Individual and Combined Antibacterial Activity of Crude Extracts from Medicinal Plants Carissa spinarum Linn and Carica papaya Linn.

Aim: To assess inhibitory effect of extracts, alone and in combination, from Carissa spinarum Linn (C. spinarum L.) and Carica papaya Linn (C. papaya L.) on Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli). The combined extracts used were C. papaya L leaves petroleum ether extract/C. spinarum L root methanolic extract (CPLP/CSRM), C. spinarum L leaves petroleum ether extract/C. papaya L seed ethanolic extract (CSLP/CPSE), C. spinarum L root ethanolic extract/C. papaya L leaves ethanolic extract (CSRE/CPLE), C. papaya L root ethanolic extract/C. spinarum L bark ethanolic extract (CPRE/CSBE) and C. papaya L leaves methanolic extract/C. spinarum L leaves methanolic extract (CPLM/CSLM). Study Design: In vitro antibacterial assay. Place and Duration of Study: Samples were collected from Samunge village at Loliondo in Ngorongoro district located in northern Tanzania. Antimicrobial bioassay was carried out at the Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Dar-es- Salaam, between March 2013 and June 2013. Methodology: The broth micro dilution method was used to determine minimum inhibition concentration (MIC). Fractional inhibitory concentrations were calculated from MICs of individual and combined extracts to determine interactions. Results: Plant extracts demonstrated MICs ranging from 312 to 5000 μg/ml. The combination of plant extracts against S. aureus resulted into antibacterial activity of CPSE, CPRE, CPLM, CSLM and CPLP extracts to increase by 4-, 2-, 4-, 4-, and 2-fold, respectively. Activity of CSLP, CPLM and CSLM increased by 2-fold against E. coli. Synergy was demonstrated by CPLM/CSLM against S. aureus. Some combinations were additive including CPRE/CSBE, CPLP/CSRM and CSLP/CPSE against S. aureus and CSLP/CPSE, CPRE/CSBE, CPLM/CSLM against E. coli. Nevertheless, antagonism was demonstrated by CSRE/CPLE, CPLP/CSRM against E. coli and CSLP/CPSE and CSRE/CPLE against S. aureus. Conclusion: This study revealed the importance of using plant-based antibacterial agents in combined therapy to increase efficacy. Extracts of C. spinarum L and C. papaya L could be a source of antibacterial agents when utilized in combination therapy for patients with severe E. coli and staphylococcal infections. These predictors, however, need to be validated to improve their quality.

Antioxidant and Antitumor Activity of Plumeria acuminata in Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma Bearing Swiss Albino Mice.

Aim: This study was designed to determine the antitumor and antioxidant properties of crude methanol extract from the leaves of Plumeria acuminata (Apocynaceae) (MEPA) against Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma (EAC) bearing Swiss albino mice. Study Design: Study design is methodology, mentioned below. Place and Duration of Study: Division of Pharmacology, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Jadavpur University, Jadavpur, Kolkata, India between 2006 and 2007. Methodology: The extract was administered at the doses of 100, 250 and 500 mg/kg per day for 14 days, after 24 hr of tumor inoculation. After the administration of the last dose followed by 18 hr fasting, mice were then sacrificed for observation of antitumor activity. The effect of MEPA on the growth of transplantable murine tumor, life span of EAC bearing host, viable and non-viable cell count, packed cell volume, hematological profile and biochemical parameters such as lipid peroxidation (LPO), reduced glutathione content (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities were estimated. Results: MEPA caused significant (P<0.01) decrease in tumor volume, packed cell volume and viable count; and it prolonged the life span of EAC-tumor bearing mice. Hematological studies reveal that the Hb content and RBC count were decreased in EAC treated mice, whereas the restoration to near normal levels was observed in extract treated animals. MEPA significantly (P<0.05) decreased the levels of LPO and significantly increased the levels of GSH, SOD and CAT. Moreover the MEPA was found to be devoid of conspicuous short-term toxicity in the mice when administered daily for 14 days at the doses of 100, 250 and 500 mg/kg Conclusion: The results suggested that the methanol extract of Plumeria acuminata leaves exhibited antitumor effect by modulating lipid peroxidation and augmenting antioxidant defense system in EAC bearing Swiss albino mice.