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Evaluation of terrestrial plants extracts for uranium sorption and characterization of potent phytoconstituents
Sorption capacity of four plants (Funaria hygrometrica, Musa acuminata, Brassica juncea and Helianthus annuus) extracts/fractions for uranium, a radionuclide was investigated by EDXRF and tracer studies. The maximum sorption capacity, i.e., 100% (complete sorption) was observed in case of Musa acuminata extract and fractions. Carbohydrate, proteins, phenolics and flavonoids contents in the active fraction (having maximum sorption capacity) were also determined. Further purification of the most active fraction provided three pure molecules, mannitol, sorbitol and oxo-linked potassium oxalate. The characterization of isolated molecules was achieved by using FTIR, NMR, GC-MS, MS-MS, and by single crystal-XRD analysis. Of three molecules, oxo-linked potassium oxalate was observed to have 100% sorption activity. Possible binding mechanism of active molecule with the uranyl cation has been purposed
Change in protein content during seed germination of a high altitude plant Podophyllum hexandrum Royle
Podophyllum hexandrum Royle (=Sinopodophyllum hexandrum) is a high-altitude medicinal
plant exploited for its etoposides which are potential anticancer compounds. An effective,
conventional propagation method is by seed. However, seed germination is erratic, and
seedling survival is low. A marginal increase in Podophyllum seed germination was
attained with organic solvents. In the present study an attempt was made to decipher the
physiological and biochemical barriers in terms of change in proteins during seed
germination of Podophyllum. Comparative 2-DE analysis between un-germinated
(dormant) and germinating seeds revealed nearly 113 differentially expressed proteins,
whereas Peptide Mass Fingerprint (PMF) analysis of 97 protein spots revealed appearance of
27 proteins, up-accumulation of 11 proteins, down-accumulation of 19 proteins and
disappearance of 40 proteins with germination. Identified 59 proteins in the homology
search were involved in metabolism (carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism; 20
proteins), ABA/GA signaling (17 proteins) and stress (15 proteins) related proteins. Seven
proteins were with unknown function. Two-DE, and MS/MS analysis in conjunction with
semi-quantitative RT-PCR data of cell wall hydrolyzing genes, revealed that in Podophyllum
the radicle protrusion occurs might be because of the up-accumulation of cell wall
hydrolases i.e. β-1, 3-glucanase and XET which weakens the thick walled micropylar
endosperm
Biocatalysts for multicomponent Biginelli reaction: bovine serum albumin triggered waste-free synthesis of 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2-(1H)-ones
Bovine serum albumin (BSA) promoted simple
and efficient one-pot procedure was developed for the
direct synthesis of 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-ones
including potent mitotic kinesin Eg5 inhibitor monastrol
under mild reaction conditions. The catalyst recyclability
and gram scale synthesis have also been demonstrated to
enhance the practical utility of process
Protein changes during ethanol induced seed germination in Aconitum heterophyllum
Aconitum heterophyllum is a high altitude medicinal plant that has become endangered due to overexploitation
for their aconitins. The most effective, conventional propagation method for any plant species
is by seed. However, in Aconitum seed germination is erratic, and seedling survival is low. In the present
study results have been discussed on the possible implication of ethanol treatment on removal of barriers
on radical emergence in terms of protein changes. Eighty seven percent of seed germination was achieved
in Aconitum with ethanol treatment. Comparative 2-DE analysis of ethanol treated and untreated seed
protein profiles in Phase II of germination revealed 40 differentially expressed proteins. Twenty-seven out
of 40 proteins were induced, 5 were increased and 8 were repressed. Mass spectrometry and subsequent
identification confirmed that these proteins were involved in metabolism, DNA regulation, stress tolerance
and plasmamembrane/cell wall biosynthesis/extension processes. These protein changes might be
responsible for physiological and physical changes, respectively, resulted in increase in germination percentage.
Further, characterization of these proteins will be of great help in understanding the molecular
mechanism lying behind enhanced germination in response to ethanol treatmen
Extent of Occurrence and Area of Occupancy of Tallow Tree (Sapium sebiferum): Using the Red list Criteria for Documenting Invasive Species Expanse
Invasion by exotic species is a prime threat to
biodiversity and information on their expanse is pivotal for
effective management of bioresources, with this perception
we worked out the extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of
occupancy (AOO) of Sapium sebiferum (L.) Roxb. in the
Himalayan state of Himachal Pradesh (HP), as is done for
IUCN plant threat categorization. Three methods namely
aerographic method (AM), cartographic method (CM) and
cartographic method by conglomerates (CMC) were
deployed and compared for the same in the geographic
information system environment. As expected, the three
results varied amongst themselves, with AOO being
1127.58, 4046.00 and 734.12 sq km for AM, CM and
CMC, respectively. On the other hand the EOO was
4,091.44 sq km. This is a considerable expanse and
amounts to more than 7 % of the total geographical area of
HP. Based on field surveys and observations, CMC was
found to give the most reliable estimates. Though, primarily
devised by IUCN for threat categorization of native
species, we feel that EOO and AOO may appropriately be
applied to invasive species also
Development of stevioside Pluronic-F-68 copolymer based PLA-nanoparticles as an antidiabetic nanomedicine
Stevioside (FDA approved nontoxic natural non-caloric sweetener) has been reported to have very good
antidiabetic potential but its use as therapeutic drug is restricted in human due to its deprived intestinal
absorption and poor bioavailability. We have nano-bioconjugated this molecule on biodegradable
Pluronic-F-68 copolymer based PLA nanoparticles by nanoprecipitation method (spherical, size range
110–130 nm) to overcome deprived intestinal absorption and to enhance the bioavailability. The drug
loading calculated by the standard calibrated HPLC was 16.32
±
4% (w/w). The in vitro release study
showed the initial burst followed by the sustained release. The half release and complete release were
observed on 25
±
4 h and 200
±
10 h respectively. This newly formulated nanostevioside showed very
high potential to be used as antidiabetic nanomedicine for safe and effective use in vivo
Immunomodulatory active steroidal saponins from Asparagus racemosus
Asparagus racemosus is used in the Indian
traditional system of medicine for improving the general
state of health and stress-related immune disorders. Most of
the synthetic chemotherapeutic agents available today are
immunosuppressants and exert variety of side effects. To
overcome these undesired effects of chemotherapeutic
agents, botanical-based immunomodulators are often
employed as adjuvant therapy. In the present study,
immunomodulatory activity of two steroidal saponins
shatavaroside A (1) and shatavaroside B (2), isolated from
Asparagus racemosus, have been evaluated using polymorphonuclear
leucocyte function test. The activity was
further confirmed using more sensitive assays such as
nitroblue tetrazolium, nitrous oxide, and chemiluminescence
assays. Both steroidal saponins were found active at
nano concentration (5 ng/ml) and can act as potent
immunostimulants
Effect of shading and plant density on growth, yield and oil composition of clary sage (Salvia sclarea L.) in north western Himalaya
The experiments were commenced in January 2009 and repeated in 2010 at the CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource
Technology (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research), Palampur, India to investigate the effect of shading
and plant density on plant growth, yield, volatile oil content and composition in clary sage. Four levels of shade
(0, 25%, 50%, 75% shade) and three planting geometry levels (30 х 30 cm, 45 х 30 cm, 45 х 45 cm) were tested
as per split plot design. Plants grown in full sunlight (control) produced significantly higher number of leaves than
heavy shading (75% shade). Plant spread, root length, number of roots/plant, flower weight/plant, total biomass/plant,
oil content and oil yield significantly reduced with increase in shade levels. Flower yield (q/ha) was significantly
higher when the crop was planted under narrow spacing 30 х 30 cm compared with 45 х 30 cm and 45 х 45 cm
spacing levels. Oil content and oil yield were not affected by different spacing levels. Linalyl acetate and sclareol
were higher under 25% shade, germacrene D required 50% shade, but linalool was better in open environment
Removal of Pb from Water by Adsorption on Apple Pomace: Equilibrium, Kinetics, and Thermodynamics Studies
The adsorption-influencing factors such as pH, dose, and time were optimized by batch adsorption study. A 0.8 g dose, 4.0 pH, and
80 min of contact time were optimized for maximum adsorption of Pb on AP. e adsorption isotherms (Langmuir and Freundlich)
were well fitted to the data obtained with values of max (16.39 mg/g; r2 = 0.985) and K (16.14 mg/g; r2 = 0.998), respectively. The
kinetics study showed that lead adsorption follows the pseudo-second-order kinetics with correlation coefficient (r2) of 0.999 for
all of the concentration range. FTIR spectra also showed that the major functional groups like polyphenols (–OH) and carbonyl
(–CO) were responsible for Pb binding on AP. The thermodynamic parameters as ΔG, ΔH (33.54 J/mol), and ΔS (1.08 J/mol/K)
were also studied and indicate that the reaction is feasible, endothermic, and spontaneous in nature