Preliminary Phytochemical Evaluation of Certain Anticancer Crude Drugs Used by Adivasis of Rayalaseema Region, Andhra Pradesh, India

The present paper deals with preliminary phytochemical evaluation of certain crude drugs used for cancer. Based on the folklore data obtained from adivasis of Rayalaseema region, Andhra Pradesh, 15 species were collected in the forests of Eastern Ghats in the region. Three species were recorded as new formulations, which are hither to not reported earlier. The preliminary phytochemical screening was conducted on the drug samples, and composition of various groups of constituents was discussed

Ameliorative Effect of Ginger on Blood Glucose Levels and Cardiac TCA Cycle Enzymes Activity in STZ Induced Diabetic Rat

This study aimed to investigate the effects of ginger administration on altered blood glucose levels, cytosolic and mitochondrial enzymes (TCA cycle enzymes) activity in streptozotocin-induced diabetes rats. The study divided Wistar strain rats into five groups: normal control, ginger treated, diabetic control, diabetic plus ginger treated, and diabetic plus glibenclamide treated groups. The diabetic group had significantly elevated blood glucose levels, which were significantly lowered by ginger administration. The cytosolic enzyme G6PDH activity was significantly (P<0.001) decreased along with a significant increase in the LDH activity in diabetic rats heart tissue. The activities of SDH, MDH, GDH in the heart tissue of diabetic rats were significantly decreased, but the daily oral treatment of ginger to diabetic rats for thirty days reversed the above changes in a significant (P<0.001) manner. The study demonstrated that an ethanolic extract of ginger could lower blood glucose levels, improve enzyme activities and body weight in diabetic rats. This suggests that ginger extracts could be used as a cardio-protective supplement to reverse diabetic-induced complications

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Not AvailableThe reproductive performance during the transition from prepubertal to pubertal stage was evaluated in Osmanabadi breed bucks supplemented with organic Zinc (Zn) and Copper (Cu). A total number of 40 bucks aged 20 weeks were randomly assigned to 10 groups (each n = 4). The control group was maintained with basal diet, without any additional mineral supplementation. The treatment groups were supplemented with graded doses of organic Zn (Zn 20 mg, Zn 40 mg and Zn 60 mg), Cu (Cu 12.5 mg, Cu 25 mg and Cu 37.5 mg) and a combination of Zn + Cu (Zn 20 mg + Cu 12.5 mg, Zn 40 mg + Cu 25 mg and Zn 60 mg + Cu 37.5 mg), respectively for a period of 26 weeks (up to the age of 46 weeks). Sexual behaviour and scrotal biometry were recorded periodically. Blood and semen samples were collected and processed for LH estimation in blood plasma, and testosterone, T3 and T4 hormones in the seminal plasma. The mounts with ejaculation were observed earlier (P < 0.05) in the treatment bucks (from 38th week of age) than the control group (43rd week onwards). A positive correlation was observed between blood plasma LH and testosterone with total mounts (r = 0.31, P < 0.05; r = 0.51, P < 0.01) and mounts without ejaculation (r = 0.40, P < 0.01; r = 0.52, P < 0.01). A negative correlation between T4 with sperm number per ejaculation (r = −0.31, P < 0.05) and sperm concentration (r = −0.35, P < 0.05) had been noticed. Different doses of minerals showed positive interaction (P < 0.05) with sperm functional and behavioural characteristics. The spermatozoal gene expression of ODF2 and ZCCHC6 were significantly influenced by the mineral supplementation in all doses. The ZCCHC6 gene expression was positively correlated with testosterone (r = 0.50, P < 0.001) and sperm number per ejaculation (r = 0.42, P < 0.001), and ODF2 gene with T3 hormone (r = 0.34, P < 0.05). The present study indicates that the diet supplemented with organic trace minerals cause intense sexual behaviour, enhancement in sperm number per ejaculate, total motility, spermatozoal genes expression and altered LH, testosterone and T4 hormones.Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of Indi

Structure, morphology and optical characterization of Dy3+-doped BaYF5 nanocrystals for warm white light emitting devices

The barium yttrium fluoride BaYF5 nanocrystalline powders doped with different concentrations of Dy3+ ions have been synthesized via a hydrothermal method and studied their structural, morphological, thermal, vibrational, and optical properties. These nanopowders have been crystallized in a single phase of the tetragonal structure with the average size of around 30 nm having spherical shape in morphology. Upon excitations at 350 and 387 nm, Dy3+ -doped BaYF5 nanocrystals exhibit strong blue and yellow emissions ascribed to the F-4(9/2) -> H-6(15/2) and F-4(9/2) -> H-6(13/2) transitions, respectively. Decay curves of the F-4(9/2) level of Dy3+ ion in BaYF5 nanocrystals exhibit non-exponential nature due to the dipole-dipole interaction between Dy3+ ions, confirmed by Inokuti-Hirayama model. The quantum yield for these nanocrystals have been found to be increased from 4.64% to 11.61% as the concentration of Dy3+ ions increases from 1.0 mol% to 2.0 mol% and then decreased to 10.68% as the dopant concentration increased to 5.0 mol%. Moreover, color coordinates and correlated color temperatures have been evaluated as a function of concentration and excitation wavelength and found to be in the warm white light region for all Dy3+ concentrations

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Not AvailableThe effect of organic copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) supplementation on fertilizing potential of frozen goat semen was investigated through sperm-zona pellucida binding test and cleavage rate. In total, 478 oocytes were matured and in vitro fertilization was carried out in the presence of frozen semen from goats that had been given supplements of organic Zn or Cu in different concentrations. The results showed significant differences between trace mineral treated (T5: 26.83 ± 1.23, T6: 22.06 ± 1.98, T7: 22.85 ± 1.20) and control (14.87 ± 1.15) groups in terms of relative number of sperm cells bound to the zona pellucida of in vitro mature goat oocytes. The observed cleavage rates (%) were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in treatment group (T3: 30 ± 7.07, T7: 40 ± 10.8, T10: 30 ± 5.4) as compared to control group (18 ± 3.73). These differences demonstrated the influence of trace minerals, Zn and Cu on the cleavage rate/sperm-zona pellucida binding capacity and the fertility related properties in goats.Department of Biotechnology, Go