In vitro cytocompatibility assessment and antibacterial effects of quercetin encapsulated alginate/chitosan nanoparticle

The present work aims at evaluating the in vitro biocompatibility, antibacterial activity and antioxidant capacity of the fabricated and optimized Alginate/Chitosan nanoparticles (ALG/CSNPs) and quercetin loaded Alginate/Chitosan nanoparticles (Q-ALG/CSNPs) with an improved biological efficacy on the hydrophobic flavonoid.The physicochemical properties were determined by TEM and FTIR analysis. The nanoparticles evaluated for the encapsulation of quercetin exerted % encapsulation efficiency (EE) that varied between 76 and 82.4 % and loading capacity (LC) from 31 to 46.5 %. Potential cytotoxicity of the ALG/CSNPs and Q-ALG/CSNPs upon L929 fibroblast cell line was evaluated by MTT reduction Assay and expressed as % cell viability. The in vitro antibacterial property was studied by well diffusion method against gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25925) and gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli (ATCC 25923). The inhibitory efficacy by scavenging free radical intermediates was evaluated by 1,1, diphenyl 2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. The results of in vitro cytotoxicity showed biocompatibility towards L929 cells. Quercetin loaded Alginate/Chitosan nanoparticles inhibited the growth of microorganisms than pure quercetin. The 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging results have shown a high level of antioxidant property for encapsulated Quercetin in Alginate/Chitosan nanoparticles compared to free Quercetin. The findings of our study suggest that the developed ALG/CSNPs and Q-ALG/CSNPs possess the prerequisites and be proposed as a suitable system for delivering quercetin with enhanced therapeutic effectuality.

Assessment of In vitro Antioxidant Potential of the Polyphenols and the Sulphated Polysaccharides fractions of Ulva lactuca and Turbinaria ornata

Aims: To assess the in vitro antioxidant potential of the polyphenols and the sulphated polysaccharides fractions from green marine alga Ulva lactuca and brown marine alga Turbinaria ornata. Study Design: In the present work, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH), lipid peroxidation, hydroxyl radical and hydrogen peroxide scavenging activities were used for the evaluation of the antioxidant potential of the polyphenols and the sulphated polysaccharides fractions from Ulva lactuca and Turbinaria ornata. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Biochemistry, Adhiparasakthi College of Arts and Science (Autonomous), G.B. Nagar, Kalavai – 632 506, Tamil Nadu, India. Methodology: The polyphenols and the sulphated polysaccharides fractions were extracted from green marine alga Ulva lactuca and brown marine alga Turbinaria ornata, and were assayed for in vitro antioxidant potential using the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH), lipid peroxidation, hydroxyl raidcal and hydrogen peroxide scavenging activities. Results: Both the polyphenols and the sulphated polysaccharides fractions were extracted from green marine alga Ulva lactuca and brown marine alga Turbinaria ornata, showed good in vitro antioxidant potential with the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH), lipid peroxidation, hydroxyl radical and hydrogen peroxide scavenging activities. The percentage of inhibition ranged from 90.37 – 100.0 % inhibition for polyphenols fraction and 68.73 – 95.23 % for sulphated polysaccharides. The IC50 values ranged from 0.185 mg/ml to 0.430 mg/ml. Conclusion: Both the polyphenols and the sulphated polysaccharides fractions from Ulva lactuca and Turbinaria ornata are shown to be capable of scavenging a wide range of synthetic and naturally occurring free radicals, and they could be utilized as good natural source of antioxidants. These data may contribute to a rational basis for the use of antioxidant-rich marine algal fractions in the therapy of diseases related to oxidative stress.

Hepatoprotective and Antioxidant Potential of the Sulphated Polysaccharides Fraction of Turbinaria ornata against paracetamol-induced Liver Damage in Rats

Aims: To assess the potential of the sulphated polysaccharides fraction from brown marine alga Turbinaria ornata in protecting the liver damage induced by high dose of paracetamol. Study Design: In the present work, liver damage was induced in rats with paracetamol. Simultaneously other groups of rats were given standard drug or Turbinaria ornata sulphated polysaccharides fraction. From the rats’ serum, parameters like alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, γ-glutamyl transferase, total bilirubin, total protein, cholesterol, triglycerides and reduced glutathione were determined; and from the liver homogenate, reduced glutathione and antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase were determined for the evaluation of the hepatoprotective and antioxidant potential of the sulphated polysaccharides fraction from Turbinaria ornata. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Biochemistry, Adhiparasakthi College of Arts and Science (Autonomous), G.B. Nagar, Kalavai – 632 506, Tamil Nadu, India. Methodology: This study was performed using Wistar albino rats divided into six groups. Group 1 Control group. Groups 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 received paracetamol (2 g/kg) for 7 days. In addition to paracetamol, group 3 received silymarin (100 mg/kg), groups 4, 5 and 6 received Turbinaria ornata sulphated polysaccharides fraction at the doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg respectively for 7 days. On the 8th day, serum and liver samples were collected from the animals and the hepatoprotective and antioxidant activities were assessed by studying the levels of liver marker enzymes, bilirubin, protein, reduced glutathione and antioxidant enzymes. Results: Turbinaria ornata sulphated polysaccharides fraction, at the tested doses, restored the levels of all serum markers and enzymes (aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, γ-glutamyl transferase, total bilirubin, total protein, cholesterol, triglycerides and reduced glutathione) as well as liver homogenate antioxidant markers (reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase) significantly, in dose-dependent manner. Conclusion: This study suggests that the Turbinaria ornata sulphated polysaccharides fraction has a hepatoprotective effect against paracetamol-induced liver damage and possess antioxidant activities.

In silico Molecular Docking of Anthraquinone Identified from Boerhavia diffusa Linn against Bax and Bcl-2 Gene

In today's medical environment, natural products have made a substantial contribution to the therapeutic approach in the treatment of diseases ranging from the simple to the complex. The old or traditional approach of standardization in medicinal plant research is a time-consuming, costly, and to some extent antiquated process. As a result, a computational technique that includes an in silico molecular docking simulation study has become an important tool for drug development, standardisation, and screening of phytochemicals. To investigate the cardioprotective research and the interaction of the strong chemical against Bax and Bcl-2 cardiomyocyte gene, docking was conducted using multiple Protein Data Bank files (3EOO, 3D2U, 2I42, and 3D2Y). The Anthraquinone has shown more potent interaction with apoptotic regulators Bcl-2 and Bax genes by showing good binding energy. The study also evident that Anthraquinone (UBA) was an ideal drug agent with better drug likeliness.  Further, the compound can be used as therapeutic molecule for myocardial infarction. However, the results are preliminary and experimental evaluation will be carried out in near future.

Effect of biologically synthesized gold nanoparticles on alloxan-induced diabetic rats-an in vivo approach

Development of novel antidiabetic agents using various organic compounds and biomolecules has been in practice for a long time. Recently, nanomaterials are also being used in antidiabetic studies for their unique properties such as small size, biocompatibility and ability to penetrate cell membrane for carrying drugs. Herein, in vivo antidiabetic activity of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) synthesized using the antidiabetic potent plant Gymnema sylvestre R. Br on wistar albino rats has been evaluated. The formation of AuNPs and their morphology were confirmed using spectroscopic and microscopic analyses, respectively. The treatment of AuNPs has shown significant reduction in blood glucose level on diabetic rats. AuNPs were also tested for its anti-inflammatory effect by estimating the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and high-sensitive C-reactive protein (CRP).

Cardioprotective potential of biobased gold nanoparticles

In the present investigation, the cardioprotective nature of proanthocyanidin (PAC)-synthesized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) is addressed in detail. There was a rapid reduction of gold metal ions by PAC and the new-genre AuNPs exhibited remarkable in vitro stability both in biological and chemical solutions. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) indicated that the newly formed nanoparticles ranged in size from 17 to 29 nm (∼24 nm). MTT assay carried out with peripheral blood mononuclear cells demonstrated the non-toxic nature of AuNPs. PAC-synthesized AuNPs showed cardioprotective action in isoproterenol-induced myocardial injury at a lowest dosage (9 mg kg(-1)). Cardiac marker enzymes and antioxidant parameters in serum and heart tissue were also measured.

Functionalization of gold nanoparticles as antidiabetic nanomaterial

In the present investigation, functionalization of gold nanoparticles synthesized using propanoic acid 2-(3-acetoxy-4,4,14-trimethylandrost-8-en-17-yl) (PAT) an active biocomponent isolated from Cassia auriculata is studied in detail. On reaction of PAT with aqueous HAuCl4, rapid formation of stable gold nanoparticles was achieved. Formation of gold nanoparticles was confirmed by UV-vis spectroscopy, XRD, GC-MS,FTIR, TEM and SEM with EDAX. Gold nanoparticles mostly were monodisperse, spherical in shape and ranged in size 12-41 nm. Gold nanoparticles synthesised using PAT was administered to alloxan (150 mg/kg body weight) induced diabetic male albino rats at different doses (0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1.0mg/kg body weight) for 28 days. Plasma glucose level, cholesterol and triglyceride were significantly (p<0.001) reduced in experimental animals treated with gold nanoparticles at dosage of 0.5mg/kg body weight and plasma insulin increased significantly. The newly genre green gold nanoparticles exhibit remarkable protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B inhibitory activity.