Antibacterial Effects of Methanolic Leaf Extracts of Henna (Lawsonia inermis) Against Two Most Common Pathogenic Organisms: Gram Positive Staphylococcus aureus and Gram-Negative Escherichia coli.

Evaluation of the in vitro antibacterial activity of Methanolic extracts isolated from Henna (Lawsonia inermis) leaf against two nosocomial infection causing pathogens, gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and gram-negative Escherichia coli. This interventional study was carried out during the period of January 2021 to December 2021 in the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics in collaboration with the Department of Microbiology, Mymensingh Medical College, Mymensingh, Bangladesh. The antibacterial activity was tested at different concentrations of Methanolic Henna leaf extracts by using disc diffusion and broth dilution method. The extract was prepared by using solvents Methanol and 0.1% DMSO (Dimethyl sulfoxide). The test microorganisms were also tested for their activity against a standard antibiotic Ciprofloxacin by broth dilution method and the result was compared with that of Methanolic leaf extracts. Methanolic Henna leaf Extracts (MHE) were used initially in nine different concentrations (2.5, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000 mg/ml) and later in selected concentrations as needed to confirm the more precise margin of antimicrobial sensitivity of the extracts. Among different concentrations of the MHE, 100mg/ml and above concentrations showed inhibitory effect against aforesaid bacteria. The MIC for Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli were 100 and 200 mg/ml in MHE respectively. The MIC of Ciprofloxacin was 1µg/ml against both Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The MIC of Ciprofloxacin was the lowest in comparison to MICs of MHE for the test organisms. The present study showed that Methanol Henna extracts demonstrated antibacterial effects against nosocomial infection pathogens. From this study, it is clearly observed that there are definite antibacterial effects of the methanolic extract of Henna leaves (Lawsonia inermis) against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli.

Transcriptional activation by hepatocyte nuclear factor-4 in a cell-free system derived from rat liver nuclei.

Hepatocyte nuclear factor-4 (HNF4) regulates gene expression by binding to direct repeat motifs of the RG(G/T)TCA sequence separated by one nucleotide (DR1). In this study we demonstrate that endogenous HNF4 present in rat liver nuclear extracts, as well as purified recombinant HNF4, activates transcription from naked DNA templates containing multiple copies of the DR1 element linked to the adenovirus major late promoter. Recombinant HNF4 also activates transcription from the rat cellular retinol binding protein II (CRBPII) promoter in vitro. The region between -105 and -63 bp of this promoter is essential for HNF-mediated transactivation. The addition of a peptide containing the LXXLL motif abolished HNF4-mediated transactivation in vitro suggesting that LXXLL-containing protein factor(s) are involved in HNF4-mediated transactivation in rat liver nuclear extracts. This is the first report on transactivation by HNF4 in a cell-free system derived from rat liver nuclei.

Serine 27, a human retinoid X receptor alpha residue, phosphorylated by protein kinase A is essential for cyclicAMP-mediated downregulation of RXRalpha function.

Retinoid X Receptor alpha (RXRalpha), a member of the steroid-thyroid hormone receptor super family, is phosphorylated in vitro by protein kinase A (PKA) and this phosphorylation is inhibited in presence of PKA inhibitory peptide. Analysis of various deletion mutants of RXRalpha indicate that the amino-terminal A/B domain is the target for PKA phosphorylation. An RXRalpha mutant in which serine residue 27 is mutated to alanine is no longer phosphorylated by PKA. In vivo transfection experiments in COS cells indicate that cyclic AMP represses retinoic acid-mediated transcriptional activation of RXRalpha and this repression is mediated by serine 27. These results indicate that serine 27 of RXRalpha is an unique target for phosphorylation by PKA in vitro and it has an important role in the crosstalk between RXRalpha and cyclic AMP signalling pathways.

Anaesthetic risks in rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis can be a major challenge to the anaesthetist, the principal problem being a difficult upper airway. Additional risks may arise because of cardiovascular and pulmonary involvement. The drugs used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis also affect the anaesthetic management of these patients.

Pharmacological emptying of the stomach with metoclopramide.

This paper evaluates the use of metoclopramide (Maxolon) in emptying human stomach contents into the duodenum and beyond. A method of quantitative assessment of content by barium swallow radiography is used in the study, and the method is recommended as a diagnostic manoeuvre in patients presenting for emergency surgery in whom the stomach content is in doubt. Oral metoclopramide was found effective in emptying stomachs challenged by water load, and the intravenous route has been found effective in emptying semisolid contents in emergency clinical situations. A radiographic scan of the resting stomach was made on patients waiting for routine surgery who had received a variety of common premedication; it was shown that significant residues occur.We believe that metoclopramide deserves further investigation in order to exploit its potential in reducing the hazard of regurgitation and vomiting in patients requiring emergency anaesthesia and surgery.