- Pondicherry, India
Mahipal S Shekhawat
KM Centre for Post Graduate Studies, Plant Science, Faculty Member
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This report presents a biological approach for synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles using aqueous plant extracts of an important medicinal plant Adhatoda vasica. In this process, the leaf, stem and root extracts reduced the zinc metal... more
This report presents a biological approach for synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles using aqueous plant extracts of an important medicinal plant Adhatoda vasica. In this process, the leaf, stem and root extracts reduced the zinc metal from the precursor Zinc nitrate hexahydrate [Zn(NO3)2.6H2O] and stabilized within short duration of time. The synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles were analyzed through UV-Visible spectrophotometry. The UV-Visible spectral absorption bands of the leaf and stem reaction mixture were observed at 296 nm and 290 nm respectively. The spectra of strong surface plasmon resonance of root reaction mixture showed at 305 nm. The process can be easily scaled up and exploited in the field of agriculture and pharmaceutical industry.
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A highly efficient plant propagation protocol was developed for Euphorbia hirta L. using nodal shoot segments as explant. The explants were surface sterilized with 0.1% (w/v) mercuric chloride on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium augmented... more
A highly efficient plant propagation protocol was developed for Euphorbia hirta L. using nodal shoot segments as explant. The explants were surface sterilized with 0.1% (w/v) mercuric chloride on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium augmented with different concentrations of 6-Benzylaminopurine (BAP) and Kinetin (Kn) singly or in combination with Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). Use of BAP at 2.0 mgl−1 induced the highest frequency (100%) of shoot induction as well as maximum number of shoots per explant (6.22). Proliferated shoot clumps were further multiplied and elongated on 0.5 mgl−1 BAP and Kn. The highest rooting frequency (92.8%) as well as highest number of roots (4.3) was observed in half strength MS medium supplemented with 2.0 mgl−1 Indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). Regenerated plantlets were acclimatized successfully in the green house and finally transplanted in the pots.
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Cassia species have been of keen interest in phytochemical and pharmacological research due to their excellent medicinal values. Different classes of natural products, possessing potent physiological and pharmacological activities have... more
Cassia species have been of keen interest in phytochemical and pharmacological research due to their excellent medicinal values. Different classes of natural products, possessing potent physiological and pharmacological activities have been isolated from Cassia pumila. They include anthracene derivatives, flavonoids and polysaccharides. Some of these compounds have been shown to possess considerable antimicrobial activity. The present study deals with the isolation, purification of flavonoids in different parts of C. pumila and their antimicrobial activity. A new flavonoid kaempferol-7-O-glucoside was identified and characterized and it showed significant antimicrobial activities. The higher levels of total flavonoids was measured in flowers of C. pumila (1.92 mg/gdw) and, Similarly higher levels of total qurecetin (F+B) was measured in flowers of C. pumila (0. 0.97 mg/gdw). Higher levels of total kaempferol(F+B) was measured in flowers of C. pumila (0.62 mg/gdw). Similarly higher l...
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The present study reports the biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (IH-AgNPs) using aqueous leaf extract of Indigofera hisruta L. The biosynthesized IH-AgNPs were found to be FCC crystals, 5-10 nm in size, spherical in shape and stable.... more
The present study reports the biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (IH-AgNPs) using aqueous leaf extract of Indigofera hisruta L. The biosynthesized IH-AgNPs were found to be FCC crystals, 5-10 nm in size, spherical in shape and stable. The biosynthesized IH-AgNPs showed dose-dependant cytotoxicity against prostate cancer (PC3) (IC = 68.5 μg/mL), colon cancer (COLO205) (IC = 85.2 μg/mL), and mouse melanoma (B16F10) (IC = 80.9 μg/mL). IH-AgNPs were found to be nontoxic towards normal CHO (Chinese hamster ovary) cells. The biosynthesized IH-AgNPs showed effective in vitro antioxidant activity against DPPH (IC = 63.43 μg/mL) and HO(IC = 89.93 μg/mL) radicals. IH-AgNPs exhibited effective antibacterial activity against both Gram+ve and Gram-ve bacteria. MIC values of IH-AgNPs against S. aureus, B. subtilis, P. aeruginosa and E. coli were found to be 7.8 μg/mL, 3.9 μg/mL, 15.6 μg/mL and 15.6 μg/mL respectively. IH-AgNPs also showed inhibitory activity against fungal pathogens including C...
Research Interests: Chemistry, Cytotoxicity, Medicine, Ic, Antioxidant, and 3 moreAntimicrobial, DPPH, and Silver Nanoparticle
A protocol for in vitro propagation of the wild germander (Teucrium polium L.) was developed. In vitro plants were developed from ex vitro axillary buds. Then, shoot tips were excised and established on Murashige and Skoog medium.... more
A protocol for in vitro propagation of the wild germander (Teucrium polium L.) was developed. In vitro plants were developed from ex vitro axillary buds. Then, shoot tips were excised and established on Murashige and Skoog medium. Proliferation of shoots was tested with different levels of 6-furfurylaminopurin, 6-benzyladenine, or thiadiazuron. The highest proliferation of T. polium was obtained when 6-benzyladenine and 6-furfurylaminopurin were used at 2.0 and 1.6 mg l−1, respectively. Thiadiazuron gave the lowest response for shoot proliferation. Rooting was experimented at different levels of Indol-3-butric acid, Indol-3-acetic acid, or 1-naphthaleneacetic acid. 1-Naphthaleneacetic was the only growth regulator which promoted root induction. Rooted plants were acclimatized successfully with 75% survival and grown in the greenhouse. In vitro- and in vivo-grown plants were analyzed for essential oil production. In vitro-grown T. polium on MS medium supplemented with 6-benzyladenine and 1-naphthaleneacetic gave higher oil yield than that grown on hormone-free Murashige and Skoog medium. In vivo (wild)-grown T. polium produced different oil yield when collected in different months (April and October). β-caryophyllene, used as a marker compound in the essential oil, was identified and quantified by gas chromatography (GC) analysis. Gas chromatography/mass (GC-MS) spectrometry analysis was also used to identify other components of in vitro cultures and to compare with in vivo-grown plants.
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Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is traditionally the most widely used white pigment due to its high refractive index. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is traditionally the most widely used white pigment due to its high refractive index. TiO2 has received... more
Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is traditionally the most widely used white pigment due to its high refractive index. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is traditionally the most widely used white pigment due to its high refractive index. TiO2 has received considerable attention and it has been used for optical coatings, photo-catalysis agents, gas sensors and solar cells. In this work, nano-structured TiO2 thin films were grown by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) technique on glass substrates. The prepared thin films were annealed from 400-600 °C in air for a period of 2 hours. Effect of annealing on the structural and electrical properties was studied. X-ray diffraction pattern exhibits peaks correspond to tetragonal anatase phase of TiO2 and the evaluated average crystallite size of the prepared materials are in the range of 16 to 30 nm. Electrical properties of the prepared samples are analyzed.
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SnO2 films have a wide range of applications because of their excellent performance along with high mechanical, chemical and environmental stability and low cost material. SnO2 thin films were prepared by pulsed lased deposition method.... more
SnO2 films have a wide range of applications because of their excellent performance along with high mechanical, chemical and environmental stability and low cost material. SnO2 thin films were prepared by pulsed lased deposition method. SEM, EDS, TEM, PL, Gas sensing and Electrical properties were carried out on to the prepared thin films. SEM images reveal that the sample consists of irregular shaped sphere like structures. EDS pattern showed the elemental compositions of Sn and O. TEM measurements were performed to confirm the nanocrystalline nature of the samples and to study the morphology of the particles. PL studies of SnO2 thin films exhibit blue emission bands. The thermo emf of SnO2 thin films increased with the increasing of temperature. At low temperatures the Seebeck coefficient is observed to be high and the Seebeck coefficient decreases with increasing of temperature
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Shoots were regenerated from the cultured roots of Oldenlandia umbellata L. successfully for mass propagation on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium. The nodal shoots were cultured on 3.0 mgl-1 Benzylaminopurine (BAP) to induce nodal... more
Shoots were regenerated from the cultured roots of Oldenlandia umbellata L. successfully for mass propagation on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium. The nodal shoots were cultured on 3.0 mgl-1 Benzylaminopurine (BAP) to induce nodal meristems. The shoots were multiplied well on MS liquid medium supplemented with 1.0 mgl-1 BAP + 0.5 mgl-1 Indole-3 acetic acid (IAA). Shoots were rooted on half strength MS medium supplemented with 2.5 mgl-1 Indole-3 butyric acid (IBA). The in vitro produced roots were further used as explants to initiate root cultures to get secondary metabolites (anthraquinone derivatives/dye). The root pieces were cultured on half strength MS medium supplemented with IBA. The multiplied roots turned yellow in color within 4-5 weeks. Shoots were regenerated from the roots when the roots cultured on MS medium augmented with 1.0 mgl-1 BAP. Again these shoots were rooted with help of IBA and the plantlets were hardened in green house.
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The well‐known medicinal plant Centella asiatica (L.) Urban is an Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine used in the treatment of different health problems and as an edible vegetable in a regular diet. Ease of availability in the wide... more
The well‐known medicinal plant Centella asiatica (L.) Urban is an Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine used in the treatment of different health problems and as an edible vegetable in a regular diet. Ease of availability in the wide range of environmental conditions plus low‐cost cultivation process has made the plant popular in ethno‐medicinal healthcare systems. In the present review, phytochemical analysis of plant‐extract and pharmacological activities of bioactive‐compounds are discussed based upon the available reports to understand their therapeutic potentialities along with the mechanisms behind. The results exhibited that C. asiatica and its triterpenoids demonstrated an array of pharmacological effects and health benefits, some of which were confirmed in many preclinical and clinical studies. Those reports also provided considerable evidences in support of the principles of folk treatment in different countries. Increase and maintenance of the prospective plant secondary metabolites would provide an enriched resource of drug molecules. Development of suitable derivatives of the therapeutic compounds can give an assurance for getting more effective drug candidates with reduced side effects. The review also enumerates the application of advanced nanotechnology, toxicology, and clinical‐trial reports on the plant with notes on the shortcomings in the present research and future perspectives of using this medicinal plant.
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Production of nanoparticles from biological materials has achieved considerable developments in the fields of agriculture, medicine, improved crop production, pharmaceuticals and other products benefit human. The present study reports the... more
Production of nanoparticles from biological materials has achieved considerable developments in the fields of agriculture, medicine, improved crop production, pharmaceuticals and other products benefit human. The present study reports the green approach for the synthesis of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles using aqueous extracts of aerial parts of Crotalaria laburnifolia Linn. at room temperature. Zinc Nitrate hexahydrate [Zn(NO3)2.6H2O] was used as precursor and the various plant extracts played as reducing as well as capping agents. The configuration of ZnO nanoparticles was monitored by UV-Visible spectrophotometer. The leaf extract showed stable absorbance at 296 nm, stem and flowers at 290 nm.
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The nanoparticles (NPs) ranging from the size between 1-100nm exhibits various biomedical applications at lower concentration. The present study deals with the synthesis and UV-Visible characterization of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO... more
The nanoparticles (NPs) ranging from the size between 1-100nm exhibits various biomedical applications at lower concentration. The present study deals with the synthesis and UV-Visible characterization of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) using aqueous extracts of various parts of Turnera ulmifolia. UV-Visible absorption of reaction medium confirmed the production of ZnO NPs using the cell free filterates of leaves, stem, root and flower petals. The color of the reaction mixture was changed from green to yellow when challenged with 1mM solution of Zinc Nitrate and incubated at room temperature. The characteristic spectroscopic absorbance peaks of ZnO NPs from leaves, stem, root and flower petals were 311nm, 299nm, 293nm and 296nm respectively. This is an eco-friendly and cost efficient approach of synthesis of ZnO NPs and alternative to the conventional methods.
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Research Interests: Botany, Plant Biology, Biology, Ecology, Polyethylene Glycol, and 3 moreAcclimatization, PEG Ratio, and Shoot
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Abstract This report establishes the production and characterization of anthraquinones and phenolic compounds from the adventitious root cultures of Morinda coreia, induced from the leaves on half strength Murashige and Skoog’s (MS)... more
Abstract This report establishes the production and characterization of anthraquinones and phenolic compounds from the adventitious root cultures of Morinda coreia, induced from the leaves on half strength Murashige and Skoog’s (MS) medium fortified with 1.0 mg l−1 of Indole-3 butyric acid (IBA). The in vitro regenerated adventitious roots (AR) were treated with various concentrations of IBA (0.5–5.0 mg l-1) containing half-strength of liquid MS medium with sucrose (1.5 %). The maximum amount of anthraquinones (149.80 mg g−1 dry weight of AR) and phenolic compounds (71.6 mg g−1 dry weight of AR) were detected on 1.0 mg l−1 and 4.0 mg l−1 of IBA respectively. These proliferated AR on IBA contained 2.10 times more anthraquinones and 1.89 times more phenolics as compared with the yield of in vivo grown roots of M. coreia. Other parameters, such as growth ratio (5.082), fresh weight (1.568 g) and dry weight (0.163 g) of AR were recorded maximum with the concentration of 1.0 mg l−1 IBA. These AR were introduced into the two-stage culture system with various concentrations of chitosan (0.2, 0.4 and 0.8 mg ml-1) for elicitation. Among these, 0.4 mg ml-1 chitosan was observed as the best concentration and further used for the production of secondary metabolites (anthraquinones and phenolics) at different time intervals (2–8 days). Growth ratio and biomass (fresh and dry weight) were decreased from second to eighth day of elicitation but the amount of anthraquinones (292.038 mg g-1 dry weight) and phenolics (86.8 mg g-1 dry weight) were increased till 4th day of the elicitation. The methods developed in this study could be used for further proliferation of AR and large scale production of anthraquinones and phenolic compounds using in vitro raised leaves of M. coreia.
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The potential of the aqueous extract of the Leucas aspera in the synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles was investigated. The nanoparticles were characterized by UV-Visible spectroscopy. The color changes in reaction mixtures (metal ion... more
The potential of the aqueous extract of the Leucas aspera in the synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles was investigated. The nanoparticles were characterized by UV-Visible spectroscopy. The color changes in reaction mixtures (metal ion solution and plant extracts) were recorded through the visual observations. Synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles were confirmed through UV-Visible spectrophotometer at the wavelength of 302 and 305 nm. The results revealed that the medicinal plant L. aspera can be utilized as an eco-friendly system for the synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles for various applications in the field of medicine and agriculture.
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Piper longum (family Piperaceae), commonly known as “long‐pepper” or “Pippali” grows as a perennial shrub or as an herbaceous vine. It is native to the Indo‐Malaya region and widely distributed in the tropical and subtropical world... more
Piper longum (family Piperaceae), commonly known as “long‐pepper” or “Pippali” grows as a perennial shrub or as an herbaceous vine. It is native to the Indo‐Malaya region and widely distributed in the tropical and subtropical world including the Indian subcontinent, Sri Lanka, Middle‐East, and America. The fruits are mostly used as culinary spice and preservatives and are also a potent remedy in various traditional medicinal systems against bronchitis, cough, cold, snakebite, and scorpion‐sting and are also used as a contraceptive. Various bioactive‐phytochemicals including alkaloids, flavonoids, esters, and steroids were identified from the plant extracts and essential oils from the roots and fruits were reported as antimicrobial, antiparasitic, anthelminthic, mosquito‐larvicidal, antiinflammatory, analgesic, antioxidant, anticancer, neuro‐pharmacological, antihyperglycaemic, hepato‐protective, antihyperlipidaemic, antiangiogenic, immunomodulatory, antiarthritic, antiulcer, antiast...
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Dioscin has gained immense popularity as a natural, bioactive steroid saponin, which offers numerous medical benefits. The growing global incidence of disease‐associated morbidity and mortality continues to compromise human health,... more
Dioscin has gained immense popularity as a natural, bioactive steroid saponin, which offers numerous medical benefits. The growing global incidence of disease‐associated morbidity and mortality continues to compromise human health, facilitating an increasingly urgent need for nontoxic, noninvasive, and efficient treatment alternatives. Natural compounds can contribute vastly to this field. Over recent years, studies have demonstrated the remarkable protective actions of dioscin against a variety of human malignancies, metabolic disorders, organ injuries, and viral/fungal infections. The successful usage of this phytocompound has been widely seen in medical treatment procedures under traditional Chinese medicine, and it is becoming progressively prevalent worldwide. This review provides an insight into the wide spectrum of pharmacological activities of dioscin, as reported and compiled in recent literature. The various novel approaches and applications of dioscin also verify the adva...