Automatic identification and annotation of MYB gene family members in plants

Background: MYBs are among the largest transcription factor families in plants. Consequently, members of this family are involved in a plethora of processes including development and specialized metabolism. The MYB families of many plant species were investigated in the last two decades since the first investigation looked at Arabidopsis thaliana. This body of knowledge and characterized sequences provide the basis for the identification, classification, and functional annotation of candidate sequences in new genome and transcriptome assemblies. Results: A pipeline for the automatic identification and functional annotation of MYBs in a given sequence data set was implemented in Python. MYB candidates are identified, screened for the presence of a MYB domain and other motifs, and finally placed in a phylogenetic context with well characterized sequences. In addition to technical benchmarking based on existing annotation, the transcriptome assembly of Croton tiglium and the annotated genome sequence of Castanea crenata were screened for MYBs. Results of both analyses are presented in this study to illustrate the potential of this application. The analysis of one species takes only a few minutes depending on the number of predicted sequences and the size of the MYB gene family. This pipeline, the required bait sequences, and reference sequences for a classification are freely available on github: https://github.com/bpucker/MYB_annotator. Conclusions: This automatic annotation of the MYB gene family in novel assemblies makes genome-wide investigations consistent and paves the way for comparative studies in the future. Candidate genes for in-depth analyses are presented based on their orthology to previously characterized sequences which allows the functional annotation of the newly identified MYBs with high confidence. The identification of orthologs can also be harnessed to detect duplication and deletion events.

Larvicidal activity of ethanolic leaf and seed extract of Croton tiglium against Aedes aegypti

Aim and objectives: Mosquitoes are the transmitters of serious human diseases that cause millions of deaths every year. The use of synthetic insecticides causes harmful side effects to the environment and human health. So a natural alternative way is needed to solve this problem. Extracts from the various parts of plants like leaves, seeds, barks and roots can be used to control mosquitoes. This study aims to evaluate the larvicidal activity of ethanolic seed and leaf extracts of a traditionally used medicinal plant Croton tiglium, against Aedes aegypti, the vector of dengue fever. Material and methods: In this study, extracts from the dried leaf and seed powder of the Croton tiglium plant were extracted using ethanol in a soxhlet apparatus. Different concentrations were prepared from the extracts. Third instar larvae of Aedes aegypti were collected from the mosquito culture laboratory of the Life Sciences Department of Dibrugarh University. Prepared concentrations of the extracts were tested against the larvae of Aedes aegypti to evaluate the larvicidal activity by calculating percent mortality. Result: The ethanolic leaf and seed extracts of the selected plant were found effective against the larvae of Aedes aegypti. The 250 ppm concentration of both leaf and seed extracts showed the highest mortality of mosquito larva. The seed extract of this plant was found more effective in killing mosquito larva. Conclusion: From the study, it can be concluded that the ethanolic leaf and seed extracts of Croton tiglium possess larvicidal activity against Aedes aegypti. Hence, it could be useful in controlling mosquitoes without any harmful effects. However, further study and investigation will be needed to isolate and characterize bioactive components from this plant with larvicidal activity and the development of drugs for dengue from the components

Evaluation of the role of Shodhana (Purification) process in Croton tiglium seeds for reduction of toxic content

In Ayurvedic texts, Jayapala or croton tiglium seeds are well known as khumbini for its toxicity (severe purgative action) and are used for the treatment of constipation after shodhana (detoxification) of the seed with godugdha (cow milk). The oil content of the seeds was responsible for the purgative property, and its reduction enhances its medicinal usage. The presence of Crotonoside or iso-guanosine in seed extract was identified in HPTLC and quantified using high pressure liquid chromatography technique both before and after the purification process of the seed. The phytochemicals and physicochemical parameters of seeds were analyzed to find the level of changes in the processed seeds. The other chemical constituents of the seed extracts are studied using different techniques like HPTLC, HPLC, LC-MS, and GC-MS. The study has revealed that the detoxification process, as per classical texts, has shown an effective depletion in the quantity of crotonoside in processed seeds.

Evaluation on Antidiabetic Properties of Medicinal Plants from Myanmar

Objectives. To explore the effective and safe medicines for treating diabetes. Methods. Hydroalcoholic extracts of 130 medicinal plants belonging to 66 families were evaluated using porcine pancreatic lipase (PPL) inhibition and glucose uptake methods together with a literature review. Results. The extracts of 22 species showed the PPL inhibition activity; 18 extracts of 15 species stimulated glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Among them, Mansonia gagei J.R. Drumm., Mesua ferrea L., and Centella asiatica (L.) Urb. exhibited both activities. The extracts of Caladium lindenii (André) Madison rhizomes and Azadirachta indica A. Juss. leaves presented the utmost lipase inhibitory activity with IC50 of 6.86 ± 0.25 and 11.46 ± 0.06 μg/mL, respectively. The extracts of Coptis teeta Wall. rhizomes and Croton tiglium L. seeds stimulated the maximum glucose uptake. Ten species are reported to have antidiabetic activity for the first time. Flavonoids and triterpenoids are the dominant antidiabetic compounds in selected medicinal plants from Myanmar. Conclusions. P. zeylanica, L. cubeba, H. crenulate, M. gagei, C. teeta, and M. ferrea are worthy to advance further study according to their strong antidiabetic activities and limited research on effects in in vivo animal studies, unclear chemical constitutes, and safety.

Anthelmintic efficacy of tuba (Croton tiglium L.) seeds on the gastrointestinal parasites of native chickens (Gallus domesticus)

The efficacy of capsulized Croton tiglium L. (CCT) seeds on the gastrointestinal parasites of native chickens (Gallus domesticus) was tested in experiments. A total of thirty-six free-range native chickens naturally infected with gastrointestinal parasites were divided into four treatment groups (positive control of levamisole+niclosamide, 200 mg, 300 mg and 400 mg CCT seeds) following a completely randomized design (CRD). Prior to treatment and on the 3rd, 6th, 9th and 12th days after treatment, the fecal egg count per gram was measured using the mc master technique. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to statistically analyze all the data obtained. Using Least Significant Differences (LSD), significant differences between treatments were compared. On the day twelve after treatment, percent efficacy of capsulized Croton tiglium seeds on Ascaridia galli/Heterakis gallinarum at 200 mg and 400 mg was highly effective. The comparative cost analysis of the four treatments showed that the use of C. tiglium seeds resulted in a lower cost compared to the commercial dewormer. Commercial anthelmintic was more costly compared to the cost of capsulized C. tiglium seeds on T4 (400mg CCT) by 89. 67 %. The findings indicate the ability of Croton tiglium seeds in native chickens (Gallus domesticus) particularly against Ascaridia galli/Heterakis gallinarum as an alternative anthelmintic.

AGATHIYAR KUZHAMBU (HERBO-MINERAL SIDDHA FORMULATION)

Introduction: Agathiyar kuzhambu (A.k) is a herbo-mineral siddha formulation. It is explained in the Siddha Vaith- iya Thiraddu Book. In Siddha Medicine, there are 32 internal & external medicines are explained in the Siddha Literatures. Agathiyar kuzhambu is a one form of the internal medicine which is commonly used in purgation ther- apy. It contains 11 ingredients. Agathiyar kuzhambu has different herbo- mineral ingredients which are having wide range of therapeutic uses. It is commonly used in Siddha OPDs. Aim: The researcher is going to develop the documentary evidence for the effectiveness of Agathiyar kuzhambu. Results and Discussion: Six ingredients herbs have hot potency and Pungent efficacy. These have many pharmacological actions. Commonly, these ingredients are possessed antioxidant, anti-microbial, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, anthelmintic, anti-dia- betic and anti -hypertensive activity. In Siddha, these ingredients and 5 minerals and metals ingredients were used in many disease conditions. Lots of adjuvants of Agathiyar kuzhambu have hot potency and pungent efficacy. Some of adjuvants have cool potency and sweet efficacy. In Siddha, these adjuvants were used in many disease conditions. Conclusion: According to the above study, Agathiyar kuzhambu may be act as stimulant and osmotic purgative at the same time it can use as a treatment aspect of many diseases. This study gives documentary evidence of Agathiyar kuzhambu as a purgative & possess many pharmacological activities in Siddha medicine. Keywords: Agathiyar kuzhambu, Siddha Medicine, Purgative, Croton tiglium