Bacterial Degradation of Bacteriostatic Polyphenols, Tannins

Tannin degradation by bacteria has not been studied much as tannins are commonly known to be bacteriostatic due to enzyme inhibition, substrate deprivation, and the enzyme activity on the bacterial cell wall. However, about a handful of bacteria have been found to tolerate certain concentrations of tannin. This study focuses on isolating and identifying bacteria from decaying portions of tree bark for tannase production and effective catalysis of ester bond hydrolysis in tannins. Different concentrations of commercial tannic acid were used as the sole carbon source on mineral salt medium (MSM) agar plates, to test the maximum tolerable concentrations (MTCs) by the isolates. Tannin degradation was confirmed by a visual reading method and bacterial tannase activity and the biodegradation percentage were determined. One particular isolate was identified to have 50 g/L MTC of tannin, with a tannase activity of 51.61 U/mL that is optimum after 96 hours of incubation. The 16s rRNA sequencing results showed that the isolate belonged to Bacillus genus and the resulting bacterial strain isolate was found to be a new strain of Bacillus subtilis which was submitted to GenBank under the accession number MH330408.

Preliminary Phytochemical Screening and Bioactive Compounds of Swietenia macrophylla Seed Support T1DM and T2DM

The purpose of this study was to investigate the antidiabetic effect of phytocompounds from Swietenia macrophylla seed using preliminary phytochemical screening, invitro antioxidant activity and molecular docking studies. The powdered seed extract of Swietenia macrophylla was to investigate the phytochemical screening exhibited the presence of alkaloid, phenols, tannins, flavonoids, terpenoids, steroids, carbohydrates, amino acids and proteins as major active constituents. The antioxidant activity of Swietenia macrophylla seed was evaluated by DPPH free radical scavenging assay. Rutin was used as a reference compound. The Swietenia macrophylla seed exhibited 56.0471% of free radical scavenging activity as compared with rutin. The molecular docking studies performed by using molecular docking server online respectively in which the antidiabetic target namely glutamine:fructose-6-phosphate amidotransferase (GFAT) (PDB id: 2ZJ3) have a potential interaction with swietenine, swietenolide, β-sitosterol, and fucosterol. In this study, the protein glutamine:fructose-6-phosphate amidotransferase (GFAT) was used from its structure perspectives. Its primary and secondary structures were evaluated using online tools. Its role in antidiabetic was assessed by molecular docking the compounds present in the seed extract of Swietenia macrophylla assayed by GC-MS analysis. This in-silico study demonstrates the interactions of active components of Swietenia macrophylla against Type I and Type II diabetes.

Macleaya cordata Extract as an Ethnoveterinary Alternative for Broilers Challenged with Salmonella typhimurium

In order to evaluate the ethnoveterinary effect of Macleaya cordata extract on bacteria colony forming units (CFU) in different organs of gastrointestinal tract and productive parameters of broilers challenged with Salmonella typhimurium, eighty one day old Cobb broilers were randomly assigned either to a diet without additive or with additive at 50 g/ton during 21 days. The count of CFU of Salmonella typhimurium in crop, gizzard, and duodenum, at 21 days, showed broilers that received the Macleaya cordata extract had a reduction. The broilers also had higher final body weight, total gain, average daily gain and better feed conversion value as compared with those that had not received it. Feed intake was not affected. Results concluded that Macleaya cordata extract is an ethnoveterinary alternative efficient for control of Salmonella typhimurium and a growth promoter in broilers.

Formulation of an Ointment from Hydroethanolic Extract of Terminalia ivorensis and Therapeutic Trial on Volunteers with Moths

This study was conducted to make a contribution in the treatment of dermatosis, particularly moths. Ointments of different concentrations made from the hydroethanolic extract of Terminalia ivorensis and shea butter were used. The best results were obtained with the following concentrations: C4: 0.01 g/mL; C5: 0.0125 g/mL; C6: 0.015 g/mL and C10: 0.025 g/mL for trichophytic clipping moth on eleven (11) selected persons with ringworm and C9: 0.0225 g/mL for microsporic clipping moth on one (1) person. The present study really provides the scientific basis for the use of this plant in the traditional treatment of diseases and may help to discover new chemical classes of antifungal substances that could serve as selective agents for infectious disease chemotherapy.

Effects of Different Combination of Growing Media on Growth and Total Phenolic Content in Labisia pumila (Kacip Fatimah)

Labisia pumila, locally known in Malaysia as Kacip Fatimah, is highly-prized for its phenols. Phenolic compounds in L. pumila has numerous pharmacological properties such as having anti-oxidant, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer potential. The production of phenolic contents in plants is influence by various factor, including abiotic factors such as soil properties. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine the effects of different combinations of growing media on the growth and total phenolic content in L. pumila leaves. Six combinations of growing media were used, each using different types of compost that had differing amounts of L. pumila leaves. The plants were grown in all media for a period of six months at FRIM’s nursery. Besides growth performance, the total phenolic content was also determined, six months after planting. There was no significant difference in growth parameters for all treatments, with the exception of control (significantly lower than all treatments). However, the total phenolic content of Treatment 1 (80.6 mg GAE/g) was significantly higher than all other treatments. This can be attributed to the properties of Compost 1 (which was in the growth media of Treatment 1), as it had the highest pH (5.26), the highest potassium concentration (0.7%) and high nitrogen concentrations (1.32%). The composition of Compost 1 was 5 kg dry leaves + 500 g dry Kacip Fatimah + Slow Release Fertilizer (SRF). Results from this study showed that growing media is a key factor that leads to significant increment in phenolic compounds in L. pumila.

Qualitative Analysis of Peptides and Biological Activities of Allexis cauliflora (Violaceae) Leaves

Allexis cauliflora is a Cameroonian medicinal plant belonging to the violaceae family. It is used in traditional medicine to treat fever, syphilis and malaria. The aim of this study is to screen the peptides from the leaves of Allexis cauliflora and assess their biological activities. Previous studies have demonstrated antimicrobial properties of this plant. These properties have been mainly attributed to phenolic compounds. However, other plant defense molecules, such as antimicrobial peptides, may be present. In this work, we studied peptide extracts from the leaves of Allexis cauliflora. This plant has also been examined to determine its antimicrobial activities and its minimum inhibitory concentrations against bacteria pathogenic to humans and fungi using the agar well diffusion method. The corresponding concentration value antilog was taken as the minimum inhibitory concentration value. All values of test results were expressed as triple means, mean ± standard deviation. The extract from the leaves of this plant has shown antimicrobial activity against the bacterial and fungal pathogens studied. The phytochemical screening carried out showed the presence of flavonoids and triterpenes. Based on the results obtained, the medicinal value of this plant could be attributed to the presence of secondary metabolites in traditional medicinal plants.