International Journal of Scientific Research in Biological Sciences
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Phytochemical-Antibiotic Synergy: Exploring the Antibacterial Potential of Calotropis procera in Combination Therapy
Get PDFThe rising problem of bacterial resistance necessitates alternative strategies to enhance antibiotic efficacy. This study examines the combined antimicrobial efficacy of the extracts of Calotropis procera and ciprofloxacin against specific bacterial pathogens. Crude extracts were prepared from the leaves and stems of C. procera collected in Makurdi, Nigeria. Using GC-MS analysis, we identified notable phytochemicals in the extracts from the plant\u27s leaves and stems. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis, and Staphylococcus aureus were measured using a microdilution method. The checkerboard assay was utilized to evaluate the synergistic effect of C. procera extracts when combined with ciprofloxacin. The Fractional Inhibitory Concentration Index (FICI) was calculated using the formula: FICI = (MIC of extract in combination / MIC of extract alone) + (MIC of ciprofloxacin in combination / MIC of ciprofloxacin alone). The leaf extract showed an MIC of 3.10 µg/ml for B. subtilis and 8.33 µg/ml for E. coli, whereas the stem extract had an MIC of 4.20 µg/ml for B. subtilis. When combined with ciprofloxacin, the FICI values indicated synergistic interactions against E. coli (FICI = 0.4 for leaf and 0.3 for stem extract) and against S. aureus (FICI = 0.3 for the stem extract). In contrast, the interactions against P. aeruginosa and B. subtilis ranged from additive to antagonistic. The findings indicate that extracts from C. procera significantly enhance the antibacterial efficacy of ciprofloxacin, which may enable reduced doses of the antibiotic and offer a new approach to address antibiotic resistance. Nonetheless, additional in vivo research is necessary to confirm these promising results and to clarify the mechanisms involved in their action
Results of the Preliminary Survey on Mosquitos in the Coastal Wetlands in Libya
Get PDFLibya, despite its arid climate, possesses diverse wetland ecosystems that provide critical habitats for various organisms, including mosquitoes. These ecosystems have the potential to serve as breeding grounds for mosquitoes, which can act as vectors for various diseases. The primary objective of this study was to identify mosquito species present in 27 wetland sites across Libya to assess the potential risk of vector-borne disease transmission. A preliminary survey was conducted to collect mosquito samples from 27 wetland sites across Libya. Standard entomological techniques were employed to capture and identify mosquito species. Three species of Aedes mosquitoes were identified: Aedes caspius, Aedes dorsalis, and Aedes detritus. Among these, Aedes detritus was the most abundant species, found in all surveyed locations. These findings highlight the potential for disease transmission, especially considering the known vector status of these species. The study emphasizes the need for ongoing surveillance to monitor mosquito populations in order to implement effective control measures. Further research is necessary to explore the ecological factors influencing mosquito distribution and abundance, as well as the potential for the introduction of invasive species such as; Aedes albopictus
Synthesis of Silver Metallic Nanoparticles Mediated by Inert Fungal Biomass of Penicillium citrinum
Get PDFNanotechnology is a rapidly developing field related to the synthesis and development of different nanoparticles. Currently, various types of metal nanomaterials, including copper, zinc, titanium, magnesium, gold, and silver, are being prepared. Several investigations have resorted to the use of biological systems for the synthesis of nanoparticles as an alternative to chemical and physical methods, since several microorganisms are well known to produce inorganic materials either intracellularly or extracellularly. In this study, silver nanoparticles are biosynthesized using inert biomass (dead and dry) of Penicillium citrinum.
For this purpose, To produce biomass first, the fungus Penicillium citrinum was inoculated in YES liquid medium (15% sucrose, 2% yeast extract), adding 5 discs (7 mm in diameter) of biomass obtained over 7 days in a Petri dish. It was incubated in a culture oven at 28°C without agitation until maximum growth was achieved, developed in increasing volumes ranging from 100 ml to 500 ml in a 1-liter Erlenmeyer flask over a total period of 21 days. After this time, it was sterilized in an autoclave at 121°C at 1,2 atmospheres of pressure for 20 minutes. The biomass was then filtered and dried in an oven at 100°C for 2 hours. In this way, inert fungal biomass is obtained. To obtain the nanoparticles, 2 g of inert fungal biomass was introduced into 45 mL of 100 mM AgNO3 solution, mixing at 300 rpm for 80 minutes. The samples were analyzed by UV-visible spectrophotometry (300-600 nm) and transmission electron microscopy. It can be observed that after 60 minutes of reaction, the presence of a resonance plasmon corresponding to silver nanoparticles at 450 nm. The results of the transmission electron microscopy confirmed the presence of silver nanoparticles ranging from 13 to 48 nm. Therefore, the combined method used in this study is reliable and economical, promising the ability to use fungi to obtain nanoparticles on a larger scale
An Analysis on Spurt of Cancer Cases in Amaravati River Basin, Tamil Nadu, India – Evidence Based Research
Get PDFBackground: Environmental health tracking is an emerging area that spans the traditional public health and environmental protection sectors. Aim: To investigate whether carcinogens in the Amaravti river belt are associated with increased cancer cases in Karur and Tirupur districts, Tamil Nadu. Materials and Method: Carcinogens were identified based on the "International Agency for Research on Cancer" lists of carcinogens with cancer sites. Between 2011 and 2022, cross-sectional studies were included in the study. The levels of cadmium, hexavalent chromium, nickel, lead, arsenic, nitrite/nitrate, and phosphates in drinking water were compared with the WHO standard limits. The number of cancer cases recorded in each district was determined using data from the Tamil Nadu Cancer Registry Project for 2021. Results: The study found the levels of nickel and arsenic in the Amaravati River Basin to be in the range of 0-0.090 and 0.358-0.961, respectively. Nickel levels are fourfold higher than the WHO standard limits for drinking water, while arsenic levels are fifty-fold higher. Conclusion: There is evidence that shows the presence of carcinogens in the vegetable samples collected in the Karur district, indicating contamination has already entered the human food chain
Butylated Hydroxyanisole-Induced Alterations in the Stomach and Kidney of Albino Rat : A Mini Review
Get PDFButylated hydroxyanisole or commonly abbreviated as BHA, is mostly employed as a food preservative to prolong the products shelf life by stopping or postponing oxidation processes. The commercial product is usually a combination of 90% 3-BHA and 10% 2-BHA. BHA is generally considered safe when used as a food additive, Since, butylated hydroxyanisole is so widely used, it can be detected in both human tissues and a variety of environmental matrices. Humans are mostly exposed to butylated hydroxyanisole through their diet. One of the primary metabolites that butylated hydroxyanisole can produce under different conditions is tert-butyl hydroquinone (TBHQ). According to a number of studies, butylated hydroxyanisole may harm the thyroid system and result in growth and metabolic problems, neurotoxicity, and cancer. One of the main priorities is to minimize the harmful effects of BHA. Future studies should concentrate on identifying safe, non-toxic, and eco-friendly substitutes for BHA. This review aims to highlight the hazardous and detrimental effects of butylated hydroxyanisole in animal models. We are confident that this assessment will yield important data about the toxicological nature of butylated hydroxyanisole, that will aid in the development of safe usage guidelines
Allelopathic Effect of Tamarind (Tamarindus indica L.) Aqueous Extracts on Germination, Seedling Growth and Photosynthesis of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) Varieties
Get PDFThe increasing distribution of Tamarindus indica in northern Nigeria raises concern about its effects on food crops. However, its effect was not evaluated on Vigna unguiculata. This study therefore examined the effects of aqueous leaf and flower extracts of T. indica on seed germination, seedling growth and photosynthesis of two cowpea cultivars: Sampea-20 and Sampea-7, under laboratory and screen house conditions. Extract concentrations of 0, 25, 50, and 75% were prepared from 20g/L of Tamarind crude extract. Parameters such as germination percentage, germination rate index, seedling length, and seedling biomass, leaf number, Carbon (iv) Oxide (CO2) content, Photosynthetic Active Radiation (PAR) and Relative Humidity (RH) were measured. The study revealed both flower and leaf extracts significantly (P < 0.05) reduced germination, seedling length and seedling vigor in all concentrations compared with the control. Seedling height, leaf number and biomass were also significantly reduced at 50% and 75% (P < 0.05). Photosynthetic activity was affected by both flower and leaf extracts through the significant reduction of CO2 content at 75% concentrations. PAR and RH slightly decreased with increasing extracts concentrations. Moreover, the flower extracts delineated greater inhibitory effects than leaf extracts with Sampea-7 revealing higher tolerance compared to Sampea-20. The findings suggest allelochemicals from T. indica can inhibit cowpea establishment, growth and photosynthetic activity. Hence, planting cowpea at farmlands with T. indica abundance should be avoided
The Vulnerability and Resilience of Phaseolus vulgaris L. in a Changing Climate with respect to its Physiological, Nutritional, and Genomic Research
Get PDFThe current paper focuses on the vulnerability of the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) to climate change, summarizing its high sensitivity to temperatures beyond 300C during the day and 200C at night which negatively affects the basic physiological process resulting into photosynthesis failure, reproductive damage and flower abortion. Furthermore, combined heat and drought stress have been projected to cause reduction in the bean\u27s nutritional quality, specifically by lowering iron content and increasing anti-nutritional contents like phytic acid by 2050. The paper highlights critical strategies for resilience, including the use of genomic approaches to produces the varieties with traits from wild relatives like the tepary bean (P. acutifolius) to improve pollen viability, along with agronomic practices like supplemental irrigation, early planting, and leveraging the bean\u27s ability to enhance nitrogen fixation under elevated CO2 to increase global yields by a potential by 31 to 54 %
The Universe of Microbiome and how it Influences our Health Outcomes
Get PDFThe human microbiome consists of bacteria, archaea, viruses, and eukaryotes that inhabit both our internal and external environments. These microorganisms influence human physiology, affecting our health status, and can enhance or impair our metabolic and immune functions. Microbes can be found in many different places in the human body and have adapted to each location. For example, certain types of microbes are more common in the gastrointestinal tract, while others inhabit the respiratory tract, nasal cavity, and skin surface. The microbes that naturally live in the human body have become well-suited to interacting with the immune system over time. Changes in the microbial community in the intestines play a significant role in human health and the development of diseases. These changes can be due to lifestyle or the presence of an underlying disease. Imbalance in the microbiota can make the body more susceptible to infections, with the likelihood of infection depending on which part of the body is affected. The various kinds of microbes found in the human body have different metabolic activities and functions depending on their location. It is crucial to understand the composition and activities of the human microbiome in order to understand the impact on human health and disease.
 
Bovine Trichomonosis in Cattle: Trends in diagnostic approaches - Challenges and Opportunities
Get PDFBovine Trichomonosis is a most neglected venereal diseases of cattle that causes severe reproductive failure. With current understanding, early disease detection and keeping diseased animals in confinement are the only viable strategies. There have also been several reports of zoonotic transmission in immunocompromised humans. According to World Organization of Animal Health recommendations, few culture and RT-PCR techniques for detecting Trichomonas foetus parasites in clinical samples have been established. Testing could not be expanded to regular screening and point-of-care settings due to a scarcity of testing kits, greater prices, and longer turnaround times. This article provides the trends in development of various diagnostic methods and their applicability. Furthermore this review highlights the limitations of the current methods and proposes the development of easy to use serological testing devices like Indirect ELISA (iELISA) and Lateral Flow Assay (LFA) rapid kit as Point of care testing (POCT) assays that are suitable for effective implementation of screening and monitoring of disease progress in herds
The Imapact of Paracetamol on the Excretory System: A Review of Toxicity and Protective Strategies
Get PDFParacetamol, a painkiller and antipyretic, works well for pain and fever. But its availability and perceived safety puts us at risk of accidental overdose which can cause liver damage, kidney failure, and other side effects. Paracetamol works by inhibiting COX-2 enzymes, reducing prostaglandin production, and targeting the hypothalamus to relieve pain, inflammation, and fever. But overdose can cause severe kidney damage and impairment leading to acute and chronic renal dysfunction. Studies have shown that paracetamol administration can cause nephrotoxicity characterized by histopathological changes, oxidative damage, and apoptosis. Long term and repeated intake can cause kidney dysfunction, damage, and ultrastructure defects. Fortunately, several compounds have been found to counteract paracetamol’s toxic effects including Nigella sativa, nitric oxide, alpha- lipoic acid, quercetin, curcumin, and antioxidants. These substances have been shown to reduce oxidative stress, inflammation, and kidney damage caused by paracetamol overdose. In summary, while paracetamol is widely used as an effective painkiller, its potential for overdose and toxicity requires cautious use and awareness of the risks. The identification of compounds that can counteract paracetamol’s toxic effects is a promising avenue to reduce paracetamol-induced kidney damage and safe treatment