Research Journal of Pharmacology and Pharmacodynamics

P. M. Patil ¹, P. D. Chaudhari ¹, Megha Sahu ¹, N. J. Duragkar ²

Affiliations
1 Modern College of Pharmacy, Sector 21, Yamunanagar, Nigdi, Pune-44 (M.S), IN
2 Sharad Pawar College of Pharmacy, Nagpur, IN

Abstract

Gene therapy can be broadly defined as the transfer of genetic material to cure a disease or at least to improve the clinical status of a patient. One of the basic concepts of gene therapy is to transform viruses into genetic shuttles, which will deliver the gene of interest into the target cells. Based on the nature of the viral genome, these gene therapy vectors can be divided into RNA and DNA viral vectors. The majority of RNA virus-based vectors have been derived from simple retroviruses like murine leukemia virus. A major shortcoming of these vectors is that they are not able to transducer nondividing cells. This problem may be overcome by the use of novel retroviral vectors derived from lentiviruses, such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The most commonly used DNA virus vectors are based on adenoviruses and adeno-associated viruses. An example of gene-knockout mediated gene therapy is the knockout of the human CCR5 gene in T-cells in order to control HIV infection. Although the available vector systems are able to deliver genes in vivo into cells, the ideal delivery vehicle has not been found. Thus, the present viral vectors should be used only with great caution in human beings and further progress in vector development is necessary.

Keywords

Lentiviruses, Transducer, RNA Vector, Adeno-Associated Viruses.

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A. V. Jaydeokar ¹, D. D. Bandawane ¹, S. S. Nipate ¹, P. D. Chaudhari ¹

Affiliations
1 Progressive Education Society's Modern College of Pharmacy, Sector No. 21, Yamunanagar, Nigdi, Pune-44, Maharashtra, IN

Abstract

Free radicals cause oxidative damage to lipids, proteins and DNA, eventually leading to many chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, aging, and other degenerative diseases in humans. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as superoxide anions (O₂^-), hydroxyl radical (OH^-) and nitric oxide (NO) inactivate enzymes and damage important cellular components causing injury through covalent binding and lipid peroxidation. Antioxidants offer resistance against the oxidative stress by scavenging the free radicals, inhibiting the lipid peroxidation and by other mechanisms and thus prevent disease. The evaluation of the antioxidant properties of specific chemical scavengers is of particular value for their potential use in preventing or limiting the damage induced by free radicals. Various kinds of antioxidants particularly from natural sources such as enzymes, tocopherol, carotenoids, ascorbic acid, polyphenols etc. inhibit the cellular damage mainly through free radical scavenging property. Therefore, antioxidant-based drug formulations are used for the prevention and treatment of complex diseases involving free radicals like atherosclerosis, stroke, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease and cancer. This study reveals the presence of antioxidant activity in varying degrees in many plant materials used. The high efficacy of the medicinal plants provides an alternative to conventional medicine. The cost spent on the fractionation could be avoided, if the crude extract itself has high antioxidant activity. These results may have implications in the use of the extract as a therapeutic agent in the prevention of related diseases.

Keywords

Free Radicals, Oxidative Stress, Antioxidants, Extract.

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