Posted by admin on Jul 31, 2017 in |
Objective: In the present investigation, pharmacognostical, physicochemical characteristics, thin layer chromatography and anthelmintic activity of different extracts of Swertia alata Royle were studied. Methods: Different types of preliminary and phytochemical analysis and quantitative estimation have been done along with HPTLC fingerprinting. Two concentrations (30 mg/mL and 60 mg/mL) of different extracts of S. alata were used for anthelmintic activity against Indian earthworm Pheretima posthuma. Results: The microscopic study revealed the presence of lignified vessels and cruciferous stomata. The chemical tests showed the presence of glycosides, saponins, tannins, proteins and steroids. HPTLC fingerprinting of different extracts showed number of spots due to presence of various phytochemical compounds. The results of anthelmentic activity were expressed in terms of time of paralysis and time for death of worms. Piperazine citrate (10mg/mL and 30 mg/mL) was used as a reference standard and normal saline as a control group. Conclusions: These observations will be useful in evaluation of pharmacognostical and phytochemical standards to ensure the purity and quality of this plant. The anthelmintic activity...
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Posted by admin on Feb 28, 2017 in |
The emergence of novel antibiotics against the upsurge of “Superbugs” is a breakthrough health intervention. Daptomycin has gained prominence as a novel antibiotic produced by Streptomyces roseosporus which has demonstrated a broad spectrum of activity in vitro against a wide range of aerobic and anaerobic gram-positive bacteria, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and vancomycin-resistant Enterococci. The economic viability and large scale applicability of this high-value secondary metabolite is hampered by its poor production and tedious growth of S.roseosporus. The present study aims at strategic improvement of Daptomycin yield through reusability of the producer strain by its immobilization onto various non-conventional support matrices. Sufficient void volume, permeability, and cost effectiveness prompted the use of ultra porous refractory brick and ceramic foam for the immobilization of S.roseosporus. The surface area and porosity of the materials were characterized by BET surface analysis. Morphological transformations of the microbial cells were observed microscopically over the time. The cell mass adhered to the carrier was determined using SEM. The repeated use of immobilized cells led to...
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Posted by admin on Nov 30, 2016 in |
Adenosine has been proposed as a key factor regulating the metabolic balance between energy supply and demand in skeletal muscle. Adenosine A2B receptors are expressed across multiple tissues including skeletal muscle. Previously, it has been identified the robust (in vitro) induction of the nuclear receptors (NR4A) subgroup following adenosine A2B receptors stimulation in rat skeletal muscle cells. This may be concomitant with changes in the expression of genes involved in the regulation of nutrient metabolism. Considering that skeletal muscle is a primary tissue responsible for glucose disposal, glucose oxidation and insulin resistance, this study investigated a potential functional role for adenosine A2B receptors in rat L6 skeletal muscle myotubes in terms of glycolysis (HKII and PFK), and insulin resistance/glucose oxidation (PDK4) using a transcriptional approach (QRT-PCR (Probe-based)). For the first time in rat skeletal muscle cells, the results of the present study have shown that stable adenosine analogue NECA alters the expression of a number of genes (HKII, and PFK). Moreover, this is the first study demonstrating that selective...
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Posted by admin on Nov 30, 2016 in |
Adenosine is a strong modulator of gene expression, which underpins some of its potential expected effects in skeletal muscle in terms of fatty acid metabolism. Accumulating evidence highlights a critical role for the adenosine system in the regulation of fatty acid metabolism and obesity. However, its molecular signaling role in fatty acid transport and oxidation in skeletal muscle is less clear. The aim of the present study was to examine whether acute and chronic treatment of skeletal muscle cells in vitro with stable adenosine analogue NECA, selective adenosine A2B receptors antagonist/inverse agonist PSB 603, and/or selective adenosine A2A receptors agonist CGS 21680 affects mRNA expression of key metabolic genes in skeletal muscle. Rat L6 skeletal muscle cells were treated with NECA, PSB 603 and CGS 21680 for determination the mRNA expression of genes involved in fatty acid transport and oxidation (CPT1B, ACCβ and LCAD) using QRT-PCR (Probe-based). The results of the present study have shown for the first time that NECA alters the expression of a number of genes...
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Posted by admin on Nov 30, 2016 in |
Blepharis molluginifolia (Acanthaceae), is a threatened medicinal herb. The methanolic flower extract of Blepharis molluginifolia was subjected to Silica Gel Column Chromatography for purification of bioactive compounds and structure elucidation of active compounds were studied. DPPH and antimicrobial activities of two isolated compounds were studied. From the analysed data, the compounds identified were 5,7-Dihydroxy-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)chromen-4-one (BiochaninA) C16H12O5 and 5,7-Dihydroxy-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl) chromen-4-one (Genistein) C15H10O5. These compounds are first time reported in this plant. Another fraction GF1 was subjected to GCMS analysis and obtained 12 compounds (aminoacid, gamma lactone, sugars and fatty acids).As GCMS profile contained majority of sugars antiglycation was done against arbutrin and found >70% inhibition. The present investigation revealed that the methanolic flower extract contained phytoestrogens like Biochanin A and Genistein, the rare aminoacid pyroglutamic acid, gamma lactones, sugars and fatty...
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