An in-vitro study of Himalayan plant extracts against oomycetes disease Saprolegniasis in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of ethanolic extract of three Himalayan plants Myrica esculenta, Thymus linearis and Butea monosperma on hyphal germination, colonisation and sporulation of two species of Saprolegnia (Saprolegnia parasitica and S. australis) isolated from rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss. Molecular docking of active ingredients of M. esculenta, Myricetin with effector proteins of S. parasitica was also performed to investigate the target binding sites for drug development. Methodology: Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), mycelium growth inhibition, spore germination, and inhibition was performed with the most effective concentrations. Molecular docking was carried out with AutoDock Vina software to investigate target binding sites with S. parasitica. Results: Extracts from Myrica esculenta, Thymus linearis and Butea monosperma showed MIC values of the 25, 100, 50 mg ml-1 against S. parasitica and 25, 50, 25 mg ml-1 against S. australis hyphal growth, respectively. Nevertheless, malachite green as reference control was effective with a MIC value of 2.5 mg l-1. The concentration required to inhibit S. parasitica and S. australis spores were (50) Myrica esculenta, (25) Thymus linearis, (100) Butea monosperma in mg ml-1 and (50) Myrica esculenta, (50) Thymus linearis, (100) Butea monosperma in mg ml-1, respectively. Interpretation: The study concludes that M. esculenta and B. monosperma are effective against Saprolegniasis and could be used as phyto additives.

Patterns of Phenological Characteristics of Important Tree Species of Kumaun Himalaya

Phenology is one of the simplest and most effective study to understanding the role of climate change in recent scenario. A number of biotic and abiotic drivers controlled the timing and duration of various phenophases in same or different species. Temperature, rainfall and photoperiod are key drivers which adversely affect the phenology of woody plant. The study sites were conductedat 413 and 2345m elevation in Nainital forest division of Kumaun Himalaya. The phenological study were carried out onShores robusta, Mallotus philippinensis, Pinus roxburghii, Myrica esculenta,Quercus leucotrichophora and Rhododendron arboreum. The phenological observations were made at 15 days interval for low activity period and weekly in the periods of high activity. Phenological records were made for four phenophases, viz., leafing, leaf drop, flowering and seed fall.The leaf fall in S. robusta started from March 2nd week and was complete by the end of April. In M. philippinensis the fruiting commenced from the beginning of December and seed fall was complete by the 3rd week of April. In M. esculenta male flowers appear from August end and flowering was complete by October end.In R. arboreum seed dispersal started from February end and all the capsules had opened by mid-March. It is apparent from the present study that the phenological events of species controlled/shifted due to climatic irregularities and temperaturerise and these phenomena showed worldwide. Microclimatic condition alsoresponsible for controlling/shifting the phenological patterns of same or different species.

Myricitrin, a Glycosyloxyflavone in Myrica esculenta Bark Ameliorates Diabetic Nephropathy via Improving Glycemic Status, Reducing Oxidative Stress, and Suppressing Inflammation

The present study evaluated the therapeutic potential of myricitrin (Myr), a glycosyloxyflavone extracted from Myrica esculenta bark, against diabetic nephropathy. Myr exhibited a significant hypoglycemic effect in high fat-fed and a single low-dose streptozotocin-induced type 2 diabetic (T2D) rats. Myr was found to improve glucose uptake by the skeletal muscle via activating IRS-1/PI3K/Akt/GLUT4 signaling in vitro and in vivo. Myr significantly attenuated high glucose (HG)-induced toxicity in NRK cells and in the kidneys of T2D rats. In this study, hyperglycemia caused nephrotoxicity via endorsing oxidative stress and inflammation resulting in the induction of apoptosis, fibrosis, and inflammatory damages. Myr was found to attenuate oxidative stress via scavenging/neutralizing oxidative radicals and improving endogenous redox defense through Nrf-2 activation in both in vitro and in vivo systems. Myr was also found to attenuate diabetes-triggered renal inflammation via suppressing NF-κB activation. Myr inhibited hyperglycemia-induced apoptosis and fibrosis in renal cells evidenced by the changes in the expressions of the apoptotic and fibrotic factors. The molecular docking predicted the interactions between Myr and different signal proteins. An in silico absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) study predicted the drug-likeness character of Myr. Results suggested the possibility of Myr to be a potential therapeutic agent for diabetic nephropathy in the future.

Synthesis and Characterization of Chitosan from Prawn Shells and Study of Its Effects on Weight Loss of Myrica esculenta Fruits

In this work, chitin and chitosan were obtained from prawn shell wastages by chemical treatment method. Structural characterization of chitin and chitosan by FTIR, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and 13C NMR clearly showed the formation of chitosan from chitin. The physico-chemical properties of chitosan viz. molecular weight, moisture content, ash content and degree of deacetylation (DD) were analyzed. The optimum condition of deacetylation process to obtain chitosan from chitin was analyzed. The FTIR spectra showed the characteristic peaks corresponding to hydroxy, acetamido and amino functionalities of chitosan obtained from partial deacetylation of chitin and the solid state 13C NMR showed the formation of chitosan with characteristic peaks. XRD showed the shifting of crystallinity phases showing more crystallinity of chitin than chitosan. XPS spectrum of prepared chitin with the peaks corresponding to N, C and O binding energy was analogous to the standard. The effect of chitosan coating in extension of postharvest life of Kaphal (Myrica esculenta) fruits was investigated and chitosan coating was observed to have a potential to prolong storage life, control decay and weight loss.

Pattern of Forest Resource Utilization in Some Villages of Pauri Garhwal, Uttarakhand, India

The Garhwal Himalaya, located in the Himalayan Biodiversity Hotpot, is facing a tremendous pressure especially in human habitation localities where majority of the inhabitants are dependent on the natural resources for their daily needs. The forest resource use patterns vary from one place to another depending upon the livelihood status of inhabitant of particular area. The present study deals the forest resource use pattern in five villages namely Ghidrasu, Daang, Kathur, Khon and Thapli situated in the fringe of a reserve forest of Pauri Garhwal, Uttarakhand, India. The average fodder consumption was found 1136.13±148.44 kg/ family/ month that ranged 1047.62–1334.56 kg/ family/ month. The average fuelwood consumption/ household/ month varied from 451.04 to 560.74 kg (average 486.30±43.90 kg). The average LPG consumption varied from 13.59 to 14.26 kg/ household/ month (average 13.85±0.25 kg) in the area. The total importance value (TIV) analysis revealed that Aesculus indica, Euonymus pendulus, Lyonia ovalifolia, Myrica esculenta, Pinus roxburghii, Prunus cerasoides, Quercus oblongata, Rhododendron arboreum and Swida macrophylla were the tree species of higher socioeconomic values hence needs especial concern and priority in conservation and management related activities.