Identification of pH tolerant Bradyrhizobium japonicum strains and their symbiotic effectiveness in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] in low nutrient soil

Eight strains of Bradyrhizobium japonicum were isolated from the root nodules of soybean cultivar PK 472 collected from Adaptive Trial Centre, Bundi, India. All the isolates were authenticated through plant assay test in germination pouches. Growth of the isolated strains on different pH levels was observed and three strains namely Bj-3, Bj-5 and Bj-8 were found to be able to grow up to pH 8.5. Symbiotic efficiency of these isolates was determined under the mist house conditions in the sterilized sandy soil (pH 8.4). Maximum and minimum nodulation and vegetative growth were observed in Bj-3 and Bj-2 inoculated soybean plants, respectively. Three pH tolerant strains could also pose better results in the efficiency determination experiment. Considerable variability in terms of the symbiotic effectiveness was found in the tested strains.African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 4 (7), pp. 663-666,200

Evaluating the toxic effects of Ficus infectoria Roxb. and Emblica officinalis Gaertn. leaf extracts on cell division and chromosomal morphology of Cicer arietinum L.

In the present study, the aqueous extracts of Ficus infectoria and Emblica officinalis leaves were evaluated for their toxic effect on cell division and chromosomal morphology of Cicer arietinum root apical meristem. The extracts were prepared by dissolving 15 gm, 30 gm and 45 gm of dry leaf powder in 1000 ml of double distilled water. The experiment was conducted in sterilized petri dishes. The results revealed that the different concentrations of aqueous extract of F. infectoria and E. officinalis caused cytotoxic and mitodepressive effects on chromosome of Cicer arietinum. The dose–dependent and statistically significant (

The Effect of Capsaicin Derivatives on Tight-Junction Integrity and Permeability of Madin-Darby Canine Kidney Cells

Capsaicin is known to interfere with tight junctions (TJs) of epithelial cells and therefore to enhance paracellular permeability of poorly absorbable drugs. However, due to its low water solubility, pungency, and cytotoxicity, its pharmacologic use is limited. In this study, we investigated the effect of capsaicin derivatives of synthetic (e.g., 10-hydroxy-N-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzyl)decanamide, etc.) and natural (olvanil and dihydrocapsaicin) origin on Madin-Darby Canine Kidney–C7 cells. Impedance spectroscopy was used to determine the transepithelial electrical resistance and the capacitance. Permeability assays with fluorescein isothiocyanate–dextran were carried out to evaluate the impact on cell permeability. The results show that lipophilicity could play an important role for the interference with TJ and that the mechanism is independent from the ion channel TRPV-1 and hence on the flux of calcium into the cells. In summary, we synthesized 4 derivatives of capsaicin of lower lipophilicity and compared their properties with other well-known vanilloids. We show that these compounds are able to enhance the permeability of a hydrophilic macromolecule, by opening the TJ for a shorter time than capsaicin. This behavior is dependent on the lipophilicity of the molecule. Understanding of these phenomena may lead to better control of administration of therapeutic molecules

Chitosan encapsulation modulates the effect of capsaicin on the tight junctions of MDCK cells

Capsaicin has known pharmacological effects including the ability to reversibly open cellular tight junctions, among others. The aim of this study was to develop a strategy to enhance the paracellular transport of a substance with low permeability (FITC-dextran) across an epithelial cell monolayer via reversible opening of cellular tight junctions using a nanosystem comprised by capsaicin and of chitosan. We compared the biophysical properties of free capsaicin and capsaicin-loaded chitosan nanocapsules, including their cytotoxicity towards epithelial MDCK-C7 cells and their effect on the integrity of tight junctions, membrane permeability and cellular uptake. The cytotoxic response of MDCK-C7 cells to capsaicin at a concentration of 500 μM, which was evident for the free compound, is not observable following its encapsulation. The interaction between nanocapsules and the tight junctions of MDCK-C7 cells was investigated by impedance spectroscopy, digital holographic microscopy and structured illumination fluorescence microscopy. The nanocapsules modulated the interaction between capsaicin and tight junctions as shown by the different time profile of trans-epithelial electrical resistance and the enhanced permeability of monolayers incubated with FITC-dextran. Structured illumination fluorescence microscopy showed that the nanocapsules were internalized by MDCK-C7 cells. The capsaicin-loaded nanocapsules could be further developed as drug nanocarriers with enhanced epithelial permeability

In Vitro and Sensory Evaluation of Capsaicin-Loaded Nanoformulations

Capsaicin has known health beneficial and therapeutic properties. It is also able to enhance the permeability of drugs across epithelial tissues. Unfortunately, due to its pungency the oral administration of capsaicin is limited. To this end, we assessed the effect of nanoencapsulation of capsaicin, under the hypothesis that this would reduce its pungency. Core-shell nanocapsules with an oily core and stabilized with phospholipids were used. This system was used with or without chitosan coating. In this work, we investigated the in vitro release behavior of capsaicin-loaded formulations in different physiological media (including simulated saliva fluid). We also evaluated the influence of encapsulation of capsaicin on the cell viability of buccal cells (TR146). To study the changes in pungency after encapsulation we carried out a sensory analysis with a trained panel of 24 students. The in vitro release study showed that the systems discharged capsaicin slowly in a monotonic manner and that the chitosan coating had an effect on the release profile. The cytotoxic response of TR146 cells to capsaicin at a concentration of 500 μM, which was evident for the free compound, was reduced following its encapsulation. The sensory study revealed that a chitosan coating results in a lower threshold of perception of the formulation. The nanoencapsulation of capsaicin resulted in attenuation of the sensation of pungency significantly. However, the presence of a chitosan shell around the nanoformulations did not mask the pungency, when compared with uncoated systems

Nanoencapsulated capsaicin changes migration behavior and morphology of madin darby canine kidney cell monolayers

We have developed a drug delivery nanosystem based on chitosan and capsaicin. Both substances have a wide range of biological activities. We investigated the nanosystem’s influence on migration and morphology of Madin Darby canine kidney (MDCK-C7) epithelial cells in comparison to the capsaicin-free nanoformulation, free capsaicin, and control cells. For minimally-invasive quantification of cell migration, we applied label-free digital holographic microscopy (DHM) and single-cell tracking. Moreover, quantitative DHM phase images were used as novel stain-free assay to quantify the temporal course of global cellular morphology changes in confluent cell layers. Cytoskeleton alterations and tight junction protein redistributions were complementary analyzed by fluorescence microscopy. Calcium influx measurements were conducted to characterize the influence of the nanoformulations and capsaicin on ion channel activities. We found that both, capsaicin-loaded and unloaded chitosan nanocapsules, and also free capsaicin, have a significant impact on directed cell migration and cellular motility. Increase of velocity and directionality of cell migration correlates with changes in the cell layer surface roughness, tight junction integrity and cytoskeleton alterations. Calcium influx into cells occurred only after nanoformulation treatment but not upon addition of free capsaicin. Our results pave the way for further studies on the biological significance of these findings and potential biomedical applications, e.g. as drug and gene carriers

Foliar spray with vermiwash modifies the Arbuscular mycorrhizal dependency and nutrient stoichiometry of Bhut Jolokia (Capsicum assamicum).

Vermiwash (VW), a liquid extract obtained from vermicomposting beds, is used as an organic fertilizer for crop plants. The current study investigated the effect of a vermiwash foliar spray on the response of bhut jolokia (Capsicum assamicum) exposed to two different arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF: Rhizophagus irregularis, RI and G. mosseae, GM) in acidic soil under naturally ventilated greenhouse conditions. The VW spray significantly influenced the growth of plants receiving the dual treatment of AMF+VW. Plant growth was more prominent in the GM+VW treatment group than that in the RI+VW treatment group. The plant-AMF interactions in relation to growth and nutrient requirements were also significantly influenced by the application of VW. Interestingly, the VW treatment appeared to contribute more N to plants when compared to that under the AMF treatment, which led to changes in the C:N:P stoichiometry in plant shoots. Furthermore, the increased potassium dependency, as observed in the case of the dual treatments, suggests the significance of such treatments for improving crop conditions under salt stress. Overall, our study shows that the VW foliar spray modifies the response of a crop to inoculations of different AMF with regard to growth and nutrient utilization, which has implications for the selection of an efficient combination of nutrient source for improving crop growth

Ethnopharmacological and phytopharmaceutical evaluation of prosopis cineraria : an overview and future prospects

Background: Prosopis cineraria (L.) Druce ('khejri') is an important tree that occurs worldwide in arid regions. It has been mentioned in the Indian Ayurvedic system of medicines as having several clinical properties. Different parts of this plant are used in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Iran for treating various ailments such as leprosy, leucoderma, dysentery, asthma, bronchitis, piles, jaundice and muscular tremors. Since all parts of the tree are useful, it is called ‘Kalp Taru’ or ‘Wonder Tree’ in India. Phytochemical studies of P. cineraria have underlined the presence of various classes of phytochemicals, such as flavone derivatives (prosogerin A, B, C, D and E), alkaloids (spicigerine and prosophylline), tannins (gallic acid), steroids (stigmasterol, campesterol and sitosterol, etc.), fatty acids and amino acids, etc., that have been obtained from different parts of the plant. Methods: We undertook a comprehensive, critical and systematic literature survey on ethnomedicinal, phytochemical and pharmacological aspects of P. cineraria. Efforts were made to establish/corroborate the scientific reasons of ethnomedicinal use with the help of published modern studies. Results: Based on in-depth analysis of more than 200 studies, we were able to corroborate a large number of facts pertaining to uses of different parts of this plant for treating various maladies. Further, it yielded several new insights on phyto-pharmacological aspects of P. cineraria. Conclusion: Results of this study are useful for commercialization of the products derived from phytochemicals of P. cineraria