Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) is a private university located in&nbsp;Tamil Nadu, India. Founded in 1984, as Vellore Engineering College, the institution offers 20 undergraduate, 34 postgraduate, four integrated and four research programs. It has campuses in Vellore, Amravati, Bhopal and Chennai.

VIT is one of the top ranked private universities in India according to NIRF, THE and QS Rankings.&nbsp;Govt. of India has recognized&nbsp;VIT, Vellore as an&nbsp;Institution of Eminence. This has allowed VIT to take independent quality initiatives and move up in world ranking.

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VIT University

Department of Biotechnology

New phenyl and thiophene dispiro indeno quinoxaline pyrrolidine quinolone analogues were synthesized by a one-pot four-component [3+2] cycloaddition reaction between (E)-3-arylidene-2,3-dihydro-8-nitro-4-quinolones,o-phenylenediamine, ninhydrin, and benzylamine/thiophenemethylamine. The structure and regio- and stereochemistry of the compounds have been confirmed by various spectroscopic and X-ray diffraction analyses. The observed regio- and stereoselectivity of the compounds were further enlightened by DFT calculations. Further, thein vitrocytotoxic effects of the compounds were evaluated by MTT assay. The compounds exhibited significant inhibition activity towards the tested cancer cells HeLa and MCF-7. Among the synthesized compounds compound9eshowed the highest inhibitory potency against MCF-7 cells. Mechanistic cell death studies revealed that cell death was induced by9eagainst MCF-7 cells by ROS mediated G1/S and G2/M phase cell cycle arrest apoptosis. The apoptotic cell death was quantified by the annexin V-FITC/PI staining method. The binding mode of compound9ewas further examined byin silicomolecular docking studies. © The Royal Society of Chemistry and the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique 2020.

World University root node

School of Bio Sciences and Technology

Vellore Campus

New Journal of Chemistry

Novel phenyl and thiophene dispiro indenoquinoxaline pyrrolidine quinolones induced apoptosisviaG1/S and G2/M phase cell cycle arrest in MCF-7 cells

Causes of diabetes could be associated with many dysfunctions regarding the regulation of insulin and progression of pancreatic beta cells. Phytonanotherapy provides a symbiotic properties of metal nanoparticles and plants as they exhibit medicinal benefits which may be biologically equivalent for synthetic drugs. The present study focused on rapid and ecofriendly biosynthesis of gold nanoparticles using Eclipta alba (EA-AuNPs) and evaluated its pharmacological efficacy against pathogenic bacteria and streptozotocin (STZ) induced apoptosis in RIN-5F cell line. The bioreduction of auric chloride was attained through capping or stabilizing molecules offered by the phytoconstituents present in Eclipta alba. The green synthesized EA-AuNPs was characterized by spectrometric studies, such as UV–vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic (FTIR) study, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and by microscopic studies such as high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The synthesized EA-AuNPs showed surface plasmon resonance band at 536 nm and the particle was spherical about 26 nm with a good zeta potential value of −12mv. The anti-apoptotic potential of EA-AuNPs was proved by evaluating the NF-κB mediated apoptotic pathway in STZ-induced diabetes in RIN-5F cell line. We further showed the free radical scavenging potential of EA-AuNPs and stabilized EA-AuNPs demonstrated strong antibacterial activity against human pathogenic bacteria. Therefore, we conclude that Eclipta alba has a good potential to synthesize AuNPs and the synthesized EA-AuNPs are promising for biomedical applications in the field of nanomedicine. © 2020 Elsevier B.V.

Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology

Green synthesis of gold nanoparticle using Eclipta alba and its antidiabetic activities through regulation of Bcl-2 expression in pancreatic cell line

Nanoparticles have immense industrial, biotechnological, and biomedical/pharmaceutical applications due to their pliability in structure, size, biocompatibility, high surface area, and versatile functionalization, which have led to their ubiquitous application in diverse areas Advancement of the science in the research field has revolutionized our lifestyle and health care from medicine to the agricultural field but there were also some negative impacts of this development apart from the benefits. Nanotechnology has been one of the ladders responsible for this revolution which has to some extent decreased the adverse effects. Among various types of nanoparticles, silica nanoparticles (SiO2 NPs) have become favoured as nanostructuring, drug delivery, and optical imaging agents. Silica nanoparticles are immensely stable, less toxic. Mesoporous silica materials with pore sizes in the range between 2 and 50 nm have attracted widespread attention due to their precisely tuneable macroscopic form, chemical functionality, and mesoporous structure. Silica has been also applied for the remediation of the environment pollutants like to carry out enhanced oil recovery to reduce the liberation of brine, heavy metals and radioactive compounds into water, removal of metals, non-metals and radioactive elements,water purification. This article reviews the important applications of silica nanoparticles from the medicine, agricultural field to the environmental bioremediation. © 2019, Springer Nature B.V.

Silicon

Multifaceted Application of Silica Nanoparticles. A Review

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune inflammatory disorder that is clinically complex and has increased production of autoantibodies. Via emerging technologies, researchers have identified genetic variants, expression profiling of genes, animal models, and epigenetic findings that have paved the way for a better understanding of the molecular and genetic mechanisms of SLE. Our current study aimed to illustrate the essential genes and molecular pathways that are potentially involved in the pathogenesis of SLE. This study incorporates the gene expression profiling data of the microarray dataset GSE30153 from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the B-cell transcriptomes of SLE patients and healthy controls were screened using the GEO2R web tool. The identified DEGs were subjected to STRING analysis and Cytoscape to explore the protein–protein interaction (PPI) networks between them. The MCODE (Molecular Complex Detection) plugin of Cytoscape was used to screen the cluster subnetworks that are highly interlinked between the DEGs. Subsequently, the clustered DEGs were subjected to functional annotation with ClueGO/CluePedia to identify the significant pathways that were enriched. For integrative analysis, we used GeneGo MetacoreTM, a Cortellis Solution software, to exhibit the Gene Ontology (GO) and enriched pathways between the datasets. Our study identified 4 upregulated and 13 downregulated genes. Analysis of GO and functional enrichment using ClueGO revealed the pathways that were statistically significant, including pathways involving T-cell costimulation, lymphocyte costimulation, negative regulation of vascular permeability, and B-cell receptor signaling. The DEGs were mainly enriched in metabolic networks such as the phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-triphosphate pathway and the carnitine pathway. Additionally, potentially enriched pathways, such as the signaling pathways induced by oxidative stress and reactive oxygen species (ROS), chemotaxis and lysophosphatidic acid signaling induced via G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), and the androgen receptor activation pathway, were identified from the DEGs that were mainly associated with the immune system. Four genes (EGR1, CD38, CAV1, and AKT1) were identified to be strongly associated with SLE. Our integrative analysis using a multitude of bioinformatics tools might promote an understanding of the dysregulated pathways that are associated with SLE development and progression. The four DEGs in SLE patients might shed light on the pathogenesis of SLE and might serve as potential biomarkers in early diagnosis and as therapeutic targets for SLE. © Copyright © 2020 Udhaya Kumar, Thirumal Kumar, Siva, George Priya Doss, Younes, Younes, Sidenna and Zayed.

Department of Integrative Biology

Fulltext

Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology

Dysregulation of Signaling Pathways Due to Differentially Expressed Genes From the B-Cell Transcriptomes of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients – A Bioinformatics Approach

Hereditary Transthyretin-associated amyloidosis (ATTR) is an autosomal dominant protein-folding disorder with adult-onset caused by mutation of transthyretin (TTR). TTR is characterized by extracellular deposition of amyloid, leading to loss of autonomy and finally, death. More than 100 distinct mutations in TTR gene have been reported from variable age of onset, clinical expression and penetrance data. Besides, the cure for the disease remains still obscure. Further, the prioritizing of mutations concerning the characteristic features governing the stability and pathogenicity of TTR mutant proteins remains unanswered, to date and thus, a complex state of study for researchers. Herein, we provide a full report encompassing the effects of every reported mutant model of TTR protein about the stability, functionality and pathogenicity using various computational tools. In addition, the results obtained from our study were used to create TTRMDB (Transthyretin mutant database), which could be easy access to researchers at http://vit.ac.in/ttrmdb. © 2020 Elsevier Ltd

Computational Biology and Chemistry

TTRMDB: A database for structural and functional analysis on the impact of SNPs over transthyretin (TTR) using bioinformatic tools

The 2-amino-5-bromopyridinium trifluoroacetate (2A5BPTFA) crystal has been successfully grown by solvent slow evaporation technique. The grown crystal is found to non-centrosymmetric space group Pna21 with orthorhombic crystal system, which has been confirmed from single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The crystalline nature of the 2A5BPTFA is supported by powder X-ray diffraction technique. The molecular structure and different functional groups in 2A5BPTFA were confirmed by 1H, 13C NMR and FTIR spectral analyses. The intermolecular charge transfer that occurs in 2A5BPTFA molecule due to the presence of N–H⋯O and C–H⋯O hydrogen bondings have been studied by Hirshfeld surface analysis. From the UV–Vis absorption and photoluminescence spectra, the lower cutoff wavelength and emission peak are found to be 364 nm and 392 nm, respectively. In addition, the optical band gap of grown crystal has been calculated as 3.47 eV. Powder second harmonic generation efficiency of the crystal is observed to be 2.44 times greater than that of potassium dihydrogen phosphate. A positive photoconducting nature and low dielectric constant values have been obtained from photoconductivity and dielectric studies. From the Z-scan study reveals the self-defocusing nature of the grown crystal. Optical limiting study shows the optical limiting response of 2A5BPTFA crystal. In addition, the intermolecular charge transfer interactions and existence of N–H⋯O hydrogen bonding of the 2A5BPTFA have been confirmed by density functional theory methods and are discussed in detail. © 2019 Elsevier Ltd

Department of Multimedia

School of Design

Physics

School of Advanced Sciences

Chennai Campus

Journal of Physics and Chemistry of Solids

Experimental and quantum chemical studies on SHG, Z-scan and optical limiting investigation of 2-amino-5-bromopyridinium trifluoroacetate single crystal for optoelectronic applications

Emerging bacterial resistance is causing widespread problems for the treatment of various infections. Therefore, the search for antimicrobials is a never-ending task. Hydrazones and quinolines possess a wide variety of biological activities. Herewith, eleven quinoline hydrazone derivatives have been designed, synthesized, characterized and evaluated for their antibacterial activity and antitubercular potential against Mtb WT H37Rv. Compounds QH-02, QH-04 and QH-05 were found to be promising compounds with an MIC value of 4 μg/mL against Mtb WT H37Rv. Compounds QH-02, QH-04, QH-05, and QH-11 were also found to be active against bacterial strains including Acinetobacter baumanii, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Further, we have carried out experiments to confirm the cytotoxicity of the active compounds and found them to be non-toxic. © 2020 Shruthi T G et al.

Heterocyclic Communications

Design, synthesis and study of antibacterial and antitubercular activity of quinoline hydrazone hybrids

Among the list of the most dangerous superbugs, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ranks top of the table with its deadly characteristics of multi-drug resistance and ability to form biofilm during opportunistic infections to patients those are immune-compromised. MDX and XDR of this strain urged researchers to reveal better antibacterial compounds. Solanum torvum (commonly called as pea eggplant) is well known for its medicinal values however, the roots of this plant had less attention in pharmacological studies. The objective of this study is twofold. Firstly, to compare the interactions exhibited between2-Hydroxyanisole and odDHL with LasRprotein. Secondly, to explore the impact of molecule of interest on genes related to vital pathways. Three-dimensional docking studies for the two ligands were performed using surflex-dock package - Sybyl-x 2.0 whereas differentially regulated genes were identified by volcano plot, heat map prediction and KEGG pathway. It was predicted that 2-Hydroxyanisole may form three hydrogen bonds with LasR protein and revealed a decreased level of gene expression (%).After treatment with Solanum torvum Root Extract (STRE),a total of 26,418,456 reads of P. aeuroginosa were mapped to various pathways, of which, QS-regulated genes such as LasR, coIII (coxB), fliD genes along with 104 genes were down regulated. The high C Score calculated for 2-Hydroxyanisole and altered gene expression upon STRE treatment pave the pathway for designing the future in vitro experiments to validate these inhibitory effects thereby exploring the underlying mechanisms of action of 2-Hydroxyanisole to restrict the virulence of P. aeruginosa. © 2020 Elsevier Inc.

Department of Bio-Sciences

Gene Reports

Quorum quenching by 2-Hydroxyanisole extracted from Solanum torvum on Pseudomonas aeruginosa and its inhibitory action upon LasR protein

Emerging issues of Antibiotic drug resistance have increased the mortality cases all around the world. To deal with the situation natural antimicrobial peptide (AMP) replaces the classic antibiotics. Antimicrobial peptides are short, natural peptides that are active against most bacteria’s, viruses, and fungi etc., The AMP acts as a potent therapeutic agent and finds a new way in the field of drug discovery and pharmaceuticals. One such antimicrobial peptide is gramicidin (gramicidin D and gramicidin S) has high potential of almost 100% killing mechanisms against most of the gram-positive and few gram-negative bacteria’s and fungi which can be used as an alternative antibiotic in the near future. There are reviews focusing only on individual types of gramicidin or particular about their function. Hence, this review focus on providing an overview of antimicrobial peptide gramicidin and its types, structures, its interaction with the membranes/lipid bilayers, functions, stability, and uses. This review also focuses on the challenges to enhance the gramicidin peptide for further use as an efficient effective therapeutic peptide in the pharmaceutical industries. © 2019, Springer Nature B.V.

VIT Unitversity

International Journal of Peptide Research and Therapeutics

Gramicidin Peptide to Combat Antibiotic Resistance: A Review

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are gaining attention among the cell biologists and researchers over the last two decades. Prostasomes are considered to be (Evs) secreted by prostate epithelial cells into the semen during emission or ejaculation. Prostasomes contain various proteins required for immune regulation namely, amino and dipeptidyl peptidase; endopeptidase (neutral); decay accelerating factor; angiotensin-converting enzyme. Sperm cells need a few prerequisites in order to fertilize the egg. The role of prostasomes in enhancing the male fertility was reviewed extensively throughout the manuscript. Also, prostasomes have an immunosuppressive, immunomodulatory, antibacterial role in the female reproductive tract, and in some cases they can be used as immunocontraceptive agent to regulate the fertility status. This review will give insights to many active researchers in the field of prostasomal research and male infertility/fertility research. This review will open many unanswered mechanisms of prostasomes with respect to structure-function analysis, fatty acids patterns in diagnosis as well as prognosis of male infertility/fertility. More scientific reports are in need to support the mechanism of prostasomes and its role in immunomodulation. The development of prostasomes as a biomarker for the prostate cancer is still miserable with a lot of controversial results by various researchers. © 2019 Elsevier B.V.

International Journal of Biological Macromolecules

Human prostasomes an extracellular vesicle – Biomarkers for male infertility and prostrate cancer: The journey from identification to current knowledge