ABSTRACT
Background:The emergence of antimicrobial resistance possessesa great threat for the existence of mankind. Antibiotics like penicillin and amoxiclav are at the brink of losing their efficacy entirely in exposure to resistant bacteria. Thus, the present study was aimed to find out the antibacterial efficacy of black seed honey as an alternative natural source which can act independently and boost the efficacy of standard drugs alongside. Methods:Penicillin, amoxiclav and black seed honey were first individually trailedagainst four gram-positive bacteria -Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis andMicrococcus luteus.Afterwards, penicillin and amoxiclav were used in combination with honey and compared the synergistic effects with their individual efficacy. Zones of inhibition from well diffusion method, percentage inhibition, minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations by microdilution method were determined in the present study.Results:Black seed honey alone demonstrated great inhibitory potential against S. aureus (9.7 mm), S. epidermidis (9.9 mm) and M. luteus(9.3 mm) in well diffusion method. Moreover, its combination with amoxiclav showed synergistic effect against all bacteria except S. epidermidis. However, its conjugation with penicillin was not able to produce any synergism as exhibited by zones of inhibition. The lowest concentration (1.56%) of honey applied individually or in combination in microdilution method foundhighly effective which established an inverse dose dependent relationship with efficacy.Conclusions:From the data it can be concluded that the black seed honey is a highly potent natural agent which can be utilized in antimicrobial therapy. However, further investigation is recommended to identify the responsible compound for such activity.
ABSTRACT
Background:Mustard honey, a monofloral honey derived from mustard flower is considered a great source of nutritional and medicinal values. The honey is traditionally used as ethnomedicinein different parts of the world to cure many health problems. The present study aimed to evaluate its sedative-anxiolytic potential by integrating three conventional methods in a sequential order. Methods:Open field, hole cross and elevated plus maze experiments were performed in a row with a single oral administration of honey to the Swiss Albino mice. Behavioral parameters like square crossing, rearing, grooming, hole crossing and entry/duration in open arm were observed for each animal in different time intervals.Results:The findings were compared to that of a standard drug, diazepam (1mg/kg). Mustard honey at higher doses showed sedative activity (4g/kg and6g/kg) whereas with low doses (2g/kg) exhibited anxiolytic potential. The physicochemical properties of honey were also screened in this study.Conclusions:The integrated method proved to be an effective approach for assessment of neuropharmacologicalpotential for crude or standard medicine. However, further analysis was recommended to investigate active compound which may lead to a new drug development