Antioxidant and Cytotoxic Activities of A Novel Isomeric Molecule (PF5) Obtained from Methanolic Extract of Pleurotus Florida Mushroom

The Pleurotus florida is recognized as a medicinal and edible mushroom and the present study intends to reveal the active isomeric molecules from this mushroom. The P. florida was cultivated using different nutrient supplements: groundnut husk, maize powder, horse gram powder and coconut oil-cake powder. Horse gram supplement showed the higher mushroom yield and henceit was used for the cultivation of P. florida. Methanolic extract of P. florida was found to be efficient in antioxidant activity among ethanol, aqueous, ethyl acetate and hexane extracts. The bioactive fraction 3-methoxy-4-hydroxy cinnamic acid (PF5) was isolated and purified from the methanolic extract of P. florida by column chromatography, thin layer chromatography (TLC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrum (GC-MS) and further it was characterized by Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The PF5 was tested for its DPPH and reducing power assays, and the IC50 values were found to be 21.7 µg/mL and 105 µg/mL, respectively. We found that the cytotoxic effect of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxy cinnamic acid was tested against the lung cancer cell line using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT), sulphorodamine B (SRB) and trypan blue assays which exhibited a higher cytotoxic effect (CTC50, 645 µg/mL). These results suggested that 3-methoxy-4-hydroxy cinnamic acid from P. florida could be explored as a novel and potent natural antioxidant and cancer preventive agent, alternative to existing synthetic molecules

ANTIULCER ACTIVITY OF CANAVALIA VIROSA (ROXB) W&A LEAVES IN ANIMAL MODEL

ABSTRACT Canavalia Virosa (Roxb) W&A Leaves has been widely used in Siddha system of medicine for various diseases. The powder of Kozhi Avarai Ilai Chooranam showed a significant inhibitory effect was screened at 200 mg/kg, for the in vivo antiulcer activity on chemical induced ulcer in rats. Ranitidine (60mg/kg) used as reference standard. Single dose (200 mg/kg) treatment with the siddha drug Kozhi Avarai Ilai Chooranam produced 30% antiulcer effect. The trial drug showed a significant antiulcer activity (P<0.01) and were comparable with that of standard thus validating the traditional claim of the plant

Electrochemical and lithium-ion transport properties of layered Li-rich Li1.10(Ni0.32X0.01Co0.33Mn0.33)O2(X = Dy/Gd/Ho) positive electrodes

Layer structured Li1.10(Ni0.32X0.01Co0.33Mn0.33)O2 (X = Dy/Gd/Ho) compounds were synthesized via the microwave assisted solvothermal route. The impacts of doping on the electrical and electrochemical properties of Li1.10 (Ni0.32X0.01Co0.33Mn0.33)O2 compounds were investigated. Rietveld refined XRD pattern showed Li1.10 (Ni0.32X0.01Co0.33Mn0.33)O2 compounds with layered hexagonal structure. SEM images revealed the compounds with micrometer sized grains. The Li1.10 (Ni0.33Co0.33Mn0.33)O2 compound delivered an initial discharge capacity of 197 mAh/g at 0.2C and retained a capacity of 163mAh/g after 50th cycle in the voltage window of 2.5-4.6V. The cycling stability of Li1.10(Ni0.33Co0.33Mn0.33)O2 compound was improved with rare earth doping. Li1.10(Ni0.32Dy0.01Co0.33Mn0.33)O2 compound delivered the discharge capacity of 166 mAh/g after50th cycle in the potential window 2.5-4.6V at 0.2C with 100% capacity retention. AC impedance studies displayed the electrical conductivity in the order of 10-6 S/cm. Wagner polarization analysis revealed the improvement in electronic transference number via rare earth doping

Anti-Ulcer Activity of Hingu Chooranam against Aspirin and Pylorus Ligation Induced Gastric Ulcer in Rats

ABSTRACT In this modern era, gastrointestinal disorders are the universal problem. Peptic ulcer is one of the major diseases affecting the human population. It develops due to the imbalance between aggressive factors like acid, pepsin, H. pylori and bile salts and defensive factors like mucous, bicarbonate, blood flow, epithelial cell restoration and prostaglandins. The anti-ulcer activity of Hingu Chooranam (HC) was evaluated by using the experimental models of acute gastric lesions induced by aspirin and pylorus ligation in rats. Animals pre-treated with doses of 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg of HC were statistically analyzed and compared to the standard and control group with the parameters like volume of gastric secretion, PH, free acidity, total acidity and ulcer index. The results suggested that the HC significantly decreased the volume of gastric acid secretion, free acidity, total acidity and ulcer index in comparison with standard drug Ranitidine. HC shown significant reduction in lesion index, total affected area and percentage of lesion in comparison with control group in aspirin induced ulcer in experimental models. The gastric mucosal protective effect of HC is brought by inhibiting the gastric secretion, which shows it may act like a proton pump inhibitor. Further, the anti ulcer activity of HC which reduced gastric volume and total acidity in pylorus ligation ulcer model reveals that HC may act as a H2 receptor antagonist. Thus the present study indicates that HC has anti-ulcerogenic potency in aspirin induced and pylorus ligation induced ulcers in rats

Haplogroup heterogeneity of LHON patients carrying the m.14484T>C mutation in India

Purpose: To investigate the clinical and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplogroup background of Indian Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON) patients carrying the m.14484T>C mutation. Methods: Detailed clinical investigation and complete mtDNA sequencing analysis was carried out for eight Indian LHON families with the m.14484T>C mutation. Haplogroup was constructed based on the evolutionarily important mtDNA variants. Results: In the present study, we characterized eight unrelated probands selected from 187 LHON cases. The overall penetrance of the disease was estimated to be 19.75% (16/81) in eight pedigrees with the m.14484T>C mutation and showed substantially higher sex bias (male:female = 13:3). The mtDNA haplogrouping revealed that they belong to diverse haplogroups; i.e. F1c1, M31a, U2a, M*, I1, M6, M3a1 and R30a. Interestingly, we did not find an association of the m.14484T>C mutation with any specific haplogroup within the Indian population. We also did not find any secondary mutation(s) in these pedigrees, which might affect the clinical expression of LHON. Conclusions: Contrary to earlier reports showing preferential association of the m.14484T>C mutation with western Eurasian haplogroup J and increased clinical penetrance when present in J1 subhaplogroup background, the present study shows that m.14484T>C arose independently in a different mtDNA haplogroup and ethnic background in India, which may influence the clinical expression of the disease

CAG Repeat Variants in the POLG1 Gene Encoding mtDNA Polymerase-Gamma and Risk of Breast Cancer in African-American Women

The DNA polymerase-gamma (POLG) gene, which encodes the catalytic subunit of enzyme responsible for directing mitochondrial DNA replication in humans, contains a polyglutamine tract encoded by CAG repeats of varying length. The length of the CAG repeat has been associated with the risk of testicular cancer, and other genomic variants that impact mitochondrial function have been linked to breast cancer risk in African-American (AA) women. We evaluated the potential role of germline POLG-CAG repeat variants in breast cancer risk in a sample of AA women (100 cases and 100 age-matched controls) who participated in the Women's Circle of Health Study, an ongoing multi-institutional, case-control study of breast cancer. Genotyping was done by fragment analysis in a blinded manner. Results from this small study suggest the possibility of an increased risk of breast cancer in women with minor CAG repeat variants of POLG, but no statistically significant differences in CAG repeat length were observed between cases and controls (multivariate-adjusted odds ratio 1.74; 95% CI, 0.49–6.21). Our study suggests that POLG-CAG repeat length is a potential risk factor for breast cancer that needs to be explored in larger population-based studies

Cellular Model of Warburg Effect Identifies Tumor Promoting Function of UCP2 in Breast Cancer and Its Suppression by Genipin

The Warburg Effect is characterized by an irreversible injury to mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and an increased rate of aerobic glycolysis. In this study, we utilized a breast epithelial cell line lacking mitochondrial DNA (rho0) that exhibits the Warburg Effect associated with breast cancer. We developed a MitoExpress array for rapid analysis of all known nuclear genes encoding the mitochondrial proteome. The gene-expression pattern was compared among a normal breast epithelial cell line, its rho0 derivative, breast cancer cell lines and primary breast tumors. Among several genes, our study revealed that over-expression of mitochondrial uncoupling protein UCP2 in rho0 breast epithelial cells reflects gene expression changes in breast cancer cell lines and in primary breast tumors. Furthermore, over-expression of UCP2 was also found in leukemia, ovarian, bladder, esophagus, testicular, colorectal, kidney, pancreatic, lung and prostate tumors. Ectopic expression of UCP2 in MCF7 breast cancer cells led to a decreased mitochondrial membrane potential and increased tumorigenic properties as measured by cell migration, in vitro invasion and anchorage independent growth. Consistent with in vitro studies, we demonstrate that UCP2 over-expression leads to development of tumors in vivo in an orthotopic model of breast cancer. Genipin, a plant derived small molecule, suppressed the UCP2 led tumorigenic properties, which were mediated by decreased reactive oxygen species and down-regulation of UCP2. However, UCP1, 3, 4 and 5 gene expression was unaffected. UCP2 transcription was controlled by SMAD4. Together, these studies suggest a tumor-promoting function of UCP2 in breast cancer. In summary, our studies demonstrate that i) the Warburg Effect is mediated by UCP2; ii) UCP2 is over-expressed in breast and many other cancers; iii) UCP2 promotes tumorigenic properties in vitro and in vivo and iv) genipin suppresses the tumor promoting function of UCP2