In vitro antimicrobial activity of Luffa operculata / Atividade antimicrobiana in vitro da Luffa operculata

INTRODUCTION:Luffa operculata is probably one of the most popular herbal medicines used in the treatment of rhinitis and rhinosinusitis. However, its specific mechanism of action is still unknown.OBJECTIVE: To evaluate in vitro antibacterial activity of L. operculata against three ordinary agents of upper respiratory tract infection: Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Streptococcus pyogenes.METHODS: Different concentrations of L. operculata alcoholic extract were applied to bacterial broth containing reference and community strains of the three described agents. After a 24-h incubation period, the bacterial culture turbidity was measured. The samples were then inoculated onto Mueller-Hinton and human blood agar plates. Bacterial growth was analyzed after 24- and 48-h incubation period. The test was considered negative when there was no environmental turbidity, confirmed by the absence of bacterial growth into the inoculated plates. Tests were considered positive when either turbidity changes were observed on the bacterial broth or when bacterial growth was detected on inoculated plates. Appropriate statistical analysis of the data was performed.RESULTS:L. operculata extracts showed antibacterial activity mainly to S. pyogenes followed by S. pneumoniae and S. aureus.CONCLUSIONS:L. operculata extract showed promising antibacterial activity in vitro against the studied agents.

INTRODUÇÃO: A Luffa operculataé, provavelmente, o fitoterápico mais utilizado no tratamento das rinites e rinossinusites. Apesar de amplamente utilizada pela população, seus mecanismos de ação ainda não estão completamente estabelecidos.OBJETIVO: Avaliar a atividade antimicrobiana in vitroda Luffa operculataem agentes causadores de infecções de vias aéreas superiores: Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniaee Streptococcus pyogenes.MÉTODOS: Foram utilizadas diferentes concentrações de extrato alcoólico de Luffa operculataem caldo de bactérias dos agentes avaliados. Após incubação de 24 horas foi realizada a leitura de turvação do meio, e posteriormente, semeadura em placas de ágar-sangue e ágar Muller-Hinton, após 24 e 48 horas de incubação. Foram considerados testes negativos aqueles em que não houve a turvação do meio, confirmados pela ausência do crescimento das bactérias nas semeaduras. Foram considerados positivos os testes que apresentaram turvação do caldo ou positividade nas semeaduras de 24 ou 48 horas. Os resultados foram submetidos à análise estatística pertinente.RESULTADOS: Os extratos de Luffa operculataapresentaram atividade antimicrobiana, especialmente para Streptococcus pyogenes, seguido dos Streptococcus pneumoniaee Sthaphylococcus aureus.CONCLUSÃO: O extrato de Luffa operculataapresentou promissora atividade antimicrobiana in vitrocontra os agentes estudados.

Ameliorative effect of Luffa acutangula Roxb. on doxorubicin induced cardiac and nephrotoxicity in mice.

The present study reports protective effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of Luffa acutangula (HAELA) on doxorubicin (DXR) induced cardio and nephro toxicity in mice by studying various serum biomarkers, antioxidants in target organs and histoarchitecture alterations. Pretreatment with HAELA reversed significantly the elevated serum biomarkers, alanine amino transferase, lactate dehydrogenase and creatinine phosphokinase in heart and kidney in DXR treated mice. In addition, HAELA treatment inhibited elevated malondialdehyde formation and restored the depleted glutathione, catalase, superoxide dismutase in heart and kidney tissue. The altered histoarchitecture of heart and kidney tissue due to DXR treatment were also improved with HAELA. The protective activity observed with HAELA on DXR induced cardio and nephrotoxicity in mice was found to be related to its antioxidant property which finally results in membrane stabilization.

Evaluation of two bioadsorbents for removing paracetamol from aqueous media

The frequent contamination of water resources with drugs comprises one the most important environmental problems. In order to avoid serious disturbances for aquatic life, efficient and economically viable procedures should be developed for removing common pollutants, as paracetamol. From these considerations, the present work evaluated the efficiency of sugar cane bagasse (SCB) and vegetable sponge (VS), two natural adsorbents commonly found in Brazil, for retaining paracetamol molecules dispersed in aqueous solutions. Thus, systems composed of glass columns and peristaltic pumps were optimized and, for pH, the best value was 7.0. After optimisation, adsorption isotherms were built and it was possible to calculate the MAC F values for SCB (120.5 ug/g) and VS (37.5 ug/g). Additionally, real matrices of pretreated water, from a municipal plant for water catchment, were enriched with paracetamol at 5 uM and passed through glass columns packed with SCB, VS and activated carbon (AC). The results showed that SCB was more attractive than AC in terms of price and efficiency (60 percent against 45 percent adsorption, respectively), while VS was responsible for removing 40 percent of paracetamol dissolved in the enriched water samples. Thus, the proposed natural adsorbents can be classified as viable materials to remove paracetamol from water used for human consumption.

Phytochemical and antimicrobial investigation of Luffa cylindrica / Investigacion fitoquimica y antimicrobiana de Luffa cylindrica

3-hydroxy-1-methylene-2,3,4,4-tetrahydroxynapthalene-2-carbaldehyde (1), 22,23-dihydroxy spinasterol (2) were isolated from petroleum ether extrct of the fruits of Luffa cylindrical. The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic studies including IR and high field NMR analysis.Petroleum ether extract (i.e. crude extract) exhibited mild to moderate antimicrobial activity. This is the first report of isolation of compound of 1 – 2 from this species.

3-hydroxi-1-metilen-2,3,4,4-tetrahidroxinaftalen-2-carbaldehido (1), 22,23-dihidroxispinasterol (2) fueron aislados de un extracto en eter de petróleo de la fruta de Luffa cylindrica. Las estructuras de estos compuestos fueron deducidas por estudios espectroscópicos incluyendo IR y RMN de alto campo. El extracto crudo en éter de petróleo mostró actividad antimicrobiana de leve a moderada. El presente estudio representa el primer reporte de estos compuestos en L cylindrica.