[Antibacterial effects of scrophularia striata extract on pseudomonas aeruginosa]

Scropholaria striata Boiss. From Scropholariaceae [Teshnehdari in folklore of Ilam Province, Iran] is used for treatment of infectious disease of urinary tract especially in females. In this research for finding of the most effective part of the plant, crude extract of the aerial parts of S. striata and its different fractions was investigated on the 50 resistant strains of Psudomonas aeroginosa. Crude extract of the plant and its various fractions [chloroform, methanol and water] were prepared. Bacterial strains were collected from 3 hospitals and 50 resistant strains were isolated from the culture medium containing various antibiotics. Efficacy of the all fractions was investigated on these resistant bacterial strains. Water and methanol fractions of the plant were showed more antibacterial activity on 50 resistant strains of P. aeroginosa than crude extract [p=0.0001 and p=0.001 respectively] and water fraction was showed stronger effect than methanol fraction [p=0.001]. Chloroform fraction of the plant had no antibacterial activity on this resistant strain. The results of this study showed that the water extract of Scropholaria striata can be used as a remedy for the treatment of the infections caused by Psudomonas aeroginosa

Biochemical characteristics and viability of probiotic and yogurt bacteria in yogurt during the fermentation and refrigerated storage

This research aimed to investigate the viability of probiotic bacteria [Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-5 and Bifidobacterium lactisBB-12] and yogurt bacteria [Streptococcus thermophiles and Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus] in yogurt during the fermentation, immediately after fermentation and during refrigerated storage [21 d, 4°C]. Also the biochemical characteristics of milk as affected by the commercial 4-strain mixed starter culture were investigated. Storage time affected the viability of all bacterial species. The concentration of lactic acid during the fermentation increased in parallel with the titrable acidity, and the concentration of acetic acid was proportional to the viability of Bifidobacterium lactis. The acetaldehyde level was decreased in the yogurt from day 0 up to the end of the storage. Streptococcus thermophiles and Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricuswere multiplied considerably during the fermentation. Streptococcus thermophiles could maintain its viability to the highest level, but Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. Bulgaricus lost its viability rapidly during the cold storage compared to Streptococcus thermophilus. The multiplication and viability of probiotic bacteria were also influenced by the associative strains and species of yogurt organisms. Bifidobacteria counts were satisfactory. The loss of viability for bifidobacteria was gradual and steady during the storage, and they showed good stability during the storage as compared to Lactobacillus acidophilus

Antimicrobial activity of different lactobacillus species against multi-drug resistant clinical isolates of pseudomonas aeruginosa

Lactobacilli are the well known friendly bacteria for their probiotic activities against pathogens. The inhibitory activity of different strains of lactobacilli either obtained as commercial products or isolated from human feces was investigated against the clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The isolates were selected as the most resistant strains when challenged with anti-pseudomonal antibiotics already in clinical practice. Both the plate spot test as well as the agar cup method were used for screening of Lactobacillus strains against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. A Lactobacillus acidophilus strain isolated from feces of an Iranian child showed a strong anti-pseudomonal activity [90 percent after 72h incubation] against the multi-drug resistant clinical isolates while a Lactobacillus reuteri strain isolated from a commercial oral product resulted in relatively weak response and a Lactobacillus acidophilus strain isolated from a commercial vaginal product did not show any inhibitory activity. In a kinetic study the lactobacillus sensitive Pseudomonas aeruginosa showed a significant bacteriostatic activity in vitro in the presence of lactobacillus supernatants. Some lactobacilli exhibit significant inhibitory activity against the multidrug resistant clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

[Characterization of enterocin-like substances produced by two strains of enterococci isolated from ewe's and goat's milks]

Raw milk is a source of new strains of bacteriocin-producing lactic acid bacteria [LAB] with the potential to inhibit undesirable microorganisms. The aim of this work was to detect the bacteriocin-producing LAB from raw ewe's and goat's milks and characterize the isolated bacteriocins. A total of 100 samples of ewe's and goat's milks were screened for bacteriocin-producing lactic acid bacteria. Two strains were selected and identified phenotypically to genus level. The serums of cultures of the selected strains were treated with various enzymes to detrmine the nature of their antimicrobial substances. The inhibition potential of the substances was investigated by agar well diffusion assay and their stability at different temperatures and pH's were determined. The antimicrobial substances were partially purified by ammonium sulphate and poly-ethylene gltcol [PEG] and the titer determined. In addition, their molcular weights were determined by SDS-PAGE analysis and their resistance estimated during storage at 4°C. The two strains of Enterococcus, Le40 and Le50, exhibited a broad antimicrobial activity in several replicates. The sensivity of the inhibitory substances to proteolytic enzymes confirmed the production of enterocin-like substances [ELS] by these strains. Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus were inhibited by the ELSs. The ELSs were both stable at a wide pH range [pH 3-10] and the one isolated from Le50 was resistant to heat. Partial purification of both the ELSs increased their activity and titer. Their molcular weights were between 24 and 29 KD. Finally, the ELS's activity was maintained during storage at 4°C for 28 days. Considering the desirable antimicrobial characteristics and biochemical properties of the isolated ELSs, further studies to explore the possibility of using them as biopreservatives in food processing is recommended

Effect of sodium chloride on the kinetics of growth and antimicrobial potential of Lactobacilli isolated from Iranian traditional sourdough

Sourdough starter contains lactic acid bacteria which can improve quality and taste of bread. The lactic acid bacteria in sourdough have antifungal and antibacterial activities. As some lactobacilus-fermented traditional foods contain salt as a preservative, this study was initiated to investigate the effect of different concentrations of sodium chloride on the kinetics of growth and antimicrobial potential of autochthonous isolates of lactobacilli isolated from Iranian traditional sourdough. MRS broth media containing sodium chloride concentrations up to 7% were inoculated with two sourdough isolates of lactobacilli, namely, Lactobacillus casei and Lactobacillus fermentum. The kinetics of growth of individual lactic acid bacteria at different concentrations of sodium chloride was investigated using the conventional plate-count method. Also the antibacterial effects of supernatants of the lacto bacterial strains grown in media with different salt concentrations on several pathogenic bacteria were assessed. The pathogenic strains included methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Kelebciella pneumonia, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The highest growth of both lactobacilli isolates was 10[9] cfu/ml, which occurred at a salt concentration of 2-4%; at a concentrtation of 5% salt the total bacterial counts dropped to 7.5x10[8]. There were further decreases in the lactic acid bacterial counts at a 7% salt concentration to 3.7x10[6] and 2.5x10[5] for L. casei and L. fermentum, respectively. Both lactobacilli isolates tolerated salt concentrations up to 5%, but L. casei was found to be more salt-tolerant than L. fermentum. Salt concentrations did not affect the antimicrobial effects of supernatants of individual lactobacilli isolates. However, low bacterial biomass achieved at high salt concentrations negatively affected antipathogenic effect of these isolates, presumably due to less metabolite production

Antimicrobial activity of lactobacillus plantarum strains isolated from fermented olives origin

Lactobacilus plantarum isolated from fermented olives has been extensively studied with the aim of its use in starter cultures for olive or other production fermentations, but little is known about its antimicrobial resistance and its probiotic effects. The aim of this study was to determine the antimicrobial activity using different strains of L. plantarum isolated from fermented olives origin against Salmonella typhimurium. Three strains of L. plantarum were isolated from fermented green olives [Lpl, Lp2, Lp3].they were grown in MRS broth at 37°C. Overnight culture of S. typhimurium was added to MRS broth containing 108 CFU/mL of L. plantarum. Reduction of the viable cells was assayed on bismuth sulfit agar medium for 24h. Antimicrobial activities of L. plantarum cells against the test strain of Salmonella were also determined by measuring the diameter of growth inhibition zone in agar spot test. All of the L. plantarum strains could inhibit growth of S. typhimurium. Also visible inhibition zones were observed around the spotted cells of L. plantarum strains in the spot tests. Results showed great inhibitory effect of the L. plantarum strains against Salmonella and were differed in their antimicrobial activities which could be due to the metabolite secreted by the L. plantarum strains specially type of bacteriocins

ethnopharmacological study on antibacterial activity of some selected plants used in Iranian traditional medicine

Iran is a land of great heritage of ancient medical scholars. Herbal medicines, as a basement of treatment of diseases have been clearly described in the medical texts of these scholars including Rhazes, Avicenna, and others. Numerous plants are introduced in these texts to treat those diseases likely to be infective ones. Few attempts have been made to evaluate ethnopharmacological aspects of these plants. In the present study selected specimens of plants described in ancient Iranian medical texts to treat infective conditions were evaluated for antibacterial activity. The hypothesis of this study was that the plants described in the ancient medical texts possess antibacterial properties. In this study, ten specimens of these plants were selected from various texts. Their scientific terminologies were prepared based on various respected sources. The antibacterial activity of hydroalcoholic extracts of these herbs, as well as their MICs and MBCs were evaluated according to standard techniques. Results of this study showed that almost all of 10 specimens showed considerable antibacterial activity. The MIC and MBC of some herbs showed strong activity against gram positive and gram negative microorganisms. MICs and MBCs of Heracleum persicum and antibacterial activity of Zea mays are reported for the first time in this study. The antibacterial activity of the selected plants supports their old uses as anti-infective agents. The results of this survey also showed antibacterial activity of Arnebia euchroma [Royle] Johst. and Teucrium polium L. traditionally used as poultice for infective wounds. H. persicumi traditionally used in Iran as spice can play a valuable role in preventing food poisoning. The data of this study supported the importance of ethnopharmacological approach and opened also the new doors to future researches in this field

Evaluation of antimicrobial effectiveness of ophthalmic drops according to the pharmacopeial tests criteria

In this study antimicrobial effectiveness test was performed on eye-drops which had high microbial contaminations in hospital practice to find out whether their antimicrobial efficacies affect the magnitude of microbial contamination during their uses. Artificial tear, atropine sulfate, betamethasone, homatropine hydrobromide, phenylephrine hydrochloride, phenylephrine zinc, pilocarpine hydrochloride, tetracaine hydrochloride and tropicamide eye-drops were subjected to the United States Pharmacopeia [USP] and British Pharmacopeia [BP] antimicrobial preservative effectiveness tests. The results of this study showed that eight out of the nine products met the BP 'B' and USP criteria. The preservative employed in phenylephrine zinc eye-drop did not possess adequate antimicrobial activity against P. aeruginosa. Other eye-drops showed appropriate reductions in bacterial viability after 6 hrs, 24 hrs and 7 days, but showed a very low bacterial recovery after 28 days which didn't comply with the no recovery [NR] term of BP 'A' criteria. Since viable microbial counts were usually determined by plate count method, it seems that the term of NR should define an acceptable range. The results indicated that there is not a clear correlation between antimicrobial efficacy testing of eye-drops and the rate of their microbial contamination while are being used. Other factors such as hygienic practices of eye-drops, proper bottle design and training of patients could influence their microbial contaminations. Regulation of in-use efficacy testing of eye-drops which is influenced by the environment, the frequency and technique of use, might be essential

Aluminum phosphate shows more adjuvanticity than Aluminum hydroxide in recombinant hepatitis-B vaccine formulation

Although a number of investigation have been carried out to find alternative adjuvants to aluminum salts in vaccine formulations, they are still extensively used due to their good track record of safety, low cost and proper adjuvanticity with a variety of antigens. Adsorption of antigens onto aluminum compounds depends heavily on electrostatic forces between adjuvant and antigen. Commercial recombinant protein hepatitis B vaccines containing aluminum hydroxide as adjuvant is facing low induction of immunity in some sections of the vaccinated population. To follow the current global efforts in finding more potent hepatitis B vaccine formulation, adjuvanticity of aluminum phosphate has been compared to aluminum hydroxide. The adjuvant properties of aluminum hydroxide and aluminum phosphate in a vaccine formulation containing a locally manufactured hepatitis B [HBs] surface antigen was evaluated in Balb/C mice. The formulations were administered intra peritoneally [i.p.] and the titers of antibody which was induced after 28 days were determined using ELISA technique. The geometric mean of antibody titer [GMT], seroconversion and seroprotection rates, ED50 and relative potency of different formulations were determined. All the adjuvanicity markers obtained in aluminum phosphate formulation were significantly higher than aluminum hydroxide. The geometric mean of antibody titer of aluminum phosphate was approximately three folds more than aluminum hydroxide. Aluminum phosphate showed more adjuvanticity than aluminum hydroxide in hepatitis B vaccine. Therefore the use of aluminum phosphate as adjuvant in this vaccine may lead to higher immunity with longer duration of effects in vaccinated groups

review on antimicrobial activities of sumac fruit [Rhus Coriaria L.]

Sumac is a shrub with a long history of application in traditional medicine and Iranian cuisine. It grows wild in the region from the Canary Islands over the Mediterranean area to Iran and Afghanistan. The word [sumac] is derived from Aramaic word [sumaqa] which means red. Aside from some studies on sumac as an antioxidant, an anti hyperglycemic, and an anti hyperuricemic agent, many articles have been recently published on antimicrobial activities of sumac because of the advent of new microbial resistances and the need to find new antimicrobial agents. Reviewing the articles suggests that total extracts of sumac fruit have antibacterial activity against both Gram- positive and Gram- negative bacteria but it also shows that sumac fruit has no effect on fungi and anaerobics. More investigation should be conducted on: 1] Fractionization of total extracts and purification of their components to recognize safety use of and ability of sumac as an antimicrobial; 2] Effects of sumac on resistant bacteria and its potential capability as an antimicrobial agent

effects of autoclaving, salt and protein on antimicrobial activities of Iranian sumac

Although many compounds have already approved for use in food as antimicrobials, research for finding greater number of these compounds are still interesting because most currently approved food antimicrobials have limited applications due to food compound interactions. Finding new food antimicrobials requires expensive investigations. Traditional herbal antimicrobial agents like sumac can play an important role. If it is demanded to promote sumac to the rank of a food antimicrobial agent, its stability and interactions must be evaluated. The evaluation of sumac heat stability was done by measuring MICs and MBCs of the extract against some food- related bacteria in extreme condition of autoclaving. The main components of sumac extract are tannic compounds. Tannins have interactions with salt and proteins, and they become sediment in such conditions. Antimicrobial activities of the extract were measured by well diffusion method in the presence of salt and protein and compared with the activities of pure extract. The results show that sumac is heat stable but has interactions with salt and proteins that reduce its activity against Gram- negatives

Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of Artemisia annua L. essential oil from Iran

The composition of the essential oil obtained from the dried flowering aerial parts of Artemisia annua L. [Compositae] was analysed by GC and GC/MS. Thirty-two components were identified in the essential oil of A. annua L. with campher [48.00%], 1,8-cineole [9.39%], camphene [6.98%] and spathulenol [4.89%] as major components. The essential oil was evaluated for antibacterial and antifungal activities. The activity was more pronounced against fungal organisms than against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria

chemical constituents and antibacterial activity of essential oil of peucedanum ruthenicum [M. Bieb.] rochel [Umbelliferae] leaf

The essential oil of Peucedanum ruthenicum leaf obtained by hydro distillation and was analyzed by GC and GC/MS. Among the 17 identified constituents accounting for 100% of the total oil, the major component was Thymol [57.79%]. Antimicrobial activity of the essential oil was investigated against various Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The essential oil of P. ruthenicum showed activity against Gram-positive and Gram negative bacteria

Antagonistic action of watermelon juice probioticated using different strains of lactobacilli against salmonella typhimurum

The aim of this study was to compare the antimicrobial activity of watermelon juice probioticated using different strains of lactobacilli against Salmonella typhimurium. Probioticated watermelon juice was produced using four strains of lactobacilli [Lactobacillus casei, L. acidophillus, L. fementum and L. plantarum]. The watermelon juice was pasteurized for 30 minutes at 63°C and was inoculated with a 24 h culture of individual lactobacilli and incubated at 37°C. All of the lactobacilli were capable of growing in watermelon juice and reached a cell density of 10[8] CFU/ml after 48 h incubation at 37°C. Overnight culture of S. typhimurium was added to probioticated watermelon juice and reduction of the viable cells were assayed, on bismuth sulfite agar medium for 24 h. Antimicrobial activities of the lactobacilli cells against the test strain of Salmonella were also determined by measuring the diameter of growth inhibition zone in agar spot test. All of the lactobacilli could inhibit growth of S. typhimurium with L. casei being the most potent. S. typhimurium was totally eradicated in probioticated watermelon juice after 2-6 h. The probioticated watermelon juices could differ in their antagonistic activities against Salmonella which could be due to the metabolite secreted by the lactic acid bacteria specially type of organic acids

Viability of lactobacillus acidophilus in various vaginal tablet formulations

The lactobacilli which are present in vaginal fluids play an important role in prevention of vaginosis and there are considerable interests in formulation of these friendly bacteria into suitable pharmaceutical dosage forms. Formulating these microorganisms for vaginal application is a critical issue as the products should retain viability of lactobacilli during formulation and also storage. The aim of this study was to examine the viability and release of Lactobacillus acidophilus from slow-release vaginal tablets prepared by using six different retarding polymers and from two effervescent tablets prepared by using citric or adipic acid. The Carbomer-based formulations showed high initial viablility compared to those based on HPMC-LV, HPMC-HV, Polycarbophil and SCMC polymers which showed one log decrease in viable cells. All retarding polymers in slow release formulations presented a strong bacterial release at about 2 h except Carbomer polymers which showed to be poor bacterial releasers. Although effervescent formulations produced a quick bacterial release in comparison with polymer based slow-release tablets, they were less stable in cold storage. Due to the strong chelating characteristic of citric acid, the viability was quickly lost for aqueous medium of citric acid in comparison with adipic acid based effervescent tablets

Isolated gastric tuberculosis; A case report

Tuberculosis is an important problem in the world and Iran. Tuberculosis is an ancient disease but because of different presentations is a mysterious disease too. A 20-year-old girl who complained of abdominal pain with peptic ulcer and weight loss was admitted in our hospital. Since 4 months ago before referring, she had been treated many times for peptic ulcer including treatment for helicobacter pylori. Then endoscopy and biopsy were done. In endoscopy one ulcer in antrum with malignant appearance was observed. At biopsy granulomatous inflammation compatible with tuberculosis reported. She was treated by anti-tuberculosis drug for six months. Endoscopy repeated after 2 months of therapy showed completely normal pattern and she had 5 kg weight gain and totally symptom free after completion of therapy. Gastric TB should be considered for differential diagnosis of patient with gastric symptoms in endemic regions