c-Phycocyanin primed silver nano conjugates: Studies on red blood cell stress resilience mechanism.

Green synthesis of metal-encased nutraceutical nano-hybrids has been a target for research over the last few years. In the present investigation, we have reported temperature dependent facile synthesis of silver nanoparticles using FDA approved c phycocyanin (cPC). The cPC conjugated silver nanoparticles (AgcPCNPs) were characterized by TEM, Zeta Potential, UV-vis, XPS, FTIR, and CD Spectroscopy. The temperature optimization studies suggested the synthesis of stable AgcPCNPs at 40 °C while at higher temperature system shows aggregated appearance. Molecular docking studies predicted the exclusive interaction of C, D, I, and J chains of cPC with the surface of AgNPs. Moreover, AgcPCNPs significantly (p < 0.1 %) counteract the toxic nature of AgNPs on red blood cell by measuring parameters like total RBC count, % hemolysis, % hematocrit, coagulation time, pH, electrolyte concentrations and degree of blood cell lipid peroxidation by the anti-oxidation mechanism. Skin fibroblast in vitro cell migration result suggeststhat AgcPCNPs enhanced the degree of cell movement towards the wound area. Data obtained collectively demonstrate that AgcPCNPs can be a better agent in the dermal wound healing with reduced toxicity with the bi-phasic advantage of cPC as a wound healer and Ag nano-metal as an anti-bacterial agent.

Anticonvulsant activity of Benkara malabarica (Linn.) root extract: In vitro and in vivo investigation.

AIM OF THE STUDY: To systematically investigate the anticonvulsant activity of methanol extract of Benkara malabarica roots and to provide a biochemical basis elucidating its mode of action. METHODS: The median lethal dose (LD(50)) of Benkara malabarica extract was determined. The anticonvulsant activity of the extract was assessed in strychnine-induced and isoniazide-induced convulsion models; phenytoin (20mg/kg) and diazepam (1mg/kg) were used as standards, respectively. Percentage protection provided by the drug was accounted as decrease in the number of convulsions within 8h of observation. Mechanism of action was studied by performing GABA transaminase (GABA-T) assay, isolated from rat brain. Active constituent was isolated and characterized from the plant extract. RESULTS: The median lethal dose (LD50) of Benkara malabarica was found to be more than 500 mg/kg. It demonstrated 30% and 35% protection against strychnine-induced convulsions and 60% and 80% protection against isoniazide-induced convulsions, at doses of 25mg/kg and 50mg/kg, respectively. Enzyme assay results revealed that Benkara malabarica extract possesses GABA-T inhibitory activity (IC50=0.721 mg/ml). Scopoletin which was identified as the major constituent of the extract was found to be an inhibitor of GABA-T (IC50=10.57 microM). CONCLUSIONS: The anticonvulsant activity of the plant extract is predominantly GABA mediated and may be due to the action of scopoletin alone or is a result of synergy of different compounds in the extract in which scopoletin is the major constituent.