Evaluation of antibacterial activity of Pisidium guajava and Gongronema Latifolium

Pisidium guajava and Gongronema latifolium are local plants used traditionally in south-eastern Nigeria to treat ailments such as cough, loss of appetite, malaria and stomach disorders. In this study, aqueous and ethanolic leaf extracts of P. guajava and G. latifolium were screened for antibacterial activity against two clinically isolated organisms of the gastrointestinal tract, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Results obtained show that leaf extracts of both plants possess significant antibacterial activities against the two isolates. Ethanolic extracts showed more inhibitory effect compared to the aqueous extracts. Extracts of P. guajava exhibited higher inhibitory effect than that of G. latifolium. The diameter of zones of inhibition by the leaf extracts of P. guajava was 8 - 16 mm and 14 - 21 mm respectively for the aqueous and ethanolic extracts. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were 5.0 and 0.625 mg ml-1 respectively for the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of P. guajava. For the extracts of G. latifolium, the diameter of zones of inhibition was between 6 and 10 mm while MICs were 10.0 and 2.5 mg ml-1 respectively for the aqueous and ethanolic extract

Antimicrobial effects of folk medicinal plants from the North of Iran against Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Background: Medicinal plants have been used traditionally in Golestan province (north of Iran), against Mycobacterium tuberculosis or the clinical signs of tuberculosis (TB). Objectives: This study aimed to define the inhibitory effects of ethanolic extracts of six of these medicinal plants against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Materials and Methods: Peganum harmala (seed extract), Punica granatum (peel extract), Digitalis sp. (leaf extract), fruit extract of Citrus lemon, Rosa canina and Berberis vulgaris were extracted in ethanol and their activity against M. tuberculosis isolates were determined by the agar diffusion method. The zone of inhibition (at 200 to 1.6 mg/mL) was measured and the results were compared with isoniazid and rifampin as standard positive controls. Also the concentration of vitamin C of each the extracts was evaluated. Results: The ethanolic extract of Peganum harmala seed and Punica granatum peel exhibited potential activity against all M. tuberculosis isolates with mean inhibitory zone of 18.7 and 18.8 mm, at 200 mg/mL concentration. The mean inhibitory zone around isoniazid and rifampinwere 19.2 and 18.8 mm. Ethanolic extract of Citrus lemon showed moderate inhibitory activity only against sensitive (non MDR; non multi drug resistant) strains of M. tuberculosis, and Digitalis sp. showed inhibitory effects on five isolates. Ascorbic acid content was 43.3 mg/dL in Punica granatum and Digitalis sp. and only 9.1 mg/dL in ethanolic extract of Peganum harmala. Conclusions: The highest content of vitamin C was observed in the extract of Punica granatum, which was observed to be highly active against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, while the P. harmala must have contained other phytochemical constituents that contributed to the anti-tuberculosis effects of this plant. Our findings showed that ethanolic extracts of P. granatum and P. harmala had anti-TB effects comparable to isoniazid and rifampin and can be good candidates for novel and safe natural products against tuberculosis. © 2015, Pediatric Infections Research Center

Phenolic content of Hypodaphnis Zenkeri and its antioxidant effects against fenton reactions’ mediated oxidative injuries on liver homogenate

Under oxidative stress conditions, endogenous antioxidant defenses are unable to completely inactivate the free radicals generated by an excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). This state causes serious cell damage leading to a variety of human diseases. Natural antioxidants can protect cells against oxidative stress. Hypaodaphnis zenkeri (H. zenkiri) is a plant consumed as a spice in the Cameroonian diet, and its bark has been used in traditional medicine for the treatment of several diseases. The present study aims at investigating the antioxidant activity, which includes free radical scavenging and protective properties of an extract from H. Zenkiri against oxidative damage on a liver homogenate. The free radical assays determined the scavenging activities of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), hydroxyl (OH), nitrite oxide (NO) and 2,2-azinobis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline)-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) radicals and the enzymes, whose protection was to be considered in the liver homogenate, including superoxide dismutase, catalase, and peroxidase. The antioxidative activities were studied using the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), reductive activity, and phosphomolybdenum antioxidant power (PAP) methods. In addition, the phenolic contents of the extracts were examined. The results showed that these extracts demonstrated significant scavenging properties and antioxidant activities, with the hydro-ethanolic extract of the bark of H. zenkeri (EEH) being the most potent. This extract had the highest total polyphenol (21.77 ± 0.05 mg caffeic acid (CAE)/g dried extract (DE)) and flavonoids (3.34 ± 0.13 mg quercetin (QE)/g dried extract) content. The same extract had significantly greater protective effects on enzyme activities compared to other extracts. The high performance liquied chromatography (HPLC) profile showed higher levels of caffeic acid, OH-tyrosol acid, and rutin in the leaves compared to the bark of H. zenkeri. In conclusion, the ethanolic and hydro-ethanolic extracts of the bark and leaves from H. zenkeri showed an antioxidant and protective potential against oxidative damage

Inhibition of Digestive Enzymes and Antioxidant Activity of Extracts from Fruits of Cornus alba, Cornus sanguinea subsp. hungarica and Cornus florida - A Comparative Study

The fruits of some Cornus species (dogwoods) are used in traditional medicine and considered potential anti-diabetic and hypolipemic agents. The aim of the study was to determine the ability of extracts from Cornus alba (CA), Cornus florida (CF), and Cornus sanguinea (CS) to inhibit digestive enzymes namely α-amylase, pancreatic lipase, and α-glucosidase, as well as isolation of compounds from plant material with the strongest effect. In addition, the phytochemical profile and antioxidant activity of extracts from three dogwoods were compared with HPLC-DAD-MS/MS and DPPH scavenging assay, respectively. Among the aqueous-ethanolic extracts, the activity of α-amylase was the most strongly inhibited by the fruit extract of CA (IC50 = 115.20 ± 14.31 μg/mL) and the activity of α-glucosidase by the fruit of CF (IC50 = 38.87 ± 2.65 μg/mL). Some constituents of CA fruit extract, such as coumaroylquinic acid, kaempferol, and hydroxytyrosol derivatives, were isolated. Among the three species of dogwood studied, the greatest biological potential was demonstrated by CA extracts, which are sources of phenolic acids and flavonoid compounds. In contrast, iridoid compounds or flavonoid glycosides found in fruits of CF or CS extracts do not play a significant role in inhibiting digestive enzymes but exert antioxidant activity

Comparative Antioxidant Activity on the Ficus Benjamina and Annona Reticulata Leaves

Antioxidants can prevent free radical formation. Natural antioxidants found in many plants, such as Ficus benjamina and Annona reticulata. The study aimed to compare the antioxidant activity of extracts and fractions of Ficus benjamina and Annona reticulata leaves against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrilhydrazyl. The steps of this study consist of extraction, fractionation with n-hexane, ethyl acetate and water, phytochemical screening, antioxidant activity determination, and comparing the IC50 values. Percentage scavenging activity of the extracts and fractions against DPPH was calculated to determine the antioxidant activity. The IC50 value of Ficus benjamina was 127.86 ppm for ethanolic extract, 94.01 ppm for water fraction, 115.48 ppm for ethyl acetate fraction, and 335.50 ppm for n-hexane fraction. The IC50 value of Annona reticulata was 274.31 ppm for ethanolic extract, 211.42 ppm for water fraction, 367.91 ppm for ethyl acetate fraction, and 741.08 ppm for n-hexane fraction. The results showed that the Ficus benjamina water fraction was the best antioxidant compared to other extract and fraction

Effect of ethanolic extract of Adiantum capillus-veneris in comparison with Gentamicine on 3 pathogenic bacteria in vitro

Objectives: Adiantum capillus-veneris is one of herbs that has been used in traditional medicine of Iran and has mucolytic and antipyretic effects. Antibiotic resistancy is developing against severe bacteria,due to irrational prescription. Therefore, we assessed Adiantum capillus-veneris effects as a medicinal herb on three common bacteria. Methods: Ethanolic extract of Adiantum capillus-veneris was prepared by a pharmacology company with perculation method and was diluted in distilled water to 1/2,1/4 and 1/8 concentration.blank discs were placed in extracts for one day.Then ,the bacteria were cultured in muller hinton agar plate and the discs were placed on them.We used Gentamicine disc as control.After incubation in 37° for 24 hour, the diameter of no growth hallo around the discs were read. Results: The ethanolic extract of Adiantum capillus-veneris herb has no antimicrobial effects on the bacteria. Conclusion: Results of this study suggested that ethanolic extract of Adiantum capillus-veneris has no antimicrobial effects on this three bacteria mentioned above.Because this herb has been used in traditional medicine, we suggest more studies about it

In vitro ion chelating, antioxidative mechanism of extracts from fruits and barks of tetrapleura tetraptera and their protective effects against fenton mediated toxicity of metal ions on liver homogenates

The aim of the present study was to investigate the antioxidant activity and protective potential of T. tetraptera extracts against ion toxicity. The antioxidant activity of the extracts was investigated spectrophotometrically against several radicals (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH•), 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS•), hydroxyl radical (HO•), and nitric oxide (NO•)), followed by the ferric reducing power, total phenols, flavonoid, and flavonol contents. The effects of the extracts on catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and peroxidase activities were also determined using the standard methods as well as the polyphenol profile using HPLC. The results showed that the hydroethanolic extract of T. tetraptera (CFH) has the lowest ICvalue with the DPPH, ABTS, OH, and NO radicals. The same extract also exhibited the significantly higher level of total phenols (37.24 ± 2.00 CAE/g dried extract); flavonoids (11.36 ± 1.88 QE/g dried extract); and flavonols contents (3.95 ± 0.39 QE/g dried extract). The HPLC profile of T. tetraptera revealed that eugenol (958.81 ± 00 mg/g DW), quercetin (353.78 ± 00 mg/g DW), and rutin (210.54 ± 00 mg/g DW) were higher in the fruit than the bark extracts. In conclusion, extracts from T. tetraptera may act as a protector against oxidative mediated ion toxicity. © 2015 Bruno Moukette Moukette et al

Effects of ethanolic leaf extract of Chrysophyllum albidum G. on biochemical and haematological parameters of albino Wistar rats

The effect of oral administration of the leaf extract of Chrysophyllum albidum G. on biochemical and haematological parameters were investigated in albino rats for 16 days. The extract did not show any significant effect (p > 0.05) on the plasma concentrations of total bilirubin, albumin and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) as well as the packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin (Hb), red blood cell (RBC), reticulocytes, neutrophils, lymphocytes, eosinophils, basophils, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH). The concentration of the platelets was significantly decreased (p < 0.05) at 1000 mg/kg body weight, while white blood cell (WBC) was significantly increased at 500 mg/kg body weight. The doses significantly reduced (p < 0.05) plasma levels of AST, ALT, total protein, glucose and creatinine while urea was significantly increased. While the extract significantly increased the lung, brain and liver-body weights, the kidney, heart, testis, spleen and epididymis-body weights were not significantly affected. The result suggests that the leaf extract of C. albidum contains antiplatelet and hypoglycemic properties and exhibited selective organ toxicity to the rats

Studies of the biological and therapeutic effects of argentine stingless bee propolis

Meliponids are native bees of the Americas, characterized by having no sting (ANSA). Some live in the Yunga forests of northern Argentina, a place rich in a diversity of this type of bees of which at least thirty-three species may be found. Propolis is a resinous substance that bees collect from plants exudates. Chemical composition and functional properties vary according to the flora of the place where the hives are. They have been valued by humans for their biological properties for centuries. This study is aimed at investigating the antinociceptive, antioxidant and anti-biofilm activities of propolis from the stingless bees Tetragonisca fiebrigi Schwarz and Scaptotrigona jujuyensis Schrottky found in Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Famaillá of INTA, Tucumán, Argentina. Analgesic activity of the extracts was estimated against acetic acid induced writhing, tail immersion method and formalin test. Antioxidant capacity was evaluated using DPPH free radical scavenging and β-carotene bleaching assays. Propolis anti biofilm activity was tested on Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853 and Staphylococcus aureus ATTC 6538P bacteria. Phytochemical constituents were obtained using standard chemical methods. The propolis alcoholic extracts of the studied species possess antinociceptive activity at both central and peripheral levels as demonstrated by the three algesia tests used. Both propolis extracts were effective antioxidants in DPPH and β-carotene linoleic acid model systems. S. jujuyensis propolis tested at all doses against S. aureus and P. aeruginosa presented a selective biofilm inhibition unrelated to bacterial growth inhibition, thus achieving a reduction in pathogenicity. The chemical studies revealed the presence of sterols, triterpenes, catechins, coumarins, flavonoids, phenols, tannins and anthocyanidins. Chemical composition observed in the T.fiebrigi and S. jujuyensis propolis, suggest that those responsible for the activity would be chemical compounds of a non-phenolic nature. Our data indicate that geopropolis is a natural source of bioactive substances with promising beneficial properties for human health. Isolation and identification of compounds responsible for the pharmacological activities displayed by propolis has started.Fil: Brodkiewicz, Ivana Yanina. Universidad Nacional de Tucuman. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia. Instituto de Farmacia. Cátedra de Farmacoquímica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán; ArgentinaFil: Marcinkevicius, Karenina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto de Química del Noroeste. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia. Instituto de Química del Noroeste; ArgentinaFil: Reynoso Marcos. Universidad Nacional de Tucuman. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia. Instituto de Farmacia. Cátedra de Farmacoquímica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán; ArgentinaFil: Salomon Virginia. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Tucuman-Santiago del Estero. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Famaillá; ArgentinaFil: Maldonado Luis. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Tucuman-Santiago del Estero. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Famaillá; ArgentinaFil: Vera, Nancy Roxana. Universidad Nacional de Tucuman. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia. Instituto de Farmacia. Cátedra de Farmacoquímica; Argentin

Analytical profiling, modeling and transdermal/transmucosal characteristics of bioactive N-alkylamides

N-alkylamides are a group of bioactive molecules found in several plants. Extracts and formulations derived from these plants are not only used orally, but are applied on the skin and buccal mucosa as well. However, there is no specific information available about the intrinsic local pharmacokinetics of N-alkylamides after topical application, questioning the role of this mode of administration. Therefore, we investigated the transdermal and transmucosal behaviour of spilanthol, a prominent N-alkylamide, in a commercial Spilanthes extract, two mouth gels and different propylene glycol (PG)/H20 solutions