Application of Phytochemicals To Combat Fungal Pathogens of Pulses: An Approach toward Inhibition of Fungal Propagation and Invasin Activity.

The present study represented an innovative strategy for inactivating the secreted invasins (lignocellulolytic enzymes) of fungal phytopathogens using natural phytochemicals to combat fungal infection to the pulses. A fungal pathogen (Aspergillus niger SKP1) was isolated from the white lentil (Vigna mungo), which has the ability to synthesize different lignocellulolytic enzymes. An in silico docking study elucidated that quercetin, naringin, epigallocatechin gallate, curcumin, and cinnamic acid were the prime efficient phytochemicals to inhibit the activity of fungal invasive enzymes like endoglucanase, endo-1,4-ß-xylanase, and glucoamylase. Considering this observation, extracted phytochemicals in different mixtures were applied to prevent growth of the isolated pathogen under in situ experimental studies. The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC50) and minimal fungicidal concentration (MFC50) values of the first mixture (naringenin, epicatechin gallate, and cinnamic acid) and second mixture (quercetin and curcumin) were 170 and 220 mg/L and 320 and 380 mg/L, respectively. The studied phytochemicals were established to be cytosafe when compared to the commercial fungicides. The seeds of the white lentil were subjected to 1 year of long-term storage with the two aforementioned combinatorial phytochemicals. Subsequent morphological and physiological analyses revealed the complete protection of the stored seeds from the fungal infection. The present work has enough potentiality for the storage of pulses using natural preservatives that circumvent the adverse effect of the chemical preservatives on the ecosystem.

Antidiarrheal and antispasmodic activities of Trillium govanianum rhizomes extract: involvement of calcium channel blockade.

The antidiarrheal effect of methanolic extract of Trillium govanianum Wall. ex D. Don (Melanthiaceae alt. Trilliaceae) was studied at doses of 12.5, 25, and 50 mg/kg in different animal models of diarrhea including castor oil (6 mL/kg), magnesium sulfate (2 gm/kg), sodium picosulfate (2 mL/kg) and lactitol (0.25 mL/kg). The antispasmodic effect of T. govanianum was studied on isolated rabbit's jejunum, using acetylcholine as tissue stabiliser and verapamil as calcium channel blocker. T. govanianum attenuated the diarrhea by producing a significant decrease in the number and weight of stool, and an increase in stool latency time. T. govanianum completely inhibited both spontaneous as well as high potassium induced contractions of isolated rabbit's jejunum, which was analogous to verapamil. Moreover, T. govanianum produced a right shift in calcium concentration response curve, confirming its calcium channel blocking activity. These findings provide scientific ground to its medicinal use in diarrhea and gut spasms.