Hepatoprotective activity of Oxalis corniculata L. ethanolic extract against paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar rats and its in vitro antioxidant effects.

Oxalis corniculata is well known for its medicinal properties like anti-inflammatory, digestive, diuretic, antibacterial, antiseptic etc. The present study focuses on the ability of O. corniculata to alleviate liver damage caused by over dose of paracetamol. Antioxidant activity of O. corniculata was evaluated using the free radical scavenging activity of 1, 1-diphenyl-2- picrylhydrazyl radicals, total anti oxidant capacity by phosphomolybdenum method and total phenolic content was also evaluated. The ethanolic extract of whole plant of O. corniculata (OC, 500 µg/mL, po) significantly reduced 1, 1-diphenyl-2- picrylhydrazyl radicals. This dose also caused significant reduction (62.67%) in malondialdehyde levels of murine hepatic tissues. The antioxidant capacity of OC was comparable to that of standard ascorbic acid and showed 53.5 µg of phenol/mg OC. Rats pre-treated with OC for 4 days showed significant reduction in the serum enzymes such as glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, glutamate pyruvate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, serum bilirubin and showed almost normal histological liver architecture of the treated groups compared to paracetamol induced hepatic damage group, indicating its hepatoprotective and antioxidant potential.

Anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory and anti-lipidperoxidant effects of Cassia occidentalis Linn.

Cassia occidentalis Linn. mast cell degranulation at a dose of 250 mg/kg, showed dose dependent stabilizing activity towards human RBC, with is widely used in traditional medicine of India to treat a number of clinical conditions including allergy and inflammatory manifestations. In the present study anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties of C. occidentalis whole plant ethanolic extract (CO) was investigated. Effects of CO on rat mast cell degranulation inhibition and human red blood cell (HRBC) membrane stabilization were studied in vitro following standard methods. The anti lipidperoxidant effects of CO were also studied in vitro. Effect of CO on carrageenan-induced mouse paw oedema inhibition was also assessed. CO significantly decreased maximum protection of 80.8% at 15 μg/ml. The extract also caused significant reduction in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels of murine hepatic microsomes at 100 μg/ml (56%) and significantly reduced carrageenan induced inflammation in mice at a dose of 250 mg/kg. Results of the present study indicated that CO inhibited mast cell degranulation, stabilized HRBC membrane thereby alleviating immediate hypersensitivity besides showing anti oxidant activity.

Inducible clindamycin resistance among clinical isolates of Staphylococci.

INTRODUCTION: Clinical failure of clindamycin therapy has been reported due to multiple mechanisms that confer resistance to macrolide, lincosamide and streptogramin antibiotics. This study was undertaken to detect the presence of inducible clindamycin resistance among clinical isolates of staphylococci. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The detection of inducible clindamycin resistance was performed by D-test using erythromycin and clindamycin discs as per CDC guidelines. RESULTS: Among the 244 clinical isolates of staphylococci studied, 32 (13.1%) showed inducible clindamycin resistance and belonged to the MLSBi phenotype. Among the MLS B i phenotypes, 10 isolates were methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (38.4% of the total MRSA), 16 were methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (12.9% of the total MSSA) and 6 were coagulase-negative staphylococci (6.3% of the total CONS). CONCLUSION: The test for inducible resistance to clindamycin should be included in the routine antibiotic susceptibility testing, as it will help in guiding therapy.