Studies on the Sudanese indigenous African toad bufo SPP. [amphibia]: partial characterization of antibacterial peptides and proteins of the panotoid gland

The parotoid gland secretion of Bufo spp., obtained by manual compression, was found to contain 23.1-41.2% [w/w] of total protein. Gel filtration chromatography showed the existence of four fractions of peptides and proteins responsible for antibacterial activity. Thin layer chromatography showed seven Ninhydrin-positive spots in addition to the origin, in the parotoid gland secretion of Bufo spp. Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis revealed the existence, in the crude secretion, of 2 bands of proteins [P[1] and P[2]] and 2 bands of peptides [P[3] and P[4]] with various molecular weights

In vitro studies on the potentiality of Balanites oil in the treatment of some superficial mycoses

Fruits of Balanites aegyptiaca are traditionally used in paste form for curing some skin diseases in few areas in Western Sudan. Our initial results pointed to the fruit kernel containing the active ingredient. Further studies were meant to test, in vitro, the effect of Balanites fruit kernel oil on three isolates which are known to cause superficial mycoses namely: Microsporum audouinii, Trichophyton soudanense and T. mentagrophytes. The three test organisms were subcultured on sabouraud's medium to which different concentrations of Balanites kernel oil were added. In addition to appropriate controls a normal vegetable oil viz. peanut oil, was tested. BKO, at 5% concentration, showed marked [>70%] growth inhibition against the three fungal isolates tested. No antifungal activity was observed in controls, including peanut oil. Two fractions of Balanites kernel oil were prepared namely: the free fatty acids [FFA] and the unsaponifiable matter [UM], and when tested for antifungal activity with the three test organisms, the activity resided exclusively in the free fatty acid fraction. Initial clinical studies on Balanites kernel oil, currently underway, largely confirmed our in vitro work described here