Microfinance institutions (MFIs) have stepped up towards commercialization and sustainability yet they face challenges in terms of transaction cost that limit their growth prospects. Transaction cost is incurred in forming the group of members, searching for the potential clients, monitoring, and administration, in providing training to the clients etc. Group lending has emerged as an effective tool in reducing this cost by transferring its burden on the group. Though the concept of group lending is not new in micro finance but in India it was introduced by NABARD in 2004-
Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb.) enoyl-acyl carrier protein (ACP) reductase (InhA) is validated as a useful target for tuberculosis therapy and is considered an attractive enzyme to drug discovery. This study aimed to identify the novel inhibitor of the InhA enzyme, a potential target of M.tb. involved in the type II fatty acid biosynthesis pathway that controls mycobacterial cell envelope synthesis. We compiled 80 active compounds from Ruta graveolens and citrus plants belonging to the Rutaceae family for pharmacokinetics and molecular docking analyses. The chemical structures of the 80 phytochemicals and the 3D structure of the target protein were retrieved from the PubChem database and RCSB Protein Data Bank, respectively. The evaluation of druglikeness was performed based on Lipinski’s Rule of Five, while the computed phytochemical properties and molecular descriptors were used to predict the ADMET of the compounds. Amongst these, 11 pharmacokinetically-screened compounds were further examined by performing molecular docking analysis with an InhA target using AutoDock 4.2. The docking results showed that gravacridonediol, a major glycosylated natural alkaloid from Ruta graveolens, might possess a promising inhibitory potential against InhA, with a binding energy (B.E.) of −10.80 kcal/mole and inhibition constant (Ki) of 600.24 nM. These contrast those of the known inhibitor triclosan, which has a B.E. of −6.69 kcal/mole and Ki of 12.43 µM. The binding efficiency of gravacridonediol was higher than that of the well-known inhibitor triclosan against the InhA target. The present study shows that the identified natural compound gravacridonediol possesses drug-like properties and also holds promise in inhibiting InhA, a key target enzyme of M.tb.
Aims: The present study aimed to search for novel potent inhibitor(s) against the recently discovered maltosyltransferase (GlgE) target of M.tb. Background: GlgE belongs to an α-amylase family and catalyzes the elongation of cytosolic branched α-glucan. Inactivation of M.tb.GlgE results in DNA damage and rapid death of M.tb. due to the accumulation of a toxic altosyl donor, maltose-1-phosphate (M1P), suggesting that GlgE is an intriguing target for inhibitor design. Method: 1000 natural compounds were compiled from public databases and literature through virtual screening, of which 25 compounds were found to satisfy all drug-likeness properties and ADME/toxicity criteria, followed by molecular docking with GlgE. Compound(s) showing the lowest binding energy was further subjected to molecular dynamics simulation (MDS) and in vitro analysis. Results: Molecular docking analysis allowed the selection of 5 compounds showing significant binding affinity to GlgE targets. Amongst these compounds, asiatic acid exhibited the lowest binding energy (-12.61 kcal/mol). The results of 20-ns MDS showed that asiatic acid formed a stable complex with GlgE. Additionally,asiatic acid exhibited in vitro anti-mycobacterial activity against M.tb. H37Ra, M. bovisBCG, and M. smegmatisstrains. Conclusion: The study reveals Asiatic acid as a promising anti-mycobacterial agent that might emerge as a novel natural anti-TB lead in the future.
Salinity in agricultural soil is a severe problem that affects the growth and production in numerous crops all over the world. The country's salt‒affected land is estimated to be 6.74 million hectares. According to estimates, approximately 10% more land is becoming salinized each year, and by 2050, nearly half of all arable land will be contaminated by salt. Plants may have bacterial companions that shield them from the negative consequences of salt stress (SS). Plant growth‒promoting bacteria (PGPR) can minimize the usage of agrochemicals while also improving plant production, nutrition, and biotic–abiotic stress tolerance. The enzyme 1‒ aminocyclopropane‒1‒carboxylic acid deaminase (ACCD) is found in certain bacteria and works by degradingACC (ethylene precursor in higher plants) into α‒ketobutyrate and ammonia (NH3), thereby reducing the ACC levels, thus, inhibits excessive biosynthesis of ethylene under numerous stress circumstances. This is one of the most effective methods for inducing plant tolerance to SS. The current review highlighted the recent works of ACCD under SS environment. Further, the relevance of reducing the negative effect of ROS and increasing plant development under SS were also discussed.We propose a path for the community to employ beneficial microorganisms to boost agricultural yield and achieve sustainable developmentby highlightingplant‒microbeinteractionsin this review.
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