Antibacterial and antibiofilm activities of Scorzonera mackmeliana.

Scorzonera have been confirmed to have potent bioactivity. Scorzonera mackmeliana (Asteraceae), the endemic plant to Lebanon, has not yet been investigated. In the present study, we assessed the antibacterial activity of S. mackmeliana extracts against referenced bacterial strains. Extracts from different parts of the plant were evaluated against Staphylococcus, Enterococcus, Escherichia and Pseudomonas species. Phytochemical screening was done by standard biochemical tests and minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) and minimal biofilm eradication concentration (MBEC) were determined by micro dilution method. The extracts possessed mainly alkaloids, phenols, flavonoids and coumarins. Gram-negative bacteria were most sensitive, whose MICs ranged between 48.98 and 341.85 mg/ml. Water stems extract, rich in phenols, was the most active with an MIC of 48.98 mg/ml. MBC was only recorded for water flowers extract, rich in resins, against P. aeruginosa and ethanolic roots extract, rich in terpenoids, against S. epidermidis with values of 160.85 mg/ml and 284.35 mg/ml, respectively. Furthermore, antibiofilm activity showed that the lowest MBEC was 0.1 mg/ml for water stems extract with an eradication ability of 91% (p <0.0001). Hence, this study suggests S. mackmeliana as a promising candidate for future investigations to elucidate the major bioactive compound behind the antibacterial and antibiofilm effect.

A case report of congenital glycogen storage liver cirrhosis treated with bone marrow derived stem cells.

Liver cirrhosis represents a state of end-stage failure that is usually fatal. The condition results in liver dysfunction, recurrent ascites, encephalopathy, renal failure, splenomegaly, bleeding, and a poor quality of life in general. With the current severe shortage of donated organs, the only available treatment in the developing countries remains palliative care. We report a case of congenital metabolic liver cirrhosis due to glycogen storage disease diagnosed at age eight. The patient, a male, received bone marrow derived mononuclear cells (BMMC) at age 16 and again at age 17 with significant improvement of his biochemical liver function tests, ascites build-up, asthenia, splenomegaly and quality of life. Furthermore, liver biopsies showed clear reduction of the inflammation and fibrosis from Ishak score dropped from 3 to 1 paralleling the symptomatic improvement of the patient.

Screening for antibacterial and antibiofilm activities in Astragalus angulosus.

AIM: In a search for finding novel therapeutic agents, extracts from an endemic Lebanese plant, Astragalus angulosus, were evaluated for their potential in-vitro antibacterial and antibiofilm activities against three Gram-positive bacterial strains; Staphylococcus epidermidis (CIP444), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC25923), and Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC29212); in addition to two Gram-negative strains, Escherichia coli (ATCC35218) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC27853). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The plant was collected in April of 2013 and divided into several different portions, then its extracts were obtained by maceration using two different solvents. Extract analysis followed directly where microtiter broth dilution method was employed to assess antibacterial activity, while antibiofilm potential was tested using colorimetric method. RESULTS: Whole plant ethanolic extract showed the highest bacteriostatic effect at a concentration of 12.78 mg/ml and also was the most versatile exerting its effect against 3 different strains. Other extracts also exhibited an effect but at higher concentrations and each against a single strain. Regarding antibiofilm activity, the majority of the extracts were able to eradicate >50% of S. epidermidis preformed biofilm, where the highest activity was obtained with flower fraction extracted in water, achieving 67.7% biofilm eradication at 0.2 mg/ml. CONCLUSIONS: This plant possesses a promising potential in regard to eradicating bacteria and their biofilms and it is the first contributing step of establishing a library for the endemic Lebanese plants in this domain.

Subcellular distribution of ZP1, ZP2, and ZP3 glycoproteins during folliculogenesis and demonstration of their topographical disposition within the zona matrix of mouse ovarian oocytes.

The zona pellucida (ZP) is an extracellular coat synthesized and secreted by the oocyte during follicular development and surrounding the plasma membrane of mammalian eggs. To date, the mechanism of synthesis and secretion, mode of assembly, and intracellular trafficking of the ZP glycoproteins have not been fully elucidated. Using antibodies against mouse ZP1, ZP2, and ZP3 in conjunction with the protein A-gold technique, we have shown an association of immunolabeling with the Golgi apparatus, secretory granules, and a complex structure called vesicular aggregate, respectively, in mouse ovarian follicles. In contrast, the neighboring granulosa cells were not reactive to any of the three antibodies used. Immunolabeling of ZP1, ZP2, and ZP3 was detected throughout the entire thickness of the ZP, irrespective of the developmental stage of ovarian follicles. Double and triple immunolocalization studies, using antibodies tagged directly to different sizes of gold particles, revealed an asymmetric spatial distribution of the three ZP glycoproteins in the zona matrix at various stages of follicular development. All three glycoproteins were specifically localized over small patches of darkly stained flocculent substance dispersed throughout the zona matrix. Very often, ZP1, ZP2, and ZP3 were found in close association. These results confirm findings from previous studies demonstrating that ovarian oocytes and not granulosa cells are the only source for mouse ZP glycoproteins. In addition, results from our morphological and immunocytochemical experiments suggest that the vesicular aggregates in the ooplasm are likely to serve as an intermediary in the synthesis and secretion of ZP glycoproteins. The stoichiometric disposition of ZP1, ZP2, and ZP3 in the zona matrix as revealed by double and triple immunolocalization studies provide further insight into some of the unanswered questions pertinent to the current model of mouse ZP structure proposed by the Wassarman group.