Synthesis, characterization and antibacterial studies of metal complexes of sulfadiazine with N-alkyl-N-phenyldithiocarbamate

Co(II), Cu(II), Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes of 4-amino-N-(2-pyrimidinyl)benzene sulfonamide (sulfadiazine) with some N-alkyl-N-phenyl dithiocarbamate have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, conductivity measurements, UV-Vis and FTIR spectroscopy. The complexes are formulated as four coordinate MN2S2 species in which the metal ions are coordinated to one molecule of sulfadiazine through the pyrimidinyl and sulfulnamido nitrogen atoms and one molecule of dithiocarbamate through two sulfur atoms with both molecules acting as bidentate chelating ligands. The in vitro antibacterial activities of the complexes and sulfadiazine were evaluated against eight bacteria strains using the agar well diffusion method. The metal complexes showed varied antibacterial properties and their minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and maximum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were determined. KEY WORDS: Sulfadiane, Dithiocarbamate, Metal complexes, Antibacterial, Drug resistance Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2013, 27(1), 77-84.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v27i1.

Diversity and abundance of butterfly species (Lepidoptera) fauna in Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi forestry nursery, Benue State, Nigeria

Butterflies belong to one of the most important taxa of insects. Understanding their significance in an ecosystem as an environmental health indicator and pollination of flowering plants is crucial to achieving sustainability and conservation of floral diversity. Owing to habitat destruction due to some anthropogenic activities, butterflies are fast disappearing and at present, their survival is under threat. The study assessed the diversity and abundance of butterfly species in the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi forestry nursery, Nigeria. Line transects were used to survey three habitats within and around the forestry nursery using handheld sweep nets in March and April, 2016. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and One-way analysis of variance. A total of 337 individuals representing 17 butterfly species belonging to 5 families were recorded across the three habitat types. Out of these, members belonging to the family Nymphalidae were the most common with 7 species being recorded accounting for 41.2% of the total species and 26.7% of total number of individuals collected. Species richness, evenness and diversity varied from habitat to habitat and decreased from dry land area to swampy area (D= 2.336 – 1.966), (J= 0.336 – 0.236), (H1= 1.394 – 0.955). There was no significant different in species composition/richness across habitat types at 0.05%. It was recommended that management effort towards conservation be put in place so as to ensure sustenance of butterflies and ecosystem services derived from them, and further exploration of butterfly species be done to update this checklist.Keywords: Butterfly, Species, Forestry Nursery, Diversity, Abundanc

Synthesis, characterization and antibacterial screening of 2,4-diaminopyrimidine pyrimethamine and trimethoprim silver complexes

Air stable silver Ag(I) complexes of pyrimethamine and trimethoprim drugs have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and ultraviolet visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, and conductivity measurement. The metal complexes formed a three and four coordinate geometry with the ligands acting as a monodentate molecule bonding to the silver ion in each case through the pyrimidine N (1) nitrogen. The complexes have non-electrolyte behaviour in dimethylformamide (DMF) solution with its low conductivity values. Silver complexes, their free ligands alongside the corresponding silver salts were screened against selected bacterial isolates. All the silver complexes showed enhanced antibacterial activities compared to their free ligands and potential antibacterial agents have been identified.Key words: Pyrimethamine, trimethoprim, silver complexes, antibacterial screening, minimum inhibitory concentration

Evaluation of Biologically Active Compounds from Calendula officinalis Flowers using Spectrophotometry

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>This study aimed to quantify the active biological compounds in <it>C. officinalis </it>flowers. Based on the active principles and biological properties of marigolds flowers reported in the literature, we sought to obtain and characterize the molecular composition of extracts prepared using different solvents. The antioxidant capacities of extracts were assessed by using spectrophotometry to measure both absorbance of the colorimetric free radical scavenger 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) as well as the total antioxidant potential, using the ferric reducing power (FRAP) assay.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Spectrophotometric assays in the ultraviolet-visible (UV-VIS) region enabled identification and characterization of the full range of phenolic and flavonoids acids, and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to identify and quantify phenolic compounds (depending on the method of extraction). Methanol ensured more efficient extraction of flavonoids than the other solvents tested.</p> <p>Antioxidant activity in methanolic extracts was correlated with the polyphenol content.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The UV-VIS spectra of assimilator pigments (e.g. chlorophylls), polyphenols and flavonoids extracted from the <it>C. officinalis </it>flowers consisted in quantitative evaluation of compounds which absorb to wavelengths broader than 360 nm.</p

Preliminary phytochemical screening and In vitro antioxidant activities of the aqueous extract of Helichrysum longifolium DC

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Many oxidative stress related diseases are as a result of accumulation of free radicals in the body. A lot of researches are going on worldwide directed towards finding natural antioxidants of plants origins. The aims of this study were to evaluate <it>in vitro </it>antioxidant activities and to screen for phytochemical constituents of <it>Helichrysum longifolium </it>DC. [Family Asteraceae] aqueous crude extract.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We assessed the antioxidant potential and phytochemical constituents of crude aqueous extract of <it>Helichrysum longifolium </it>using tests involving inhibition of superoxide anions, DPPH, H₂O₂, NO and ABTS. The flavonoid, proanthocyanidin and phenolic contents of the extract were also determined using standard phytochemical reaction methods.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Phytochemical analyses revealed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, steroids and saponins. The total phenolic content of the aqueous leaf extract was 0.499 mg gallic acid equivalent/g of extract powder. The total flavonoid and proanthocyanidin contents of the plant were 0.705 and 0.005 mg gallic acid equivalent/g of extract powder respectively. The percentage inhibition of lipid peroxide at the initial stage of oxidation showed antioxidant activity of 87% compared to those of BHT (84.6%) and gallic acid (96%). Also, the percentage inhibition of malondialdehyde by the extract showed percentage inhibition of 78% comparable to those of BHT (72.24%) and Gallic (94.82%).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our findings provide evidence that the crude aqueous extract of <it>H. longifolium </it>is a potential source of natural antioxidants, and this justified its uses in folkloric medicines.</p

Pseudonocardia hispaniensis sp. nov., a novel actinomycete isolated from industrial wastewater activated sludge

A novel actinomycete, designated PA3T, was isolated from an oil refinery wastewater treatment plant, located in Palos de la frontera, Huelva, Spain, and characterized taxonomically by using a polyphasic approach. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the isolate formed a distinct subclade in the Pseudonocardia tree together with Pseudonocardia asaccharolytica DSM 44247T. The chemotaxonomic properties of the isolate, for example, the presence of MK-8 (H4) as the predominant menaquinone and iso-C16:0 as the major fatty acid are consistent with its classification in the genus Pseudonocardia. DNA:DNA pairing experiments between the isolate and the type strain of P. asaccharolytica DSM 44247T showed that they belonged to separate genomic species. The two strains were readily distinguished using a combination of phenotypic properties. 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EAPP: Gatekeeper at the crossroad of apoptosis and p21-mediated cell-cycle arrest

We previously identified and characterized E2F-associated phospho-protein (EAPP), a nuclear phosphoprotein that interacts with the activating members of the E2F transcription factor family. EAPP levels are frequently elevated in transformed human cells. To examine the biological relevance of EAPP, we studied its properties in stressed and unstressed cells. Overexpression of EAPP in U2OS cells increased the fraction of G1 cells and lead to heightened resistance against DNA damage- or E2F1-induced apoptosis in a p21-dependent manner. EAPP itself becomes upregulated in confluent cells and after DNA damage and stimulates the expression of p21 independently of p53. It binds to the p21 promoter and seems to be required for the assembly of the transcription initiation complex. RNAi-mediated knockdown of EAPP expression brought about increased sensitivity towards DNA damage and resulted in apoptosis even in the absence of stress. Our results indicate that the level of EAPP is critical for cellular homeostasis. Too much of it results in G1 arrest and resistance to apoptosis, which, paradoxically, might favor cellular transformation. Too little EAPP seems to retard the expression not only of the p21 gene, but also of a number of other genes and ultimately results in apoptosis