Dattatreya Kar

Semiemperical Investigation of the Postmenopausal Breast CancerTreatment Potential of Xanthone Derivatives

Aromatase, a catalyst in the aromatization reaction of androgens to estrogen, is a member of the cytochrome p450 superfamily, known as monooxygenases. The synthesized estrogen by Aromatase in breast cancer nourishes the cancer cells and assesses the hormonally growing of cancer cells. Therefore, Aromatase is considered as a potential target in treatment of breast cancer. Nowadays, major considerations in drugs selection in the treatment of cancers are shifted to natural sources due to their low toxicity profiles and better therapeutic functionality. In the present study, we have identified the binding modes of various xanthones, dietary supplements obtained from different plant sources, by using of efficient Biocomputational tools. Through docking studies, it is clear that 10 out of 13 ligands showing hydrogen bonds with amino acids like THR 310, PRO 249, ARG 113, GLY 439 and CYS 347. Sameathxanthone A showed highest dock score of -7.96 with the binding energy -38.46 kcal/mol and two hydrogen bonds with LEU 477 and VAL 373. Subsequently, the ADMET properties of compounds have been predicted computationally.

Drug Targets for Cardiovascular-Safe Anti-Inflammatory: In Silico Rational Drug Studies

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) plays an important role in memory consolidation and synaptic activity, the most fundamental functions of the brain. It converts arachidonic acid to prostaglandin endoperoxide H2. In contrast, if over-expressed, it causes inflammation in response to cytokine, pro-inflammatory molecule, and growth factor. Anti-inflammatory agents, by allosteric or competitive inhibition of COX-2, alleviate the symptoms of inflammation. Coxib family drugs, particularly celecoxib, are the most famous anti-inflammatory agents available in the market showing significant inhibitory effect on COX-2 activity. Due to high cardiovascular risk of this drug group, recent researches are focused on the investigation of new safer drugs for anti-inflammatory diseases. Natural compounds, particularly, phytochemicals are found to be good candidates for drug designing and discovery. In the present study, we performed in silico studies to quantitatively scrutinize the molecular interaction of curcumin and its structural analogs with COX-2, COX-1, FXa and integrin αIIbβIII to investigate their therapeutic potential as a cardiovascular-safe anti-inflammatory medicine (CVSAIM). The results of both ADMET and docking study indicated that out of all the 39 compounds studied, caffeic acid had remarkable interaction with proteins involved in inflammatory response. It was also found to inhibit the proteins that are involved in thrombosis, thereby, having the potential to be developed as therapeutic agent.

Assessment of genetic diversity among some elite cultivars of ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) using isozyme and protein markers

Protein and isozyme markers were used to characterize 20 elite cultivars of ginger. Four different isozymes (acid phosphatase, esterase, peroxidase and polyphenolic oxidase) were analyzed to assess the genomic relationship among 20 varieties of ginger. Buffer soluble protein was isolated and resolved in SDS-PAGE. A total of 108 types of proteins were resolved, out of which 33 were unique. A total of 85 bands were detected for 4 isozymes, among them only 3 were found to be unique. The dendrogram constructed based on pooled data (protein and isozyme) divided the varieties into two major clusters each containing 10 members, respectively. The varieties Singjhara and Waynad local were found to be the most closely related while Singjhara and Sleeva local were distantly apart. The present study gave an indication of usefulness of the isozyme and protein markers for genetic discrimination between different varieties of ginger. The result of the present investigation will help in future breeding program.

Chemometric profile & antimicrobial activities of leaf extract of Calotropis procera and Calotropis gigantea

Abstract Calotropis procera and Calotropis gigantea are medicinal plant having therapeutic value. The leaf extracts of C. procera have been investigated, its pharmacological actions in detail and leaf extracts of C. gigantea were not studied till date. The objective of present work was to find the bioactive constituents present in the ethanolic leaf extract of C. procera and C. gigantea to evaluate their antibacterial and anifungal activities. The major phytochemical groups in C. procera ethanolic leaf extracts were fatty acid ethyl ester (21.36%), palmitic acid ester (10.24%), linoleic acid (7.43%) and amino acid (8.10%) respectively, whereas ethanolic leaf extracts of C. gigantea contain palmitic acid (46.01%), diterpene (26.53%), triterpene (17.39%), linoleic acid (5.13%) as the major phytochemical groups. Ethanol extract of C. procera leaves showed the highest inhibition (11 mm) against Escherichia coli, while ethanolic extract of C. gigantea leaves inhibited Klebsiella (20 mm). These findings will use in new directions in pharmacological investigations.

Screening of Ginger Germplasm for Resistance to Rhizome Rot

Twenty five varieties of ginger Zingiber officinale Rosc. were screened in the field against Pythium aphanidermatum for two consecutive years during 2010–2011 at High Altitude Research Station, Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology, Pottangi, Koraput, Odisha. These varieties were also screened in lab and net house (pot) condition. Out of 25 varieties only 3 varieties showed resistance to rhizome rot, of which one (Sargiguda) was resistant and two (China and Varada) were partially resistant, providing good material for developing rhizome rot resistant ginger varieties.