Background : Oxidative stress condition refers as disturbed homeostasis between the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the antioxidant system that results in severe pathological conditions. To balance such an oxidative stress condition external antioxidant sources are required. Methods and Results : In view of the above, present study was carried out to investigate the cytoprotective role of the strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa var. Seolhyang) root extract (SRE) against oxidative stress condition stimulated by H2O2 in murine macrophages Raw 264.7 cells and further evaluation of intracellular ROS level, lipid peroxidation and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity as oxidative stress markers. Cytoprotective effect of SRE was evaluated by quantifying survival of macrophages challenged by H2O2 in presence and absence of SRE. Finding suggest a 60.1 ± 7.5% cell survival in H2O2 treated cells as compare to 100% survival in control cells. However, a significant increase in cell survival with 62.7 ± 2.9, 74.2 ± 5.2 and 81.3 ± 3.3% were observed in the cells treated with 2.5, 5, 10 μg/ml of SRE respectively. A reduced ROS level together with inhibition of the lipid peroxidation and MPO activity was observed in the cells treated with SRE as compare to only H2O2 treated cells. Conclusion : Our results signify the potency of SRE to protect the cells from oxidative stress implied by H2O2 and can be used as a source of antioxidant for health benefits.

Background : Obvious applications of aloe (Aloe vera) and their rapid intake make it crucial to evaluate their biological impacts to aquatic organisms. Methods and Results : In this study, we investigated the possible effects of aloe extract on zebrafish embryos (Danio rerio) by assessing teratogenic properties including survival rate, hatching success, heart rate and morphological changes for 96hpf (hours post fertilization). We noticed that exposure to aloe extracts (0.1, 10, 50, 100 and 150 μl/ml in embryo medium) to zebrafish embryos showed no alterations in survival and morphological changes when compared to control embryos. In contrast, embryos exposed to 150 μl/ml of aloe extract shows delayed hatching rate at 72hpf when compared to lower concentrations. Similarly, aloe extract at 150 μl/ml exposed embryos elicited significantly reduced heart rate (132 ± 1 beats/min) at 48hpf when compare to control embryos. Conclusion : Based on the above findings, we speculate the teratogenic effect of aloe extract on zebrafish embryos.

Background : barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), is a member of the grass family Poaceae (Gramineae) consider the fourth most important cereal crop and primarily used to feed the animals. The second most common use of barely is for malt, which is used mostly in beer, but also in hard liquor, malted milk and flavoring in a variety of foods. As immense economic importance a fast and high germination is required in order to achieve its desired production. In regard to this the present study was performed to evaluate the effect of beneficial microbes (BM), on barely seed germination when mixed with in the synthetic germination medium. Methods and Results : Barely seeds were surface sterilized using 0.01% HgCl2 solution and transfer for germination in the medium supplemented with 200 and 500 X diluted BM separately. Effectiveness of the BM were determined by calculating the germination percentage (GP), germination index (GI), mean germination time (MGT), germination time 50% (T50) and compared with control seeds germinating in absence of BM. Results obtained from the study suggest that BM at 200 X dilution is much efficient to speed up the germination process (66.7 ± 2.3 %) in contrast to 500X diluted BM (61.4 ± 3.6 %). Results of the other germination parameters (GI, MGT and T50) supported the 200X BM effective for seed germination as compare to 500X and control. Conclusion : Our results signify that BM has potential to enhance the germination efficacy of barley seeds and thus could be used to improve the germination.