April 2010

Muscular dystrophy (MD) is a group of rare genetic disorder that weakens the muscles that helps in the body movement. Although all MD are genetic disorders, the types of inheritance vary, and Duchenne muscular dystrophy arises from new mutations. The gene for DMD, found on the X chromosome, encodes a large protein—dystrophin. HDAC also define a common target for independent pharmacological interventions in the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Dystrophin protein is modeled using the Modeller9v1 and the modeled protein is simulated for molecular dynamics studies using GROMACS. Trichostatin A is an example of a HDAC inhibitor which is being studied as a breast cancer therapy drug and has been studied in both the mdx mouse model (Duchenne) and sarcoglycan deficient mouse model (LGMD). From the binding database 175 hits were found for the HDAC1 inhibitor. These 175 compounds are then screened for the best activity against dystrophin. The detailed docking analysis of the complex structures and on their interaction energies derived by the docking study before and after the simulation at 310.15 K provided a reasonable basis for the inhibition potency of the inhibitors against dystrophin. By macro molecular interaction it is found that Benzamidine have higher affinity value compared to the commercial available drug TrichostatinA.

In vitro callusogenesis and differential callus growth rate was studied from hypocotyl, cotyledon and leaf explants of three cultivars of Capsicum annuum L. viz., var. X-235, var. PC-1 and var. Pusa Jwala. Callus initiation was genotype dependent and var. X-235 had best callusogenesis response than var. PC-1 and var. Pusa Jwala. MS medium supplemented with 2,4-D(1.0mg/l) and BAP(2.0mg/l) was found to be the best medium for maximum frequency of callus induction recorded from hypocotyl explants of the 3 genotypes i.e., var. X-235(79%), var. PC-1(68%) and var. Pusa Jwala (64%). The hypocotyl explants manifested maximum callus fresh weight (1.16g) than cotyledon and leaf explants. The study revealed that the callus growth rate (fresh weight) of all the explants showed maximum increase in the first subculture (1st week) than the lateral subcultures (6th and 9th week). This rapid in vitro callusogenesis procedure can be used as a source for production of secondary metabolites from chili peppers.

The study was conducted in the laboratory of the Department of Food Science, Periyar University, Salem, to determine the chemical composition, texture and flavor. Papads were prepared from black gram, incorporating jowar millet flour. All the ingredients were collected from the local market. Five different types of papads were prepared using 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% jowar flour with other ingredients. The product was analyzed for proximate composition, physical and chemical analysis and organoleptic evaluation. The result revealed that moisture, protein, fat, ash and total carbohydrate content in the dried papads samples were found in the range of 7.06 to 8.36%, 8 to 16%, 4.05 to 5.3%, 2.5 to 4.5% and 67.34 to77.89% respectively. The samples were highly acceptable by the subjects and physical properties were almost same with control papads. No remarkable changes in moisture content, texture and flavour were observed up to 6 months of storage in ambient condition (27 to 35°C) indicating that the products were shelf-stable up to 6 months.

Chlorophytum borivilianum is an important medicinal plant known as ‘Safed musli’, used in many Ayurvedic vital tonics and aphrodisiac formulations. The species was first described from India in 1954 and reached rare status in nature due to overexploitation. Owing to its increased demand, the species has attracted the attention of farmers as well as researchers in several institutions. The present paper deals with to remove the controversy and for botanical standardization the detailed pharmacognostic study on the tuberous roots of Chlorophytum bharuchae, macroscopic and microscopic characters, histochemistry and phytochemistry. The Phytochemical and histochemical test includes starch, protein, saponins, sugar, tannins, glycosides and alkaloids. Percentage extractives, ash and acid insoluble ash and fluorescence analysis. The phytochemical screening is also conformed by HPTLC analysis for saponins and steroids.

Measurements of density (ρ), viscosity (η), and ultrasonic velocity (u) were carried out on a-amino acids, L-lysine, L-glutamine, L-arginine (0.1– 0.5 mol kg -1), in 0.2 mol kg-1 aqueous magnesium nitrate at 298.15, 303.15, 308.15,and 313.15 K. These measurements were carried out to evaluate some important parameters, viz., adiabatic compressibility (β), apparent molar compressibility (φK), apparent molar volume (φV), limiting apparent molar compressibility (φK0), limiting apparent molar volume (φV0), and their constants (SK, SV) viscosity A and B coefficients of Jones-Dole equation. These parameters were interpreted in terms of solute-solute and solute-solvent interactions and structure-making/breaking ability of solutes in the given solution.

In a laboratory experiment, pesticidal effect of hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate extracts of Hydnocarpus alpina Wt. (Flacourtiaceae) leaves was evaluated against Asian army worm Spodoptera litura Fab. at different concentrations viz., 0.625, 1.25, 2.50 and 5.00 per cent. Feeding inhibitory and insecticidal activities were determined by leaf disc method. Among the tested extracts, ethyl acetate extract of H. alpina showed maximum antifeedant (72.2%) and larvicidal (66.6%) activities at 5 per cent concentration. Ethyl acetate extract was subjected to fractionation using hexane, ethyl acetate, acetone and methanol solvents by column chromatography and thin layer chromatography. Ten fractions were obtained and were further screened at four different concentrations viz., 125, 250, 500 and 1000 ppm. Among the tested fractions, the eighth fraction showed maximum antifeedant (68.5%) and insecticidal (62.5%) activities at 1000 ppm concentration. Phytochemical analysis of this fraction showed that it contained flavonoids, phenols and triterpenoids. An oil formulation of the eighth fraction with neem oil recorded 78.6 per cent antifeedant and 82.4 per cent larvicidal activities at 100 ppm concentration, which was superior over individual fraction and neem oil treatments.

A total of two marine actinomycetes were isolated from different locations of the Manakudi Estuary of Arabian Sea in Tamilnadu, India. They exhibited higher antagonistic activity against the Gram positive bacteria; methicillin resistant and susceptible Staphylococcus aureus, Enterobacter sp, Salmonella typhi, Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus vulgaris. For Gram negative organism Pseudomas auregionosa it showed intermediate activity and no antagonistic effect towards yeast like Candida albicans. Pink actinomycetes (PJS) with white aerial mycelium and pink substrate mycelium and black colonies (BJS) of white aerial mycelium and yellowish white substrate mycelium showed potent inhibiting effect of other microorganisms. Biochemical analysis of PJS and BJS revealed these organisms are Gram positive, starch, mannose, glucose, sucrose, fructose, lipase and urease positive, amylase, lipase enzyme positive and urease negative. All the isolated actinomycetes were resistant to nalidixic acid, methicillin and penicillin. 16S rDNA phylogenetic typing gave ~1500 bp amplified product and it was cloned in pGEMT easy vector. Sequencing of amplified product will give the phylogeny of isolated actinomycetes and the further study on this organism may provide a new antibiotic for the welfare of human being.

The antihepatotoxic efficacy of aqueous flower extracts of Nymphaea pubescens (NP) and Silymarin were investigated against acetaminophen induced liver damage in rats. Acetaminophen at the dose of 3gm/kg body weight orally produced liver damage in rats as manifested by the significant rise in serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bilirubin, cholesterol and decreases the protein level compared with control. Oral administration of flower extracts of Nymphaea pubescens (100, 200, 400mg/kg) and silymarin (25mg/kg) once daily for 28 days to acetaminophen treated rats shows lowered significantly the afore mentioned clinical parameters where as protein level increased. The extract alone treated rats did not adversely affect the serum biochemical estimation. A significant antihepatotoxic efficacy of Nymphaea pubescens extracts was reported.