Aims: OpenPCR is a low cost yet accurate thermocycler which can be self-built. The aim of the study is to highlight a low-cost alternative method for rapid confirmation of five predominant non-typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) serotypes using a multiplex PCR on a portable-DIY OpenPCR© thermocycler. Methodology and results: Eight multiplex polymerase chain reaction (mPCR) samples containing genomic DNA of S. Agona selectively placed on the wells of the conventional PCR and OpenPCR© thermocyclers showed uniform heating in both thermocyclers. The limit of detection was similar for both thermocyclers for all five serotypes. The limit of detection for S. Typhimurium, S. Agona and S. Weltevreden was 10 pg/µL whereas the limit of detection for S. Enteriditis and S. Heidelberg was 1 pg/µL and 100 pg/µL, respectively. This assay incorporated a panel of unique genes; STM4495, SEN1392, SeHa-C4893, SeAg-B1096 and SENTW-3241 which were previously identified to be specific for S. Typhimurium, S. Enteritidis, S. Heidelberg, S. Agona, and S. Weltevreden, respectively, as well as the pan-Salmonella gene invA as internal control (IC) and pan-bacteria gene 16S rRNA to serve as amplification control (AC). The analytical specificity of the mPCR assay was found to be 100% for all five NTS using OpenPCR© thermocyclers. Conclusion, significance and impact of study The feasibility and low cost of the OpenPCR© thermocycler makes this device an ideal alternative for mPCR assay for rapid confirmation of NTS serotypes.
Salmonella Infections

MircroRNAs (miRNAs) are short non-coding RNAs with a length of approximately 20-22 nucleotides, which interact with their target mRNAs at 3'-untranslated region by partial pairing. The miRNA- mRNA interaction leads to induction of mRNA degradation and eventually translational inhibition. Thus, miRNAs play an important role in virtually all cellular processes, especially differentiation, proliferation, migration, and apoptosis. The deregulation of miRNAs may lead to serious diseases including cancer. There is mounting evidence demonstrating the participation of miRNA regulation during carcinogenesis. In this review, we discuss an updated miRNA biogenesis, mechanisms involved in their deregulation, and their role in cancer development. This review also summarizes updated information on potential medicinal plants which regulate miRNA expression as a promising molecular miRNA therapeutic approach for cancers.

Objective:To evaluate the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity activity of Euphorbia hirta (E. hirta) in MCF-7 cell line model using comet assay.
Methods: The cytotoxicity of E. hirta extract was investigated by employing brine shrimp lethality assay and the genotoxicity of E. hirta was assessed by using Comet assay.
Results: Both toxicity tests exhibited significant toxicity result. In the comet assay, the E. hirta extract exhibited genotoxicity effects against MCF-7 DNA in a time-dependent manner by increasing mean percentage of DNA damage. The extract of E. hirta showed significant toxicity against brine shrimp with an LC50 value of 620.382 μg/mL (24 h). Comparison with positive control potassium dichromate signifies that cytotoxicity exhibited by the methanol extract might have moderate activity.
Conclusion:The present work confirmed the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of E. hirta. However, the observed toxicity of E. hirta extracts needs to be confirmed in additional studies.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the antioxidant activity of methanolic extracts of Lantana camara (L. camara) various parts and the determination of their total phenolics content.

METHODSThe extract was screened for possible antioxidant activities by free radical scavenging activity(DPPH), xanthine oxidase inhibition activity and Griess-Ilosvay method.

RESULTSThe results showed that all the plant parts possessed antioxidant properties including radical scavenging, xanthine oxidase inhibition and nitrites scavenging activities. The antioxidative activities were correlated with the total phenol. The leaves extract of L. camara was more effective than that of other parts.

CONCLUSIONSThis study suggests that L. camara extracts exhibit great potential for antioxidant activity and may be useful for their nutritional and medicinal functions.

Allopurinol ; pharmacology ; Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; Chronic Disease ; drug therapy ; Free Radical Scavengers ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Lantana ; chemistry ; Methanol ; Oxidation-Reduction ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Phenols ; pharmacology ; Phytotherapy ; methods ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plant Stems ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; Solvents

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 investigate the cytotoxic effect of Elaeis guineensis methanol extract on MCF-7 and Vero cell.

METHODSIn vitro cytotoxicity was evaluated in by MTT assay. Cell morphological changes were observed by using light microscope.

RESULTSThe MTT assay indicated that methanol extract of the plant exhibited significant cytotoxic effects on MCF-7. Morphological alteration of the cell lines after exposure with Elaeis guineensis extract were observed under phase contrast microscope in the dose dependent manner.

CONCLUSIONSThe results suggest the probable use of the Elaeis guineensis methanol extract in preparing recipes for cancer-related ailments. Further studies on isolation of metabolites and their in vivo cytotoxicity are under investigation.

Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; pharmacology ; Arecaceae ; chemistry ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cercopithecus aethiops ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Humans ; MCF-7 Cells ; Methanol ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; toxicity ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; Vero Cells

OBJECTIVETo investigate the antimicrobial activity of methanolic extracts of different parts of Ixora species.

METHODSAntimicrobial activity was carried out using disc diffusion assay against fungi, gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.

RESULTSAll methanolic extracts of different parts of Ixora species showed a broad-spectrum of antibacterial and antiyeast activities, which inhibited the growth of at least one bacterium or yeast. There was no remarkable difference between different Ixora species observed in this study.

CONCLUSIONSThe significant antimicrobial activity shown by this Ixora species suggests its potential against infections caused by pathogens. The extract may be developed as an antimicrobial agent.

Anti-Bacterial Agents ; pharmacology ; Antifungal Agents ; pharmacology ; Fungi ; drug effects ; Gram-Negative Bacteria ; drug effects ; Gram-Positive Bacteria ; drug effects ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Phytotherapy ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; Rubiaceae ; classification ; metabolism

Objective: To isolate Salmonella from curry samples and to evaluate the drug sensitivity of the food-borne Salmonella and its susceptibility to specific plant extracts. Methods: Salmonella was isolated from the curry samples by standard microbiological methods and was confirmed by biochemical tests. The antibiotic susceptibility test was conducted by disc diffusion method using commercially available antibiotics such as ampicillin, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, kanamycin, and penicillin. In addition, the susceptibility of the food-borne Salmonella was also evaluated against the aqueous extracts of Camelia sinensis (L.) Theaceae (tea leaves) and the Trachyspermum ammi (L.) Apiaceae ( ajwain or omum seeds). Results: Out of fifty curry samples, only seven samples were identified to have Salmonella contamination. The Salmonella isolates showed a significant drug resistance pattern except for kanamycin. The plant extracts showed a considerable antibacterial activity against the isolates, indicating the presence of antimicrobial principle which can be exploited after complete pharmacological investigations. Conclusions:The present study demonstrates the occurrence of Salmonella in the curry samples, and shows significant drug resistance against most of the commercially available antibiotics, except kanamycin. Antimicrobial effect of the plant extracts against the food-bone Salmonella suggests that dietary including medicinal herbs would be one strategy to manage food borne pathogens.

OBJECTIVETo isolate Salmonella from curry samples and to evaluate the drug sensitivity of the food-borne Salmonella and its susceptibility to specific plant extracts.

METHODSSalmonella was isolated from the curry samples by standard microbiological methods and was confirmed by biochemical tests. The antibiotic susceptibility test was conducted by disc diffusion method using commercially available antibiotics such as ampicillin, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, kanamycin, and penicillin. In addition, the susceptibility of the food-borne Salmonella was also evaluated against the aqueous extracts of Camelia sinensis (L.) Theaceae (tea leaves) and the Trachyspermum ammi (L.) Apiaceae ( ajwain or omum seeds).

RESULTSOut of fifty curry samples, only seven samples were identified to have Salmonella contamination. The Salmonella isolates showed a significant drug resistance pattern except for kanamycin. The plant extracts showed a considerable antibacterial activity against the isolates, indicating the presence of antimicrobial principle which can be exploited after complete pharmacological investigations.

CONCLUSIONSThe present study demonstrates the occurrence of Salmonella in the curry samples, and shows significant drug resistance against most of the commercially available antibiotics, except kanamycin. Antimicrobial effect of the plant extracts against the food-bone Salmonella suggests that dietary including medicinal herbs would be one strategy to manage food borne pathogens.

Anti-Bacterial Agents ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Apiaceae ; chemistry ; Camellia ; chemistry ; Drug Resistance, Bacterial ; Food Microbiology ; Humans ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Plant Extracts ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Salmonella ; drug effects ; isolation & purification

OBJECTIVETo investigate the toxicity of methanol extract of various parts (Root, Stem, Leaf, Flower and Fruit) of Lantana camara (L. Camara) in Artemia salina.

METHODSThe methanol extracts of L. camara were tested for in vivo brine shrimp lethality assay.

RESULTSAll the tested extract exhibited very low toxicity on brine shrimp larva. The results showed that the root extract was the most toxic part of L. camara and may have potential as anticancer agent.

CONCLUSIONSMethanolic extract of L. camara is relatively safe on short-term exposure.

Animals ; Artemia ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Lantana ; chemistry ; Lethal Dose 50 ; Plant Components, Aerial ; chemistry ; Plant Extracts ; toxicity ; Plant Roots ; chemistry