NISCAIR Online Periodicals Repository Community: IJBB Vol.49 [2012]

Anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities of the ethanolic extract of Shorea robusta Gaertn. f. resin

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 22:58:59 GMT

Title: Anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities of the ethanolic extract of Shorea robusta Gaertn. f. resin

Authors: Wani, T A; Chandrashekara, H H; Kumar, D; Prasad, R; Sardar, K K; Kumar, D; Tandan, S K

Abstract: Shorea robusta Gaertn. f. (Sal) is one of the most important traditional Indian medicinal plants. The resin of the plant has been used in the treatment of inflammation in folklore medicine. In the present study, ethanolic extract (70%) of S. robusta resin (SRE) was investigated for its anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities. Acute inflammation was produced by carrageenan-induced hind paw edema and sub-acute by cotton pellet-induced granuloma in male Wistar rats. The antipyretic activity of SRE was studied using Brewer’s yeast-induced pyrexia in rats. The rats were divided intofive groups with five animals in each group. Group I was treated with vehicle i.e. 1% v/v Tween-80 and served as control. Groups II to IV were treated with three different doses of SRE (30, 100 and 300 mg/kg orally). Group V was treated with standard drug etoricoxib (10 mg/kg orally). The anti-inflammatory activity of SRE was assessed by per cent reduction in edema volume of carrageenan-induced hind paw edema and by per cent decrease in granuloma formation in cotton pellet-induced granuloma test. SRE (100 and 300 mg/kg) produced a significant reduction in edema volume and decrease in granulation tissue formation in rats. Significant reduction in pyrexia was observed at all the dose levels of SRE i.e. 30, 100 and 300 mg/kg. The results of the present study demonstrated anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities of S. robusta resin and supported its traditional therapeutic use in painful inflammatory conditions and fever.

Page(s): 463-467

Homocysteine in occlusive vascular disease: A risk marker or risk factor

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 22:58:59 GMT

Title: Homocysteine in occlusive vascular disease: A risk marker or risk factor

Authors: Bhargava, Seema; Ali, Arif; Manocha, Anjali; Kankra, Mamta; Das, Sabari; Srivastava, Lalit Mohan

Abstract: whether it is just an association (risk marker) or actually a causative factor (risk factor). To elucidate this, a retrospective statistical analysis was done of data generated in the course of our study on homocysteine and vascular disease. Homocysteine, lipid profile components and lipoprotein(a) were estimated in fasting blood samples drawn from 252 controls and 536 patients of occlusive vascular disease. The data were analyzed by SPSS version 17. Mean homocysteine levels were significantly higher (p<0.001) in all patients categories, as compared to controls. In fact, homocysteine level was the most significant biochemical risk factor for vascular disease. The odds ratios due to hyperhomocysteinemia varied from 3.170-4.153. When the cut-off was increased by 5 µmol/L, the odds ratio became almost three-fold. The prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia increased by @20%, when the cut-off was reduced by 5 µmol/L. Statistical analysis of our data revealed that homocysteine conformed to Hill’s criteria of causation. Moreover, hyperhomocysteinemia was treatable by the administration of B-vitamins, even if the cause was genetic. Hence morbidity due to vascular disease could be reduced by identification and treatment of hyperhomocysteinemia.

Page(s): 414-420

Docking studies on novel alkaloid tryptanthrin and its analogues against enoyl-acyl carrier protein reductase (InhA) of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 22:58:59 GMT

Title: Docking studies on novel alkaloid tryptanthrin and its analogues against enoyl-acyl carrier protein reductase (InhA) of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Authors: Tripathi, Ankit; Wadia, Nupur; Bindal, Deepak; Jana, Tarakanta

Abstract: Isoniazid resistance is a serious threat in the battle against the treatment of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and extremely drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB). Isoniazid is an inhibitor of enoyl-acyl carrier protein reductase (InhA) of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which is an important and functional enzyme of the type II fatty acid synthesis system and important therapeutic target. Natural alkaloid tryptanthrin and its analogues have shown anti-tubercular activity against MDR-TB, but their cellular target is unknown. In this work, in silico molecular docking was performed using docking server in order to see the interaction of tryptanthrin and its 15 analogues with InhA of M. tuberculosis. Results showed that among tryptanthrin and its 15 analogues, tryptanthrin and its two analogues exhibited good affinity to the binding site of InhA with free binding energy of -7.94 kcal/mol and inhibition constant (Ki) of 1.50 µm. Active site residues of InhA interacting with tryptanthrin were Ser13, Thr39, Phe41, Leu63, Asp64, Val65, Ile95, Phe97 and Ile122. In binding mode, polar bond were found between O1 (1) with Asp64 of bond length (3.34 Å) and hydrophobic bonds were found between Leu63 with C15 and C12, Val65 with C7, Val65 with C12 and C4, Ile95 with C6 and C7, Ile95 with C10, C12 and C14. Important pi-pi bonds were found between Phe41 with C2, C5, C7, C12, C4, C6, C8, C9, C13 and Phe97 with C9. These interactions indicated stability of tryptanthrin in active residue and suggested it as a potential drug candidate. Thus, good affinity of tryptanthrin to binding site of InhA may lead to synthesis of anti-tubercular drug capable of combating MDR strains of M. tuberculosis.

Page(s): 435-441

Nanoactivator mediated modifications in thermostable amylase from Bacillus licheniformis

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 22:58:59 GMT

Title: Nanoactivator mediated modifications in thermostable amylase from Bacillus licheniformis

Authors: Khairnar, Rajendra S; Mahabole, Megha P; Pathak, Anupama P

Abstract: Gram-positive rod-shaped thermophilic bacteria were isolated using samples collected from terrestrial natural thermal spring located at Unkeshwar (Longitude 78.22 degree East to 78.34 degree East, Latitude 19 degree 34' North to 19 degree 40' North), District Nanded, Maharashtra State, India. The isolates were then cultivated using selective media and identified using culture-dependent techniques. One prominent isolate (UN1) exhibited high temperature stability and remarkable amylase production and was identified as Bacillus licheniformis. Amylase production was carried out in starch media and the enzyme was partially purified and characterized for optimization of pH and temperature. Amylolytic activity of the enzyme was determined. Nanoactivator-mediated modifications were carried out to enhance amylolytic activity of the partially purified amylase. Three-fold increase in catalytic efficiency of amylase was obtained after modification.

Page(s): 468-471