<p>The study was carried out to evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of leaf and leaf callus extracts of <em>Anisochilus carnosus</em> (L) Wall. against alcohol induced toxicity using HepG2 cell line. Leaf explants were cultured on Murashige and Skoog solid medium supplemented with different growth regulators. Prior to the determination of hepatoprotective property leaf and leaf callus extracts were subjected to the toxic dose study. The degree of hepatoprotection of extracts was determined by measuring cell viability percentage by MTT assay. The preliminary phytochemical analysis of leaf and leaf callus was carried out by qualitative analysis. Maximum percentage of callus formation (98%) was obtained in MS medium fortified with 3 mg/l 2,4-D. HepG2 cells were pretreated with the different concentrations (below toxic dose) of leaf and leaf callus extracts for 72 hours followed by alcohol intoxication. Results revealed that ethanolic leaf extract pretreated HepG2 cells show 94% cell viability compared to the standard silymarin pretreated HepG2 cells which showed 81% cell viability. Leaf callus extracts also exhibited significant hepatoprotective activity where ethanolic callus extract pretreated HepG2 cells showed 86% viability after intoxication with alcohol. Results revealed that HepG2 cell viability percentage is dose dependent. Phytochemical studies revealed the presence of different secondary metabolites in leaf and leaf callus extracts. The bio-efficacy study confirms the presence of secondary metabolites of hepatoprotective nature in leaf and leaf callus of <em>A. carnosus.</em></p>

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the most suitable concentration of growth regulators for callus induction and subsequent organogenesis in Abutilon indium (L.) Sweet (Malvaceae) leaf, stem and seed explants. Since the plant has a lot of medicinal importance, it was subjected to culture in vitro. Kinetin for seeds, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), benzyl amino purine (BAP), naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) for leaf as well as BAP and kinetin for stem were the growth regulators used at different concentrations individually. Results showed that growth regulators at different combinations on subculture resulted in the regeneration of shoots. The excised shoots were transferred to liquid medium for in vitro rhizogenesis and plantlets were acclimatized in the laboratory conditions before they were transferred to garden soil. Histologically, callus sections were with active centres, embryoids and multiple shoot buds. Cytological variations such as multinucleate, chromosome bridges, polyploidy and tracheary elements were noticed in callus cells. The regenerated plants were morphologically and cytologically similar to the in vivo plants.

Objective: To evaluate the antibacterial efficacy of chloroform, petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, methanol, ethanol and aqueous extracts of leaf and leaf derived callus of Orthosiphon aristatus against Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtiltis, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Enterobater aerogenes, Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, and Klebseilla pneumoniae. Methods: The leaf segments were cut into small pieces of size 1-2 sq. cm and were cultured on Murashige and Skoog solid medium supplemented with different auxins alone and in combination. Antibacterial efficacy was performed by disc diffusion method followed my MIC determination by two fold serial dilution method. Leaf and leaf callus extracts were subjected to the qualitative phytochemical analysis. Results: Maximum callus formation percentage was obtained from the leaf segments cultured on MS medium supplemented with 2, 4-D (2 mg/l). Ethanolic leaf extract showed maximum inhibition activity with 28 mm zone of inhibition against P. mirabilis with MIC value of 0.32 mg/ml. Out of the callus extracts, ethanolic callus extract showed the maximum bio-efficacy against S. aureus with 26 mm zone of inhibition and MIC value of 0.64 mg/ml. Results revealed that both leaf and leaf derived callus are effective against Gram positive and Gram negative test bacteria.Conclusion: The bioefficacy study confirms the strong antibacterial potential of leaf and leaf derived callus of O. aristatus.Keywords: Leaf, Leaf callus, Antibacterial efficacy, Orthosiphon aristatus.

An efficient protocol was devised for rapid callus induction and plantlet regeneration from the leaves of Orthosiphon aristatus. For callus induction, auxins such as 2, 4-D, IAA, NAA alone and in combination with cytokinin BAP were used. The most effective medium for callus induction and shoot regeneration was M S medium fortified with 8mg/l BAP and 2mg/l NAA, on which multiple shoots were obtained after 15 days of callus induction. All the in vitro raised shoots with length of 3-5 cm were transferred to rooting medium supplemented with different concentrations of IBA. The best rooting response was observed on half strength M S liquid medium supplemented with 3mg/l IBA. The established plantlets obtained were subjected to hardening and acclimatisation by transferring to polycups containing sterile soil for 3-4 weeks and then to the field, where 85% survived to maturity.

The current study was carried out to isolate and identify marine fungi from the coastal region of Mumbai and assess their antibacterial potential. Aspergillus fumigatus, Histoplasma capsulatum, Cladosporium cladosporioides, Cladosporium pseudocladosporioides, Trichophyton rubrum, Penicillium chrysogenum, Alternaria alternate, Neoscytalidium dimidiatum and Aspergillus terreus were isolated and identified. The metabolite extraction was carried out by broth fermentation and extraction of dry mycelium using organic solvents like chloroform, ethyl acetate, and ethanol. Antibacterial potential of fungal metabolites was assessed by well diffusion method. Different concentrations (2-150 µg/ml) of extracts of broth and dry mycelia were tested against organisms like Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus faecium, Klebsiella pneumonia, Bacillus subtilis, and Staphylococcus aureus. Results revealed that chloroform and ethanolic extracts (2 µg/ml) from C. cladosporioides broth fermentation exhibit 100% growth inhibition of test organisms. Mycelium ethanolic extract of A. fumigatus, ethyl acetate extract of C. cladosporioides and chloroform extract of C. pseudocladosporioides exhibited maximum (100%) growth inhibition against all test organisms at 2 µg/ml. The study confirms the antibacterial potential of fungal metabolites and therefore paves a way for further identification of the active principles.