Quantification of rosmarinic acid from different plant species of lower Himalayan region and expression analysis of underlying L-Phenylalanine pathway.

This study adopts a very effective high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) technique for the quantitative determination of rosmarinic acid (RA) and PCR-based amplification of biosynthetic key regulators in Isodon rugosus, Daphne mucronata, and Viburnum grandiflorum from the lower Himalayan regions. Rosmarinic acid is engaged in a variety of biological processes and has significant industrial significance. In this study, it was identified from crude methanolic extract using thin-layer chromatography with a standard, and its content was quantified using HPLC without interrupting spikes using a mixture of methanol and deionized water containing acetonitrile (70:30 v/v) and acetic acid (0.1% v/v) at UV 310 nm absorption. We used RT-PCR to identify cDNAs encoding PAL, C4H, and RAS, and Image J's semi-quantitative analysis to quantify the expression levels of genes involved in RA production from chosen plant material. The highest levels of PAL, C4H, and RAS were detected, by band intensity, in the leaves and flowers of I. rugosus, which also exhibited a substantial quantity of RA. However, in V. grandiflorum and D. mucronata the transcript of the given genes was low. The concentration of RA ranged from 187.7 to 21.2 mg g-1 for I. rugosus, 17.42 to 5.42 mg g-1 for V. grandiflorum, and 15.19 mg g-1 for D. mucronata. This study demonstrated that the method for quantifying RA from a crude methanolic extract was effective, indicating that I. rugosus might be used as an indigenous alternative source of RA.

Hyperglycemia-associated Alzheimer's-like symptoms and other behavioral effects attenuated by Plumeria obtusa L. Extract in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic complaint with numerous short- and long-term complications that harm a person's physical and psychological health. Plumeria obtusa L. is a traditional medicine used in the treatment of diabetes to reduce complications related to behavior. Plumeria is a genus with antipsychotic activities. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of a methanolic extract of Plumeria obtusa L. in the attenuation of diabetes, on symptoms of Alzheimer disease, and on other associated behavioral aspects. A single dose of alloxan was administered to an experimental group of rats to induce development of diabetes (150 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) and the rats were then administered selected doses of methanolic extract of Plumeria obtusa L. (Po.Cr) or glibenclamide (0.6 mg/kg) for 45 consecutive days. Behavioral effects were evaluated using three validated assays of anxiety-related behavior: the open field test, the light and dark test, and the elevated plus maze. Anti-depressant effects of Plumeria obtusa L. were evaluated using the forced swim test (FST) and memory and learning were assessed using the Morris water maze (MWM) task. Po.Cr was also evaluated for phytochemicals using total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and high-performance liquid chromatography assays, and antioxidant capability was assessed through assays of DPPH radical scavenging, total oxidation capacity, and total reducing capacity. In the alloxan-induced model of diabetes, the administration of Po.Cr and glibenclamide for 45 days produced a marked decrease (p < 0.001) in hyperglycemia compared to control animals. Po.Cr treatment also resulted in improvement in indicators, such as body weight and lipid profile (p < 0.05), as well as restoration of normal levels of alanine transaminase (ALT) (p < 0.001), a biomarker of liver function. Diabetic rats presented more Alzheimer-like symptoms, with greater impairment of memory and learning, and increased anxiety and depression compared to non-diabetic normal rats, whereas treated diabetic rats showed significant improvements in memory and behavioral outcomes. These results demonstrate that Po.Cr reversed alloxan-induced hyperglycemia and ameliorated Alzheimer-related behavioral changes, which supports additional study and assessment of conventional use of the plant to treat diabetes and associated behavioral complications.

Characterization of bio-fabricated silver nanoparticles for distinct anti-fungal activity against sugarcane phytopathogens.

Advanced research, development, and application of silver nanoparticles is proceeding in recent times due to their incredible utilization in various fields. Present study was focused on the production, characterization, and antifungal activities of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). An environment friendly extracellular biosynthetic approach was adopted to produce the AgNPs by using bacteria, fungi, and sugarcane husk. Agents used for reduction of silver to nanoparticles were taken from culture filtrate of plant growth promoting bacteria, Fusarium oxysporum and supernatant extract of sugarcane husk. Nanoparticles were also characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Synthesis of colloidal AgNPs was observed by UV-Visible diffused reflectance spectroscopy (UV-Vis DRS). Primary peak of surface plasmon resonance band was noticed around 339.782, 336.735, and 338.258 nm for bacterial, fungal, and sugarcane husk produced AgNPs. Structure of all biologically produced nanoparticles were crystalline cubic with nano size of 45.41, 49.06, and 42.75 nm for bacterial, fungal, and sugarcane husk-based nanoparticles, respectively as calculated by Debye-Scherrer equation using XRD. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis revealed the presence of various compounds that aid in the reduction, capping, and stability of AgNPs. The antifungal activity of AgNPs was also investigated for sugarcane fungal pathogens Colletotricum falcatum and Fusarium moniliforme. All nanoparticles exhibit prominent antifungal activities. Maximum zone of fungal inhibition was noticed about 18, 19, and 21 mm for C. falcatum while 21, 20, and 24 mm for F. moniliforme in case of bacterial, fungal, and plant-based nanoparticles (15 ppm), respectively. Best fungal inhibition was observed under application of sugarcane husk based AgNPs. Moreover, biologically produced AgNPs responded better towards the suppression of F. moniliforme in comparison to C. falcatum. Mentioned sources in present study can be ecofriendly nano-factories for biosynthesis of AgNPs and mankind should benefit from their commercial application.

Studies on phytochemical, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of Euphorbia dracunculoides.

BACKGROUND: Plants provide an alternative source to manage various human disorders due to diverse metabolites. Euphorbia dracunculoides of family Euphorbiaceae is used by local practitioners in rheumatism, epilepsy, edema, snake bite, warts and also possesses diuretic and purgative effects. The present study evaluated the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of various extracts of E. dracunculoides. Further, phytochemical constituents of the leading extracts were also investigated. METHODS: Dry powder of E. dracunculoides was extracted with n-hexane (EDH), acetone (EDA), ethanol (EDE), ethanol + water (1:1) (EDEW) and methanol (EDM) and screened for phytochemical classes, total phenolic (TPC) and flavonoid content (TFC). Antioxidant effects of the extracts were manifested by in vitro multidimensional assays. The anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of the extracts were evaluated through carrageenan induced paw edema and hot plate test in rat. In addition, GC-MS analysis of EDH and HPLC-DAD analysis of EDEW was carried out to determine the presence of active constituents. RESULTS: Qualitative analysis of various extracts of E. dracunculoides assured the existence of tannins and coumarins while presence of anthraquinones and anthocyanins was not traced in these extracts. Maximum quantity of TPC and TFC was recorded in EDEW followed by EDE. EDEW and EDE showed significant antioxidant activities with therapeutic potential against hydroxyl and phosphomolybdate radicals, ß-carotene bleaching assay and in reducing of iron while moderate to low scavenging abilities were recorded for DPPH, nitric oxide and for iron chelation. During anti-inflammatory activity after 4 h of drug administration the 300 mg/kg body weight dose of EDH (68.660 ± 10.502%) and EDE (51.384 ± 8.623%) exhibited strong anti-inflammatory activity and reduced the carrageenan-induced paw edema in rat as compared to standard drug diclofenac sodium (78.823 ± 6.395%). Treatment of rats with EDH (70.206 ± 5.445%) and EDE (56.508 ± 6.363%) after 90 min showed significant increase in percent latency time in hot plate test as compared to morphine (63.632 ± 5.449%) treatment in rat. GC-MS analysis of EDH indicated the presence of 30 compounds predominantly of steroids and terpenoids. HPLC-DAD analysis against known standards established the presence of rutin, catechin, caffeic acid and myricetin in EDEW. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that presence of various polyphenolics, terpenoids and steroids render E. dracunculoides with therapeutic potential for oxidative stress and inflammation related disorders.