Population authentication of the traditional medicinal plant Cassia tora L. based on ISSR markers and FTIR analysis.

Cassia tora is a plant of medicinal importance. Medicinal plants from different localities are believed to differ in their therapeutic potency. In this study, six populations of C. tora with different eco-geographical origins were investigated genotypically (ISSR) and phytochemically (FTIR) to establish an integrated approach for population discrimination and authentication of the origin of this medicinal herb. CHS gene expression analysis and determination of flavonoid content were carried out to substantiate the study. A total of 19 population-specific authentication bands were observed in 11 ISSR fingerprints. Authentication codes were generated using six highly polymorphic bands, including three authentication bands. FTIR spectra revealed that the peaks at wavenumber 1623 cm-1 (carbonyl group) and 1034 cm-1 (>CO- group) were powerful in separating the populations. These peaks are assigned to flavonoids and carbohydrates, respectively, were more intense for Ranchi (highland) population. Variation in the transcript level of CHS gene was observed. The findings of FTIR and RT-PCR analyses were in agreement with the TFC analysis, where, the lowest amount of flavonoids observed for Lucknow (lowland) population. All the populations of C. tora have been authenticated accurately by ISSR analyses and FTIR fingerprinting, and the Ranchi site was observed to be more suitable for the potential harvesting of therapeutic bioactive compounds.

Structural Interactions of Curcumin Biotransformed Molecules with the N-Terminal Residues of Cytotoxic-Associated Gene A Protein Provide Insights into Suppression of Oncogenic Activities.

Curcumin as a natural product has drawn considerable attention in recent years for its multiple pharmacological activities against various diseases, but more studies are required to understand the curcumin pharmacological action considering its low bioavailability. Though numerous reasons contribute to the low bioavailability of curcumin, one of the important reasons is associated with biotransformation of curcumin through either conjugation or reduction depending on curcumin administration route. The orally administered curcumin (CUR) is metabolised into curcumin glucuronidase (CUR-GLR) and curcumin sulphate by conjugation, whereas dihydroxycurcumin, tetrahydrocurcumin, and hexahydrocurcumin (HHC) are formed by reduction after intraperitoneal administration of curcumin. The main aim of the current study was to investigate the pharmacological properties of curcumin and its biotransformed molecules and its inhibitory potential against CagA (cytotoxic-associated gene A) oncoprotein of Helicobacter pylori. All lead molecules followed the Lipinski's five rules for biological activities, except CUR-GLR, whereas druglikeness scores were obtained for all molecules. Subsequently, molecular docking was employed to analyse the binding affinity of molecules with CagA. The docking studies revealed that CUR-GLR has highest binding affinity with CagA, whereas less interactive affinity was observed in HHC. From the virtual screening and docking studies, the current study suggests that the biotransformation of curcumin through conjugation has more potential for inhibition of oncogenic activities of CagA+ H. pylori than reduction.

Insights from the molecular docking of curcumin to the virulent factors of Helicobacter pylori.

The domains of virulent (Ureα/ß, VacA-p55, and CagA) factors of Helicobacter pylori play a pivotal role in developmental processes of numerous diseases including gastric cancer. The pharmacological role of curcumin indicates that it could regulate the signaling of virulent factors by interacting with active domains. However, the controlling mechanism of the curcumin interactions and the binding diversity on structural basis of virulent (Ureα/ß, VacA-p55, and CagA) factors are unknown. Curcumin as therapeutic agent was filtered by using Lipinski rule׳s five and the druglikeness property for assessment of pharmacological properties. Here outcome of molecular docking presented the 3-D structure of curcumin complex, that interacted with especially conserved residues of target domains. The structure revealed that the curcumin complexation with domains of these proteins provided structural insight into the diverse nature of proteins (Ureα/ß, VacA-p55, and CagA) recognition. In silico study elucidated that the broad specificity of curcumin was achieved by multiple binding mode mechanisms such as distinct hydrogen and hydrophobic interactions with involvement of binding energy. The higher score of curcumin in complexation with both subunits Ureα/ß showed the stable binding, and less stability with VacA-p55 complexation with lower score. Curcumin exhibited good interaction with these targeted virulent factors, although extensive interactions of curcumin with Ureα/ß subunits could have an important implication to prevent survival and colonisation of H. pylori in stomach.

Heavy metal accumulation and changes in metabolic parameters in Cajanas cajan grown in mine spoil.

The extent of accumulation of some heavy metals in root and aerial plant parts, total chlorophyll, protein and yield of C. cajan exposed to mine spoil were investigated. Chlorophyll and protein level on the control site increased from the basal level to 1.49 fold and 1.92 fold respectively on 150 d and attained a plateau within 210 d. The maximum decline in leaf protein and yield in selected mine spoil has been observed 37% (18.46 mg g(-1) fresh wt) and 76% at 150 d and maintained a slight decline when duration was extended up to 210 d as compared to control. Whereas in case of photo pigment content (Chlorophyll a and b) the maximum reduction was almost 42% (0.786 mg g(-1) fresh wt) during 210 d from its basal level. Plant tissues have accumulated maximum level of selected cations in control and mine spoil in the order (Fe > Mn > Zn > Cu > Pb > Ni > Cr > Cd). Metal accumulation in different plant parts was observed in the decreasing order roots > shoots > leaves > seeds. Invariably high accumulation of such cations in roots overshoots indicated accumulation, retention or restricted translocation from root to shoot. The metal share of seed varied from 1.3-39.5 fold as compared to their respective controls but their amount was quite below the toxic range. Thus the present work explores the metal accumulation in the plant tissues.