Effects of Different Seeds Pretreatments on the Germination of Five Local Trees: Four From The Fabaceae Family and One From the Bombacacea

The problem of the effectiveness of the established pre-treatments of seeds of local tree species is posed more and more often, with acuity. It appears necessary that studies are led to explore new methods of pre-treatment, or to update the old instructions applied, for a better success and at lower cost, of the production of seedlings. The present study concerned five species: Acacia nilotica, Adansonia digitata, Parkia biglobosa, Piliostigma reticulatum and Tamarindus indica. The methodology involved subjecting the seeds to three different pretreatments: (i) seeds treated with sulfuric acid (T0), (ii) seeds soaked in hot water for 24 hours (T1), (iii) seeds soaked in hot water for 48 hours (T2). For Acacia nilotica seeds, the different pretreatments did not result in statistically different germination rates. The germination rates are 77%, 65% and 62% (respectively for soaking in hot water for 48 hours, sulfuric acid and soaking in hot water for 24 hours). The different pretreatments also do not result in different germination rates for Tamarindus indica. Indeed, the germination rates after 30 days for this species are good but statistically identical (85% for the pretreatment with sulfuric acid and hot water for 24 hours). For Adansonia digitata, Parkia biglobosa and Piliostigma reticulatum, the sulfuric acid pretreatment gave the best germination rate (49%, 54% and 41% respectively). The results of this study may have practical consequences in terms of management of the different species studied. They show that immersing in boiling water and left for 24 hours and 48 hours yields fairly satisfactory germination rates for Acacia nilotica and Tamarindus indica seeds. These inexpensive techniques, accessible to all, can be considered as means to easily produce seedlings of these species.

In vivo and in silico Evaluation of Analgesic and Hypoglycemic Activities of Roots of Acacia nilotica, Azadirachta indica and Justica adhatoda

The present study focuses on the investigation of methanol extracts of roots of three indigenous plants of Bangladesh namely Acacia nilotica, Azadirachta indica and Justicia adhatoda to evaluate their analgesic and hypoglycemic activities in experimental animal model along with in silico modelling of several compounds present in the root extracts of these plants. Analgesic and hypoglycemic activities were evaluated in Swiss albino mice using acetic acid-induced writhing inhibition method and glucose tolerance test, respectively. In silico molecular docking and ADME study was conducted to assess the binding affinity with the target receptors and oral bioavailability of the compounds. The methanol extracts of A. nilotica, J. adhatoda and A. indica roots at a dose of 400 mg/kg body weight reduced the number of writhes by 61.53%, 54.61% and 47.69%, respectively compared to standard diclofenac sodium (70.77% at a dose of 50 mg/kg bw) (p<0.05). A. nilotica and A. indica root extracts showed significant hypoglycemic activity at a dose of 400 mg/kg bw (% reduction of blood glucose 43.66 and 37.55% respectively, p<0.001) and J. adhatoda root extract reduced the blood glucose level by 33.71% (p<0.001) compared to that of standard drug, glibenclamide (57.46% reduction of blood glucose) after 120 minutes of administration. Among the computationally tested compounds, flavan-3-ol showed the lowest binding energy (-8.7 kcal/mol) with both COX-1 and COX-2 compared to standard diclofenac sodium (-7.8 kcal/mol). On the other hand, quercetin demonstrated the lowest binding energy (-8.8 kcal/mol) with ATP-sensitive potassium channel with Sulfonylurea Receptor 1 subunit among the tested compounds compared to standard glibenclamide (-9.3 kcal/mol). All the compounds showed high oral bioavailability in ADME analysis. Among all the root extracts, A. nilotica exhibited the most promising analgesic and hypoglycemic activities and should be employed to future investigation for isolating specific chemical constituents. Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. 20(2): 185-197, 2021 (December)

Comparison of the Number of Bacterial Colonies Before and After Using Hand Sanitizer From Acacia Nilotica Leaf Extract

Background: Using hand sanitizers was an act of necessity during the Covid-19 pandemic. With this action, it is expected to control the number of bacterial colonies on the palms of the hands. One of the herbal ingredients that can inhibit the growth of germs is Acacia nilotica L-leaf extract so that it can be used as an active ingredient in hand sanitizer. Objective: To determine the number of bacterial colonies before and after using a hand sanitizer with the active ingredient of acacia leaf extract. Materials and Methods: The study used random sampling analysis before and after treatment. Acacia nilotica leaf ethanol extract formula 10%, 20% and 30%. Each concentration was used by 11 men and 11 women as a hand sanitizer with movements according to WHO standards and left for 30 seconds. Check the count of germs on hands before and after using hand sanitizer. Results: The highest decrease in the number of bacterial colonies was found at a concentration of 30% reaching 64.84% in men and 89.61% in women. There were differences in the ability to decrease the number of bacterial colonies from each concentration (P 0.003 < 0.005). Conclusion: Acacia nilotica L leaf extract can be a candidate for active hand sanitizer ingredients.

Antioxidant Activity and Anti-Nutritional Factors in Acacia Nilotica Gum

The rapidly growing civilization and economy need the judicious usage of floral and faunal heritage. Acacia nilotica (Family: Fabaceae) is a beneficial plant species and each part of it exhibits numerous biological and pharmacological effects. The gum exudates of Acacia nilotica trees are underutilized plant products that can be explored for their potential as a therapeutic and curative agent. Its nutritional composition, interaction with anti-nutritional factors and antioxidants can determine its utility as a food. The present investigation was aimed to estimate the anti-nutritional factors and antioxidant activity of Acacia nilotica gum. It also focused on establishing a relationship of the obtained data with the ethnomedicinal and pharmacological properties claimed in the literature. The analysis was carried out using standard methods and protocols involving spectrophotometric and gravimetric principles. The anti-nutritional components like tannin, trypsin inhibitor, phytate, oxalate, total saponin, steroidal saponins, alkaloid content of Acacia nilotica gum was found to be 0.2369±0.0354 g tannic acid equivalent/100 g, 0.0108±0.0037 TIU/mg, 156.3333±9.4516 mg/100 g, 132.5±28.3152mg/100 g, 12.7183±6.7788 mg diosgenin equivalent /g, 0.0705±0.01 mg diosgenin equivalent /g, 0.1333±0.0577 g/100 g respectively. The amounts of total phenols and flavonoids was determined to be 8.0033±2.7211 mg of gallic acid equivalent/g sample, 0.0458±0.0186 mg quercetin equivalent /g sample respectively with a significant DPPH Scavenging activity. The results indicate that the quantity of anti-nutritional factors in gum is within the range of the contents of anti-nutritional factors found in commonly consumed foods. The substantial presence of phenol, flavonoids and DPPH activity in the gum indicates the presence of high antioxidant properties. The presence of anti-nutritional factors and antioxidants in favourable levels can impart diverse physiological responses. The present study concluded that Acacia nilotica gum can be used as a nutritious food commodity with a plethora of recuperative activities.

Antioxidant Activity and Anti-Nutritional Factors in Acacia Nilotica Gum

The rapidly growing civilization and economy need the judicious usage of floral and faunal heritage. Acacia nilotica (Family: Fabaceae) is a beneficial plant species and each part of it exhibits numerous biological and pharmacological effects. The gum exudates of Acacia nilotica trees are underutilized plant products that can be explored for their potential as a therapeutic and curative agent. Its nutritional composition, interaction with anti-nutritional factors and antioxidants can determine its utility as a food. The present investigation was aimed to estimate the anti-nutritional factors and antioxidant activity of Acacia nilotica gum. It also focused on establishing a relationship of the obtained data with the ethnomedicinal and pharmacological properties claimed in the literature. The analysis was carried out using standard methods and protocols involving spectrophotometric and gravimetric principles. The anti-nutritional components like tannin, trypsin inhibitor, phytate, oxalate, total saponin, steroidal saponins, alkaloid content of Acacia nilotica gum was found to be 0.2369±0.0354 g tannic acid equivalent/100 g, 0.0108±0.0037 TIU/mg, 156.3333±9.4516 mg/100 g, 132.5±28.3152mg/100 g, 12.7183±6.7788 mg diosgenin equivalent /g, 0.0705±0.01 mg diosgenin equivalent /g, 0.1333±0.0577 g/100 g respectively. The amounts of total phenols and flavonoids was determined to be 8.0033±2.7211 mg of gallic acid equivalent/g sample, 0.0458±0.0186 mg quercetin equivalent /g sample respectively with a significant DPPH Scavenging activity. The results indicate that the quantity of anti-nutritional factors in gum is within the range of the contents of anti-nutritional factors found in commonly consumed foods. The substantial presence of phenol, flavonoids and DPPH activity in the gum indicates the presence of high antioxidant properties. The presence of anti-nutritional factors and antioxidants in favourable levels can impart diverse physiological responses. The present study concluded that Acacia nilotica gum can be used as a nutritious food commodity with a plethora of recuperative activities.

Controlling invasive alien species Vachellia nilotica with triclopyr herbicide in Baluran National Park

Vachellia nilotica (Acacia nilotica), as an invasive alien species (IAS), was introduced to Baluran National Park from the Bogor Botanical Gardens in 1969. The purpose was for firebreak to prevent jumping fires from the savanna to the teak forests plantation. However, unexpectedly V. nilotica growth was uncontrollable and invaded the 6000 ha savanna. The rapid growth of this weed has killed the grass in the savanna leading to a decline in the Banteng population in Baluran National Park from 325 in 1998 to 22 in 2011. Since the 1980s, researche on V. nilotica control has been carried out by various universities and research institutions in Indonesia but has not yet obtained an effective and efficient control method. The study aimed to investigate the efficacy of herbicide with the active ingredient of triclopyr by stump brushing to control V. nilotica. Ten triclopyr herbicide concentrations with a solution of diesel and water were tested. The results showed that 1% triclopyr concentration in diesel oil could control 100% of V. nilotica weeds, while water solutions could only control 50% of V. nilotica weeds.

Antifungal Potential of silver nanoparticles from Acacia nilotica Pod against Dermatophytes

Background: Superficial fungal infections can lead to systemic infection in immune-compromised individuals. Acacia nilotica pod have been used ethnomedical to treat dermatophytes infection for ages. In this study, the anti-dermatophytes potential of silver nanoparticles biogenically synthesized using extracts from pod of A. nilotica against dermatophytes isolated from secondary care hospital in Damaturu, North-East Nigeria. Experimental:Phytochemical screening and GC-MS analysis were conducted to screen the phytoconstituents of the plant material. The synthesized AgNPs were characterized by Uv-vis, FT-IR, and SEM. 133 samples (skin scraping) were screened for dermatophytes and antifungal susceptibility testing were conducted against the isolates using aqueous, methanolic extracts, and AgNPs. Results: Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, oxalate, quinones, phenols, saponins, terpenoids, GS-MS revealed the presence Polyphenolics including Hexadecenoic, Octadecanoic and Undecanoic acids, Catechol, pyrogallol, 3-methylpyridine and methylmannose. Uv-vis of synthesized AgNPs exhibited double sharp absorbance at 308nm and 311nm, FT-IR showed functional groups, thus, OH, C – H, C≡N, and C=O stretches of phenolics, alkenes, nitrile, and ketones respectively, and SEM showed various characteristic shapes and sizes. out of 133 samples collected, 54% were male and the age group with the highest clinical presentation were51 – 60, followed by 1 – 10years. according to clinical presentation, Tinea pedis (36%) and T. capitis (29%) were the commonest which may be due to constant contact with water and limited hair care. Aetiologic agents isolated include Trichophyton mentagrophyles (51%), T. rubrum (34%), and T. tonsurans (14%), although, there is no significant relationship between the clinical presentation and disease agent (p-value < 21.3 at 95% confidence level). AgNPs showed wider consistent zones of inhibitions against all the isolates. Discussion: A. nilotica is indeed very rich in polyphenolics. Foot and hair infections commonest in the study could be due to current weather conditions but sharing of footwear, caps, and brushes should be discouraged. Conclusion: This study opens up possibilities for exploration of this eco and economic approach of improving the medicinal value of plants, an opportunity the pharmaceutical industries can utilize. This study is the first to report prevalence of dermatophytes in the area &explored the AgNPs against it.

Antimicrobial Activity of Acacia Nilotica Pods Against Carbapenem Resistant Gram-Negative Bacteria Isolated from Different Hospitals in Khartoum State

This study was aimed to investigate the antimicrobial activity of ethanolic extract of Acacia nilotica against carbapenem resistant bacteria during the period from February 2018 to December 2018. Agar disc diffusion method was used to determine the antimicrobial activity of Acacia nilotica and the ethanolic extract was examined against carbapenem resistant Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter cloacae and Citrobacter freundii isolated from different hospital in Khartoum state and the sample include (urine, wound swab, sputum, blood and body fluid) for 91 clinical isolates. The extract show activity against all tested microorganism and the inhibition zone were17±3 mm for E. coli, 18.3±4mm for Klebsiella pneumoniae, 16.9±4mm for Proteus mirabilis, 17±3 mm for Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 18.3±0.5mm for Enterobacter cloacae and 16±5mm for Citrobacter freundii and the activity of the extract at 100 mg/ml concentration show sensitive (82.4%), (72.6%) for 50mg/ml and (51.6%) for 25 mg/ml for all tested bacteria. Ethanol extract of Acacia nilotica was found to be effective as antibacterial against different bacterial pathogens, providing the scientific basis for its traditional application in Sudanese folk medicine against many bacterial diseases, extract had an in vitro antibacterial activity against carbapenem resistant bacteria, further studies are required to confirm this result to identify active ingredient and toxicity