Antihelminthic Activity in Aqueous Leaf Extract of Moringa oleifera Lam.

The objective of the study is to evaluate the antihelminthic property of Moringa oleifera aqueous leaf extract by studying the paralysis and mortality time of Tubiflex tubiflex (blood worm). The aqueous extract at 200mg/ml exhibited paralysis time of 1 minute and death time of 2 minutes which was on par with synthetic drug Albendazole at 20mg/ml. Crude condensed tannin paralysed T.tubiflex at 60 seconds with mortality time of 9 minutes at 1mg/ml. T.tubiflex was selected for the study since they share a similar anatomical and physiological aspects with the intestinal round worm. The study indicated that T.tubiflex was inhibited effectively by condensed tannin in Moringa oleifera aqueous leaf extract and perhaps might be more effective on the round worms as well, since it is consumed as vegetable for its nutritive and medicinal values in tropical and subtropical regions.

Phytochemical and Toxicological Studies of An Aqueous Trunk Bark Extract of Parkia biglobosa (Jacq.) Benth (Mimosaceae)

Among the plants commonly used in the traditional African pharmacopoeia, Parkia biglobosa called ‘nere’ in the West African sub-region is one of the most common. We decided to determine the essential components of the aqueous extract of the bark trunk of the plant and to carry out an acute toxicity study. The phytochemical study of the trunk bark of this plant revealed the presence of sterols, polyterpenes, polyphenols, catechic tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids and saponosides. At the concentration of 2 mg/ml or 40 mg/kg body weight (bw), all animals fully regained their motive power and balance after one hour and throughout the experiment, no animal die (0%) by intraperitoneal injection. At 10 mg/ml, equivalent to 192 mg/kg bw. AEPB became toxic. The doses of 192, 380 and 400 mg/kg bw gived respectively 20, 40 and 60% mortality. At 40 mg / ml equivalent to 851 mg/kg bw, all mice died, the LD100 was reached, with the 100% of death. AEPB is a moderately toxic plant whose use in pharmacopoeia must be controlled.

Comparative Head Space GC/MS Studies of Different Flavored Moâssel in the Egyptian Market (I)

The current study aimed to compare three different types of Egyptian flavored tobacco (Moâssel) used in Hookah smoking. The samples (Apple, Creamy Strawberry and Mix Grapes) were obtained from Al Dandash company (a famous Tobacco company in Egypt). They were analyzed by Head Space GC/MS. There were great differences among the investigated samples. The identified compounds of the Apple sample showed 34 constituents, which represented (93.13%) of the total compounds. The major one was anethole (30.43%). While, the Creamy Strawberry specimen exhibited 27 recognized compounds, which represented (59.61%) of the sample. The chief constituent was acetic acid (15.83%). Finally, the last sample showed 25 identified constituents, which represented (93.16%) of the total compounds and the main compound was 1,2-propanediol (32.74%) of the constituents.

In vitro and In vivo Anti-inflammatory Activities of Mesua ferrea Linn

Objective: Mesuaferrea L is a medicinal plant belongs to the family Clusiace, it is extensively used in folk medicine for treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases.The present study was aimed to evaluate in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory activity of M. ferrea L. Methods: The in vitro anti-inflammatory activities such as nitric oxide, PGE2, pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-1β) were studied in RAW 264.7 cells and in vivo studies were carried out on carrageenan -induced inflammation in Wistar rats. The sequentially extracted M. ferreaL bark extracts (MFBHE, MFBEE, and MFBME) exhibited inhibitory effects on pro-inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide, prostaglandin E2, tumour necrosis factorαandinterleukin-1βproduction in concentration dependent manner in LPS induced RAW 264.7 cells andCarrageenan induced paw oedema in Wistar rats. Conclusion: The result of the present study indicated that M. ferrea L ethyl acetate bark extract exhibited significant in vitroand in vivoanti-inflammatory activity.

Medicinal Potential of Weed Echinochloa colona (l.) Link: A Review

Echinochloa colona (L.) Link is distributed throughout the world is a persistent weed species. It is a valuable fodder and traditionally used in spleen and hemorrhage problems. Recently found that it has wound healing, antioxidant and antimicrobial property. The objectives of this review to present existing information to pin point key findings which would helpful to explore medicinal importance of this weed.

Pharmacognostic Evaluation of Curcuma longa L. Rhizome and Standardization of its Formulation by HPLC Using Curcumin as Marker

Objective: To evaluate Curcuma longa rhizome by pharmacognostic and phytochemical analysis and standardize one of its formulations by HPLC. The present work includes macroscopic study, microscopic analysis of cross section and powder of rhizome, fluorescence analysis, qualitative and quantitative phytochemical assay and chromatographic fingerprinting of its polyherbal formulation, Pathyashadangam kwath using curcumin as marker carried out as per standard laboratory procedures. The study helps to provide both diagnostic features for identification and preventing adulteration of Curcuma longa L and HPLC chromatogram for standardisation of its formulation. Results: Microscopic analysis revealed the presence of a broad parenchymatous cortex with abundant starch grains in the cross section, spiral vessels, starch grains having hilum towards the narrower end, fibres and cells with oleo resin in powder microscopy. HPLC analysis revealed the presence of three peaks corresponding to curcuminoids in the formulation. Conclusion: Pharmacognostic and phytochemical evaluation can be used for confirming the identity of Curcuma longa rhizome and HPLC using curcumin as marker can be used for standardisation of its formulations.

Antibacterial and Anticancer Activity of Ethnomedicinal Plants Used in the Jongilanga Community, Mpumalanga

Seventy-four ethanolic extracts were prepared from traditionally used medicinal plants in the Jongilanga community in Mpumalanga South Africa. The aim was to determine the biological activity of the selected plants against cancer, mycobacteria species and acne. From the results, it was evident that Mundulea sericea was able to inhibit the proliferation of human melanoma cells (A375) with a fifty percent inhibitory concentration (IC50) ranging between 50 and 100 µg/ml as well as the ability to inhibit Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Mycobacterium smegmatis and Propionibacterium acnes with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of 125, 31.25 and 7.9 µg/ml respectively. This further led to the investigation of the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity as well as the influence of the extract on mycothiol disulphide reductase (Mtr) and glutathione reductase enzymes (Gtr) as potential targets against the above-mentioned diseases. M. sericea inhibited the COX-2 enzyme, responsible for inflammation, with an IC50 value of 10.70 ± 1.14 µg/ml, furthermore compounds previously isolated from M. sericea showed potential inhibition of COX-2 in molecular docking studies. Low radical scavenging capacity against the DPPH free radical with an IC50 value of 60.52 ± 2.40 µg/ml was obtained, however, M. sericea showed a higher affinity towards Mtr as compared to Gtr, which makes it an ideal plant for use as an antimycobacterial agent.

Antimicrobial Activity and Phytochemical Analysis of Moringa oleifera Lam. Crude Extracts Against Selected Bacterial and Fungal Strains

The n- Hexane, ethyl acetate, methanol and distilled water Leaf, Stem, Flower and Fruit extracts of Moringa oleifera were evaluated for their antibacterial activity against six Gram-Negative and Gram-Positive bacteria and antifungal activity against seven fungal strains using Ciprofloxacin, Doxycycline, Fluconazole and Ketacozole as positive control. The activity was analyzed by well diffusion and two-fold serial broth dilution method of different extract. The study revealed that all the extracts irrespective of their types, in different concentrations inhibited growth of the test pathogens to varying degrees. Ethyl acetate extract showed maximum activity against all the bacterial strains followed in descending order by methanol, n-.Hexane and distilled water extracts. Ethyl acetate extract showed high antibacterial activity against Serratia marcescens (22mm) Methanol and n-Hexane extract were effective against Enterococcus faecalis and Bacillus subtilis (10mm) respectively. Aqueous extract showed maximum number of inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus (27mm) and Micrococcus luteus (18mm). Ethyl acetate extract showed maximum inhibition against Trichoderma harzianum (16mm) than other extracts were ineffective against selected fungus. MIC values were recorded as 0.125 to 4mg/ml. The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of phenols and flavonoids. Expression to these results it may be concluded that M. oleifera may be a potential source for the curing of various infectious diseases caused by the resistant microbes

Free Radical Scavenging Activity of Ethanolic Extract of Citrus paradisi and Naringin -An In vitro Study

The present study attempts to find naturally-occurring antioxidants of fruit-based which give efficacy by additive activities. Citrus paradisi, known as Grape fruit contains significant bioactive components such as Naringin. The present study examines the free radical scavenging activity of ethanolic extract of Citrus paradisi and Naringin. The study was carried out with different radical scavenging assays like hydroxyl, DPPH, hydrogen peroxide, nitric oxide, super oxide. Citrus paradisi extracts showed lower radical scavenging activities in assays such as DPPH, superoxide and hydroxyl when compared with Naringin. Naringin showed the higher radical scavenging effect with nitric oxide, and hydrogen peroxide in comparison with citrus paradisi extract. However, both were analysed by using ascorbic acid as standard. The current study gives evidence that both showed potential free radical scavenging activity.

Study of Antibacterial Activity of Chenopodium album Leaves Extract

This study describes the antibacterial activities of three different solvent extracts of leaves of Chenopodium album. Methanol, acetone and chloroform extracts of C. album were prepared. The antibacterial activity was assessed using well plate method and were examined for the size of zone of inhibition. Different extracts were investigated against the test organisms namely Lactobacillus, Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli. The maximum activity was observed at 100% concentration of different extracts of leaves. The maximum zone of inhibition for 100% concentration were observed as E. coli (19 mm) and Lactobacillus (19 mm) in diameter respectively. C. album did not show any antibacterial activity against B. subtilis. Antibacterial activity was compared with standard Amoxicillin and it was found to be 23 mm diameter for Lactobacillus and 25 mm for both E. coli and B. subtilis in terms of zone of inhibition.