Publications by authors named "Kutty N"

Bacillus proteolyticus MITWPUB1 is a potential producer of biosurfactants (BSs), and the organism is also found to be a producer of plant growth promoting traits, such as hydrogen cyanide and indole acetic acid (IAA), and a solubilizer of phosphate. The BSs were reportedly a blend of two classes, namely glycolipids and lipopeptides, as found by thin layer chromatography and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy analysis. Furthermore, semi-targeted metabolite profiling via liquid chromatography mass spectroscopy revealed the presence of phospholipids, lipopeptides, polyamines, IAA derivatives, and carotenoids.

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Plants are continuously threatened by a plethora of biotic stresses caused by microbes, pathogens, and pests, which often act as the major constraint in crop productivity. To overcome such attacks, plants have evolved with an array of constitutive and induced defense mechanisms- morphological, biochemical, and molecular. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are a class of specialized metabolites that are naturally emitted by plants and play an important role in plant communication and signaling.

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Combretum indicum is a widely cultivated ornamental species displaying the distinct phenomenon of floral colour change. Flowers display a gradual colour change from white to red, attributed to increased cyanidin 3-O glucoside in petal tissues. The differently coloured flowers also emanate a complex blend of VOCs with trans-linalool oxide (furanoid) as the major compound in the emission profile.

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The role of central carbon metabolism in the synthesis and emission of scent volatiles in tuberose flowers was revealed through measurement of changes in transcripts and metabolites levels. Tuberose or Agave amica (Medikus) Thiede & Govaerts is a widely cultivated ornamental plant in several subtropical countries. Little is known about metabolite networking involved in biosynthesis of specialized metabolites utilizing primary metabolites.

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Polianthes tuberosa L. (tuberose) is a widely cultivated ornamental crop in Asian countries. Different cultivars of tuberose have been developed through breeding programs in India.

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Quorum sensing, the microbial communication system, is gaining importance as a therapeutic target against pathogens. The two key reasons for the rising demand of quorum sensing (QS) inhibitory molecules are low selective pressure to develop resistance by pathogens and possibility of more species-specific effects. Due to complex interactions in a unique niche of live plant tissues, endophytes, as a survival mechanism, potentially produce various bioactive compounds such as QS inhibitors.

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Emitted scent volatile profile of an orchid species Zygopetalum maculatum was studied using dynamic headspace sampling technique with four different adsorbent matrices, namely Porapak Type Q polymer (mesh size: 80/100), Tenax (mesh size: 60/80), activated charcoal and graphite. In addition, developmental variations in scent emissions and endogenous volatile levels were also investigated. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis revealed the presence of 21 volatile compounds in the headspace, which was predominantly enriched with benzenoid compounds.

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Therapeutic intervention using drugs against Alzheimer disease is curative clinically. At present, there are no reports on the curative role of insulin in chronic models of dementia. We evaluated the curative role of insulin and its combination with glucose in dementia.

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We had previously demonstrated the anti-diabetic potential and pancreatic protection of two thiazolidin-4-one derivatives containing nicotinamide moiety (NAT-1 and NAT-2) in STZ-induced diabetic mice. However, due to the limitations of the STZ model, we decided to undertake a detailed evaluation of anti-diabetic potential of the molecules on a high sucrose diet (HSD) fed diabetic mouse model. Further, mechanistic studies on the phosphorylation of AMPK, Akt and p38 MAP kinase in L6 myotubes and anti-inflammatory studies in RAW264.

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Background: Silymarin, a hepatoprotective agent, has poor oral bioavailability. However, the current dosage form of the drug does not target the liver and inflammatory cells selectively. The aim of the present study was to develop lecithin-based carrier system of silymarin by incorporating phytosomal-liposomal approach to increase its oral bioavailability and to make it target-specific to the liver for enhanced hepatoprotection.

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Background: The last decade has seen the emergence of the internet as the prime communication medium changing the way people live and interact. Studies from various countries have reported on internet addiction and its association with mental health, but none have come from Malaysia.

Objectives: We aimed at assessing the frequency of the use of various internet applications and exploring the association of compulsive internet use with mental health and socio-demographic factors.

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Objectives: Exposure to toxicants like doxorubicin (Dox) damages cellular components by generating reactive oxygen species (ROS). This can be attenuated using free radical scavengers and/or antioxidants.

Methods: Dox-exposed cardiac myoblasts (H9c2 cells) were treated with sesamol (12.

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The active constituents of Sesamum indicum, sesamin and sesamolin, have already been explored for hypolipidemic action. In this study we have explored the anti-dyslipidemic activity of another active component and metabolite of sesamolin (sesamol), by using acute models of hyperlipidemia viz., a fat tolerance test, a tyloxapol-induced hyperlipidemia model and a chronic model of hyperlipidemia viz.

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The overuse of antibiotics in children is becoming a major public health problem. Although most of the common childhood infections such as diarrhea and upper respiratory tract infections are caused by viruses, large volumes of antibiotics are prescribed for these infections in children in the primary care settings. Excessive use of antibiotics is the fundamental risk factor for the development of antibiotic resistance.

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HIV-1 RNase H breaks down the intermediate RNA-DNA hybrids during reverse transcription, requiring two divalent metal ions for activity. Pyrimidinol carboxylic acid and N-hydroxy quinazolinedione inhibitors were designed to coordinate the two metal ions in the active site of RNase H. High-resolution (1.

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GS-9191, a bis-amidate prodrug of the nucleotide analog 9-(2-phosphonylmethoxyethyl)-N6-cyclopropyl-2,6-diaminopurine (cPrPMEDAP), was designed as a topical agent for the treatment of papillomavirus-associated proliferative disorders, such as genital warts. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of conversion of GS-9191 to cPrPMEDAP. We observed that GS-9191 is hydrolyzed in the presence of the lysosomal carboxypeptidase cathepsin A (CatA) in vitro and is less efficiently metabolized in CatA-deficient fibroblasts than in control cells.

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Background: The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of morin on skin breaking strength, hydroxyproline, lysyl oxidase, DNA and RNA content of experimentally inflicted wounds in rats.

Methods: This study was performed on albino rats of either sex at the Central Animal Research Facility (CARF), Manipal University.

Results: Morin showed significant wound contraction on day 7 as compared to control with mean closure of 47.

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Unlabelled: ETHNO-PHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The seeds of Sesamum indicum Linn. (Pedaliaceae) has been used traditionally for the treatment of wounds in Buldhana district of Maharashtra state. Sesamol is the main anti-oxidative constituent contained mainly in the processed sesame seed oil which has not been explored scientifically for its wound healing activity.

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Diarylpyrimidine (DAPY) non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) have inherent flexibility, helping to maintain activity against a wide range of resistance mutations. Crystal structures were determined with wild-type and K103N HIV-1 reverse transcriptase with etravirine (TMC125) and rilpivirine (TMC278). These structures reveal a similar binding mode for TMC125 and TMC278, whether bound to wild-type or K103N RT.

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Caffey disease or Infantile Cortical Hyperostosis (ICH) is a rare and mostly self limiting condition affecting young infants. It is characterized by acute inflammation of the periostium and the overlying soft tissue and is accompanied by systemic changes of irritability and fever. Diagnosis may be delayed as this disorder mimics a wide range of diseases including osteomyelitis, hypervitaminosis A, scurvy, bone tumors and child abuse.

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Pyrimidinol carboxylic acids were designed as inhibitors of HIV-1 RNase H function. These molecules can coordinate to two divalent metal ions in the RNase H active site. Inhibition of enzymatic activity was measured in a biochemical assay, but no antiviral effect was observed.

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Objective: The aim of the present study was to analyze the effect Cissus quadrangularis plant petroleum ether extract on the development of long bones during the intra-uterine developmental stage in rats.

Methods: Pregnant rats (n=12) were randomly assigned into either a control group (n=6) or a Cissus quadrangularis treatment (n=6) group. Pregnant rats in the Cissus quadrangularis group were treated with Cissus quadrangularis petroleum ether extract at a dose of 500 mg/kg body weight from gestation day 9 until delivery.

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Background: The K65R mutation in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 reverse transcriptase can be selected by abacavir, didanosine, tenofovir, and stavudine in vivo resulting in reduced susceptibility to these drugs and decreased viral replication capacity. In clinical isolates, K65R is frequently accompanied by the A62V and S68G reverse transcriptase mutations.

Methods: The role of A62V and S68G in combination with K65R was investigated using phenotypic, viral growth competition, pre-steady-state kinetic, and excision analyses.

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9-[(R)-2-[[(S)-[[(S)-1-(Isopropoxycarbonyl)ethyl]amino] phenoxyphosphinyl]-methoxy]propyl]adenine (GS-7340) is an isopropylalaninyl phenyl ester prodrug of the nucleotide HIV reverse transcriptase inhibitor tenofovir (TFV; 9-[(2-phosphonomethoxy)propyl]adenine) exhibiting potent anti-HIV activity and enhanced ability to deliver parent TFV into peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and other lymphatic tissues in vivo. The present study focuses on the intracellular metabolism of GS-7340 and its activation by a variety of cellular hydrolytic enzymes. Incubation of human PBMCs in the presence of GS-7340 indicates that the prodrug is hydrolyzed slightly faster to an intermediate TFV-alanine conjugate (TFV-Ala) in quiescent PBMCs compared with activated cells (0.

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