Xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes in canine mammary tumours

Mammary tumours are the most common neoplasms in female dogs. The present study was designed to evaluate the relationship between different clinical stages with activities of phase I and phase II carcinogen-metabolizing enzymes in canine mammary tumours. The levels of cytochrome P450 and cytochrome b5 and the activities of glutathione S-transferase (GST), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), DT-diaphorase (DTD) and NADPH diaphorase in tumour tissues of 25 bitches was estimated. Enhanced levels of cytochrome P450 and b5 and phase II enzyme activities were observed in tumour tissues compared to the corresponding uninvolved adjacent tissues. The magnitude of the changes in phase I and phase II enzyme status was, however, more pronounced in stages I and II compared to stages III and IV. The results suggest that the balance between phase I carcinogen activation and phase II detoxification systems may play an important role in canine mammary tumour development.     

Phytochemical and antimicrobial study of Chukrasia tabularis leaves

Successive petroleum ether, benzene, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of Chukrasia tabularis leaves were tested for their phytochemical constituents, antibacterial and antifungal activity. The ethyl acetate and methanol extracts were found to be most effective against most of the tested organisms.     

A novel xanthene from Indigofera longeracemosa stem

A novel xanthene, 3-isopropyl-9a-methyl-1,2,4a,9a-tetrahydroxanthene (1), was isolated from the stem of Indigofera longeracemosa.     

Chemical analysis and nutritional assessment of Teramnus labialis (L.) Spreng. (Fabaceae)

Seeds of Teramnus labialis (L.) Spreng.(Fabaceae), used as food by Malayali tribals in theKollihills of Salem District, Tamil Nadu in SouthIndia, were investigated for their nutritional value. These seeds were analyzed for proximate composition,total (true) seed proteins, seed proteinfractions, amino acid composition, fatty acidcomposition, minerals and antinutritional factors. Crude protein, crude fat, ash, and nitrogen freeextracts constituted 22.86%, 6.10%, 4.62%, and,58.15%, respectively, of the seed weight. The caloricvalue of 100 g dry matter of seed material was 378.94kcal. The essential amino acids lysine, leucine +isoleucine, arginine, valine and histidine werepresent in relatively large quantities. Theunsaturated fatty acids constituted more than 60% ofthe crude fat. Concentrations of minerals such aspotassium, magnesium, calcium, and, phosphorus werehigh. Antinutritional factors such as total freephenols, tannins, L-DOPA, hydrogen cyanide andphytic acid were present in minute quantities. Theseantinutritional factors are potentially eliminated using the conventional method of soaking the seeds in water,boiling with water and decanting prior to consumption.     

Essential oil constituents and in vitro antimicrobial activity of Decalepis hamiltonii roots against foodborne pathogens

Hydrodistillation of Decalepis hamiltonii roots yielded an essential oil (0.33% v/w) that contained 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde (37.45%), 2-hydroxybenzaldehyde (31.01%), 4-O-methylresorcylaldehyde (9.12%), benzyl alcohol (3.16%), and alpha-atlantone (2.06%) as major constituents, with aromatic aldehydes constituting the main fraction of this root's essential oil. The oil was tested for its antimicrobial activity against foodborne pathogens responsible for food spoilage and human pathologies using standard antimicrobial assays. It exhibited strong antimicrobial activity against Bacillus cereus, Bacillus megaterium, Candida albicans, Escherichia coli, Micrococcus luteus, Micrococcus roseus, and Staphylococcus aureus at a concentration range of 1:0 with inhibitory activities of 27, 23, 16, 19, 22, 19, and 23 mm, respectively, which are comparable to those of the standards. The roots of D. hamiltonii, therefore, may be considered as an inexpensive source of an essential oil rich in antimicrobial compounds against foodborne pathogens.     

Prevalence of Ocular Disorders in an Indian Population of Horses

The objective of this clinical study was to report the prevalence of ocular disorders in a large population of horses from the Indian army. Both eyes of 500 horses were examined using a direct ophthalmoscope and by a transillumination procedure. Intraocular pressures were measured in several study horses. Fluorescein dye, Schirmer tear test, and menace testing were performed when indicated. Corneal culture swabs were collected from horses affected with corneal ulcers found on ophthalmoscopic examination. A total of 100 horses were found to be affected with some form of ocular disorder. The eye problems recorded were congenital eye lid disorders (2%) and included a subcutaneous cyst in the lower eye lid and slit in upper eye lid; conjunctivitis (12%); chronic interstitial keratitis (30%); a parasite in the anterior chamber (1%), which was however not removed for genus and species identification; phthisis bulbi (1%); uveitis (24%); glaucoma (13%); cataracts (3%); unilateral retinal hemorrhage (1%); luxation of cataractous lens (3%); posterior synechia (2%); and corneal ulceration (8%). Pseudomonas spp was the most common bacteria identified in horses affected with corneal ulceration. Vision-threatening ocular disorders are high in Indian army horses; this is a cause of major concern for the rider and the horse and, therefore, it is important to include ocular examination in horses as part of a routine and complete physical examination.