Dr B Usharani
@vistas.ac.in
Associate Professor, Biochemistry
VISTAS
EDUCATION
M.Sc., M.Phil., phD
RESEARCH, TEACHING, or OTHER INTERESTS
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
Scopus Publications
Scholar Citations
Scholar h-index
Scholar i10-index
Scopus Publications
Sither Vasantha Kumar, Chandrasekar Shobana, Durairaj Rohini, Jegadeesan Manjunathan, Ramasamy Ramasubburayan, Natesan Thirumalaivasan, Santhiyagu Prakash, and Boopathy Usharani
Elsevier BV
VASANTHA KUMAR S. and B. USHARANI
Innovare Academic Sciences Pvt Ltd
Objective: The study aimed to evaluate the bioactive compounds of Mukia maderaspatana and its properties. In addition, the preliminary phytochemical analysis and antioxidant potential of Mukia maderaspatana were performed. Methods: Extraction of leaves of Mukia maderaspatana made using Soxhlet apparatus, followed by evaluation of phytochemicals such as alkaloids, flavonoids, coumarin, glycosides, terpenoids, tannin, steroid, saponin, phenol, anthraquinone by the standard methodology of Sofowara, Trease and Evans, Harborne. Quantification of phytochemicals were performed accordingly to standard methodology. Antioxidant activity were performed accordingly to methodology of Shimada, Prieto, Zhang and Benzie. Methodology of Hema et al. is followed for detection of bioactive compounds by GC-MS analysis. Results: The Qualitative analysis revealed the presence of higher concentration of phytocompounds in Hydroalcoholic extract. The yield of alkaloid (215.8±4.78 mg AE), flavonoid (307.10±8.73 mg QE), phenol (374.50±6.41 mg GAE), tannin (129.98±5.32 mg TAE) and terpenoids (119.23±4.17 mg LE) are higher in hydroalcoholic extract than aqueous and methanolic extract. IC50 value for DPPH radical scavenging activity, Total antioxidant activity, Hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity and Ferric reducing antioxidant power activity are (61.43µg/ml), (59.68µg/ml), (55.69µg/ml), (64.60µg/ml). GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of about thirty compounds in hydroalcoholic extract of Mukia maderaspatana. Conclusion: The present study reveals that Mukia maderaspatana is an important medicinal plant. We can conclude that Leaves of Mukia maderaspatana are good source of antioxidants, which might cure the disease related to oxidative stress.
Usharani B. and Monisha R.
A and V Publications
HeLa cells are broadly used for in-vitro studies in bringing out the medicinal value of plants against some dreadful diseases. From time immemorial, it is well proven that plant extracts play a vital role in treating many diseases including cancer. The plant extract contains copious varied phenolic compounds and flavonoids that are majorly responsible for its medicinal properties. In our study we have focused on the extraction of betel quid (betel leaves, areca nut and slaked lime in an appropriate proportion) using the solvent hexane. The hexane extract of the betel quid was evaluated for in vitro studies of apoptosis of HeLa cells. The results revealed that hexane extract of the betel quid at the maximum concentration of 200 µg/mL was very effective and only 20.89 % of cells were viable. The cytotoxic effect against HeLa cells was significant with IC50 of 96.33μg/ml. Further studies can be done on concentrating the bioactive compounds responsible for the anticancer activity. The bioactive active compounds can be formulated in the treatment of cancer in the upcoming research.
Jayshree Annamalai, Karuvelan Murugan, Jayashree Shanmugam, and Usharani Boopathy
Elsevier
S. Navaith Ahmed, P. Kalaivani, P. Amudha, and B. Usharani
A and V Publications
Sea grass are good source of potent drug which has medicinal properties and able to cure human disease. One such marine plant is the Enhalus acoroides which belong to hydrocharitaeceae family. This marine species are widely distributed in the tropics of Indian and western Pacific Ocean and the species were collected from Ramanathapuram district for further process. This study reveals about the bioactive components present in Enhalus acoroides and identified its biological activity by Gas chromatography Mass spectrometry analysis using hydroalcoholic extract. The compounds present in Enhalus acoroides are Benzoic acid, 2- methyl 7- oxa bicyclol heptanes, 1, 3 Nonadiene, silane, ethoxytriethyl. Biological activities of the compounds present in the sample include antioxidant, hypocholesterolemic, antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, antiviral and anti-hepatotoxic effect.
Usharani B.
A and V Publications
Essential oils are extracted from diverse plants and used in medicinal field for diverse conditions. The presence of unique aromatic compounds imparts aroma and medicinal values. Essential oil plays a vital role in pharmaceutical, cosmetics and also acts as rejuvenate. Though there are various plants from which essential oil are extracted, our study focuses on the extraction and comparison of the phytochemicals released from the fresh leaves of Cymbopogon citratus using two different organic solvents; (a). hexane (b) hexane and toluene in the ratio 1:1. Extraction was performed for 16 hours in Soxhlet extractor. The amount of oil obtained was weighed in both extractions and subjected to GC MS for phytochemical analysis. Results revealed that when the solvents hexane and toluene in the ratio 1:1 was used it gave a better yield of 3% from 5 gram of fresh leaves, while hexane yielded only 1.5%. The GC-MS analysis revealed that the compound released from both extractions are of diverse medicinal values and can be used in aromatherapy as rejuvenate. The compounds nerol (2,6 octadienal, 3,7 dimethyl.Z) and geraniol (2,6 octadienal, 3,7 dimethyl) are the common phytochemicals extracted .Nerol and geraniol are geometric isomers. Geraniol is reported as an efficient anticancer agent with additional properties of analgesic, antinflammatory and antiseptic values. Nerol is used as a fragrance. The compound 1 acetyl 4 hydroxy pyrrolidine 2 one is extracted when hexane and toluene were used for extraction in the ratio 1:1. It is reported to be anti-rheumatic and effective in the treatment of hips and joints. Hence it can be concluded that hexane and toluene in the ratio 1:1 can be used for extraction of oil considering its medicinal values and the increased % of extraction rather than using hexane alone.
Namasivayam Vasudevan and Boopathy Usharani
EManuscript Technologies
Secondary metabolites play a vital role in the treatment of various ailments as well as in phytoremediation. The link between secondary metabolites and phytoremediation needs exploration. Hitherto, no information is available regarding the phytochemical components that exist in the root exudates of Cyperus alternifolius. This study was designed to determine the phytocomponents in the root exudates of C. alternifolius under heavy metal stress. C. alternifolius was grown by a novel technique in partial hydroponic conditions and imperiled to a mixture of heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Cr, Ni, Zn, Pb, and Fe) at different concentrations. The root exudates were collected, freeze-dried, redissolved and reconstituted in hexane and analyzed in gas chromatography–mass spectrometry using JEOL GCMATE II in SAIF IIT-Madras. The analysis revealed that the profile of phytochemicals in root exudates is diverse with biological properties. Few phytochemicals found in the root exudates are not cited earlier in any literature. The composition and percentage of phytochemicals could not be correlated to heavy metal concentration. Phytochemical composition decreased with an increase in heavy metal concentration. Control plant released more phytochemicals than the plants under heavy metal stress. From the results, it is evident that root exudates of C. alternifolius contain various bioactive components. Further research can be extended to evaluate the pharmaceutical importance of the species and explore its role in phytoremediation of heavy metals.
Boopathy Usharani and Namasivayam Vasudevan
Informa UK Limited
ABSTRACT Sewage sludge contains rich organic matter and nutrients essential for the growth of plants but the presence of toxic heavy metals restricts its land application. To overcome this, the study aims an eco-friendly approach for leaching out heavy metals. Sewage sludge from sewage treatment plant, Chennai, India was characterised. The analysis of total heavy metal concentration was done by digesting in nitric acid and different forms were extracted by community bureau of reference sequential method. Heavy metals: As, Cd, Cr, Cr, Ni, Pb and Zn were determined using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry Perkin Elmer Optima 5300 DV. The experimental set-up for heavy metal leaching was held for five consecutive days at different concentrations of humic acid (0.1%, 0.5% and 1%) at varied pH (5–9). Results revealed that at the end of fifth day at pH 8, 1% humic acid is capable of leaching out 75.5% cadmium, 66.0% nickel, 52.0% lead, 51.2% zinc, 31.2% copper and 8.5% cadmium from sewage sludge. Statistically positive correlation (0.7088) existed between the percentage of heavy metals leached out and the sum of soluble and reducible fractions. Thus, from ecological point of view, humic acid can be used to leach out heavy metals from sewage sludge serving the need in restoration of soil fertility upon land application.
B. Usharani and N. Vasudevan
Informa UK Limited
ABSTRACT The objective of this review is to throw light upon the global concern of heavy metal–contaminated sites and their remediation through an ecofriendly approach. Accumulated heavy metals in soil and water bodies gain entry through the food chain and pose serious threat to all forms of life. This has engendered interest in phytoremediation techniques where hyperaccumulators are used. Constructed wetland has a pivotal role and is a cost-effective technique in the remediation of heavy metals. Metal availability and mobility are influenced by the addition of chelating agents, which enhance the availability of metal uptake. This review helps in identifying the critical knowledge gaps and areas to enhance research in the future to develop strategies such as genetically engineered hyperaccumulators to attain an environment devoid of heavy metal contamination.