Identification and classification of detoxification enzymes from Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae)

Molecular characterization of the insecticide resistance has become a hot research topic ever since the first disease transmitting arthropod (Anopheles gambiae) genome sequence has unveiled in 2002. A recent publication of the Culex quinquefasciatus genome sequence has opened up new opportunities for molecular and comparative genomic analysis of multiple mosquito genomes to characterize the insecticide resistance. Here, we utilized a whole genome sequence of Cx. quinquefasciatus to identify putatively active members of the detoxification supergene families, namely cytochrome P450s (P450s), glutathione-S-transferases (GSTs), and choline/carboxylesterases (CCEs). The Culex genome analysis revealed 166 P450s, 40 GSTs, and 62 CCEs. Further, the comparative genomic analysis shows that these numbers are considerably higher than the other dipteran mosquitoes. These observed speciesspecific expansions of the detoxification super gene family members endorse the popular understanding of the involvement of these gene families in protecting the organism against multitudinous classes of toxic substances during its complex (aquatic and terrestrial) life cycle. Thus, the generated data set may provide an initial point to start with to characterize the insecticide resistance at a molecular level which could then lead the development of an easy to use molecular marker to monitor the incipient insecticide resistance in field environs

Anti-Hyperglycemic And Anti-Hyperlipidemic Potential Of A Polyherbal Preparation “Diabegon” In Metabolic Syndrome Subject With Type 2 Diabetes

Background: In the present study, “Diabegon” a poly-herbal preparation, with hypoglycemic activity, was evaluated for its preventive effect inmetabolic syndrome subjects with type 2 diabetes and also to reveal its side effects, on liver and kidney.Materials and Methods: Type 2 diabetic subjects with metabolic syndrome (N=58) were categorized on the basis of age and fasting blood glucose.The grouping was as follows: Group I (35-50 yrs), Group II (51-65 yrs), Group III >65 yrs, Group IV FBS<145.9, Group V FBS>145. Each group wasadministered 4 gm of diabegon daily. Blood glucose levels, lipid profile, liver and kidney function of the subjects were regularly monitored within 3months of interval to 18 months.Results: The reduction in fasting blood glucose level ranged from 12.3% (P<0.05) to 42% (P<0.001) after 18 month of therapy whereas in postprandial blood glucose, the decrease ranged from 28% (P<0.05) to 32% (P<0.05) after 18 month of therapy. Overall reductions in the individual parameters of the metabolic syndrome subjects were significantly higher in Group I. Cholesterol level decreased from 11% to 27.2% (P<0.001), triglyceride levels decreased from 24% to 55%, VLDL and LDL levels reduced by 60% & 54% respectively after 18 months of therapy. The HDL-C level increased in all groups. Moreover, diabegon administration for 1.5 years exhibited no alteration in liver and kidney function tests, which indicate its non-toxicity.Conclusion: Our study suggests that diabegon could be included as a preventive treatment in metabolic syndrome subjects with type 2 diabetesespecially for long term treatment as it efficiently shows anti-hyperglycemic and anti-lipidemic effects with no adverse impacts on the liver and kidney.Key words: Metabolic syndrome, Type 2 diabetes, Diabegon, Polyherbal preparation

In vitro induction of tuber formation for the synthesis of secondary metabolites in Chlorophytum borivilianum Sant. et Fernand

Chlorophytum borivilianum Sant. et Fernand an endangered herb is valued for several medicinal properties in its tuberous roots. An efficient and reproducible method for inducing in vitro tubers from stem disc explant has been developed. Stem disc possessing shoot buds were induced to develop multiple shoots in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with vitamins, 3% sucrose, 0.8% agar and 5 mg/L benzylaminopurine (BAP). Healthy regenerated shoots were rooted in MS basal medium containing 3% sucrose (w/v), 0.8% agar supplemented with indole-3-acetic acid (2 mg/L). On further sub culturing, the maximum percentage of tuber formation was obtained in growth hormone free half (½) MS liquid media supplemented with vitamins and 1.5% sucrose after 8 to 9 weeks. The saponin contents of the in vitro and in vivo raised tubers were qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed by highperformance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and liquid chromatography electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS). There was a significant similarity in the saponins in both tubers. The in vitro raised tubers showed similar high metabolite content than in vivo grown tubers which is required for medicinal applications. The rooted plantlets were transferred to peat and sand (2:1) with more than 80% success. This is the 1st report of in vitro tuber formation and secondary metabolites screening of C. borivilianum. This work will give a strong impetus to the pharmaceutical and neutraceutical sectors.Keywords: Chlorophytum borivilianum, tuber formation, saponin, liquid medium, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(20), pp. 2900-2907

ANTI-HYPERGLYCEMIC AND ANTI-HYPERLIPIDEMIC POTENTIAL OF A POLYHERBAL PREPARATION “DIABEGON” IN METABOLIC SYNDROME SUBJECT WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES

Background: In the present study, “Diabegon” a poly-herbal preparation, with hypoglycemic activity, was evaluated for its preventive effect in metabolic syndrome subjects with type 2 diabetes and also to reveal its side effects, on liver and kidney. Materials and Methods: Type 2 diabetic subjects with metabolic syndrome (N=58) were categorized on the basis of age and fasting blood glucose. The grouping was as follows: Group I (35-50 yrs), Group II (51-65 yrs), Group III >65 yrs, Group IV FBS145. Each group was administered 4 gm of diabegon daily. Blood glucose levels, lipid profile, liver and kidney function of the subjects were regularly monitored within 3 months of interval to 18 months. Results: The reduction in fasting blood glucose level ranged from 12.3% (

Gymnema Sylvestre A- Potential Inhibitor of COVID-19 Main Protease by MD Simulation Study

Gymnema sylvestre (GS) is one of the herbal plant used since in ancient times. The present study aimed to assess bioactive compounds GS mainly gymnemic acids as potential inhibitors for COVID-19 against Mpro enzyme using a molecular docking study. The docking score observed between -53.4 to - 42.4 of all gymnemic acids and its derivatives. Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulation studies carried out at 100ns supported the stability of GS molecules within the binding pocket. RMSD score of less than 3.6. mainly, our results supported that these GS molecules bind to the domain I & II, and domain II-III linker of 3CLpro enzyme, suggesting its suitability as strong candidate for therapeutic against COVID-19. <br /

EFFECT OF SILVER NANOPARTICLE-MEDIATED WOUND THERAPY ON BIOCHEMICAL, HEMATOLOGICAL, AND HISTOLOGICAL PARAMETERS

 Objective: Green synthesis of nanoparticles has been used as an alternative, efficient, less expensive, and ecofriendly method. Ancient approaches employed for nanoparticle fabrication were chemical and physical methods having various disadvantages as they are costly and potentially harmful to the environment, use of harsh chemicals and stringent protocol for synthesizing nanoparticles. The present study is focused on the synthesis of silver nanoparticles by bio-availed as well as chemical route and evaluation of their wound healing potential in Wistar rat model.Methods: Extraction of Syzygium cumini was done and was used for silver nanoparticle synthesis. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy, which confirms the availability of nanosilver particles with marginally spherical morphology. The particles were then carried forward for treating impaired diabetic wounds in Wistar rat models. Regular photography was done and wound healing parameters were monitored throughout the study along with analyzing other parameters such as biochemical, hematological, and histological parameters.Results: The study showed that the sizes of the synthesized nanoparticles are below 100 nm. The results obtained from in vivo studies showed efficient wound healing potential of silver nanoparticles as compared to pre-existing drug povidone-iodine, i.e., the percentage reduction in wound area after therapy is 96.09% in case of biosynthesized silver nanoparticle-treated group, 97.7% reduction in chemically synthesized silver nanoparticle-treated group, 64.28% reduction in case of pre-existing drug povidone-iodine-treated group, 37.5% reduction in case of diabetic control group (diabetic), and 97.5% reduction in normal control group (non-diabetic). Results showed that biosynthesized silver nanoparticles showed less toxicity with respect to liver and kidney functions. Skin histology results showed increased sign of wound healing in biosynthesized silver nanoparticles. Hematology results showed no such variation.Conclusion: The study will help to synthesize new economically viable potential biosynthesized nanoparticles along with providing the approach to develop the medication at nanoscale level

In vitro and In vivo Anti-Filarial Effect of Tetracycline/ Doxycycline

Tetracycline is an established antibiotic and is targets to Wolbachia endosymbiont present within the filarial worms. Antibiotic treatment of filarial nematodes results in sterility and inhibits larval development and adult worm viability; this is due to effect on the Wolbachia. In the present study in vitro and in vivo anti-filarial effect of different concentration of tetracycline/ doxycycline was determined. In vitro results indicated that 50 µg/ml and 100 µg/ml tetracycline concentrations affects the motility in both microfilariae and adult worms of B. malayi. The loss of motility was efficiently higher in female adult worms than male adult worms, could be attributed to the differences in Wolbachia load of the filarial worms. 14 (10 Male and 4 female) microfilaraemic subjects were treated with doxycycline @ 200mg/day for 30 days to study the in vivo filaricidal effect. In which the mean mf counts were gradually decreased after doxycycline treatment in both male and female subjects upto 6 months. The findings suggest that tetracycline/ doxycycline treatment can eliminate or reduce the mf load due to targeting Wolbachia endosymbiont therefore provide good tool for treatment and to hamper the transmission of filariasis from one host to another

Natural rubber latex allergy

Natural rubber latex (NRL) is a ubiquitous allergen as it is a component of > 40,000 products in everyday life. Latex allergy might be attributed to skin contact or inhalation of latex particles. Latex allergy is an IgE-mediated hypersensitivity to NRL, presenting a wide range of clinical symptoms such as angioedema, swelling, cough, asthma, and anaphylactic reactions. Until 1979, latex allergy appeared only as type IV delayed hypersensitivity; subsequently, the proportion of different allergy types drifted towards type IV contact allergy reactions. Several risk factors for sensitization to NRL are already known and well documented. Some authors have established a positive correlation between a history of multiple surgical interventions, atopy, spina bifida malformation, and latex allergy incidence. We suspect an increase in latex allergy incidence in association with increased atopy and sensitivity to environmental allergens in the industrial population. It is often postulated in literature that the groups of workers at risk for this allergy are essentially workers in the latex industry and healthcare professionals. In this population, direct internal and mucosal contact with NRL medical devices may be the route of sensitization as factors such as the number of procedures and use of NRL materials (catheters and tubes) were associated with increased risk of latex sensitization and allergy