Investigation of Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Potential of Chloroform and Petroleum Ether Extracts of Selected Medicinal Plants of Bangladesh.

Aim: To investigate the antioxidant and antimicrobial potential of Chloroform and Pet ether extracts of Manilkara zapota (MZCE, MZPE), Polyalthia longifolia (PLCE, PLPE), Abroma augusta (AACE, AAPE) Ficus hispida (FHCE, FHPE), Vitex negundo (VNCE, VNPE) plants. Study Design: In vitro antioxidant and antimicrobial study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pharmacy, School of Science & Engineering, Southeast University, Banani, Dhaka between June 2011 and March 2012. Methodology: In vitro antioxidant activity was performed using DPPH radical scavenging, nitric oxide (NO) scavenging, reducing power, total antioxidant capacity, total phenol and total flavonoid content determination assays. The antimicrobial assay was performed by disc diffusion method using kanamycin and Nystatin as the standard. Results: The most prominent antioxidant activity was observed with PLPE in DPPH radical scavenging test (IC50 =191.308 ± 28.450 μg/ml) as opposed to that of standard ascorbic acid (IC50= 43.129 ± 1.181μg/ml). In total antioxidant capacity method, FHCE showed the highest activity (837.558 ± 110.835 mg ascorbic acid/g). The total phenolic and flavonoids content were determined by Folin–Ciocalteu Reagent and aluminum chloride colorimetric method respectively. The highest total phenols & total flavonoids content were found in VNPE (180.434 ± 142.19 mg Gallic acid/g & 1265.255 ± 165.593 mg quercetin/g, respectively). The ferric reducing capacity of the extracts was strong and dose dependent manner. PLPE displayed the highest antimicrobial actions against Bacillus megaterium (40 mm). Conclusion: Comparison of different plant extracts used in the present study in various tested models showed wide variations in phenolic content and varying degrees of radical scavenging & reducing capacity. The obtained results indicate that investigated plants could be potential sources of natural antioxidants & antimicrobial agents and can be used for infectious diseases.

A rare H-type of tracheo-oesophageal fistula in a young boy.

A 9-year-old male child presented with features of recurrent episodes of pneumonia. Following administration of different types of antibiotics, resolution of pneumonia was not complete. Antituberculous drugs were given on two occasions for sufficient period of time without any improvement. Following admission, history of a choking sensation during taking food pointed to perform barium swallow examination of oesophagus which revealed the diagnosis of tracheo-oesophageal fistula.

Diagnosis of tuberculosis.

Presence of tuberculous infection in the body does not necessarily mean disease. Any diagnostic work up of the disease starts from a high index of clinical suspicion. However, diagnostic modalities include: (a) Isolation of the bacillus; (b) Immunologic tests; (c) Chemical markers; (d) FNAC, bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage; (e) Amplification systems. There exists controversies and limitations about the disease process even then.