Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Activity of Acalypha hispida Leaf and Analysis of its Major Bioactive Polyphenols by HPLC.

PURPOSE Inflammation and oxidative stress can lead to different chronic diseases including cancer and atherosclerosis. Many medicinal plants have the potential to show as anti-inflammatory activity. Present investigation was performed to investigate anti-inflammatory, antioxidant activity, and quantification of selected bioactive plant polyphenols of the ethanol (EAH) and aqueous (AAH) extracts of Acalypha hispida (Euphorbiaceae) leaves. METHODS Anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by carragenan and histamine induced rat paw edema models while antioxidant capacity was evaluated by DPPH free radical scavenging, Fe+2 chelating ability, reducing power, NO scavenging, total phenolic and total flavonoid content assay. Identification and quantification of bioactive polyphenols was done by HPLC. RESULTS At the doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg, both EAH and AAH showed statistically significant inhibition of paw volume in the anti-inflammatory activity test. Both the extracts showed DPPH scavenging (IC50: 14 and 17 µg/ml, respectively), Fe+2 ion chelating (IC50: 40 and 46 µg/ml, respectively), NO scavenging activity (65.49 and 60.66% inhibition at 100 µg/ml), and concentration dependent reducing power ability. For EAH and AAH, flavonoid content was 126.30 and 149.72 mg QE/g dry extract, while phenolic content was 130.51 and 173.80 mg GAE/g dry extract, respectively. HPLC analysis of EAH and AAH indicated the presence of high content of ellagic acid along with other phenolic constituents. CONCLUSION High content of ellagic acid along with other phenolic constituents might have played an important role in the observed anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity

Phytochemical screening and antibacterial activity of different fractions of Operculina turpethum root and leaf

ABSTRACT In Bangladesh, the herb Operculina turpethum is used for otitis media, suppurative sores, burns, conjunctivitis and skin diseases (eczema, abscesses, acne, scabies and warts) although the compounds responsible for the medicinal properties have not been identified. The present study has been undertaken for antibacterial activity of the ethanol, ether and chloroform extract of O. turpethum root and leaf. Antibacterial activity has been investigated against Shigella boydii, Shigella flese, Shigella dysenteriae, Escherichia coli, Proteus vulgaris, Salmonella typhi, Hafnia alvei, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis by disc diffusion and broth macro-dilution assay. The zone of inhibition has been observed with almost all bacteria with some exceptions. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of the extracts were found to be significant

Travel ban effects on SARS-CoV-2 transmission lineages in the UAE as inferred by genomic epidemiology

Global and local whole genome sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 enables the tracing of domestic and international transmissions. We sequenced Viral RNA from 37 sampled Covid-19 patients with RT-PCR-confirmed infections across the UAE and developed time-resolved phylogenies with 69 local and 3,894 global genome sequences. Furthermore, we investigated specific clades associated with the UAE cohort and, their global diversity, introduction events and inferred domestic and international virus transmissions between January and June 2020. The study comprehensively characterized the genomic aspects of the virus and its spread within the UAE and identified that the prevalence shift of the D614G mutation was due to the later introductions of the G-variant associated with international travel, rather than higher local transmissibility. For clades spanning different emirates, the most recent common ancestors pre-date domestic travel bans. In conclusion, we observe a steep and sustained decline of international transmissions immediately following the introduction of international travel restrictions

Travel ban effects on SARS-CoV-2 transmission lineages in the UAE as inferred by genomic epidemiology

Global and local whole genome sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 enables the tracing of domestic and international transmissions. We sequenced Viral RNA from 37 sampled Covid-19 patients with RT-PCR-confirmed infections across the UAE and developed time-resolved phylogenies with 69 local and 3,894 global genome sequences. Furthermore, we investigated specific clades associated with the UAE cohort and, their global diversity, introduction events and inferred domestic and international virus transmissions between January and June 2020. The study comprehensively characterized the genomic aspects of the virus and its spread within the UAE and identified that the prevalence shift of the D614G mutation was due to the later introductions of the G-variant associated with international travel, rather than higher local transmissibility. For clades spanning different emirates, the most recent common ancestors pre-date domestic travel bans. In conclusion, we observe a steep and sustained decline of international transmissions immediately following the introduction of international travel restrictions

Highly Concentrated Cubic Phase-Based Emulsions

Peer reviewe

A survey on the knowledges, attitudes, behaviours and practices of goat farmers about peste des petits ruminants disease in goats at Haor and bordered areas in Sylhet district of Bangladesh

Abstract Background Contagious and economically devastating, peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is a viral disease affecting goats and sheep, causing significant losses in livestock productivity and posing a threat to food security and rural livelihoods worldwide. Objectives This study was conducted to assess the status of goat farmer's knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) about PPR disease at Sylhet district of Bangladesh. Methods A comprehensive cross‐sectional survey, conducted over 11 weeks, targeted 130 goat owners. Following a pilot study with 20 farmers, a set of 17 validated questions on PPR KAP was validated. Data collection was performed through face‐to‐face interviews by a trained team using KOBO Toolbox, with interpretation of responses based on established thresholds for knowledge (>65%), attitude (>75%) and practice (>70%). Results Overall, 67.7% of participants demonstrated a good level of knowledge about PPR disease. Males exhibited 1.42 times higher odds of knowledge compared to females (odds ratio = 1.42). The middle age group (31–45 years) showed significantly higher knowledge levels (83.3%, p 80%). Participants whose additional income came from non‐governmental organization employment showed a higher positive practice level (71.4%), 1.46 times higher than other income sources. Conclusion Strategic interventions should prioritize female farmers, educational empowerment and collaboration with non‐governmental organizations to bolster livestock health and rural livelihoods in Bangladesh as part of national PPR control strategy to fulfil the goals of Office International des Epizooties/World Organization for Animal Health (OIE/WOAH) and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) PPR eradication by 2030

High-performance liquid chromatographic analysis explores the potential antioxidative agents of Argyreia argentea ARN. EX CHOISY extract

Background: Antioxidative properties of medicinal plants play the key role in plant defense mechanism. Argyreia argentea is an evergreen shrub which is used in the treatment of boils, gastric ulcers, tumor, marasmus, paralysis and spermatorrhea, rheumatoid arthritis, cold, painful sensation, and fever. Aims: This research investigates the phytochemical contents and antioxidative effects of optimized crude methanol extract of A. argentea. Materials and Methods: Crude methanol extract of A. argentea prepared in an optimized procedure has been analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography to quantitatively determine the phytochemical contents. Tannin content of the extract was determined by established method. The extract was also analyzed for in vitro antioxidative actions by spectrophotometric analysis using 2,2’-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzo-thiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) method, N, N-dimethyl-1,4-diaminobenzene (DMPD) free radical scavenging method, superoxide radical scavenging method, and nitric oxide scavenging method. Results: The experimental results showed a high amount of catechin hydrate (348.62mg/100g of dry extract) and moderate amount of gallic acid, p-coumaric acid, and rutin hydrate in the methanol extract of A. argentea. Tannin content was found to be 29.66mg/g tannic acid equivalent. Scavenging effects expressed as inhibition concentrations (IC50) for ABTS assay, DMPD assay, superoxide assay, and NO assay were 1148.3 µg/mL ± 7.32 µmol ascorbic acid/g, 1017.68 µg/mL, 1116.89 µg/mL, 1835.23 µg/mL, respectively. All the values were compared with their respective standards. No β-carotene was detected in the extract. Conclusions: Use of A. argentea extract as a source of functional food as well as an antioxidative agent could be considered with further confirmation