Journal of Applied and Natural Science
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Ameliorative effect of curcumin and ascorbic acid against ultraviolet B radiation-induced thyroid toxicity in female Wistar rats: A haematological and biochemical study
Get PDFThe present study aimed to investigate the ameliorative effect of curcumin and ascorbic acid against ultraviolet (UVB)-induced thyroid toxicity and to study the haemtological and biochemical parameters. Twenty-four female Wistar rats, aged 3-4 months and weighing 130-150 g, were used, and the rats were divided into four Groups (Groups I to IV). Group I received standard food and water ad libitum and was treated as a control; Group II received a dose of 280 nm of UVB radiation for 2 hrs/day. Group III received 280 nm UVB radiation for 2 hrs/day and received curcumin 25 mg/kg body weight given orally. Group IV received 280 nm of UVB radiation for 2 hrs/day and received ascorbic acid 250 mg/kg body weight given orally. All the treatments were consequently performed for 15 days. The results showed that haemtological parameters such as haemoglobin (Hb) (p<0.05), red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), MCV, MCH, and MCHC decreased significantly. Biochemical parameters included lipid peroxidation (LPO) (p<0.05), H2O2 (p<0.01), nitric oxide (NO), superoxide dismutase (SOD) (p< 0.01), catalase (p<0.01), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) (p<0.01), and glutathione reductase. NO increased, and glutathione (GSH) (p<0.01) decreased significantly. However, cotreatment with curcumin and ascorbic acid significantly increased the haemtological parameters. In addition, oxidative parameters such as LPO (p<0.01), SOD (p< 0.01), CAT (p<0.01), GST (p<0.01), and NO (p<0.01) significantly increased, and GSH (p<0.01) significantly decreased upon cotreatment with curcumin and ascorbic acid. The results indicated the ameliorative effect of curcumin and ascorbic acid against UVB-induced thyroid toxicity in female Wistar rats
Alpha amylase and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitory potential of aqueous extract of Azanza garckeana fruit
Get PDFDiabetes mellitus and hypertension are common diseases affecting a lot of people. Alpha amylase and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are used to treat type II diabetes and hypertension respectively. This study investigated the alpha amylase and ACE inhibitory potential of Azanza garckeana fruits. Phytochemical screening, α-amylase and ACE inhibitory potential of the aqueous extract of A. garckeana fruit was determined using standard procedures. The mode of inhibition of α-amylase by A. garckeana fruit was determined from the Lineweaver-Burk plot. Alkaloids, flavonoids, anthraquinones, steroids, tannins, phenols and terpenoids were present in the aqueous extract of A. garkeana fruit. The percent inhibition of α-amylase was greater than 50%. The IC50 values were 2.6 ± 0.02 and 0.04 ± 0.09 for the extract and acarbose (standard drug) respectively. The Lineweaver-Burk plot showed that extract Vmax did not change when compared to the no inhibitor (no extract) but the km increased. The percent inhibition of ACE by A. garckeana was also greater than 50%. Its IC50 was 0.625 ± 0.03 while that of the standard drug (captopril) was 0.875 ± 0.07. Thus A. garckeana inhibited α-amylase and ACE and can be used to treat type II diabetes and hypertension. It is a competitive inhibitor of α-amylase
Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of antimicrobial compounds produced by mahua oil cake against the stem rot pathogen- Sclerotium rolfsii
Get PDFThe antifungal property containing oil cakes play a significant role in reducing plant disease in a wide range of soil-borne pathogens. A destructive soil-borne pathogen, Sclerotium rolfsii is infecting a vast range of crops worldwide. In-vitro efficacy of five different oil cakes viz. mahua cake, neem cake, pungam cake, coconut cake and castor cake extracts was tested against the stem rot pathogen of groundnut. Among the five different oil cakes, mahua oil cake extract produced the minimum mycelial growth of 1.57and1.29 cm at 5%, and 10% concentrations, respectively and showed maximum percent growth inhibition of 83.33and 86.66% respectively. Bioactive compounds in mahua oil cake were analyzed through GC-MS. From the result of GC-MS, the high retention time and peak area percentage were observed with major important bioactive compounds like n-Hexadecanoic acid (24.968) (12.22), Hexadecanoic acid, ethyl ester (23.655) (2.9), 9,12-Octadecadienoic acid (Z, Z)-(28.659)(35.61), 9-Octadecenoic acid, (E)-(28.786) (13.15), Octadecanoic acid (29.137) (33.59) and a1-Octyn-3-ol (3.023) (0.04).The bioactive compounds identified through GC-MS from mahua oil cake extract were found to be exhibiting antifungal activity against S. rolfsii
Climate nutrient management for various sources and levels of fertilizers on soil nutrients, growth and yield of maize (Zea mays l.) in Madurai district, Tamil Nadu, India
Get PDFGlobal climate change is expected to soil processes and properties, which are important for restoring soil fertility and low productivity. The field experiment was conducted at Research Farm, Agricultural College, and Research Institute, Madurai district, Tamil Nadu, during Kharif season 2021 to study of various sources and fertilizers\u27 levels to influence under deficit and excess water conditions on soil fertility, growth, and yield of maize (Zea mays). The study revealed that excess and deficit water condition in moisture regime irrigations at Irrigation water / Cumulative Pan Evaporation (IW/CPE) ratio of 1.0 along with nutrient management practices (N8) 125 % Soil Test Crop Response (STCR) - NPK soil application by 1 % foliar spray of micronutrient mixture. Significantly higher of mean values available nitrogen (225 kg ha-1), available phosphorous (20.81 kg ha-1), available potassium (351 kg ha-1), dry matter production (DMP) (16,404 kg ha-1), plant height (250 cm) and yield (9,030 kg ha-1) and was comparable with IW/CPE ratio of 0.8, 0.6 along with others nutrient management practices at 100 % and 75 % STCR - NPK followed by foliar sprays 2 % NPK (19:19:19) and Pink-pigmented facultative methylotrophs (PPFM) 1 %. Hence, under a normal water availability situation, irrigation at an IW/CPE ratio of 0.8 was good enough to produce a higher yield, while under deficit and excess water conditions IW/CPE ratio of 1.0 along with125 % STCR-NPK by foliar spray of micronutrient mixture of 1 % was suitable for obtaining optimum nutrient management for enhancing soil fertility, growth and yield of maize
Angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 and interleukin-12 serum level as indicator to severity between COVID-19 patients
Get PDFThe Coronavirus, one of the most rapidly spreading respiratory viruses, caused a worldwide epidemic that killed about six million people. This led to the fast development of several vaccines and drugs to reduce disease severity and speed patient recovery. This study aimed to identify the serum levels of each of the angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 and interleukin-12 .The severity of infection in coronavirus COVID-19 patients was compared to immune levels of these cytokines and receptors in the different cases of COVID-19 patients. This case-control study included 90 blood samples from COVID-19 patients with ages between 15-80 years. Results revealed that the serum levels of both angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 ( ACE-2) and interleukin-12 (IL-12) were measured in COVID-19 patients and the results were compared using an independent T-test, it was found that their levels for interleukin-12 revealed a significant difference (P ≤0.05) in the serum levels of severe cases when compared with non-severe cases. There was an increase in the serum level of IL-12 in severe cases was 33.340 ng/L, in the serum level and in non-severe cases was 20.913 ng/L. ( P ≤0.000), and for angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 this study revealed a significant difference in ACE-2 serum levels in severe cases (P ≤0.05) when compared with the non-severe cases of patients with COVID 19. The serum level of ACE-2 in severe cases was 11.023 ng/ml, and in non-severe cases, it was 5.443ng/ml ( P ≤0.000). It was concluded that the emerging coronavirus works to create an immune storm represented by raising the serum levels of both ACE-2 and IL-12 that contribute to the damage to the alveoli in severely COV-19 patients.
Food, not the photoperiod, entrains the circadian rhythms in the liver of Winstar albino rats
Get PDFThe central oscillator is located in mammals\u27 suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). The liver is the non-photic organ and the centre for metabolic activities. Food could be a potential zeitgeber for the liver as the timing of feeding is precise in animals. The present study hypothesized that the food provided at a different time of the day (consistently delay of 6 hours) could lead to the desynchronization of daily rhythms in clock genes in liver tissues. The Winstar albino rats were divided into three groups and were exposed to a daily light-dark cycle (12L:12D; 12h light and 12h dark). The Group 1 (Control group) had food ad libitum, Group 2- second group- 6h food group had daily food availability of 6h (night fed group). In contrast, Group 3- T30 group was provided food for 6 hours but delayed by 6h from the previous day\u27s food timing. After 30 days, animals were sacrificed at six-time points and the expression of clock genes was studied in the liver. Food cycle\u27s effect was observed on body mass, and it was significantly (P < 0.05) reduced in the T30 group. The circadian clock persisted in both food ad libitum and night fed groups but changed in phase and amplitude. However, it lost daily rhythm in clock genes in liver tissues of the T30 group. These results are significant as they suggest that the food\u27s timing is critical for synchronizing the circadian clock in the metabolic center, i.e., the liver
Teeth bleaching effect and anti-oral microbial activity of water-extracted apple (Malus asiatica)
Get PDFApple contains nutrients such as sugars, dietary fiber, and vitamins as well as bioactive phytochemicals such as organic acid, fatty acid and phenolic compounds. This study was conducted to confirm the applicability of apples as a bleaching agent and functional substances for the prevention of oral infectious diseases and maintenance of oral health by investigating the bovine teeth bleaching effect, anti-oral microbial activity, and inhibitory effect of halitosis of water-extracted apple (WEA). From the results of quantitative analysis of the surface color of bovine teeth, the application of WEA significantly increased the ΔE value, indicating a bleaching effect. In the case of 100mg/ml, the ΔE value increased as the WEA application time increased, and the bleaching effect was the greatest. Based on the results of the disk diffusion test and selective culture using CRT bacteria test kit, WEA showed anti-oral microbial activity against the dental caries bacteria, Streptococcus mutans and Latobacillus casei, the periodontal bacteria, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, and Eschericha coli, but showed no antifungal effect against Candida albicans, causing oral candidiasis. From the results of colony formation and generation of halitosis from salivary microorganisms, WEA inhibited the growth of salivary microorganisms and generation of components inducing halitosis such as hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan and dimethyl sulfide, that occur during the metabolic process of oral microorganisms. Therefore, WEA is a functional substance derived from a safe and useful natural product that can be used for the prevention of oral infectious diseases and maintenance of oral healt
Screening of finger millet genotypes for sodicity tolerance using the Na+/K+ ratio as a major physiological trait
Get PDFSodicity affects a larger area than salinity, but research on the sodicity tolerance mechanism is limited. The study was carried out to screen 120 finger millet genotypes under sodic soil conditions and identify sodicity-tolerant genotypes. The experimental field soil conditions were sandy clay loam with pH 8.9, electrical conductivity (EC) 0.94 dSm-1 and exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) 21.5, which was naturally sodic. Grain yield per plant and Na+/K+ ratio were recorded for each genotype to screen sodicity tolerance among the genotypes. A significantly higher grain yield per plant than that of the sodicity-tolerant check variety TRY 1 (23.10 g) was observed in 30 finger millet genotypes. The analysis of sodium and potassium revealed that these 30 finger millet genotypes also recorded a significantly lower Na+/K+ ratio, which is comparatively lower than that of the sodicity-tolerant check variety TRY 1 (0.23 Na+/K+ ratio). The genotypes (FIN 3045, FIN 2875, FIN 3077, FIN 3015, FIN 3063, FIN 2861, FIN 3028, FIN 2867, FIN 2854, FIN 2860, FIN 2872, FIN 2896, FIN 4268, FIN 3034, FIN 3928, FIN 3104, FIN 3965, FIN 3091, FIN 2960, FIN 3994, FIN 4198, FIN 3174, FIN 3078, FIN 4288, FIN 4202, FIN 4238, FIN 3089, FIN 4205, FIN 3966 and FIN 3182) that recorded higher grain yield per plant and lower Na+/K+ ratio can be considered sodicity tolerant. These genotypes with a high grain yield per plant and a low Na+/K+ ratio could be utilized in stress breeding programs to develop sodicity-tolerant finger millet varieties
Influence of potassium iodate and chitosan iodate complex on growth, yield, quality and iodine uptake in ‘shivam’ hybrid of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)
Get PDFAn iodine biofortification experiment was conducted by applying potassium iodate fertilizer in soil and foliar form and chitosan complex forms to investigate the growth, yield, quality and uptake of iodine in shivam hybrid of tomato in Palaviduthi soil series of Coimbatore region. Soil fertilization alone resulted in lower uptake of iodine in fruits because the iodine is susceptible to high volatilization and less phytoavailability and also resulted in less yield and poor quality of fruits. When the chitosan and potassium iodate were applied in combination through foliar form, the quality of the fruits was found to be superior (carotene-1.24 mg 100gm-1 ascorbic acid- 3.56 mg 100gm-1, titrable acidity-0.96%), with higher fruit yield (94.81 t ha-1) and uptake of iodine in fruits (0.99ppm). Potassium iodate alone, either in the form of soil or foliar application, increased the quality of fruits, but it did not prevent the loss of various pigments and acids during ripening and also the loss of iodine through volatilization. But chitosan conserved the losses by reducing the respiration rate and oxygen permeability. Further, chitosan formed an electrostatic interaction with potassium iodate, preventing volatilisation and gradually increasing the bioavailability of iodine from soil to fruits. Hence biofortifying iodine in the form of potassium iodate chitosan complex was preferred for enhancing yield, improving quality and increasing the iodine content in fruits
Effect of simple processing on selected pesticide residues in cottonseed (Gossypium spp.)
Get PDFFood processing techniques reduce pesticide residue accumulation in food components. The present study investigated the effectiveness of simple processing techniques such as roasting, soaking, autoclaving and storage conditions on twenty-seven selected pesticides belonging to the classes of organophosphates (OPs), organochlorines (OCPs) and pyrethroids (PPs) in pesticide-fortified cottonseed (Gossypium spp.). The residue concentration was analysed by GC–MS/MS from the extract of different treated samples as untreated and pesticide free (T1), pesticide treated (T2) and pesticide treated cum processed (R1- Roasting 5 min; R2-Roasting 10 min; S1-Soaking 6 hours; S2-Soaking 12 hours; AC1-Autoclaving 5 min; AC2-Autoclaving 10 min; ST-Storage) cottonseed. The recovery values of the residues ranged from 78.20 to 114% with the application of 1, 5 and 10 μg/g pesticide in pesticide-free cottonseed. The concentration of pesticide residues is presented for nondetected levels in pesticide-free samples. Otherwise, pesticide-treated samples contained all pesticide residues ranging from 856 to 1138 ng/g OP, 782 to 1058 ng/g OCPs and 857 to 1140 ng/g PP, which are higher than the maximum residue limits (MRLs) set by The Japan Food Chemical Research Foundation (FFCR). Among the different processing methods, autoclave samples had fewer residues detected (3 compounds), followed by stored (5 compounds), soaked (7 compounds) and roasted (8 compounds) samples. The stored cottonseeds contained residues for phorate, total lindane excluding δ-lindane and deltamethrin at the end of storage. Nevertheless, the residue from phorate, δ-lindane and deltamethrin exceeded the concentration of MRLs. This finding indicated that the most effective method for reducing pesticide residues was autoclaved treatment from the respective pesticide-fortified cottonseed sample