Effect of Lactobacillus Fermentation on the Anti-Inflammatory Potential of Turmeric.

Curcumin, the major bioactive constituent of turmeric, has been reported to have a wide range of pharmacological benefits; however, the low solubility in water has restricted its systemic bioavailability and therapeutic potential. Therefore, in the current study, we aimed to investigate the effect of turmeric fermentation on its curcumin content and anti-inflammatory activity by using several lactic acid bacteria. Fermentation with Lactobacillus fermentum significantly increased the curcumin content by 9.76% while showing no cytotoxicity in RAW 246.7 cells, as compared to the unfermented turmeric, regardless of the concentration of L. fermentum-fermented turmeric. The L. fermentum-fermented turmeric also promoted cells survival; a significantly higher number of viable cells in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 cells were observed as compared to those treated with unfermented turmeric. It also displayed promising DPPH scavenging activity (7.88 ± 3.36%) and anti-inflammatory activity by significantly reducing the nitrite level and suppressing the expression of the pro-apoptotic tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4) in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells. Western blot analysis further revealed that the anti-inflammatory activity of the fermented turmeric was exerted through suppression of the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signal pathway, but not in unfermented turmeric. Taken together, the results suggested that fermentation with lactic acid bacteria increases the curcumin content of turmeric without increasing its cytotoxicity, while strengthening the specific pharmacological activity, thus, highlighting its potential application as a functional food ingredient.

Antibiotic-producing Pseudomonas fluorescens mediates rhizome rot disease resistance and promotes plant growth in turmeric plants.

Rhizome rot of turmeric caused by Pythium aphanidermatum is a major threat to turmeric-cultivating areas of India. This study intends to evaluate the performance of fluorescent pseudomonads against Rhizome rot disease and understand the resistance mechanism in Turmeric plants. Fluorescent pseudomonads were screened against Pythium aphanidermatum using dual culture. Selected strains were evaluated for the performance of growth promoting attributes and the presence of antibiotic genes through PCR analysis. Strain FP7 recorded the maximum percent inhibition of P. aphanidermatum under in vitro conditions. Strains FP7 and TPF54 both increased plant growth in turmeric plants in vitro. Strain FP7 alone contained all the evaluated antibiotic biosynthetic genes. Talc and liquid-based formulations were prepared with effective strain and tested for its biocontrol activities under both glasshouse and field conditions. Enzymatic activities of the induced defense enzymes such as PO, PPO, PAL, CAT and SOD were estimated and subjected to spectrophotometric analysis. A combination of rhizome dip and soil drench of FP7 liquid formulation treatment remarkably recorded the minimum disease incidence, higher defense enzymes, maximum plant growth and yield under glasshouse and field conditions. Application of strain FP7 increased the defense molecules, plant growth and yield in turmeric plants thereby reducing the incidence of rhizome rot disease. Moreover, this study has a potential to be adopted for sustainable and eco-friendly turmeric production.

Foliar application of ß-D-glucan nanoparticles to control rhizome rot disease of turmeric.

The soilborne Oomycete Pythium aphanidermatum is the causal agent of rhizome rot disease, one of the most serious threats to turmeric crops. At present, effective fungicides are not available. Researches on nanoparticles in a number of crops have evidenced the positive changes in gene expression indicating their potential use in crop improvement. Hence, experiments were carried out to determine the effect of ß-D-glucan nanoparticles (nanobiopolymer) in protection of turmeric plants against rot disease by the way of products that reinforce plant's own defense mechanism. Foliar spray of ß-D-glucan nanoparticles (0.1%, w/v) elicited marked increase in the activity of defense enzymes such as peroxidases (E.C.1.11.1.7), polyphenol oxidases (E.C.1.14.18.1), protease inhibitors (E.C.3.4.21.1) and ß-1,3-glucanases (E.C.3.2.1.39) at various age levels. Constitutive and induced isoforms of these enzymes were investigated during this time-course study. ß-D-glucan nanoparticles (GNPs) significantly reduced the rot incidence offering 77% protection. Increased activities of defense enzymes in GNPs-applied turmeric plants may play a role in restricting the development of disease symptoms. These results demonstrated that GNPs could be used as an effective resistance activator in turmeric for control of rhizome rot disease.

ß-D-Glucan nanoparticle pre-treatment induce resistance against Pythium aphanidermatum infection in turmeric.

In vitro experiments were carried out to test the efficacy of GNP (ß-D-glucan nanoparticle prepared from mycelium of Pythium aphanidermatum) against rhizome rot disease of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) caused by P. aphanidermatum. GNP (0.1%, w/v) was applied to rhizome prior to inoculation with P. aphanidermatum (0 h, 24 h). Cell death, activities of defense enzymes such as peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, protease inhibitor and ß-1,3 glucanase were monitored. Prior application of GNP (24 h) to turmeric rhizome effectively controls P. aphanidermatum infection. The increase in defense enzyme activities occurred more rapidly and was enhanced in P. aphanidermatum infected rhizomes that were pre-treated with GNP. Pre-treatment also induced new isoforms of defense enzymes. Increased activities of defense enzymes suggest that they play a key role in restricting the development of disease symptoms in the rhizomes as evidenced by a reduction in cell death. The results demonstrated that GNP can be used as a potential agent for control of rhizome rot disease.

Essential oil content of the rhizome of Curcuma purpurascens Bl. (Temu Tis) and its antiproliferative effect on selected human carcinoma cell lines.

Curcuma purpurascens Bl., belonging to the Zingiberaceae family, is known as temu tis in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. In this study, the hydrodistilled dried ground rhizome oil was investigated for its chemical content and antiproliferative activity against selected human carcinoma cell lines (MCF7, Ca Ski, A549, HT29, and HCT116) and a normal human lung fibroblast cell line (MRC5). Results from GC-MS and GC-FID analysis of the rhizome oil of temu tis showed turmerone as the major component, followed by germacrone, ar-turmerone, germacrene-B, and curlone. The rhizome oil of temu tis exhibited strong cytotoxicity against HT29 cells (IC50 value of 4.9 ± 0.4 µg/mL), weak cytotoxicity against A549, Ca Ski, and HCT116 cells (with IC50 values of 46.3 ± 0.7, 32.5 ± 1.1, and 35.0 ± 0.3 µg/mL, resp.), and no inhibitory effect against MCF7 cells. It exhibited mild cytotoxicity against a noncancerous human lung fibroblast cell line (MRC5), with an IC50 value of 25.2 ± 2.7 µg/mL. This is the first report on the chemical composition of this rhizome's oil and its selective antiproliferative effect on HT29. The obtained data provided a basis for further investigation of the mode of cell death.

Bioactive metabolites from Chaetomium globosum L18, an endophytic fungus in the medicinal plant Curcuma wenyujin.

An endophytic fungus, strain L18, isolated from the medicinal plant Curcuma wenyujin Y.H. Chen et C. Ling was identified as Chaetomium globosum Kunze based on morphological characteristics and sequence data for the internal transcribed spacer (ITS-5.8S-ITS2) of the nuclear ribosomal DNA. A new metabolite named chaetoglobosin X (1), together with three known compounds erogosterol (2), ergosterol 5α,8-peroside (3) and 2-methyl-3-hydroxy indole (4), were isolated from C. globosum L18. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods including NMR, UV, IR and MS data and comparison with published data. Chaetoglobosin X (1) is hitherto unknown, whereas 2-methyl-3-hydroxy indole (4) is reported for the first time as a fungal metabolite, and erogosterol (2) and ergosterol 5α,8-peroside (3) are known fungal metabolites previously identified in other genera. Chaetoglobosin X (1) exhibited a broader antifungal spectrum and showed the strongest cytotoxic activity against H22 and MFC cancer cell lines.