Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research

Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research Vol. 2009

Available online at http://internationalscholarsjournals.org/journal/ajmr

© 2009 International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Hepatoprotective potential of crocin and curcumin against iron overload-induced biochemical alterations in rat

Shohda A. EL-Maraghy, Sherine M. Rizk and Maha M. El-Sawalhi*

Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.

Accepted 18 March, 2009

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the possible ameliorating effect of crocin and curcumin on certain biochemical alterations associated with iron overload-induced liver injury in rats. 5 groups of rats were used, a normal control group received daily i.p. injections of saline and 4 groups received daily i.p. injections of ferric nitrilotriacetate (FeNTA) for 8 successive days, the dose of iron was increased during the experimental period (from 6 to 15 mg Fe/kg). The first iron overloaded group kept without further treatment and served as a positive control group. The second iron overloaded group received daily i.p injections of crocin (200 mg/kg) in saline. The 3^rd and the 4^th iron overloaded groups received orally either 0.5% carboxy methyl cellulose (CMC) or curcumin (100 mg/kg) in CMC respectively. Treatment started 3 days before and concurrently with iron administration for 8 days. Results revealed that iron- induced liver injury was reflected by significant changes in the liver function indices, hyperammonemia and reduced serum urea level. A significant deposition of iron in liver was associated with enhanced oxidative and nitrosative stress status. Moreover, iron overloaded rats exhibited significant alterations in liver energy metabolism together with diminished ureogenesis and a decline in dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase activity. Supplementation with either crocin or curcumin ameliorated most of the biochemical changes induced by iron overload in rat liver. A function that may be beneficial for populations at risk for iron overload.

Key words: Iron overload, liver, rat, oxidative stress, energy metabolism, ureogenesis, crocin, curcumin.

Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research Vol. 2009

Available online at http://internationalscholarsjournals.org/journal/ajmr

© 2009 International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Salivary amino acids quantification using RP-HPLC during normal menstrual cycle

S.  Alagendran^1,5, K. Rameshkumar², K. Palanivelu, N. Puspha⁴, M. Ranjani⁴, N. Arulmozhi⁴ and G. Archunan⁵*

¹PG, Department of Biotechnology, Nehru memorial college (Autonomous), Puthanampatti- 621 007, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil nadu, India.

²Department of Zoology, Raja Serfoji Government College, Thanjavur, Tamil nadu, India.

³Department of Zoology and Biochemistry, Government College for Men (Autonomous), Kumbakonam, Tamil nadu, India.

⁴Department of Microbiology, Cauvery College for women, Tiruchirappalli. Tamil nadu, India.

⁵Centre for Pheromone Technology, Department of Animal science, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli- 620 024, Tamil Nadu, India.

Accepted 8 May, 2009

Abstract

The present study was carried out to detect amino acids profile in women saliva in order to establish the qualitative and quantitative differences that might have potential value in detection of ovulation by noninvasive methods. For the collection of sample, the stages of menstrual cycle were decided by the physical and morphological examination of salivary fern pattern. The saliva from various reproductive phases (prepubertal, preovulatory, ovulatory, postovulatory phases and menopause) was collected and analyzed by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) after precolumn derivitization of amino acids using O-Pthaldehyde (OPA) by means of RP-HPLC amino acid analyzer. Among the various amino acids identified the compounds such as tryptophan, arginine and phenylalanine were comparatively found to be higher during ovulatory phase when compared to that of other phases. The increase in amino acid concentration during ovulatory phase may be due to the circulation of steroid hormones. Thus, the presence of specific amino acids in ovulatory saliva makes the possibility to develop a biomarker for detection of ovulation by noninvasive methods.

Key words: Ovulation steroid hormones, O-Pthaladehyde, chromatography, amino acids.

Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research Vol. 2009

Available online at http://internationalscholarsjournals.org/journal/ajmr

© 2009 International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Immunopurification of a rape (Brassica napus L.) seedling lipase

H. Belguith¹*, S. Fattouch², T. Jridi¹ and J. Ben Hamida¹

¹Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Bizerte, Tunisia.

²Biological Engineering Laboratory, INSAT, Tunis, Tunisia.

Accepted 20 July, 2009

Abstract

Lipase or triacylglycerol acylhydrolase (E.C.3.1.1.3) was purified to homogeneity from rapeseed-germinated cotyledons (Brassica napus L.). The purification scheme involved homogenization, centrifugation, ultracentrifugation and affinity chromatography using polyclonal antibodies raised against porcine pancreatic lipase. The purified rapeseed lipase was homogenous and did not contain contaminating proteins detectable by SDS-PAGE and HPLC analysis. The specific activity of the purified preparation was increased about 1950 times, with an overall yield of 35%. The rapeseed lipase was found to be a cytosoluble, glycosylated and heat-labile serine-hydrolase. It was monomeric with a molecular mass of 38 kDa and a pI of 6.6. The purification method used in the present work is rapid, simple and yields highly purified lipase. It may therefore be applicable in the purification of other uncharacterized plant lipases.

Key words: Brassica napus L., immuno-affinity, lipase, purification, triacylglycerol acyl hydrolase.

Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research Vol. 2009

Available online at http://internationalscholarsjournals.org/journal/ajmr

© 2009 International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Comparative methaemoglobin concentrations of three erythrocyte genotypes (HbAA, HbAS and HbSS) of male participants administered with five antimalarial drugs

P.C. Chikezie

Department of Biochemistry, Imo State University, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria. E-mail: [email protected]. Tel.:+23408038935327.

Accepted 29 June, 2009

Abstract

In the present in-vivo study, the capacities of five antimalarial drugs (Fansidar, Halfan, Quinine, Coartem and Chloroquine phosphate) to alter/distort methaemoglobin concentrations of three human erythrocyte genotypes (HbAA, HbAS and HbSS) was investigated. Spectrophotometric method was used to ascertain this erythrocyte parameter. The male participants enrolled for this study were grouped according to their genotypes, pathologic status, (that is, non-malarious and malarious individuals). Determination of erythrocyte methaemoglobin concentration was carried out before (control; t = 0 h) and after (tests; that is, at t = 3, 6 and 18 h) the five (5) antimalarial drugs were administered to various corresponding groups of participants. The results showed that methaemoglobin concentrations of these individuals ranged between 1.45+/-0.13 and 2.50+/- 0.43%; 8.27+/-2.41 and 14.78+/-2.45%, for non-malarious and malarious male individuals respectively. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) between methaemoglobin concentrations of HbAA and HbAS erythrocyte of non-malarious participants. The doses of the five antimalarial drugs administered to non-malarious individuals did not cause toxic methaemoglobinemia. Under the same experimental conditions, erythrocytes obtained from persons of HbSS genotype exhibited significant (p < 0.05) elevation of methaemoglobin concentration. Relatively high levels of methaemoglobin concentration of parasitized red blood cells decreased in a time dependent manner after administration of the five antimalarial drugs. Therefore, erythrocyte methaemoglobin evaluation is a reliable biochemical marker and rational for diagnostic and therapeutic potential in malaria. Furthermore, moderate increases of erythrocyte methaemoglobin in HbSS individuals served as point of caution when administering these drugs to this category of human subjects.

Key words: Antimalarials, erythrocyte, malaria, genotype, methaemoglobin.

Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research Vol. 2009

Available online at http://internationalscholarsjournals.org/journal/ajmr

© 2009 International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Determination of toxic metal concentrations in flame-treated meat products, ponmo

W. Okiei*, M. Ogunlesi, F. Alabi, B. Osiughwu and A. Sojinrin

Chemistry Department, University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos, Nigeria.

Accepted 14 April, 2009

Abstract

Cowhides ‘ponmo’ prepared by various and unknown processing methods were purchased from several markets in Lagos and environs and the contents of lead, cadmium, chromium, zinc, mercury and arsenic were determined before and after boiling. Significantly high levels of these metals except cadmium and zinc were found in all the samples obtained after boiling. The highest levels of Pb (1.54 mg.kg^-1), Cr (0.79 mg.kg^-1) and As (2.85 mg.kg^-1) were found in singed hides processed with flame fuelled by plastics mixed with refuse while Hg (6.74 mg.kg^-1) content was highest in singed hides processed with burning tyres. However, cadmium (0.10 - 0.38 mg.kg^-1) was detected in three samples of hides randomly obtained from the open market and hence of unknown processing methods. The lowest levels of the metals were usually found in hides processed through the traditional method of boiling in water followed by shaving. A sample of the ‘black oil’ used as fuel in one of the processing methods was found to have lead content as high as 31.4 mg.dm^-3. Some samples of the ash scraped from the singed cowhides were found to have high levels of Pb, Cd, Cr, Zn, Hg and As. The ash is usually carelessly handled and often disposed into streams by food processors thus causing extensive water pollution. Several of the samples were found to be toxic and suggestions are made about how to obtain cowhide samples that are fit for consumption and eliminate pollution and health hazards associated with processing cowhides.

Key words: Heavy metal concentrations, meat products, cowhides.

Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research Vol. 2009

Available online at http://internationalscholarsjournals.org/journal/ajmr

© 2009 International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Studies on separation techniques of pomegranate seeds and their effect on quality of Anardana

Amit Parashar^{1, 2}*, S. K. Gupta³ and Ashok Kumar⁴

¹Department of Chemistry, Eshan College of Engineering, Agra-Mathura Highway Agra-282001, India.

²Department of Chemistry, Institute of Engineering and Management, Mathura, India, 281406 India.

³Department of Chemistry, Bipin Bihari College, Jhansi, India.

⁴Department of Chemistry, St. John’s College, Agra, India.

Accepted 7 May, 2009

Abstract

The dehydrated seeds of wild pomegranate fruits (Anardana) are used as acidulent in culinary preparations and in making various medicines. For easy separation of seeds, fruits were subjected to sand roasting, hot water dipping and soaking in cold water. Hot water dip for 2 min saved time required for separation of seeds from fruits (80% excluding treatment time and 74% including treatment time). Due to the high temperature during sand roasting, quality of seeds and Anardana was inferior when compared to other treatments. The desirable color and chemical composition of the product Anardana was retained in the treatment hot water dipping for 2 min.

Key words: Wild pomegranate, seeds, treatments, separation, quality.