectively by utilizing finite elements. A remarkable linear triangular element meshing over the transmission region between the individuals has been generated by triangular unstructured meshes to analyze the velocity of the virus. The flow intensity of the coronavirus has been analyzed within the standard specified distance recommended by WHO between two individuals at 1.83 m to hinder the spread of COVID-19. Extended work has fabulously extracted the element and nodal information from the discretization region. Moreover, it has been effectively utilized to simplify the numerical solutions of FEM and improve its efficiency to a larger extent. We have discretized the region of transmission of respiratory cough droplets carrying coronavirus from an infected person and the intensity and the speed of the transmission have been computed. The velocity of the transmission of coronavirus has been analyzed by solving an elliptical partial differential equation (PDE) over the region around the mask of an infected individual at a specified distance of 1.83 m. Infectious transmission of COVID-19 in different environmental conditions is of numerous complexities to work on and analyze the growth of the infectious coronavirus. Mathematical models formulated for respiratory cough droplets carrying coronavirus can be very efficiently simplified through FEM when the information of the velocity of flow and existence of the coronavirus at the particular stage of transmission region is known. The present study of different temperatures and analysis of wind factors during the transmission process can help to reduce the infection risk between individuals if the recommended specified distance is maintained within the individuals. It is very helpful to formulate and implement a suitable guideline for this pandemic time

Statistical Modeling of Temperature for Coastal and Non-Coastal Regions on the Dynamics of COVID-19 with ANOVA

The spread of COVID-19 has been statistically analyzed with meteorological factors such as varying ecogeographical regions and climatic conditions i.e., the temperature of India. Although the transmission of the virus can be mainly detected by the humidity, still the temperature imparts a moderate effect on the COVID-19 pandemic. The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in coastal and non-coastal regions of Kerala have been analyzed statistically with the change in climatic condition and its interaction during the pandemic period i.e., March 2020 to May 2021. The analysis is carried out by bifurcating the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases based on different regions. The data spectrum of the regions under consideration has shown the impact with temperature by ANOVA analysis. The present study can be utilized to frame a strict guideline to restrict the spread of COVID-19 cases. The intellectual awareness developed among the individuals could overcome the pandemic situation.</jats:p

Antibacterial Activity of Justicia betonica Linn

Justicia betonica L. (Acanthaceae) is widely used as a traditional folk medicinal herb. Conventionally, the plant is used to cure constipation, diarrhea, malaria, pain, stomach ache, vomiting, etc. The plant possesses many therapeutic uses such as analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antimalarial, and antimicrobial properties. The present work has been designed to document the ethnomedicinal properties, phytochemistry, and antibacterial activity of J. betonica. Phytochemical results showed that the presence of wide variety of biologically active compounds such as flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, and phenolic compounds might be responsible for therapeutic values of Justicia betonica. Antibacterial activity showed that the inhibition was observed with the individual extracts and was effective against all bacterial strains tested. The present study highlights the importance of J. betonica

Antibacterial Activity of Justicia betonica Linn.

Justicia betonica L., (Acanthaceae) is widely used as a traditional folk medicinal herb. Conventionally, the plant is used to cure constipation, diarrhea, malaria, pain, stomach ache, vomiting, etc. The plant possesses many therapeutic uses such as analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antimalarial, and antimicrobial properties. The present work has been designed to document the ethnomedicinal properties, phytochemistry, and antibacterial activity of J. betonica. Phytochemical results showed that the presence of wide variety of biologically active compounds such as flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, and phenolic compounds. Antibacterial activity showed that the inhibition was observed with the individual extracts and was effective against all bacterial strains tested. The present study highlights the importance of J. betonica