South Asian Journal of Experimental Biology

Impact of Bisphenol-A as Endocrine Disruptor on Reproductive Endocrinology, Immune Function and Matrix Metalloproteinases in Mus musculus

Joydeep Das — 2025-03-15

Bisphenol A (BPA), a synthetic compound widely used in the production of plastics and epoxy resins, has gained significant attention due to its potential role as an endocrine disruptor. This study investigates the multifaceted impacts of BPA on reproductive health, endocrine function, immune response, and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity in Mus musculus (common house mouse). BPA's structural similarity to estrogen allows it to bind to estrogen receptors, disrupting hormonal signaling pathways and affecting reproductive performance, including gametogenesis and fertility. Chronic exposure to BPA is linked to altered hormone levels, impairments in ovarian and testicular function, and developmental anomalies in offspring. In addition to its effects on reproductive and endocrine systems, BPA is implicated in modulating immune responses. It alters cytokine production, weakens the adaptive immune system, and induces inflammatory states. These immune disruptions further complicate the organism’s ability to maintain homeostasis under environmental stress. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), enzymes critical for extracellular matrix remodeling, also exhibit altered expression and activity upon BPA exposure. These changes contribute to tissue integrity disruptions, potentially affecting reproductive tissues and immune organs. The cumulative effects of BPA on these systems highlight its pervasive toxicity and emphasize the importance of understanding its mechanisms of action. This study underscores the critical need for stricter regulatory measures to minimize BPA exposure, given its widespread environmental prevalence and deleterious health impacts on wildlife and humans. Future research should focus on elucidating the molecular pathways underlying BPA-induced disruptions and identifying safer alternatives for industrial applications.

Behavioral Alterations in Zebrafish Induced by LF-EMF Exposure: A Detailed Analysis

Madhuri Pawar — 2025-03-15

The field of wireless mobile technology continues to progress with each passing decade, resulting in improvements to previous generations. However, this advancement also leads to the creation of significant electromagnetic fields (EMF). The impact of EMF on anxiety-like behavior remains a subject of debate. Stress and anxiety are the states where the body's equilibrium is disrupted by various reactions triggered by external stimuli, leading to emotional and behavioral alterations. Behavior serves as the primary observable indicator of stress. Hence, it is important to thoroughly investigate the consequences of EMF radiation, as it does not reverse the behavioral changes caused by stress. The present study was carried out on Zebrafish (Danio rerio) to examine the effects of LF-EMF. The three behaviors considered in this study were scototaxis, thigmotaxis, and diving responses in response to LF-EMF (50Hz). The study showed significant behavioral modifications which included a preference for darkness and avoidance at the center. The erratic movements and freezing behavior were altered due to LF-EMF exposure. Thus, it was concluded that LF-EMF (50Hz) has the potential to induce anxiety-like behavior in zebrafish. Future research will encompass biochemical and histological parameters to gain a better understanding of the potential consequences of LF-EMF.

Phytochemical Characterization, Antioxidant, and Anticancer potential of Allium sativum var. sativum Methanol Peel Extract

Kalyani Chepuri — 2025-03-15

The increasing prevalence of cervical cancer underscores the urgent need for novel, effective, and affordable therapeutic agents. Among natural products, garlic (Allium sativum) has emerged as a promising candidate due to its rich bioactive profile and diverse pharmacological properties. This study explores the growth inhibitory effects of garlic peel methanol extract (GpMet) on HeLa cells (human cervical cancer cells), focusing on its phytochemical composition, antioxidant activity, and anticancer potential. Preliminary phytochemical analysis of GpMet revealed the presence of key bioactive compounds, including flavonoids, alkaloids, and glycosides, while saponins, tannins, and phenols were absent. Antioxidant properties were assessed using ABTS and FRAP assays across varying concentrations. The extract exhibited a concentration-dependent inhibition of ABTS free radicals, with an IC50 value of 975.12 ± 1.02 μg/ml, demonstrating notable free radical scavenging activity. Additionally, the FRAP assay revealed a mean antioxidant capacity of 1.478 ± 0.01 AAE mg/dw, further emphasizing the extract’s potential to neutralize oxidative stress. The anticancer efficacy of GpMet was evaluated using the MTT assay on HeLa cells. Results showed a dose-dependent reduction in cell viability, with an IC50 value of 763 ± 1.0 μg/ml, suggesting strong cytotoxic activity. These findings highlight GpMet’s potential as a natural therapeutic agent. This study highlights the therapeutic potential of garlic peel extract, an agricultural by-product, for cervical cancer treatment. It emphasizes the need for further research to uncover its molecular mechanisms and evaluate its in vivo efficacy, paving the way for sustainable and cost-effective natural cancer therapies.

Investigations on the Stimulating Effect of the Combination extracts of Moringa oleifera and Piper nigrum L. on Isolated Rat Leydig Cells for Testosterone Biogenesis

Kirati Shah — 2025-03-15

Moringa oleifera (MO) and Piper nigrum L. (PN), Vajikarana drugs of Ayurveda, are listed to cure male infertility. The objective of this study was to investigate the stimulating effect of Moringa oleifera extract in combination with the different doses of PN extract on isolated Rat Leydig cells for testosterone biogenesis. Isolated Leydig cells were incubated with various doses of MO extract (10, 100, and 1000 μg/ml) as well as a combination with PN extract at doses of 5, 10, and 20%. The testosterone level will be measured by reported HPTLC method. Results indicated that 100 μg/ml of MO extract was effective as compared to the other two doses, but in combination with PN extract at 5, 10 and 20 % levels, the testosterone concentration increased at 10, and 100 μg/ml concentration in contrast to 1000 μg/ml concentration significantly compared to the cells treated with MO extract alone at similar doses. Overall, results of the study indicated that PN in combination of MO could be able to stimulate Leydig cells for testosterone biogenesis.

In Silico Molecular Docking of Aminoglycosides as Topoisomerase 1 Inhibitors: A Computational approach

Dr.Karthikeyan M — 2025-03-15

Cancer remains a leading cause of mortality worldwide, necessitating the discovery of novel therapeutic agents to combat this disease. The present study focuses on identifying drug-like molecules with anticancer properties through an in silico approach, targeting the human topoisomerase I-DNA complex (PDB ID: 1A35), a critical enzyme in DNA replication and repair. The primary objectives were to evaluate the binding affinity and drug-likeness of selected ligands, including antibiotics (gentamicin and amikacin) and chemotherapeutic agents (irinotecan and topotecan), using computational tools. The protein structure was prepared and energy-minimized, while ligands were sketched using ChemDraw Ultra 8.0, converted to 3D forms, and energy-minimized using Chem3D Pro 8.0. Molecular docking was performed using AutoDock Vina PyRx, and interactions were visualized with Biovia Discovery Studio 2024 Client. The results revealed binding energies of -6.2 and -6.7 kcal/mol for amikacin and gentamicin, respectively, and -8.4 and -7.6 kcal/mol for irinotecan and topotecan, respectively, indicating strong interactions with the target protein. These findings underscore the potential of these compounds as promising candidates for anticancer drug development, particularly due to their favorable binding affinities and adherence to Lipinski’s Rule of Five. This study highlights the significance of computational approaches in accelerating drug discovery and provides a foundation for further experimental validation of these molecules as potential anticancer agents.