Crop residue heterogeneity: Decomposition by potential indigenous ligno-cellulolytic microbes and enzymatic profiling

The continuous depletion of fossil resources, energy-crisis and environmental pollution has gained popularity for careful selection of suitable microbial consortium to efficiently decompose crop residue and facilitate nutrient cycling. While crop residue is commonly incorporated into soil, the impact of the heterogeneity of residue on decomposition and biological mechanisms involved in extracellular carbon (C) cycle related enzyme activities remain not fully understood. To address this problem, an incubation study was conducted on chemical heterogeneity of straw and root residue with indigenous ligno-cellulolytic microbial consortium on extracellular enzymes as their activity is crucial for making in-situ residue management decisions under field condition. The activity of extracellular enzymes in different substrates showed differential variation with the type of enzyme and ranged from 16.9 to 77.6 µg mL−1, 135.7 to 410.8 µg mL−1, 66.9 to 177.1 µg mL−1 and 42.1 to 160.9 µg mL−1 for cellulase, xylanase, laccase and lignin peroxidase, respectively. Extracellular enzyme activities were sensitive to heterogeneity of biochemical constituent's present in straw and root residues and enhanced the decomposition processes with indigenous ligno-cellulolytic microbial consortium (Bacillus altitudinis, Streptomyces flavomacrosporus and Aspergillus terreus). Correlation matrix elucidated A. terreus and B. altitudinis as potential indigenous ligno-cellulolytic microbial inoculant influencing soil enzymatic activity (p < 0.001). This research work demonstrates a substantial impact of chemically diverse crop residues on the decomposition of both straw and root. It also highlights the pivotal role played by key indigenous decomposers and interactions between different microorganisms in governing the decomposition of straw and root primarily through release of extracellular enzyme. Consequently, it is novel bio-emerging strategy suggested that incorporation of the crop residues under field conditions should be carried out in conjunction with the potential indigenous ligno-cellulolytic microbial consortium for efficient decomposition in the short period of time under sustainable agriculture system

O-hexadecyl-dextran entrapped berberine nanoparticles abrogate high glucose stress induced apoptosis in primary rat hepatocytes.

Nanotized phytochemicals are being explored by researchers for promoting their uptake and effectiveness at lower concentrations. In this study, O-hexadecyl-dextran entrapped berberine chloride nanoparticles (BC-HDD NPs) were prepared, and evaluated for their cytoprotective efficacy in high glucose stressed primary hepatocytes and the results obtained compared with bulk berberine chloride (BBR) treatment. The nanotized formulation treated primary hepatocytes that were exposed to high glucose (40 mM), showed increased viability compared to the bulk BBR treated cells. BC-HDD NPs reduced the ROS generation by ∼ 3.5 fold during co-treatment, prevented GSH depletion by ∼ 1.6 fold, reduced NO formation by ∼ 5 fold and significantly prevented decline in SOD activity in stressed cells. Lipid peroxidation was also prevented by ∼ 1.9 fold in the presence of these NPs confirming the antioxidant capacity of the formulation. High glucose stress increased Bax/Bcl2 ratio followed by mitochondrial depolarization and activation of caspase-9/-3 confirming involvement of mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis in the exposed cells. Co- and post-treatment of BC-HDD NPs prevented depolarization of mitochondrial membrane, reduced Bax/Bcl2 ratio and prevented externalization of phosphatidyl-serine confirming their anti-apoptotic capacity in those cells. Sub-G1 phase apparent in high glucose stressed cells was not seen in BC-HDD NPs treated cells. The present study reveals that BC-HDD NPs at ∼ 20 fold lower concentration are as effective as BBR in preventing high glucose induced oxidative stress, mitochondrial depolarization and downstream events of apoptotic cell death

Constituents of Tinospora sinensis and their antileishmanial activity against Leishmania donovani

Two new compounds 4-methyl-heptadec-6-enoic acid ethyl ester (2) and 3-hydroxy-2,9,11-trimethoxy-5,6-dihydro isoquino[3,2-a]isoquinolinylium (7) were isolated from an ethanolic extract of the stems of Tinospora sinensis, along with six known compounds (1, 3–6 and 8). The structures of new compounds were established on the basis of detailed spectroscopic studies. Compound 7 exhibited the highest in vitro antileishmanial activity against Leishmania donovani promastigotes and intracellular amastigotes, whereas compounds 2, 4, 5 and 6 demonstrated moderate activity. Other compounds were found to be inactive

Evaluation of antileishmanial potential of Tinospora sinensis against experimental visceral leishmaniasis

The chemotherapeutic interventions against visceral leishmaniasis (VL) are limited and facing serious concerns of toxicity, high cost, and emerging drug resistance. There is a greater interest in new drug developments from traditionally used medicinal plants which offers unprecedented diversity in structures and bioactivity. With this rationale, ethanolic extract of Tinospora sinensis Linn and its four fractions were tested in vitro against promastigotes and intracellular amastigotes and in vivo in Leishmania donovani infected hamsters. Ethanolic extract exhibited an appreciable activity against promastigotes (IC<SUB>50</SUB> 37.6 ± 6.2 μg/ml) and intracellular amastigotes (IC<SUB>50</SUB> 29.8 ± 3.4 μg/ml). In hamsters, it resulted in 76.2 ± 9.2% inhibition at 500 mg/kg/day × 5 oral dose level. Among fractions, n-butanol imparted highest in vitro and in vivo activities. Ethanolic extract and butanol fraction also enhances reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) release. The results indicate that T. sinensis may provide new lead molecules for the development of alternative drugs against VL

Flow cytometric analysis of uptake of BBR and BC-HDD NPs by the primary rat hepatocytes.

<p>The cellular uptake in case of co-treatment was observed after 90 min of treatment whereas in case of post-treatment the uptake was observed after 30 min of BBR and BC-HDD treatment (as per the treatment schedule in the study). Results are shown as mean ± S.E. from three independent experiments. Significant difference compared with control values *P<0.05, and ***P<0.001. Where CNB: Co-BC-HDD NPs; CB: Co-BBR; PNB: Post-BC-HDD NPs, PB: Post-BBR.</p