Preparation of Curcumin Loaded Egg Albumin Nanoparticles Using Acetone and Optimization of Desolvation Process

In this study, acetone was used as a desolvating agent to prepare the curcumin-loaded egg albumin nanoparticles. Response surface methodology was employed to analyze the influence of process parameters namely concentration (5–15 %w/v) and pH (5–7) of egg albumin solution on solubility, curcumin loading and entrapment efficiency, nanoparticles yield and particle size. Optimum processing conditions obtained from response surface analysis were found to be the egg albumin solution concentration of 8.85 %w/v and pH of 5. At this optimum condition, the solubility of 33.57 %, curcumin loading of 4.125 %, curcumin entrapment efficiency of 55.23 %, yield of 72.85 % and particles size of 232.6 nm were obtained and these values were related to the values which are predicted using polynomial model equations. Thus, the model equations generated for each response was validated and it can be used to predict the response values at any concentration and pH.     

Impact of zoo visitors on the fecal cortisol levels and behavior of an endangered species: Indian blackbuck (Antelope cervicapra L.)

This study investigated behavioral activities (resting, moving, aggressive, social, and reproductive behavior) and fecal cortisol levels in 8 individually identified adult male blackbucks during periods of varying levels of zoo visitors (zero, low, high, and extremely high zoo visitor density). This study also elucidated whether zoo visitor density could disturb nonhuman animal welfare. This study analyzed fecal cortisol from the samples of blackbuck by radioimmunoassay and found significant differences (p < .05) for time the animals devoted to moving, resting, aggressive, reproductive, and social behavior on days with high and extremely high levels of zoo visitors. The ANOVA with Duncan's Multiple Range Test test showed that the fecal cortisol concentration was higher (p < .05) during the extremely high (137.30 ± 5.88 ng/g dry feces) and high (113.51 ± 3.70 ng/g dry feces) levels of zoo visitor density. The results of the study suggest that zoo visitor density affected behavior and adrenocortical secretion in Indian Blackbuck, and this may indicate an animal welfare problem.     

Design of a new fluorescent probe: Pyrrole/imidazole hairpin polyamides with pyrene conjugation at their γ-turn

Fluorophores that are conjugated with N-methylpyrrole-N-methylimidazole (Py–Im) polyamides postulates versatile applications in biological and physicochemical studies. Here, we show the design and synthesis of new types of pyrene-conjugated hairpin Py–Im polyamides (1–5). We evaluated the steady state fluorescence of the synthesized conjugates (1–5) in the presence and absence of oligodeoxynucleotides 5′-CGTATGGACTCGG-3′ (ODN 1) and 5′-CCGAGTCCATACG-3′ (ODN 2) and observed a distinct increase in emission at 386 nm with conjugates 4 and 5. Notably, conjugate 5 that contains a β-alanine linker had a stronger binding affinity (K_D = 1.73 × 10^?8 M) than that of conjugate 4 (K_D = 1.74 × 10^?6 M). Our data suggests that Py–Im polyamides containing pyrene fluorophore with a β-alanine linker at the γ-turn NH₂ position can be developed as the competent fluorescent DNA-binding probes.     

Influence of Zoo Visitor Presence on the Behavior of Captive Indian Gaur (Bos gaurus gaurus) in a Zoological Park

Visitors to zoos can be a source of potential disturbance and stress to some captive, nonhuman animals in the wild. To determine the influence of visitor presence on captive bison (Bos gaurus gaurus), the study analyzed the behavior of 4 individuals at the Arignar Anna Zoological Park, India. The study often observed the behavior of the animals on visitor-present days and on days when visitors were absent. In the presence of zoo visitors, the bison showed a higher level of intragroup aggression and moving behavior. In contrast, the bison rested more when no visitors were present. The results revealed that the presence of zoo visitors significantly influenced the behavior of captive bison and thereby may have affected their welfare.     

Selective induction of DNA damage,G2 abrogation,and mitochondrial apoptosis by leaf extract of traditional medicinal plant <Emphasis Type="Italic">Wrightia arborea</Emphasis> in K562 cells

Plants have proved to be an important source of anti-cancer drugs. Wrightia arborea, an Indian Ayurvedic medicinal plant, is used traditionally to treat a variety of ailments. This study evaluates the antiproliferative/apoptotic potential of Wrightia arborea leaf extracts, prepared in different organic solvents, on cancer cell lines. MTT assay, light and fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry, DNA laddering, alkaline comet assay, and western blotting were some of the techniques used for evaluation. Combinations of camptothecin, either with CHK1 inhibitor-PD407824 or with W. arborea leaf extract, were deployed to determine the G2 abrogating potential of the extract. The chloroform extract (WAC) selectively killed K562 cells, without affecting cancerous MCF-7, Hep G2 cells, and normal human peripheral blood lymphocytes. Cell death was characterized by observation of apoptotic bodies, increased Ca2+ and ROS, phosphatidyl serine externalization, mitochondrial membrane depolarization, DNA laddering, increased sub-G1 population, and altered expression of caspase 3, ?9, and PARP. WAC also induced DNA damage, alterations in key G2/M phase protein expression, cell cycle perturbation, and potent G2 abrogation. The present study showed that W. arborea leaf extract, WAC, is capable of selectively killing leukemic cancer cells leaving normal lymphocytes unaffected. Our results indicate that this is effectuated through DNA damage and G2 abrogation leading to mitochondrial apoptosis. Taken together, this report contributes toward a better understanding of the anticancer properties of this traditional medicinal plant extract possessing valuable bioactive constituents which can serve as a bioresource for promising complimentary/alternative/chemopreventive therapeutics.     

Anti-influenza (H1N1) potential of leaf and stem bark extracts of selected medicinal plants of South India

Variations in antioxidant and anti-viral activities (against Influenza AP/R/8 (H1N1) virus) between the leaves and stem bark of selected medicinal plants were studied. Malin Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells were used for the viral infection and the antiviral activity of the extracts was studied using sulphorhodamine B (SRB) assay. The stem bark of the plants including Strychnos minor, Diotacanthus albiflorus, Strychnos nux-vomica and Chloroxylon swietenia showed higher flavonoid contents as well as 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) scavenging activity when compared with their leaves. In case of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) activity, the stem bark of S. nux-vomica and leaf extract of C. swietenia showed the highest activity. Based on the IC₅₀ values, the stem bark extracts of Cayratia pedata (20.5 μg/mL) and S. minor (22.4 μg/mL) showed high antiviral activity. In the mean-time S. nux-vomica, C. swietenia and C. swietenia bark extracts showed cytotoxicity to the MDCK cells. When comparing the stem bark and leaves the content of gallic acid, ferulic acid, o-coumaric acid, total flavonoids (TFC) and total phenols (TPC) was higher in stem bark and hence their anti-viral activity was high. Further study based on the metabolites against H1N1 can reveal the potential of therapeutic compounds against the viral disease.