ABSTRACT
Cassia oleoresin is an extract isolated from dried barks of Cinnamomum cassia Blume (family Lauracea). The plant has been reported to have anti-diabetic, anti-oxidant, anti-hypertriglyceridemic effect, mainly due to its phytochemical constituents such as phenolic and volatile compounds. Cinnamon also helps in arthritis, fibromyalgia and psoriasis. The aim of this study was to prepare magnesium oxide nanoparticles using Cassia oleoresin and to evaluate the cytotoxic effect on Brine shrimp. The magnesium oxide nanoparticle was prepared from magnesium chloride and Cassia oleoresin and was confirmed by UV- Visible Spectroscopy and morphology was confirmed by TEM. Brine shrimps lethality bioassay was carried out to investigate the cytotoxicity of Cassia oleoresin mediated magnesium oxide nanoparticles. Ten brine shrimp nauplii were placed in each well of the Eliza plate and filled with 5 μL ,10 μL ,15 μL ,20 μL ,25 μL of Cassia oleoresin mediated magnesium oxide nanoparticles After 24 hours of incubation, the wells were observed and the number of surviving brine shrimp nauplii were counted to assess the cytotoxicity. The UV -Visible spectroscopy showed a peak at 400 peak and TEM analysis showed a particle size of 70 nm. After 24 hours incubation of the brine shrimps in the nanoparticle solution, all 10 brine shrimps survived in 5μL and 10 μL concentrations. 3 brine shrimps nauplii survived in 15μL conc. 1 brine shrimp nauplii survived in 20μL and 25μL concentrations each. Within the limits of this study it can be concluded that at low concentrations the prepared nanoparticle was safe and may be used for biomedical application.
ABSTRACT
Chronic sciatica is one of the neuropathic pains which assumed to be effective for pregabalin. However, a recent double-blind placebo-controlled trial reported that pregabalin was no more effective than placebo in patients with acute or chronic sciatica. We retrospectively investigated the effect of Kampo medicine including makyoyokukanto extracts combined with powdered cinnamon bark and processed aconite root (makyoyokukanto plus) which were administered to 14 cases with chronic sciatica in the past year. The efficacy of Kampo medicine for lower leg pain relief was assessed using NRS (numerical rating scale). It was effective in 11 of 14 cases (79%, 6 males and 5 females, the mean age : 69), and not effective in 3 of 14 cases (21%, 2 males and 1 female, the mean age : 77). In 7 of 9 cases, who were given pregabalin before prescribing makyoyokukanto plus, makyoyokukanto plus was more effective than pregabalin. Furthermore, we have continued to observe 10 cases for over a year. Two of 10 cases were completely cured even if makyoyokukanto plus was discontinued. In 5 cases we switched from makyoyokukanto plus to yokuininto extracts combined with powdered cinnamon bark and processed aconite root, which was comparable to makyoyokukanto plus in its effect. Makyoyokukanto or yokuininto extracts combined with powdered cinnamon bark and processed aconite root were effective for chronic sciatica.
ABSTRACT
The change in color tone of crude drugs during storage of decoctions is one of the factors leading to poor drug compliance of decoctions. We experienced a case of a decoction including Aluminum Silicate Hydrate with Silicon Dioxide (Kasseki) turned into bright blue color after it was combined with goreisan. We therefore examined to find out possible causative crude drugs using an airtight container and performed a component analysis by the TLC. As a result, we found the following: Kasseki under the coexistence of Cinnamon Bark (C. Bark) and Atractylodes Rhizome (A. Rhizome) turned into a bright blue color in several hours. In this coloration, aluminum silicate hydrate, cinnamaldehyde and atractylon, which derive from these 3 crude drugs, were involved. This coloration change of Kasseki under coexistence of C. Bark and A. Rhizome was a vivid and sharp reaction generated in several hours. From the perspective of maintaining medication compliance, it is important to provide a full explanation to patients about the change in coloration of Kasseki, when decocting crude drugs that contain C. Bark, A. Rhizome, and Kasseki. To avoid coloration, it is considered useful to put Kasseki in a separate sachet, isolated from other crude drugs in storage, and to mix in Kasseki just before decocting.
ABSTRACT
Infection is an important cause of mortality in patients with burns. Rapid emergence of hospital pathogens and antibiotic-resistant organisms necessitate periodic evaluation of bacterial colonization patterns and antibiogram sensitivity in burn wards. Sixty isolates from wounds of burns were collected from two hospitals in Cairo, Egypt along the period of 12 months in 2013. Antibiotic sensitivity of these isolates was assessed by single disk diffusion method. Multi drug resistance percentage and the most prevalent resistance phenotype among bacterial isolates were recorded. In addition, 19 essential oils were tested against the MDR isolates. The most potent oils were analyzed by GC-MS to determine their main chemical constituents. According to microbiological and biochemical identification method, Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most dominant organism 23 (38%), followed by Staphylococcus aureus 16 (27%), Klebsiella spp. 11 (18%), Acinetobacter spp. 4 (7%). Three isolates of Escherichia coli (5%) and three isolates of Proteus spp. (5%). Piperacillin-tazobactam, imipenem and linezolid antibiotics were the most effective antibiotics against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacteriaceae and S. aureus isolates respectively. Cinnamon and thyme essential oils were the most potent oils against the multi drug resistant burn wound isolate. Cinnamaldehyde (60.7%) and ρ-cymene (50%) were the major chemical constituents in cinnamon and thyme essential oils, respectively. It is clear that antibiotic resistance levels are high among the examined bacterial isolates of burn wounds. This study could be useful for physician to better choice of empiric therapy. Cinnamon and thyme may be used as a promising an alternative medicine for the treatment of burn wound infections.
ABSTRACT
Objectives: To evaluate the preventive effects of aqueous extract of Cinnamomum zeylanicum bark on dexamethasone induced insulin resistance and to compare it with rosiglitazone. Methods: The animals were categorized into two series of dexamethasone (dexamethasone 4mg/kg, dexamethasone 8mg/kg series) with 5 groups in each [plain control, dexamethasone 4/8mg/kg as per series, rosiglitazone 8mg/kg and 16mg/kg, cinnamon bark extract (CZE) 250mg/kg BW]. Six animals were studied in each group. In a12 day study period, rosiglitazone and CZE groups received respective drug treatments and dexamethasone dosing (4mg/kg or 8mg/kg) was started from day 7onwards. On day 12, fasting blood, urine and post IPGTT blood samples were collected and processed for glucose, insulin and ketone estimations. Results: In both series, CZE 250mg/kg treatment showed significant reduction in mean fasting glucose and insulin compared to rosiglitazone 8mg/kg and 16mg/kg groups and dexamethasone controls (4mg/kg, 8mg/kg groups) (P<0.05). The fall in glucose and insulin levels observed with CZE treatment at 30, 60 min post IPGTT in both series were significant compared to rosiglitazone and dexamethasone treatment groups (P<0.05). Glycosuria and ketonuria were absent in CZE groups, whereas these were reduced significantly in rosiglitazone groups compared to dexamethasone groups (P<0.05).Conclusion: The aqueous extract of C. zeylanicum bark prevented the insulin resistance as evidenced by reduced fasting and post IPGTT glucose and insulin levels in steroid induced insulin resistance model.
ABSTRACT
It is undoubtedly important that herb can cure certain sickness. However, its activity to certain symptom varies between each plant species, growing place, harvesting time, and so on, because herb is the natural product. Here arises a key word-selection-, professional viewpoint of herb. Consulting with the old books about herb written by professionals at that time, we can imagine how much difficulty did they have and how did they make efforts on selection in order to use the herb with good quality.<br>At the beginning of Kampo Medicine in Japan, it was totally an imported medicine so that its original herb stuffs had to be brought from abroad. But gradually Kampo Medicine has been changed into Japanese style; lots of Japanese substitutes were developed for Chinese herb species, and also, cultivation or evaluation of those substitutes was studied. Such kind of study advanced much in Edo-era.<br>In the lecture, two popular herbs, licorice and cinnamon, were chosen to be discussed for examples of the above mentioned, and the author's special experiences were also mentioned.