Posted by admin on Jul 31, 2026 in |
Huntington’s disease is a progressive neurological condition characterized by motor dysfunction, cognitive decline, and psychiatric disturbances. Recent studies indicate that abnormalities in DNA mismatch repair mechanisms, particularly involving the MSH3 protein, contribute to the expansion of CAG repeats and the progression of the disease. In the current investigation, an integrated in-silico strategy was employed to identify small molecules capable of interacting with the MSH3 protein and to evaluate their pharmacological suitability for therapeutic development. Primarily, selected phytochemicals and FDA approved reference drugs used in Huntington’s disease management, including tetrabenazine, deutetrabenazine, and valbenazine, were subjected to drug likeness and toxicity assessment using SwissADME and ProTox. Nine phytochemicals satisfied key ADMET criteria, demonstrating favorable gastrointestinal absorption, blood brain barrier permeability, and low predicted toxicity. Sequence similarity analysis using BLASTp confirmed the high conservation and correct identification of the MSH3 protein sequence, supporting its selection as a reliable computational target. Physicochemical analysis indicated that MSH3 possesses a slightly basic character, moderate conformational flexibility, and an overall hydrophilic nature. Structural validation using PROCHECK...
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Posted by admin on Jul 31, 2026 in |
Introduction: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a rapidly increasing public health problem in India, with many patients eventually requiring insulin therapy due to progressive β-cell dysfunction. Despite strong evidence supporting insulin’s role in achieving glycaemic control and preventing complications, initiation of insulin is frequently delayed because of psychological insulin resistance (PIR). This study aimed to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to insulin therapy and to identify factors influencing insulin usage among patients with T2DM at a tertiary care teaching hospital in Gujarat. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted over three months (August–October 2023) at P.D.U. Medical College and Hospital, Rajkot, involving 100 adult patients with T2DM. Data were collected using a structured, validated questionnaire covering socio-demographic details, clinical characteristics, and knowledge, attitudes, and behavioural aspects related to insulin therapy. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data. Results: Among the 100 participants, 57 were receiving only oral hypoglycaemic agents and 43 were on insulin therapy for durations ranging from one month to ten years. While the...
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Posted by admin on Jun 30, 2026 in |
Prostate cancer remains a significant global health burden, with traditional medicinal plants often used for its management, although without scientific validation. This study assessed the in-vitro anti-prostatic carcinoma activity of Senegalia ataxacantha hydroethanol extract (SA) and its triterpenoids (SA1/SA2: friedelin; SA3: friedelin/friedelinol mixture; SA4: β-sitosterol) in prostate cancer cell lines (LNCaP, VCaP, 22Rv1, PC-3, DU-145) and normal RWPE-1 cells. Cell viability was assessed following 24- and 48-hour treatments with SA (10 µg/mL), SA1–SA4 (10 µM), and abiraterone (10 µM) using the Alamar Blue assay. Molecular docking was performed using AutoDock Vina, and pharmacokinetic predictions were performed using the Protox servers.SA exhibited potent cytotoxicity, reducing LNCaP viability to 9.54 ± 5.59% and VCaP to 25.36 ± 0.52%. Friedelin showed stronger effects in VCaP (19.38 ± 0.14%) than LNCaP (73.99 ± 0.28%). The friedelin/friedelinol mixture and β-sitosterol were effective in LNCaP (38.55 ± 0.43%, 14.24 ± 0.09%) and VCaP (22.83 ± 0.16%, 25.50 ± 0.59%). In androgen-independent lines, SA reduced 22Rv1 viability to 37.63 ± 0.97%, with weaker effects in PC-3...
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Posted by admin on Jun 30, 2026 in |
Background: Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) is a key enzyme involved in dopamine metabolism in the brain. Genetic variation in the COMT gene, particularly the rs4680 (Val158Met) polymorphism, alters enzyme activity and influences dopamine availability in the prefrontal cortex. These differences can affect cognition, emotional regulation, stress response, and sensitivity to neuropsychiatric medications. Given India’s high genetic diversity, population-specific evaluation of COMT variants is essential for personalized neuropharmacology. Objectives: To examine the functional and neurophysiological impact of common COMT gene polymorphisms in the Indian population using bioinformatic and simulation-based approaches. Methods: An in-silico descriptive study was conducted using allele frequency data from the IndiGenomes database. Five functionally relevant COMT variants (rs4680, rs4633, rs6269, rs4818, and rs737865) were analyzed. Functional effects were assessed using established computational prediction tools. Genotype frequencies were simulated in a hypothetical Indian cohort of 1,000 individuals based on Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium to infer dopamine tone and predicted drug response patterns. Results: The analysis demonstrated marked interindividual variability in COMT activity and predicted dopamine levels. Variants associated with reduced COMT function...
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Posted by admin on Jun 30, 2026 in |
Background: Detection of metabolic non-communicable disease in the community depends on whether individuals recognise the concept of clustered cardiometabolic risk, perceive that they may be affected, and have been clinically diagnosed. Whether these three subjective channels track objectively measured risk has not been studied in the same individuals. Methods: Community-based cross-sectional survey of 458 consenting adults (aged ≥18 years) attending voluntary cardiometabolic health camps in and around Varanasi district, Uttar Pradesh, India, between 2024 and 2026. Recruitment was a camp-based convenience sample and is not population-representative. We measured waist-hip ratio (WHR; central obesity defined as >0.90 in men and >0.85 in women) and seated blood pressure (BP) in duplicate using a calibrated digital oscillometric device; screen-positive elevated BP was defined as mean systolic ≥140 mmHg or diastolic ≥90 mmHg. Awareness of metabolic syndrome, a 9-item self-perceived symptom checklist, and prior physician-given diagnosis of hypertension, diabetes, obesity, dyslipidaemia, or heart disease were captured by a structured Hindi-language interview. Three pre-specified analyses tested whether each subjective channel tracked the objective markers:...
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