RESUMO
The objective of the study was to evaluate the quality of Zamzam water, holy water for Muslims and consumed for its medicinal value. The present study demonstrates the physicochemical characterization and wound healing property of Zamzam water. The physicochemical characterization of Zamzam water samples was analyzed for dissolved oxygen, pH, conductivity, total dissolved solids, redox potential, zeta potential, polydispersity index, and zeta size. The microbial quality of Zamzam water was also assessed by exposing water samples to open air. In this work, Zamzam water was also screened for the medicinal value through wound healing properties in Wistar rats. Zamzam water exhibited a unique physicochemical characterization with high levels of dissolved oxygen, zeta potential, polydispersity index, redox potential, total dissolved solids, and conductivity before exposure to open air. After open air exposure, Zamzam water resisted the growth of bacteria. The wound healing properties of Zamzam water in vivo showed a 96% of healing effect on 12th day observation. The wound healing was achieved by modulating pro-inflammatory cytokine such as interleukin -1ß (IL-1ß), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor -α (TNF-α). Followed by the level of apoptosis markers caspase-9 and caspase-3 were reduced. The present study proved that Zamzam water is a good-quality water and showed excellent wound healing property. Therefore, Zamzam water can be used for pharmaceutical formulations.
Assuntos
Água , Cicatrização , Animais , Oxigênio , Ratos , Ratos Wistar , Fator de Necrose Tumoral alfaRESUMO
The objective of the study was to evaluate the quality of Zamzam water, holy water for Muslims and consumed for its medicinal value. The present study demonstrates the physicochemical characterization and wound healing property of Zamzam water. The physicochemical characterization of Zamzam water samples was analyzed for dissolved oxygen, pH, conductivity, total dissolved solids, redox potential, zeta potential, polydispersity index, and zeta size. The microbial quality of Zamzam water was also assessed by exposing water samples to open air. In this work, Zamzam water was also screened for the medicinal value through wound healing properties in Wistar rats. Zamzam water exhibited a unique physicochemical characterization with high levels of dissolved oxygen, zeta potential, polydispersity index, redox potential, total dissolved solids, and conductivity before exposure to open air. After open air exposure, Zamzam water resisted the growth of bacteria. The wound healing properties of Zamzam water in vivo showed a 96% of healing effect on 12th day observation. The wound healing was achieved by modulating pro-inflammatory cytokine such as interleukin -1ß (IL-1ß), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor -α (TNF-α). Followed by the level of apoptosis markers caspase-9 and caspase-3 were reduced. The present study proved that Zamzam water is a good-quality water and showed excellent wound healing property. Therefore, Zamzam water can be used for pharmaceutical formulations.
O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar a qualidade da água de Zamzam, água benta para os muçulmanos e consumida pelo seu valor medicinal. O presente estudo demonstra a caracterização físico-química e a propriedade cicatrizante da água de Zamzam. A caracterização físico-química das amostras de água de Zamzam foi analisada para oxigênio dissolvido, pH, condutividade, sólidos totais dissolvidos, potencial redox, potencial zeta, índice de polidispersidade e tamanho zeta. A qualidade microbiana da água de Zamzam também foi avaliada expondo amostras de água ao ar livre. Neste trabalho, a água de Zamzam também foi avaliada quanto ao valor medicinal através de propriedades cicatrizantes em ratos Wistar. A água de Zamzam exibiu uma caracterização físico-química única com altos níveis de oxigênio dissolvido, potencial zeta, índice de polidispersidade, potencial redox, sólidos totais dissolvidos e condutividade antes da exposição ao ar livre. Após a exposição ao ar livre, a água de Zamzam resistiu ao crescimento de bactérias. As propriedades de cicatrização de feridas da água de Zamzam in vivo mostraram um efeito de cicatrização de 96% no 12º dia de observação. A cicatrização da ferida foi alcançada pela modulação de citocinas pró-inflamatórias como a interleucina-1ß (IL-1ß), interleucina-6 (IL-6) e fator de necrose tumoral -α (TNF-α). Seguido pelo nível de marcadores de apoptose caspase-9 e caspase-3, estes foram reduzidos. O presente estudo provou que a água de Zamzam é ââuma água de melhor qualidade e mostrou excelente propriedade de cicatrização de feridas. Portanto, a água de Zamzam pode ser usada para formulações farmacêuticas.
Assuntos
Cicatrização , Ferimentos e Lesões , Preparações Farmacêuticas , Água/químicaRESUMO
The present study was designed to study the process of stress adaptation in roots and shoot of Zea mays seedlings grown under hydroponic conditions during exposure to lead (Pb) (0-200 microM) for 1-7 d. The alterations in growth and in the level of various biochemical parameters were accessed vis-à-vis Pb accumulation. The accumulation of Pb increased in a concentration-duration-dependent manner, however its translocation from root to shoot was low. At the same time, the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) increased with increasing Pb concentration. However, growth parameters, such as dry weight and root length did not show a significant decline to any of the Pb concentrations. In addition, the level of photosynthetic pigments decreased only upon exposure to high Pb concentrations. These results suggested an alleviation of the stress that was presumably being achieved by antioxidants viz., superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) as well as ascorbic acid (AsA), which increased linearly with increasing Pb levels and exposure time. However, the level of non-protein thiols (NP-SH) in roots, in general, showed a decline beyond 4d that could be attributed to their consumption for the purpose of Pb detoxification. In conclusion, Zea mays can be used as an indicator species for Pb, and the various antioxidants might play a key role in the detoxification of Pb induced toxic effects.
Assuntos
Antioxidantes/metabolismo , Hidroponia/métodos , Chumbo/toxicidade , Plântula/metabolismo , Zea mays/metabolismo , Adsorção , Ácido Ascórbico/química , Catalase/química , Catalase/metabolismo , Clorofila/química , Chumbo/química , Peroxidação de Lipídeos , Malondialdeído/química , Modelos Estatísticos , Sintase do Porfobilinogênio/química , Plântula/efeitos dos fármacos , Compostos de Sulfidrila/química , Superóxido Dismutase/metabolismoRESUMO
We investigated the structural organization of the choroid especially with regard to the presence of extravascular smooth muscle (EVSM) cells in albino rabbits. The eyes were fixed by intracardiac perfusion and processed for light, confocal, and electron microscopy. An unlabeled monoclonal antibody against alpha-actin of smooth muscle and a horseradish-peroxidase-conjugated secondary antibody were used for immunodetection of smooth muscle actin by light microscopy. For confocal microscopy, whole mount choroids were immunostained with a fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated (FITC) antibody. Our investigations revealed that the choroidal vessels are enveloped by bundles of EVSM. In contrast to the circular orientation of the smooth muscle cells of the tunica media of the choroidal vessels, the cells of the EVSM system were oriented longitudinally along the external surface of the vessel wall. The EVSM cells were strongly immunopositive for smooth muscle alpha-actin and exhibited a green fluorescence of the FITC-labeled anti-alpha-actin antibody. Individual cells were elongated and spindle-shaped, had the usual ultrastructural features of smooth muscle cells and, in places, were organized as 20 layers. EVSM cells were present throughout the thickness of the choroid, but not between the fenestrated endothelial lining of the choriocapillaris and Bruch's membrane, and extended from the optic nerve to the ciliary body where they merged with the ciliary muscles. Based on the three dimensional organization, immunoreactivity, and cellular and subcellular features of the EVSM system as well as information in the literature, we hypothesize that, functionally, this system, in conjunction with the choroidal vasculature, contributes to the myogenic control of choroidal blood flow and tissue volume, and also affects the intraocular pressure as well as the refractive and accommodative state of the eye.
Assuntos
Corioide/anatomia & histologia , Músculo Liso/ultraestrutura , Actinas/imunologia , Animais , Anticorpos Monoclonais , Desmina/imunologia , Fluoresceína-5-Isotiocianato , Peroxidase do Rábano Silvestre , Masculino , Microscopia Confocal , Microscopia Eletrônica , Músculo Liso/imunologia , CoelhosRESUMO
The characterization of a DNA fragment with a Tn5 insertion in a regulatory nif gene of Azospirillum brasilense is reported. Restriction endonuclease mapping, Southern hybridization with a Tn5 probe, and nucleotide sequencing revealed that IS50 had duplicated in Tn5. The duplication of an IS50 element suggests the occurrence of a replicative mechanism of transposition. A strategy, based on the bacterial ability of homologous recombination that was used to precisely eliminate Tn5 along with the duplicated IS50 element, is presented.