ABSTRACT
Due to emerging drug resistance in pathogenic organisms, most of the second generation antibiotics are not effective in controlling the disease. As a consequence, the dosage and duration of drug intake has increased leading to drug induced toxicity and various side effects. A large number of natural products are being reported to ameliorate the toxicity and oxidative stress caused by antibiotics. Here, we explored the antioxidative potential of honey bee product propolis alone as well as in combination with antibiotics in Staphylococcus aureus infected BALB/c mice. For experimental design, mice were divided in to seven groups and decapitated after experimental period. Kidney was excised, homogenized and then used for different biochemical and histopathological estimations. Results observed after treatment with propolis and antibiotics were compared with those of S. aureus infected group. Results showed increase in lipid peroxidation, decrease in reduced glutathione levels and antioxidant enzymes such as; catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione-S-transferase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase. On the contrary, treatment with propolis, led to reduction in levels of LPO and increase in activities of antioxidant enzymes. Also, histopathology of kidney and all kidney function enzymes were restored to near normal.
ABSTRACT
Apicultural products comprise honey, bee pollen, propolis, bee wax and royal jelly which are known for their medicinal and health promoting properties. Among these, bee collected pollen allure much attention for its high nutritional properties. Here, we have investigated the protective role of bee pollen against Salmonella typhimurium induced biochemical alteration in BALB/c mice. Experimental animals (BALB/c mice) were divided equally into 10 different groups including normal and treated. Oxidative stress was induced by injecting Salmonella typhimurium (0.2 mL of 2×104 CFU/mL) intraperitoneally in mice. Bacteria induced sufficient alterations in serum enzymes within 5 days. Aqueous extracts of bee pollen of different crops (250 mg/kg) were administrated orally to control and experimental mice for 21 days. Then, hepatic and renal enzymes were measured with the help of standardized kits. Results of this study have revealed that bacterial infection increases the levels of the hepatic and renal enzymes levels (P <0.001) but after treatment with bee pollen extracts, altered levels of enzymes were normalized up to the normal levels. This normalization was highest with bee pollen of Helianthus annus. Administration of bee pollen alone did not produce any negative effects in mice.
ABSTRACT
Development of antibiotic resistance that leads to resurgence of bacterial infections poses a threat to disease-free existence for humankind and is a challenge for the welfare of the society at large. Despite research efforts directed towards treatment of pathogens, antibiotics within new improved classes have not emerged for years, a fact largely attributable to the pharmacological necessities compelling drug development. Recent reversion to the use of natural products alone or in combination with standard drugs has opened up new vistas for alternative therapeutics. The success of this strategy is evident in the sudden interest in plant extracts as additives/synergists for treatment of maladies caused by drug-resistant bacterial strains. Animal venoms have long fascinated scientists as sources of pharmacologically active components that can be exploited for the treatment of specific ailments and should be promoted further to clinical trials. In the present review, we outline the scope and possible methods for the applications of animal venoms in combination with commercial antibiotics to offer a better treatment approach against antibiotic-resistant infections.(AU)
Subject(s)
Peptides , Poisons/chemistry , Bacterial Infections , Pharmaceutical Preparations , Anti-Bacterial Agents , Biological Products , Drug Resistance, MicrobialABSTRACT
Different extracts of Mentha spicata L. leaves were investigated for their in vitro antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. In vitro antioxidant activity was evaluated for chloroform, ethanol and aqueous extracts for scavenging of DPPH, Superoxide and FRAP radicals. Antimicrobial activity of the extracts was evaluated against five selected bacterial strains by using cylinder plate assay. Concentration dependent antioxidant activity was observed for all the tested extracts. All the tested extracts of Mentha spicata showed considerable zone of inhibition against the tested bacterial strains. All the extracts showed significant zone of inhibition at a dose of 500μg/ml. Of the three extracts tested the highest zone of inhibition was shown by ethanolic extract against B.subtilis at the dose of 500μg/ml. All extracts exhibited antioxidant and antimicrobial activity in a dose dependent manner.
ABSTRACT
Tumefactive demyelinating (TDL) lesions are focal zones of demyelination in the central nervous system and they often mimic the neuroimaging features of an intraxial neoplasm. In this report we describe the clinical, neuroimaging and neuropathological features of six cases of TDL. Only in two patients the neuroimaging features in MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans were suggestive of TDL while in the other four cases a diagnosis of glioma was suggested. In order to establish a confirmatory diagnosis neuronavigation/stereotactic biopsy was undertaken and the diagnosis of TDL was established in all six cases at histopathology. Two out of six patients did not respond to the conventional corticosteroid therapy and they were treated with plasma exchange. It is being concluded that neuronavigation biopsy, though provide only a small amount of tissue, and is extremely useful in making the diagnosis of TDL.