Free radical scavenging activity of Lantana aculeata root extract in hyperlipidemic rats.

Abstract: Lantana aculeata is a common weed that grows abundantly in many parts of India. The aerial part of the plant is reported to be toxic while the roots were found to be non-toxic when tested in albino rats. The alcoholic extract of the roots showed a significant hypolipidemic activity in normal rats. Hence the roots were studied for their free radical scavenging potential in hyperlipidemic animals by administering the alcoholic extract (LAR) in doses of 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg for 30 days. The levels of LPO, non-enzymatic antioxidant (TRG) and enzymatic antioxidants viz. SOD, CAT and GPx that showed changes in diseased condition were reverted back to near normal values by LAR extract treatment of plasma, liver and heart tissues. The presence of flavonoids besides oleanolic acid in large amounts might have caused the observed effect

Conjugation, labeling and characterization of asparaginase bound silver nanoparticles for anticancer applications

421-426Nanomedicine in cancer therapy is an emerging technology over the commercially available drug delivery systems. The loss of drug activity can be prevented by conjugating asparaginase with metal nanoparticles. This necessitates the synthesis of metal nanobiocomposite of L-asparaginase labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate for better diagnosis and treatment. The present work is focused on the synthesis of silver nanocomposite of fungal L-asparaginase labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate. The formation of fluorescein isothiocyanate labeled silver nanobiocomposite of asparaginase was confirmed with a broad peak from 360 nm to 500 nm in UV spectrum. The functional group present in the labeled silver nanobiocomposite of asparaginase was analyzed using FTIR spectroscopy while the presence of asparaginase in labeled silver nanobiocomposite was confirmed by 1H-NMR. The anticancer activity of labeled silver nanobiocomposite of asparaginase as revealed by the fluorescent microscope against MG-63 cancer cell line showed an IC50 value of 62.5 µg/mL

In-vitro Anti-inflammatory and Anti-arthritic Activity of Leaves of Cleodendron Inerme

ABSTRACT Clerodendron inerme belongs to the family Verbenaceae found in southern region of India, which is used in the treatment of Veneral diseases, Rheumatism, Elephantiasis and Intermittent fever. The qualitative phytochemical screening showed the presence of alkaloid, steroids, phenols, flavanoids, tannins, carbohydrates, fixed oils and volatile oils. The Petroleum ether, Chlorofrom, Ethyl acetate, Ethanol and water fractions of the leaves of Clerodendron inerme were subjected to In vitro Anti-inflammatory activity by HRBC membrane stabilization method in various concentration i.e. 10,50,100,200,400,800,1000µg/ml. All the extracts showed positive response as compared to standard Diclofenac sodium. The Ethyl acetate and Ethanol extracts showed maximum activity. The order of effect of different extracts were represented as follows Ethyl acetate> Ethanol >Water> Chloroform> Petroleum ether. The Petroleum ether, Chlorofrom, Ethyl acetate, Ethanol and water fractions of the leaves of Clerodendron inerme were subjected to invitro anti-arthritic activity by protein denaturation method. All the extracts showed positive response .The effect was represented as follows Ethyl acetate> Chloroform>Ethanol> Water> Petroleum ether

An updated checklist of Echinoderms from Indian waters

Species checklists enlist the species available within the defined geographical region and thus serve as essential input for developing conservation and management strategies. The fields of conservation biology and ecology confront the challenge of inflated biodiversity, attributed to non-recognition of taxonomic inconsistencies such as synonyms, alternate representation, emendations etc. Critical review of the checklists and distributional records of Phylum Echinodermata from Indian waters and subsequent validation of species names with World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) database, revealed that the current literature included 236 incorrect entries comprising of 162 synonyms, 15 emendations, 5 nomina dubia, 1 nomen nudum, 40 species under alternate representation, 9 species with author misnomer, 1 subspecies and 1 unaccepted. The 226 species found to be mixed with valid names and a revised checklist was prepared. The revised and updated checklist holds 741 species of echinoderms comprising of 182 asteroids (24.56%), 70 crinoids (9.45%), 138 echinoids (18.62%), 179 holothuroids (24.16%) and 172 ophiuroids (23.21%), placed under 28 orders and 107 families. This paper discusses the cause for taxonomic inflation and argues that such taxonomic inconsistencies alter our interpretations of a species including its inaccurate distribution and, could possibly impede the country's conservation and management efforts