In the present study, synthesis, characterization, and the antibacterial activity of silver nanoparticles from native isolate of Corynebacterium glutamicum has been reported. Silver nanoparticles were synthesized by challenging the dried biomass of C. glutamicum with aqueous diamine silver ([Ag (NH3)2]+) containing 1 mM AgNO3. Synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were characterized by ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy analysis. Morphological study of silver nanoparticles was carried out using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The spherical morphology of silver nanoparticles was confirmed from SEM image. The TEM image showed the average particle size of silver nanoparticles was about 15 nm. Silver nanoparticles synthesized from C. glutamicum were found to have enhanced antimicrobial activity against selected pathogenic strains. Silver nanoparticles from pure strains of Corynebacterium species was done by many investigators, but as per the present literature, this is the first report on the production of silver nanoparticles using a native strain of Corynebacterium.
Recent reports have demonstrated the role of phyto-constituents in modulating inflammatory responses. Mangiferin isolated from Mangifera indica is known to induce potent anti-oxidative, anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory activity. However, the molecular mechanism of its anti-inflammatory activity is not properly understood. In this study we have isolated Mangiferin from the tubers of Pueraria tuberosa (PT-Mangiferin) and analysed the mechanism of its potent anti-inflammatory effects in LPS stimulated RAW 264.7 mouse macrophage cell line and in a carrageenan induced air pouch model. PT-Mangiferin was non-toxic to primary cells but showed significant toxicity and apoptotic effect on cancerous cells. It significantly reduced the production of pro-inflammatory mediators (COX-2, iNOS and TNF-α) in LPS stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Further, it has also reduced the generation of ROS and inhibited LPS induced NF-kB translocation in these cells. Additionally, PT-Mangiferin significantly reduced inflammation in a mouse air pouch model by inhibiting the infiltration of monocytes and neutrophils and reducing the production of cytokines. These effects were mediated via inactivation of NLRP3 inflammasome complex and its downstream signalling molecules. Taken together these results suggest that PT-Mangiferin is potent anti-inflammatory compound that reduces inflammation and holds promise in development of herbal based anti-inflammatory therapeutics in future.
11 September 2014 in Interdisciplinary Sciences: Computational Life Sciences
Cancer cell heterogeneity (CCH) is crucial in understanding cancer progression and metastasis. The CCH is one of the stumbling blocks in modern medicine's therapeutics and diagnostics . An in-vitro model of co-culture systems of MCF-7, HeLa, HEK-293, with THP-1 cells showed the occurrence of EpCAM positive (EpCAM+) and EpCAM negative (EpCAM−) heterogenetic cancer cell types labeled with the Quantum Dot antibody conjugates (QDAb). This in-vitro model study could provide insights into the role of rare cancer cells manifestation and their heterogeneity in metastatic progression and risk for severe infections in these patients. We successfully report the presence of CCH based on the fluorescence ratios of the co-cultured cancer cells when treated with the QDAb. These short-term mimic co-cultures give a compelling and quite associated model for assessing early treatment responses in various cancers.