Evaluation of antibacterial activity of Pisidium guajava and Gongronema Latifolium

Pisidium guajava and Gongronema latifolium are local plants used traditionally in south-eastern Nigeria to treat ailments such as cough, loss of appetite, malaria and stomach disorders. In this study, aqueous and ethanolic leaf extracts of P. guajava and G. latifolium were screened for antibacterial activity against two clinically isolated organisms of the gastrointestinal tract, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Results obtained show that leaf extracts of both plants possess significant antibacterial activities against the two isolates. Ethanolic extracts showed more inhibitory effect compared to the aqueous extracts. Extracts of P. guajava exhibited higher inhibitory effect than that of G. latifolium. The diameter of zones of inhibition by the leaf extracts of P. guajava was 8 - 16 mm and 14 - 21 mm respectively for the aqueous and ethanolic extracts. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were 5.0 and 0.625 mg ml-1 respectively for the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of P. guajava. For the extracts of G. latifolium, the diameter of zones of inhibition was between 6 and 10 mm while MICs were 10.0 and 2.5 mg ml-1 respectively for the aqueous and ethanolic extract

Antibacterial effects of extracts of Ocimum gratissimum and piper guineense on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus

The upsurge in the prevalence of side effects of many synthetic antimicrobial agents and incidence of multidrug resistant bacteria has spurred scientists on the research for plant based antimicrobial of therapeutic potentials. Ocimum gratissimum and Piper guineense present such potential of high medicinal value. These plants are used in Nigeria traditionally as condiments and for treatment of various ailments such as pyorrhea, dysentery and bronchitis. Aqueous and ethanol extracts of O. gratissimum and P. guineense leaves were screened for antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Both extracts were found to exhibit selective inhibition against the isolates. The diameter zones of inhibition exhibited by the extracts were between 2 + 0.01 – 10 + 0.10 mm. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) determined by the agar diffusion method was between 10.00 and 2.50 mg/ml-1. Ethanol extracts showed more inhibitory effect compared to the aqueous extracts. Results obtained show that the extracts of O. gratissimum and P. guineense possess some level of antibacterial activities against E. coli and S. aureus

Cu(II) and Fe(III) complexes of sulphadoxine mixed with pyramethamine: Synthesis, characterization, antimicrobial and toxicology study

Two new mixed ligands metal complexes of sulphadoxine and pyramethamine were prepared by using CuCl2.6H2O and FeCl3.6H2O. The complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, melting point determination, molar conductivity, metal content analysis (AAS), IR, magnetic susceptibility measurements and UV-Visible spectroscopy. Based on the analytical and spectroscopic data, the complexes were proposed to have the formulae [M1L1L2(Cl)2] and [M2L1L2(Cl)3] (where M1 = Cu(II), M2 = Fe(III)), L1 = sulphadoxine, L2 = pyramethamine). The spectroscopic data proposed L1 to be a monodentate ligand and coordinated through N atom of the NH2 group in both complexes. Also, L2 was proposed to be tridentate ligand and coordinated through N atom of the NH2 groups and through N atom of imine group. However, [M1L1L2(Cl)2] and [M2L1L2(Cl)3] were proposed to possess distorted octahedral geometry. Conductivity measurement values supported the non-electrolytic nature of the complexes. The complexes have been tested in vitro against a number of pathogenic bacteria [g(+) Escherichia coli, g(+) Proteus species, g(+) Pseudomonas aeruginosa and g(+) Salmonella typhi] by using disc diffusion method. Obtained results indicated that the metal complexes exhibited better antibacterial activities as compared to the ligands. Toxicology tests against some tissues of albino rat (Rattus novergicuss) revealed toxicity of the complexes in the kidney as compared to the parent drugs. [M1L1L2(Cl)2] was found to be toxic to the sera, livers and kidneys of the rats used, while [M2L1L2(Cl)3] was found to be non-toxic to the sera, livers and kidneys of the rats as their alkaline phosphatase (ALP) values showed non-significant difference to the control value

Complex-Induced Proximity Effect in Lithiation: Unveiling Recent Potentials in Organic Synthesis of Biologically Relevant Heterocyclic Compounds

Reactions that convert carbon–hydrogen (C–H) bonds into carbon–carbon (C–C) or carbon–heteroatom (C–Y) bonds are attractive tools for organic chemists, potentially expediting the synthesis of target molecules via functional group interconversion. More explorative studies have shown Complex Induced Proximity Effect (CIPE) to be a solutionprovider for the synthesis of bioactive compounds. This might act as excellent pathfinders to new drugs for combating microorganisms’ resistance challenges to old existing drug. So, a constant review into CIPE and lithiation chemistry is crucial because they offer excellent pathways to new heterocyclic compounds which are essential agents in drug design and discovery

Microwave-Assisted Synthesis and Antibacterial Activity of some Pyrazol-I-Ylquinoxalin-2(IH)-One Derivatives

3-Hydrazinoquinoxalin-2(1H)-one was prepared from quinoxaline-2,3-dione and subsequently used for the synthesis of some potentially biologically active 3-(pyrazol-1-ylquinoxalin-2(1H)-one derivatives. While 3-(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one showed a comparative effect with streptomycin, 3-(5-oxo-3-phenyl-4,5-di- hydropyrazol-1-yl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one was found to be the most active at MIC value of 7.8 μg/m

Dietary Fortification of Sorghum-Ogi using Crayfish (Paranephrops planifrons) as Supplements in Infancy

Malnutrition in neonates is a concern in developing countries where there is deficiency in nourishing foods for young ones. The utilization of fresh crayfish (Paranephrops planifrons) in enhancing the nutrient value of commonly used sorghum grain weaning food for infancy was investigated. The study was carried out using a 10 – 50 wt% mixture of sorghum grain and crayfish in three categories of soaked sorghum grains with unroasted crayfish (Case A); de-hulled roasted sorghum grains with roasted crayfish (Case B) and de-hulled, un-roasted sorghum grain with un-roasted crayfish (Case C). The proximate analysis, functional and pasting properties in addition to taste panel evaluation of the batch composition were determined. The result indicated beneficial fat and protein contents of the blend with increase addition of crayfish with Case B and Case C preferred. The overall acceptability at 5% confidence level of organoleptic evaluation identified Case B with over 70% acceptance value, while the amylograph pasting analysis indicated that crayfish blend improved the stability of sorghum-ogi, hence it is beneficial as weaning food for infancy

High efficacy and low toxicity of weekly docetaxel given as first-line treatment for metastatic breast cancer

Background: Docetaxel is one of the most effective antitumor agents currently available for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer (MBC). This phase II multicenter study prospectively analyzed the efficacy and toxicity of docetaxel given on a weekly schedule as first-line treatment of metastatic breast cancer. Patients and Methods: All patients received docetaxel, 35 mg/m(2) weekly for 6 weeks, followed by 2 weeks of rest. Subsequent cycles ( 3 weeks of treatment, 2 weeks of rest) were given until a maximum of 5 cycles or disease progression. Premedication consisted of 8 mg dexamethasone intravenously 30 min prior to the infusion of docetaxel. Results: Fifty-four patients at a median age of 58 years with previously untreated MBC were included in the study. A median of 10 doses ( median cumulative dose 339 mg/m(2)) was administered ( range: 2 - 18). The overall response rate was 48.1% ( 95% CI: 34 - 61%, intent-to-treat). Median survival was 15.8 months and median time to progression was 5.9 months ( intent-to-treat). Hematological toxicity was mild with absence of neutropenia-related complications. Grade 3 neutropenia was observed in 3.7% of patients and grade 3 and 4 anemia was observed in 5.6 and 1.9% of patients, respectively. Conclusion: The weekly administration of docetaxel is highly efficient and safe as first-line treatment for MBC and may serve as an important treatment option specifically in elderly patients and patients with a reduced performance status. Copyright (C) 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel

Facile Synthesis, Characterization and Antimicrobial Activity of 2-Alkanamino Benzimidazole Derivatives

Benzimidazole derivatives are known to represent a class of medicinally important compounds which are extensively used in drug design and catalysis. A series of 2-substituted benzimidazole derivatives 10a-i was herein synthesized from the reaction of o-phenylenediamine with some amino acids using ameliorable pathway. The chemical structures of the synthesized compounds were con rmed by IR, UV, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, Mass spectral and analytical data. The compounds were investigated for their antimicrobial activity alongside gentamicin clinical standard. The results showed that this skeletal framework exhibited marked potency as antimicrobial agents. The most active compound was 1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)methanamine, 10a