Terpene-rich Fractions of Ficus Mucoso (Welw) Modulate Lipopolysaccharide-induced Inflammatory Mediators and Aberrant Permeability of the Inner Mitochondrial Membrane in Murine Animal Model

Ficus mucoso is traditionally used to treat various infections. This study compared the efficacy of terpene-rich fractions of F. mucoso root bark on LPS-induced inflammation, liver mitochondrial permeability transition (mPT) pore, an index of mitochondrial health, and associated pathological alterations. Terpene-Rich fractions of Dichloromethane (TRDF) and Ethylacetate fractions of F. mucoso (TREF) were obtained according to the method described by Ferguson (1956). A single intraperitoneal injection of 1 mg/kg lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were given to mice to induce systemic inflammation for 72hrs. Evaluation of the effects of the TRDF and TREF on levels of pro-inflammatory mediators (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6) and antioxidant indices against LPS-induced hepatic damage were carried out. Mitochondrial swelling was monitored spectrophotometrically as well as mitochondrial ATPase activity and lipid peroxidation. This study reveals that TRDF and TREF possess anti-inflammatory potentials which is related to reduction in levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, restoration of antioxidant status, reduction in levels of liver marker enzymes as well as associated pathological injury. Furthermore, LPS caused induction of opening of the liver mPT pore which was significantly inhibited by TRDF at 100 and 200 mg/kg bw by 71% and 88% respectively, but only at 100 mg/kg TREF. Furthermore, mitochondrial ATPase activity was inhibited largely by TRDF. The UPLC-ESI-MS analysis revealed the presence of terpenoid derivatives and a few aromatic metabolites in TRDF. The terpene dominance of TRDF metabolites was further justified on the 1H NMR fingerprint.Overall, TRDF is more effective as a cocktail of anti-inflammatory compounds than TREF against LPS-induced acute systemic inflammation.

A dynamic invertible intramolecular charge-transfer fluorescence probe: real-time monitoring of mitochondrial ATPase activity

A dynamic invertible intramolecular charge-transfer fluorescence probe was successfully utilized for the real-time monitoring of mitochondrial ATPase activity.

Changes in phosphate content and phosphatase activities in rice seedlings exposed to arsenite

The effect of arsenite (As2O3) in situ on the level of the phosphate pool and activities of phosphohydrolytic enzymes was examined in rice (Oryza sativa L.) seedlings grown for 5-20 d in sand cultures. The effects were manifested via a decline in phosphate content and inhibition of the activities of key phosphatases. Application of 50 µM As2O3 in situ resulted in 34 to 77% inhibition of acid phosphatase activity in roots and about 38 to 50% inhibition of activity in shoots of 15-20-d-old seedlings. Similarly, alkaline phosphatase activity was inhibited in shoots under in situ As (III) toxicity. Varietal as well as organ specific differences were observed in the response of inorganic pyrophosphatase activity to in situ As (III) treatment. A moderately toxic in situ As2O3 level of 25 µM as well as a highly toxic level of 50 µM inhibited mitochondrial-ATPase activity whereas 25 µM As (III) stimulated the chloroplastic isoform of ATPase but at a higher level (50 µM) As (III) was inhibitory. The results suggest that exposure of rice plants to arsenite leads to lowering of the phosphate pool and alteration in the activities of key phosphohydrolytic enzymes which might contribute to metabolic perturbations and decreased growth of rice plants in an As (III) polluted environment.