This article explores the most recent evidence-based information on ethnomedicinal, phytochemical and pharmacological understanding of Hygrophila auriculata for the treatment of various diseases and health conditions. Various ethnomedicinal writings suggest the use of the plant or its parts for the treatment of jaundice, oedema, gastrointestinal ailments, diarrhoea, dysentery, urinogenital disorder, gall stones, urinary calculi, kidney stone, leucorrhoea, rheumatism, tuberculosis, anaemia, body pain, constipation, skin disease, and as an aphrodisiac. The plant has been reported to contain flavonoids (apigenin, luteolin, ellagic acid, gallic acid and quercetin), alkaloids (asteracanthine and asteracanthicine), triterpenes (lupeol, lupenone, hentricontane and betulin), sterols (stigmasterol and asterol), minerals, amino acids, fatty acids, aliphatic esters and essential oils. Extracts and bioactive compounds from the plant have been found to possess antimicrobial, anthelmintic, antitermite, nephroprotective, hepatoprotective, central nervous system protective, antitumour, antidiabetic, anticataract, antioxidant, haematopoietic, diuretic, antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, antimotility, aphrodisiac, neuroprotection, anti-endotoxin and anti-urolithiatic activities. For this paper, we reviewed patents, clinical studies, analytical studies and marketed formulations from the earliest found examples from 1887 to the end of 2017.
Acanthaceae ; chemistry ; Anti-Infective Agents ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; Antioxidants ; Ethnopharmacology ; Humans ; Medicine, Traditional ; Phytochemicals ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Phytotherapy ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Protective Agents

OBJECTIVE: To assess the activities of biapenem against multidrug-resistant and extensively drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis. METHODS: Biapenem/clavulanate (BP/CL) was evaluated for in vitro activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) multidrug-resistant (MDR) isolates, extensively drug-resistant (XDR) isolates, and the H37RV strain. BP/CL activity against the H37Rv strain was assessed in liquid cultures, in macrophages, and in mice.. RESULTS: BP/CL exhibited activity against MDR and XDR Mtb isolates in liquid cultures. BP/CL treatment significantly reduced the number of colony forming units (CFU) of Mtb within macrophages compared with control untreated infected macrophages. Notably, BP/CL synergized in pairwise combinations with protionamide, aminosalicylate, and capreomycin to achieve a fractional inhibitory concentration for each pairing of 0.375 in vitro. In a mouse tuberculosis infection model, the efficacy of a cocktail of levofloxacin + pyrazinamide + protionamide + aminosalicylate against Mtb increased when the cocktail was combined with BP/CL, achieving efficacy similar to that of the positive control treatment (isoniazid + rifampin + pyrazinamide) after 2 months of treatment. CONCLUSION BP/CL may provide a new option to clinically treat MDR tuberculosis.
Animals ; Anti-Infective Agents ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Cell Line ; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical ; Macrophages ; Mice ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis ; drug effects ; Thienamycins ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Tuberculosis, Multidrug-Resistant ; drug therapy

The present review is aimed at providing a comprehensive summary on the botany, utility, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and clinical trials of Morus alba (mulberry or sang shu). The mulberry foliage has remained the primary food for silkworms for centuries. Its leaves have also been used as animal feed for livestock and its fruits have been made into a variety of food products. With flavonoids as major constituents, mulberry leaves possess various biological activities, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, skin-whitening, cytotoxic, anti-diabetic, glucosidase inhibition, anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-atherosclerotic, anti-obesity, cardioprotective, and cognitive enhancement activities. Rich in anthocyanins and alkaloids, mulberry fruits have pharmacological properties, such as antioxidant, anti-diabetic, anti-atherosclerotic, anti-obesity, and hepatoprotective activities. The root bark of mulberry, containing flavonoids, alkaloids and stilbenoids, has antimicrobial, skin-whitening, cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-hyperlipidemic properties. Other pharmacological properties of M. alba include anti-platelet, anxiolytic, anti-asthmatic, anthelmintic, antidepressant, cardioprotective, and immunomodulatory activities. Clinical trials on the efficiency of M. alba extracts in reducing blood glucose and cholesterol levels and enhancing cognitive ability have been conducted. The phytochemistry and pharmacology of the different parts of the mulberry tree confer its traditional and current uses as fodder, food, cosmetics, and medicine. Overall, M. alba is a multi-functional plant with promising medicinal properties.
Animals ; Anti-Infective Agents ; pharmacology ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; pharmacology ; Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; Clinical Trials as Topic ; Fruit ; chemistry ; Humans ; Hypolipidemic Agents ; pharmacology ; Morus ; chemistry ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; Protective Agents ; pharmacology

Cymbopogon citratus is a widely distributed perennial herb belonging to the Poaceae family and has been extensively consumed for its medicinal, cosmetic, and nutritional effects for centuries. A large number of reports have been published describing the pharmacological, biological, and therapeutic actions of this herb. In this review, we summarized the literatures on related studies (up to January, 2014) that highlighted the pharmacologic and biological effects of the major phytochemicals isolated from C. citratus extracts and its essential oil. The components of the essential oils found in C. citratus have a similar pharmacokinetic properties, including absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion. They are quickly absorbed following oral, pulmonary, and dermal administration. Based on the published reports, it can also be inferred that, after absorption from the small intestine, some phytochemicals in C. citratus can undergo oxidation, glucuronidation, sulfation, and/or O-methylation. Excretion is through urine, feces and/or expired volatiles. The biotransformation reactions of C. citratus bioactive constituents are essential for its relatively safe consumption and therapeutic applications. The data available so far warrant further studies evaluating C. citratus pharmacokinetics. Reliable pharmacokinetic data in humans would be critical for a better understanding of the the systemic handling of C. citratus.
Animals ; Anti-Infective Agents ; pharmacokinetics ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; pharmacokinetics ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Anti-Obesity Agents ; pharmacokinetics ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacokinetics ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Antioxidants ; pharmacokinetics ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Central Nervous System Agents ; pharmacokinetics ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Cymbopogon ; Ethnopharmacology ; Hematologic Agents ; pharmacokinetics ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Hypoglycemic Agents ; pharmacokinetics ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Mice ; Oils, Volatile ; pharmacokinetics ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacokinetics ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Plant Oils ; pharmacokinetics ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Rats, Inbred F344 ; Urological Agents ; pharmacokinetics ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo investigated the anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects of anthocyanins extracted from black soybean on the chronic bacterial prostatitis (CBP) rat model.

METHODSThe Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups, including control, ciprofloxacin, anthocyanins and anthocyanins with ciprofloxacin groups (n=8 in each group). Then, drip infusion of bacterial suspension (Escherichia coli Z17 O:K:H) into Sprague-Dawley rats was conducted to induce CBP. In 4 weeks, results of prostate tissue, urine culture, and histological analysis on the prostate were analyzed for each group.

RESULTSThe use of ciprofloxacin, anthocyanins, and anthocyanins with ciprofloxacin showed statistically significant decreases in bacterial growth and improvements in the reduction of prostatic inflammation compared with the control group (P<0.05). The anthocyanins with ciprofloxacin group showed a statistically significant decrease in bacterial growth and improvement in prostatic inflammation compared with the ciprofloxacin group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThese results suggest that anthocyanins may have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects, as well as a synergistic effect with ciprofloxacin. Therefore, we suggest that the combination of anthocyanins and ciprofloxacin may be effective in treating CBP to obtain a higher rate of treatment success.

Acinar Cells ; drug effects ; pathology ; Animals ; Anthocyanins ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Anti-Infective Agents ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Chronic Disease ; Disease Models, Animal ; Escherichia coli Infections ; drug therapy ; urine ; Fibrosis ; Inflammation ; pathology ; Male ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Prostate ; drug effects ; microbiology ; pathology ; Prostatitis ; drug therapy ; microbiology ; urine ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Severity of Illness Index ; Soybeans ; chemistry ; Urine ; microbiology

OBJECTIVEDiscussing the chitosan' medical efficiency to treat Gynecology bacteria infectious disease by researching the bacteriostasis, biocompatibility of chitosan and analyzing the chitosan' medical efficiency to Bacterial vaginosis by clinical examination.

METHODSThe antibiotic experiment of chitosan to Candida albicans (ATCC 10231), Escherichia Coli (ATCC 25922) and Golden staphylococcus (ATCC 6538) has been studied in this paper. The vaginal irritation experimentation of chitosan to female rabbit and the sensitization experimentation of chitosan to guinea pig also have been conducted. To study the curative effect, we also coat a layer of chitosan in 20 patients' vagina.

RESULTThe Antibacterial rate of chitosan to Candida albicans is more than 98% and to Escherichia Coli is more than 99% and to Golden staphylococcus is more than 99%. Cytotoxicity of chitosan to vagina mucosa is grade 1 and sensitization of chitosan to vagina mucosa is none and stimulation of chitosan to vagina mucosa is very slightly. The total efficiency rate to treat Gynecology bacteria infectious disease is 90% and the cure rate is 75%.

Animals ; Anti-Infective Agents ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Candida albicans ; drug effects ; Chitosan ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Escherichia coli ; drug effects ; Female ; Histocompatibility ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Rabbits ; Staphylococcus ; drug effects ; Vaginosis, Bacterial ; drug therapy

OBJECTIVEMany clinical studies indicated that Helicobacter pylori (Hp) strains rarely acquired resistance to amoxicillin but easily to clarithromycin and metronidazole. However, it was unclear whether the antibiotic resistance of Hp strains was induced or passively selected during long-term or frequent treatment with metronidazole, clarithromycin and amoxicillin. To compare the propensity of acquired resistance to antibiotics, Hp strains were exposed to amoxicillin, clarithromycin and metronidazole in vitro in this study.

METHODSAll Hp strains were clinical isolates, derived from biopsy specimens of patients taken during endoscopy in the Affiliated Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine from December 2004 to July 2005. To seek susceptible strains, the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of the three antibiotics were determined by using Epsilometer test (E-test) method. In vitro induction was carried out on serially doubling concentrations of antibiotics incorporated into agar. Isolates were also transferred at least three times on antimicrobial agent-free medium, followed by a redetermination of the final MICs to assess the stability of the selected resistance.

RESULTS7 strains were exposed to antibiotics in vitro. After 6 - 17 passages on antibiotic plates, 7 and 3 strains respectively acquired resistance to metronidazole and clarithromycin, while none of the strains were resistant to amoxicillin. The inductive folds were different among three groups: 8 - 128 folds in metronidazole group; 1 - 256 folds in clarithromycin group; 2 - 16 folds in amoxicillin group. After three transfers on antimicrobial agent-free medium, the MICs decreased significantly in amoxicillin group (P < 0.05) but had no change in metronidazole group and clarithromycin group (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe metronidazole resistance in Hp was easily selected. Strains resistant to clarithromycin could be selected, but the amoxicillin resistance could not be selected after in vitro induction for Hp isolated from children. The correlation between in vitro and in vivo outcomes suggests that acquired resistance was the main cause for the resistance in Hp strains. The laboratory results of in vitro antibiotic induction could help predict the actual rate of resistance and select appropriate antibiotics for treatment.

Amoxicillin ; pharmacology ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Anti-Infective Agents ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Biopsy ; Child ; Clarithromycin ; pharmacology ; Drug Resistance, Microbial ; drug effects ; Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial ; drug effects ; Helicobacter Infections ; drug therapy ; microbiology ; Helicobacter pylori ; drug effects ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Metronidazole ; pharmacology ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; methods ; Tetracycline ; pharmacology

In Republic of Korea, a 7-valent pneumococcal conjugated vaccine (PCV7) was licensed for use in infants in 2003, and 13-valent PCV (PCV13) replaced it since 2010. We investigated trends in serotype distribution and antibiotic susceptibility of pneumococcal isolates from adult patients with invasive pneumococcal diseases (IPD). Invasive pneumococcal isolates from adult patients of ≥ 16 years of age were collected from 1997 to 2012. Serotypes of the isolates were determined by the Quellung reaction. Distribution of serotypes was analyzed according to the vaccine types. Antibiotic susceptibility was tested by using E-test strips. A total of 272 invasive pneumococcal isolates were included. The most common serotypes were serotype 19F (8.5%, 23/272), and serotype 3 (8.1%, 22/272), and 24.6% (67/272) of the isolates were of non-vaccine serotypes. Of the 272 isolates, 2.6% (7/272) were penicillin MICs of ≥ 4 µg/mL. The proportion of the PCV13 serotypes decreased from 63.3% (50/79) in 1997-2003 to 48.6% (17/35) in 2011-2012, whereas that of non-vaccine serotypes was 26.6% (21/79) and 25.7% (9/35), respectively, for the same periods. The proportion of the PCV13 serotypes showed a decreasing trend among adult patients with IPD over the study period.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Anti-Infective Agents/*pharmacology/therapeutic use ; Ceftriaxone/pharmacology/therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Middle Aged ; Penicillins/pharmacology/therapeutic use ; Pneumococcal Infections/drug therapy/*microbiology/mortality ; Republic of Korea ; Serogroup ; Serotyping ; Streptococcus pneumoniae/*drug effects/isolation & purification ; Young Adult

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Anti-Infective Agents ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Cross Infection ; drug therapy ; microbiology ; Female ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Inpatients ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pneumoconiosis ; microbiology ; Pneumonia ; drug therapy ; microbiology ; Retrospective Studies

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relation between ocular discomfort and ocular Demodex infestation, and therapeutic effects of tea tree oil (TTO) in Demodex blepharitis patients. Three hundred and thirty-five patients with ocular discomfort were evaluated for ocular Demodex infestation and subjective symptoms with ocular surface discomfort index (OSDI) score. Among them, Demodex-infested patients were randomized to receive either eyelid scrubbing with TTO (TTO group,106 patients) or without TTO (Control group, 54 patients) for 1 month. Demodex were found in 84% of patients with ocular discomfort. The number of Demodex was significantly correlated with age (P = 0.04) and OSDI score (P = 0.024). After eyelid scrub treatment, Demodex count was reduced from 4.0 +/- 2.5 to 3.2 +/- 2.3 in the TTO group (P = 0.004) and from 4.3 +/- 2.7 to 4.2 +/- 2.5 in the control group (P = 0.27). Also, OSDI score was reduced from 34.5 +/- 10.7 to 24.1 +/- 11.9 in the TTO group (P = 0.001) and from 35.3 +/- 11.6 to 27.5 +/- 12.8 in the control group (P = 0.04). In conclusion, Demodex number showed a significant positive correlation with age and subjective ocular discomfort. The tea tree oil eyelid scrub treatment is effective for eliminating ocular Demodex and improving subjective ocular symptoms.
Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Animals ; Anti-Infective Agents, Local/pharmacology/therapeutic use ; Blepharitis/*drug therapy/pathology ; Eye Infections, Parasitic/*drug therapy/parasitology/pathology ; Eyelids/parasitology/pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mite Infestations/*drug therapy/parasitology/pathology ; Mites/drug effects ; Phytotherapy ; Tea Tree Oil/pharmacology/*therapeutic use ; Young Adult