S-allyl cysteine as potent anti-gout drug: Insight into the xanthine oxidase inhibition and anti-inflammatory activity.

S-allyl cysteine (SAC) is known for its various beneficial effects such as neuroprotection and immunomodulation. The beneficial effect of SAC against gout has not been explored. The present study aims to describe the two roles of SAC: (1) inhibitory effect against xanthine oxidase (XO) enzyme activity; and (2) anti-inflammatory property against MSU crystal-induced gouty inflammation in rat. The inhibitory effect of SAC against bovine XO enzyme activity was determined in vitro. In silico analysis was carried out to determine the intermolecular interaction between SAC and bovine XO. MSU crystal was injected in the right paw of the rat to induce gouty inflammation. SAC (40 mg/kg body weight) and colchicine (positive control; 1 mg/kg body weight) was given for 3 days. At the end of the treatment, the oxidative stress, antioxidant parameters and mitochondrial function were determined in the ankle joint tissue. The concentration of inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-1ß was measured in the serum using ELISA. SAC inhibited (IC50 value, 33 µg/ml) XO enzyme activity in a competitive mode with corresponding Ki value of 4 µg/ml. In silico analysis predicted the interaction of SAC with the amino acids such as Arg880, Phe798, Phe914 and Phe1009 of XO enzyme. The root mean square deviation, root mean square fluctuation and free energy calculation values confirmed the stable SAC-XO interaction. The inhibition of SAC on XO enzyme activity in in vivo was further confirmed by silkworm model. SAC through reducing oxidative stress, enhancing antioxidants, protecting mitochondrial function has shown anti-inflammatory effect against MSU crystal-induced gout which was observed as reduced level of inflammatory markers in the serum. The medicinal potential of SAC as a preventive agent through its XO inhibitory property as well as curative agent through its anti-inflammatory property against gout has been understood from the present study.

Plant extract as environmental-friendly green catalyst for the reduction of hexavalent chromium in tannery effluent.

The aqueous extract of various plants like Coriandrum sativum (AECS), Alternanthera tenella colla (AEAT), Spermacoce hispida (AESH) and Mollugo verticillata (AEMV) was studied for its hexavalent chromium (CrVI) reduction property. Even though antioxidant activity was present, AEAT, AESH and AEMV did not reduce CrVI. AECS showed rapid and dose-dependent CrVI reduction. The efficient reduction of 50 mg/L of CrVI using AECS was attained in the presence of 250 µg/mL of starting plant material, incubating the reaction mixture at pH 2, 30°C and agitation at 190 rpm. Under such conditions, about 40 mg/L of CrVI was reduced at 3 h of incubation. FT-IR analysis revealed the involvement of phenols, alcohols, alpha-hydroxy acid and flavonoids present in the AECS for the CrVI reduction. These results indicate that not all the plant extracts with rich antioxidants are capable of reducing CrVI. Using the conditions standardized in the present study, AECS reduced about 80% of CrVI present in the tannery effluent. These results signify the application of AECS as an eco-friendly method in the wastewater treatment.

Rapid biosynthesis of Bauhinia variegata flower extract-mediated silver nanoparticles: an effective antioxidant scavenger and α-amylase inhibitor.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were biosynthesized using Bauhinia variegata flower extract (BVFE). The BVF-AgNPs was found to be spherical shaped with the size of 5-15 nm. The phytoconstituents analysis and FTIR spectrum indicated that bioactive compounds like, phenols, flavonoids, benzophenones, nitro compounds, aromatics and aliphatic amines from BVFE might absorb on the surface of BVF-AgNPs. The synthesized BVF-AgNPs showed potent antioxidant property and α-amylase enzyme activity inhibition. The IC50 value of BVF-AgNPs was found to be 4.64 and 16.6 µg/ml for DPPH and ferric reducing power assay, respectively. The IC50 value of BVF-AgNPs for α-amylase inhibition was found to be 38 µg/ml. The Ki value of BVF-AgNPs for α-amylase inhibitory effect was found to be 21 µg/ml with the non-competitive mode of inhibition. These results suggest that BVF-AgNPs might be an effective nano-drug to treat diabetic conditions.