REACTIVE OXYGEN SPECIES GENERATION IN THE ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF LITSEA SALICIFOLIA LEAF EXTRACT

Objective: The present work was carried out to investigate the antibacterial activity of Litsea salicifolia leaf extract and to study whether there is a generation of oxidative stress in its mechanism of antibacterial action.Methods: L salicifolia was screened for its antibacterial activity against the bacterial strains collected from the Microbial Type Culture Collection and gene bank (MTCC) viz. Escherichia coli MTCC 443 and Staphylococcus aureus MTCC 96. Disc diffusion method was used for screening. The preliminary screening was done with petroleum ether (PE), chloroform (CHF), methanol (MT) and aqueous (AQ) extracts of the L. salicifolia leaf. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were determined using macro-broth dilution method. In this work, oxidative stress on bacterial cells after exposure to plant extract was measured using nitroblue tetrazolium method (NBT).Results: Experimental evidence indicated that the CHF extract is more efficient against S. aureus compared to the other extracts with MIC value of 0.076 mg/ml and MBC value of 0.4 mg/ml. Our results revealed that there was a generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the treated bacterial cell cytoplasm. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed considerable damage in the cell envelope as well as morphological changes in the extract treated bacterial cells. There were also changes in DNA isolated from treated cells.Conclusion: From the present study, we can conclude that the active constituents in the plant extract contribute in cell killing involving generation of free radical-induced oxidative stress, which possibly the cause or the consequence of the alteration of some other cellular mechanisms ultimately leading to cell death.Â

AN EMERGING AQUATIC GREEN GOLD FOR FOOD AND MEDICINE: A REVIEW OF ALGAE FROM NORTH EAST INDIA

Given that proper nutrition is a growing concern for rising global populations, sustainable sources of nutritional value are in need. The food product or food derived from nutrients is called nutraceuticals which not only rarely supplement food but also make the treatment or prevention of a disorder and or disease. Algae are a diverse community of autotrophic organisms with the capable of fix atmospheric CO2, efficiently use light energy, ability to grow rapidly and compare to vascular plants, and algae produce more biomass per acre. More than two thousand years, algae are used for the treatment of different ailments and also used as a potential source of food. Due to the characteristics of rapid growth and capable of producing diverse nutritional compound, algae are largely used in dietary supplements and nutraceuticals field. Many kinds of algae have been reported several health benefits from improving the immune system to combat cancer and heart disease. With this background, this current review aims to evaluate the health-promoting effect of Chlorella, Haematococcus, Spirulina, Ankistrodesmus, Botryococcus and Scenedesmus in North East India

ANTI HYPERGLYCEMIC EVALUATION OF TERMINALIA CHEBULA LEAVES

Objective: The antihyperglycaemic potentiality of Terminalia chebula leaves has not yet been investigated thoroughly compared to its fruit counterpart. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the hypoglycaemic potentiality of Terminalia chebula Retz leaves both in vitro and in vivo. Methods: Fresh leaves of T. chebula were collected, authenticated and grounded to a fine powder. The powdered material was extracted in methanol. The hypoglycaemic potentiality of the extract was accessed in vitro using enzyme alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase. The antihyperglycaemic activity of the methanol extract active fraction was accessed in vitro and in vivo. The active fraction thus obtained was partially characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis. Results: The crude leave methanol extract of Terminalia chebula demonstrated 100% α glucosidase inhibition with IC50–0.956±0.342 mg/ml compared to standard drug acarbose. Oral administration of the active fraction to diabetic rats loaded with maltose significantly (P<0.05) retarded the postprandial spike of blood glucose level compared to standard drug acarbose. Partial characterization of the fraction reveals the presence of hydrosoluble tannin gallic acid. Conclusion: The study provides an in vitro and in vivo rationale evidence of Terminalia chebula leaves to retard postprandial hyperglycemia

Biosynthesis and characterization of Gynocardia odorata R. Br. mediated silver nanoparticles and evaluation of its antimicrobial activity

The present study was designed to synthesize Silver Nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) in aqueous medium using leaf extract of Gynocardia odorata R. Br. (Achariaceae). The synthesized Ag-NPs were characterized using different technique such as UV-Visible Spectroscopy, X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). The reduction of Ag ions to initiate nucleation and subsequent Ostwald Ripening to form nanoparticles was made possible by the presence of various antioxidants in the leaves of Gynocardia odorata. These antioxidants served both as reducing and capping agents. The synthesized Ag-NPs were found to be polydispersed in nature and spherical in shape. With the Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) optical absorption band peak at ~440 nm was observed using UV-Vis spectrophotometer. FTIR confirmed the presence of methoxy and allyl groups in the synthesized Ag-NPs and nearly 15-45 nm diameter spherical shaped NPs was validated using TEM. The synthesized Ag-NPs were stable for a long period (more than six months) and showed good antibacterial activity against both gram positive and gram negative bacterial strains and the effect was higher as compared to the normal aqueous extract

Nut Phytonutrients for Healthy Gut: Prebiotic Potential

Nuts are a combination of prebiotic fiber and phytonutrients and have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory effects. According to 2005 “My Pyramid” it has been grouped with the meat and bean group. Bioactive compounds of nuts such as resveratrol, phytosterols, phenolic acids, flavonoids, and carotenoids display synergistic effects on preventing many age related pathologies. Resveratrol has been reported to extend the lifespan in model organisms such as yeast, Drosophila and mouse. Reports propose nuts as the best substitute for red meat to reduce mortality risk. Macadamia nuts with a rich source of monounsaturated fats (oleic and palmitoleic acids) imparts cholesterol lowering effects thereby preventing coronary artery disease. Anacardic acid, a phenolic lipid found in cashew nut shells, is specifically enriched in metastatic melanoma patients in response to immunotherapy. The non-bio-accessible materials of nuts serve as a substrate for human gut microbiota. Regular Walnut enriched diet improves lipid content and enhances probiotic and butyrate producing bacteria composition in healthy individuals. This also reduces cardiovascular risk factors by promoting beneficial bacteria. Gut microbiota diversity studies report an enrichment with genera capable of producing short chain fatty acids (SCFA) following consumption of nuts. The prebiotic effect of nuts can be partly from refining butyrate producing bacteria composition. Hence an optimized diet rich with nuts can be an intervention for promoting a healthy microbiota population and thereby improving overall physiology

NEPHROPROTECTIVE ACTIVITY OF THE ETHNOMEDICINAL PLANTS CAESALPINIA BONDUC AND MOMORDICA DIOICA FROM NE INDIA AGAINST CISPLATIN INDUCED CHEMOTHERAPEUTIC TOXICITY

Objective: Cisplatin a potent anticancer drug is used for treatment against different forms of cancer. However a major limitation of cisplatin is its nephrotoxicity and severe side effects. The main objective of the present study was to investigate the nephroprotective activity of the medicinal plants Caesalpinia bonduc and Momordica dioica against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. Methods: In the present study wistar rat models were intraperitoneally injected with cisplatin for eight consecutive days Plant extracts of different compositions were administered for eight days after injection of cisplatin. The polyphenolic content of the crude extracts was investigated using the Folin Ciocalteau method while the flavonoid estimation was carried out using the aluminium chloride method. The antioxidant activities of the extracts were assayed using the DPPH radical scavenging method. Plant extracts were tested for their nephroprotective ability using modified Berthelot method, uricase method, alkaline picrate method.Results: In the present study it was found that the level of creatinine, urea, uric acid and blood urea nitrogen was lowered by the crude hexane extract of Momordica dioica and ethyl acetate extract of Caesalpinia bonduc as compared to the control group. The total phenolic content and the total flavonoid content was found to be highest in the hexane extract of Momordica dioica with 110.51±1.0 μg/GAE and 1.92±0.15 μg/QE. The methanol extract of Caesalpinia bonduc was found to be the highest in inhibition of the DPPH free radicals with nearly 80% inhibition.Conclusion: The present study revealed the nephroprotective ability of the hexane extract of Momordica dioica and ethyl acetate extract Caeselpinia bonduc. The extracts were also found to have higher antioxidant activity and therefore their nephroprotective activity might be due to attenuation of oxidative stress

Biomonitoring Ecosystem: Modelling Relationship with Arthropods

Arthropods community structure and composition provides multiscale information about an environment health. Their reproduction and growth model are effective to assess the impact on ecosystem in response to stress such as anthropogenic activities (climate change) or natural (drought). Terrestrial and aquatic insects are potential bio-indicators. Terrestrial insects are an excellent model to assess the quality of terrestrial ecosystem. These insect species are assayed to detect metallic pollution and forest abundance. Soil and litter arthropods are used for examining soil quality. Honey bee mortality rates and the residues such as heavy metals, fungicides and herbicides presence in honey are good indicator of environmental pollution. The specificity of food and habitat selection by wasp population make it suitable for assessing habitat quality. Similarly butterflies habitat itself signifies a healthy ecosystem because of their sensitivity to even slightest change. Different arthropods act as keystone species and these keystone interactions also reveal many facets of an ecosystem quality. Similarly fly population such as Drosophila subobscura and their shift in the genetic composition indicate the global climate warming. The arthropods are explored as screening platform to understand the ecosystem resilience to disturbances. These underscores arthropods potential for evaluation of environmental impact and global climate change

Identification and determination of cellulase activity of cellulose degrading microorganisms from earthworm species of different habitats of North East India

192-205A total of 327 microbial strains isolated from the earthworm guts (EWGs) of five different species were comprised of 93 aerobic bacteria (AB), 78 facultative anaerobic bacteria (FAB), 72 actinobacteria and 84 fungi. Cellulolytic activity was determined both by qualitative and quantitative methods. Sixteen AB, 19 FAB, 26 actinobacteria and 23 fungi showed hydrolyzing zones on carboxymethyl cellulose medium and varied cellulase activity in the range of 0.0031 to 0.0263, 0.0022 to 0.013, 0.0022 to 0.0154 and 0.005 to 0.036 IU/ml, respectively. Cellulolytic bacterial and fungal isolates were identified based on 16S rDNA and ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region, respectively. Nine cellulolytic bacterial (Bacillus, Paenibacillus, Isoptericola, Cellulomonas, Clostridium, Enterobacter, Nocardia, Micromonospora and Streptomyces) and ten fungal genera (Aspergillus, Chaetomium, Acremonium, Fusarium, Penicillium, Purpureocillium, Epicoccum, Trichoderma, Talaromyces and Ascobolus) were recorded in the EWGs. Cellulolytic microorganisms of EWGs exhibit taxonomic diversity and varying cellulase activity depending upon EW habitats. This is the first report on the cellulolytic bacterial and fungal diversity from the EWG of Imphal, Manipur, North East, India

AN ETHNOBOTANICAL SURVEY OF ANTI-MALARIAL PLANTS IN SOME HIGHLY MALARIA AFFECTED DISTRICTS OF ASSAM

Objective: An ethnobotanical survey of potent anti-malarial plants used by different tribes and communities of highly malaria affected seven districts of Assam, India.Methods: Personal discussions and group interviews were held with the traditional practitioners. Samples were collected and authentically identified. Detailed ethno knowledge on the plant parts used and mode of administration of the plant extracts was documented. Literature survey was carried out on identified plant species and analyzed for their medicinal importance.Results: A total of 22 plant species belonging to 20 botanical families were collected and identified from different locations of seven districts of Assam. Different plant parts such as leaves, root, flower, bark etc. were found to process through different basic methods (infusion, decoction, direct mechanical crushing and maceration) for extracting the anti-malarial crude phytochemicals by the traditional healers. Extensive literature on the broad spectrum medicinal values other than anti-malarial activity of the plant species suggested a strong scientific background of selecting those particular plants species by the traditional practitioners.Conclusion: Indigenous plant species with strong claim of the natural source of anti-malarial moieties were identified in the present ethno-botanical survey. All the 22 plant species investigated could be a potential source of new antimalarial therapies.Â