Comparative evaluation of biofilm suppression by plant extracts on oral pathogenic bacteria.

Microbial colonization as biofilm is one of the reasons for the emergence of drug resistant strains. In the oral cavity, drug resistant strains limit the efficacy of oral hygiene practices. Enterococcus faecalis and Staphylococcus aureus have been reported as drug resistant bacteria and producing oral biofilms in oral cavity. In this study we demonstrate the efficacy of aqueous extract of Azadirachta indica, Mangifera indica, Piper betel and Pepper nigrum for antibiofilm activity against E. faecalis and S. aureus. The aqueous extracts were obtained by cold percolation method. The antibiofilm activity of plants extract was evaluated at 30, 15 and 7.5 mg/ml concentration. The percentage yield of extract was maximum in P. nigrum. The aqueous extract of A. indica significantly suppressed E. faecalis and S. aureus biofilm at 7.5 mg/ml at p<0.01 and p<0.001 significance level. P. betel significantly (p<0.001) disintegrated the E. faecalis biofilm at 30 mg/ml and S. aureus at 15 mg/ml (p<0.01). P. nigrum disintegrated E. faecalis and S. aureus biofilm significantly (p<0.05 and p<0.001) at 30 and 15 mg/ml respectively. M. indica significantly (p<0.05) suppressed S. aureus biofilm at 30 mg/ml. These results clearly demonstrate the antibiofilm activity of plants extract against oral pathogens.

Immunomodulatory activity of guduchi ghana (aqueous extract of tinospora cordifolia miers).

In the present work, Guduchi Ghana (concentrated form of aqueous extract of Guduchi) was prepared according to the method described in classical text – Sidhdha Yoga Samgraha and the other sample of aqueous extract was purchased from the market for the assessment of the immunomodulatory activity. It was done by haemagglutination antibody titre method for humoral immunity and footpad swelling method for cell mediated immunity on wistar albino rats. Results of present studies suggest that Guduchi Ghana prepared by classically was found to possess significant immunostimulatory action on immune system but market sample of it exhibited significant immunosuppression effect in dose dependent manner when compare with control group at a dose of 50 mg/kg orally.

Evaluation of immunomodulatory activity of “Shirishavaleha”–An Ayurvedic compound formulation in albino rats.

The immunomodulatory activity of Shirishavaleha prepared from two different parts of Shirisha (Albizia lebbeck Benth), i.e., Twak (Bark) and Sara (Heartwood) as main ingredients was evaluated for humoral antibody formation and cell-mediated immunity in established experimental models. The study used Wistar rats of either sex weighing 200 ± 40 g, while the test drug was administered orally at a dose of 1.8 g/kg. Hemagglutination titer and body weight were recorded to assess effects on humoral immunity; immunological paw edema was assessed for cell-mediated immunity. Shirishavaleha prepared from heartwood shows significant enhancement in antibody formation, attenuation of body weight changes, and suppression of immunological paw edema, while Shirishavaleha prepared from bark shows weak immunomodulatory activity. The study therefore concludes that Shirishavaleha prepared from heartwood has significant immunomodulatory activity.

Toxicological study of Balacaturbhadrika churna.

Balacaturbhadrika churna has an important place in pediatric practice in Ayurveda. Millennia of use of this formulation bears testimony to its safety when used for prolonged duration in children. This prompted us to initiate a long-term, acute oral toxicity evaluation of Balacaturbhadrika churna in rats. The study was carried out by administering Balacaturbhadrika churna orally once only in a dose up to 2000 mg/kg. For long–term toxicity, Balacaturbhadrika churna was administered in doses of 450 and 900 mg/kg orally for 45 consecutive days. The effects of the drug on ponderal changes, hematological, biochemical and histological parameters were noted. The acute toxicity experiment showed that the drug did not produce any signs and symptoms of toxicity (or mortality) up to the dose of 2000 mg/kg. Long–term toxicity results showed that, even at higher dose of 900 mg/kg, Balacaturbhadrika churna did not affect the parameters studied, to a significant extent. The doses employed for these toxicity studies were several times higher than normal clinical doses of Balacaturbhadrika churna, hence the observed changes will probably not become apparent at therapeutic dose level.

Cerebral salt wasting syndrome in a patient with tuberculous meningitis.

We report a case of a 65 year male with meningitis who had polyuria, severe hyponatremia, volume depletion and very high urinary sodium excretion. He was diagnosed to have cerebral salt wasting syndrome based on clinical and laboratory parameters.

Direct somatic embryogenesis and plantlet regeneration from leaf explants of niger, Guizotia abyssinica (L.f.) Cass.

Somatic embryogenesis was induced in niger (Guizotia abyssinica (L.f.) Cass.) using a simple one step method. Leaf explants were cultured on MS medium with 2,4-D and BAP/Kn individually and in combination. Somatic embryogenesis occurred directly without an intervening callus proliferation phase from subepidermal regions of leaf explants on MS medium supplemented with 2,4-D (2.0 and 5.0 microM) plus Kn/BAP (1.0 and 2.0 microM). Regenerated somatic embryos were successfully grown into whole plants.

General pharmacology of Vitex leucoxylon Linn leaves.

Ethanol extract (ETE) and cold aqueous infusion (CAI) of Vitex leucoxylon leaf were evaluated in a battery of tests to define the activity profile of the plant. CAI depressed SMA, antagonised d-amphetamine stereotypy and oxotremorine tremors, shortened the duration of mice immobility in behavioural 'despair' test and lowered serum total cholesterol level. ETE showed significant inhibition of carrageenin paw oedema and granulation tissue formation in rats. Suppression of acetic acid writhing was observed with both ETE and CAI. LD50 value of ETE was > 3000 mg kg-1 (ip) and that of CAI 1050 (800-1200) mgkg-1.