Nakuleshwar Dut Jasuja

Evaluation of reproductive and developmental toxicity of cypermethrin in male albino rats

The ever-increasing use of pesticides in the agricultural and public health has become a major cause of sterility in human and various other animals particularly in males. This study was sought to screen the toxic impacts of cypermethrin (synthetic pyrethroid) on reproduction and development. Twenty-four Wistar male rats divided into four groups were orally administered cypermethrin of daily doses 50, 75, or 100  mg kg−1 bwt per day for 45 days; and for developmental toxicity, 12 female rats were separated into two groups. Maternal rats (experimental) were administered cypermethrin (100 mg kg−1) by gavage daily from 6th to 17th day of gestation, and the control group was dosed only vehicle (olive oil). The body weights, fertility index, biochemical, enzymatic, hormonal, and histopathological parameters were the criteria used to evaluate the toxicity of cypermethrin. Study showed significant decline in the weight of testes, epididymises, seminal vesicles, and ventral prostate, and reduction in sperm counts both in epididymises and testes in chemical-treated animals. Pre- and post- fertility test showed 50%, 80%, and 100% negative results after treatment. A significant degenerative reduction in testicular glycogen and sialic acid was also noted. In contrast, protein and cholesterol levels of testes were significantly increased. In addition, acid phosphatase activity was significantly increased, while alkaline phosphatase, testosterone, leutinizing hormone (LH), and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels were diminished. Histology of testes showed degenerative changes in seminiferous tubules. Cypermethrin exposure during gestation produced adverse effects markedly in females and fetuses.

Synthesis, Characterization and Antimicrobial Activity of Abelia grandiflora Assisted AgNPs

In past few years, wide applicability of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in various field attract for an approach of rapid, cost effective and eco-friendly synthesis of AgNPs that is expanding research toward biological methods. The biosynthesised AgNPs were confirmed visually by appearance of dark brown color formation in mixture and silver surface plasmon resonance band observed at 413 nm by using UV-Visible Spectroscopy. The micrograph obtained by SEM and TEM confirmed the formation of AgNPs of 10-30 nm range. The X-ray Diffraction affirmed the crystalline nature of particles with a face centered cubic structure. The AgNPs exhibited the antimicrobial activity against Gram negative bacteria (Gram (-) Bacteria) and Gram positive bacteria (Gram (+) Bacteria) (Escherichia coli-MTCC-443, Staphylococcus aureus-MTCC-3381, Bacillus subtilis-MTCC No.10619, Proteus vulgaris-MTCC 1771, Klebsiella pneumonia-MTCC No 7028 and Bacillus megaterium-MTCC No. 2412). A. grandiflora may be used for the green synthesis of ultra-fine nanoparticles of silver for their antimicrobial activities.

Effect of Carbon Content, Salinity and pH on Spirulina platensis for Phycocyanin, Allophycocyanin and Phycoerythrin Accumulation

The cyanobacterium Spirulina platensis is an attractive source of the biopigment, which is used as a natural colour in food, cosmetic, pharmaceutical products and have tremendous applications in nutraceuticals, therapeutics and biotechnological research. The present study examines the possibility of increasing the content of Phycocyanin, Allophycocyanin, Phycoerythrin and Carotenoids under stress conditions including different pH, salinity and carbon content in S. platensis isolated from Jalmahal, Jaipur (Rajasthan). The production of Phycocyanin, Allophycocyanin and Phycoerythrin were enhanced with 0.4 M NaCl, pH 7 and Carbon deficiency as compared to standard.

Pterocarpus marsupium Derived Phyto-Synthesis of Copper Oxide Nanoparticles and their Antimicrobial Activities

In present study, copper oxide nanoparticles (CuONPs) synthesized by quick and eco-friendly phytogenicreduction of copper salt (copper sulphate CuSO4.H2O) solution with Pterocarpus marsupium extract. UV-VIS spectrometry indicated formation of nanoparticles via absorption spectra of copper colloidal solution at 442 nm. Phytosynthesis of CuONPs were further characterized by Transmission electron microscopy; scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The experimental results showed that diameter of CuONPs in colloidal solution were < 40 nm. Further, antibacterial activities of CuONPs were determined against Gram negative Escherichia coli- MTCC-9721, Proteus vulgaris- MTCC-7299, Klebsiella pneumonia- MTCC-9751 and Gram positive i.e. Staphylococcus aureus- MTCC-9442, Staphylococcus. epidermidis- MTCC- 2639, Bacillus cereus- MTCC-9017 bacteria by well agar diffusion and microdilution method. Notably, The CuONPs showed an effective antibacterial activity against all test microorganisms where K. pneumonia and E.coli showed maximum ZOI and MIC respectively i.e. 24 mm and 6 μg/ml.

Biological Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles by Cell-Free Extract of Spirulina platensis

The present study explores biological synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using the cell-free extract of Spirulina platensis. Biosynthesised AgNPs were characterised by UV-Vis spectroscopy, SEM, TEM, and FTIR analysis and finally evaluated for antibacterial activity. Extracellular synthesis using aqueous extract of S. platensis showed the formation of well scattered, highly stable, spherical AgNPs with an average size of 30–50 nm. The size and morphology of the nanoparticles were confirmed by SEM and TEM analysis. FTIR and UV-Vis spectra showed that biomolecules, proteins and peptides, are mainly responsible for the formation and stabilisation of AgNPs. Furthermore, the synthesised nanoparticles exhibited high antibacterial activity against pathogenic Gram-negative, that is, Escherichia coli, MTCC-9721; Proteus vulgaris, MTCC-7299; Klebsiella pneumoniae, MTCC-9751, and Gram-positive, that is, Staphylococcus aureus, MTCC-9542; S. epidermidis, MTCC-2639; Bacillus cereus, MTCC-9017, bacteria. The AgNPs had shown maximum zone of inhibition (ZOI) that is in P. vulgaris. Use of such a microalgal system provides a simple, cost-effective alternative template for the biosynthesis of nanomaterials of silver in a large scale that could be of great use in biomedical applications.

Ameliorating effect of Withania somnifera on acephate administered male albino rats

This study was performed to investigate the effects of Withania somnifera (family: Solanaceae) on the antioxidant status and hormonal level in acephate administered rats. Oral administration of acephate (75 mg/kg body weight/day) for 15 and 30 days caused a significant decrease in serum testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) concentration when compared with control group. Serum testosterone, LH and FSH concentration were increased in group IV and group V indicating a positive influence of W. somnifera on acephate administered rats. The changes in the antioxidant parameters were accompanied by an increase in testicular lipid peroxidation and reduction in glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activity. The level of lipid peroxidation was reduced whereas GSH content, SOD and catalase activity were elevated after treatment with W. somnifera at the dose level of 100 mg/kg body weight/day. In conclusion, this study showed that acephate apart from being a hormonal disrupter also causes oxidative stress which contributed to reproductive toxicity in the male rats. The protective effects of Withania on reproductive toxicity and oxidative stress have also been shown as evidenced by a clear attenuation of acephateinduced hormonal imbalance and oxidative stress.

Rejuvenating of Kidney Tissues on Alloxan Induced Diabetic Mice under the Effect of Momordica charantia

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disorder in human and responsible for different complications and also causes mortality and morbidity. A wide number of herbal products are employed in the treatment of diabetes for their better efficacy and safety compared to synthetic medicine. The present studies have established the antidiabetic potential and rejuvenating capacity of kidney tissues under the effect of extract. Diabetes was induced in the Swiss albino mice by injecting alloxan at the dose of 150 mg/kg body weight and aqueous extract of Momordica charantia fruits at doses of 100 mg/kg body weight and 250 mg/kg body weight was administered orally for three weeks. After 21 days of treatment of the aqueous extracts of Momordica charantia significantly reduces serum glucose level, kidney function tests, lipid peroxidation as well as histopathological study also did show adverse alternation in the morphological architecture of the kidney tissue. Thus, from this study we concluded that Momordica charantia exhibited significant antihyperglycemic and rejuvenating capacity of kidney tissues activities in alloxan induced diabetic mice.

Essential Oil Yield Pattern and Antibacterial and Insecticidal Activities of Trachyspermum ammi and Myristica fragrans

Two Indian spices, Trachyspermum ammi and Myristica fragrans, were studied for their essential oil (EO) yielding pattern, insecticidal activity, antibacterial activity, and composition. The essential oils (EOs) of T. ammi (1.94 ± 30 mL/100 gm) and M. fragrans (5.93 ± 90 mL/100 gm) were extracted using hydrodistillation method. In Gas Chromatography analysis, the beta-pinene, alpha-pinene, alpha-p-menth-1-en-4-ol, Limonene, and elemicin were found as major constituents of T. ammi essential oil whereas M. fragrans essential oil mostly contains Gamma-Terpinolene, p-Cymene, Thymol, and beta-pinene. The insecticidal activities of EO were demonstrated using LC50 values against Plodia interpunctella and EO of T. ammi was found comparatively more effective than EO of M. fragrans. Further, individual EO and combination of essential oil were examined for antibacterial activity against three Gram (−) bacterial strains (E. coli-MTCC 443, P. vulgaris-MTCC 1771, and K. pneumoniae-MTCC number 7028) and three Gram (+) bacterial strains (S. aureus-MTCC 3381, B. subtilis-MTCC 10619, and B. megaterium-MTCC 2412) by well agar diffusion method. The essential oil in combination (CEO) exhibited higher antibacterial activity as compared with individual essential oils.