Preeti Kumari - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Preeti Kumari

Tropical Plant Research, 2017

The Cuscuta reflexa is a leaf less parasitic angiosperm belonging to the family Convolvulaceae an... more The Cuscuta reflexa is a leaf less parasitic angiosperm belonging to the family Convolvulaceae and it is directly attaches to the host plants through the haustoria. During this investigation we find that the plant is a hemiand holoparasite, living on wood yielding, fruit yield in great medicinally important plants species. In present study, systematic survey and identification of the different host plants was undertaken. Surveys were conducted to find out the host plants of Cuscuta reflexa from different localities of Betla National Park areas of Jharkhand, India. In a survey 33 species, representing 30 genera belong to 23 families were recognized as host plants for it. Host plants were also examined for anatomical and biochemical studies. Haustorium penetration in host stem and size of the haustorium was found specific to the host. Each transverse section of host stem showed haustorium reached up to the secondary xylem. Poly-phenol oxidase activity and protein content were also studied in healthy and infected stem of Ziziphus mauritiana, Cajanus cajan and Ficus glomerata by Cuscuta reflexa. It was interesting to note that the protein content is markedly stimulated in all infected host plants. The maximum stimulation was recorded in Ziziphus mauritiana while minimum in Artocarpus integrifolia. The impact of Cuscuta reflexa on host growth, allometry and reproduction was also studied and found that it was major factor, which lead to changes in competitive balances between host and non-host species and therefore affect community structure, vegetation and population dynamics. Impacts on hosts may further affect herbivores, pollinators and seed vectors, and behaviour & diversity of these is often closely linked to the presence and abundance of parasitic plants.

ACS applied materials & interfaces, Jan 24, 2017

Nanomedicines have emerged as a promising treatment strategy for cancer. Multiple drug resistance... more Nanomedicines have emerged as a promising treatment strategy for cancer. Multiple drug resistance due to overexpression of various drug efflux transporters and upregulation of apoptotic inhibitory pathways in cancer cells are major barriers that limit the success of chemotherapy. Here, we developed a d-α-tocopherol (α-TOS)/lipid-based copolymeric nanomicellar system (VPM) by conjugating phosphatidyl ethanolamine (PE) and α-TOS with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) via an amino acid linkage. The synthesized polymers were characterized by Fourier transform IR, gas-phase chromatography, and (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopy. VPM exhibited mean hydrodynamic diameter of 141.0 ± 0.94 nm with low critical micelles concentrations (CMC) of 15 μM compared to plain PEG-PE micelles (PPM) with size of 23.9 ± 0.34 nm and CMC 20 μM. The bigger hydrophobic compartment in VPM resulted in improved loading of a potent chemotherapeutic drug, curcumin (Cur), and increased encapsulation efficiency (EE) (% drug ...

Drug delivery, 2017

Polymeric micelles have been widely explored preclinically as suitable delivery systems for poorl... more Polymeric micelles have been widely explored preclinically as suitable delivery systems for poorly soluble chemotherapeutic drugs in cancer therapy. The present study reported the development of cholesterol (Ch)-conjugated poly(D,L-Lactide) (PLA)-based polymeric micelles (mPEG-PLA-Ch) for effective encapsulation and delivery of curcumin (CUR) at the tumor site. Cholesterol conjugation dramatically affected the particle size and improved drug loading (DL) and encapsulation efficiency (EE). mPEG-PLA-Ch-CUR showed bigger hydrodynamic diameter (104.6 ± 2.1 nm, and 169.3 ± 1.52 nm for mPEG-PLA and mPEG-PLA-Ch, respectively) due to increased size of the hydrophobic core. The newly developed polymer exhibited low critical micelles concentration (CMC) (25 μg/mL) which is close to lipid-based polymer, PEG-phosphatidyl ethanolamine (12.5 μg/mL) compared to mPEG-PLA (50 μg/mL). mPEG-PLA-Ch micelles exhibited relatively higher EE (93.74 ± 1.6%) and DL (11.86 ± 0.8%) compared to mPEG-PLA micelle...

Tropical Plant Research, 2016

Exotic Species Invasion (ESI) cause a little recognized, but very substantial impact to forest ec... more Exotic Species Invasion (ESI) cause a little recognized, but very substantial impact to forest ecosystems worldwide. Climatic variability, physiographic range, increasing trade, travel and tourism have accelerated the spread of unwanted non-native species to conservation areas, making vulnerable to the establishment of ESI. Exotic Invasive Plants (EIPs) are known to displace native plants, alter ecosystems processes, hydrology, primary productivity, nutrient cycling and soil structure and most importantly reduce native biodiversity. There is evidence to suggest that the threats due to ESI may increase with climate change and associated changes in habitats. In this paper, we assess the threat of EIPs to natural forests in Betla National Park (BNP), Palamu in Jharkhand State, India. Based on intensive field surveys and using quadret method we identified 142 EIPs in the BNP forest. 21 plots of 20 × 20 m for trees, 5 × 5 m for shrubs and 1 × 1 m for herbs were laid randomly adjoining the forest at 10 to 100 m distance from the road and settlement area. Total 14 EIPs were recorded among which Lantana camara and Parthenium hysterophorus were found to be the most dominant species.. The survey revealed that apart from the ecological harm, invasive plants adversely affect the livelihood of all those who are dependent on forests. The paper identifies impact, early detection and rapid control, prevention of spread and habitat restoration as urgent measures for combating the threats.

Pharmaceutical Research, 2016

Turmeric is an herbaceous evergreen plant in the Zingiberaceae (ginger) family. Turmeric (Curcuma... more Turmeric is an herbaceous evergreen plant in the Zingiberaceae (ginger) family. Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is extensively used as a spice, food preservative and colouring material in India, China and South East Asia. Turmeric powder is best known as one of the main ingredients used to make the curry spice; it also gives ballpark mustard its bright yellow colour. Apart from its culinary uses, turmeric has been used widely in the traditional medicine all over the world. Curcumin (diferuloylmethane), the main yellow bioactive component of turmeric has been shown to have a wide spectrum of biological actions. These include its antiinflammatory, antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, antimutagenic, anticoagulant, antifertility, antidiabetic, antibacterial, antifungal, antiprotozoal, antiviral, antifibrotic, antivenom, antiulcer, hypotensive and hypocholesteremic activities. For traditional Ayurvedics, turmeric plant was an excellent natural antiseptic, disinfectant, anti-inflammatory, and analgesi...