Browsing by Author "Desai, Unmesh"
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Item Open Access Determination of Heavy Metals Present in the Hypoglycemic Karela Powder: An Analytical Assay(E-Cronicon, 2017-07-20) Ruparelia, K. C.; Wilson, Philippe B.; Sousa, M. C.; Juma, Nazmin; Desai, Unmesh; Grootveld, Martin; Arroo, R. R. J.; Zeka, K.Diabetes is a common health condition associated with heightened glucose content in the blood due to impaired insulin production/function. Considering current societal trends, the number of patients with this condition is growing fast. To help this subset of the population, researchers are investigating natural products exhibiting hypoglycaemic effects. It is well known that one third of patients with diabetes mellitus use some form of complementary or alternative medicine. One plant that has received some attention for its anti-diabetic properties is bitter melon, or Momordica charantia, commonly referred to as bitter gourd, karela and balsam pear.Item Open Access Elderberry extract improves molecular markers of endothelial dysfunction linked to atherosclerosis(Wiley, 2023-05-10) Festa, Joseph; Hussain, Aamir; Hackney, Amon; Desai, Unmesh; Sahota, T. S.; Singh, Harprit; Da Boit, MariasoleEndothelial dysfunction (ED), secondary to diminished nitric oxide (NO) production and oxidative stress, is an early subclinical marker of atherosclerosis. Reduced NO bioavailability enhances the adhesion of monocytes to endothelial cells and promotes atherosclerosis. Elderberry extract (EB) is known to contain high levels of anthocyanins which could exert vascular protective effects. Specifically, we investigated the functional capacity of EB on various markers of ED. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were pretreated with EB 50 μg/mL and stimulated with TNF-α 10 ng/mL. Cell viability, apoptosis, oxidative stress; eNOS, Akt, Nrf2, NOX-4, and NF-κB at the protein level were measured. A co-culture model was used to determine whether EB could prevent the adhesion of monocytes (THP-1) to HUVECs. Moreover, the expression of adhesion molecules and pro-inflammatory cytokines were also measured. It was demonstrated that EB prevented TNF-α induced apoptosis and reactive oxygen species production in HUVECs. Additionally, EB upregulated Akt and eNOS activity, and Nrf2 expression in response to TNF-α, whereas it decreased NOX-4 expression and NF-κB activity. EB prevented the adhesion of monocytes to HUVECs, as well as reduced IL-6 and MCP-1 levels, which was associated with inhibition of VCAM-1 expression. Our results demonstrate that EB upregulates key cellular markers of endothelial function and ameliorates markers of ED. EB could be used as a potential nutritional aid for preventing atherosclerosis progression.Item Metadata only Explorations of the chemical constitution and aqueous solution status of caries-arresting silver(I)-diammine fluoride and silver(I)-fluoride products using high-resolution 19F NMR analysis. Spectroscopic and SEM investigations of their interactions with human saliva: evidence for the in vivo salivary-catalysed autoconstruction of Ag/AgCl-based nanoparticles (IV-SCAN)—part I(Frontiers, 2024-06-12) Hunwin, Kayleigh; Page, Georgina; Edgar, Mark; Botana, Adolfo; Armitage, Rachel; Desai, Unmesh; Bhogadia, Mohammed; Chan, Wyman; Duffin, Steven; Duffin, Marcus; Grootveld, MartinIntroduction: Silver(I)-diammine fluoride (SDF) and silver(I)-fluoride (SF) complexes have been successfully employed for the arrest of dental caries for many years. However, to date there are very few studies available reporting on the molecular structural compositional and solution status of these agents [typically applied as highly-concentrated 38% (w/v) solutions]. Here, we explored the solution status and chemical constitution of commercially-available SDF and SF products, and secondly investigated the multicomponent interplay of these products with biomolecules present in intact human whole-mouth salivary supernatants (WMSSs) in vitro. Methods: High-resolution 19F NMR analysis was employed to explore SDF and SF product solutions, and to determine WMSS fluoride (F−) concentrations, whereas ammonia (NH3) release form SDF was tracked by 1H NMR spectroscopy. SEM and thin-film FTIR-ATR analyses were employed to explore the atomic and molecular compositions of sequentially-generated AgCl deposits and chromophoric Ag/AgCl nanoparticles (CSNPs); the time-dependent generation of the latter was followed spectrophotometrically. Results: 19F NMR spectra of aqueous SF solutions contained a very broad F− signal (Δv1/2 70 Hz), demonstrating that much of its solvated F− content was rapidly exchanging with Ag(I) on the NMR timescale, but those of SDF had a much sharper resonance, similar to that of “free” F− (4 Hz). Moreover, further NMR results revealed that a popular SDF product contained high molar excesses of both F− and NH3. Treatment of WMSSs with SDF and SF generated an off-white precipitate, which slowly developed into CSNPs at 23°C; SEM demonstrated high contents of both silver and chloride in this material (ca.1:1 atomic content ratio). FTIR-ATR analysis found that the CSNPs formed contained a range of salivary biomolecules, which appear to encapsulate the Ag/AgCl core (significant thiocyanate contents were also found). In conclusion, NMR results acquired demonstrated that SF, but not SDF, product solutions feature rapidly-exchanging F− between its “free” and Ag(I)-bound forms, and that SDF contains large excesses of both F− and its NH3 ligands. Characterised AgCl deposits and CSNPs were sequentially produced from the interactions of these complexes with WMSS biomolecules. Discussion: In view of their well-known microbicidal and cariostatic properties, the observed autobioconstruction of CSNPs involving salivary catalysis is of much therapeutic significance.Item Open Access Immunological Biomarkers for Diabetes Management(2019-02-04) Furmonaviciene, Ruta; Saiful, Shubo; Gunawardena, T.G.; Hill, Andrew; Chauhan, Krishan; Desai, Unmesh; Sahota, T. S.; Taylor, M. Joan; Alsubaie, NavalGlobally there are 422 million known cases of people affected with diabetes according to the world health organisation (1). It is estimated that 46% of people with diabetes worldwide are undiagnosed (2). Monitoring diabetes and improving life style for such patients is also a big challenge for current healthcare. To address this global health issue, we have investigated immunological serum and salivary biomarkers for diabetes using molecular arrays, namely cytokine and growth factor kit I from Randox Laboratories Ltd, London, UK.Item Metadata only Physicochemical properties, biological chemistry and mechanisms of action of caries-arresting diammine-silver(I) fluoride and silver(I)-fluoride solutions for clinical use: a critical review(Frontiers, 2024-07-23) Hunwin, Kayleigh; Page, Georgina; Edgar, Mark; Botana, Adolfo; Armitage, Rachel; Bhogadia, Mohammed; Desai, Unmesh; Duffin, Steven; Duffin, Marcus; Chan, Wyman; Grootveld, MartinThis paper serves as a Part II follow-up of our research investigations performed on the molecular structures of silver(I)-fluoride (SF) and diammine-silver(I) fluoride (SDF) complexes in solution-based commercial products for clinical application, their precise chemical compositions, and their nature in aqueous solution, the latter including rapid fluoride-exchange processes at the silver(I) ion centre monitored by 19F NMR analysis (Part I). Part I of this series also explores the mechanisms of action (MoA) of these complexes, and is therefore largely focused on their chemical reactions with constituents of human saliva, which has access to their sites of application. Such reactions were found to slowly promote the generation of potentially physiologically-active Ag/AgCl nanoparticles from primarily-generated discoloured silver(I) chloride (AgCl) precipitates, a process involving salivary electron-donors such as thiocyanate and L-cysteine. Since this research has shed new light on potential MoAs for these products, in this accompanying report (Part II), we have performed a critical review of scientific literature in order to rationalize our results in relation to current views on these mechanisms for SF and SDF products employed for the successful clinical arrest of dental caries. Following an Introduction to the subject matter ( Section 1), this paper comprises a generalized overview of silver coordination chemistry ( Section 2), which is followed by a section focused on the aqueous solution status and equilibria involved in SF chemistry ( Section 3), the latter including results acquired from an original simulation of the electronic absorption spectra of coloured SF complexes in aqueous solution (Section 3.1). Section 4 then investigates detailed rationales for the biologically-relevant ligand-exchange and redox chemistries, disposition and fates of SF, SDF and silver(I)-nitrate when employed for the treatment of dental caries, with emphasis placed on their therapeutic MoAs. This Section is supported by the provision of valuable information centralized on (1) relevant biomolecular chemistry involved in solution- and solid-state matrices ( Section 4.1); (2) SF and perhaps silver(I)-nitrate as more cost-effective alternatives to SDF therapies ( Section 4.2); and (3) the potential therapeutic benefits and effects offered by silver-based nanoparticles and their associated MoAs ( Section 4.3). Recommendations for future investigations in this area are proposed.Item Embargo Qualitative and Qualitative Phytochemical Screening of Medicinal Herbal Ocimum Tulsi Leaves(Athens Institute for Education and Research, 2017-05) Ruparelia, K. C.; Arroo, R. R. J.; Grootveld, Martin; Zeka, K.; Mali, Purvi; Alfa, Hajara; Juma, Nazmin; Desai, Unmesh; Ali, ZainabThe drastic changes in human life style and food habits over the last century have led to various chronic diseases. Diabetes milletus is one such disease, which is causing serious problems to human health in all parts of the world. Diabetes Mellitus is a metabolic disorder characterized by high blood glucose levels due to defect in insulin secretion, insulin action or both. Poor control of the condition can result in long term complication such as diabetic nephropathy, neuropathy, retinopathy, hypertension, dyslipidaemia and cardiovascular disease, which can lead to a heart attack or stroke. Scientific reports revealed that diabetes cannot be cured completely. Current therapy for diabetes is centred around controlling blood sugar levels to keep them in the normal range. However, diabetes is often associated with dyslipidaemia and oxidative stress, which contributes to the damage caused to organs. Therefore, to adequately control diabetes, blood lipid levels and oxidative stress need to be controlled alongside blood glucose. The modern systems of medicine have not shown any significant effect for the treatment of the disease. There are also concerns about the cost and safety in long-term use for some of these 5th Annual International Conference on Health & Medical Sciences, 1-4 May 2017, Athens, Greece: Abstract Book 136 drugs. Hence focus has been turned towards traditional system of medicine. Medicinal plants play an important role in management of diabetes milletus. During the past few years many bioactive drugs have been isolated from plants. Herbal medicines have shown good clinical practice in the therapy of diabetic milletus. The genus Ocimum is of the basil family Lamiaceae, which contains approximately 150 species of aromatic plants that are found mainly in the tropical regions of the world. Many of these species have extensive medicinal applications in indigenous medicinal systems of countries in Asia, Africa and South America. Lamiaceae is one of the holiest and sacred herbs grown in India. This plant is known to possess antiseptic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antistress, Immunomodulatory, hypoglycaemic, hypotensive and antioxidant properties. Among these species are Ocimum sanctum L. or Ocimum tenuiflorum L., also known as Tulsi or Holybasil, an aromatic plant. There are two sub- types of Ocimum sanctum called Krishna tulsi which is the black-purple variety, and the white Vana tulsi. It is widely used in Ayurveda and Siddha system of medicine to cure various ailments. The dried powder of Tulsi was placed in the thimble of Soxhlet apparatus, distilled water employed as a solvent. The extract was concentrated using Rotavapor. Then the extract was dried in a digital water bath till a dark green residue was obtained. The percentage yield was 10%w/w. The test residue and powder was subjected to phytochemical analysis to find out the presence of phytochemical constituents and compared. The phytochemical tests employed for alkaloids and tannins, Cardiac glycosides, saponins, terpenoids and flavonoids. The latter are known for their strong antioxidant properties. Here reported investigation carried out to determine the qualitative and qualitative analysis of phytochemical screening and possible chemical components including assessment of antioxidant properties. The analytical techniques employed for chemical investigation comprised Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy, Thin Layer Chromatography, Mass Spectroscopy, Infrared spectrophotometry, UV and Visible spectroscopy, High Pressure Liquid Chromatography, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance.and scanning electron microscope. Ocimum sanctum L. leaves analysis of hydro alcoholic extract revealed mainly Eugenol, an important phytochemical bioactive compound of Ayurvedic and other marketed herbal formulations. This study is currently in progress.Item Metadata only Role of polymers in solution and tablet-based carbamazepine cocrystal formulations(Royal Society of Chemistry, 2016-03-08) Qiu, Shi; Lai, Jumin; Guo, Minshan; Wang, Ke; Lai, Xiaojun; Desai, Unmesh; Juma, Nazmin; Li, M.