Estimation of bioactive potential of culturable bacterial endophytes from Coleus

331-342Endophytic microflora is source of several bioactive compounds. Endophytes isolated from Coleus species are yet to be fully explored for their bioactive potential. In this study, bacterial endophytes were isolated from three different species of Coleus. Isolated endophytes were characterized by using Gram staining and by sequencing 16S rRNA region. Further, solvents with different polarities were used to prepare extracts which were used for assessment of different bio-activities including in vitro cytotoxicity, anti-microbial and anti-oxidant activities. Also, the pure endophytic bacterial cultures were evaluated for their antiphytopathogen potential as well as indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and protease production. Advanced studies on the endophytes with promising activities may lead to the isolation of novel natural products for drugs as well as in industrial and agricultural applications

Assessment of threatened status, phytochemical composition and biological properties of three Aconitum species from Kashmir Himalaya - India

Genus Aconitum (Ranunculaceae) is represented by 6–8 species from Kashmir Himalaya.  Traditionally Aconitum species are used to treat a wide array of diseases, but their ethnopharmacological validation and phytochemistry are hitherto unreported from Kashmir Himalaya. The present study was undertaken to bring insights into the traditional use and distribution pattern of three Aconitum species from the region. An ethnobotany-directed approach was employed to study the conservation status of three Aconitum species. Their phytochemical profiles and biological properties were screened under in vitro conditions. Folin–ciocalteu and Aluminium chloride assays were employed to measure their total phenolic and total flavonoid contents, respectively. Plant extracts were evaluated for antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities. Three Aconitum species, viz. Aconitum heterophyllum Wall. ex Royle, Aconitum violaceum Jacquem. ex Stapf and Aconitum chasmanthum Stapf. ex Holmes showed dwindling conservation status in Kashmir Himalaya. Aconitum extracts showed significant variations in total phenolic and flavonoid contents. Antioxidant activity of Aconitum chasmanthum methanolic extract was studied to be comparatively higher (80.115%). Aconitum chasmanthum DCM & methanolic extracts showed a good MIC value of 0.125 mg/ml against Candida albicans and Streptococus pyogenes, respectively. The percent inhibition of NLRP inflammasome was found significant in Aconitum violaceum ethyl acetate extract (74.61%). The present study revealed that Aconitum species are constantly declining at least in investigated habitats of Kashmir Himalaya and hence need strategic conservation planning. The results also emphasized the utility of Aconitum species as an antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory agent that could be used to manage various health problems

Estimation of bioactive potential of culturable bacterial endophytes from Coleus

Endophytic microflora is source of several bioactive compounds. Endophytes isolated from Coleus species are yet to be fully explored for their bioactive potential. In this study, bacterial endophytes were isolated from three different species of Coleus. Isolated endophytes were characterized by using Gram staining and by sequencing 16S rRNA region. Further, solvents with different polarities were used to prepare extracts which were used for assessment of different bio-activities including in vitro cytotoxicity, anti-microbial and anti-oxidant activities. Also, the pure endophytic bacterial cultures were evaluated for their antiphytopathogen potential as well as indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and protease production. Advanced studies on the endophytes with promising activities may lead to the isolation of novel natural products for drugs as well as in industrial and agricultural applications