Water Extract from the Leaves of Withania somnifera Protect RA Differentiated C6 and IMR-32 Cells against Glutamate-Induced Excitotoxicity

Glutamate neurotoxicity has been implicated in stroke, head trauma, multiple sclerosis and neurodegenerative disorders. Search for herbal remedies that may possibly act as therapeutic agents is an active area of research to combat these diseases. The present study was designed to investigate the neuroprotective role of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha), also known as Indian ginseng, against glutamate induced toxicity in the retinoic acid differentiated rat glioma (C6) and human neuroblastoma (IMR-32) cells. The neuroprotective activity of the Ashwagandha leaves derived water extract (ASH-WEX) was evaluated. Cell viability and the expression of glial and neuronal cell differentiation markers was examined in glutamate challenged differentiated cells with and without the presence of ASH-WEX. We demonstrate that RA-differentiated C6 and IMR-32 cells, when exposed to glutamate, undergo loss of neural network and cell death that was accompanied by increase in the stress protein HSP70. ASH-WEX pre-treatment inhibited glutamate-induced cell death and was able to revert glutamate-induced changes in HSP70 to a large extent. Furthermore, the analysis on the neuronal plasticity marker NCAM (Neural cell adhesion molecule) and its polysialylated form, PSA-NCAM revealed that ASH-WEX has therapeutic potential for prevention of neurodegeneration associated with glutamate-induced excitotoxicty

Aromatic spice Nutmeg attenuates memory deficits in Rotenone model of Parkinson’s disease

PD is a multifactorial neurodegenerative disorder with features such as tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia, postural instability, and dementia. Neuropathologically, selective loss or death of dopaminergic neurons is the hallmark of PD. In PD, elevated oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction and neuroinflammation were reported. Rotenone (an isoflavone obtained from Fabaceae associated vegetation such as the jicama vine plant) induces oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation and apoptosis in cell line and animal models. It was useful in the evaluation of neuroprotective properties on cell line and animal models of PD. Drugs with anti-oxidant potential helped to control the cellular stress, free radical formation, neurotransmitter level in PD animal models. Nutmeg, an aromatic spice exhibited memory enhancing, anti-oxidant, anticonvulsant properties. It is an excellent body detoxifier and stimulator of the brain due to the presence of pharmacologically active compounds such as eugenol, isoelemicin, isoeugenol, methoxyeugenol, myristic acid, myristicin, saponins and lignin. Macelignan (a compound present in nutmeg) having the low molecular weight and hydrophobic nature could pass beyond the blood-brain barrier. In this study, we explored the cognitive profile of rotenone-induced model of PD treated with MFSE extract (MFSE) by behavioural tests (Morris water maze test, T-maze test and Elevated plus maze Test). Rotenone was injected to male Wistar albino rats by intra-peritoneal route (2.5mg/kg daily) for 30days. MFSE treated rats showed significant improvement in cognition in rotenone-induced PD model. It might be due to its neuroprotective and anti-cholinesterase properties.</jats:p

Dynamic Response Analysis of Ship Hull Structures

Finite-element modeling and use of appropriate analytical techniques play a significant role in producing a reliable and economic design for ship hull structures subjected to dynamic loading. The paper presents investigations carried out for the dynamic response analysis of ship hull structures using the finite-element method. A simple and efficient interactive graphical preprocessing technique based on the "keynode" concept and assembly-line procedure is used to develop the finite-element model of the hull structure. The technique makes use of the body plan of a ship hull to build the finite-element model through an interactive session. Stiffened plate/shell finite elements suitable to model the hull structure are formulated and used to model the structure. The finite elements take into account arbitrary placement of stiffeners in an element without increasing the number of degrees-of-freedom of the element. A three-dimensional finite-element model and a procedure based on the Bubnov-Galerkin residual approach are employed to evaluate the effects of interaction between the ship hull and water. Mode superposition technique is used to conduct the dynamic response analysis. The efficiency of the finite elements and the procedures is demonstrated through dynamic analysis of a submerged cantilever plate and a barge when both are subjected to sinusoidal forces. The dynamic responses exhibit expected behavior of the structure and a comparison with the results available in the literature indicate superior performance of the finite element and methodologies developed. Thus, the finite-element models and the procedures are found to be efficient and hence suitable for the dynamic analysis of similar structures.</jats:p