Posted by admin on Nov 1, 2011 in |
The use of medicinal plants in the world and especially in India, contributes significantly to primary health care. Whole plant of the Cynodon dactylon is traditionally used to treat painful and inflammatory condition. We have undertaken this study since no detailed scientific study was available regarding the antifungal and antibacterial activity of the aqueous extract of the whole plant. In this study the aqueous extract of Cynodon dactylon was used to determine the antimicrobial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis and Candida albicans. The antimicrobial activity was determined using the agar well diffusion method. The diameter of the clear zone of inhibition surrounding the well was measured. The aqueous extract of Cynodon dactylon had antimicrobial activity against all the test organisms except Candida albicans. Phytotoconstituents present included Saponins, Tannins, steroids and Flavonoids. It can be concluded that aqueous extract of whole plant of Cynodon dactylon may be considered as an antibacterial agent and can be used to source antibiotic substances for possible treatment...
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Posted by admin on Nov 1, 2011 in |
The potential of methanol extract as a potent antimicrobial agent has been observed to be an effective means to combat disease causing pathogenic organisms. Growth pattern of Escherichia coli cells showed that the growth of cells decreased with an increase in concentration of extract. The specific relationship between the specific growth rate and the substrate concentration was thus be obtained by fitting these data into Monod kinetic model. The non competitive and uncompetitive inhibition kinetic models were also tested in order to determine the inhibitory effects of the methanol extract of roots on Escherichia coli. Longest lag phase of 8 hrs was obtained at nutrient broth concentration of 2 g/L. Kinetic studies showed that with an increase in concentration of extract (10-30 g/L) the specific growth rate and inhibition constant decreased but saturation constant increased. Therefore the biokinetic constant estimated by these models have laid the possibility of obtaining suitable antibiotic from Alstonia...
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Posted by admin on Nov 1, 2011 in |
Even after treating Shingles patients with antiviral drugs, they are found to suffer from secondary bacterial infections. With this background as a guide, we undertook an investigation to isolate the bacterial pathogens from the pus of Shingles patients. Among the isolates obtained during the one year study period, Staphylococcus aureus sp. was found to be multi drug resistant and hence it was chosen for the study. The antibiogram pattern of the methicillin resistant S. aureus was obtained, since this could serve as a tool for suggesting useful...
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Posted by admin on Nov 1, 2011 in |
Present study reports CNS depressant and analgesic activities of methanol extract obtained from the leaves of Piper longum L (MEPL). CNS depressant activity was evaluated by using open field and hole cross tests at doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight while peripheral analgesic activity was evaluated by using acetic acid induced writhing method and formalin test respectively in rat model at 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight. The results of the statistical analysis showed that the plant extract had significant (p<0.01) dose dependent CNS depressant and analgesic activities. Locomotor activity and exploratory behavior of rats in hole cross and open field test were decreased in the test group comparing the control group indicating CNS depressant effect of the extract which was comparable with the standard drug diazepam. The extract also showed better analgesic effects at both doses characterized by reduction in the number of writhes in the acetic acid-induced writhing model and reduction of licking time in the formalin test when compared to the control group. The...
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Posted by admin on Nov 1, 2011 in |
Aims The presence of carbonyl groups in proteins has been used as a marker of ROS-mediated protein oxidation. The present work was undertaken to study the importance of endogenous antioxidants like Vitamin C and vitamin E in different types of leprosy patients. Methods: Total 30 leprosy cases were studied. Patients were subjected to various tests like, serum protein carbonyl as an index of protein oxidation, while serum Vitamin C and Vitamin E levels as endogenous antioxidants. Results: An increased level of protein carbonyl indicates oxidative stress .The levels of Vitamins C, E decreased significantly in leprosy. Conclusions: Protein carbonyl can be used as sensitive indicator of oxidative stress in leprosy patients. Vitamin C and vitamin E can be supplemented along with anti-leprosy drugs to control the protein oxidation in leprosy...
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