Genomic diversities of ctxB, tcpA and rstR alleles of Vibrio cholerae O139 strains isolated from Odisha, India.

The genome of Vibrio cholerae O139 strains has undergone cryptic changes since its first emergence in 1992 in South India. This study aimed to determine the presence of genotypic changes marked in ctxB, tcpA and rstR genes located within the CTX prophages among the strains of V. cholerae O139 isolated from 1999 to 2017 in Odisha. Antibiotic susceptibility test was conducted on 59 V. cholerae O139 strains. A conventional PCR assay was done for ctxB gene typing followed by sequencing along with identification of rstR and tcpA gene. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) was carried out to reveal clonal variations among the V. cholerae O139 strains. Among V. cholerae O139 isolates more than 60% showed resistance to ampicillin, co-trimoxazole, furazolidone, streptomycin, neomycin and nalidixic acid. The ctxB sequencing and rstR allele-specific PCR assay revealed the presence of three genotypes 1, 3 and 4 with at least one copy of CTX Calc φ in addition to CTX ET and CTX Cl prophages in V. cholerae O139 isolates. PFGE analysis revealed 13 pulsotypes with two clades having 60% similarity among V. cholerae O139 strains. The circulating V. cholerae O139 strains in Odisha showed variation in genotypes with multiple clonal expansions over the years.

Ethnobotanical, phytochemical, and pharmacological properties of Cerbera manghas L.

In this review article, the ethnobotanical, phytochemical, and pharmacological properties of Cerbera manghas L. (Apocynaceae) are discussed. This plant has applications in traditional folk medicine as analgesic, anticonvulsant, a cardiotonic and for hypotensive activity. Phytoconstituents of this plant are secondary metabolites like saponins, terpenoids, and alkaloids along with phenolic acids, flavonoids, cardiac glycosides, steroids, iridoids, lignans, and other compounds. The major phytochemical compounds are cardiac glycosides followed by terpenoids and phenolic acids. Again, the leaf has greater types and numbers of phytochemicals, followed by the fruit, seed, stem, and root. The plant also shows many pharmacological activities such as antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, DNA damage protection, and antimicrobial. This review could help researchers in further investigations in these directions.