Scholarly Publications

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This community showcases the academic contributions of faculty and researchers at Banaras Hindu University (BHU) and provides a year-wise compilation of publications across disciplines. Institutional Repository BHU

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Now showing 1 - 10 of 78
  • PublicationArticle
    Effect of hydrolysed Trifolium repens L. extract on menopause induced obesity and depressive symptoms: an in-vitro and in-silico approach
    (Taylor and Francis Ltd., 2025) Poonam Rawat; B. Kumar; Ankita N. Misra; Satyendra Pratap Singh; Surya Pratap Singh; Sharad Kumar Srivastava
    This study aimed to evaluate acid-hydrolysis effects on phytoestrogen content and the efficacy of phytoestrogen-rich extract in alleviating post-menopausal symptoms (PMS). Bioactive phytoestrogens were quantified using HPTLC, and unhydrolyzed and hydrolysed extracts were assessed for oestrogenic, anti-proliferative, MAO-A inhibition, ROS quenching, and PL inhibition potential through in-vitro models. In-silico analysis of quantified phytoestrogens against PMS-related proteins was conducted. Hydrolysis increased phytoestrogen content significantly, particularly biochanin-A (56.48-fold), daidzein (22.2-fold), genistein (10.77-fold), and formononetin (5.26-fold). The hydrolysed extract demonstrated improved efficacy in in-vitro models, including reduced IC50 in oestrogenic activity, decreased cell proliferation, increased MAO-A inhibition, and de­creased IC50 for lipase. High binding energies of phytoestrogens against ERβ, MAO-A, and PL supported their potential in managing post-menopausal symptoms. The study scientifically validated T. repens for women’s health at menopause, highlighting acid-hydrolysis for enhancing therapeutic activity. T. repens could be explored commercially as an alternative to T. pratense. © 2025 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
  • PublicationReview
    Advances in analytical methods for BPA detection in commercial milk: Current techniques and future prospects
    (Academic Press Inc., 2025) Hagera Dilnashin; Dheer Singh; Partha Pratim Roy; Rakesh Kumar Tyagi; Surya Pratap Singh
    Bisphenol A (BPA) is a widely produced chemical, primarily used in the manufacture of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. It is commonly found in food and beverage packaging, such as milk, water, and infant bottles, as well as in dental sealants and food can coatings. The primary source of BPA exposure in humans is dietary intake, with milk and dairy products contributing significantly, particularly among younger populations. Other exposure pathways include air, water, and dust. This review provides an overview of the analytical methods developed in recent years for detecting BPA. It examines the advantages and limitations of various sample preparation techniques, including microextraction, molecularly imprinted polymer solid-phase extraction, and solid-phase extraction. Furthermore, we discuss the advancements in analytical techniques, such as immunoassays, liquid and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, and emerging biosensors. The review highlights recent progress in BPA detection methodologies and outlines potential future developments in this field. © 2024 Elsevier Inc.
  • PublicationArticle
    TCE-mediated neuroprotection against rotenone-induced dopaminergic neuronal death in PD mice: insights into the Nrf-2/PINK1/Parkin-mitophagy pathway
    (Springer, 2025) Hagera Dilnashin; Shekhar Singh; Poonam Rawat; Aaina Singh Singh Rathore; Richa S. Singh; Priyanka Kumari Keshri; Nitesh Kumar Gupta; Singh Ankit Satyaprakash; Surya Pratap Singh
    Oxidative stress-induced mitochondrial dysfunction is implicated in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease (PD). In a previous study, we reported that an extract of T. cordifolia (TCE) possessed antioxidant and anti-apoptotic properties that improved mitochondrial function against rotenone-induced neurotoxicity. However, the underlying molecular mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we found that rotenone (ROT)-induced PD mice exhibited mitochondrial abnormalities, including defective mitophagy, mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) overexpression, and mitochondrial fragmentation, accompanied by reduced expression of Pink1 and Parkin and increased apoptosis. These changes were partially reversed following oral administration of TCE. Moreover, TCE restored the activity and translocation of NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and upregulated the expression of antioxidant enzymes (SOD1, SOD2, GSH, and GSSH). Interestingly, ROT also activates mitophagy. Our results suggest that ROT toxicity can cause neuronal cell death through mitophagy-mediated signaling in PD mice. However, TCE reversed this activity by inhibiting autophagic protein (LC3B-II/LC3B-I) activation and increasing specific mitochondrial proteins (TOM20, Pink1, and Parkin). Our findings indicated that TCE provides neuroprotection against rotenone-induced toxicity in PD mice by stimulating endogenous antioxidant enzymes and inhibiting ROT-induced oxidative stress by potentiating the Nrf-2/Pink1/Parkin-mediated survival mechanism. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2025.
  • PublicationArticle
    18β-Glycyrrhetinic Acid Regulates Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Autophagy Dysregulation in the MPTP/p-Induced Model of Parkinson Disease
    (Springer, 2025) Priyanka Kumari Keshri; Aaina Singh Singh Rathore; Richa S. Singh; Hagera Dilnashin; Shekhar Singh; Nitesh Kumar Gupta; Singh Ankit Satyaprakash; Kumud Tiwari; Surya Pratap Singh
    Parkinson disease (PD) is marked by a significant reduction in dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta region of the brain. This neuronal loss is accompanied by aggregation of the α-synuclein protein, persistent endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, and disruption in the autophagy process. 18β-Glycyrrhetinic acid (18βGA), an oleanolic acid–type triterpenoid, has been shown to exhibit anti-inflammatory properties and neuroprotective effects. This study is the first to explore the potential neuroprotective effects of 18βGA in a chronic 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine/probenecid (MPTP/p)–induced mouse model of PD, focusing on the role of ER stress and autophagy and examining the potential underlying mechanisms. MPTP/p-treated mice exhibited impaired motor function and elevated levels of α-synuclein and ER stress markers such as BiP, protein kinase RNA-like ER kinase (p-PERK), phosphorylated inositol-requiring enzyme 1 (p-IRE1), phosphorylated eukaryotic initiation factor α (p-eIF2α), and C/EBP homologous binding protein (CHOP). It also shows autophagy dysregulation, marked by increased phosphorylated c-Jun N-terminal kinase 1 (p-JNK-1), Beclin-1, and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3)-II, as well as autophagic vacuoles, and decreased B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL-2) and p62. Treatment with 18βGA significantly improved motor performance, reduced α-synuclein accumulation, and restored tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) expression. It also attenuated ER stress markers, including BiP, p-PERK, p-IRE1, p-eIF2α, and CHOP. Moreover, 18βGA normalized autophagy-related alterations by decreasing p-JNK-1, Beclin-1, LC3-II, and autophagic vacuole formation, while increasing BCL-2 and p62 expression. These findings suggest that 18βGA confers neuroprotection by suppressing ER stress (via PERK and IRE1α pathways) and modulating autophagy through the BCL-2/Beclin-1 axis. Thus, 18βGA holds promise as a therapeutic candidate for Parkinson disease. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2025.
  • PublicationReview
    Role of Animal Models in Parkinson's Disease (PD): What Role They Play in Preclinical Translational Research
    (Bentham Science Publishers, 2024) Rajnish Srivastava; Hagera Dilnashin; Devesh Kapoor; Sai Aparna; Elmira Heidarli; Surya Pratap Singh; Vivek Jain
    Background: Animal models for drug discovery and development in Parkinson ’s disease have played an important role in the characterization of the pathophysiology of diseases and associated mechanisms of injury, drug target identification, and evaluation of novel therapeutic agents for toxicity/safety, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and efficacy. Objective: The review is intended to reform the scope, advantages, and limitations of various Parkinson’s Disease models and their scope in translational research. The lack of a gold standard for PD animal models presents a major challenge in devising a validation system. This review is an attempt to provide a way to adopt the validation approach for PD animal model for research. Methods: Because underlying disease mechanisms are so similar across species, it is possible to extrapolate results from Parkinson's disease studies using animal models. Furthermore, behavioural tests used to access the neurobehavioral test with its limitations were explored for rodents, non-human primates, lower-order animals, and invertebrates. The role of gender selectivity and non-selectivity is the one major concern in PD model validation that is addressed in the review. Results: The rigorous validation has been done on animal models for Parkinson's disease (PD) based on comparisons to the human state. Regarding toxicological and safety investigations in PD, non-animal options must be thoroughly validated. There are both advantages and disadvantages to using animal models of Parkinson's disease as proof-of-concept research. Conclusion: The specific animal model selected for a given drug to be tested and developed depends on the goal of the specific study. © 2024 Bentham Science Publishers.
  • PublicationArticle
    Biodegradation of furfuryl alcohol by indigenous Bacillus species of industrial effluent-contaminated sites: estimation, biokinetics and toxicity assessment of bio-transformed metabolites
    (Springer Science and Business Media B.V., 2024) Priyaragini Singh; Hagera Dilnashin; Kotnees Dinesh Kumar; Surya Pratap Singh; Rakesh Kumar
    Furfuryl alcohol (FA) and other furanic compounds have garnered considerable attention in the quest for sustainable alternatives. FA-based resins have been used in various sectors that entail the release of FA into the environment. Hence, to ensure sustainability in this scenario, devising a dependable approach to its degradation is imperative. Given the crucial role of bacterial strains in the biodegradation of various organic pollutants, this study investigates the microbial degradation of FA, using bacterial strains isolated from sites that are constantly exposed to industrial waste. Three potential isolates were identified as B. paramycoides, B. cereus, and B. tequilensis by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. At a concentration of 300 µg/ml, these isolates demonstrated efficient FA degradation; 60–70% (at 300 µg/ml FA) and 50–60%, (at 500 µg/ml FA). Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) analysis further supported the result that the bacterial isolates consumed FA as the carbon source. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC–MS) facilitates the detection of the major metabolic intermediate product in which FA gets transformed. The prominent peaks at 113 and 119 m/z obtained in the MS spectra of the degraded FA samples indicated the possibility of the conversion of FA into furoic acid or levulinic acid. The phytotoxicity bioassay findings revealed the non-toxic nature of the bio-transformed products as compared to pure FA. This investigation presents the initial documentation of the FA degradative potential of Bacillus strains, thereby augmenting the understanding of the prospective implementation of Bacillus species in industrial waste treatment projects. © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.
  • PublicationArticle
    In silico guided in vitro study of traditionally used medicinal plants reveal the alleviation of post-menopausal symptoms through ERβ binding and MAO-A inhibition
    (Taylor and Francis Ltd., 2024) Poonam Rawat; Bhanu Kumar; Ankita Misra; Surya Pratap Singh; Sharad Srivastava
    The slumping level of estrogen and serotonin in menopausal women is directly associated with the occurrence of menopausal symptoms where, estrogen receptor-β (ERβ) and monoamine oxidase-A (MAO-A) are directly involved. The present investigation aimed for validation of promising plants traditionally used to alleviate menopausal symptoms with ERβ mediated MAO-A inhibition potential through in silico disease-target network construction using Cytoscape plugins followed by molecular docking of phytomolecules through AutoDock vina. ADMET parameters of identified bioactive phytomolecules were analysed through swissADME and ProTox II. The efficacy of promising plant leads was further established through in vitro ERβ competitive binding, MAO-A inhibition, enzyme kinetics and free radical quenching assays. In silico analysis suggested glabrene (ΔG = −9.7 Kcal/mol) as most promising against ERβ in comparison to 17β-estradiol (ΔG = −11.4 Kcal/mol) whereas liquiritigenin (ΔG = −9.4 Kcal/mol) showed potential binding with MAO-A in comparison to standard harmine (ΔG = −8.8 Kcal/mol). In vitro analysis of promising plants segregated Glycyrrhiza glabra (IC50 = 0.052 ± 0.007 μg/ml) as most promising, followed by Hypericum perforatum (IC50 = 0.084 ± 0.01 μg/ml), Trifolium pratense (IC50 = 0.514 ± 0.01 μg/ml) and Rumex nepalensis (IC50 = 2.568 ± 0.11 μg/ml). The enzyme kinetics of promising plant leads showed reversible and competitive nature of inhibition against MAO-A. The potency of plant extracts in quenching free radicals was at par with ascorbic acid. The identified four potent medicinal plants with ERβ selective, MAO-A inhibitory and free radical quenching abilities could be used against menopausal symptoms however, finding needs to be validated further for menopausal symptoms in in vivo conditions for drug development. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma. © 2023 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
  • PublicationBook Chapter
    Combination of Drug Delivery through Nanocarriers for Brain Diseases
    (CRC Press, 2024) Hagera Dilnashin; Shekhar Singh; Richa Singh; Surya Pratap Singh
    Present-day treatment therapies for brain diseases mostly provide only symptomatic treatments and there is a fear they may become obsolete in no time due to their poor pharmacokinetic properties. The natural barriers of the brain hinder the delivery of therapeutic drugs to brain cells. The most important of these barriers is the blood-brain barrier. Thus, for the treatment of chronic brain disorders, novel drug-delivery vehicles are being used for controlled and target-specific delivery of therapeutic compounds. The most successful drug-delivery systems are nanocarriers. They increase the selectivity of targeted therapy to specific organs, tissues, and even at the cellular level, thus diminishing exposure to healthy tissues. Moreover, a lower amount of drugs is used for nanoparticle delivery. Advanced techniques using multiple drugs for co-delivery in a single nano-based system demonstrate better therapeutic results than monotherapy. Nanomedicines address the lacunae of conventional therapy, which is evident through various clinical and preclinical studies showing significantly improved targeted drug delivery and lower side effects. The current chapter presents a comprehensive update on the importance of several nanocarrier-based combinational drug-delivery techniques for the treatment of several chronic brain disorders. In addition, the chapter also enlightens on the challenges of preparing and delivering nano-therapies and provides suggestions to outpace them. This chapter not only provides insights into the wonder of nano-based drug-delivery approaches but also into the combination drug delivery through nanocarrier delivery as potential treatment therapies for neurological disorders. © 2024 selection and editorial matter, Anurag Kumar Singh, Vivek K. Chaturvedi, and Jay Singh; individual chapters, the contributors.
  • PublicationArticle
    Synthesized Gold Nanoparticles with Moringa Oleifera leaf Extract Induce Mitotic Arrest (G2/M phase) and Apoptosis in Dalton’s Lymphoma Cells
    (Springer, 2024) Sandeep Kumar; Alok Shukla; Surya Pratap Singh; Rishi Kant Singh; Anand Kumar Patel; Praveen Kumar Verma; Sanjay Kumar; Naveen Kumar; Varsha Singh; Kirti Wasnik; Arbind Acharya
    The therapeutic potential of chemically synthesized AuNPs has been demonstrated in various types of cancer. However, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) synthesized using typical chemical methods have concerns regarding their environmental safety and adverse impact on human well-being. To overcome this issue, we used an environmentally friendly approach in which gold nanoparticles were synthesized using Moringa oleifera leaf extract (MLE). The present research was mainly focused on the biosynthesis and characterization of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) using Moringa oleifera leaf extract (MLE-AuNPs) and explore its anticancer potential against Dalton’s Lymphoma (DL) cells. Characterization of the MLE-AuNPs was conducted using UV-Vis Spectroscopy to confirm the reduction process, FTIR analysis to ascertain the presence of functional groups, and XRD analysis to confirm the crystallinity. SEM and TEM images were used to examine size and morphology. After characterization, MLE-AuNPs were evaluated for their cytotoxic effects on Dalton’s lymphoma cells, and the results showed an IC50 value of 75 ± 2.31 µg/mL; however, there was no discernible cytotoxicity towards normal murine thymocytes. Furthermore, flow cytometric analysis revealed G2/M phase cell cycle arrest mediated by the downregulation of cyclin B1 and Cdc2 and upregulation of p21. Additionally, apoptosis induction was evidenced by Annexin V Staining, accompanied by modulation of apoptosis-related genes including decreased Bcl-2 expression and increased expression of Bax, Cyt-c, and Caspase-3 at both the mRNA and protein levels. Collectively, our findings underscore the promising anti-cancer properties of MLE-AuNPs, advocating their potential as a novel therapeutic avenue for Dalton’s lymphoma. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2024.
  • PublicationArticle
    Dermorphin [D-Arg2, Lys4] (1-4) Amide Alleviates Frostbite-Induced Pain by Regulating TRP Channel-Mediated Microglial Activation and Neuroinflammation
    (Springer, 2024) Obulapathi Ummadisetty; Akhilesh; Anagha Gadepalli; Deepak Chouhan; Utkarsh Patil; Surya Pratap Singh; Sanjay Singh; Vinod Tiwari
    Cold injury or frostbite is a common medical condition that causes serious clinical complications including sensory abnormalities and chronic pain ultimately affecting overall well-being. Opioids are the first-choice drug for the treatment of frostbite-induced chronic pain; however, their notable side effects, including sedation, motor incoordination, respiratory depression, and drug addiction, present substantial obstacle to their clinical utility. To address this challenge, we have exploited peripheral mu-opioid receptors as potential target for the treatment of frostbite-induced chronic pain. In this study, we investigated the effect of dermorphin [D-Arg2, Lys4] (1–4) amide (DALDA), a peripheral mu-opioid receptor agonist, on frostbite injury and hypersensitivity induced by deep freeze magnet exposure in rats. Animals with frostbite injury displayed significant hypersensitivity to mechanical, thermal, and cold stimuli which was significant ameliorated on treatment with different doses of DALDA (1, 3, and 10 mg/kg) and ibuprofen (100 mg/kg). Further, molecular biology investigations unveiled heightened oxido-nitrosative stress, coupled with a notable upregulation in the expression of TRP channels (TRPA1, TRPV1, and TRPM8), glial cell activation, and neuroinflammation (TNF-α, IL-1β) in the sciatic nerve, dorsal root ganglion (DRG), and spinal cord of frostbite-injured rats. Treatment with DALDA leads to substantial reduction in TRP channels, microglial activation, and suppression of the inflammatory cascade in the ipsilateral L4–L5 DRG and spinal cord of rats. Overall, findings from the present study suggest that activation of peripheral mu-opioid receptors mitigates chronic pain in rats by modulating the expression of TRP channels and suppressing glial cell activation and neuroinflammation. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2024.