ABSTRACT
Background: The recent emergence of fungal resistance strains has caused concern in medical settings. Medicinal plants continue to be viable sources of bioactive chemicals with therapeutic potential. These compounds can be extracted in different techniques using various solvents that give rise to a wide variety of extracted bioactive compounds that act as anti-fungal. The research aimed to evaluate the effect of fenugreek seed extracts on resistant isolates of Candida spp. isolated from sever COVID-19 patients. Methodology: The study was conducted from August 2021 to November 2022 at Al-Imam Al-Hussein Medical City and Al-Hayat Respiratory Diseases Units. Under a specialist's physician's supervision, severe COVID-19 cases were collected. The collected 455 sputum samples were examined directly and cultured on Sabouraud's Dextrose agar (SDA) media;growth colonies were distinguished and used Grams stain with the API system before the antifungal susceptibility test was performed in accordance with clinical and laboratory standards institute (CLSI 2020) by disc diffusion method to differentiate the resistance microorganism. The extraction process was conducted using the soxhlet technique (100 grams of seed powder and 800 milliliters of solvents (chloroform, methanol, and water) for eight hours. Electrical rotatory evaporators were used to evaporate the extract to get the concentrated crude extracts. FTIR and GC-MS instruments used to detection of bioactive compounds in crude fenugreek seed extracts(aqueous, methanol, and chloroform). Then, different concentrations of each extract (25, 50, 100, and 150 mg/ml) and their effect against the tested resistance study isolated were examined by well diffusion method and Minimum inhibitory concentration was measured. Result(s): A 455 were enrolled in this study. Patients' ages ranged from 20 to 91 years (mean 52.23, SD 15.009). This study indicated that more than half of the samples were males [(262) 57.6%] and [(193) 42.4%] were females. The FTIR and GC-MS showed the methanolic extract potent the most bioactive compounds, followed by the chloroform and water extracts. Evaluation of antimicrobial effects at 50 mg/ml, the methanolic extract showed the greatest effect, with a mean inhibition zone of 9.33 mm and a significant value of 0.01;at 100 mg/ml, the chloroform extract showed the next greatest effect, with a mean inhibition zone of 10.33 mm and a significant value of 0.005. At 150 mg/ml, the aqueous extracts showed the least effect, with a mean inhibition zone of 8.33 mm and a non-significant value of 0.024. Conclusion(s): Candida spp. were most frequent isolated yeast from sputum of patients with severe COVID-19. Methanol extract was the most effective anti-candida, followed by chloroform extract, and the aqueous extract was the least effective. The most effective anti-candida drug is ketoconazole.Copyright © 2022.
ABSTRACT
Background: Developing new antibacterial and antiviral drugs are considered a significant issue due to the emergence and spread of resistant strains of microorganisms. The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically increased the need for new broad-spectrum anti-infective agents. Objective(s): This experimental study aimed to investigate the antibacterial and phagocytic properties of silver-interferon preparation. The combination of properties of complex drugs makes them promising for treating drug-resistant infections and bacterial complications of viral diseases. Method(s): The antibacterial effect of the silver-interferon platform was investigated by agar diffusion and serial dilution methods. The drug's effect on the functional activity of phagocytes was studied on human neutrophils in a Staphylococcus aureus uptake test. Result(s): Investigations have shown that the silver-interferon complex possesses a bactericidal mechanism of action against tested bacterial strains, including Streptococcus pneumonia, Salmonella enteritidis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli. Streptococcus pneumonia was the most susceptible bacterial target for the tested complex, with a growth inhibition zone of 12+/-0.6 mm and a minimal bactericidal concentration of 0.08 mg/ml. A slight stimulating action of the drug in relation to the activity of phagocytes was revealed. Conclusion(s): Silver-interferon has proved as a prospective anti-infective drug with a wide range of activities. Copyright © 2022 Bentham Science Publishers.
ABSTRACT
Objectives:Nylon fiber is a synthetic polymer that possesses outstanding physical and chemical properties such as good strength, flexibility, and air permeability. Nylon fiber has been widely used worldwide for various products including bedding, wipes, clothing, surgical gowns, wig, etc. The outbreak of COVID-19 boosts a surge in consumer demand for antibacterial fabrics that have the ability of resistance to bacteria attack because textile materials are good medium for microorganism growth and breeding. The present study thus aims to develop a durable antibacterial nylon fabric that could be used as wig against householdwashing. Thiswig would provide a solution for patients need chemotherapy to increase their self-confidence. Methods: The method of pad-dry-cure process was used to treat the nylon fabric samples. The N1 finishing formulation was prepared by adding binder and cationic antibacterial agent to deionized water. N2 finishing solution was prepared by mixing binder and inorganic antibacterial agent in deionized water. The sample was first padded with the pre-prepared finishing formulation. Afterwards, the sample was dried in an oven at 100oC for 2 min and then cured at 150oC for 1 min. After antibacterial finishing, the samples were washed with shampoo for different cycles at room temperature. Each cycle lasts 1 min. Finally, the antibacterial property of treated samples was qualitatively conducted against gram-positive S. aureus and gram-negative K. pneumoniae according to AATCC TM 147-2011. Results: The antibacterial results demonstrate that both samples treated with N1 and N2 have excellent antibacterial activities, particularly against S. aureus. However, after washing with shampoo, N1 samples show a distinct decrease in the inhibition zone and the samples fail to kill bacteria. By contrast, N2 samples show satisfactory antibacterial properties after 52 washing cycles. Moreover, there is no significant change in the antibacterial activity of N2 samples after 52 washing cycles. This suggests that the inorganic antibacterial agent has stronger affinity to nylon fiber than cationic antibacterial agent treated nylon fabric presents durable antibacterial activity. Conclusions: The inorganic antibacterial agent shows strong affinity to nylon fiber and can be used for developing durable antibacterial nylon fabrics against washing.
ABSTRACT
The diversity in Jordan’s flora due to its geographical areas make is well noted in the scientific literature. The challenge of disease and death caused by infectious diseases like viruses and bacteria, and as infectious diseases evolve and pathogens develop resistance to existing pharmaceuticals, the search for new novel leads, possibly with different modes of action, against bacterial and viral diseases has intensified in recent years. The intent of this review is to provide prevalent information on the antibacterial and antiviral potential in medicinal plants in Jordan, mode of action, type of viruses and bacteria, and phytochemical contents. It has been demonstrated by several studies presented in this review that medicinal plants in Jordan are rich in phytochemicals and possess antiviral and antibacterial properties.