Chemical composition profiling and antifungal activity of the essential oil and plant extracts of Mesembryanthemum edule (L.) bolus leaves

Background: Essential oil from Mesembryanthemum edule leaves have been used by the Eastern Cape traditional healers for the treatment ofrespiratory tract infections, tuberculosis, dysentery, diabetic mellitus, laryngitis and vaginal infections. The investigation of bioactive compoundsin the essential oil of this plant could help to verify the efficacy of the plant in the management or treatment of these illnesses.Materials and methods: Various concentrations of the hydro-distilled essential oil, ranging from 0.005-5 mg/ml, were tested against some fungal strains, using the micro-dilution method. Minimum inhibitory activity was compared with four other different crude extracts of hexane, acetone,ethanol and aqueous samples from the same plant. The chemical composition of the essential oil, hexane, acetone and ethanol extracts wasdetermined using GC-MS.Result: GC/MS analysis of the essential oil resulted in the identification of 28 compounds, representing 99.99% of the total oil. Phytoconstituentsof hexane, acetone and ethanol extracts yielded a total peak chromatogram of fifty nine compounds. A total amount of 10.6% and 36.61% of the constituents were obtained as monoterpenes and oxygenated monoterpenes. Sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (3.58%) were relatively low compared to the oxygenated sesquiterpenes (9.28%), while the major concentrated diterpenes and oxygenated diterpenes were 1.43% and 19.24 %, respectively and phytol 12.41%. Total amount of fatty acids and their methyl esters content, present in the oil extract, were found to be 19.25 %. Antifungal activity of the oil extract and four solvent extracts were tested against five pathogenic fungal strains. The oil extract showed antifungal activity against Candida albican, Candida krusei, Candida  rugosa, Candida glabrata and Cryptococcus neoformans with MIC ranges of 0.02-0.31 mg/ml. Hexane extract was active against the five fungal strains with MICs ranging between 0.02-1.25 mg/ml. Acetone extracts were active against C. krusei only at 0.04mg/ml. No appreciable antifungal activity was found in either ethanol or water extracts when compared with commercial antibiotics.Conclusion: The profile of chemical constituents found in M. edule essential oil and its antifungal properties support the use of M. edule by traditional healers as well as in the pharmaceutical and food industries as a natural antibiotic and food preservative.Key words: Mesembryanthemum edule, Essential oil, GC/MS, Antifungal activity, Opportunistic fung

Anti-hyperlipidemic and biochemical effect of extract of Tulbaghia violacea rhizomes on high cholesterol diet fed rats

Anti-hyperlipidemic and biochemical effect of methanolic extract of Tulbaghia violacea rhizomes were investigated in cholesterol rich diet induced hypercholesterolemia Wistar albino rats. Hypercholesterolemia was induced in rats by feeding with 2% cholesterol rich diet (high cholesterol diet, HCD) for four weeks. Some biochemical parameters and histology of the liver were assessed following 28 days oral treatment. Co-administration of extract of T. violacea rhizomes at 250 and 500 mg/kg respectively, significantly (p<0.05) protected against hypercholesterolemia induced alanine amino transferase (ALT) alterations in activities of serum aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin (TB), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), gamma glutamyl transferase (γGT), total cholesterol, triglycerides, albumin and total protein in a dose dependent manner. The extract also caused significant (p<0.05) increase in high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol level. Anti-cholesterolemic and hepatoprotective effect of the extract at both doses were comparable and similar to that of the standard treatment of atorvastatin (30 mg/kg body weight). Histological examination of the liver showed that the extract markedly protected against hypercholesterolemia induced micro vesicular steatosis. This study suggests that T. violacea rhizome extract may protect against hypercholesterolemic induced diseases and this may account for its folklore usage.Keywords: Anti-hyperlipidemic, Tulbaghia violacea rhizome, biochemical, lipid profil

Reliability Estimates of Field Hydraulic Conductivity of Compacted Bagasse Ash Treated Foundry Sand

Reliability estimates of field hydraulic conductivity values of compacted bagasse ash treated foundry sand as landfill liners was under taken by incorporating a predictive model for hydraulic conductivity, which was developed from data obtained from laboratory results for specimens compacted at the energy levels of Standard Proctor (BSL), West African standard (WAS) and British standard heavy (BSH). These results were incorporated into a FORTRAN-based first-order reliability program to obtain reliability index values. variable factors such as water content relative to optimum, degree of saturation, bagasse ash content and percentage fines produced acceptable safety index value of 1.0 at the energy levels of BSL, WAS and BSH compactive effort and they were achieved at COV ranges of 10-100%. Observed trends indicate that the degree of saturation and bagasse ash content are greatly influenced by the COV and therefore must be strictly controlled in bagasse-foundry sand mixtures for use in covers and liners in waste containment facilities. While, recorded trend for water content relative to optimum  and percentage fines indicates that this variables do not significantly affect the reliability index of bagasse-foundry sand mixtures for use in covers and liners. Stochastic assessment of the model gave reliability index values in the range of 0.703-0.958, 0.935-1.188 and 1.165-1.416 at the compactive efforts of BSL, WAS, and BSH, respectively. Successful safety index values were recorded at WAS and BSH compactive efforts, therefore, only these two energy levels can be used to model the hydraulic conductivity behavior of bagasse ash treated foundry sand for landfill liners at COV ranges of 50-100% and 10-100%, respectively. Furthermore, using the F-distribution test at 95% level of significance, it was observed that the compactive effort has significant effect on the outcome of the recorded reliability index values from the ANOVA test. Therefore, care must be taken in ensuring that the compactive efforts that produced successful safety indices are carefully monitored during the construction of liner in waste containment facilities. The trend of the recorded results showed that reliability index (?) produced value of 1.0 which is considered adequate for serviceability limit state design. Keywords: Compaction, Compactor weight, Hydraulic conductivity, Bagasse ash treated foundry sand  Reliability analysis, Reliability index, Soil composition, Soil liner

Acute and sub-chronic toxicity studies of methanolic extract of Tulbaghia violacea rhizomes in Wistar rats

The methanolic extract of the rhizome of Tulbaghia violacea (RTV) was tested for toxicity in albino Wistar rats. A single oral administration of a 5 g/kg dosage of RTV extract did not produce mortality or significant behavioral changes during 14 days of observation. In the sub-chronic study, the extract administered daily for a period of 28 days showed no mortality or morbidity and the relative weights of organs were not affected by the treatment. However, significant weight gain in both treated and control group was observed. Indicators of liver damage such as alanine amino transferase (ALT) and aspartate amino transferase (AST), as well as total serum protein and albumin showed no significant alteration in the extract treated animals when compared with the controls at all doses used. The extracts caused a significant (p<0.05) decrease in the activity of gamma glutamy transferase (ƔGT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) when compared with the control. However, the extract did not have any significant effect on markers of kidney function or hematological parameters in the rats, except in the female rats where a significant increase (p<0.05) in lymphocytes counts at 500 mg/kg was observed. Histopathological examination of the liver revealed no detectable inflammation. These results suggest that the rhizomes of T. violacea may be potentially safe for consumption.Keywords: Tulbaghia violacea, rhizomes, acute toxicity, subchronic toxicit

In vitro anti-inflammatory and free radical scavenging activities of crude saponins extracted from Albuca bracteataJacq. Bulb.

Background: Albuca bracteata is a medicinal plant traditionally used in the management of diabetes mellitus in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of saponins extracted from the bulb of Albuca bracteata and compared with the crude methanolic extract.Methods: In vitro antioxidant activity was determined using free radical scavenging assays such as DPPH, ABTS and NO2. The antiinflammatory potential was carried out using inhibition of protein denaturation of egg albumin as a model of anti-inflammatory capacity.Results: Both the crude methanolic extract and saponins showed inhibition of DPPH, ABTS and NO2 scavenging activity. However, the free radical scavenging activity of isolated saponin compared favourably with Rutin and BHT. The crude methanolic extract showed higher inhibition percentage of protein denaturation compared with the saponins at the concentration investigated.Conclusion: This study indicates that saponin from Albuca bracteata bulb possess potent anti-inflammatory activity and is also a good source of natural antioxidant.Key words: anti-inflammatory, Albuca bracteata, free radicals, antioxidant

Determination of Interval Depth of Subsurface Layers by Velocity Analysis of Seismic Reflection Data, in Part of Niger Delta Basin, Nigeria

Seismic reflection data obtained from 3 – D survey in part of the Niger delta basin, Nigeria was processed using Velocity Computation (VELCOM), an interactive velocity analysis interpretation program. The application uses the principle of Apparent Velocity Picking, Normal Moveout (NMO) Correction and Stacking. Velocity intervals and stacking velocity for 8 Common Depth Points (CDPs) were obtained. Interval velocity ranges between 1814 - 5579 ms-1 and Stacking velocity (Vs) ranges between 1814 – 3639 ms-1. Both velocities increase with depth, with interval velocity more steeply than Stacking velocity within the same interval depth. The corresponding depths to the reflecting surfaces, ranging from 554 – 10033m, were obtained, which led to the interval depths of layers ranging from 31 – 1180m. The result of this velocity analysis can be applied in NMO correction, calculating depths from reflection times, horizons identifications, the recognitions of lithology, detection of high pressure zone and migration. Keywords: Seismic reflection, Normal move -out, Velocity, Depth of laye

Compositions and comparisons of antimicrobial potencies of some essential oils and antibiotics against selected bacteria

The antimicrobial activities of 10 essential oils extracted from various plant species were investigated and compared with the activities of 10 commercial antibiotics against 10 strains of bacteria using agardiffusion method. Although, all the essential oils were active at concentration ranging from 0.5 to 1.5 mg/ml, their activities were more lower than the commercial antibiotics. However, being natural productsthe oils have been reported to be much safer than the antibiotics. Another advantage of the essential oils used in this study was their broad spectrum activities against gram positive and gram negative bacteria. The oils were analyzed by GC and GC-MS techniques in order to determine their activecompounds

The proposed mechanism of bactericidal action of eugenol, &#8733-terpineol and g-terpinene against Listeria monocytogenes, Streptococcus pyogenes, Proteus vulgaris and Escherichia coli

The mechanism of antimicrobial activity of essential oils components; - terpineol, g-terpinene and eugenol was studied to evaluate their effect on the bacterial membrane against four strains of bacteria:Listeria monocytogenes, Streptococcus pyogenes, Proteus vulgaris and Escherichia coli. The study was done to observe changes in membrane composition by assaying for the leakage of protein and lipid using Bradford and van Handel’s method respectively. The oils components were capable of inducing cell lysis by the leakage of protein and lipid contents. Eugenol at 2 × MIC was highly effective toward protein content leakage after 120 min of exposure. Alpha terpineol and g-terpinene showed similar effect at 2 × MIC under the same condition. Gamma terpinene displayed the highest activity toward lipid content leakage at 2 x MIC while -terpineol and eugenol showed similar effect after 120 min of exposure. The result revealed that both cell wall and membrane of the treated gram negative and gram positive bacteria were significantly damaged

3-Methyl-1-phenyl-4-[(phen­yl)(2-phenyl­hydrazin-1-yl)meth­ylidene]-1H-pyrazol-5(4H)-one

The title compound, C23H20N4O, is a heterocyclic phenyl­hydrazone Schiff base with a pyrazole moiety. In the crystal, a variety of inter­actions occur, including N—H⋯π and π–π stacking between the phenyl ring of the phenyl­hydrazinyl group and its symmetry-generated equivalent [centroid–centroid distance = 3.6512 (7) Å]

4-[(4-Meth­oxy­benzyl­idene)amino]­benzene­sulfonamide

The title Schiff base compound, C14H14N2O3S, is non-planar, with a dihedral angle of 24.16 (7)° between the benzene rings. In the crystal, N—H⋯O and N—H⋯N hydrogen bonds link the mol­ecules into a layer parallel to (011). Intra- and inter­layer C—H⋯O inter­actions and π–π inter­actions [centroid–centroid distances = 3.8900 (9) and 3.9355 (8) Å] are also present