NOPR Collection: Pages 621-684

Study of conformational properties of solid phase synthesized ovine kisspeptin-14 using Circular Dichroism spectroscopy

2015-10-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Study of conformational properties of solid phase synthesized ovine kisspeptin-14 using Circular Dichroism spectroscopy Authors: Saxena, Vijay Kumar; Kumar, Satish; Jha, Bipul Kumar; Kumar, Arvind; Kumar, Davendra; Naqvi, SMK Abstract: Kisspeptins are peptide products of Kiss-1 gene and have been substantially associated with the initiation of puberty by virtue of their ability to cause pulsatile release of GnRH. Kisspeptin consists of 54 amino acids domain called metastin and its biological activity may be localized to the C-terminal (C-10, C-13, and C-14) segments. Kisspeptin binds to its cognate receptor GPR54 in the hypothalamic neurons and it is a G-coupled membrane receptor. This study is an attempt to understand the tentative conformation of the peptides in its native membrane mimicking environment. A 14 amino-acid derivative of kisspeptin (Asp-58-Val59-Ser60-Ala61-Tyr62-Asn63-Trp64-Asn65-Ser66-Phe67-Gly68-Leu69-Arg70-Tyr71NH2) was synthesized by f-moc (9-fluorenyl methoxy carbonyl) solid phase synthesis strategy. The synthetic peptide was cleaved and purified by Reverse phase-HPLC. CD spectroscopic analysis of secondary structure of the peptide revealed random coil disordered conformation in the aqueous environment. However, the peptide adopted more ordered β-sheet conformation in the solvents such as TFE and HFIP. Page(s): 676-680

Determination of polyphenols and antioxidant activity of Vitis labrusca cv. baile berries

2015-10-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Determination of polyphenols and antioxidant activity of Vitis labrusca cv. baile berries Authors: Nile, Shivraj Hariram; Park, Se Won Abstract: Grape juice and grape skin extracts are important commercial source of polyphenolic compounds which exert different functional properties such as color potential, antimicrobial, antioxidant activity, and health benefits. In this paper we describe a sensitive and specific assay for determination of bioactive polyphenolic compounds in Campbell Early (Vitis labrusca cv. baile). Five polyphenolic components were separated on an Agilent Zorbax Extend C₁₈Column (250 mm × 4.6 mm × 5 μm) and detected by a diode array detector. The mobile phase was composed of (a) aqueous phosphoric acid (0.2%, v/v); and (b) acetonitrile using a gradient elution. Analytes were performed at 25°C with a flow rate of 0.8 ml/min and UV detection at 280, 360, and 520 nm. All calibration curves showed good linear regression (r² ≥ 0.9999) within tested ranges. Overall intra- and inter-day variations were less than 1.90%, and the average recoveries were 95.5-105% for analytes. The antioxidant activity determined by DPPH radical assay, ranged from 86-105 for extracts, and 165-252 for studied standards (µM trolox/100 g dry wt.). The proposed method would be sensitive enough and reliable for quality control in functional food and modernization of Campbell Early (Vitis labrusca cv. baile) as potent antioxidant agent. Page(s): 671-675

Effect of preservatives, temperature and storage duration on stability of nucleic acids of pleopod tissues of Penaeus vannamei (Boone) and screening of viral infections

2015-10-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Effect of preservatives, temperature and storage duration on stability of nucleic acids of pleopod tissues of Penaeus vannamei (Boone) and screening of viral infections Authors: Remany, MC; Cyriac, Daly; Raju, P Krishnakanth Varada; Prem, Sruthi OC; Panda, AK; Kumar, Jaideep; Samraj, YC Thampi Abstract: In shrimp farming, screening for economically significant viral pathogens in nucleic acids of shrimps is vital for disease surveillance programmes and further, to take necessary precautions to ensure the sustainability of the farms and thereby the shrimp industry. Different preservatives, temperature and storage durations of the pleopod tissues of Penaeus vannamei broodstock were tested to investigate its effect on the quality and quantity of the nucleic acids. The pleopods were subjected to two preservation regimes and the yield and stability of the extracted nucleic acids were monitored over a time period of 12 months. Stability of the nucleic acids was assessed with nested polymerase chain reaction, and the yield was checked spectrophotometrically. Data was analysed by performing two way ANOVA and Tukeys Paired test. Preservation treatments included storage at −20°C and 5°C in RNAlater^TM and in 70 % ethanol. Significant variation (P<0.05) was observed in both DNA and RNA yield and stability from ethanol and RNAlater^TM stored pleopods at 5°C. However, the yield and stability did not differ (P >0.05) in both the preservatives at −20°C. The RNA was degraded and yielded lesser quantity when pleopod tissues were stored in ethanol at −20°C than when stored in RNAlater^TM during storage duration of 9 months. This study would help the shrimp farmers and researchers to adopt better preservation strategy, vital for shrimp disease surveillance programmes and for traceability studies in the event of any disease outbreak. Page(s): 665-670

Effect of Pithecellobium dulce (Roxb.) Benth. fruit extract on cysteamine induced duodenal ulcer in rats

2015-10-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Effect of Pithecellobium dulce (Roxb.) Benth. fruit extract on cysteamine induced duodenal ulcer in rats Authors: Megala, Jayaraman; Geetha, Arumugam Abstract: The edible fruits of Pithecellobium dulce (Roxb.) Benth. are traditionally used for various gastric complications in India. Here, we investigated the antiulcer activity of hydroalcoholic fruit extract of P. dulce (HAEPD) by applying cysteamine induced duodenal ulcer model in rats. Duodenal ulcer was induced in male albino Wistar rats by oral administration of cysteamine @ 420 mg/kg body wt. as a single dose. The rats were pre-administered orally with HAEPD @ 200 mg/kg body wt. for 30 days prior to ulcer induction. Rats pre-administered with ranitidine @ 30 mg/kg body wt. served as reference drug control. Ulcer score, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), glycoproteins, superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase and reduced glutathione levels were measured in the duodenum. Rats pre-administered with the HAEPD showed significantly reduced ulcer score comparable to that of ranitidine pretreated rats. The co-administration of HAEPD lowered the TBARS level and also restored the levels of glycoproteins, enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants. Histopathological observations confirmed the presence of inflammation, necrosis and hemorrhagic spots in the duodenum of ulcer control rats which were significantly reduced due to HAEPD treatment. No abnormal alterations were observed in normal rats treated with HAEPD at the dosage studied. The results demonstrated antioxidant and cytoprotective nature of P. dulce, and thereby its significant anti ulcer property. Page(s): 657-664