BackgroundStevia (Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni) natural, safe, non-toxic, non-caloric sugar substitute is rich source of pharmacologically important glycoside stevioside that is linked to the pathology and complications of hyperlipidemia.MethodsThe present research was carried out to explore the anti-hyperlipidemic effect of aqueous extract of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni leaves in albino rats. For this purpose, hyperlipidemia was induced by administration of Cholesterol (90% E, Appli Chem, Darmstadt, Germany) mixed at dose of 400 mg/kg body weight of rats in their daily routine feed. The hyperlipidemic rats were administered with aqueous stevia extract at different dose levels (200, 300, 400 and 500 ppm/kg b.w.) for 8 weeks; the control rats were fed basal diet during this period. Ethical approval for the current research was obtained from Institutional Review Board Faculty of Science & Technology Government College University, Faisalabad, Pakistan.ResultsStevia aqueous extract decreased the body weight gain by lowering the feed intake of hyperlipidemic rats. Furthermore, administration of stevia extract at different levels significantly (P < 0.05) lowered the TC (125.22 ± 5.91 to 110.56 ± 5.81 mg/dL), TG (102.13 ± 6.89 to 98.62 ± 7.22 mg/dL), LDL (33.02 ± 4.79 to 22.77 ± 4.36 mg/dL), VLDL (21.22 ± 5.79 to 19.33 ± 5.95 mg/dL) levels and LDL/HDL ratios (0.83 ± 1.22 to 0.54 ± 1.66 mg/dL) from H1 to H4. Conversely, it improved the HDL (39.76 ± 4.34 to l42.02 ± 4.39 mg/dL) level in hyperlipidemic rats compared with untreated rats after eight weeks study period.ConclusionIt is concluded that aqueous extract of stevia has anti-hyperlipidemic effects in albino rats, and therefore could be a promising nutraceutical therapy for the management of hyperlipidemia and its associated complications.

The present feeding trial was conducted to assess the optimal level of phytase supplementation required for maximum nutrient absorption and growth performance of Labeo rohita fingerlings fed canola mealbased diet. A standard diet having 30.21% protein and an energy value of 4.26 kcalg −1 was used as reference diet. The experimental diet having similar protein and caloric density was formulated by using 70% reference diet and 30% of canola meal as test ingredient. This experimental diet was then divided into seven test diets and were supplemented by graded levels (0, 250, 500, 750, 1000, 1250 and 1500 FTU kg −1) of phytase enzyme. Chromic oxide was used in reference and test diets as an inert marker. Results showed that phytase supplementation at 750 FTU kg −1 level effectively increased apparent digestibility coefficients of crude protein (64%), crude fat (76%) and gross energy (68%) as compared to reference and other phytase-supplemented diets. The results of present study showed increased growth and feed performance of fingerlings in response to phytase supplementation. Maximum performance was obtained by the fish fed on test diet having 750 FTU kg −1 level. It was concluded that 750 FTU kg −1 level of phytase supplementation in canola meal-based diet is sufficient for increasing nutrient digestibility and growth performance of L. rohita fingerlings.

Reprogrammed metabolic profile is a biochemical fingerprint of cancerous cells, which represents one of the "hallmarks of cancer." The aberrant expression pattern of enzymatic machineries orchestrates metabolic activities into a platform that ultimately promotes cellular growth, survival, and proliferation. The NADP(+)-dependent mitochondrial malic enzyme 2 (ME2) has been widely appreciated due to its function as a provider of pyruvate and reducing power to the cell for biosynthesis of fatty acids and nucleotides along with maintenance of redox balance. Multiple lines of evidences have indicated that ME2 is a bonafide therapeutic target and novel biomarker which plays critical role during tumorigenesis. The objective of this review is to provide an update on the cancer-specific role of ME2 in order to explore its potential for therapeutic opportunities. Furthermore, we have discussed the potential of genetic and pharmacological inhibitors of ME2 in the light of previous research work for therapeutic advancements in cancer treatment. It is contemplated that additional investigations should focus on the use of ME2 inhibitors in combinational therapies as rational combinations of metabolic inhibitors and chemotherapy may have the ability to cure cancer. © 2018 IUBMB Life, 70(11):1076-1083, 2018.

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Authors' Contribution SMH supervised the project and provided the facilities for the research. MZHA collected the data and compiled and analyzed the results. AJ helped in statistical analysis. AIH analyzed the nutrients. NA did biochemical analysis. QA analyzed the data statistically and interpreted the results. MH collected the samples. MMHR prepared the manuscript. MMS helped in research work and collection of growth data. AK assisted in collection of fecal matter. DR conducted feeding trials.

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The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of Cuscuta reflexa extract (CRE) on the activities of germination enzymes, seed germination vigor, biomass production, physio-biochemical attributes, and seed yield of water-stressed wheat plants. Different levels of CRE (0, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50%), including water soaking, were used as seed priming. Water stress negatively affected the seed germination, germination enzyme activities, growth, yield, and different physio-biochemical attributes of wheat plants. Low doses of CRE (10, 20, and 30%) ameliorated the adverse effects of water stress on seed germination attributes, and activities of germination enzymes, but negative impacts were recorded at higher doses (40 and 50%) of CRE. Water-stressed wheat plants grown from seeds pre-treated with low doses of CRE also showed better growth and yield as compared with non-treated ones, and that was associated with an improvement in water relations, photosynthetic pigments, nutrient acquisition, reduced lipid peroxidation, and better antioxidative defense mechanisms. The maximum increase in seed yield was 14.77 and 12.32%, found in plants grown from seeds treated with 20% and 10% CRE, respectively. In conclusion, it is suggested that using low doses of CRE as seed priming can contribute to better wheat yield under water stress, especially in semi-arid and arid areas.

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