Journal of Applied and Natural Science
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A preliminary pharmacognostical study on leaves and flowers of Michelia champaca L. Magnoliaceae
Get PDFThe present investigation was conducted to establish pharmacognostical profile for the leaves and flowers of Michelia champaca L. (Magnoliaceae) in order to establish its complete profile to aid in its identification and avoid confusion in taxonomic level for different species of the same genus. The study included macroscopical, organoleptical, microscopical and preliminary phytochemical analysis of the leaves and flowers. The study of the organoleptical evaluation revealed the presence of colour, odour and texture. The microscopic analysis showed thedifferences in cell structures, arrangement and shape of leaves and flowers. The physical characters of various solvent extracts showed the presence of colour, odour and consistency of the powdered leaves and flowers. Finally, the preliminary phytochemical analysis confirmed for the presence of alkaloids, saponins, tannins, glycosides, carbohydrates, amino acid, flavonoids and sterols in both leaves and flowers. The present findings may be used to establish the authenticity of leaves and flowers of Michelia champaca L. for their proper identification and standardization in order to collect raw plants for the preparation of herbal drugs
Effect of Aloe vera juice on the hepatotoxicity induced by isoniazid drug
Get PDFAloe vera leaves were gently pressed and the juice obtained was collected in a sterile container. The yield was calculated based on weight of the extract compared to the weight of the leaves. Twenty (20) Wistar strain rats (average weight 120-150 g) were divided into four (4) groups containing five (5) rats in each group. Each group was fed on a different diet like the control rats were fed on commercial rat pellet; experimental rats fed orally with Aloe vera juice 1.0 ml/kg body weight and isoniazid drug (LD) 50ml/kg body weight. Blood samples from each group were taken after 30th day through cardiac puncture for estimation of liver function test. The extent of liver damage was assessed by quantitative estimation of serum alanine aminotransferase (serum ALT), serum aspartate aminotransferase (serum AST), serum alkaline phosphatase (serum ALP), serum acid phosphatase (serum ACP), total serum protein (albumin and globulin) and serum bilirubin. Our investigations showed that the level of bilirubin was found to be higher in aloe vera juice and isoniazid drug administered groups. The level of serum ALT was found to be highest in rat fed with isoniazid drug, whereas the level of serum AST was found lowest in rats administered with isoniazid drug. The levels of serum ALP and serum ACP were found higher in concentration in rats administered with isoniazid drug. While the level of total proteins (albumin and globulin) was found to be low in group administered with isoniazid drug. Histopathological assessment of liver revealed that the animal exposed to isoniazid drug alone showed multifocal mild degree periportal mononuclear cell infiltration. Histological lesions ranged from hepatocellar disintegration and vacuolation in the peri-central vein area to marked proliferation of the rough endoplasmic reticulum.The remaining groups, however showed normal lobular pattern of liver
Antioxidative role of selected herbs against ethanol induced liver injury in rats
Get PDFThe purpose of this study was to know the hepatotoxicity of ethanol in laboratory rats Rattus rattus and to observe the individual and combined phytotherapeutic role of five herbs viz. Arctium lappa, Curcuma longa, Piper longum, Plumbago zeylanica and Terminalia chebula through biochemical and histopathological parameters. Ethanol is commonly used as solvent, pharmaceutical, drugs and alcohol abuse. Lipidperoxidation, glutathione content, urinary hydroxyproline, collagen and histopathological studies showed hepatotoxicity of 1 ml/kg bodyweight dose of ethanol and protective role of 100 mg/kg body weight dose of herbs. Histopathological changes observed in the liver of rats after ethanol treatment showed hepatitis, collagenesis, fatty infiltration, sclerosis, perilobular necrosis, cytoplasmic degeneration, enlarged bile canaliculi, hydropic degeneration, focal necrosis, binucleated hepatocytes and nuclear degeneration. Mild cytoplasmic degeneration, necrosis, collagenesis and hepatocytes regenerations were observed in rats treated with same dose of ethanol and herbal combination.Ethanol treatment decreased the glutathione content, increased tissue malondialdehyde and collagen content, thus causing tissue injury and liver collagenesis. Urinary hydroxyproline level and biochemical parameters also showed the protective role of herbs against ethanol induced toxicity. Herbal combination i. e. 100ml/kg body weight from the mixture of five herbs given orally was found more effective than their individual role. Herbs and plants contain aromatic substances, secondary metabolites, alkaloids and polyphenols which act as antioxidant thus showing protective role
Chromium (III) induced haematological alterations in Indian common carp, Labeo rohita (Ham.)
Get PDFThe principle source of chromium in water bodies is discharged from industries which use large amount of chromates or dichromates. The freshwater fish, Labeo rohita was used as a model in the present studies to investigate the responses to chromium metal salt contamination in water bodies as it is the most common fish consumed widely in India. Haematological tests were carried out as these are the important diagnostic tools and are equally valuable as indicators of disease or stress due to pollutants and environmental fluctuations. The fishLabeo rohita were exposed to sublethal concentration of chromium chloride for 10, 20 and 30 days to study alterations in certain haematological parameters. The parameters under study were total erythrocyte count (TEC), haemoglobin (Hb gm%), total leucocyte count (TLC), differential leucocyte count (DLC) and pack cell volume (PCV). The studies revealed that chromium chloride-treated Labeo rohita exhibited decreased levels of total erythrocyte count (TEC), haemoglobinn (Hb gm%) and PCV whereas, total leucocyte count (TLC) was increased under thestress of chromium metal The decreased WBC count found after 30 days along with depleted Hb content and RBC count indicate dysfunctioning of haemopoietic systems along with dysleucopoiesis. Leucocytosis observed after 10 and 20 days exposure has been considered to be an adaptation to meet stressful conditions by animals. Increase in macrophages and basophils appears to be protective response during chromium exposure. An increasing trend in the mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were evident in fish exposed to sublethal doses of chromium chloride when compared with the control
Isolation, characterization and antibiotic susceptibility profile of Staphylococcus aureus from raw milk samples in Nagpur district, India
Get PDFThe study was carried out from July 2010 to June 2011. The aim of the present investigation was to isolate Staphylococcus aureus from raw milk obtained from cow from different parts of Nagpur district, India and to determine their antibiotic susceptibility profile. General biochemical tests along with the MASTASTAPHTM rapid agglutination tests were employed for bacterial identification. All the well characterized isolates were further confirmed by amplifying coa gene by PCR. A total 95 S. aureus isolates were obtained during this study from 50 raw milk samples. When all the well characterized isolates were subjected to antibiotic susceptibility testing, erythromycin and chloramphenicol were the most effective antibiotics. A large proportion of isolates were found to be resistant to Co-trimoxazole (89%) followed by Linomycin (81%) and Penicillin (35%) It was concluded from the current study that the hygiene of the milk was poor and resistant strains contaminated the milk probably during the process of transportation
Regeneration of plants from alginate-encapsulated shoots of Rhododendron dalhousiae Hook. F.
Get PDFA method has been developed for plant regeneration from alginate-encapsulated nodal segments of Rhododendron dalhousiae. Shoot tips collected from in vitro proliferated shoots were used for synthetic seed production. For encapsulation, nodal segments were mixed with MS medium supplemented with 3% sodium alginate and incubated with calcium chloride (60 mM). The maximum frequency (69%) of conversion of encapsulated shoot tips into plantlets was achieved on MS medium containing 25 ?M 2-isopentenyladenine (2iP) along with additive such as, 100 mg L-l polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP), 100 mg L -l ascorbic acid, 10 mg L-l citric acid. The presence of 2iP (25 ?M) with IAA (0.6 ?M) improved re-generation. Amongst the two gelling agents used higher shoot proliferation as well as better growth were observed in cultures grown on Agar in comparison to Phytagel medium. Encapsulated nodal segments stored at 4°C for 25 days also showed successful conversion, followed by development into complete plantlets when returned to regeneration medium. Liquid medium was superior over solid medium for root formation and growth. IBA (1.0 ?M) was more effective than other auxins for root induction. Plantlets with developed shoot and roots were hardened off to survive ex vitro conditions and successfully established in greenhouse. Possibility of direct sowing of synthetic seeds in the soil was also examined
Enhanced decolourization of congo red dye under submerged fermentation (SMF) process by newly isolated Bacillus subtilis SPR42
Get PDFStudies were carried out on the decolourization of textile azo dye using newly isolated aerobic bacterial culture. Among the 58 strains of aerobic bacteria isolated from soil contaminated with textile industry (Shivalik polymer Ltd. Faridabad) effluent, three showed remarkable ability in decolourizing the widely utilized azo dye (Congo Red). These strains also readily grew in and decolourized the high concentrations of dye (100 mgL -1). The aerobic bacterial isolate SPR42, was able to decolourize the Congo Red dye at a concentration of 100 mgL -1 upto 94% within 24 hrs at static conditions. The temperature and pH for optimum growth and activity of the isolate were reported as 37 oC and 8.5, respectively. The colorless bacterial biomass after decolourization suggested that decolourization was due to biodegradation, rather than inactive surface adsorption. Phenotypic characterization and phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rDNA sequence comparisons indicate that the strain SPR42 identified as Bacillus subtilis. This isolate can be a potential strain for biological treatment of effluents of TPI (Textile Processing Industry)
Population characteristics of Brueelia sp. on certain Indian Finches
Get PDFFive kinds of finches were examined during 2004-06. Two kinds of finches were found infested with ischnoceran lice, Brueelia sp. (Prevalence-20.5%, mean intensity of infestation-4.7 and range of infestation, 1-23). The frequency distribution pattern of Brueelia sp. on Indian finches conformed to the negative binomial model. Sex ratio was skewed in favour of females and adults outnumbered the nymphs in natural population
Monitoring and control of particulate matter in indoor air: A review
Get PDFThe review discusses the sources and concentrations of particulate matter in different microenvironments, their effect on human health, monitoring and their possible control measures particularly in office and residential buildings. Effect of various ventilation strategies on particulate concentration in air has been discussed. The calculations suggest that if the outdoor particle concentration is not more than 5-10 times the indoor particle generation rate, ventilation could be a very effective tool to control the indoor particle concentration. For coarse particles the choice of ventilation strategy is not very crucial, but for fine particulate slow rate of ventilation is more effective
Influence of cadmium on early growth of fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis Hook F.) and nutrient uptake in an ultisol
Get PDFThe greenhouse and field trials were conducted at the University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria to determine the influence of Cd on the growth, dry matter yield and nutrient uptake by fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis). Four levels of Cd(NO3)2 treatments namely 0, 50, 100, 200 mg per 5 kg soil equivalent to 0, 20, 40, 80 kgha-1 were used in the greenhouse and field trials respectively. The completely randomized and randomized complete block experimental designs were used in the greenhouse and field trials respectively. Results indicated that increased application of Cd decreased the height, number of leaves, leaf area, stem girth and dry matter yield of the plant. The nutrients content and uptake also decreased with the increase in the supply of the Cd. Higher Cd concentrations and uptake were recorded in the root of the treated plants when compared to the control treatments. The nutrients and oxides components of the soil decreased at various levels of the Cd application. These decrease in soil nutrient components were however not consistent. However, the Cd content of the soil increased with increased Cd treatments