Evaluation of In vitro Activity of Antimicrobial Potential and Phytochemical Screening of Methanol Extract of Curcuma longa Linn against Some Clinical Isolates

Since ancient times, plants have been used as a source of medicinal compounds. This study was carried out to assess the antimicrobial potential of the methanol extract of Curcuma longa rhizome against some clinical isolates. A total of seven clinical isolates including Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans, Aspergillus flavus, and Fusarium species were used. Different concentrations of the extracts were made. Agar well diffusion methods were used for bacterial and Candida albicans while agar dilution technique was used for the mold strains. Ciprofloxacin and Fluconazole were used as a standard positive control against the bacteria and fungi respectively. Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) was used as a negative control. The result showed that methanol extract of Curcuma longa rhizome inhibited the growth of all tested organisms. The zone of inhibition of K. pneumoniae ranged from 9.33-13.33mm, S. aureus, 6.33-12.67mm, E. coli, 8- 11.67mm, P. aeruginosa, 7.67-10mm, and Candida albicans 8.33-13mm while the control drug Ciprofloxacin ranged from 25.33-41.33mm and fluconazole was 20mm. The percentage inhibition of diameter of growth of Fusarium spp ranged from 74.61-100% and that of A. flavus ranged from 32.44-100%. The positive control drug (Fluconazole) and 250mg/ml of the extract showed complete inhibition of the test organisms. Qualitative phytochemical studies of the extract of Curcuma longa in different solvents (N-hexane, water, methanol, and acetone) showed the presence of alkaloids, phenols, saponins, steroids, tannins, glycosides, and flavonoids. This result is indicative of its broad-spectrum antimicrobial potential and could be employed in the management and treatment of infections. This study corroborates the plant's historic use and lays the groundwork for potential therapeutic development.

In vitro antimicrobial and synergistic effect of essential oil from the red macroalgae Centroceras clavulatum (C. Agardh) Montagne with conventional antibiotics

Objective: To study the chemical profile, antimicrobial properties, and synergistic effect with known antibiotics of essential oil extracted from the marine red macroalgae Centroceras clavulatum (C. Agardh) Montagne, collected in Morocco. Methods: The chemical composition of the oil was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The oil was evaluated for antibacterial (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Micrococcus luteus, Staphylococcus aureus, and Klebsiella pneumoniae), and antifungal activity (Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Candida krusei, and Candida parapsilosis), by the disc diffusion method. The minimum inhibitory and minimum microbicidal concentrations of the oil were determined, as well as the synergistic effects of its application combined with the antibiotics ciprofloxacin and fluconazole, by the checkerboard method. Results: Thirty molecules were identified in the essential oil, comprising 96.27% of the total oil composition. Monoterpenes such as carvacrol (36.06%) were the most abundant compounds, followed by caryophyllene (14.67%), endo-borneol (9.04%), pyroterebic acid (3.23%) and caryophyllene oxide (3.13%). The oil exhibited a moderate antimicrobial activity with inhibition zone diameters ranging from 9.0 to 15.0 mm. The minimum inhibitory concentration values varied between 0.9 and 14.7 mg/mL, and Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli were the more sensitive bacteria with 0.9 and 1.9 mg/mL, respectively. The minimum microbicidal concentration values ranged from 0.4 to 14.7 mg/mL. A significant synergic action was observed when the oil was applied in combination with ciprofloxacin and fluconazole, with fractional inhibitory concentration index values ranging from 0.31 to 0.50. Synergy was found in 80% of the combinations and a 2 to 16-fold reduction of antibiotics MIC was observed. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the essential oil of Centroceras clavulatum should be further appraised for its potential use in the management of multi-drug resistant microorganisms, with the purpose to restore the activity of standard antimicrobial drugs.

Antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities of aqueous extracts of Cucurbita pepo L / Atividades antimicrobiana e antibiofilme de extratos aquosos de Cucurbita pepo L

Introduction: Cucurbita pepo L. is an herbaceous plant belonging to the family Cucurbitaceae. The species is popularly used in different countries for the treatment of diabetes and parasitic diseases. Objective: This study evaluated the antimicrobial and antibiofilm potential of aqueous extracts of leaves and seeds of C. pepo. Methodology: the extracts were tested in vitro against strains of Streptococcus pyogenes, Candida albicans and Candida krusei. The antimicrobial activity was performed by the microtiter method and the antibiofilm activity by the violet crystal method. Results: the results demonstrated that the extracts tested showed antibacterial and antibiofilm actions against S. pyogenes, but it was not possible to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). The extracts inhibited the growth of C. albicans and C. krusei with MIC of 0.03 mg/mL. The antibiofilm activity of these species did not present either a dose dependence relationship or a synergistic effect when associated with the antifungal Fluconazole®. Conclusion: although there are indications of antimicrobial and inhibitory action in the formation of biofilm, additional studies are necessary to characterize the possible pharmacological effects of the analyzed specie.

Introdução: Cucurbita pepo L. é uma planta herbácea pertencente à família Cucurbitaceae. A espécie é usada popularmente em diferentes países para tratamento de diabetes e parasitoses. Objetivo: esse trabalho objetivou avaliar o potencial antimicrobiano e antibiofilme de extratos aquosos de folhas e sementes de C. pepo. Metodologia: os extratos foram testados in vitro contra cepas de Streptococcus pyogenes, Candida albicans e Candida krusei. A atividade antimicrobiana foi realizada pelo método de microtitulação e a atividade antibiofilme pelo método de cristal de violeta. Resultados: os resultados demonstraram que os extratos testados apresentaram ação contra S. pyogenes, tanto em relação ao controle do crescimento bacteriano como inibição de formação de biofilme, mas não foi possível determinar a concentração inibitória mínima (CIM). Os extratos inibiram o crescimento C. albicans e C. krusei com CIM de 0.03 mg/mL. A atividade antibiofilme dessas espécies não apresentou relação de dose dependência nem de efeito sinérgico quando associado ao antifúngico Fluconazol®. Conclusão: Embora haja indicativos de ação antimicrobiana e inibitória na formação de biofilme, são necessários estudos adicionais para a caracterização dos possíveis efeitos farmacológicos da espécie analisada.

In vitro screening for acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase inhibition and antimicrobial activity of chia seeds (Salvia hispanica)

BACKGROUND: Chia seeds are gaining increasing interest among food producers and consumers because of their prohealth properties. RESULTS: The aim of this work was to evaluate the potential of chia seeds to act as acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibitors. The highest inhibitory activity against AChE and BChE was observed for colored seed ethanol extracts. A positive correlation was found between the presence of quercetin and isoquercetin as well as protocatechuic, hydroxybenzoic, and coumaric acids and the activity of extracts as AChE and BChE inhibitors. It has also been shown that grain fragmentation affects the increase in the activity of seeds against cholinesterases (ChE). Furthermore, seeds have been shown to be a source of substances that inhibit microbial growth. CONCLUSIONS: It was found that the chia seed extracts are rich in polyphenols and inhibit the activity of ChEs; therefore, their use can be considered in further research in the field of treatment and prevention of neurodegenerative diseases.

The antibacterial influence of nanotopographic titanium, zirconium, and aluminum nanoparticles against Staphylococcus aureus and porphyromonas gingivalis: An In vitro study

Background: Nanoparticle coated implants have revolutionized the field of implantology. Peri-implantitis is one of the main for implant failure. Most implant failures are due to Streptococcus mutans, Staphylococcus aureus, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Actinomyces concomitant. Aim: To evaluate and compare the antibacterial effect of titanium, zirconium, aluminum nanoparticles against S. aureus and P. gingivalis at 24, 72 hrs and 1 week intervals. Materials and Methods: According to ISO/TR 11175:1993, the samples were prepared in disc shape with 20-mm diameter and 1-mm thickness in Grade IV titanium. The samples were decontaminated by sonicating in acetone and subsequently in water three times for 15 min. A total of eighty samples were made, then coated with nanoparticles, and divided into Group-A (control), Group-B (Ti nanoparticles coating), Group-C (Zi nanoparticles coating), and Group-D (Al nanoparticles coating). The discs were sterilized under ultraviolet radiation and placed in Mueller-Hinton agar medium for S. aureus and blood agar for P. gingivalis. The colonies were counted at 24, 72 hrs and 1 week intervals. Statistical Analysis Used: The values were statistically analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey honestly significant difference test. Results: The P < 0.001 showed that statistically significant difference in colony forming unit had been found in titanium nanoparticles coated samples at 24, 72 hrs and 1 week intervals. Conclusion: TiO2 nanoparticle coated titanium discs showed significant antibacterial effect.

In vitro antimicrobial and antimycobacterial activity and HPLC-DAD screening of phenolics from Chenopodium ambrosioides L

Abstract The main objective of this study was to demonstrate the antimicrobial potential of the crude extract and fractions of Chenopodium ambrosioides L., popularly known as Santa-Maria herb, against microorganisms of clinical interest by the microdilution technique, and also to show the chromatographic profile of the phenolic compounds in the species. The Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of cardiotonic, anthraquinone, alkaloids, tannins and flavonoids. The analysis by HPLC-DAD revealed the presence of rutin in the crude extract (12.5 ± 0.20 mg/g), ethyl acetate (16.5 ± 0.37 mg/g) and n-butanol (8.85 ± 0.11 mg/g), whereas quercetin and chrysin were quantified in chloroform fraction (1.95 ± 0.04 and 1.04 ± 0.01 mg/g), respectively. The most promising results were obtained with the ethyl acetate fraction, which inhibited a greater number of microorganisms and presented the lowest values of MIC against Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis (MIC = 0.42 mg/mL), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MIC = 34.37 mg/mL), Paenibacillus apiarus (MIC = 4.29 mg/mL) and Paenibacillus thiaminolyticus (MIC = 4.29 mg/mL). Considering mycobacterial inhibition, the best results were obtained by chloroform fraction against M. tuberculosis, M. smegmatis, and M. avium (MIC ranging from 156.25 to 625 µg/mL). This study proves, in part, that the popular use of C. ambrosioides L. can be an effective and sustainable alternative for the prevention and treatment of diseases caused by various infectious agents.

Exploration of Actinobacteria from Mangrove Ecosystems of Nizampatnam and Coringa for Antimicrobial Compounds and Industrial Enzymes.

Aim: A study was made to examine the kinship between the seasonal distribution of actinobacteria and the physico-chemical properties of the mangrove sediments of Nizampatnam and Coringa located along the South East coast of Andhra Pradesh, India. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Botany and Microbiology, between April 2010 to February 2011. Methodology: Seasonal enumeration of actinobacteria from two different stations 1 (Nizampatnam) and 2 (Coringa) accorded by four different pre-treatments of soil sediments followed by plating onto three different media showed high incidence of actinobacteria in the month of February and least in December. Pretreatment with calcium carbonate and plating on starch casein agar yielded maximum number of actinobacteria. The strains were identified based on the morphological characteristics such as aerial mycelium, substrate mycelium, diffusible pigments and micro morphological features. Results: The present investigation revealed that majority of the mangrove actinobacteria 69%) belongs to Streptomyces spp. Among the 55 isolates screened for antimicrobial compounds, 28 were found to be potential producers. The isolates could also produce commercially important enzymes such as L-asparaginase, cellulase and amylase. In addition the statistical study also revealed that positive correlation between the distribution of the actinomycetes and influence of physico-chemical parameters and the organic matter of the soil. Conclusion: Our study revealed that the unexplored regions like Nizampatnam and Coringa mangrove ecosystems are proved as potential sites for antimicrobial and industrial enzyme producing actinobacteria.

Assessment of antimicrobial potential of 10% ginger extract against Streptococcus mutans, Candida albicans, and Enterococcus faecalis: An in vitro study.

Background: Streptococcus mutans, Candida albicans, and Enterococcus faecalis are the three oral microorganisms most commonly implicated in the causation of oral infections. All these oral microorganisms have shown resistant to routinely used antimicrobials. There is a need for an antimicrobial agent which is effective, safe, and economical. Zingiber officinale, commonly known as ginger is one such plant product which has been used from ancient time. It has been shown to possess promising inhibitory effect on many of the oral microorganisms. On review of dental literature, there was scarcity of studies which had tried to assess antimicrobial potential of ginger extract against S. mutans, E. faecalis, and C. albicans; hence, the present study was designed. Aim: To evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial potential of 10% ginger extract against S. mutans, E. faecalis, and C. albicans. Settings and Design: Laboratory setting and experimental design. Materials and Methods: In the first part of the study, 10% ethanolic ginger extract was prepared in the laboratory of Pharmacy College. It was then subjected to microbiological assay to determine its zone of inhibition using Agar disk diffusion test and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) using serial broth dilution method against S. mutans, C. albicans, and E. faecalis. Results: 10% ethanolic ginger extract showed: (a) Maximum zone of inhibition of 8 mm, 14 mm, and 11 mm against S. mutans, C. albicans, and E. faecalis respectively. (b) MIC of 1.25%, 2.5%, and 2.5% against S. mutans, C. albicans, and E. faecalis respectively. Conclusion: 10% ethanolic ginger extract was found to possess antimicrobial potential against all the three pathogens used in the study.

Self-reported Hand Hygiene Practices among Traditional Health Care Workers (Herbalists) In Bungoma, Kenya

Proper hand hygiene among heath care workers (HCWs) is known to reduce hand associated infections (HAIs) caused by transient flora. Using an interview guide as a tool for data collection, 30 herbalists (key informants) were interviewed to obtain information on how they maintain hand hygiene as they handle patients in Bungoma District, Kenya. Through an ethnobotanical approach, plants used as sources of herbal antiseptics were documented and extracts from the most frequently used species tested for microbial growth inhibitory activity against <I>Staphyloccocus aureus</I> and <I>Escherichia coli.</I> The results revealed that herbalists used diverse hand hygiene procedures, but the most common was hand washing with water and soap sometimes followed by rinsing with traditionally prepared herbal antiseptics. Unfortunately, about 6% of the respondents did not have any hand hygiene regime. Nine plant species were reported to be used as sources of herbal antiseptics but three were particularly popular: <I>Rhoicissus revoilii</I> Planch, tuber (Vitaceae); <I>Microglossa pyrifolia</I> Lam. (O.Kuntze), leaves (Asteraceae); <I>Croton macrostachyus</I> Del. bark (Euphorbiaceae). Water extracts of <I>Croton macrostachyus</I> showed inhibitory growth activity against <I>E. coli</I> as well as <I>S. aureus,</I> while <I>Microglossa pyrifolia</I> and <I>Rhoicissus revoilii</I> only showed inhibitory activity against <I>E. coli</I> and <I>S. aureus</I> respectively. Considering the number of respondents lacking any proper hand hygiene regime, it important to raise awareness regarding the importance of hand cleaning among the herbalists in this region