Posted by admin on Sep 1, 2012 in |
Eurycoma longifolia (E. longifolia) Jack has been widely used in traditional medicine for its antimalarial, aphrodisiac, anti-diabetic, antimicrobial, anti-pyretic and anticancer activities. As yet, no study has been done on biosafety of partially purified sub-fraction (TAF2) of the crude methanolic extract of E. longifolia roots. This study aims to evaluate, in vivo, the effects of TAF2 on the haematological, biochemical and histology parameters in nude mice. Male nude mice were treated orally with TAF2 (200 mg/Kg/mouse) every other day for 16 days. Untreated mice were used as controls. Blood samples were collected by intra-cardiac puncture and haematological and biochemical parameters were analyzed by using animal blood counter and automated chemistry analyzer, respectively. Hematoxylin-eosin stain (H&E) was used to evaluate the histopathology changes. Blood cells morphology was assessed by Wright stain of the thin blood films. The results showed normal blood haematology and clinical chemistry. Histological examination of TAF2 treated vital organs (kidney, liver and spleen) of mice showed no apparent change with the dose used. In conclusion, E. longifolia...
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Posted by admin on Sep 1, 2012 in |
To analyse the situation of antibiotic resistance, a total of 77 E. coli isolates from urine, pus, sputum and endo-tracheal aspirate were screened for their antibiograms for antibiotic resistance, multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) index for evaluating the spread of resistance and plasmid profiles for the presence and characterization of plasmids. Very high resistance level (>90%) was detected against ampicillin, amoxicillin, ceftazidime, norfloxacin, tetracycline while imipenem and amikacin recorded the least resistance levels of 2.3% and 13.9% respectively among the isolates. An increased resistance to amoxicillin, tetracycline, cotrimoxazole and norfloxacin were observed in this geographical area which however displayed a lower resistance in other countries. The MAR index varied considerably, the lowest was 0.18 and the highest was 0.89. Plasmids of 10 size ranges were detected in the isolates. Some isolates possessed single sized plasmid while other possessed multiple plasmids. Isolates with high multi- antibiotic resistance profiles were found to possess multiple plasmids. This study shows that regular antimicrobial sensitivity surveillance is necessary and acquisition of plasmid could greatly contribute...
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Posted by admin on Aug 1, 2012 in |
Dillenia Indica, commonly known as elephant apple and locally known as outenga, is the handsome evergreen tree grows in the moist forest of sub-Himalayan region to Assam. The fruit grows in abundance and due to lack of knowledge and technical knowledge; most of these fruits are wasted. In Assam, traditionally the unripe fruits are used to make curries because of its sour taste and ripe fruits are making pickles. The fruits are generally high in fibre and due to presence of gummy substances, extraction of juice becomes difficult. The plant grows about 15 m tall. Not only the fruits have medicinal values but the leaves and the bark also showed numerous pharmacological activity. The studies showed that the plant possesses various activities like Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Analgesic, Anti-inflammatory, dysentery, Antidiabetic etc. The fruits and the juice of the plant are traditionally used for the treatment of various diseases and one of the major diseases is Diabetes Mellitus. It was also proved from the review of literatures that this plant possesses...
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Posted by admin on Aug 1, 2012 in |
Nyctanthes arbor-tristis Linn. (NAT) is well known Indian medicinal plant. The plant is used in Ayurveda for various pharmacological actions such as anti-arthritic, antispasmodic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, immunostimulant, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, antiarthritic, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antihelmintic, antileishmanial, antiviral, CNS depressant. The present review discusses pharmacology of the herb, its pre-clinical and clinical studies, safety and herbal drug interaction which is a need of the...
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Posted by admin on Aug 1, 2012 in |
The common usage of Galium spp. in the Ethiopian traditional medicine, as described in few documentations, are generally related to diseases associated with the nervous system, the immune system, infections and inflammation. Preliminary phytochemical and antimicrobial screening on extracts of the aerial parts of Galium spurium (subspecies africanum) was done in order to partly rationalize some of the claimed traditional uses of the plant. Results of the preliminary antimicrobial screening on extracts of G. spurium showed only weak antibacterial activity. The preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids and phenolics compounds. As phenolics and flavonoids are known to display multiple health benefits, the claimed traditional uses of the plant could be justified more through the possible pharmacological effects of these components than its weak antibacterial...
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