Screening of antimicrobial activity of herbal extract of Embelia Basal, Chlorhexidine & Amoxicillin against salivary microflora of mixed dentition age group.

The word, Ayurveda in Sanskrit roughly means the “science or knowledge of life.” Other Ayurvedic experts however, contend that Ayurveda is even more accurately translated as the “science or knowledge of longevity.” As such, it focuses on comprehensively addressing the body and preventing disease by reestablishing equilibrium. When balance is achieved, longevity – living a long, healthy, active and productive life – can be obtained(Frawley D.1989., Svoboda RE 1989). Medicinal plants represent a rich source of antimicrobial agents. Plants are used medicinally in the different countries and are a source of many potent and powerful drugs(Srivastava J et al., 1996). In this study the Antimicrobial activity of ‘Embelia Basal’ in acetone extracts were compared with Chlorhexidine and Amoxicillin 125mg and Amoxicillin 250mg against human salivary microfloraat different concentrations. The antimicrobial activity was assisted by measuring the inhibition zones by well diffusion method. Saliva was collected from children of age group 6-12 years having DMFT value four or above four. Ten salivary samples were tested for antimicrobial property to determine the Minimum Inhibition Concentration in order to increase the reliability and precision of the study. The results confirmed the antimicrobial potential of ‘Embeiia Basal’ plant at different concentrations in acetone extracts are comparable with chlorhexidine and Amoxicillin and can be used as preventive and therapeutic measure in dentistry.

Efficacy of 4-methyl-7-hydroxy coumarin derivatives against vectors Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus.

4-Methyl-7-hydroxy coumarin is considered as a lead molecule as a biopesticide. Its mono bromo and tribromo derivatives were synthesized. Two more derivatives were synthesized by acylation. Compound 1 (3,6,8-tribromo-7-hydroxy-4-methyl-chromen-2-one) was found to be the most potent against IVth instar larvae of C. quinquefasciatus and A. aegypti the LC50 being 1.49 and 2.23 ppm respectively. It showed 100% larval mortality at 25 ppm against A. aegypti and at 10 ppm against C. quinquefasciatus. Compounds 1 and 2 (3,6,8-tribromo-7-hydroxy-4-methyl-chromen-2'-oxo-2H-chromen-7-yl acetate) showed remarkable ovicidal activity. Significant reduction of 80-85% hatching of eggs of both mosquito species was observed at the highest dose of 100 ppm. The hatched larvae showed 100% mortality in the successive instars. Compounds 3 and 4 (3-bromo-7-hydroxy-4-methyl-chromen-2-one and 3-bromo-4-methyl-2'-oxo-2H-chromen-7-yl acetate) showed moderate activity against both mosquito species.

Sterculia guttata seeds extractives--an effective mosquito larvicide.

The larvicidal activity of ethanol, chloroform and hexane soxhlet extracts obtained from S. guttata seeds was investigated against the IVth instar larvae of Dengue fever vector, Aedes aegypti and filarial vector, Culex quinquefasciatus. All extracts including fractions of ethanol extract exhibited 100% larval kill within 24 hr exposure period at 500 ppm concentration. Fraction A1 of ethanol was found to be most promising; its LC50 was 21.552 and 35.520 ppm against C. quinquefasciatus and A. aegypti respectively. Naturally occurring S. guttata seed derived fractions merit further study as potential mosquito larval control agents or lead compounds.