1) Liver weight of NDEA alone treated rats increased significant

1). Liver weight of NDEA alone treated rats increased significantly (p ≤ 0.05) at the end of the 20th week of exposure when compared with normal rats. But treatment with MEWF prevented the increase in liver weight in rats exposed to NDEA. MEWF alone treated rats did not show any significant changes when compared to normal control ( Table 1). NDEA treated rats showed significantly (p ≤ 0.05) elevated serum levels of AFP, ALP, LDH and bilirubin when compared to normal control. A significant (p ≤ 0.05) reduction was observed in serum selleck screening library markers in the animals treated with Silymarin (100 mg/kg), MEWF (100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg) compared

to NDEA treated group ( Fig. 2). In morphology and morphometry evaluation, NDEA treated rat liver become very large in size and a large number of hepatic nodules were observed (Fig. 3). Administration of Silymarin and MEWF (100 mg/kg b.w, 200 mg/kg) showed significant reduction in the nodule incidence in NDEA induced hepatocarcinogenesis (Table 2). Tissue biochemical analysis showed a significant (p ≤ 0.05) reduction in GSH, CAT and increased levels of MDA in NDEA treated group compared to normal control. A significant (p ≤ 0.05) elevation in GSH, CAT and MDA were observed in animals treated with Silymarin (100 mg/kg), MEWF (100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg) compared to NDEA treated group ( Table 3). In NDEA intoxicated rat tissue enlarged nuclei, hyperchromatism, scattered masses of necrotic tissues,

proliferating hepatocytes and mild congestion of sinusoids with central vein dilation were detected Hydroxychloroquine in histopathological studies. However, treatment with MEWF at a dose of 200 mg/kg showed almost normal architecture with normal hepatocytes and uniform Rolziracetam sinusoids (Fig. 4). In immunohistochemical

analysis NDEA intoxicated rat tissue showed localization of VEGF around periportal area (arrow heads). A significant down regulation of VEGF was spotted in MEWF at a dose of 200 mg/kg treated group (Fig. 5) The dose-dependent cytotoxic effect of MEWF on PLC/PRF/5 cells was evaluated by MTT assay. The cells were treated with 50 and 100 μg/ml of MEWF and the inhibition of cell proliferation was assessed after 12 h, 24 h, 48 h and 72 h. MEWF exerted cytotoxic effect on PLC/PRF/5 cells in a dose-dependent manner with percentage of cell inhibition values 12.4 ± 0.8, 23.1 ± 0.9, 44.4 ± 1.7 and 55.8 ± 2.2 for 50 μg/ml and 24.2 ± 1.3, 33.8 ± 1.2, 56.8 ± 2.0 and 65.3 ± 2.5 for 100 μg/ml after 12 h, 24 h, 48 h and 72 h respectively. 5-flourouracil, used as positive control, showed an inhibition of 26.8 ± 1.0, 36.2 ± 1.5, 59.2 ± 2.3 and 70.2 ± 2.8 for 50 μg/ml and 14.7 ± 1.1, 25.2 ± 0.8, 47.9 ± 1.8 and 59.1 ± 2.3 for 25 μg/ml after 12 h, 24 h, 48 h and 72 h respectively. Treatment with MEWF exhibited significant cytotoxic effect on PLC/PRF/5 cells (p ≤ 0.05) when compared to the cells treated alone with DMSO. The results were graphically expressed in Fig. 6.

, 2013) Collectively, findings from these studies do not paint a

, 2013). Collectively, findings from these studies do not paint a fully consistent picture, again emphasizing the specificity with which stressful events can affect the brain, and the care required in experimental design for future studies. In particular, it may be the case that certain stress models are more ethologically relevant to females vs. males—for example, social stress vs. predator exposure. One of the primary issues of interpretation in studies that employ a “stress vs. no stress” group design, however, is

whether the changes observed in the stress group as a whole accurately represent the disease state, or simply the normal adaptations the brain undergoes in response to trauma (Cohen et al., 2004). As this website noted in the introduction, PTSD occurs in a limited subset of trauma-exposed individuals, and approaches that instead examine individual stress responses in order to identify resilient and susceptible subpopulations are becoming a new standard for animal models of mental illness (Krishnan, 2014). Crizotinib concentration One paradigm that has been especially fruitful has been the resident-intruder social defeat model, in which mice are repeatedly exposed to a dominant aggressor (Miczek, 1979). After chronic social defeat, mice reliably stratify on measures of social interaction when exposed to an unfamiliar mouse, distinctions

that can then be used to examine biological markers of susceptible (anti-social) and resilient (social) populations (Golden et al., 2011), (Gómez-Lázaro et al., 2011), (Elliott et al., 2010). The relationship of resilient vs. susceptible phenotypes

to learned fear behavior has recently begun to be studied, but a clear picture has not yet emerged: Chou et al. (2014) found that susceptible mice exhibited greater freezing during fear conditioning compared to a resilient population, while Meduri et al. (2013) previously reported that resilient animals expressed higher and longer-sustained fear levels. Potential sex differences in social defeat resilience are not known, primarily Isotretinoin because common laboratory strains of female rodents do not typically display territorial aggression in the same way males do. There are several exceptions worth noting, however. First is the female California mouse, and Trainor and colleagues have used this model to identify a number of sex differences in the behavioral and cellular changes that social defeat elicits (Greenberg et al., 2014 and Trainor et al., 2011), including an intriguing role for dopaminergic signaling (Campi et al., 2014). To date, however, this model has not been used to identify susceptible and resilient populations of females. A second model modifies the classic male resident-intruder paradigm, taking advantage of the aggression that a lactating female rat will express to an intruder female.

Serological tests (IgG) for dengue were performed at the Flavivir

Serological tests (IgG) for dengue were performed at the Flavivirus Laboratory of the Oswaldo Cruz Institute (Rio de Janeiro) using PANBIO dengue selleck chemicals llc IgG indirect Elisa (Brisbane, Australia) [10]. Dengue is a flavivirus with widespread circulation in Brazil. Neutralising antibody response to

YF vaccine is highly specific with no or low-titre antibodies to other flavivirus, but evidence for interference by naturally acquired heterologous flavivirus immunity with 17D vaccine in humans is conflicting [11]. The response variable of interest was the serum neutralising antibody titres (in IU/mL), which were converted to log10 values and categorised. The co-variables of interest were age (in years), gender, presence of anti-dengue virus antibodies, prior vaccination, history of severe illness (hospitalisation, disease sequelae, and disability),

comorbidity and medications used at the Selleckchem AZD4547 time of blood collection. The rate of seropositivity and the geometric mean antibody titres, along with the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI), were estimated for each subgroup of time since vaccination. In the multivariate analysis, the immune response (indicated by log10 of titres in the multiple regression model and seropositivity in the logistic regression model) was modelled as a function of the time (in months) elapsed since vaccination as a continuous variable and categories: 30–45 days, 1–9 years, 10–11 years, and ≥12 years after primo-vaccination (categories 1–4 and 5–9 years were collapsed for multivariate analysis). The co-variables included in the model were age, gender, city of residence, and serological status for dengue. Statistical analysis was performed using the software SPSS® (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL) and WINPEPI [12]. The study group consisted of a non-random sample of 721 adult volunteers, which included military personnel from 7 Army units located in the city of Rio de Janeiro (50.7%), and civilians from the Manguinhos campus at FIOCRUZ in Rio de Janeiro

(16%) and from health centres in Alfenas, Minas Gerais (33.3%). Volunteers were recruited between August 2011 and July 2012. The recruitment sites were selected based on expected numbers of eligible subjects. Of the 721 volunteers, 691 (95.8%) met all eligibility STK38 criteria and were included in the analysis (Fig. 1). The eligible volunteers were predominantly male (73.4%), aged 18–83 years, and the time since vaccination ranged from 30 days to 18 years. In the newly vaccinated subgroup all subjects were male, aged 18–30 years, and the time since vaccination ranged from 30 to 45 days (data not shown). Subjects aged 31–59 years had that highest proportion with 12 years or more of vaccination, whereas most volunteers 60 years and older had been vaccinated 5–9 years before (Table 1).

So, the possible mechanism may be as stimulation of β-adrenocepto

So, the possible mechanism may be as stimulation of β-adrenoceptors leads to the activation of adenylyl cyclase which increase cAMP formation within the nerve terminals of the cerebral cortex induces spontaneous action potentials and may contribute to seizures. Thus diminished synthesis of cAMP selleck chemical and decreased cAMP dependent protein kinase-mediated processes, due to β-adrenoceptor may reduce postsynaptic responses. There were also data indicating that antiepileptic drugs may modify the central levels of cAMP. Another study showed that propranolol and metoprolol enhanced the anticonvulsant action of valproate and diazepam against MES.14 Epileptic

patients are frequently reported to suffer from neurobehavioral problems Selleckchem RAD001 such as memory impairment which may have a pathological and/or iatrogenic basis. There may be various reasons for impairment of cognitive functions, the adverse effect of AEDs being one of them. In view of these observations we investigated the effect of GBP and NBV on memory. The hippocampus has one of the denser inputs of adrenergic terminals (containing NE) in the CNS supporting the hypothesis that the noradrenergic system plays a role in memory retrieval.15 But the GBP and NBV had no effect on the percentage

alternation score whereas the combination of the drugs also had no affect on the percentage alternation scores. Minimal neurological deficits, such as impaired motor function, can be detected and quantitated by standardized tests such as the rotarod test. In the present study, GBP, and NBV alone as well as in combinations had no effect on motor parameters, at any of the given however doses. All the drugs used in this study appear to be devoid of adverse neurological effects. Studies have reported that oxidative stress exacerbates epilepsy. It has been demonstrated that antioxidants are effective in rodent models of epilepsy, stroke and Alzheimer’s disease. NBV, and GBP alone as well as in combination shown to inhibit the lipid peroxidation and increase in

the level of GSH in brain tissue in a dose dependent manner which showed that it reduces the oxidative stress. GBP prevented the oxidative stress by reducing the over production of free radicals.16 The protective effects of NBV during oxidative stress could result from direct scavenging of reactive oxygen species by the molecule. Our results once again confirmed that NBV had antioxidant property. This is consistent with previous finding.16 This inhibition of lipid peroxidation and increase in the level of GSH may be considered as one of the reasons for anticonvulsant activity of the drugs. To conclude, NBV enhances the anticonvulsant effect against ICES and PTZ with neuropharmacological benefits. However, our results are preliminary and further studies are warranted to extrapolate animal data to human situations for developing a promising combination. All authors have none to declare. The authors would like to thank I.T.

The BCoDE project is funded through the Specific agreement

The BCoDE project is funded through the Specific agreement

No 1 to Framework Partnership AgreementGRANT/2008/003. This study builds on the methodology and disease models outlined by the BCoDE project. The authors acknowledge the Burden of Communicable Disease in Europe (BCoDE) Consortium for the disease progression model and the BCoDE toolkit software application. In particular we thank Dr Alies van Lier and Dr Silvia Longhi for the work Bortezomib on the measles disease progression model and Prof Mirjam Kretzschmar for the support provided in the review of the manuscript. We also would like to thank Daniel Dr Lewandowski for the BCoDE toolkit software application. “
“There are two commercially available Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines licensed by the FDA for prevention of cervical cancer: Cervarix® (GlaxoSmithKline) and Gardasil® (Sanofi Pasteur MSD). Both vaccines prevent acquisition of HPV16 and 18 infections [1], [2], [3], [4] and [5] responsible for approximately 70% of cervical cancers and they offer some cross protection against other oncogenic strains of HPV [6], [7], [8], [9] and [10]. Clinical trial data has indicated that the vaccines are highly effective in preventing new cases of HPV16 and 18 associated diseases, with significantly lower rates of high

grade Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia DAPT order (CIN) and Adenocarcinoma in-situ diagnosed [11], [12], [13], [14] and [15].

Prevention of cancer is more likely in women who receive the HPV vaccination prior to exposure to the virus [6] and [16]. In the UK, a national HPV vaccination programme using the bivalent vaccine, Cervarix® was introduced in September 2008 in schools, with a recommended 3 doses administered to girls aged 12–13 years. A two-year catch-up vaccine arm was added for older girls who potentially would still benefit from the immune response induced by the HPV vaccine. Such a comprehensive national vaccination programme is expected to change the epidemiology of cervical cancer in the UK population. However, L-NAME HCl the impact of such a programme will depend on vaccine uptake, cervical screening uptake and the risk of exposure in women who are not vaccinated and not screened. If women who are unvaccinated choose not to attend for cervical screening, and have high risk of exposure to HPV, then the impact of the vaccination programme will be less than predicted, with potential to increase inequalities in cervical cancer incidence in the population. In order to understand the likely impact of the HPV vaccination programme for cervical cancer incidence it is important to understand the screening behaviour of women according to whether or not they have been vaccinated.

After removing the medium,

After removing the medium, AZD9291 splenocytes from individual mice at a density of 105 cells/well were stimulated with a pool of CSp peptides at a concentration of 5 μg/well for 48 h at 37 °C 5% CO2. Following incubation, plates were washed five times with PBS and were then incubated with 1 μg/ml of biotinylated anti-mouse antibodies (Mabtech) in PBS containing 0.5% FCS for 2 h at room temperature. After washing five times with PBS to remove free biotinylated anti-mouse antibodies, plates were incubated for 2 h with detection antibodies conjugated to streptavidin–alkaline phosphatase

at 1:1000 dilutions in the same buffer as above. The enzyme reaction was developed with nitroblue tetrazolium bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl-phosphate chromogen substrate (Mabtech). The spot-forming units (SFU) per 105 cells were counted using a dissection microscope (Carl Zeiss, Stemi 2000-C). Multiscreen HTS-IP Filter Plates (96-wells, Millipore) were pre-wetted with 70% ethanol for 2 min, washed five times with

PBS and coated with 5 μg/ml of CSp in PBS Selleckchem BYL719 overnight at 4 °C. Plates were blocked for 2 h at room temperature with complete medium. BM cells (105 cells per well) from the immunized mice were seeded in duplicates and stimulated individually with the C-CSp, N-CSp or IDE-CSp. Plates were incubated for 12 h at 37 °C, 5% CO2 and 85% humidity. After the incubation period plates were washed five times with PBS and incubated for 2 h at room temperature with HRP-conjugated goat anti-mouse IgG (1:1000; Southern Biotech) in PBS, 5% FCS. After washing with PBS five times, the reaction was developed using a Vectastain 3-amino-9-ethylcarbazole (AEC) substrate kit (Vector laboratories, Burlingame, CA) according to manufacturer’s instructions. The reactions were stopped by washing plates with deionized water. Plates were dried in the dark and spots were counted using a dissection microscope (Carl Zeiss, Stemi 2000-C). Data were analyzed using GraphPad Prism Version 5 (Graphpad Software, Inc.,

San Diego, CA). The nonparametric Kruskal–Wallis test was used for the comparison of means in different groups. For all Dichloromethane dehalogenase tests, p ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. The combination of Ad35-CS and BCG-CS in a heterologous prime-boost regimen resulted in high-levels of CSp-specific IgG responses (Fig. 1). Moreover, antibody responses exhibited higher IgG2a (Th1-type responses) when comparing heterologous prime-boost Ad35-CS/BCG-CS to homologous prime-boost BCG-CS/BCG-CS immunizations (Fig. 1). Among the three CSp peptides tested (C-CSp, N-CSp and CSp-IDE), the response to C-CSp was synergistic and induced stronger IgG2a response in the group primed with Ad35-CS and boosted with BCG-CS (Fig. 2).

The obtained MIC and MFC

values for antifungal activity o

The obtained MIC and MFC

values for antifungal activity of the plant extract evaluated using various fungal strain are presented in Table 2 and Table 3. The therapy of fungal infections caused by opportunistic pathogens such as C. albicans remains Selleck Abiraterone a major medical challenge. Infection by C. albicans leads to the formation of a biofilm which is resistant to the penetration of antifungal agents Based on total activity, methanolic extract of C. coromandelicum had the premier effectiveness against C. albicans. Plant showing significant activity may be due to the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins and polyphenols. Two possibilities that may account for the higher antimicrobial activity of alcoholic extracts are the nature of biological active components which may be enhanced in the presence of methanol, the stronger extraction capacity of methanol that may have yielded a greater number of active constituents responsible for antimicrobial activity.17 and 18 This makes the plant ABT-737 mw as antimicrobial agents advantageous for the further investigations. Anti HIV research has been focused on compounds that interfere with various parts

of the viral life-cycle such as proteins encoded by the virus itself. HIV-Reverse Transcriptase (RT) performs various principle functions. (a) A process referred to as the RNA-dependent-DNA-polymerase (RDDP) in which the polymerase domain transcribes viral genomic RNA to viral DNA. (b) In the course of reverse transcription an intermediary RNA/DNA hybrid is formed. RT through its ribonuclease H (RNase H) domain degrades the RNA component of the hybrid. (c) RT carries out DNA-dependent DNA polymerization activities, only producing complementary DNA strands.19 and 20 The completion of each of these processes is required for the formation of a competent viral

DNA capable of integrating into the genome of the infected cell. The function of RT is, therefore, essential for replication of HIV and is a suitable target for chemotherapeutic intervention.21 In the present study examined HIV-1 RT inhibitory activity of the different extracts of C. coromandelicum. Most studies considered inhibition ≥50% as significant. Since all extracts were crude extracts and not the fractionated or purified active moieties, it was preferred using not too high or not too low concentration of the extracts, viz. 10 mg/ml. At this concentration, methanol extracts showed potent inhibition of RDDP function of HIV-RT. AZT was included as a positive control that showed 82.15% inhibition. The binding of gp120 to CD4 is also a critical step in HIV infection, as the outer envelope glycoprotein gp120 of HIV mediates viral attachment to the cell-surface glycoprotein CD4 in the initial phase of HIV infection.22 The effects of different extracts on gp120/CD4 interaction were examined. This was determined by pre-incubation of test compounds with the soluble gp120 before addition to immobilized CD4. The study revealed that, methanolic extract showed 72.

7% for MM, and 6 2% for control arm, followed by H influenzae ty

7% for MM, and 6.2% for control arm, followed by H. influenzae type B; 2%, 3.7%, and 5% respectively

(data not shown). These differences were statistically significant across all three arms. B. pertussis was also detected in three HCWs. In a multivariable cluster adjusted log binomial model, when compared to the control group, the N95 group was significantly protective against bacterial colonization (Table 2). We MLN8237 cell line demonstrated 59% efficacy of N95 respirators against any co-infection (Table 3), and 67% against bacterial and viral co-infection (Table 4) in adjusted multivariate analyses. The only other significant variable for bacterial infection and bacterial and viral co-infection was the respiratory ward, which significantly increased the risk of colonization or co-infection

compared to other wards (Table 2 and Table 4). In addition, univariable CHIR-99021 in vivo analyses of infection and co-infection rates by other factors, such as, smoking (current vs non-smoker), staff type (doctor vs nurses) and ward type (respiratory vs other) were conducted in the analysis. For bacterial infection, HCWs working in a respiratory ward were significantly at higher risk of infection than HCWs in other wards (7.3% vs 3.5%, p < 0.001). For bacterial co-infection, nurses had a significantly higher risk than doctors (3.2% vs 1.4%, p = 0.02) and the rate was also significantly higher in respiratory wards (4.4% vs 1.8%, p = 0.001). Respiratory wards had a higher rate of bacteria–virus co-infection than other wards (2.5% vs 1%, p = 0.02). We have previously shown that N95 respirators protect against clinical respiratory illness (MacIntyre et al., 2011 and Macintyre et al., 2013). N95 respirators, but not medical masks, were significantly protective against bacterial colonization, co-colonization, Mephenoxalone viral-bacterial co-infection and dual virus infection in HCWs. We also showed a statistically significant decrease in rates of bacterial respiratory colonization with increasing levels of respiratory protection. The lowest rates were in the

N95 group, followed by the medical mask group, and the highest rates were in HCWs who did not wear a mask. Although the clinical significance of this finding is unknown in terms of the implications for HCWs, we have shown that such colonization can be prevented by the use of N95 respirators. These findings are consistent with other work we have published, which shows a reduction in bacterial colonization following use of N95 respirators (MacIntyre et al., 2013). While the role of nosocomial viral respiratory infections is accepted, bacterial infections are less well understood. Our findings suggest that bacterial respiratory tract colonization or infection in HCWs should be studied further. Bacterial colonization may be a precursor to viral and bacterial co-infections and invasive bacterial infections in individuals with influenza or other respiratory viral infections.

This is in accordance with a study by Fernandes et al who showed

This is in accordance with a study by Fernandes et al. who showed that the liposomal incorporation of two other triacylated lipopeptides enhanced the proliferation of murine splenocytes [36], which could be attributed to improved adjuvant uptake by the DCs [20] and [21]. The prominent advantage of liposomal encapsulation of CpG correlates excellently with the cellular localisation of the PAM and CpG receptors. Whilst TLR2 is expressed on the cell surface, TLR9 is present in the endosomal compartment. Conceivably, CpG profits more from liposomal delivery than PAM. For PAM this is illustrated in vitro as liposome

encapsulation decreases its ability to stimulate HEK293-CD14/TLR2 cells, probably due to reduced interaction with the receptor. It is known that liposomal incorporation can have a profound influence Anti-diabetic Compound high throughput screening on the immunomodulatory properties of lipoproteins [37]. VX-770 order PAM’s functionality is dependent on different structural components.

The peptide segment linked to the carboxyl terminus of the palmitoyl lipopeptide, the SKKKK sequence, was shown to elevate the adjuvant activity compared to other peptide sequences [38]. Changes to the lipopeptide fatty acid chains, the O-linked fatty acids in particular, appear to have a substantial effect on the signalling through TLRs. The palmitoyl groups (C16) provide better adjuvant activity than longer and shorter fatty acids [39] and [40]. If the interaction of either of these moieties with the TLR2

is disturbed, the adjuvanticity will be diminished. Liposomal encapsulation can also have a positive effect on the adjuvanticity as it improves the solubility of PAM [41] and the DC uptake of OVA, which may improve DC maturation. However, probably due to loss of interaction with the TLR2, this did not enhance the immune response in vivo. For CpG, improved DC uptake of OVA/CpG liposomes facilitates the interaction with the endosomal TLR9 [18] and [42], thereby inducing DC maturation. STK38 The in vivo situation is more complicated. Even though the DCs will preferentially take up the liposomes, the speed and duration of antigen and immune potentiator exposure will differ between the solution and the liposomal formulations. CpG and OVA in solution will probably reach the lymph nodes faster than the liposomes, but only liposomes ensure uptake of CpG and OVA by the same DC, which was reported to influence the type of immune response generated [21]. Indeed, the enhanced DC uptake does result in a more Th1-biased response, which is most pronounced for the CpG-containing liposomes. Similar results were reported by Gursel et al., who showed that co-encapsulation of OVA and CpG in cationic liposomes induced elevated IgG2a titres and IFN-γ secretion compared to free CpG after intraperitoneal injection [43]. It has to be noted that liposome size also affects the Th1/Th2 bias; larger liposomes tend to induce a Th1 shift [44] and [45].

27 Therefore, the results obtained from the present fluorescence

27 Therefore, the results obtained from the present fluorescence studies will also help to check any impurities present in fruit powder of A. bilimbi. Preliminary phytochemical and HPTLC analysis

showed presence of different phytochemical compounds such as carbohydrates, proteins, amino acids, tannins, hydrolysable tannins, bitter principles, essential oils, valepotraites, coumarins, flavonoids and terpenes, which could make the fruits useful for treating different ailments. Thus the preliminary screening tests may be useful in the detection of the bioactive principles and subsequently may lead to the drug discovery and development.25 Abiraterone cell line HPTLC is one of the simplest and modern technique available today, which provides a chromatographic fingerprint and is suitable for confirming the identity and purity of plants and for detecting adulteration and substitution. HPTLC fingerprint profile along with their recorded Rf values, can serve as reference standard for further research on the medicinal properties of the plant. 24 Plant materials are used throughout developed and developing countries as home remedies, over-the-counter drug products and raw materials for the pharmaceutical industry and represent a substantial proportion of the global herbal drug market. Therefore it is essential to ensure reproducible quality of herbal products.

Thus in recent years there has been an emphasis on standardization of medicinal plants of Bortezomib mw therapeutic potential. Despite the modern techniques, identification and evaluation of plant drugs

by pharmacognostical studies is still more Rolziracetam reliable, accurate and inexpensive means. Since A. bilimbi L. fruits are known for its various medicinal properties, the present study could be useful to supplement information with respect to its identification, authentication and standardization. The information generated can also be useful for preparation of monograph of the plant, which could be incorporated in the preparation of Indian Herbal Pharmacopoeia. All authors have none to declare. “
“Among the different biological agents, laccases represents an interesting group of oxidative enzymes owing to their great potential for biotechnological and environmental applications.1 Laccases (p-benzenediol: oxygen oxidoreductase, EC 1.10.3.2) are multi-copper containing enzymes belonging to the family of enzymes called blue copper proteins, with a copper content varying from two to four atoms per laccase molecule. 2 This enzyme catalysis the oxidation of a broad range of compounds as well as some inorganic ions coupled to the reduction of molecular oxygen to water. 3, 4 and 5 Laccase-mediated system has been applied to numerous processes such as pulp delignification, 6 textile dye decolourization, 4 food industry, 7 development of biosensors and biofuel cells, 8 bioremediation of xenobiotics, 9 synthetic chemistry 10 and cosmetic and dermatological preparations.