Phytochemical screening and assessment of analgesic, anti-inflammatory and hematological properties of the fruit of Berberis baluchistanica

Traditionally Berberis species have been used as anti-inflammatory, anti-rheumatic, analgesic and anti-anemic drugs. This study was aimed to determine chemical constituents and to assess analgesic, anti-inflammatory and hematological effects of the crude extract of the berries of Berberis baluchistanica to verify these folkloric claims. Phytochemical screening, carried out by using different chemical reagents and techniques like Thin Layer Chromatography [TLC] and Fourier Transform Infra-Red [FTIR] indicated presence of flavonoids, saponins, phytosterols and carbohydrates including reducing sugars. Analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities were assessed on mice by using acetic acid induced writhing method and formalin method. Potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects were observed during these experiments. The extract also showed anti anemic effect as it increased the levels of hemoglobin and red blood cells significantly. Increase in the platelet count was also noted. The extract of the berries was used at oral doses of 300 and 500 mg/kg during experiments. Anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities were determined by comparing with the standard i.e. aspirin 300 mg/kg. Both doses produced significant anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities at P-0.05. These activities were seemingly attributable to flavonoid and saponin contents of the drug. These results justify the folkloric claims that the drug could be used as good anti-inflammatory, antirehumatic, analgesic and anti-anemic drug. However, further chemical investigations on the drug are suggested for isolation and identification of compounds that could be safer and more effective than the currently available medicines in treating these disorders

Antimicrobial potential of Halophilic actinomycetes against multi drug resistant [MDR] ventilator associated pneumonia causing bacterial pathogens

A collection of forty halophilic actinomycetes isolated from water and mud samples of the saline lake at Kalar Kahar, salt range, Pakistan, was screened to investigate their antimicrobial potential against multi drug resistant [MDR] ventilator associated pneumonia causing bacterial pathogens. The isolates exhibited significant tolerance to alkaline conditions and grew well at pH 9-11. The taxonomic status of the isolated strains was determined by morphological, biochemical and physiological characterization and by 16s rRNA gene sequencing. The results revealed that majority of the isolates [90%] belong to the genus Streptomyces. Most of the isolates exhibited remarkable antimicrobial activity up to 20mm zone of inhibition against MDR ventilator associated pneumonia causing bacteria including Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus vulgaris, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Enterobacter and Acinetobacter spp. Additionally the isolates showed moderate to high cytotoxicity in the range of 40 to 80% larval mortality against Artemia salina in a micro well cytotoxicity assay. The chemical screening or the so called metabolic fingerprinting of the methanolic extracts of each isolate, by thin layer chromatography [TLC] using various staining reagents and by high performance liquid chromatography [HPLC-UV], indicated an impressive diversity of the compounds produced by these strains. The study reveals that these halophilic actinomycetes are a promising source of bioactive compounds. The preparative scale fermentation, isolation, purification and structure elucidation of the compounds produced by them may yield novel antimicrobial or chemotherapeutic agents

Alternative medicine; the tendency of using complimentary alternative medicine in patients of different hospitals of Lahore, Pakistan

From ancient times, humankind has used self-created traditional methods for handling the illnesses and continues to use them along with modern medicine. Even today, more than 70% of the world's population still depends on the complementary and alternative systems of medicine [CAM]. The objective of this study is to create awareness of health hazards with the use of CAM therapies and to find out its utility among Pakistani population. Comprehensive questionnaire was developed for the study on the use of CAM and was distributed to 470 patients/attendants in different hospitals of Lahore as well as major hospitals and clinical setups in the peripheral regions of Lahore, Pakistan. Over all, the response rate of the study was 81.7% while 78.1 % population found as CAM user. The most common type of alternative medicine used by patients is from Hakeem [Natural Therapist] which is about 17% and the most frequent disease for which patients often go for CAM therapy is liver diseases [19%]. Respondents found inclined towards CAM only due to its marketed false benefits and not because of their dissatisfaction with conventional therapy. A noteworthy population of Pakistan is using CAM therapies from different practitioners, irrespective of any education and awareness about their disease and long-term drawbacks because of improper treatment of the disease. Though adverse events due to the use of CAM therapy are not unusual still a delay in the proper treatment usually ends up in serious consequences and even loss of lives

Screening of endophytic Streptomycetes isolated from Parthenium hysterophorus L. against nosocomial pathogens

Parthenium hysterophorus L. is an obnoxious weed of the family asteraceae recognized for its detrimental effects and significant economic losses to agriculture. In this study 42 endophytic streptomycetes strains were isolated from its roots and leaves. The isolates were identified by morphological, microscopic, biochemical and physiological characterization as members of genus Streptomyces. In 16S rRNA gene sequencing the selected isolates exhibited maximum similarity with Streptomyces rochei [99%], Streptomyces litmocidini [99%], Streptomyces enissocaesili [99%], Streptomyces djakartensis [99%], Streptomyces olivaceus [99%], Streptomyces spp [99%], Streptomyces plicatus [99%], Streptomyces geysiriensis [99%] and Streptomyces vinaceusdrappus [99%]. In biological screening the crude extracts of 12 strains exhibited significant antimicrobial activity against multi drug resistant nosocomial pathogens including Pseudomonas, Enterobacter, Bacillus, Escherichia coli, Staphlococcus aureus and Candida albicans. In chemical screening by Thin Layer Chromatography [TLC] the extracts exhibited an impressive diversity of the bioactive secondary metabolites. Additionally High Performance Liquid Chromatography [HPLC-UV] chromatographs revealed many impressive peaks of unidentified bioactive metabolites. As such this is a first study reporting the isolation, identification and screening of endophytic Streptomyces from the invasive weed. The results provide an insight into an untapped endophytic environment yet to be explored which might be a promising source of lead antimicrobial agents