A comparative study to evaluate the effects of antibiotics, plant extracts and fluoride-based toothpaste on the oral pathogens isolated from patients with gum diseases in Pakistan / Um estudo comparativo para avaliar os efeitos de antibióticos, extratos vegetais e creme dental à base de flúor sobre os patógenos orais isolados de pacientes com doenças gengivais no Paquistão

Oral diseases caused by various microorganisms are common around the world. Scientific research has now been focusing on novel medicines to overcome bacterial resistance and antibiotics side effects; therefore, the current study was designed to assess the efficacy of certain antibiotics, toothpaste, and medicinal plant extracts (Ajuga bracteosa and Curcuma longa) versus the bacterial pathogens isolated from the human oral cavity. A total of 130 samples were collected from Khyber Teaching Hospital Peshawar, Pakistan, among those 27 species isolated, and eight bacterial species were identified from the samples. Among all the bacterial species, Staphylococcus aureus (29.62%) and Proteus mirabilis (22.2%) were found to be more prevalent oral pathogens. In comparison, the least pervasive microbes were Proteus vulgaris, Shigella sonnei, Escherichia coli and Aeromonas hydrophila. The study also suggested that dental problems were more prevalent in males (41-50 years of age) than females. Among the eight antibiotics used in the study, the most promising results were shown by Foxicillin against A. hydrophila. The survey of TP1 revealed that it showed more potent antagonist activity against Proteus vulgaris as compared TP2 and TP3 that might be due to the high content of fluoride. The Curcuma longa showed more significant activity than Ajuga bracteosa (Stem, leaves and root) extracts. The data obtained through this study revealed that antibiotics were more effective for oral bacterial pathogens than toothpaste and plant extracts which showed moderate and low activity, respectively. Therefore, it is suggested that the active compounds in individual medicinal plants like Curcuma longa and Ajuga bracteosa could replace the antibiotics when used in daily routine as tooth cleansers or mouth rinses.

As doenças bucais causadas por vários microrganismos são comuns em todo o mundo. A pesquisa científica agora tem se concentrado em novos medicamentos para superar a resistência bacteriana e os efeitos colaterais dos antibióticos; portanto, o presente estudo foi desenhado para avaliar a eficácia de certos antibióticos, pasta de dente e extratos de plantas medicinais (Ajuga bracteosa e Curcuma longa) contra os patógenos bacterianos isolados da cavidade oral humana. No total, 130 amostras foram coletadas do Khyber Teaching Hospital Peshawar, Paquistão, entre essas, 27 espécies foram isoladas e oito espécies bacterianas foram identificadas a partir das amostras. Entre todas as espécies bacterianas, Staphylococcus aureus (29.62%) e Proteus mirabilis (22.2%) foram os patógenos orais mais prevalentes. Em comparação, os micróbios menos difundidos foram Proteus vulgaris, Shigella sonnei, Escherichia coli e Aeromonas hydrophila. O estudo também sugeriu que os problemas dentários eram mais prevalentes em homens (41-50 anos de idade) do que em mulheres. Entre os oito antibióticos usados no estudo, os resultados mais promissores foram mostrados pelo Foxicillin contra A. hydrophila. A pesquisa de TP1 revelou que ele mostrou atividade antagonista mais potente contra Proteus vulgaris em comparação a TP2 e TP3, o que pode ser devido ao alto teor de flúor. A Curcuma longa apresentou atividade mais significativa em relação aos extratos de Ajuga bracteosa (caule, folhas e raiz). Os dados obtidos neste estudo revelaram que os antibióticos foram mais eficazes para os patógenos bacterianos orais do que os dentifrícios e os extratos vegetais que apresentaram atividade moderada e baixa, respectivamente. Portanto, sugere-se que os compostos ativos em plantas medicinais individuais como Curcuma longa e Ajuga bracteosa possam substituir os antibióticos quando usados na rotina diária como limpadores de dentes ou enxaguatórios bucais.

Pharmacokinetics of 8-O-acetylharpagide and harpagide after oral administration of Ajuga decumbens extract in beagle dog / 中国中药杂志

8-O-acetylharpagide and harpagide are two kinds of effective component of Ajuga decumbens extract. A sensitive LC-MS/MS method has been established for pharmacokinetics of 8-O-acetylharpagide and harpagide in beagle dog after oral administration of from A. decumbens extract. Female beagle dogs received orally 12.9, 25.7 mg x kg(-1) p. o. Concentrations of 8-O-acetylharpagide and harpagide in plasma were determined by LC-MS/MS method at different time points and all pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated by non-compartment analysis. The mobile phase consisted of 0.1% formic acid in water (A) and acetonitrile (B), which was run at a flow rate of 0.3 mL x min(-1). Chromatographic separation was achieved on an Agilent ZORBAX XDB-C18 column (2.1 mm x 50 mm, 3.5 microm) using a gradient elution of 5% B at 0-2 min, 95% B at 2. 1-5 min and 5% B at 5. 1-10 min. All analytes, including the IS, were monitored under positive ionization conditions and quantified in MRM mode with transitions of m/z 429.2-369.2 for 8-O-acetylharpagide, m/z 387.2-207.2 for harpagide, and m/z 149.2-103.1 for IS. High purity nitrogen was employed as both the nebulizing and drying gas. Other parameters of the mass spectrometer were optimized as follows: drying gas flow 10.0 L x min(-1); drying gas temperature 300 degrees C; capillary voltage 4 000 V. Results showed that 8-O-acetylharpagide and harpagide showed a dose-dependence profile. T(max) of 8-O-acetylharpagide is 1.7 h, and T(max) of harpagide is 1.57 h, which was higher than T(max) of 8-O-acetylharpagide and harpagide after oral administration of from A. decumbens extract in rats. The different pharmacokinetic parameters may be due to the species differences of rat and beagle dog.

Correlation between antimetastatic action of Ajuga decumbens and expression of MMPs and TIMPs / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the anticancer and anti-metastatic effect of Ajuga decumbens extraction (HBG) on breast cancer and to clarify the effect of HBG on MMPs and TIMPs.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The antitumor and antimetastic effect of HBG was determined using orthotopic 4T1 breast cancer mouse model. Western blot analysis was employed to detect the expression of associated proteins in breast cancer metastasis.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Administration with 50-200 mg x kg(-1) doses of HBG significantly reduced the tumor weight, tumor volume and numbers of lung tumor nodules in a dose-dependent manner. Tumor metastasis correlated proteins were altered following HBG treatment, MMP-2 and MMP-9 were down-regulated while TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 were up-regulated.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>HBG showed anticancer and antimetastatic effect towards breast cancer through regulating the expression of MMPs and TIMPs. These data sustain our contention that HBG might be used as a potential therapeutic agent.</p>

Antiplasmodial activity of Ajuga bracteosa against Plasmodium berghei infected BALB/c mice.

Background & objectives: The present work was undertaken to evaluate antiplasmodial activity of ethanolic leaves extract of traditional medicinal plant Ajuga bracteosa in Plasmodium berghei infected BALB/c mice along with its phytochemical screening and acute toxicity test to support its traditional use as a remedy for malaria. Methods: Plant extract (ethanolic) 250, 500, 750 mg/kg/day was evaluated in the early and established infection along with repository activity in P. berghei infected BALB/c mice through suppressive, curative and preventive test. The phytochemical screening was carried out by employing standard procedures. The acute toxicity was checked through limit test. Results: The ethanolic leaves extract of A. bracteosa (250, 500 and 750 mg/kg/day) demonstrated a dose-dependent chemosuppression during early and in established infections, along with significant (P<0.05) repository activity. At a concentration of 750 mg/kg/day maximum 77.7 per cent chemosuppression during early infection and 68.8 per cent chemosuppression in repository activity were found. This dose enhanced significant mean survival period up to 27.4 ± 0.46 days in established infection. ELEAB was found to be safe up to 5 g/kg weight when administrated orally in the female BALB/c mice, which is upper limit for oral administration of the test material to rodents. ED50 of ELEAB was 300 mg/kg body weight of mice. Interpretation & conclusion: ELEAB inhibited parasitaemia and enhanced mean survival time in a dose-dependent manner upto 750 mg/kg/day dose in treated mice. Further studies need to be done to isolate and characterize active constituents of extract and to study their mechanism of action.

Ethnopharmacology of the plants of genus Ajuga

The plants of genus Ajuga are evergreen, clump-forming rhizomatous perennial or annual herbaceous flowering species, with Ajuga being one of the 266 genera of the family Lamiaceae. There are at least 301 species of the genus Ajuga with many variations. These plants, growing in Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and North America, are used in gardens as ground cover or border for their foliage and beautiful flowers. Many of these plants have been used in traditional medicine as a remedy for fever, toothache, dysentery, malaria, high blood pressure, diabetes, gastrointestinal disorders, as anthelmintic, diuretic and antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and antimycobacterial agents. They are also used as insect growth inhibitor s. A large number of compounds have been isolated from the Ajuga plants, including phytoecdysteroids, Neo-clerodane-diterpenes and diterpenoids, triterpenes, sterols, anthocyanidin-glucosides and iridoid glycosides, withanolides, flavonoids, triglycerides and essential oils. These compounds possess a broad spectrum of biological, pharmacological and medicinal properties, such as anabolic, analgesic, antibacterial, antiestrogenic, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, antileukemic, antimalarial, antimycobacterial, antioxidant, antipyretic, cardiotonic, cytotoxic, hypoglycemic, and vasorelaxing activity, as well as antifeedant and insect growth-inhibitory properties. Thus, genus Ajuga has significant medicinal and economic importance

Improvement effects of Jincao tablet on immune function of model of hysteromyoma in rats / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the improvement effects of Jincao tablet on immune function of the model of hysteromyoma in rat and the relationship between the model and pathogenesis.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Rats were randomly divided into 6 groups: normal group, model group, treatment groups including low,middle and high dosage groups of Jincao tablet and Guizhi Fuling pill. Rats were injected respectively with diethyl stilbestrol and progesterone. The immune apparatus of rats were measured. The levels of CD3, CD4 and CD4/ CD8 in serum were determined by flow cytometer. The estrogen and receptor were measured by radioligand binding assay and pathologic changes of womb tissue were observed microscopically.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Compared with normal group, the weight of thymus, the levels of CD3, CD4 and CD4/CD8 of model group were significantly decreased, and the levels of estrogen, estrogen receptor and CD8 were obviously increased. Jincao tablet groups were significant difference compared with model group and could alleviate the pathological changes of womb tissue.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Jincao tablet could improve the levels of immune function of the model of hysteromyoma in rat, and it might play a role in the pathogenesis of leiomyoma.</p>

Determination of acetylharpagide in Ajuga decumbens by HPLC / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish a method of the quantitative determination of acetylharpagide in Ajuga decumbens.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The chromatographic conditions were as follows: a Phenomenex Luna C18 column was used, the mobile phase was composed of acetontrile-water (15:85), the flow rate was 1.0 mL x min(-1) and the UV absorbance detection was set at 197 nm.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Linearity of acetylharpagide was in the range of 0.6-3.6 microg (r = 0.9993), and the average recovery and RSD were 99.13% and 2.48%, respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The contents of acetylharpagide ranged 0.40%-6.39% in A. decumbens. The method was simple, accurate and sensitive.</p>

Larval susceptibility of Ajuga remota against anopheline and culicine mosquitos.

The objective of the present study is to determine the bioefficacy of different crude extracts of Ajuga remota against anopheline and culicine larvae. Larval susceptibility of crude carbon-tetrachloride, methanol and petroleum-ether extracts of Ajuga remota leaves was observed against the malaria vector, Anopheles stephensi and the filariasis vector, Culex quinquefasciatus. Among the extracts tested, petroleum-ether extract was the most effective with LC50 values of 0.033% after 24 hours and 0.029% after 48 hours of treatment against the larvae of Anopheles stephensi. In the case of the larvae of Culex quinquefasciatus, the carbon-tetra-chloride extract exhibited maximum efficacy with LC50 values of 0.043% after 24 hours and 0.026% after 48 hours of exposure, respectively. It is, therefore, concluded that Ajuga remota can be applied as an ideal larvicide against An. stephensi and Cx. quinquefasciatus.