Plant crude extracts could be the solution: extracts showing in vivo antitumorigenic activity

Screening active compounds from plants lead to discover new medicinal drugs which have efficient protection and treatment roles against various diseases including cancer. In our study, extracts from different plants represent seeds of: Gossypium barbadense, Ricinus communis, Sesamum indicum, Nigella sativa, Vinca rosea and Melia azedarah; fruits of: Xanthium occidental; flowers of: Atriplex nummularia; barks of: Cinnamomum zeylanicum; latex of: Ficus carica and rhizomes of: Curcuma longa and Zingiber officinale were tested in vivo using three subsequent bioassays: the BST [Brine Shrimp Toxicity bioassay], AWD [Agar well diffusion antimicrobial bioassay] and AtPDT [Agrobacterium tumefaciens Potato Disc Tumor bioassay]. AWD technique omitted any extracts have antimicrobial activities while BST omitted any extract did not has physiological activity and determined the various LC50 of each plant extract. For the first time, using a range of concentrations in the AtPDT modified protocol allowed the detection of tu mor promotion caused by extract represented by A. nummularia. Using cluster analysis leads to classifying the different plant extracts activities to six groups regarding to their toxicity, antitumor activities and both of them. The extracts from edible plants represent 50% of the first and the second group which have the highest antitumor activities represented in F. caraica [group 1] and C. longa [group 2] as well as the non-edible plant extracts of Gossypium barbadense and Ricinus communis. A comparison study between the edible and herbaceous plants different extracts for their antitumor activities was performed. We recommended using the modified protocols used in this study for investigating more plants and using crude plant extracts which have antitumor activities in cancer treatment. Edible plants, which show in vivo antitumor activities, are recommended as save sources for antitumor compounds

Bacterial populations in the biofilm and non biofilm components of a sand filter used in water treatment

The bacterial composition of the biofilm and non-biofilm components of a rapid sand filter used in water purification in Alexandria, Egypt, was determined. The total bacterial population was 64.30x10[4] CUF/g at the surface of the filter but this decreased to 21.52x104 CFU/g at a depth of 50 cm. Representatives of 22 genera were identified, with five genera [Micrococcus luteus, Pseudomonas spp.., Alcaligenes spp., Cirobacter spp. And Enterobacter spp.] Considered to be members of the biofilm consortium as they were present at all tested levels of the sand filter and were resistant to removal by wash treatment. The biofilm consortium made up 50.3% of the total bacterial population at the surface of the filter and 71.1% of the population at the 50-cm level. Bacteria able to reduce nitrate and/or sulphate were present in both the biofilm and non-film populations