Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activity of Field Grown and Tissue Cultured Root Callus of Mangrove Species.

Aim: The main aim of this study is to evaluate the anti-oxidant and antimicrobial activity of mangrove species and the development of the callus biomass. Study Design: This is the first comparative evaluation report of field grown root and tissue cultured root callus of mangrove on anti-oxidant and anti-bacterial activity. Acanthus ilicifolius, Calophyllum inophyllum and Excoecaria agallocha were tested in this present investigation. Place and Duration of Study: Centre of Advanced Study in Marine Biology, Faculty of Marine Sciences, Annamalai University, Parangipettai 608 502, Tamil Nadu, India. Between February 2012 and July 2013 Methodology: In order to develop callus biomass, a number of growth hormones were supplemented with the MS medium. Following the callus development, anti-oxidant and anti-microbial activities were tested with field grown root and its tissue cultured root callus of Acanthus ilicifolius, Calophyllum inophyllum and Excoecaria agallocha. This was confirmed by different anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial and minimum inhibitory concentration assays. Results: Maximum (89%) root callus biomass was obtained from Acanthus ilicifolius on MS medium fortified with 0.3+0.3 mg/L of 2,4-D and KIN. 2,4-D 0.3mg/L and BAP 0.5 mg/L showed the maximum callus from both Calophyllum inophyllum (81%), Excoecaria agallocha (58%). In addition anti-oxidant and anti-bacterial effect of root and root callus of these three species were tested. In this study the root callus materials of all the three species showed the best anti-oxidant anti-bacterial activities. Conclusion: The metabolites from mangroves are good remedy for number of health problems especially the enhanced level of metabolites through the tissue culture techniques. The present study confirmed the anti-oxidant and anti-bacterial effect of Acanthus ilicifolius, Calophyllum inophyllum, Excoecaria agallocha n root extract. This study will be a key to develop a new drug to achieve healthy life. especially the root callus materials showed the better activity when compared to the field grown plants.

Molecular understanding of lung cancers-A review

Lung cancer is considered to be the most common cancer in the world. The purpose of this paper is to review scientific evidence, particularly epidemiologic evidence of overall lung cancer burden in the world. And molecular understanding of lung cancer at various levels by dominant and suppressor oncogenes.

Antioxidant & anticancer activities of isatin (1H-indole-2,3-dione), isolated from the flowers of Couroupita guianensis Aubl.

Background & objectives: Derivatives of isatin are known to have cytotoxicity against human carcinoma cell lines. This compound therefore, has a potential to be used as a chemotherapeutic agent against cancer. This study was done to investigate the antioxidant and anticancer activities of isatin, extracted from flower of a folklore medicinal plant Couroupita guianensis against human promylocytic leukemia (HL60) cells. Methods: Active fractions demonstrating anticancer and antioxidant activities were isolated from the extracts of shade-dried flowers of C. guianensis by bioassay guided fractionation. The free radical scavenging activity was determined using lipid peroxidation assay. Cytotoxicity against human promylocytic leukemia HL60 cells was determined by MTT assay. Apoptotic activity was analyzed by DNA fragmentation and flowcytometry. Results: Isatin isolated from the active fraction showed antioxidant activity with the EC50 value of 72.80 μg/ml. It also exhibited cytotoxicity against human promylocytic leukemia HL60 cells in dose-dependant manner with the CC50 value of 2.94 μg/ml. The isatin-treated cells underwent apoptosis and DNA fragmentation. Apoptosis was confirmed by the FACS analysis using FITC-annexin V markers. Interpretation & conclusions: Isatin showed antioxidant activity and was cytotoxic to the HL60 cells due to induction of apoptosis. The isatin can be further evaluated to be used as a prophylactic agent to prevent the free radical-induced cancer and as a chemotherapeutic agent to kill the cancer cells.

Microbial flora associated with submerged mangrove leaf litter in India

We studied the microbial flora in decomposing mangrove leaves in relation to changes in nitrogen and tannin levels, and in penaeid prawn assemblages. Senescent leaves of two mangrove species (Rhizophora apiculata and Avicennia marina) kept in nylon bags, were separately immersed for 80 days in five tanks full of mangrove water. A known amount of decomposing leaves was collected every ten days from each tank for microorganism counts, total nitrogen and tannin measurement, and juvenile penaeid prawn counts. Five genera of total heterotrophic bacteria (THB), three species of azotobacters and 19 species of fungi were identified. The azotobacters showed a significant peak around 40-50 days after the beginning of of decomposition, similar to the trend for total nitrogen and for prawn assemblages. Rev. Biol. Trop. 55 (2): 393-400. Epub 2007 June, 29.

Se estudió la flora microbiana en hojas en descomposición de mangles, considerando nitrógeno, taninos y camarones peneidos jóvenes. Colocamos hojas viejas de dos especies de mangle (Rhizophora apiculata y Avicennia marina) en bolsas de nylon y las sumergimos en agua de manglar durante 80 días usando cinco tanques separados. Cada diez días extrajimos una cantidad conocida de hojas en descomposición de cada tanque. Hallamos cinco géneros de bacterias heterotróficas totales (THB), tres especies de azotobacterias y 19 especies de hongos. Las azotobacterias presentaron un pico significativo de abundancia alrededor de los 40-50 días de descomposición, un patrón similar a los del nitrógeno total y los camarones.