Evaluation of Various Solvent Extracts of Tetrastigma leucostaphylum (Dennst.) Alston Leaves, a Bangladeshi Traditional Medicine Used for the Treatment of Diarrhea.

Tetrastigma leucostaphylum (TL) is an important ethnic medicine of Bangladesh used to treat diarrhea and dysentery. Hence, current study has been designed to characterize the antidiarrheal (in vivo) and cytotoxic (in vitro) effects of T. leucostaphylum. A crude extract was prepared with methanol (MTL) and further partitioned into n-hexane (NTL), dichloromethane (DTL), and n-butanol (BTL) fractions. Antidiarrheal activity was investigated using castor oil induced diarrhea, enteropooling, and gastrointestinal transit models, while cytotoxicity was evaluated using the brine shrimp lethality bioassay. In antidiarrheal experiments, all doses (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) of the DTL extract significantly reduced diarrheal stool frequency, volume and weight of intestinal contents, and gastrointestinal motility in mice. Similarly, in the cytotoxicity assay, all extracts exhibited activity, with the DTL extract the most potent (LC50 67.23 µg/mL). GC-MS analysis of the DTL extract identified 10 compounds, which showed good binding affinity toward M3 muscarinic acetylcholine, 5-HT3, Gut inhibitory phosphodiesterase, DNA polymerase III subunit alpha, and UDP-N-acetylglucosamine-1 carboxyvinyltransferase enzyme targets upon molecular docking analysis. Although ADME/T analyses predicted the drug-likeness and likely safety upon consumption of these bioactive compounds, significant toxicity concerns are evident due to the presence of the known phytotoxin, 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol. In summary, T. leucostaphylum showed promising activity, helping to rationalize the ethnomedicinal use and importance of this plant, its safety profile following both acute and chronic exposure warrants further investigation.

Profiling of toxic metals from fish (tor putitora), water and sediments with microbial and chemical water quality appraisals.

The current study was focused on selected quality parameters of water, heavy metal contents of water, sediments and fish from Poonch river. Sediments, water and fish samples were gathered including six different sites in the period of April to June 2015. During the study period the mean value recorded for water quality parameters were pH 9.20, mv Oxidation Reduction Potential (ORP) 32.2, Dissolved (Oxygen) DO 6.95 mg/l, Electrical Conductivity (EC) 252.96µS/cm and 271.91 µg/cm, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) 197.03, Salinity 0.77, Turbidity 3.02, Temperature 31.65 and Pressure 13.37. Mean values recorded for heavy metal absorption in river water, sediments and fish were below the maximum permissible levels. The aim of current study was to show that water is good for the existence of fish survival and its growth. So, this study exhibits that the part of Poonch River, Azad Jammu and Kashmir having water quality parameters and heavy metals were within the tolerable range and no harmful effects on the fish growth and reproduction.

PVP influence on Mn-CdS for efficient photocatalytic activity.

Wastewater treatment is the most serious problem in this upcoming era. A harmful effluent like organic dyes, heavy metals, acids from industries mixed in wastewater is deteriorating the environment. To get rid of these poisonous materials and to recycle wastewater for domestic purposes, there are many steps which included photocatalytic dye degradation. PVP assisted Mn-CdS nanoparticles was prepared by novel hydrothermal technique. The characteristic behavior of pure and PVP (1% and 2%) assisted Mn-CdS samples were studied by further analysis. The structural, optical, vibrational, morphological, chemical composition behavior of synthesized pristine and surfactant induced Mn-CdS nanoparticles were analyzed. UV-Vis spectra revealed the optical behavior of the prepared pure and PVP (1% and 2%) assisted Mn-CdS samples. The bandgap obtained was 2.2, 2.06 and 1.99 eV for pure Mn-CdS, 1% PVP-Mn-CdS and 2% PVP- Mn-CdS. The narrow bandgap is one of the advantage of the material. Mn-CdS, 1% PVP-(Mn-CdS) and 2% PVP- (Mn-CdS) morphology were further investigated by Scanning Electron Microscopic studies (SEM). The surfactant (PVP) was added to enhance the morphology development and decrease agglomeration on the surface and the SEM images revealed a clear evidence for enhancement of morphology in all three samples. 2% PVP-(Mn-CdS) sample showed a good development in morphology when compared with other two samples and the best sample showed formation of nanorods below the surface of nanoparticles. Further, Mn-CdS, 1% PVP-(Mn-CdS) and 2% PVP- (Mn-CdS) was indulged to investigate the cationic degradation. The photocatalytic activities of three samples were carried out with loading different amount of the catalysts and 30 mg catalyst 2% PVP- (Mn-CdS) loaded dye solution showed a considerable degradation of methylene blue dye. The 30 mg catalyst (2% PVP-Mn-CdS) showed 98% efficiency under visible light irradiation for about 2 h. The best candidate, 30 mg catalyst (2% PVP-Mn-CdS) investigated for its reusability. The catalyst showed almost 98% of efficiency up to three cycles which confirmed the level of potential of the sample. 2% PVP-(Mn-CdS) sample would be promising candidate in wastewater treatment. It can be further utilized for removing dyes from wastewater in wastewater remediation process.

Anti-bacterial, anti-scavenging and cytotoxic activity of garden cress polysaccharides.

Plants polysaccharides are an infinite stock of drug composites with varying pharmacological and biological activities. The present investigation aimed to examine the antibacterial, anti-scavenging and cytotoxic potential of garden cress (GC) polysaccharides. The antibacterial effects vs Escherichia coli and as well as Staphylococcus aureus of GC polysaccharides were examined by means of agar diffusion assay, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), outer and inner cell membrane permeability. Antioxidant potential of the GC polysaccharides were performed by free radical DPPH scavenging, superoxide anion scavenging, hydroxyl radical scavenging, reducing power potential assay, and hydrogen peroxide method. Cytotoxicity potential of GC polysaccharides were evaluated by MTT assay in human cervical (HeLa) and liver carcinoma (HepG2) cell lines. The findings showed that GC polysaccharides MIC were 1.06 and 0.56 mg mL-1 against E. coli and S. aureus, respectively. Compared to the standard inhibitor, the GC polysaccharides showed essential inhibitor assays in a very dose dependent approach, and notable actions to scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS) are also due to the large quantities of hydrophilic polyphenols. The IC50 values of all tested parameters were measured against standard ascorbic acid antioxidant agent. The GC polysaccharides diminish the cell viability percentage of HeLa and HepG2 in a concentration dependent manner. GC polysaccharides at a dose of 500 µg ml-1 exhibited higher anti-tumor activity in both HeLa (65.33 ± 3.75%) and HepG2 (60.33 ± 3.48%). The findings obtained in this study indicate that GC polysaccharides has antibacterial and has a possible source of natural antioxidant and also has cytotoxic effect on different carcinoma cell lines.

Identification of novel bioactive molecules from garlic bulbs: A special effort to determine the anticancer potential against lung cancer with targeted drugs.

Garlic (Allium sativum L.), is a predominant spice, which is used as an herbal medicine and flavoring agent, since ancient times. It has a rich source of various secondary metabolites such as flavonoids, terpenoids and alkaloids, which have various pharmacological properties. Garlic is used in the treatment of various ailments such as cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. The present study aims to explore the plausible mechanisms of the selected phytocompounds as potential inhibitors against the known drug targets of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The phytocompounds of garlic were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) technique. Subsequently, the identified phytocompounds were subjected to molecular docking to predict the binding with the drug targets, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), echinoderm microtubule-associated protein-like 4-anaplastic lymphoma kinase (EML4-ALK) and group IIa secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2-IIA). Molecular dynamics is used to predict the stability of the identified phytocompounds against NSCLC drug targets by refining the intermolecular interactions formed between them. Among the 12 phytocompounds of garlic, three compounds[1,4-dimethyl-7-(1-methylethyl)-2-azulenyl]phenylmethanone, 2,4-bis(1-phenylethyl)-phenol and 4,5-2 h-oxazole-5-one,4-[3,5-di-t-butyl-4-methoxyphenyl] methylene-2-phenyl were identified as potential inhibitors, which might be suitable for targeting the different clinical forms of EGFR and dual inhibition of the studied drug targets to combat NSCLC. The result of this study suggest that these identified phytocompounds from garlic would serve as promising leads for the development of lead molecules to design new multi-targeting drugs to address the different clinical forms of NSCLC.

Impact of Seed Dressing and Soil Application of Potassium Humate on Cotton Plants Productivity and Fiber Quality.

Humus is the stable form of added crop and animal residues. The organic matter after a long-term decomposition process converts into humic substances. The naturally occurring humus is present in less amount in soils of the arid and semi-arid regions. The addition of commercially available humic acid can, therefore, contribute to improving soil health and crop yields. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of potassium humate, applied through soil seed dressing, on cotton productivity and fiber quality attributes. Seed dressing with potassium humate was done at the rate of 0, 100, 150 and 200 mL kg-1 seed while in soil potassium humate was applied at the rate of 0, 10, 20 and 30 L ha-1. Results showed that the combined application of potassium humate by seed dressing and through soil application improved the soil properties, productivity and fiber quality traits of cotton. All levels of soil applied potassium humate (10, 20 and 30 L ha-1) performed better over seed dressing in terms of cotton productivity and fiber quality attributes. Among the soil application rates, 20 L ha-1 potassium humate proved better as compared to other rates (0, 10 and 30 L ha-1). Higher soil application of potassium humate (30 L ha-1) showed depressing effects on all the traits studied like the reduction of 12.4% and 6.6% in Ginning out turn and fiber length, respectively, at a seeding dressing of 200 mL kg-1. In conclusion, potassium humate seed dressing and soil application at the rate of 200 mL kg-1 and 20 L ha-1, respectively, is a better approach to improve cotton productivity. Soil potassium humate should not exceed a rate of 20 L ha-1 when the seed dressing of potassium is also practiced.

The potential of antioxidant activity of methanolic extract of Coscinium fenestratum (Goetgh.) Colebr (Menispermaceae).

To explore the possible bioactive compounds and to study the antioxidant capacity of Coscinium fenestratum (Goetgh.) Colebr (Menispermaceae), the qualitative and quantitative phytochemical screening for various secondary metabolites were evaluated. Using the GC-MS analysis, a total number of 30 phytochemical compounds were predicted with their retention time, molecular weight, molecular formula, peak area, structure and activities. The most prevailing heterocyclic compound was Bis(2,4,6- triisopropylphenyl) phosphinicazide (6.70%). The antioxidant activity was evaluated by spectrophotometric methods using the reducing power assay and the DPPH• and ABTS•+ scavenging assays. The activity was determined to be increased in all the test samples with the increase in the volume of the extract. C. fenestratum possess a good source of many bioactive compounds that are used to prevent diseases linked with oxidative stress.

Sonochemical synthesis and fabrication of honeycomb like zirconium dioxide with chitosan modified electrode for sensitive electrochemical determination of anti-tuberculosis (TB) drug.

Herein, novel honeycomb like zirconium dioxide with chitosan (ZrO2@chitosan) nanocomposite have been designed through a facile ultrasound-assisted method and followed by a simple sonication process (bath-type ultrasound washer; Honda Electronics-W-118T; 100 W/cm2 and 300 kHz frequency). After then, as-synthesized ZrO2@chitosan was characterized by FESEM, XRD and EIS. The ZrO2@chitosan nanocomposite modified glassy carbon electrode shows excellent electrochemical sensing performance towards anti-tuberculosis drug (rifampicin). Furthermore, the ZrO2@chitosan modified and fabricated electrochemical sensor showed a wide linear range between 0.015 µM and 547.4 µM and nanomolar detection limit (7.5 nM). Moreover, the ZrO2@chitosan modified electrode showed selectivity towards the detection of anti-tuberculosis drug (rifampicin). The ZrO2@chitosan nanocomposite film modified non-enzymatic sensor has high stable and good reproducible towards the detection of rifampicin. In addition, the as-synthesized ZrO2@chitosan nanocomposite modified electrode has been applied to the determination of rifampicin in biological samples such as human serum and urine samples.