In vitro evaluation of antioxidants of fruit extract of Momordica charantia L. on fibroblasts and keratinocytes.

The antioxidant activity of the total aqueous extract (TAE) and total phenolic extract (TPE) of Momordica charantia fruits was assayed by radical-scavenging methods and cytoprotective effects on hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2))- and hypoxanthin-xanthin oxidase (HX-XO)-induced damage to rat cardiac fibroblasts (RCFs), NIH 3T3, and keratinocyte (A431). Cell viability was monitored by a 3-[4,5-dimethyltriazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltretrazolium (MTT) assay. For fibroblasts, TPE at 200 and 300 microg/mL showed maximum and consistent cytoprotection against oxidants.

Biocompatibility of choline salts as crosslinking agents for collagen based biomaterials.

A series of novel choline based salts, some of which can be described as ionic liquids, are prepared and evaluated for their biocompatibility; when combined with collagenous biomaterials they exhibit good cell viability and adhesion properties as required for biomedical implant applications.

Fruit extracts of Momordica charantia potentiate glucose uptake and up-regulate Glut-4, PPAR gamma and PI3K.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Momordica charantia fruit is a widely used traditional medicinal herb as, anti-diabetic, anti-HIV, anti-ulcer, anti-inflammatory, anti-leukemic, anti-microbial, and anti-tumor.

Aims Of Study: The present study is undertaken to investigate the possible mode of action of fruit extracts derived from Momordica charantia (MC) and study its pharmacological effects for controlling diabetic mellitus. Effects of aqueous and chloroform extracts of Momordica charantia fruit on glucose uptake and up-regulation of glucose transporter (Glut-4), peroxisome proliferator activator receptor gamma (PPAR gamma) and phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K), were investigated to show its efficacy as a hypoglycaemic agent.

Porous keratin scaffold-promising biomaterial for tissue engineering and drug delivery.

A porous keratin scaffold, prepared from the reduced keratin solution, has shown good cell viability which makes it a potential candidate for cell seeding. An aqueous solution of reduced keratin was extracted from horn meal using a mixture of urea, sodium dodecyl sulfate, mercaptoethanol, and water at 60 degrees C. The molecular mass of the extracted keratin is found to be ranging between 225 and 150 KDa.

Optimization of influential parameters for extracellular keratinase production by Bacillus subtilis (MTCC9102) in solid state fermentation using Horn meal--a biowaste management.

A Bacillus subtilis (MTCC9102) isolate was shown to produce significant amount of keratinase under optimized conditions in solid-state fermentation using Horn meal as a substrate. Optimized value for moisture, inoculum, and aeration were found to be 100% (v/w), 50% (v/w), and 150% (w/w), respectively, and the optimum nitrogen source was peptone and carbon source was dextrose. Maximum keratinolytic activity was observed at 48 h after incubation, and the optimum age (24 h) of inoculum was significant.