An insight on 7- ketocholesterol mediated inflammation in atherosclerosis and potential therapeutics.

7-ketocholesterol, a toxic oxidative product of oxysterol is a causative agent of several diseases and disabilities concomitant to aging including cardiovascular diseases like atherosclerosis. Auto-oxidation of cholesterol esters present in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) deposits lead to the formation of oxidized LDL (Ox-LDL) along with its byproducts, namely 7KCh. It is predominantly found in atherosclerotic plaque and also found to be more atherogenic than cholesterol by being cytotoxic, interfering with cellular homeostasis.

ASK2 Bioactive Compound Inhibits MDR by Antibiofilm Activity, Modulating Macrophage Cytokines and Opsonophagocytosis.

The emergence and spread of pathogens harboring extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) like carbapenem resistant Gram negative bacteria are the major emerging threat to public health. Of particular concern carbapenamase- producing strains have been recorded worldwide. Catheter associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) caused by are significantly associated with morbidity and mortality.

Immune response of anti-lectin Pjlec antibody in freshwater crab Paratelphusa jacquemontii.

Sialic acid specific lectin Pjlec isolated from serum of the freshwater crab Paratelphusa jacquemontii served as an antigen for the production of immunoglobulin (Ig) in Balb/c mice sera. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) of mice anti-sera with Pjlec lectin affirmed the induction and production of antibody. Anti-Pjlec antibody was isolated from the antisera of mice by Protein A Sepharose affinity chromatography and checked for purity by immunoblot with lectin.

Hemocytes and hemocytic responses in the mole crab Emerita emeritus (Linnaeus 1767).

The mole crab, Emerita emeritus, collected from the sandy shores of a Chennai beach, was investigated for cellular immune responses based on the morphology and defensive reactions of the circulating haemocytes. Three haemocyte morphotypes were identified using light and electron microscopy, and separated in a discontinuous percoll gradient. A phagocytosis study using human B erythrocyte as a target cell under phase-contrast optics showed that granular and semi-granular haemocytes were phagocytic, and this response was enhanced by using serum (opsonin)-coated human B erythrocyte in unfractionated and fractionated haemocytes.

Phenoloxidase activity in humoral plasma, hemocyanin and hemocyanin separated proteins of the giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii.

Hemocyanin is a copper containing protein and its role in the immune function of phenoloxidase (PO) activity was investigated in the giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii. Hemocyanin, sedimented by ultracentrifugation from the plasma appeared on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE 7%) on Coomassie Brilliant Blue and bathocuproine sulfonic acid stain as four copper containing proteins of molecular masses 50, 60, 114 and 325kDa. Accordingly, on diethylaminoethyl-cellulose anion exchange column hemocyanin separated into four proteins designated as MrHc1, MrHc2, MrHc3 and MrHc4 with electrophoretically (PAGE) determined molecular masses of 60, 114, 50 and 325kDa respectively.

Purification and characterisation of a pronase-inducible lectin isolated from human serum.

A new lectin was purified to electrophoretic homogeneity from pronase treated human serum by a single-step of affinity chromatography on concanavalin A-Sepharose 4B. The isolated lectin agglutinated five types of vertebrate RBC, with highest titer against hen RBC. This activity was independent of divalent cations, insensitive to EDTA and specific to mannosamine, glucosamine as well as galactosamine.

Activation of phenoloxidase activity by humoral lectin in hemocytes of freshwater crab Paratelphusa jacquemontii.

The lectin, Pjlec isolated from the hemolymph of the freshwater crab Paratelphusa jacquemontii hemagglutinated (HA) with mice, rabbit and rat erythrocytes. However, the lectin failed to agglutinate neraminidase treated asialylated erythrocytes showing its sialic acid specificity. The poyacyrlamide gel electrophoresis of lectin yielded 310kDa proteins, on sodium sulphate dodecyl (SDS) gel appeared as a tetramer with subunits of 76kDa.

A focus on resveratrol and ocular problems, especially cataract: From chemistry to medical uses and clinical relevance.

Low vision and blindness are important health problems that affect millions of people throughout the world. The most common and important pathologies are diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma as well as cataracts. The latter consists of an opacification of the lens of the eye which impedes the passage of light and represents one of the most important causes of vision loss.

Isolation and analysis of mannose/trehalose/maltose specific lectin from jack bean with antibruchid activity.

A lectin with insecticidal property against the stored product pest, Callosobruchus maculatus was successfully isolated from the seeds of Canavalia virosa using standard affinity chromatography. The isolated molecule typically behaved like a lectin in its characteristics. It agglutinated indicator red blood cells (RBC) in its native as well as enzyme treated conditions.

Cytoprotective mechanism of action of curcumin against cataract.

This review discusses the relationship between oxidative stress and cataract formation, molecular mechanism of curcumin action and potential benefits of treatment with the antioxidant curcumin. The first section deals with curcumin and endogenous antioxidants. The second section focuses on the action of curcumin on lipid peroxidation.

Zeaxanthin and ocular health, from bench to bedside.

Cataracts, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration are known as major ocular problems which cause blindness among the elderly population worldwide. Oxidative stress plays an important role in both the initiation and progression of ocular problems and with respect to this; dietary antioxidants can serve as a therapeutic strategy for the improvement of ocular health. Zeaxanthin is known as one of the most important and common xanthophyll carotenoids, possessing multiple therapeutic effects such as strong antioxidant and pro-oxidant behaviour as well as anti-inflammatory effects.

Opsonic function of sialic acid specific lectin in freshwater crab Paratelphusa jacquemontii.

The sialic acid specific humoral lectin, Pjlec of the freshwater crab Paratelphusa jacquemontii was investigated for its opsonin function with rabbit erythrocyte as target cell for phagocytosis by the crab's hemocyte. The untreated or trypsin treated erythrocyte induced lectin response after challenge however failed when treated with neuraminidase evidently indicating glycan dependency for elicited immune response. Our observation of in vitro phagocytosis of the erythrocyte untreated or coated with serum, clarified serum appeared to be recognized and engulfed by hemocytes but when coated with isolated lectin Pjlec, the response was elicited.

Epigallocatechin gallate attenuates fibroblast proliferation and excessive collagen production by effectively intervening TGF-β1 signalling.

Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) poses a huge burden to the patients and society due to lack of an effective treatment drug. Activation of fibrocyte, fibroblast and myofibroblasts are important steps in the development of PF. Targeting this common pathway with natural chemicals may lead to the development of new drug regimens for PF treatment.

Analysis on the arcelin expression in bruchid pest resistant wild pulses using real time RT-qPCR.

Arcelin, the antimetabolic protein from wild pulses is a known natural insecticidal molecule. Wild pulses with high arcelin content could serve as potential source to. increase the levels of insect resistance in cultivated pulse crops.

Synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Solanum trilobatum fruits extract and its antibacterial, cytotoxic activity against human breast cancer cell line MCF 7.

In the present study, we have synthesized silver nanoparticles by a simple and eco-friendly method using unripe fruits of Solanum trilobatum. The aqueous silver ions when exposed to unripe fruits extract were reduced and stabilized over long time resulting in biosynthesis of surface functionalized silver nanoparticles. The bio-reduced silver nanoparticles were characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDX) and X-ray diffraction (XRD).

Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using ethanolic petals extract of Rosa indica and characterization of its antibacterial, anticancer and anti-inflammatory activities.

The present study was aimed at biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using ethanolic extract of rose (Rosa indica) petals and testing their potential antibacterial activity using selective human pathogenic microbes, anticancer activity using human colon adenocarcinoma cancer cell line HCT 15 as well as anti-inflammatory activity using rat peritoneal macrophages in vitro. The biologically synthesized AgNPs were also characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The characterized AgNPs showed an effective antibacterial activity against Gram negative (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae) than Gram positive (Streptococcus mutans, Enterococcus faecalis) bacteria.

Luteolin induces growth arrest in colon cancer cells through involvement of Wnt/β-catenin/GSK-3β signaling.

Cancer is a multistep process that typically occurrs over an extended period of time, beginning with initiation followed by promotion and progression. Colon cancer is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. For a variety of reasons, patients prefer naturally occurring dietary substances over synthetic agents to prevent cancer.

Identification of serum component involved in generation of neo-lectin with agglutinating and phenoloxidase activities in human serum.

Human serum albumin (HSA) was identified as the component involved in generation of neo-lectin molecules with both lectin and phenoloxidase activities. Pronase treated HSA was able to agglutinate hen RBC and oxidize hydroquinone. Sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) treated HSA agglutinated both hen and sheep RBC as well as oxidized dopamine.

Immuno-suppressive effects of aqueous extract of soapnut Sapindus emarginatus on the larvae and pupae of vector mosquito, Aedes aegypti.

We recently reported the presence of potent anti-mosquito activity in aqueous kernel extract of the soapnut, Sapindus emarginatus, and demonstrated its impact on marker enzymes in larvae and pupae of the vector mosquito, Aedes aegypti. As a sequel to these findings, the present study elucidates immunotoxicity of this extract with respect to hemocyte-mediated cellular immune responses in fourth instar larvae and pupae as well as cuticular melanization reaction in the larvae of A. aegypti.

Protective effect of ferulic acid and resveratrol against alloxan-induced diabetes in mice.

The present study was to investigate the effect of ferulic acid and resveratrol on alloxan-induced diabetic mice, through analysis of basic biochemical parameters, enzymic as well as non-enzymic activities, lipid peroxidation and immunohistochemical studies. Alloxan was administered as a single dose (75 mg/kg body weight) to induce diabetes in mice. A dose of ferulic acid (10 mg/kg body weight) and resveratrol (20 mg/kg body weight) were administrated orally, to the alloxan-induced diabetic mice.

Detection of genetic variability in various isolates of cattle tick, Boophilus microplus from Tamil Nadu, India using PCR-RAPD analysis.

The genomic DNA from ten isolates of the cattle tick, Boophilus microplus collected in and around Chennai, India, was analyzed by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) using PCR. Selected five random primers were used for the study of genetic variability among different isolates of B. microplus.

Ameliorative effects of curcumin against renal injuries mediated by inducible nitric oxide synthase and nuclear factor kappa B during gentamicin-induced toxicity in Wistar rats.

The ameliorative role of curcumin in attenuating gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity has been reported earlier however, the mechanism of action remains unclear. Gentamicin was injected intraperitoneally (100 mg/kg body weight) once daily for 6 days. Curcumin was administered orally (200 mg/kg body weight) once daily for 7, 15 and 30 days.

Effects of extract of soapnut Sapindus emarginatus on esterases and phosphatases of the vector mosquito, Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae).

Our earlier investigations with kernels from the soapnut Sapindus emarginatus revealed it as a new source of botanical biocide with potent antimosquito activity, as evident from the proven unique ability of the aqueous kernel extract to kill all the developmental stages of three important vector mosquito species, Aedes aegypti, Anopheles stephensi and Culex quinquefasciatus. This extract was also found to be safe for two non-target aquatic insects. As a sequel to these findings, we have further examined quantitative and qualitative changes in total proteins, esterases, and phosphatases in whole body homogenates of fourth instar larvae and pupae of A.

1, 2 di-substituted idopyranose from Vitex negundo L. protects against streptozotocin-induced diabetes by inhibiting nuclear factor-kappa B and inducible nitric oxide synthase expression.

The aim of this study is to investigate the mechanism of an action of compound isolated from Vitex negundo in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. Light microscopic examination of liver, kidney and pancreatic sections of streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice showed changes like coarsening of acinar cells of endoplasmic reticulum, destruction of β-cells, and alteration in their secretory function were observed in the pancreas. Changes like dilation of vein, unusual concentric arrangement of hepatocytes, and liver fibrosis were observed in the liver.