Journal of Coastal Life Medicine

515-517

Authors: Masilamani Mohan Raj, Subramanian Bragadeeswaran, Anbukkarasu Suguna, Muthuramalingam Uthaya Siva

Objective: To evaluate the antimicrobial activity and brine shrimp lethality activity of six different species of puffer fishes, including Cyclichthys orbicularis, Diodon holocanthus, Canthigaster solandri, Arthron hispidus, A. inermis and Lagocephalua inermis (L. inermis). Methodology: The puffer fishes were collected from Annangkovil Fish Landing Centre (Lattitude 11°30.47' N; Longitude 79°47.02' E), Parangipettai, Southeast Coast of India during summer season because of availability. Fresh tissue samples were collected from the clearly washed specimens, extracted with methanol at 37 °C for 3 days and filtered through Whatman No. 1 filter paper. The solvents such as methanol and ethanol were concentrated by using rotary evaporator under reduced pressure. The dark brown gummy mass was stored at 4 °C for further analysis. Prepared crude samples were analysed with human pathogens to assess the antibacterial activity and this was carried out by using standard disc diffusion method. The brine shrimp lethality was calculated as the percentage of mortality which was firstly calculated by dividing the number of dead larvae by the total number and then multiplied to 100%. Results: The antibacterial activity of crude extract of puffer fishes were exhibited against 10 different human bacterial pathogens. Among the ten human pathogens, Arthron hispidus showed maximum zone of inhibition (8 mm) against Staphylococcus aureus while L. inermis showed minimum activity (1 mm) against Proteus mirabilis and no zone of inhibition was observed against Staphylococcus aureus. Brine shrimp lethality was examined with six puffer fish extracts. Cyclichthys orbicularis showed maximum mortalities as 100% and L. inermis showed minimum mortalities as 70% at a concentration of 500 μg/mL. Conclusion: In conclusion, the study showed the preliminary investigation of crude extracts of puffer fishes about the prominent activity against human bacterial pathogens. The extracts had a good cytotoxic potential against brine shrimp Artemina salina.

520-525

Authors: Isaiah Nirmal Kumar, Megha Barot, Rita Kumar

Objective: To deal with the assessment of the chemical composition of carbohydrate, protein, phenol, flavanoid, chlorophyll, and carotenoid and antifungal activity of various marine seaweeds collected from Okha coast, Gujarat during September, 2013. Methods: Biochemical compounds of selected seaweeds were quantified and antifungal activity of these species belonging to red, green, and brown seaweeds was explored and the seaweeds were extracted in acetone, ethanol and chloroform. Results: The carbohydrate content was highest in Cystoseira indica Mairh, protein was highest in Gracilaria corticata J. Agardh and phenol content was highest in Padina boergesenii; flavanoid content was found greater in Cystoseira indica, chlorophyll content was found greater in Monostroma latissimum Wittrock and carotenoid content was more in Dictyopteris acrostichoides Bornet. The highest inhibiting effect was noted for Sargassum tenerrimum J. Agardh and Turbinaria ornata J. Agardh belonging to brown algae, against Aspergillus niger and Penicillium janthinellum in chloroform extracts and ethanolic extracts, which caused opportunistic infection of HIV-infected person, lung disease, aspergillosis, and otomycosis (fungal ear infections). Conclusions: The study reveals that the seaweeds contain high amount of biochemical constituents. Besides, the crude extracts of the seaweeds showed promising activity against the tested fungal pathogens. Therefore, seaweeds collected from Okha coast, Gujarat region are biochemical compounds with potential capacity which make them useful for screening natural products for pharmaceutical industry.

531-533

Authors: Periyasamy Senthamarai Selvan, Arulsamy Jebanesan, Chinnusamy Makesh Kumar

Objective: To study diversity and distribution of tree hole mosquitoes at Puducherry Union Territory. Methods: Random collections were carried out in tree holes at collection sites by using suction tube. Mosquitoes are identified by standard entomological procedures. Results: A total of 235 mosquitoes were collected from tree holes, comprising 3 genera and 12 species. They are, Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus, Aedes stokesi, Aedes simpsoni, Anopheles subpictus, Anopheles stephensi, Anopheles culiciformis, Anopheles maculatus, Culex quinquefasciatus, Culex pseudovishnui, Culex tritaeniorhynchus, and Culex decens. The results reveal that Aedes species is the dominant species in tree holes. Simpson’s dominance index and Shanon-Wiener diversity index of 0.182 7 and 0.833 6 were respectively recorded for all tree hole mosquitoes. Conclusions: The diversity studies of tree hole mosquitoes in the study area are necessary for the implementation of appropriate control strategies.

539-542

Authors: Siti Aisyah Sayadi, Rozaini Mohd Zohdi, Nur Salme Suhana Shamshuddin, Muna Syairah Khairy, Nur Ashikin Hasan, Ahmad Syamil Yasin, Kalavathy Ramasamy

Objective: To evaluate four selected Malaysian honey samples from different floral sources (Gelam, Tualang, Nenas and Acacia) for their ability to inhibit the growth of fungi and yeast strains (Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger, Epidermophyton floccosum, Microsporum gypseum, Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes). Methods: The broth microdilution method was used to assess the antifungal activity of honey against yeasts at different concentrations ranging from 0.01% to 70% (v/v). Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the honeys were determined by visual inspection and spectrophotometric assay. Minimum fungicidal concentration test was performed by further sub-culturing from the plates which showed no visible growth in the MIC assay onto Sabroud dextrose agar. Results: All tested Malaysian honeys except Gelam showed antifungal activity against all species analysed, with the MIC ranging from 25% (v/v) to 50% (v/v) while MIC of Manuka honey ranged between 21% to 53% (v/v). Candida albicans was more susceptible to honey than other species tested. Conclusions: Locally produced honeys exhibited antifungal activity which is less than or equal to that of Manuka honey. Our data showed evidence in support of the therapeutic uses of Malaysian honeys.

547-550

Authors: Selim Dereci, Ayşegül Çopur Çiçek, Serdar Özkasap, Muhammed Ali Mutlu, Sema Kocyiğit, Kazım Şahin

Objective: To determine the appropriate treatment regimen and the clinical course of the lower respiratory tract infections(RTIs) and to detect the common viral causes of lower RTIs. Methods: The present study included a total of 255 pediatric patients aged less than 7 years old and admitted to the Department of Pediatrics of Rize Training and Research Hospital between January 2014 and January 2015 with clinical pre-diagnosis of lower RTI. Nasopharyngeal swab specimens collected from these patients were tested for viral pathogens by using multiplex RTPCR kit the ResPlex II plus Panel PRE (Qiagen, Germany). Results: A total of 212 out of 255 (83.1%) specimens revealed positive for one or more viral pathogens. The most common detected pathogens were respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) A/B in 110 samples (43.1%), rhinovirus in 51 samples (20.0%), adenovirus in 36 samples (14.1%), influenzae virus A in 32 samples (12.5%), and coronavirus in 24 samples (9.4%). In 76 samples (29.8%), more than one viral pathogen were detected. RSV was seen in more than 50% patients in the first 2 years. RSV was the most common pathogen in each year of the first 5 years but rhinovirus, influenza A and adenovirus were seen more than RSV after the fifth year. A total of 95.8% of the viral detections were seen between November and April without a significant peak amongst these months. The distribution of the pathogens by months of the year showed no significance. Conclusions: These findings can contribute to epidemiological data of Turkey. Detection of the viral pathogens causing lower RTIs can be critical in management of the disease, decrease inappropriate antibiotic treatment, and lower the morbidity and mortality rates in such diseases.

555-556

Authors: Mathewos Anza, Habtamu Gelaw

Objective: To investigate various phytochemical constituents present in pod and seed of Crotalaria incana L. (C. incana). Methods: A number of phytochemical tests were applied to identify the class of compounds in the CH2Cl2/CH3OH (1:1) pod and seed extract of C. incana. Results: Phytochemical screening of the CH2Cl2/CH3OH (1:1) pod and seed extract of C. incana subsp. purpurscens revealed that the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, tannins and stroids. Conclusions: The present work conducted on the CH2Cl2:CH3OH (1:1) pod and seed extract of C. incana identified various classes of compounds present on the pod and seed extract.

564-569

Authors: Lee-Wen Chang, Chin-Chen Chu, Heuy-Ling Chu, Horng-Cherng Wu, Pin-Der Duh

Objective: To compare the protective effects of the water extracts of seven herbs, including Solanum indicum L., Mallotus repandus (Wild) Muell-Arg. (MRM), Bombax malabarica DC (BMDC), Tadehagi triquetrum (L.) Ohashi (TTLO), Clinacanthus nutans (Burm f.) Lindau, Salvia plebeia R. Br (SPRB), Ixeris chinensis Mak (ICM), against tert-butylhydroperoxide (t-BHP)-induced oxidative stress in Clone 9 cells. Methods: To evaluate the antioxidant properties of water extracts from seven herbs, reducing ability, metal-chelating activity and radical-scavenging activity such as 2,2′-azino-bis(3- ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) radical cation and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) were determined. In cellular systems, t-BHP was used as a model oxidant to induce oxidative stress. 2′,7′-Dichlorofluorescin diacetate and chloromethylfluorescein-diacetate were used as fluorescence probe to determine reactive oxygen species generation and glutathione level in t-BHP-induced Clone 9 cells, respectively. In addition, total tannins, total anthocyanins, total polyphenolics and flavonoids were determined. Results: According to the data obtained from the trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity method, DPPH radical scavenging assay and reducing ability determination, MRM, SPRB, and BMDC showed relatively high antioxidant properties while TTLO and ICM were in the middle and Solanum indicum and Clinacanthus nutans had relatively low activity. In cellular model systems, SPRB, BMDC, and TTLO showed higher protective effects against t-BHP-induced oxidative stress. BMDC, ICM, and TTLO displayed higher inhibitory effects on reactive oxygen species generation in t-BHP-induced Clone 9 cells. In addition, SPRB, MRM, and BMDC showed significantly positive modulated glutathione levels. Tannins, anthocyanins, flavonoids and polyphenolics were present in the herbs, which may in part contribute to regulating the oxidative stress. Conclusions: These results indicated that the seven selected herbs may play a crucial role in regulating oxidative stress, especially BMDC.

575-578

Authors: Ochuko Lucky Erukainure, Funmi Olabisi Kayode, Olubanke Adetutu Adeyoju, Sunday Oluwaseun Adenekan, Godfrey Asieba, Atinuke Ajayi, Mosebolatan Victoria Adegbola, Bolanle Basirat Sarumi

Objective: To investigate the chemical properties of essential oil extracted from blends of selected Nigerian spices as well as its antioxidant protective potentials against free radical in vitro. Methods: Essential oil was extracted from selected spices blend consisting of Monodora myristica, Myristica fragrans, Tetrapleura tetraptera, and Aframomum sceptrum using a Clevenger type apparatus. Oil obtained was subjected to phytochemical and gas chromatography-mass spectrometer analysis as well as analyzed for antioxidant activity which covers for 1,1-diphenyl-2 picrylhydrazyl, nitric oxide scavenging activities and reducing property. Results: Gas chromatography-mass spectrometer analysis revealed over 50 compoundfs with α-phellandrene being the most predominant compound (27.32%), which was followed by (-)-β-bourbonene (15.78%) and 5-(1-methylethyl)-α-phellandrene (11.80%). Phytochemical analysis showed high flavonoid content and a lower phenolic content. The oil showed a dose like dependent effect on the1-diphenyl-2 picrylhydrazyl and nitric oxide scavenging activities, these activities increased with increasing concentration. The same was also observed for the reducing power properties of the oil. Conclusions: The antioxidant activities exhibited by the essential oil in vitro signify its protective potential against free radicals. The chemical constituents, α-phellandrene in particular and the studied phytochemicals may be responsible for these effects. However, in vivo study is needed to further authenticate this potency.

582-584

Authors: Kota Veeraswamy Reddy, Raju Mohanraju, Kada Narayana Murthy, Chatragadda Ramesh, Perumal Karthick

Objective: To evaluate the antimicrobial properties of tissues extracts of different nudibranchs such as Phyllidia varicosa, Plakobranchus ocellatus, Phyllidiella rosans and Halgerda stricklandi against bacterial and fungal pathogens. Methods: Nudibranchs tissue samples were subjected to organic solvent extraction for antimicrobial activity by well diffusion method. Results: The crude extract 50 μL (0.2 mg) of Phyllidia varicosa showed the maximum inhibitory zone (22 mm) against Shigella flexneri. Plakobranchus ocellatus extract of 50 μL (0.2 mg) showed the maximum inhibitory zone against Shigella flexneri (22 mm) and Staphylococcus aureus (19 mm) and no significant activity was found against the fungal pathogens. Conclusions: This work reveals that nudibranch tissues contain the antimicrobial secondary metabolites, which leads the significant activity against bacterial pathogens and further emphasizes detailed study on novel drug discovery from nudibranch tissues against certain human bacterial infections.

588

Authors: Beuy Joob, Viroj Wiwanitkit

No