ABSTRACT
In the present study, we evaluated the antibacterial activity of ashwagandha [Withania somnifera L. Dunal (Solanaceae; root and leaves)], an Indian traditional medicinal plant against pathogenic bacteria. Both aqueous as well as alcoholic extracts of the plant (root as well as leaves) were found to possess strong antibacterial activity against a range of bacteria, as revealed by in vitro Agar Well Diffusion Method. The methanolic extract was further subfractionated using various solvents and the butanolic sub-fraction was found to possess maximum inhibitory activity against a spectrum of bacteria including Salmonella typhimurium. Moreover, in contrast to the synthetic antibiotic (viz. chloramphenicol), these extracts did not induce lysis on incubation with human erythrocytes, advocating their safety to the living cells. Finally, the antibacterial efficacy of the extracts isolated from plant (both root and leaves) was determined against experimental salmonellosis in Balb/C mice. Oral administration of the aqueous extracts successfully obliterated salmonella infection in Balb/C mice as revealed by increased survival rate as well as less bacterial load in various vital organs of the treated animals.
Subject(s)
Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology , Phytotherapy , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Salmonella Infections/prevention & control , Withania , Administration, Oral , Animals , Anti-Bacterial Agents/administration & dosage , Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use , Female , Mice , Mice, Inbred BALB C , Microbial Sensitivity Tests , Plant Extracts/administration & dosage , Plant Extracts/therapeutic use , Plant Leaves , Plant Roots , Salmonella typhimurium/drug effectsABSTRACT
In the present study, we evaluated antimicrobial activity of clove oil against a range of fungal pathogens including that responsible for urogenital infection. Clove oil was found to possess strong antifungal activity against opportunistic fungal pathogens such as Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans and Aspergillus fumigatus, etc. The oil was found to be extremely successful in the treatment of experimental murine vaginitis in model animals. On evaluating various formulations, topical administration of the liposomized clove oil was found to be most effective against treatment of vaginal candidiasis.
Subject(s)
Antifungal Agents/therapeutic use , Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal/drug therapy , Clove Oil/therapeutic use , Administration, Intravaginal , Animals , Antifungal Agents/administration & dosage , Antifungal Agents/pharmacology , Aspergillus fumigatus/drug effects , Candida albicans/drug effects , Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal/microbiology , Clove Oil/administration & dosage , Clove Oil/pharmacology , Cryptococcus neoformans/drug effects , Emulsions , Female , Liposomes , Mice , Microbial Sensitivity TestsABSTRACT
In the present study, we evaluated tuftsin bearing nystatin liposomes for their potential against an isolate of Candida albicans (C. albicans) showing less in vivo susceptibility to amphotericin B (Amp B). The liposomised-Amp B in higher doses was found to be effective in elimination of less susceptible strain of C. albicans (C. albicans JMCR) in Balb/c mice, but may not be recommended due to toxicity constraints. On the other hand, liposomal nystatin was shown to possess higher efficacy as compared to that of Amp B, and was pertinent in treatment of C. albicans JMCR strain. The data of present work reveals that the incorporation of nystatin in tuftsin-bearing-liposomes results in a significant increase in its efficacy against experimental murine candidiasis. Interestingly, the pre-treatment of animals with liposomised-tuftsin prior to challenge with C. albicans infection was more effective in elimination of the pathogen from host and shows an advantage in prophylactic perspectives.
