Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don counteracts the ampicillin resistance in multiple antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus by downregulation of PBP2a synthesis.

It is essential to revisit the global biodiversity, search for ethnopharmacologically relevant plants, and unveil their untapped potential to overcome the complications associated while treating infections triggered by multiple antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don of the Apocynaceae family is a medicinal plant used for remedial purposes against infectious diseases from ancient times. In this study, we intended to evaluate the mechanism by which the ethanolic extract of C. roseus root (EECRR) causes the reversal of ampicillin resistance in S. aureus. To achieve this goal, we have stained EECRR-treated S. aureus with acridine orange, analysed DNA damage by comet assay, and studied the alteration of plasmid band pattern and expression of penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a) protein. Experiments revealed better S. aureus killing efficiency of EECRR at its minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) doses due to DNA damage and reducing plasmid band intensities along with a decline in the expression of PBP2a in EECRR-treated cells at half-MIC dose. EECRR proved to be an efficient growth inhibitor of S. aureus that reduces the expression of PBP2a. Therefore, EECRR can also render ampicillin-resistant S. aureus susceptible to the antibiotic.

How heavy metal stress affects the growth and development of pulse crops: insights into germination and physiological processes.

The current work is an extensive review addressing the effects of heavy metals in major pulse crops such as Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), Pea (Pisum sativum L.), Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L.), Mung bean (Vigna radiata L.), Black gram (Vigna mungo L.) and Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.). Pulses are important contributors to the global food supply in the world, due to their vast beneficial properties in providing protein, nutritional value and health benefits to the human population. Several studies have reported that heavy metals are injurious to plants causing inhibition in plant germination, a decrease in the root and shoot length, reduction in respiration rate and photosynthesis. Properly disposing of heavy metal wastes has become an increasingly difficult task to solve in developed countries. Heavy metals pose one of the substantial constraints to pulse crops growth and productivity even at low concentrations. This article attempts to present the morphological, biochemical and various physiological changes induced on the pulse crops grown under various heavy metal stress such as As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, and Ni.