Review of the spider wasp genus Episyron Schidte, 1837 (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae) from India, with description of three new species.

The spider wasp genus Episyron Schidte, 1837 is reviewed, with five species recorded from various parts of India along with three new species described and illustrated from Kerala: E. keralaensis Anju, Girish Kumar & Thejass, sp. nov., E. nigrocalcarius Anju, Girish Kumar & Thejass, sp. nov., and E. rufotibius Anju, Girish Kumar & Thejass, sp. nov. Diagnosis of species occurring in India, comparisons of new species with congeners and a key to the Indian species also are provided.

Chemical Composition and Biological Activities of the Essential Oil from Citrus reticulata Blanco Peels Collected from Agrowastes.

Citrus fruits have a thick outer coat which is often discarded due to its low economic value and usually contributes to the waste. So this work focused on exploring the potential pharmacological properties of the discarded citrus peels. In the present study, we extracted the essential oil from peel wastes of Citrus reticulata Blanco (CREO) from the local market. The antioxidant, antibacterial, and anticancer properties of essential oil were evaluated. The CREO exhibited a strong antioxidant property with DPPH radical scavenging, ABTS radical scavenging, H2 O2 radical scavenging, Ferric reducing antioxidant power and for Lipid peroxidation inhibition respectively. Antibacterial properties of CREO was indicated against different pathogenic microbial strains like E. coli, P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, and S. enterica in terms of disc diffusion method and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). Further, anticancer properties studied on breast cancer cell lines MCF7 and MDA-MB-231 showed dose-dependent cytotoxicity with IC50 of 56.67±3.12 µg/mL and 76.44±2.53 µg/mL respectively. The GC-MS analysis of CREO revealed the presence of major compounds like S-limonene, α-pinene, α-myrcene, and cis-terpinene which might have played a significant role in strong antioxidant, antibacterial and anticancer properties. The study thus identified the potential health benefits of Citrus reticulata peel waste.

The threat of microplastics: Exploring pollution in coastal ecosystems and migratory shorebirds along the west coast of India.

To evaluate the exposure risk and ingestion of microplastics by migratory shorebirds, which are regarded as apex predators in the coastal ecosystem, this study investigated the ubiquitous presence of microplastics in estuarine and coastal habitats and their potential to be transferred in the food chains. We analysed the presence of microplastics in water, sediment, major macroinvertebrate prey and the guano samples of ten shorebird species from ten important wintering grounds in the west coast of India. Our results revealed that water is the primary source through which microplastics disseminate into various ecosystem components. Microplastic debris in various forms were reported in all samples analysed, with microfibres being the most abundant form. While polyethylene and polypropylene were found as the major microplastic types in water, sediment, and prey samples, polystyrene was most abundant in guano samples. Microplastic transfer and impacts in this delicate ecosystem demand further investigations.

Taxonomic study on the spider wasp genus Ceropales Latreille, 1796 (Pompilidae: Ceropalinae) with description of two new species from India.

The spider wasp genus Ceropales Latreille, 1796 from India was studied, resulting in the discovery of two new species in the nominotypical subgenus: Ceropales (Ceropales) anaghae Anju, Girish Kumar & Thejass, sp. nov. and C. (C.) keralaensis Anju, Binoy & Thejass, sp. nov. Description of the new species with illustrations, comparisons with congeners and a key to Indian species of the subgenus are also provided.

The impact of long-term environmental change on zooplankton along the southwestern coast of India.

Environmental pollution and climate change are causing major changes in the marine environment. Coastal zones around the world are experiencing changes such as nutrient influx, resulting in altered plankton communities. The aim of this study was to determine the response of zooplankton to the changes in the environmental variables in the coastal zone of the Arabian Sea, Southwest Coast of India, over 10 years. Zooplankton abundance, chlorophyll-a concentrations, and water quality variables (rainfall, nitrates, phosphates, pH, water temperature, and salinity) were quantified from January 2010 to December 2019. Water temperature, pH, salinity, and phosphates increased steadily across the sites during the study period whereas chlorophyll-a and nitrates decreased. Rainfall abundance was not exhibiting any patterns or trends. The effects of the sampled environmental variables on zooplankton abundance were tested using generalized linear mixed models. Salinity and phosphates negatively affected the zooplankton abundance whereas water temperature, pH, and chlorophyll-a concentration had a positive effect. Coastal zones in southwest India are experiencing declining phytoplankton abundance due to a number of environmental factors. Reduced phytoplankton combined with altered environmental variables are having declining effects on zooplankton. This decline in zooplankton population has far reaching effects on biota in higher trophic levels including economically important organisms such as fishes.

Description of a new species of spider wasp Genus Machaerothrix Haupt(Hymenoptera: Pompilidae) from India with reports on its host ssociation and nesting behaviour.

The little-known spider wasp genus Machaerothrix Haupt, 1938 is recorded for the first time from India with the description and illustrations of both sexes of a seventh species from the World. The biology, habitat, prey preference and transport, nest structure and nesting behaviour of the new species is studied and the association of the wasps with salticid spiders (Araneae: Salticidae) is here validated.

Diallyl disulfide induces caspase-dependent apoptosis via mitochondria-mediated intrinsic pathway in B16F-10 melanoma cells by up-regulating p53, caspase-3 and down-regulating pro-inflammatory cytokines and nuclear factor-κß-mediated Bcl-2 activation.

Diallyl disulfide (DADS) is a major organo-sulfur compound derived from garlic (Allium sativum), which inhibits the proliferation of various types of cancer cells. In this study we investigated the effect of DADS on the induction of apoptosis, as well as its regulatory effect on the activation of transcription factors in B16F-10 melanoma cells. Treatment of B16F-10 cells with nontoxic concentrations of DADS resulted in the presence of apoptotic bodies and induced DNA fragmentation in a dose-dependent manner. Cell-cycle analysis revealed that the occurrence of the sub-G1 peak was significantly elevated in DADS-treated cells. DADS treatment also down-reguated Bcl-2 expression and up-regulated p53, caspase-9, and caspase-3 expression in B16F-10 melanoma cells. The study also reveals that DADS inhibited the activation and nuclear translocation of p65, p50, and c-Rel subunits of nuclear factor (NF)-B and other transcription factors, such as c-fos, activated transcription factor-2, and cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element-binding protein, in B16F-10 melanoma cells The pro-inflammatory cytokine production and gene expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6, and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) were down-regulated in DADS-treated cells compared with control B16F-10 metastatic melanoma cells. DADS induces caspase-dependent apoptosis through a mitochondria-mediated intrinsic pathway in B16F-10 melanoma cells by activating p53 and caspase-3 gene expression and suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokines and NF-B-mediated Bcl-2 activation.

Inhibition of endothelial cell differentiation and proinflammatory cytokine production during angiogenesis by allyl isothiocyanate and phenyl isothiocyanate.

Angiogenesis is a crucial step in the growth and metastasis of cancers. The activation of endothelial cells and their further behavior are very critical during angiogenesis. The authors analyze the effect of allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) and phenyl isothiocyanate (PITC) on angiogenesis in an in vitro model using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). AITC and PITC significantly inhibited endothelial cell migration, invasion, and tube formation. (3)H-thymidine proliferation assay showed that AITC and PITC significantly inhibited the proliferation of HUVECs in vitro. The authors also studied the effect of AITC and PITC on the serum cytokine profiles of angiogenesis-induced animals and found that these compounds are highly potent in the downregulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-1beta , IL-6, granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha). Treatment with these compounds showed an elevation in the levels of IL-2 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP)-1, which are antiangiogenic factors. Moreover, studies using B16F-10 melanoma cells showed that both AITC and PITC significantly reduced VEGF mRNA expression. These findings suggest that AITC and PITC act as angiogenesis inhibitors through the downregulation of VEGF and proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-1beta, IL-6, GM-CSF, and TNF-alpha and upregulation of IL-2 and TIMP.

Modulation of cell-mediated immune response in B16F-10 melanoma-induced metastatic tumor-bearing C57BL/6 mice by sulforaphane.

Effect of sulforaphane on cell-mediated immune response (CMI) was studied in B16F-10 melanoma-induced metastasis-bearing C57BL/6 mice. Administration of sulforaphane significantly enhanced natural killer (NK) cell activity in metastatic tumor-bearing animals (43.17% cell lysis, on day 5) and the activity was observed earlier than in tumor-bearing control animals (maximum of 9.76% cell lysis, on day 9). Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity also was enhanced significantly in metastatic tumor-bearing animals (41.20% cell lysis on day 9) after sulforaphane administration compared with untreated control tumor-bearing animals (maximum of 12.62% cell lysis on day 15). An early antibody-dependent complement-mediated cytotoxicity also was observed in sulforaphane-treated tumor-bearing animals (26% cell lysis, on day 15). Administration of sulforaphane significantly enhanced the production of IL-2 and IFN-gamma in metastatic tumor-bearing animals. In addition, sulforaphane significantly downregulated the serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-1beta, IL-6, TNF-alpha, and GM-CSF during metastasis. These data clearly suggest that sulforaphane effectively inhibited the spread of metastatic tumor cells through the stimulation of CMI, upregulation of IL-2 and IFN-gamma, and downregulation of proinflammatory cytokines IL-1beta, IL-6, TNF-alpha, and GM-CSF.

Antiangiogenic activity of Diallyl Sulfide (DAS).

Antiangiogenic activity of Diallyl sulfide (DAS) was studied using in vivo as well as in vitro models. In vivo antiangiogenic activity was studied using B16F-10 melanoma cell induced capillary formation in C57BL/6 mice. DAS significantly inhibited tumour directed capillary formation. Studies of serum cytokine profile of angiogenesis induced animals clearly showed that DAS significantly reduced the production of proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-1beta, IL-6, TNF-alpha and GM-CSF which are known proangiogenic factors. The serum level of VEGF, an important proangiogenic factor, in angiogenesis induced animals was found to be significantly reduced upon treatment with DAS which may be due to its efficacy in the down regulation of VEGF mRNA expression. Administration of DAS significantly enhanced the production of antiangiogenic factors such as IL-2 and TIMP. In vitro studies using rat aortic ring assay showed that administration of DAS at no n-toxic concentrations significantly inhibited microvessel sprouting. Studies using Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) clearly demonstrated that administration of DAS significantly retarded endothelial cell proliferation, migration, invasion and tube formation. These data clearly suggests that antiangiogenic activity of DAS can be related to its negative regulation of proangiogenic factors such as VEGF and proinflammatory cytokines and positive regulation of antiangiogenic factors such as IL-2 and TIMP.

Inhibition of angiogenic differentiation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells by diallyl disulfide (DADS).

Angiogenesis is a crucial step in the growth and metastasis of cancers. The activation of endothelial cells and their further behaviour are very critical during angiogenesis. We analyzed the effect of diallyl disulfide (DADS) on angiogenesis in in vitro models using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). DADS significantly inhibited endothelial cell migration, invasion and tube formation. (3)H-thymidine proliferation assay clearly showed the inhibitory effect of DADS on the proliferation of HUVECs in vitro. The role of metalloproteinases has been shown to be important in angiogenesis; therefore, zymography was performed to determine whether DADS affected protease activity. Gelatin zymographic analysis showed the inhibitory effect of DADS on the activation of matrix metalloproteinases-MMP-2 and MMP-9. These findings suggest that DADS acts as an angiogenesis inhibitor by inhibiting the activation of matrix metalloproteinases during endothelial morphogenesis.

Immunomodulatory activity of Sulforaphane, a naturally occurring isothiocyanate from broccoli (Brassica oleracea).

The effect of Sulforaphane on the immune system was studied using BALB/c mice. Intraperitoneal administration of five doses of Sulforaphane (500 microg/dose/animal/day) was found to enhance the total WBC count (12,950 cells/mm3) on 9th day. Bone marrow cellularity (23 x 10(6) cells/femur) and number of alpha-esterase positive cells (1346.66/4000 cells) were also increased by the administration of Sulforaphane. Treatment with Sulforaphane along with the antigen, sheep red blood cells (SRBC), produced an enhancement in the circulating antibody titre and the number of plaque forming cells (PFC) in the spleen. Maximum number of PFC (315.83 PFC/10(6) spleen cells) was obtained on the 6th day. Administration of Sulforaphane also showed an enhancement in the phagocytic activity of peritoneal macrophages. Moreover administration of Sulforaphane significantly reduced the elevated level of TNF-alpha production by LPS stimulated macrophages. These results indicate the immunomodulatory activity of Sulforaphane.

Augmentation of natural killer cell and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity in BALB/c mice by sulforaphane, a naturally occurring isothiocyanate from broccoli through enhanced production of cytokines IL-2 and IFN-gamma.

Effect of sulforaphane on cell-mediated immune (CMI) response was studied in normal as well as Ehrlich ascites tumor-bearing BALB/c mice. Administration of sulforaphane significantly enhanced natural killer (NK) cell activity in both normal as well as tumor-bearing animals, and the activity was observed earlier than in tumor-bearing control animals. Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) also was enhanced significantly in both normal as well as tumor-bearing animals after sulforaphane administration compared with untreated control tumor-bearing animals. An early antibody-dependent complement-mediated cytotoxicity (ACC) also was observed in sulforaphane-treated normal and tumor-bearing animals. Administration of sulforaphane significantly enhanced the production of Interleukin-2 and Interferon-gamma in normal as well as tumor-bearing animals. In addition, sulforaphane significantly enhanced the proliferation of splenocytes, bone marrow cells, and thymocytes by stimulating the mitogenic potential of various mitogens such as concanavalin A, phytohaemagglutinin, poke weed mitogen, and lipopolysaccharide.

Antimetastatic activity of Sulforaphane.

The effect of Sulforaphane on the inhibition of lung metastasis induced by B16F-10 melanoma cells was studied in C57BL/6 mice by three different modalities of administration-simultaneous, prophylactic and after tumour developed. Of this simultaneous mode of Sulforaphane administration was found to be most effective. There was 95.5% inhibition of lung tumour nodule formation and 94.06% increase in the life span of metastatic tumour bearing animals. Highly elevated levels of lung hydroxyproline, lung uronic acid, lung hexosamine, serum sialic acid and serum gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) in the metastatic control animals was found to be significantly lowered in the Sulforaphane treated animals. Histopathological analysis of lung tissues also correlated with these results. In the in vitro system Sulforaphane showed a significant inhibition in the invasion of B16F-10 melanoma cells across the collagen matrix. (3)H-thymidine proliferation assay showed that Sulforaphane could inhibit the proliferation of B16F-10 melanoma cells in vitro. Gelatin zymographic analysis showed that Sulforaphane could inhibit the activation of matrix metalloproteinases. These findings suggest that Sulforaphane reduced the invasion of B16F-10 melanoma cells by the inhibition of activation of matrix metalloproteinases, thereby inhibiting lung metastasis.