Phytochemical composition and comparative evaluation of antimicrobial activities of the juice extract of citrus aurantifolia and its silver nanoparticles

Background: Citrus aurantifolia juice has been useful for the treatment of various infections and green synthesis of silver nanoparticle using lime juice may offer added advantages.Objective: The phytochemical composition and comparative evaluation of antimicrobial activities of the crude juice extract and biosynthesized Silver nanoparticle (SNPs) from Citrus aurantifolia juice was investigated.Materials and methods: Phytochemical, antimicrobial evaluation (agar well diffusion) and biosynthesis of SNPs was done using Crude extract of Citrus aurantifolia. The SNPs were characterized by colour changes, spectroscopy and Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy.Results: The juice extract contained bioactive compounds such as flavonoids (710mg/100g), tannins (525mg/100g), phenols (65mg/100g) and terpenes (56mg/100g). Changes in colour, UV-Vis Spectroscopy at 300-550nm ranges and FTIR revealed the functional groups present in the biosynthesized SNPs. The crude extract and SNPs exhibited varying antimicrobial activities against some selected pathogens including Streptococcus pyogenes ATCC 19615, Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC 10031, Bacillus sp, Actinobacillus sp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. The crude extract has more antibacterial potential against the tested pathogens than the biosynthesized SNPs. The crude extract also had higher antimicrobial activities against Streptococcus pyogenes which were resistant to ciprofloxacin. The result revealed that the crude extract was more effective than the SNPs produced and the Minimum Inhibitory concentration (MIC) also showed increasing activities with an increase in the concentration of the juice extract and SNPs.Conclusion: Crude extract of Citrus aurantifolia contain bioactive compound with potent antimicrobial potential and the extract was more effective than the biosythesized SNPs

Five Cases of Phytophotodermatitis Caused by Fig Leaves and Relevant Literature Review

Phytophotodermatitis is a condition caused by sequential exposure to photosensitizing substances present in plants followed by ultraviolet light. Several plants (e.g., limes, celery, fig, and wild parsnip) contain furocoumarin compounds (psoralens). It is important for dermatologists to be aware of phytophotodermatitis because it may be misdiagnosed as cellulitis, tinea, or allergic contact dermatitis. We present five patients with a sharply defined erythematous swollen patch with bullae on both feet. They described soaking their feet in a fig leaves decoction to treat their underlying dermatologic diseases. Within 24 hours, all patients had a burning sensation in their feet, and erythema and edema had developed on the feet dorsa with exception of the portion of the skin covered by the sandals. Histopathologic examinations revealed sub-epithelial blisters with intensive epidermal necrosis. Phytophotodermatitis was ultimately diagnosed and, after several days, the patients' skin lesions began to recover upon treatment with systemic and topical corticosteroids. Unfortunately, since there are no studies providing sufficient evidence on the benefits of fig leaves, they should be used with caution.

Five Cases of Phytophotodermatitis Caused by Fig Leaves and Relevant Literature Review

Phytophotodermatitis is a condition caused by sequential exposure to photosensitizing substances present in plants followed by ultraviolet light. Several plants (e.g., limes, celery, fig, and wild parsnip) contain furocoumarin compounds (psoralens). It is important for dermatologists to be aware of phytophotodermatitis because it may be misdiagnosed as cellulitis, tinea, or allergic contact dermatitis. We present five patients with a sharply defined erythematous swollen patch with bullae on both feet. They described soaking their feet in a fig leaves decoction to treat their underlying dermatologic diseases. Within 24 hours, all patients had a burning sensation in their feet, and erythema and edema had developed on the feet dorsa with exception of the portion of the skin covered by the sandals. Histopathologic examinations revealed sub-epithelial blisters with intensive epidermal necrosis. Phytophotodermatitis was ultimately diagnosed and, after several days, the patients' skin lesions began to recover upon treatment with systemic and topical corticosteroids. Unfortunately, since there are no studies providing sufficient evidence on the benefits of fig leaves, they should be used with caution.

Validación preclínica del efecto antiinflamatorio tópico de cinco plantas medicinales / Preclinical validation of the topical anti-inflammatory effect of five medicinal plants

INTRODUCCIÓN: en Cuba y otros países del Caribe se reporta el uso tradicional de plantas medicinales para afecciones como amigdalitis, cefaleas, aftas, picaduras, artritis, entre otras, que tienen entre sus síntomas y signos dolor e inflamación; no existen suficientes estudios de validación preclínica para las preparaciones que se utilizan. OBJETIVOS: evaluar el efecto antiinflamatorio preclínico de preparaciones de 5 plantas medicinales de uso tradicional: Bidens pilosa L. (romerillo), Citrus aurantifolia (Christm) S. (limón), Hyptis verticillata J., Morinda citrifolia L. (noni) y Musa x paradisiaca L. (plátano). MÉTODOS: se empleó el modelo de edema de oreja inducido por aceite de Croton en ratones albinos OF-1 machos (20-25 g), 6 animales por grupo. Se aplicó tópicamente: zumo de partes aéreas frescas de Bidens pilosa(romerillo) y de fruto de Citrus aurantifolia (limón), decocciones al 30 % de partes aéreas secas de Hyptis verticillata, hojas frescas de Morinda citrifolia (noni), y de hojas frescas de Musa x paradisiaca (plátano), 10 µL en cada cara de oreja tratada. Se utilizó como control positivo dexametasona 0,1 mg/oreja. RESULTADOS: se obtuvo una reducción del edema inducido por aceite de Croton con las preparaciones de zumo de Citrus aurantifolia y las decocciones al 30 % de Morinda citrifolia y Musa x paradisiaca; con un considerable porcentaje de inhibición para cada una de ellas. El zumo de Bidens pilosa y la decocción 30 % de Hyptis verticillatano redujeron significativamente la formación del edema. CONCLUSIONES: los resultados experimentales permiten la validación preclínica de la actividad antiinflamatoria del zumo de Citrus aurantifolia y las decocciones a 30 % de Morinda citrifolia y Musa x paradisiaca, así como su empleo tradicional, no siendo así para el zumo de Bidens pilosa y la decocción al 30 % de Hyptis verticillata.

INTRODUCTION: the use of medicinal plants for the treatment of conditions such as tonsilitis, headaches, aphtas, insect bites and arthritis, has been reported in Cuba and other Caribbean countries. Pain and inflammation are among the signs and symptoms of these conditions. There are not enough studies about the preclinical validation of the preparations used. OBJECTIVES: evaluate the preclinical anti-inflammatory effect of preparations from five medicinal plants of traditional use: Bidens pilosa L. (romerillo), Citrus aurantifolia (Christm) S. (lemon), Hyptis verticillata J., Morinda citrifolia L. (noni) and Musa x paradisiaca L. (banana). METHODS: the Croton oil ear edema test model was used in male albino OF-1 mice (20-25 g), 6 animals per group. Juice from fresh aerial parts of Bidens pilosa (romerillo) and from the fruit of Citrus aurantifolia (lemon), 30 % decoctions of dry aerial parts of Hyptis verticillata, fresh leaves of Morinda citrifolia (noni), and fresh leaves of Musa x paradisiaca (banana), 10 µL, were topically applied on both sides of the ear being treated. Dexamethasone 0.1 mg/ear was used as positive control. RESULTS: Citrus aurantifolia juice preparations and the 30 % Morinda citrifolia and Musa x paradisiaca decoctions reduced Croton oil ear edema with a high inhibition percentage. Bidens pilosa juice and the 30 % Hyptis verticillatadecoction did not reduce edema formation significantly. CONCLUSIONS: experimental results support the preclinical validation of the anti-inflammatory activity of Citrus aurantifolia juice and the 30 % decoctions of Morinda citrifolia and Musa x paradisiaca, as well as their traditional use. Bidens pilosa juice and the 30 % decoction of Hyptis verticillata are not validated.

Composição química e atividade antimicrobiana do óleo essencial e anatomia foliar e caulinar de Citrus limettioides Tanaka (Rutaceae) / Chemical Composition and Antimicrobial Activity of Essential Oil and Anatomy of Citrus limettioides Tanaka(Rutaceae) Leaves and Stem

Citrus limettioides (Rutaceae) é utilizada popularmente para tratamento da sinusite, e também como antitérmica e hipotensora. Este trabalho teve como objetivos: identificar os constituintes dos óleos essenciais da folha e da casca dos frutos de C. limettioides; avaliar a atividade antimicrobiana dos óleos essenciais da folha e da casca dos frutos e realizar o estudo anatômico da folha e caule jovem. Os óleos essenciais foram obtidos por hidrodestilação em aparelho de Clevenger modificado e analisados por CG-EM. A concentração inibitória mínima (CIM) foi determinada utilizando o método de microdiluição em caldo frente a bactérias Gram-positivas, Gram-negativas e fungos. Para o estudo anatômico foram realizados cortes histológicos a mão livre e as secções foram coradas com azul de Alcian/safranina, reagente de Steinmetz, lugol e analisados em microscopia de luz. O linalol foi o componente majoritário no óleo essencial das folhas (36,88 a 45,15%) e o limoneno no óleo da casca dos frutos (70,60 a 75,18%). O óleo essencial das folhas apresentou CIM de 2000 μg/mL frente às bactérias e nenhuma atividade frente aos fungos. O óleo essencial da casca dos frutos não apresentou atividade antimicrobiana. A folha é hipoestomática, predominando os estômatos anomocíticos; o mesofilo é dorsiventral com parênquima paliçádico bisseriado e parênquima lacunoso com 11 camadas de células. Cavidades secretoras foram observadas no mesofilo da folha, no pecíolo e no caule, enquanto cristais prismáticos foram identificados em todas as estruturas da folha e do caule. Os dados obtidos no estudo microscópico podem auxiliar na identificação taxonômica desta planta e na avaliação da autenticidade da droga vegetal.

Citrus limettioides (Rutaceae), a sweet lime, is popularly used to treat sinusitis, and as an antipyretic and hypotensive agent.the aim of this study was to identify the constituents of the essential oils from the leaf and fruit peel of C. limettioides, test the antimicrobial activity of these essential oils and perform an anatomical study of the leaf and young stem. Essential oils were isolated by steam distillation in a modified Clevenger apparatus and analyzed by GC-MS. the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and fungi were determined by broth microdilution.Anatomical studies were performed on freehand histological sections, which were stained with Alcian blue / safranin, Steinmetz reagent and lugol and analyzed by light microscopy. Linalol was the major component in the leaf essential oil (36.88 to 45.15%) and limonene in the fruit peel essential oil (70.60 to 75.18%).the essential oil from leaves showed antimicrobial activity against bacteria (MIC 2000 μg/mL) and no activity against fungi.the essential oil from the fruit peel showed no antimicrobial activity. the leaf is hypostomatic with predominance of anomocytic stomata, the mesophyll is dorsiventral with biseriate palisade and 11 layers of spongy parenchyma cells.Secretory cavities were observed among the mesophyll cells of the leaf, petiole and stem, whilst prismatic crystals were identified in all structures of leaf and stem. the anatomical data obtained in the microscopic study may help in the taxonomic identification of this plant and to verify the authenticity of the drug plant.

Study on technology in preparation of Fructus Auranti extract / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To optimize the method of Fructus Auranti extracts preparation.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The extraction conditions and resin type were examined by using naringin as main indices. The sampling amount, the elution solvent and their flow rates were optimized. The recycling times and recovery capacity of resin were also studied.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The best extraction could be obtained by adding 10 times amount of NaOH (pH 11) for 3 times, 1 hour each time. The purification conditions were specified as follows: using D101 macroporous resin, the sampling ratio of resin weight to raw material was 1:0.8 with a flow rate of 2 BV x h(-1) and 4 BV 50% aqueous ethanol as elusion solven.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>By using this method, the naringin in the product could reach above 30%. Besides, the optimum method is simple and practical.</p>

Fluoride content in bottled drinking waters, carbonated soft drinks and fruit juices in Davangere city, India.

Background: The regular ingestion of fluoride lowers the prevalence of dental caries. The total daily intake of fluoride for optimal dental health should be 0.05-0.07 mg fluoride/kg body weight and to avoid the risk of dental fluorosis, the daily intake should not exceed a daily level of 0.10 mg fluoride/kg body weight. The main source of fluoride is from drinking water and other beverages. As in other countries, consumption of bottled water, juices and carbonated beverages has increased in our country. Objective: To analyze the fluoride content in bottled water, juices and carbonated soft drinks that were commonly available in Davangere city. Materials and Methods: Three samples of 10 commercially available brands of bottled drinking water, 12 fruit juices and 12 carbonated soft drinks were purchased. Bottled water and carbonated soft drinks were stored at a cold place until fluoride analysis was performed and a clear juice was prepared using different fruits without the addition of water. Then, the fluoride analysis was performed. Results: The mean and standard deviation of fluoride content of bottled water, fruit juices and carbonated soft drinks were measured, which were found to be 0.20 mg (±0.19) F/L, 0.29 mg (±0.06) F/L and 0.22 mg (±0.05) F/L, respectively. Conclusion: In viewing the results of the present study, it can be concluded that regulation of the optimal range of fluoride in bottled drinking water, carbonated soft drinks and fruit juices should be drawn for the Indian scenario.

Intestinal absorption properties of flavones and extract of fructus aurantii immaturus in rats / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the intestinal absorption of naringin, hesperidin, neohesperidin and the extract of Fructus Aurantii Immaturus in rats.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The rat intestinal perfusion and enzymes incubation models were used, together with the determination of the n-octanol/water partition coefficient of the components (P).</p><p><b>RESULT</b>In perfusion model, the P(eff) of all components were low, and the P(eff) of naringin, hesperidin and neohesperidin were 0.140-0.252, 0.156-0.268 and 0.154-0.285, respectively. In four different regions of intestine of rat and with different concentration, the P(eff) of the components both had no significant difference, whereas the P(eff) of the extract were higher than the P(eff) of the single component. The metabolite of components was not detected in intestine. The P of naringin, hesperidin and neohesperidin were 0.36, 0.40 and 0.48, respectively, and the pH of buffer solution had no influence to its distribution coefficient.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Poor permeation contributed to the poor intestinal absorption of naringin, hesperidin and neohesperidin. The absorption of components in extract were increased, and the results suggest that the extract may enhance the intestinal absorption of the components.</p>

Role of bilirubin as antioxidant in neonatal jaundice and effect of ethanolic extract of sweet lime peel on experimentally induced jaundice in rat.

Bilirubin above a threshold level is toxic to human system and is excreted in urinary and through gastrointestinal tract. The role of bilirubin as antioxidant is debatable. This paper aims at elucidating the role of bilirubin as an antioxidant in neonatal jaundice patients. It is observed that bilirubin up to 6 mg/dl in blood acts as an antioxidant and above 12.5 mg/dl is strongly prooxidant. Phototherapy is the accepted therapeutic management of neonatal jaundice and has been shown to enhance the oxidative stress. Approaches have been taken to formulate a herbal medication which will reduce bilirubin level in the neonates without inducing additional damages. The ethanolic extract of sweet lime peel, administered orally at a dose of 72 microg is found to reduce the oxidative stress in erythrocytes of phenylhydrazine-induced jaundiced rats treated with phototherapy.

Complete ¹H and 13C NMR assignments and anti fungal activity of two 8-hydroxy flavonoids in mixture

A mixture of the two new flavonols 8-hydroxy-3, 4', 5, 6, 7-pentamethoxyflavone (1) and 8-hydroxy-3, 3', 4', 5, 6, 7-hexamethoxyflavone (2) was isolated from a commercial sample of Citrus aurantifolia. An array of one- (¹HNMR, {¹H}-13C NMR, and APT-13C NMR) and two-dimensional NMR techniques (COSY, NOESY, HMQC and HMBC) was used to achieve the structural elucidation and the complete ¹H and 13C chemical shift assignments of these natural compounds. In addition, the antifungal activity of these compounds against phytopathogenic and human pathogenic fungi was investigated.

Os flavonóis 8-hidroxi-3, 4', 5, 6, 7-pentametoxiflavona (1) e 8-hidroxi-3, 3', 4', 5, 6, 7-hexametoxiflavona (2) foram isolados em mistura a partir de uma amostra comercial de Citrus aurantifolia. A determinação estrutural e a inequívoca atribuição dos sinais de deslocamento químico dos átomos de hidrogênio e carbono destes compostos naturais foram realizadas através da análise dos espectros de RMN 1D e 2D, incluindo COSY, NOESY, HMQC e HMBC. Em adição, a atividade antifúngica destes compostos contra fungos patogênicos também foiinvestigada.

Nitric oxide: a common antipathogenic factor of plants.

In the present study, nitric oxide synthase/nitric oxide (NOS/NO) status was tested in the host plants infected with fungi, bacteria and virus. In each case cytosolic nitric oxide synthase (Cyt-NOS) of diseased plants was inhibited and inhibition was competitive in nature in respect to l-arginine, the substrate for the enzymic activity. Elevation of host nitric oxide (NO) level before infection using nitric oxide (NO) donor protected disease initiation significantly. The nature of enzyme kinetics and the manner of disease protection by nitric oxide donor (NO-donor) was similar in all the three cases of infection. It was concluded that nitric oxide was a common antipathogenic factor of plants.

Antimicrobial activity of extracts of local cough mixtures on upper respiratory tract bacterial pathogens

The punched-hole and the paper disc diffusion methods were used in screening for the antimicrobial activity of six common ingredients used locally in cough mixtures, against the following bacteria: Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus. Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp, Salmonella paratyphi, Shigella dysenteria, Shigella sonnei and Candida albicans. The results, evaluated as the diameter of zone of inhibition of microbial growth, showed that lime, garlic onion, onion and honey were active against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus faecalis, Candida albicans, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp and Shigella dysenteriae. Bitter-kola nut extract and palm kernel oil showed no antimicrobial activities against any of the tested organisms. None of the extracts inhibited the growth of Salmonella paratyphi and Shigella sonnei and the most susceptible organisms were Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp

Clinical Study of the Duration of CO2 Absorption of ROK and USA-produced Soda Lime and Their Re-use Time after Being Exhausted / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: In a circle system, gas that is to be reused is cleared of carbon dioxide by passing through a canister containing a chemical CO2 absorbent. In anesthesia textbooks the utilization time of carbon dioxide is nearly always specified to last about 5 hours. The soda lime used was noted to regenerate its efficiency for CO2 absorption after being exhausted. Two different types of soda lime (a ROK product and USA product) were analyzed in patients for their duration of carbon dioxide absorption from the anesthetic closed circle system and re-use time after being exhausted. METHODS: General inhalation anesthesia was performed using a PhysioFlex anesthesia machine. To determine the duration of carbon dioxide absorption by soda lime and the re-use time after being exhausted, twenty seven (ROK; 20 and USA; 7) and fifty (ROK; 22 and USA; 28) adult patients were studied. Duration of CO2 absorption was determined as the time for the inspired CO2 concentration to reach 0.5%. The color change of ethyl violet in soda lime was observed throughout the study. Duration of CO2 absorption was compared by unpaired t-test. Re-use time of each group was analysed by simple regression; p less than 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Duration of CO2 absorption was 2.67 +/- 2.12 hrs for the ROK product and 9.52 +/- 0.68 hrs of USA product, and they were different significantly (P < 0.05). Regression equations of ROK- and USA-products werey (min) = 5.761x + 45.701 (r2 = 0.0438, P = 0.3496, x means day after being exhausted) and y = 0.6x + 33.179 (r2 = 0.0158, P = 0.5233) respectively. A color change of ethyl violet in ROK soda lime was not observed throughout the chemical reaction. CONCLUSIONS: From the above results we suggest that ROK soda lime is not effective yet to use for CO2 absorption in clinical anesthesia. It is marked shorter than that of the USA soda lime. A color change of ethyl violet was not observed throughout the chemical absorption reaction in ROK soda lime. Re-use time of both soda limes were not related with the duration after being exhausted.

The Surgical Outcome of Clear Lens Extraction for Correction of Severe High Myopia

The authors performed clear lens extraction on 22 eye to treat severe high myopia more than 12 diopters(D). The changes in spherical equivalent (S. E.), visual acuity improvement, and the complications were evaluated during 6 months postoperatively. A scleral pocket incision and continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis was made and lens extraction was performed via phacoemulsification and low power poserior chamber intraocular lens was implanted. The postoperative refractive error target were form -1.5D to-2.0D. More than 85% of eyes were within +/-1D of targeted refractive error. The posoperative uncorrected visual acuities were increased more than 20/200 in all eyes and 20% of eyes were increased more than 20/40 at postoperative two months. The postoperative corrected visual acuities were increased two or more limes in more than 80% of eyes. Intraoperatively, hyphema in one eye, wound leaking in two eyes and radial tear during contimuous curvilinear capsulorhexis in one eye were developed. Poltoperatively, retinal detachment in two eyes, subretinal neovascularization in one eye and posterior capsular opacification in three eyes were developed. In conclusion, the clear lens extraction was a effective method for correction of severe high myopia but longer follow-up of large number of cases is needed to fully assess the safety.

Técnicas cromatográficas para a diferenciação de óleos essenciais cítricos de limão siciliano e Tahiti / Chromatographic techniques for the differentiation of Sicilian lemon and Tahiti citrus essential oils

Para verificação das diferenças qualitativas e quantitativas dos óleos essenciais de limão dos tipos Sieiliano e Tahiti, foram estudadas duas técnicas cromatográficas: a da camada delgada e a gasosa. A técnica da cromatografia em camada delgada baseou-se na utilização de placas de vidro de 20 x 20 em, recobertas com sílica gel G; a fase móvel utilizada foi benzeno - acetato de etila - ácido acético glacial, na proporção de 90: 10: 1. A detecção foi feita de duas maneiras: uma, através da visualização na câmara de luz ultravioleta, outra através de pulverização com reagente químico. A técnica de cromatografia em fase gasosa utilizou o detector de ionização de chama, com fase estacionária de 5% SP-1000 em Supelcoport, para mostrar as diferenças existentes entre estes dois óleos. Verificou-se que, tanto na técnica da cromatografía em camada delgada quanto na cromatografia em fase gasosa, houve diferenças de comportamento destes dois óleos que permitem facilmente identificá-Ios. Na cromatografia em camada delgada houve diferença no número de manchas e, também, na intensidade de algumas. Na cromatografia em fase gasosa foram identificados picos e áreas diferentes dos componentes dos óleos essenciais (AU).