ABSTRACT
Using Salmonella typhimurium strains TA 100 and TA 1535, the mutagenicity and anti-mutagenicity of extracts of several spices were checked. Spices like pepper, pippali, ginger and mustard increased the number of revertants indicating their mutagenic potential. Garlic extract on the other hand was found to inhibit the mutagenicity produced by direct acting mutagens such as N-methyl N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine and sodium azide. Asafoetida and turmetic extract were found to inhibit microsomal activation dependent mutagenicity of 2-acetamidofluorene. Similar results were also obtained using curcumin and eugenol which are phenolics present in turmeric and clove respectively. These results indicated that some of the spices may ameliorate the effect of environmental mutagens especially present in the food.
Subject(s)
2-Acetylaminofluorene/antagonists & inhibitors , Animals , Antimutagenic Agents/pharmacology , Azides/antagonists & inhibitors , Male , Methylnitronitrosoguanidine/toxicity , Mutagenicity Tests , Mutagens/pharmacology , Rats , Salmonella typhimurium/drug effects , Sodium Azide , Spices/toxicityABSTRACT
Number of tumours (papillomas) produced by the application of 7,12-dimethyl benz (a) anthracene as initiator and croton oil promoter in mice were considerably inhibited (84%) by the prior application of eugenol. Moreover, there was considerable decrease in the number of tumour bearing animals and their onset. Eugenol inhibited superoxide formation and lipid peroxidation and the radical scavenging activity may be responsible for its chemopreventive action.
Subject(s)
Animals , Eugenol/pharmacology , Lipid Peroxides/metabolism , Mice , Neoplasms, Experimental/chemically induced , Papilloma/chemically induced , Skin Neoplasms/chemically induced , Superoxides/metabolismSubject(s)
Adolescent , Adult , Bacterial Vaccines/isolation & purification , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Infant , Leprosy/classification , Male , Mycobacterium leprae/immunology , ResearchABSTRACT
A micro ELISA assay was established to diagnose systemic poisoning for the rapid administration of specific antivenom. Rabbit anti venom IgG was bound to the solid phase to enable detection of venom from both the Malayan Pit Viper (Agkistrodon rhodostoma) and the Common Cobra (Naja naja). This assay is read visually and takes 35 to 45 minutes to perform. It can detect 15.6 ng/ml of viper venom in 75 minutes and 7.8 ng/ml of cobra venom in 55 minutes. Tests on sera from snake bite patients showed detectable levels of snake venom in the serum even though administration of antivenom was not necessary. Furthermore, results from these clinical cases were obtained in less than 45 minutes. It was found that the most suitable washing media was saline/Tween, the assay could be performed at room temperature and plates stored for 6 months showed no loss of activity.