Evaluation of Antimicrobial Potentialities of Leaves Extract of the Plant Cassia tora Linn. (Leguminosae/Caesalpinioideae)

SUMMARYCassia tora L. (Family Leguminosae/Caesalpinioideae), is a plant with enormous medicinal values. The chloroform, methanol and aqueous extract of leaves of Cassia tora L. showed antibacterial activity (0-5000 μg/ml) against 38, 58 and 29 bacterial strains respectively out of 120 various bacterial strains and also methanol extracts showed antifungal activity (0-64mg/ml) against 3 strains out of 4 strains. Five strains of Shigella dysenteriae, four strains of Staphylococcus aureus, and three strains of Escherichia coli, have shown sensitivity against in vitro treatment of the methanol extracts up to 2000 μg/ml concentration. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values ranges from 2–64 mg/ml for dermatophytes. Minimal Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) value lies in the range of 2000-2500 μg/ml against Escherichia coli ATCC25938 and Shigella dysenteriae 1. Phytochemical study indicates that the leaf extract contains flavonoids, saponins, resins, phytosterol, alkaloids and carbohydrates. The traditional claim of leaves of C. tora as an antimicrobial property have been confirmed as the extracts displayed activity against some bacteria and fungi which cause skin infection and gastro-intestinal disorder.Key words: Cassia tora plant, Phytochemical study, Antimicrobial activity, MIC and MBC Gouranga Das et al. Evaluation of Antimicrobial Potentialities of Leaves Extract of the Plant Cassia tora Linn. (Leguminosae/Caesalpinioideae). J Phytol 2/5 (2010)  64-72

Inhibition of NO2, PGE2, TNF-α, and iNOS EXpression by Shorea robusta L.: An Ethnomedicine Used for Anti-Inflammatory and Analgesic Activity

This paper is an attempt to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities and the possible mechanism of action of tender leaf extracts of Shorea robusta, traditionally used in ailments related to inflammation. The acetic-acid-induced writhing and tail flick tests were carried out for analgesic activity, while the anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated in carrageenan-and dextran- induced paw edema and cotton-pellet-induced granuloma model. The acetic-acid-induced vascular permeability, erythrocyte membrane stabilization, release of proinflammatory mediators (nitric oxide and prostaglandin E2), and cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukins-1β and -6) from lipopolysaccharide-stimulated human monocytic cell lines were assessed to understand the mechanism of action. The results revealed that both aqueous and methanol extract (400 mg/kg) caused significant reduction of writhing and tail flick, paw edema, granuloma tissue formation (P < 0.01), vascular permeability, and membrane stabilization. Interestingly, the aqueous extract at 40 μg/mL significantly inhibited the production of NO and release of PGE2, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6. Chemically the extract contains flavonoids and triterpenes and toxicity study showed that the extract is safe. Thus, our study validated the scientific rationale of ethnomedicinal use of S. robusta and unveils its mechanism of action. However, chronic toxicological studies with active constituents are needed before its use

CAIC anjur kolokium memperkasa program pengajaran dan pembelajaran

Seramai 180 dalam kalangan tenaga akademik dan pensyarah dari Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) dan institut pengajian tinggi hadir menyertai Kolokium Pengajaran dan Pembelajaran 2014 bertemakan `Innovation Towards Creative Pedagogy’ anjuran Pusat Inovasi dan Daya Saing Akademik (CAIC) universiti ini

Screening of ethnomedicinal plants of diverse culture for antiviral potentials

474-481Since time immemorial Ethnomedicinal plants have been used for diverse ailments including infectious diseases. There is an increasing need for new anti-infective molecules, particularly from the plants used in ethnomedicinal practices, as the treatment of infectious diseases with the antimicrobial drugs frequently develops drug-resistance microbes. Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2) causes a variety of diseases including herpes labiles, keratoconjunctivitis, encephalitis, herpes genitalis, and the lifelong latent infections in sensory nerve ganglia. Till date there is no effective anti-HSV vaccine, and the available drugs used against HSV infections have limited efficacy with frequent development of drug-resistant viruses. Here we have evaluated the anti-HSV potential of nine selected ethnomedicinal plant extracts of different families, traditionally used by diverse communities against skin, intestinal and sexual ailments, using wild-type and clinical isolates of HSV-1. The cytotoxicity of the extracts was determined on Vero cell by MTT assay; while the antiviral activity was screened by cytopathic effect reduction, MTT assay and plaque reduction assay. Interestingly the extracts of Dillenia indica, Odina wodier and Moringa oleifera<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic"> exhibited significant antiviral activity against HSV-1 at non-cytotoxic concentrations; while the extracts of Morus alba and Butea monosperma showed antiviral activity at higher concentrations

Anti-herpes virus activities of bioactive fraction and isolated pure constituent of <it>Mallotus peltatus</it>: an ethnomedicine from Andaman Islands

Abstract Background Viral infections, particularly the infections caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV), represent one of the most serious public health concerns globally because of their devastating impact. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antiviral potential of methanolic crude extract of an ethnomedicine Mallotus peltatus, its active fraction and pure compound, against HSV-1 F and HSV-2 G. Result The cytotoxicity (CC50, the concentration of 50% cellular toxicity), antiviral effective concentration (EC50, the concentration required to achieve 50% protection against virus-induced cytopathic effect), plaque reduction and the selectivity index (SI, the ratio of CC50 and EC50) was determined. Results showed that the crude methanolic extract of M. peltatus possessed weak anti-HSV activity. In contrast, the active fraction A and isolated ursolic acid from fraction A exhibited potent antiherpesvirus activity against both HSV-1 (EC50 = 7.8 and 5.5 μg/ml; SI = 22.3 and 20) and HSV-2 (EC50 = 8.2 and 5.8 μg/ml, and SI = 21.2 and 18.97). The fraction A and isolated ursolic acid (10 μg/ml) inhibited plaque formation of HSV-1 and HSV-2 at more than 80% levels, with a dose dependent antiviral activity, compared to acyclovir. The time response study revealed that the anti-HSV activity of fraction A and isolated ursolic acid is highest at 2–5 h post-infection. Moreover, the time kinetics study by indirect immunofluorescence assay showed a characteristic pattern of small foci of single fluorescent cells in fraction A- treated virus infected cells at 2 h and 4 h post-infection, suggesting drug inhibited viral dissemination. Further, the PCR study with infected cell cultures treated with fraction A and isolated ursolic acid at various time intervals, failed to show amplification at 48–72 h, like acyclovir treated HSV-infected cells. Moreover, fraction A or isolated ursolic acid showed no interaction in combination with acyclovir. Conclusion This study revealed that bioactive fraction A and isolated ursolic acid of M. peltatus has good anti-HSV activity, probably by inhibiting the early stage of multiplication (post-infection of 0–5 h), with SI value of 20, suggesting its potential use as anti-HSV agents.</p

Structures, redox behavior, antibacterial activity and correlation with electronic structure of the complexes of nickel triad with 3-(2-(alkylthio)phenylazo)-2,4-pentanedione

3-(2-(Alkylthio)phenylazo)-2,4-pentanedione (HL), an O, N, S donor ligand, is used for the synthesis of Ni(II), Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes. The spectroscopic (IR, UV-Vis, and NMR) data determine the structure. The single crystal X-ray diffraction measurement of [Ni(L)(2)] and [Pt(L)Cl] has confirmed the structures. Coulometric oxidation of [Ni(L)(2)] and EPR spectra thereof show formation of Ni(III) state. DFT computation has calculated the electronic configuration and has explained the spectral and redox properties of the complexes. The compounds are screened for their in vitro anti-bacterial activity using Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria (Bacillus subtilis UC564, Escherichia coli TG1, Staphylococcus aureus Bang25, Pseudomonas aeruginosa C/1/7, Salmonella typhi NCTC62, Salmonella paratyphi NCTC A2, Shigella dysenteriae 8NCTC599/52, Streptococcus faecalis S2, Vibrio cholerae DN7 and Mricococcus luteus AGD1). The minimum inhibitory concentration is determined for the compounds. The effect of the structure of the investigated compounds on the antibacterial activity is discussed. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.</p

Primers used in Real time-PCR assays.

<p>Primers used in Real time-PCR assays.</p

<i>Pedilanthus tithymaloides</i> Inhibits HSV Infection by Modulating NF-κB Signaling

<div><p><i>Pedilanthus tithymaloides</i> (PT), a widely used ethnomedicinal plant, has been employed to treat a number of skin conditions. To extend its utility and to fully exploit its medicinal potential, we have evaluated the <i>in vitro</i> antiviral activity of a methanolic extract of PT leaves and its isolated compounds against Herpes Simplex Virus type 2 (HSV-2). Bioactivity-guided studies revealed that the extract and one of its constituents, luteolin, had potent antiviral activity against wild-type and clinical isolates of HSV-2 (EC₅₀ 48.5–52.6 and 22.4–27.5 μg/ml, respectively), with nearly complete inhibition at 86.5–101.8 and 40.2–49.6 μg/ml, respectively. The inhibitory effect was significant (p<0.001) when the drug was added 2 h prior to infection, and was effective up to 4 h post-infection. As viral replication requires NF-κB activation, we examined whether the observed extract-induced inhibition of HSV-2 was related to NF-κB inhibition. Interestingly, we observed that treatment of HSV-2-infected cells with extract or luteolin suppressed NF-κB activation. Although NF-κB, JNK and MAPK activation was compromised during HSV replication, neither the extract nor luteolin affected HSV-2-induced JNK1/2 and MAPK activation. Moreover, the PT leaf extract and luteolin potently down-regulated the expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, Interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, NO and iNOS and the production of gamma interferon (IFN-γ), which are directly involved in controlling the NF-κB signaling pathway. Thus, our results indicate that both PT leaf extract and luteolin modulate the NF-κB signaling pathway, resulting in the inhibition of HSV-2 replication.</p></div

Chemical structure of the isolated compound(s) Luteolin (A) and Tetradecanediol (B) isolated from the antiviral fraction of <i>Pedilanthus tithymaloides</i> leave extracts.

<p>Chemical structure of the isolated compound(s) Luteolin (A) and Tetradecanediol (B) isolated from the antiviral fraction of <i>Pedilanthus tithymaloides</i> leave extracts.</p

Effect of MEPT leaves and Luteolin on pro-inflammatory cytokine release in HSV-2-infected peritoneal macrophages.

<p>Peritoneal macrophages were cultured overnight and infected with HSV-2, washed after 1 h and then treated with MEPT leaves (100 μg/ml) or Luteolin (20 μg/ml). The cells were further incubated for 24 h, and the cell-free supernatants were subjected to sandwich ELISA to determine the level of (A) TNF-α, (C) IL-1β, (E) IL-6 and (G) IFN-γ (pg/mL). The ELISA data are expressed as Mean ± SD from triplicate experiments, yielding similar results. Asterisks indicate statistically significant (*, P<0.05; **, P<0.001) induction of TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6, and IFN-γ release, compared to the infected macrophages.</p