Effects of plant growth retardant daminozide (Alar) on neuromuscular co-ordination behavior in Drosophila melanogaster.

Daminozide (alar), a plant growth retardant, is used in different fruit orchard to make fruits attractive and reduce pre-harvest losses. Previously data demonstrated that acute daminozide exposure affected reproductive fitness and produced neurodegeneration in Drosophila melanogaster. The goal of this study was to determine whether continuous exposure to daminozide affects neuromuscular co-ordination in D. melanogaster as manifested in various behavioral responses. Fruit flies were exposed to 200 or 400 mg/L concentration of daminozide for two successive generations. Treated D. melanogaster were examined for the behaviors indicative of neuromuscular coordination and cognitive abilities, that include climbing, social interaction, adult grooming, migration, flight, male aggression, and adult courtship. Aberrant behavioral responses were noted among treated D. melanogaster of both sexes as evidenced by the following parameters: reduction in flight duration, abnormal social interaction, altered copulatory acts, and over-aggressiveness. Data suggest that daminozide produces impairment in neuromuscular coordination and cognitive ability in Drosophila, which was reflected as altered behavioral patterns. As Drosophila is considered as a reliable in vivo model utilized in toxicity testing, our findings may help us to anticipate and monitor potential daminozide-induced toxicity in animals and humans.

Evaluation of potency of the selected bioactive molecules from Indian medicinal plants with MPro of SARS-CoV-2 through in silico analysis.

BACKGROUND: The recent outbreak of the novel SARS-CoV-2 across the globe and the absence of specific drug against this virus lead the scientific community to look into some alternative indigenous treatments. India as a hub of Ayurvedic and medicinal plants can shed light on its treatment using specific active bio-molecules from these plants. OBJECTIVES: Keeping our herbal resources in mind, we were interested to inquire whether some phytochemicals from Indian spices and medicinal plants can be used as alternative therapeutic agents in contrast to synthetic drugs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used in silico molecular docking approach to test whether bioactive molecules of herbal origin such as hyperoside, nimbaflavone, ursolic acid, 6-gingerol, 6-shogaol and 6-paradol, curcumin, catechins and epigallocatechin, α-Hederin, piperine could bind and potentially block the Mproenzyme of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. RESULTS: Ursolic acid showed the highest docking score (-8.7 kcal/mol) followed by hyperoside (-8.6 kcal/mol), α-Hederin (-8.5 kcal/mol) and nimbaflavone (-8.0 kcal/mol). epigallocatechin, catechins, and curcumin also exhibited high binding affinity (Docking score -7.3, -7.1 and -7.1 kcal/mol) with the Mpro. The remaining tested phytochemicals exhibited moderate binding and inhibitory effects. CONCLUSION: This finding provides a basis for biochemical assay of tested bioactive molecules on SARS-CoV-2 virus.