Asha Devi

Bio: Asha Devi is an academic researcher from VIT University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Carry (arithmetic) & Adder. The author has an hindex of 1, co-authored 2 publications receiving 2 citations.

Hepatoprotective role of cissus quadrangularis on lead acetate-induced liver injury in female wistar rats

Abstract: Objectives: Several heavy metals like lead acetate can accumulate in the body due to exposure to the metal for a prolonged period. One of the possible mechanisms involved with lead toxicity is oxidative stress is for which liver is the target organ. The primary aim of this study was to examine the hepatoprotective role of methanolic stem extract from the herb Cissus quadrangularis on induced lead acetate liver injury in female Wistar rats. Methods: The course of the study was for 14 days. The animals were separated into 5 groups: two being control and negative and the other 3 groups based on the dosage of the methanolic extract of the plant was given. The dosage of the plant extract given was once daily for all days of course study. During the last 7 days, lead acetate was injected in the animals (25 mg/kg of body weight). The sacrifice was done 14 days later and the blood and liver samples were taken, which is then used for different antioxidant enzymatic assays. Results: Significant reduced (p < 0.05) antioxidant levels and increased lipid peroxidation levels were observed in lead acetate treated group which was ameliorated by the action of extract from Cissus quadrangularis fusiformis. Histopathological study also supported the finding. Conclusion: The results of the different antioxidant enzymatic assays supported the hepatoprotective role of methanolic stem extract of the plant Cissus quadrangularis over induced lead acetate injury in wistar female rats.

Design of Basic Building Blocks of ALU

Abstract: There were no limits for speed of operation of arithmetic/logical circuits. One can always try to increase their speed. There were many proposed algorithms, which would work fast to specified arithmetic operations. So, there is the need for the implementation of a faster design by putting these fastest algorithms in a single ALU. The carry-select adder with K–S algorithm is found to be one of the fastest algorithms for addition and Urdhva-Tiryagbhyam Karastuba algorithm for multiplication, which are the most important operations in any central processing unit. We have used QUARTUS-II software. This design can be used where high speed computation is needed. This design would work for unsigned, fixed point, 8-bit operations. We have taken the different adder circuits and compared their performance. These circuits are the basic elements or building blocks of an ALU. The circuits have been simulated using 90 nm technology of Cadence and Quartus II EP2C20F484C7. Adders can be implemented using EX-OR/EX-XNOR gates, transmission gates, HSD (High Speed Domino) technique, domino logic. Parallel feedback carry adder, ripple carry adder, carry look ahead adder, carry-select adder are some of the adders that been implemented using Cadence and Quartus-II. We found that 10T PFCA is efficient compared to 11 T PFCA to some extent. Adders based on XOR and XNOR gates have the least delay compared to the other adders that we have used.

Plant Extracts and Isolated Compounds Reduce Parameters of Oxidative Stress Induced by Heavy Metals: An up-to-Date Review on Animal Studies.

Abstract: Background Heavy metals are elements that are naturally found in the earth. They are used in many modern-day applications in agriculture, medicine, and industry. Heavy metal poisoning occurs when the body's soft tissues absorb too much of a particular metal. The heavy metals of interest for this review paper were cadmium, arsenic, mercury, and lead since these are the most common metals that the human body can absorb in toxic amounts. Different plant species were investigated in recent years for their effect on oxidative stress parameters after intoxication with heavy metals. Objectives This review paper is focused on the current update to research on heavy metals induced oxidative stress in animal models and improvement of the oxidative stress parameters upon/co-/after treatment with different plant extracts and isolated compounds. Methods The available literature was screened for the novel data regarding the influence of plant extracts and compounds on heavy metals induced oxidative stress. For that purposes Scopus database was used, looking for the publications in the last 5-10 years with the key terms: plant extracts, oxidative stress, in vivo, cadmium, lead, mercury and arcenic. Results Various parameters of oxidative stress were investigated, and their improvement with plant extracts/ compounds was observed in the brain, lungs, kidneys, liver, uterus, testis, thymus, spleen, heart, skin and blood of experimental animals. Common parameters used to determine oxidative stress in animals were: superoxide dismutase; catalase; reduced glutathione; glutathione reductase; glutathione-S-transferase; glutathione peroxidase; lipid peroxidation; oxidized glutathione; malondialdehyde; xanthine oxidase; nonprotein-soluble thiol; thioredoxin reductase; total sulphydryl group; nitric oxide; γ-glutamyl cysteine synthetase. Conclusion The most investigated species for antioxidant effects upon intoxication with heavy metals seem to be Allium sp., Bacopa monniera, Camellia sinensis, Moringa oleifera, Vitis vinifera and Zingiber officinale. According to literature data, the most promising effect to alleviate symptoms of intoxication was achieved with proanthocyanidins obtained from Vitis vinifera.

Phytochemical and Pharmacological Aspects of <i>Cissus quadrangularis</i> in Ayurveda

Abstract: Cissus quadrangularis L. (family: Vitaceae) is an indigenous medicinal plant of India. It is used to treat several acute and chronic ailments, including bone-related disorders in Ayurveda. This chapter documents various bioactive metabolites isolated from C. quadrangularis. A detailed account of its in vitro and in vivo pharmacological activities, along with plausible mechanisms have been covered in this review. Few clinical studies have been conducted to evaluate its role in bone diseases and in weight loss. Light has been shed on its application and patents which have been granted to help the scientific community to explore the future therapeutic and scientific potential of this plant. Data from several acute and sub-chronic animal studies indicate that daily use of C. quadrangularis stem powder or extract for 90 days does not produce any unwanted side effects. However, there is a scarcity of data on their long-term clinical use in humans. Further preclinical investigations depicting the deep molecular pathways, potential, and mechanistic insights of phytoconstituents are warranted for in-depth scientific knowledge about this pharmaceutically important medicinal plant. Also, more randomized clinical trials are needed to establish the safety and efficacy of this miraculous Ayurvedic medicine in the management and treatment of various ailments.

Phytochemical profiles of three traditional medicinal plants and its antimicrobial activities

Abstract: Objective: The objective of the current study was to compare the phytochemical composition and to evaluate the antibacterial properties of Cissus qudrangularis, Cinnamomum zeylanicum and Trigonella foenum-graecum against the bacterial strains Escherichia coli and Bacillus circulans. Methods: Qualitative analysis and quantitative estimation of various phytochemical components were done using standard protocols. Antibacterial activity against gram-negative Escherichia coli and gram-positive Bacillus circulans was evaluated using standard protocol of agar well diffusion and disc diffusion assay. The zone of inhibition was calculated. Results: Preliminary phytochemical analysis showed the presence of alkaloids, saponins and tannins in all three plant extracts. In quantitative estimation, Cinnamomum zeylanicum showed high alkaloid content (22%), Cissus qudrangularis showed high saponin content (6%) Trigonella foenum-graecum showed a high concentration (4.65 mg/g) of tannin. All the three plants showed moderate antimicrobial activity. The water extract of Cinnamomum zeylanicum showed the highest zone of inhibition (13 mm) against Escherichia coli and the water extract of Trigonella foenum-graecum showed the highest zone of inhibition (11 mm) against Bacillus circulans. Conclusion: The result of this study supports the use of all the selected three medicinal plants as a source of antibacterial substance for the possible treatment of human pathogenic organisms. These plants can be further subjected to isolation of the therapeutic phytochemicals and further pharmacological evaluation.