IN VITRO INHIBITORY ACTIVITY OF MEDICINAL PLANTS AGAINST PHOMOPSIS AZADIRACHTAE, THE INCITANT DIE BACK DISEASE OF NEEM

Objectives: Plant diseases extend a threat to the global production of herbal medicines. Safer plant protection strategies are in need to meet the demands from the pharmaceutical industry. Neem is a tree with great medicinal values, which is being infected by Phomopsis azadirachtae (PA), causing die back disease. The resulting massive destruction of the tree demands optimum disease management methods and thus, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the inhibitory potential of some plant extracts against the growth of PA.Methods: In this study, we investigate the in vitro antifungal activity of ether: chloroform (1:1), ethyl acetate, acetone and ethanol extracts from different parts (leaves and roots) of five plant species viz., Ocimum tenuiflorium, Centella asiatica, Solanum nigrum, Apium graveolens and Besella alba against the growth of PA.Results: All the 40 crude extracts (at concentration of 1000 μg/ml), were active against PA. Among them, the ethanol and ethyl acetate extracts proved optimum with antifungal activity ranging from 65-95% and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values from 75-200 μg/ml. The antifungal activity of the extracts was in the order: ethanol>ethyl acetate>acetone>ether: chloroform (1:1). Also, noteworthy results were observed in all the extracts tested against the spore germination of PA, with concentration and time-dependent kinetics.Conclusion: The results prove promising in order to develop new antifungal agents against the growth and spread of PA.Â

EVALUATION OF BANANA (MUSA SP. VAR. NANJANGUD RASA BALE) FLOWER AND PSEUDOSTEM EXTRACTS ON ANTIMICROBIAL, CYTOTOXICITY AND THROMBOLYTIC ACTIVITIES

Objectives: The present study is centered on potential utilization of banana flower (FB) and pseudostem (PB), as a source of antimicrobial, cytotoxic and thrombolytic contributor, which otherwise is discarded as waste or burnt.Methods: FB and PB, the by-products of banana cultivation were extracted sequentially using various solvents viz., ether: chloroform (1:1), ethyl acetate, acetone, methanol, ethanol and water. In vitro antimicrobial activity of the extracts was tested against six bacterial strains using standard disc diffusion method and the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was performed by microdilution method. Further to validate the safe consumption, extracts were assessed for toxicity evaluation in cell culture against 3T3-L1 cell line (obtained from adipose tissues) using MTT assay.  Also, the thrombolytic activity was performed by clot disruption method.Results: Phytochemical analysis demonstrated that FB and PB were a rich source of polyphenols (saponins, terpenoids, flavonoids, coumarins), cardiac glycosides and steroids. Extracts possessed antimicrobial activities against all the microorganisms tested, with MIC values in the range between 1.2 to 2.5 mg/ml. The investigation on thrombolytic activity by the aqueous extracts of FB (18%) and PB (13%) expressed a significant percentage of clot lysis with reference to Streptokinase (64%). Also, all the extracts of FB and PB exhibited no cytotoxic effect against 3T3L1 cell line.Conclusion: The present work demonstrates the antimicrobial, cytotoxic and thrombolytic activities of FB and PB extracts. The activities exhibited could be the basis for their alleged health promoting abilities and serve as new source of natural nutraceutical with potential applications.Â

IMPACT OF ACTIVE COMPOUNDS ISOLATED FROM BANANA (MUSA SP. VAR. NANJANGUD RASABALE) FLOWER AND PSEUDOSTEM TOWARDS CYTOPROTECTIVE AND DNA PROTECTION ACTIVITIES

Objective: The present study was designed to evaluate for cytoprotective and DNA protective properties of the compounds isolated from ethanol extract of banana flower (EF) and ethanol extract of banana pseudostem (EE).Methods: The four active compounds viz., umbelliferone (C1) andlupeol (C2) from EF and stigmasterol (C3) and β-sitosterol (C4) from EE were isolated by activity-guided repeated fractionation through silica gel column chromatography. The isolated compounds were evaluated for cytoprotective on erythrocytes and pTZ57R/T plasmid DNA protection against hydroxyl radicals.Results: The study revealed that the compounds (C1-C4) at a concentration of 1 mg/ml exhibited 90% protection on erythrocytes membrane oxidation and also protect the pTZ57R/T plasmid DNA damage induced by hydroxyl radicals.Conclusion: These results endorse an insight for a strong chemical basis to the alleged beneï¬cial role of EF and EE in reducing oxidative stress conditions.Â

THE CURRENT STATUS AND PERSPECTIVES FOR THE EMERGING PANDEMIC: COVID-19

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causative agent of the extremely communicable viral infection coronavirus disease 19 (covid-19). Initially the virus was found at Wuhan, china which spread across the world exponentially and in a very short span. This outbreak has turned out to be a global health crisis and recently WHO regarded it as pandemic. The origin of the virus is predicted as either the natural selection in animal host prior to the transfer of the pathogen from animals to humans or the natural selection in humans and following transfer. Nevertheless, there is an extensive spread of virus by human to human transfer in the form of droplets. A few antiviral drugs are at the stage of clinical trials to eradicate the covid-19. In this review, a comprehensive approach is put forth to scrutinise the etiology, pathogenicity and transmission of SARS CoV-2. The review also deliberates broadly on the diagnosis and status of therapeutic treatment developed. It also focuses on the preventive and controlling measures from different sectors of the society. The review covers the details reported in 70 studies which were chosen after keyword searches carried out leading to over 884 resulting articles

Potential Antileptospiral Constituents from Phyllanthus amarus

Background: Phyllanthus amarus (PA) is a well-known herb for its medicinal properties and widely used worldwide. PA has a significant role in Indian Ayurveda system of medicine for treating various ailments such as gonorrhea, menorrhagia, and other genital infections. Objectives: The aim of the study is to investigate antileptospiral activity and isolate the potential antileptospiral constituents of the methanol extract of PA (MPA). Materials and Methods: The primary pharmacological tests for leptospirosis were investigated by test tube dilution technique and microdilution technique. To examine the morphogenesis of experimental leptospirosis by morphologic and histological methods, albino mice were inoculated intraperitoneally with Leptospira interrogans sero group Icterohaemorrhagiae strains. Results: The activity-guided repeated fractionation for MPA through silica gel column chromatography yielded three compounds that exhibited antioxidant and in vitro, in vivo, and in silico antileptospiral activities. Based on diverse physicochemical and spectroscopic analyses (viz., 13C NMR,1H NMR, ultraviolet UV], IR, and mass spectroscopy), the potential constituents were elucidated as 5-(3-(3,4-dimethoxybenzyl)-4-methoxy-2-(methoxymethyl)butyl)4,7- dimethoxybenzod] 1,3] dioxole(C1), 1-(3-( 3,4- dimethoxybenzyl)- 4-methoxy- 2-(methoxymethyl) butyl)- 2,3,4,5tetramethoxybenzene(C2), and 4-(3-(3,4dimethoxybenzyl)-4-methoxy-2-(methoxymethyl)butyl)-3,6-dimethox ybenzene-1,2-diol (C3). The histopathological examinations of both kidney and liver showed promising activity with C3 at 75 and 100 mu g/mL, respectively. Conclusion: The in vitro, in vivo, and in silico studies revealed that benzo methoxy class of compounds has great potential as antileptospiral agents

Assessment of In Vivo Antidiabetic Properties of Umbelliferone and Lupeol Constituents of Banana (Musa sp. var. Nanjangud Rasa Bale) Flower in Hyperglycaemic Rodent Model.

Banana is an extensively cultivated plant worldwide, mainly for its fruit, while its ancillary product, the banana flower is consumed as a vegetable and is highly recommended for diabetics in the traditional Indian medicine system. This study is based on an investigation of the in vivo antihyperglycaemic activity of Umbelliferone (C1) and Lupeol (C2) isolated from the ethanol extract of banana flower (EF) in alloxan induced diabetic rat model. Diabetic rats which were administered with C1, C2 and EF (100 and 200 mg/kg b. wt.) for 4 weeks showed deterioration in fasting hyperglycaemia and reversal of abnormalities in serum/urine protein, urea and creatinine, when compared to the diabetic control group of rats. The diabetic group of rats fed with EF, C1 and C2 (100 mg/kg b. wt.) once daily, for a period of 28 days resulted in a significant reduction of diabetic symptoms viz., polyphagia, polydipsia, polyuria and urine sugar together with an improved body weight. HbA1c extent was reduced whereas levels of insulin and Hb were increased. Both the extract and compounds wielded positive impacts in diabetic rats by reversal of altered activities of hepatic marker enzymes viz., aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP); glycolytic enzyme (hexokinase); shunt enzyme (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase); gluconeogenic enzymes (glucose-6-phosphatase, fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase) and pyruvate kinase. The characteristic diabetic complications such as hypercholesterolemia and hypertriacylglycerolemia also significantly reverted to normal in the serum/liver of diabetic rats. Besides these, the treatment increased the activities of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants in the serum and liver. The histological observations revealed a marked regeneration of the β-cells in the drug treated diabetic rats. In conclusion, the present study illustrates that EF, C1 and C2 enhances the glycolytic activities, besides increasing the hepatic glucose utilization in diabetic rats by stimulating insulin secretion from the remnant β-cells along with potential enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant activities

Correction: Assessment of In Vivo Antidiabetic Properties of Umbelliferone and Lupeol Constituents of Banana (Musa sp. var. Nanjangud Rasa Bale) Flower in Hyperglycaemic Rodent Model.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0151135.]

Toxicopathological studies on the effects of T-2 mycotoxin and their interaction in juvenile goats.

Food and feeds contaminated with mycotoxins have been a threat to the rearing industry by causing some of the most fatal toxic reactions not only in the farm animals but also in humans who consume them. Toxicity to juvenile goats was induced by feed contamination with T-2 toxin (at 10 and 20 ppm dosage; group I and II, respectively). The toxicity impact was assessed on days 15 and 30 post treatment with respect to growth performance, oxidative stress, apoptotic studies and detailed pathomorphology. The study revealed that apart from the obvious clinical toxicosis (weakness, lethargy, and retardation in growth), the toxin fed groups also exhibited significant haematological (reduced hemoglobin, total leukocyte and thrombocyte counts) and biochemical changes (increased levels of oxidative stress markers with concomitant decrease in levels of serum and tissue catalase and superoxide dismutase). The pathomorphological and histological alterations suggested that the liver and intestine were the most affected organs. Ultra-structurally, varying degrees of degeneration, cytoplasmic vacuolations and pleomorphic mitochondria were observed in the hepatocytes and the enterocytes of the intestine. Kidney also revealed extensive degeneration of the cytoplasmic organelles with similar condensation of the heterochromatin whereas the neuronal degeneration was characterized by circular, whirling structures. In addition, the central vein and portal triad of the hepatocytes, cryptic epithelial cells of the intestine, MLNs in the lymphoid follicles, PCT and DCT of the nephronal tissues and the white pulp of the spleen exhibited extensive apoptosis. In this study, it was also observed that the expression of HSPs, pro-apoptotic proteins and pro-inflammatory cytokines were significantly upregulated in response to the toxin treatment. These results suggest that the pathogenesis of T-2 toxicosis in goats employs oxidative, apoptotic and inflammatory mechanisms

Effect of ethanol extract of flower (EF) and its isolated compounds on levels of (A)plasma insulin,(B) hemoglobin (Hb) and(C)glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) of normal and experimental diabetic rats after 0 (initial) and 28 (final) days of treatment.

<p>Values are expressed as mean ± SD. Abbreviations and ‘n’ values are as defined in <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0151135#pone.0151135.g001" target="_blank">Fig 1</a>.^<b>#</b>significantly different (p ≤0.05) from diabetic control group.</p