ANTIOXIDANT, DNA DAMAGE PROTECTIVE AND HEPATOPROTECTIVE ACTIVITIES OF AMORPHOPHALLUS CAMPANULATUS

Objective: Amorphophallus campanulatus (AC) is commonly known as Suran. It is used to cure piles, deranged digestion and liver diseases. The present study was carried out to evaluate AC plant as a new source of natural bioactive molecules having antioxidant potential and their protective role against hepatotoxicity induced by t-BHP.Methods: Ethanolic extracts of AC leaf and fruit were subjected to assessment of its antioxidant potential by superoxide anion radical scavenging activity (SARSA), free radical scavenging activity (FRSA), ferrous ion chelation activity (FIC) and reducing power (RP). The study was further carried out to assay the DNA damage and hepatoprotective activity of AC leaf extract.Results: Leaf extract of AC showed lower IC50 for SARSA, FRSA and FIC (111.67 mg/ml, 11.58 mg/ml and 8.56 mg/ml, respectively) than fruit extract. HPLC analysis of leaf showed the presence of chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, rutin, quercetin and kaempherol. Leaf extract showed potential to protect hydroxyl radical-induced DNA damage. Hepatoprotective effects of AC leaf was shown by increasing superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione content (GSH), catalase (CAT) and protein content and decreasing nitric oxide (NO) and MDA formation, when t-BHP treated hepatocyte cells were exposed to different concentration (1.0, 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5 µg) of extract.Conclusion: The results suggest that AC leaf has antioxidant, cytoprotective and hepatoprotective properties which may be due to the presence of important bioactive constituents; hence it may be used in the form of dietary component and also in formulations against liver diseases.Keywords: Hepatoprotective activity, Glutathione, Antioxidant enzyme, Lipid Peroxidation, Hepatocyte

ROLE OF VICIA FABA FRUIT EXTRACT AGAINST CYTOTOXICITY INDUCED BY ACETAMINOPHEN IN PRIMARY CULTURED RAT HEPATOCYTES

Objective: In the present study, Vicia faba fruit extract was screened for their hepatoprotective activity against cytotoxicity induced by acetaminophen in primary cultured rat hepatocytes.Methods: Vicia faba fruit, seed and leaf were subjected to assessment of its total phenolic content, reducing power, free radical scavenging activity, superoxide anion radical scavenging activity and lipid peroxidation. HPLC analysis, DNA damage protection and hepatoprotective activities of V. faba fruit extract were also analysed.Results: Among the tested extracts, V. faba fruit extract exhibited highest total phenolic content (104.90 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g), reducing power (0.83 ascorbic acid equivalents (ASE)/ml), free radical scavenging activity (IC50= 31.27 μg/ml), superoxide anion radical scavenging activity (IC50= 33.52 μg/ml) and LPO (IC50= 621.75 μg/ml). HPLC of V. faba fruit extract showed presence of polyphenols i.e. gallic acid (70.81 mg/100g) and catechin (49.63 mg/100g) and showed a significant reduction in the formation of nicked calf thymus DNA against either Fenton's reagent or UV radiation. Supplementation of V. faba fruit extract conferred significant protection against cytotoxicity induced by acetaminophen in primary cultured rat hepatocytes in comparison to standard hepatoprotectant silymarin.Conclusion: V. faba fruit extract possesses significant antioxidant, DNA damage protective and hepatoprotective activities and may be used for management of drug induced liver injury

OXIDATIVE DNA DAMAGE PROTECTIVE AND HEPATOPROTECTIVE ACTIVITY OF TERMI-NALIA BELLERICA (BAHEDA)

Objective: To investigate the ethanolic extracts of Terminalia bellerica for its in vitro DNA damage protective activity against hydroxyl radical (OH•) and hepatoprotective activity against CCl4 induced toxicity in HepG2 liver cells.Methods: The DNA damage assay was performed using supercoiled pBR322 plasmid DNA with Fenton's reagent. Protection of human liver-derived HepG2 cells against CCl4 induced damage was determined by trypan blue exclusion assay and Tetrazolium bromide salt MTT assay. Liver cells were pre-exposed to 0.5 µmol/ml of CCl4 for 60 min at room temperature and screening assay was carried out in HepG2 cells to evaluate the cytotoxicity of tested extracts with concentration 0.001 to 100 µg/ml.Results: The low dose (0.001-0.1 µg/ml) of leaf and bark has an effect on the percentage viability (101±4.04) and 97±4.04) for leaf and bark extracts respectively) of HepG2 cells. Whereas, the percentage cell viability 99±2.89 and 103±4.04 were found for fruit pulp and seed extracts respectively. The uniform DNA damage protective activity was observed in a dose-dependent manner for leaf, fruit pulp, seed and bark extracts of T. bellerica. Conclusion: Leaf and bark of T. bellerica exhibit 10 fold less toxicity compared to fruit pulp and seed during CCl4 exposure on HepG2 cells suggesting that leaf and bark has more therapeutic potential against hepatotoxicity

COMPARATIVE STUDY ON THE ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITIES OF METHANOLIC AND AQUEOUS EXTRACTS OF TERMINALIA BELLERICA

Objective: The present study was undertaken to investigate the antioxidative activity of fruit pulp, seed and bark of T. bellerica. Methods: Methanol (70%) and water were used for the extraction, and the respective extracts were analyzed for total phenolic contents along with the antioxidant activities through different assays. Results: Amongst the tested extracts, methanolic extracts were found to be better than aqueous with the highest total phenolic contents (TPC). Methanolic fruit pulp showed lower IC50 for free radical (118.7 µg/ml), superoxide anion radical (77.65 µg/ml) and hydroxyl radical (73.76 µg/ml) scavenging activities. Methanolic fruit pulp also showed lower IC50 for lipid peroxidation (115.6 µg/ml) and ferric thiocyanate (184.98 µg/ml) assay than aqueous extracts in comparison to standard quercetin. Further, correlation between TPC and antioxidant studies revealed that phenolics are mainly responsible for antioxidant activity of T. bellerica. Conclusion: The current study suggests that the methanolic extract of T. bellerica could be a potential source of natural antioxidants for food and pharmaceutical companies

IN VITRO ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY AND GC-MS ANALYSIS OF THE ETHANOLIC EXTRACTS OF TERMINALIA BELLERICA ROXB (BAHEDA)

Objective: To investigate the antioxidant activity of ethanolic extract of Terminalia bellerica fruit pulp (TBFP), seed (TBS) and bark (TBB), and identification of phytochemical constituents of said extracts.Methods: The antioxidant potential of T. bellerica (TB) parts was evaluated by free radical scavenging activity (FRSA), superoxide anion radical scavenging activity (SARSA), hydroxyl radical scavenging activity (HRSA) and compared with reference standard quercetin. Lipid peroxidation (LPO), ferric thiocyanate activity (FTC) and reducing power (RP) of the plant extracts were also examined. The phytochemical constituents of said extracts have been quantified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (GC-MS) method.Results: Ethanolic extract of TBFP exhibited high phenolic content (254.33) followed by TBS (227.33) and TBB (185) mg/g of GAE. TBFP showed lowest IC50 for FRSA (62 µg/ml), SARSA (39 µg/ml) and HRSA (27 µg/ml) and highest RP (3.39 ascorbic acid equivalents/ml). TBB showed lowest IC50 for LPO (48 µg/ml) whereas TBS showed lowest IC50 for FTC (109 µg/ml). Predominant phyto-compounds present in TB extracts were quinic acid, gallic acid, ethyl galate, 9, 12 octadecadienoic acid and glucopyranose in varying concentrations as analyzed by GC-MS.Conclusion: On the basis of correlation of antioxidant studies with total phenolic content (TPC) and GC-MS analysis of different part of TB, it may be concluded that high concentration of total phenolics and other bioactive phytochemicals of TB extracts make it a potential source of nutraceutical antioxidants

A REVIEW ON CHITRAKA WITH ITS MEDICINAL PROPERTIES W.S.R TO ITS AMA PACHAN AND AGNI DEEPANA ACTION

If we talk about Ayurveda, Science of life, the concept of AMA is unique. Ama is a Sanskrit word that translates literally to mean things like "unripe," "uncooked," "raw," "immature," or "undigested. Essentially, it is a form of un-metabolized waste that cannot be utilized by the body.To some degree, the formation of small amounts of Ama is a normal part of the digestive process, provided it is efficiently removed. But when it is not regularly cleared and eliminated, ama becomes hugely problematic. In fact, Ama is said to be the root cause of all disease, and Amaya, a Sanskrit word for disease literally means "that which is born out of Ama. The connection between Ama and the disease process makes perfect sense because the qualities of Ama are in direct opposition to those of Agni. Strong Agni is essential to the maintenance of proper health. In other words, when Agni is compromised and when Ama accumulates, our health suffers, and the two situations are mutually reinforcing. In Ayurveda, the concept of Agni, is of central importance. In fact, the strength of Agni in the body is among the most critical factors in determining overall health. By contrast, Ama is a toxic, disease causing substance that forms as a result of impaired Agni, and that, in turn, destroys Agni. In this way, impaired Agni and the creation of Ama routinely enter into a vicious and self-perpetuating cycle. Unfortunately, the accumulation of Ama is extremely detrimental to our health; it can lead to all kinds of imbalances and is a causative factor in any number of diseases. Ama pachan and Agni Deepana is the best concept to improve all heath issues, for this the wonderful drug Chitraka is mentioned in our Ayurvedic texts. Here in this article we are going to discuss about Chitrak & its medicinal aspect as mentioned in Ayurvedic texts

Role of Helpline Services in Technology Dissemination

ABSTRACT Communication is the web that holds a society together and it is a collection of small and relatively isolated facilitate dissemination of agricultural technology". Keeping in view the problems in agriculture, an investigation on 'Role of helpline services in technology dissemination' was conducted in Uttar Pradesh with following objectives: i) to study the level of use of helpline services; ii) to study the role of private and public interventions in helpline services; and iii) to find out the constraints and work out strategy for making helpline services effective for farmers

Synthesis, C-13 NMR and anticonvulsant activity of new isatin-based spiroazetidinones

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Improving lentil (Lens culinaris) productivity and profitability through farmer participatory action research in India

Application of technology for on-farm productivity enhancement is the major intervention besides meeting the other requirements like input supply, marketing, biotic and abiotic stresses. Further, to what extent farmers are involved in technology delivery process is another dimension of technology application. Farmers may be either the passive receiver of any technology of information, or they be be the active partners in planning, implementing and evaluating the interventions. In the first phase of the study, documentation and characterization of lentil based cropping systems, variety use pattern and existing yield level; comparison of lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) and non-lentil based cropping systems, constraint analysis and identification of need based and situation specific potential solutions were done. In the second phase of the study, the suggested solutions were translated and prioritized into meaningful interventions in the form of lentil variety demonstration; assessment of different technological components like weed management,fertilizer  management, irrigation management and disease management in integrated crop management (ICM) mode and implemented for two cropping seasons of 2010-11 to 2011-12. Action research was, therefore, conducted among 965 lentil growers (389 ha area) selected from 35 districts across four states of India during 2010-11 to 2011-12. Yield gap II (37.65 - 54.39%) was found more prominent than the research gap or yield gap I (15.0 - 22.5 %) in selected states. The states of Uttar Pradesh (716 kg/ha), Bihar (629 kg/ha), Madhya Pradesh (619 kg/ha) and West Bengal (604 kg/ha) showed higher yield gap in lentil. Distinct lentil based existing cropping system and very poor level of yields was observed (as low as 300 kg/ha in Madhya Pradesh to 932 kg/ha in some parts of Uttar Pradesh). Lentil based cropping systems (B: C ratio - 3.11-3.77) was economically efficient than non-lentil based cropping system (B:C ratio - 1.17 to 1.72). Assessment of improved lentil varieties and integrated crop management technologies resulted in higher gain both in yield (57.8%) and net return (87.8%), followed by improved variety (50.4% increase in yield and 82.2% higher net return) over the farmers' practices. Other technological components like weed management, fertilizer management, irrigation management and disease management contributed increase in yield (20-29%) and net returns (17-37%) over farmers' practices