Anti-Salmonella activity of a flavonone from Butea frondosa bark in mice

Uma Shankar Mishra,Noton Kumar Dutta,Kaushiki Mazumdar,Santosh Kumar Mahapatra,Pronobesh Chakraborty,Sujata G Dastidar 경희대학교 융합한의과학연구소 2008 Oriental Pharmacy and Experimental Medicine Vol.8 No.4

Butea frondosa has been used traditionally as a topical formulation in the treatment of many diseases and disorders. Two compounds [BF-1 (crystalline flavonol quercetin) and BF-2 (tannin) from ethyl acetate fraction of ethanolic extract] were isolated from the bark of Butea frondosa. The stereostructures of the compounds were determined on the basis of chemical and physicochemical evidence. BF-1 and BF-2 were screened in vitro for possible antibacterial property against 112 bacteria comprising 3 genera of Gram-positive and 12 genera of Gram-negative types. It was found that both BF-1 and BF-2 exhibited inhibitory activity against several bacteria. Most of these strains were inhibited by BF-1 at 50 - 200 μg/ml, while BF-2 (MIC50 400 μg/ml) was much less active. The bacteria could be arranged in the decreasing order of sensitivity towards BF-1 in the following manner: S. aureus, Bacillus spp., Salmonella spp., Vibrio spp., Shigella spp., E. coli and Pseudomonas spp. The MIC50 of the compound was 50 μg/ml while the MIC90 was 100 μg/ml. The decreasing order of sensitivity towards BF-2 was V. cholerae, Bacillus spp., S. aureus, V. parahaemolyticus, Salmonella spp. and Proteus spp. BF-1 was bactericidal in action. In vivo studies with this extract showed that it could offer statistically significant protection (p < 0.01) to mice challenged with a virulent bacterium. The inhibitory activity of Butea frondosa against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria indicates its usefulness in the treatment of common bacterial infections. The potentiality of BF- 1 as an antibacterial agent may be confirmed further by pharmacological studies. Butea frondosa has been used traditionally as a topical formulation in the treatment of many diseases and disorders. Two compounds [BF-1 (crystalline flavonol quercetin) and BF-2 (tannin) from ethyl acetate fraction of ethanolic extract] were isolated from the bark of Butea frondosa. The stereostructures of the compounds were determined on the basis of chemical and physicochemical evidence. BF-1 and BF-2 were screened in vitro for possible antibacterial property against 112 bacteria comprising 3 genera of Gram-positive and 12 genera of Gram-negative types. It was found that both BF-1 and BF-2 exhibited inhibitory activity against several bacteria. Most of these strains were inhibited by BF-1 at 50 - 200 μg/ml, while BF-2 (MIC50 400 μg/ml) was much less active. The bacteria could be arranged in the decreasing order of sensitivity towards BF-1 in the following manner: S. aureus, Bacillus spp., Salmonella spp., Vibrio spp., Shigella spp., E. coli and Pseudomonas spp. The MIC50 of the compound was 50 μg/ml while the MIC90 was 100 μg/ml. The decreasing order of sensitivity towards BF-2 was V. cholerae, Bacillus spp., S. aureus, V. parahaemolyticus, Salmonella spp. and Proteus spp. BF-1 was bactericidal in action. In vivo studies with this extract showed that it could offer statistically significant protection (p < 0.01) to mice challenged with a virulent bacterium. The inhibitory activity of Butea frondosa against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria indicates its usefulness in the treatment of common bacterial infections. The potentiality of BF- 1 as an antibacterial agent may be confirmed further by pharmacological studies.

Pollinators Other Than Honey Bees Visiting Certain Medicinal Plants in Jammu

Uma Shankar,D. P. Abrol 한국양봉학회 2011 韓國養蜂學會誌 Vol.26 No.3

Insects belonging to six families viz. Syrphidae, Apidae, Megachilidae, Halictidae, Xylocopinae and Anthophoridae were found to visit the flowers of tulsi (Ocimum sanclum, Lamiaceae); mentha (Mentha pipertia, Lamiaceae) Coriandrum (Foeniculum vulgare, Umbelliferae) and Chaksu (Cassia absus Linn., Leguminoceae). Important visitors of tulsi, mentha and coriandrum were Syrphus balteatus, Halictus, Lasioglossum and Apis species such as Apis florea, Apis dorsata, Apis cerana and Apis mellifera. Cassia absus flowers on the other hand were most commonly visited by carpenter bees such as Xylocopa fenestrata, Xylocopa pubescens, Pithitis smaragdula, Andrena flavipes and Megachilid species. Maximum population were observed between 1200~1500 hours on all observation days. There was significant improvement in qualitative and quantitative characteristics of plants.

Regulation of Fumonisin Biosynthesis in Fusarium verticillioides-Maize System

Uma Shankar Sagaram,Mike Kolomiets,Won-Bo Shim 한국식물병리학회 2006 Plant Pathology Journal Vol.22 No.3

Fumonisins are a group of mycotoxins produced by a pathogen Fusarium verticillioides in infected maize kernels. Consumption of fumonisin-contaminated maize has been implicated in a number of animal and human illnesses, including esophageal cancer and neural tube defects. Since the initial discovery, chemistry, toxicology, and biology of fumonisins as well as the maize- Fusarium pathosystem have been extensively studied. Furthermore, in the past decade, significant progress has been made in terms of understanding the molecular biology of toxin biosynthetic genes. However, there is a critical gap in our understanding of the regulatory mechanisms involved in fumonisin biosynthesis. Here, we review and discuss our current knowledge about the molecular mechanisms by which fumonisin biosynthesis is regulated in F. verticillioides. In addition, we discuss the impact of maize kernel environment, particularly sugar and lipid molecules, on fumonisin biosynthesis.

Regulation of Fumonisin Biosynthesis in Fusarium verticillioides-Maize System

Sagaram Uma Shankar,Kolomiets Mike,Shim Won-Bo The Korean Society of Plant Pathology 2006 Plant Pathology Journal Vol.22 No.3

Fumonisins are a group of mycotoxins produced by a pathogen Fusarium verticillioides in infected maize kernels. Consumption of fumonisin-contaminated maize has been implicated in a number of animal and human illnesses, including esophageal cancer and neural tube defects. Since the initial discovery, chemistry, toxicology, and biology of fumonisins as well as the maize-Fusarium pathosystem have been extensively studied. Furthermore, in the past decade, significant progress has been made in terms of understanding the molecular biology of toxin biosynthetic genes. However, there is a critical gap in our understanding of the regulatory mechanisms involved in fumonisin biosynthesis. Here, we review and discuss our current knowledge about the molecular mechanisms by which fumonisin biosynthesis is regulated in F. verticillioides. In addition, we discuss the impact of maize kernel environment, particularly sugar and lipid molecules, on fumonisin biosynthesis.

Anti-Salmonella activity of a flavonone from Butea frondosa bark in mice

Mishra, Uma Shankar,Dutta, Noton Kumar,Mazumdar, Kaushiki,Mahapatra, Santosh Kumar,Chakraborty, Pronobesh,Dastidar, Sujata G Kyung Hee Oriental Medicine Research Center 2008 Oriental pharmacy and experimental medicine Vol.8 No.4

Butea frondosa has been used traditionally as a topical formulation in the treatment of many diseases and disorders. Two compounds [BF-1 (crystalline flavonol quercetin) and BF-2 (tannin) from ethyl acetate fraction of ethanolic extract] were isolated from the bark of Butea frondosa. The stereostructures of the compounds were determined on the basis of chemical and physicochemical evidence. BF-1 and BF-2 were screened in vitro for possible antibacterial property against 112 bacteria comprising 3 genera of Gram-positive and 12 genera of Gram-negative types. It was found that both BF-1 and BF-2 exhibited inhibitory activity against several bacteria. Most of these strains were inhibited by BF-1 at $50-200\;{\mu}g/ml$, while BF-2 ($MIC_{50}$ $400\;{\mu}g/ml$) was much less active. The bacteria could be arranged in the decreasing order of sensitivity towards BF-1 in the following manner: S. aureus, Bacillus spp., Salmonella spp., Vibrio spp., Shigella spp., E. coli and Pseudomonas spp. The $MIC_{50}$ of the compound was $50\;{\mu}g/ml$ while the $MIC_{90}$ was $100\;{\mu}g/ml$. The decreasing order of sensitivity towards BF-2 was V. cholerae, Bacillus spp., S. aureus, V. parahaemolyticus, Salmonella spp. and Proteus spp. BF-1 was bactericidal in action. In vivo studies with this extract showed that it could offer statistically significant protection (p < 0.01) to mice challenged with a virulent bacterium. The inhibitory activity of Butea frondosa against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria indicates its usefulness in the treatment of common bacterial infections. The potentiality of BF-1 as an antibacterial agent may be confirmed further by pharmacological studies.

Bilateral single cord of the brachial plexus in an adult female cadaver of South Indian origin

Uma Viswanathan,Vigneswaran Madhivadhany,Nachiket Shankar 대한해부학회 2013 Anatomy & Cell Biology Vol.46 No.3

The occurrence of a brachial plexus united into a single cord is very rare. During routine dissection of an elderly female cadaver, the brachial plexus united into a single cord was observed bilaterally. On the left side, C4, C5, and C6 roots combined to form the upper trunk, the C7 root continued as the middle trunk, and C8 and T1 united to form the lower trunk. All three trunks almost immediately fused to form a single cord. On the right side, C5 and C6 roots joined to form the upper trunk, which divided into anterior and posterior divisions. C7, C8, and T1 roots combined to form the lower trunk. The anterior and posterior divisions united with the lower trunk to form a single cord. On both sides, the subclavian artery was superior to the single cord. Supraclavicular brachial plexus injuries in such individuals may have serious clinical manifestations.

Exergoeconomic Analysis of a Novel Zeotropic Mixture Power System

N. Shankar Ganesh,Uma Maheswari,Tangellapalli Srinivas,B. V. Reddy 한국정밀공학회 2022 International Journal of Precision Engineering and Vol.9 No.1

A parametric investigation of a novel ammonia water mixture power generation system is performed in this study. The overall performance and feasibility of the system of the proposed system are assessed from thermoeconomic, conventional exergy and advanced exergy perspectives. For better heat recovery in the existing medium-temperature heat recovery Kalina system, auxiliary solar heater is considered in the proposed design to improve the overall performance in terms of energy and exergy. The system performance parameters investigated include cycle efficiency, net output, total product cost rate, exergoeconomic factor and total exergy destruction rate. The simulation of the energy and exergy analysis was performed using Python coding. In this respect, the parametric investigation revealed that the cycle efficiency, net output, total product cost rate, exergoeconomic factor and total exergy destruction rate of the system at optimized conditions are 15.5%, 280 kW, 136 $/GJ, 66% and 120 kW, respectively. The irreversibilities of each component and overall system were evaluated and it was found that the turbine accounts for the highest exergy destruction among all components, contributing nearly 13% of the total exergy destruction of the system. Advanced exergy analysis was also performed that involved characterizing the exergy destruction as endogenous, exogenous, avoidable, and unavoidable, leading to specific recommendations for improving the performance of the system. Conventional exergy analysis suggests that the turbine, HE 4 , and separator are the components typically identified for improvement. The advanced exergy analysis in this study, however, indicated that the separator should be the primary focused for performance improvement, followed by the HE 4 and turbine.

Effect of Host Plant on the Infectivity of S/MNPV to Spodoptera litura (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Larvae

Monobmllah, Mohammad,Shankar, Uma,Bharti, Poonam,Gupta, Rakesh Kumar,Kaul, Virender Korean Society of Applied Entomology 2007 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.10 No.2

The susceptibility of Spodoptera litura to SlMNPV infection was markedly affected by phytochemicals ingested during the acquisition of viral inoculum on foliage of tomato and cauliflower. The $LD_{50}$ values computed for second, third and fourth instar larvae assayed on tomato leaves were 254, 819 and 23395 PIBs/larva, respectively whereas, it was 326, 1719 and 43843 PIBs/larva for respective instars when assayed on cauliflower leaves. Thus $LD_{50}$ values for second, third and fourth instar larvae were 1.28-, 2.09- and 1.87- fold lower, respectively in tomato leaves. Similarly, $LT_{50}$ values for second, third and fourth instar larvae assayed on tomato leaves were 7.1 and 7.5 days, respectively at inoculum dose of $2.7{\times}10^4$ PIBs/larva whereas, it was 7.7 and 8.0 days for respective instars when assayed on cauliflower leaves at same inoculum. This result also showed that the S. litura were more susceptible on tomato leaves in comparison to cauliflower leaves as the time required for mortality was lower in tomato leaves. The possible biochemical bases for differential level of mortality of S. litura larvae on tomato and cauliflower crops needs to be investigated.

Effect of Host Plant on the Infectivity of Sl MNPV to Spodopteralitura (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Larvae

Mohammad Monobrullah,Uma Shankar,Poonam Bharti,Rakesh Kumar Gupta,Virender Kaul 한국응용곤충학회 2007 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.10 No.2

The susceptibility of Spodoptera litura to SlMNPV infection was markedly affected by phytochemicals ingested during the acquisition of viral inoculum on foliage of tomato and cauliflower. The LD50 values computed for second, third and fourth instar larvae assayed on tomato leaves were 254, 819 and 23395 PIBs/larva, respectively whereas, it was 326, 1719 and 43843 PIBs/larva for respective instars when assayed on cauliflower leaves. Thus LD50 values for second, third and fourth instar larvae were 1.28-, 2.09- and 1.87- fold lower, respectively in tomato leaves. Similarly, LT50 values for second, third and fourth instar larvae assayed on tomato leaves were 7.1 and 7.5 days, respectively at inoculum dose of 2.7×104 PIBs/larva whereas, it was 7.7 and 8.0 days for respective instars when assayed on cauliflower leaves at same inoculum. This result also showed that the S. litura were more susceptible on tomato leaves in comparison to cauliflower leaves as the time required for mortality was lower in tomato leaves. The possible biochemical bases for differential level of mortality of S. litura larvae on tomato and cauliflower crops needs to be investigated.

FSR1 is essential for virulence and female fertility in Fusarium verticillioides and F. graminearum.

Shim, Won-Bo,Sagaram, Uma Shankar,Choi, Yoon-E,So, Jinny,Wilkinson, Heather H,Lee, Yin-Won APS Press 2006 Molecular plant-microbe interactions Vol.19 No.7

<P>Fusarium verticillioides (teleomorph Gibberella moniliformis) and F. graminearum (teleomorph G. zeae) are well known to cause devastating diseases on cereal crops. Despite their importance, our understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in these host-pathogen interactions is limited. The FSR1 locus in F. verticillioides was identified by screening REMI mutants for loss of virulence in maize stalk rot inoculation studies. FSR1 encodes an 823-codon open reading frame interrupted by two introns. The Fsr1 protein shares 60% sequence identity with the Sordaria macrospora Pro11, a multimodular protein with four putative protein-protein binding domains (caveolin-binding domain, coiled-coil structure, calmodulin-binding motif, and seven-WD40 repeats), which plays a regulatory role in cell differentiation and ascocarp development. Our data demonstrate that FSR1 is essential for female fertility and virulence in F. verticillioides. Significantly, targeted disruption of the FSR1 ortholog in F. graminearum (FgFSR1) reduced virulence on barley and deterred perithecia formation. Cross-complementation experiments demonstrated that the gene function is conserved in the two Fusarium species. FSR1 is expressed constitutively, and we hypothesize that Fsr1 regulates virulence by acting as a scaffold for a signal transduction pathway. A survey of available genome databases indicates Fsr1 homologs are present in a number of filamentous fungi and animal systems but not in budding yeast or plants. A maximum likelihood analysis of this gene family reveals well-supported monophyletic clades associated with fungi and animals.</P>