Andrographolide: A New Plant-Derived Antineoplastic Entity on Horizon

Plant-derived natural products occupy an important position in the area of cancer chemotherapy. Molecules such as vincristine, vinblastine, paclitaxel, camptothecin derivatives, epipodophyllotoxin, and so forth, are invaluable contributions of nature to modern medicine. However, the quest to find out novel therapeutic compounds for cancer treatment and management is a never-ending venture; and diverse plant species are persistently being studied for identification of prospective anticancer agents. In this regard, Andrographis paniculata Nees, a well-known plant of Indian and Chinese traditional system of medicines, has drawn attention of researchers in recent times. Andrographolide, the principal bioactive chemical constituent of the plant has shown credible anticancer potential in various investigations around the globe. In vitro studies demonstrate the capability of the compound of inducing cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis in a variety of cancer cells at different concentrations. Andrographolide also shows potent immunomodulatory and anti-angiogenic activities in tumorous tissues. Synthetic analogues of the compound have also been created and analyzed, which have also shown similar activities. Although it is too early to predict its future in cancer chemotherapy, the prologue strongly recommends further research on this molecule to assess its potential as a prospective anticancer agent

Ex Situ Conservation Method for Clerodendrum inerme: A medicinal plant of India

Clerodendrum inerme L. (Verbenaceae), commonly known as vanajai or garden quinine is a perennial shrub. Leaves and roots of the plant are used in rheumatism and skin diseases. In Indian classical literature the plant is also reported as a substitute of quinine. Since root of the plant is used as drug, whole plant has to be destroyed; this has resulted in the depletion of the plant population. Present investigation was taken up to establish a protocol for mass production of better quality plant material, using axillary bud multiplication. The protocol will help in ex situ conservation of the plant. Maximum number of multiplied axillary bud was observed in 16 M 6-benzyladenine (BA) with 3% sucrose. After elongation, regenerated micro-shoots were rooted in MS medium in absence of plant growth regulators (PGR). The rooted plantlets showed 100% field survival. The regenerated plants showed similar phytochemical profile as mother plant when compared.Keywords: Clerodendrum inerme, finger print profile, micropropogatio

Analyzing The Effect of Alternative Banking Channels on the Employees Productivity of the Commercial Banks: Evidence from the State Bank of India

Alternative Banking Channel is a branchless access channel to banking institutions at a lower cost, convenience, high subscription rate, faster transaction speed, and expanded income sources. The purpose of this study is to look on the other side also i.e. the productivity of the employees. For the study, State Bank of India has been selected (largest Public Sector Bank of India). Only secondary sources such as annual reports, published publications, conference papers, books, and banking websites were used to obtain the data. With the help of regression model, an attempt has been made to analyze the impact of alternative banking channels on the productivity of SBI's employees. According to this research, the rate of use of ABC products such as Online Banking, ATM Card, POS, Internet Banking, Mobile-Cash, Electronic Fund Transfer, and Real-Time Gross Settlement is increasing which has not only boosted the profitability of SBI but also increased the Business productivity of employees

Assessment of Respiratory Disorders Using Speech Parameters

In today�s scenario detection of diseases using voice analysis has become one of the important research topic. In order to determine if the person is suffering from some kind of illness, the information extracted by voice analysis about the person�s health can be helpful, as a number of pathological disorders are related with nasal, neural, respiratory and larynx diseases etc. In this paper, the analysis of voice parameters is done in order to differentiate between normal and affected person. The speech samples are recorded and Pitch , formant frequencies, intensity was extracted from the speech signals. The mean values variation of these parameters is used in identifying the difference between normal and affected person

An anatomic variant caudate lobe in a cadaver

The liver can present a number of congenital anomalies. Most common among them are the irregularities in shape and the number of lobules. Less common variations include presence of accessory lobes or accessory fissures. The accessory lobe may be attached to the liver through a mesentery or a bridge of hepatic tissue and they are usually asymptomatic. An accessory liver lobe though a very rare occurrence but when it exists it becomes clinically important because of its rarity. We are reporting one such case of accessory caudate lobe of liver found during routine dissection of embalmed cadaver of a 60 year old male. It was separated from the caudate lobe by a well-defined fissure. The quadrate lobe and fissure for ligamentum teres were totally absent. Ligamentum teres was found embedded in the substance of the liver on its inferior surface. The presence of additional lobes and fissures or the absence of normal lobes and fissures might lead to confusion during surgery or clinical misdiagnosis. Knowledge and awareness of these anomalies is useful to the clinician to rule out diseases, surgeons during segmental resection of liver and radiologist when interpreting liver radiologic findings

High division of sciatic nerve

Background: The Sciatic nerve is the largest and thickest nerve in the human body with a long course in the inferior extremity. It divides into tibial and common peroneal nerves which can occur at any level from the sacral plexus to the inferior part of the popliteal space. Sciatic nerve variations are relatively common. These variations may contribute to clinical conditions ex sciatica, coccygodynia and piriformis syndrome and have important clinical implications in anaesthesiology, neurology, sports medicine and surgery.Methods:10 cadavers were dissected with no previous history of trauma/surgery to study the anatomical variations of sciatic nerve.Results:In all except two cadavers, the nerve divided at the apex of the popliteal fossa. In two cadavers the sciatic nerve divided bilaterally in the upper part of thigh.Conclusion: The high division presented in this study can make popliteal nerve blocks partially ineffective. The high division of sciatic nerve must always be borne in mind as they have important clinical implications

Empirical observation of natural farming inputs on nitrogen uptake, soil health, and crop yield of rice-wheat cropping system in the organically managed Inceptisol of Trans Gangetic plain

Natural Farming represents an agro-ecological methodology for farming that emphasizes regenerative practices with an aim to promote holistic ecological balance and reduce the dependence on external inputs as well as financial resources. Substantial concern has recently arisen over the need to promote agroecosystems that are more sustainable in order to improve the deteriorating soil health as well as reversing the yield plateau of crop. So, the current on farm field experiment was executed comprising of 8 treatments with different combination of natural farming inputs (Ghanjeevamrit, Jeevamrit, Beejamrit), organic fertilizer (such as FYM), integrated nutrient management (NPK, FYM, Azotobacter and Azolla) and in-organic(NPK) to examine and compare the consequence of natural farming inputs, organic fertilizer and in-organic dosage of fertilizer on soil nitrogen uptake, soil physicochemical properties, soil biological properties, soil microbial population and crop yields in a rice-wheat cropping system over two crop seasons 2021–23 [rice (Pusa-1509) and wheat (HD-3086)]. The study results demonstrated that there was significant (p < 0.05) increase in the soil’s nitrogen availability and nitrogen uptake with the use of natural farming inputs as compared to control treatment, whereas, natural farming treatments (TNF1, TNF2, TNF3, TMNF) were inferior than integrated nutrient management (TINM) and recommended doses of fertilizer (TRDF) treatment in case of nitrogen uptake by both rice and wheat crop. The soil enzymatic activity (Dehydrogenase, β-glucosidase, and urease), soil microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen, and soil microbial population (Bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes) were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in treatment receiving natural farming inputs compare to in-organic fertilizer and organic fertilizer. A positive and significant correlation was observed between potential mineralization nitrogen and soil enzymatic activity (Dehydrogenase, β-glucosidase, and urease), soil microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen and soil microbial population (Bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes). The crop yield at the end of experiment recorded to be highest in treatment TINM (75% RDF (In-organic) + 25% RDF (FYM) + BGA) i.e., (Rice- 4.76 t/ha and Wheat- 5.82 t/ha) compared to TRDF and TNF. A crop yield reduction of 14.2% was observed in treatment receiving natural farming inputs compare to TINM. A significant increase in crop yield was observed in TMNF (Jeevamrit (25%) + Ghanjeevamrit (25%) + 50% RDF through FYM + Beejamrit) compare to Tc (Control) and TFYM (Farmyard manure). Therefore, our study suggests that adoption of natural farming inputs over time can facilitate the enhancement of soil biological health of Inceptisol of Trans Gangetic Plain of India

ABCs of RhoGTPases indicating potential role as oncotargets

RhoGTPases also known as molecular switches represent a family of GTP-binding proteins. They shuttle between “On” and “Off” states. In the “On” state, they activate plethora of molecules. These proteins perform a wide variety of functions involving cytoskeletal modeling, cell motility, migration, and mitosis. Members of this family are referred as master regulators of many cellular activities. Due to wide variety of portfolios attributed to RhoGTPases, their misbehavior leads to initiation and also progression of metastatic cancers. Many members of this family have been reported to be differentially regulated leading to spread of malignant cells from one site to other. These wandering cells find a comfortable site in accordance to Paget's soil and seed hypothesis and form secondary lesions. Out of multiple members of this family, RhoA and RhoC are important factors. RhoA is supposed to increase tumor proliferation when overexpressed while RhoC is responsible for tumor initiation. We searched publications on RhoGTPases, their functions and contribution in cancer development and metastasis on World Wide Web and PubMed. This review focuses on the role of Rac and Rho small GTPases in cell motility and granting the opportunistic motile behavior of aggressive cancer cells. To condense knowledge from existing literature about the roles played by these molecular switches, their structural and functional ramifications are introduced in the beginning followed by an account on their wrong behavior that leads to oncogenesis and oncoprogression. This piece of work highlights members of RhoGTPases as viable oncotargets

Internal transcribed spacer guided multiplex PCR for species identification of Convolvulus prostratus and Evolvulus alsinoides

Shankhpushpi is a reputed drug from an Indian system of medicine for treating mental disorders and enhancing memory. Two herbs, namely Convolvulus prostratus Forssk. and Evolvulus alsinoides (L.) L., are commonly known as Shankhpushpi. Ambiguous vernacular identity can affect the scientific validity of the Shankpushpi-based herbal drug therapy. In the present investigation, a novel and sensitive multiplex PCR method based on polymorphism in the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region was developed to establish the molecular identity of C. prostratus and E. alsinoides. DNA was isolated and the ITS region was amplified, sequenced and assembled. Sequences were aligned to identify variable nucleotides in order to develop plant-specific primers. Primers were validated in singleplex reactions and eventually a multiplex assay was developed. This assay was tested for sensitivity and validated by amplifying DNA isolated from the simulated blended powdered plant material. Primers developed for C. prostratus resulted into a 200 bp amplicon and 596 bp for E. alsinoides. The assay was found to be sensitive enough for amplification of low quantities of DNA. The method can detect 10% of the mixing of plants with each other in blended material. This PCR assay can be used for rapid botanical identification of Shankhpushpi plant materials and will improve evidence-based herbal drug therapy

Andrographolide: A new plant-derived antineoplastic entity on horizon

Plant-derived natural products occupy an important position in the area of cancer chemotherapy. Molecules such as vincristine, vinblastine, paclitaxel, camptothecin derivatives, epipodophyllotoxin, and so forth, are invaluable contributions of nature to modern medicine. However, the quest to find out novel therapeutic compounds for cancer treatment and management is a never-ending venture; and diverse plant species are persistently being studied for identification of prospective anticancer agents. In this regard, Andrographis paniculata Nees, a well-known plant of Indian and Chinese traditional system of medicines, has drawn attention of researchers in recent times. Andrographolide, the principal bioactive chemical constituent of the plant has shown credible anticancer potential in various investigations around the globe. In vitro studies demonstrate the capability of the compound of inducing cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis in a variety of cancer cells at different concentrations. Andrographolide also shows potent immunomodulatory and anti-angiogenic activities in tumorous tissues. Synthetic analogues of the compound have also been created and analyzed, which have also shown similar activities. Although it is too early to predict its future in cancer chemotherapy, the prologue strongly recommends further research on this molecule to assess its potential as a prospective anticancer agent