Possible fasciocidal activity of methanol extract of Dregea volubilis leaves.

In eastern and southern part of India Dregea volubilis (Family Asclepediaceae) is widely used as anthelmintic in traditional system of medicine. The present study was conducted to evaluate the fasciocidal activity of the methanol extract of D. volubilis leaves (MEDV) and to observe the drug's effect on organisms through scanning electron microscopic (SEM) study. Live parasites (Trematode: Fasciola gigantica) were collected in 0.9% phosphate-buffered saline from the bile ducts of buffalo. Those were incubated in the said media at 37 ± 1 °C either as control, or with MEDV at 5, 10, 25, 50 and 100 mg/ml as test groups or with albendazole at 10mg/ml as standard group. The efficacy of the extract was determined on the basis of paralysis (temporary loss of spontaneous movement of the organisms) and/or death of the liver flukes. Death was confirmed when the organisms lost their motility permanently and their motility could not be revived even when vigorously shaken or dipped in warm water. MEDV at all concentration effectively paralyzed first and then killed the liver flukes (p < 0.001). Maximum fasciocidal activity was found with concentration of 100 mg/ml at 38.83 ± 3.41 min. Through SEM study, severe damages were observed in both the suckers as well as on the tegumental surfaces of the treated liver flukes. The study confirmed the fasciocidal activity of the MEDV.

Anthelmintic effect of a methanol extract of Bombax malabaricum leaves on Paramphistomum explanatum.

Bombax malabaricum (family Bombacaceae) is used as anthelmintic in traditional system of medicine in Southern Punjab of Pakistan. The objective of this study was to evaluate the anthelmintic activity of the methanol extract of B. malabaricum leaves (MEBM). Live parasites (trematode: Paramphistomum explanatum) were collected from buffalo in 0.9% phosphate-buffered saline. It was incubated in Petri dishes at 37 ± 1°C in media containing either no extract (control) or MEBM, the test drug at 10, 25, 50, and 100 mg/ml dose level or albendazole, the standard drug at 10 mg/ml. The efficacy of the extract or albendazole was measured on the basis of the loss of spontaneous movement and/or death of the trematodes. Paralysis was considered when there is no movement unless shaken vigorously. Death was confirmed when the trematodes completely lost their motility, even when vigorously shaken or dipped in warm water (50°C), followed by fading away of their body color. The trematodes, both drug treated and others, were further processed for SEM study using the standard method. All trematodes died with all the above-mentioned doses of MEBM within a short period of time (less than 45 min) which was statistically highly significant (p < 0.001). MEBM at 100 mg/ml showed maximum efficacy. It paralyzed and killed trematodes in 18.50 ± 0.62 and 22.17 ± 0.48 min, respectively. SEM study showed that MEBM-treated trematodes were stretched. The study established the anthelmintic activity of MEBM.

Anthelmintic effect of a methanol extract of leaves of Dregea volubilis on Paramphistomum explanatum.

Dregea volubilis (family Asclepediaceae) is widely used as anthelmintic in traditional system of medicine in eastern and southern part of India. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anthelmintic activity of the methanol extract of D. volubilis leaves (MEDV) and to observe its effect through SEM study. Live parasites (trematode Paramphistomum explanatum) were collected from buffalo in 0.9% phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). It was incubated at 37 ± 1°C in media containing either no extract (control), the test drug, MEDV at four dose levels (10, 25, 50, and 100 mg/ml) or the standard drug, albendazole, at a dose of 10 mg/ml. The effectiveness of the extract was judged on the basis of the loss of spontaneous movement and/or complete destruction or death of the trematodes. After being removed from the experimental medium, trematodes were dipped in PBS at 37 ± 1°C and on gentle stimulation, the paralyzed parasite showed immobility. Death was confirmed when it completely lost its motility even when vigorously shaken or dipped in warm water (50°C). The trematodes, both drug treated and others, were further processed for SEM study using standard method. The anthelmintic activity was found with all the doses through paralysis and death of the organisms (p < 0.001). Maximum anthelmintic activity was found with a dose of 100 mg/ml. Minor damage was observed with both suckers, but severe distortion was found with tegumental surface of the treated trematodes. The present SEM-based study established the anthelmintic activity of MEDV.

A rare anomaly in twin pregnancy--acardiac twin.

Twin reversed arterial perfusion syndrome is the extreme manifestation of twin to twin transfusion syndrome. The pathogenesis is thought to be reversed arterial transfusion. Acardiac foetus grossly features severe reduction anomalies particularly of the upper body. Although the acardiac twin is nonviable, it can cause severe obstetric, foetal and maternal complications. Here, one such case of acardiac twin in reported.

Larvicidal activity of Dregea volubilis and Bombax malabaricum leaf extracts against the filarial vector Culex quinquefasciatus.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the larvicidal activity of two plant leaf powder and leaf-extracts, Dregea volubilis and Bombax malabaricum against Culex quinquefasciatus. METHODS: The larvicidal bioassay was done for powdered leaves of Dregea volubilis and Bombax malabaricum individually and their methanol extracts against first-, second-, third- and fourth-instar larval forms of Culex quinquefasciatus. Mortality rate was recorded after 24, 48 and 72 h of post-exposure. LC(50) and LC(90) values were calculated at different time intervals for third instar larvae. RESULTS: All the graded concentration (0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3%, 0.4%, 0.5%) of powdered leaves showed significant (P <0.05) larval mortality. The mortality rate was higher in 50 ppm doses of methanolic extracts of both the plants against Culex quinquefaciatus. The corresponding LC(50) values were 56.97 ppm and 48.85 ppm, respectively after 24 h of exposure. There is no mortality of non-target organism such as Chironomous circumdatus, Oreochromis niloticus niloticus and Diplonichus annulatum within 72 h of post exposure to 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3% crude powdered leaves and methanolic extracts of both the two individual plants under the laboratory condition. The results of preliminary qualitative phytochemical analysis of both the plants revealed the presence of many bioactive principles such as steroids, tannins, flavonoids, triterpenoids, saponins, etc. that may be responsible for their bio-control potentiality. CONCLUSIONS: The results have shown potential and eco-friendly use of both plant extracts against larva of Culex quinquefasciatus for the first time.

Anti-inflammatory effect of a methanolic extract of leaves of Dregea volubilis.

AIM OF STUDY: The aim of this study was to establish the anti-inflammatory activity of the methanolic extract of Dregea volubilis leaves (MEDV) with its fractions and to delineate the possible mechanism of action for MEDV. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The anti-inflammatory activities of MEDV along with its petroleum ether and chloroform fractions were evaluated in a carrageenan induced model of acute inflammation. The effect of MEDV on lipopolysaccharide induced production of nitric oxide (NO) in macrophages was also studied. RESULTS: MEDV (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight) significantly reduced carrageenan induced paw edema; chloroform fraction was most potent (66%, p<0.001). MEDV was non-toxic up to 125 µg/ml in mouse peritoneal macrophages wherein it (0-100 µg/ml) reduced lipopolysaccharide induced NO production. CONCLUSION: MEDV possesses significant anti-inflammatory activity. Chloroform fraction of MEDV showed best anti-inflammatory activity.

Phytochemical and acute toxicity study on Tinospora tomentosa Miers.

The stems of Tinospora tomentosa Miers. are used in Indian system of medicine. The present study deals with the preliminary qualitative phytochemical investigation and acute toxicity study on various extracts of the plant. The acute toxicity was studied in mice and rats in terms of 24 h LD50 of the methanol and aqueous extracts. These extracts were found to be non-toxic orally in doses up to 3.5 g/kg in both mice and rats.

Analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities of the ethanolic extract and its fractions of Cleome rutidosperma.

Oral administration of the ethanolic extract (200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o) and its fractions (200 mg/kg each) of the aerial parts of Cleome rutidosperma produced significant analgesic activity in acetic acid-induced writhing and tail immersion tests, anti-inflammatory effect against carrageenin induced inflammation and adjuvant induced polyarthritis and antipyretic activity against yeast-induced pyrexia. Fractionation of the ethanolic extract potentiated the activities.

Synthesis of some oxazolinones and imidazolinones and their antimicrobial screening.

A few imidazolinones [1-aminoethyl/phenyl-2-methyl/phe- nyl-4-acetylidene/benzylidene-imidazolin-5[4H]-ones] were newly synthesized from respetive acetylidene/benzylidene oxazolinones. Schiff's bases were synthesized by the reaction between imidazolinones and benzaldehyde. The antimicrobial screening of almost all compounds showed moderate to significant activities against B. subtilis ATCC 6633 and K. pneumoniae ATCC 25063. Compounds 10 [1-aminophenyl-2-phenyl-4-acetylidene-imidazolin-5[4H]-one] and 12 [1-aminophenyl-2-phenyl-4-benzylidene-imi- dazolin-5[4H]-one] showed even better activity than amphotericin B against C. albicans ATCC 29738.

Synthesis and antibacterial activity of some imidazole-5-(4H)one derivatives.

In the present study, several substituted oxazolones were synthesized by condensation of benzoylglycine with different aldehydes. From such oxazolones, substituted imidazolones were synthesized by condensation with ethylenediamine, urea and 4-N,N-dimethylaminoaniline. All these synthesized compounds produced significant antibacterial activities. Furthermore, compounds containing -CH(2)CH(2)NH(2), -CONH(2) and -C(6)H(4)-N(CH(3))(2) groups as substitutents on the imidazolones were found to be potent antibacterial agents. Thus, among the twelve compounds, 1-(2-aminoethyl)-2-phen yl-4-(4-(dimethylamino)benzylidene)imidazole-5-(4H)one (4d), 1-carboxamido-2-phenyl-4-(4-(dimethylamino)benzylidene)imidazole-5-(4H)one (4e) and 1-(4-(N,N-dimethylamino)phenyl)-2-phenyl-4-(4-(dimethylamino)benzylidene)imidazole-5-(4H)one (4f) were found to have a significant higher antibacterial activity than the other substituted imidazolones. Compound 4e was the most active one in this series.