Biocontrol Agents Induce Disease Resistance in Phyllanthus niruri Linn against Damping-Off Disease Caused by Rhizoctonia solani

Five isolates each of Trichoderma viride and Pseudomonas fluorescens and four isolates of Bacillus subtilis were evaluated for their ability to control Rhizoctonia solani, the causal agent of damping off of Phyllanthus niruri. Among the isolates tested, TVUV10 (T. viride), PFMMP (P. fluorescens) and BSG3 (B. subtilis) showed maximum in vitro inhibition of mycelial growth of R. solani. Isolate PFMMP was also very effective in reducing disease incidence in greenhouse conditions. The effective isolates were evaluated for their ability to induce defense reactions in P. niruri plants. Earlier and increased activity of phenylalanine ammonia lyase, peroxidase, polyphenoloxidase and total phenolics were observed in the biocontrol-agent pretreated P. niruri plants challenged with R. solani. Isolate PFMMP caused early and increased synthesis of all defense related enzymes and total phenol. The present study showed that isolates TVUV10, PFMMP and BSG3 of T. viride, P. fluorescens and B. subtilis respectively are good candidates for the control of R. solani in P. niruri

Enhanced Dispersion of TiO2 Nanoparticles in a TiO2/PEDOT:PSS Hybrid Nanocomposite via Plasma-Liquid Interactions

A facile method to synthesize a TiO2/PEDOT:PSS hybrid nanocomposite material in aqueous solution through direct current (DC) plasma processing at atmospheric pressure and room temperature has been demonstrated. The dispersion of the TiO2 nanoparticles is enhanced and TiO2/polymer hybrid nanoparticles with a distinct core shell structure have been obtained. Increased electrical conductivity was observed for the plasma treated TiO2/PEDOT:PSS nanocomposite. The improvement in nanocomposite properties is due to the enhanced dispersion and stability in liquid polymer of microplasma treated TiO2 nanoparticles. Both plasma induced surface charge and nanoparticle surface termination with specific plasma chemical species are proposed to provide an enhanced barrier to nanoparticle agglomeration and promote nanoparticle-polymer binding

ANTI-DIABETIC EFFECT OF GREEN SYNTHESISED SILVER NANOPARTICLES OF PIPER BETLE

Objective: The objective of the current study is toward the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles from the aqueous leaf extracts of Piper betle (BL) and to evaluate its anti-diabetic efficacy. Methods: Silver nanoparticles were prepared with the aqueous leaf extract of Piper betle. Characterization of silver nanoparticles prepared from extracts of Piper betle was done by UV-Visible spectrophotometer absorbance spectrum; Scanning Electron Microscope; and Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer. The anti-diabetic efficacy was ascertained by inhibition assay of α-amylase activity and glucose diffusion inhibitory study with aqueous leaf extract of Piper betle and silver nanoparticles of Piper betle (BLNP). Results: Based on the findings of spectrophotometer studies, it was confirmed that the silver nanoparticles were generated. High-density silver nanoparticles were synthesized by Piper betle was depicted by scanning electron microscope. The plant extracts (BLE) and its nanoformulation (BLNP) showed a constructive impact on controlling the glucose level by the inhibition of α-amylase activity and glucose diffusion. Conclusion: It was concluded that the Piper betle can be employed as alternative medicine in the efficient management of Diabetes Mellitus

ANTI-DIABETIC EFFECT OF GREEN SYNTHESISED SILVER NANOPARTICLES OF PIPER BETLE

Objective: The objective of the current study is toward the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles from the aqueous leaf extracts of Piper betle (BL) and to evaluate its anti-diabetic efficacy. Methods: Silver nanoparticles were prepared with the aqueous leaf extract of Piper betle. Characterization of silver nanoparticles prepared from extracts of Piper betle was done by UV-Visible spectrophotometer absorbance spectrum; Scanning Electron Microscope; and Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer. The anti-diabetic efficacy was ascertained by inhibition assay of α-amylase activity and glucose diffusion inhibitory study with aqueous leaf extract of Piper betle and silver nanoparticles of Piper betle (BLNP). Results: Based on the findings of spectrophotometer studies, it was confirmed that the silver nanoparticles were generated. High-density silver nanoparticles were synthesized by Piper betle was depicted by scanning electron microscope. The plant extracts (BLE) and its nanoformulation (BLNP) showed a constructive impact on controlling the glucose level by the inhibition of α-amylase activity and glucose diffusion. Conclusion: It was concluded that the Piper betle can be employed as alternative medicine in the efficient management of Diabetes Mellitus.</jats:p

Epigallocatechin gallate & curcumin prevent transforming growth factor beta 1-induced epithelial to mesenchymal transition in ARPE-19 cells

Background & objectives: Proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) is characterized by the presence of epiretinal membrane (ERM), which exerts traction and detaches the retina. Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) of the retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells underlies ERM formation. Adjuvant therapies aimed at preventing recurrence of PVR after surgery mostly failed in clinical trials. This study was aimed to evaluate the anti-EMT properties of bio-active compounds epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), curcumin and lycopene as inhibitors of EMT induced by transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) in cultured ARPE-19 cells. Methods: ARPE-19 cells were treated with TGF-β1 alone or co-treated with EGCG (1-50 μM), lycopene (1-10 μM) and curcumin (1-10 μM). The mRNA and protein expression of EMT markers, alpha-smooth muscle actin, vimentin, zonula occludens-1 and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), were assessed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction/quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunofluorescence/enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Activity of MMP-2 was assessed by zymography. Functional implications of EMT were assessed by proliferation assay (MTT assay) and migration assay (scratch assay). Western-blot for phosphorylated Smad-3 and total Smad-3 was done to delineate the mechanism. Results: EGCG and curcumin at 10 μM concentration reversed EMT, inhibited proliferation and migration through Smad-3 phosphorylation, when induced by TGF-β1 in ARPE-19 cells. Lycopene did not prevent EMT in ARPE-19 cells. Interpretation & conclusions: EGCG and curcumin are potent in preventing EMT induced by TGF-β1 in ARPE-19 cells and therefore, proposed as potential molecules for further pre-clinical evaluation in PVR management