Antioxidant and Phytochemical analysis of selected lichen species from Mizoram, India

Lichens are an important source of biologically active substances, primarily phenols, which are well known for their antioxidant properties. The aim of the present study was to evaluated phytochemical constituents (flavonoids and phenols), and the antioxidant activity of the methanol extract of the selected lichens species viz. Usnea baileyi, Hypotrachyna cirrhata and Lobaria pulmonaria  collected from Tawi Wildlife Sanctuary, Mizoram, India. The total phenolic content and total flavonoid of the various extracts varied from 31.11 to 67.84 mg of Gallic acid equivalent per gram dry weight (GAE/g DW) and from 27.43 to 37.06 mg of Quercetin equivalent per gram dry weight (QE/g DW) respectively. DPPH free radical scavenging activity of the methanol extract of tested samples showed a concentration-dependent manner with an IC50 value ranges from 133.6 µg/ml in L. pulmonaria to 243.9 µg/ml in U. baileyi. A comparison between lichens extract and positive control (BHT) showed a strong antioxidant capacity (IC50=10.81 μg/ml) of positive control than the lichens methanolic extract. A high negative and significant negative correlation (P<0.05) was observed between total phenol content and antioxidant activity IC50 of DPPH assay. Moreover, a positively high significant correlation was also obtained between total flavonoid and phenol content (P<0.01). The present study showed that bioactive compounds present in the lichen thallus may be used as good sources of natural antioxidants and a potential candidate for curing several ailments.&nbsp

The Emergence of Carbapenem-Resistant Gram-Negative Bacteria in Mizoram, Northeast India

(Background) Numerous reports on carbapenem resistance in different parts of India have been published, yet there are insufficient studies on the prevalence of antibiotic resistance in the northeast region of the country. This study evaluated the emergence of carbapenem resistance in the clinical isolates collected in Mizoram. (Results) A total of 141 Gram-negative clinical isolates were collected from the two hospitals, including the Civil Hospital in Lunglei and the Synod Hospital in Aizawl. The isolates include Escherichia coli (n = 62, 43.9%), Klebsiella spp. (n = 43, 30.4%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 9, 6.3%), Serratia marcescens (n = 3, 2.1%), Proteus mirabilis (n = 2, 1.4%), Shigella spp. (n = 4, 2.8%), Enterobacter spp. (n = 6, 4.2%) and Acinetobacter spp. (n = 12, 8.5%). The isolates were found to be resistant to meropenem (11%), colistin (48%), tigecycline (25%) and cefotaxime (50%). A total of four E. coli and one Shigella sonnei encoded the blaOXA-48-like gene. The blaCTX-M-1 gene was detected in 13 isolates, of which eight were E. coli, two Shigella flexneri, and one isolates each of K. pneumoniae, K. oxytoca and Shigella sonnei, respectively. (Conclusion) Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae are common among other parts of India, despite limited access to antibiotics, the emergence of resistance in the northeastern region is worrying

The Emergence of Carbapenem-Resistant Gram-Negative Bacteria in Mizoram, Northeast India

(Background) Numerous reports on carbapenem resistance in different parts of India have been published, yet there are insufficient studies on the prevalence of antibiotic resistance in the northeast region of the country. This study evaluated the emergence of carbapenem resistance in the clinical isolates collected in Mizoram. (Results) A total of 141 Gram-negative clinical isolates were collected from the two hospitals, including the Civil Hospital in Lunglei and the Synod Hospital in Aizawl. The isolates include Escherichia coli (n = 62, 43.9%), Klebsiella spp. (n = 43, 30.4%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 9, 6.3%), Serratia marcescens (n = 3, 2.1%), Proteus mirabilis (n = 2, 1.4%), Shigella spp. (n = 4, 2.8%), Enterobacter spp. (n = 6, 4.2%) and Acinetobacter spp. (n = 12, 8.5%). The isolates were found to be resistant to meropenem (11%), colistin (48%), tigecycline (25%) and cefotaxime (50%). A total of four E. coli and one Shigella sonnei encoded the blaOXA-48-like gene. The blaCTX-M-1 gene was detected in 13 isolates, of which eight were E. coli, two Shigella flexneri, and one isolates each of K. pneumoniae, K. oxytoca and Shigella sonnei, respectively. (Conclusion) Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae are common among other parts of India, despite limited access to antibiotics, the emergence of resistance in the northeastern region is worrying