Use of Cocoa Ethanolic Extract for Treatment of Staphylococcal Infection in Rabbit-skin Model

In septic condition, the skin normal flora Staphylococcal spp. may trigger local and sistemic skin infection. In this study antibacterial activity of cocoa ethanolic extract (CEE) against Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis infections was observed in vitro and in vivo. Ethanolic extract from unfermented cocoa beans was prepared as solution in the in vitro testing, while for in vivo testing the extract was prepared as cream. Agar well diffusion assay showed that CEE ranging from 7.8 mg/mL to 1000 mg/mL demonstrated inhibitory activity against growth of either S. aureus and S. epidermidis. Inhibitory activity of CEE was in concentration dependent manner, and was less potential than either cephalexin 4 x 10 -3 mg/mL or cefotaxime 8 x 10 -3 mg/mL. Linear regression of CEE concentration plotted against inhibition zone values ha dpredicted the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of CEE towards S. aureus and S. epidermidis were at 341.9 mg/mL and 359.7 mg/mL, respectively. Topical application of cream containing CEE at several concentrations (2%, 4%, and 8%) demonstrated healing properties towards incision wound infected with S. aureus and S. epidermidis cultures in rabbit-skin model. CEE cream promoted wound contraction and higher recovery rate than of base cream (negative control) but lower than mupirocin 2% cream. In S. aureus and S. epidermidis infected wound models, CEE cream 8% improved wound recovery to 72.7% and 86.1% from original rates of 23.5% and 34.7% (base cream application). Catechin and procyanidis are suggested playing roles in alleviation of wound inflammation and stimulation of extracellular matrix accumulation, thus accelerate the wound healing process. This study proposes utilization of cocoa bean as source of active ingredient for skin care products

Shift Aggregate Extract Networks

We introduce an architecture based on deep hierarchical decompositions to learn effective representations of large graphs. Our framework extends classic R-decompositions used in kernel methods, enabling nested "part-of-part" relations. Unlike recursive neural networks, which unroll a template on input graphs directly, we unroll a neural network template over the decomposition hierarchy, allowing us to deal with the high degree variability that typically characterize social network graphs. Deep hierarchical decompositions are also amenable to domain compression, a technique that reduces both space and time complexity by exploiting symmetries. We show empirically that our approach is competitive with current state-of-the-art graph classification methods, particularly when dealing with social network datasets

Antioxidant Capacity Of Frangipani (Plumeria Alba) Powder Extract

This research aimed to identify the antioxidant capacity, vitamin C (ascorbic acid), and total phenolic compounds of frangipani flower powder. The powder was extracted using ethanol, methanol, acetic acid, and water (aquadest). Antioxidant capacity of each extract were determined using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging method, vitamin C were determined using 2,4 Dinitrophenylhydrazine, and total phenolic compounds were determined using Folin Ciocalteu reagent. All of parameters were measured by spectrofotometer. The result shows that the highest value of antioxidant capacity was ethanolic extract (18.19%) and the lowest value was acetic acid extract (12.74%). The highest value of vitamin C was aqueous extract (3.49 mg/100g) and the lowest value was acetic acid extract (3.02 mg/100g). The highest value of total phenolic content was aqueous extract (25.49 mg GAE/g) and the lowest value was acetic acid extract (22.74 mg GAE/g). In conclusion, the higher antioxidant capacity was not always followed by the higher of vitamin C and total phenolic compounds

Phytochemical Screening and in vivo antioxidant activity of Ethanolic extract of caesalpinia bondus (L.) Roxb

Phytochemical screening, antioxidant activity in vivo and lipid peroxidation of 75 % ethanolic extract of young twigs and leaves of Caesalpinia bonduc were carried out by chemical test, and assessment of catalase and peroxidase activities and lipid peroxidation in Wistar rats after oral administration of different concentrations of the plant extract for ten days. Phytochemical screening of the extract revealed the presence of all major classes of phytochemicals: tannins, flavonoids, saponin, steroids, terpenoids, cardiac glycosides, glycosides, except phlobatannins. There were significant (p<0.05) graded increase in catalase and peroxidase activities and decrease in TBARS concentrations in the extract tested rats in comparison with normal control, Vitamin C and amodiaquine tested rats. The various pharmacological activities of C. bonduc may be due to its antioxidant activity

Rauvolfia vormitoria Effect on the Degradation of Aluminium Alloy in 2.5 M Hydrochloric Acid Solution

The deterioration of aluminium alloy in 2.5 M hydrochloric acid in the presence Rauvolfia vormitoria extract was examined using both gasometric and gravimetric techniques. Aluminium coupons measuring 4 cm by 1 cm were introduced into test solutions of uninhibited acid and also those containing extract quantities of 10, 20, 30 and 40 cm3 at ambient temperature of 250C for a total cumulative period of 117 minutes. The volumes of hydrogen gas evolved and weight loss readings were recorded and analyzed to obtain weight loss and corrosion rate for each coupon at specific time intervals. The results however, showed that while extract quantity was increasing; weight loss measurements increased but inhibitor efficiency decreased. Also, the metal surface-phytoconstituent interaction mechanism was consistent with the Temkin adsorption isotherm and the 3 minutes curve showed the best exposure time for phytochemicals to adsorb to alloy surface. Furthermore, microstructural studies showed an indirect relationship between metallic degradation and extract quantity, while uniformity of the irregular intermetallic phases increased with increasing extract quantity

Development of Standardized Ethanol Extract of Fraxinus Griffithii as CNS Depressant

Background: Fraxinus griffithii has been widely used as CNS depressant. Its activity based on both empirical and preclinical data. However, standardization on raw material and process of extraction have not been conducted. Methods: Extraction of Fraxinus griffithii was conducted on different part of plants, as well as different solvents and extraction methods. Each extract was standardized both on specific and nonspecific parameters. Additionally, phenobarbital induced sleeping time test was performed on each extract. Results: Leaves of F. griffithii extracted with 70% ethanol by kinetic maceration yielded the highest extract. CNS depressant activity of 70% ethanol extract obtained from F. griffithii leaves by kinetic maceration was the highest compared to the others. Conclusion: All of the extracts have CNS depressant activity, but extract from the leaves, produced by 70% ethanol and kinetic maceration had the optimal activity and quality

Effect of locally available spices on the organoleptic and storage periods of Heterotis niloticus

Investigation were carried out on the effect of some locally available species in the enhancement of the organoleptic quality and the storage periods of smoked Heterotis niloticus using Pprosopis africana as common smoke sources. Samples of fresh H. niloticus were bought, cut into chunks while extract juice from pepper, ginger rhizomes, garlic, onion bulb were used as sources of spices. Samples of fish were divided randomly into five (5) batches dipped into spice extract juices for 10 minutes drained and smoked with common firewood. Treatment without spice extract juice served as control. Each batch of fish was smoked for 7 hours on a drum-made smoking kiln products were individually packaged in polythene bag stored at room temperature and used for sensory evaluation and microbial analysis. Results of the sensory evaluation indicated that there was significant difference (P0.05) in the microbial analysis. The garlic juice extract had the longest storage period with minimum total plate and mould count after 8 week