EVALUATION OF BANANA (MUSA SP. VAR. NANJANGUD RASA BALE) FLOWER AND PSEUDOSTEM EXTRACTS ON ANTIMICROBIAL, CYTOTOXICITY AND THROMBOLYTIC ACTIVITIES

Objectives: The present study is centered on potential utilization of banana flower (FB) and pseudostem (PB), as a source of antimicrobial, cytotoxic and thrombolytic contributor, which otherwise is discarded as waste or burnt.Methods: FB and PB, the by-products of banana cultivation were extracted sequentially using various solvents viz., ether: chloroform (1:1), ethyl acetate, acetone, methanol, ethanol and water. In vitro antimicrobial activity of the extracts was tested against six bacterial strains using standard disc diffusion method and the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was performed by microdilution method. Further to validate the safe consumption, extracts were assessed for toxicity evaluation in cell culture against 3T3-L1 cell line (obtained from adipose tissues) using MTT assay.  Also, the thrombolytic activity was performed by clot disruption method.Results: Phytochemical analysis demonstrated that FB and PB were a rich source of polyphenols (saponins, terpenoids, flavonoids, coumarins), cardiac glycosides and steroids. Extracts possessed antimicrobial activities against all the microorganisms tested, with MIC values in the range between 1.2 to 2.5 mg/ml. The investigation on thrombolytic activity by the aqueous extracts of FB (18%) and PB (13%) expressed a significant percentage of clot lysis with reference to Streptokinase (64%). Also, all the extracts of FB and PB exhibited no cytotoxic effect against 3T3L1 cell line.Conclusion: The present work demonstrates the antimicrobial, cytotoxic and thrombolytic activities of FB and PB extracts. The activities exhibited could be the basis for their alleged health promoting abilities and serve as new source of natural nutraceutical with potential applications.Â

Inhibitory potency of Withania somnifera extracts against DPP-4: an in vitro evaluation

Background: Pharmacologic treatments for type 2 diabetes are based upon  increasing insulin availability and improving sensitivity to insulin. Nowadays,  glucagon like peptide-1 (GLP-1) based therapies aims at glucose control through DPP-4 inhibitors. DPP-4 is a transmembrane glycoprotein belongs to prolyl  oligopeptidase family, with the specificity of removing X-Pro or X-Ala dipeptides from the N-terminus of polypeptides. GLP-1 effect by stimulating glucose-dependent insulin release from the pancreatic islets, inhibit inappropriate post-meal glucagon release and slow gastric emptying promoting leaky gut. The current study investigated DPP-4 inhibitory activity of catechin, isolated from Withania somnifera (WS), for ethnopharmacological treatment of type 2 diabetes and aimed to increase availability of GLP-1and sensitivity to insulin.Materials and Methods: Young and matured fresh roots, leaves, and fruits of WS plant extract were considered and were systematically evaluated for DPP-4 inhibitory activity using in vitro method, enzyme kinetics, phytochemical analysis, RP-HPLC, LCMS and 1H and 13C NMR method and structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies.Results: In this study, methanol (100% and 80%) extracts of WS matured root exhibited maximum DPP-4 inhibitory activity when compared to other extracts. The maximum DPP-4 inhibitory activity was found in 100% methanol extract of matured root. Phytobioactive was purified by RP-HPLC. The compound purified was found to be flavonoid and was characterized (LCMS, 1H and 13C NMR studies), identified as catechin. Auxiliary, molecular docking was performed using Ligand Fit method using PatchDock package. The study revealed the binding affinity of catechin with DPP-4 to be -6.601 kcal/mol with 13 hydrogen interactions with the receptor and was very similar to the standard potent blockers withaferin A and others (cuscohygrine, scopoletin, sitoindoside IV, tropine), further confirming its hyperglycemic potency.Conclusion: The study reveals that, 100% methanol extract of WS matured roots contains the compound- catechin, which exhibits DPP-4 inhibitory activity resulting in increased level of bioactive GLP-1 and GIP. In this background, we concluded that the WS will be a better source for further development as new antidiabetic drugs.Keywords: Gly-pro-p-nitroanilide (GPPN), Diprotin-A (Ile-Pro-Ile), Catechin, Withaferin-A, Diabetes and Molecular docking

Chemical and microbial dynamics during Composting of herbal pharmaceutical industrial waste

A study was performed to analyze the dynamics of chemical, biochemical and microbial parameters during composting of herbal pharmaceutical waste. All the parameters were analyzed at three different intervals of composting (1(st), 15(th) and 60(th) days). Temperature of the compost pile was initially high (46.2 degrees C) and on 60(th) day it dropped to 33.3 degrees C. The pH of the sample was initially acidic (2.39) and with the progress of decomposition gradually changed to neutrality (7.55). Electrical conductivity (EC) value was high (3.8 mS) during last day of composting compared to other stages. The activity of degradative enzymes namely amylase, invertase and urease were initially high (4.1, 4.79 mg of glucose/g/h and 0.19 mg of ammonia/g/h respectively) while it decreased with composting. The beneficial microbial load was initially low and very high at the last stages of decomposition. The bioassay studies using compost extracts revealed that the 60(th) day old sample was not phytotoxic in nature

SCREENING FOR BIOACTIVES FROM INDIAN MEDICINAL HERBS – A SIMPLISTIC APPROACH FOR ANTIOXIDANT METABOLITES

Herbal extracts obtained from 20 Indian medicinal plants were evaluated for their cytoprotectivity on erythrocytes and antioxidant properties. Total phenol content and anti-rhizopus activity were also determined. Results indicated that, out of 20 extracts evaluated, radical scavenging capacity and anti-rhizopus activity were observed in aqueous extract of Ocimum tenuiflorum, Leucas aspera, Terminalia arjuna, Glycyrrhiza glabra and Nyctanthes arbortristis in a dose dependent manner. The total phenolic content was observed to be 1289, 3837, 372, 2831 and 1892 μg GAE/g for O. tenuiflorum, L. aspera, T. arjuna, G. glabra and N. arbortristis respectively. The antioxidant activity correlates with the phenolic content of the extracts. At 1 mg/ml the above extracts showed 98% protection on erythrocyte cell oxidation. These results demonstrate that the cytoprotectivity and antioxidant potency of these extracts could be the basis for their alleged health promoting potential. These herbs could serve as new sources of natural antioxidants or nutraceuticals with potential applications in reducing oxidative stress conditions.Â

Mapping the contribution in research productivity of Colleges of Applied Medical Sciences affiliated with universities of Saudi Arabia published in PubMed indexed journals during the period 2009 - 2018.

Aim: The aim of this study is, to calculate the publications published in PubMed Indexed journals by authors participated as the first or as a participatory author associated with Colleges of Applied Medical Sciences, affiliated with universities of Saudi Arabia. Methods: The data was retrieved and collected from the PubMed/Medline database to tabulate in Microsoft Excel 2010 year and subject wise, annual growth of publications, a pattern of authorship and frequency of journals from the period 2009 - 2018. Results: This study showed that n=1652; 165.2 per annum and 75 articles per university were published during the period of 2009 - 2018. The year 2018 produced n=431; 183.4% higher than the year 2009. King Saud University place its share in research and produced n=785; 47.5% articles followed by Qassim University with n=109; 6.6% articles. While eight universities contributed in n=460; 27.8% articles as minimum 53 and maximum 80 articles as a participator in research productivity. A multi-authorship is visible in this study as a majority, which contributes n=1519; 92% articles. Subject Physiotherapy takes attention of researcher and they produced n=209; 12.6% articles. Another 12 subjects participated in n=1130; 68.6% articles. Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences facilitated in the publication of n=36; 2.1% articles out of 1151 journals which indexed in PubMed database. Conclusion: Significant participation of authors and institutes in the production of publications published in PubMed Indexed journals reveals the culture of research pertained in the colleges affiliated with 22 universities of Saudi Arabia. Every year they produced qualitative and quantitative manuscripts which strengthen the objectives of policymakers in the development of the research environment among academics

INHIBITORY POTENCY OF WITHANIA SOMNIFERA EXTRACTS AGAINST DPP-4: AN IN VITRO EVALUATION

Background: Pharmacologic treatments for type 2 diabetes are based upon increasing insulin availability and improving sensitivity to insulin. Nowadays, glucagon like peptide-1 (GLP-1) based therapies aims at glucose control through DPP-4 inhibitors. DPP-4 is a transmembrane glycoprotein belongs to prolyl oligopeptidase family, with the specificity of removing X-Pro or X-Ala dipeptides from the N-terminus of polypeptides. GLP-1 effect by stimulating glucose-dependent insulin release from the pancreatic islets, inhibit inappropriate post-meal glucagon release and slow gastric emptying promoting leaky gut. The current study investigated DPP-4 inhibitory activity of catechin, isolated from Withania somnifera (WS), for ethnopharmacological treatment of type 2 diabetes and aimed to increase availability of GLP-1and sensitivity to insulin. Materials and Methods: Young and matured fresh roots, leaves, and fruits of WS plant extract were considered and were systematically evaluated for DPP-4 inhibitory activity using in vitro method, enzyme kinetics, phytochemical analysis, RP-HPLC, LCMS and 1H and 13C NMR method and structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies. Results: In this study, methanol (100% and 80%) extracts of WS matured root exhibited maximum DPP-4 inhibitory activity when compared to other extracts. The maximum DPP-4 inhibitory activity was found in 100% methanol extract of matured root. Phytobioactive was purified by RP-HPLC. The compound purified was found to be flavonoid and was characterized (LCMS, 1H and 13C NMR studies), identified as catechin. Auxiliary, molecular docking was performed using Ligand Fit method using PatchDock package. The study revealed the binding affinity of catechin with DPP-4 to be -6.601 kcal/mol with 13 hydrogen interactions with the receptor and was very similar to the standard potent blockers withaferin A and others (cuscohygrine, scopoletin, sitoindoside IV, tropine), further confirming its hyperglycemic potency. Conclusion: The study reveals that, 100% methanol extract of WS matured roots contains the compound- catechin, which exhibits DPP-4 inhibitory activity resulting in increased level of bioactive GLP-1 and GIP. In this background, we concluded that the WS will be a better source for further development as new antidiabetic drugs

Role of anti-inflammatory interleukin 10 in asymptomatic heartworm infection (Dirofilariasis) in dogs

Background: Dirofilaria immitis causes heartworm disease (HWD), a vector-borne zoonotic disease that primarily affects dogs and cats. Occasionally, human beings were reported to be infected as well. The current study aims to discover the asymptomatic dirofilariasis infection in dogs. In addition, to determine the prevalence of heartworm disease and the role of anti-inflammatory interleukin 10 (IL10) in developing the disease. Household dogs were selected from 10 veterinary clinics throughout Basrah, south of Iraq.Methods: The study included 117 dogs older than 12 months, none of them had received heartworm vaccinations, and all of them lived in their owners’ houses for at least 9 months. Animal ethics instructions were followed after the owner’s consent was obtained.  Physical and biochemical examinations were conducted including the examination of circulating antigens of microfilaria. The levels of anti-inflammatory IL10 and pro-inflammatory IL17, IL4, and IFN-γ were measured using ELISA tests. Descriptive statistics were used to evaluate the prevalence and the clinical and immunological results of the study.Results: Canine heartworm disease prevalence was 29.05% (34 out of 117). The physical examination showed normal vital signs for both infected and non-infected dogs. A significant elevation in the total WBC count was noticed in the infected group.  On the other hand, a significant decrease in RBCs count and hemoglobin was found in the infected group. There were neither changes in the platelet count nor the liver enzymes concentration between infected and non-infected groups.  A significant increase in anti-inflammatory interleukin 10 level and a significant decrease in pro-inflammatory IL17, IL4, and IFN-γ were noticed in the infected dogs. Conclusion: It is concluded that dirofilariasis infection is considered to be a serious life-threatening disease for dogs in Iraq. Therefore, a periodic test for heartworm infection every six months is recommended to eradicate heartworm infestations. The infected animals must be treated according to the American Heartworm Association recommendations

Ethnomedicinal plants and isolated compounds against Snake venom activity: A review

491-505Snakebite is an occupational hazard that has affected the population in tropical and subtropical countries. Worldwide approximately 5.4 million bites, 2.7 million envenomations, and 81,000-1,38,000 deaths are observed per annum. The incidences are higher among farmers and plantation workers. Antivenom is the only treatment available and the production of the same is challenging due to geographical variation of snakes, storage conditions, and non-availability of venom for production. Antivenom therapy is associated with immediate or delayed hypersensitivity and does not prevent local tissue damage. Thus the search for medicinal plants by the scientific community has become relevant. The ethnobotanical studies on various plants have revealed their use to treat various ailments including snakebite. Hence, the review is aimed to amass the medicinal plants studied and also emphasize various components isolated that have shown promising results

Impact of hydrogen peroxide on growth and survival of listeria monocytogenes biofilms

The present study aimed to understand the survival strategies adapted by Listeria monocytogenes to combat oxidative stress in planktonic and biofilm cells with response to hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)). The sensitivity of L. monocytogenes to H(2)O(2) (oxidative stress) was found to vary in growth cycle. Early log phase cells were found to be sensitive to 100 mu M H(2)O(2) when compared to stationary phase. Biofilm population was found to be resistant to the oxidative stress induced at 4% of H(2)O(2) when compared to their planktonic counterpart at 3.5%. This adaptive behavior allows the pathogen to overcome food preservation and safety barriers, which pose a potential risk to human health. The overall results suggest that, H(2)O(2) at a concentration of 6% could be used as a potent sanitizer for the elimination of listerial biofilms