Obesity and hyper-intestinal permeability are interconnected. This study is designed to evaluate the ability of Mangifera indica seed kernel extract (MESK) in restoring the intestinal barrier and preventing obesity and associated metabolic complications in a high-fat diet-induced obese mouse model. Four groups of Swiss albino mice: (1) normal diet (ND), (2) high-fat diet (HFD), (3) HFD + Orlistat (100 µg/kg), and (4) HFD + MESK (75 µg/kg), were used to monitor various biochemical parameters associated with metabolic syndrome (glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides) and body weight in an eight-week-long study. In vivo intestinal permeability was determined by the FITC-dextran method. Interestingly, MESK significantly reduced HFD-induced body weight gain, hepatic lipid accumulation, hepatic fibrosis, hyperglycemia, and dyslipidemia. Additionally, MESK treatment restored the expression of tight junction protein Zonula Occludens-1 (ZO-1) and Claudin-1 and hence prevented increased intestinal permeability induced by a high-fat diet. Moreover, it also increased the expression of potent satiety molecule Nesfatin-1 in the mouse jejunum. Our results, for the first time, establish MESK as a nutraceutical which prevents disruption of the intestinal barrier and thereby intercepts the adverse consequences of compromised intestinal permeability such as obesity, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and systemic inflammation.

Outbreaks of emerging infectious diseases continue to challenge human health. Novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has triggered a global coronavirus pandemic, known as COVID-19. Multiple variants of SARS-CoV-2 virus are circulating, thus raising questions with respect to the effectiveness of different lines of treatment, such as vaccines and antiviral drugs. To find the appropriate prevention/treatment, 21 plant-based ingredients (Glycyrrhizin, Withanone, Aloe-emodin, Rhein, Emodin, Chrysophanol, Physcion, Kaempferol, Progallin A, Gallic acid, Naringin, Quercetin, Luteolin, and Apigenin) having antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal properties were identified. We pseudo-typed SARS-CoV-2 on a lentiviral vector plasmid and tested the impact of five different herbal formulations in mammalian HEK293T cells. Viral inactivation assay showed that the natural extracts in a herb-derived phytoconstituent-based formulation, BITS-003, comprising Bacopa monnieri, Glycyerrhiza glabra, Asparagus racemosus-wild, and Nigella sativa had strong virucidal properties, inactivating enveloped viruses from 2log10 (or 99%) to >4log10 (or 99.99%). Moreover, bacterial and yeast cells treated with BITS-003 displayed reduced growth. Topical use of the formulation as a mouthwash/gargle could be effective in reducing symptoms of respiratory viral infections, with the potential to decrease the viral load in the buccal/oral cavity. This may inhibit the coronavirus spreading to the lungs of infected persons and at the same time may reduce the risk of viral transmission to other susceptible persons through micro-droplets originating from the oral cavity of the infected person.

Concrete is a mixture of cement, water, sand and other aggregates in adequate proportions. Its high tensile strength and ability to withstand a vast range of environmental changes makes it the first choice for construction material. One of the major problems associated with concrete is its permeability because penetration of gases and/or liquids from the surrounding environment into the concrete, followed by physical and/or chemical reactions within its internal structure/s leads to irreversible damages. Although cement has autonomous capacity to heal, however cracks <0.2mm width can only self-heal. Biomineralization is one of the best ecofriendly techniques to tackle the problem of cracks in concrete structures. Biologically induced self-healing is beneficial in addressing all the drawbacks of concrete matrix. The most promising technology for producing crack resistant/highly self healing concrete in near future seems to be “BacillaFilla”: genetically modified version of Bacillus subtilis, is a “custom –designed” bacteria to embed deep into the cracks in concrete where they produce a mix of calcium carbonate and a special bacteria glue that hardens to the same strength as of the surrounding concrete. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijasbt.v1i3.8582 Int J Appl Sci Biotechnol, Vol. 1(3) 2013 : 85-89

Premature babies suffer higher mortality and life-long disabilities. Asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) is postulated to induce preterm labor. Routine antenatal screening for ASB using urine culture is not feasible in most developing countries due to long turn-around time, user-unfriendliness, and lack of resources. The current parallel-group superiority pragmatic randomized controlled trial evaluated the effect of screening and evidence-based treatment of ASB using an optical-sensor-based point-of-care rapid-test on the incidence of preterm birth and low birthweight (LBW). 240 consenting asymptomatic pregnant women visiting an Indian tertiary public hospital for first antenatal check-up, irrespective of trimester/gravida, who had not consumed antibiotics in the preceding week, were enrolled from February-May 2017. Computer-generated concealed simple randomization allocation sequence was used to assign participants to intervention (120) and control arm (120). Usual hospital-care was provided in the control arm. In the intervention arm, urine samples were additionally screened for ASB using the rapid-test and the positive women were prescribed susceptible antibiotics. Blinded outcome assessors followed up with women post-delivery. The study was registered with the Clinical Trials Registry-India (CTRI/2016/09/007240). 213 participants were analyzed (intervention: 103, control: 110). 21 women were found positive for ASB and prescribed pathogen-specific antibiotics. The incidence of preterm birth/LBW in intervention arm (n = 27) was lower than control arm (n = 45) by 14·7% (95% CI: 2·2–27·2); RR: 0.64, (95% CI: 0·43–0·95); p = 0·023, X2=5·13. Rapid-test-guided treatment for ASB reduced the incidence of preterm birth/LBW in a pragmatic setting without any adverse event. Department of Biotechnology, Government of India.

Background and Objective: Chronic diseases are associated with low-grade inflammation and oxidative damage. Traditional medicines have been used to manage these disorders due to their high polyphenol content and potent antioxidant activity. We evaluated the in-vitro anti-diabetic and antioxidant potential of extracts of several medicinal plants namely, Mangifera indica, Terminalia arjuna, Moringa oleifera, Albizia lebbeck, Terminalia chebula and Hippophae rhamnoides. Methods: Total polyphenol, flavonoid, and saponin contents were estimated by standard methods. Antioxidant activity was measured using 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay. The anti-diabetic potential was evaluated using in-vitro α-glucosidase inhibition assay. Results: Terminalia chebula was found to be the richest in both polyphenols (566.5 ± 21.9 μg Gallic acid equivalents/mg of dry weight) and flavonoids (190.67 ± 10.78 quercetin equivalents/mg of dry weight). Extract of Terminalia arjuna was the richest source of saponins (171.92 ± 12.48 μg saponin equivalents/mg of dry weight). All plant extracts showed potent anti-oxidant activity as reflected by their IC50 values in DPPH assay, with Albizia lebbeck (IC50 = 1.35 μg/ml) being the most potent. All plant extracts also showed potent anti-diabetic activity as inferred from their ability to inhibit α- glucosidase, the principal enzyme involved in the metabolism of dietary carbohydrates in the intestine. It was observed that all tested extracts were more potent (IC50 2.53 to 227 μg/ml) in comparison to the standard α-glucosidase inhibitor Acarbose (IC50=2.7 mg/ml). Conclusions: The plant extracts of Mangifera indica, Terminalia arjuna, Moringa oleifera, Albizia lebbeck, Terminalia chebula, and Hippophae rhamnoides possess potent antioxidant and α- glucosidase inhibitory potential and can aid in the management of postprandial hyperglycemia and oxidative damage.