IN VITRO DPPH RADICAL SCAVENGING AND ANTI-BACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF OMAN'S CYMBOPOGON

Objective: The objective of this work is to evaluate antioxidant and anti-microbial activity of methanolic extract of Omani Cymbopogan schoenanthus.Methods: Antibacterial activity of mehanolic extract of Cymbopogan was evaluated by agar well diffusion method along with positive controls (Streptomycin, tetracycline and chloramphenicol). Antioxidant activity of the mehanolic extract of C. schoenanthus was done by 1, 1-diphenyl-2picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay.Results: The results indicate that the methanolic extract of C. schoenanthus is able to restrict the growth of organisms such E. coli, Klebsiella, Staphylococcus and Bacillus partially and it is not an effective antibacterial agent. In addition, the extract can scavenge the DPPH in vitro better than ascorbic acid (1 mg/ml).Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge this is the first report on Omani C. schoenanthus as an antibacterial and antioxidant agent. Characterization of active principle responsible for observed biological activities is ongoing in our laboratory.Keywords: Antibacterial, Antioxidant, Cymbopogon, Oman

Mechanochemical syntheses, crystal structures, and photo-luminescent properties of a new hydrazone and its nickel and cadmium complexes

This work is funded by DST-SERB, India, Under EMEQ scheme (SB/EMEQ-164/2014).Peer reviewedPostprin

Frankincense derived heavy terpene cocktail boosting breast cancer cell (MDA-MB-231) death in vitro

Objective: To investigate the anti-cancer effect of frankincense derived heavy oil obtained by Soxhlet extraction method on breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231), and to study its chemical profile using gas chromatography mass spectrometry analysis. Methods: Hexane was used to extract heavy oil from frankincense resin. Chemical profiling of heavy oil was done using Perkin Elmer Clarus GC system with mass spectrometer. MDA-MB-231 cells were treated with different dilutions (1:1000, 1:1500, 1:1750, 1:2000, 1:2250, 1:2500, 1:2750, 1:3000, 1:3250) of heavy oil for 24 h. The cells were observed by using light microscopy. Cell viability was measured by MTT assay. Results: Gas chromatography mass spectrometry chemical profiling of frankincense derived heavy oil revealed the presence of terpenes such as α-pinene (61.56%), α-amyrin (20.6%), β-amyrin (8.1%), β-phellandrene (1.47%) and camphene (1.04%). Heavy terpene cocktail induced significant MDA-MB-231 cell death at each concentration tested. Noticeably, very low concentration of Soxhlet derived heavy terpenes elicits considerable cytotoxicity on MDA-MB-231 cells compared to hydro distillated essential oil derived from frankincense resin. Conclusions: Extracting anti-cancer active principle cocktail by simple Soxhlet method is cost effective and less time consuming. Our in vitro anti-cancer data forms the rationale for us to test heavy terpene complex in breast cancer xenograft model in vivo. Furthermore, fractionation and developing frankincense heavy terpene based breast cancer drug is the major goal of our laboratory

Hypolipidaemic and antihyperlipidaemic effect of Hibiscus Sabdariffa leaves in experimental hyperammonemic rats

Effect of Hibiscus sabdariffa (is an edible medicinal plant, indigenous to India, China and Thailand and is used in Ayurveda and traditional medicine), leaf extract (HSEt) on the levels blood ammonia, and serum lipid profiles (cholesterol, triglycerides, phosphor lipids, free fatty acids) were studied for its protective effect during ammonium chloride induced hyperammonemia in Wistar rats. Ammonium chloride (AC) treated rats showed a significant increase in the levels of circulatory ammonia and lipid profiles. These changes were significantly decreased in HSEt and AC treated rats. Our results indicate that HSEt offers protection by influencing the levels of ammonia and lipid profiles in experimental hyperammonemia and this could be due to its (i) ability to detoxify excess ammonia, urea and creatinine, (ii) free radical scavenging property both in vitro and in vivo by means of reducing lipid peroxidation and the presence of natural antioxidants. Hence, it may be concluded that the hypolipidaemic and antihyperlipidaemic effects produced by the HSEt may be due to the presence of flavonoids and other polyphenolic compounds. But the exact underlying mechanism is remains to be elucidated.8 page(s

Synthesis and characterisation of double-layered octahedral coordination networks built up from divalent metal ions, mixed carboxylate anions, and ethyl carbazate ligands

This work is funded by DST-SERB, India, Under EMEQ scheme (SB/EMEQ-164/2014).Peer reviewedPostprin

An In vitro evidence for caffeic acid, rosmarinic acid and trans cinnamic acid as a skin protectant against γ-radiation

Ionising radiation (γ or X-rays) is the mandatory tool to treat cancer despite its detrimental effects in particular on skin cells which lead to severe dermatological diseases and carcinogenesis. Natural antioxidants caffeic acid (CA), rosmarinic acid (RA), trans cinnamic acid (TCA), p-coumaric acid (PCA), and hydroxyphenyllactic acid (HPA) acid are known to be potent anticancer and antioxidant agents. Current study is designed to provide experimental evidence as these compounds offer radiation protection for skin cells. Non-toxic concentrations of CA, RA, TCA, PCA, and HPA were tested for radiation protection, γ-radiation induced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) by flow cytometry and DNA double strand break in human keratinocytes (HaCaT cells) by immunocytochemistry. CA, RA and TCA pretreatment can protect the HaCaT cells by 40%, 20%, 15% respectively through scavenging γ-radiation induced ROS and decreasing number of post irradiation 53bp1 foci. Inclusion of these compounds in chemo-radiotherapy could facilitate to achieve multiple target protection (i.e. anti-cancer and skin radio protectant).12 page(s

Nucleic Acid Aptamers as a Potential Nucleus Targeted Drug Delivery System

BACKGROUND:Nucleus targeted drug delivery provides several opportunities for the treatment of fatal diseases such as cancer. However, the complex nucleocytoplasmic barriers pose significant challenges for delivering a drug directly and efficiently into the nucleus. Aptamers representing singlestranded DNA and RNA qualify as next-generation highly advanced and personalized medicinal agents that successfully inhibit the expression of certain proteins; possess extraordinary gene-expression for manoeuvring the diseased cell's fate with negligible toxicity. In addition, the precisely directed aptamers to the site of action present a tremendous potential to reach the nucleus by escaping the ensuing barriers to exhibit a better drug activity and gene expression. OBJECTIVE:This review epigrammatically highlights the significance of targeted drug delivery and presents a comprehensive description of the principal barriers faced by the nucleus targeted drug delivery paradigm and ensuing complexities thereof. Eventually, the progress of nucleus targeting with nucleic acid aptamers and success achieved so far have also been reviewed. METHODS:Systematic literature search was conducted of research published to date in the field of nucleic acid aptamers. CONCLUSION:The review specifically points out the contribution of individual aptamers as the nucleustargeting agent rather than aptamers in conjugated form