Anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic effect of lycopene and raspberry in-situ gel.

Preparation of an in-situ gel containing lycopene and raspberry plant formulation and analysis of its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects is described. Lycopene is known for its anticancer and antioxidant activity. It induces apoptosis, thereby reducing the cancer cells, and also reduces the injury of cells due to oxidative activity. Similarly, raspberry also contains antioxidants properties which can help to reduce oxidative stress and chronic inflammation. This study includes extracts containing 25% of Raspberry and 10% lycopene, carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, Carbopol, sodium chloride, and distilled water. This in-situ gel was then tested for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory assay using DPPH (2, diphenyl 1-picryl- hydrazyl- hydrate) and bovine serum albumin (BSA), antioxidant assay revealed that the inhibition percentage was more with 50 µL (61.3) of gel and anti-inflammatory assay showed significant results with 10 µL (90.2) of gel. In-situ gel containing lycopene and Raspberry has significant anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity.

Comparative clinical data for gingivitis treatment using gels from Ocimum sanctum (Tulsi) and chlorhexidine (CHX).

Ocimum sanctum (Tulsi) has various properties like anti bacterial, anti inflammatory, anti oxidant for curing diseases. It is a plant with known medicinal value in Indian system of medicine. Therefore, it is of interest to evaluate the effectiveness of Ocimum sanctum with Chlorhexidine (CHX) which is a standard material for the treatment of gingivitis. We used 30 gingivitis subjects divided into 2 groups. Group I used Tulsi gel (n= 15) and Group II used CHX gel (n = 15) for treatment. Tulsi and CHX gel use was advised for 1 month. The Clinical parameters assessed were gingival Index (GI), plaque Index (PI), probing depth (PD) and clinical attachment loss (CAL) assessed at a time interval of 30 days. Statistical analysis was completed using the SPSS software 23.0. Data showed that GI and PD for Tulsi and CHX in pre and post groups are not significant with p > 0.05. Moreover, PI is not significant with p>0.05 among pre Tulsi, pre CHX and post CHX. However, data is significant with p<0.05 for Tulsi group. CAL is significant with p<0.05 among pre/post Tulsi groups. However, this is not significant with p>0.05 among pre/post CHX groups. Data shows that 2% of Tulsi is effective in reducing gingival bleeding and inflammation. Thus, clinical data shows that Tulsi gel is promising for the treatment of gingivitis.

Grape seed extract-soluplus dispersion and its antioxidant activity.

OBJECTIVE: The main objective of this work was to formulate a nanodispersion containing grape seed extract and analyzed its release profile, antioxidant potential of the prepared formulations. METHODS: The grape seed extract (GSE) containing proanthocyanidins (PC's) has been dispersed in polymer matrix soluplus (SOLU) by the freeze-drying method. The morphological analysis was carried out using atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The in-vitro release of the nanodispersion formulations was evaluated by simulated intestinal fluid (SIF). The antioxidant activity of GSE and the formulation were evaluated by employing various in-vitro assays such as 2, 2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS), 2, 2-diphenyl-1- picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and peroxidation inhibiting activity. RESULTS: The formulation FIII (1:5) resulted in a stable formulation with a higher loading efficiency of 95.36%, a particle size of 69.90 nm, a polydispersity index of 0.154 and a zeta potential value of -82.10 mV. The antioxidant efficiency of GSE-SOLU evaluated by DPPH was found to be 96.7%. The ABTS and FRAP model exhibited a dose-dependent scavenging activity. Linoleic model of FIII formulation and GSE exhibited a 66.14 and 86.58% inhibition respectively at 200 µg/l. CONCLUSIONS: The main reason for excellent scavenging activity of the formulations can be attributed to the presence of monomeric, dimeric, oligomeric procyanidins and the phenolic group. The present work denotes that GSE constitutes a good source of PC's and will be useful in the prevention and treatment of free radical related diseases.

Cytotoxicity and anti-microbial analysis of silver and graphene oxide bio nanoparticles.

It is of interest to document the cytotoxicity and anti microbial analysis of silver and graphene oxide nanoparticles. The plant extracts from Andrographis paniculata and Ocimum sanctum Linn were used as reducing agent. The nanoparticles were characterized using UV-visible spectroscopy, FT-IR, XRD and TEM. The antimicrobial activity was completed for oral pathogens. Brine Shrimp Lethality assay was conducted for cytotoxicity. Thus, we show that silver and graphene oxide bio based nanoparticles have antimicrobial activity with minimum cytotoxic effects.

Facile synthesis of yeast cross-linked Fe3O4 nanoadsorbents for efficient removal of aquatic environment contaminated with As(V).

A facile solvothermal method was adopted to prepare monodispersed surface functionalized Fe3O4 nanoparticles via self assembly process. The pure yeast, diethylamine functionalized Fe3O4 nanoparticles (DMNPs) and yeast cross-linked Fe3O4 nanoparticles (YcMNPs) were used for the efficient removal of arsenate from aqueous solution. The crystal structure, morphology and magnetic properties of these nanoparticles were characterized by using X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy and vibrating sample magnetometer. The observed physico-chemical properties confirms the metal binding nature of prepared samples. The adsorption of As(V) on the functionalized magnetite nanoparticles was tested under different operating conditions like contact time, adsorbate dosage, adsorbate concentration and pH. The faster removal of As(V) was obtained using YcMNPs (99%) than DMNPs and pure yeast. The adsorption equilibrium data obeys Langmuir isotherm than Freundlich model and the kinetics data well depicts the pseudo-second-order model. The batch column experiment confirms the adequate desorption as well as reusability without significant loss of efficiency. The results reveal the technical feasibility of the prepared nanoparticles for their easy synthesis, recovery, cost effective, eco-friendly and a promising advanced adsorbent for environmental pollution.

Role of cryosurgery in the surgical management of nasoalveolar cyst.

Nasoalveolar cysts are rare developmental, non-odontogenic soft tissue lesions present in the submucosal area of the nasal alar region of the face. The management of nasoalveolar cyst is surgical excision or enucleation by sublabial approach. Most of the times surgeon finds difficult in complete removal of cyst wall especially in the infected cases. We have introduced a technique of cryo probe destruction of the epithelial remnants of the cystic wall after routine surgical excision. The results are encouraging.

Potential use of chitosan nanoparticles for oral delivery of DNA vaccine in Asian sea bass (Lates calcarifer) to protect from Vibrio (Listonella) anguillarum.

In recent years, attention has been focused on the possibility of utilizing DNA vaccines in fish aquaculture. A successful regime for intramuscular injection of naked DNA into fish has been developed and novel methods to deliver this DNA to fish are under investigation. The potential of chitosan as a polycationic gene carrier for oral administration has been explored since 1990s. The present study examines the potential efficacy of DNA vaccine against Vibrio anguillarum through oral route using chitosan nanoparticles encapsulation. The porin gene of V. anguillarum was used to construct DNA vaccine using pcDNA 3.1, a eukaryotic expression vector and the construct was named as pVAOMP38. The chitosan nanoparticles were used to deliver the constructed plasmid. In vitro and in vivo expression of porin gene was observed in sea bass kidney cell line (SISK) and in fish, respectively by fluorescent microscopy. The cytotoxicity of chitosan encapsulated DNA vaccine construct was analyzed by MTT assay and it was found that the cytotoxicity of pVAOMP38/chitosan was quite low. Distribution of gene in different tissues was studied in fish fed with the DNA (pVAOMP38) encapsulated in chitosan by using immunohistochemistry. The results indicate that DNA vaccine can be easily delivered into fish by feeding with chitosan nanoparticles. After oral vaccination Asian sea bass were challenged with Vibrio anguillarum by intramuscular injection. A relative percent survival (RPS) rate of 46% was recorded. The results indicate that Sea bass (Lates calcarifer) orally vaccinated with chitosan-DNA (pVAOMP38) complex showed moderate protection against experimental V. anguillarum infection.

Immunological responses of Penaeus monodon to DNA vaccine and its efficacy to protect shrimp against white spot syndrome virus (WSSV).

White spot disease is an important viral disease caused by white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) and is responsible for huge economic losses in the shrimp culture industry worldwide. The VP28 gene encoding the most dominant envelope protein of WSSV was used to construct a DNA vaccine. The VP28 gene was cloned in the eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA3.1 and the construct was named as pVP28. The protective efficiency of pVP28 against WSSV was evaluated in Penaeus monodon by intramuscular challenge. In vitro expression of VP28 gene was confirmed in sea bass kidney cell line (SISK) by fluorescence microscopy before administering to shrimp. The distribution of injected pVP28 in different tissues of shrimp was studied and the results revealed the presence of pVP28 in gill, head soft tissue, abdominal muscle, hemolymph, pleopods, hepatopancreas and gut. RT-PCR and fluorescence microscopy analyses showed the expression of pVP28 in all these tissues examined. The results of vaccination trials showed a significantly higher survival rate in shrimp vaccinated with pVP28 (56.6-90%) when compared to control groups (100% mortality). The immunological parameters analyzed in the vaccinated and control groups revealed that the vaccinated shrimp showed significantly high level of prophenoloxidase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) when compared to the control groups. The high levels of prophenoloxidase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) might be responsible for developing resistance against WSSV in DNA vaccinated shrimp.

Cloning and sequencing of capsid protein of Indian isolate of extra small virus from Macrobrachium rosenbergii.

White tail disease (WTD) is found to cause immense economic losses in hatcheries and farms, with mortalities often reaching 100% within 2 or 3 days. The pathogenic agents have been identified as Macrobrachium rosenbergii nodavirus (MrNV) associated with extra small virus (XSV), which are 27 and 15 nm in diameter, respectively. Experiments were carried out to characterize an Indian isolate of XSV capsid protein of 17 kDa (CP-17). The gene encoding CP-17 was cloned and its sequence analysed with sequences of other isolates such as French, Chinese, Taiwanese and Thai available in the GenBank using Bioinformatics tools such as BLASTn, clustal W and phylogenetic analysis. When compared with other isolates, 18-point mutations were observed in Indian isolate (XSV-IN) with few changes in amino acid residues. Homology comparison showed 99-96% identity with other isolates. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the Indian isolate was closely related to Taiwanese and Chinese isolates than French and Thai. This shows that the possible origin of the disease in India was from Taiwan and China through the import of prawn seed decades ago.