Antibiotics are the chemotherapeutic agents that kill or inhibit the pathogenic microorganisms. Re-sistance of microorganism to antibiotics is a growing problem around the world due to indiscriminate and irrational use of antibiotics. In order to overcome the resistance problem and to safely use antibiotics, the correct measurement of potency and bioactivity of antibiotics is essential. Microbiological assay and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method are used to quantify the potency of antibiotics. HPLC method is commonly used for the quantification of potency of antibiotics, but unable to determine the bioactivity; whereas microbiological assay estimates both potency and bioactivity of antibiotics. Additionally, bioassay is used to estimate the effective dose against antibiotic resistant microbes. Simultaneously, microbiological assay addresses the several parameters such as minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), mutation prevention concentration (MPC) and critical concentration (Ccr) which are used to describe the potency in a more informative way. Microbiological assay is a simple, sensitive, precise and cost effective method which gives reproducible results similar to HPLC. However, the HPLC cannot be a complete substitute for microbiological assay and both methods have their own significance to obtain more realistic and precise results.

The alkaloid securinine was assessed against spore germination of some plant pathogenic and saprophytic fungi (Alternaria alternata, Alternaria brassicae, Alternaria brassicicola, Curvularia lunata, Curvularia maculans, Curvularia pallenscens, Colletotrichum musae, Colletotrichum sp., Erysiphe pisi, Helminthosporium echinoclova, Helminthosporium spiciferum, Heterosporium sp.). Spore germinations of all the tested fungi were inhibited. Alternaria brassicicola, C. lunata, C. pallenscens and H. spiciferum were highly sensitive as complete inhibition of spore germination was observed at very low concentrations (200 ppm).
Alternaria ; Azepines ; Brassica ; Colletotrichum ; Fungi ; Germination ; Helminthosporium ; Heterocyclic Compounds, Bridged-Ring ; Lactones ; Musa ; Phyllanthus ; Piperidines ; Plants ; Spores

The effect of methanolic extract of cashewnut (Anacardium occidentale) shell extract was seen on conidial germination of Erysiphe pisi and powdery mildew development in pea (Pisum sativum). Maximum conidial germination inhibition of E. pisi on glass slides was observed at 300 ppm. Similar effect on floated pea leaves was observed after 48 h at the same concentration. Conidial germination on intact untreated pea leaves was also assessed on II and IV nodal leaves while IV and II nodal leaves were treated with the extract and vice versa. There was tremendous reduction in conidial germination on all the nodal leaves. The disease intensity of pea powdery mildew was significantly reduced by methanolic extract of cashewnut shells. Maximum reduction was observed with 200 ppm where 39% disease intensity was recorded in comparison to 96.53% in the control. The phenolic acid content of pea leaves following treatments with this extract varied and no definite pattern was observed. Out of several phenolic compounds, namely, gallic, ferulic, chlorogenic, and cinnamic acids, only gallic acid was found to be present consistently in all the treatments with varied amounts.
Anacardium ; Gallic Acid ; Germination ; Glass ; Hydroxybenzoates ; Methanol ; Peas ; Phenol

Biochemical variability among 20 Indian isolates of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum collected from different hosts/soil samples from different localities in India is reported. High Performance Liquid Chromatographic (HPLC) analysis of ethyl acetate fraction of culture filtrate, mycelia, sclerotia and sclerotial exudate showed 15~23 peaks but only 11 could be identified. They were tannic, gallic, oxalic, caffeic, vanillic, ferulic, O-coumeric, chlorogenic, cinnamic, salicylic and gentisic acids. The amount of phenolic compounds varied among the culture filtrates, mycelia, sclerotia and sclerotial exudates of S. sclerotiorum.
Ascomycota* ; Exudates and Transudates ; India ; Phenol

The aim of this study was to develop and validate a simple, sensitive, precise and cost-effective one-level agar diffusion (5t1) bioassay for estimation of potency and bioactivity of Levofloxacin in pharmaceutical preparation which has not yet been reported in any pharmacopoeia. Among 16 microbial strains, Bacillus pumilus ATCC-14884 was selected as the most significant strain against Levofloxacin. Bioassay was optimized by investigating several factors such as buffer pH, inoculums concentration and reference standard concentration. Identification of Levofloxacin in commercial sample Levoflox tablet was done by FTIR spectroscopy. Mean potency recovery value for Levofloxacin in Levoflox tablet was estimated as 100.90%. A validated bioassay method showed linearity (r2 ? 0.988), precision (Interday RSD ? 1.05%, between analyst RSD ? 1.02%) and accuracy (101.23%, RSD ? 0.72%). Bioassay was correlated with HPLC using same sample and estimated potencies were 100.90%and 99.37%, respectively. Results show that bioassay is a suitable method for estimation of potency and bioactivity of Levofloxacin pharmaceutical preparations.

The inhibitory activity of ent-norsecurinine alkaloid was evaluated against spore germination of some plant pathogenic fungi (Curvularia maculans, Curvularia species, C. palliscens, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Colletotrichum species, Alternaria solani, A. brassicae, Fusarium udum, Helminthosporium echinoclova and H. penniseti). It inhibited spore germination of all the test fungi. C. maculans, C. species, and C. palliscens were the most sensitive as complete inhibition of spore germination was observed at 1000 ppm. A. solani was not inhibited by this chemical.
Alternaria ; Brassica ; Colletotrichum ; Fungi* ; Fusarium ; Germination* ; Helminthosporium ; Plants ; Spores*

Crude extracts and active principles from medicinal plants have shown potential role in controlling plant diseases in glasshouses as well as in fields as one of the safest and ecofriendly methods. The effect of nor-securinine (an alkaloid) isolated from Phyllanthus amarus has been seen against spore germination of some fungi (Alternaria brassicae, A. solani, Curvularia pennisetti, Curvularia sp., Erysiphe pisi, Helminthosporium frumentacei) as well as pea powdery mildew (Erysiphe pisi) under glasshouse conditions. The sensitivity of fungi to nor-securinine varied considerably. Nor-securinine was effective against most of the fungi. H. frumentacei was more sensitive even at the lowest concentration (1,000 microg/ml). Likewise conidia of E. pisi were also inhibited in partially or completely appressorium formation. Pre-inoculation treatment showed greater efficacy than post-inoculation in inhibiting powdery mildew development on pea plants in a glasshouse. Maximum inhibition occurred at 2000 microg/ml
Brassica ; Complex Mixtures ; Fungi* ; Germination ; Helminthosporium ; Peas ; Phyllanthus ; Plant Diseases ; Plants, Medicinal ; Spores ; Spores, Fungal

Pharmaceutical promotion is an integral part of modern medical practice. Surveys show that medical students have a positive attitude towards promotion. Pharmaceutical promotion is not adequately taught in medical schools. A module based on the manual produced by Health Action International was conducted for second year medical students at KIST Medical College, Lalitpur, Nepal. Student feedback on various aspects of the module was obtained using a semi-structured questionnaire. Eighty-six of the 100 students (86%) provided feedback about the module. Forty-five (52.3%) were female and 39 (45.3%) were male. Participant feedback about the module was positive. Small group work and role plays were appreciated, and the ratings of the module and the manual were satisfactory. Respondents felt pharmaceutical promotion will play an important role in their future practice and that the module prepared them to respond appropriately to promotion and select and use medicines properly. The module further developed on issues covered during pharmacology practical and majority felt the module was of relevance to Nepal. Students appreciated the module though there were suggestions for improvement. The module should be considered during the years of clinical training (third and fourth years) and internship and in other medical schools.
Surveys and Questionnaires ; Female ; Humans ; Internship and Residency ; Learning ; Male ; Marketing ; Nepal ; Problem-Based Learning ; Schools, Medical ; Students, Medical

<p>OBJECTIVE3-Bromobenzanthrone (3-BBA), an anthraquinone intermediate dye, is extensively used in textile industry. Since, our prior studies have shown that 3-BBA caused significant depletion of ascorbic acid (AsA) levels, the effect of exogenous supplementation of AsA on the urinary elimination of 3-BBA metabolites was investigated.p><p>METHODGuinea pigs were treated with single oral dose of 3-BBA (50 mg/kg b. wt.) in groundnut oil while another group was treated with single oral dose of 3-BBA (50 mg/kg b. wt.) along with 3 day prior and post oral supplementation of AsA. Control groups were either treated with groundnut oil or AsA alone. Urine from individual animals was collected, extracted and analysed on HPTLC.p><p>RESULTSThe highest elimination of 3-BBA (75 microg) was found to be in 0-24 h urine fraction which decreased to 18 microg and 5 microg in the two subsequent 24 hourly fractions of urine. Exogenous supplementation of AsA increased the total urinary elimination of 3-BBA by almost 77%. A total of 10 fluorescent metabolites excluding the parent compound were eliminated in the urine of guinea pigs treated with 3-BBA. Densitometric scanning of chromatogram showed different peaks at Rf 0.18, 0.22, 0.27, 0.34, 0.40, 0.48, 0.56, 0.66, 0.72, 0.80, and 0.95 which were eliminated and marked as urinary metabolite 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 respectively. AsA not only significantly enhanced the elimination of 3-BBA metabolites but also modified the pattern of metabolites drastically in 0-6 h, 6-24 h and 24-48 h urine fractions.p><p>CONCLUSIONThese results indicate that AsA may be useful in protecting the toxicity of 3-BBA by fascilitating the urinary metabolite(s) excretion of 3-BBA.p>
Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; Ascorbic Acid ; pharmacology ; urine ; Benz(a)Anthracenes ; analysis ; metabolism ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Guinea Pigs ; Lipid Peroxidation ; drug effects ; Plant Oils ; metabolism ; Time Factors

Concern has been raised about inadequate pharmacology teaching in medical schools and the high incidence of prescribing errors by doctors in training. Modifications in pharmacology teaching have been carried out in many countries. The present study was carried out using a semi-structured questionnaire to obtain students' perceptions of their knowledge, attitudes, and skills with regard to different subject areas related to rational prescribing at the end of two-year activity-based pharmacology practical learning sessions in a private medical school in Nepal. The effectiveness of the sessions and strengths and suggestions to further improve the sessions were also obtained. The median total knowledge, attitude, skills and overall scores were calculated and compared among different subgroups of respondents. The median effectiveness score was also calculated. Eighty of the 100 students participated; 37 were male and 43 female. The median knowledge, attitude, and skills scores were 24, 39, and 23, respectively (maximum scores being 27, 45, and 36). The median total score was 86 (maximum score being 108). The effectiveness score for most subject areas was 3 (maximum 4). The strengths were the activity-based nature of the session, use of videos and role-plays, and repeated practice. Students wanted more sessions and practice in certain areas. They also wanted more resources and an internet connection in the practical room. The skills scores were relatively low. The immediate impact of the sessions was positive. Studies may be needed to assess the long term impact. Similar programs should be considered in other medical schools in Nepal and other developing countries.
Surveys and Questionnaires ; Developing Countries ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Internet ; Learning ; Male ; Nepal ; Schools, Medical