jpans
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Abstract: The search for better microbial sources of enzymes has long been an area of active research owing to the clear and distinct importance in todays’ world where exploration and application of environment friendly products has become a necessity. Though the natural, wild microbial strains, are continuously be searched and explored for their potential for amylase production yet, simultaneous attempts for improved enzyme production are necessary too. In the present study, a comparison between the influence of different mutational treatments (UV treatment and EMS-EtBr treatment) on amylase production was studied. Aspergillus fumigatus NTCC1222, an indigenously isolated amylase producer, which has shown an amylase activity of 341.7 U/mL under optimized conditions of SSF in our previous study, was subjected to UV- and EMS-EtBr- treatment for possible improved amylase production under optimized solid state fermentation conditions. The UV mutated strains yielded an amylase production of 614.2 U/mL while the chemically (EMS-EtBr) mutated strain produced 814.1 U/mL of amylase activity thereby indicating the successful enhancement in amylase activity for the test fungal strain. Keywords: |
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Abstract: Zizyphus nummularia (Burm. F.) (Family: Rhamnaceae) used as a folk medicine. The study was designed to lay down the various physicochemical and phytochemical standards which will be helpful to ensure the purity, safety, and efficacy of this medicinal plant. In the lime light of fewer and less potent antioxidant extracts, it is screened for antioxidant potency also. All physico-chemical properties were found within the measurable amount. Preliminary phytochemical analysis confirmed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins and steroids. Total phenolic content and flavonoid content was found to be 10.7±0.1 and 2.57±0.1 respectively. Extract also found to posses significant antioxidant activity which can be correlated with phenolic content. IC50 of 0.042 mg/mL was found during DPPH radical scavenging activity. 2.75 mmol AA/ mg extract was found to be as total antioxidant capacity along with a concentration of 383.4 µg/ml during reducing power activity. The study would help in the authentication stem bark useful for laying down pharmacopoeial standards and help in finding improved antioxidant agents from the extract. It is found to be posse’s significant antioxidant property, possibly by adsorbing and neutralizing free radicals. Keywords: Anti oxidant, Physicochemical, Phytochemical, Standardization, Zizyphus nummularia. |
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Abstract: Background: Oxidative stress has been shown to play an imperative role in copious disease pathology. Plants are acquaintances of mankind and mainstay for the treatment of oxidative stress linked disorders. Therefore, the objective of the existing study was to assess the phytochemical contents and antioxidant activity of crude methanol extract (CME), n-hexane (NHF), chloroform (CLF), ethyl acetate (EAF) and aqueous (AQF) fractions of Syngonium podophyllum (S. podophyllum) Schott stems. Methods: The S. podophyllum Schott stems extract and its fractions were subjected to phytochemical analysis to detect the presence of alkaloids, carbohydrates, saponins, tannins, resins, flavonoids and steroids. The antioxidant profile was determined by total antioxidant activity (TAA), reducing power activity (RPA) and DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging activity tests and correlated with the estimation of total flavonoid content (TFC). Results: In CME and its fractions of S. podophyllum Schott stems all of the tested phytoconstituents (alkaloids, tannins, resins, flavonoids and steroids) were detected at various concentration except carbohydrates and saponins. In TAA test, highest absorbance (2.18 nm) which is a measure of high antioxidant activity was reported in CME compared to remaining fractions. Likely in RPA test with respect to all fractions similar denouements were found for CME (3.29 nm). In case of DPPH scavenging test, the CME showed highest scavenging activity (77.89 %) having IC50 of 41.02 μg/ml (P < 0.05) compared to remaining fractions. The antioxidant activity is possibly due to the highest TFC (7.45 mg of GAE/g of dried extract) reported in CME compared to existing fractions. Conclusion: The aforementioned outcomes recommend that CME of S. podophyllum Schott stems can be a possible cradle of plant-derived natural antioxidant and can be used to avert diseases linked with free radicals. Keywords: Syngonium podophyllum, Phytochemical Screening, Antioxidant Profile, Phenols, Oxidative Stress. |
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Abstract: Medicinal plants are of great interest to the researcher in the field of biotechnology, as natural products, including medicinal plants, accounts 25% of prescribed drugs. Plants are sources for fragrances, drink colors and flavors in several countries including Ethiopia. All parts of Foeniculum vulgare were traditionally used as antispasmodic, aromatic, carminative, digestive, galactagogues, stomach and kidney ailment. Foeniculum vulgare leaves extract was investigated for its phytochemicals as well as antimicrobial effects. The petroleum ether, CHCl3, CHCl3/CH3OH (1:1) and CH3OH crude extract were subjected to phytochemicals screening test which revealed that it is rich in any primary and secondary metabolites such as steroids, tannins, flavonoids, cholesterol, terpenoids, saponins, phenols, cardiac glycosides, carbohydrates, and proteins. The essential oil of the plant leaves was investigated by GC‑MS and was found to have (64.92%) anethole, as a major constituent followed by (30.88%) estragole and (3.21%)fenchyl acetate. The crude extracts, oil, and the isolated compound were tested against four bacterial species (Gram negative bacteria, Escherichia coli and Shigella flexneri; Gram positive bacteria: Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyrogenes) and two fungal species (Fusarium oxysporum and Aspergillus niger) using paper disc diffusion method. Tests of antimicrobial activity showed that all crude extracts and isolated pure compound were active against all the tested bacterial and fungal species. However, the hydrodistillation extract was found to have no antibacterial activity towards the tested bacterial species but active against the two fungal species and thus the present study supported the traditional claims of the plant. Keywords: Antimicrobial activities, Disc diffusion method, Phytochemical screening, anethole, estragole, GC‑MS, Essential oil, Apiaceae. |
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Abstract: Background: Honey was reported to reduce pain and inflammation from burn wound. To date, no study has compared between the effects of Tualang honey and prednisolone on inflammatory responses in rats. This study has examined the effects of Tualang honey and prednisolone on inflammatory pain and its associated inflammatory responses secondary to formalin injection. Methods: Twenty-one Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomised into control, Tualang honey (1.2 g/kg) or prednisolone (10 mg/kg)groups. Formalin test was conducted and the rats were sacrificed at four-hours post-formalin injection. Serum was collected for measurement of leukocytecounts and interleukins level. All data were analysed using one-way ANOVA with post-hoc Scheffe’s or Dunnet’s C test. Significance level was taken as less than 0.05. Results: Tualang honey and prednisolone groups had significantly reduced pain behaviour and paw edema compared to control group. Tualang honey group demonstrated a significant increase in blood neutrophil count while prednisolone group had significant reduction in blood lymphocyte and monocyte counts compared to control group. Only interleukin-6 level was significantly reduced in honey group. Both interleukin-6 and -8 levels were significantly reduced in prednisolone group. Conclusions: Tualang honey is comparable to prednisolone in modulating the inflammatory pain responses in rats; however, with regards to local and systemic inflammatory responses, it has differential effects compared to prednisolone. Keywords: |