Evaluation of Anti-inflammatory property of Melanin from marine Bacillus sp BTCZ31

 Objectives: To evaluate the anti-inflammatory property of melanin from marine Bacillus spp. BTCZ31.Methods: Radical scavenging property of melanin was determined by 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and metal chelation assays, which was furtherconfirmed by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. Anti-inflammatory property of melanin was explored in vitro in RAW264.7cell line using cyclooxygenase (COX), Lipoxygenase (LOX), Myleoperoxidase (MPO), cellular nitrite inhibitory assays. Cytotoxicity of melanin wasdetermined using 3-(4,5 dimethythiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay.Results: BTCZ31 melanin showed radical scavenging activity of 67.55% and ferrous ion chelating activity of 97.88%. EPR spectrum showed sharppeaks indicating the presence of unpaired electrons. Melanin inhibited the activity of COX and LOX enzyme with IC50 values of 104.34 μg/mL and10.5 μg/mL, respectively. It also reduced the activity of MPO and cellular nitrite levels. Cytotoxic concentration of melanin was found to be 105.4 μg/mL(IC50).Conclusion: Bacillus spp. BTCZ10 melanin can be a potential anti-inflammatory agent. Further in vivo evaluations are needed for confirming theactivity, leading to therapeutic applications.Keywords: Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, Bacillus spp., Bacteria, Marine, Melanin

Adult brain tumour research in 2024: Status, challenges and recommendations

In 2015, a groundswell of brain tumour patient, carer and charity activism compelled the UK Minister for Life Sciences to form a brain tumour research task and finish group. This resulted, in 2018, with the UK government pledging £20m of funding, to be paralleled with £25m from Cancer Research UK, specifically for neuro-oncology research over the subsequent 5 years. Herein, we review if and how the adult brain tumour research landscape in the United Kingdom has changed over that time and what challenges and bottlenecks remain. We have identified seven universal brain tumour research priorities and three cross-cutting themes, which span the research spectrum from bench to bedside and back again. We discuss the status, challenges and recommendations for each one, specific to the United Kingdom

Convergent functional genomic studies of omega-3 fatty acids in stress reactivity, bipolar disorder and alcoholism

Omega-3 fatty acids have been proposed as an adjuvant treatment option in psychiatric disorders. Given their other health benefits and their relative lack of toxicity, teratogenicity and side effects, they may be particularly useful in children and in females of child-bearing age, especially during pregnancy and postpartum. A comprehensive mechanistic understanding of their effects is needed. Here we report translational studies demonstrating the phenotypic normalization and gene expression effects of dietary omega-3 fatty acids, specifically docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), in a stress-reactive knockout mouse model of bipolar disorder and co-morbid alcoholism, using a bioinformatic convergent functional genomics approach integrating animal model and human data to prioritize disease-relevant genes. Additionally, to validate at a behavioral level the novel observed effects on decreasing alcohol consumption, we also tested the effects of DHA in an independent animal model, alcohol-preferring (P) rats, a well-established animal model of alcoholism. Our studies uncover sex differences, brain region-specific effects and blood biomarkers that may underpin the effects of DHA. Of note, DHA modulates some of the same genes targeted by current psychotropic medications, as well as increases myelin-related gene expression. Myelin-related gene expression decrease is a common, if nonspecific, denominator of neuropsychiatric disorders. In conclusion, our work supports the potential utility of omega-3 fatty acids, specifically DHA, for a spectrum of psychiatric disorders such as stress disorders, bipolar disorder, alcoholism and beyond

Data on the characterization of non-cytotoxic pyomelanin produced by marine Pseudomonas stutzeri BTCZ10 with cosmetological importance

The article focuses on data dealing with characterization of black brown melanin produced by marine bacteria Pseudomonas stutzeri BTCZ10. Figures deal with the production of melanin by strain BTCZ10 and characterization of the pigment using biophysical techniques. Table presents the data on photo-protective ability of melanin when blended with commercial sunscreens

Melanin and bacteriocin from marine bacteria inhibit biofilms of foodborne pathogens

392-399Biofilms are widespread and a bane in food based industry for being associated with the outbreaks of several food related diseases. Biofilms are also a cause for concern for their resistance to antimicrobial agents. In the present study, the biocontrol of biofilm forming food pathogens was achieved using two bioactive compounds, namely, melanin and bacteriocin, obtained from marine bacteria. Partially purified melanin and bacteriocin BL8 were observed to show great reduction in the biofilm formation of food pathogens, even in minute quantities, and showed high antibiofilm activity. Multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) index showed the multiple resistance of nine food pathogens. FTIR spectrum of the melanin used in the study showed two peaks, which are the characteristic features of standard melanin IR spectrum. Scanning electron micrographs showed the variation in the microbial mass and biofilm formation before and after treatment with the two bioactive compounds, evidently showing their antibiofilm activity