Chemical composition, pesticidal activities and in-silico investigation of Hedychium spicatum Sm. chloroform extract

The present study aimed to identify the bioactive constituents in the chloroform extract of H. spicatum rhizomes (HS-RCLE), further evaluated for its in-vitro pesticidal activities validating via molecular docking techniques. GC/MS analysis of HS-RCLE identified 14 compounds contributing 84.1 % of the total composition. The extract was dominated by oxygenated sesquiterpenes (43.1 %) with curcumenone (25.2 %) and coronarin E (14.8 %) as the major compounds. The extract recorded 89.4 % egg hatchability inhibition and 82.6 % immobility of Meloidogyne incognita, 66.7 % insecticidal activity on Spodoptera litura, 100 % phytotoxic activity on Raphanus raphanistrum seeds, and 74.7 % anti-fungal activity on Curvularia lunata at the respective highest dose studied. The biological activities were furthermore validated by using docking studies on certain proteins/enzymes namely acetylcholinesterase (PBD ID: IC2O), carboxylesterase (PDB ID: 1CI8), acetohydroxyacid synthase (PBD ID: 1YHZ) and trihydroxy naphthalene reductase (PBD ID: 3HNR). The bioactivity of the major constituents of the extract was predicted with the help of in silico PASS studies. HS-RCLE was observed to be a viable alternative source of natural pesticidal agents and paves the way for further studies on its mechanistic approaches and field trials to ascertain its pesticidal studies.

Human small-intestinal gluten-degrading bacteria and its potential implication in celiac disease

Celiac disease (CeD) is an immune-mediated chronic disorder triggered by the ingestion of wheat gluten in genetically predisposed individuals. Gluten is a major food ingredient, infamously containing proline and glutamine-rich domains that are highly resistant to digestion by mammalian proteolytic enzymes. Thus, adhering to a gluten-free diet (GFD) is the only known treatment for CeD, albeit with many complications. Therefore, any therapy that eliminates the gluten immunogenic part before it reaches the small intestine is highly desirable. Probiotic therapy containing gluten-degrading bacteria (GDB) and their protease enzymes are possibly new approaches to treating CeD. Our study aimed to identify novel GDB from the duodenal biopsy of the first-degree relative (FDR) subjects (relatives of diseased individuals who are healthy but susceptible to celiac disease) with the potential to reduce gluten immunogenicity. Using the gluten agar plate technique, bacterial strains Brevibacterium casei NAB46 and Staphylococcus arlettae R2AA77 displaying glutenase activity were screened, identified, and characterized. Whole-genome sequencing found gluten-degrading prolyl endopeptidase (PEP) in the B. casei NAB46 genome and glutamyl endopeptidase (GEP) in the S. arlettae R2AA77 genome. Partially purified PEP has a specific activity of 1.15 U/mg, while GEP has a specific activity of 0.84 U/mg, which are, respectively, 6- and 9-fold times higher after concentrating the enzymes. Our results showed that these enzymes could hydrolyse immunotoxic gliadin peptides recognized in western blot using an anti-gliadin antibody. Additionally, a docking model was proposed for representative gliadin peptide PQPQLPYPQPQLP in the active site of the enzymes, where the residues of the N-terminal peptide extensively interact with the catalytic domain of the enzymes. These bacteria and their associated glutenase enzymes efficiently neutralize gliadin immunogenic epitopes, opening possibilities for their application as a dietary supplement in treating CeD patients.

Comparative study on eucalyptol and camphor rich essential oils from rhizomes of Hedychium spicatum Sm. and their pharmacological, antioxidant and antifungal activities

The aim of present study was to evaluate chemical composition and different biological activities viz., pharmacological and antioxidant activities of essential oils. The chemical composition of essential oils was determined by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry while biological activities were evaluated by standard protocols. Essential oils of Hedychium spicatum Sm. from two different ecological niches viz; Nainital (Site-I) and Himachal Pradesh (Site-II) of India revealed the qualitative and quantitative chemo-diversity. Both the oils were dominated by oxygenated terpenoids. Major marker compounds identified were eucalyptol, camphor, linalool, α-eudesmol, 10-epi-γ-eudesmol, and iso-borneol. Both the oils exhibited anti-inflammatory activity suppressing 17.60 % to 33.57 % inflammation at 100mg/kg b. wt. dose levels compared to ibuprofen-treated group (40.06 %). The sub-acute inflammation in oils-treated mice groups (50 and 100 mg/kg b. wt.) increased on day 2 but showed a gradual decrease from day 3 onwards and then recovered to normal by day 10. The antinociception percentage for doses (50 and 100 mg/kg b. wt.) ranged from 33.70-40.46 % in Site-I and 30.34-42.39 % in Site-II compared to standard drug, ibuprofen (43.08 %). The oils also showed a good antipyretic effect by suppressing Brewer's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) induced pyrexia after oil dose injection. The oils also exhibited good antioxidant activity.

Microscopic evaluation and physiochemical analysis of Dillenia indica leaf

OBJECTIVE

To study detail microscopic evaluation and physiochemical analysis of Dillenia indica (D. indica) leaf.

METHODS

Fresh leaf sample and dried power of the leaf were studied macroscopically and microscopically. Preliminary phytochemical investigation of plant material was done. Other WHO recommended parameters for standardizations were also performed.

RESULTS

The detail microscopy revealed the presence of anomocytic stomata, unicellular trichome, xylem fibres, calcium oxalate crystals, vascular bundles, etc. Leaf constants such as stomatal number, stomatal index, vein-islet number and veinlet termination numbers were also measured. Physiochemical parameters such as ash values, loss on drying, extractive values, percentage of foreign matters, swelling index, etc. were also determined. Preliminary phytochemical screening showed the presence of steroids, terpenoids, glycosides, fatty acids, flavonoids, phenolic compounds and carbohydrates.

CONCLUSIONS

The microscopic and physiochemical analysis of the D. indica leaf is useful in standardization for quality, purity and sample identification.

Antidiabetic and hypolipidemic activities of Kigelia pinnata flowers extract in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate antidiabetic and hypolipidemic activities of Kigelia pinnata methanolic flowers extract in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic wistar rat.

METHODS

Rats were made diabetic by a single dose of STZ at 60 mg/kg body weight i.p. The blood glucose level was checked before and 72 h after STZ injection to confirm the development of diabetes. The flower extract and glibenclamide were administered orally at the doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight for 21 days.

RESULTS

Daily oral treatment with the extract and standard drug for 21 days significantly reduced blood glucose, serum cholesterol and triglycerides levels. High density lipoprotein-cholesterol level was found to be improved (P<0.01) as compared to diabetic control group.

CONCLUSIONS

It is concluded that Kigellia pinnata flowers extract have significant antidiabetic and hypolipidemic effect.

Chronic & infrequent opioid exposure suppresses IL-2R expression on rhesus monkey peripheral blood mononuclear cells following stimulation with pokeweed mitogen

In the present investigation, infrequent and chronic (daily) exposure of rhesus monkeys to morphine was investigated for their effect on cytokine receptor expression, interleukin (IL)-2-production, and the nuclear factor kappa B (NF kappa B) levels following stimulation with PWM. In a time-dependent manner, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from both infrequent- and daily-morphine treated monkeys displayed significantly less (40 +/- 7%) IL-2 receptor compared to PBMCs from saline-treated controls. However, PBMCs from chronic opioid- and infrequent opioid-treated monkeys displayed similar levels of IL-4 and IL-7 receptors compared to saline-treated animals. Following stimulation with PWM, PBMCs from chronic opioid-treated monkeys produced elevated levels of IL-2 (870 +/- 94 pg/ml) compared to IL-2 levels (463 +/- 88 pg/ml) of PBMCs from saline-treated monkey. Likewise, PBMCs from chronic-morphine exposed monkeys had elevated levels (43%) of NF kappa B compared to PBMCs from saline-treated (control) monkeys following 72 hours in culture with PWM. Collectively, these observations suggest morphine regulates selective molecular events that manifest in biologically altered immune function including T cell activation and IL-2 production.

Solution conformations of the peptide backbone for DPDPE and its beta-MePhe4-substituted analogs

The solution structures of DPDPE, a conformationally restricted pentapeptide with the sequence H-Tyr1-D-Pen2-Gly3-Phe4-D-Pen5-OH, and its four beta-MePhe4-substituted analogs were examined by a combined approach including the NMR measurements in DMSO and water as well as independent energy calculations. It was concluded that several low energy conformers of DPDPE backbone satisfy the NMR data obtained in this study as well as in previous studies by other authors. These possible solution conformers of DPDPE in both DMSO and water share virtually the same type of cyclic backbone structure, with the Gly3 residue in a conformation close to a gamma-turn, and the Phe4 residue in a conformation close to alpha-helical torsion angles. They differ in the space arrangements of the flexible Tyr1 moiety. The solution structures of the beta-MePhe4-substituted analogs of DPDPE are interesting. For analogs with an S-configuration at the C alpha atom in the Phe4 residue, the cyclic backbone conformations resemble those of DPDPE itself, whereas for analogs with an R-configuration at the C alpha atom, the backbone conformation is somewhat different. This observation is in line with the high biological potencies and selectivities displayed by the former compounds but not by the latter ones. It was noted also that as far as the peptide backbone conformers are concerned, some of the possible DPDPE conformers in water are similar to the previously suggested model for the delta-receptor-bound conformation of DPDPE, becoming virtually identical to this conformation by rotating the side chains of the Tyr1 and the Phe4 residues.

The interaction of insulin and angiotensin II on the regulation of human neuroblastoma cell growth

This laboratory has previously reported that angiotensin II is a growth factor for human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells, and that a variety of converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin II antagonists reduce thymidine incorporation into the DNA of these cells. In the present study, insulin, at 5 micrograms/mL, was found to stimulate thymidine incorporation in SH-SY5Y cells. The insulin effect was only partially inhibited by the converting enzyme inhibitors enalapril, quinapril, and quinaprilat, whereas it was markedly or totally blunted by the angiotensin II antagonists DuP753 and PD123177. In additional studies, IGF-1 (50 ng/mL) significantly stimulated thymidine incorporation into these cells in a fashion indistinguishable from that of insulin. Taken together, these studies are consistent with the suggestion that insulin at high concentrations and IGF at low concentrations enhance the proliferative response of these cells to angiotensin II. The differential effects of converting enzyme inhibition and angiotensin II antagonism on cell proliferation could be explained if converting enzyme inhibition results in low, but effective, levels of angiotensin II in the culture medium, whereas the angiotensin II antagonists effectively block angiotensin II at its receptor. Finally, in this system, both the AT1 receptor blocking agent DuP 753 and the AT2 receptor blocking agent PD123177 appear to be effective.

Immunotherapy in allergic conjunctivitis

Eighty patients with allergic conjunctivitis were treated with immunotherapy employing specific allergens. Sixty-two percent of these showed beneficial response. In cases of vernal conjunctivitis needing topical steroid preparations frequently for control of symptoms, immunotherapy is worth attempting to cause remission of symptoms.

Pyrazinamide induced thrombocytopenia

A case of thrombocytopenia caused by pyrazinamide is reported in a patient receiving chemotherapy for pulmonary tuberculosis.

Psychiatric morbidity in a general practice in an Indian city

Psychiatric morbidity in an Indian general practice was studied using the 12 item version of the General Health Questionnaire to screen 882 patients who represented 9000 consecutive adult patients attending the practice. The questionnaire was valid with a cutting score of 1/2 when compared with section 1 of the standardised Indian Psychiatric Survey Schedule. The probable prevalence of psychiatric morbidity was 35.9%. The general practitioner identified only about 25% of patients. Five of the 12 questions on the General Health Questionnaire had a higher discriminatory capacity, and the performance of the patients on these five questions was valid when compared to section 1 of the Indian Psychiatric Survey Schedule.