Phenotypic expression and prevalence of multi drug resistant extended spectrum beta-lactamase producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae in Karachi, Pakistan

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence rate of ESBL producing Gram negative isolates of E. coli, K. pneumoniae and P. mirabilis, to determine the association of various factors with ESBL production and therapeutic options for the treatment. Total 352 isolates were subjected for identification of ESBL by double disc synergy test. Antimicrobial susceptibility was performed using CLSI guidelines and statistical association between ESBL/Non ESBL producers were determined by chi square at significant level of 0.05. A total of 96 isolates were ESBL positive [27%], females were 67% whereas males were 33%. E. coli was most prevalent pathogen [82%] followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae [17%]. Furthermore 75% of ESBL associated infections were urinary tract infections. 95% of ESBL producing isolates were multidrug resistant and tazobactam/piperacillin combination and imipenem are good choices with 100% and 97% susceptibility respectively. E coli [OR 2.83, 95% CI 1.585-5.072, RR 2.22, p 0.0004] and K. pneumoniae [OR 0.52, 95% CI 0.285-0.952, RR 0.609, p 0.032] were significantly associated with ESBL production. The spread of ESBL producing multidrug resistant E. coli and K. pneumoniae has increased and proper screening for ESBL identification is needed because of limited therapeutic antibiotic choices

In vivo evaluation of antihyperlipidemic, antihyperglycemic and hepatoprotective effects of vernonia anthelmintica seeds in diet model

Anti-hyperglycemic, anti-hyperlipidemic and hepatoprotective effects of Vernonia anthelmintica seeds were evaluated in diet rat model. The study included forty eight Sprague Dawley rats of either sex with eight animals in each group. Except for control the disease control, standard and treatment groups were treated with high-fat high-sugar diet for 8 weeks. After confirmation of hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia, the standard group received atorvastatin [2.1 mg.kg-1], treatment groups received hexane extract, ethanol extract and water decoction of Vernonia anthelmintica seeds [300mg.kg -1] for next 30 days. Disease control and control were given normal saline in volume equivalent to other groups. High-fat high-sugar diet was continued in all groups except control for 30 day period. Lipid profile, liver function tests and fasting blood sugar were analyzed in fasting blood samples. Cardiac risk parameters were calculated and results were analyzed by one way ANOVA using SPSS. All three tested extracts showed significant decrease in fasting blood glucose, LDL-C, triglycerides, VLDL-C and cardiac risk parameters as compared to disease control. However, HDL-C and cholesterol levels in treatment groups were found to be significantly increased compared to disease control. Furthermore, treatment groups showed significantly decreased AST and ALP levels compared to disease control. Hexane extract, ethanol extracts and water decoction of Vernonia anthelmintica seeds exhibited potential antihyperglycemic, anti-hyperlipidemic effects with favorable hepatic profile. However, further studies should be designed to strengthen these findings on mechanistic ground

Evaluation of anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant potential of seed extracts of Vernonia anthelmintica

Seeds of Vernonia anthelmintica in the form of Ethanol seed extract of Vernonia anthelmintica [EEVA], Hexane extract of Vernonia anthelmintica [HEVA] and water decoction of Vernonia anthelmintica [WDVA] were evaluated for their in-vivo anti-Inflammatory potential in carrageenan induced rat paw model. The results were compared to anti-inflammatory activity of standard drug [ibuprofen] and untreated groups. In-vitro evaluation of antioxidant potential of EEVA and HEVA were also conducted by "DPPH scavenging assay". The results of present study depicts that HEVA and EEVA in higher dose possess a strong anti-inflammatory potential as compared to standard antiinflammatory drugs, whereas WDVA showed milder anti-inflammatory potential. DPPH assay has revealed strong antioxidant potential of EEVC with the percentage Radical Scavenging activity [%RSA] of 89.709 at concentrations of 500 ul as compared to standard drugs gallic acid [23.436+/-0.43] and acetyl salicylic acid [111.44+/-0.7] at concentrations of 95.95 micro M. The other extract HEVC has shown to have insignificant %RSA at the concentration of 500micro l. Hence the present study revealed that selected extracts of Vernonia anthelmintica exhibited significant in-vitro antioxidant and invivo anti-inflammatory potential

Anti hyperlipidemic and hepatoprotective effects of native date fruit variety "Aseel" [Phoenix dactylifera]

Diet rich in saturated fats and sugars have been associated with obesity, insulin resistance, hyperlipidemia and fatty liver disease. Especially high serum lipid levels are directly connected to the progression of cardiovascular disorders, which are the leading cause of death all over the world. Date palm fruit [Phoenix dactylifera] is known for numerous health benefits however little information is available about in vivo clinical and preclinical benefits, hence antihyperlipidemic and hepatoprotective potential of native date variety Aseel has been assessed in hyperlipidemia induced albino rats. Forty adult male albino rats were divided into five groups with 8 animals in each group. One group was kept as normal control while remaining four groups were fed high fat high sugar diet for 8 weeks; from this one group was reserved as disease control while two groups as treated which received 300 and 600mg/kg of date fruit suspension. The fourth group served as positive control and received standard drug atorvastatin in the dose of 2.1mg/kg. After 14 days serum lipid profile, hepatic profile and fasting blood sugar were determined for all groups. Fasting blood sugar, cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL and VLDL along with cholesterol- HDL and LDL-HDL ratio were significantly decreased at 300 mg/kg without any increase in liver enzymes as observed in positive control group. Animals received 600 mg/kg also revealed significant decline in fasting blood sugar, triglyceride, VLDL and alkaline phosphatase. Hence present results demonstrate ameliorative role of date fruit in hyperlipidemia and fatty liver however more studies are required to gain insight into the possible mechanism of action and confirmation of these effects on human subjects

Phytochemistry, Brine shrimp lethality and mice acute oral toxicity studies on seed extracts of Vernonia anthelmintica

Despite the widespread use of Vernonia anthelmintica seeds in traditional medicine, the need to establish the safety of the Vernonia anthelmintica is required to ascertain the safe use of this herbal medicine. The aim of the present study is to establish the acute toxicity profile of different extracts of Vernonia anthelmintica. Hexane and ethanol extract of Vernonia Anthelmintica has been studied for its brine shrimp lethality potential. Water decoction [WDVA], Hexane [HEVA] and Ethanol [EEVA] extracts of Vernonia anthelmintica has also been evaluated for their in-vivo acute oral toxicity in mice by Lorke's method. Phytochemistry of all three extracts was also evaluated for the presence of their secondary metabolites. All three extracts showed the presence of flavonoids and terpenoids, while alkaloids, tannins and fixed oils were present in HEVA and EEVA. Furthermore EEVA also showed presence of carbohydrates and HEVA also showed the presence of cardiac glycosides. Ethanol and hexane extracts of Vernonia anthelmintica showed a positive cytotoxicity in brine shrimp lethality test at 24 hours with LC50 104.16 [224.0-48.05] micro g/ml and 216.11 micro g/ml [378.2-128.7] respectively as compared to standard drug etoposide LC50 7.46 micro g/ml. The oral LD50 for EEVA, HEVA and WDVA in mice by Lorke's method was greater than 5000mg/kg. The result of brine shrimp lethality test clearly exhibited the presence of bioactive compounds with cytotoxic potential; however seems to be safe for oral use since LD50 was higher than 5000mg/kg and thus safety of acute dosing in vivo practices is justified