Tectona grandis L.f: A comprehensive review on its patents,chemical constituents,and biological activities

Tectona grandis L.f is a timber plant that is commonly referred to as teak. Its wide use as a medicine in the various indigenous systems makes it a plant of importance. A wide gamut of phytoconstituents like alkaloids, phenolic glycosides, steroids, etc. has been reported. A renewed interest in this plant has resulted in scientific investigations by various researchers towards the isolation and identification of active constituents along with scientific proof of its biological activities. The different parts of the plant have been scientifically evaluated for their antioxidant, antipyretic, analgesic, hypoglycemic, wound healing, cytotoxic, and many more biological activities. Documentation of this scientific knowledge is of importance to have consolidated precise information encompassing the various aspects of this plant, which could provide a base for future studies. This review is a compilation of the salient reports on these investigations concerning phytochemistry, the methods used to identify and quantify the constituents, the evaluation methods of the biological activity, toxicological studies, allergies and the patent/patent applications. This will further help researchers to find an area of the gap for future studies.     

Optimization of a phenol extraction‐based protein preparation method amenable to downstream 2DE and MALDI‐MS based analysis of bacterial proteomes

2DE is one of the most efficient and widely used methods for resolving complex protein mixtures. For efficient analysis of complex samples, high‐resolution separation of proteins on 2D gel is essential, and for that purpose good sample preparation is crucial. In this study, we have improvized a method for preparing bacterial total cellular proteome, from a strategy applied earlier to recalcitrant plant tissues, which gave high‐quality resolution on 2DE. The method involving phenol extraction followed by methanol/ammonium acetate precipitation was first optimized for the chemolithotrophic proteobacteria Tetrathiobacter kashmirensis WT001 and Pseudaminobacter salicylatoxidans KCT001 that did not yield quality protein preps in conventional trichloroacetic acid/acetone precipitation method. Subsequently, to validate its general applicability, the method was evaluated against the trichloroacetic acid/acetone precipitation method for two other model bacteria, i.e. Escherichia coli DH5α and Mycobacterium smegmatis mc²6. Identification of at least four proteins each from the outer membrane, periplasm, and cytoplasm of T. kashmirensis by MALDI‐MS not only proved the efficiency of the method in extracting proteins from the different cellular compartments but also the amenability of the obtained protein spots toward MALDI‐MS based identification.     

Carbon monoxide differentially modulates STAT1 and STAT3 and inhibits apoptosis via a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt and p38 kinase-dependent STAT3 pathway during anoxia-reoxygenation injury

Carbon monoxide (CO), previously considered a toxic waste product of heme catabolism, is emerging as an important gaseous molecule. In addition to its important role in neurotransmission, exogenous CO protects against vascular injury, transplant rejection, and acute lung injury. However, little is known regarding the precise signaling mechanisms of CO. We have recently shown that CO attenuates endothelial cell apoptosis during anoxia-reoxygenation injury by activating MKK3/p38alpha mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways. Our current study is the first to demonstrate that CO can differentially modulate STAT1 and STAT3 activation and, specifically, that STAT3 activation by CO is responsible for the anti-apoptotic effect in endothelial cells. In addition, we show that the anti-apoptotic effects of CO depend upon both phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt and p38 MAPK signaling pathways in endothelial cells, whereas previous reports have implicated only the MKK3/p38 MAPK pathway. Using chemical inhibitors and dominant negative constructs, we show that CO enhances STAT3 activation via phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt and p38 MAPK pathways with subsequent attenuation of Fas expression and caspase 3 activity. These data highlight the anti-apoptotic signaling mechanisms of CO and, importantly, delineate potential therapeutic strategies to prevent ischemia-reperfusion or anoxia-reoxygenation injury in the vasculature.     

Preoptic hypothalamic warming suppresses laryngeal dilator activity during sleep

Upper airway dilator activity during sleep appears to be diminished under conditions of enhanced sleep propensity, such as after sleep deprivation, leading to worsening of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep propensity originates in sleep-active neurons of the preoptic area (POA) of the hypothalamus and is facilitated by activation of POA warm-sensitive neurons (WSNs). We hypothesized that activation of WSNs by local POA warming would inhibit activity of the posterior cricoarytenoid (PCA) muscle, an airway dilator, during NREM sleep. In chronically prepared unrestrained cats, the PCA exhibited inspiratory bursts in approximate synchrony with inspiratory diaphragmatic activity during waking, NREM, and REM. Integrated inspiratory PCA activity (IA), peak activity (PA), and the lead time (LT) of the onset of inspiratory activity in PCA relative to diaphragm were significantly reduced in NREM sleep and further reduced during REM sleep compared with waking. Mild bilateral local POA warming (0.5-1.2 degrees C) significantly reduced IA, PA, and LT during NREM sleep compared with a prewarming NREM baseline. In some animals, effects of POA warming on PCA activity were found during waking or REM. Because POA WSN activity is increased during spontaneous NREM sleep and regulates sleep propensity, we hypothesize that this activation contributes to reduction of airway dilator activity in patients with OSA.     

Protective effects of cinnamon powder against hyperlipidemia and hepatotoxicity in butter fed female albino mice

A butter-enriched high-fat diet changes lipid metabolism, resulting in fat storage, hyperlipidemia and obesity. Effects of cinnamon powder were investigated in butter-fed mice. 40 Swiss Albino mice, aged 28 to 30 days, were randomly assigned into two groups. Group A was an untreated control group (n = 8) and another group (n = 32) was a butter-treated group fed 10% butter. In the fifth week, mice of the butter-fed group were further divided into four equal groups: B, C, D, and E (n = 8), fed 10% butter with cinnamon 200 mg, 400 mg, and 600 mg powder per liter drinking water, respectively for 10 weeks. The butter-fed group was gained the most weight. Cinnamon supplementation significantly normalized weight gain and had no harmful effects on hematological parameters. Butter supplementation significantly increased total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides, and LDL cholesterol (LDL-c) whereas, cinnamon powder significantly reduced TC, LDL-c and glucose levels. In butter-fed mice, a significant increase was observed in the liver enzymes, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels with subsequent fat deposition in the liver. Excitingly, these enzymes were decreased and no fat depositions were observed in the liver of cinnamon-treated mice. Applying different concentrations of cinnamon powder improved the lipid profile in butter-fed female albino mice.     

Deciphering the genetic diversity of Avicennia officinalis L. across the salinity gradient in the Sundarbans mangrove forest of Bangladesh

Wetlands Ecology and Management - Mangroves adaptive plasticity in the changing environmental conditions is of vital importance for conservation management. Genetic diversity of mangrove brings...     

Phenotypic and Molecular Assessment of Wheat Genotypes Tolerant to Leaf Blight,Rust and Blast Diseases

Globally among biotic stresses, diseases like blight, rust and blast constitute prime constraints for reducing wheat productivity especially in Bangladesh. For sustainable productivity, the development of disease-resistant lines and high yielding varieties is vital and necessary. This study was conducted using 122 advanced breeding lines of wheat including 21 varieties developed by Bangladesh Wheat and Maize Research Institute (BAMRI) with aims to identify genotypes having high yield potential and resistance to leaf blight, leaf rust and blast diseases. These genotypes were evaluated for resistance against leaf blight and leaf rust at Dinajpur and wheat blast at Jashore under field condition. Out of 122 genotypes tested, 20 lines were selected as resistant to leaf blight based on the area under the diseases progress curve (AUDPC) under both irrigated timely sown (ITS) and irrigated late sown (ILS) conditions. Forty-two genotypes were found completely free from leaf rust infection, 59 genotypes were identified as resistant, and 13 genotypes were identified as moderately resistant to leaf rust. Eighteen genotypes were immune against wheat blast, 42 genotypes were categorized as resistant, and 26 genotypes were identified as moderately resistant to wheat blast. Molecular data revealed that the 16 genotypes showed a positive 2NS segment among the 18 immune genotypes selected against wheat blast under field conditions. The genotypes BAW 1322, BAW 1295, and BAW 1203 can be used as earlier maturing genotypes and the genotypes BAW 1372, BAW 1373, BAW 1297 and BAW 1364 can be used for lodging tolerant due to short plant height. The genotypes WMRI Gom 1, BAW 1349 and BAW 1350 can be selected for bold grain and the genotypes WMRI Gom 1, BAW 1297, BAW 1377 can be used as high yielder for optimum seeding condition but genotypes BAW 1377 and BAW 1366 can be used for late sown condition. The selected resistant genotypes against specific diseases can be used in the further breeding program to develop wheat varieties having higher disease resistance and yield potential.