Anticaries and antimicrobial activities of methanolic extract from leaves of Cleistocalyx operculatus L

Objective To investigate antimicrobial activities of methanolic extract of leaves of Cleistocalyx operculatus L. (C. operculatus) grown in Vietnam. Methods The methanolic extract of C. operculatus leaves was phytochemically screened and tested for its antimicrobial activity against six Gram-positive bacteria (three of which were antibiotic multiresistant Staphylococcus spp.), two Gram-negative bacteria, and one fungal species using an agar diffusion method. Anticaries activity was tested using pH drop and biofilm assays formed in 96-well plastic plates. Results Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids and terpenes, in which flavonoid content was 6.8 mg/g dry material. Antibacterial activity of the C. operculatus extract was shown only against Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis and Streptococcus mutans GS-5 (S. mutans), and three multiresistant bacteria being Staphylococcus epidermidis 847, Staphylococcus haemolyticus 535 and Staphylococcus aureus North German epidemic strain. Interestingly, methanolic extract of C. operculatus leaves exhibited the anticaries activity against S. mutans in terms of inhibition of acid production and biofilm formation. Activity of two key enzymes responsible for acidogenicity of S. mutans, F-ATPase and phosphotransferase system were inhibited by the extract with IC

Marine-Derived Pharmaceuticals – Challenges and Opportunities

Marine biosphere is the largest one of the earth and harbors an enormous number of different organisms. Living conditions differ fundamentally from those in terrestrial environment. The production of specific secondary metabolites is an important adaption mechanism of marine organisms to survive in the sea. These metabolites possess biological activities which make them interesting as possible drugs for human. The review presents sources, chemistry, production and pharmacology of FDA approved marine derived pharmaceuticals arranged according to their therapeutic indication. Four of the presently seven approved drugs are used for the treatment of cancer. Each another one is applicated for treatment of viral diseases, chronic pain and to lower triglyceride level in blood. Some other products are of interest in diagnostic and as experimental tools. Besides, this article describes challenges in drug development from marine sources, especially the supply problem.

Hypoglycemic and antioxidant activities of Caesalpinia ferrea Martius leaf extract in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Objective: To evaluate the antidiabetic and antioxidant effects of aqueous ethanolic extract of Caesalpinia ferrea (C. ferrea) leaf in normal and streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats. Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats divided into 6 groups of 6 rats each were assigned into diabetic and non-diabetic groups. Diabetes was induced in rats by single intraperitoneal administration of STZ (65 mg/kg body weight). C. ferrea extract at the doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight was orally administered to both diabetic and nondiabetic animals for a period of 30 days. After completion of experimental duration serum, liver and pancreas were used for evaluating biochemical and histopathological changes. Results: Oral administration of C. ferrea leaf extract significantly reduced elevated serum glucose, α-amylase, liver function levels and significantly increased serum insulin, total protein and body weight as well as improved lipid profile due to diabetes. Furthermore, the treatment resulted in a marked increase in glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, catalase and reduced glutathione, and diminished levels of lipid peroxidation in liver and pancreas of diabetic rats. Histopathological studies demonstrated the reduction in the pancreas and liver damage and confirmed the biochemical findings. Conclusions: From the present study, it can be concluded that the C. ferrea leaf extract effectively improved hyperglycaemia while inhibiting the progression of oxidative stress in STZ-induced diabetic rats. Hence, it can be used in the management of diabetes mellitus.

Non-Thermal Atmospheric-Pressure Plasma Possible Application in Wound Healing

Non-thermal atmospheric-pressure plasma, also named cold plasma, is defined as a partly ionized gas. Therefore, it cannot be equated with plasma from blood; it is not biological in nature. Non-thermal atmospheric-pressure plasma is a new innovative approach in medicine not only for the treatment of wounds, but with a wide-range of other applications, as e.g. topical treatment of other skin diseases with microbial involvement or treatment of cancer diseases. This review emphasizes plasma effects on wound healing. Non-thermal atmospheric-pressure plasma can support wound healing by its antiseptic effects, by stimulation of proliferation and migration of wound relating skin cells, by activation or inhibition of integrin receptors on the cell surface or by its pro-angiogenic effect. We summarize the effects of plasma on eukaryotic cells, especially on keratinocytes in terms of viability, proliferation, DNA, adhesion molecules and angiogenesis together with the role of reactive oxygen species and other components of plasma. The outcome of first clinical trials regarding wound healing is pointed out.

[Study of the chemical compositions of the Ocimum Basilicum family Lamiaceae]

The aim of this study is to determine the essential oil of Ocimum and to find out the chemical constituents of essential oils of Yemeni Ocimum basilicum Lamiaceae. Two samples of Ocimum basilicum which were collected from Sana'a region, Yemen. The color of leaves was green and purple. Oils were isolated from fresh leaves. The constituents are quantified using Gas Chromatograph equipped with Mass Spectrometry. The analysis of the oils resulted in the identification of twenty six constituents. Fifteen constituents were identified from green phenotype oil. Linalool [46.6%], verbenone, [10.0%], methyl chavicol [8.1%], geraniol [7.3%], 1, 8-cineole [7.1%] and borneol [4.3%] were found to be the major constituents in the oil distilled from green phenotype. Eleven constituents were identified from purple phenotype oil with linalool [41.8%], methyl chavicol [30.9%], 1, 8-cineole [9.7%] and TAU-cadinol [4.2%] as the major constituents. The study revealed that two chemo-types were identified. The isolated oils could be classified as the linalool - methyl chavicol [European chemotype] and linalool-verbenone -methyl chavicol chemotype, which to the best of our knowledge has not been reported so far

Chemical composition and antifungal activity of essential oil of Soqotran Pulicaria stephanocarpa Balf. f

Chemical composition of the essential oil obtained from the leaves of the endemic Soqotraen Pulicaria stephanocarpa Balf. Fil. was analyzed by GC-MS. Sesquiterpenes are the predominant portion of both essential oils. Major compounds of Pulicaria stephanocarpa oil were a-cadinol [42.5%], spathulenol [22.%], caryophyllene [10.8%], 8-cadinene [5.4%], cis-[-]-2,4a,5,6,9,9a-hexahydro-3,5,5,9-tetramethyi-1H-Benzocyclohepterie [4.6%], and oc-muurolene [4.1%]. The essential oils were screened for their antifungal activity against the phytopathogenic fungus [Cladosporium cucumerinum] by using a microbioassay on TLC plates at concentrations of 400, 200 and 100 microg. At the concentration of 400 micro g, the oil showed marked antifungal activity with an inhibition zone of 18.6.mm

[Chemical compositions of the essential oil of commiphora habessinica growing in Yemen: gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis]

The aim of this study is to analyze the chemical constituents of essential oil of resin of Yemeni Commiphora habessinica. Commiphora. habessinica resin was collected from Hujarriyah district, Taiz Governorate, Yemen. Oleogum resin [20 g] of C. habessinica was subjected to hydrodistillation for 3 h in a Clevenger-type apparatus. The constituents are quantified using Gas Chromatograph equipped with Mass Spectrometry. Thirteen constituents of Yemeni Commiphora habessinica were identified whereas two unidentified compounds with RI 1715 [5.2%], and RI 1819 [4.1%] respectively by Gas Chromatograph equipped with Mass Spectrometry. The major constituents were beta-elemene [32.1%], alpha-selinene [18.9%], cadina-1, 4-diene [7.5%], germacrene B [3.6%], alpha-copaene [3.5%], t-muurolol [3.0%], caryophyllene oxide [2.9%] and alpha-cadinol [2.6%]. The data reported in our study showed that the oil composition of C. habessinica was characterized mainly by sesquiterpene hydrocarbons [69.7%] and showed among the Commiphora oils, the highest percentage in beta-elemene [32.1%] which possessed antitumor activity. Cadina-1, 4-diene, t-muurolol, and alpha-cadinol were identified for the first time in the oil of Cominiphora genus

Biological activity of xanthoric acid B

Immunomodultary, anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic effects of Xanthoric acid B, isolated from Xanthoria steineri, were investigated in Bromdeoxyuridine assay, MTT-assay. 5-lipoxygenase [3-LO] assay, and neutral red uptake assay respectively. Xanthoric acid B showed antiproliferative effects in Bromdeoxy-uridine assay and MTT-assay, with IC[50] of 35 microg/ml and 61.4 microg/ml respectively