Browsing by Author "Emanuel Vamanu"

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A Facile Synthesis of Flower-like Iron Oxide Nanoparticles and Its Efficacy Measurements for Antibacterial, Cytotoxicity and Antioxidant Activity
(Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI), 2023) Nazish Tabassum; Virendra Singh; Vivek K. Chaturvedi; Emanuel Vamanu; Mohan P. Singh
The objective of this study was to investigate the rhombohedral-structured, flower-like iron oxide (Fe2O3) nanoparticles that were produced using a cost-effective and environmentally friendly coprecipitation process. The structural and morphological characteristics of the synthesized Fe2O3 nanoparticles were analyzed using XRD, UV-Vis, FTIR, SEM, EDX, TEM, and HR-TEM techniques. Furthermore, the cytotoxic effects of Fe2O3 nanoparticles on MCF-7 and HEK-293 cells were evaluated using in vitro cell viability assays, while the antibacterial activity of the nanoparticles against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella pneumoniae) was also tested. The results of our study demonstrated the potential cytotoxic activity of Fe2O3 nanoparticles toward MCF-7 and HEK-293 cell lines. The antioxidant potential of Fe2O3 nanoparticles was evidenced by the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazine (DPPH) and nitric oxide (NO) free radical scavenging assays. In addition, we suggested that Fe2O3 nanoparticles could be used in various antibacterial applications to prevent the spread of different bacterial strains. Based on these findings, we concluded that Fe2O3 nanoparticles have great potential for use in pharmaceutical and biological applications. The effective biocatalytic activity of Fe2O3 nanoparticles recommends its use as one of the best drug treatments for future views against cancer cells, and it is, therefore, recommended for both in vitro and in vivo in the biomedical field. © 2023 by the authors.
Appraisal of the Antioxidant Activity, Polyphenolic Content, and Characterization of Selected Himalayan Herbs: Anti-Proliferative Potential in HepG2 Cells
(MDPI, 2022) Sumaira Yousuf; Shabnam Shabir; Simran Kauts; Tarun Minocha; Ahmad A. Obaid; Anmar A. Khan; Abdulrahman Mujalli; Yahya F. Jamous; Sarah Almaghrabi; Bandar K. Baothman; Ahmed Hjazi; Sandeep K. Singh; Emanuel Vamanu; Mahendra P. Singh
Natural antioxidants derived from plants have played a vital role in preventing a wide range of human chronic conditions and provide novel bioactive leads for investigators in pharmacotherapy discovery. This work was designed to examine the ethnopharmacological role of Urtica dioica (UD), Capsella bursa-pastoris (CBP), and Inula racemosa (IR). The total phenolic and flavonoid contents (TPC and TFC) were illustrated through colorimetric assays, while the antioxidant activity was investigated through DPPH and ABTS assays. The evaluation of phytochemicals by FT-IR of UD and CBP revealed high contents of aliphatic amines, while IR showed a major peak for ketones. The antioxidant activity, TPC and TFC were highest in the ethanol extract of UD, followed by CBP, and IR showed the lowest activity. All of the extracts revealed significant antioxidant capacities along a dosage gradient. Through a HPLC analysis at a wavelength of 280 nm, UD leaves demonstrated an intense peak of quercetin, and the peak for rutin was less intense. CBP (whole plant), instead, demonstrated a major yield of rutin, and a peak for quercetin was not observed in CBP. IR (rhizomes) showed both quercetin and rutin. All of the extracts were significantly cytotoxic to HepG2 cells after 48 h with the trend IR > UD > CBP. The outcomes of this study may be effective in the selection of specific plants as realistic sources of the bioactive components that might be useful in the nutraceutical progression and other biomedical efficacies. © 2022 by the authors.
Arsenic exposure to mouse visceral leishmaniasis model through their drinking water linked to the disease exacerbation via modulation in host protective immunity: a preclinical study
(Nature Research, 2023) Ghufran Ahmed; Fauzia Jamal; Ritesh K. Tiwari; Veer Singh; Sachchida Nand Rai; Sanjay K. Chaturvedi; Krishna Pandey; Santosh K. Singh; Ashish Kumar; Shyam Narayan; Emanuel Vamanu
A large body of evidence has shown a direct link between arsenic exposure and drug resistance to Leishmania parasites against antimonial preparations in visceral leishmaniasis (VL) hyper-endemic regions, especially in India and its sub-continent. However, the implicated roles of arsenic on the VL host, pathophysiological changes, and immune function have not yet been clarified, particularly at the reported concentration of arsenic in the VL hyper-endemic area of Bihar, India. Herein, we exposed the mouse VL model to arsenic (0.5 mg/L to 2 mg/L) through their drinking water and analyzed its effect on T cells proliferation, Th1/Th2-mediators, MAPK signaling cascade, and parasite load in preclinical models. Coherently, the parasite count in Giemsa stained spleen imprint has been investigated and found significant positive associations with levels of arsenic exposure. The liver and kidney function tests (AST, ALT, ALP, BUN, Creatinine, Urea, etc.) are apparent to hepatonephric toxicity in arsenic exposed VL mice compared to unexposed. This observation appears to be consistent with the up-regulated expression of immune regulatory Th2 mediators (IL-4, IL-10, TGF-β) and down-regulated expression of Th1 mediators (IL-12, IFN-γ, TNF-α) with a suppressed leishmanicidal function of macrophage (ROS, NO, iNOS). We also established that arsenic exposure modulated the host ERK-1/2 and p38 MAPK signaling cascade, limited T lymphocyte proliferation, and a lower IgG2a/IgG1 ratio to favor the Leishmania parasite survival inside the host. This study suggests that the contorted Th1-subtype and exacerbated Th2-subtype immune responses are involved in the increased susceptibility and pathogenesis of Leishmania parasite among subjects/individuals regularly exposed to arsenic. © 2023, The Author(s).
Bacterial diversity in rice field soil and sludge soil samples: a comparative metagenomics-based study
(Institute of Physics, 2024) Nidhi Singh; Veer Singh; Vishal Mishra; Vivek K Chaturvedi; Emanuel Vamanu; Mohan P. Singh
Soil contains several organic, and inorganic substances and a large number of bacterial diversity. This bacterial diversity is also involved in biomass degradation and plant growth promotion. Metagenomic sequencing was used to analyze bacterial diversity in the rice field soil and sludge samples. Amplicon sequencing of the V3-V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene revealed that representative sequences clustered were 0.4 million in both rice and sludge samples. The Venn diagram demonstrates the overall identified OTUs was 359 Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs). OTUs were classified into more than 30 phyla, 50 classes, and 90 genera. The metagenomic analysis revealed that 82 and 85 taxa are exclusively unique to the bacterial communities of the rice and sludge soils, respectively. The metagenomic study also revealed that Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Chloroflexi, Acidobacteria and other unknown bacteria were reported in 16S rRNA Illumina MiSeq in the sludge and rice soil samples. The most abundant groups in rice field soil were Proteobacteria, Chloroflexi, Acidobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Bacteroidetes which increase the soil nutrient and influence the growth of the plants. Bacteroidetes are the most dominant group in sludge soil than rice field soil. This comparative analysis provides insights into the ecological roles and adaptive strategies of soil bacteria in different environmental contexts, offering valuable information for sustainable soil management and bioremediation practices. © 2024 The Author(s). Published by IOP Publishing Ltd.
Biosynthesis and Bioapplications of Nanomaterials from Mushroom Products
(Bentham Science Publishers, 2023) Sachchida Nand Rai; Divya Mishra; Payal Singh; Mohan P. Singh; Emanuel Vamanu; Alexandru Petre
The production of nanoparticles (NPs) from chemical and physical synthesis has ended due to the in-volvement of toxic byproducts and harsh analytical conditions. Innovation and research in nanoparticle synthesis are derived from biomaterials that have gained attention due to their novel features, such as ease of synthe-sis, low-cost, eco-friendly approach, and high water solubility. Nanoparticles obtained through macrofungi in-volve several mushroom species, i.e., Pleurotus spp., Ganoderma spp., Lentinus spp., and Agaricus bisporus. It is well-known that macrofungi possess high nutritional, antimicrobial, anti-cancerous, and immune-modulatory properties. Nanoparticle synthesis via medicinal and edible mushrooms is a striking research field, as macrofun-gi act as an eco-friendly biofilm that secretes essential enzymes to reduce metal ions. The mushroom-isolated nanoparticles exhibit longer shelf life, higher stability, and increased biological activities. The synthesis mechanisms are still unknown; evidence suggests that fungal flavones and reductases have a significant role. Several macrofungi have been utilized for metal synthesis (such as Ag, Au, Pt, Fe) and non-metal nanoparticles (Cd, Se, etc.). These nanoparticles have found significant applications in advancing industrial and bio-medical ven-tures. A complete understanding of the synthesis mechanism will help optimize the synthesis protocols and control the shape and size of nanoparticles. This review highlights various aspects of NP production via mush-rooms, including its synthesis from mycelium and the fruiting body of macrofungi. Also, we discuss the applications of different technologies in NP high-scale production via mushrooms. © 2023 Bentham Science Publishers.
Chitosan functionalized recyclable and eco-friendly nanoadsorbent for Pb(II) adsorption from water
(Taylor and Francis Ltd., 2024) Veer Singh; Nidhi Singh; Sachchida Nand Rai; Vivek K. Chaturvedi; Santosh K. Singh; Ashish Kumar; Emanuel Vamanu; Vishal Mishra
In the present study, MnO2 nanoparticles were synthesized using Citrus limetta peels extract and functionalized by chitosan polymer. Surface morphology analysis of chitosan functionalized MnO2 nanoparticles was carried out using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM), which revealed that the synthesized nanoparticles were spherical, with a size range of 14–24 nm. Energy dispersive X-ray analysis and elemental mapping were used to observe Mn, O, C, H, and N. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed the presence of hydroxyl, carboxyl, and amino groups on the surface of the nanoparticles. The kinetics and isotherms were compared and it was found that the pseudo-second-order and Langmuir isotherm were the best fit, with R2 values of 0.99. The thermodynamic study demonstrated that the adsorption was endothermic and spontaneous. These findings indicate that chitosan functionalized nanoparticles have a better Pb(II) removal efficiency (94.40%), making them an eco-friendly and cost-effective alternative for wastewater treatment. Highlights Chitosan functionalized nanoadsorbent was synthesized through green route. Sorption mechanism explored through isotherm, kinetics, and thermodynamic models. Synthesized adsorbent showed high Pb(II) removal capacity. © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
Computational Approaches to Designing Antiviral Drugs against COVID-19: A Comprehensive Review
(Bentham Science Publishers, 2023) Mohan P. Singh; Nidhi Singh; Divya Mishra; Saba Ehsan; Vivek K. Chaturvedi; Anupriya Chaudhary; Veer Singh; Emanuel Vamanu
The global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 necessitates innovative strategies for the rapid development of effective treatments. Computational methodologies, such as molecular modelling, molecular dynamics simulations, and artificial intelligence, have emerged as indispensable tools in the drug discovery process. This review aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of these computational approaches and their application in the design of antiviral agents for COVID-19. Starting with an examination of ligand-based and structure-based drug discovery, the review has delved into the intricate ways through which molecular modelling can accelerate the identification of potential therapies. Additionally, the investigation extends to phytochemicals sourced from nature, which have shown promise as potential antiviral agents. Noteworthy compounds, including gallic acid, naringin, hesperidin, Tinospora cordifolia, curcumin, nimbin, azadironic acid, nimbionone, nimbionol, and nimocinol, have exhibited high affinity for COVID-19 Mpro and favourable binding energy profiles compared to current drugs. Although these compounds hold potential, their further validation through in vitro and in vivo experimentation is imperative. Throughout this exploration, the review has emphasized the pivotal role of computational biologists, bioinformaticians, and biotechnologists in driving rapid advancements in clinical research and therapeutic development. By combining state-of-the-art computational techniques with insights from structural and molecular biology, the search for potent antiviral agents has been accelerated. The collaboration between these disciplines holds immense promise in addressing the transmissibility and virulence of SARS-CoV-2. © 2023 Bentham Science Publishers.
Development of Effective Antileishmanial Herbal Drug from Withania Somnifera and Tinospora Cordifolia Extracts
(Bentham Science Publishers, 2025) Ritesh Kumar Tiwari; A. Kumar; Veer Singh; Sachchida Nand Rai; Santosh Kumar Singh; Ghufran Ahmed; Emanuel Vamanu; Meenakshi Singh
Background: Visceral leishmaniasis is a vector-borne immune-related disease that manifests mainly by lowering of immune protective T-helper-1 cells and onset of disease-promoting T-helper-2 cells therefore the treatment of visceral leishmaniasis depends on boosting the immune status of the host. Methods: In this study, two traditional medicinal plants Withania somnifera and Tinospora cordifolia were selected, and their whole plant extracts were used for treating visceral leishmaniasis-infected BALB/c mice. Observing the case of immune suppression and balance of Th-1/Th-2 dichotomy during visceral leishmaniasis in mind, the efficacy of these combined herbal drugs against visceral leishmaniasis infected mice was evaluated by monitoring the restoration of T-helper-1 type protective immune response. Results: To evaluate the effectiveness of these drugs against visceral leishmaniasis, reactive nitrogen species and reactive oxygen species were measured. Biochemical parameters were also performed from blood serum samples during this study, and normalized results were obtained in visceral leishmaniasis-infected mice treated with Withania somnifera and Tinospora cordifolia subgroup. The Amphotericin B treated subgroup was considered as standard positive control during the experiment. Conclusion: A combination of herbal drugs resulted in a successful clearance of Leishmania parasite as well as increased immune protective T-helper-1 cells, suggesting these drugs as efficient antileishmanial agents. © 2025 Bentham Science Publishers
Exploring the Paradox of COVID-19 in Neurological Complications with Emphasis on Parkinson's and Alzheimer's Disease
(Hindawi Limited, 2022) Sachchida Nand Rai; Neeraj Tiwari; Payal Singh; Anurag Kumar Singh; Divya Mishra; Mohd. Imran; Snigdha Singh; Etrat Hooshmandi; Emanuel Vamanu; Santosh K. Singh; Mohan P. Singh
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a human coronavirus (HCoV) that has created a pandemic situation worldwide as COVID-19. This virus can invade human cells via angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor-based mechanisms, affecting the human respiratory tract. However, several reports of neurological symptoms suggest a neuroinvasive development of coronavirus. SARS-CoV-2 can damage the brain via several routes, along with direct neural cell infection with the coronavirus. The chronic inflammatory reactions surge the brain with proinflammatory elements, damaging the neural cells, causing brain ischemia associated with other health issues. SARS-CoV-2 exhibited neuropsychiatric and neurological manifestations, including cognitive impairment, depression, dizziness, delirium, and disturbed sleep. These symptoms show nervous tissue damage that enhances the occurrence of neurodegenerative disorders and aids dementia. SARS-CoV-2 has been seen in brain necropsy and isolated from the cerebrospinal fluid of COVID-19 patients. The associated inflammatory reaction in some COVID-19 patients has increased proinflammatory cytokines, which have been investigated as a prognostic factor. Therefore, the immunogenic changes observed in Parkinson's and Alzheimer's patients include their pathogenetic role. Inflammatory events have been an important pathophysiological feature of neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. The neuroinflammation observed in AD has exacerbated the Aβ burden and tau hyperphosphorylation. The resident microglia and other immune cells are responsible for the enhanced burden of Aβ and subsequently mediate tau phosphorylation and ultimately disease progression. Similarly, neuroinflammation also plays a key role in the progression of PD. Several studies have demonstrated an interplay between neuroinflammation and pathogenic mechanisms of PD. The dynamic proinflammation stage guides the accumulation of α-synuclein and neurodegenerative progression. Besides, few viruses may have a role as stimulators and generate a cross-autoimmune response for α-synuclein. Hence, neurological complications in patients suffering from COVID-19 cannot be ruled out. In this review article, our primary focus is on discussing the neuroinvasive effect of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, its impact on the blood-brain barrier, and ultimately its impact on the people affected with neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. © 2022 Sachchida Nand Rai et al.
Heavy Metal Contamination in the Aquatic Ecosystem: Toxicity and Its Remediation Using Eco-Friendly Approaches
(MDPI, 2023) Veer Singh; Nidhi Singh; Sachchida Nand Rai; Ashish Kumar; Anurag Kumar Singh; Mohan P. Singh; Ansuman Sahoo; Shashank Shekhar; Emanuel Vamanu; Vishal Mishra
Urbanization and industrialization are responsible for environmental contamination in the air, water, and soil. These activities also generate large amounts of heavy metal ions in the environment, and these contaminants cause various types of health issues in humans and other animals. Hexavalent chromium, lead, and cadmium are toxic heavy metal ions that come into the environment through several industrial processes, such as tanning, electroplating, coal mining, agricultural activities, the steel industry, and chrome plating. Several physical and chemical methods are generally used for the heavy metal decontamination of wastewater. These methods have some disadvantages, including the generation of secondary toxic sludge and high operational costs. Hence, there is a need to develop a cost-effective and eco-friendly method for the removal of heavy metal ions from polluted areas. Biological methods are generally considered eco-friendly and cost-effective. This review focuses on heavy metal contamination, its toxicity, and eco-friendly approaches for the removal of heavy metals from contaminated sites. © 2023 by the authors.
Hexavalent-Chromium-Induced Oxidative Stress and the Protective Role of Antioxidants against Cellular Toxicity
(MDPI, 2022) Veer Singh; Nidhi Singh; Manisha Verma; Rashmi Kamal; Ritesh Tiwari; Mahesh Sanjay Chivate; Sachchida Nand Rai; Ashish Kumar; Anupama Singh; Mohan P. Singh; Emanuel Vamanu; Vishal Mishra
Hexavalent chromium is a highly soluble environmental contaminant. It is a widespread anthropogenic chromium species that is 100 times more toxic than trivalent chromium. Leather, chrome plating, coal mining and paint industries are the major sources of hexavalent chromium in water. Hexavalent chromium is widely recognised as a carcinogen and mutagen in humans and other animals. It is also responsible for multiorgan damage, such as kidney damage, liver failure, heart failure, skin disease and lung dysfunction. The fate of the toxicity of hexavalent chromium depends on its oxidation state. The reduction of Cr (VI) to Cr (III) is responsible for the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and chromium intermediate species, such as Cr (V) and Cr (IV). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are responsible for oxidative tissue damage and the disruption of cell organelles, such as mitochondria, DNA, RNA and protein molecules. Cr (VI)-induced oxidative stress can be neutralised by the antioxidant system in human and animal cells. In this review, the authors summarise the Cr (VI) source, toxicity and antioxidant defence mechanism against Cr (VI)-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS). © 2022 by the authors.
In Silico Insight to Identify Potential Inhibitors of BUB1B from Mushroom Bioactive Compounds to Prevent Breast Cancer Metastasis
(IMR Press Limited, 2023) Divya Mishra; Ashish Mishra; Sachchidanand Rai; Santosh Kumar Singh; Emanuel Vamanu; Mohan P. Singh
Background: Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer among women worldwide, and its metastasis is a significant cause of mortality. Therefore, identifying potential inhibitors of proteins involved in breast cancer metastasis is crucial for developing effective therapies. BUB1 mitotic checkpoint serine/threonine kinase B (BUB1B) is a key regulator of mitotic checkpoint control, which ensures the proper segregation of chromosomes during cell division. Dysregulation of BUB1B has been linked to a variety of human diseases, including breast cancer. Overexpression of BUB1B has been observed in various cancer types, and its inhibition has been shown to induce cancer cell death. Additionally, BUB1B inhibition has been suggested as a potential strategy for overcoming resistance to chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Given the importance of BUB1B in regulating cell division and its potential as a therapeutic target, the development of BUB1B inhibitors has been the focus of intense research efforts. Despite these efforts, few small molecule inhibitors of BUB1B have been identified, highlighting the need for further research in this area. In this study, the authors aimed to identify potential inhibitors of BUB1B from mushroom bioactive compounds using computational methods, which could ultimately lead to the development of new treatments for breast cancer metastasis. Methods: This study has incorporated 70 bioactive compounds (handpicked through literature mining) of distinct mushrooms that were considered and explored to identify a suitable drug candidate. Their absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion (ADME) properties were obtained to predict the drug-likeness of these 70 mushroom compounds based on Lipinski's rule of 5 (RO5). Screening these bioactive compounds and subsequent molecular docking against BUB1B provided compounds with the best conformation-based binding affinity. The best two complexes, i.e., BUB1B-lepitaprocerin D and BUB1B-peptidoglycan, were subjected to molecular dynamic simulations. Both complexes were assessed for their affinity, stability, and flexibility in proteinligand complex systems. Results: The molecular dynamic (MD) simulation studies revealed that lepitaprocerin D has an energetically favorable binding affinity with BUB1B. Results showed that the formation of a hydrogen bond between residues ASN123 and SER157, and lepitaprocerin D had strengthened the affinity of lepitaprocerin D with BUB1B. Conclusions: This study identified lepitaprocerin D as a potential and novel inhibitor for BUB1B that could be a plausible drug candidate for identifying and controlling the spread of breast cancer metastasis. © 2023 The Author(s).
Metagenomic Analysis of Garden Soil-Derived Microbial Consortia and Unveiling Their Metabolic Potential in Mitigating Toxic Hexavalent Chromium
(MDPI, 2022) Nidhi Singh; Veer Singh; Sachchida Nand Rai; Emanuel Vamanu; Mohan P. Singh
Soil microbial communities connect to the functional environment and play an important role in the biogeochemical cycle and waste degradation. The current study evaluated the distribution of the core microbial population of garden soil in the Varanasi region of Uttar Pradesh, India and their metabolic potential for mitigating toxic hexavalent chromium from wastewater. Metagenomes contain 0.2 million reads and 56.5% GC content. The metagenomic analysis provided insight into the relative abundance of soil microbial communities and revealed the domination of around 200 bacterial species belonging to different phyla and four archaeal phyla. The top 10 abundant genera in garden soil were Gemmata, Planctomyces, Steroidobacter, Pirellula, Pedomicrobium, Rhodoplanes, Nitrospira Mycobacterium, Pseudonocardia, and Acinetobacter. In this study, Gemmata was dominating bacterial genera. Euryarchaeota, Parvarchaeota, and Crenarchaeota archaeal species were present with low abundance in soil samples. X-ray photoelectric spectroscopy (XPS) analysis indicates the presence of carbon, nitrogen–oxygen, calcium, phosphorous, and silica in the soil. Soil-derived bacterial consortia showed high hexavalent chromium [Cr (VI)] removal efficiency (99.37%). The bacterial consortia isolated from garden soil had an important role in the hexavalent chromium bioremediation, and thus, this study could be beneficial for the design of a heavy-metal treatment system. © 2022 by the authors.
Promising drug targets and associated therapeutic interventions in Parkinson's disease
(Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications, 2021) Sachchida Nand Rai; Payal Singh; Ritu Varshney; Vivek K. Chaturvedi; Emanuel Vamanu; M.P. Singh; Brijesh Kumar Singh
Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of the most debilitating brain diseases. Despite the availability of symptomatic treatments, response towards the health of PD patients remains scarce. To fulfil the medical needs of the PD patients, an efficacious and etiological treatment is required. In this review, we have compiled the information covering limitations of current therapeutic options in PD, novel drug targets for PD, and finally, the role of some critical beneficial natural products to control the progression of PD. © 2021 Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications. All rights reserved.
Source of Cr(VI) in the aquatic ecosystem, its genotoxic effects and microbial removal from contaminated water
(Taylor and Francis Ltd., 2023) Veer Singh; Kumar Abhishek; Sachchida Nand Rai; Santosh K. Singh; Emanuel Vamanu; Ashish Kumar
Cr(VI) compounds have important industrial applications and are used in various sectors like tanning, chrome plating, anti-corrosion agents and wood preservation. The Cr(VI) contamination in the wastewater is generally due to several natural and anthropogenic sources. Anthropogenic activities like several industrial operations play a major role in the Cr(VI) contamination in the aquatic ecosystem. Cr(VI) well-known toxic metal ion and its exposure in humans causes several health issues. Cr(VI) enters the cells and gradually reduces into a lower oxidation state and generates oxidative stress in the cell which damages cell organelles. The Cr(VI) mediated genotoxicity has been described as damaging the DNA base pairing, sugar-phosphate backbone, histone modification and chromosomal damage. Water and wastewater must be treated to remove Cr(VI) due to its high toxicity. There are several, physiochemical methods used for Cr(VI) remediation but these approaches are expensive and produce hazardous sludge during the treatment process. Therefore, a suitable environmentally friendly and effective Cr(VI) removal approach is urgently needed. Microbial removal of Cr(VI) is considered an eco-friendly and cost-effective process. In this, the authors focused on sources, genotoxicity and microbial remediation approaches of Cr(VI). © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
The Consequence of Arsenic Remediation through potential indigenous Rhizospheric Microbes
(Elsevier Ltd, 2024) Dheeraj Pandey; Harbans Kaur Kehri; Sachchida Nand Rai; Shweta Chaturvedi; Santosh Kumar Singh; Emanuel Vamanu
The present study aimed to focus on identifying the potent microbes for the removal of arsenic contamination. In this experiment, microbes were isolated from their natural soil habitat from the catchment area of the Ganga River. Isolation of microbes from serially diluted method and tolerance test was conducted. Screened microbes were in-vitro evaluated for arsenic tolerance with suitable cultural and molecular techniques. In these results, hyper As-tolerant bacteria were selected and identified as a Bacillus flexus based on a 16s rRNA sequencing analytical study (Accession no. MK114625). Isolated bacteria showed arsenic oxidation, strong urea degradation activity, and low phosphate (P) and potassium (K) solubilizing activities. In-vitro arsenic tolerance has been evaluated against its arsenic compounds such as 969 ppm (arsenite), 1266 ppm (arsenate), and 2082 ppm for the combination {As (V) + As (III) (7:3)}. Further, in the experiment, hyper As-tolerant filamentous fungi Aspergillus sp. isolate HKK4 (Accession no. MN809594) was isolated and identified as Aspergillus flevipes. It is found to be capable of resisting up to 1000 ppm of arsenite in the growth medium. Further, an in-vitro As-bioremediation test was conducted. Aspergillus sp. isolate HKK4 removed arsenic from the medium. Additionally, it was tested for phosphate solubilization and production of gaseous arsine also (As-volatilization) during As-removal. The effect of B. flexus and Aspergillus sp. isolates HKK4 with indigenous AM fungi in combination improved the growth performance and reduced the As-stress of T. aestivum under greenhouse conditions. However, these findings are essential steps for As-stress remediation, and we should also recommend further field validations. © 2024 The Authors
The role of vitamins in neurodegenerative disease: An update
(MDPI, 2021) Sachchida Nand Rai; Payal Singh; Harry W.M. Steinbusch; Emanuel Vamanu; Ghulam Ashraf; Mohan Prasad Singh
Acquiring the recommended daily allowance of vitamins is crucial for maintaining homeo-static balance in humans and other animals. A deficiency in or dysregulation of vitamins adversely affects the neuronal metabolism, which may lead to neurodegenerative diseases. In this article, we discuss how novel vitamin-based approaches aid in attenuating abnormal neuronal functioning in neurodegeneration-based brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Hunt-ington’s disease, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Prion disease. Vitamins show their therapeutic activity in Parkinson’s disease by antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activity. In addition, different water-and lipid-soluble vitamins have also prevented amyloid beta and tau pathology. On the other hand, some results also show no correlation between vitamin action and the prevention of neurodegenerative diseases. Some vitamins also exhibit toxic activity too. This review discusses both the beneficial and null effects of vitamin supplementation for neurological disorders. The de-tailed mechanism of action of both water-and lipid-soluble vitamins is addressed in the manuscript. Hormesis is also an essential factor that is very helpful to determine the effective dose of vitamins. PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and Scopus were employed to conduct the literature search of original articles, review articles, and meta-analyses. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
Therapeutic applications of mushrooms and their biomolecules along with a glimpse of in silico approach in neurodegenerative diseases
(Elsevier Masson s.r.l., 2021) Sachchida Nand Rai; Divya Mishra; Payal Singh; Emanuel Vamanu; M.P. Singh
Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) represent a common neurological pathology that determines a progressive deterioration of the brain or the nervous system. For treating NDs, comprehensive and alternative medicines have attracted scientific researchers' attention recently. Edible mushrooms are essential for preventing several age-based neuronal dysfunctions such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. Mushroom such as Grifola frondosa, Lignosus rhinocerotis, Hericium erinaceus, may improve cognitive functions. It has also been reported that edible mushrooms (basidiocarps/mycelia extracts or isolated bioactive compounds) may reduce beta-amyloid-induced neurotoxicity. Medicinal mushrooms are being used for novel and natural compounds that help modulate immune responses and possess anti-cancer, anti-microbial, and anti-oxidant properties. Compounds such as polyphenols, terpenoids, alkaloids, sesquiterpenes, polysaccharides, and metal chelating agents are validated in different ND treatments. This review aims to assess mushrooms' role and their biomolecules utilization for treating different kinds of NDs. The action mechanisms, presented here, including reducing oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and modulation of acetylcholinesterase activity, protecting neurons or stimulation, and regulating neurotrophins synthesis. We also provide background about neurodegenerative diseases and in-silico techniques of the drug research. High costs associated with experiments and current ethical law imply efficient alternatives with limited cost value. In silico approaches provide an alternative method with low cost that has been successfully implemented to cure ND disorders in recent days. We also describe the applications of computational procedures such as molecular docking, virtual high-throughput screening, molecular dynamic (MD) simulation, quantum-mechanical methods for drug design. They were reported against various targets in NDs. © 2021
Therapeutic Potential of Phytoconstituents in Management of Alzheimer's Disease
(Hindawi Limited, 2021) Anurag Kumar Singh; Sachchida Nand Rai; Anand Maurya; Gaurav Mishra; Rajendra Awasthi; Anshul Shakya; Dinesh Kumar Chellappan; Kamal Dua; Emanuel Vamanu; Sushil Kumar Chaudhary; M.P. Singh
Since primitive times, herbs have been extensively used in conventional remedies for boosting cognitive impairment and age-associated memory loss. It is mentioned that medicinal plants have a variety of dynamic components, and they have become a prominent choice for synthetic medications for the care of cognitive and associated disorders. Herbal remedies have played a major role in the progression of medicine, and many advanced drugs have already been developed. Many studies have endorsed practicing herbal remedies with phytoconstituents, for healing Alzheimer's disease (AD). All the information in this article was collated from selected research papers from online scientific databases, such as PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus. The aim of this article is to convey the potential of herbal remedies for the prospect management of Alzheimer's and related diseases. Herbal remedies may be useful in the discovery and advancement of drugs, thus extending new leads for neurodegenerative diseases such as AD. Nanocarriers play a significant role in delivering herbal medicaments to a specific target. Therefore, many drugs have been described for the management of age-linked complaints such as dementia, AD, and the like. Several phytochemicals are capable of managing AD, but their therapeutic claims are restricted due to their lower solubility and metabolism. These limitations of natural therapeutics can be overcome by using a targeted nanocarrier system. This article will provide the primitive remedies as well as the development of herbal remedies for AD management. © 2021 Anurag Kumar Singh et al.
Therapeutic Potential of Vital Transcription Factors in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease With Particular Emphasis on Transcription Factor EB Mediated Autophagy
(Frontiers Media S.A., 2021) Sachchida Nand Rai; Neeraj Tiwari; Payal Singh; Divya Mishra; Anurag Kumar Singh; Etrat Hooshmandi; Emanuel Vamanu; Mohan P. Singh
Autophagy is an important cellular self-digestion and recycling pathway that helps in maintaining cellular homeostasis. Dysregulation at various steps of the autophagic and endolysosomal pathway has been reported in several neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), and Huntington disease (HD) and is cited as a critically important feature for central nervous system (CNS) proteostasis. Recently, another molecular target, namely transcription factor EB (TFEB) has been explored globally to treat neurodegenerative disorders. This TFEB, is a key regulator of autophagy and lysosomal biogenesis pathway. Multiple research studies suggested therapeutic potential by targeting TFEB to treat human diseases involving autophagy-lysosomal dysfunction, especially neurodegenerative disorders. A common observation involving all neurodegenerative disorders is their poor efficacy in clearing and recycle toxic aggregated proteins and damaged cellular organelles due to impairment in the autophagy pathway. This dysfunction in autophagy characterized by the accumulation of toxic protein aggregates leads to a progressive loss in structural integrity/functionality of neurons and may even result in neuronal death. In recent years TFEB, a key regulator of autophagy and lysosomal biogenesis, has received considerable attention. It has emerged as a potential therapeutic target in numerous neurodegenerative disorders like AD and PD. In various neurobiology studies involving animal models, TFEB has been found to ameliorate neurotoxicity and rescue neurodegeneration. Since TFEB is a master transcriptional regulator of autophagy and lysosomal biogenesis pathway and plays a crucial role in defining autophagy activation. Studies have been done to understand the mechanisms for TFEB dysfunction, which may yield insights into how TFEB might be targeted and used for the therapeutic strategy to develop a treatment process with extensive application to neurodegenerative disorders. In this review, we explore the role of different transcription factor-based targeted therapy by some natural compounds for AD and PD with special emphasis on TFEB. Copyright © 2021 Rai, Tiwari, Singh, Mishra, Singh, Hooshmandi, Vamanu and Singh.