Cuminaldehyde as a Lipoxygenase Inhibitor: In Vitro and In Silico Validation

The search for lipoxygenase (LOX) inhibitors has been carried out for decades due to its importance in inflammatory diseases. In the present study, it was observed that the methanolic extract of Cuminum cyminum L. inhibited LOX activity. Activity-guided screening of the C. cyminum crude extracts helped the identification and isolation of cuminaldehyde as a 15-LOX inhibitor. The enzyme kinetics analysis suggested cuminaldehyde to be a competitive inhibitor and the IC ₅₀ value derived from LB plots is 1,370 μM. Binding constants of cuminaldehyde on LOX was deduced by isothermal titration calorimetry. The combined thermodynamics and molecular modeling analyses suggested cuminaldehyde as a competitive LOX inhibitor. It is proposed from the present study that the coordinate bond between the Fe²⁺ atom in the active site of the enzyme and the cuminaldehyde may be responsible for the enzyme inhibition. The study suggests that cuminaldehyde may be acting as an anti-inflammatory compound and may be therefore included in the category of leads for developing dual COX-LOX inhibitors as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).     

Lithium ion induced stabilization of the liquid crystalline DNA

A comparative study of the effects of alkali metal ions Li(+), Na(+), K(+), Rb(+), and Cs(+) on the liquid crystalline organization of high-molecular-weight calf thymus DNA using polarized light microscopy was performed. Major differences in the behavior of Li(+) as compared to the other ions were found. Critical DNA concentration expected to exhibit anisotropic behavior was found to be the same for all the monovalent ions, except for Li(+). DNA initially showed cholesteric textures, which later changed to higher ordered columnar phase for all ions, with the cholesteric-columnar transition facilitated upon increasing the size of the counterion. For Li(+) ion, a nematic schlieren-like texture was formed initially, which after a few days changed to a highly stable (for more than 2 months) biphasic cholesteric-columnar arrangement. The observed differences between Li(+) and other alkali metal ions could be rationalized on the basis of the higher number of hydration water molecules of Li(+) and its complexation behavior. Highly stable DNA mesophases may find applications in the field of nanoelectronics, in designing biosensing units, and in DNA chips.     

Molecular structure of Lantadene-B&C,triterpenoids ofantana camara,red variety: Lantadene-B, 22β-angeloyloxy-3-oxoolean-12-en-28-oic acid; Lantadene-C, 22 β-(S)-2′-methyl butanoyloxy-3-oxoolean-12-en-28-oic acid

(I)Lantadene-B: C₃₅H₅₂O₅,M _r =552.80, MonoclinicC2,a=25.65(1),b=6.819(9),c=18.75(1) Å,=100.61(9),V=3223(5) ų,Z=4,D _x =1.14 g cm^–3 CuK (=1.5418A),=5.5 cm^–1,F(000)=1208,R=0.118,wR=0.132 for 1527 observed reflections withF _o 2(F _o ). (II)Lantadene-C: C₃₅H₅₄O₅·CH₃OH,Mr=586.85, Monoclinic,P2₁,a=9.822(3),b=10.909(3),c=16.120(8)Å,=99.82(4),V=1702(1)ų,Z=2,D _x =1.145 g cm^–3, MoK (=0.7107Å), =0.708 cm^–1 F(000)=644,R=0.098, wR=0.094 for 1073 observed reflections. The rings A, B, C, D, and E aretrans, trans, trans, cis fused and are in chair, chair, sofa, half-chair, chair conformations, respectively, in both the structures. In the unit cell the molecules are stabilized by O-HO hydrogen bonds in both the structures, however an additional C-HO interaction is observed in the case of Lantadene-C.DCB Contribution No 809.     

Fabrication of hollow multifunctional spheres containing MCM-41 nanoparticles and magnetite nanoparticles using layer-by-layer method

Macroscopic mesoporous silica spheres have been fabricated by alternatively depositing preformed MCM-41 nanoparticles and polyelectrolytes onto polystyrene lattices. High surface area hollow mesoporous spheres were obtained by removal of the core by solvent or calcination. Further, the versatility of the layer-by-layer (LBL) method was extended to fabricate magnetite-mesoporous silica composites by depositing magnetite and MCM-41 nanoparticles onto polystyrene beads. Such high surface area composites are important since the mesopores can be used for encapsulation of varied materials like enzymes and drugs while the presence of magnetite ensures application in biocatalysis and separation under magnetic field.     

Inhibition of Beta-Lactamase by 1,4-Naphthalenedione from the Plant <Emphasis Type="Italic">Holoptelea integrifolia</Emphasis>

The most important mechanism of the beta-lactam antibiotic resistance is the destruction of the antibiotics by the enzyme beta-lactamase. Use of beta-lactamase inhibitors in combination with antibiotics is one of the successful antibacterial strategies. The inhibitory effect of a phytochemical, 1,4-naphthalenedione, isolated from the plant Holoptelea integrifolia on beta-lactamase is reported here. This compound was found to have a synergistic effect with the antibiotic amoxicillin against a resistant strain of Staphylococcus aureus. The enzyme was purified from the organism and incubated with the compound. An assay showed that the compound can inhibit the enzymatic activity of beta-lactamase. Modeling and molecular docking studies indicated that the compound can fit into the active site of beta-lactamase. Hence, the compound can serve as a potential lead compound for the development of effective beta-lactamase inhibitor that can be used against beta-lactam-resistant microbial strains.     

On computation of random response of a clamped plate

The free vibrations of elastically connected circular plate systems with elastically restrained edges and initial radial tensions are investigated analytically. By using the equations developed for the general n-plate system, the plate systems consisting of three and two identical plates with identical boundary conditions and a uniform radial tension are treated in detail. Both axisymmetric and non-axisymmetric vibrations are considered. Attention is directed to the influence of the radial tension and the elastic edge constraints on the first nine eigenvalues and the corresponding natural frequencies of the systems.     

Elimination of Estrogenic Activity of Thermal Paper Using Laccase from Trichoderma sp NFCCI-2745

In thermal printing, bisphenol A (BPA) functions chemically as a developer and reacts with white or colorless dyes in the presence of heat, converting them to a dark color. BPA can transfer readily to skin in small amounts from these papers. Its damage to environment and organisms has caused an extensive concern. In the present study, thermal paper used at the local automated teller machine counters of India were analyzed for the presence of BPA, and the capability of the paper to produce estrogenicity were assessed using a yeast two-hybrid assay experimental system. The study also focused on eliminating the endocrine-disrupting properties with partially purified laccase from newly isolated ascomycete fungi. The results indicate that these papers can produce estrogen hormone-like effect on experimental systems. It should be noted that on a daily basis, tons of such receipts are being dumped in the environment. Estrogenic properties of thermal paper were effectively removed from the reaction mixture within 3 h of incubation with the partially purified enzyme. We propose the utilization of waste thermal paper as a cheap substrate for laccase production for a safer and cleaner environment.     

Carbohydrate Binding and Unfolding of Spatholobus parviflorus Lectin: Fluorescence and Circular Dichroism Spectroscopic Study

Biophysical and carbohydrate binding studies have been carried out on a lectin of Spatholobus parviflorus (SPL) seeds isolated by affinity chromatography on cross-linked guar gum. It agglutinated erythrocytes of all ABO blood groups. SDS-PAGE, both in reducing and non-reducing conditions, showed two bands with MW of 29 and 31 kDa. MALDI TOF analysis revealed two peaks at 60 and 120 kDa, indicating that SPL is a hetero-dimeric tetramer. Temperature and pH stability studies revealed that SPL is a thermostable protein and its lectin activity is unaffected in the temperature range of 0–70 °C. Its activity was maximal in the pH range of 7–8. Unfolding studies with different denaturants like urea and guanidine hydrochloride indicated its globular nature and the presence of tryptophan in the highly hydrophobic area, which could be correlated to the results of fluorescence spectroscopic studies. The effect of carbohydrate binding on the lectin, shown by circular dichroism spectra, indicated the changes in its secondary and tertiary structures. SPL exerted anti-fungal activity against Aspergillus sp.