ANTICANCER ACTIVITY OF MICRO-ALGAE EXTRACT ON HUMAN CANCER CELL LINE (MG-63)

Objective: The objective of the present study is to assess the anticancer effect of limnic algae extract of KACC 2 (Karunya Algae Culture Collection) and KACC 23 against MG-63 cell line.Methods: Bioactive compounds were extracted from the algae culture by Soxhlet extraction method using methanol as solvent, and the extract was checked for its anticancer activity. Polyphenols were estimated using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent method. The constituents of the extract were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).Results: The results showed that KACC 2 had more phenolic content than KACC 23. The half maximal inhibitory concentration value for KACC 2 and 23 was found as 0.386 μl/ml and 0.285 μl/ml of extracts necessary for the 50% of cell death. GC-MS analysis revealed that the compounds with possible therapeutic effects are quercetin, stigmast-4-en-3-one, epoxygedunin, which has got anticancer activity.Conclusion: These observations point out that the algae extract of KACC 2 and KACC 23 has anticancer property and the phytoconstituents contributed to the anticancer effects

The Effect of <em>M. latifolia</em> Leaf Extract on High-Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS)-Induced Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Rat Models

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a condition where the content of intrahepatic triglycerides (steatosis) rises, inclusive or exclusive of inflammation and fibrosis (namely steatohepatitis). It is acknowledged all over the world as the leading cause of chronic liver disease (CLD). Mulberry, a phytonutrient-rich plant belongs to the genus Morus, has been widely used as one of the conventional medicinal plants due to its chemical composition and pharmacological utility. Identification of leaf extract (M. latifolia) revealed chlorogenic acid, rutin, quercetin, caffeic acid and coumaric acid as functional bioactive principles. Objective of the current study was to evaluate the beneficial effect of M. latifolia in treating HFCS-induced metabolic disorders, namely, dyslipidaemia and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), in rat models. Study determined body weight, blood glucose, lipid profile, liver marker enzymes and histopathology of liver tissues. Study concluded that administration of M. latifolia leaf extract showed a significant decrease in body weight and the levels of lipid profile, blood glucose and liver marker enzymes in HFCS-induced rats compared to HFCS control rats. Histopathological studies confirmed the antihyperlipidaemic properties of M. latifolia leaf extract in reducing the hepatic fat accumulation causing regeneration of liver tissues in HFCS-fed rats

Impact of continuous mechanical harvesting on leaf leatheriness and possible alleviation measures

Mechanization in plucking has become imperative to improve the profitability and efficiency in tea industry. Continuous shear harvesting of tea shoots creates a stress on plant thereby changing the texture of the crop shoots termed as “leaf leatheriness”. Objective of the study was to generate data on the formation of leaf leatheriness due to continuous shear harvesting and to propose the remedial measures. A factorial block design experiment was conducted with a ‘Chinery’ clone UPASI-9. Results indicated that continuous shear harvesting for a period of six months resulted in the accumulation of total wax content when compared to the hand plucked crop shoots which contributed to the leatheriness of crop shoots. Significant increase in the banji content in the harvest was also noticed due to continuous shear harvesting. Foliar applied chemicals influenced the reduction in banji shoots in the shear harvested treatments. Among the foliar applied treatments, reduction in the total wax content in the continuously shear harvested plots was obtained by the foliar application of KNO3 (2%) + Urea (1%) followed by KNO3 (2%) and Ca(NO3)2 (2%) when compared with control. Study concluded that foliar application of KNO3 (2%) alone or in combination with Urea (1%) is beneficial in alleviating the leaf leatheriness caused due to continuous shear harvesting without deterioration of quality characteristics with a prophylactic effect to improve the yield of tea plants

Screening Growth Promoting Traits in Maize Using Native Rhizobacteria through Multiple Approaches

Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are the soil bacteria that enhance the growth and yield of any plant via synthesis of plant growth promoting substances. The use of beneficial soil microorganisms such as PGPR for sustainable and safe agriculture has increased in last decade, because of the negative impact of artificial fertilizer. The present study involves developing two formulations viz., Talc and liquid and to evaluate the efficacy of potential plant growth promoting rhizobacteria as foliar formulation on the growth and development of maize plant. Five different isolates viz., F320,F353,F412,F212,F119 were used in the present study and maize seeds were treated with PGPR isolates for evaluation of germination using paper towel method, green house condition and their growth parameters were measured. Solid formulation and foliar spray were prepared out of these 5 isolates for field trials. Talc was used as carrier material for preparing solid formulation by mixing isolates with sterilized carrier material and used in field trials. The broth of the isolates was filtered and the filtrate was used as liquid formulation. Observation on germination percentage, growth and development of maize plant was recorded. The study concluded that liquid and talc formulation has shown better results when compared to that of control. Among these five isolates F320 has shown better results and foliar spray has shown greater impact in plant growth when compared to that of talc formulation in field study

Metabolic responses of tea (Camellia sp.) to exogenous application of ascorbic acid

Effects of exogenous application of ascorbic acid on physiological and metabolic changes in tea were investigated in the present study. The highest improvement in yield was evident in response to regular application (a day after every harvest) of ascorbic acid at 600 ppm followed by 400 ppm. Foliar application of ascorbic acid (600 ppm) at regular intervals enhanced chlorophyll a and b contents besides a significant increase in total polyphenols and catechins when compared to the untreated control. Exogenous application of ascorbic acid at alternate harvesting rounds increased the activity of polyphenol oxidase whereas ascorbate peroxidase remained unchanged. An increase in phenylalanine ammonia lyase activity was noticed with foliar application of ascorbic acid irrespective of its concentrations. Theaflavins and thearubigins of made tea showed an increase when ascorbic acid was applied with 400 and 600 ppm at alternate intervals. The scores of brewed tea liquor characteristics, viz. infusion, color, strength, and briskness were higher even at the lower concentration of ascorbic acid treatment. Results suggest that foliar application of ascorbic acid (400 ppm) proved to be a useful measure to improve the yield, physiological attributes, and antioxidant properties of tea