An Evaluation of the Antimicrobial Synergy of Garlic (Allium sativum) and Utazi (Gongronema latifolium) on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus

As part of the on-going search for potent and resistance-free antimicrobial medicinal plants, the antimicrobial and synergistic effects of the plants, Allium sativum (E1) and Gongronema latifolium (E2) on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were investigated. The sensitivities of E. coli and S. aureus to E1 and E2 and the minimum inhibitory concentrations of the plant extracts, individually and in combination with themselves, and with ciprofloxacin (CPX) and ampicillin (AMP), were tested using standard procedures. E1 and E2 individually showed appreciable antimicrobial effect (zones of inhibition > 16mm). The combination of E1 and E2 against the test organisms was not effective due to antagonism between E1 and E2. E1 or E2 when combined with CPX, completely suppressed the effect of CPX against E. coli, and rather produced additive effect on S. aureus similar to the combination of E2 and AMP against S. aureus, although CPX alone was more effective than either E1 or E2, unlike AMP. Synergism was observed in the combination of E1 and AMP against S. aureus. It is concluded that synergism associated with the combination of medicinal plants is doubtful. However, the synergistic or additive effect between garlic and conventional drugs to some strains of bacteria which are resistant to some conventional drugs, gives hope of fighting drug resistance

Screening Phytochimique, Étude Toxicologique, Évaluation des Activités Antiplasmodiale et Antiradicalaire de la Tige Feuillée de Senna occidentalis Linn (Fabaceae)

La valorisation de la médecine traditionnelle passe par des études pharmacologiques sur les plantes médicinales. Ainsi pour lutter efficacement contre le paludisme, premier problème de santé publique au Togo, des études pharmacologiques, phytochimiques et toxicologiques ont été réalisées sur Senna occidentalis. La compilation des résultats des enquêtes ethnobotaniques effectuées au CERFOPLAM de 2010 à 2013 sur le paludisme et ses symptômes affiliés ont permis de sélectionner Senna occidentalis afin de vérifier les propriétés qui lui sont attribuées. Les différents tests ont été réalisés sur les extraits aqueux et hydro-éthanoliques 50 : 50 de la plante. L’activité antiplasmodiale in vitro a été réalisée sur une culture des parasites (Plasmodium falciparum : souche sauvage) selon le microtest optique. Le screening phytochimique a été caractérisé par la chromatographie sur couche mince suivie de tests colorimétriques. La toxicité préliminaire a été réalisée sur Artemia salina puis le potentiel antioxydant in vitro des extraits a été mesuré par le test de réduction du radical 2,2-diphényl1-picryl-hydrazyl et le dosage des polyphénols. Le test antiplasmodial a montré que l’extrait aqueux a une activité modérée sur le P. falciparum avec une CI50 de 91,08 ± 0,61 µg/mL tandis que l’extrait hydro-éthanolique est très actif avec une CI50 de 1,00 ± 0,05 µg/mL. La drogue de référence (Quinine) présentant une CI50 = 0,45 ± 0,01 µg/mL. Le screening phytochimique révèle la présence des grands groupes chimiques tels que les flavonoïdes, les tanins, les saponosides, les coumarines et les alcaloïdes qui seraient à l’origine de l’activité antiplasmodiale observée. Les tests antiradicalaires ont permis de retenir que Senna occidentalis n’est pas antioxydant et possède très peu de polyphénols. Cet aspect confirme l’état de stress que peut subir le Plasmodium falciparum vis-à-vis des différents extraits testés. Etant donné que les CL50 sont 3,31 mg/mL et 3,70 mg/mL donc très supérieures à 0,1 mg/mL, les deux extraits de plantes testés ne sont pas cytotoxiques. Tous ces résultats combinés justifient le choix des tradipraticiens dans l’utilisation de Senna occidentalis pour soigner leurs patients atteints du paludisme.The valorization of traditional medicine involves pharmacological researches on medicinal plants. Thus, to effectively fight malaria, the major public health problem in Togo, pharmacological, phytochemical and toxicological studies were carried out on Senna occidentalis. The compilation of the results on ethnobotanical surveys carried out at CERFOPLAM from 2010 to 2013 on malaria and its affiliated symptoms lead to selecting Senna occidentalis in order to confirm the characteristics attributed to it. Various tests were carried out on aqueous and hydroethanolic extracts 50:50 of the plant. The antiplasmodial activity in vitro was carried out on cultivated parasites (Plasmodium falciparum: wild strain) according to the optical micro-test. Phytochemical screening was characterized by thin layer chromatography followed by colorimetric tests. The preliminary toxicity was carried out on Artemia salina then the in vitro antioxidant potential of the extracts was measured by the reduction test of the 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picryl- hydrazyl radical and the determination of the polyphenols. The antiplasmodial test showed that the aqueous extract has a moderate activity on P. falciparum with an IC50 of 91.08 ± 0.61 μg / mL while the hydroethanolic extract is very active with an IC50 of 1, 00 ± 0.05 μg / mL. The reference drug (Quinine) with an IC50 = 0.45 ± 0.01 μg / mL. Phytochemical screening reveals the presence of large chemical groups such as flavonoids, tannins, saponosides, coumarins and alkaloids that may be responsible for the observed antiplasmodial activity. The antiradical tests have held that Senna occidentalis is not antioxidant and has got very few polyphenols. This aspect confirms the state of stress that Plasmodium falciparum can undergo against the various extracts tested. Since the LC50's are 3.31 mg / mL and 3.70 mg / mL, therefore, higher above 0.1 mg / mL, the two extracts from plants which were tested are not cytotoxic. The combination of all these results justif the choice of traditional healers in using Senna occidentalis to treat their patients suffering from malaria

Cytotoxicite d’une fraction obtenue par chromatographie sur colonne et effet sur la contraction uterine d’extraits de feuilles de Ficus sur (moraceae)

L’utilisation des plantes à des fins thérapeutiques est une tradition  courante. L’évaluation de l’efficacité et de la toxicité des biomolécules responsables des propriétés médicinales de ces plantes, passent par des tests in vitro, in vivo et in cellulo. Dans ce travail, l’effet sur la contraction utérine et l’activité cytotoxique de Ficus sur, une plante médicinale et nutritionnelle de la flore togolaise a été étudiée. Les concentrations de 2 mg/ml, 4 mg/ml et 6 mg/ml de l’extrait hydroéthanolique induisent, in vitro, la contraction de l’utérus chez le rat Wistar. Une fraction obtenue par chromatographie sur gel de silice a démontré des activités cytotoxiques sur des cellules de cancer du sein (MDA-MB 453, MDA-MB 231), de la prostate (PC3), du neuroblastome de souris (N2A), des cellules normales du muscle squelettique de rat (L6) et des macrophages de souris (RAW 264.7). Au-delà de l’usage traditionnellement fait de Ficus sur dans la production du lait maternel et dans le processus de  parturition, cette plante peut  également servir à lutter contre les cancers notamment, ceux du sein et de la prostate.Mots clés : Ficus sur, contraction utérine, chromatographie sur colonne,  propriétés anticancéreuses. Cytotoxicity of a fraction obtained by column chromatography and effect on uterine contraction of extract of <i>Ficus sur</i> (moraceae) leavesThe use of plants for therapeutic goals is a common tradition. The evaluation of the efficacy and toxicity of biomolecules responsible for the medicinal properties of these plants, go through in vitro, in vivo and even in cellulo tests. In this work, the effect on uterine contraction and anticancer activity of Ficus sur a medicinal plant of Togolese flora was studied. The concentrations of 2 mg/ml, 4 mg/ml and 6 mg/ml of the hydroethanolic extract induce, in vitro, the contraction of the uterus of the Wistar rats. A fraction obtained by chromatography on silica gel demonstrated cytotoxic activities on breast cancer cells lines (MDA-MB 453, MDA-MB 231), prostate cancer cell line (PC3), mouse neuroblastoma cell line (N2A), rat normal  skeletal muscle cell line (L6) and murine  macrophage cells lines (RAW 264.7). Beyond the traditional use of Ficus sur in the production of breast milk, this plant can also be used in the process of parturition and to fight against cancers including those of the breast and prostate.Key words: Ficus sur, uterine contraction, chromatography, anticancer property. 

Antibiogram Studies and Extended Spectrum Beta-lactamase Activity Profile of Salmonella-like Species Isolated from Poultry Soil of the University of Uyo, Nigeria

Aims: The contribution of beta-lactamase activity of various bacterial species to the increased antimicrobial resistance being experienced worldwide is very scanty in the literature. This study was undertaken to investigate the antibiotic resistance pattern (antibiogram) of Salmonella-like bacterial species against some antibiotics, and the role beta-lactamase assumably produced by the Salmonella-like species, played in producing resistance.Methodology and Results: The antimicrobial sensitivity test and the beta-lactamase test of the Salmonella-like species were carried out using the methods of Kirby Bauer sensitivity test and the Double Disk Synergy test respectively, following isolation and identification of the organisms from poultry soil. Results revealed that Salmonella-like species were most highly resistant to Nalidixic acid (20, 66.66%), followed by Tetracycline (19, 63.33%), Cotrimoxazole, Amoxicillin and Augmentin (18, 60%), while the least was Ofloxacin (8, 26.66%). Multiple resistance of 4 or more antibiotics among the isolates from the soil outside the broilers enclosure was observed, while there was a significant difference (P <0.05) between poultry soil and control soil. This implied that the antibiotics with the highest resistance were most often applied to the birds, the droppings of which contaminated the soil. The resistant pattern of the isolates from the control soil is lower than that from the poultry soil. Extended Spectrum Beta-lactamase activity was expressed by all the isolates against Cefotazime, while the least resistance was against mostly Cefotazime.Conclusion, significance and impact of study: It is concluded that there is a widespread Beta-lactamase activity causing antibiotic resistance by many species of bacteria as well as poultry Salmonella, thus exacerbating the global problem of antibiotic resistance and a serious health related implication for antibiotic use in poultry

Nasal Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Associated Post-surgical Wounds Infections

Aims: Staphylococcus aureus nasal colonization is an important risk factor for developing a wide range of infections in clinical setting. This study was aimed at determining the extent of staphylococcal carriages including methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in post-surgical patients and employees in a tertiary health facility. Methodology and Results: Between April and July 2010, 240 post-surgical patients and 80 hospital personnel at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar were enrolled in the present study. All subjects consented to participation in the study and those who had previous medical history or treatment on antibiotic in the last six months prior to enrolment were noted. Nasal specimens collected from carrier and post-surgical sites in individuals (15-63 years) who were hospitalized for at least 21 days were immediately placed in Staurts’ transport medium and kept at 4 °C before being analyzed accordingly and screened for methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Out of a total number of 320 subjects examined within a period of 4 months 144 (45%) were carriers of Staphylococcus aureus and 55 (38%) of these were MRSA. Demographic and clinical data of subjects indicated more male carriers (60.7%) confined to older age groups above 35 years. There was a significant difference (p> 0.05) in Staphylococcus aureus carriage for subjects with recent medical history of hospitalization or treatment with antibiotics. There also appears to be a considerable association (50.9%) between nasal carriage status and autoinfection of post-surgical wounds. A good proportion of all strains tested were resistant to commonly used antibiotics. Approximately 89% of MRSA were resistant to penicillin. Resistant rate against other antibiotics was largely below 30%. Conclusion, significance and impact of study: An improved understanding of nasal carriage is needed to foster development of new strategies to reduce colonization and subsequent infection with bacteria