Organic matter and moringa leaf extract's effects on the physiology and fruit quality of red seedless watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) / Efeitos da matéria orgânica e do extrato da folha de moringa sobre a fisiologia e qualidade do fruto da melancia vermelha sem sementes ( Citrullus lanatus )

This study was designed to assess the effects of different types of organic matter on the quality and biochemical properties of red seedlesswatermelon.The research was a single factor experiment, which involved six (6) treatments and four (4) replications. Watermelon grown and harvested from five (5) different organic matter sources, namely; vermicompost (VC), poultry manure (PM), cow dung (CD), goatdung (GD), and moringa leaf extract (MLE), at the rates of 10 ton, 20 ton, 30 ton, 30 ton, and 3000 L ha-1, respectively, were used in this study. The results revealed that the treatment of vermicompost improved the chlorophyll content, chlorophyll fluorescence, stomatal conductance, internal carbon dioxide, net photosynthetic rate, fruit weight and mineral nutrient content of watermelon. The application of cow dung reduced the rind thickness and increased the TSS and antioxidant activity of the watermelon. The goat dung treatment significantly affected fruit size, juice content and the pH content of the watermelon's fruit juice. The poultry manure (PM) and moringa extract (MLE) treatments resulted in the highest anthocyanin content of all the watermelon. Although all the organic matter, in their unique ways, improved the quality of red seedless watermelon, the study shows that the vermicompost application had better growth, yield and improvement in the quality of watermelon.

Este estudo foi desenhado para avaliar os efeitos de diferentes tipos de matéria orgânica sobre a qualidade e propriedades bioquímicas da melancia vermelha sem sementes. A pesquisa foi um experimento de fator único, que envolveu seis (6) tratamentos e quatro (4) repetições. Melancia cultivada e colhida de cinco (5) diferentes fontes de matéria orgânica, nomeadamente; vermicomposto (VC), esterco de galinha (PM), estrume de vaca (CD), esterco de cabra (GD) e extrato de folhas de moringa (MLE), nas doses de 10 ton, 20 ton, 30 ton, 30 ton e 3000 L ha-1, respectivamente, foram utilizados neste estudo. Os resultados revelaram que o tratamento do vermicomposto melhorou o teor de clorofila, a fluorescência da clorofila, a condutância estomática, o dióxido de carbono interno, a taxa fotossintética líquida, o peso do fruto e o teor de nutrientes minerais da melancia. A aplicação de esterco bovino reduziu a espessura da casca e aumentou o TSS e a atividade antioxidante da melancia. O tratamento com esterco de cabra afetou significativamente o tamanho do fruto, o teor de suco e o teor de pH do suco de fruta da melancia. Os tratamentos com esterco de galinha (PM) e extrato de moringa (MLE) resultaram no maior teor de antocianina de todas as melancias. Apesar de toda a matéria orgânica, em seus meios únicos, melhorar a qualidade da melancia vermelha sem sementes, o estudo mostra que a aplicação do vermicomposto apresentou melhor crescimento, rendimento e melhora na qualidade da melancia.

Hepcidin TH1-5 Induces Apoptosis and Activate Caspase-9 in MCF-7 Cells.

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed and leading cause of cancer deaths among women globally. In continuation of our investigation into the cytotoxicity of the antimicrobial peptide, Hepcidin TH1-5 on human breast adenocarcinoma cell line (MCF-7), we further affirm the apoptosis-inducing effect of the cysteine-rich peptide in the present study. Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate and propidium iodide (annexin V-FITC/PI) apoptosis assay was performed after treatment of the cells. In the determination of caspase activity and pathway of apoptosis, luminescent assay was also performed where caspase-3/7, caspase-8 and caspase-9 were evaluated. Results of annexin V-FITC/PI staining showed proportion of early apoptotic cell were 73.67 ± 4.93%, 61.00 ± 5.57% and 44.33 ± 2.52% at 24, 48 and 72 hours respectively, while late apoptotic cell were 6.33 ± 1.53%, 23 ± 3.56% and 34 ± 3.51% within the same time interval. Based on the data from the luminescence test, Hepcidin TH1-5 activated caspases-3/7 and -9 which suggests that the apoptosis induced was due to the peptide treatment. Hepcidin TH1-5 induced apoptosis in MCF-7 via the activation of caspase-9 of the intrinsic pathway. These results support our previous findings of the cytotoxicity of Hepcidin TH1-5 and indicate that the peptide may be a potential agent for breast cancer therapy.

Reviews of herbal and their secondary metabolites in the treatment of ulcerative colitis and peptic ulcer.

Peptic ulcer is a disease of the Gastro-intestinal tract (GIT), which includes both gastric and duodenal ulcers. The occurrence of peptic ulcer disease has been attributed to the imbalance between aggressive factors like acid, pepsin, and Helicobacter infection on one hand and the local mucosa defenses like bicarbonate and mucus secretion and prostaglandins synthesis on the other hand. The most serious complications of peptic ulcer disease include hemorrhage, perforation, penetration, and gastric outlet obstruction. Ulcerative colitis is a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It is a form of colitis, a disease of the colon that includes characteristic ulcers, or open sores. IBD is often confused with irritable bowel syndrome. Ulcerative colitis is associated with a general inflammatory process that affects many parts of the body. Sometimes these associated extra-intestinal symptoms are the initial signs of the disease, such as painful arthritic knees in a teenager and may be seen in adults also. Several classes of pharmacological agents have proved to be effective in the management of the acid peptic disorders viz., antacids, acid suppressive agents, anticholinergic, cytoprotective agents, etc. A widespread search has been launched to identify new anti-ulcer therapies from natural sources to replace currently used drugs of doubtful efficacy and safety. Herbs, medicinal plants, spices, vegetables and crude drug substances are considered to be a potential source to control various diseases including gastric ulcer and ulcerative colitis. In the scientific literature, a large number of medicinal plants and their secondary metabolites with anti-ulcer potential have been reported. As the gastro protective effect can be linked to different mechanisms, once demonstrated the activity, the extracts and more appropriately the active compounds should be assessed for action mechanisms to elucidate their mode of action. Besides, new action mechanisms may be discovered.