Human Disease Insight: An integrated knowledge-based platform for disease-gene-drug information

The scope of the Human Disease Insight [HDI] database is not limited to researchers or physicians as it also provides basic information to non-professionals and creates disease awareness, thereby reducing the chances of patient suffering due to ignorance. HDI is a knowledge-based resource providing information on human diseases to both scientists and the general public. Here, our mission is to provide a comprehensive human disease database containing most of the available useful information, with extensive cross-referencing. HDI is a knowledge management system that acts as a central hub to access information about human diseases and associated drugs and genes. In addition, HDI contains well-classified bioinfor-matics tools with helpful descriptions. These integrated bioinformatics tools enable researchers to annotate disease-specific genes and perform protein analysis, search for biomarkers and identify potential vaccine candidates. Eventually, these tools will facilitate the analysis of disease-associated data. The HDI provides two types of search capabilities and includes provisions for downloading, uploading and searching disease/gene/drug-related information. The logistical design of the HDI allows for regular updating. The database is designed to work best with Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome and is freely accessible at http:/humandiseaseinsight.com

Sequence Analysis of Hypothetical Proteins from Helicobacter pylori 26695 to Identify Potential Virulence Factors

Helicobacter pylori is a Gram-negative bacteria that is responsible for gastritis in human. Its spiral flagellated body helps in locomotion and colonization in the host environment. It is capable of living in the highly acidic environment of the stomach with the help of acid adaptive genes. The genome of H. pylori 26695 strain contains 1,555 coding genes that encode 1,445 proteins. Out of these, 340 proteins are characterized as hypothetical proteins (HP). This study involves extensive analysis of the HPs using an established pipeline which comprises various bioinformatics tools and databases to find out probable functions of the HPs and identification of virulence factors. After extensive analysis of all the 340 HPs, we found that 104 HPs are showing characteristic similarities with the proteins with known functions. Thus, on the basis of such similarities, we assigned probable functions to 104 HPs with high confidence and precision. All the predicted HPs contain representative members of diverse functional classes of proteins such as enzymes, transporters, binding proteins, regulatory proteins, proteins involved in cellular processes and other proteins with miscellaneous functions. Therefore, we classified 104 HPs into aforementioned functional groups. During the virulence factors analysis of the HPs, we found 11 HPs are showing significant virulence. The identification of virulence proteins with the help their predicted functions may pave the way for drug target estimation and development of effective drug to counter the activity of that protein.

Pharmacognostic and phytochemical studies on Amaranthus graecizans L.

In present paper an attempt has been made to find out the pharmacognostic, phytochemical and analytical characteristics of Amaranthus graecizans, an important medicinal plant being used traditionally for the treatment of various ailments. The important parameters studied are macroscopic characteristics, fluorescence behaviour under UV light, successive extractive values, total ash, acid insoluble ash, quantitative ash analysis for inorganic constituents and qualitative analysis of different extractives for organic chemical constituents. TLC, UV, TLC finger prints of different extractives and their analyses have also been performed

Physico-chemical standardization of some antidiarrhoeal unani drugs

This communication deals with the botanical and physico-chemical standardization of the commercial samples of five most widely used antidiarrhoeal drugs of the Unani System of Medicine. The drugs are Balela [fruits], Ispaghol [seeds], Jaiphal [seed kernel], Kura [stem bark] and Supari [seed kernel]. The standardization is carried out on the basis of parameters such as the organoleptic features, gross morphology, chemical constituents and the physical constant including ash, extractive, and Rf values. From the study it is evident that the data would help in proper identification as well as in checking adulteration of substitution, if any

Pharmacognostical standard of myristica fragrans houtt. [jaiphal] a multiaction drug

Pharmacognostical study of the seed kernel of Myristica [fragrans Houtt. [Jaiphal], a herbal drug known for its high therapeutic efficacy since long past, has been carried out. The study includes parameters such as macro and micro-morphology, powder analysis, fluorescence colour test and certain physico-chemical aspects i.e. ash, extractive, Rf values and the chemical constitutes

Adulteration in commercial kamila [mallotus philippinensis muell] an anthelmintic drug of repute

Kamila, chiefly known for its purgative and antihelmintic actions in indigenous system of medicine is botanically the red powdery mass covering the 3-lobed capsular fruits of Mallotus philippinensis Muell. [Family Euphorbiaceae]. Present communication, based on pharmacognostical and physicochemical studied deals with the standardization of commercial sample of drug. Some of the findings of the study such as high percentage of ash, low values of successive extractives and extreme deviation from its floating property on water reveal that this sample of Kamila is of very inferior quality. A very high yield of acid insolule ash further confirms the presence of ferruginous sand particles in the drug. The results in detail are discussed in the paper