HEAT SHOCK PROTEINS: KNOWLEDGE SO FAR AND ITS FUTURE PROSPECTS

ABSTRACTHeat shock proteins (HSPs) are one of the most versatile classes of molecules which regulate cellular homeostasis. In 1960, Ritossa accidentally raisedthe incubation temperature of Drosophila fly and found an increased gene transcription of certain unknown proteins, which he named HSPs. Furtherstudies explored that HSPs, being expressed at low levels under normal conditions, act as molecular chaperones, which fold, assemble, localize,secrete, and translocate cellular proteins. Moreover, their expression is markedly induced in response to various stresses such as an exposure ofcells to heavy metals, nitric oxide, ischemia, microbial infection, antibiotics, and hormones. The literature has been thoroughly investigated, and thepresent review summarizes the complex role of HSPs in gastric disorders, neurological disorders, apoptosis, cancer, etc. Expression of HSPs by cellshas important physiological or pathological implications. HSPs can be used as novel molecular targets for both the pharmacological and therapeuticinterventions to prevent and cure various diseases.Keywords: Heat shock proteins, Apoptosis, Stress

A review: Aeration efficiency of hydraulic structures in diffusing DO in water

This paper contemplates the review of aeration efficiency with commonly used different aeration systems such as Venturi flumes, Weirs, Conduits, Stepped channels, In Venturi Aeration, the SAE value grows fast with the number of air holes. In Weir Aeration, it was found that among all the different labyrinth weir structure, triangular notch weirs are known for the optimum results for air entrainment. The ANN model was developed with parameters discharge (Q) and tail water depth (Tw) which showed that Q is more influential parameter than Tw. In conduits structure, it was found that circular high head gated conduits have better aeration performance than other conduits. Aeration efficiency in Stepped channels cascades may range from 30% to 70%. The sensitivity analysis with ANN model showed that discharge (Q) followed by number of steps (N) was the most influential parameter in E20. Bubble size was the important parameter to undertake when using bubble diffuser. The oxygen transfer efficiency (OTE) in jet diffusers was predicted developing an ANN model. It was found in sensitivity analysis that the input of ‘velocity’ is highly sensitive to OTE. According to literature, jets can provide OTE in the range of 1.91- 21.53kgO2/kW-hr

PHARMACOGNOSTIC SCREENING STUDIES OF JUSTICIA GENDARUSSA BURM. LEAVES FOUND IN DEHRADUN DISTRICT OF UTTARAKHAND

  Objective: Justicia gendarussa Burm. (family Acanthaceae) commonly known as nilinirgundi, is found in Southern India possesses multifarious biological activities due to large range of phytoconstituents. The present study is designed to evaluate the various pharmacognostic parameters of the leaves of J. gendarussa, found in Dehradun district of Uttarakhand for its authentication.Methods: Fresh leaves were taken for the morphological and microscopical (histology and powder) evaluation. Physicochemical parameters (ash values, extractives values, florescence analysis, microbial contamination, and loss on drying) were also performed. Phytochemical screening and thin-layer chromatographic fingerprinting of extracts were also performed to check the presence of various phytoconstituents.Results: The microscopy of the leaves evinced the presence of anisocytic stomata, cuboidal calcium oxalate crystals, cystoliths, multicellular covering trichomes, starch grains and oil globules. The quantitative estimation of total ash, acid insoluble, and water soluble ash values were 13.8%, 1.2%, and 4.5% w/w, respectively. The alcohol soluble and water soluble extractives were estimated as 11.45% and 15.67% w/w, respectively. Foreign organic matter and loss on drying values obtained were 0.23% and 11.2% w/w. Phytochemical screening of petroleum ether, chloroform, methanol and aqueous extracts ascertained the presence of alkaloids, phenolic compounds, saponins, tannins, carbohydrates, flavonoids, glycosides, steroids and triterpenoids. The thin-layer chromatography (TLC) profiling of different extracts revealed the presence of potential compounds which can be further isolated with the help of high-performance liquid chromatography or high-performance TLC.Conclusion: The results of this study provide suitable standards for the authentication of this plant. In the present study, there are certain variations observed from the evaluations done on the same species by other research groups. The probable reason suggested for such disparity is due to the environmental and geographical differences in the locations of the plant collected

[In Press] Onion and garlic polysaccharides : a review on extraction, characterization, bioactivity, and modifications

Allium cepa (onion) and Allium sativum (garlic) are important members of the Amaryllidaceae (Alliaceae) family and are being used both as food and medicine for centuries in different parts of the world. Polysaccharides have been extracted from different parts of onion and garlic such as bulb, straw and cell wall. The current literature portrays several studies on the extraction of polysaccharides from onion and garlic, their modification and determination of their structural (molecular weight, monosaccharide unit and their arrangement, type and position of glycosidic bond or linkage, degree of polymerization, chain conformation) and functional properties (emulsifying property, moisture retention, hygroscopicity, thermal stability, foaming ability, fat binding capacity). In this line, this review, summarizes the various extraction techniques used for polysaccharides from onion and garlic, involving methods like solvent extraction method. Furthermore, the antioxidant, antitumor, anticancer, immunomodulatory, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antidiabetic properties of onion and garlic polysaccharides as reported in in vivo and in vitro studies is also critically assessed in this review. Different studies have proved onion and garlic polysaccharides as potential antioxidant and immunomodulatory agent. Studies have implemented to improve the functionality of onion and garlic polysaccharides through various modification approaches. Further studies are warranted for utilizing onion and garlic polysaccharides in the food, nutraceutical, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries