Molecular simulations probing Kushecarpin A as a new lipoxygenase inhibitor

Zizyphus oxyphylla Edgew is used in Pakistan as a folk medicinal remedy for inflammatory conditions, pains especially rheumatic pain, fevers, allergy and diabetes. The aim of the current study was to scientifically validate the folk use of Z. oxyphylla Edgew by using the isolated compound in vitro and in vivo levels. Kushecarpin A was isolated from ethyl acetate fraction of the plant crude extract. Molecular docking simulations predicted Kushecarpin A as a potential new lipoxygenase (LOX) inhibitor. Kushecarpin A showed significant lipoxygenase inhibition (IC50: 7.2 ± 0.02 μM) thus validated computational prediction. It also exhibited significant and highly significant inhibition (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01) of carrageenan-induced hind paw oedema at the doses of 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg. Kushecarpin A seems to be a potentially new anti-inflammatory compound responsible for anti-inflammatory activities of Z. oxyphylla Edgew. In vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory inflammatory activities were found in good agreement with the folk medicinal use of Z. oxyphylla Edgew in inflammatory disorders.     

Molecular simulations of Taxawallin I inside classical taxol binding site of β-tubulin

A new taxoid Taxawallin I (1) along with two known taxoids (2-3) were isolated from methanolic bark extract of Taxus wallichiana Zucc. Structural characterization was confirmed by mass and NMR spectral techniques. Taxawallin I exhibited significant in-vitro anticancer activity against HepG2, A498, NCI-H226 and MDR 2780AD cancer lines. Tubulin binding assay was performed to assess its tubulin binding activity. Molecular docking analysis was performed to study the potential binding mode inside the taxol binding site of β-tubulin.     

基于形态特性的豌豆(Pisum sativum)F_1,F_2和F_3代遗传研究和高产抗白粉病品系的选育(英文)

本研究的目的是确定豌豆F1和F2代的6个相对性状的遗传和连锁关系,并在F3代中选择高产抗白粉病株系.选择两个近等基因系Falloner和11760-3ER进行杂交,得到的F2代的性状分离比均为3:1,这符合X2(p＞0.07)适合度检测,表明是单基因遗传.花色和种子颜色与花青素关联的似然比分别为44.31和34.91,每个叶片中小叶数目和卷须类型关联的似然比为33.21.这三个关联的质量性状在P＜0.00具有非常显著的相关性,但与白粉病性状均不相关联.选择F3代的4个与产量密切相关的数量性状进行研究,发现总荚重和种荚比分别具有49.77%和20.01%的最高变异系数.相关性研究发现,总荚重与籽粒重量、荚宽、荚长和种荚比呈显著正相关.荚长与种荚比呈显著正相关.根据数量性状值和白粉病抗性表现,选择GN070140-2,GN070143-1和GN070140-0三个株系作为以后的栽培品种.     

In vitro and in vivo acaricidal activity of a herbal extract

The anti-tick efficacy of combined aqueous herbal extracts of Azadirachta indica leaves, Nicotiana tabacum leaves, Calotropis procera flowers and Trachyspermum ammi seeds was evaluated using adult immersion test, larval packet test and ear bag method. The extract exhibited lethal effects on egg laying (index of egg laying=0.371404±0.00435), hatching (22.35%) and total larval mortality at 50 mg ml(-1) and reduced tick intensity on the infested calves (18 detached out of 35 at 45% (w/w) suspension, topically applied). The herbal extract exerted dose- and time-dependent response against all the developmental stages of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus considered in this study, thus justified their use in the traditional system of Pakistan.     

Phytochemical study of Salvia moorcroftiana.

Four known flavonoids were isolated from the aerial parts of Salvia moorcroftiana.     

Pesticidal seed coats based on azadirachtin‐A: release kinetics,storage life and performance

BACKGROUND: Infestation of seeds by pests during storage leads to deterioration in quality. Seed coating is an effective option to overcome the menace. Unlike synthetic fungicidal seed coats, little is known of those based on botanicals. This study aims at developing azadirachtin‐A‐based pesticidal seed coats to maintain seed quality during storage. RESULTS: Polymer‐ and clay‐based coats containing azadirachtin‐A were prepared and evaluated for quality maintenance of soybean seed during storage. Gum acacia, gum tragacanth, rosin, ethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, polyethyl methacrylate, methyl cellulose, polyethylene glycol, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl pyrrolidone and Agrimer VA 6 polymers and the clay bentonite were used as carriers. The time for 50% release (t_1/2) of azadirachtin‐A into water from the seeds coated with the different coats ranged from 8.02 to 21.36 h. The half‐life (T_1/2) of azadirachtin‐A in the coats on seed ranged from 4.37 to 11.22 months, as compared with 3.45 months in azadirachtin‐A WP, showing an increase by a factor of nearly 1.3–3.3 over the latter. The coats apparently acted as a barrier to moisture to reduce azadirachtin‐A degradation and prevented proliferation of storage fungi. Polyethyl methacrylate, polyvinyl acetate and polyvinyl pyrrolidone were significantly superior to the other polymers. Azadirachtin‐A showed a significant positive correlation with seed germination and vigour, and negative correlation with moisture content. CONCLUSION: Effective polymeric carriers for seed coats based on azadirachtin‐A are reported. These checked seed deterioration during storage by acting as a barrier to moisture and reduced the degradation of azadirachtin‐A. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Genetic diversity studies of coarse and fine rice using RAPD markers

The availability of a genetically diverse gene pool is vitally important in varietal development. Molecular markers are being extensively utilized to explore the genetic diversity among native and exotic germplasm. This study was designed to reveal the genetic diversity and patterns of relationships among the 20 accessions/genotypes representative of basmati and non-basmati rice from the existing rice gene pool using RAPD markers. Employing RAPD, 17 decamer oligonucleotide primers directed the amplification of 116 fragments, out of which 101 were polymorphic (87.06%) while 15 fragments were monomorphic (12.93%). Similarity coefficients had ranged from 0.47 to 0.90. The average genetic similarity was calculated 0.68 (68%). In this study, the coarse rice genotypes showed more polymorphism (85.84%) than the fine rice genotypes (61.76%). Genotypes were clustered into 8 distinct groups: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, and H but two genotypes, i.e., Shadab and Kangni-27 showed divergence from all the genotypes of the groups. Therefore, these diverse genotypes may be included in future breeding programmes.     

Anti-inflammatory activities of Taxusabietane A isolated from Taxus wallichiana Zucc

Current study was conducted to identify constituents of Taxus wallichiana Zucc. that might be responsible for its folk use in anti-inflammatory conditions. Taxusabietane A was isolated from the bark extract of Taxus wallichiana Zucc. Taxusabietane A was analyzed for in-vitro and in-vivo anti-inflammatory activities using Lipoxygenase (LOX) inhibition assay and carrageenan-induced paw edema model. Taxusabietane A revealed considerable LOX inhibitory activity with the IC₅₀ value being 57 ± 0.31. Standard compound Baicalein showed the IC₅₀ value being 22.1 ± 0.03 μM. Taxusabietane A also showed significant (5 and 10 mg/kg) anti-inflammatory activity induced by carrageenan. However, this study highlighted the potential of Taxusabietane A to be further explored as a new lead compound for management of conditions associated with inflammation.     

Bovine hypodermosis—a global aspect

Cattle hypodermosis (warble fly infestation) is a notorious veterinary problem throughout the world. Larvae of Hypoderma species cause a subcutaneous myiasis of domesticated and wild ruminants. This disease is caused by, Hypoderma bovis, Hypoderma lineatum in cattle whereas, Hypoderma diana, Hypoderma actaeon, and Hypoderma tarandi, affect roe deer, red deer, and reindeer, respectively. Adults of the cattle grub are commonly known as heel flies, warble flies, bomb flies or gad flies. The biology of hypodermosis is complex because it passes through ecto- as well as endoparasitic stages in the life cycle. The parasitic stage of hypodermosis lasts about 1 year in domesticated as well as in the wild animals, while in the adult stage, a free-living fly lasts only for few days. The diagnosis of hypodermosis is of prime importance for planning treatment and the eradication program. Generally, there are two methods that are routinely used for diagnosis of hypodermosis, i.e., the direct clinical examination and immuno diagnosis by the use of pooled serum and/or milk sample. For the control of hypodermosis, different preparations are available and their use in most of the countries is limited to an individual level but never cover the whole cattle population of a country. Re-infestation in the herd occurs due to the untreated animals that remain the reservoir of the disease. The disease causes huge economic losses in animal production due to the effect of this disease on meat, milk, and the leather industry. It can also affect the general health status as well as the immune system of the body of the diseased animals. As regards the control measures of the disease, different methods have been efficiently practiced and consequently this disease is controlled at national level in many European countries.