Comparative study of antibacterial activity of two different earthworm species, Perionyx excavatus and Pheretima posthuma against pathogenic bacteria

Disease outbreaks are being increasingly recognized as a significant constraint on aquaculture production and trade affecting the economic development of the sector in many countries. Extracting and using biologically active compounds from earthworms has traditionally been practiced by indigenous people throughout the world. The aim of the present study was to shown antimicrobial activity through earthworm extract against fish bacterial pathogens. In total, 8 bacterial strains i.e. 6 gram negative viz. Aeromonas hydrophila, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, P. fluorescens, E.coli, Enterobacter aerogens and Shigella sp. and 2 gram positive viz. Staphylococcus aureus and Micrococcus luteus were identified. The extract of earthworm Perionyx excavatus, Pheretima posthuma were prepared and antimicrobial activity of the extract was determined by antimicrobial well diffusion assay. After 24 hrs of incubation period, it was observed that earthworm extract showed antibacterial activity against isolated bacterial strains. Among earthworm extract of two different species, the maximum zone of inhibition was shown against A. hydrophila by Perionyx excavatus (18.33± 0.66 mm) and P. posthuma (16.66±0.33). P. excavatus showed antibacterial activity against all pathogenic bacteria except Shigella spp. However on the other hand, P.posthuma showed antibacterial activity against A. hydrophila, P. fluorescens, E.coli, and S. aureus. The study has proved that earthworm extract can be effectively used for suppression of bacterial infection in fishes and that it can used as potential antimicrobial drug against commercial antibiotic resistance bacteria

Evaluation of fungicides for the management of Taphrina leaf blotch of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.)

Evaluation of six fWlgicides for the management of leaf blotch disease of turmeric (Curcuma longa), caused by Taphrina maculans, at Madhya Pradesh, India, indicated that all the fungicides reduced the disease severity significantly over control. Lowest disease severity and highest fresh rhizome yield was recorded in Ridomil (500 ppm) which was on par with thiophanate methyl (0.1%), carbendazim (0.1%), Blitox (0.3%) and Antracol (0.3%). Apparent rate of infection was lowest in thiophanate methyl spray followed by Ridomil spray. &nbsp

Karonda and Jamun seeds’ in vitro anticancer efficacy

In the search for potential anticancer agents from fruits, the present research work was carried out to examine the in vitro cytotoxic potential of seed part of Carissa carandas (karonda) and Syzygium cumini (jamun) against nine human cancer cell lines from eight different origins namely MCF-7, T-47D (breast), SF-295 (CNS), HCT-116 (colon), A-549 (lung), MDA-MB-435 (melanoma), OVCAR-5 (ovary), PC-3 (prostate) and A-498 (renal). Methanolic extracts were used as test material and anticancer activity was determined via SRB assayat 100 μg/mL. Results revealed that seeds suppressed the proliferation of human cancer cells with growth inhibition range of 78-100% (karonda) and 71-93% (jamun). Karonda seeds exhibited 100% growth inhibition of A-549 and OVCAR-5 cancer cells where as jamun seeds displayed 93% growth inhibition of SF-295 cancer cells. The seeds were then evaluated at lower concentrations of 50, 30, 10 and 1 μg/mL in which seeds exhibit significant in vitro cytotoxic effect against lung cancer cells (A-549). Further, IC50 values were calculated and it was observed that seed extracts from both the fruits showed IC50<10 in case of lung cancer cells whereas karonda seed extract also showed IC50<10 in case of colon cancer cells. To conclude, karonda and jamun seeds possess certain constituents with cytotoxic properties that can be used to develop anticancer agents especially for lung cancer therapy and to provide a great service to cancer patients, further studies are required for the isolation of active ingredients from these seeds

Karonda and Jamun seeds’ in vitro anticancer efficacy

573-578In the search for potential anticancer agents from fruits, the present research work was carried out to examine the in vitro cytotoxic potential of seed part of Carissa carandas (karonda) and Syzygium cumini (jamun) against nine human cancer cell lines from eight different origins namely MCF-7, T-47D (breast), SF-295 (CNS), HCT-116 (colon), A-549 (lung), MDA-MB-435 (melanoma), OVCAR-5 (ovary), PC-3 (prostate) and A-498 (renal). Methanolic extracts were used as test material and anticancer activity was determined via SRB assayat 100 μg/mL. Results revealed that seeds suppressed the proliferation of human cancer cells with growth inhibition range of 78-100% (karonda) and 71-93% (jamun). Karonda seeds exhibited 100% growth inhibition of A-549 and OVCAR-5 cancer cells where as jamun seeds displayed 93% growth inhibition of SF-295 cancer cells. The seeds were then evaluated at lower concentrations of 50, 30, 10 and 1 μg/mL in which seeds exhibit significant in vitro cytotoxic effect against lung cancer cells (A-549). Further, IC50 values were calculated and it was observed that seed extracts from both the fruits showed IC50karonda seed extract also showed IC50karonda and jamun seeds possess certain constituents with cytotoxic properties that can be used to develop anticancer agents especially for lung cancer therapy and to provide a great service to cancer patients, further studies are required for the isolation of active ingredients from these seeds

FORMULATION AND COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF ONDANSETRON HYDROCHLORIDE MOUTH DISSOLVING TABLETS IN INDIA

Objective: The aim of the present study was to prepare the ondansetron hydrochloride Mouth Dissolving Tablets (MDTs) followed by its comparison with ethical and non-ethical (generic) marketed tablets. Methods: Prior to the formulation, drug excipient compatibility study was carried out by FTIR spectroscopy. The λmax was determined by UV spectroscopy. The ondansetron hydrochloride MDTs were prepared by direct compression method using Sodium Starch Glycolate (SSG) as super disintegrant and camphor as a sublimating agent. Then the prepared MDTs were subjected to evaluation of post compression parameters such as thickness and diameter, weight variation, wetting time, hardness, friability, disintegration and dissolution. The results obtained were compared with that of ethical and non-ethical marketed ondansetron hydrochloride 4 mg tablets. Results: The λmax was found at 310 nm. FTIR study revealed that excipients used in the prepared formulations are compatible with the drug. The thickness and diameter was in the range of 2.646 to 3.27 mm and 6.0 to 8.12 mm, respectively. Friability was in the range of 0.43 to 0.88 % and had a slightly higher friability (1.27%) for sublimated tablets. Wetting time and disintegration time were in the range of 15 to 40 sec and 23 to 50 sec, respectively. The 100 % drug release was found within 180 sec for all the codes. These results were then compared with non-ethical film coated ondansetron marketed tablets. Conclusion: Ondansetron hydrochloride MDT 4 mg tablets prepared in the laboratory were under specified IP limits. The experimental findings demonstrated that any of these ethical and non-ethical tablets of ondansetron hydrochloride can be selected, advised by the physician or pharmacist, as per the patient’s need and economical status

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells mediate T cell dysfunction in nonhuman primate TB granulomas

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) represent an innate immune cell population comprised of immature myeloid cells and myeloid progenitors with very potent immunosuppressive potential. MDSCs are reported to be abundant in the lungs of active tuberculosis (TB) patients. We sought to perform an in-depth study of MDSCs during latent TB infection (LTBI) and active TB (ATB) using the nonhuman primate (NHP) model of pulmonary TB. We found a higher proportion of granulocytic, polymorphonuclear myeloid-derived suppressor cells (PMN-MDSCs) in the lungs of ATB animals compared to those with LTBI or naive control animals. Active disease in the lung, but not LTBI, was furthermore associated with higher proliferation, expansion, and immunosuppressive capabilities of PMN-MDSCs, as shown by enhanced expression of Ki67, indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO1), interleukin-10 (IL-10), matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP-9), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1). These immunosuppressive PMN-MDSCs specifically localized to the lymphocytic cuff at the periphery of the granulomas in animals with ATB. Conversely, these cells were scarcely distributed in interstitial lung tissue and the inner core of granulomas. This spatial regulation suggests an important immunomodulatory role of PMN-MDSCs by restricting T cell access to the TB granuloma core and can potentially explain dysfunctional anti-TB responses in active granuloma. Our results raise the possibility that the presence of MDSCs can serve as a biomarker for ATB, while their disappearance can indicate successful therapy. Furthermore, MDSCs may serve as a potential target cell for adjunctive TB therapy

Different types of mucormycosis: case series

Mucormycosis is the third invasive mycosis in order of importance after candidiasis and aspergillosis and is caused by fungi of the class Zygomycetes. The most important species causing Mucormycosis is Rhizopus arrhizus (oryzae). Identification of the agents responsible for mucormycosis is based on macroscopic and microscopic morphological criteria, carbohydrate assimilation and the maximum temperature compatible with its growth. The incidence of mucormycosis is approximately 1.7 cases per 1000 000 inhabitants per year. Clinical diagnosis of mucormycosis is difficult, and is often made at a late stage of the disease or post-mortem. We present here a series of five cases of different types of mucormycosis that were reported in our hospital till date. Of which three patients had good recovery and other two had a fatal outcome. Treatment of mucormycosis requires a rapid diagnosis, correction of predisposing factors, surgical resection or debridement as part of source control-and appropriate anti-fungal therapy. Liposomal amphotericin B is the drug of choice for this condition. The overall rate of mortality of mucormycosis is approximately 40%