L-ASPARAGINASE FROM PHYLLANTHUS EMBLICA (AMLA): A NOVEL SOURCE

The biologically active compounds in plants reckoned their application in medicines from ancient times. Among the biologically active compounds enzymes have evolved as a potential therapeutic agent. L-asparaginase a therapeutic protein is extensively employed in medical sector to diagnose and treat leukemia. Bacteria, fungi, yeast and plants have been identified as potential sources of L-asparaginase. The side effects associated with microbial L-asparaginase restricted their utilization in treatment of leukemia and bought medicinal plants as source into focus. In the present study, different species of Phyllanthus genera have been screened for presence of L-asparaginase in different seasons. The leaves of Phyllanthus emblica with highest enzyme activity (20.3 IU/ml) and specific activity (5.2 IU/mg) emerged out as potential source for L-asparaginase production. Phyllanthus amarus and Phyllanthus niruri also contained appreciable amount of L-asparaginase. This is the first report of identifying presence of L-asparaginase in Phyllanthus genera. L-asparaginase from Phyllanthus emblica was further purified to homogeneity and the molecular mass of enzyme was found to approximately 85kDa. The yield of purified enzyme was 63.54% with 8.5 fold increase in specific activity. Kinetic parameters, K_m and V_max of enzyme, were found to be 3.83 mM and 292.141mM/min, respectively.