Objective: To evaluate the in vitro antioxidant activity of Sargassum wightii (S. wightii) andUlva lactuca (U. lactuca). Methods: Dried seaweeds of S. wightii and U. lactuca were tested for total phenolic content. In vitro antioxidant activity was determined by DPPH assay and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. Functional groups of two seaweeds were analysed by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Results: The highest total phenolic content was observed in S. wightii (0.65±0.02 mg GAE/g) when compared with U. lactuca. In vitro antioxidant activity of S. wightii showed higher activity in all assays than U. lactuca with the higher total antioxidant activity (123.40±4.00 mg ascorbic acid/g), DPPH radical scavenging activity (108.06±1.02)% and ferric reducing antioxidant power (153.40±1.41 mg GAE/g). FITR spectrum of standard gallic acid was compared with seaweeds and same number of peaks lying between 449.32 and 3 495.89 cm-1 and 462.89 and 3 407.05 cm-1 was recorded. Conclusions: These results show that S. wightii has higher antioxidant capacity than U. lactuca. Further study is necessary to exploit the multifunctional properties of seaweeds which will be usefull to treat many diseases.

OBJECTIVETo study the production, purification and characterization of bacteriocin from Lactobacillus murinus AU06 isolated from marine sediments and its broad spectrum of inhibition against fish pathogens.

METHODSThe selected strain was used in production, purification and characterized of bacteriocin. In addition, purified bacteriocin was tested for its antimicrobial activity against fish pathogens.

RESULTSIn the present study, the bacteriocin production was found to be higher at 35 °C, pH 6.0 and was purified to 4.74 fold with 55. 38 U/mg of specific activity with the yield of 28.92%. The molecular weight of the purified bacteriocin was estimated as 21 kDa. The purified bacteriocin exhibited complete inactivation of antimicrobial activity when treated with proteinase K, pronase, chymotrypsin, trypsin, pepsin and papain. The purified bacteriocin exhibited broad inhibitory spectrum against both Gram positive and negative bacteria.

CONCLUSIONSIt is concluded that the ability of bacteriocin in inhibiting a wide-range of pathogenic bacteria is of potential interest for food safety and may have future applications in food preservative.

OBJECTIVETo screen, isolate and optimize anti-white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) drug derived from various terrestrial plants and to evaluate the efficacy of the same in host-pathogen interaction model.

METHODSThirty plants were subjected to Soxhlet extraction using water, ethanol, methanol and hexane as solvents. The 120 plant isolates thus obtained were screened for their in vivo anti-WSSV property in Litopenaeus vannamei. The best anti-WSSV plant isolate, TP22C was isolated and further analyzed. The drug was optimized at various concentrations. Viral and immune genes were analysed using reverse transcriptase PCR to confirm the potency of the drug.

RESULTSSeven plant isolates exhibited significant survivability in host. The drug TP22C thus formulated showed 86% survivability in host. The surviving shrimps were nested PCR negative at the end of the 15 d experimentation. The lowest concentration of TP22C required intramuscularly for virucidal property was 10 mg/mL. The oral dosage of 750 mg/kg body weight/day survived at the rate of 86%. Neither VP28 nor ie 1 was expressed in the test samples at 42nd hour and 84th hour post viral infection.

CONCLUSIONSThe drug TP22C derived from Momordica charantia is a potent anti-white spot syndrome virus drug.

OBJECTIVETo screen, isolate and optimize anti-white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) drug derived from various marine floral ecosystems and to evaluate the efficacy of the same in host-pathogen interaction model.

METHODSThirty species of marine plants were subjected to Soxhlet extraction using water, ethanol, methanol and hexane as solvents. The 120 plant isolates thus obtained were screened for their in vivo anti-WSSV property in Litopenaeus vannamei. By means of chemical processes, the purified anti-WSSV plant isolate, MP07X was derived. The drug was optimized at various concentrations. Viral and immune genes were analysed using reverse transcriptase PCR to confirm the potency of the drug.

RESULTSNine plant isolates exhibited significant survivability in host. The drug MP07X thus formulated showing 85% survivability in host. The surviving shrimps were nested PCR negative at the end of the 15 d experimentation. The lowest concentration of MP07X required intramuscularly for virucidal property was 10 mg/mL. The oral dosage of 1 000 mg/kg body weight/day survived at the rate of 85%. Neither VP28 nor ie 1 was expressed in the test samples at 42nd hour and 84th hour post viral infection.

CONCLUSIONSThe drug MP07X derived from Rhizophora mucronata is a potent anti-WSSV drug.

We investigated the anti-nociceptive effect of Excoecaria agallocha (E.agallocha) against chemically and thermally induced nociception, Albino mice received a dose of 10, 15, 20, or 25 mg/kg of alkaline chloroform fraction (Alk-CF) of E.agallocha by oral administration. Compared with controls, Alk-CF decreased the writhing numbers (P<0.01) in a dose dependent manner. Further we determined that, Alk-CF contained, a potent compared to control, also potent anti-nociceptive agent that acted via opioid receptors and using HPLC, identified this compound as Rutin. Docking simulation demonstrated that Rutin interacted strongly with cyclooxygenase, forming a number of specific hydrogen bonds. In conclusion we have identified peripheral and central anti-nociceptive activities of E.agallocha that involve opioid receptor, and in which the active compound is Rutin.
Analgesics ; isolation & purification ; therapeutic use ; Animals ; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical ; Euphorbiaceae ; chemistry ; Female ; Male ; Mice ; Pain ; drug therapy ; Phytotherapy ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; therapeutic use ; Rutin ; isolation & purification ; therapeutic use