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Antibacterial Activity of Traditional Medicinal
Plants Against Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus
aureus and Methicillin Sensitive Staphylococcus
aureus
-- Lali Growther and Jiya Janardhanan
Antibacterial activity of ten traditionally important medicinal plants against Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Methicillin sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) were analyzed by using agar
disc diffusion technique. Ethanol, methanol and petroleum ether extracts of the plants were used for the assay
and the results revealed that Caeselpinia
sappan, Terminalia bellerica and Cassia
fistula were effective against pyogenic organisms like MRSA and MSSA.
© 2010 IUP. All Rights Reserved.
In Silico Analysis of Different Gene Expressions
and Phylogenetic Analysis of Corynebacterium efficiens
-- M Balakrishnan and R C Srivastava
Corynebacterium efficiens (C. efficiens) is one of the actinobacteria which is gram-positive, non-motile and
rod-shaped. It is a non-pathogenic bacterium, previously known as Corynebacterium thermoaminogenes. It is
mostly present in the soil with a cell size of about 0.8-1.1 micrometers in width and 1.0-4.5 micrometers in length.
It is one of the thermostable bacteria which shows an optimum growth between 35-40 °C. The size of its
gemome is 3.1 Mb with 2,950 protein coding genes. Most of the protein coding genes are hypothetical in nature. C. efficiens has a wide industrial application and is widely used to produce glutamic acid in high
temperature (nearly 40 °C and above). In the present study, ten functional genes, such as cmr, glnB, gidB and dnaK,
are chosen. These genes are expressed differently in the genome of the C. efficiens. For analyzing this gene
expression, various online and offline sequence analysis tools and software were used. The phylogenetic relationship
of these genes is analyzed by using commercial software like genious and CLC workbench. The
phylogenetic analysis of the proteins explained that the selected genes had only 53% relationship among their
protein sequences. Using this gene expression data, highly efficient glutamic acid producing plasmids were
constructed. The gene expression studies also helped in identifying new genes, diagnose diseases, identify toxic levels
and design new drugs for diseases.
© 2010 IUP. All Rights Reserved.
3'-Hairpin Oligonucleotides Inhibitor
of RNase H Activity of MMLV Reverse Transcriptase
-- Ajay Kumar
3'-Hairpin oligonucleotides containing phosphodiester or phosphorothioate backbone in the loop portion of
the oligonucleotides were synthesized and their binding to Moloney murine leukemia virus (MMLV)
Reverse transcriptase (RT) was evaluated using Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) band mobility shift
assay. The dissociation constants were in the micro molar range. The inhibitory activity of the RNase H activity
of MMLV reverse transcriptase was studied in
vitro using 3H-UTP-labeled RNA: RNA-DNA hybrid. The
oligonucleotide containing phosphorothioates linkage at 3'-loop portion showed inhibition of RNase H activity with
IC50 falling in the range of 140-150 nM which is lower than tenofovir a nucleotide drug used for curing Acquired
immuno deficiency syndrome (AIDS).
© 2010 IUP. All Rights Reserved.
Phytochemical Studies of Antibacterials
for Multi-Drug Resistant Nosocomial Pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa
-- Amsaveni V and S S Sudha
In recent years, a notable increase in the prevalence of multi-drug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa has been reported in hospitalized, critically ill patients with subsequent high mortality and morbidity.
Drug resistance pattern for anti-pseudomonal antibiotics, such as amikacin (30 mg), amoxyclav (10 mg),
azithromycin (15 mg), cefepime (30 mg), cefoperazone (75 mg), ceftazidime (30 mg), ceftriaxone (10 mg), ciprofloxacin
(5 mg), piperacillin (100 mg), meropenem (10 mg), colistin (10 mg), gentamicin (10 mg), tobramycin (10
mg) and ticarcillin (75 mg)), by disc diffusion method has been noticed. In this context, screening of
antibiotic resistance modifying compounds from plant source may be helpful in identifying therapeutically
useful compounds. Antibacterial activity of Punica
granataum Linn. plant parts was evaluated on different
strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, one of the most important nosocomial pathogens. Punica granataum Linn. plant parts, such as leaves, peel and flowers, were extracted with various solvents such as ethanol,
methanol, chloroform, petroleum ether (soxhlet extraction) and
water. The in vitro antibacterial assay was performed
by well diffusion method. Among all extracts, methanolic peel extract was found to be very effective. A
qualitative phytochemical analysis was evaluated for the presence of various secondary metabolites such as
tannins, saponins, glycosides, flavonoids, alkaloids and phenols.
© 2010 IUP. All Rights Reserved.
Antioxidant Properties of Citrus paradisi
-- Harish R and Santa Ram A
The study investigates antioxidant activity of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Citrus paradisi using different in
vitro models such as scavenging of 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), Superoxide (ROS) radicals
and inhibition of microsomal lipid peroxidation, reducing power and metal chelating properties. Inhibition
of microsomal lipid peroxidation and superoxide scavenging by aqueous and ethanolic extracts showed an
IC50 of 1.6-1.7 mg/mL and 1.7-1.9 mg/mL respectively. Metal ion chelation showed an
IC50 of 1.7 mg/mL of both the extracts and was equipotent to positive control, Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). The aqueous
extract of Citrus paradisi exhibited higher antioxidant activity in DPPH radical and reducing power than that
of ethanolic extract. Results obtained suggest that Citrus paradisi have intrinsic antioxidant activity to
scavenge various radicals, viz., superoxide and peroxyl radicals, and ameliorate the level of oxidative stress.
© 2010 IUP. All Rights Reserved.
Caulogenesis and Organogenesis Studies
in Coleus forskholii Using Lasiodiplodia sps.
-- Bipasha Das and R Chakravarthy
Coleus forskholii is a perennial plant with high medicinal value. It is made up of an active component
called forskohlin extracted from roots which stimulates the catalytic subunit of adenylate cyclase and brings
positive inotropic effect. It shows anticancer properties, promotes weight and fat loss, increases lean body mass,
reduces allergies, asthma (antihistamine effect), lowers blood pressure, relaxes muscles of the stomach and
menstrual cramps, lowers intraocular pressure. In vitro regeneration of Coleus forskholii has been achieved via direct organogenesis from young leaf cultures and calli buds through indirect method. Regeneration was
obtained from varying concentrations of Benzyladenine (BA) and Kinetin (Kn). However, the optimal concentration
for shoot induction from leaf cultures was obtained with BA 2.0 mg/L and 2.5 mg/L and Kn 0.5 mg/L.
Regenerated shoots were rooted on Murashige and Skoog's (MS) medium containing 1.0 mg/L Indole butyric acid (IBA)
for effective rooting.
© 2010 IUP. All Rights Reserved.
Isolation and Characterization of Cellulase
Enzyme from Aspergillus sps.
-- Kanchana Devi D and N Hemashenpagam
The cellulase enzyme producing fungus Aspergillus
niger was isolated and identified from hilly irrigated
soil. The substrate concentration, pH, incubation temperature and carbon sources of the czapekdox medium
were varied and maximum production of cellulase was studied. Cellulase activity was maximum on incubating
them for 10 days. The optimum pH and temperature were found to be 5.0 and 50 ºC respectively for optimum
enzyme production of 16 U/mL/min. Addition of 3% Carboxy Methyl Cellulase (CMC) showed maximum percentage
of enzyme activity (17 U/mL/min). Sugarcane bagasse was found to be the cheaper source which enhanced
cellulase production (20 U/mL/min). Partially purified cellulase enzyme was run on Sodium dodecyl sulfate
polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS PAGE); it showed two distinct bands—67 Kda and 43 Kda. The molecular weight
of cellulase enzyme was found. The production of cellulase enzyme by Aspergillus niger (A. niger) was improved by optimizing the medium composition and cultural conditions.
© 2010 IUP. All Rights Reserved.
Study of In Vitro Seed Germination
and Development of Seedling
of Gymnema sylvestre (Retz.)
R. Br. Ex. Schult
-- A V Jaybhaye and S S Deokule
The whole plant regeneration on MS salts for development shows high salt requirement of Gymnema sylvestre seeds. For micropropagation, various combinations of auxins and cytokinins are used. These are like
Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), 6-Benzylaminopurine (BA), Indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and kinetin. About 78%
seed germination was achieved on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium within 12 days with a good length of shoot and
a number of roots. MS medium containing 0.5 mg
L_1 Kinetin +0.5 mg L_1 IAA is best for shoot and root
induction. After successful and sufficient growth of plantlets, these were transferred to pots having sterile soil + sand
(3:1) in the laboratory, and were kept under observation for one month and finally transplanted for hardening in
the garden. All transplanted seedlings showed satisfactory growth and all survived.
© 2010 IUP. All Rights Reserved.
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