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Stein C, Voigts J, Niederreiter L, Kowarschik S, Huber R, Lüth VM. Antiproliferative and immunomodulative potential of Citrullus colocynthis and its bioactive compounds in human lymphocytes and lung cells. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 328:118053. [PMID: 38499257 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.118053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad is a member of the Cucurbitaceae plant family which has been used in traditional medicine for the treatment of lung diseases such as asthma and bronchitis. AIM OF THE STUDY The study was conducted to investigate antiproliferative and immunomodulating effects of C. colocynthis and isolated cucurbitacins on human T lymphocytes and lung epithelial cells in order to evaluate their potential in the treatment of airway diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS Different concentrations of an ethanolic extract of C. colocynthis fruits and cucurbitacins B (CuB), E (CuE) and E-glucopyranoside (CuE-Glu) were analysed for their cytotoxicity and immunomodulatory potential on Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMCs) of healthy donors and on the epithelial lung cancer cell line A549. Viability and proliferation were tested using WST1 and CFSE assays. Flow cytometric analysis of AnnexinV/PI staining was used to investigate cell death through apoptosis/necrosis. Effects on regulatory mechanisms of T lymphocytes, such as CD69 and CD25 marker activation, cytokine production of the cytokines interleukin 2 (IL2), tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) and interferon γ (IFNy) were also analysed via flow cytometry. Influences on the activator protein 1 (AP1), nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFAT) or nuclear factor 'kappa-light-chain-enhancer' of activated B-cells (NFκB) pathways were analysed in the Jurkat reporter cell line. Cytokine secretion in A549 cells stimulated with virus-like particles was analysed using the bead-based Legendplex™ assay. RESULTS Non-toxic concentrations of C. colocynthis and CuE-Glu showed dose-dependent effects on viability and proliferation in both T lymphocytes and A549 cells. The extracts inhibited lymphocyte activation and suppressed T cell effector functions, which was also shown by lower production of cytokines IL2, TNFα and IFNy. A dose dependent inhibition of the pathways NFκB, NFAT and AP1 in Jurkat cells could be observed. In A549 cells, especially CuE and CuE-Glu showed inhibitory effects on cytokine production following a simulated viral infection. Unglycosylated cucurbitacins were more effective in suppressing the immune function in lymphocytes than glycosylated cucurbitacins, however this activity is limited to cytotoxic concentrations. CONCLUSION In our study we could confirm the immunmodulating effect of C. colocynthis and cucurbitacins B, E and E-glucopyranoside in vitro by suppression of different pathways of inflammation and T cell proliferation. Activity in a lung cell model using a virus-like stimulation shows promise for further research regarding cucurbitacins in airway diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carina Stein
- Centre for Complementary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine II, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79102, Freiburg, Germany.
| | - Johanna Voigts
- Centre for Complementary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine II, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79102, Freiburg, Germany.
| | - Lisa Niederreiter
- Centre for Complementary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine II, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79102, Freiburg, Germany.
| | - Stefanie Kowarschik
- Centre for Complementary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine II, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79102, Freiburg, Germany.
| | - Roman Huber
- Centre for Complementary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine II, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79102, Freiburg, Germany.
| | - Volker M Lüth
- Centre for Complementary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine II, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79102, Freiburg, Germany.
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Benka M, Görlitz K, Schöttgen MC, Lagies S, Mohl DA, Kather M, Du Preez-Bruwer I, Mumbengegwi D, Teufel R, Kowarschik S, Huber R, Plattner DA, Kammerer B. Mass Spectrometric Analysis of Cucurbitacins and Dihydrocucurbitacins from the Tuber of Citrullus naudinianus. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1168. [PMID: 37627233 PMCID: PMC10452186 DOI: 10.3390/biom13081168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The vast pool of structurally and functionally distinct secondary metabolites (i.e., natural products (NPs)) is constantly being expanded, a process also driven by the rapid progress in the development of analytical techniques. Such NPs often show potent biological activities and are therefore prime candidates for drug development and medical applications. The ethyl acetate extract of the tuber of Citrullus naudinianus (C. naudinianus), an African melon with edible fruits and seeds, shows in vitro immunomodulatory activity presumably elicited by cucurbitacins that are known major constituents of this plant. Further potentially immunomodulatory cucurbitacins or cucurbitacin derivatives were assumed to be in the tuber. Given the typically high content of cucurbitacins with similar physicochemical features but often distinct bioactivities, an efficient and reliable separation process is a prerequisite for their detailed characterization and assessment in terms of bioactivity. We therefore developed a detection method to screen and differentiate cucurbitacins via high-performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole-time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-QTOF-MS/MS). In order to confirm the identification, the fragmentation patterns of two cucurbitacins and one 23,24-dihydrocucurbitacin were also investigated. Six characteristic fragments were identified and three of them were employed for the identification of cucurbitacins and 23,24-dihydrocucurbitacins in the extract. As a result, in addition to eight previously reported cucurbitacins from this plant four distinct 23,24-dihydrocucurbitacins (B, D, E, and I) were putatively identified and newly found in the ethyl acetate extract of the tuber of C. naudinianus. The established methodology enables rapid and efficient LC-MS-based analysis and identification of cucurbitacins and 23,24-dihydrocucurbitacins in plant extracts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moritz Benka
- Core Competence Metabolomics, Hilde-Mangold-Haus, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; (M.B.)
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
- Hermann Staudinger Graduate School, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Kristof Görlitz
- Core Competence Metabolomics, Hilde-Mangold-Haus, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; (M.B.)
| | - Michael C. Schöttgen
- Core Competence Metabolomics, Hilde-Mangold-Haus, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; (M.B.)
- Center for Complementary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Simon Lagies
- Core Competence Metabolomics, Hilde-Mangold-Haus, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; (M.B.)
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Daniel A. Mohl
- Core Competence Metabolomics, Hilde-Mangold-Haus, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; (M.B.)
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
- Hermann Staudinger Graduate School, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Michel Kather
- Core Competence Metabolomics, Hilde-Mangold-Haus, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; (M.B.)
| | - Iwanette Du Preez-Bruwer
- Centre for Research Services, University of Namibia, Private Bag, Mandume, Ndemufayo Avenue, Pioneers Park, Windhoek 13301, Namibia
| | - Davis Mumbengegwi
- Centre for Research Services, University of Namibia, Private Bag, Mandume, Ndemufayo Avenue, Pioneers Park, Windhoek 13301, Namibia
| | - Robin Teufel
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Basel, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Stefanie Kowarschik
- Center for Complementary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Roman Huber
- Center for Complementary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Dietmar A. Plattner
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Bernd Kammerer
- Core Competence Metabolomics, Hilde-Mangold-Haus, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; (M.B.)
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
- BIOSS Centre for Biological Signalling Studies, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
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Khumalo GP, Van Wyk BE, Feng Y, Cock IE. A review of the traditional use of southern African medicinal plants for the treatment of inflammation and inflammatory pain. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2022; 283:114436. [PMID: 34289396 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2021.114436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Inflammation is a serious global concern due to its debilitating symptoms, resulting in considerable suffering and lost productivity. Chronic and auto-immune inflammatory diseases are of particular concern. Several pharmaceutical therapies are already available. However, the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID's) is accompanied by harmful and toxic side effects. Hence, the search for safer alternative therapeutics with limited side effects is imperative. The use of medicinal plants is common practice amongst the southern African population and may provide targets for drug development. AIM OF THE STUDY This study aims to review and document the medicinal uses and pharmacological properties of southern African medicinal plants used for inflammation and pain-related ailments. MATERIAL AND METHODS An extensive literature review was undertaken to identify southern African plants used traditionally to treat inflammation. A variety of ethnobotanical books and grey literature, as well as ScienceDirect, Google Scholar and Scopus search engines were used as sources of information. RESULTS This review identified 555 medicinal plants from 118 families which were traditionally used in southern Africa to treat inflammation and pain. Fabaceae was the most prominent family with 63 species, followed by Asteraceae (54 species) and Apocynaceae (33 species). The top category of ailments indicated include non-specific inflammation with 150 species, followed by inflammatory pain (148 species), headache (114 species) and toothache (114 species). CONCLUSION Despite a large number of southern African medicinal plants used to treat inflammation and pain, relatively few have been screened for their anti-inflammatory properties. Furthermore, biologically active plant extracts have been tested against relatively few inflammatory markers and considerable further work is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gugulethu P Khumalo
- Environmental Futures Research Institute, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Rd, Nathan, Queensland, 4111, Australia; School of Environment and Science, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Rd, Nathan, Queensland, 4111, Australia; Griffith Research Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, 46 Don Young Rd, Nathan, Queensland, 4111, Australia
| | - Ben Erik Van Wyk
- Department of Botany and Plant Biotechnology, University of Johannesburg, P.O. Box 524, Auckland Park, 2006, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Yunjiang Feng
- School of Environment and Science, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Rd, Nathan, Queensland, 4111, Australia; Griffith Research Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, 46 Don Young Rd, Nathan, Queensland, 4111, Australia
| | - Ian E Cock
- Environmental Futures Research Institute, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Rd, Nathan, Queensland, 4111, Australia; School of Environment and Science, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Rd, Nathan, Queensland, 4111, Australia.
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Wainwright CL, Teixeira MM, Adelson DL, Buenz EJ, David B, Glaser KB, Harata-Lee Y, Howes MJR, Izzo AA, Maffia P, Mayer AM, Mazars C, Newman DJ, Nic Lughadha E, Pimenta AM, Parra JA, Qu Z, Shen H, Spedding M, Wolfender JL. Future Directions for the Discovery of Natural Product-Derived Immunomodulating Drugs. Pharmacol Res 2022; 177:106076. [PMID: 35074524 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2022.106076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Drug discovery from natural sources is going through a renaissance, having spent many decades in the shadow of synthetic molecule drug discovery, despite the fact that natural product-derived compounds occupy a much greater chemical space than those created through synthetic chemistry methods. With this new era comes new possibilities, not least the novel targets that have emerged in recent times and the development of state-of-the-art technologies that can be applied to drug discovery from natural sources. Although progress has been made with some immunomodulating drugs, there remains a pressing need for new agents that can be used to treat the wide variety of conditions that arise from disruption, or over-activation, of the immune system; natural products may therefore be key in filling this gap. Recognising that, at present, there is no authoritative article that details the current state-of-the-art of the immunomodulatory activity of natural products, this in-depth review has arisen from a joint effort between the International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology (IUPHAR) Natural Products and Immunopharmacology, with contributions from a Powered by Editorial Manager® and ProduXion Manager® from Aries Systems Corporation number of world-leading researchers in the field of natural product drug discovery, to provide a "position statement" on what natural products has to offer in the search for new immunomodulatory argents. To this end, we provide a historical look at previous discoveries of naturally occurring immunomodulators, present a picture of the current status of the field and provide insight into the future opportunities and challenges for the discovery of new drugs to treat immune-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cherry L Wainwright
- Centre for Natural Products in Health, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, UK.
| | - Mauro M Teixeira
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | - David L Adelson
- Molecular & Biomedical Science, University of Adelaide, Australia.
| | - Eric J Buenz
- Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology, New Zealand.
| | - Bruno David
- Green Mission Pierre Fabre, Pierre Fabre Laboratories, Toulouse, France.
| | - Keith B Glaser
- AbbVie Inc., Integrated Discovery Operations, North Chicago, USA.
| | - Yuka Harata-Lee
- Molecular & Biomedical Science, University of Adelaide, Australia
| | - Melanie-Jayne R Howes
- Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, Richmond, Surrey, UK; Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King's College London, UK.
| | - Angelo A Izzo
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Italy.
| | - Pasquale Maffia
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Italy; Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
| | - Alejandro Ms Mayer
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Graduate Studies, Midwestern University, IL, USA.
| | - Claire Mazars
- Green Mission Pierre Fabre, Pierre Fabre Laboratories, Toulouse, France.
| | | | | | - Adriano Mc Pimenta
- Laboratory of Animal Venoms and Toxins, Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | - John Aa Parra
- Laboratory of Animal Venoms and Toxins, Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Zhipeng Qu
- Molecular & Biomedical Science, University of Adelaide, Australia
| | - Hanyuan Shen
- Molecular & Biomedical Science, University of Adelaide, Australia
| | | | - Jean-Luc Wolfender
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Geneva, Switzerland; Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Western Switzerland, University of Geneva, Switzerland.
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Qu T, Gao Y, Li A, Li Z, Qin X. Systems biology analysis of the effect and mechanism of total flavonoids of Astragali Radix against cyclophosphamide-induced leucopenia in mice. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2021; 205:114357. [PMID: 34500237 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2021.114357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2021] [Revised: 08/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed to demonstrate the pharmacological mechanism of total flavonoids extracted from Astragali Radix (AR) on cyclophosphamide (Cy)-induced leucopenia in mice. First, flow cytometry, network pharmacology and plasma metabolomics were integrated to investigate the pharmacological mechanism of total flavonoids, the targets from network pharmacology and metabolites from metabolomics were analyzed by DAVID. Then, the key cytokines were validated to confirm the predicted metabolic pathway results. The results showed that total flavonoids significantly increased body weight, routine blood indices, bone marrow DNA cells, and also markedly caused lymphocyte proliferation by increasing the percentages of CD4+ and CD8+. Using network pharmacology and metabolomics methods, the study identified 13 signal-related pathways regulated by total flavonoids including PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, Jak-STAT signaling pathway, Sphingolipid signaling pathway, and so on. Total flavonoids also reversed changes in serum cytokines IL-2, IL-6, and GM-CSF. Total flavonoids exhibits protective effects against leucopenia probably by modulating immunologic functions, promoting cell proliferation, and regulating related metabolic pathways at the system level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingli Qu
- School of Pharmaceutical Science of Shanxi Medical University, No.56, Xinjian south Road, Taiyuan 030001, Shanxi, People's Republic of China; Modern Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine of Shanxi University, No.92, Wucheng Road, Taiyuan 030006, Shanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Yao Gao
- Modern Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine of Shanxi University, No.92, Wucheng Road, Taiyuan 030006, Shanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Aiping Li
- Modern Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine of Shanxi University, No.92, Wucheng Road, Taiyuan 030006, Shanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhenyu Li
- Modern Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine of Shanxi University, No.92, Wucheng Road, Taiyuan 030006, Shanxi, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xuemei Qin
- Modern Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine of Shanxi University, No.92, Wucheng Road, Taiyuan 030006, Shanxi, People's Republic of China.
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Hanuma Kumar GEN, Kumar SS, Balaji M, Maurya DK, Kesavulu M. Pterocarpus santalinus L. extract mitigates gamma radiation-inflicted derangements in BALB/c mice by Nrf2 upregulation. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 141:111801. [PMID: 34146850 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.111801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Plant-based natural extracts contain several nutrients and bioactive compounds, such as phenolics and flavonoids, that possess various health-promoting activities. This study investigated the effects of polyphenols from Pterocarpus santalinus hydroalcoholic extract (PSHE) against gamma radiation-induced derangements via the upregulation of Nrf2. Ultra High Performance Liquid Chromatography Coupled to High Resolution Mass Spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS/MS) analysis was performed to identify the possible radioprotectors. In vivo and in vitro studies, namely Real-Time-PCR (RT-PCR) analysis, Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) scavenging activity, lipid peroxidation and GSH levels, DNA damage and cell death studies, anti-inflammatory (Sandwich ELISA), immunomodulatory studies (antibody staining), and model free radical scavenging assays, were performed. Vanillic acid, protocatechuic acid, para-hydroxybenzoic acid, chlorogenic acid, TNF-α inhibitor (Eudesmin), isoflavone (Daidzein 7-o-glucoside), astragalin (Kaempferol 3-o-glycoside), and other polyphenols were identified in PSHE using UHPLC-HRMS/MS analysis. Prophylactic administration of PSHE (-1 h) rendered more than 33% survival in mice exposed to 8 Gy whole-body-irradiation with increased mice survival and recovery of bone marrow and spleen cellularity. Real-time RT-PCR analysis showed that PSHE treatment (50 µg/mL) upregulated Nrf2, HO-1, and GPX-1 in mice splenocytes. At 50 µg/mL, PSHE reduced ROSscavenging activity, mitochondrial and spleen membrane lipid peroxidation levels, DNA damage, and cell death, and increased GSH levels. At 10 µg/mL, PSHE treatment diminished the content of IL-6 and TNF-α. At 50 µg/mL, PSHE suppressed lymphocyte proliferation. These findings indicate that polyphenols of PSHE possess marked antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory capacities, which play important roles in the prevention of radiation damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ghali E N Hanuma Kumar
- Department of Biochemistry, Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati 517502, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | - Sandopu Sravan Kumar
- Department of Biochemistry, Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati 517502, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | - Meriga Balaji
- Department of Biochemistry, Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati 517502, Andhra Pradesh, India.
| | - Dharmendra Kumar Maurya
- Radiation Biology & Health Sciences Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai 400085, Maharashtra, India.
| | - Muppuru Kesavulu
- Sree Vidyanikethan Engineering College, Tirupati 517102, Andhra Pradesh, India
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