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PLANT VEGETATIVE STAGES AND DRYING METHODS AFFECT THE FLAVONOID CONTENT OF CLINACANTHUS NUTANS EXTRACTS
Get PDFBackground: Clinacanthus nutans, also known as ‘Sabah snake grass’ or ‘Belalai gajah’, is a herb well known locally for its medicinal values. The primary chemical constituents of the leaves are schaftoside, vitexin, isovitexin, orientin and isoorientin, and antiviral activity is shown by two glycoglycerolipids. Despite the importance of C. nutans, complete information with respect to commercial production and postharvest handling of the herb in the local herbal industry is still lacking. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine the optimum postharvest handling processes that could retain the phytochemicals quality of C. nutans.
Materials and Methods: The flavonoid compounds of C. nutans were analysed by using ultra fast liquid chromatography (UFLC). Total phenolic content and antioxidant activity were determined using a spectrophotometer.
Results: The total phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity in C. nutans were found to be higher in the young vegetative stage than in the mature vegetative stage. Flavonoid compounds (schaftoside, isovitexin, vitexin and orientin) were also found to be highest in the young vegetative plant compared to the mature vegetative plant. All of the assayed phytochemicals and flavonoid compounds levels were found to be highest in oven dried samples compared to the sun, air and solar dried samples.
Conslusion: This study suggests that oven-drying young vegetative C. nutans plant material is the optimum method to retain postharvest quality
PROPOSED GUIDELINES TO MINIMISE MULTI-DRUG RESISTANT TUBERCULOSIS TREATMENT DEFAULT IN A MULTI-DRUG RESISTANT UNIT OF LIMPOPO PROVINCE, SOUTH AFRICA
Get PDFBackground: The increasing prevalence and incidence of Multi Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is as a result
of the defaulting of treatment by patients. Worldwide, several factors that contribute to patients defaulting to
tuberculosis treatment protocol have been identified. This paper aims to develop guidelines to minimise the defaulting
rate of MDR-TB patients in MDR unit of Limpopo Province.
Materials and Methods: The study was conducted using a qualitative approach. Tesch’s open coding method of data
analysis was adopted to analyse the data obtained. Reasoning strategies were employed in the development of the
guidelines. These include analysis, synthesis, deductive reasoning and inductive reasoning. Synthesis strategy was used
to construct relational statements.
Results: The factors contributing to patients’ default from MDR-TB treatment were identified and organized into four
themes. Guidelines were developed to address each factor and give recommendations on possible solutions.
Conclusion: The guidelines that were developed concluded that co-operation amongst the Department of Health, health
practitioners, patient, and family members can help in preventing the defaulting of treatment
SIMULTANEOUS ANALYSIS OF THE BIOACTIVE COMPONENTS OF AN EXTRACT OF YEONGGYECHULGAM-TANG, A TRADITIONAL HERBAL PRESCRIPTION, USING HPLC–DAD
Get PDFBackground: Yeonggyechulgam-tang (YGCGT) is a well-known classic herbal formula and has been used clinically in Korea for the treatment of chest congestion. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analytical method coupled with diode-array detection (DAD) was performed for the simultaneous analysis of eight bioactive components, liquiritin apioside, liquiritin, coumarin, liquiritigenin, cinnamic acid, cinnamaldehyde, glycyrrhizin, and atractylenolide III in a YGCGT decoction. Materials and Methods: For simultaneous analysis using HPLC, the eight components were separated using a Phenomenex Gemini C18 column (250 mm 4.6 mm; particle size 5 m) eluted with a gradient of 0.1% (v/v) aqueous trifluoroacetic acid and acetonitrile at 1.0 mL/min. The column temperature and injection volume were 40C and 10 L. Results: Correlation coefficients of the eight compounds ranged between 0.9996 and 1.0000. The lower limits of detection and quantification of the analytes were 0.01–0.09 and 0.02–0.28 g/mL, respectively. Recovery of the eight compounds was 97.63–102.70% and the relative standard deviation (RSD) was less than 3.00%. The RSDs of intra and interday precision were 0.06–2.07% and 0.02–1.95%, respectively. The amounts of the eight compounds in a lyophilized YGCGT were in the range 0.18 to 10.34 mg/g. Conclusion: The optimized and validated HPLC analytical method used in the present study is expected to be useful for evaluation the quality of YGCGT decoctions or related herbal prescriptions
EVALUATION OF THE HYPOGLYCAEMIC POTENTIAL OF KIGELIA AFRICANA FRUIT POWDER BEING SOLD IN MALAWIAN RETAIL PHARMACIES
Get PDFBackground: Kigelia africana fruit powder is being sold in Malawian retail pharmacies for the purported purpose of lowering blood sugar in diabetic patients when there is scant data on its hypoglycaemic activity. This study was aimed at evaluating the hypoglycaemic potential of the Kigelia africana fruit powder being sold in Malawian retail pharmacies.
Materials and Methods: Hyperglycaemia was induced in rats via intra-peritoneal injection of dexamethasone. Albino rats were randomly allocated into five different groups of eight rats each. Group 1 consisted of non-hyperglycaemic rats receiving no treatment, group 2 consisted of hyperglycaemic rats receiving no treatment, group 3 consisted of hyperglycaemic rats receiving 25mg/kg of metformin, group 4 consisted of hyperglycaemic rats receiving 0.5mL of Kigelia africana fruit powder filtered solution, and group 5 consisted of hyperglycaemic rats receiving 1mL of Kigelia africana fruit powder solution.
Results: The Kigelia africana fruit powder filtered solution administered to hyperglycaemic albino rats significantly lowered the sugar level which was comparable to the reduction caused by the pharmacological drug, metformin.
Conclusions: Kigelia africana fruit powder has the potential of lowering glucose levels in white albino rats
ANTICANCER POTENTIAL OF PLANT EXTRACTS FROM RIYADH (SAUDI ARABIA) ON MDA-MB-231 BREAST CANCER CELLS
Get PDFBackground: Medicinal plants have been used in traditional medicine for the treatment of numerous diseases worldwide. There is a dire need for new anticancer agents and plants used in traditional medicine are a particularly useful source.
Materials and methods: In this study, extracts of five different plants that grow in the desert of Saudi Arabia were evaluated to assess their cytotoxicity against the MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell line. Soxhlet extraction was carried out on the leaves and stems using different solvents. The cytotoxicity of these extracts against MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells was assessed using the 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assays. The apoptotic cellular morphological changes were observed using inverted and fluorescence microscopes.
Results: Our results showed that two of the five different medicinal plants (Rumex vesicarius and Malva parviflora) exhibited strong anticancer activity against the breast cancer cells. Specifically, 2 of the 40 extracts (from the five studied plants) showed promising activity. The chloroform extract of the stem of R. vesicarius (RSV CHCL3) exhibited moderate anticancer activity with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 230 µg/mL while that of the hexane extract of M. parviflora stems (MPS Hex) was 248 µg/mL. Loss of cell integrity, shrinkage of the cytoplasm, and cell detachment were observed in the extract-treated MDA-MB-231 cells.
Conclusion: R. vesicarius and M. parviflora chloroform and n-hexane stem extracts showed significant cytotoxicity against MDA-MB-231 human breast carcinoma cells
ANTIVIRAL ACTIVITY OF Justicia gendarussa Burm.f. LEAVES AGAINST HIV-INFECTED MT-4 CELLS
Get PDFBackgrounds: Justicia gendarussa Burm.f. has been known to have anti-HIV activity. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of incubation time on the antiviral activity of the J. gendarussa leaves extract on HIV-infected MT-4 cells in vitro. Molecular docking test was also conducted to determine the interaction of alkaloids and flavonoids on the J. gendarussa leaves against HIV-1 reverse transcriptase receptor. It is expected that this research will provide scientific information on the development of J. gendarussa leaves as an anti-HIV drug.
Materials and Methods: In the activity test, the effect of incubation time on the antiviral activity of J. gendarussa leaves on HIV-infected MT-4 cells were evaluated. During the activity test, a parameter of cytolysis effect inhibition on MT-4 cell line was observed after 4 days and 6 days incubation period. The molecular docking test is performed by using Molegro Virtual Docker software to determine the interaction of alkaloid and flavonoid compounds of J. gendarussa leaves with HIV-1 reverse transcriptase receptor.
Results: The incubation time influences the CC50 and EC50 value. Fractionated-70% ethanol extract of J. gendarussa leaves showed a higher anti-HIV activity with EC50 = 3.045 x 10-9 μg/mL, SI = 6.309 x 1012 (4 days of incubation) and EC50 = 6.066 μg/mL, SI = 58494.845 (6 days of incubation). From molecular docking test, it was found that flavonoid of J. gendarussa leaves could inhibit the activity of HIV reverse transcriptase enzyme.
Conclusion: Fractionated-70% ethanol extract of J. gendarussa has potential as an anti-HIV
ACANTHAMOEBA SP.S-11 PHAGOCYTOTIC ACTIVITY ON MYCOBACTERIUM LEPRAE IN DIFFERENT NUTRIENT CONDITIONS
Get PDFBackground: Mycobacterium leprae (M. leprae) is a pathogenic bacterium that causes leprosy. The presence of M. leprae in the environment is supported by microorganisms that act as the new host for M. leprae. Acanthamoeba’s potential to be a host of M. leprae in the environment. Acanthamoeba sp. is Free Living Amoeba (FLA) that classified as holozoic, saprophytic, and saprozoic. The existence of nutrients in the environment influence Acanthamoeba ability to phagocytosis or pinocytosis. This study is aimed to determine Acanthamoeba sp.S-11 phagocytic activity to Mycobacterium leprae (M. leprae) which cultured in non-nutrient media and riched-nutrient media.
Materials and Methods: This research conducted by culturing Acanthamoeba sp.S-11 and M. leprae on different nutrient media conditions. M. leprae intracellular DNA were isolated and amplified by M. leprae specific primers through Real Time PCR (Q-PCR).
Result: The results showed that Acanthamoeba co-cultured on non-nutrient media were more active to phagocyte M. leprae than on rich-nutrient media.
Conclusion: The use of non-nutrient media is recommended to optimize Acanthamoeba sp. phagocytic activity to M. leprae.
Keywords: Acanthamoeba sp., Mycbacterium leprae, Nutrient, Phagocytosis, Real Time PCR
Introduction
Mycobacterium leprae (M. leprae) is a pathogeni
ADDITION OF ANTI- Toxoplasma gondii MEMBRANE IMMUNOGLOBULIN Y TO REDUCE NECROTIC INDEX IN MICE’S LIVER
Get PDFBackground The study aimes to determine the effect of administering anti-T. gondii membrane IgY against liver damage (Necrotic index) and the effectiveness of the antibody’s delivery time.
Materials and Methods This research was a laboratory experiment with five treatments and five replicantions. Each treatment used female mice (Mus musculus) as animal models. The treatment groups consisted of a P0 group (not infected), P1 group (infected), P2 group (anti- T. gondii membrane IgY given one day before infection), P3 group (anti-T. gondii membrane IgY given together with infection) and P4 group (anti-T. gondii membrane IgY given two days after the infection. A dose of anti- T. gondii membrane IgY as many as 75 ug/head and infectious dose of 10 tachyzoites/head were given. Four days after infection mice were sacrified and examined. Finally, necrotic index in histopathological liver using Hematoxylin Eosin.
Results The percentage of necrotic index liver showed that result treatment of P2 and P3 treatment that lower than another treatment.
Conclusion Thus, it can be concluded that administration of anti-T. gondii membrane IgY can reduce liver cell necrotic index and it was greatest when given before and simultaneously with infection
EFFECT OF VARYING INCUBATION PERIODS ON CYTOTOXICITY AND VIRUCIDAL ACTIVITIES OF Justicia gendarussa Burm.f. LEAF EXTRACT ON HIV-INFECTED MOLT-4 CELLS
Get PDFBackgrounds: Justicia gendarussa Burm.f. has an anti-HIV activity. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of incubation periods on the cytotoxicity and virucidal activities of the J. gendarussa leaves extract on MOLT-4 cells.
Materials and Methods: The cytotoxicity assay was evaluated by using the WST-1 test with incubation periods of 3 days and 5 days. The virucidal activity test was determined by measuring the inhibitory activities on the syncytium formation.
Results: The cytotoxicity assay showed the value of CC50 on MOLT-4 cell culture with the test material of 70% ethanol extract of J. gendarussa leaves as much as 3928.620 μg /mL and 3176.581 μg /mL (incubation day 3 and day 5, respectively); fractionated-70% ethanol extract = 81782.428 μg /mL and 12175.870 μg/mL; and water extract = 16372.689 μg/mL and 2946.117 μg/mL. The test results of the virucidal activities (inhibit ≥ 90% the formation of syncytium) of 70% ethanol extract of J. gendarussa leaves is at a concentration 250 μg/mL, 500 μg/mL and 1000 μg/mL (3-day incubation) and 250 μg/mL (5-day incubation); and fractionated-70% ethanol extract at a concentration 250 μg /mL, 500 μg/mL and 1000 μg/mL (3-day incubation) and 1000 μg/mL (5-day incubation).
Conclusion: 70% ethanol extract, fractionated-70% ethanol extract, and water extract of J. gendarussa leaves were relatively nontoxic toward MOLT-4 cells, and fractionated-70% ethanol extract had better potentials in virucidal activities
MULTILOCUS SEQUENCE TYPING OF CARBAPENEM RESISTANT PSEUDOMONAS AERUGINOSA ISOLATES FROM PATIENTS PRESENTING AT PORT ELIZABETH HOSPITALS, SOUTH AFRICA
Get PDFBackground: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an important nosocomial pathogen that exhibits multiple drug resistance
with increasing frequency, especially to carbapenems making patient treatment difficult. Carbapenem-resistance may
be caused by porin gene mutations, active drug efflux, and carbapenemase production. This study evaluated the
incidence of genes responsible for carbapenemase production in carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa and
assessed the genetic relatedness of the isolates by multi locus sequence typing (MLST).
Materials and Methods: Identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing of P. aeruginosa isolates (n=234) by
the VITEK 2 system detected 81 carbapenem resistant P. aeruginosa isolates. PCR and DNA sequencing were used to
screen isolates for three metallo-β-lactamase encoding genes. MLST included amplification of seven housekeeping
genes and sequence type alignment using the online P. aeruginosa MLST database.
Results: Only the blaVIM-2 gene was detected in 15 of the 81 carbapenem resistant isolates. MLST indicated six
different novel sequence types among the blaVIM-2 positive P. aeruginosa isolates with the majority of the isolates
(9/15) containing identical allelic profiles of the sequence type allocated ST1 (provisionally assigned sequence type,
awaiting addition of new sequence types to PubMLST database). Five of these ST1 isolates were from patients and an
environmental sample in the same hospital ward suggesting an environmental reservoir. Carbapenem resistance in the
blaVIM-2 negative isolates may be due to other mechanisms.
Conclusion: The incidence of genes responsible for carbapenemase production in carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas
aeruginosa and genetic relatedness of these isolates in public healthcare facilities within the Port Elizabeth area is of
concern and requires further investigation