Potential antibacterial activity of coumarin and coumarin-3-acetic acid derivatives

Abstract: Coumarin and coumarin-3-acetic acid derivatives were synthesized by reacting phenols with malic acid, ethyl acetoacetate and ethyl acetylsuccinate in appropriate reaction conditions. All synthesized compounds were subjected to test for their antimicrobial activities against variety of gram positive [Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus] and gram negative bacterial stains [Shigella sonnei, Escherichia coli] by agar dilution method. Several of them exhibited appreciable good antibacterial activity against the different strains of gram positive and gram negative bacteria. These findings suggest a great potential of these compounds for screening and use as antibacterial agents for further studies with a battery of bacteria

Surveillance of antibiotic susceptibility patterns among Shigella species in stools of diarrheal children

The objective of the present study was to find out the frequency of Shigella spp. in diarrheal patients in Pakistan and the susceptibility of isolated Shigella to different antibiotics: ampicillin, nalidixic acid, meropenem, tetracycline, amikacin, azactam, ciprofloxacin and chloremphenicol. Experimental study. This study was conducted at Pediatric Department, Mayo Hospital, Lahore and study was approved by Pakistan Pediatric Association. Stool samples were collected from 50 diarrheal children less than five years of age who were admitted in the Paediatric department Mayo Hospital Lahore, Pakistan. The samples were cultivated on standard media for Shigella, and Enterobacteriaceae. Susceptivility of Shigella isolates was tested by disk method. The frequency of isolation was 80% for Shigella species and 20% in others. Shigella, dysenteriae [65%] was the most frequently isolated species, followed by S. flexneri [23%], S. boydii, [10%] and S. sonnei [5%]. All Shigella isolates were 100% sensitive to amikacin, azactam and ciprofloxacin, while multiple drug resistance patterns were observed by all four isolates to other antibiotics. Shigella resistance is increasing against most commonly used antibiotics. Now it is the time not only to explore new drugs but also to invoke awareness about the hazards of unhygienic conditions and self medication

Effect of ascorbic acid on glycation level in diabetic condition

Diabetes is a serious metabolic disorder that results in significant morbidity and mortality. Diabetes is characterized by hyperglycaemia resulting in various short-term metabolic changes in lipid and protein metabolism and long-term irreversible vascular changes. In this study, effect of ascorbic acid on glycation was investigated. Experimental Study. Allied Hospital and National Hospital, Faisalabad. were performed by using normal and diabetic plasma. Samples were incubated for 5 weeks at 37 °C temperature and varying concentrations of glucose and vitamin C. Two glycation assays [Thioarbituric acid and Periodate] were used to measure and compare the glycation level. The results indicated that increase in glycation was observed from 1[st] to 3[rd] week of incubation and it was decreased after 5[th] week due to the formation of advanced glycation end products. With three concentrations of ascorbic acid variable responses were observed however, it was observed all three concentrations were responsible to increase glycation. Ascorbic acid will facilitate glycation in hyperglycaemia condition and Periodate borohydride proved itself more reliable and sensitive glycation assays than TEA test

Iron deficiency anemia significance of serum ferritin in diagnosis in pregnant females of Pakistan

Anemia is very common especially in developing countries and in Pakistan 70-80% of pregnant population is suffering from iron deficiency anemia. Ferritin is intracellular globular iron storage protein. The low level of ferritin indicates lack of iron that may lead to anemia and its high values may indicate iron overload. To determine the incidence of anemia on the basis of ferritin in three socioeconomic groups i.e. poor, middle and upper class and in three trimesters of pregnancy. Total 45 pregnant females were selected and divided in three categories of poor, middle, and upper class based on their socioeconomic status. Serum ferritin levels were measured by ELISA method. Total mean serum ferritin [ng/ml] level were found to be 18.5 +/- 3.5, 14.6 +/- 3.0, 14.7 +/- 3.6 in first, second and third trimesters respectively. Serum ferritin was very low in all three socioeconomic groups and it was lowest in poor class as compare to middle and upper class. It was concluded that serum ferritin is a good and reliable marker for detection of iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy as compared to hemoglobin

Glycation pattern of captopril in diabetics

Captopril is a chemical which acts as vasodilator and angiotensin- I converting enzyme inhibitor. The present attempt is to study the glycation inhibition pattern of captopril in diabetics and normals. Experimental Study. This study was conducted at the Research Lab., Department of Biochemistry, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad from May 2006 to February 2007. The study was designed on blood plasma from apparently healthy non-diabetic and diabetic persons. Plasma samples with different concentrations of glucose and that of captopril were prepared, followed by incubation for 5 weeks at 37 °C temperature. Glucose was estimated by glucose oxidase method before and after dialysis. Glycation level was measured by TBA and Periodate assays. Increased glycation was observed from 1[st] to 3[rd] week of incubation while it decreased after 5[th] week due to the formation of advanced glycatiori end products. 10 mM concentration of captopril showed fairly good response to decrease glycation as compared to its other two concentrations. Highest concentration of captopril produced overall good enough of inhibition. Periodate borohydride appeared to be more reliable and sensitive glycation assay as compared to TBA

Correlation of gestational lipid profile with neonatal birth weight

Lipids are heterogeneous group of water insoluble [hydrophobic] organic molecules that can be extracted from tissues by non polar solvent. Because of their property of insolubility in water they are mainly found in different compartments, mostly associated with membranes enclosing various cell organelles. The objective of this study was to find the correlation of gestational lipid profile with neonatal birth weight. Prospective analytical study of 100 Pakistani pregnant women [non diabetics and non-hypertensive] was carried out at Social Security Hospital, Lahore. Blood samples were collected from all the pregnant women during 24 - 36 weeks of pregnancy. Serum was separated by centrifugation process and stored in deep freezer at - 2 to -4[degree sign] C prior to processing and later on used for the estimation of lipid profile. The weight of each baby was done at the time of delivery. Positive correlation was found between material cholesterol levels and neonatal birth weight. Maternal lipid profile should be kept under check to control the weight of newborn baby