Molluscicidal activity of the methanol extract of callistemon viminalis [sol. ex gaertner] g.don ex london fruits, bark and leaves against biomphalaria alexandrina snails

Methanol extracts of Callistemon viminalis [Sol. Ex Gaertner] G.Don Ex Loudon fruits, bark and leaves were tested for molluscicidal activity. Snails were collected and kept in dechlorinated water under standard condition. Ten adults Biomphalaria alexandrina, of the same size, were introduced in plastic acquaria for each experiment. The fruits, barks and leaves were extracted with methanol and the methanol extracts were kept for testing as molluscicides. Different extracts proved to have molluscicidal activity against the vector of schistosomiasis, B. alexandrina snails. LC50 values for C. viminalis fruits, bark and leaves were 6.2, 32 and 40 ppm respectively. The C. viminalis fruits extract showed the highest effect against the tested snails. Histopathological studies proved that the site of action of all tested extracts was localized in the digestive system and hermaphrodite gland

Iridoids with antimicrobial activity from plumeria alba L.

Three major iridoids; viz. plumieride, protoplumericin A and plumieride acid were isolated from the bark and leaves of Plumeria alba L. Protoplumericin A and plumieride acid are reported for the first time from the titled plant. These compounds were identified through different chemical and spectroscopic methods. They displayed distinct activity against some pathogenic bacteria and fungi

Synthesis, spectral studies and C-S bond fission of some alkyl- [[substituted benzylidene] disulfonic] diacetates

Some methyl and ethyl [[substituted benzylidene] disultonyl] diacetates have been synthesized and their structures were identified. A correlation was found between 6-values of benzylidene protons and o-Hammett values. The internal chemical shift of the methylene proton was found to be structural and applied field dependent. The carbon-sulfur bond fission by the action of sodium hydroxide solution in 50 percent aqueous dioxane medium, in addition to the alkaline ester hydrolysis was studied. 2-or 4-Nitro compounds gave dicarboxyazoxybenzenes. This led to the suggestion that the reaction might proceed through two intermediates namely [[a-hydroxynitrosobenzylidene] disultonyl 1] diacetic acid and nitrosobenzoic acid. However, the C-S bond fission of other compounds gave aldehydes, supporting that, no a-proton abstraction took place for these compounds

Outbreak of S. aureus and P. aeruginosa infections in a burn center

This study was conducted in the Burn Center of Kasr EI-Aini Hospital in the period from January 1995-February 1996 to study the most common organisms causing sepsis in burn wounds. In December 1995 and January 1996 we noticed an increase in the incidence of isolation of P. aeruginosa [75%] and S. aureus [65%] from wound biopsies. To study their epidemiological relatedness swabs were taken from hands, nose, throat, skin and perineum of burn patients of different age and sex groups admitted during this period. Swabs were also taken from hands and nose of doctors, nurses, working personnel as well as from the environment and all instruments and antiseptic solutions used during dressing of the wound. To establish the spread of the outbreak, the suspected strains were subjected to plasmid profile analysis which revealed the role of the health care personnel, patients and betadine solution in disseminating the outbreak strains

Dissociation constants of some ethyl [[substituted benzylidene] dithio] diacetates in water organic solvent mixtures

The pKa values of some ethyl[[substituted benzylidene]dithio] diacetates in water-organic solvent mixtures are determined potentiometrically. The results obtained are discussed in terms of medium and structure effects. It has been found that the hydrogen bonding interactions, as well as solvent basicity, play important roles on the pKa values. Also, the calculated standard Gibbs transfer energies provided an evidence that solute-solvent interactions are of considerably greater importance of the solvent effect on the dissociation weak carbon acids. The structure effect is discussed in terms of Hammett correlations and the resulted alpha-values indicate that, for the present system, the negative charge on the benzylidene carbon is extensively delocalized into the two adjacent sulfur atoms

Evaluation of the Egyptian crop of silybum marianum l gaertn

The Egyptian crop of Silybum marianum L. Gaertn. as well as its variety S. marianum var. albiflora Eig. was assessed with the aim of evaluating its content of the antihepatotoxic flavolignans collectively known as silymarin substance. Qualitatively, using TLC and HPLC, the flavolignans content was proved to be identical in composition with that of the imported silymarin substance, Legalon, which is marked by a local drug company. The highest content of the Egyptian Silybum marianum total flavolignans is present in the fruits of the ripe unopened capitulae [4.204% w/w]. Such high yield of the active constituents in the fruits of this very common wild plant and in conjunction with the reported high content of the fruit edible oil [more than 30% w/w] proved the value of the Egyptian crop as a potential source

Solvent and substituent effect on the absorption spectra of some ethyl [[substituted benzylidene] dithio] diacetates

The UV and visible electronic spectral behavior of some ethyl [[substituted benzylidene] dithio] diacetates is measured using solvents of different polarities. The spectral bands due to pi-pi* transition and the intermolecular charge transfer are assigned. The contribution of the dielectric constant and the refractive index affecting the electronic spectral bands was studied using a multiple regression technique, where peak locations were visually determined and the coefficients K1, K2 describing the quantitative contribution of dielectric constant and the refractive index of the given solvent and the wave number of maximum absorption in the vapor phase gamma vap were calculated. The hydrogen bonding association constants Kass between the investigated compounds and acetic acid indioxane were calculated. A relationship between Kass and Hammett sigma-values was found

Coumarins form the in-vitro culture of convolvulus arvensis L

Further investigation of the previously reported in vitro culture of Convolvulus arvensis L. revealed the presence of umbelliferone and scopolet in their identity was confirmed by co-chromatography with authentic samples and their UV data. The composition of the growth regulators, inclusion of yeast extract, sucrose content of the medium and induction of the culture greening by its illumination were found to have a prominent effect on the accumulation level of the coumarins. The greened callus was found to be unable to synthesize neither flavonoids nor alkaloids

8-Hydroxyglucosylharmine from the Egyptian peganum harmala L seeds

8-hydroxyglucosylharmine was isolated from the methanolic extract of the Egyptian Peganum harmala L. seeds. This glucosidic beta-carboline alkaloid is of common occurrence in seedling and callus derived from roots and hypocotyls, but it is a rare and minor alkaloid of the seeds. The present isolation of 8-hydroxyglucosylharmine represents the first isolation of this alkaloid from the Egyptian P. harmala L. seeds. Moreover, harmine, harmaline, harmol, and harmalol were also isolated. The structure of the isolated alkaloids were established from their physicochemical characters and spectral data

Vaginal bromocryptine: an alternative route of therapy for management of patients intolerant to oral bromocryptine therapy

Treatment of hyperprolactinemia with oral bromocryptine has been associated with a high incidence of side effects. The vaginal route of administration may be an effective and safe alternative to oral bromocryptine. 24 hyperprolactinemic and 12 puerperal women were treated by either orally administered bromocryptine [5-7.5 mg] or by daily vaginal administration of 2.5-5 mg tablet of bromocryptine. Serum prolactin showed more or less similar rate of decline by both routes of therapy. Gastrointestinal side effects were absent in vaginal bromocryptine group as compared to troubling symptoms of nausea [55.5%] vomiting [33.3%] in the oral bromocryptine group requiring discontinuation of therapy in 16.6% of cases. Only 1 patient developed vaginal burning and discharge but no macroscopic lesions were evident in either cervix or vagina. This suggests that vaginal bromocryptine could be safe and effective alternative to oral bromocryptine in patients intolerant to the oral form of therapy

Macro and micromorphology of cirsium syriacum gaertn part 1: macro and micromorphology of the leaves and stems

The macro- and micromorphology of the leaves and stems of Cirsium syriacum Gaertn. growing in Egypt are dealt with and illustrated for the purpose of their identification in the entire and powdered forms. Cirsium syriacum Gaertn. [Notobasis syriaca L. Cass. Family Compositae] is a wildly grown plant, distributed in the Nile region including Delta, the Valley and Fayoum. The plant is known by the Arabic names: Shoak, Shoak El-Hanash, Bawal and Lakhlakh. Plants belonging to the genus Cirsium Mill were reported to have a broad use in folk medicine. A brandy tincture of C. vulgare Airy-Shaw is used in Europe to improve appetite, diarrhea and applied as a lotion for erysipelas. The plant extract also gave a positive antibiotic test. In USA the leaves and roots of C. arvensis Scop. are used as antiphlogestic, tonic and diuretic. The roots of C. japonicum were found to contain nematocidal substances. Cirsium syriacum Gaertn. growing in Egypt was investigated from the chemical point of view and it was found to contain paraffinic alcohols, B-sitosterols, fatty acids, apigenin, kaempferol, luteolin, apigenin-7-0-glucoside and apigenin-7-0-diglucoside. From the literature it was evident that incomplete description of Cirsium syriacum is mentioned and this encouraged the author to study the macro- and micromorphological characters of the Egyptian plant, so as to be able to identify it in both entire and powdered forms. The present study deals with the macro- and micromorphology of the leaves and stems of C. syriacum Gaertn. growing in Egypt

Penicillin tolerance among oral streptococci

penicillin tolerance was elicited in 12 of 30 stratns of vitidans streptococci isolated from the mouths of 32 healthy subject Streptococcus sanguis were the organisms most frequently tolerant but the property was also common among isolates of S. mutans, and S. mitior, S. Salivarius was rarely tolerant. When incubated with penicillin at 5 chi MIC, both tolerant and sensitive strains of oral streptococci declined in number less rapidly than S. pyogenes

Diagnosis and screening of children with caries using microbial tests

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficiency of Alban test as adiagnostic test for caries predictions and to relate its acid production tothe number of Lactobacillus and Streptococcus mutans in saliva of children. The study sample consisted of sixty caries active and thirty caries freepreschool children as a control. Clinical examination was done. Salivasamples were collected and 3 tests were adopted for each child. Highcorrelation was detected between dmf index and acid produced from Alban test[r=0.9]. Similar correlations were found between dmf index and Lactobacillusand Streptococcus mutans count [r=0.86 and 0.72 respectively]. AccordingAlban test can be used as a caries predictors in children. It can be done indental clinic due to its simplicity as a routine diagnostic test foridentification of children at caries risk

Indication of in-vitro culture of Convolvulus arvensis [L]

The induced callus of convolvulus arvensis [L.] was found to have low growth rate. The exogenous growth regulators had a pronounced effect on the callus growth. The cellular composition of the induced callus was found to be normal parenchyma and few vessel segments. Coumarins [umbelliferone and scopolotin] and sterols [mainly B-sitosterol] were found to be the main accumulated secondary metabolites

Reactions with visnagin and Khellin; synthesis and biological activity of some 5-substituted-furobenzopyran and 2-styryl furochromone derivatives

Visnagin [Ia] and khellin [Ib] reacted with malononitrile, alpha- cyanothioacetamide, cyanoacetic acid hydrazide, aminopyrazolone, 3- phenylhydantoin, phenylhydantoin, 1-phenyl-3-methylhydantoin, 2- thiohydantoin, 3-phenyl-2-thiohydantoin and 2-ethoxycarbonylmethyl-2- thiazolin-4-one to afford the corresponding furobenzopyrans. 2-styryl furochromones were also synthesised. The compounds so obtained were elucidated by elemental analyses and spectral data. They are subjected to biological screening against some bacteria strains. Some of them showed marked antimicrobial activity