A comparative study to evaluate the effects of antibiotics, plant extracts and fluoride-based toothpaste on the oral pathogens isolated from patients with gum diseases in Pakistan

Oral diseases caused by various microorganisms are common around the world. Scientific research has now been focusing on novel medicines to overcome bacterial resistance and antibiotics side effects; therefore, the current study was designed to assess the efficacy of certain antibiotics, toothpaste, and medicinal plant extracts (Ajuga bracteosa and Curcuma longa) versus the bacterial pathogens isolated from the human oral cavity. A total of 130 samples were collected from Khyber Teaching Hospital Peshawar, Pakistan, among those 27 species isolated, and eight bacterial species were identified from the samples. Among all the bacterial species, Staphylococcus aureus (29.62%) and Proteus mirabilis (22.2%) were found to be more prevalent oral pathogens. In comparison, the least pervasive microbes were Proteus vulgaris, Shigella sonnei, Escherichia coli and Aeromonas hydrophila. The study also suggested that dental problems were more prevalent in males (41-50 years of age) than females. Among the eight antibiotics used in the study, the most promising results were shown by Foxicillin against A. hydrophila. The survey of TP1 revealed that it showed more potent antagonist activity against Proteus vulgaris as compared TP2 and TP3 that might be due to the high content of fluoride. The Curcuma longa showed more significant activity than Ajuga bracteosa (Stem, leaves and root) extracts. The data obtained through this study revealed that antibiotics were more effective for oral bacterial pathogens than toothpaste and plant extracts which showed moderate and low activity, respectively. Therefore, it is suggested that the active compounds in individual medicinal plants like Curcuma longa and Ajuga bracteosa could replace the antibiotics when used in daily routine as tooth cleansers or mouth rinses.

Evaluating the Antifungal Activity of Some Traditional Medicinal Plant Extracts against Alternaria solani (Tomato Early Blight Pathogen) in Ethiopia

Background: Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) belongs to the family Solanaceae. In Ethiopia, control of early blight is largely dependent on fungicidal application. There is a research need to identify effective botanical extracts to control Alternaria solani that cause early blight of tomato and for evaluation of plant extracts through different solvents on the target pathogen. Methods: In vitro experiment was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of crude extracts of 16 selected medicinal plants against Alternaria solani. Thus, crude extracts were extracted from medicinal plants with different solvents (methanol, ethanol and petroleum at (25%, 50% and 100%) concentrations. The Alternaria solani was isolated from infected tomato leaves showing early blight symptoms. Evaluation of plant extracts was carried out against Alternaria solani using food poisoned technique on PDA. Result: Results showed that most of the methanolic extract plants were showed significant inhibition of the mycelial growth as compared to ethanolic and petroleum ether extracts. A higher rate of mycelial reduction was recorded by ethanol extracts of Allium sativum at all concentrations (100%) followed by methanol extracts of Allium sativum at 25%, 50%, 100% concentration (90.02%, 97.01%, 100% respectively). The effectiveness of extracts against Alternaria solani depends on use at the higher concentrations and various solvents. For crude extracts that have shown higher inhibitory effects against Alternaria solani in vitro conditions, actual chemical compounds should be identified. Furthermore, it is also important to evaluate these plants on other microbes, study to test in vivo and to assess their real potential field condition wherever early blight is an important disease of tomato.

A review on breast cancer in Iraq and future therapies insights

Cancer is one of the most common diseases around the world and the second leading cause of death after cardiovascular disease. Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer type among Iraqi women, as it represents the highest percentage of malignant tumors in women until 2018. Therefore, women should be aware of the aggravation of this disease, the importance of the periodic examination for early detection for breast cancer, and following the most appropriate means for the treatment to get recovered and, thus, to reduce mortality. To fight cancer, there is an urgent need to search for new effective anticancer therapies that alter the molecular biology of tumor cells, stimulate the immune system, or specifically deliver chemotherapy factors directly to cancer cells without affecting normal cells and reducing the side effects of treatments. In this context, this paper aimed to highlight the therapeutic approaches used in the current researches of breast cancer treatment. Accumulated evidence showed that medicinal plant extracts, and can serve as anticancer agents. The proposed mechanisms were discussed and presented in this review.

Supplementation With Chinese Medicinal Plant Extracts From Lonicera hypoglauca and Scutellaria baicalensis Mitigates Colonic Inflammation by Regulating Oxidative Stress and Gut Microbiota in a Colitis Mouse Model

Colitis, a chronic inflammatory bowel disease, is characterized by bloody diarrhea and inflammation in the colon. Lonicera hypoglauca (“Shanyinhua” in Chinese) and Scutellaria baicalensis (“Huangqin” in Chinese) are two traditional Chinese medicinal plants rich in polyphenols, such as chlorogenic acid (CGA) and baicalin (BA), with the effects of anti-inflammation and antioxidation. However, it remains unknown whether extracts from L. hypoglauca and S. baicalensis (LSEs) could mitigate colonic inflammation. In the present study, ICR mice (22.23 ± 1.65 g) were allocated to three groups treated with chow diet without (CON) or with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) (CON+DSS) in water or LSE supplementation in diet with DSS (LSE+DSS), and then inflammatory and oxidative parameters and colonic microbiota were detected. The results showed that LSE (500 mg/kg) treatment mitigated DSS-induced colitis symptoms and restored the shortened colon length, the increased disease activity index (DAI), and the damaged intestinal barrier. In serum, LSE supplementation significantly decreased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and increased IL-10 level. Meanwhile, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were increased, and malondialdehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were decreased. In the colon tissue, qPCR results showed that LSE supplementation dramatically downregulated the transcriptional expression of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and MDA and upregulated the expression of SOD1, CAT, and IL-10. Additionally, the damaged gut barriers occludin and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) in the CON+DSS group were enhanced with LSE supplementation. Furthermore, LSE treatment regulated the gut microbial communities with higher relative abundance of Dubosiella and Ruminococcus torques group and lower relative abundance of Bacteroides and Turicibacter. Moreover, the contents of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) as products of gut microbiota were also increased. Correlation analysis showed that the mRNA expression of SOD1 was negatively correlated with TNF-α (r = -0.900, P < 0.05); the mRNA expression of IL-6 (r = -0.779, P < 0.05) and TNF-α (r = -0.703, P < 0.05) had a dramatically negative correlation with Dubosiella. In conclusion, LSE supplementation could effectively ameliorate inflammation by modulating oxidative stress and gut microbiota in a colitis mouse model.

In Vitro Antimicrobial and Cytotoxicity Activities of Some Medicinal Plant Extracts against Oral Microbial Pathogens

Introduction: Medicinal plants have long been of great interest to scientists in the search for the best treatment of diseases, especially the infectious diseases. In recent years, the use of herbal medicines has become more well-known because of their antimicrobial, antifungal, anti-cancer and less side effects. Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial and antifungal effects of Urtica dioica, Equisetum arvense, and Punica Granatum peel extracts on two common oral microorganisms, Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans. Materials and methods: The study investigated the hydro-alcoholic extract of the plants. The antimicrobial activity of the extracts was evaluated using the method of measuring the inhibition of microorganisms, and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were determined using different concentrations of the extracts and also biofilm assay and SEM were determined. Also cell viability was assessed by MTT assay on human gingival fibroblast cells. Results: The lowest MIC against S. mutants and C. albicans was related to the hydro-alcoholic extract of U. dioica. There was a significant reduction in the microbial biofilms by all three extracts. Among them, U. dioica could decrease the biofilms of S. mutans and C. albicans more than other extracts. In addition, the best results for growth inhibition zone were the hydro-alcoholic extracts of E. arvense and U. dioica with 35 and 30 mm growth zone, respectively. The results of SEM showed that P. granatum peel, U. dioica and E. arvense could destroy microbial biofilms without exerting any cytotoxic effects on HGF cell. Conclusions: The results of the study suggest that U. dioica, E. arvense, and P. Granatum peel extracts can be used as mouthwash with the least significant difference with routine mouthwashes. Also, the plant-based mouthwashes may be more suitable substitutes for chemical types in the future.

Medicinal Plants Extracts Impact on Oxidative Stress in Mice Brain under the Physiological Conditions: the Effects of Corn Silk, Parsley, and Bearberry

This study was performed to examine the effects of medicinal plant extracts of corn silk (Stigma maydis), parsley leaf (Petroselini folium), and bearberry leaf (Uvae ursi folium) on antioxidant status of the brain of experimental animals (mice) under the physiological conditions. Biological properties of these plants are insufficiently investigated and the aim was to explore their possible antioxidant effects that can alleviate oxidative damage of the brain tissue. Corn silk extract showed positive effect on activities of antioxidant enzymes in mice brain tissue. Parsley extract induced the increase in glutathione content and decrease of lipid peroxidation. Bearberry leaf extract induced catalase activity and decrease of hydroxyl radical content, while malonyldialdehide accumulation was maintained at the control level. Results obtained in this study support the use of corn silk, parsley and bearberry leaves as natural antioxidant sources in the prevention and treatment of brain tissue damages and different diseases caused by oxidative stress.

Plant Derived Bioactive Compounds, Their Anti-Cancer Effects and In Silico Approaches as an Alternative Target Treatment Strategy for Breast Cancer: An Updated Overview

Cancer is one of the most common malignant diseases that occur worldwide, among which breast cancer is the second leading cause of death in women. The subtypes are associated with differences in the outcome and were selected for treatments according to the estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and human epidermal growth factor receptor. Triple-negative breast cancer, one of the subtypes of breast cancer, is difficult to treat and can even lead to death. If breast cancer is not treated during the initial stages, it may spread to nearby organs, a process called metastasis, through the blood or lymph system. For in vitro studies, MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-468, and T47B are the most commonly used breast cancer cell lines. Clinically, chemotherapy and radiotherapy are usually expensive and can also cause side effects. To overcome these issues, medicinal plants could be the best alternative for chemotherapeutic drugs with fewer side effects and cost-effectiveness. Furthermore, the genes involved in breast cancer can be regulated and synergized with signaling molecules to suppress the proliferation of breast cancer cells. In addition, nanoparticles encapsulating (nano-encapsulation) medicinal plant extracts showed a significant reduction in the apoptotic and cytotoxic activities of breast cancer cells. This present review mainly speculates an overview of the native medicinal plant derived anti-cancerous compounds with its efficiency, types and pathways involved in breast cancer along with its genes, the mechanism of breast cancer brain metastasis, chemoresistivity and its mechanism, bioinformatics approaches which could be an effective alternative for drug discovery.

The Potency of Six Medicinal Plant Extracts Against the Stored Grain Insect Pest Sitophilus granarius L.

Jawalkar, N.B., S.P. Zambare and M.I. Al Ghannoum. 2021. The Potency of Six Medicinal Plant Extracts Against the Stored Grain Insect Pest Sitophilus granarius L. Arab Journal of Plant Protection, 39(4): 323-328. https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-039.4.323328 This study was conducted on six medicinal plants viz., Vitex negundo (leaves), Xanthium strumarium, Caesalpinia bonduc, Mucuna pruriens, Moringa oleifera (seed kernels), Tagetes erecta (petals) for their bio-insecticidal activity. The powders of various parts of plants were extracted using the MARS6 microwave acid digestion system. Three different concentrations (20, 30, and 40%) of plant extracts were tested against granary weevil, Sitophilus granarius L. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) for their bio-insecticidal activities under laboratory conditions. The results of statistical analysis showed a good performance of all plant extracts, especially at the high concentrations of the extracts, where they showed different levels of insect mortality and their developmental rate was also reduced leading to significant reduction in insect numbers. The mortality rate ranged was 0-100% with S. granarius adults (p < 0.01). There was significant correlation (R=1) between mortality rate and the concentration of plant extracts. However, the extract of Mucuna pruriens with solvents (Acetone + Petroleum Ether) showed the highest mortality rate of 100% at the three concentrations used (p < 0.01), whereas, the lowest average mortality of 43.3% (p < 0.01) was observed with Xanthium strumarium and Vitex negundo extracts with solvents (Methanol + n-Hexane) compared with 0% mortality in the control. All plant extracts have revealed insecticidal as well as propitious protective effect on grains, and it can be selected as effective control treatment after proper dose formulation to prevent weevil infestation in stored grains. Keywords: Bioinsecticide, stored grains, Sitophilus granarius, mortality, medicinal plants, MARS 6.