Browsing by Author "Paranagama, P.A."

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A Comparative Preliminary Study on the Prevalence of Overweight-Obese with Socio-Economic Status (SES) Among the Adult Females
(1st International Conference on Unani, Ayurveda, Siddha and Traditional Medicine, On Natural Solutions for Health Challenges, 2013) Manuha, M.I.; Iqbal, N.Z.; Nageeb, B.M.; Paranagama, P.A.
This study was to determine how the SES influenced on overweight and obesity in adult women. The analysis was done by ISBM SPSS. BMIwas categorized according to WHO criteria such as normal weight: 18.5-24.9 kg/m2; overweight: 25.0- 29.9 kg/m2; or obese > 30.0 kg/m2. Obese further categorized to obese-I (30-34.9 kg/m2), obese-II (35-39.9 kg/m2) and morbid obese ( > 40 kg/m2). 206 participants were participated. In this study 32.5% were overweight and 67.5% were obese. Out of this 67% of obese 43.2% were belong to obese I, 17.5% were belong to obese II and 6.8% were in the morbidly obese. 43.3%, 40.3% of overweight were found in the age group 31-40 and 41-60 respectively. Similarly 35.7%, 47.4% of obese were found in the similar age groups. 53.7% was overweight and 68.3% was obese found in the participants who completed or below level of primary education. Further in the participants who completed the secondary education or above, the percentage of overweight (31.4%) was found lesser amount than obesity (46.3%). Family income concerned both 33.3% overweight and 37.4% obese were found in less income family (LKR < 25000). 29.8% overweight and 31.7% obese were found in the families who received the income between LKR 25000 - 50000. Inthis study 71.8%, 22.3 %, 5.8% were house wives, employees and students respectively. Overweight/obese found more in the age groups between 31-60. Overweight/obese found higher percentage in poor educated group. This study indicates that with the increasing of the age the overweight condition is transforming into obese condition. Therefore a study on wide range of the population is needed to come to a conclusion.
A new bioactive curvularin macrolide from an endolichenic fungus, Curvularia trifolii, isolated from Usnea sp., in Sri Lanka
(Book of Abstracts, Annual Research Symposium 2014, 2014) Samanthi, K.A.U.; Wickramaarachchi, S.; Wijeratne, E.M.; Paranagama, P.A.
The search for new bioactive natural products is still the main way of discovering new drug leads. Although fungi are well-known producers of secondary metabolites with new structurally diverse bioactive compounds, isolation of bioactive compounds from endolichenic fungi still remain underexplored as potential source of natural products. Endolichenic fungi are microorganisms living in the thalli of lichens that are analogous to the plant endophytic fungi inhabiting the intercellular spaces of the host. Curvularia trifolii was isolated from the lichen, Usnea sp., available in Hakgala botanical garden, Sri Lanka. Identification of the fungus was confirmed using morphological characters followed by the molecular identification (DNA sequencing). Invitro large scale cultures of C.trifolii were prepared in 60 large Petri dishes containing potato dextrose agar medium and after 10 days secondary metabolites were extracted into ethyl acetate. The crude extract was tested using two types of bio assays, for the investigation of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Antioxidant activity of the crude ethyl acetate extract was explored by carrying out DPPH free radical scavenging assay and Anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using Human Red Blood Cell Membrane Stability (HRBC) assay. Since the crude extract showed high activity in both the assays, it was partitioned into hexane, chloroform (CHCl3) and 60% aq.MeOH and identified the bioactive fractions. The activity of CHCl3 fraction was confirmed and it was further fractionated using bioassay guided column chromatography (silica, sephadex) and preparative TLC to isolate pure compounds. One florescent active pure bioactive compound (C23H30O6) was isolated from the CHCl3 fraction and identified as using 1D, 2D NMR, MS, IR and UV spectral data. The structure of new compound was thus established as 5-methoxy-4,8,15-trimethyl-3,7-dioxo-1,3,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,15?-dodecahydrocyclododeca[de]isochromene-15-carboxylic acid and the bioassay results revealed that it is a new curvularin macrolide with IC50 values, 68.6�4.3 ?g/mL and 310�48.2 ?g/mL for DPPH antioxidant assay and anti-inflammatory assay respectively. Hence it is revealed that derivative isolated from C. trifolii can be developed as an important antioxidant and anti-inflammatory drug.
A study of the essential oils of pepper ( Piper nigrum) by combined GC/MS analysis
(Proceedings of Sri Lanka Association of Advancement of Science, 1990) Paranagama, P.A.; Jayathilake, G.S.; Jayawardene, A.L.; Mubarak, A.M.; Senanayeke, U.M.; Wimalasena, S.
A study of synergistic effects of some Sri Lankan essential oils against cowpea bruchids
(Callosobruchusmaculatus,Proceedings of eleventh Asian symposium on Medicinal plants, Spices and Other Natural Products, Kunming, China, 2003) Paranagama, P.A.; Adhikari, A.A.C.K.; Abeywickrama, K.P.; Bandara, K.A.N.P.
A study of the essential oils of nutmeg and mace (Myristica fragrance) by combined GC/MS analysis
(Proceedings of Sri Lanka Association of Advancement of Science, 1989) Paranagama, P.A.; Jayathilake, G.S.; Jayawardene, A.L.; Mubarak, A.M.; Senanayeke, U.M.; Wimalasena, S.
A study of the essential oils of turmeric (Curcuma longa) by combined GC/MS analysis
(Proceedings of Sri Lanka Association of Advancement of Science, 1990) Paranagama, P.A.; Jayathilake, G.S.; Jayawardene, A.L.; Mubarak, A.M.; Senanayeke, U.M.; Wimalasena, S.
A study of the essentials oils of clove bud, stem and leaf (Carryophyllus aromaticus) by combined GC/MS analysis
(Proceedings of Sri Lanka Association of Advancement of Science, 1990) Paranagama, P.A.; Jayathilake, G.S.; Jayawardene, A.L.; Mubarak, A.M.; Senanayeke, U.M.; Wimalasena, S.
A study on selected biometrics and central obesity indices among
(Book of Abstracts, Annual Research Symposium 2014, 2014) Manuha, M.I.; Nageeb, B.M.; Iqbal, N.Z.; Paranagama, P.A.
The study was to analyze the relationship between body mass index (BMI) of overweight/obesity adult women with central obesity indices such as waist circumference (WC), Hip circumference (HC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) with lipid profile such as total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), triglyceride (TG) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Percentage of overall abnormal lipid levels and low haemoglobin level in overweight and obese were also analyzed. Female adults with overweight (BMI between 25 -30 Kg/m2 or obese (BMI over 30 Kg/m2) and the ages ranged between 18- 60 years were included in this study. The subject studied constituted a convenience sample of 121 representing different socio-economic status. Measurements; Body weight, height, waist and hip circumferences, blood pressure, pulse, lipid profile with TC, HDL, TG, LDL and Hb percentage were investigated. The results showed that 63.6% with high LDL-C, 59.1 % with high TC, 18.2 % with high TG and 43.2% with low HDL-C. Haemoglobin levels of the participants were 47.9% and it is below the range of cut off value given by WHO. Correlation between BMI and WC, HC, WHR was analyzed separately. According to the results obtained BMI showed a strong positive correlation with WC and HC, n (121) =0.8, p < 0.01 and n(121) = 0.838, p < 0.01 respectively. Analysis of correlation between WC with HC and WHR indicated strong positive correlation, n (121) =0.809, p < 0.01 and n (121) = 0.442 respectively. TC and LDL were strongly positively correlated, n (121) =0.895 p < 0.01, but the HDL was inversely associated with TG and LDL P = -0.072, P = -0.184 respectively. TG was inversely associated with LDL-C (P= - 0.072).Concurrently, the abnormally highest mean of WC 105.4 � 11.7cm and the highest mean of waist to hip ratio 0.97 �0.05 also found. In the present study the results revealed that more than half of overweight and obese adult women had abnormal lipid levels and nearly half of overweight and obese adult women had low hemoglobin concentration. The present study revealed a higher percentage of body fat across a range of waist circumference values. The mean waist circumference, hip circumference and waist to hip ratio were significantly higher than the cut off points reported by WHO (2008).
A study on the correlation between Body Mass Index of overweight/obese, Total PhysicalActivity and Cardiovascular risk factors with special reference to dyslipidaemia in adult women
(Sri Lanka Journal of Indegenous Medicine (SLJIM), 2013) Manuha, M.I.; Iqbal, N.Z.; Nageeb, B.M.; Paranagama, P.A.
MI1,NZ 2, BM1, P Paranagama3
Accessing plant-associated microbial diversity for discovery of small molecule bioactive agents
(Accessing plant-associated microbial diversity for discovery of small molecule bioactive agents, 40th IPUAC Congress, 2005) Wijeratne, E.M.K.; Turbyville, T.J.; Bashyal, B.P.; Zhan, J.; Jian, H.; Paranagama, P.A.; Seliga, C.J.; Liu, M.X.; Burns, A.M.; Whitesell, L.; Gunatilaka, A.A.L.
Gunatilaka, A.A.L.
Analysis of Sri Lankan essential oils by gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy
(1991) Paranagama, P.A.
Analysis of Volatile Oil inthe Leaves of Murraya koenigii
(Trop. Med. Plants, 2002) Paranagama, P.A.; Wimalasena, S.; Jayatilake, G.S.; Jayawardena, A.L.; Senanayake, U.M.; Mubarak, A.M.
Anti-oxidant activity of selected endo lichenic fungi (ELF) in mangrove ecosystem of Puttalam lagoon.
(International Research Symposium on Pure and Applied Sciences, 2017 Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2017) Maduranga, H.A.K.; Attanayake, R.N.; Amarasinghe, M.D.; Weerakoon, G.; Paranagama, P.A.
Natural products based drug development has become an attractive area of research since there are limited options available to treat certain non-infectious diseases such as diabetes. Among these natural products, it has been reported that secondary metabolites of endolichenic fungi (ELF), have the ability to produce promising bioactive compounds. The objectives of this research were to isolate and identify ELF inhabiting mangroves in Puttalam lagoon, Sri Lanka using classical and DNA barcoding approach and to determine anti-oxidant activity of their secondary metabolites. Lichen hosts were collected from Puttalam lagoon in two different sites near, Athathale and around the NARA institute. The ELF were isolated following a standard procedure: a small piece of the thallus was surface sterilized, cut into pieces and dried on sterilized filter papers and then placed on malt extract agar in Petri dishes and incubated at room temperature (28 ⁰C – 30 ⁰C ) . Once pure cultures were obtained, seven isolates were randomly selected for DNA extraction following standard procedures. Quality of DNA was checked by agarose gel electrophoresis. Fungal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region was amplified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with universal ITS 1 and ITS 4 primers and PCR products were sequenced using Sanger dideoxy chain-termination technology. DNA sequences were edited using BioEdit software and compared with the available sequences in the GenBank using Basic Local Sequence Alignment Search Tool (BLAST). In addition, morphological characterization of each fungal isolate was also carried out. Secondary metabolites from each isolate were extracted with ethylacetate separately and the solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure to obtain the crude extract. Free radical scavenging activity of the extracts were evaluated using 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrdrazyl (DPPH) assay. Based on the highest sequence similarity to the GenBank sequences, isolates were identified as Diaporthe arengae (98 %), Neurospora crassa (100%), Lasiodiplodia theobromae (100 %), Schizophyllum commune (98 %), Diaporthe musigena (98 %), Hypoxylon anthochroum (98 %) and Nigrospora sphaerica (98%). IC50 values of extracts of Diaporthe arengae, Neurospora crassa and Lasiodiplodia theobromae were 375.9± 0.062μg/mL, 304.9±0.057 μg/mL and 211.2± 0.086 μg/mL respectively. Since percent inhibitions of the rest of the isolates were less than 50 % in the test doses, IC50 values were not calculated. All of the values were compared with standard Butylated Hydroxy Toluene (BHT) (IC50=108.0±0.072). Out of the seven ELF tested, L. theobromae showed the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity. Further testing of the rest of the isolates are being carried out and ELF may provide a good source of antioxidants for biotechnological applications.
Antibacterial activity of the partitioned fractions of endolichenic fungus Xylaria feejeensis collected from the mangrove plant Rhizophora mucronate in Negambo Lagoon, Sri Lanka
(Proceedings of 7th Ruhuna International Science & Technology Conference, 2020) Gunawardhana, M.H.A.Y.; Wicramarachchi, S.; Weerasinghe, W.R.H.; Paranagama, P.A.
Endolichenic fungi (ELF) are known for biosynthesizing secondary metabolites with antifungal, cytotoxic, antioxidant and antibacterial activity to protect their lichen against radiation, microbial invasions and harsh surrounding environments. Mangrove plants in Negombo lagoon is a niche for a diverse range of lichens. The ELF, Xylariafeejeensis from the lichen, Graphis librata which develops on the mangrove plant, Rhizophora mucronata in Negombo lagoon was previously isolated and identified by the research group at the University of Kelaniya. The objective of this study was to determine the antibacterial activity of the secondary metabolites of X feejeensis. A pure culture Of X. feejeensis on potato dextrose agar plates (60) was incubated for 14 days and secondary metabolites were extracted to ethyl acetate by shaking overnight. The ethyl acetate crude extract (5 mg/ml, 100 gl„) was subjected to agar well diffusion anti-bacterial assay against Escherichia coli (ATCC25922), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC25923) and Bacillus subtilis (ATCC6051) with Azithromycin positive control and it showed above 85% inhibition of growth for all three bacteria. Hence the crude extract (8.58 g) was partitioned in hexane, chloroform and 60% methanol in water (v/v) and tested for antibacterial activity. Hexane fraction showed the highest inhibition of growth of E. coli with 100% inhibition and chloroform fraction showed the highest inhibition of the groMth of S. aureus with 88.5% inhibitioh whereas methanol fraction showed no antibacterial activity. The results suggest that X. feejeensis produces secondary metabolites with high antibacterial activity. Further purification of hexane and chloroform fractions may results in antibacterial drug leads.
Antibacterial Polyketide from Lasiodiplodia theobromae and Pyrenula bahiana on Mangrove Ecosystems in Puttalam Lagoon, Sri Lanka
(Asian Journal of Chemistry, 2022) Paranagama, P.A.; Santhirasegaram, S.; Wickramarachchi, S.R.; Attanayake, R.N.; Weerakoon, G.; Maduranga, K.
Lasiodiplodia theobromae is one of the frequently isolated fast growing endolichenic fungus. This fungus was isolated from the lichen host, Pyrenula bahiana collected from the mangrove ecosystems in Puttlam lagoon and its identification was confirmed based on rDNA-ITS sequence homology. Secondary metabolites of L. theobromae were extracted into ethyl acetate and subjected to antibacterial assay against Escherichia coli (ATCC25922), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC25923) and Bacillus subtilis (ATCC6051). Crude extract at a concentration of 6.8 μg/mL showed good antibacterial activity against the bacterial strain S. aureus compared with the activity of the standard azithromycin at a concentration of 5.0 μg/mL. Active crude extract was partitioned to obtain methanol, hexane and chloroform fractions. Chloroform fraction showed the highest activity to S. aureus out of three fractions. This fraction was subjected to bioassay-guided separation on silica gel column chromatography to isolate bioactive pure compounds. The bioactive pure compound was identified as (3R)-de-O-methyllasiodiplodin using LC-MS, 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy.
Antifeedant and antifungal activity of heartwood extracts of tea cultivars against Glyptotermes dilatatus Bugnion and Popoff and Fusarium sp.
(Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Kelaniya, 2015) Senanayak, P.D.; Mohotti, K.M.; Paranagama, P.A.
The low country live wood termite, Glyptotermes dilatatus is an economically important insect pest of low grown tea. The termite colony initiated by a pair of alates in rotted tea stumps move to the heartwood by making feeding galleries. They disperse wood rot fungi while feeding on heart wood of tea bush. The damage symptoms vary with the type of cultivar. Objective of the present study is to study the chemical constituents in susceptible and resistant cultivars. Extracts of the debarked healthy stems of tea cultivars, TRI 2023 & TRI 4042 (susceptible) and TRI 2027 & TRI 4049 (resistant) were evaluated for the antifeedant and antifungal activities against G. dilatatus and Fusarium sp. which is common in the termite body, termite galleries and rotted tea stems using no choice feeding bioassay and antifungal assay respectively. Extract of TRI 2027 obtained using CHCl3 showed a higher antifeedant activity (P<0.05, LSD) against G. dilatatus than that of TRI 2023, TRI 4042 or TRI 4049. The highest antifungal activity was observed in the extracts of both resistant cultivars (TRI 2027, TRI 4049) than that of susceptible cultivars (P<0.05, Tukeys mean separation test). Fractionation of stem extract of TRI 2027 indicated that caffeine is one of the major bioactive compounds that showing antifeedant and antifungal activities. Antifeedant and antifungal activities were detected at 160 mg/ mL and 0.8 mg/ mL concentrations respectively. Mean caffeine contents of heartwood of resistant and susceptible cultivars were quantified using colorimetric method. Results revealed that the caffeine content of resistant cultivars TRI 2027 and TRI 4049 (0.52±0.26, 0.34± 0.07 mg/g) were greater ( t=3.28,df= 14, P=0.0055) than that of the susceptible cultivars, TRI 2023 and TRI 4042 (0.21±0.08, 0.22±0.01 mg/g) resulting a strong positive correlation between caffeine content and antifeedant and antifungal activities of the extracts of heartwood of tea cultivars. Hence caffeine is proven to be potential biochemical parameter to evaluate resistance of tea cultivars against G. dilatatus and Fusarium sp.
Antifungal and Insecticidal Secondary Metabolites Isolated from Endolichenic Fungi Inhabited to Lichen Usnea sp.
(Int. Symposium, NaturalProducts, IPS, Kandy, Sri Lanka, 2011) Paranagama, P.A.; Kannangara, B.T.S.D.P.; Rajapaksha, R.S.C.G.
Antifungal, antibacterial and insecticidal activities of the endolichenic fungi of the lichen Usnea sp. at Hakgala montane forest
(Research Symposium 2010 - Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Kelaniya, 2010) Paranagama, P.A.; Kannangara, B.T.S.D.P.; Rajapaksha, R.S.C.G.
In a search for new bioactive natural products from endolichenic fungal species isolated from the lichens, bioactivity studies of fungi living with lichens were recently initiated and from this study, the potential of ethyl acetate extracts of endolichenic fungi inhabiting the lichen, Usnea sp. from Hakgala montane forest was investigated using antifungal, antibacterial and insecticidal properties. Selected four endolichenic fungal species, Chrysosporium sp.1, Fusarium sp., Curvularia sp. and dark sterile sp.1 were extracted with ethyl acetate (EtOAc) to obtain the secondary metabolites. Antifungal effects of theses extracts were tested against Colletotrichum musae, which cause anthracnose disease in banana, and the antibacterial activity was investigated against Bacillus subtilus and Staphyloccus aureus using filter paper disk method and well diffusion method respectively. Residual film bioassay (RFB) and Treated seed bioassay (TSB) were carried out to evaluate the insecticidal activity of the fungal extracts contained secondary metabolites against cowpea bruchid, Callosobruchus maculatus. The highest yield of the secondary metabolites was obtained from the dark sterile sp.1. (1.0610g). Results of the antifungal activity and antibacterial activity revealed an increase of the diameter of inhibition zone with increasing dose of extracts. EtOAc extracts of Curvularia sp. on PDA and PDB showed higher antifungal effects against C. musae. Highest inhibition of C. musae was observed at the dose of 400 μg of the EtOAc extracts. EtOAc extracts of Curvularia sp. on PDA and PDB showed higher inhibitory effects (diameter ~2.0cm) and both Curvularia sp. on PDA and PDB extracts showed similar effect with a MIC of 50 μg and Curvularia sp. on PDB indicated the lowest MLC of 100 μg against C. musae. Chrysosporium sp. 1 showed higher antibacterial effects against Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis. Insecticidal assays revealed that percentage mortalities of C. maculatus shown in two bioassay methods were not significantly different from each other. Highest mortality (100%) of C. maculatus was observed in the EtOAc extracts of Curvularia sp. obtained from both PDB and PDA separately. Also the LC50 values for both Residual film bioassay and Treated seed bioassay confirmed that the lowest values were obtained for EtOAc extracts of Curvularia sp.on PDA and PDB.
Antimicrobial activities of endolichenic fungi isolated from Usnea sp. at Hakgala montane forest
(Chemistry in Sri Lanka, 2010) Paranagama, P.A.; Kannangara, B.T.S.D.P.; Sandamali, T.G.I.
Antimicrobial Compounds Isolated from Endolichenic Fungi: A Review
(Molecules 2021, 2021) Wethalawe, A.N.; Alwis, Y.V.; Udukala, D.N.; Paranagama, P.A.
A lichen is a symbiotic relationship between a fungus and a photosynthetic organism, which is algae or cyanobacteria. Endolichenic fungi are a group of microfungi that resides asymptomatically within the thalli of lichens. Endolichenic fungi can be recognized as luxuriant metabolic artists that produce propitious bioactive secondary metabolites. More than any other time, there is a worldwide search for new antibiotics due to the alarming increase in microbial resistance against the currently available therapeutics. Even though a few antimicrobial compounds have been isolated from endolichenic fungi, most of them have moderate activities, implying the need for further structural optimizations. Recognizing this timely need and the significance of endolichenic fungi as a promising source of antimicrobial compounds, the activity, sources and the structures of 31 antibacterial compounds, 58 antifungal compounds, two antiviral compounds and one antiplasmodial (antimalarial) compound are summarized in this review. In addition, an overview of the common scaffolds and structural features leading to the corresponding antimicrobial properties is provided as an aid for future studies. The current challenges and major drawbacks of research related to endolichenic fungi and the remedies for them have been suggested.