In-vitro antibacterial screening of methanol extracts of three combretum species against seven strains of methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

Background: Medicinal plants are valued as sources of natural compounds some of which are effective against several infectious diseases. Plants from the genus Combretum have been used traditionally in various African societies to treat variety of medical problems especially infectious diseases.Objective: In this study, we investigated the antibacterial activity of the methanol extracts from the leaves of three Combretum species namely Combretum hispidum, Combretum racemosum and Combretum platypterum against seven strains of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in vitro.Materials and methods: Methanol extract from Combretum hispidum, Combretum racemosum and Combretum platypterum were subjected to agar diffusion assay and broth micro-dilution test for the determination of antibacterial activity and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), all the extracts were tested against eight different strain of MRSA. Imipenem and ciprofloxacin were used as control.Results: Extract from Combretum racemosum leaves showed significant anti-MRSA activity with zone of inhibition as high as 37 mm and MIC values ranging from 0.16 - 1.25 mg/mL on all tested strains of MRSA. Extracts from the two other species did not exhibit any activity on all tested strain.Conclusion: Methanol extract from C. racemosum is highly effective against MRSA and it could be a potential source of newer antimicrobial agent against MRSA infections

In vitro Activity of Gemifloxacin against some Clinical Bacterial Isolates of Urinary Tract Infections

Background: Gemifloxacin is a third generation fluoroquinolone with broad spectrum antimicrobial andenhanced activity against both aerobic and anaerobic Gram positive bacteria. It is recommended for thetreatment of respiratory tract infections.Objectives: This study evaluated and compared the antibacterial activity of gemifloxacin with ciprofloxacin;ofloxacin and norfloxacin using minimum inhibition concentration assays against Staphylococcus aureus;Escherichia coli; Alcaligenes faecalis; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Serratia marcescens; Enterobacteraerogenes; Proteus vulgaris and Klebseilla pneumoniae obtained from urine samples of patients.Methods: The minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) evaluations were employed for the comparativestudies and zones of inhibition assay were further used to determine the antibacterial activity ofgemifloxacin. For the MIC evaluations; final nutrient agar concentrations of 5; 7.5; 10; 15; 20; 25 and30?g/ml of gemifloxacin; ciprofloxacin; ofloxacin; and norfloxacin were used. For the zones of inhibitionassay; 0.2ml of the MICs (7.5; 10; 15; 25 and 30 ?g/ml) of gemifloxacin against particular bacterium wasused. Results: The MICs of gemifloxacin were 7.5?g/ml for Proteus vulgaris; 10?g/ml for Staphylococcus aureusand Enterobacter aerogenes; 15?g/ml for E. coli; 20?g/ml for Pseudomonas aeruginosa; 25?g/ml forKlebsiella pneumonia and 30?g/ml for Alcaligenes faecalis and Serratia marcescens. The clinical isolateswere most sensitive to ofloxacin with MICs of 7.5?g/ml for Proteus vulgaris and 10?g/ml for the otherisolates. The isolates were least susceptible to norfloxacin with MICs of 10?g/ml for Proteus vulgaris and30?g/ml for the other isolates.The results show that the clinical isolates were most sensitive to ofloxacin followed by gemifloxacin;ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin respectively.Conclusion: Although gemifloxacin is not currently strongly recommended for urinary tract infections; thisstudy has shown that it possesses antibacterial activity against the clinical isolates obtained from urinesamples of patients with urinary tract infections and could have a place in the treatment of urinary tractinfections caused by the organisms

Comparative Quality Assessment and In Vitro Dissolution Profile of some Paracetamol Tablet Generics Marketed in Nigeria

Background: Studies have shown an increase in the usage of generic drug products from multiple sources. These generic drugs are expected to satisfy similar established standards as the original or innovator brands. Aim: To assess the standards and interchangeability of six common brands of paracetamol (acetaminophen) tablet generics marketed in Nigeria. Methods: The biopharmaceutical parameters; weight uniformity and assay of active ingredients were carried out according to established methods. The dissolution rates and disintegration times were determined in simulated gastric fluid (SGF) and simulated intestinal fluid (SIF) without enzymes. A variation of the concept of dissolution efficiency (DE); known as predicted availability equivalent (PAE); was used to predict the likely in vivo bioavailability. Results: All the brands complied with specifications for the weight uniformity; friability; disintegration time and assay of active ingredient tests. In the dissolution efficiency determination; all the brands released more in SGF than SIF. Conclusion: The study showed that all the six brands of paracetamol tablet tested are interchangeable with one another and thus could be prescribed one in place of the other. This would lead to the reduction in the cost of treatment; increased drug availability and an enhanced patients compliance in the use of acetaminophen tablets

In Vitro Antimicrobial Activity of Stevia Rebaudiana Bertoni Leaves

PURPOSE : The aim of the present study was to investigate antimicrobial activity of the various extracts of Stevia rebaudiana leaves. METHOD: Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni leaves were extracted in water; methanol; ethyl acetate and hexane and their antimicrobial activities were examined against few selected microorganisms including B. subtilis; S. aureus; M. luteus; S. marcenscens; P. aeruginosa; B. megaterium; E. coli; P. vulgaris; Yeast; A. niger and R. oligoporus using cup plate method. RESULTS: Water extract of Stevia leaf showed activity against B. subtilis and S. aureus only. Methanol extract gave the highest zone of inhibition against P. aeruginosa whereas minimum zone of inhibition was found against S. aureus and yeast. B. megaterium and yeast were found to be highly susceptible towards ethyl acetate and hexane extracts; respectively whereas A. niger and B. subtilis were found to be least susceptible against ethyl acetate and hexane extracts; respectively. Hexane extract showed the highest activity against yeast among the tested microorganisms. CONCLUSION: The study confirms the possible antimicrobial potentiality of the leaf extract of Stevia rebaudiana

Acalypha Wilkesiana : Preliminary In Vitro Microbiological and Clinical Trial on Dermatitis

Acalypha wilkesiana is a common hedging plant in West Africa. Water extract of the red/brown varieties; the Red Acalypha has been used for decades by the local inhabitants for treating skin problems. The water extract of A. wilkesiana was subjected to a clinico-laboratory study to assess its efficacy i.e. ability to clear standard organisms in agar plates and to stop symptoms and clear skin lesions of eczema cases in a 3-week study period. The extract showed significant antibacterial and antifungal properties in vitro and was found to be reasonably useful in the treatment of eczema. No allergy or irritation was documented in the cases used for the study. In a depressed economy as found in most developing countries of Africa; medicinal plants like Acalypha wilkesiana could be used as a cheap and readily available sources of skin medication. More work is required to determine the active ingredients in the crude extract