Toxic Effects of Ficus benghalensis Latex Based Combinatorial Formulations on Various Enzymatic Parameters in Indian White Termite Odontotermes obesus

In the present investigation, various bioassays were conducted to evaluate the alteration in levels of various enzymes i.e. alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, glutamate pyruvate transaminase and acetylcholinesterase. For this purpose worker termites were treated with sub-lethal doses of 40% and 80% of 24 hrs LD50 of latex-based combinatorial formulations and observations were taken at 4 hours intervals up to 24 hours. Ficus benghalensis crude latex and its combinatorial mixtures, like C-MLT-A, CU-MLT-A, AQ-MLT, P-MLT and EA-MLT significantly altered the level of enzymes in Odontotermes obesus and this effect found time and dose-dependent. Reduction or increase in enzymes was calculated by using the corresponding control. The maximum decrease in acid phosphatase level was observed at 16 h when termites were treated with 80% of LD50 of B-MLT-B and P-MLT i.e. 82.84% at 16 h of treatment. A similar dose caused a very slight decrease in glutamate pyruvate transaminase at 4 h of treatment but with the increase in time. Further decrease was noted in other successive treatments that were significant at p > 0.05. Similarly, 40% and 80% of LD50 of the C-MLT-B mixture caused significant (p > 0.05) decrease in alkaline phosphatase and acid phosphatase level at 16 h treatment i.e. 93.42%, 89.46% and 95.89%, 88.17% respectively. The level of acetylcholinesterase was also found to be decreased when termites were treated with 40% and 80% of LD50 of C-MLT-B mixture i.e. 92.72% and 97.27% respectively. All the above alterations noted in levels of various enzymes confirm the action of latex ingredients on worker termites that were anti-feedant or deterrent types. These ingredients can be used to control not only termites but also other phytophagous insects.

Effect of Ficus benghalensis Latex Based Combinatorial Formulations on Various Bio-Molecules in Indian White Termite Odontotermes obesus

In present investigation, various bioassays were conducted to evaluate the alteration in levels of certain biomolecules, such as glycogen, protein, amino acid, DNA, RNA and lipids. For this purpose, worker termites were treated with sub-lethal dose 40% and 80% of 24 hrs LD50 values and observations were taken at 4 hrs interval up to 24 hrs. Crude latex and its combinatorial mixtures, like S-MLT-A, B-MLT-A, C-MLT-A, CU-MLT-A, AQ-MLT significantly altered level of bio-molecules in Odontotermes obesus. This effect was found time and dose dependent. Reduction or increase in biomolecules was calculated by using corresponding control. Maximum decrease in glycogen level was observed at 16 h when termites were treated with 80% of LD50 of Ficus benghalensis aqueous extract i.e. 56.88% at 16 h of treatment. A similar dose caused very slight decrease in lipid contents at 4 h of treatment but it was found further significantly (p > 0.05) decreased in other successive treatments. 40% and 80% of LD50 of C-MLT-B mixture caused significant (p > 0.05) decrease in DNA and RNA level at 16 h treatment. The level of DNA and RNA level was recorded 83.90%, 90.18% and 85.42% and 74.05% respectively. Similarly, total proteins were also found to be decreased with 40% and 80% of LD50 of C-MLT-B mixture i.e. 71.47% and 66.45% respectively. All these alterations found in levels of various bio-molecules confirm the action of latex ingredients on worker termites that was antifeedant or deterrent types. These ingredients can be used to control not only termites but also other phytophagous insects in a sustainable and eco-friendly way.

In vitro and in silico anti-oxidant, cytotoxicity and biological activities of Ficus benghalensis and Duranta repens

Objective:To report in vitro anti-oxidant activity and cytotoxicity of hydroalcoholic extract of Ficus benghalensis(bark)and Duranta repens(whole plant),and present the probable biological spectrum of major anti-oxidants from both plants.Methods:The coarse powder of both plants was first extracted with 70%ethanol(maceration)followed by 99%ethanol(Soxhlet-extraction).Anti-oxidant activity of the extracts was evaluated using DPPH,H2O2,2,20-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid(ABTS),NO scavenging assay,total antioxidant capacity,cupric reducing antioxidant capacity(CUPRAC),and metal chelating assay.Cytotoxicity of both extracts was evaluated using MTT assay in both tumor and normal cell lines i.e.Chinese hamster ovary cells(CHO)and A549 cells.Biological activity of individual anti-oxidants from both medicinal plants was identified using prediction of activity spectra for substances and a docking study was performed by using autodock4.0.Results:Hydroalcoholic extract of F.benghalensis and D.repens showed the highest free radical scavenging(ABTS)and chelating capacity respectively.Both extracts showed minimum cytotoxicity in normal cell lines compared to tumor cell lines.Computer imitation hits reflected the multiple biological activities agreeing with the folk use and some scientific reports.Further,we found the binding affinity of predicted anti-oxidant compounds with multiple protein molecules involved in oxidative stress.Conclusion:The present study reports the probable anti-oxidant mechanism for two folk agents and also presents probable pharmacological activities via computer simulations.

In-vitro study:Immunomodulatory and cytotoxicity effects of ethanolic leave extracts of Aegle marmelos and Ficus benghalensis

Objective:To assess the immunomodulatory and antibacterial properties of the coastal trees Aegle marmelos(A.marmelos)and Ficus benghalensis(F.benghalensis)by in-vitro methods.Methods:A.marmelos and F.benghalensis leaves were extracted with the solvents di-ethyl ether,ethanol and methanol.The extracts were investigated for antibacterial activity against human pathogenic bacteria and immunomodulatory activity against human peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMC),respectively.Results:F.benghalensis ethanol cold extract gave maximum inhibition zones against Escherichia coli NCIM 2931(B2)at 18 mm and enhanced the growth of human PBMC.It was non-toxic to human PBMC shown by the Tryphan blue dye exclusion method,sulforhodamine B and MTT assays.IR phyto-chemical analysis demonstrated the presence of the functional groups:NH,CH_(2),CH_(3),CO,OH,-C-C=O,and C-S.We confirmed the presence of quantifiable amounts of tannins and alkaloids with traces of phenolic compounds by thin layer chromatography analysis.Conclusions:Leaves of A.marmelos and F.benghalensis provide both antibacterial and immunomodulatory properties.