Screening of phytocompounds, molecular docking studies, and in vivo anti-inflammatory activity of heartwood aqueous extract of Pterocarpus santalinus L.f

Objective:To evaluate the anti-inflammatory potential of aqueous extract of Pterocarpus santalinus L.f. heartwood using molecular docking and in vivo experiment. Methods:An aqueous extract of Pterocarpus santalinus heartwood was prepared using a Soxhlet apparatus. Phytocompounds in the extract were tentatively identified using high-resolution mass spectrometry. Molecular docking experiments were carried out to evaluate the binding affinity of selected compounds, phloridzin to cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), prostaglandin E synthase-1 (PGES-1) and 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX). Anti-inflammatory potential was evaluated by carageenan induced paw edema model in rats. Results:The presence of major component phloridzin along with quercetin, parthenin, ginkgolide B, picrotoxinin, usnic acid, octopine, and epigallocatechin was detected in the extract. Molecular docking study showed that phloridzin inhibited COX-1, COX-2, PGES-1 and 5-LOX with more affinity than ibuprofen and paracetamol. Pterocarpus santalinus heartwood extract at 200 and 400 mg/kg BW showed significant reduction in carageenan-induced hind paw edema in a dose-dependent manner, but the effect was slow when compared with the standard ibuprofen (30 mg/kg p.o.). Conclusions:The study indicated that after clinical trials, the aqueous extract of Pterocarpus santalinus heartwood can be effectively used in phytotherapy to treat inflammation.

Biodegradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon by a halotolerant bacterial consortium isolated from marine environment

The biodegradability of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons such as naphthalene, fluorene, anthracene and phenanthrene by a halotolerant bacterial consortium isolated from marine environment was investigated. The polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons degrading bacterial consortium was enriched from mixture saline water samples collected from Chennai [Port of Chennai, salt pan], India. The consortium potently degraded polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons [> 95%] at 30g/L of sodium chloride concentration in 4 days. The consortium was able to degrade 39 to 45% of different polycyclic hydrocarbons at 60 g/L NaCl concentration. Due to increase in salinity, the percent degradation decreased. To enhance polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons degradation, yeast extract was added as an additional substrate at 60g/L NaCl concentration. After the addition of yeast extract, the consortium degraded > 74% of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons at 60 g/L NaCl concentration in 4 days. The consortium was also able to degrade PAHs at different concentrations [5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 ppm] with 30 g/L of NaCl concentration. The polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons degrading halotolerant bacterial consortium consists of three bacterial strains, namely Ochrobactrum sp., Enterobacter cloacae and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia

Effect of tween 80 added to the soil on the degradation of endosulfan by pseudomonas aeruginosa

Endosulfan, a chlorinated cyclodiene insecticide is of environmental concern because of its apparent persistence and toxicity to many non target organisms. Endosulfan is hydrophobic and persists in soil for more than a year. To overcome the problem of hydrophobic and limited availability, surfactants play a major role in soil remediation. In the present study, the effect of Tween 80 added to the soil on the degradation of endosulfan by Pseudomonas aeruginosa at different pH [7.0 and 8.5] was studied. The addition of synthetic surfactant Tween 80 enhanced the solubility and degradation of endosulfan. A significant degradation [94%] was observed in pH 8.5 and Tween 80 added soil; the bacterial population in the treatment unit T8 was 75 x 109 CFU/g of soil. The unit T4 inoculated at pH 8.5 showed 86% alpha and 60% beta endosulfan degradation, the bacterial population was 73 x 108 CFU / g of soil. The degradation of both the isomers were observed and accompanied with formation of endodiol and endosulfan sulfate

Surfactants enhanced recovery of endosulfan from contaminated soils

Soil pollution due to hydrophobic organic compounds is a wide environmental problem. Extensive use of endosulfan in cotton and paddy to meet the needs of the growing population has led to contamination of soil and other ecosystems. Endosulfan is hydrophobic, highly toxic to aquatic and human population and persists in soil for more than a year. To overcome the problem of hydrophobicity and limited availability, surfactants play a major role in soil remediation. In the present study, the potential of non-ionic synthetic surfactants [Tween 80, Triton X-100] and biosurfactant [Surfactin produced by Bacillus subtilis] for enhancing the release of endosulfan from contaminated agricultural soils was evaluated using the batch method. Incorporation of the surfactant concentrations at above Criticle Miceller Concentration [0.5, 1 and 2 g/L] into soil enhances the release of endosulfan. Surfactin produced from Bacillus subtilis recorded maximum [91.5%] recovery. The observed order of recovery being surfactin > Tween 80 > Triton X-100. The result suggest that surfactants could help in the remediation of soils polluted by pesticides