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Cervical cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in adult women. The three most widely employed techniques for the treatment of cervical cancer are radiotherapy, surgery, and hormone chemotherapy. Recently several biomarkers have also been identified using classical and high-throughput technologies. High-throughput technologies generate huge data, which in turn demand development of robust computational approaches for analysis of this big data in a more comprehensive way. This, in turn, will enable us to better understand mechanisms associated with many diseases, including cervical cancer. Considering this, in the present chapter, we present information about different computational approaches that have been employed to detect target molecules associated with cervical cancer. Information obtained revealed that to date limited computational studies have identified several cervical cancer-associated key hub genes (e.g., BTD, PEG3, RPLP2, and SPON1), long noncoding RNA (e.g., GOLGA2P5, EMX2OS, FLJ10038, FAM66C, ACVR2B-AS1, AMZ2P1, LINC00341, ZNF876P, MIR9-3HG, and ILF3-AS1), and miRNAs (e.g., Hsa-mir-1273g, Hsa-mir-5095, Hsa-mir-5096, and Hsa-mir-1273f) that play a key role in cervical cancer development. However, as there are only a few number of computational studies performed on cervical cancer datasets, there is still scope for developing more robust software/algorithms and analyzing cervical cancer datasets. In the near future, the information in this chapter will be highly valuable for cancer biologists and immunologists toward cervical cancer treatment.

The extracts from sweet sorghum stalk were previously shown to eliminate human colon cancer stem cells (CCSC) in a partial p53-dependent fashion. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. In this study, we transfected CCSC with shRNA against p53 and treated with sweet sorghum phenolics extracted from different plant components. While all sweet sorghum components demonstrated anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects in CCSC, phenolics extracted from the dermal layer and seed head were more potent in eliminating CCSC by elevating caspase 3/7 activity, poly ADP-ribose polymerase cleavage, and DNA fragmentation in a p53-dependent and partial p53-dependent manner, respectively. These effects were associated with decreases in β-catenin, cyclin D1, cMyc, and survivin protein levels. These results suggest that the anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects of sweet sorghum extracts against CCSC are potentially via suppression of Wnt/β-catenin signalling in a p53-dependent (dermal layer) and partial p53-dependent (seed head) manner.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is clinically characterized by the aggregation of neurotoxic amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides in the brain. γ-Secretase catalyzes the reaction of Aβ formation. Inhibition of γ-secretase activating protein (GSAP) reduces Aβ production without disrupting other molecular functions and serves as a promising therapeutic target for lowering Aβ and curing AD. Till date, no proven drug is available for curing AD because of the nonexistence of crystal/NMR structure of GSAP. Thus in the present study, for the first time, we adopted in silico method to predict the 3D structure of GSAP via comparative modeling and studied the architecture and function of GSAP through simulation studies. Docking studies with 4153 phytochemicals revealed that GSAP having a better binding affinity with macaflavanone C, (E)-1-[2,4-dihydroxy-3-(3-methylbut-2-enyl)phenyl]-3-(2,2-dimethyl-8-hydroxy-2H-benzopyran-6-yl)prop-2-en-1-one, and monachosorin B as compared with the standard drug, imatinib. Further, the molecular dynamics analysis suggested that only two phytochemicals, namely, macaflavanone C and (E)-1-[2,4-dihydroxy-3-(3-methylbut-2-enyl)phenyl]-3-(2,2-dimethyl-8-hydroxy-2H-benzopyran-6-yl)prop-2-en-1-one) significantly disrupt the original property of GSAP and also cleared the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion test. These natural compounds may be utilized in future for curing AD after further investigations.

Hemidesmus indicus (HI) is used in ancient Indian traditional herbal medicine to treat hepatic and renal disorders. The present study was designed to investigate the protective effect of HI aqueous extract against bromobenzene induced mitochondrial dysfunction in rat kidneys. Rats were administered bromobenzene with or without prior administration of HI or vitamin E. At the end of the experiment animals were sacrificed and kidneys were obtained to study mitochondrial function, oxidative stress parameters and histopathology. Administration of bromobenzene caused significant changes like: decrease in the mitochondrial respiration and P/O ratios, increase in lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation, and decrease in the activities of antioxidant enzymes (catalase, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase) in mitochondria with significant histopathological changes in the kidney. Prior administration of HI extract showed a significant protection against bromobenzene induced changes in the kidney and this effect is attributed to the antioxidant and free radical scavenging potential of the HI. The protection was much better with HI compared to vitamin E.

Laccases belong to multicopper oxidases, a widespread class of enzymes implicated in many oxidative functions in various industrial oxidative processes like production of fine chemicals to bioremediation of contaminated soil and water. In order to understand the mechanisms of substrate binding and interaction between substrates and Pycnoporus cinnabarinus laccase, a homology model was generated. The resulted model was further validated and used for docking studies with toxic industrial dyes- acid blue 74, reactive black 5 and reactive blue 19. Interactions of chemical mediators with the laccase was also examined. The docking analysis showed that the active site always cannot accommodate the dye molecules, due to constricted nature of the active site pocket and steric hindrance of the residues whereas mediators are relatively small and can easily be accommodated into the active site pocket, which, thereafter leads to the productive binding. The binding properties of these compounds along with identification of critical active site residues can be used for further site-directed mutagenesis experiments in order to identify their role in activity and substrate specificity, ultimately leading to improved mutants for degradation of these toxic compounds.

The dry Indian bean seed composed of starch is the major component (33%) and protein accounted for 25% of dry weight. The ability of germination to increase the nutritional quality of storage proteins was studied by germinating the Indian bean seeds for 0, 8, 16, 24 and 32 h and evaluated the nutritional quality through an in vitro protein digestibility (IVPD), protein efficiency ratio (PER), apparent and true digestibility. The IVPD of raw Indian bean seeds by pepsin alone was 60.12% and the digestibility by pepsin and trypsin together improved to 64.24%. The in vitro digestibility by both processes increased appreciably with germination and marked increase was noticed in the early stage of germination. The PER values followed the same pattern as the value of weight gain of rats fed with diets containing raw and germinated Indian bean. The lowest PER values were observed with raw bean diet. However, the value increased in rats fed with diets of Indian bean germinated for different intervals of time, reaching comparable PER values with the group maintained on casein diet. The true and apparent nitrogen digestibility of raw bean low being only 82 and 72%, respectively observed with casein diet. Diets with germinated bean protein showed a marked increase in both parameters, although the values were still less than that displayed by the casein fed rats. Germination is a simple biochemical enrichment tool and significantly improves palatability, digestibility and the nutritive utilisation of proteins in Indian bean seeds.

PurposeThis paper aims to study the changes in anti‐nutritional factors during the germination of the Indian bean and also to carryout an evaluation by subjecting it to different cooking treatments – boiling, roasting and pressure cooking.Design/methodology/approachThe healthy Indian bean (Dolichos lablabL.) seeds were soaked for 12 h and allowed to germinate (sprout) at room temperature 27±2○C for a period of 32 h. Seedlings were withdrawn at designated time intervals and used for analysis of anti‐nutritional factors like trypsin inhibitory activity (TIA), phytic acid, polyphenols and tannins of dried and germinated cotyledons. They were also evaluated regarding their changes by subjecting to different cooking treatments – boiling, roasting and pressure cooking.FindingsThe raw dry Indian bean had a very high TIA which decreases progressively to 17 per cent at 32 h germination period. An overall fall in polyphenols of 70 per cent, tannins 46 per cent, phytic acids 36 per cent and phytate phosphorus to 30 per cent was noticed during the 32 h germination period. Maximum reduction was observed in TIA and phytic acids with roasting, while the boiling and pressure cooking decreases the levels of polyphenols and tannins.Originality/valueThe paper proves that germination is a more effective method in reducing TIA, tannins, polyphenols and phytic acid than the various cooking treatments.

PurposeLegume seeds provide one of the most concentrated sources of nutrients rich in fibre and high‐quality protein in the diet. The present work aims to investigate the hypocholesterolemic effect of germinated Indian bean (Dolichos lablab L. var lignosus) by feeding albino rats with a hypercholesterolemic diet.Design/methodology/approachMale albino rats of Wistar strain were divided into five groups (each group consisting of ten rats) according to randomized block design, housed in individual cages and fed with one of the five diets over an eight‐week period. At the end of eight weeks, the body weights were recorded and the rats put down. Samples of blood and liver were collected and used for analysis of liver and plasma cholesterol.FindingsSupplementation of the diet with dried powder of soaked bean almost brought the plasma cholesterol to 72.5 ± 0.75 from 178 ± 1.85 compared with that of the control (61.5 ± 0.70), although the liver cholesterol was still three times higher compared with the control. The 24h germinated Indian bean cotyledons could effectively counteract the effects of added cholesterol on liver and plasma by their high fibre content coupled with enormous increase in ascorbic acid levels.Originality/valueResults suggest germination to be a simple biochemical tool to effectively lower the cholesterol levels in liver and plasma by virtue of its higher contents of ascorbic acid and dietary fibre in ischemic heart disease patients.

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia. The oxidative stress in diabetes was greatly increased due to prolonged exposure to hyperglycemia and impairment of oxidant/antioxidant equilibrium. Proteins and lipids are among the prime targets for oxidative stress. In the present study, the oxidative stress was evaluated in 55 diabetic patients and 40 healthy subjects by measuring the levels of protein oxidation, lipid peroxidation and some enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidants. The oxidative products of protein (PCG) and lipid peroxidation (MDA) and nitric oxide levels in plasma of NIDDM patients were significantly increased. However, the levels of enzymatic (GPx, SOD, catalase in RBC) and nonenzymatic (beta-carotene, retinol, vitamin CE and uric acid) antioxidants of RBC showed a significant decrease in NIDDM patients compared to normal subjects. Serum protein analysis by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) showed the significant difference in the ceruloplasmin, transferrin, albumin, retinal binding protein, etc. in diabetic patients compared to healthy controls. In conclusion, the results suggest that increased protein oxidation, lipid peroxidation and NO levels, decreases the levels of enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidants and playing a major role in diabetic complications.

The plant growth hormones — BA, GA3 or IAA (alone or in combination) in single dose were injected into the centre of intact imbibed seed, germinated in the presence of water and monitored for root length, shoot length, and activities of α-amylase and proteases during a 10-day germination period of Indian bean seeds. A significant increase was noticed in the root length and shoot length compared to the respective controls. Injection of BA, GA3 or IAA alone resulted in a significant increase in the activity of α-amylase. The increase in the activities of proteases (acidic, neutral and alkaline) was not affected with either BA or GA3 during the early stage of germination, but the fall in their activities in the later stages of germination was suppressed. However, in vivo administration of IAA alone or in combination with BA or GA3 resulted in faster and higher development of α-amylase and protease(s) activities. These results indicated that more than one hormone is necessary for inducing the development of α-amylase and proteases at early stages, and also responsible for maintaining the higher activities in the later stages of germination.

Emblica officinalis is an ayurvedic herbal plant. The compounds isolated from this plant have good inhibitory effects against cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), among them gallic acid (GA) has the highest inhibitory effect. COX-2 (1.14.99.1)is an oxidoreductase having a role in prostaglandin biosynthesis, inflammatory responses and in cardiovascular events. COX-2 has gained special focus on research since past few decades. The sequence and structural studies reveals Mus musculus COX-2 shares the common conserved sequence and structural pattern with human COX-2. Molecular modeling and docking analysis with gallic acid and their structural analogues showed that 2-[(2E,4E)-hexa-2,4-dienyl]-3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoic acid, (3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoyl) 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoate and 3-hydroxy-4-sulfooxybenzoic acid are more interactive and binding strongly than gallic acid at active site. Hence these three compounds should be considered as strong inhibitors for COX-2.

Chikungunya fever is a viral disease transmitted to humans by the bite of CHIKV virus infected Aedes mosquitoes. During monsoon outbreak of chikungunya fever, we carried out the genetic predisposition to chikungunya in disease affected 100 families by doing blood group (ABO) tests by focusing on individuals who were likely to have a risk of chikungunya and identified the blood group involved in susceptibility/resistance to chikungunya. In the present study, based on blood group antigens, the individuals were kept in four groups – A (108), B (98), AB (20) and O (243). The result obtained was showed all Rh positive blood group individuals are susceptible to chikungunya fever. Among ABO group, the blood group O +ve individuals are more susceptible to chikungunya than other blood groups. No blood group with Rh negative was affected with chikungunya, it indicates Rh -ve more resistance to chikungunya.

Background Free radical mediated oxidative stress is mainly involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic complications. Proteins and lipids are among the prime targets for oxidative stress. In the present study, we evaluated the oxidative stress in chronic IDDM patients by estimating the lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation, and antioxidants status. Subjects and design A total of 35 (15 IDDM + 20 normal healthy) children were examined in the study and estimated the lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation, and antioxidants – vitamin A (β-carotene, retinol), vitamin C, vitamin E and enzymatic antioxidants and nitric oxide. Results A statistically significant higher values of protein carbonyl groups and MDA as lipid peroxides were observed in diabetic patients with slight reduction in the synthesis of nitric oxide. It is interesting to note that there was a decrease in the antioxidant levels with corresponding increased protein and lipid oxidation. On PAGE under native conditions, we observed decreased levels of proteins – albumin, transferrin, ceruloplasmin and heptoglobulins and variable GC globulin fractions in IDDM compared to normal healthy controls. Conclusion Hyperglycemia induces the overproduction of oxygen free radicals and consequently increases the protein oxidation and lipid oxidation. A significance difference in the mean plasma concentration of total antioxidant status was observed in IDDM patients. The findings of the present study suggest that diabetes in an altered metabolic state of oxidation-reduction and that it is convenient to give therapeutic interventions with antioxidants.