Effect of plant growth regulators on in vitro induction and maintenance of callus from leaf and root explants of Atropa acuminata Royal ex Lindl

Atropa acuminata, an important medicinal plant belonging to family Solanaceae is under tremendous threat of extinction in its natural habitat due to the overexploitation by pharmaceutical industries. Present study is an attempt of establishing callus cultures of this important medicinal plant as callus has considerable potential as an alternative for production of secondary metabolites for industrial use, hence reducing pressure on natural populations. Callus cultures were established from leaf and root explants of Atropa acuminate. Murashige and Skoog (MS) media containing different concentration and combinations of 6-Benzyl Amino Purine (BAP), Naphthalene Acetic Acid (NAA), Kinetin (Kn) and 2,4- Dichloropheoxyacetic acid (2,4- D) were used for callus induction. Different phytohormonal combinations resulted in different types and degrees of callus. The combination of BAP and NAA on MS media supplemented with 0.5 mg/l BAP in combination with 1.0 mg/l NAA, was found to be the most efficient for in vitro callus development from root explants and from leaf explants most effective combination and concentration was 1 mg/l of both BAP and NAA. The maximum mean fresh weight of callus formed using root explants was 33.13 mg per explant and maximum fresh weight obtained from leaf explants was 22.14 mg per explants.

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Indian Belladonna extract and their potential antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer and larvicidal activities

Atropa acuminata aqueous leaf extract biosynthesized silver nanoparticles showed strong antioxidant, anticancerous (HeLa cells) and anti-inflammatory activities. Besides, this bio syn-AgNP also proved effective against mosquito vectors causing malaria, dengue and filariasis. Present study highlights eco-friendly and sustainable approach for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNP) using aqueous leaf extract of A. acuminata, a critically endangered medicinal herb. The addition of 1 mM silver nitrate to aqueous leaf extract resulted in the synthesis of AgNP when solution was heated at 60 °C for 30 min at pH 7. Absorption band at 428 nm, as shown by UV-Vis spectroscopy confirmed the synthesis of AgNP. XRD patterns revealed the crystalline nature of AgNP and TEM analysis showed that most of the nanoparticles were spherical in shape. Zeta potential of AgNP was found to be - 33.5 mV which confirmed their high stability. FT-IR investigations confirmed the presence of different functional groups involved in the reduction and capping of AgNP. The synthesized AgNP showed effective DPPH (IC₅₀-16.08 µg/mL), H₂O₂ (IC₅₀-25.40 µg/mL), and superoxide (IC₅₀-21.12 µg/mL) radical scavenging activities. These plant-AgNP showed significant inhibition of albumin denaturation (IC₅₀-12.98 µg/mL) and antiproteinase activity (IC₅₀-18.401 µg/mL). Besides, biosynthesized AgNP were found to have strong inhibitory effect against a cervical cancer (HeLa) cell line (IC₅₀-5.418 µg/mL) as well as larvicidal activity against 3rd instar larvae of Anopheles stephensi (LC₅₀-18.9 ppm, LC₉₀-40.18 ppm), Aedes aegypti (LC₅₀-12.395 ppm, LC₉₀-36.34 ppm) and Culex quinquefasciatus (LC₅₀-17.76 ppm, LC₉₀-30.82 ppm) and were found to be non-toxic against normal cell line (HEK 293), and a non-target organism (Mesocyclops thermocyclopoides). This is the first report on the synthesis of AgNP using aqueous leaf extract of A. acuminata, validating their strong therapeutic potential.

Accidental Outbreak of Non-Bacterial Food Poisoning

BACKGROUND

Troops deployed in isolated garrisons face erratic supply of rations. At times they resort to use of locally grown plants without knowledge of local flora, resulting in accidental food poisoning.

METHODS

This is a descriptive, analytical and epidemiological study of one such outbreak of food poisoning, due to use of a locally grown plant as vegetable, amongst soldiers of a unit in high altitude. An epidemiological case sheet was made and food specific attack rates of those exposed and not exposed were calculated to identify the food item. The toxicological analysis of food item established the cause.

RESULTS

Of the 39 people who consumed the meal, 29 fell ill with an attack rate of 74.35%. All the cases presented with classical features of atropine poisoning and were managed with sedatives, physostigmine and supportive care. Twenty one had symptoms severe enough to warrant hospitalization. All the cases made complete recovery. The attack rate for food item containing plant poison was 96.4%. The toxicological analysis of food sample established the presence of atropine alkaloids. The plant was identified on flowering as Atropa acuminata.

CONCLUSION

An outbreak of non-bacterial food poisoning in soldiers at high altitude, caused by accidental ingestion of a dish made out of Atropa acuminata plant leaves containing atropine related alkaloids was investigated and conclusively established.