title: Characterization and evaluation of antibacterial and antiproliferative activities of crude protein extracts isolated from the seed of Ricinus communis in Bangladesh.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Ricinus communis (Euphorbiaceae) has previously been reported to possess analgesic, antihistamine, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. This study was designed for isolation, characterization and evaluation of antibacterial and anti-proliferative activities of R. communis seed protein.
  
  
  METHODS
  The concentration and molecular weight of R. communis seed protein were estimated by SDS-PAGE and spectrophotometric analysis, respectively. Lectin activity was evaluated by hemagglutination assay on mice blood. In vitro susceptibility of four human pathogenic bacteria including Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter aerogenes and Staphylococcus aureus was detected using disk diffusion assay, and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value was determined using micro-dilution method. A total of twenty four Swiss albino mice containing Ehrlich's ascites carcinoma (EAC) cells were treated with the crude protein of R. communis at 50 and 100 μg/ml/d/mouse for 6 days. Growth inhibitory activity of R. communis seed protein on EAC cells was determined by haemocytometer counting using trypan blue dye and DAPI (4΄,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole) staining was used to assess apoptotic cells.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The protein concentration of six R. communis (castor) varieties ranged between 21-35 mg/ml and molecular weight between 14-200 kDa. Castor protein agglutinated mice blood at 3.125 μg/wall. The seed protein shows considerable antimicrobial activity against E. coli, P. aeruginosa and S. aureus, exhibiting MIC values of 250, 125 and 62.5 μg/ml, respectively. Administration of seed protein led to 54 % growth inhibition of EAC cells at 100 μg/ml. DAPI staining indicates marked features of apoptosis including condensation of cytoplasm, nuclear fragmentation and aggregation of apoptotic bodies etc.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study suggests that the lectin rich R. communis seed protein has strong antibacterial and anticancer activities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Protein Science Lab, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, 6205, Bangladesh.
authors.forename: M Abdulla
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Al-Mamun
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Protein Science Lab, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, 6205, Bangladesh.
authors.forename: Zerin
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Akter
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science and Engineering, International Islamic University Chittagong, Chittagong, 4203, Bangladesh.
authors.forename: Md Josim
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Uddin
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Protein Science Lab, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, 6205, Bangladesh.
authors.forename: K M K B
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Ferdaus
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Protein Science Lab, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, 6205, Bangladesh.
authors.forename: K M F
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Hoque
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Protein Science Lab, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, 6205, Bangladesh.
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ferdousi
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Protein Science Lab, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, 6205, Bangladesh. reza.gen@ru.ac.bd.
authors.forename: M Abu
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Reza
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D001459:Bangladesh; D002367:Ricinus communis / Q000737:chemistry*; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects*; D051379:Mice; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D009374:Neoplasms, Experimental; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D012639:Seeds / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D010940:Plant Proteins
keywords: Apoptosis; Castor bean; Disc diffusion; EAC cells; Lectin; MIC; Mice; Protein