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Purpose: To demonstrate the immunomodulatory activity of meloxicam based on cellular and humoral immune responses and in mice. Methods: Cyclophosphamide-induced neutropenia assay and delayed-type hypersensitivity assay (DTH) were carried out to assess cellular immunity. In addition, mouse lethality and haemagglutination assays were carried out to investigate humoral immunity. Meloxicam was administered intraperitoneally in two doses, i.e., 5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg to mice. Results: Cyclophosphamide-induced neutropenia assay data showed a significant decline in differential leukocyte count (DLC) and total leukocytes count (TLC) in the meloxicam administered groups when compared with control group (p < 0.05). In DTH test, meloxicam showed a significant reduction in skin thickness against dinitrochlorobenzene than the control group, respectively (p < 0.05). A significant dose-dependent decline in antibody titre in the meloxicam-treated groups was observed (p < 0.05), while a gradual decrease in antibody titre occurred with increasing dose. However, there was significant rise in mortality ratio with increasing dose of meloxicam (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The results indicate that meloxicam has immunosuppressive activity in mice, and therefore, can potentially be developed for use in countering organ transplant rejection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zygote, the first step in the life establishment, is sensitive to environmental impact. Any detrimental effect to this unit may lead to major abnormalities in future development. Artificial activation of oocyte is a one of key step in cloning. Strontium chloride (SrCl2), a calcium oscillation inducing salt, is commonly used for the artificial activation mouse oocytes; however, limited reports are available to evaluate its negative impact. The objective of this study was to optimize the concentration of SrCl2 for artificial activation of mouse oocytes and to evaluate its toxic effect on early embryonic development. Our results indicated that higher percentage of activation of mouse oocyte was achieved with 10mM and 15mM for period of 3 h and 6 h compared to the control group (P<0.05). To examine the toxic effect, 10mM SrCl2 with 3 h exposure showed minimal detrimental effect on embryo development. Collectively, our findings revealed that 10mM concentration of SrCl2 for 3 h exposure was appropriate for oocyte activation with the least toxic impact for embryonic development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Citrus limetta is well known for its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antifungal, antidiabetic and antioxidant properties. Methanolic extract of Citrus limetta (MECL) was used to assess cellular and humoral immune responses in mice by carrying out cyclophosphamide-induced neutropenia, delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH), carbon clearance assay, haemagglutination assay (HA) and mice lethality assay. Methanolic extract of Citrus limetta peel was administered orally to mice in two doses 200mg/kg and 400mg/kg. The extract treated groups showed improvement in neutropenia induced by cyclophosphamide and improvement in the WBC profile. Skin thickness was significantly (P<0.05) higher in 200mg/kg and 400mg/kg groups in comparison to control in DTH. The phagocytic index was significantly (P<0.05) more in 400mg/kg group in carbon clearance assay. Mice were vaccinated with hemorrhagic septicemia vaccine before challenge with Pasteurella multocida for mice lethality test. Percentage mortality was decreased in 400mg/kg treated group in comparison to negative control Antibody titre response to sheep red blood cells was significantly (P<0.05) higher with dose 400mg/kg in HA. Results suggested the effectiveness of the methanolic extract of Citrus limetta as an immunostimulating agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the physicochemical water chemistry monitoring in River Sutlej impacted by the tanning industry. We performed this study for nine months at four study sites and targeted the presence of selected metals and applied multivariate analytical techniques. The results divulged that the upstream region displayed higher mean values of pH (7.77) and dissolved oxygen (5.86 mg/L). However, severe water quality degradation observed in the downstream region. The mean electrical conductivity (3.27 mS/cm), total dissolved solids (1442.7 mg/L), salinity (1.32 mg/L), total alkalinity (285.5 mg/L), hardness (195 mg/L), chlorides (912.5 mg/L) and nitrates (4.73 mg/L) recorded in downstream indicated severe water quality degradation. Similarly, the selected metals chromium (l.21 mg/L) and lead (0.83 mg/L) recorded significantly higher downstream. However, cadmium remained insignificant in both riverine zones. Most of the targeted parameters and metals studied in the river and Rohi Nullah Jamman (RNJ) either surpassed or deviated from the national surface water quality standards indicating thereby severe impact of the tanning industry. The metals concentrations revealed the array of chromium > lead > cadmium. The correlation analyses on water chemistry and metals indicated strong (r >0.70) to moderately strong (r <0.70 - >0.50) relationship. The hierarchical cluster analysis displayed metals and significant parameters originating from similar sources that could be the tanning and sewage effluents. The principal component analysis explained the 96.39% of the total variance and approximated with the results obtained by cluster analysis. The Mann Kendall Trend test indicated an increasing tendency in metals and critical water quality parameters that calls for prudent actions on water quality management. In conclusion, this study alluded to the continuously deteriorating water quality of River Sutlej that poses potential ecological and human health risks. The water quality deterioration is believed to be the result of tanning activities that could severely impact the river biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]