Potential antioxidative protein-pigment complex Spirulina platensis mediated food grade phycocyanin C -Extraction, purification, antioxidative activity and biocompatibility

Phycocyanin (PC), a photosynthetic pigment produced by cyanobacteria has been gained attention due to its distinct properties such as antioxidant and anti-proliferative. Acute and sub acute toxicity studies were carried out to determine the biocompatibility of the extracted phycocyanin on Wistar rat model. PC was extracted from Spirulina platensis biomass by cold maceration followed by successive purification by ammonium sulphate precipitation and gel filtration chromatography. Biocompatibility of the purified phycocyanin was carried out by acute toxicity studies using Wistar rat model. Acute toxicity has been determined by the effect of single oral dose of PC with two different concentrations (250 and 500 mg/Kg) on the body weight, general behaviour, and mortality. In sub-acute treatment. The effect of phycocyanin on the various parameters at the respective concentration as single oral dose daily during 28 days was studied. Cold maceration followed by maceration brought about food grade phycocyanin C (C-PC) which final yield and purity were increased in the successive purification steps. Antioxidative study using DPPH assay reveals the effective free scavenging activity of the phycocynin as concentration-dependent manner. Biocompatibility studies against Wister rat model did not exhibit any harmful effect. Any sign of toxic effect on biochemical, hematological and histopathological parameters was not observed in all the tested animals of treatment groups during the study period which reveals a high level of biocompatibility. The present study suggests the possible utilization of phycocyanin C as an effective pharmaceutical agent.

The “Wonder Plant” Kalanchoe pinnata (Linn.) Pers.: A Review.

Kalanchoe pinnata (Linn.) Pers. is a plant found mostly in the temperate and tropical regions of the world. It is traditionally known to exhibit a wide range of pharmacological activities that involves treatment for the most serious disorders related to mankind. In this review, the therapeutic and medicinal values of the plant which includes its wound-healing, antioxidant, anticancerous, antiproliferative, antimicrobial, antiviral, antiprotozoal, antileishmanial, anthelmentic, insecticidal, anti-allergic, analgesic, antinociceptive, anti-oedematogenic, anti-inflammatory, muscle-relaxant, antipyretic, anticonvulsant, antidepressant, sedative, antilithiatic, hepatoprotective, gastroprotective, antidiabetic, nephroprotective, haemoprotective, antihistamine, antihypertensive and immunosuppressant activities have been comprehensively discussed. In ethnomedicine, it is known for its anthroposophical and tocolytic effects in pregnant women. Also, it is used to facilitate dropping of placenta during child birth. Scientists have explored the different parts of the plant and have established the clinical potentials of the plant as a whole and its parts successfully. Few scientific validations have even lead to the isolation and determination of the applications of the bioactive compounds from various solvent extracts of the plant. Further research and clinical trials have to be carried out in order to commercialise the potential pharmaceutical uses of the plant for which one should thoroughly know about the pharmacognostic properties of the plant.