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Article Content
VOLUME 8 (2): JULY – DECEMBER 2021
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Review article
Comprehending the effect of Salinity Stress and Tolerance Mechanisms in Cyanobacteria:a review
Neha Gupta1, Ankit Srivastava1, Alka Bhardwaj, Satya Shila Singh, Arun Kumar Mishra
Laboratory of Microbial Genetics, Department of Botany, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi-221005, U.P., India.
*Corresponding author email: akmishraau@hotmail.com; akmishraau@rediffmail.com (Arun K. Mishra)
1Authors have equally contributed and 2nd first authors
Article No.: AKMJBR04; Received 30.10.2021; Reviewed 05.11.2021; Accepted & Published 31.12.2021
Received: 28.09.2021; Revised: 15.10.2021; Accepted: 20.11.2021; Published: 31.12.2021
DOI:10.5281/zenodo.8058288
View Abstract | PDF
Abstract: Abiotic stressors, including high and variable salt concentrations, significantly impede the
growth and survival of cyanobacteria. Cyanobacteria have evolved to adapt diverse aquatic environments with varying salt concentrations. As the salt
concentration increases, the cyanobacteria face challenges related to water availability and the maintenance of
internal ion concentrations. To cope with these changes, cyanobacteria utilize the salt-out strategy to maintain
internal ion homeostasis and accumulate organic compounds to effectively counter salt stress. However, the
mechanisms underlying salt stress signalling and regulation in cyanobacteria remain unclear. This may be attributed
to the complexity of salt stress, which is characterized by ionic, osmotic, and oxidative stresses, making it
difficult to distinguish from other stress conditions. A comprehensive understanding of cyanobacterial salt
acclimation will enhance our knowledge of salt sensing mechanisms and enable the better utilization of salt-tolerant
cyanobacteria for bioenergy production. Additionally, this understanding will facilitate the application of
stress-responsive genes to improve salt resistance in plants.
Key words: Cyanobacteria; Salt-out; Compatible Solutes; Osmotic Stress; Ionic homeostasis
Research Article
Putranjiva roxburghii Wall. and Diplocyclos palmatus (L.) C. Jeffrey as the potential sources of future drugs for infertility: a review
Pisa Beni1, Madhu Yashpal2, Pankaj Kumar1*, Bechan Lal3
1Department of Zoology, Rajiv Gandhi University, Rono Hills, Doimukh, Itanagar-791112, Arunachal Pradesh, India
2Department of Zoology, Gargi College (University of Delhi), Siri Fort Road, New Delhi – 110049, India
3Department of Zoology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi – 221 005, Uttar Pradesh, India
*Corresponding author email: pankuana@gmail.com (Pankaj Kumar)
Article No.: PKJBR15; Received: 28.09.2021; Reviewed: 10.10.2021; Revised: 15.10.2021; Accepted: 20.11.2021; Published: 31.12.2021
DOI:https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8132044
View Abstract | PDF
Abstract: The changing lifestyle in recent years has greatly influenced the reproductive health of humans resulting in
infertility-related problems, globally. One of the prominent approaches to address the infertility issue has been the use of plant-based safe and
affordable drugs with no or minimal side effects. Two such medicinal plants, Putranjiva roxburghii Wall., (commonly called putranjiva) of the
family Putranjivaceae and Diplocyclos palmatus (L.) C. Jeffrey (commonly called shivlingi) of the Cucurbitaceae family have been reported. There
are reports stating the extensive use of these two medicinal plants by many countries especially India for their
general and reproductive health benefits. The plants are an aid to azoospermia, aphrodisiac, menstrual disorder,
semen disorders, infertility, diseases of female genital organs, oligospermia, conception, etc. These two plants
act as a uterine tonic and help to enhance fertility when coadministered. As reported, the shivlingi is also believed
to help conceive a male child when consumed by the female for 1-2 months on empty stomach. No doubt there are several
reports stating the benefits of these two medicinal plants in various reproductive-related aspects but there is
still a need for scientific work to be carried out to validate and justify the statements and claims made by
practitioners or local communities as there are no or few studies being carried out in this area till date.
No study shows work on the coadministration of these two medicinal plants. Therefore, extensive research in this
field along with proper screening of phytosterols and other phytocompounds is still needed before the declaration
and formulation of fertility drugs from these plants to provide hope to couples dealing with infertility-related
issues.
Key words: Reproduction; Infertility; Medicinal Plants; Putranjiva roxburghii; Diplocyclos palmatus
Research Article
Reinstatement of Kayea assamica Prain: evidences from morphological and molecular phylogenetic analysis
Prantik Sharma Baruah, Bhaben Tanti, Sachin Kumar Borthakur*
Department of Botany, Gauhati University, Jalukbari, Guwahati -781014, Assam, India.
*Corresponding author: skbgu1@gmail.com (S.K. Borthakur)
Article No.: BBJBR01; Received: 15.09.2021; Reviewed: 05.10.2021; Revised: 15.11.2021; Accepted & Published: 31.12.2021
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8146321
View Abstract | PDF
Abstract: Mesua assamica, an evergreen tree previously included under Guttiferae [Clusiaceae] is now treated as a member of the
family Calophyllaceae (APG III system of classification). The plant was originally described as Kayea assamica but later transferred to the genus
Mesua. To overcome the ambiguity, we investigated the correct taxonomic status of the taxa using both morphological taxonomic tools and molecular
analysis.
Key words: Mesua assamica; Kayea assamica; micro morphology; trnL-trnF intergenic spacer sequence; phylogeny; reinstatement
Research article
Characterization of the methanolic seed extract of two medicinal plants, Putranjiva roxburghii and Diplocyclos palmatus and its effects on gonads of Albino Mice
Pisa Beni1, Hage Konya1, Suman Kumar2, Madhu Yashpal3, Pankaj Kumar1*, Bechan Lal4
1Department of Zoology, Rajiv Gandhi University, Rono Hills, Doimukh, Itanagar-791112, Arunachal Pradesh, India
2Department of Microbiology, Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College, A.B. Road, Indore -452001, Madhya Pradesh, India
3Department of Zoology, Gargi College, University of Delhi, Siri Fort Road, New Delhi-110049, India
4Department of Zoology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi – 221 005 (U.P.), India
Corresponding author email: pankuana@gmail.com (Pankaj Kumar)
Article No.: PKJBR15; Received: 20.04.2021; Reviewed: 14.07.2021; Revised: 10.08.2021; Accepted: 15.11.2021; Published: 31.12.2021
DOI:https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8275510
View Abstract | PDF
Abstract: An essential component of reproductive health, fertility, is prerequisite for social, economic and human development.
However, a significant section of the population is still infertile with no child due to reproductive-related problems
and infertility. Tackling these reproductive-associated problems with advanced clinical tools for the diagnosis of
reproductive defects has been a huge task with about a quarter of clinical infertility cases being diagnosed as
idiopathic. Despite tremendous advancements in synthetic drugs and modern medical science, traditional medicine is
seeing rapid growth worldwide. The expanding perception among people about the potency and side effects of synthetic
drugs has led them to be more dependent on natural product remedies for treating reproductive-related problems.
Putranjiva roxburghii of Euphorbiaceae family and Diplocyclos palmatus of Cucurbitaceae family are two medicinal
plants used by the local healers for various ailments such as gynaecological disorders, and fertility. Hence,
methanol extracts of these seeds were prepared and characterized by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and
high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Further, two experiments were carried out with the methanol
extract of the seeds of these two medicinal plants at a dose of 100mg per kg body weight to observe its effect on
the reproductive physiology of albino mice. Experimental mice (Male and female) of two age groups of 3-week-old
(Experiment-I) and 8-week-old (Experiment-II) were administered with methanol extract (ME) dissolved in normal
saline, while the controls for the respective male and female mice for the two experiments received normal saline
for continuous 42 days. Mice were sacrificed at the interval of 14, 28 and 42 days after the treatment. The TLC
analysis of the ME showed five fractions which were named as Spot1, Spot2, Spot3, Spot4 and Spot5. HPLC analysis
showed the presence of three phytocompounds, i.e., flavonoids - Quercetin (peak 4.867), Tannic acid (peak 2.497)
and Rutin (peak 3.440) in the ME of the seeds of the two medicinal plant species. Histology of the liver showed no
toxicity at the administered dose in either of the male and female mice groups in both experiments. Histology of
the testis showed an increased number of Sertoli cells, spermatozoa and Leydig cells with more vascularization and
sperm count highly significant (p<0.05) in ME than NS-treated mice in both experiments. Ovarian histology in ME
showed more substantial number of follicles in the stage of secondary antral follicle maturing towards the Graafian
follicle with increased vascularization in both experiments. This result is in consensus with the estrous cycle of
the females where ME treated mice prolonged their cycle at the estrus phase (heat phase). The uterus histology also
showed increased proliferation of uterine lumen with numerous epithelial glands in both the experiments. These
changes observed may be due to the presence of the phytochemicals/flavonoids present in the plant extract, which
might enhance the reproductive efficiency of the mice. Further extensive research along with a proper screening
of phytosteroids of the methanol extract of the seeds of these two medicinal plants are needed for the declaration
and formulation of fertility drugs from these two medicinal plants to provide hope for thousands of individuals
dealing with reproductive and infertility issues.
Key words: Reproductive Physiology; Putranjiva roxburghii; Diplocyclos palmatus; Methanol Extract; Quercetin; Tannic Acid; Rutin.
Research article
Medicinal plants used by the Apatani and Tagin tribes of Arunachal Pradesh for the treatment of stomach disorders
Rubu Rinyo1, Pallabi K. Hui2, Vineet Kumar Rawat3, Hui Tag1*
1Higher Plant Systematics and Ethnobotanical Research Laboratory, Department of Botany, Rajiv Gandhi University, Rono Hills, Doimukh-791112, Arunachal Pradesh, India.
2Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Technology, Arunachal Pradesh, Jote-791119, Papum Pare District, Arunachal Pradesh, India.
3Botanical Survey of India, Arunachal Pradesh Regional Center (BSI-APRC), Itanagar-791111, Arunachal Pradesh, India.
*Corresponding author email: huitag2008rgu@gmail.com
Article No.: RRJBR23; Received: 13.10.2021; Reviewed: 25.10.2021; Revised: 18.11.2021; Accepted on 20.12.2021; Published on 31.12.2021
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8275456
View Abstract | PDF
Abstract: Present study enumerated 16 species of medicinal plants effective
against stomach related disorders popularly used by the traditional herbal healers of the Apatani and Tagin tribes of
the Subansiri district of Arunachal Pradesh. We interviewed 35 key informants (15 from Apatani and 20 from Tagin tribes)
from 6 villages who were specialized in treatment of digestive diseases. Of the total 16 species recorded,
Houttuynia cordata, Paederia foetida and Thladiantha ziroensis have been reported as most potential species
effective against severe dysentery, diarrhea and gastritis while rest 13 species were found used in traditional
home remedies for constipation, indigestion, liver diseases and loss of appetite. The Allium hookeri, Diplazium
esculentum, Houttuynia cordata and Acmella oleracea were frequently harvested and sold in the local market and have
been found commercially viable species potential to ensure rural livelihood security. However, Thladiantha ziroensis
was found rare in their natural habitat which need conservation attention.
Key words: Medicinal Plants; Traditional Healers; Stomach Disorders; Apatani and Tagin; Subansiri; Arunachal Pradesh.
Research article
Production of biodiesel from non-edible seed oil of Citrus x aurantium L.
Santosh Kumar Dash1, Dharmeswar Dash1, Pradip Lingfa2
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, GKCIET, Malda-732141, West Bengal, India
2Department of Mechanical Engineering, NERIST, Nirjuli-791109, Arunachal Pradesh, India
*Corresponding author e-mail: 90nash@gmail.com, Pradip.lingfa@gmail.com
Manuscript No: SKJBR33; Received: 15.08.2021; Reviewed: 18.10.2021; Revised: 15.11.2021; Accepted and Published: 31.12.2021
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8307461
View Abstract | PDF
Abstract: Majority of the oil seed plants are reported as not fully utilized
for economic benefits of the mankind due to lack of technological know-how, and as a result they are thrown out to the
environment as organic waste. In the present study, Citrus x aurantium L. (Rutaceae), popularly known as Mandarin Orange
cultivated in North East India have been used for extraction of oil from its dried seeds and the physiochemical
properties of the biodiesel obtained from seed oil were investigated. The experiment with Orange oil for synthesis
in a 2 L capacity reactor reveals that a single step transesterification is enough to produce Orange alkyl ester.
Molar ratio 1:09 and Catalyst 1.5 wt% were found to be optimal. Other parameters such as reaction temperature at
65 °C, time 120 minutes and speed 500 rpm resulted into 94% oil yield. It is our suggestion to explore the large-scale
production of Mandarin Orange seed oil-based biodiesel, which will promote our sustainable energy goals. It was
found that the scope is immense given the consumption of Orange and the oil content of the seeds.
Key words: Citrus x aurantium; Mandarin Orange; Orange Seed Oil; Biodiesel; Energy; Fuel; Diesel Engine
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