Vasantha-srinivasan Prabhakaran

• PhD
• Associate Professor at Saveetha Institute of Medical and Te

Plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs), including root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.), cyst nematodes (Heterodera and Globodera spp.), and other economically significant nematode species, pose severe threats to global agriculture. These nematodes employ diverse survival strategies, such as dormancy in cysts or robust infective juvenile stages. Consequ...

The imperative use of pesticides for enhancing agricultural productivity has become inevitable. Unfortunately, the unregulated and indiscriminate application of these pesticides extends beyond the intended target areas, with residues persisting for months to even years. This lack of precision and information has triggered widespread pest outbreaks,...

This study explores the larvicidal potential of methanolic flower extracts from Phoenix pusilla (Pp-Fe), its major compound, and malathion (MLT), against laboratory strain (LS) and field strain (FS) of Aedes aegypti, the dengue mosquito vector. We identified thirty-one derivatives, with methyl oleate (MO) comprising 28.5% of Pp-Fe. Comparative effi...

Alkaline serine proteases (ASPs) and laccases (Lacs) have been reported to possess several industrial applications, particularly in the food, cosmetic, and leather industries. Thus, in the present study, eighteen natural biopolymers, including agar, agarose, alginate, kappa carrageenan, cellulose, chitosan pentamer, chitosan oligosaccharide, chondr...

Tick‐borne pathogens (TBPs) are an emerging concern to humans and animals in the Republic of Korea, especially within the military zones of Gangwon Province, a mountainous region abundant with wild fauna and ticks. This study aimed to detect six TBPs in military working dogs (MWDs) and ticks in this region using Nested polymerase chain reaction (ne...

Microbial agents such as the Bacillus species are recognized for their role as biocontrol agents against various phytopathogens through the production of diverse bioactive compounds. This study evaluates the effectiveness of Bacillus subtilis PE7 in inhibiting the growth of Didymella bryoniae, the pathogen responsible for gummy stem blight (GSB) in...

Background Human nephrin (hNeph) (podocyte protein) has been known to be involved in both the formation and maintenance of the slit diaphragm (SD) and also acts as a hub protein in the podocyte by modulating cell polarity, cell survival, cell adhesion, cytoskeletal organization, mechano-sensing, and SD turn-over. Methodology In the present investig...

Background Numerous reports have shown the role of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles in the induction of cutaneous adverse drug reactions by moderating drug metabolism. We therefore aimed to investigate the docking patterns of four HLA alleles (HLA-B x 5101, HLA-B x 1501, HLA-A x 02:06 and HLA-B x 57:01) against four commercial drugs. Methodolo...

Mosquitoes are vectors that can cause serious negative impacts, including disease transmission, and altered ecosystem dynamics. In this research, phytochemical screening and toxicity of the essential oil derived from Murraya koenigii (L.) Spreng. leaves (Mk-EO) were evaluated against Aedes aegypti (Linn.) and Culex quinquefasciatus Say. The Mk-EO p...

Background Sivelestat is a potent and specific neutrophil elastase inhibitor. It is clinically used in treating lung injury and respiratory distress syndrome. This engaged us to undertake the present study in which sivelestat was studied as an anti-inflammatory and anti-viral agent. Methodology The docking study of sivelestat on matrix metalloprote...

Background Numerous pharmacological activities have been reportedin Mikania species. In the present investigation, we aimed to evaluate 26 selected constituents of Mikania as potent inhibitory agents of human HMG-CoA reductase (hHMGR), human inducible nitric oxide synthase (hiNOS), and human squalene synthase (hSQS) using the in silico method. Meth...

Current vector control strategies based on synthetic chemicals are not eco-friendly against non-target organisms; hence, alternative approaches are highly required. Commercially purchased oil of Mentha spicata (Spearmint) and Eucalyptus citriodora (Citriodora) were examined against the medical pest Cx. quinquefasciatus (Say) and their non-toxicity...

In insects, the production of antimicrobial peptides is considered to be the solo arm of the innate immune response. The Toll and immune deficiency pathways are two major signaling pathways that lead to the production of antimicrobial peptides as final effectors. The dynamic functions of Toll/Toll‐like receptors have been thoroughly reviewed in mam...

Background Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice) has been known for its various biological activities. In the current investigation, we aimed to evaluate 11 (10 natural and one synthetic) selected constituents of G. glabra as potent modulatory agents of human superoxide dismutase (hSOD), human phosphodiesterase-9 (hPDE 9) and human dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (...

This study focuses on a crucial objective: eradicating the formidable dengue and filarial vectors through larval toxicity using a novel essential oil derived from Sphaeranthus indicus Linn. The research encompasses several key methodologies, including pest rearing, homology modeling, and molecular docking. The G Power value is taken as 0.8, with tw...

The goal of this work is to compare the Larvicidal activity of plant-derived essentialoils against Spodoptera litura and Plutella xylostella and eliminate the chemical burden in managing agricultural pests. Pest rearing, homology modelling, and molecular docking are among of the approaches used in this study. The G Power value is set at 0.8, with t...

22 Dec 2023): In-vitro and in-silico analysis of methanolic crude extracts of Mountain knotgrass Aerva lanta (L.) against two lepidopteran pests and non-target species, Toxin Reviews, ABSTRACT The present research investigates the toxicological screening of crude methanol extracts Avera lanata (Mx-Al) traditionally used for its medicinal properties...

Introduction and Aim: Cissus rotundifolia has been reported to possess various pharmacological

Background Bunch berry (Lantana camara) is primarily composed of flavonoids and vitamin C; therefore, it has been shown to possess various medical characteristics, including the ability to relieve fever, inflammation, and urinary tract infections. Objective In this study, we intended to assess twenty chosen constituents of Bunch berry as potent in...

Improving agricultural products by the stimulation of plant growth and defense mechanisms by priming with plant extracts is needed to attain sustainability in agriculture. This study focused to consider the possible improvement in Vigna radiata L. seed germination rate, plant growth, and protection against the natural stress by increasing the defen...

A marine-derived red alga, along with their active constituents, were actively screened for their biocontrol potential against major insect pests. The current study explored the larvicidal activity of crude methanolic extracts of the red alga Halymenia dilatata (Mx-Hd) against Aedes aegypti (Linn.), and their enzyme inhibition, repellent activity,...

Nitrification inhibitors are recognized as a key approach that decreases the denitrification process to inhibit the loss of nitrogen to the atmosphere in the form of N2O. Targeting denitrification microbes directly could be one of the mitigation approaches. However, minimal attempts have been devoted towards the development of denitrification inhib...

Inflammation is a robust immune response against exogenous stimulation processes like microbial invasion and physical injury. Despite inflammation being an essential host-defence mechanism, their chronic stage is highly associated with severe inflammatory disorders such as cancer and heart diseases. Natural bioactive compounds have been contributin...

The Mikania genus has been known to possess numerous pharmacological activities. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the interaction of 26 selected constituents of Mikania species with (i) cyclooxygenase 2 (COX 2), (ii) human neutrophil elastase (HNE), (iii) lipoxygenase (LOX), matrix metalloproteinase ((iv) MMP 2 and (v) MMP 9), and (vi) mi...

Insect pest control is one of the major issues facing the agriculture sector because of the need for new agrochemicals and biocontrol agents that are environmentally friendly, economically affordable, and safe for human health. Spodoptera frugiperda (fall armyworm) is one of the insect pests that causes huge damage to various crops around the globe...

In this study, doxorubicin (DOX), silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), and DOX-AgNPs were used to screen metabolome activity in breast cancer (BC) cells. DOX and AgNPs may open an avenue for clinical application and BC metabolic inhibitors; however, their metabolic microenvironmental pathways are not well understood. To evaluate metabolic variations in DO...

The antifungal effects of Citrullus colocynthis extract (Hexane, chloroform, methanol, and water) were tested in vitro on Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici (Sacc.) W. C. Snyder & H. N. Hans (FOL), the causal agent of Fusarium wilt. Of these, methanol and water extract at 10% showed the highest inhibition of mycelial growth of FOL by 12.32 and 2...

Mosquitoes are the potential vectors of several viral diseases such as filariasis, malaria, dengue, yellow fever, Zika fever and encephalitis in humans as well as other species. Dengue, the most common mosquito-borne disease in humans caused by the dengue virus is transmitted by the vector Ae. aegypti. Fever, chills, nausea and neurological disorde...

Aquaculture is a fast-growing food sector but is plagued by a plethora of bacterial pathogens that infect fish. The rearing of fish at high population densities in aquaculture facilities makes them highly susceptible to disease outbreaks, which can cause significant economic loss. Thus, immunity development in fish through vaccination against vario...

In-vitro chemical characterization and mosquitocidal screening of essential oil derived from Mikania scandens (L.) Willd. (Asteraceae) (CVO-MS) against the malarial vector Anopheles gambiae was investigated. GC-MS analysis evidenced a total of 12 bio-active compounds, and maximum at α-bisabolol (39.34%) followed by stigmasterol (13.45%) respectivel...

Organic acids (OA) have been known to regulate both the availability and absorption of non-heme iron. Honey contains 0.57 % of organic acids (OA). These prompt us to carry out the present study, where fifty-three selected (honey) ligands were assessed on the docking behavior of human Ferritin, Transferrin, and Hepcidin using the PatchDock method. F...

Osteoporosis is a highly prevalent disorder characterized by low bone mineral density (BMD) and increased risk of fracture, termed osteoporotic fracture. Cancer is a major risk factor for bone loss and fracture. Metabolomic technologies have evolved rapidly, contributing the basic metabolic activity of bone diseases in body. The identification of t...

In this study, we demonstrated that chitosan-applied zebrafish (Danio rerio) tissue metabolite alteration, metabolic discrimination, and metabolic phenotypic expression occurred. The spectroscopy of solid-state 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (ss 1H-NMR) has been used. Chitosan has no, or low, toxicity and is a biocompatible biomaterial; however, the...

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) has gained greater interest among chemists and researchers in this current scenario. The present research investigates the larvicidal and anti-proliferation activity of AgNPs derived from Knoxia sumatrensis aqueous leaf extract (K. sumatrensis-ALE) as a potential capping and reducing candidate. The sy...

Doxorubicin (DOX) is a chemotherapeutic agent is used for various cancer cells. To characterize the chemical structural components and metabolic inhibition, we applied a DOX to HCT116 colon cancer cells using an independent metabolites profiling approach. Chemical metabolomics has been involved in the new drug delivery systems. Metabolomics profili...

In recent times, controlling agricultural diseases and pests using chemical pesticides is broadly applied and is considered effective but it is not considered as eco-friendly. For pest control, biological ways have been considered sustainable and safe. As bio-control agents, the Bacillus species exhibit a large spectrum of biological activity. The...

Aegle marmelos (L.) Correa belongs to the family Rutaceae is generally known as “bael fruit tree” occuring across the south Asian countries. The current investigation screened the main derivatives from crude ethanolic extracts of the Bael tree leaf and evaluated activity effects on the larvae and adults of Aedes aegypti (L.) Dengue vector mosquito...

Cissus rotundifolia has been reported to possess various biological activities such as anti-diabetic, anti-fertility, anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-malarial, anti-osteoporotic, and anti-parasitic activities. Therefore in the present study, eleven selected constituents of Cissus rotundifolia which includes aconitic acid, astragalin, acteoside, aliospiro...

The sustainability of agroecosystems are maintained with agro-chemicals. However, after more than 80 years of intensive use, many pests and pathogens have developed resistance to the currently used chemistries. Thus, we explored the isolation and bioactivity of a chemical compound, Precocene I, isolated from the perennial grass, Desmosstachya bipin...

Reduced pathogen resistance and management of the left-over rice stubble are among the most important challenges faced in rice cultivation. A novel and eco-friendly strategy to synthesise ‘Fungal Chitosan’ (FC) from Aspergillus niger using rice straw could serve as a sustainable treatment approach to improve both disease resistance and yields, whil...

Spodoptera litura Fab. is a polyphagous pest causing damage to many agriculture crops leading to yield loss. Recurrent usage of synthetic pesticides to control this pest has resulted in resistance development. Plant-derived diterpenoid compound andrographolide was isolated from the leaves of Andrographis paniculata. It was analysed by gas chromatog...

The present study aims to investigate the metabolic effects of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) on zebrafish (Danio rerio) using 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) spectroscopy. However, there is no significant information available regarding the characterization of organic molecules, and metabolites with SWCNT exposure. Noninvasive biofl...

The present investigation aimed to determine the fungal toxicity of Isaria tenuipes (My-It) against the dengue mosquito vector Aedes aegypti L. and its non-target impact against the aquatic predator Toxorhynchites splendens. Lethal concentrations (LC50 and LC90) of My-It were observed in 2.27 and 2.93 log ppm dosages, respectively. The sub-lethal d...

The present research investigated the chemical characterization and insecticidal activity of n-Hexane extracts of Epaltes divaricata (NH-EDx) along with their chief derivatives n-Hexadecanoic acid (n-HDa) and n-Octadecanoic acid (n-ODa) against the dengue vector Aedes aegypti and lepidopteran pest Spodoptera litura. Chemical screening of NH-EDx thr...

Cissus rotundifolia is commonly used as food thickeners in rural Nigeria and in South Arabia. And moreover, this plant leaves are also consumed by local people as leafy vegetable. Ithas been reported to possess various biological activities such as anti-diabetic, anti-fertility, anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-malarial, anti-osteoporotic and anti-parasit...

The petroleum ether crude extracts of A. conyzoides (Pe-Ac) were used to treat three medically intimidating pests of Aedes aegypti, Anopheles stephensi, and Culex quinquefasciatus, to evaluate their non-target screening against the mosquito predator. The chemical scanning of Pe-Ac through GC-MS analysis revealed a total of nine compounds and the ma...

Comparative baseline toxicity of chemical pesticides Temephos, along with the crude extracts of Swietenia mahagoni Jacq. (Meliaceae) (Mx-Sm) against the Laboratory strains (LS) and Wild Strains (WS) of Aedes aegypti Linn. and their non-target screening against the aquatic predator was analyzed. The larval mortality was significant in Temephos (0.5...

The acute toxicity from volatile toxin from the Limonia acidissima (La-VO) was evaluated on the mosquito, Aedes aegypti. Screening of La-VO showed five major bioactive compounds with a major peak estragole. The mortality rate was significantly greater at 150 ppm La-VO. The lethal concentration (LC50) was observed at 65.24 ppm. Sub-lethal dosage of...

Insect pest control is one of the major issues facing in agriculture sector because of the need for new agrochemicals/biocontrol agents which should to be more environmentally friendly, economically affordable and as well safe to human health. Spodoptera frugiperda (fall armyworm), is one of the insect pests which causes huge damage to various crop...

Anopheles gambiae is the insect vector for malaria. In recent years it evolved as a distinctive model system for the study of innate immunity, mostly due to latest advancements in the functional genomics of A. gambiae. In the present study, three selected EmbeliaribesBurm F (Myrsinaceae) constituents, which includes embelin, 5-O-methylembelin, vila...

The present investigation aimed to determine the fungal toxicity of Isaria tenuipes (My-It) against the dengue mosquito vector Aedes aegypti L. and its non-target impact against the aquatic predator Toxorhynchites splendens. Lethal concentrations (LC 50 and LC 90) of My-It were observed in 2.27 and 2.93 log ppm dosages, respectively. The sub-lethal...

The larvicidal potential of crude leaf extracts of Rhizophora mucronata, the red mangrove, using diverse solvent extracts of the plant against the early fourth instar larvae of Anopheles stephensi, Culex quinquefasciatus and Aedes aegypti mosquito vectors was analyzed. The acetone extract of R. mucronata showed the greatest efficacy: for Cx. quinqu...

Spodoptera litura are important agricultural pest, and they have a worldwide distribution. The microbiota gut is vital for the host with significant activity in metabolism. Lepidopteran species is one of the prominent orders in insect group of phytophagous pests, and their linkage with microbes are presently practiced and others with future perspec...

Pest management with natural botanical insecticides is a significant implementation for the sustainability of agroecosystem by reducing the unnecessary risk from the inputs of synthetic insecticides. In this research, we isolated the bioactive compound cucurbitacin E from Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad, and their toxicological effects were scree...

Mosquitoes are principal vector of several vector-borne diseases affecting human beings leading to thousands of deaths per year and responsible for transmitting diseases like malaria, dengue, chikungunya, yellow fever, Zika virus, Japanese encephalitis, and lymphatic filariasis. In the present study, we evaluated the different solvent extracts of m...

The crude n-hexane extracts Epaltes pygmaea (NH-Epx) displayed a steady larval toxicity against Culex quinquefasciatus and Aedes aegypti at the maximum dosage of 125 ppm. The level of α- and β carboxylesterase activity was downregulated to the sub-lethal dosage of NH-EPx (75 ppm) in both vectors. The level of GST and CYP450 gets upregulated. The LC...

Larval toxicity of ethanolic extract of C. parvula (Ex-Cp) was prominent in the second and the third instars at the maximum lethal dosage of 100 ppm with 98 and 97% mortality rate respectively. The LC50 and LC90 was displayed at 43 ppm and 88 ppm dosage respectively. Correspondingly, the sub-lethal dosage (65 ppm) of Ex-Cp significantly alters the...

The present investigation was highlighted the green-derived Essential oils with bio-active derivatives of Sphaeranthus amaranthoides (Sa-EO) can be employed in larvicidal and enzyme inhibitory effects against threatening tobacco cutworm S. litura and their detrimental effects against soil indicator earthworms. Chemical screening of EO-Sa using GC-M...

Entomopathogenic fungi are feasible and effective against the agricultural pest. In the current research we investigated the bioactive comparison of two widely accepted entmopathogens (Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuill. and Metarhizium anisopliae, (basionym)) against the Spodoptera litura (Fab.) through the assessment of larval tolerance and regulat...

Aedes aegypti is a major mosquito vector that can transfer many deadly diseases such as dengue, chikungunya, Zika, and yellow fever viruses. Due to the developing resistance among the vector populations by the application of chemical insecticides, alternative eco-friendly vector management strategies are being focused. In this aspect, the present s...

Composites have been shown to be commendable alternates to many traditional materials for use in many load-bearing engineering applications. Besides their superior corrosion resistance, composite materials also offer the maximum scope for weight reduction due to their great strength and lower density. In this experimental study, composites of natur...

Alternative splicing (AS) is a key phenomenon regulating transcription of the eukaryotic cell and AS in calcium channel ryanodine receptors (RyRs) causes various phenotypic changes. Insect possesses only one RyR isoform with a higher variation from the mammals and used as a chief aim of assorted insecticides. Moreover, RyRs regulates the exchange o...

The effects of crude ethanol derived leaf extract Trichodesma indicum (Linn) (Ex-Ti) and their chief derivatives were accessed on the survival and development of the dengue mosquito Ae. aegypti also their non-toxic activity against mosquito predator. T. indicum is recognized to be the vital weed plant and a promising herb in the traditional ayurved...

Fresh leaves of Piper betle Linn. (Piperales: Piperaceae) and Sphaeranthus indicus Linn. (Asterales: Asteraceae), commonly known as betel leaves and East Indian globe thistle, respectively, were harvested and steam distilled for the extraction of P. betle and S. indicus crude volatile oils (Pb-CVO and Si-CVO, respectively). LC50 calculated on 3rd i...

Insects have developed tolerance against mycoses caused by entomopathogenic fungi through several humoral and cellular mechanisms. Antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, lipid peroxidase, and peroxidase can play a role in defense against mycosis, but the physiological interactions between the fungus and the insect are not well characteri...

Use of environmentally friendly, decomposable natural products for effective vector control has gained considerable momentum in modern society. In this study, essential oil of Sphaeranthus indicus (Si-EO) was extracted and further phytochemical screening revealed fourteen compounds with prominent peak area percentage of 24.9 and 22.54% in 3,5-di-te...

Plant extracts with their enriched chemical constituents have established potential alternative mosquito control agents. In this research, we developed an eco-friendly mosquitocidal agent from Alangium salvifolium leaves against the dengue and Zika virus vector Aedes aegypti and we investigated its biosafety on the mosquito aquatic predator Toxorhy...

Comparative toxicity of two chemical pesticides (Temephos and Monocrotophos) versus a plant-derived betel leaf oil Piper betle (L.), to earth worm Eudrilus eugeniae (Kinberg) and red worm, Eisenia fetida Savigny, historically: Eisenia foetida (Savigny 1826) were evaluated. Mortality rate was more prominent in Temephos at 100 µg concentration to bot...

Dengue is the most rapidly spreading mosquito borne viral disease in the world. The mosquito, Aedes aegypti, also spreads Yellow fever, Chikungunya, and Zika virus. As the primary vector for dengue, Ae. aegypti now occurs in over 20 countries, and is a serious concern with reports of increasing insecticide resistance. Developing new treatments to m...

Multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens are currently causing serious problems globally in the medical setting. Improper and extensive usage of antibiotics results in a selective pressure supporting the rise of antibiotic-resistant microbes. Many key cellular bacterial components, including enzymes and small noncoding RNAs (sRNAs), and their involvemen...

Plants naturally produce bioactive compounds along with many secondary metabolites which serve as defensive chemical against herbivorers including insect pests. One group of these phytochemicals are the ‘Essential Oils’ (EO’s), which possess an extensive range of biological activity especially insecticidal and insect repellents. This review provide...

Pesticides employed as seed treatment provides protection to seedlings against insect pests and diseases. Seed treatment of five rice varieties with thiamethoxam, an active ingredient of Actara 25 WG, showed positive effects on seed emergence, plant root and shoot biomass and reduction in dead heart damage under both controlled and greenhouse condi...

Extracts from Justicia adhatoda L. (Acanthaceae) strongly reduced the fitness of the mosquito, Aedes aegypti Linn. The methanolic extracts inhibited several enzymes responsible for protecting insects from oxidative and other damage, including glutathione-S-transferase, superoxide dismutase, Cytochrome P450 and α- and - esterases. They increased re...

Resistance to treatments with Temephos or plant derived oil, Pb-CVO, between a field collected Wild Strain (WS) and a susceptible Laboratory Strain (LS) of Ae. aegypti were measured. The Temephos (0.1 mg/L) showed the greatest percentage of mosquito mortality compared to Pb-CVO (1.5 mg/L) in LS Ae. aegypti. However, WS Ae. aegypti was not significa...

Aedes aegypti Linn is one of the most important mosquito species. The vectors are responsible for causing deadly diseases like dengue and dengue hemorrhagic fever. Several chemical pesticides used to control these dengue vectors caused severe toxic significances on human health and other non-target beneficial insects. Therefore the current investig...

The current study investigated the toxic effect of the leaf extract compound andrographolide from Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f) against the dengue vector Ae. aegypti. GC-MS analysis revealed that andrographolide was recognized as the major chemical constituent with the prominent peak area compared with other compounds. All isolated toxic compoun...

Trichogramma species are used worldwide as biological control agents. A particularly important application is mass-rearing and release for management of field-crop and warehouse insect pests. Eggs of commonly available hosts, Spodoptera litura, Corcyra cephalonica, Plutella xylostella and Helicoverpa armigera, were exposed to different temperature...

A novel flavonoid, quercetin, was isolated from the medicinal plant Euphorbia hirta L. through chromatography techniques including: TLC, Column chromatography, NMR and then screened for toxicity to larval of Spodoptera litura Fab. Bioassays were used to analyze pupal weight, survival rate, fecundity, egg hatchability, population growth index, Nutri...

Andrographolide was isolated from ethanol extraction of Andrographis paniculata by column chromatography. Evaluation of larvicidal efficacy, enzymatic changes and cytotoxic activities against Spodoptera litura were conducted across a range of concentrations. The compound showed significant larvicidal activity between 5 - 25 ppm, post ingestion. Mor...