Terminalia ferdinandiana Exell: Extracts inhibit Shewanella spp. growth and prevent fish spoilage.

Shewanella spp. are major causes of fish spoilage. Terminalia ferdinandiana (Kakadu plum) extracts were investigated for their ability to inhibit Shewanella spp. growth. Leaf and fruit extracts displayed potent growth inhibitory properties against all Shewanella spp. The methanolic leaf extract was a particularly potent inhibitor of S. putrefaciens (DD MIC 93; LD MIC 73 µg/mL), S. baltica (DD MIC 104 µg/mL; LD MIC 85 µg/mL), S. frigidimarina (DD MIC 466 µg/mL; LD MIC 391 µg/mL) and S. loihica (DD MIC 95 µg/mL; LD MIC 55 µg/mL) growth. The aqueous and ethyl acetate leaf extracts were also potent growth inhibitors, with MIC values generally substantially <1000 µg/mL. Treatment of Acanthopagrus butcheri Munro fillets with methanolic Kakadu plum extracts significantly inhibited bacterial growth for 15 days at 4 °C. All Kakadu plum extracts were nontoxic in the Artemia franciscana bioassay. LC-MS analysis identified several compounds which may contribute to the inhibition of Shewanella spp. growth.

Plantago squarrosa Murray extracts inhibit the growth of some bacterial triggers of autoimmune diseases: GC-MS analysis of an inhibitory extract.

Ankylosing spondylitis, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and rheumatic fever are autoimmune inflammatory diseases that may be triggered in genetically susceptible individuals by specific bacterial pathogens. Inhibiting the growth of these bacteria with high antioxidant plant extracts may inhibit the aetiology of these diseases, as well as inhibiting the later phase symptoms. P. squarrosa extracts were analysed for antioxidant activity using a DPPH free radical scavenging assay. Bacterial growth inhibitory activity was evaluated using disc diffusion assays and the activity was quantified by MIC determination. The extracts were screened for toxicity by A. franciscana nauplii assays. The most potent antibacterial extract (ethyl acetate) was analysed by GC-MS headspace profile analysis and compounds were identified with reference to a phytochemical database. All extracts displayed strong DPPH radical scavenging activity. The ethyl acetate extract was particularly potent (IC50 1.4 µg/mL), whilst the other extracts also had significant radical scavenging activity (IC50 values between 11 and 22 µg/mL). Notably, the bacterial growth inhibitory activity of the extracts correlated with their DPPH radical scavenging activity. The ethyl acetate extract, which had the greatest DPPH scavenging activity, generally displayed the most potent bacterial growth inhibitory activity. This extract was particularly potent against P. mirabilis, P. vulgaris and A. baylyi (MIC values of 484, 575 and 880 µg/mL, respectively). It also inhibited P. aeruginosa and S. pyogenes growth, albeit with higher MICs (1600-3700 µg/mL). All other extract-bacteria combinations were either inactive or resulted in mid-low potency inhibition. All extracts were non-toxic in the A. franciscana bioassay (LC50 substantially > 1000 µg/mL). In total, 89 unique mass signals were identified in the P. squarrosa ethyl acetate extract by non-biased GC-MS headspace analysis. A number of compounds which may contribute to the antibacterial activity of this extract have been highlighted.

Terminalia ferdinandiana Exell. Fruit and Leaf Extracts Inhibit Proliferation and Induce Apoptosis in Selected Human Cancer Cell Lines.

Terminalia spp. are characterized by their high antioxidant contents and several species have anticancer activity. This study examined T. ferdinandiana fruit and leaf extracts for antiproliferative and apoptotic activities against a panel of human carcinoma cell lines. All extracts inhibited Caco2, HeLa, Jeg-3, JAR, MC3T3-E1, and MG63 proliferation. The leaf ethyl acetate extract was the most potent inhibitor of proliferation (MC3T3-E1 IC50 = of 6 µg/ml; Caco2 IC50 = 102 µg/ml). Furthermore, IC50's < 500 µg/ml were determined against all cell lines tested against that extract. The methanolic leaf extract was also a potent inhibitor of cell proliferation (Jeg-3 IC50 = 147 µg/ml; MC3T3-E1 IC50 = 40 µg/ml). The fruit extracts were also good inhibitors of carcinoma cell proliferation. Cell imaging studies detected morphological features consistent with apoptosis in Caco2 cells exposed to the ethyl acetate, methanolic, and aqueous extracts. Caspase 3 activity was significantly elevated in Caco2 cells exposed to these extracts, indicating that apoptosis was induced. The leaf ethyl acetate extract contained a high diversity and relative abundance of tannins and flavonoids. All T. ferdinandiana fruit and leaf extracts displayed either no toxic or low toxicity in the Artemia franciscana bioassay and in a HDF viability assay.

Vesicocutaneous fistula: an unusual complication of inguinoscrotal hernia.

Involvement of the urinary bladder in an inguinal hernia is common, but massive bladder hernia is rare. Most urinary bladder herniations are discovered and repaired during surgery. We report a case of large incarcerated inguino-scrotal hernia, which was reduced only to present as a scrotal abscess and vesicocutaneous fistula; an unusual complication. The patient was managed conservatively due to underlying comorbidities.