Anticancer potential of Solanum lycopersicum L. extract in human lung epithelial cancer cells A549

The study aimed to reveal the phytochemical profile, free radical scavenging potential, and anticancer activity of Solanum lycopersicum L. leaf extract (SLLE). According to the study, SLLE contains plant secondary metabolites that are beneficial for health, like phenolics, flavonoids, ascorbic acid, alkaloids, and terpenoids. The SLLE has shown potential free radical scavenging potential in DPPH and ABTS free radical scavenging analysis and its EC50 values (concentration required to inhibit 50% of free radicals) were determined as 481.29 ± 33.82 and 527.56 ± 20.34 µg/mL, respectively. The SLLE has the ability to scavenge free radicals and could be used to treat illnesses brought on by oxidative stress. The anticancer activity of SLLE was assessed by MTT, LDH, micro-morphological, live/dead dual staining, and caspase-3 analysis. In the MTT assay, the IC50 value (concentration required to inhibit 50% of cell viability) of SLLE was determined as 190.41 ± 4.77 µg/mL. Furthermore, SLLE has shown potential anticancer activity by adversely affecting the plasma membrane integrity and escalating the caspase-3 levels. In the biomedical field, SLLE could be highly useful to treat cancer.

Hibiscus tiliaceus mediated phytochemical reduction of zinc oxide nanoparticles and emonstration of their antibacterial, anticancer, and dye degradation capabilities

The present research focused on the green, non-toxic, low-cost synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) using aqueous extract of Hibiscus tiliaceus leaves as a reducing and stabilizing agent. Thus, synthesized ZnO NPs were characterized by nanotechnological applications, i.e., ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis), dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta potential, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM). The nanotechnological applications showed that as-synthesized ZnO NPs have bandgap energy of 2.97 eV, zeta potential of ?1.2 mV, crystalline in nature (JCPDS data card no-89-1397), and an average size of 30 to 60 nm. The FTIR showed that ZnO NPs have coated with plant secondary metabolites and assisted in the process of green synthesis. The ZnO NPs exhibited broad-spectrum antibacterial activity on Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The ZnO NPs showed potential anticancer activity against human breast cancer cells MCF-7 and determined the IC50 value as 65.83 ± 2.57 µg/mL by MTT assay. Furthermore, ZnO NPs were used as nano-catalyst for dye degradation of methylene blue, methyl orange, and malachite green with NABH4 as a reducing agent. The ZnO NPs exhibited potent dye degradation capability and followed pseudo-first order kinetics. The study concluded that ZnO NPs could be highly useful as anticancer and antibacterial agents in the biomedical field, and as an environmental cleaning agent for dye degradation in textile industries.

Application of Syzygium aromaticum, Ocimum sanctum, and Cananga odorata essential oils for management of Ochratoxin A content by Aspergillus ochraceus and Penicillium verrucosum: An in vitro assessment in maize grains

The study is directed to establish the minimizing effects of Syzygium aromaticum, Ocimum sanctum, and Cananga odorata essential oils on the growth and ochratoxin A (OTA) level of Aspergillus ochraceus and Penicillium verrucosum in maize grains. S. aromaticum essential oil (SAEO), O. sanctum essential oil (OSEO), and C. odorata essential oil (COEO) were extracted by hydro-distillation technique, and a total of 50, 44, and 48 chemical constituents were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), respectively.The SAEO and OSEO belong to the chemotype of eugenol, whereas, COEO was found to be the chemotype of thymol, limonene, and ?-ylangene. The antifungal activity of essential oils (EOs) was determined by the micro-well dilution technique. The SAEO showed superior antifungal activity compared to OSEO, COEO, and synthetic antifungal agent nystatin, and its minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) values against A. ochraceous and P. verrucosum were noticed as 1251 ± 42.32 and 1878 ± 28.47 µg/mL, and 0815 ± 22.69 and 1146 ± 51.19 µg/mL, respectively.The antifungal mechanism of EOs was unveiled by assessing the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), ergosterol content, and membrane integrity. The antifungal investigations found that EOs caused fungal mortality by increasing the intracellular ROS, depleting ergosterol synthesis, and distracting membrane integrity. Finally, antifungal and antimycotoxin activity of EOs was demonstrated in maize grains. The SAEO, OSEO, and COEO have reduced the complete fungal growth and OTA level of A. ochraceous and P. verrucosum correspondingly at 2500 and 2500, 3500 and 2500, and 3500 and 3500 µg/g in maize. The EOs could act as natural antifungal agents; protect foodstuffs from fungal infection and mycotoxins during storage.

Isolation, structure elucidation and bioactivity of secondary metabolites produced by marine derived Streptomonospora arabica VSM-25

The strain VSM-25 with an exhilarating bioactive potential isolated during our systematic screening of marine actinomycetes was identified as Streptomonospora arabica based on polyphasic taxonomy. The ethyl acetate extract of culture filtrate was purified by silica gel column chromatography. The chemical structure of active compounds was determined by NMR, FTIR, and ESIMS and were established as Indole-3-carboxaldehyde (C1), 2, 3-dihydroxy benzoic acid (C2), Vanillic acid (C3), Daidzein (C4), and 3, 4-Dihydroxy benzaldehyde (C5). The antimicrobial activities of the compounds were tested against medicinally and agriculturally significant bacteria and fungi. C1 displayed a high inhibitory effect against bacteria and fungi to that of the other compounds tested. C5 exerted the strongest scavenging activity of free radicals such as DPPH and NO at a concentration of 400 µg/mL. C1 inhibited alpha-amylase effectively at 400 µg/mL although it was less potent than acarbose. C3 and C4 exerted significant anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activities at 400 µg/mL. The anti-inflammatory activity of compound C3 was found to be more potent than Diclofenac sodium, the reference drug. MTT assays of five compounds against MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cell lines using taxol as standard documented cytotoxicity. C4 showed highest activity of 67.81% and 54.33% (IC50 -1 µg/mL) against MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7. The cytotoxicity of five compounds was also evaluated by soft agar colony forming assay to determine the ability of MDA-MB-231 cells to proliferate while cell cycle arrest at sub G1 and induction of apoptosis was documented with MDA-MB-231 cells after treatment with C1, C2, C3, C4, and C5.

Isolation, structure elucidation and bioactivity of secondary metabolites produced by marine derived Streptomonospora arabica VSM-25-Supplementary data

The strain VSM-25 with an exhilarating bioactive potential isolated during our systematic screening of marine actinomycetes was identified as Streptomonospora arabica based on polyphasic taxonomy. The ethyl acetate extract of culture filtrate was purified by silica gel column chromatography. The chemical structure of active compounds was determined by NMR, FTIR, and ESIMS and were established as Indole-3-carboxaldehyde (C1), 2, 3-dihydroxy benzoic acid (C2), Vanillic acid (C3), Daidzein (C4), and 3, 4-Dihydroxy benzaldehyde (C5). The antimicrobial activities of the compounds were tested against medicinally and agriculturally significant bacteria and fungi. C1 displayed a high inhibitory effect against bacteria and fungi to that of the other compounds tested. C5 exerted the strongest scavenging activity of free radicals such as DPPH and NO at a concentration of 400 µg/mL. C1 inhibited alpha-amylase effectively at 400 µg/mL although it was less potent than acarbose. C3 and C4 exerted significant anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activities at 400 µg/mL. The anti-inflammatory activity of compound C3 was found to be more potent than Diclofenac sodium, the reference drug. MTT assays of five compounds against MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cell lines using taxol as standard documented cytotoxicity. C4 showed highest activity of 67.81% and 54.33% (IC50 -1 µg/mL) against MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7. The cytotoxicity of five compounds was also evaluated by soft agar colony forming assay to determine the ability of MDA-MB-231 cells to proliferate while cell cycle arrest at sub G1 and induction of apoptosis was documented with MDA-MB-231 cells after treatment with C1, C2, C3, C4, and C5.

Improvement of antimicrobial metabolites by Saccharothrix flava VSM-3 using full factorial design and chemotype analysis

Bioactive metabolite production by marine Saccharothrix flava VSM-3was modeled by response surface methodology(RSM) statistical optimization, and kinetic parameter estimation was executed using unstructured models to depict theimportance of growth-associated metabolite production. RSM-based optimization of the variables and their interactionswas analyzed where the modeled data and experimental data are in concurrence and better responses were yieldedin terms of inhibition zones for active metabolite with good regression coefficients. The regression model developedthe significance of five variables and their influence on the bioactive metabolite production and its effect against theresponses. Logistic, Luedeking–Piret equations were used for batch fermentation to produce bioactive metabolites byS. flava VSM-3, where the anticipated parameter data followed experimental data. Chemotype (using ethyl acetateextract) analysis of actinobacterial isolate S. flava was elucidated for the first time by liquid chromatography quadrupoletime-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-QTOF-MS) analysis. The main compounds identified in the positive ion modewere 7-Deazaadenosine, 5-Hydroxy-9-Methylstreptimidone, Amiclenomycin, Dihydroabikoviromycin, EpopromycinA, OAP Silane 55 and MKN-003B. In the present study, maritime silt specimen of Bay of Bengal comprising S. flavaVSM-3 recorded prominent broad-spectrum activity against various plant pathogens and LC-QTOF-MS data alsosupported VSM-3 was the most active strain. This study also reveals that under-explored Bay of Bengal of northcoastal Andhra Pradesh should be continuously explored for extracting bioactive compounds from diverse strains.

Pullulan-Stabilized Silver Nanoparticles -Their Synthesis, Characterization and Application as Bactericidal Agents.

A rapid method for Pullulan-stabilized silver nanoparticles (PuAgNPs) synthesis has been developed. Different concentrations of Pullulan and Silver nitrate and effects of reaction time, pH was used to investigate the synthesis of silver nanoparticles. The synthesized Pu-AgNPs were first screened and identified using surface plasmon peaks of UV–VIS spectroscopy. The research results indicated that the surface plasmon resonance peaks were observed between 410–460 nm wavelengths in UV-VIS spectroscopy studies. The morphology of the synthesized AgNPs proved a variation in spherical shape and polydispersed with an average size of 10-55 nm, using TEM. Further, five characteristic peaks confirmed the presence of elemental silver and the crystalline structure of silver nanoparticles from XRD analysis. From FTIR spectra, stretching vibrations of hydroxyl (OH), carbonyl (C=O) and C=C stretches exhibits the reduction and stabilization of AgNPs. Further, clear zones of inhibition (about 10-25 mm) against four bacterial pathogens obtained in the antibacterial studies for the synthesized PuAgNPs. The experimental results demonstrated that pullulan could be used as reducing and stabilizing agent for formation of AgNPs and can be used as redoubtable bactericidal agents.

Optimization of the Cultural Parameters for Improved Production of Antimicrobial Metabolites by Streptomyces gulbargensis DAS 131.

Aims: To investigate the influence of appropriate culture medium by optimizing the cultural conditions affecting the growth and bioactive metabolite production by Streptomyces gulbargensis DAS 131 under submerged culture conditions in order to reduce the cost of fermentation process to improve the formation of antimicrobial compounds. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Botany and Microbiology, January 2012 to May 2012. Methodology: The impact of environmental parameters such as incubation period, pH, temperature and salt concentration and effect of various nutrients such as carbon and nitrogen sources and minerals on the antimicrobial metabolite production by Streptomyces gulbargensis DAS 131 was evaluated by employing agar well diffusion assay. Growth was measured in the form of dry mycelial weight. Results: The optimum pH and temperature for bioactive metabolite production were 7 and 35°C respectively. Highest antimicrobial metabolite production was found when the strain was inoculated into the medium amended with glucose at the concentration of 2%, soya peptone at the rate of 1% and NaCl at the concentration of 5% and incubated for six days under shaking conditions. The metabolites showed good antimicrobial activity against Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria, as well as unicellular and multicellular fungi. Conclusion: S. gulbargensis DAS 131 isolated from the semi-arid soils of Gulbarga, Northern Karnataka province, India exhibited broad spectrum antimicrobial activity. It was found that the antimicrobial metabolite production by the strain was positively influenced by carbohydrates, nitrogen sources and minerals.

Optimization of Process Parameters for Improved Production of Bioactive Metabolites by Streptomyces tritolerans DAS 165T.

Aims: To optimize the process parameters for enhanced production of bioactive metabolites by Streptomyces tritolerans DAS 165T. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Botany and Microbiology, April 2012 to August 2012. Methodology: Agar well diffusion assay was employed to study the effect of environmental parameters such as incubation period, pH, temperature and salt concentration and influence of various nutrients such as carbon and nitrogen sources and minerals on the bioactive metabolite production by Streptomyces tritolerans DAS 165T.  Results: The production of antimicrobial metabolite was high when the strain was cultured for six days at 35ºC in medium (pH 7.5) with sucrose at the concentration of 2% (carbon source), soya peptone at the concentration of 1% (nitrogen source) and sodium chloride at the concentration of 5%.  Conclusion: This is the first report on the optimization of bioactive metabolite production by Streptomyces tritolerans DAS 165T. As the strain exhibited potent antimicrobial activity, it may be explored for biotechnological purposes.

Exploration of Actinobacteria from Mangrove Ecosystems of Nizampatnam and Coringa for Antimicrobial Compounds and Industrial Enzymes.

Aim: A study was made to examine the kinship between the seasonal distribution of actinobacteria and the physico-chemical properties of the mangrove sediments of Nizampatnam and Coringa located along the South East coast of Andhra Pradesh, India. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Botany and Microbiology, between April 2010 to February 2011. Methodology: Seasonal enumeration of actinobacteria from two different stations 1 (Nizampatnam) and 2 (Coringa) accorded by four different pre-treatments of soil sediments followed by plating onto three different media showed high incidence of actinobacteria in the month of February and least in December. Pretreatment with calcium carbonate and plating on starch casein agar yielded maximum number of actinobacteria. The strains were identified based on the morphological characteristics such as aerial mycelium, substrate mycelium, diffusible pigments and micro morphological features. Results: The present investigation revealed that majority of the mangrove actinobacteria 69%) belongs to Streptomyces spp. Among the 55 isolates screened for antimicrobial compounds, 28 were found to be potential producers. The isolates could also produce commercially important enzymes such as L-asparaginase, cellulase and amylase. In addition the statistical study also revealed that positive correlation between the distribution of the actinomycetes and influence of physico-chemical parameters and the organic matter of the soil. Conclusion: Our study revealed that the unexplored regions like Nizampatnam and Coringa mangrove ecosystems are proved as potential sites for antimicrobial and industrial enzyme producing actinobacteria.

Studies on influence of natural biowastes on cellulose production by Aspergillus niger.

The objective of this study was to determine the influence of natural biowaste substrates such as banana peel powder and coir powder at varying environmental parameters of pH (4-9) and temperature (20-50oC) on the cellulase enzyme production by Aspergillus niger. The cellulase enzyme production was analyzed by measuring the amount of glucose liberated in IU ml-1 by using the dinitrosalicylic acid assay method. The substrates were pretreated with 1% NaOH (alkaline treatment) and autoclaved. The maximum activity of the enzyme was assayed at varying pH with temperatures being constant and varying temperatures with pH being constant. The highest activity of the enzyme at varying pH was recorded at pH 6 for banana peel powder (0.068 + 0.002 IU ml-1) and coir powder (0.049 ± 0.002 IU ml-1) and the maximum activity of the enzyme at varying temperature was recorded at 35oC for both banana peel powder (0.072 ±0.001 IU ml-1) and coir powder (0.046 ±0.003 IU ml-1). At varying temperatures and pH the high level of enzyme production was obtained at 35oC and pH 6 by using both the substrates, respectively. However among the two substrates used for the production of cellulases by Aspergillus niger banana peel powder showed maximum enzymatic activity than coir powder as substrate.

Optimization of Culturing Conditions for Improved Production of Bioactive Metabolites by Pseudonocardia sp. VUK-10

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the influence of cultural and environmental parameters affecting the growth and bioactive metabolite production of the rare strain VUK-10 of actinomycete Pseudonocardia, which exhibits a broad spectrum of in vitro antimicrobial activity against bacteria and fungi. Production of bioactive metabolites by the strain was high the in modified yeast extract-malt extract-dextrose (ISP-2) broth, as compared to other tested media. Glucose (1%) and tryptone (0.25%) were found to be the most suitable carbon and nitrogen sources, respectively, for optimum production of growth and bioactive metabolites. Maximum production of bioactive metabolites was found in the culture medium with initial pH 7 incubated with the strain for four days at 30degrees C, under shaking conditions. This is the first report on the optimization of bioactive metabolites by Pseudonocardia sp. VUK-10.