Mukul Gupta

Antitumor activity of methanolic extract of Cassia fistula L. seed against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma

Effects of methanolic extract (ME) of Cassia fistula seed on the growth of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) and on the life span of tumor bearing mice were studied. ME treatment showed an increase of life span, and a decrease in the tumor volume and viable tumor cell count in the EAC tumor hosts. Cytological studies have revealed a reduction in the mitotic activity, and the appearance of membrane blebbing and intracytoplasmic vacuoles in the treated tumor cells. Improvement in the hematological parameters following ME treatment, like hemoglobin content, red blood cell count and bone marrow cell count of the tumor bearing mice have also been observed. The results of the present study suggest that ME of C. fistula seed has an antitumor activity.

Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Bauhinia racemosa L. stem bark

The present study was carried out to evaluate the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of a methanol extract of Bauhinia racemosa (MEBR) (Caesalpiniaceae) stem bark in various systems. 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radical, superoxide anion radical, nitric oxide radical, and hydroxyl radical scavenging assays were carried out to evaluate the antioxidant potential of the extract. The antioxidant activity of the methanol extract increased in a concentration-dependent manner. About 50, 100, 250, and 500 microg MEBR inhibited the peroxidation of a linoleic acid emulsion by 62.43, 67.21, 71.04, and 76.83%, respectively. Similarly, the effect of MEBR on reducing power increased in a concentration-dependent manner. In DPPH radical scavenging assays the IC50 value of the extract was 152.29 microg/ml. MEBR inhibited the nitric oxide radicals generated from sodium nitroprusside with an IC50 of 78.34 microg/ml, as opposed to 20.4 microg/ml for curcumin. Moreover, MEBR scavenged the superoxide generated by the PMS/NADH-NBT system. MEBR also inhibited the hydroxyl radical generated by Fentons reaction, with an IC50 value of more than 1000 microg/ml, as compared to 5 microg/ml for catechin. The amounts of total phenolic compounds were also determined and 64.7 microg pyrocatechol phenol equivalents were detected in MEBR (1 mg). The antimicrobial activities of MEBR were determined by disc diffusion with five Gram-positive, four Gram-negative and four fungal species. MEBR showed broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against all tested microorganisms. The results obtained in the present study indicate that MEBR can be a potential source of natural antioxidant and antimicrobial agents.

Onset of puberty and ovarian steroidogenesis following adminstration of methanolic extract of Cuscuta reflexa Roxb. stem and Corchorus olitorius Linn. seed in mice.

The effect of methanolic extract (ME) of Cuscuta reflexa stem Roxb. and Corchorus olitorius Linn. seed on the onset of reproductive maturity and the ovarian steroidogenesis was studied by means of biochemical techniques. ME of Cuscuta reflexa stem and Corchorus olitorius seed treatment causes a remarkable delay in sexual maturation as evidenced by the age at vaginal opening and appearance of first estrus (cornified smear). The same treatment also results in a significant diminution of Delta(5)-3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) activity along with a reduction in the weight of ovary, uterus and pituitary. On the basis of above data, it is assumed that the probable cause of delayed maturation in ME of Cuscuta reflexa stem and Corchorus olitorius seed treated mice is due to the suppressed ovarian steroidogenesis.

Anti-steroidogenic activity of the petroleum ether extract and fraction 5 (fatty acids) of carrot (Daucus carota L.) seeds in mouse ovary.

The petroleum ether extract and fraction 5 (fatty acids) of carrot seeds arrested the normal estrus cycle of adult mouse and reduced the weight of ovaries significantly. The cholesterol and ascorbic acid content in ovaries were significantly elevated due to the treatment with extract and fraction 5 (fatty acids) of carrot seeds. The significant inhibition of delta 5,3-beta-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, the two key enzymes involved in ovarian steroidogenesis, were also observed in mouse ovaries after 15 days of treatment. Results of this study revealed that the fraction 5 (fatty acids) present in carrot seeds acts as an antisteroidogenic agent.

Antioxidant Defense System Induced by a Methanol Extract of Caesalpinia bonducella. in Rat Liver

ABSTRACT The antioxidant defense system dramatically controls hepatocellular carcinoma induced by N.-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA). In order to assess the anticarcinogenic activity of a methanol extract of Caesalpinia bonducella. (MECB) leaves containing flavonoids and triterpenoids, the antioxidant defense system has been evaluated. The effect of MECB on lipid peroxidation end-product malondialdehyde (MDA), enzymatic antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), and nonenzymatic antioxidants glutathione (GSH), vitamin E, and vitamin C levels were analyzed in the liver of control and experimental animals. Serum was also analyzed for transaminase activity (SGOT and SGPT), alkaline phosphatase (SALP), bilirubin, total protein, and uric acid. Depletion of all these antioxidants was recorded in cancer conditions. These deleterious effects are controlled by the administration of MECB. After drug administration, there was a marked increase in antioxidant levels and a dramatic decrease in lipid peroxidation levels. MECB also produced a protective effect by decreasing the activity of serum enzymes, bilirubin, and increased the protein and uric acid levels. From the above results, it can be concluded that the observed anticarcinogenic properties of MECB may also be explained by its strong antioxidant capacity and capability to induce an in vivo. antioxidant system.

Click to Zoom-Inside Graphical Authentication

We propose and evaluate the usability and security of Click to Zoom-inside (CTZ); a new graphical password authentication mechanism. Users have to click six times on one point in some given specific regions (pass regions) shown with dotted lines in a theme image displayed on the screen. The selected region is then zoom to create a next image. Exactly, we are not going to zoom the region object of the theme image up to six times; rather we are replacing the image with another image of the same object in big size. The next image is based on the previous click-region. We secure our scheme from shoulder surfer attacking by using WIW scheme with our scheme. We also present the results of an initial user study which revealed positive results. Performance was very good in terms of speed, accuracy, and number of errors in recognizing the images. We can also demonstrate that CTZ provides greater security than Pass Points because the number of images increases the workload for attackers also it is more user friendly and attractive than other competitive schemes. It is just parallel to Cued Click Scheme. It meets the today’s requirement of extremely high security.

Effect of precursor concentration on the properties and tuning of conductivity between p-type and n-type Cu1−XCdXS2 thin films deposited by a single step solution process as a novel material for photovoltaic applications

Cu1−XCdXS2 thin films were deposited from precursor solutions having different concentrations of cation sources, by a single step solution process at room temperature. The colours of the deposited films changed from light to dark brown based on the incorporation of copper and cadmium ions from the precursors. Cu1−XCdXS2 polycrystalline thin films exhibit a hexagonal structure. Cd rich films showed a sheet like morphology and poor adhesiveness owing to a cluster growth process. Wider absorption in the region 300–1300 nm was observed with a red shift in the absorption edge as the composition of Cd increased. A relative increase in the Cd composition of deposited Cu1−XCdXS2 thin films was observed as the precursor concentration of Cd increased. XPS and Raman spectra confirmed the formation of a CuCdS2 compound. Electrical properties showed the decrease in carrier concentration as Cd composition increases. The Cu1−XCdXS2 thin films exhibited both p and n-type conductivity owing to different stoichiometric ratios of cations. The analyses revealed that the Cu1−XCdXS2 thin film can be used as both a novel absorber and window layer for the fabrication of low cost thin film solar cells.

Structural, optical and electronic properties of a Mg incorporated GaN nanowall network

We report the growth of a Mg incorporated GaN nanowall network (NwN) by using a plasma assisted molecular beam epitaxy (PA-MBE) system that was characterized by photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, high-resolution X-ray diffraction (HR-XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS). We record a PL enhancement (≈3.2 times) in nominally and moderately Mg incorporated GaN compared to that of an undoped NwN. Two distinct (and broad) blue luminescence peaks appear at 2.95 and 2.70 eV for the heavily Mg incorporated (1020 atoms per cm3) GaN, of which the 2.95 eV peak is sensitive to annealing. The incorporated Mg concentration is estimated to be 1020 atoms per cm3 while retaining its band edge emission at ≈3.4 eV. XPS valence band spectra shows a shift in the Fermi level towards Valence Band Maximum (VBM) and the increase in Mg flux confirms the formation of p-type GaN. Mg accumulation at the nanowall surface and the GaN/Al2O3 interface was observed from SIMS measurements.