The Potential of Snail Seromucous and Chitosan as Bioimunomodulator for Tuberculosis Therapy

Tuberculosis (TB) as a global emergency is a chronic disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). Mtb plays an important role in inducing or suppressing the production of Interferon Gamma (IFNG) and IL-4 in the regulation of TB homeostasis and pathogenesis. The bioactive compounds of the snail seromucous (Achatina fulica Ferussac) and chitosan function as biological response modifiers. The study aimed to determine the potential effectiveness of snail seromucous and chitosan as bio-immunomodulator for TB therapy. The research method was based on the results of laboratory experiments with the physic-chemical, biochemical, microbiological examination, snail seromucous protein profile, lymphocyte proliferation, measurement of IFNG, and IL-4 levels. The results of the physic-chemical examination of the snail seromucous showed a specific gravity of 1.010; pH 8, glucose 16 mg/dL; cholesterol 9 mg/dL; protein 2.8 mg/dL and heavy metals (Pb, Cu, Hg, Al) negative. The results of microbiological tests showed that a 100% concentration of snail seromucous was antimicrobial against Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The protein profile of snail seromucous shows that there are 3 protein subunits, namely the range 55 - 72 kDa and 1 specific protein sub-unit 43 kDa as a bioactive compound achasin sulfate. Addition of chitosan dose of 65 µg/mL; snail seromucous dose of 65 µg/mL and a mixture of chitosan (65 µg/mL): snail seromucous (65 µg/mL) ratio 1: 1, can increase lymphocyte proliferation; optimum levels of IFN-γ and IL-4. Snail seromucous and chitosan are effective immunomodulators and potential candidates for TB therapy.

Natural Cembrane Diterpenoids From the Soft Coral Sinularia querciformis

Chemical examination of Sinularia querciformis afforded one new cembranoid, querciformolide F (1), along with four known cembranoids, sinulariolone (2), granosolide A (3), querciformolide A (4), and sinulariolide (5). The structures of these compounds were determined by extensive spectroscopic (IR, ESIMS, 1H NMR, and 13C NMR) analysis and by comparison with those previously reported in the literature. Compounds 2 to 4 were found to exhibit significant anti-inflammatory activity in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 mouse macrophages through attenuating the expression of the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) proteins.

A STUDY TO ACCESS THE PHYSIO-CHEMICAL PARAMETERS OF WATER QUALITY OF SELECTED PONDS FROM THREE DISTRICTS OF TAMIL NADU, INDIA

Water is the most abundant and non-renewable resource in the earth, which play an important role in all living organisms. A study on physiochemical parameters of Manur, Vallanadu and Sundarapandiapatinam ponds from Tirunelveli, Thootukudi and Ramanathapuram districts of Tamil Nadu, India, has addressed the seasonal changes. During the month of January to April samples from Manur was chemically portable, Vallanadu sample was physically portable, Sundarapandiapatinam samples were physically and chemically not portable. During the month of May to August Vallanadu and Manur samples were portable by its physical and chemical examination, Sundarapandiapatinam samples were non portable by its physiochemical property. September to December the samples from all the three ponds were non portable because of exceeding the permissible limit. All the samples were bacteriologically unsafe in nature because of its microbial contamination. This implies the water bodies are not fit for domestic and drinking purpose, thus proper management has to be done by the society and implement government guidelines to save the natural resources from manmade activities.

Analysis of the Distribution of Urine Color and Its Relationship With Urine Dry Chemical Parameters Among College Students in Beijing, China – A Cross-Sectional Study

Objectives: The objective of this study was to provide a new classification method by analyzing the relationship between urine color (Ucol) distribution and urine dry chemical parameters based on image digital processing. Furthermore, this study aimed to assess the reliability of Ucol to evaluate the states of body hydration and health.Methods: A cross-sectional study among 525 college students, aged 17–23 years old, of which 59 were men and 466 were women, was conducted. Urine samples were obtained during physical examinations and 524 of them were considered valid, including 87 normal samples and 437 abnormal dry chemistry parameters samples. The urinalysis included both micro- and macro-levels, in which the CIE L*a*b* values and routine urine chemical examination were performed through digital imaging colorimetry and a urine chemical analyzer, respectively.Results: The results showed that L* (53.49 vs. 56.69) in the abnormal urine dry chemistry group was lower than the normal group, while b* (37.39 vs. 33.80) was greater. Urine color can be initially classified based on shade by grouping b*. Abnormal urine dry chemical parameter samples were distributed more in the dark-colored group. Urine dry chemical parameters were closely related to Ucol. Urine specific gravity (USG), protein, urobilinogen, bilirubin, occult blood, ketone body, pH, and the number of abnormal dry chemical parameters were all correlated with Ucol CIE L*a*b*; according to a stepwise regression analysis, it was determined that more than 50% of the variation in the three-color space values came from the urine dry chemical parameters, and the b* value was most affected by USG (standardized coefficient β = 0.734, p < 0.05). Based on a receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis, Ucol ≥ 4 provided moderate sensitivity and good specificity (AUC = 0.892) for the detection of USG ≥ 1.020.Conclusions: Our findings on the Ucol analysis showed that grouping Ucol based on b* value is an objective, simple, and practical method. At the same time, the results suggested that digital imaging colorimetry for Ucol quantification is a potential method for evaluating body hydration and, potentially, health.

Isolation and Identification of Cyclooctasulfur From the Octocoral Sinularia humilis (van Ofwegen, 2008)

Chemical examination of the octocoral Sinularia humilis, collected in the waters of Taiwan, led to the isolation of S8 (1). Its structure was determined by a single-crystal x-ray diffraction analysis and this is the first time that S8 has been reported from a marine invertebrate.

Further Astrochemical Insights From Bond Strengths of Small Molecules Containing Atoms From the First Three Rows of the Periodic Table

The atoms contributing to the strongest “single bonds” on the periodic table do not continue to produce the strongest “double bonds” or “triple bonds.” In fact, the opposite appears to be the case. This quantum chemical examination of nominal X = Y and X ≡ Y bonds in model molecules of atoms from the first three rows of the periodic table shows that the strongest “double bond” is in formaldehyde once the astrophysically-depleted Be and B atoms are removed from consideration. The strongest “triple bond” is a close match between acetylene and N2. However, these results indicate that astrophysical regions containing a high abundance of hydride species will likely be areas where inorganic oxide formation is favored. Those where H2 molecules have already been dissociated will favor organic/volatile astrochemistry.

Study the anti – inflammatory effect of Stevia rebaudiana sweetness in vitro

Because of the high rates of diabetes, overweight disorders and fatness, the need and interest in finding alternatives to sugar has increased, especially in the industrial sector in parallel with reducing the daily intake of sugar by human. The idea of this research was developed to identify the active ingredients which include in the plant aqueous extract of Stevia rebaudiana. Chemical examination showed the glycosides and phenolic compounds presence of in the Stevia rebaudiana plant. The effect of Stevia rebaudiana leaves products aqueous extract as anti-inflammation measured in vitro with two procedures , The repression of protein denaturation and hemolysis stimulated by heating and results showed Stevia rebaudiana efficiency with compared to typical medicine (Aspirin) and negative control groups.

Formulation, Evaluation and Comparison of the Poly Herbal Anti-Diabetic Tablet with the Commercial Tablets

Objective: To formulate a poly herbal anti-diabetic tablet and to evaluate and compare its physicochemical properties with the marketed herbal tablets. Materials and Methods: The poly herbal anti-diabetic tablet was formulated by adding the powder of extract of Enicostemma littorale in powder of roots of Aconitum heterophyllum rhizomes of Picrorhiza kurroa and fruits of Piper longum in different proportions to an aqueous 5 % Starch solution and Several tests such as visual inspection, ash values, moisture content, Water soluble extractive value and Alcohol soluble extractive value, disintegration time, Uniformity of weight of tablets, Determination of hardness of tablets, Determination of friability of tablets etc and Preliminary phytochemical screening and qualitative chemical examination were performed and compare Laboratory formulated tablets with commercial tablets. Results: The study showed that Laboratory formulated poly herbal anti-diabetic tablet has good flow property and compressibility. The moisture content of laboratory formulations was found to be 4.8%. Water extractive value was found to be 28.14% W/V result shows that laboratory formulation consisted of higher amount of water soluble substances like carbohydrates. Alcohol extractive value was found to be 20.08% W/V denotes the amount of alcohol soluble constituents present in the formulation. Disintegration of tablet was found to be 3 mins results shows laboratory formulation was within the limit as it was prepared with starch paste (5%w/v) as a binding and disintegrating agent. Disintegration of tablet is not more than 30 minutes. The laboratory formulation was found to have 3 (Kg/Cm2) hardness, 0.38 % Friability and weight variation within pharmaceutical limits. However, further research and development is required to improve its quality and safety. Conclusion: The aim of this study was to formulate a completely poly herbal antidiabetic tablet. Our Laboratory formulated tablets showed comparable good results as compare to that of marketed tablets but further research and development is required to improve its overall quality.

Antifungal Secondary Metabolites Produced by the Fungal Endophytes: Chemical Diversity and Potential Use in the Development of Biopesticides

Plant diseases caused by phytopathogenic fungi can lead to huge losses in the agricultural fields and therefore remain a continuous threat to the global food security. Chemical-based fungicides contributed significantly in securing crop production. However, indiscriminate application of fungicides has led to increased chemical resistance and potential risks to human health and environment. Thus, there is an urgent need for searching for new bioactive natural products and developing them into new biopesticides. Fungal endophytes, microorganisms that reside in the fresh tissues of living plants, are regarded as untapped sources of novel natural products for exploitation in agriculture and/or medicine. Chemical examination of endophytic fungi has yielded enormous antifungal natural products with potential use in the development of biopesticides. This review summarizes a total of 132 antifungal metabolites isolated from fungal endophytes in the past two decades. The emphasis is on the unique chemical diversity of these metabolic products, together with their relevant antifungal properties. Moreover, some “star molecules,” such as griseofulvin and trichothecene, as well as their synthetic derivatives that possess high potential as candidates of new natural fungicides, are also presented herein.

Platinum Layers Sandwiched between Black Phosphorous and Graphene for Enhanced SPR Sensor Performance

Highly sensitivity Surface Plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor consisting of Ag-Pt bimetallic films sandwiched with 2D materials Black Phosphorus (BP) and Graphene over Pt layer in Kretschmann configuration is analyzed theoretically using the Transfer Matrix Method. Numerical results shows that upon suitable optimization of thickness of Ag-Pt and number of layers of BP & graphene, sensitivity as high as 412º/RIU can be achieved for p-polarized light of wavelength 633 nm. This performance can be tuned and controlled by changing the number of layers of BP and graphene. Further, the addition of graphene and heterostructures of black phosphorus not only improved the sensitivity of the sensor but keep the FWHM of the resonance curve much smaller than the conventional sensor utilizing Au as plasmon metal and hence improved the resolution to a significant extent. We expect that this new proposed design will be useful for medical diagnosis, biomolecular detection and chemical examination.