ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the physiological state of L. pneumophila in biofilm. Methods Genes previously identified as good markers for the transmissive and replicative phases of the L. pneumophila life cycle during growth in Acanthamoeba castellanii were examined for their expression fold change in the sessile cells as compared to planktonic cells using real-time RT PCR. Results Mature L. pneumophila biofilms were formed at 37t in 75 cm2 cell culture treated flasks for 18 days. The ratio of gene (mip, flaA and fliA) expression in post-exponential cells compared to exponential cells is 0. 53, 4. 45 and 3. 67. The exponential phase cultures display replicative traits and post-exponential bacteria express transmissive factors. The ratio of gene (mip, flaA and fliA) expression in sessile cells compared to exponential cells is 4.42, 5.24 and 16.21, while the sessile cells compared to exponential cells is 8.39, 1. 18 and 4. 43, respectively. Conclusion The violence gene expression of L pneumophila in biofilm is unique.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To investigate interaction between orally given Centella asiatica's ethyl acetate fraction (EACA) and intraperitoneally administered antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), namely, phenytoin, valproate and gabapentin. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Isobolographic analysis was used to evaluate the interaction between EACA and AEDs in terms of protection of mice in the pentylenetetrazole test. Rotarod test was used to evaluate neurotoxicity. RESULTS: When given alone, the median effective dose of phenytoin, valproate and gabapentin were found to be 13, 104, and 310 mg/kg BW, respectively, whereas the corresponding values in the presence of EACA were 5, 29 and 79 mg/kg BW. Together with isobolographic analysis, the results obtained indicated an additive effect among all combinations tested. In relation to neurotoxicity, combination of gabapentin and EACA demonstrated a broader margin between the effective dose and the neurotoxic dose while the other two combinations did not. CONCLUSION: The present finding suggested a potential of Centella asiatica to be developed as an adjunctive medication for epileptic patients.