Evaluation of Ocimum tenuiflorum and Syzygium aromaticum phenolic ethereal oils for In-vitro anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial activities

Aim: The present study is aimed to evaluate in-vitro anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial activity of phenolic ethereal oils like Tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum) and Clove (Syzygium aromaticum). Materials and methods: A total of 500 g of fresh leaves and dried flower buds of Tulsi and Clove were subjected to hydro-distillation method for 6 h using Clevenger’s apparatus. The isolated ethereal oils were used for testing the in-vitro anti-inflammatory activity by using albumin denaturation assay, proteinase inhibitory activity at a concentration of 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 µl/ml and anti-bacterial activity against two gram positive microorganisms (Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus) and two gram negative microorganisms (Salmonella typhi and Escherichia coli) at concentrations 50 µl/ml, 100 µl/ml and 200 µl/ml by adopting cup plate method. Results:  The isolated ethereal oils exhibited significant in-vitro anti-inflammatory effect and also inhibited the growth of both Gram positive and Gram negative microorganisms at 50 µl/ml, 100 µl/ml and 200 µl/ml concentrations. Conclusion: The findings of this study showed that the effectiveness of Phenolic ethereal oils isolated from Clove and Tulsi. Clove (Syzygium aromaticum) showed enhanced anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial activity compared to Tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum). The present study provides evidence that Ocimum tenuiflorum and Syzygium aromaticum; Phenolic ethereal oils contain medicinally important bioactive components justifying its traditional use. Keywords: Phenolic ethereal oils, anti-inflammatory activity, anti-bacterial activity, Ociumm tenuiflorum, Syzygium aromaticum

Free Radical Scavenging and Analgesic Activities of Cucumis sativus L. Fruit Extract

The aqueous fruit extract of Cucumis sativus L. was screened for free radical scavenging and analgesic activities. The extract was subjected to in vitro antioxidant studies at 250 and 500 μg/ml and analgesic study at the doses 250 and 500 mg/kg, respectively. The free radical scavenging was compared with ascorbic acid, BHA (Butylated hydroxyl anisole), whereas, the analgesic effect was compared with Diclofenac sodium (50 mg/kg). The C. sativus fruit extract showed maximum antioxidant and analgesic effect at 500 μg/ml and 500 mg/kg, respectively. The presence of flavonoids and tannins in the extract as evidenced by preliminary phytochemical screening suggests that these compounds might be responsible for free radical scavenging and analgesic effects

Isolation and evolutionary analysis of Australasian topotype of bluetongue virus serotype 4 from India

Bluetongue (BT) is a Culicoides-borne disease caused by several serotypes of bluetongue virus (BTV). Similar to other insect-borne viral diseases, distribution of BT is limited to distribution of Culicoides species competent to transmit BTV. In the tropics, vector activity is almost year long, and hence, the disease is endemic, with the circulation of several serotypes of BTV, whereas in temperate areas, seasonal incursions of a limited number of serotypes of BTV from neighbouring tropical areas are observed. Although BTV is endemic in all the three major tropical regions (parts of Africa, America and Asia) of the world, the distribution of serotypes is not alike. Apart from serological diversity, geography-based diversity of BTV genome has been observed, and this is the basis for proposal of topotypes. However, evolution of these topotypes is not well understood. In this study, we report the isolation and characterization of several BTV-4 isolates from India. These isolates are distinct from BTV-4 isolates from other geographical regions. Analysis of available BTV seg-2 sequences indicated that the Australasian BTV-4 diverged from African viruses around 3,500 years ago, whereas the American viruses diverged relatively recently (1,684 CE). Unlike Australasia and America, BTV-4 strains of the Mediterranean area evolved through several independent incursions. We speculate that independent evolution of BTV in different geographical areas over long periods of time might have led to the diversity observed in the current virus population

Full-genome sequencing as a basis for molecular epidemiology studies of bluetongue virus in India

Since 1998 there have been significant changes in the global distribution of bluetongue virus (BTV). Ten previously exotic BTV serotypes have been detected in Europe, causing severe disease outbreaks in naïve ruminant populations. Previously exotic BTV serotypes were also identified in the USA, Israel, Australia and India. BTV is transmitted by biting midges (Culicoides spp.) and changes in the distribution of vector species, climate change, increased international travel and trade are thought to have contributed to these events. Thirteen BTV serotypes have been isolated in India since first reports of the disease in the country during 1964. Efficient methods for preparation of viral dsRNA and cDNA synthesis, have facilitated full-genome sequencing of BTV strains from the region. These studies introduce a new approach for BTV characterization, based on full-genome sequencing and phylogenetic analyses, facilitating the identification of BTV serotype, topotype and reassortant strains. Phylogenetic analyses show that most of the equivalent genome-segments of Indian BTV strains are closely related, clustering within a major eastern BTV ‘topotype’. However, genome-segment 5 (Seg-5) encoding NS1, from multiple post 1982 Indian isolates, originated from a western BTV topotype. All ten genome-segments of BTV-2 isolates (IND2003/01, IND2003/02 and IND2003/03) are closely related (>99% identity) to a South African BTV-2 vaccine-strain (western topotype). Similarly BTV-10 isolates (IND2003/06; IND2005/04) show >99% identity in all genome segments, to the prototype BTV-10 (CA-8) strain from the USA. These data suggest repeated introductions of western BTV field and/or vaccine-strains into India, potentially linked to animal or vector-insect movements, or unauthorised use of ‘live’ South African or American BTV-vaccines in the country. The data presented will help improve nucleic acid based diagnostics for Indian serotypes/topotypes, as part of control strategies

Evolution and Phylogenetic Analysis of Full-Length VP3 Genes of Eastern Mediterranean Bluetongue Virus Isolates

Bluetongue virus (BTV) is the ‘type’ species of the genus Orbivirus within the family Reoviridae. The BTV genome is composed of ten linear segments of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), each of which codes for one of ten distinct viral proteins. Previous phylogenetic comparisons have evaluated variations in genome segment 3 (Seg-3) nucleotide sequence as way to identify the geographical origin (different topotypes) of BTV isolates. The full-length nucleotide sequence of genome Seg-3 was determined for thirty BTV isolates recovered in the eastern Mediterranean region, the Balkans and other geographic areas (Spain, India, Malaysia and Africa). These data were compared, based on molecular variability, positive-selection-analysis and maximum-likelihood phylogenetic reconstructions (using appropriate substitution models) to 24 previously published sequences, revealing their evolutionary relationships. These analyses indicate that negative selection is a major force in the evolution of BTV, restricting nucleotide variability, reducing the evolutionary rate of Seg-3 and potentially of other regions of the BTV genome. Phylogenetic analysis of the BTV-4 strains isolated over a relatively long time interval (1979–2000), in a single geographic area (Greece), showed a low level of nucleotide diversity, indicating that the virus can circulate almost unchanged for many years. These analyses also show that the recent incursions into south-eastern Europe were caused by BTV strains belonging to two different major-lineages: representing an ‘eastern’ (BTV-9, -16 and -1) and a ‘western’ (BTV-4) group/topotype. Epidemiological and phylogenetic analyses indicate that these viruses originated from a geographic area to the east and southeast of Greece (including Cyprus and the Middle East), which appears to represent an important ecological niche for the virus that is likely to represent a continuing source of future BTV incursions into Europe

InBr<SUB>3</SUB>-catalyzed annulations of cyclic 1,3-diketones with aryl propargyl alcohols: a novel synthesis of 2,4-diaryldihydropyrans

The cyclic 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds undergo smooth cyclization with aryl propargyl alcohols in the presence of 10 mol % indium tribromide in refluxing dichloroethane to produce 2,4-diarylpyran derivatives in good yields with high selectivity

Cytochrome oxidase activity in rat retinal ganglion cells during postnatal development

In this study, the metabolic activity of rat retinal ganglion cells during postnatal development has been examined in vivo using cytochrome oxidase histochemistry. The intensity of staining was measured by optical densitometry. The activity of cytochrome oxidase in retinal ganglion cells progressively increased from postnatal day 0 (P0) and reached a peak during the second week of postnatal development (P10-P14) and declined thereafter. Our data show that the increased levels of cytochrome oxidase seen in developing retinal ganglion cells occur at the same time, when neuronal maturity and synaptogenesis reach their peaks

Effect of Graded Levels of Nitrogen Application on Yield and Yield Attributes in Different Rice Varieties

As the application of nitrogen fertilizers in agriculture is increasing day by day which is leading to environmental pollution and increasing the cost of cultivation, a field experiment was conducted at IIRR farm, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad during three consecutive seasons (Kharif-2020, Rabi-2021 and Kharif-2021) to study the effect of different nitrogen levels application on yield and yield attributes in rice. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with four nitrogen levels as main plots, fourteen varieties as sub plots and replicated thrice. Among the nitrogen treatments N150 recorded highest number of panicles, more panicle length and higher grain yield which is on par with N100. N0 recorded lowest number of panicles, less panicle length, lowest grain yield and harvest index. Among the varieties highest 1000 grain weight was noticed in Birupa while N-22 in Kharif-2020 and Kharif-2021 and, Nidhi in Rabi-2021 recorded the lowest value. Birupa showed least reduction in grain yield with N50 compared to N100 in all three tested seasons. MTU-1010 recorded highest grain yield whereas lowest grain yield was noticed in N-22. Higher harvest index was observed in MTU-1010 in Kharif-2020 and Rabi-2021 and, IR-64 in Kharif-2021 while lowest value was recorded in N-22 in Kharif-2020 and Rabi-2021 and, Nidhi in Kharif-2021

PMA/SiO<SUB>2</SUB> as efficient, cost-effective and recyclable catalytic system for the synthesis of highly substituted pyrroles

A mild and efficient method for the synthesis of highly substituted pyrroles is described using phosphomolybdic acid supported on silica gel as a reusable catalyst. The use of PMA supported on silica gel makes it quite simple, more convenient and environmentally benign. This method offers several advantages such as high conversions, short reaction times, cleaner reaction profiles and the use of inexpensive and readily available catalyst