Accessment of the Phytochemicals, Proximate & Elemental Composition of Chrysophyllum Africanum (Udara)

The freshly ripen samples of Chrysophyllum africanum commonly known as udara†among the Igbos and belong to the family sapotacea were obtained from tree plants at Umukwa village in Awka, Anambra state. The phytochemical Analysis of the methanol, water, ethylacetate extracts,  proximate analysis and the evaluation of the elemental constituent of the fleshy edible part of the Chrysophyllum afracanum were carried out. The methanol, water and ethylacetate  extracts  gave a positive test for the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponin while phenols and glycosides were absent. Tannin was present in the methanol and ethylacetate extracts but absent in water extract. The proximate analysis showed the following results; protein contents (6.42%), moisture contents (70.8%), crude fibre contents (2.6%), ash contents (2.4%), carbohydrates (14.28%), Vitamin C (4.549mg/100g), Vitamin A (0.01mg/100g). The elemental analysis gave values for the metals; Ca (16.0mg/kg) > Cr (2.0mg/kg) > Zn (3.2mg/kg) > Fe (0.46mg/kg).  The levels of Pb occurred at none detectable limit of the instrumentation

Phytochemistry and Antimicrobial Activity of the Leaf of cassia alata LINN.

The leaves of cassia alata Linn were successively extracted with n-hexane and ethylacetate using the soxhlet method. Preliminary phytochemical screening of the extracts revealed the presence of free anthraquinones, flavonoids, steroids and saponins. The n-hexane crude extract exhibited some anti – bacterial activity against Yersinnia enterocolitica, streptococcus pneumonia and salmonella typhi. Anti–fungal activities against Microsporum audouini and Trichophyton meritagrophyta were also exhibited. A synergic test of n–hexane and ethylacetate extracts showed an improved sensitivity against shigella sormei and strep. pneumonia. A confirmatory phytochemical analysis performed on the most mobile tlc isolate (Rf 0.94) from the n-hexane extract revealed the presence of steroidal saponin. This was found to be active against strep. pneumonia. Key words: Cassia alata, Phytochemistry,Steroids and Antimicrobial activit

Anti-Salmonella activity of metabolites from African soldier termites, Macrotermes bellicosus

Background: The global emergence and rapid dissemination of multidrug resistant Salmonella strains necessitate research to find new antimicrobials that will effectively be used against these pathogens. In the present study, anti-Salmonella activity of metabolites from African Soldier Termites, Macrotermes bellicosus was demonstrated and subsequently compared with a potent antibiotic, ciprofloxacin.Materials and Methods: N-hexane, ethylacetate, methanol and aqueous extracts of metabolites from the M. bellicosus were assayed for anti-Salmonella activity using the agar dilution method in the determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). The inhibitory activities of the extracts were compared to ciprofloxacin (256μg/ml). Also, the bioactive components of the extracts were determined using standard techniques.Results: At 4000 μg/ml, N-hexane extract inhibited the growth of Salmonella Typhi, S. Paratyphi A, B and C while ethylacetate extract was able to inhibit S. Paratyphi A and C. Methanolic and aqueous extracts at the same concentration were unable to inhibit these strains of Salmonella. Furthermore, our findings revealed that the MIC of ethylacetate extract was 2000μg/ml for S. Paratyphi A and B, 250μg/ml for S. Typhi, and 125μg/ml for S. Paratyphi C. Also, the MIC of hexane extract was 4000μg/ml for S. Paratyphi B, 2000 μg/ml for S. Paratyphi C, 500μg/ml for S. Typhi and 250μg/ml for S. Paratyphi A respectively. The screening of bioactive components revealed the presence of cardiac glycosides and alkaloids.Conclusion: Our results provide evidence of anti-Salmonella action of metabolites from African Soldier Termites, M. bellicosus. N-hexane and ethylacetate extracts of M. bellicosus may be explored as novel antimicrobials for the treatment of typhoid and paratyphoid fevers thereby reducing the pressure exerted on available antibiotics.Keywords: Salmonella, antimicrobials, insects, extract

Investigation of Bulb Extracts of Crinum jagus for Antibacterial and Antifungal Activities

This study investigates the bulb extracts of Crinum jagus for antimicrobial activities. The bulb samples were dried, ground and subjected to successive extraction using hexane, ethylacetate and methanol. The extracts were screened for activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, Klebisidlae pneumonae, Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger, Penicillium notatum and Rhizopus stolonifer at concentrations between 6.25 and 200 mg/ml. Antimicrobial assays werecarried out using agar diffusion method. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of the extracts was determined. The percentage yields obtained for the hexane, ethylacetate and methanol extracts of the bulbs are 0.28 %, 0.44% and 24.68 % respectively. Results showed that the methanolic extract had better antibacterial and antifungal activities than the other extracts. The methanol extract showed the highest antibacterial activity against S. aureus with a zone of inhibition of 28 mm at 200 mg/ml. Also, the methanol extract showed the highest antifungal activities against C. albicans, A. niger and P. notatum with a zone of inhibition of 20 mm at 200 mg/ml. The hexane and ethylacetate extracts had no activity against the microorganisms at 6.25 mg/ml.The methanol extract had the lowest Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of 2.50 mg/ml against S. aureus, E. coli, B. subtilis, P. aeruginosa and S. typhi. The methanol extract could be a source of potent antimicrobial compounds. Keywords: Antibacterial, Antifungal, Crinum jagus, Agar diffusion, MI

Antibacterial and Antioxidant Activities of Various Fraction of Leea rubra (Leeaceae)

The present study was designed to evaluate the antibacterial and antioxidant activities of hexane, ethylacetate and ethanol extracts of Leea rubra (Leeaceae) roots and stems, which has been used as a Lanna Traditional Medicines for Màhòog. Each extract was tested for antibacterial activity by agar diffusion method and microbroth dilution method and antioxidant activity by 2,2´-azino-bis(3-ethyl- benzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) free radical scavenging assay, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. The ethylacetate extract of L. rubra root showed the highest antibacterial activity against gram-positive (IZD=15.5.0±0.5 to 17.5±0.5 mm, MIC=0.098-1.562 mg/ml).  While the ethanolic extract of root showed the strongest antioxidant activity in ABTS, DPPH and FRAP method (TEAC=0.888±0.001, 0.849±0.020 and 0.733±0.037, respectively). The data obtained from this study confirms the traditional use of L. rubra for treatment Màhòog. Keywords: Leea rubra, antioxidant activity, antibacterial activit

Antioxidant profile of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is one of the most important species of the Leguminosae (Fabaceae) family. Besides being important food for animals, this species is rich source of phytochemicals that play an important role in human health. The alfalfa contains many phenolic compounds such as coumesterol, apigenin, luteolin, quercetin, and isoflavonoids that have a positive effect on the menopausal disorders such as osteoporosis or breast cancer. All these compounds are known as natural antioxidants because of their ability to neutralize free radical species giving them a hydrogen atom. In this study we have determined the antioxidant potential of ethylacetate extracts (different solutions) on several radical and non-radical species such as: DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), O2−• (superoxide anion radical) , NO • and H2O2. All measurement are based on spectrophotometric methods, where RSC (radical species capacity) was determined in percentage: RSC (%) = 100 × (Ablank-Asample ⁄ Ablank). From the RSC values, there were obtained IC50 values, which represented the concentrations of the ethylacetate extracts that caused 50% neutralization and it was determined by linear regression analysis

Feasibility of following up gamma-hydroxybutyric acid concentrations in sodium oxybate (Xyrem®)-treated narcoleptic patients using dried blood spot sampling at home : an exploratory study

Background: Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB), well known as a party drug, especially in Europe, is also legally used (sodium oxybate, Xyrem (R)) to treat a rare sleep disorder, narcolepsy with cataplexy. This exploratory study was set up to measure GHB concentrations in dried blood spots (DBS) collected by narcoleptic patients treated with sodium oxybate. Intra- and inter-individual variation in clinical effects following sodium oxybate administration has been reported. The use of DBS as a sampling technique, which is stated to be easy and convenient, may provide a better insight into GHB concentrations following sodium oxybate intake in a real-life setting. Objective The aim was twofold: evaluation of the applicability of a recently developed DBS-based gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC MS) method, and of the feasibility of the sampling technique in an ambulant setting. Methods: Seven narcoleptic patients being treated with sodium oxybate at the Department for Respiratory Diseases of Ghent University Hospital were asked to collect DBS approximately 20 min after the first sodium oxybate (Xyrem (R); UCB Pharma Ltd, Brussels, Belgium) intake on a maximum of 7 consecutive days. Using an automatic lancet, patients pricked their fingertip and, after wiping off the first drop of blood, subsequent drops were collected on a DBS card. The DBS cards were sent to the laboratory by regular mail and, before analysis, were visually inspected to record DBS quality (large enough, symmetrically spread on the filter paper with even colouration on both sides of the filter paper). Results: Of the seven patients, three patients succeeded to collect five series of DBS, one patient decided to cease participation because of nausea, one was lost during follow-up and two patients started falling asleep almost immediately after the intake of sodium oxybate. Analysing the DBS in duplicate resulted in acceptable within-DBS card precision. DBS with acceptable quality were obtained by patients without supervision. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate the acceptable precision of the complete procedure, from sampling at home to quantitative analysis in the laboratory. Given the intra-and inter-individual variability in clinical effects seen with sodium oxybate, the easy adaptation of DBS sampling opens the possibility of following up GHB concentrations in patients in real-life settings in future studies

ANTICANCER ACTIVITY OF Î’-SITOSTEROL FROM PLECTRANTHUS AMBOINICUS (LOUR. SPRENG.) LEAVES: IN VITRO AND IN SILICO STUDIES

Objective: β-sitosterol is the steroid compound which is an important nutrient in the diet meal, hydrophobic and soluble in organic solvents and considered as a good biomarker due to its biological activity.Methods: In vitro study was using 2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide method towards T47D, MCF-7, HeLa, and WiDr cell lines. In silico docking using PLANTS program and visualized by Yasara program. The model of three dimension enzyme structures used in this research were epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K), estrogen receptor-alpha (ER-α), ER-beta (ER-β), and human EGFR 2 (HER-2). Two and three dimensions of β-sitosetrol, ZSTK474, and tamoxifen as the standard were generated using Marvin Sketch program.Results: β-sitosterol was found to have inhibitory concentration 50% of 0.55; 0.87; 0.76, and 0.99 mM. β-sitosterol and ZSTK474 were inhibited EGFR and PI3K with docking score −92.8195; −91.7920 and −91.7470; −94.7491 β-sitosterol and tamoxifen were inhibited ER-α, ER-β and HER-2 with docking score −78.5570; −89.535, −68.7717; −52.008 and −90.4908; −50.5576, respectively.Conclusion: Based on the results above that shows β-sitosterol provide effective as anticancer.Â

Antimicrobial activity of secondary metabolites from endophytic fungi isolated from Nerium oleander L.

Endophytic fungi found inside the plant tissue are endosymbionts, protecting their host from pests, pathogens, etc. Twenty eight endophytic fungi were isolated from different parts of Nerium oleander L., out of which, 54 of isolates were from flower, 39 from stem and 7 from leaf parts. Thirty six percent of the isolates showed antimicrobial activity against tested pathogens. The potential isolates such as Fusarium semitectum (Nof-3), Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (Nof-7), Alternaria alternata (Nof-8) and Mycelia Sterilia sp.1 (Nos-6) were subjected to the production and extraction of secondary metabolites. All the four fungal extracts inhibited Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus at 20 μg/mL (MIC). Extracts of C. gloeosporioides and Mycelia Sterilia sp.1 showed activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa at MIC of 20 μg/mL. The growth of Escherichia coli was suppressed by all the tested extracts at MIC of 20 μg/mL except F. semitectum. A. alternata & Mycelia Sterilia sp.1 extracts were active against Salmonella typhimurium at 20 μg/mL. The growth of Candida albicans was inhibited by Mycelia Sterilia sp.1 at 20 μg/mL. The zones of inhibition were statistically significant with respective positive controls