http://nopr.niscair.res.in/handle/123456789/3827 Search the Channel search http://nopr.niscair.res.in/simple-search http://nopr.niscair.res.in/handle/123456789/3863 Title: Antimicrobial activities of microbial strains isolated from soil of stressed ecological niches of Eastern Uttar Pradesh, India <br/> <br/>Authors: Singh, Vineeta; Praveen, Vandana; Banga, Jaspreet; Tripathi, C K M <br/> <br/>Abstract: Antimicrobial activities of twenty bacterial strains isolated from ten different stressed agro-ecological niches of Eastern Uttar Pradesh, India were evaluated against bacteria, yeasts and molds. Eleven isolates showing strong antimicrobial activities were characterized. Eight antifungal compounds were purified and partially characterized by Ultra-Violet (UV) absorption spectra and grouped into polyenes and non-polyenes. Antibacterial metabolites produced by four isolates were purified and chemically characterized, of which one isolate (AB) produced a new form of olivanic acid, and other three isolates (C5, Py and M4) produced antibacterial compounds having phenoxazone nucleus. <br/> <br/>Page(s): 298-303 Sun, 29 Mar 2009 22:58:59 GMT http://nopr.niscair.res.in/handle/123456789/3862 Title: In vitro synthesis of Frankia and mycorrhiza with Casuarina equisetifolia and ultrastructure of root system <br/> <br/>Authors: Elumalai, Sanniyasi; Raaman, Nanjian <br/> <br/>Abstract: Casuarina equisetifolia is one of the ecologically and economically important tropical coastal trees nodulated by nitrogen-fixing actinomycete Frankia and forming symbiotic associations with both ecto- and endomycorrhizal fungi. The present study aims at the ultrastructural study of interactions between C. equisetifolia, Frankia, and mycorrhiza. C. equisetifolia seeds were sterilised and germinated under in vitro condition. The seedlings were transferred to conical flasks containing vermiculite and saw dust with Hoagland’s solution. After 30 days, the inoculum of AM fungus — Glomus fasciculatum (A), ectomycorrhizal fungus — Pisolithus tinctorius (E) and actinorhizal Frankia (F) were inoculated individually and in various combinations, (A+E), (A+F), E+F) and (A+E+F). After 90 days, the experimental plant roots and nodules were harvested for assessment of growth characters of mycorrhizal and actinorhizal association by light and scanning electron microscope methods. C. equisetifolia roots were infected with arbuscles and vesicles of G. fasciculatum; P. tinctorius formed fungal sheath but no Hartig net. Large number of cortical cells were seen infected with Frankia, hyphae of Frankia were frequently seen penetrating from cell to cell directly through cell walls and Frankia occupied majority of the cell volume. <br/> <br/>Page(s): 289-297 Sun, 29 Mar 2009 22:58:59 GMT http://nopr.niscair.res.in/handle/123456789/3861 Title: Effect of aqueous extract of Bulbine natalensis Baker stem on haematological and serum lipid profile of male Wistar rats <br/> <br/>Authors: Yakubu, M T; Afolayan, A J <br/> <br/>Abstract: Bulbine natalensis stem extract (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg body weight for 14 days) did not significantly alter the red blood cell count, haemoglobin, packed cell volume, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration and red cell distribution width in male Wistar rats. In contrast, the white blood cell count increased by the end of the experimental period. While the levels of neutrophils, lymphocytes and eosinophils decreased after the administration of single dose of the extract (day 1), those of the platelets and monocytes increased. The extract also reduced the levels of basophils and large unstained cells after the seven daily doses. All the doses increased the serum concentrations of cholesterol and triacylglycerols. Whereas the serum concentration of low-density lipoprotein was unaffected throughout the experimental period, the decrease in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was accompanied by increase in the atherogenic index. The results showed that aqueous extract of B. natalensis stem exhibited localized systemic toxicity mainly on the white blood cell count and related indices. The alterations in the serum lipid profile may predispose the animals to atherosclerosis especially when consumed repeatedly for two weeks. <br/> <br/>Page(s): 283-288 Sun, 29 Mar 2009 22:58:59 GMT http://nopr.niscair.res.in/handle/123456789/3860 Title: Antioxidant and antihyperlipidemic activity of Hibiscus sabdariffa Linn. leaves and calyces extracts in rats <br/> <br/>Authors: Ochani, Pooja C; D’Mello, Priscilla <br/> <br/>Abstract: Antioxidant and antihyperlipidemic activities of the extracts of leaves and calyces of Hibiscus sabdariffa were investigated by studying their in vitro inhibitory activity on lipid peroxidation and in vivo effects on cholesterol induced hyperlipidemia. Highest antioxidant activity was exhibited by ethanolic extract of calyces followed by ethanolic extract of leaves followed by aqueous extract of leaves of H. sabdariffa. In cholesterol induced hyperlipidemic model, groups of rats treated with extracts of calyces and leaves of H. sabdariffa showed a significant decrease in the serum TC, LDL-C, VLDL-C, TAG values alongwith an increase in serum HDL-C levels. The treated groups also showed significant decrease in the atherogenic index, LDL-C: HDL-C risk ratios, and in the levels of SGOT, SGPT and ALP activities compared to cholesterol induced hyperlipidemic control group. Significant antihyperlipidemic activity was shown by ethanolic extract of calyces, followed by ethanolic extract of leaves. It was observed from the histopathological findings that rats fed with H. sabdariffa extracts showed decrease in granular degeneration caused by cholesterol feedings. Results suggest that the ethanolic extracts of calyces and leaves of H. sabdariffa containing polyphenols and flavanols possess significant antioxidant and antihyperlipidemic activities. <br/> <br/>Page(s): 276-282 Sun, 29 Mar 2009 22:58:59 GMT