Lata Paliwal’s scientific contributions

Indigenous knowledge holds valuable insights into medicinal plants and their traditional uses. Incorporating products derived from medicinal plants as natural antioxidants could play a crucial role in enhancing immunity and overall health. This study investigates the immunomodulatory effects of two plant hydromethanolic extracts viz., Albizia lebbeck (ALE) and Lawsonia inermis (LIE), utilizing a chicken lymphocytes culture model. Both plants were extracted using a hydromethanolic method, revealing significant phytochemical constituents, including flavonoids and phenolics. The percent yield of LIE (6.08%) was higher than that of ALE (5.44%). Phytochemical analysis indicated that ALE contained 124 µg rutin equivalents (RE)/mg of extract for flavonoids and 3.93 µg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/mg for phenolics, while LIE showed 104.5 µg RE/mg and 1.84 µg GAE/mg, respectively. The maximum non-cytotoxic dose (MNCD) was established at 0.4 mg/ml for ALE and 0.2 mg/ml for LIE, beyond which both the extracts exhibited dose-dependent cytotoxicity. Both extracts enhanced T and B cell proliferation, significantly. These findings suggest that ALE and LIE possess significant immunomodulatory properties, potentially offering therapeutic applications in managing immunity-related conditions. Further research is warranted to elucidate their mechanisms of action and establish optimal dosages for clinical use.

With numerous forms and a myriad of genetic and environmental factors, cancer continues to be a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Advances in cancer research have led to a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms driving cancer progression, facilitating the development of targeted therapies and immunotherapies. Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell therapy, commonly known as CAR T-cell therapy, represents a groundbreaking approach in the field of cancer immunotherapy. This innovative treatment involves genetically engineering a patient's T cells to express chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) that target specific cancer cells. CAR-T therapy has demonstrated remarkable success in the treatment of certain hematologic malignancies, particularly B-cell malignancies like acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). CAR T-cell therapy also has challenges, such as managing side effects like cytokine release syndrome and neurotoxicity, high treatment costs, and the need for further research to broaden its applicability to solid tumours. CAR T-cell therapies, such as Kymriah and Yescarta, have demonstrated impressive clinical outcomes in patients with relapsed or refractory cancers, offering hope for those with limited treatment options. Additionally, the long-term durability of responses requires continuous monitoring and research.

Sleep is a fundamental physiological process that not only supports immune function but also contributes significantly to overall well-being. Because of the established decline in the average amount of sleep due to lifestyle and rise in shift work over the past few decades, exploring the relationship between sleep and immunity has become crucial. Moreover, infections trigger increased sleep as a result of the host's immunological response, particularly the release of proinflammatory cytokines, such as tumour necrosis factor and interleukin-1. Understanding the mechanisms governing the human immune response against different pathogens during sleep, as well as the neuroimmune interconnections, immune regulatory effects of sleep, and the impact of cytokines in sleep deprivation, is crucial. Traditional medicine has employed plant derived preparations for treating various sleep disorders and promoting better sleep. While some plant derived products have shown positive effects on sleep, it is essential to acknowledge the limited scientific research in this area, and altered individual responses to these. In conclusion, recognizing the critical connection between sleep and immunity underscores the importance of prioritizing sufficient and restorative sleep to bolster overall health and well-being. While certain products may offer potential benefits for better sleep, further scientific investigation is necessary to fully understand their effectiveness and applicability on an individual basis.