Plants in traditional medicine with special reference to Cyperus rotundus L.: a review.

The nutgrass, Cyperus rotundus L. (Family: Cyperaceae), is a colonial, perennial herb considered to have originated in India 2000 years ago and widely used in Ayurveda to treat several ailments. In addition to its prehistoric uses, it is used in several systems of medicine for treating variety of diseases. The synergistic actions of the Cyperus' compounds have added advantage over that of a single constituent. In the past decade, numerous studies proved analgesic, anti-allergic, anti-arthritic, anti-candida, anti-cariogenic, anti-convulsant, anti-diarrheal, anti-emetic, anti-helminthic, anti-histamine, anti-hyperglycemic, anti-hypertensive, anti-inflammatory, anti-malarial, anti-obesity, antioxidant, anti-platelet, anti-pyretic, anti-ulcer, anti-viral, cardioprotective, cytoprotective, cytotoxic, gastroprotective, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, ovicidal, and larvicidal, wound healing and inhibition of brain Na+ K+ ATPase activities of C. rotundus and its chemical constituents. However, the exact the mechanism of action is not very clear and requires further evaluation. These properties strongly suggest an extensive use of C. rotundus for clinical applications. In this review, we attempted to provide information about the pharmacological effects of Cyperus and its proposed mechanisms of actions.

In vitro Antioxidant Potentials of Cyperus rotundus L. Rhizome Extracts and Their Phytochemical Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Cyperus rotundus L. (family Cyperaceae), native to India, is a multivalent medicinal plant widely used in conventional medicine. The research reports on bioactive components from C. rotundus L. are scanty. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to optimize the best solvent system and bioprospect the possible phytochemicals in C. rotundus L. rhizome (CRR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The phytochemicals were extracted from the rhizomes of C. rotundus L. by successive Soxhlet technique with solvents of increasing polarity. The resultant extracts were analyzed for their total flavonoid content (TFC), total phenolic content (TPC), total proanthocyanidin content (TPAC), in vitro antioxidant potential, and inhibition of lipid peroxidation. The 70% acetone extract of CRR was analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for probable phytochemicals. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The TPC, TFC, and TPAC estimates ranged from 0.036 ± 0.002 to 118.924 ± 5.946 µg/mg extract, 7.196 ± 0.359 to 200.654 ± 10.032 µg/mg extract, and 13.115 ± 0.656 to 45.901 ± 2.295 µg/mg extract, respectively. The quantities of TPC, TFC, and TPAC were found to be the highest in 70% acetone extract. The 70% acetone and 70% methanol extracts revealed best radical scavenging effect. GC-MS analysis of CRR extract revealed the presence of a novel compound 1 (2)-acetyl-3 (5)-styryl-5 (3)-methylthiopyrazole. CONCLUSION: The study indicated that 70% acetone and 70% methanol extracts of CRRs can be a potential source of antioxidants. SUMMARY: The studies suggest 70% methanol and acetone as the suitable solvents for the extraction of phytochemicalsNovel compound 1(2)-Acetyl-3(5)-styryl-5(3)-methylthiopyrazole was detected in 70% acetone extract. Abbreviations used: ACRE: Acetone C. rotundus L. rhizome extract; AlCl3: Aluminum chloride; AQRE: Aqueous C. rotundus L. rhizome extract; CE: Catechin Equivalent; CHRE: Chloroform C. rotundus L. rhizome extract; CRR: C. rotundus L. rhizome; DPPH: 2,2 diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl; ETRE: Ethanolic C. rotundus L. rhizome extract; EARE: Ethyl acetate C. rotundus L. rhizome extract; FRP: Ferric reducing power; GAE: Gallic acid equivalent; GC-MS: Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry; HERE: Hexane C. rotundus L. rhizome extract; MERE: Methanolic C. rotundus L. rhizome extract; PERE: Petroleum ether C. rotundus L. rhizome extract; QE: Quercetin equivalent; RNS: Reactive nitrogen species; ROS: Reactive oxygen species; TFC: Total flavonoid content; TPC: Total phenolic content; TPAC: Total proanthocyanidin content.

Traditional Indian medicine (TIM) and traditional Korean medicine (TKM): aconstitutional-based concept and comparison.

Traditional and complementary medicine (T&CM) plays an integral role in providing health care worldwide. It is based on sound fundamental principles and centuries of practices. This study compared traditional Indian medicine (TIM) and traditional Korean medicine (TKM) basing on data obtained from peer reviewed articles, respective government institutional reports and World Health Organization reports. Despite the fact that TIM and TKM have individual qualities that are unique from each other including different histories of origin, they share a lot in common. Apart from Homeopathy in TIM, both systems are hinged on similar principle of body constitutional-based concept and similar disease diagnosis methods of mainly auscultation, palpation, visual inspection, and interrogation. Similarly, the treatment methods of TIM and TKM follow similar patterns involving use of medicinal herbs, moxibustion, acupuncture, cupping, and manual therapy. Both T&CM are majorly practiced in well-established hospitals by T&CM doctors who have undergone an average of 6-7 years of specialized trainings. However, unlike TIM which has less insurance coverage, the popularity of TKM is majorly due to its wide national insurance coverage. These two medical traditions occupy increasingly greater portion of the global market. However, TIM especially Ayurveda has gained more global recognition than TKM although the emergence of Sasang Constitutional Medicine in TKM is beginning to become more popular. This comparative analysis between TIM and TKM may provide vital and insightful contribution towards constitutional-based concept for further development and future studies in T&CM.

Molecular docking studies of novel palmitoyl-ligands for cyclooxygenase-2.

An in silico approach was adopted to identify potential cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors through molecular docking studies. The in vivo studies indicated that synthetic palmitoyl derivatives of salicylic acid, para amino phenol, para amino benzoic acid, and anthranilic acid possessed significant pharmacological activities like anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic activities. None of the tested substances produced any significant gastric lesions in experimental animals. In an attempt to understand the ligand-protein interactions in terms of the binding affinity, the above synthetic molecules were subjected to docking analysis using AutoDock. The palmitoyl derivatives palmitoyl anthranilic acid, palmitoyl para amino benzoic acid, palmitoyl para amino phenol, and palmitoyl salicylic acid showed better binding energy than the known inhibitor diclofenac bound to 1PXX. All the palmitoyl derivatives made similar interactions with the binding site residues of cyclooxygenase-2 as compared to that of the known inhibitor. Thus, structure-based drug discovery approach was successfully employed to identify some promising pro-drugs for the treatment of pain and inflammation.

Role of microbial enzymes in the bioremediation of pollutants: a review.

A large number of enzymes from bacteria, fungi, and plants have been reported to be involved in the biodegradation of toxic organic pollutants. Bioremediation is a cost effective and nature friendly biotechnology that is powered by microbial enzymes. The research activity in this area would contribute towards developing advanced bioprocess technology to reduce the toxicity of the pollutants and also to obtain novel useful substances. The information on the mechanisms of bioremediation-related enzymes such as oxido-reductases and hydrolases have been extensively studied. This review attempts to provide descriptive information on the enzymes from various microorganisms involved in the biodegradation of wide range of pollutants, applications, and suggestions required to overcome the limitations of their efficient use.

Production of tropane alkaloids during de-differentiation of Scopolia parviflora calli.

The production of tropane alkaloids during differentiation and de-differentiation of Scopolia parviflora calli was studied. Tropane alkaloid production drastically decreased during calli de-differentiation. Scopolamine (1) production decreased after 10 days of culture, whereas that of hyoscyamine (2) decreased during de-differentiation of root to calli. The production of 1 was enhanced in calli undergoing differentiation to shoot after 60 days of culture, reaching a maximum by 80 days. However, production of hyoscyamine in regenerated plants was lower. The expression level of hyoscyamine 6beta-hydroxylase (H6H), a key biosynthetic enzyme for tropane alkaloids, was significantly increased in 4-week-old calli. This study suggests that the biosynthesis of tropane alkaloids is regulated inversely in de-differentiating Scopolia parviflora calli.

Degradation of ethylbenzene by free and immobilized Pseudomonas fluorescens-CS2.

Pseudomonas fluorescens-CS2 metabolized ethylbenzene as the sole source of carbon and energy. The involvement of catechol as the hydroxylated intermediate during the biodegradation of ethylbenzene was established by TLC, HPLC and enzyme analysis. The specific activity of Catechol 2,3-dioxygenase in the cell free extracts of P. fluorescens-CS2 was determined to be 0.428 micromoles min(-1) mg(-1) protein. An aqueous-organic, Two-Phase Batch Culture System (TPBCS) was developed to overcome inhibition due to higher substrate concentrations. In TPBCS, P. fluorescens-CS2 demonstrated ethylbenzene utilization up to 50 mM without substrate inhibition on inclusion of n-decanol as the second phase. The rate of ethylbenzene metabolism in TPBCS was found enhance by fivefold in comparison with single phase system. Alternatively the alginate, agar and polyacrylamide matrix immobilized P. fluorescens-CS2 cells efficiently degraded ethylebenzene with enhanced efficiency compared to free cell cultures in single and two-phase systems. The cells entrapped in ployacrylamide and alginate were found to be stable and degradation efficient for a period of 42 days where as agar-entrapped P. fluorescens was stable and efficient a period of 36 days. This demonstrates that alginate and polyacrylamide matrices are more promising as compared to agar for cell immobilization.

Phenol degradation by immobilized cells of Arthrobacter citreus.

An aerobic microorganism with an ability to utilize phenol as carbon and energy source was isolated from a hydrocarbon contamination site by employing selective enrichment culture technique. The isolate was identified as Arthrobacter citreus based on morphological, physiological and biochemical tests. This mesophilic organism showed optimal growth at 25 degrees C and at pH of 7.0. The phenol utilization studies with Arthrobacter citreus showed that the complete assimilation occurred in 24 hours. The organism metabolized phenol up to 22 mM concentrations whereas higher levels were inhibitory. Thin layer chromatography, UV spectral and enzyme analysis were suggestive of catechol, as a key intermediate of phenol metabolism. The enzyme activities of phenol hydroxylase and catechol 2,3-dioxygenase in cell free extracts of Arthrobacter citreus were indicative of operation of a meta-cleavage pathway for phenol degradation. The organism had additional ability to degrade catechol, cresols and naphthol. The degradation rates of phenol by alginate and agar immobilized cells in batch fermentations showed continuous phenol metabolism for a period of eight days.

Effect of supplementing terpenoid biosynthetic precursors on the accumulation of bilobalide and ginkgolides in Ginkgo biloba cell cultures.

The effect of precursor feeding on the production of bilobalide and ginkgolides was studied with suspension cell cultures of Ginkgo biloba. The precursors greatly influenced the productivity of bilobalide and ginkgolides. Precursor supplementation increased the accumulation of both bilobalide and ginkgolides, and with positive effect on cell growth. The GA accumulation by cell cultures was influenced by precursors upstream in the metabolism, whereas the BB accumulation was under the influence of downstream precursors of the terpenoid biosynthetic pathway. Furthermore, precursor feeding modified the ratios of the BB, GA and GB in cells and cell cultures of G. biloba. The studies also aid in understanding effect of precursor feeding on the bilobalide and ginkgolides biosynthetic pathway.

Pn-AMPs, the hevein-like proteins from Pharbitis nil confers disease resistance against phytopathogenic fungi in tomato, Lycopersicum esculentum.

The antifungal activity of hevein-like proteins has been associated with their chitin-binding activities. Pn-AMP1 and Pn-AMP2, two hevein homologues from Pharbitis nil, show in vitro antifungal activities against both chitin and non-chitin containing fungi. Purified Pn-AMPs retained antifungal activities only under non-reducing conditions. When Pn-AMP2 cDNA was constitutively expressed in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) plants under the control of CaMV35S promoter, the transgenic plants showed enhanced resistance against both the non-chitinous fungus Phytophthora capsici, and the chitin-containing fungus Fusarium oxysporum. Thus, the chitin component in the fungal cell wall is not an absolute requirement for Pn-AMP's antifungal activities. These results when considered together suggest that Pn-AMPs have the potential for developing transgenic plants resistant to a wide range of phytopathogenic fungi.