Application of glucose oxidase for the production of metal gluconates by fermentation

The present study deals with the application of glucose oxidase (GOX) for the production of metal gluconates by fermentation method. It provides a method for the conversion of glucose into gluconic acid and its derivatives using the enzyme glucose oxidase (GOX). Due to the presence of calcium carbonate in fermentation medium the gluconic acid is converted into calcium gluconate. Conditions like concentration of substrate, temperature, pH, fermentation period and different phosphate sources were optimized during fermentation. The maximum GOX activity was observed at 35°C (pH 5.5) after 44 h of incubation at 100 rpm. At the maximum enzyme activity, the percentage yield of gluconates are also maximum; both go side by side. Sulphuric and oxalic acids method were employed for the production of gluconic acid. Derivatives of gluconic acid that is, calcium lactate gluconate, sodium gluconate, potassium gluconate, zinc gluconate and copper gluconate were formed by using double displacement and direct methods. The direct method gave the better yield. The percentage yields were 73, 89.63, 81.93, 92.86 and 81.53%, respectively. Keywords: Glucose oxidase (GOX), metal gluconate, double displacement

Evaluation of anti-nociceptive, anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective effects of methanol extract of Mazus pumilus (Burm. f.) Steenis (Mazaceae) herb

Purpose: This study was designed to investigate the anti-nociceptive, anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective activities of the methanol extract of Mazus pumilus (Mazaceae) herb. Methods: Anti-nociceptive activity was determined using hot plate, tail flick and acetic acid-induced writing methods. Carrageenan-induced rat paw edema (0.1 mL of 1 %) model was used for the assessment of anti-inflammatory activity. The methanol extract was administered orally at three different doses (150, 300 and 600 mg/kg) to three separate groups in all the experiments. Diclofenac sodium (50 mg/kg) was used as standard drug while control group received DMSO (1 %, 10 mL/kg). The hepatocurative effect of methanol extract of M. pumilus (400 mg/kg) was determined in isoniazid (50 mg/kg) and rifampicin (100 mg/kg) induced liver injury. Silymarin (100 mg/kg) was used as standard drug for comparison. The control group received distilled water (10 mL/kg). Preliminary phytochemical screening was also carried out. Results: The methanol extract of M. pumilus significantly (p < 0.05) augmented latency time and reduced the number of writhes in the pain models at all doses used for the assessment of antinociceptive actions. The anti-inflammatory activity of different doses of extract was evaluated by measuring the reduction in the size of the paw. A significant (p < 0.05) hepatocurative effect was observed when administered after anti-tuberculosis drugs. Histopathological analysis of the liver tissues also revealed restored hepatocellular architecture. Conclusion: The results demonstrate the anti-nociceptive, anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective effects of the methanol extract of M. pumilus, thus substantiating the ethnomedical claims associated with the herb

Pharmacognostic studies of stem, roots and leaves of Malva parviflora L.

Objective: To establish quality control parameters of a locally occurring medicinal plant, Malva parviflora which is utilized as folk medicine in Sialkot area in Pakistan. Methods: In pharmacognostic studies different types of evaluations were carried out that focus on microscopic, macroscopic, fluorescence analysis and organoleptic evaluations. Results: The distinguishing characters of stem were the presence of parenchyma, cork cells, irregular shape calcium oxalate crystals, simple and compound starch granules and fusiform fibers with pits. Root microscopic characters were presence of simple and spherical starch granules with rounded or slit hilum, groups of lignified xylem fibers, reticulate vessels, and sieve tissues. Leaves microscopy indicated the presence of paracytic stomata, lignified fibers having pits, spiral and annular vessels, numerous sclereids while in fruit microscopy epicarp, thin walled cells endocarp, thin walled parenchyma and collenchyma of mesocarp and abundant thick walled endospermic cells containing aleurone grains and micro rosette crystals. Macroscopic study of leaves showed, 5-7 lobed reniform-shape, glabrous-surface, reticulate-venation in the leaves. Macroscopic features of roots showed type of root-taproot, surface-glabrous and stem was 1-10 dm tall simple to branched and may be prostrate or ascending. Similarly fruit was of schizocarp type. Conclusions: This study provides the scientific data for the proper identification and establishment of standards for the use of Malva parviflora

Ethnobotanical studies on some wild plants of head Qadirabad and adjoining areas, Pakistan

An Ethno botanical survey was carried out during 2011-2012 in order to document the importance of the plants in Qadirabad, Tehsile Phalia and District Mandi Bahauddin, Punjab, Pakistan. A total of 54 plants were collected belonging to 29 families, from which 50 were dicots and 4 were monocots, 28 families were angiosperms and only 1 was Pteridophyte. Papilionaceae was the dominant family.  The plant species collected from the studied area and were identified with flora of Pakistan. Plants were categorized in single usage plants, two usage plants, and multi usage plants. It was observed that mostly plants were used for treatment of different kinds of diseases like stomachic diseases, Piles, constipation; bleeding wounds, snake bite etc. Cutting of trees for earning livelihood were common. It was also observed during this study, that harvesting of the plants is very common for local use

Amelioration of isoniazid and rifampicin-induced liver toxicity by Amaranthus graecizans subsp. silvestris in rat

Amaranthus graecizans subsp. silvestris, a folk medicine for the treatment of inflammation, was used to evaluate its hepatoprotective potential against rifampicin and isoniazid-induced liver damage. Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups: Group I served as control (distilled water treated), Group II served as hepatotoxic group (isoniazid 50 mg/kg and rifampicin 100 mg/kg, treated), Group III served as positive control (silymarin 100 mg/kg, treated) while Group IV served as A. graecizans subsp. silvestris extract (400 mg/kg) treated group. The results suggest that the liver markers (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and total bilirubin) were significantly increased in the animals of Group II. The methanolic extract showed a significant decrease in the raised liver enzymes of Group IV and encountered the liver damage caused by isoniazid and rifampicin. Histopathological examination of liver also revealed the improved architecture in the extract-treated group. Thus, the methanolic extract has potential liver protective action due to its phytochemicals. Video Clip of Methodology: 8 min 24 sec:   Full Screen   Alternat

<em>Mazus pumilus</em> (Burm. f.) Steenis; Pharmacognosy

106 - 112Mazus pumilus (Burm. f.) Steenis, is a well-known traditional medicinal plant belonging to family Mazaceae. The research work is about the pharmacognostic standardization of M. pumilus which includes; macroscopic features and microscopic evaluation of leaf, stem and roots. TS of leaf, stem and root showed the arrangement of the different cells. Histochemistry of TS of leaf, stem and root gave distinctive results with conc. HCl, phloroglucinol, ferric chloride, iodine solution and Sudan III which indicated the presence of Ca+2 oxalate crystals, lignin, tannins, starch and oil cells, respectively. Powder study of leaf depicted the presence of fibres, epidermal cells, resinous matter and vessels. The powdered study of stem showed collenchyma, vessels, fibers, cortex cells with tracheids, and helical vessels. While, root powder contained pithed vessels, cork cells, parenchyma and phelloderm. The quantitative analysis of TS of leaf was also performed for the establishment of leaf constants. In fluorescence analysis of herb, different colors were observed under ordinary light, short and high wavelength UV light. Phytochemical analysis of the methanolic extract of whole herb confirmed the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, saponins, sterols, triterpenoids, carbohydrates, proteins and tannins. All these results will help in identification, confirmation and quality characterization besides, laying down the pharmacopoeial standards for M. pumilus

Antidiabetic and renoprotective effect of Fagonia cretica L. methanolic extract and Citrus paradise Macfad. juice in alloxan induced diabetic rabbits

Context: Fagonia cretica is a medicinal herb reported to have flavanoids of potential therapeutic value and Citrus paradisi is a fruit, whose juice is of great therapeutic value due to its anti-hyperglycemic effects. Aims: To determine anti-hyperglycemic and renal protective effect of methanolic extract of Fagonia cretica and Citrus paradisi juice (grapefruit juice) in alloxan induced diabetic rabbits. Methods: Diabetes was induced in rabbits by alloxan monohydrate (150 mg/kg, i.p.). The therapies including Fagonia cretica methanolic extract (500 mg/kg), Citrus paradisi juice (7 mL/kg) and sitagliptin (10 mg/kg) were administered (p.o.) to diabetic groups for 14 days. The biochemical parameters, glucose, creatinine, urea, bilirubin, albumin, total protein, globulins and albumin/globulin ratio were estimated. Results: Fagonia cretica extract and grapefruit juice therapy significantly (p<0.05) reduced glucose levels in diabetic rats. Fagonia cretica extract was more effective anti-hyperglycemic agent than Citrus paradisi juice and sitagliptin. Significant (p<0.05) improvement in kidney function was observed in treated groups, the plant extract showing significant improvement as compared to the other two treatments. The histopathological results verified improvement in structural damage of kidney, liver and pancreas with these treatments. Conclusions: Fagonica cretica and Citrus paradisi juice therapy markedly improved hyperglycemia and kidney functions in alloxan-induced diabetic rabbits

Prevalence of HCV among Drug Addicts in Lahore and its Peripheries

HCV continues to be a major health threat globally; approximately 130 million people are infected around the world. The aim of the study was to describe the HCV prevalence in drug addicts the most deprived, isolated and most of the times poor part of our community. This was a cross sectional study focusing the drug addicts under treatment in rehabilitation centers. A total of 92 drug addicts were recruited from four different centers at Lahore including Silverlining Lahore, Silverlining Sheikhupura, Roshan Mustaqbil Lahore and Panah Lahore. All the subjects were tested for HCV RNA PCR, SGPT and SGOT. Out of 92 subjects 23 (25%) were HCV positive and remaining 69 (75%) were HCV negative concluding the drug addicts a higher risk group. Among the HCV positive IDU`s showed a greater percentage 78% (18) and non-IDU`s only 22% (05) proving the injection users the highest risk group. The HCV positive drug users also turned up with a much high SGPT and SGOT levels with a mean of 92 U/L and 72 U/L respectively as compared to that of HCV negative subjects which were 23 U/L and 27 U/L respectively. Drug addicts and specially IDU`s are the highest risk group for developing the HCV infection as concluded by the study and their massive awareness, focus on HCV treatment and also to check the other blood borne diseases are major suggestions advised by the research

Metabolic Profiling of Heliotropium crispum Aerial Parts Using HPLC and FTIR and In Vivo Evaluation of Its Anti-Ulcer Activity Using an Ethanol Induced Acute Gastric Ulcer Model

This study explored the antiulcer potential of methanol extract and fractions of Heliotropium crispum roots against the ethanol-induced gastric ulcer model in rats. Metabolic profiling of H. crispum aerial parts using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) revealed the presence of different metabolites with various functional groups. Meanwhile, High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) revealed the presence of three main peaks assigned to myricetin, quercetin, and kaempferol. In vivo, antiulcer activity results showed that the disease control group displayed five tiny ulcers less than 2 mm in diameter in addition to two hemorrhagic streaks. However, in the standard control group, only one small ulcer was visible for the total methanol extract. Gastric tissues and contents were evaluated to determine many parameters such as ulcer score, ulcer index, percentage inhibition of ulcer, gastric pH, gastric juice volume, and acidity. Results were endorsed by histopathological evaluation; gastric pH and mucus content were significantly increased, but gastric juice volume was significantly decreased. All fractions showed a significant decrease in ulcer index and % inhibition except the n-hexane fraction, whose results were insignificant compared to the disease control group. Thus, it was concluded that H. crispum shows an antiulcer effect by decreasing gastric juice volume and acidity, whereas gastric pH and mucus contents were increased that is attributed to the synergistic action of its detected polyphenolic compounds