OBJECTIVETo evaluate antioxidant, antimicrobial and cytotoxic activity of different parts (root, flower, leaf and stem) of Leucas aspera (L. aspera) (Labiatae).

METHODSDifferent parts of L. aspera were extracted with 80% (v/v) methanol. The methanol extracts were subjected to antioxidant, antimicrobial and brine shrimp lethality assay.

RESULTSAll the extracts showed moderate to potent antioxidant activity, among which the root extract demonstrated the strongest antioxidant activity with the IC50 value of 6.552 µg/mL. Methanol extract of root possessed antioxidant activity near the range of vitamin E and thus could be a potential rich source of natural antioxidant. In case of antimicrobial screening, crude extracts of root, flower, leaf and stem showed notable antibacterial activity against tested microorganisms. The root extract showed the highest mean zone of inhibition ranging from 9.0-11.0 mm against tested microorganisms, at a concentration of 100 mg/mL. In the brine shrimp lethality bioassay, it was evident that the methanol root extract did not show significant toxicity. The LC50 value for 12 h and 24 h observation was 2.890 mg/mL and 1.417 mg/mL, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSThe present finding suggests that the methanol root extract of L. aspera could be developed as pharmaceutical products.

Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; toxicity ; Antioxidants ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; toxicity ; Artemia ; drug effects ; Bacteria ; drug effects ; Biphenyl Compounds ; metabolism ; Lamiaceae ; chemistry ; Methanol ; Microbial Viability ; drug effects ; Picrates ; metabolism ; Plant Components, Aerial ; chemistry ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; toxicity ; Plant Roots ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the pharmacognostic characters of an important medicinal plant, Holoptelea integrifolia (H. integrifolia) Roxb.

METHODSThe pharmacognostic studies were carried out in terms of organoleptic, microscopic, macroscopic and fluorescence analysis.

RESULTSThe characteristic microscopic features of leaves were observed as trichomes, multicellular trichomes, xylem cells, phloem cells, collenchyma, vascular bundles, spongy parenchyma and palisade cells. The characteristic microscopic features of root bark included cork cambium, primary cortex, phloem fibers, medullary rays, endodermis, pericycle and lignified fibers in the transverse section and longitudinal section. The characteristic microscopy of root bark powder showed the presence of cortex cells, sieve tubes, calcium oxalate crystals and lignified fibers. Macroscopic study showed that leaf shape-oval, apex-acute, base-cordate and leaf margin was entire with glabrous surface, bitter taste and characteristic odour. The morphological features of root bark showed deep fissured, rough and firm surface with rhitydome and the periderm parallel to cambium.

CONCLUSIONSVarious pharmacognostic characters observed in this study help in the identification and standardization of H. integrifolia.

Microscopy ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; Plant Leaves ; anatomy & histology ; cytology ; Plant Roots ; anatomy & histology ; cytology ; Spectrometry, Fluorescence ; Ulmaceae ; anatomy & histology ; cytology

Delftia acidovorans (earlier known as Comamonas acidovorans) is an aerobic, non-fermentative, Gram negative rod, classified in the Pseudomonas rRNA homology Group III. Reports of isolation of the organism from serious infections like central venous catheter associated bacteremia, corneal ulcers, otitis media exist. The microbiologists can identify this organism based on an orange indole reaction. This reaction demonstrates the organism's ability to produce anthranilic acid from tryptophan on addition of Kovac's reagent; which gives the media its characteristic "pumpkin orange" colour. Here we report the isolation of this organism from the Endotracheal tube aspirate of a 4 year old child. With the increasing use of invasive devices, it has become important to recognize these non fermentative gram negative bacilli as emerging source of infection even in immunocompetent individuals.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Child, Preschool ; Delftia acidovorans ; Drug Resistance, Bacterial ; Empyema ; Fatal Outcome ; Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections ; Humans ; Shock, Septic

OBJECTIVETo assess the effect of quercetin (flavonoid) against lindane induced alterations in lipid profile of wistar rats.

METHODSRats were administered orally with lindane (100 mg/kg body weight) and quercetin (10 mg/kg body weight) for 30 days. After the end of treatment period lipid profile was estimated in serum and tissue.

RESULTSElevated levels of serum cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein (LDL), very Low Density Lipoprotein (VLDL) and tissue triglycerides, cholesterol with concomitant decrease in serum HDL and tissue phospholipids were decreased in lindane treated rats were found to be significantly decreased in the quercetin and lindane co-treated rats.

CONCLUSIONSOur study suggests that quercetin has hypolipidemic effect and offers protection against lindane induced toxicity in liver by restoring the altered levels of lipids. The quercetin cotreatment along with lindane for 30 days reversed these biochemical alterations in lipids induced by lindane.

Animals ; Female ; Lindane ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Lipid Metabolism ; drug effects ; Lipids ; analysis ; blood ; Liver ; chemistry ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Quercetin ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo investigate antimicrobial and bronchodialator effect of hydroalcholic extract of polyherbal drug Shirishadi containing Shirisha (Albezzia lebbeck), Nagarmotha (Cyprus rotandus) & Kantakari (Solanum xanthocarpum).

METHODSAntimicrobial activity was evaluated by disc diffusion method and MIC, MBC, MFC were calculated by micro dilution method. Hydroalcholic extract of this preparation was investigated for its phytochemical analysis, phenol and flavonoid were determined by spectrophotometric method and in vivo bronchodilator effect was analysed by convulsion time.

RESULTSThe phytochemical tests revealed presence of alkaloids, anthraquinones, carbohydrates, flavonoids, saponins and tannins. The antimicrobial result showed the MIC of 6.25 mg/mL against Staphylococcus aureus and 12.5 mg/mL for Escherichia coli and 12.5 mg/mL against remaining bacteria tested, with strong antifungal activity. The maximum inhibition zone is found against Pseudomonas aeruginosa with MIC 16 mg/mL. Drug showed significant bronchodilator effect with 27.86% & 36.13% increase in preconvulsion time of guinea pigs pretreated with 100 & 200 mg/kg body weight of extract.

CONCLUSIONSThe study reveals that the extracts possess antibacterial activity and antifungal activity in a dose dependent manner. This antimicrobial property may be due to presence of several saponins, further studies are highly needed for the drug development.

Albizzia ; chemistry ; Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Bacteria ; drug effects ; Bronchial Spasm ; Bronchodilator Agents ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Guinea Pigs ; Medicine, Ayurvedic ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Phytotherapy ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Solanum ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo determine the prevalence of infestation with head lice in primary schoolchildren in the eastern area of Bangkok, Thailand.

METHODSThe present study was to determine the head lice infestation (Pediculosis) levels in primary schoolchildren, during May, 2011 to July, 2011, A total of 3 747 schoolchildren aged 5-12 years old from 12 selected primary school of Ladkrabang district, the eastern area of Bangkok were examined for head lice. Pediculosis was defined as the presence of at least on living adult, nymph and viable egg.

RESULTSThe overall head lice infestation rate was 23.32% and infestation rate was higher in girls (47.12%) than in boys (0%). The infestation rate among schoolchildren varied from 12.62% to 29.76%. The infestation rate among girls varied from 26.07% (12 years old group) to 55.89% (8 years old group).

CONCLUSIONSPediculosis is a common public health problem affecting primary schoolchildren in eastern area of Bangkok and those levels are epidemic importance.

Animals ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Lice Infestations ; epidemiology ; Male ; Pediculus ; Prevalence ; Scalp Dermatoses ; epidemiology ; Students ; statistics & numerical data ; Thailand ; epidemiology

OBJECTIVETo formulate gentamicin liposphere by solvent-melting method using lipids and polyethylene glycol 4 000 (PEG-4 000) for oral administration.

METHODSGentamicin lipospheres were prepared by melt-emulsification using 30% w/w Phospholipon® 90H in Beeswax as the lipid matrix containing PEG-4 000. These lipospheres were characterized by evaluating on encapsulation efficiency, loading capacity, change in pH and the release profile. Antimicrobial activities were evaluated against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella paratyphii and Staphylococcus aureus using the agar diffusion method.

RESULTSPhotomicrographs revealed spherical particles within a micrometer range with minimal growth after 1 month. The release of gentamicin in vitro varied widely with the PEG-4 000 contents. Moreover, significant (P>0.05) amount of gentamicin was released in vivo from the formulation. The encapsulation and loading capacity were all high, indicating the ability of the lipids to take up the drug. The antimicrobial activities were very high especially against Pseudomonas compare to other test organisms. This strongly suggested that the formulation retain its bioactive characteristics.

CONCLUSIONSThis study strongly suggest that the issue of gentamicin stability and poor absorption in oral formulation could be adequately addressed by tactical engineering of lipid drug delivery systems such as lipospheres.

Anti-Bacterial Agents ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; pharmacology ; Bacteria ; drug effects ; Gentamicins ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; pharmacology ; Liposomes ; chemistry ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Particle Size ; Phosphatidylcholines ; chemistry ; Polyethylene Glycols ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the prevalence of nymphal stages of L. serrata in mesenteric lymph nodes of camels slaughtered in Mashhad slaughterhouse, Northeast of Iran.

METHODSFor this purpose, mesenteric lymph nodes of 400 camels of different sex and age were examined. The lymph nodes were examined macroscopically and a digestion method was also applied for investigation of samples which was negative macroscopically.

RESULTSThe mesenteric lymph nodes of 73 camels out of 400 (18.25%) were infected by L. serrata nymphs.

CONCLUSIONSPrevalence of L. serrata nymphs in males and females and different age was not significantly different (P>0.05), but difference was observed between the prevalence in different seasons (P< 0.05). The potential importance of these findings to human health is discussed. This is the first report of infection with L. serrate of camels in camels slaughtered at northeast of Iran.

Abattoirs ; Animals ; Camelus ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Iran ; epidemiology ; Lymph Nodes ; parasitology ; Male ; Nymph ; Parasitic Diseases, Animal ; epidemiology ; parasitology ; Pentastomida ; Prevalence

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activity of methanolic Tecomaria capensis (T. capensis) leaves extract using different models in rats.

METHODSMethanolic T. capensis leaves extract (100, 300, 1000 and 2000 mg/kg body weight) was given to rats orally to observe acute toxicity, and observed for 14 days. Analgesic activity was evaluated using tail immersion and formalin induced paw licking models in rats. Anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using carrageenan induced paw edema model in rats. Antipyretic activity was evaluated using brewer's yeast induced pyrexia model in rats. Methanolic T. capensis leaves extract were given at dose of 100, 200 and 500 mg/kg p.o.

RESULTSResults demonstrated that the no mortality was reported even after 14 days. This indicated that the methanol extract was safe up to a single dose of 2 000 mg/kg body weight. Methanolic T. capensis leaves extract (100, 200 and 500 mg/kg p.o.) significantly increased the latency period in the tail immersion test, reduced the licking time in both the neurogenic and inflammatory phases in the formalin test. Methanolic T. capensis leaves extract (100, 200 and 500 mg/kg p.o.) significantly prevented increase in volume of paw edema. Methanolic T. capensis leaves extract at the doses of (100, 200 and 500 mg/kg p.o.) significantly decreased the rectal temperature of the rats.

CONCLUSIONSThis study exhibites that methanolic T. capensis leaves extract possesses analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activity which may be mediated by the central and peripheral mechanisms.

Analgesics ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; toxicity ; Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; toxicity ; Antipyretics ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; toxicity ; Behavior, Animal ; drug effects ; Bignoniaceae ; chemistry ; Disease Models, Animal ; Edema ; Female ; Fever ; Male ; Pain Management ; methods ; Pain Measurement ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; toxicity ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; Rats

OBJECTIVETo characterize, identify and investigate the anticancer properties of two new soil fungal isolates, Emericella nidulans and Fusarium solani isolated from Wady El-Natron in Egypt against colon cancer Caco-2 (ATCC) cell line.

METHODSSoil sample was cultured and two strains were chosen for morphological and phenotypical characterization. Partial sequences of the 18s rRNA gene and the internal transcribed spacer region ITS of the two isolates were amplified by PCR. Phylogenetic tree construction and analysis of the resulted multiple sequences from the two fugal isolates were also carried out. In vitro anticancer activity of the two strains was done against colon Caco-2 cancer cell line. Reverse transcription - PCR was carried out to detect level of expression of p53 in Caco-2 cell line.

RESULTSHF.1 displayed morphological and genotypic characteristics most similar to that of Fusarium solani while HF.2 was most similar to Emericella nidulans with high similarity of 99% and 97% respectively. The multiple sequence alignment of the two fungal isolates showed that, the maximum identical conserved domains in the 18s rRNA genes were identified with the nucleotide regions of 51st to 399th base pairs, 88th to 525th base pairs respectively. While those in the ITS genes were identified with the nucleotide regions of 88th to 463rd and 51st to 274th. The two isolates showed IC50 value with (6.24±5.21) and (9.84±0.36) µg/mL) concentrations respectively at 28h. Reverse transcription - PCR indicated that these cells showed high level of expression for p53 mRNA.

CONCLUSIONSThe morphology and molecular analysis identified HF.1 and HF.2 to be Fusarium solani and Emericella nidulans; new isolates of anticancer producing fungi from Wady El-Natroon city in Egypt. Treatment with the two isolates caused P53 expression in Caco-2 cell line. These two isolates can be used as an anticancer agents.

Antineoplastic Agents ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Caco-2 Cells ; Complex Mixtures ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Egypt ; Emericella ; chemistry ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Fusarium ; chemistry ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Humans ; Phylogeny ; Soil Microbiology ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; genetics ; metabolism