Evaluation of antioxidant and anticancer activities of chemical constituents of the Saururus chinensis root extracts

Evaluation of antioxidant and anticancer activities were screened by various Saururus chinensis root extracts. Four solvents (ethyl acetate, methanol, ethanol, and water) extracts were investigated for their total flavonoids, phenol contents and their antioxidant activity of DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), NO (nitric oxide), H₂O₂ (hydrogen peroxide), ABTS 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonicacid)diammonium assays, FRAP (ferric reducing ability of plasma) assays and anticancer activity. The total phenolic and flavonoid content of extracts were determined by using FC (Folin–Ciocalteu) and AlCl₃ colorimetric assay method. Total flavonoid content in these plants ranged from 24.7 to 72.1 mg g^?1 and amount of free phenolic compounds was between 11.2 and 67.1 mg g^?1 extract. The all extracts have significant levels of phenolics and flavonoids content. Anticancer activity was screened for MCF-7 breast cancer cell line. Ethanol extract shows significant of antioxidant activity and water extract shows significant of anticancer activity compared with standard (BHT) butylated hydroxy toluene. These ethanol and water extracts could be considered as a natural source for using antioxidant, and anticancer agents compared to commercial available synthetic drugs.     

Soluble Production of Human Recombinant VEGF-A121 by Using SUMO Fusion Technology in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Escherichia coli</Emphasis>

Human recombinant vascular endothelial growth factor-A121 (hrVEGF-A121) has applications in pharmaceutical industry especially in regenerative medicine. Here, we report the expression, purification, and characterization of hrVEGF-A121 in Escherichia coli expression system using human small ubiquitin-related modifier-3 (hSUMO3) fusion partner. Total RNA was isolated from healthy human gingival tissue, VEGF-A121 gene was RT-PCR amplified, and hSUMO3 gene was tagged at N-terminus. The fusion gene (SUMO3-VEGF-A121) was cloned in pET-22b(+) expression vector and transferred into E. coli strains; BL21 codon?+?and Rosetta-gami B(DE3). The hrVEGF-A121 expression was optimized for temperature, IPTG concentration, and time in Terrific Broth (TB). The positive transformants were sequenced and hrVEGF-A121 nucleotide sequence was submitted to Genbank (Accession No. KT581010). Approximately 40% of total cell protein expression was observed in soluble form on 15% SDS-PAGE. The hSUMO3 was cleaved from hrVEGF-A121 with SUMO protease and purified by Fast Protein Liquid Chromatography using anionic Hi-trap Resource Q column. From 100 ml TB, ~?25.5% and ~?6.8 mg of hrVEGF-A121 protein was recovered. The dimerized hrVEGF-A121 was characterized by Native PAGE and Western blot, using human anti-VEGF-A antibody and ESI-MS showed dimeric hrVEGF-A121 at 31,015 Da. The biological activity of hrVEGF-A121 was assessed in vitro by MTT and cell viability assay and observed to be bioactive.     

5-Aminolevulinic Acid-Induced Heavy Metal Stress Tolerance and Underlying Mechanisms in Plants

Journal of Plant Growth Regulation - Plants face different types of biotic and abiotic stresses during their life span. Heavy metal (HM) stress is considered as one of the most challenging and...     

Actin depolymerization mediated loss of SNTA1 phosphorylation and Rac1 activity has implications on ROS production,cell migration and apoptosis

Alpha-1-syntrophin (SNTA1) and Rac1 are part of a signaling pathway via the dystrophin glycoprotein complex (DGC). Both SNTA1 and Rac1 proteins are over-expressed in various carcinomas. It is through the DGC signaling pathway that SNTA1 has been shown to act as a link between the extra cellular matrix, the internal cell signaling apparatus and the actin cytoskeleton. SNTA1 is involved in the modulation of the actin cytoskeleton and actin reorganization. Rac1 also controls actin cytoskeletal organization in the cell. In this study, we present the interplay between f-actin, SNTA1 and Rac1. We analyzed the effect of actin depolymerization on SNTA1 tyrosine phosphorylation and Rac1 activity using actin depolymerizing drugs, cytochalasin D and latrunculin A. Our results indicate a marked decrease in the tyrosine phosphorylation of SNTA1 upon actin depolymerization. Results suggest that actin depolymerization mediated loss of SNTA1 phosphorylation leads to loss of interaction between SNTA1 and Rac1, with a concomitant loss of Rac1 activation. The loss of SNTA1tyrosine phosphorylation and Rac1 activity by actin depolymerization results in increased apoptosis, decreased cell migration and decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in breast carcinoma cells. Collectively, our results present a possible role of f-actin in the SNTA1-Rac1 signaling pathway and implications of actin depolymerization on cell migration, ROS production and apoptosis.     

Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide nanoparticles induce oxidative stress,inhibit growth,and attenuate biofilm formation activity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Streptococcus mitis</Emphasis>

Streptococcus mitis from the oral cavity causes endocarditis and other systemic infections. Rising resistance against traditional antibiotics amongst oral bacteria further aggravates the problem. Therefore, antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide nanoparticles (NPs) synthesized and characterized during this study against S. mitis ATCC 6249 and Ora-20 were evaluated in search of alternative antimicrobial agents. ZnO and TiO₂-NPs exhibited an average size of 35 and 13 nm, respectively. The IC₅₀ values of ZnO and TiO₂-NPs against S. mitis ATCC 6249 were 37 and 77 µg ml^?1, respectively, while the IC₅₀ values against S. mitis Ora-20 isolate were 31 and 53 µg ml^?1, respectively. Live and dead staining, biofilm formation on the surface of polystyrene plates, and extracellular polysaccharide production show the same pattern. Exposure to these nanoparticles also shows an increase (26–83 %) in super oxide dismutase (SOD) activity. Three genes, namely bapA1, sodA, and gtfB like genes from these bacteria were identified and sequenced for quantitative real-time PCR analysis. An increase in sodA gene (1.4- to 2.4-folds) levels and a decrease in gtfB gene (0.5- to 0.9-folds) levels in both bacteria following exposure to ZnO and TiO₂-NPs were observed. Results presented in this study verify that ZnO-NPs and TiO₂-NPs can control the growth and biofilm formation activities of these strains at very low concentration and hence can be used as alternative antimicrobial agents for oral hygiene.     

Variability studies for needle and wood traits of different half sib progenies of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus roxburghii</Emphasis> Sargent

Genetic variability studies for needle and wood traits were carried out for the different half sib progenies of Chir pine, raised in 1985 at the main campus of University. There existed a significant variation for these traits among the different half sib progenies, viz., needle length (18.1–24.6 cm), needle thickness (0.53–0.71 mm), number of stomata per mm of a row (7.3–12.0), specific gravity of wood (0.36–0.46), tracheid length (1.51–1.85) and moisture content of wood (47.76–58.81). This variability was found under genetic control, as all these progenies are growing under same environment, and are of same age. Traits having high heritability and genetic gain like, needle thickness, wood specific gravity, tracheid length and others, indicate high genetic control. This variability can be exploited in tree improvement programs through selection and breeding approaches for development of advanced generations. Correlation studies for different traits at genotypic and phenotypic levels provided the basic knowledge of association to chalk out efficient breeding strategy for higher productivity through indirect selection.     

Complete nucleotide sequence of pT181, a tetracycline-resistance plasmid from Staphylococcus aureus

pT181 is a naturally occurring Staphylococcus aureus plasmid, encoding inducible resistance to tetracycline. The plasmid has a copy number of about 20 per cell, and belongs to the incompatibility group inc3. The complete nucleotide sequence of pT181 has been determined and consists of 4437 bp. The nucleotide sequence contains 69.8% A-T and 30.2% G-C pairs. pT181 was found to contain four open reading frames capable of coding for polypeptides containing more than 50 amino acids. All the putative polypeptides are coded by one strand. The molecular weights of the four putative polypeptides are (in daltons): A, 37,500; B, 35,000; C, 23,000, and D, 18,000. Polypeptide A corresponds to the repC protein, earlier shown to be specifically required for pT181 replication. Polypeptide B (and possibly polypeptide D) are involved in tetracycline resistance. No role has yet been established for polypeptide C; deletion of the coding sequence for the C polypeptide has no detectable effect on any property of the pT181 plasmid. A region consisting of about 1200 bp contains information for the replication and copy number control of this plasmid. The sequencing results are discussed in relation to the replication properties and tetracycline resistance associated with the pT181 plasmid.     

Permethrin- and malathion-induced macromolecular abnormalities in adult Tribolium castaneum (herbst)

In Tribolium castaneum adults, sublethal doses of 1 and 2 ppm permethrin and 300 ppm malathion led to significant changes in amylase, trehalase, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, and isocitrate dehydrogenase activities. Malathion at 150 ppm did not affect phosphatases and lactate dehydrogenase. Both malathion and permethrin significantly increased cholinesterase activity. Mixing of the two insecticides resulted in antagonistic action with reference to various enzymatic activities. Glucose and glycogen contents were at first mobilized for energy supply under insecticidal stress conditions followed by lipid and cholesterol. Soluble protein, total protein, free amino acids, and urea contents remained unaltered under all experimental conditions.