International Journal of Biochemistry and Biotechnology

International Journal of Biochemistry and Biotechnology ISSN: 2167-0404 Vol. 2 (6), pp. 457-460, 2013. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Hypoglycemic Effect of Ethanol Extract and Fractions of Nauclea latifolium leaf on normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rats

Asanga E. Effiong¹, Patrick Ebong¹, Olorunfemi A. Eseyin^2*

¹Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Nigeria.

²Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Uyo, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author: [email protected]

Accepted 20 July, 2012

Abstract

The hypoglycemic effect of ethanol extract and fractions of Nauclea latifolium leaf was evaluated in this study. The result in normoglycemic rats showed maxima glycemic reduction of 26.4% within 4 hours in the group treated with butanol fraction (250 mg/kg) which proved efficacious than glibenclamide at p < 0.05. Also, similar advantage over glibenclamide was recorded in ethanol extract (250 mg/kg) given alloxan-induced diabetic rats with % glycemic change of 44.4% as compared to 32.2% of glibenclamide within 4 hours n-hexane fraction (100 mg/kg) and butanol fraction (250/kg) recorded maxima % glycemic changes of 73.2% and 71.2%, respectively, within a period of 14 days at p < 0.05 in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. These findings suggest that ethanol extract and fractions of Nauclea latifolium leaves possess hypoglycemic.

Key Words: Hypoglycaemic, nauclea latifolium, alloxan-induced diabetes.

International Journal of Biochemistry and Biotechnology ISSN: 2167-0404 Vol. 2 (6), pp. 449-456, June, 2013. © International Scholars Journals

 Full Length Research Paper

High quality bisulfite sequencing using nanogram amounts of genomic DNA

Jihua Sun¹  Honglong Wu¹  Guanyu Ji¹  Boxin Wu   Shujing Yan   Wen Gao  Rena Lam   Wenwei Zhang    Xiuqing Zhang*

Beijing Genomics Institute, Shenzhen 518000, China

¹These authors contributed equally to this work

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 5 January, 2013

Abstract

Multiple methods have been developed to decipher the genome-scale DNA methylation (Methylome). Bisulfite sequencing (BS-seq), which combines sodium bisulfite conversion with high throughput sequencing, can measure DNA methylation at single-nucleotide resolutions. However, it normally needs large amounts of genomic DNA (5-10μg) to start with, thus creating an obstacle for it to be widely used. Here we optimized the normal BS-seq method for generating high quality bisulfite sequencing on whole genomes using nanogram DNA (MBS-seq). Systematic comparison the whole genome methylation study based on minute amount of genomic DNA through next generation sequencing technology.

Key words: DNA Methylation, Whole Genome Bisulfite Sequencing, Nanogram Amounts of Genomic DNA.

Full Length Research Paper

Structural features in neuropsin as potential target for pharmacological inhibition in brain diseases

Reinaldo Barros Geraldo^1,4, Paula Campello Costa Lopes²,  Carlos Rangel Rodrigues³, Russolina Benedeta Zingali⁴ _, Helena C. Castro ¹

¹Antibiotics Laboratory, Biochemistry, and Molecular Modeling Study (LABioMol), Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Institute of Biology, CEG - Universidade Federal Fluminense, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

²Neural Neuroplasticity Laboratory, Department of Neurobiology, Institute of Biology, CEG - Universidade Federal Fluminense, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

³Laboratory of Molecular Modeling and QSAR (ModmolQSAR), Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

⁴Institute of Medical Biochemistry, Structural Biology Program, CCS, UFRJ, CEP 21941-590, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.

 *Corresponding author: E-mail:[email protected].

Accepted 21 February, 2013

Abstract

Neuropsin is a serine-protease produced by neurons and glial cells that is directly involved in learning and memory processes. This enzyme presents an important role in brain diseases such as epilepsy and Alzheimer disease. In this work we reviewed several aspects about this enzyme including structure, biological activity and its role in the central nervous system. We also compared neuropsin with other serine-proteases such as trypsin, an enzyme found in digestive and brain systems, thrombin, a coagulation cascade enzyme, and Lm-TL of a thrombin-like enzyme present in Lachesis muta venom that affects the prey central nervous system, among others, using bioinformatic tools. The analysis of the structural features of neuropsin and of these enzymes that present different and specific biological activities despite their high homology degree may help on designing selective inhibitor for treating several diseases including brain disorders.

Key words: Neuropsin, serine proteases, plasticity, homology, docking.

International Journal of Biochemistry and Biotechnology ISSN: 2167-0404 Vol. 2 (3), pp. 298-301, March, 2013. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper                                                  

Identification of aspergillus species using morphological characteristic and the effect of temperature on the protease activity

Indratiningsih¹, Endang Wahyuni^1*, Ambar Pertiwiningrum¹, and Shanti Asri Suwarti¹

¹Dept. of Animal Products Technology, Faculty of Animal Science, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.

*Correspondingauthor.E-mail: [email protected].

Accepted 21 February, 2013

Abstract

Aspergillus sp. is a fungus that can produce protease enzyme. Aproteolytic enzyme of Aspergillussp is enzymes group that attack the peptide bonds of proteins. In this study, we emphasize on morphological methods including macroscopic and microscopic characteristics for identification of Aspergillus sp. Aspergillus sp was isolated from waste of milk industry. Protease was produced by Aspergillus sp. and the temperature effect was evaluated on its activity, at 37, 40, 45, and 50°C with casein as a substrate. The results obtained show that isolates selected have the green color colony (Fig.1. A,B,C),grown evenly on PDA medium were incubated at 37°C for 4 days, round-shaped vesicles(Fig.1.1), conidiophores somewhat yellowish green nodes, and conidiaspore round and light green. The data of protein contents is shown on Table 1. The average protein contents of the crude enzyme protease extract were 0.95 mg/ml of isolates a, 0.98 mg/ml of isolates B, and 1.03 mg/ml of isolates. Isolate C was selected to produce enzyme and analyze enzyme activities. The enzyme activities of isolate C were 85.85 U/ml at 37°C, 101.87 U/ml at 40°C, 179.00 U/ml at 45°C, and 136.81 U/ml at 50°C. The optimum activity was 179.00 IU/ml and it was reached at 45°C.

Key words: Aspergillus, identification, temperature, protease activity.

International Journal of Biochemistry and Biotechnology ISSN: 2169-3048 Vol. 2 (3), pp. 289-297, March, 2013. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Heterotrophic cultivation of Chlorella sp. using different waste extracts

Agwa, O. K.*, Ibe, S. N and Abu, G. O

Department of Microbiology, University of Port Harcourt, P.M.B.5323 Rivers State, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author. E-mail:[email protected]

Accepted 17 January, 2013

Abstract

Heterotrophic growth of Chlorella sp. using glucose as carbon source was investigated using different animal waste extracts.  The Chlorella cells were obtained from a fresh water pond by blooming and cultured under different growth conditions. Artificial illumination with forced aeration resulted in 2.30 mg/ml (pig); 2.39 mg/ml (goat); 1.43 mg/ml (cow dung); 2.12 mg/ml (grass cutter) and 2.52 mg/ml (poultry) and lipid content of 4.25%; 4.49%; 10.16%; 8.15% and 8.66% respectively. Artificial illumination with unaerated growth condition gave 1.74 mg/ml; 1.71 mg/ml; 1.16 mg/ml; 1.64 mg/ml and 2.06 mg/ml of dry matter and lipid content of 2.40%; 2.13%; 9.92%; 4.97% and 8.39% respectively. The natural condition showed 1.99 mg/ml; 1.64 mg/ml; 2.30 mg/ml; 2.58 mg/ml and 2.77 mg/ml of dry matter with 7.78%; 4.03% 12.99%; 19.56% and 22.71% lipid content respectively. There were significant difference (P<0.05) between the different cultural conditions and the waste extracts. The proximate composition of the Chlorella cells under the heterotrophic growth conditions revealed about 38.30% of crude fat content compared to 13.20% from an autotrophic Chlorella cell. This result shows that heterotrophic cultivation of Chlorella cells using poultry waste extracts under natural condition is feasible as a potential waste utilization, management and pollution control alternative.

Key words: Animal waste extracts, Chlorella cells, dry matter, heterotrophic growth, lipid content. 

International Journal of Biochemistry and Biotechnology ISSN: 2167-0404 Vol. 2 (3), pp. 282-288, March, 2013.  © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Studies on Nanoparticulate Gymnemic Acids

R. Ravichandran

Regional Institute of Education (NCERT), Bhopal – 462 013, India.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 21 February, 2013

Abstract

Gymnemic acids, the main phytoconstituents of Gymnema sylvestre possess potential natural pharmacological activities like supression of taste sensitivity to sweetness, inhibition of intestinal glucose absorption and lowering the plasma glucose levels. Nanonisation of active drug components are shown to improve their physiological action. In this study, nanoparticulate formulations of gymnemic acids prepared were studied for its Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic behavior compared with marketed product. The nano-formulation exhibited significant anti-diabetic activity compared to marketed product.

Key words: Gymnemic acids, Nanoparticles, Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics.