The present study proposes a system for co-composting food waste and poultry manure amended with rice husk biochar at different doses (0, 3, 5, 10%, w/w), saw dust, and salts. The effect of rice husk biochar on the characteristics of final compost was evaluated through stabilization indices such as electrical conductivity, bulk density, total porosity, gaseous emissions and nitrogen conservation. Results indicated that when compared to control, the biochar amendment extended the thermophilic stage of the composting, accelerated the biodegradation and mineralization of substrate mixture and helped in the maturation of the end product. Carbon dioxide, methane and ammonia emissions were reduced and the nitrogen conservation was achieved at a greater level in the 10% (w/w) biochar amended treatments. This study implies that the biochar and salts addition for co-composting food waste and poultry manure is beneficial to enhance the property of the compost.
3-deoxycaryoptinol (Clerodin) is a clerodane diterpene isolated from the leaves of Clerodendrum infortunatum. The present research investigates the anticancer therapeutic efficacy of clerodin in human monocytic leukemic (THP-1) cells for the first time. In vitro assay using THP-1 cells showed the cytotoxic ability of clerodin. Further, Annexin-V(FITC)/PI and intracellular ROS (DCFDA) assays carried out using flow cytometry, and confocal laser scanning microscopy confirmed the apoptotic potential of clerodin. Moreover, the Western blot was used to detect mitochondrial apoptosis of THP-1 cells. RT-PCR, ELISA, and Western blot analysis clearly indicated that clerodin significantly increased the expression of pro-apoptotic marker caspase-3 in THP-1 cells. clerodin also selectively targeted the G2/M phase of THP-1 cells, a key feature for anticancer molecules. Importantly, the clerodin did not exhibit cytotoxicity against human peripheral blood cells. These properties of clerodin make it a potential chemotherapeutic agent that can selectively induce apoptosis in leukemia-like cancer cells.