Isolation, Identification and Antibacterial Activity of Endophytic Bacteria from Leaves of Acacia catechu

Drug resistance in bacteria is becoming an alarming problem in recent years. Post-antibiotic era is not so far. The need for novel antibiotics, chemotherapeutic agents and agrochemicals are utmost. Endophytes are microorganisms that reside in the tissues of living plants which are relatively unstudied and are potential sources of novel natural products for exploitation in medicine, agriculture and industry. The endophytes of medicinal plants participate in biochemical pathways and produce novel bioactive compounds. The aim of the study was to isolate, identify and to assess antibacterial activity of endophytic bacteria from leaves of Acacia catechu. 18 endophytic bacteria had been isolated and identified by sequencing 16S rRNA gene. The isolated endophytic bacteria were identified as Bacillus humi. Considerable in vitro antibacterial activities against a panel of human pathogenic microorganisms (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Bacillus cereus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella Typhimurium and Escherichia coli) were recorded. Among 18 isolates, 15 isolates had shown inhibitory activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella Typhimurium and 10 isolates had shown inhibitory activity against Klebsiella pneumoniae

Knowledge, attitude and practice of needle stick injury and post exposure prophylaxis in undergraduate medical students

Background: Needle stick injury are the most common reason behind occupational blood exposure and most important source of exposure to another person’s blood.Methods: A cross-sectional observational questionnaire-based study of 450 undergraduate medical students which includes 100 from each years, Second year: Part I (II/I: Third Semester), Second year: Part II (II/III: Fifth Semester), Third Year (III: Seventh Semester), Fourth year (IV: Ninth Semester) MBBS and 50 Interns. The participation was voluntary and written consent was taken prior to enrollment. The objectives of study were explained, and validated questionnaire was administered to the students and collected in a single visit after 30-40 minutes.Results: The average age was 21.91±2.03 years. About 406 students were aware of disease transmitted by NSI. 189 students felt that occurrence of NSI, first person to be contacted is Medicine Physician. 208 don’t know of existence of PEP. 164 felt PEP is to be given for 4 weeks. According to 138 students PEP guidelines were proposed by NACO while 101 students felt WHO. 261 students felt that most probable chance of getting NSI was in emergency ward. 363students felt that need for NSI PEP training before clinical exposure is very important. 345 felt the need for insurance of HCWs for diseases transmitted by NSI.Conclusions: Medical students are highly vulnerable to NSI and there is need to provide adequate preventive measures, frequent training for needle stick injury and postexposure prophylaxis to all healthcare workers.

Spectrophotometric Determination of Sun Protection Factor and Antioxidant Potential of an Herbal Mixture.

Objectives: Present research work deals with the determination of hydroxyl radical scavenging potential and Sun Protection Factor of herbal mixture which was prepared by the phytochemical composition of different herbal extracts. Materials and Methods: The herbal mixture was prepared by the composition of important herbal plant extracts such as; 50% ethanolic extract of Berberis aristata root, 30% ethanolic extract of Ficus benghalensis bark, ethanolic extract of Asparagus racemosus root, aqueous extract of Asparagus racemosus root, 30% methanolic extract of Butea monosperma flowers, gel extract of Aloe vera, 80% ethanolic extract of Terminalia arjuna bark, 80% ethanolic extract of Cyperus rotundus root, 80% ethanolic extract of Rubia cordifolia root and 50% methanolic extract of Hibiscus-rosa-sinensis flowers, which was further proceed for hydroxyl radical scavenging activity and Sun Protection Factor determination at different concentrations viz;0.5%, 1%, 5% and 10%. Results: IC50 values of Ascorbic acid was found to be 52.93±2.64% (Inhibition TBARS) at the concentration of 18.00 μg/ml and herbal mixture were 51.58±1.27% (Inhibition TBARS) observed at the concentration of 9.80 μg/ml respectively. The SPF values for different concentrations of herbal mixture were in between 2.14±0.15SPF to 12.97±0.07SPF. The results showed that 10% concentrated of herbal mixture has high SPF value of 12.97±0.07SPF which may be attributed due to the presence of active components. Conclusion: Herbs and herbal preparations have high potential due to their antioxidant activity, primarily. The bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, phenolic acids, saponins etc. of this prepared herbal mixture may able to reduce skin damages which are caused due to long time exposure of skin in sun rays specially UVA and UVB rays. The proposed spectrophotometric method is simple and rapid for the in vitro determination of SPF values of sunscreens emulsions.

Evaluation of Anticlastogenic effects of Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract against Cyclophosphamide induced Chromosomal aberration in Swiss albino Mice.

Background: Indian subcontinent is a vast repository of medicinal plants that are used in traditional medical treatments. Various indigenous systems such as Siddha, Ayurveda, Unani and Allopathy use several plant species to treat different ailments. Ayurveda includes diet and herbal remedies, while emphasizing the body, mind and spirit in disease prevention and treatment. Since origin of human’s life, medicinal plants continue to play a curative and therapeutic role in preserving human health against disease. Herbal plants have been a rich source of medicines because they produce a host of bioactive molecules, most of which probably evolved as chemical defenses against predation or infection. Objective: The study was aimed towards evaluation of Immuno-enhancing potential of hydromethanolic root extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra through the prevention of Mutagenecity caused by Clastogenic or Chemotherapeutic agents in bone marrow cells of Swiss albino mice. Methods: For the assessment of Anti-clastogenic efficacy of G. glabra hydromethanolic root extract, the Bone marrow Chromosomal aberration assay was used and the single i.p. of G. glabra extract given at the doses of 300, 450 and 600mg/kg body weight, 24 hours prior the administration of Cyclophosphamide at the dose of 50 mg/kg body wt. Results: The present investigation revealed that, the doses of 450 and 600mg/kg body wt. provided significant protection against Cyclophosphamide induced Chromosomal aberration in the bone marrow cells of Swiss albino mice. A dose dependent inhibition was observed which was statistically significant (p<0.05) when compared to Cyclophosphamide group. It was observed that G. glabra root extract alone has not induced any Chromosomal aberration. Conclusion: Thus in Mutagenecity assay, G. glabra root extract possess protective potential against Cyclophosphamide induced Mutagenecity in mouse Bone marrow cells. It may be concluded that this herbal extract have Anti-clastogenic agents which showed Anti-mutagenic nature.

Use of Nicotine Mouth Sprays for Tobacco Cessation: A Review.

Smoking is a taboo, and a smoker fails in quitting despite repeated attempts as tobacco in all forms contain a highly addictive chemical nicotine making it difficult for habituated tobacco users to quit. Its addictive potential is considered to be even more than cocaine or heroin. It is due to the dependency caused by the nicotine that smokers become dependent and cause severe withdrawal symptoms. Hence, nicotine replacement therapy came into play to aid in tobacco cessation. There are currently various nicotine replacement therapies, which are available currently for tobacco abstinence. In this article, we shall discuss nicotine nasal spray, mouth spray, and the nicotine inhaler.

Assessment of median lethal dose and anti-mutagenic effects of Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract against chemically induced micronucleus formation in Swiss albino mice.

Background: To assess the median lethal dose and evaluate the anti-chemotherapeutic effects of hydro-methanolic root extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra on the cyclophosphamide (CP) induced mutagenicity in bone marrow cells of Swiss albino mice. Methods: For the assessments of LD50, hydro-methanolic root extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra were intra-peritoneally administered at doses of 200, 400, 600, 800, 1000, and 1200 mg/kg body weight. For the mutagenicity study, bone marrow micronucleus test was used and the single i.p. of Glycyrrhiza glabra extract given at the dose of 300, 450, and 600 mg/kg body weight, 24 hrs prior the administration of CP (at the dose of 50 mg/kg body weight). Results: The present investigations revealed that, the median lethal dose/LD50 was observed at the dose of 833.3 mg/kg body weight. The results suggest that, the doses of 450 and 600 mg/kg body weight expressed signifi cant preventive potential against CP induced Micronucleus formation in student ‘t’ test at dose dependent manner in the bone marrow cells of Swiss albino mice. Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract alone has not induced micronucleus formation. Conclusion: Based on this study, it may be concluded that Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract possess anti-mutagenic behavior and this hydro-methanolic crude extract may be safe as per the LD50 was observed.

In vivo antioxidant and hepatoprotective potential of Glycyrrhiza glabra extract on carbon tetra chloride (CCl4) induced oxidative-stress mediated hepatotoxicity.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant and hepatoprotective potential of Glycyrrhiza glabra hydromethanolic root extract against carbon tetra chloride (CCl4) induced oxidative-stress mediated hepatotoxicity in liver tissue of Swiss albino mice. Background: Medicinal plants play a vital role for the development of new drugs. Glycyrrhiza glabra is a widely used medicinal plant. It has many phyto-constituents and active components, which can be used for many diseases. Methods: For the antioxidant and hepatoprotective study, measurement of GSH, CAT, LPO bio-markers in Liver tissue of Swiss albino mice were taken. The animals were divided in six different groups each having 4 mice. The requisite dose of CCl4 was dissolved in appropriate solvent (1.5ml/kg body wt) and administrated as single i.p. dose per mice after 6 hr of last treatment of extract to the animals in each group. Mice were received orally administration of extract up to 7 days. Positive Control group received single i.p. injection of 1.5ml/kg body wt CCl4 in 0.9% saline. Results: The results suggest that, the crude extract of root of G. glabra at the doses of 300 and 600mg/kg body wt. expressed significant hepatoprotective potential against CCl4 induced oxidative stress mediated hepatotoxicity in student ‘t’ test (p<0.05) at dose dependent manner in the Liver tissue of Swiss albino mice. G. glabra root extract alone has not induced hepatotoxicity. Conclusion: Based on this study, It may be concluded that Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract possess hepatoprotective potential in Swiss albino mice.