Phytochemical and wound healing effects of methanolic extract of salvia multicaulis vahl. in rat

Background: Plants and their phytochemicals have immense potential for the management of different types of wound. Salvia multicaulis Vahl. is an evergreen shrub species, which traditionally used as a wound healing agent

Objective: The aim of the present study is to evaluate phytochemicals and wound healing activity of S. multicaulis in an excision wound model

Methods: Preliminary phytochemical screening tests were performed on the methanol [80%] extract. Total phenolic content was measured using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent. Antioxidant activity of the extract was assessed by [DPPH] free radical scavenging test. 2x2 excision wounds were induced in the dorsal area of 30 Wistar rats. Animals were received topical eucerine, 1% phenytoin as well as 5%, 10% and 20% ointments of the plant extract in eucerine base. Wound areas were photographed and wound contraction was calculated as the reduction percentage of wound size compared with zero days. Last day skin samples of wounded area were used for histological evaluations

Results: Collagen deposition for positive control group and A20% were low fibrils and A10% high fibrils and A5% highest fibrils. Total phenolic content was 262.083 +/- 47.15 mg GAE/g extract. IC50 was 54.02 micro g/mL. All concentrations of the extract ointments were significantly effective in the animal model of excision wound [P<0.05] which was also confirmed in histological study

Conclusion: It is concluded that S. multicaulis extract could act as a wound healing agent. This activity is possibly due the high concentrations of phenolic compounds

Antimicrobial activity of different lactobacillus species against multi-drug resistant clinical isolates of pseudomonas aeruginosa

Lactobacilli are the well known friendly bacteria for their probiotic activities against pathogens. The inhibitory activity of different strains of lactobacilli either obtained as commercial products or isolated from human feces was investigated against the clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The isolates were selected as the most resistant strains when challenged with anti-pseudomonal antibiotics already in clinical practice. Both the plate spot test as well as the agar cup method were used for screening of Lactobacillus strains against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. A Lactobacillus acidophilus strain isolated from feces of an Iranian child showed a strong anti-pseudomonal activity [90 percent after 72h incubation] against the multi-drug resistant clinical isolates while a Lactobacillus reuteri strain isolated from a commercial oral product resulted in relatively weak response and a Lactobacillus acidophilus strain isolated from a commercial vaginal product did not show any inhibitory activity. In a kinetic study the lactobacillus sensitive Pseudomonas aeruginosa showed a significant bacteriostatic activity in vitro in the presence of lactobacillus supernatants. Some lactobacilli exhibit significant inhibitory activity against the multidrug resistant clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of Oliveria decumbens volatile oil from west of Iran

Oliveria decumbens Vent. is an endemic plant of Flora Iranica that grows in high temperature areas of south and west of Iran. It is used for indigestion, diarrhea, abdominal pain and fever in traditional medicine. In this investigation, chemical composition and antimicrobial effects of Oliveria decumbens has been studied. The essential oil of aerial parts of Oliveria decumbens was obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC-MS. The antimicrobial activity of the essential oil was also investigated against three Gram positive bacteria, two Gram negative bacteria and two fungi using disc diffusion method. 10 components were identified in the essential oil of Oliveria decumbens. The main components were gamma-terpinene, myristicin, thymol, p-cymene and carvacrol. The essential oil showed high antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria, Escherichia coli, Aspergilus niger and Candida albicans but low antibacterial effect against Pseudomonas aeroginosa. High amount of thymol, carvacrol and p-cymene in Oliveria decumbens essential oil may be a reason of antimicrobial effects of the plant and the plant essential oil can be considered as a natural source of preservatives in food and cosmetic industries

Effect of sodium chloride on the kinetics of growth and antimicrobial potential of Lactobacilli isolated from Iranian traditional sourdough

Sourdough starter contains lactic acid bacteria which can improve quality and taste of bread. The lactic acid bacteria in sourdough have antifungal and antibacterial activities. As some lactobacilus-fermented traditional foods contain salt as a preservative, this study was initiated to investigate the effect of different concentrations of sodium chloride on the kinetics of growth and antimicrobial potential of autochthonous isolates of lactobacilli isolated from Iranian traditional sourdough. MRS broth media containing sodium chloride concentrations up to 7% were inoculated with two sourdough isolates of lactobacilli, namely, Lactobacillus casei and Lactobacillus fermentum. The kinetics of growth of individual lactic acid bacteria at different concentrations of sodium chloride was investigated using the conventional plate-count method. Also the antibacterial effects of supernatants of the lacto bacterial strains grown in media with different salt concentrations on several pathogenic bacteria were assessed. The pathogenic strains included methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Kelebciella pneumonia, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The highest growth of both lactobacilli isolates was 10[9] cfu/ml, which occurred at a salt concentration of 2-4%; at a concentrtation of 5% salt the total bacterial counts dropped to 7.5x10[8]. There were further decreases in the lactic acid bacterial counts at a 7% salt concentration to 3.7x10[6] and 2.5x10[5] for L. casei and L. fermentum, respectively. Both lactobacilli isolates tolerated salt concentrations up to 5%, but L. casei was found to be more salt-tolerant than L. fermentum. Salt concentrations did not affect the antimicrobial effects of supernatants of individual lactobacilli isolates. However, low bacterial biomass achieved at high salt concentrations negatively affected antipathogenic effect of these isolates, presumably due to less metabolite production

[Optimization of the production of rhamnolipids by Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains]

Biosurfactants are a heterogenous group of surface active molecules produced on microbial cell surfaces or excreted extracellulary. They are powerful natural emulsifiers, solubilizing and wetting agents. Rhamnolipids belong to the glycolipid class of biosurfactants and were first isolated from Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Rhamnolipids are an attractive alternative to synthetic surfactants because of low toxicity, better environmental compatibility, and high selectivity. The aim of this work was to optimize biosurfactants production by Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 9027 and two hyper producing mutant strains [M6 and M34] using different culture conditions. The rhamnolipid-producing medium [Lindhardt] containing different carbon sources were inoculated with 5% [v/v] of a 24-h preculture. The cultures were then incubated on a rotary shaker at different temperatures and rates, with different durations. The rhamnolipids were precipitated by acidification of the culture below pH 2.0 and the precipitate was extracted by organic solvents. The results showed that the carbon source used in a culture medium, bacterial strain, and temperature are the most important factors in the production of biosurfactants. The maximum rhamnolipid concentration, 2.21g/l, was reached when the M34 strain was incubated at 30 degree C and 150 rpm for 7 days using Canola oil as the carbon source. The mutant strain M34 can be used to produce large amounts of rhamnolipid for food, chemical, pharmaceutical and hygienic applications

[Chemical compounds of essential oil and antibacterial effects of thymus caucasicus]

Thymus, one of the important genus of Labiatae family, have been used since ancient times as folk remedies for some medical treatments. In this study, chemical compositions of essential oil of thymus caucasicus were analyzed and antibacterial effects of fractions were surveryed. Thymus caucasicus [lamiaceae] at the flowering stage were collected, from Ardabil province [No. 41 and 87 at Central Herbarium of Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR]. The essential oil aerial parts of T. caucasicus was collected by Hydrodistillation and Steam distillation method. The essential oils were dried over anhydrous sodium sulphate and after filtaration, stored at +4[degree sign] C until tested and GC/MS analyzed. Antibacterial activities of essential oil and fractions of the plant were studied by agar dilution on eight bacterial strains. In hydro and steam distillation essence of T. caucasicus, 44 and 58 compounds were identified, respectively. In vitro antimicrobial activities showed that was positive effect against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Meticillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Nerolidol was major compound in hydro and steam distillation essential oil of T. caucasicus. In this study, we showed the essential oil and n-butanol fraction of T. caucasicus have lower MIC against tested microorganisms

Antimicrobial activity of lactobacillus plantarum strains isolated from fermented olives origin

Lactobacilus plantarum isolated from fermented olives has been extensively studied with the aim of its use in starter cultures for olive or other production fermentations, but little is known about its antimicrobial resistance and its probiotic effects. The aim of this study was to determine the antimicrobial activity using different strains of L. plantarum isolated from fermented olives origin against Salmonella typhimurium. Three strains of L. plantarum were isolated from fermented green olives [Lpl, Lp2, Lp3].they were grown in MRS broth at 37°C. Overnight culture of S. typhimurium was added to MRS broth containing 108 CFU/mL of L. plantarum. Reduction of the viable cells was assayed on bismuth sulfit agar medium for 24h. Antimicrobial activities of L. plantarum cells against the test strain of Salmonella were also determined by measuring the diameter of growth inhibition zone in agar spot test. All of the L. plantarum strains could inhibit growth of S. typhimurium. Also visible inhibition zones were observed around the spotted cells of L. plantarum strains in the spot tests. Results showed great inhibitory effect of the L. plantarum strains against Salmonella and were differed in their antimicrobial activities which could be due to the metabolite secreted by the L. plantarum strains specially type of bacteriocins

Evaluation of antimicrobial effectiveness of ophthalmic drops according to the pharmacopeial tests criteria

In this study antimicrobial effectiveness test was performed on eye-drops which had high microbial contaminations in hospital practice to find out whether their antimicrobial efficacies affect the magnitude of microbial contamination during their uses. Artificial tear, atropine sulfate, betamethasone, homatropine hydrobromide, phenylephrine hydrochloride, phenylephrine zinc, pilocarpine hydrochloride, tetracaine hydrochloride and tropicamide eye-drops were subjected to the United States Pharmacopeia [USP] and British Pharmacopeia [BP] antimicrobial preservative effectiveness tests. The results of this study showed that eight out of the nine products met the BP 'B' and USP criteria. The preservative employed in phenylephrine zinc eye-drop did not possess adequate antimicrobial activity against P. aeruginosa. Other eye-drops showed appropriate reductions in bacterial viability after 6 hrs, 24 hrs and 7 days, but showed a very low bacterial recovery after 28 days which didn't comply with the no recovery [NR] term of BP 'A' criteria. Since viable microbial counts were usually determined by plate count method, it seems that the term of NR should define an acceptable range. The results indicated that there is not a clear correlation between antimicrobial efficacy testing of eye-drops and the rate of their microbial contamination while are being used. Other factors such as hygienic practices of eye-drops, proper bottle design and training of patients could influence their microbial contaminations. Regulation of in-use efficacy testing of eye-drops which is influenced by the environment, the frequency and technique of use, might be essential

Aluminum phosphate shows more adjuvanticity than Aluminum hydroxide in recombinant hepatitis-B vaccine formulation

Although a number of investigation have been carried out to find alternative adjuvants to aluminum salts in vaccine formulations, they are still extensively used due to their good track record of safety, low cost and proper adjuvanticity with a variety of antigens. Adsorption of antigens onto aluminum compounds depends heavily on electrostatic forces between adjuvant and antigen. Commercial recombinant protein hepatitis B vaccines containing aluminum hydroxide as adjuvant is facing low induction of immunity in some sections of the vaccinated population. To follow the current global efforts in finding more potent hepatitis B vaccine formulation, adjuvanticity of aluminum phosphate has been compared to aluminum hydroxide. The adjuvant properties of aluminum hydroxide and aluminum phosphate in a vaccine formulation containing a locally manufactured hepatitis B [HBs] surface antigen was evaluated in Balb/C mice. The formulations were administered intra peritoneally [i.p.] and the titers of antibody which was induced after 28 days were determined using ELISA technique. The geometric mean of antibody titer [GMT], seroconversion and seroprotection rates, ED50 and relative potency of different formulations were determined. All the adjuvanicity markers obtained in aluminum phosphate formulation were significantly higher than aluminum hydroxide. The geometric mean of antibody titer of aluminum phosphate was approximately three folds more than aluminum hydroxide. Aluminum phosphate showed more adjuvanticity than aluminum hydroxide in hepatitis B vaccine. Therefore the use of aluminum phosphate as adjuvant in this vaccine may lead to higher immunity with longer duration of effects in vaccinated groups

Feasibility study of using complex of hydrogen peroxide and silver for disinfecting swimming pool water and its environment

In this research the application of Nanosil containing hydrogen peroxide and silver was studied in disinfecting swimming pool water and it's Environment. The effect of the disinfectant on Candida albicans [ATCC No. 10231], Aspergillus niger [ATCCNo. 16404], Pseudomonas aeruginosa [ATCC No. 9027], Serratia marcescens [PTCC No. 1111], Klebsiella pneumoniae [ATCC No. 10031] and Staphylococcus aureus [ATCC No. 29737]] was evaluated. The main objective of this experiment was to determine the effective dose of Nanosil which could be used for disinfecting the environment of swimming pools and other surface area. Then, the effectiveness of Nanosil was studied in two private and one public swimming pools. Heterotrophic plate count, thermotolerant coliforms, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus were monitored as the target microorganisms in disinfection practice According to the result of this study, it is recommended to apply the Nanosil with the concentration of >= 3% [30000 mg/L] for contact time of 30 min or more for practical disinfection in swimming pools environment. The application of Nanosil in real conditions of two private and one public swimming pools indicated that the acceptable microbial quality is also achievable if the disinfectant residual concentration would be as high as 20 mg/L in swimming pool water

Viability of lactobacillus acidophilus in various vaginal tablet formulations

The lactobacilli which are present in vaginal fluids play an important role in prevention of vaginosis and there are considerable interests in formulation of these friendly bacteria into suitable pharmaceutical dosage forms. Formulating these microorganisms for vaginal application is a critical issue as the products should retain viability of lactobacilli during formulation and also storage. The aim of this study was to examine the viability and release of Lactobacillus acidophilus from slow-release vaginal tablets prepared by using six different retarding polymers and from two effervescent tablets prepared by using citric or adipic acid. The Carbomer-based formulations showed high initial viablility compared to those based on HPMC-LV, HPMC-HV, Polycarbophil and SCMC polymers which showed one log decrease in viable cells. All retarding polymers in slow release formulations presented a strong bacterial release at about 2 h except Carbomer polymers which showed to be poor bacterial releasers. Although effervescent formulations produced a quick bacterial release in comparison with polymer based slow-release tablets, they were less stable in cold storage. Due to the strong chelating characteristic of citric acid, the viability was quickly lost for aqueous medium of citric acid in comparison with adipic acid based effervescent tablets