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Information on several topics discussed at the International Symposium on Ageing and the 16th Biennial Conference of the Association of Gerontology (India) (AGI) is presented. Topics concerning the medical, biological and socio-psychological aspects of ageing was discussed. The symposium featured several AGI members including president Ramesh Sharma, North-Eastern Hill University vice-chancellor A. N. Rai and Sataro Goto from the University Medical School in Tokyo, Japan.

Background: Hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress accelerates the process of apoptosis in tissues. Dilleniaindica (DI) is a medicinal plant, and its fruit contains many therapeutic properties. The therapeutic activity of the Methanolic Fruit Extract (MFE) of DI in attenuating oxidative stress and apoptosis in the liver and kidney tissues of alloxan-induced diabetic mice was analyzed in the present study., Methods: High-Performance Thin Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) profiling of MFE was conducted. GLUT4 protein expression analysis and lipid peroxidation assays were conducted to check for MFE effect by administering in diabetic mice. An ultrastructural study was conducted for both the tissues. In apoptotic studies, the TUNEL assay and apoptotic protein expression analysis was conducted., Results: High-Performance Thin Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) profiling of MFE showed the presence of two crucial antioxidants, ascorbic acid, and naringenin. In GLUT-4 protein expression analysis, MFE suppresses hyperglycemia by upregulating GLUT4 protein expression. Lipid peroxidation assay showed a decrease in malondialdehyde (MDA) upon MFE administration in diabetic mice. An ultrastructural study was conducted, and MFE was found to restore cellular alterations in diabetic tissues. In apoptotic studies, the TUNEL assay shows that MFE treatment showed fewer apoptotic cells than the diabetic group. The study also observed decreased caspase 3 protein expression and increased Bcl-2 protein expression., Conclusions: Therefore, it is inferred from the study that MFE can exert a protective effect by suppressing hyperglycemia and modulating oxidative stress and apoptosis in alloxan-administered diabetic mice., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (© 2023 The Author(s). Published by IMR Press.)

The present study was designed to evaluate the antidiabetic potential of the aqueous leaves extract of Zanthoxylum armatum DC. leaves using in vivo and in vitro approaches. For in vivo studies, blood glucose level was monitored at different intervals after administration of varying doses of the extract for its hypoglycemic (100-6000 mg/kg b.w.) and antihyperglycemic (250 mg/kg b.w.) effect in normoglycemic and diabetic mice. In vitro enzymatic inhibition activity was tested against α-amylase, α- and β-glucosidase and lipase. Additionally hydroxyl radical, hydrogen peroxide scavenging assay and phytochemical screening were also performed. Element analysis of the plant was studied by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS) and Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometer (ICP-AES). The plant extract showed significant hypoglycemic and antihyperglycemic effect in normoglycemic and diabetic mice. The IC 50 values of extract for α-amylase, β-glucosidase, lipase, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity were 7.40 mg/ml, 0.30 mg/ml, 8.35 mg/ml, 3.25 mg/ml, 9.62 mg/ml respectively and the percentage of inhibition for α-glucosidase was 79.82% at 0.8 mg/ml. In vitro studies were compared with their respective standards. Elemental analysis revealed the presence of essential elements such as Mg, V, Fe, Cr, Zn, Cu, Mo, Mn, K, Ca, P and Sr which are all known to play a role in regulating blood glucose. The results demonstrate that Z. armatum aqueous leaves extract possess antidiabetic property in both in vivo and in vitro condition.

Objective: To investigate the effect of Potentilla fulgens extract on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status in male mice as a function of age., Methods: Eighteen-month-old Swiss albino male mice were administered the dichloromethane-methanol extract of P. fulgens (250 mg/kg b.w.) on alternate days via intraperitoneal route for a period of 14 days. Lipid peroxidation and activities of catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx1) in liver and kidney were measured and serum oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay was estimated. Phytochemical analysis of P. fulgens extract using high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) was carried out with gallic acid, quercetin, catechin, and epicatechin as markers., Results: Significant increase in level of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), decreased GPx1, and CAT activities as well as reduction in ORAC were observed in 18-month-old mice as compared to that of 2-month-old mice. Treatment with P. fulgens extract significantly lowered TBARS level, ameliorated CAT, and GPx1 activities in liver and kidney and improved serum ORAC in aging mice. HPTLC studies revealed well resolved bands of P. fulgens extract containing epicatechin and catechin., Discussion: This study showed that P. fulgens is a potent antioxidative agent, which can emerge as a promising candidate in alleviating the age-associated oxidative stress and related diseases.

Potentilla fulgens (Rosaceae) root traditionally used as a folk remedy by local health practitioners of Khasi Hills, Meghalaya was investigated for its effects on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status in alloxan-induced diabetic mice. Significant increase in levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and decrease in activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were observed under diabetic condition. Intraperitoneal administration of methanol extract of P. fulgens roots at a dose of 250 mg/kg body weight to male swiss albino diabetic mice for 14 days caused significant reduction in the elevated TBARS level, while increasing the activities of the antioxidant enzymes in diabetic mice. Maximum reduction in TBARS level was observed in liver tissue (75%, p<0.001). Kidney exhibited the highest elevation in the activity for catalase (68%, p<0.001) and superoxide dismutase (29%, p<0.001) while maximum increase in glutathione peroxidase activity was seen in brain (50%, p<0.001). The effects of P. fulgens was compared against known antioxidant, vitamin C. Results indicate that Potentilla fulgens methanolic root extract can reduce free radical mediated oxidative stress in experimental diabetes mellitus.