NOPR Collection: [Pages 745-822]

Evaluation of antibacterial immune response in Drosophila melanogaster and Drosophila ananassae

2020-11-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Evaluation of antibacterial immune response in Drosophila melanogaster and Drosophila ananassae Authors: Meghashree, Ramachandra Naik; Nagaraj, Kakanahalli Abstract: Insects are excellent model organisms to examine the phenotypic variation of innate immunity. The innate immunity is the immediate response of invertebrates for protection against pathogens. In this study, we assessed the immune responses of Drosophila melanogaster and Drosophila ananassae against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. It includes survival ability against infection, systemic pathogen load, and estimation of phenoloxidase activity, melanization reaction, the total number of hemocytes, quantification of fat, and the nitrite levels in adult flies and also the bacterial inhibitory effect of hemolymph. The results showed increased bacterial growth in D. ananassae compared to D. melanogaster. Due to bacterial infection, reduced fat accumulation was observed in both D. ananassae and D. melanogaster, which suggests a possible decline in physiological condition. Further, a significant elevation in phenoloxidase, nitrite levels and hemolymph reveals that bacterial cell growth was found to be inhibited due to the immune response of both Drosophila species. D. ananassae showed high sensitivity to bacterial infection, while D. melanogaster showed moderate sensitivity. The results have demonstrated the level of immunocompetence of laboratory stocks of D. melanogaster and D. ananassae against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Page(s): 751-759

Effect of ursolic acid on olanzapine induced weight gain in Sprague Dawley rats

2020-11-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Effect of ursolic acid on olanzapine induced weight gain in Sprague Dawley rats Authors: Parasuraman, Subramani; Zhen, Khor Ming; Wen, Lim Ee; Hean, Chin Kean; Balamurugan, Subramani; Christapher, Parayil Varghese; Banik, Urmila Abstract: Antipsychotics used in the treatment of schizophrenia are known to cause weight gain. Phytoconstituents are used to manage such drug-induced weight gain. Ursolic acid is a pentacyclic triterpenoid commonly present in many herbs and fruits which are used in daily life. The effect of ursolic acid on antipsychotic-induced weight gain is not clear. Here, we investigated the effect of ursolic acid on olanzapine-induced weight gain in rats. Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided into six different groups viz., normal control, olanzapine control, betahistine (10 mg/kg), and ursolic acid 10, 20 and 40 mg/kg treated groups. All the drugs were administered once daily for 28 days orally. Except for the normal control group, all other animals were treated with olanzapine 4 mg/kg intraperitoneally to induce weight gain. During the experiment, animal’s behaviour variations were monitored at regular intervals. At the end of the experiment, blood sample was collected from all the experimental animals for biochemical analysis. Part of the brain, liver, heart, lung and kidney tissues were excised from the sacrificed animals and preserved in neutral formalin for histopathological studies. Ursolic acid showed a significant reduction in olanzapine-induced body weight gain on the rats. Increase in locomotor activity was also observed with the treatment of ursolic acid. Compared to ursolic acid, betahistine showed better tolerance against olanzapine-induced body weight gain. Page(s): 760-769

Nephroprotective activity of Pisonia aculeata L. leaf extract against cisplatin induced nephrotoxicity and renal dysfunction in experimental rodents

2020-11-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Nephroprotective activity of Pisonia aculeata L. leaf extract against cisplatin induced nephrotoxicity and renal dysfunction in experimental rodents Authors: Chakraborty, Raja; Sen, Saikat Abstract: Pisonia aculeata L. (Nyctaginaceae), commonly called Devil's Claws or Pullback, is a folk medicinal plant of India. Herbal medicines due to lesser/no side effect, are being accepted by the society increasingly. Here, we investigated the protective effects of ethanol extract of P. aculeata leaves on cisplatin induced nephrotoxicity. Cisplatin (3 mg/kg, i.p.) co-administered to vehicle and extract (200, 400, 600 mg/kg)-fed rats every 5^th day for 25 days. Serum level of urea, uric acid, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, phospholipid and cholesterol increased, whereas urine urea, uric acid, creatinine, creatinine clearance rate was reduced in cisplatin control group. Cisplatin also negatively alters electrolyte balance, Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase activity and redox balance significantly. Treatment with extract for 21 days exerted beneficial effect and ameliorated urine and serum biochemical parameter to normal. Extracts induced a rise in Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase activity, and ameliorated level of different enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants positively, whereas lipid peroxidation decreased significantly. Ethanol extract (400 and 600 mg/kg) ameliorated cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity and other damaging effects caused by cisplatin evidenced by the change in its intrinsic biochemical/antioxidant properties. Taking into account these results, it can be assumed that P. aculeata leaves could be a future key candidate which may maximize the clinical use of cisplatin in the treatment of different cancer without nephrotoxicity. Page(s): 770-776

Role of polyamines on in vitro regeneration and podophyllotoxin production in Podophyllum hexandrum Royle

2020-11-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Role of polyamines on in vitro regeneration and podophyllotoxin production in Podophyllum hexandrum Royle Authors: Rajesh, Manoharan; Sivanandhan, Ganeshan; Kapildev, Gnanajothi; Ganapathi, Andy Abstract: Podophyllum hexandrum is a popular medicinal plant endemic to Himalayas. In the present investigation, we report an efficient mass propagation protocol and Podophyllotoxin (PTOX) production in in vitro-derived plants of P. hexandrum, cultured on MS medium containing various plant growth regulators and polyamines. A combination of BA (1.5 mg/L), IAA (0.2 mg/L) and spermidine (20 mg/L) produced the highest number of multiple shoots per explant (23 shoots) after 6 weeks of culture; the regenerated shoots were elongated on the same medium. The elongated-shoots were rooted on root induction medium (half strength MS medium) supplemented with IBA (1.5 mg/L) and putrescine (15 mg/L). The rooted plantlets were successfully hardened and acclimatized with a survival rate of 68% in the greenhouse. The highest content of PTOX (4.23 mg/g DW) was recorded in in vitro derived roots followed by leaves when compared to field-grown parent plants. The present system offers the possibility to use in vitro culture techniques for mass propagation and PTOX production for commercial utilization. Page(s): 777-787