Caffeic acid (3,4-dihydroxy cinnamic acid) (CA) is naturally found in fruits, vegetables, olive oil, and coffee. This study was undertaken to evaluate the anticancer effect of caffeic acid on HT-1080 human fibrosarcoma cell line. The antiproliferative effect of caffeic acid was determined by MTT assay, and the oxidative stress was determined by lipid peroxidation, changes in the enzymatic, and non-enzymatic antioxidant status. To understand the mode of antiproliferative effect of CA, the authors observed intracellular ROS levels by DCFH-DA method, mitochondrial membrane potential alterations by Rh-123 staining, oxidative DNA damage by comet assay, and apoptotic morphological changes by AO/EtBr-staining method. The results show that caffeic acid enhances lipid peroxidative markers such as TBARS, CD, and LHP in HT-1080 cell line. Caffeic acid enhances the ROS levels, which is evidenced by the increased DCF fluorescence. Further, caffeic acid treatment altered the mitochondrial membrane potential in HT-1080 cells. Similarly, the authors observed increased oxidative DNA damage (% Tail DNA, % Tail length, Tail moment, and olive tail moment), and apoptotic morphological changes in caffeic acid-treated groups. These data suggest that caffeic acid exhibits potent anticancer effect in HT-1080 cell line, and that it may be used as an anticancer agent.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effects of D-limonene on the levels of lipid peroxidation by-products and antioxidant defence systems in the plasma and tissues of normal and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes rats. The experimental diabetes was induced in rats by a single dose of STZ (40 mg/kg i.p.) injection, and treatment with D-limonene was continued for 45 days. After the treatment period, oxidative stress parameters such as lipid peroxidation by-products; enzymatic antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione-S-transferase; non-enzymic antioxidants including reduced glutathione, Vitamins C and E were measured in the plasma and tissues of experimental rats. An increase in the levels of lipid peroxidation by-products and significant decrease in antioxidant enzymes were observed in untreated diabetic rats. Administration of D-limonene to diabetic rats for 45 days caused a significant reduction in the levels of lipid peroxidation by-products and an increase in the activities of antioxidant enzymes, when compared with the untreated diabetic group. There was no significant difference in normal treated groups, when compared with normal rats. Biochemical observations were substantiated with the help of histopathological examinations through its antioxidant properties and thereby conferred protection against STZ-induced diabetic rats. The result of this study indicates that D-limonene has antioxidant potential in addition to its antidiabetic effect in experimental diabetes.

The fresh leaves were dried for 6 hours at 50-60°C. The dried samples were then crushed into powder using an electronic blender. The powdered sample was stored in a bottle at room temperature, prior to analysis. Preparation of Extracts Ethanol extractionA powdered sample of 100 gm was weighed and soaked in 250 ml of 95% ethanol in a separating funnel for 24 hours, with intermittent shaking. The plant extract was then collected and filtered through Whatman No.1 filter paper. The extract was concentrated at 50°C using a rotatory evaporator and then air-dried. The dried powder was stored at 40°C in an airtight bottle. Similarly, the procedure was repeated with petroleum ether and water as solvents, using 100 gm of the fresh ground sample, for each extraction. All the extracts were cooled at room temperature. [2] Phytochemical Analysis The extracts were analyzed for the presence of phenols, tannins, alkaloids, anthraquinones, saponins, flavanoids, aminoacids and reducing sugars, using the standard procedure. [3] Agar-well Diffusion MethodThe antimicrobial activity was carried out by the agar-well diffusion assay using Muller Hinton agar plates. [4] The plates were swabbed with S. aureaus,

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Aflatoxins are toxic metabolites produced mainly by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a potent carcinogen, teratogen and mutagen. 660 pre-and post-harvest maize samples were collected from major maize growing areas in Tamil Nadu, India. A flatoxin contamination was observed in 40.22% of the samples tested of which, 22.97% of pre-harvest and 53.93% post-harvest maize samples were found to be infected with AFB1 and 12.05% of the total samples exceeded WHO permissible limit of 20 μg/kg. AFB1 contamination ranged from 0 to 149.32 µg/kg. 28 A. flavus isolates were isolated and grouped into three sets based on aflatoxin producing potential viz., highly aflatoxin producing isolates, medium producing isolates and no aflatoxin producer or traces of aflatoxin producing isolates. The genetic coefficient matrix analysis using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) with ten random primers revealed minimum and maximum percent similarities among the tested A. flavus strains ranging from 35 to 89%. Cluster analysis separated the three sets of isolates into two groups (groups I and II) with each two subgroup confirming the genetic diversity among the A. flavus isolates from maize.

Oilseed crops grown in different types of soil experience nutrient deficiency, especially sulphur, zinc and boron, which affect crop productivity. To tackle it, nutrient management practices must be streamlined to avoid improper fertilizations and deterioration of soil health. With this background, experimental trials were conducted to study the effect of sulphur, zinc and boron application on the growth, yield components and yield of hybrid sunflower at AyanAthur village, Ariyalur district (TN) during the summer seasons of 2016 and 2017. The experiments were laid out in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications. The growth components of sunflower (plant height, leaf area index, dry matter production, leaf area duration (LAD) and growth analysis parameters such as crop growth rate (CGR), relative growth rate(RGR), net assimilation rate(NAR) and chlorophyll content, yield components and seed yield were significantly (level of significance P>0.05) influenced by foliar application of 0.5% Zn on bud initiation stage and seed formation stage and B @ 0.3% on bud initiation stage and ray floret formation stage along with S(sulphur) @ 40 kg ha-1 and RDF(recommended dose of fertilizers) as a soil application. Growth and yield parameters responded very little with the RDF alone. From both experimental results, we found that foliar application of Zn @ 0.5%and B @ 0.3% along with S @ 40 kg ha-1 and RDF recorded the highest percentage of dry matter production (44.4%), number of filled seeds (30.1%) and yield (32.4%) of hybrid sunflower.

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