Jyoti Bala Chauhan

Counter Effect of Sucrose on Ethanol-Induced Aggregation of Protein

The present paper is an attempt to study the mechanism of ethanol induced aggregation of chicken egg albumin and to stabilize the protein against ethanol induced aggregation. The protein aggregation was determined by monitoring the light scattering of protein aggregates spectrophotometrically. The protein undergoes certain structural changes in water-ethanol solution and the degree of aggregation was found to be linearly depending upon the concentration of alcohol used. The intrinsic fluorescence study showed a large blue shift in the λ(max) (16 nm) in the presence of 50% ethanol. The ANS fluorescence intensity was found to be gradually increasing with increasing concentration of ethanol. This indicates an increase in the hydrophobic cluster on the protein surface and as a result the hydrophobic interaction is the major driving force for the aggregate formation. Addition of sucrose significantly reduced the ethanol-induced protein aggregation. In presence of 50% sucrose the ethanol the aggregation was reduced to 5%. The study reveals that addition of sucrose brings out changes in the solvent distribution and prevents the structural changes in protein which lead the aggregation.

Induction of Resistance against Sorghum Downy Mildew by Seed Treatment with Duranta repens Extracts

Induction of resistance against plant diseases by seed treatment is simple, cost effective and an efficient strategy for disease management. Aqueous extracts of three plants namely, Duranta repens, Polyalthia longifolia and Parthenium hysterophorus were evaluated for induction of resistance against sorghum downy mildew at 2.5% and 5% concentrations by seed dip method. Seeds were dipped for 3 h, followed by decanting and incubation to obtain sprouts. The sprouts obtained after 42 h incubation were inoculated by dipping in conidial suspension, planted in pots and raised in greenhouse conditions to observe systemic disease incidence. Duranta repens extract at 2.5% and 5% concentrations provided protection of 50.9% and 85% respectively, as against 38.5% protection provided by positive control. Biochemical analysis showed enhanced levels of defence enzymes PAL and POX in plant extract-treated seedlings. Evaluation of 6 solvent fractions of D. repens revealed disease protection by almost all fractions, indicating synergistic effect by various biochemicals. The method is helpful to attain goal of sustainable agriculture with biological and ecological safety. The novel method developed in the present investigation of using weight of seedlings as indicator of health index is effective and more convenient as compared to measurement of root and shoot lengths.

Synthesis of Pyrimidones and Evaluation of Their Xanthine Oxidase Inhibitory and Antioxidant Activities

The increasing prevalence of gout has been accompanied by a growing number of patients intolerant to or with disease refractory to the available urate‐lowering therapies. This metabolic disease is a common disease with a higher prevalence in men older than 30 years and in women older than 50 years. These findings highlight the need for emerging treatments to effectively lower urate levels. In this view, we describe the xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibitory activities of the synthesized compounds 5a–j and also their antioxidant activities. Compounds 5c, 5d, 5f, 5h, and 5j exhibited good inhibitory activities against XO. On the other hand, compounds 5g and 5j exhibited moderate antioxidant activity.

EVALUATION OF APOPTOGENIC EFFECTS OF AVERRHOA BILIMBI EXTRACT ON EHRLICH ASCITES CARCINOMA BEARING MICE

ABSTRACT Objective: The proapoptotic potential of aqueous methanol extract of Averrhoa bilimbi fruit (AMBE) in vivo against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) bearing Swiss albino mice was studied. Methods: Cytotoxicity of the extract on the EAC cells was monitored by tumor growth response, trypan blue exclusion assay, Giemsa staining, DNA fragmentation, fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis, and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The phytochemical screening using LC-MS and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) was conducted. Results: The extract at 100 mg/kg body weight was significantly cytotoxic toward the cells with approximately 73% growth inhibition on day 12. It markedly decreased the tumor volume by 65% and viable tumor cell by 72%. Giemsa staining of AMBE treated cells displayed apoptotic morphologies such as membrane blebbing, cytoplasmic condensation, and apoptotic bodies. Cytotoxicity of the extract to the carcinoma cells through apoptosis was further highlighted by DNA fragmentation in treated cells, while FACS analysis showed that growth arrest took place at G0/G1 phase. RT-PCR analysis displayed reduced level of Bcl-2/Bax ratio in test cells as compared to control cells. Phytochemical analysis of the extract using LC-MS and FT-IR studies showed that protocatechuic acid was the predominant component present in the extract. Conclusion: Our studies indicated that Averrhoa bilimbi extract expressed significant apoptogenic potential against EAC cells in vivo. Keywords : Ehrlich ascites carcinoma, Apoptosis, Fluorescence-activated cell sorting, Bax/Bcl-2, Protocatechuic acid.