Abstract

COMPARATIVE ENZYME ASSAY OF CARISSA CARANDAS FRUIT AT VARIOUS STAGES OF GROWTH WITH STORED RIPE STAGE

Dipanjali Saikia*, Manika D. Kataki 

Abstract

Carissa Carandas Linn. (Karaunda) is a widely used medicinal plant by tribals throughout India and popular in various indigenous system of medicine like Ayurveda, Unani and Homoeopathy. All parts of the plant are used in traditional medicine. Traditionally the plant has been used in the treatment of scabies, intestinal worms, pruritus, biliousness and also used as antiscorbutic, anthelmintic. The notable biological activities reported are analgesic, anti inflammatory, anti pyretic, cardiotonic and histamine releasing. Hydrogen peroxide is disposed by catalases and peroxidases. In plants, catalase is found predominantly in peroxisomes (and also in glyoxysomes) where it functions chiefly to remove the H2O2 formed during photorespiration (or during β- oxidation of fatty acids in glyoxsomes) (Bowler et al., 1992). In spite of its restricted location it may play a significant role in defense against oxidative stress since H2O2 can readily diffuse across membranes. Some of these enzymes have broad substrate specificity while others can only function with one. The peroxidases with broad specificity are often found in cell wall where they utilize H2O2 to generate phenoxy compounds that then polymerize to produce components such as lignin (Greppin et al., 1986). In addition to their role in the biosynthesis of cellular components, reactive oxygen species are thought to act as secondary messengers in cells. The present study was formulated to assess the enzyme assay of C. carandas. Stored Carissa fruits have specific peroxidase enzyme activities of 0.012units/min/mg protein i.e. decreased almost 2 times then at ripened stage and specific catalase enzyme activities of 0.051units/min/mg protein i.e. increased almost 5 times then at ripened stage and 3 times then at matured stage. The research on pharmaceuticals from Carissa must gain momentum to promote the fruits as functional food and to develop cheap, eco-friendly and safetherapeutics. The findings reported here are expected to stimulate interest and open the possibility of clinically effective drugs from this genus.

Keywords: Carissa Carandas, Antiscorbutic, Anthelmintic, Catalases and Peroxidases.