Browsing by Author "Neha Choudhary"

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Anastrozole-mediated modulation of mitochondrial activity by inhibition of mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening: an initial perspective
(Taylor and Francis Ltd., 2023) Somesh Kumar; Neha Choudhary; Mohammed Faruq; Arun Kumar; Ravindra K. Saran; Prem Kumar Indercanti; Vikram Singh; Haseena Sait; Sunita Jaitley; Martin Valis; Kamil Kuca; Sunil K. Polipalli; Manoj Kumar; Tejveer Singh; Prashanth Suravajhala; Rohit Sharma; Seema Kapoor
The mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mtPTP) plays a vital role in altering the structure and function of mitochondria. Cyclophilin D (CypD) is a mitochondrial protein that regulates mtPTP function and a known drug target for therapeutic studies involving mitochondria. While the effect of aromatase inhibition on the mtPTP has been studied previously, the effect of anastrozole on the mtPTP has not been completely elucidated. The role of anastrozole in modulating the mtPTP was evaluated by docking, molecular dynamics and network-guided studies using human CypD data. The peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients with mitochondrial disorders and healthy controls were treated with anastrozole and evaluated for mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mtPTP) function and apoptosis using a flow cytometer. Spectrophotometry was employed for estimating total ATP levels. The anastrozole–CypD complex is more stable than cyclosporin A (CsA)–CypD. Anastrozole performed better than cyclosporine in inhibiting mtPTP. Additional effects included inducing mitochondrial membrane depolarization and a reduction in mitochondrial swelling and superoxide generation, intrinsic caspase-3 activity and cellular apoptosis, along with an increase in ATP levels. Anastrozole may serve as a potential therapeutic agent for mitochondrial disorders and ameliorate the clinical phenotype by regulating the activity of mtPTP. However, further studies are required to substantiate our preliminary findings. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma. © 2023 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
Deciphering the impact and mechanism of Trikatu, a spices-based formulation on alcoholic liver disease employing network pharmacology analysis and in vivo validation
(Frontiers Media S.A., 2022) Ruchi Sharma; Mangala Jadhav; Neha Choudhary; Arun Kumar; Abdur Rauf; Rohit Gundamaraju; Abdullah F. AlAsmari; Nemat Ali; Rajeev K. Singla; Rohit Sharma; Bairong Shen
Trikatu Churna (TC) comprising Zingiber officinale rhizome, Piper longum, and Piper nigrum fruit, is effective in treating liver diseases and has high nutraceutical values. However, the efficacy of TC in treating alcoholic liver disease (ALD) and its mechanism remain largely unknown. This study evaluated the hepatoprotective effects of different doses of TC as well as to identify the bioactive components and determine their mechanism of action against ethanol-induced ALD. A compound-target network analysis model of TC was established to identify its potential bioactive compounds and pathways that might regulate its hepatoprotective effects. Further, in-vivo studies were performed to validate the potential of TC (200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg b.w.) in the treatment and management of ALD. The study revealed that both the dosages of TC demonstrate significant (p > 0.0001) hepatoprotective effects by improving body weight, total bilirubin, serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), serum alkaline phosphate (ALP), total cholesterol, total protein, globulin, albumin, and liver morphology. The High-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) fingerprinting of TC showed the presence of piperine. Network pharmacology identifies the role of TC in regulating various signaling processes including Advanced glycation end products-receptor for advanced glycation end products (AGE-RAGE), Hypoxia-inducible factors (HIF-1), Nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-Kappa B), and Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) signaling to exert its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-apoptotic role in managing ALD. Based on the bioinformatics analysis, some of the key targets of TC were found to be Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthase 2 (PTGS2) or Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), Sirtuin 1 (SRT1), and caspase-3. These effects may serve as a novel therapeutic option for the treatment of ALD. These preclinical validation studies for the ethnopharmacological potential of TC in ALD treatment further paved the way for researchers to perform next-level translational and clinical studies. Further, in-depth experimental studies for the validation of these bioinformatics-based results will give a clearer picture of mechanisms. Copyright © 2022 Sharma, Jadhav, Choudhary, Kumar, Rauf, Gundamaraju, AlAsmari, Ali, Singla, Sharma and Shen.
From Smoke to Stove: How PMUY is Cooking Up Healthier Homes in India!
(Sage Publications India Pvt. Ltd, 2025) Neha Choudhary; Manoj Kumar
This study investigates the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), India’s 2016 initiative to expand liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) access, focusing on promoting clean cooking fuel and enhancing women’s health and empowerment. Using data from the National Sample Survey (NSS), 2020–2021, and the field survey in West Champaran district, Bihar, the research explores household fuel selection patterns ‘clean’ or ‘dirty’ through multivariate logistic regression. Findings indicate that household income, education and gender of the household head are critical determinants of LPG adoption. Moreover, increased LPG usage positively affects women’s health and empowerment. The study suggests that boosting LPG adoption should primarily address educational and affordability-related factors.JEL Codes: I12, I15, Q41 © 2025 Research and Information System for Developing Countries & Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka
Honey: A Sweet Solution to Oral Healthcare Problems
(Springer Nature, 2024) Shiva Bakshi; Vinod Kumar Paswan; Neha Choudhary; Vishal Kumar; Prajasattak Kanetkar; Dhamchoe Dolma Bhutia; Durga Shankar Bunkar
Oral problems are becoming a worldwide issue causing serious economic and health burdens that in turn reduces quality of life. Alongside, the personal consequences of these implications impose a great burden on both healthcare and families. Due to the ample nutrition and therapeutic abilities of honey, it has a great potential to be used as a sweet solution in the prevention and curing of oral diseases. Moreover, it exerts biological properties, namely, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-cancerous and antiseptic. Therefore, honey’s potent multidisciplinary characteristics in oral health are being explored by scientists and researchers. In addition, till now there is no such synthetic compound reported to show all these properties. The overview of this chapter begins with a brief description of the oral microbiome and its potent effects. Furthermore, there is mention of honey’s application in the mitigation and amelioration of several oral issues including gingivitis, malodour, oral cancer, mouth ulcers, herpes labialis, cold sores, oral wounds, radiation-induced oral mucositis and xerostomia. However, despite the extensive utilization of honey, there is still need for more conclusive clinical trials to know about the effectiveness and efficacy of honey in oral healthcare. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2024.
Network pharmacology on mechanistic role of Thymus linearis Benth. against gastrointestinal and neurological diseases
(Elsevier GmbH, 2023) Palak Thakur; Rakesh Kumar; Neha Choudhary; Rohit Sharma; Ashun Chaudhary
Background: Thymus linearis Benth. (TL) is native to the Himalayas and has been used traditionally to cure various diseases. Thymus is a well-known aromatic perennial herb commonly known as Van ajwain or Himalayan Thyme. The main components of the TL essential oil are thymol, terpinene, and p-cymene. There are many biological properties that TL has been reported to exhibit, including antioxidant, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, antibacterial, anticancerogenic, and neuroprotective effects. Purpose: In this study, the network pharmacology and molecular docking were used to explore the potential compounds of TL and their interaction mechanism toward gastrointestinal complications and neurological diseases. Methods: Network pharmacology was used to analyze the active compounds and protein targets of TL on gastrointestinal and neurological related diseases. Protein-protein interaction and Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genes and Genomes analysis were used to enrich and evaluate key pathways of target proteins. To ensure the reliability of the network pharmacology prediction estimates, molecular docking was used to confirm the relationships between the core components and targets of TL. Result: 77 physiologically active compounds and their 717 predicted protein targets with high association to the neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction pathway were derived from TL. Beta-citronellol, piperitol, p-cymen-8-ol, and alpha-humulene were found to have a role in gastrointestinal diseases associated with neurological diseases. These compounds showed significant levels of multitargeting cluster regulatory activity. The molecular docking results showed regulatory activity of highlighted multi-targeting compounds and the highest docking energy was reported in piperitol. Conclusion: The study shows that Thymus linearis Benth., a medicinal plant with traditional use, possesses valuable biologically active compounds. It emphasizes the potential of Thymus in treating gastrointestinal and neurological diseases by regulating oxidative stress pathways. This research opens up possibilities for discovering antioxidant molecules for future drug development. It is an interesting study with promising implications for further research. © 2023 Elsevier GmbH
Quantitative assessment of antioxidant potential of selected homeopathic preparations in clinical practice
(De Gruyter Open Ltd, 2023) Arun Kumar; Suneel Prajapati; Mahima Sharma; Tejveer Singh; Neha Choudhary; Alok C. Bharti; Rohit Sharma; Pankaj Gupta
Objectives: Antioxidant property like radical scavenging is a primary target to elucidate the efficacy mechanism of a drug against diseases linked to oxidative stress such as cancer, metabolic disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, etc. In alternative therapies, homeopathy is one of the preferred choices by patients and clinicians due to its potential to cure chronic and complex illnesses. However, the efficacy of homeopathic preparations at high diluted potencies attracts rational criticism due to insufficient scientific knowledge supporting the mechanism of action. Therefore, an attempt was made to estimate the total phenolic content (TPC) and radical scavenging activity of clinically prescribed homeopathic drugs. Methods: With gallic acid as a reference control, mother tinctures (MTs) and different potencies of Eucalyptus globulus (EG), Syzygium jambolanum (SJ), Ruta graveolens (RG), and Thuja occidentalis (TO) were used to perform Folin-Ciocalteu test, 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS), and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assays. Results: The results showed TPC of MTs equivalent to μg/mL of gallic acid viz; EG (4,872.5 ± 133.2), SJ (8,840.5 ± 14.8), RG (985.6 ± 39.1), and TO (341.5 ± 19.5) with significant ABTS and DPPH radical scavenging potential. Whereas 30C and 200C potencies of each homeopathic drug showed undetectable phenolic content and insignificant radical scavenging potential compared to vehicle control, i.e., alcohol 90% (2.0 ± 1.5). Conclusions: The reported efficacy of 30C and 200C potencies of homeopathic medicines against oxidative stress-related illnesses might be due to mechanisms other than radical scavenging. Furthermore, the assays studied can be helpful in drug standardization and quality control of MTs that are used as starting material in homeopathic preparations. © 2022 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston.