Optimization of camptothecin production and biomass yield from endophytic fungus Fusarium solani strain ATLOY-8

Fusarium solani strain ATLOY-8, a fungus that produces camptothecin (CPT) was isolated from Chonemorphafragrans (Moon) Alston. The process of optimization of the camptothecin yield was optimized by means of thetraditional methods and analytical tools. Using the Box–Behnken design (BBD) matrix at N = 17, three independentvariables were optimized designated using one factor at a time (OFAT) method, for improved CPT and biomassproduction. The BBD exhibited 1.4- and 1.2-fold increase of CPT production and biomass yield, respectively,compared to OFAT approach in the basal medium containing absolute ethanol (5%), glucose (1%), and precursors (acombination of tryptophan, geraniol, and tryptamine; 0.03%). Analysis of variance showed the elevated coefficient ofdetermination (R2) of 0.9751 and 0.9980, respectively, for CPT and biomass yielding at a significant level (p > 0.05).Three dimensional graphs revealed dependent synergy between two variables to improve the CPT and biomass yield

Anticancer activity of Mahonia leschenaultii methanolic root extract and berberine on Dalton's ascitic lymphoma in mice

To evaluate the effects of methanol root extract of Mahonia leschenaultii and berberine of Mahonia leschenaultii on Dalton's ascitic lymphoma in Swiss Albino mice. Methods: The methanol root extracts of Mahonia leschenaultii (200 and 400 mg/kg) were given orally, and berberines (10 and 20 mg/kg) were injected intra-peritoneally for 14 successive days in tumor bearing mice. Hematological parameters (white and red blood cells, haemoglobin level, granulocytes, and agranulocytes), lipid parameters (total cholesterol and triglycerides), serum enzymes (serum glutamate pyruvate transaminases, serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminases, and alkaline phosphatise) and mean survival and solid tumor growth were determined and compared with untreated mice. 5-fluorouracil (20 mg/kg) was used as a reference standard drug. Results: Mahonia leschenaultii and berberine reduced the hematocrit significantly. Furthermore, Mahonia leschenaultii and berberine improved the survival of mice significantly and restored the affected hematological and lipid parameters similar to the normal levels. Conclusions: These observations show a strong anticancer effect of methanol root extract of Mahonia leschenaultii and berberine in suppressing Dalton's ascitic lymphoma cancer cell growth in a mouse model by controlling haematological, lipid, serum enzymes, and other derived parameters effectively.

In vitro assessment on medicinal properties and chemical composition of Michelia nilagirica bark

Objective To outline the antibacterial, antioxidant, α-glucosidase inhibition and anticancer properties of Michelia nilagirica (M. nilagirica) bark extract. Methods The antibacterial activity of bark extracts against human pathogens was assessed by disc diffusion assay. Phytochemical screening, total phenols, flavonoids content, antioxidant and α-glucosidase inhibition properties of bark extracts were investigated by standard methods. In vitro anticancer activity of ethyl acetate extract at various concentrations was observed against HepG2 cells using MTT [3-(4, 5-dimethyl thiazol-2yl)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide] assay. The presence of diverse bioactive constituents in the ethyl acetate extract was identified using FT-IR and GC–MS analysis. Results Ethyl acetate extract was found to be the promising agent against human pathogens tested. The ethyl acetate extracts showed the presence of various phytochemicals and comprised the substantial content of phenolics and flavonoids. The ethyl acetate extract showed better antioxidant activities and also revealed remarkable reducing power ability and α-glucosidase inhibition property. The dose dependent assay of extract showed remarkable cancer cell death with IC

Anti-tubercular peptides: A quest of future therapeutic weapon to combat tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) is a symbolic menace to mankind, infecting almost one third of the world's populace and causing over a million mortalities annually. Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is the key pathogen of TB that invades and replicates inside the host's macrophage. With the emerging dilemma of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and extensively-drug resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB), the exigency for developing new TB drugs is an obligation now for worldwide researchers. Among the propitious antimycobacterial agents examined in last few decades, anti-tubercular peptides have been substantiated to be persuasive with multiple advantages such as low immunogenicity, selective affinity to bacterial negatively charged cell envelopes and most importantly divergent mechanisms of action. In this review, we epitomized the current advances in the anti-tubercular peptides, focusing the sources and highlighting the mycobactericidal mechanisms of promising peptides. The review investigates the current anti-tubercular peptides exploited not only from human immune cells, human non-immune cells, bacteria and fungi but also from venoms, cyanobacteria, bacteriophages and several other unplumbed sources. The anti-tubercular peptides of those origins are also known to have unique second non-membrane targets within Mtb. The present context also describes the several cases that manifested the severe side effects of extant anti-TB drugs. The downfall, failure to reach clinical trial phases, inept to MDR- or XDR-TB and severe complications of the currently available anti-tubercular drugs accentuate the imperative necessity to develop efficacious drugs from adequate anti-tubercular peptides. Keeping in view of the emerging trends of drug resistant Mtb globally and unexampled mycobactericidal characteristics of peptides, the anti-tubercular peptides of varied origins can be used as a potential weapon to eradicate TB in future by developing new therapeutic drugs.

Anti-tubercular peptides: A quest of future therapeutic weapon to combat tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) is a symbolic menace to mankind, infecting almost one third of the world's populace and causing over a million mortalities annually. Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is the key pathogen of TB that invades and replicates inside the host's macrophage. With the emerging dilemma of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and extensively-drug resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB), the exigency for developing new TB drugs is an obligation now for worldwide researchers. Among the propitious antimycobacterial agents examined in last few decades, anti-tubercular peptides have been substantiated to be persuasive with multiple advantages such as low immunogenicity, selective affinity to bacterial negatively charged cell envelopes and most importantly divergent mechanisms of action. In this review, we epitomized the current advances in the anti-tubercular peptides, focusing the sources and highlighting the mycobactericidal mechanisms of promising peptides. The review investigates the current anti-tubercular peptides exploited not only from human immune cells, human non-immune cells, bacteria and fungi but also from venoms, cyanobacteria, bacteriophages and several other unplumbed sources. The anti-tubercular peptides of those origins are also known to have unique second non-membrane targets within Mtb. The present context also describes the several cases that manifested the severe side effects of extant anti-TB drugs. The downfall, failure to reach clinical trial phases, inept to MDR- or XDR-TB and severe complications of the currently available anti-tubercular drugs accentuate the imperative necessity to develop efficacious drugs from adequate anti-tubercular peptides. Keeping in view of the emerging trends of drug resistant Mtb globally and unexampled mycobactericidal characteristics of peptides, the anti-tubercular peptides of varied origins can be used as a potential weapon to eradicate TB in future by developing new therapeutic drugs.