Antimicrobial and antifungal activities of Cordia dichotoma (Forster F.) bark extracts

Cordia dichotoma Forst.f. bark, identified as botanical source of Shlesmataka in Ayurvedic pharmacopoeias. Present study was carried out with an objective to investigate the antibacterial and antifungal potentials of Cordia dichotoma bark. Antibacterial activity of methanol and butanol extracts of the bark was carried out against two gram negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and two Gram positive bacteria (St. pyogenes and Staphylococcus aureus). The antifungal activity of the extracts was carried out against three common pathogenic fungi (Aspergillus niger, A.clavatus, and Candida albicans). Zone of inhibition of extracts was compared with that of different standards like Amplicilline, Ciprofloxacin, Norfloxacin and Chloramphenicol for antibacterial activity and Nystain and Greseofulvin for antifungal activity. The extracts showed remarkable inhibition of zone of bacterial growth and fungal growth and the results obtained were comparable with that of standards drugs against the organisms tested. The activity of extracts increased linearly with increase in concentration of extract (mg/ml). The results showed the antibacterial and antifungal activity against the organisms tested

Impact of Ixekizumab Treatment on Depressive Symptoms and Systemic Inflammation in Patients with Moderate-to-Severe Psoriasis:An Integrated Analysis of Three Phase 3 Clinical Studies

&lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Background:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; Depression is a common comorbidity in psoriasis, and both conditions are associated with systemic inflammation. The efficacy of ixekizumab, a high-affinity monoclonal antibody that selectively targets interleukin (IL)-17A, was evaluated in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis (psoriasis) and depressive symptoms that were at least moderately severe. &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Methods:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; Data were integrated from 3 randomized, double-blind, controlled phase 3 trials. At baseline and week 12, depressive symptoms and inflammation were assessed by the 16-item Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomology - Self-Report (QIDS-SR&lt;sub&gt;16&lt;/sub&gt;) and by a high-sensitivity assay of serum C-reactive protein (hsCRP), respectively. A subgroup of patients with at least moderately severe depressive symptoms at baseline (QIDS-SR&lt;sub&gt;16&lt;/sub&gt; total score ≥11) was analyzed. Improvement in psoriasis was assessed by the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI). &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Results:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; Approximately 10% of the overall psoriasis population had at least moderately severe depressive symptoms at baseline. At week 12, comorbid patients treated with ixekizumab had significantly greater improvements in their QIDS-SR&lt;sub&gt;16&lt;/sub&gt; total score (ixekizumab 80 mg every 2 weeks [Q2W], -7.1; ixekizumab 80 mg every 4 weeks [Q4W], -6.1) vs. placebo (-3.4) (&lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt; &lt; 0.001, both comparisons) and higher rates of remission of depressive symptoms (ixekizumab Q2W, 45.2%; ixekizumab Q4W, 33.6%) vs. placebo (17.8%) (&lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt; ≤ 0.01, both comparisons). Patients treated with ixekizumab also had significant reductions in hsCRP and PASI compared to placebo. Etanercept treatment was not associated with significant improvements in depressive symptoms compared to placebo. &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Conclusions:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; In this comorbid population, 12 weeks of ixekizumab therapy resulted in remission of depression for approximately 40% of patients and improved systemic inflammation as indicated by hsCRP.</jats:p