Anthelmintic effect of artesunate in experimental heterophyid infection

Artesunate is a water-soluble semi-synthetic drug derived from artemisinin which is extracted from leaves of the Chinese plant Artemisia annua. This successful bas-ically-antimalarial drug has been proved to be also effective against trematodes like Schistosoma japonicum, S. mansoni, Fasciola hepatica and Clonorchis sinensis, The present work aimed to investigate the in-vivo efficacy of artesunate against heterophyids in mice, using praziquantel as a therapeutic control. Results showed that artesunate was effective in treatment of experimental heterophyidiasis as proved by a 100% reduction of intestinal adult worm count at a dose regimen of 200 mg/kg/day, given for 3 successive days. Besides, surface tegumental damage of the adult worm was observed by SEM in form of bleb formation, disruption, erosion and peeling. The proved therapeutic efficacy of artesunate together with its reported safety, favor its possible use as a new alternative therapy in human heterophyidiasis

In vitro antibacterial activity from marine algal extracts against virulent bacteria

In vitro screening using methanolic extracts of different marine algae and one sea grass showed antibacterial activity against eight virulent strains of fish and human pathogens I:I [V:V] ratios of each methanolic extract were mutually added to give 21 interactions. The interaction between Udotea sp and Codium fragile extracts exhibited higher activities against Edwardsiella tarda [18 +/- 0.9mm] Vibrio ordalli [16 +/- 0.8mm] Klebsiella pneumonia [20 +/- 1mm] and Pseudomonas aeruginosa [16 +/- 0.8mm]. The bioactivity of this interaction was found to be more effective than that obtained from some common antibiotics including: Lincolin, Streptomycin and Gentamycin. The chemical constituents of these two algal extracts and their interaction were characterized using thin layer chromatography and gas chromatographic - mass spectral analysis. The bioactivity of the separated compounds was estimated. Palmitic acid was the most active fatty acid

Evaluation of chemical constituents and trade potential of cymbopogon citratus [Lemongrass]

Cymbopogon citratus [Gramineae] requires a warm tropical humid climate, plenty of sunshine and intermittent but not excessive rainfall. Apart from essential oils, two compounds were isolated from C. citratus from the light petroleum. Compound 'A'-a saturated long chain alcohol of M.F. C26H24O is probably tricontanol. An alkaloid, a saponin [C29H48O] and two tripernoids, cymbopogone and cymbopogonol have also been isolated

Pharmacognostic studies of indigenous medicinal plants-I

The comparative cytomorphological studies of Conyza ambigua, Eclipta alba and Sonchus asper were carried out with fresh transverse section and with dried powder of their various parts under light microscope; while the irritant constituents were extracted successively with pet. ether [40-60], CHCI3 and MeOH. The CHCI3 and MeOH extracts of leaves, roots and flowers of all the species exhibited a prominent erythema on mice's skin. The CHCI3 and MeOH extracts of the flower of S. asper were more poten irritant than the other extracts of the same species and also the other species. The possible relationship of anatomical structures with phytochemistry and irritancy of these species have been discussed