Effect of plant eztracts and essential oils on root-knot nematode

The nematicidal activity of methanolic extracts (20 µg ml-1) from twenty Jordanian plant species against two species of root-knot nematodes in vitro was evaluated. Whole-plant extract of Hypericum androsaemum showed the highest activity (11% mortality) against Meloidogyne javanica after 24 h of incubation. However, leaf extract of Origanum syriacum also increased M. javanica mortality markedly a day later, reaching 59 and 82% after 48 and 72 h of exposure respectively. Against M. incognita the response of leaf extracts was somewhat different, with leaf extract of Artemisia herba alba the most effective causing 22, 51, 54% mortality after 24, 48 and 72 h of exposure respectively. With a tenfold concentration (200 µg ml-1) of those plant extracts thought to contain volatile oils, the secondstage juveniles (J2) mortality of both nematodes increased after 24 and 72 h of incubation. Nematicidal tests of some volatile oils that are active ingredients of the plants tested revealed that geraniol, thymol, and camphor were the most effective against M. javanica J2s, with 91, 60, 56% mortality respectively after 72 h of exposure. Cineole, menthol, and pinene were not effective against this nematode. Against M. incognita J2s, the most effective oil components were carvacol, thymol, and geraniol, with mortalities of 100, 90, and 74% respectively after 72 h of exposure. Cineole was the least effective against M. incognita

Effect of ethnomedicinal plants used in folklore medicine in Jordan as antibiotic resistant inhibitors on Escherichia coli

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Escherichia coli </it>occurs naturally in the human gut; however, certain strains that can cause infections, are becoming resistant to antibiotics. Multidrug-resistant <it>E. coli </it>that produce extended-spectrum β lactamases (ESBLs), such as the CTX-M enzymes, have emerged within the community setting as an important cause of urinary tract infections (UTIs) and bloodstream infections may be associated with these community-onsets. This is the first report testing the antibiotic resistance-modifying activity of nineteen Jordanian plants against multidrug-resistant <it>E. coli</it>.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The susceptibility of bacterial isolates to antibiotics was tested by determining their minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) using a broth microdilution method. Nineteen Jordanian plant extracts (<it>Capparis spinosa </it>L., <it>Artemisia herba-alba Asso, Echinops polyceras </it>Boiss., <it>Gundelia tournefortii </it>L, <it>Varthemia iphionoides </it>Boiss. & Blanche, <it>Eruca sativa Mill</it>., <it>Euphorbia macroclada </it>L., <it>Hypericum trequetrifolium </it>Turra, <it>Achillea santolina </it>L., <it>Mentha longifolia </it>Host, <it>Origanum syriacum </it>L., <it>Phlomis brachydo</it>(Boiss.) Zohary, <it>Teucrium polium </it>L., <it>Anagyris foetida </it>L., <it>Trigonella foenum-graecum </it>L., <it>Thea sinensis </it>L., <it>Hibiscus sabdariffa </it>L., <it>Lepidium sativum </it>L., <it>Pimpinella anisum </it>L.) were combined with antibiotics, from different classes, and the inhibitory effect of the combinations was estimated.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Methanolic extracts of the plant materials enhanced the inhibitory effects of chloramphenicol, neomycin, doxycycline, cephalexin and nalidixic acid against both the standard strain and to a lesser extent the resistant strain of <it>E. coli</it>. Two edible plant extracts (<it>Gundelia tournefortii L</it>. and <it>Pimpinella anisum L</it>.) generally enhanced activity against resistant strain. Some of the plant extracts like <it>Origanum syriacum </it>L.(Labiateae), <it>Trigonella foenum- graecum </it>L.(Leguminosae), <it>Euphorbia macroclada </it>(Euphorbiaceae) and <it>Hibiscus sabdariffa </it>(Malvaceae) did not enhance the activity of amoxicillin against both standard and resistant <it>E. coli</it>. On the other hand combinations of amoxicillin with other plant extracts used showed variable effect between standard and resistant strains. Plant extracts like <it>Anagyris foetida </it>(Leguminosae) and <it>Lepidium sativum </it>(Umbelliferae) reduced the activity of amoxicillin against the standard strain but enhanced the activity against resistant strains. Three edible plants; Gundelia <it>tournefortii </it>L. (Compositae) <it>Eruca sativa </it>Mill. (Cruciferae), and <it>Origanum syriacum </it>L. (Labiateae), enhanced activity of clarithromycin against the resistant <it>E. coli </it>strain.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This study probably suggests possibility of concurrent use of these antibiotics and plant extracts in treating infections caused by <it>E. coli </it>or at least the concomitant administration may not impair the antimicrobial activity of these antibiotics.</p

Ethnopharmacological survey of medicinal plants in malaysia, the kangkar pulai region

The medicinal plants play an important role in rural health care system throughout the world in remedying and preventing various kinds of diseases. This study documented the use of plants as traditional herbal medicine in the Kangkar Pulai region Johor, Malaysia. It also identified the homogeneity of informant knowledge on medicinal plants suitable for different ailments and types of plants most favored for the treatment of each ailment in the study. The information was gathered through semi-structured interviews, discussions with key informants and informal conversations with local people and herbal practitioners. The data was calculated based on informant consensus factor (Fie) and use value (UV). Information on 40 medicinal plants species from 29 taxonomic plant families used for traditional treatment of different diseases/ailments was documented. The informant consensus factor values (Fie) showed that the local people tend to agree more with each other in terms of the plants used to treat sexual weakness (0.95), blood pressure (0.94), diabetes (0.93), delivery and female problems (0.90), hair problems and dandruff (0.87), respiratory disorder (0.86) and kidney problems (0.85). By contrast, digestive problems (0.76) and skin problems (0.71) and inflammation pain (0.70) were found to have low Fie values. Calculated values of the UV and Fie indicate that this community is knowledgeable on healing and treatment using traditional herbal medicines. © 2012 Asian Network for Scientific Information

Isolation, synthesis, and antiplatelet aggregation activity of resveratrol 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside and related compounds

Resveratrol 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (1) has been isolated from the seeds of Erythrophleum lasianthum (Caesalpinioidae, Leguminosae), a South African plant used in traditional medicine, and has shown antiplatelet aggregation activity. The synthesis of 1, related hydroxystilbenes, and their glucosides has been undertaken to provide larger quantities, for further biological evaluation, and has been accomplished via Wittig reactions followed by glucosylation under phase transfer catalysis

Antibacterial activity and chemical composition of essential oil of Ammi visnaga L. (Apiaceae) from Constantine, Algeria.

Abstract: Essential oil extracted from fresh aerial parts of Athamanta sicula L. (syn. Tingara sicula) was analysed by gas phase chomatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The main constituents were: germacrene B (88.5%) and apiol (4.9%). Comparing with the tested bacteria, the growth of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae strains was more inhibited by the essential oil of A. sicula

Antibacterial Activity and Chemical Composition of Essential Oil of Athamanta sicula L. (Apiaceae) from Algeria

Essential oil extracted from fresh aerial parts of Athamanta sicula L. (syn. Tingara sicula) was analysed by gas phase chomatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The main constituents were: germacrene B (88.5%) and apiol (4.9%). Comparing with the tested bacteria, the growth of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae strains was more inhibited by the essential oil of A. sicula