Antiangiogenic and Proapoptotic Activity of Averrhoa Carambola L. Fruit Extract on Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma Treated Mice.

Aim: Accumulation of fluid containing cancer cells in the abdomen particularly, in ovarian cancer, forms malignant ascites rendering poor prognosis at this stage. We investigated the tumor inhibitory activity of Averrhoa carambola L. fruit extract on EAC cells administered mice targeting angiogenesis and apoptosis, and the bioactive compounds responsible. Main Methods: Body weight, ascites volume and peritoneal angiogenesis were monitored. Giemsa staining on EAC cells, DNA fragmentation assay and FACS analysis to determine the growth arrest were conducted. VEGF count was monitored using ELISA. Phytochemical screening and HPLC analysis were conducted to determine the bioactive compounds. Key Findings: The fruit extract expressed direct cytotoxicity to EAC cells by inducing apoptosis as evidenced by decrease in tumor volume, viable cell count and body weight of EAC bearing mice; characteristic apoptotical features, DNA fragmentation of apoptosis, and growth arrest taking place at G2/M phase of the cell cycle. Significant decrease in density of microvessel network in peritoneal lining and VEGF count in treated cells indicated that the fruit extract curbed malignancy of tumor through its antiangiogenic activity also. All these can be attributed to catechin, epicatechin and ferulic acid present in the extract. The total phenolic, flavanoids, proancthocyanidin and condensed tannins content were 1.216 mgGAE/g extract, 767 mgCE/g extract, 586 mgCE/ g extract and 18.35 mgCE/g extract respectively. Significance: The present study is the first to provide direct evidence that Averrhoa carambola L. has potent proapoptotic and antiangiogenic activity which may contribute to its well- documented clinical activity as a pharmaceutical drug.

Evaluation of the Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Properties of Nostoc Linckia Isolated from Kukkarahalli Lake, Mysore.

The present study evaluates the antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of Nostoc linckia which was isolated from Kukkarahalli lake, Mysore and maintained in BG-12 medium. The antioxidant potential of the N. linckia extract was investigated using 2,2- Diphenyl, 1- Picryl Hydrazyl and 2, 2´- Azino- bis-(3- ethylbenzothiazoline- 6- sulfonic acid) radical scavenging assays and ferric reducing power assay. It expressed DPPH radical scavenging activity at 1.58 mMTrolox Equivalent/g extract, ABTS˙ radical scavenging activity at 3.8 mMTE/g extract and total ferric reducing power at 1.05mgButylated Hydroxy Anisole Equivalents/ g extract. The radical scavenging activity was compared with BHA as standard wherein it expressed DPPH and ABTS˙+ radical scavenging activity of 2.8 mMTE/g and 4.3 mMTE/g respectively. In vitro bactericidal screening of ethanol extract of Nostoc linckia was carried out against six species of bacteria namely Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella oxytoca, Proteus vulgaris and Staphylococcus aureus wherein B. cereus, B. subtilis and E.coli expressed minimum bactericidal concentration values more than 1 mg/ml while K. oxytoca, P. vulgaris and S. aureus expressed MBC values of 0.51, 0.77 and 0.79 mg/ml respectiviely. The study also revealed minimum algicidal concentration of the extract at 0.625 mg/ml against Nostoc sp., Spirullina sp. Synecocystis sp., and 1.25 mg/ml against Gleocapsia sp by the 6th day after inoculation. The antimicrobial assay was carried out using micro titre plate method.

Effect of Traditional Sun-Drying on Phenolic Antioxidants of Averrhoa Bilimbi L.

Averrhoa bilimbi L. has various beneficial properties including antidiabetic and antioxidant activity. The effect of traditional sun drying on the stability of fresh A. bilimbi fruits was investigated by using different methanol/water extracts, and their total phenolic content (TPC) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) compared. The TAC was evaluated using established in vitro models such as 1,1,diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl radical scavenging activity, 2,2´-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) scavenging assay, total reducing power, phosphomolybdenum assay and metal chelating activity. All the extracts of the dried fruit showed lower TPC compared to the fresh bilimbi extracts by 23-88%, TAC of which corresponded accordingly. The investigation revealed that A. bilimbi was a good source of antioxidants; however, the drying process of the fruit significantly affected the bioactive compounds.