Antimicrobial activity of Tunisian Euphorbia paralias L

Objective To examine the potential antimicrobial activity of Euphorbia paralias L. (Euphorbiaeae) leaves and stems extracts. Methods The antimicrobial activity was tested against six microbial strains: Escherichia coli ATCC 8739, Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633, Salmonella enterica CIP 8039, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 9027 and Candida albicans ATCC 90028 by two different methods, the disk method and the dilution method. Results Our results showed the important antimicrobial activity of the chloroform extract of the stems towards the majority of the strains by using both methods. Bacillus subtilis was the most sensitive strain (MIC = MBC = 15 μg/mL). Conclusion Thus, some extracts of Euphorbia paralias can be used in the treatment of infectious diseases caused by microbes.

Chemical composition, antioxidant and antimicrobial effects of Tunisian Limoniastrum guyonianum Durieu ex Boiss extracts

In the present investigation, extracts obtained from L. guyonianum Durieu ex Boiss. aerial parts were used to evaluate total phenolic, flavonoid and tannin contents. A study of antioxidant activities of the prepared samples was carried out on the basis of 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl [DPPH], 2-2'-azino-bis-[3-ethylbenz-thiazoline-6-sulfonic acid] [ABTS+.] and ferric reducing antioxidant power [FRAP] assays. Moreover, the efficiency of methanolic, chloroformic and petroleum ether extracts and the deriving fractions from the methanolic extract was tested against human bacterial and fungal pathogenic strains using micro dilution method in 96 multiwell microtiter plate. Furthermore, leaves and stems extracts were subjected to RP-HPLC for phenolic compounds identification. Results showed that polyphenolic contents and antioxidant activities varied considerably as function of solvent polarity. Moreover, antiradical capacities against DPPH, ABTS+. and reducing power were maxima in methanol aerial parts extract which showed the highest polyphenol contents [134mg CE/g DW]. The antimicrobial activities showed that methanolic, chloroformic and petroleum ether extracts were found to be most potent against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus with MIC values of 23 and 46micro g.mL[-1], respectively. The fractions F[13] and F[16] have a great antifungal potential against Candida glabrata, Candida krusei and Candida parapsilesis [MIC=39micro g.mL-1]. The RP-HPLC analysis lead the identification of gallic, procatechuic and trans-cinnamic acids, methyl-4-hydroxybenzoate, n-propyl-3,4,5- trihydroxybenzoate, epicatechin, naringin and myricetin in L. guyonianum Durieu ex Boiss. leaves and stems extracts

[Serodiagnosis of acute hepatitis in adults patients: results of a prospective study in a central region of Tunisia]

Viral hepatitis is a public health problem in many parts of the globe. In Tunisia, the respective responsibility of five viruses [HAV, HDV, HBV, HCV and HEV] in the genesis of acute hepatitis in adults is only roughly indicated in the absence of suitable serological studies, given as important to plan appropriate preventive strategies. To approach the role of viral hepatitis in all adult with acute hepatitis, identify the current share of each virus A, B, C and E in the genesis of hepatitis and to study the epidemiological and evolution of these diseases. We conducted a prospective study over two years including patients aged from 15 to 65 years old, with clinical and / or biological acute hepatitis. Data were collected through a standard questionnaire wich covered sociodemographic charactereristics and risk factors. Blood samples were collected and were tested for IgM anti-HAV, IgM anti-HEV, HBsAg, IgM anti-HBc, anti-HCV antibodies .When serological tests were negatives, further explorations including immunological test, search for HCV RNA and a pharmacovigilance survey was conducted. Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS version 10.0 105 patients were included. Acute viral hepatitis was diagnosis in 70 patients [67%]. The proportion of patients with acute viral hepatitis A, B, C and E was 51.5%, 38.5%, 4.3% and 5.7% respectively. The risk factors of viral hepatitis A was drinking of untreated water and poor socioeconomic status. In the HBV group, the notion of sexual contact risk was found in 30% of cases. The small numbers of acute hepatitis E and C does not permit us to draw conclusions. Our study confirms the shift in age of onset of hepatitis A to the age of adolescence and young adulthood. The respective responsibilities of the different viruses studied in the genesis of acute hepatitis in adults in our area brings us closer of western populations where HAV infection predominates followed by HBV

Antibacterial and cytotoxic activity of the acetone extract of the flowers of salvia sclarea and some natural products

The aim of this study was to investigate the antibacterial and the cytotoxic activity of the acetone extract of the flowers of Salvia sclarea and of some natural products [sclareol, sclareolide and ambrox]. The antibacterial and the cytotoxic activity were determined by the dilution method. Sclareolide, ambrox and sclareol demonstrated a good antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27950, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212. The acetonic extract of the flowers of Salvia sclarea has a significant cytotoxic activity against Hep-2 cells