ABSTRACT
Microbes residing in the internal tissues of a plant are called endophytes, and are known for producing phytochemicals such as taxol, podophyllotoxin, azadirachtin and vinca alkaloids. In this study, out of five isolates from Salacia species, two fungi Penicillium capsulatum and Aspergillus fumigatus have been evaluated and confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification for their endophytic action to produce mangiferin. Mangiferin has been reported to possess protective properties, including antioxidant, antidiabetic and immunomodulatory. It has been reported that the content of mangiferin is 7-9% in Mangifera indica, and is also present in other plants like Swertia chirata, Salacia chinensis, and Hypericum aucheri. Therefore, an attempt was made to explore the biotechnological approach and regulation studies to increase the production of mangiferin in S. chinensis and S. oblonga. Endophytes were isolated, screened, and analyzed, to evaluate the mangiferin in fungal extracts in comparison with crude plant extracts. An HPLC analysis was used to determine the mangiferin content present in the fungal extract of S. chinensis stem (74.74 g/mL), followed by fungi extracts of S. oblonga root (33.75 g/mL) and S. chinensis root (30.50 g/mL), compared with the plant extracts. These results were confirmed by FTIR analyses
ABSTRACT
Redox sensitive transcription factors nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) and activator protein-1 are involved in the pathogenesis of alcohol-induced disorders. Because of its antioxidative properties, vitamin E may help prevent oxidative stress-induced disorders. The aim of the present study was to delineate the molecular mechanisms associated with alcohol-induced oxidative stress and to see whether vitamin E supplementation counters the alcohol-induced adverse effects. The results showed that vitamin E supplementation restored the redox status and thus prevented the alcohol-induced oxidative stress. Further measurements of the mRNA expressions of cjun, cfos, p65 (NFkappaB) indicated an increase in their expression during oxidative stress. Although Vit E inhibited NFkappaB activation, it stimulated AP1 expression. The results support the findings that alcohol induces oxidative stress in nervous tissue. The data further show that vitamin E can mitigate the toxic effects of alcohol and thus can be suitable as a potential therapeutic agent for alcohol-induced oxidative damage in brain.
ABSTRACT
A cross-sectional study was carried out on one thousand school children studying in three public schools of Delhi and Haryana between 10 to 17 year age group over the period of one year (2001-02). It aimed in studying under diagnosis of asthma in school children and its related factors. Questionnaires including details of medical, social, environmental factors precipitating asthma were filled by the parents and class teachers. Pulmonary function test (PFT) was performed. Based on questionnaires and PFT results, children were grouped as labeled and unlabeled asthmatics. Cough was found to be equally prevalent in both the groups while wheezing and shortness of breath were independent and significant factors associated with getting a physician diagnosis.