title: Deciphering molecular mechanism underlying antileishmanial activity of Nyctanthes arbortristis, an Indian medicinal plant.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Nyctanthes arbortristis L. (Oleaceae) is widely used in the traditional medicine of India. The plant is shown to have antibacterial and antileishmanial activities.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Evaluation of iridoid glucosides from the plant as inhibitor of trypanothione reductase (TryR), a validated drug target enzyme of the Leishmania parasite. The study contributes towards understanding mechanism of antileishmanial effect of the plant.
  
  
  METHODS
  TryR of Leishmania parasite is expressed and purified. Iridoid glucosides are isolated from the plant and tested as inhibitor of TryR enzyme of the parasite.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Inhibitory constant (K(i)) of various iridoid glucosides ranges from 3.24±0.05 μM to 6.49±0.05 μM. Thus, the molecular mechanism underlying antileishmanial activity of these compounds is mediated through inhibition of TryR.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The current study also points out towards potential application of iridoid glucosides as novel drugs against the disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Assam-781039, India.
authors.forename: Anil Kumar
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Shukla
authors.forename: Sanjukta
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Patra
authors.forename: Vikash Kumar
authors.initials: VK
authors.lastname: Dubey
mesh_terms: D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005978:Glutathione / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000378:metabolism; D007194:India; D020128:Inhibitory Concentration 50; D018314:Leishmania infantum / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D029592:Oleaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D013095:Spermidine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; C044809:trypanothione; D005978:Glutathione; D013095:Spermidine