EFFECT OFCO-ADMINISTRATION OF EMBLICA OFFICINALIS AND AEGLE MARMELOS EXTRACTS FOR ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTIDIABETIC ACTIVITY

Objective: The objective of the present study was to develop an HPLC analytical method and to perform in vivo study of Emblica officinalis and Aegle marmelos extracts for antioxidant and antidiabetic activity. Methods: The phytochemical analyses, total phenolic content (TPC), TLC, DPPH assay were performed for freeze-dried Emblica officinalis fruits aqueous extract (EOFAE) and Aegle marmelos leaves ethyl acetate extract (AMLEAE). The active constituents present in both extracts were estimated by using HPLC system having Hibar® C18 column [250 x4.6 mm, 5 µm] and UV detector (264 nm). A gradient mobile phase (acetonitrile and water with 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid) was used at a flow rate of 0.8 ml/min. In vivo antioxidant, antidiabetic activity of both extracts was conducted on male albino Wistar rats for 21 d in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats (42 rats; n=6). The antidiabetic activity was measured by blood glucose level and biochemical parameters i.e. total cholesterol, triglycerides and total protein. Oxidative stress was measured by antioxidant biomarkers i.e. SOD, GSH, lipid peroxidation by thiobarbituric acid reactive substances method on the liver of the experimental rat. Results: Tannins, saponins, carbohydrate, glycosides are found in EOFAE; coumarins and flavonoids are found in AMLEAE and quinones, phenols are present in both extracts. The values of TPC present in standard gallic acid, EOFAE and AMLEAE were found to be 485.7, 315.6, 300.7 mgGAE/g, respectively. Rf values obtained by TLC of EOFAE and AMLEAE were found to be 0.41 and 0.50, respectively. The values of % inhibition shown by EOFAE and AMLEAE in DPPH assay were found to be 97.8%±2 and 95.2%±2, respectively. The values of retention time of EOFAE and AMLEAE by HPLC analysis were found to be 4.59 and 5.28 min, respectively. Histopathological examination of the liver was revealed that low dose EOAM (containing of EOFAE 250+AMLEAE 250 mg/kg body weight) administered once a daily for 21 d showed significant activity (P˂0.001) with biochemical parameters and antioxidant biomarkers. Conclusion: The present study showed that the EOFAE and AMLEAE treated group III with (EOAM) low dose of 500 mg/kg body weight has potent antioxidant and antidiabetic activity

Heterosis for yield and quality traits in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Twenty F1 hybrids from three CMS lines and eight pollen parents were evaluated to study the heterosis for various yield and quality traits in rice (Oryza sativa L.). The findings suggested that the magnitude of heterosis differed from character to character and cross to cross. Majority of the hybrids recorded desirable heterosis for grain yield. Among the rice hybrids exhibiting high heterosis for grain yield, IR-68897A x Pusa Sugandh-3, IR-58025A x HUR-JM-59221 and IR-58025A x Pusa Sugandh-5 were top performers. The hybrid, IR-68897A x Pusa Sugandh-3 recorded highest yield per plant, and was among the best three performers for traits, days to 50% flowering, days to maturity and number of effective tillers per plant. Thus, IR-68897A x Pusa Sugandh-3 may be considered as the best heterotic combination for yield and yield traits. Among the three high yielding hybrids, IR-58025A x Pusa Sugandh-5 was found to be relatively better performing for majority of the quality traits. Thus, IR-58025A x Pusa Sugandh-5 may be considered as the best cross combination if both yield and quality traits are taken into consideration

Aromatic Rice of India: It’s Types and Breeding Strategies

The coalescence of organoleptic traits viz., pleasant aroma, cooked rice texture, and taste make aromatic rice unique and distinguished from non-aromatic rice. Aromatic rice is cultivated in every rice growing country; with each country has its own indigenous collection. International trade of rice is dominated by Indica (long grained), Japonica (short grained), aromatic rice (Basmati and Jasmine) and glutinous rice; amidst which, Basmati types from India and Pakistan; and Jasmine types from Thailand have phenomenal demand. In India all types of aromatic rice are cultivated based on Kernel length; short, medium, long and very long grained. Basmati varieties own the major market, while other types of aromatic rice besides Basmati are popular in local market only. The country inherits rich diversity of aromatic rice germplasm; with more than 300 different types, each of the rice growing states of India has its own locally popular aromatic rice varieties. India a country where two third of its population consume rice as part of their daily food; aromatic rice always remain their favorite. Basmati, by virtue of its excellent qualities it dominates both national and international market. Every year, Basmati ranks first in respect of foreign exchange earned from the export of agricultural products from India (APEDA). The phenomenal demand and export figures have augmented Basmati Breeding program. However, only few aromatic varieties are cultivated depending on their demand, and their breeding program is also limited. In India, Basmati has over-shadowed other types of aromatic rice in market and in plant breeding programs too. Breeding for Basmati varieties is undertaken by prime agricultural institutions of India. The country regulates quality standards and development of Basmati varieties with the help of Export of Basmati Rice (Quality Control and Inspection) Rules 2003; Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA); and Basmati Export Development Foundation (BEDF). However, no such initiatives have been taken to promote the development of other aromatic rice varieties of India besides Basmati

Synergistic impact of nanomaterials and plant probiotics in agriculture: A tale of two-way strategy for long-term sustainability

Modern agriculture is primarily focused on the massive production of cereals and other food-based crops in a sustainable manner in order to fulfill the food demands of an ever-increasing global population. However, intensive agricultural practices, rampant use of agrochemicals, and other environmental factors result in soil fertility degradation, environmental pollution, disruption of soil biodiversity, pest resistance, and a decline in crop yields. Thus, experts are shifting their focus to other eco-friendly and safer methods of fertilization in order to ensure agricultural sustainability. Indeed, the importance of plant growth-promoting microorganisms, also determined as “plant probiotics (PPs),” has gained widespread recognition, and their usage as biofertilizers is being actively promoted as a means of mitigating the harmful effects of agrochemicals. As bio-elicitors, PPs promote plant growth and colonize soil or plant tissues when administered in soil, seeds, or plant surface and are used as an alternative means to avoid heavy use of agrochemicals. In the past few years, the use of nanotechnology has also brought a revolution in agriculture due to the application of various nanomaterials (NMs) or nano-based fertilizers to increase crop productivity. Given the beneficial properties of PPs and NMs, these two can be used in tandem to maximize benefits. However, the use of combinations of NMs and PPs, or their synergistic use, is in its infancy but has exhibited better crop-modulating effects in terms of improvement in crop productivity, mitigation of environmental stress (drought, salinity, etc.), restoration of soil fertility, and strengthening of the bioeconomy. In addition, a proper assessment of nanomaterials is necessary before their application, and a safer dose of NMs should be applicable without showing any toxic impact on the environment and soil microbial communities. The combo of NMs and PPs can also be encapsulated within a suitable carrier, and this method aids in the controlled and targeted delivery of entrapped components and also increases the shelf life of PPs. However, this review highlights the functional annotation of the combined impact of NMs and PPs on sustainable agricultural production in an eco-friendly manner

The genetic determinants of recurrent somatic mutations in 43,693 blood genomes

Nononcogenic somatic mutations are thought to be uncommon and inconsequential. To test this, we analyzed 43,693 National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute Trans-Omics for Precision Medicine blood whole genomes from 37 cohorts and identified 7131 non-missense somatic mutations that are recurrently mutated in at least 50 individuals. These recurrent non-missense somatic mutations (RNMSMs) are not clearly explained by other clonal phenomena such as clonal hematopoiesis. RNMSM prevalence increased with age, with an average 50-year-old having 27 RNMSMs. Inherited germline variation associated with RNMSM acquisition. These variants were found in genes involved in adaptive immune function, proinflammatory cytokine production, and lymphoid lineage commitment. In addition, the presence of eight specific RNMSMs associated with blood cell traits at effect sizes comparable to Mendelian genetic mutations. Overall, we found that somatic mutations in blood are an unexpectedly common phenomenon with ancestry-specific determinants and human health consequences

A Clinical case study on Dhanyak Gokshur Ghrita Yavakshar Uttar basti in the management of Mutraghata w.s.r. to Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia is a common senile disease. The present modern conservative management includes use of alpha blockers and 5 alpha reductase inhibitors. In operative management various type of operative procedure may be done, out of which most commonly done now-a-days is TURP. However, both of these modalities cause various side effects. Through Ayurveda we can find solution for this burning problem of society. In Ayurved Samhitas, symptoms of Benign Prostate Hyperplasia described under Mutraghata disease. There are 12 types of Mutraghata; one of them is Vatashthila, which can be correlated with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia disease. The general treatment of Mutraghata includes Uttar basti . Though Uttar basti is a traditionally used therapy, its efficacy with Dhanyak Gokshur Ghrita Yavakshar is not yet evaluated in the management of BPH. Uttar basti is cost effective and it may avoid surgery which ultimately results in increased quality of life of patients. So, in present clinical study, efficacy of Dhanyak Gokshur Ghrita Yavakshar  Uttar basti in Vatashthila with special reference to Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia is evaluated

S-layer homology motif is an immunogen and confers protection to mouse model against anthrax

SLH proteins bear an S-layer homology motif comprised of three S-layer homology (SLH) domains. Several SLH proteins in Bacillus anthracis have been recognized as immunogenic in recent past. We hypothesized that the SLH motif, the most common moiety amongst all the SLH proteins could be responsible for their immunogenicity. To test this hypothesis, we checked the immunogenic capacity of recombinant SLH motif. The rSLH fragment on immunization in mice led to the development of a potent humoral and T Helper immune response as compared to the only adjuvant immunized group. Antibodies raised against rSLH could identify the surface of B. anthracis Ames strain vegetative forms. rSLH immunization protected 50% mice challenged with B. anthracis compared to 0% survival in group of mice immunized with only adjuvant. But when rSLH immunization was synergized with a single sub-optimal dose of rPA (Protective Antigen), 80% immunized mice survived the lethal challenge of B. anthracis. Taken together, for the first time we demonstrate the immunogenic and protective potential of SLH motif of the SLH proteins of B. anthracis

The NF-κB regulator Bcl-3 restricts terminal differentiation and promotes memory cell formation of CD8+ T cells during viral infection.

Bcl-3 is an atypical member of the IκB family that acts in the nucleus to modulate transcription of many NF-κB targets in a highly context-dependent manner. Accordingly, complete Bcl-3-/- mice have diverse defects in both innate and adaptive immune responses; however, direct effects of Bcl-3 action in individual immune cell types have not been clearly defined. Here, we document a cell-autonomous role for Bcl-3 in CD8+ T cell differentiation during the response to lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus infection. Single-cell RNA-seq and flow cytometric analysis of virus-specific Bcl3-/- CD8+ T cells revealed that differentiation was skewed towards terminal effector cells at the expense of memory precursor effector cells (MPECs). Accordingly, Bcl3-/- CD8+ T cells exhibited reduced memory cell formation and a defective recall response. Conversely, Bcl-3-overexpression in transgenic CD8+ T cells enhanced MPEC formation but reduced effector cell differentiation. Together, our results establish Bcl-3 as an autonomous determinant of memory/terminal effector cell balance during CD8+ T cell differentiation in response to acute viral infection. Our results provide proof-of-principle for targeting Bcl-3 pharmacologically to optimize adaptive immune responses to infectious agents, cancer cells, vaccines and other stimuli that induce CD8+ T cell differentiation