Antioxidant flavonoid glycosides from Evolvulus alsinoides

Oxidative damage is an established outcome of chronic stress. Thus, the present study was designed to investigate the modulatory role of ethanolic extract of Evolvulus alsinoides (EA) in terms of oxidative alterations at peripheral and central level in rats subjected to chronic unpredictable stress (CUS). CUS exposure for 7 days reduced Cu, Zn superoxide dismutase and catalase activity with increase in glutathione peroxidase activity and lipid peroxidation, while decrease in reduced glutathione level in blood plasma, frontal cortex and hippocampus regions of brain. Oral administration of EA extract at 200 mg/kg p.o. normalized these stress induced oxidative alterations with an efficacy similar to that of melatonin. Further, EA extract was taken up for detailed chemical investigation. Two new flavonol-4′-glycoside, kaempferol 4′-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-β-d-glucopyranoside (3) and kaempferol 4′-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 6)-β-d-glucopyranoside (5) were isolated, along with eight known compounds (1, 2, 4 and 6–10). The structures of new compounds were established by detailed spectroscopic studies, while known compounds were characterized by direct comparison of their reported NMR data. All these compounds were evaluated for their in vitro antioxidant activity. Compounds 3, 5, 9 and 10 at 100 and 200 μg/ml showed significant in vitro antioxidant activity. Therefore, EA may hold great potential in preventing clinical deterioration in stress induced oxidative load and related disorders.     

Leaching behaviour of azoxystrobin and metabolites in soil columns

BACKGROUND: Azoxystrobin [methyl (E)‐2‐{2‐[6‐(2‐cyanophenoxy)pyrimidin‐4‐yloxy]phenyl}‐3‐methoxyacrylate], a strobilurin fungicide, is a broad‐spectrum, systemic and soil‐applied fungicide. Azoxystrobin has been registered for rice cultivation in India, but no information is available on its leaching behaviour in Indian soils. Therefore, leaching behaviour of azoxystrobin was studied in packed and intact soil columns under different irrigation regimes. RESULTS: Azoxystrobin did not leach out of the 300 mm long columns after 126 and 362 mm rainfall. After percolating water equivalent to 362 mm rainfall, azoxystrobin leached down to 10–15 cm (packed columns) and 15–20 cm (intact columns) depth. Azoxystrobin was not detected in the leachate from the packed column leached with 94.5 mL water every week (140 mm rainfall per month) during the 28 weeks of the study period. However, azoxystrobin acid, formed by azoxystrobin degradation, was detected in the leachate after 18 weeks. At the end of the study, azoxystrobin had leached down to 5–10 cm depth, and only 60% of initially applied azoxystrobin was recovered from the soil. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that azoxystrobin is fairly immobile in sandy loam soil, but azoxystrobin acid, a major metabolite of azoxystrobin, is quite mobile and may pose a threat of soil and groundwater contamination. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Analysis and Enhancement of Nutritional and Antioxidant Properties of Vigna aconitifolia Sprouts

Vigna aconitifolia sprouts (Moth bean sprouts, MBS) were analyzed for their nutritional and antioxidant properties during sprouting. Sprouting for six days led to a 7.0 fold increase in fresh weight, 2.4 fold increase in soluble proteins, 3.0 fold increase in carbohydrates, and a 5.5 fold increase in mineral content. Phenolic content also increased by 28% during germination. Caffeic acid, ferulic acid, cinnamic acid and kaempferol were the predominant phenolic compounds detected in the ethanolic extracts of MBS by HPLC. Following supplementation with metal ions (200 μg ml?1), the sprouts demonstrated a considerable increase in metal ion uptake, with improved phenolic content. MBS ethanolic extracts also reduced intracellular oxidative stress in HepG2 cells.     

Molecular and morphophysiological characterization of superior cluster bean (Cymopsis tetragonoloba) varieties

Cluster bean (Cymopsis tetragonoloba) belongs to tribe Indigoferae of family Leguminosae. India is the world-leader for cluster bean production as it contributes 80% shares of its total production. Cluster bean (guar) is a cash crop for its application in textile, paper, petroleum, mining, pharmaceuticals, explosives, and food industries. Owing to its immense wealth of variable morphophysiological and industrial qualities there is a strong need for appropriate addressing and well documentation of the germplasm. Efforts are to be made to organize research programs on germplasm characterization, utilization, and molecular characterization. Superior cluster bean varieties were selected on the basis of morphophysiological characters and subjected to DNA-based molecular marker analysis. Eighteen of the best genotypes were chosen for DNA extraction, optimization of PCR conditions, and genetic diversity studies using 37 random primers. A total of 381 random amplification fragments were obtained; number of amplifications ranging from 4 to 22 with an average of 10.29 amplified fragments per primer. Evaluation of RAPD data reveals a magnificent range (0.34–0.76) of genotypic similarity coefficients. The UPGMA dendrogram was constructed based on similarity indices which illustrated discrete clustering of different genotypes into groups. Results recorded a positive correlation amongst varieties vis-à-vis cluster analysis generated by NTSYSpc and morphophysiological characteristics. The degree and distribution of genetic diversity in cluster bean would facilitate an evolutionary relationship between numerous accessions that eventually catalogues genetic resources in a more concerted fashion.     

Potential of Bacillus altitudinis KMS-6 as a biocontrol agent of Meloidogyne javanica

Journal of Pest Science - Root-knot nematodes are among the most dangerous plant pathogens. Biological control is a safer and effective way to manage such pests. In this context, bacterial strain...     

Clustering mutational spectra via classification likelihood and markov chain monte carlo algorithms

We have analyzed a set of 39 mutational spectra of the supF gene that were generated by different mutagenicagents and under different experimental conditions. The clusteranalyses was performed using a newly developed clustering procedure. The clustering criterion used in the procedure was developed by applying the classification likelihood approach to multinomial observations. We also developed a Gibbs sampling-based optimization procedure that outperformed previously developed methods in a comparative simulation study The results of the cluster analysis showed that our clustering procedure was able to recreate natural grouping of the mutational spectra with respect to the characteristics of mutagenic agents used to generate them and with respect to experimental conditions applied in the process of generating spectra. These results are an important confirmation of the relevance of mutational spectra in characterizing mutagenic mechanisms of different carcinogens.     

Assessment of genetic diversity and genetic relationships among 29 populations of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Azadirachta indica</Emphasis> A. Juss. using RAPD markers

Randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis was employed to assess genetic divergence among 29 neem accessions collected from two agro-ecological regions of India (11 agro-climatic sub-zones), which cover three states, Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan. Out of 24, 10-mer random primers used for studying genetic divergence, 14 were polymorphic, generating a total of 73 amplification products with an average of 5.21 products per polymorphic primer and estimated gene diversity of 0.49. Genetic relationships among accessions were evaluated by generating a similarity matrix based on Jaccard’s coefficient, ranging from 0.70 to 0.96. The phenetic dendrogram generated by UPGMA analysis grouped accessions into five clusters. RAPD performed within accessions (individual seedlings collected from the same mother plant) showed no variation indicating homogeneous population within accessions. Primers OPA-18, OPC-08 and OPI-03 were found most informative based on their resolving power. The degree of genetic variation detected among the 29 accessions with RAPD analysis suggests that RAPD can be used for studying genetic diversity in neem. The study also demonstrated that neem germplasm collected from northwestern plains of India shows no eco-geographical isolation based on sub-zones because accessions collected from different sub-regions are grouping together in the genetic tree.     

Inheritance of fruit yield in two watermelon populations in North Carolina

Elite cultivars of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai) are high in fruit quality but may not be the highest yielders. The objective of this study was to estimate the heritability of, and genotypic and phenotypic correlations among, yield traits in two watermelon populations developed from crosses between obsolete cultivars with high yield and elite modern cultivars. Field trials were conducted at two locations in North Carolina (Clinton and Kinston). The data were analyzed by regressing S_0:1 progeny data on S₀ parent data to estimate narrow-sense heritability. Narrow-sense heritability estimates were low for all traits measured [total fruit weight (0.04–0.12), marketable fruit weight (0.06–0.15), total fruit number (0.04–0.16), fruit size (0.18–0.19), and percent culls (0.02–0.09) in North Carolina Watermelon 1 (NCWP1) and North Carolina Watermelon 2 (NCWP2) populations, respectively]. Estimates of broad-sense heritability were higher than estimates of narrow-sense heritability. Total fruit weight and marketable fruit weight were highly correlated (r _g = 0.97–1.00). Marketable fruit weight and fruit size used as single selection criteria in NCWP1 and total fruit number in NCWP2, were predicted to give the best correlated response for total fruit weight. Narrow-sense heritability was low for fruit yield; therefore, watermelon breeders should select based on replicated progeny rows in multiple environments to maximize gain.     

Normalization of tumor vasculature: an emerging concept in antiangiogenic therapy

Solid tumors require blood vessels for growth, and many new cancer therapies are directed against the tumor vasculature. The widely held view is that these antiangiogenic therapies should destroy the tumor vasculature, thereby depriving the tumor of oxygen and nutrients. Here, I review emerging evidence supporting an alternative hypothesis-that certain antiangiogenic agents can also transiently "normalize" the abnormal structure and function of tumor vasculature to make it more efficient for oxygen and drug delivery. Drugs that induce vascular normalization can alleviate hypoxia and increase the efficacy of conventional therapies if both are carefully scheduled. A better understanding of the molecular and cellular underpinnings of vascular normalization may ultimately lead to more effective therapies not only for cancer but also for diseases with abnormal vasculature, as well as regenerative medicine, in which the goal is to create and maintain a functionally normal vasculature.