Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Disease

170-176

Authors: Sunil Kumar, Smita Narwal, Dinesh Kumar, Gurvirender Singh, Sumit Narwal, Renu Arya

Objective: To investigate the antihyperglycemic and antioxidant properties of the petroleum Ether, chloroform and methanol extract of Saraca asoca (Roxb.) De Wild (S. asoca) leaves in mice. Methods: Swiss albino mice were made diabetic by a single dose of streptozotocin (150 mg/kg i.p.). Blood glucose levels and body weights of mice were measured using on weekly intervals i.e day 0, 7, 14 and 21 after daily administration of all extracts at doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg. Other biochemical parameters such as serum cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, VLDL-cholesterol, LDLcholesterol, urea, creatinin and proteins levels were also measured at the end of study. The effects of all extracts were also noticed on vital organs e.g. liver, kidney and pancreas. The antioxidant potential of all extracts was also determined by DPPH and H2O2 radical scavenging in vitro methods. Results: Oral administration of the extracts for 21 days caused a significant (P <0.01) reduction in blood glucose levels in diabetic mice. Among all the extracts, methanol extract showed better results. The body weight of diabetic animals was also improved after daily administration of extracts. All the extracts also improved other altered biochemical parameters associated with diabetes. Furthermore, the extracts have favorable effects on the histopathological changes of the pancreas, liver and kidney in STZ induced diabetic mice. All the extracts showed significant (P <0.05) antioxidant activity at the dose of 500 µg/ml. Conclusions: S. asoca possesses antihyperglycemic and antioxidant properties as well improves body weight, liver profile, renal profile and total lipid levels. It can justify folklore uses of the plant in diabetes.

180-183

Authors: Sundaram Ravikumar, Samuel Jacob Inbaneson, Palavesam Suganthi

Objective: To explore the antiplasmodial potential of Catharanthus roseus L (C. roseus), Coccinea grandis (C. grandis), Thevetia peruviana (T. peruviana), Prosopis juliflora (P. juliflora), Acacia nilotica (A. nilotica), Azadirachta indica (A. indica) (Abr. Juss) and Morinda pubescens (M. pubescens). Methods: The C. roseus L, C. grandis, T. peruviana, P. juliflora, A. nilotica, A. indica (Abr. Juss) and M. pubescens were collected from Ramanathapuram District, Tamil Nadu, India and the extraction was carried out in ethanol. The filter sterilized extracts (100, 50, 25, 12.5, 6.25 and 3.125 μg/mL) were tested for antiplasmodial activity against Plasmodium falciparum. The phytochemical constituents in the potential extracts were also detected. Results: Of the selected plants species, the bark extract of A. indica (Abr. Juss) showed excellent antiplasmodial activity (IC50 29.77 μg/mL) followed by leaf extract of A. indica (Abr. Juss) (IC50 47.20 μg/mL) and leaf extract of C. roseus L (IC50 49.63 μg/mL). The leaf, bark and flower extracts of P. juliflora showed IC50 values of more than 100 μg/mL. Statistical analysis reveals significant antiplasmodial activity (P<0.01) between the concentrations and time of exposure. Additionally, no chemical injury was found in the erythrocytes incubated with the ethanolic extract of all the tested plants. The in vitro antiplasmodial activity might be due to the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, carbohydrates, flavonoids, phenols, saponins, triterpenoids, proteins and tannins in the ethanolic extracts of the tested plants. Conclusions: The ethanolic bark extracts of A. indica (Abr. Juss) possess lead compounds for the development of antiplasmodial drugs.

190-199

Authors: A Vijayakumar, V Duraipandiyan, B Jeyaraj, P Agastian, M Karunai Raj, S Ignacimuthu

Objective: To evaluate the antimicrobial activity of hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of seeds and fruits of Illicium griffithii (I. griffithii) (Family: Schisandraceae). Methods: The antimicrobial activity of the organic extracts were determined using disc diffusion assay against Gram-positive bacterial strains (three reference cultures and three clinical isolates), Gram-negative bacterial strains (nine reference cultures and six clinical isolates), and six fungi. The primary phytochemical and chemical compositions were analyzed using qualitative chemical analysis and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry respectively. Results: Ethyl acetate extract of fruits was effective against most of the tested reference cultures such as Staphylococcus aureus, Yersinia enterocolitica, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Bacillus subtilis, Salmonella paratyphi, Enterococcus feacalis, Xanthomonas oryzae and Pseudomonas aerugenosa, whereas methanol extract showed activity only against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis and Xanthomonas oryzae. The hexane and ethyl acetate extracts of fruits were more effective against most of the clinical isolates, whereas methanol extract was effective only against Klebsiella pneumoniae ESBL. The extracts of fruits and seeds did not show any significant antifungal activity against tested fungi. The presence of phenols, tannins, flavonoids, triterpenoids, steroids, alkaloids, saponis and carbohydrates in the different extracts was established. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry studies on hexane and ethyl acetate extract of fruits resulted in the identification of 31 and 39 compounds respectively. Conclusions: Potent antibacterial phytochemicals are present in ethyl acetate extract of I. griffithii fruits. Further studies are needed to investigate activities of I. griffithii against multidrug resistant bacteria.

205-210

Authors: Manisha DebMandal, Shyamapada Mandal, Nishith Kumar Pal

Objective: To develop an approach for making a selective and differential media specific for Lactobacillus rhamnosus Goldin and Gorbach (LGG) in order to distinguish it from other bacterial flora in fecal samples. Methods: The current media referred as LGGM has been prepared by using MRS media ingredients (replacing dextrose with 2% sorbitol), and incorporation of nalidixic acid (40 μg/mL), bromocresol purple (0.002 %); the pH of the media was adjusted to 4.5. Results: The LGGM showed a greater colony forming units compared to MRS media. The growth of pure LGG strain was significantly greater in LGGM, and the recovery rate of LGG released from fecal samples (after oral feeding) was significantly greater (P<0.001). Conclusion: Thus LGGM could be used as a potential media for the isolation and identification of LGG strain.

215-219

Authors: Maulik N Gandhi, Siva Reddy Challa, Pari Prasanth, Tejal R Gandhi

Objective: To evaluate the effects of Montelukast and Curcumin against indomethacin induced gastric damage in rats in order to assess the role of leukotriene (LTs) if any, in non steroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID) induced gastroinflammation. Methods: The effects of Montelukast (10 mg/kg) and Curcumin (100 mg/kg) were observed on gastric lesion induced by Indomethacin. The blood samples were analyzed for neutrophil adhesion and lipid peroxide levels in gastric tissue measured spectrophotometrically. The skin vascular permeability study was performed by using compound 48/80 induced vascular permeability model. Results: Montelukast and Curcumin significantly reduced Indomethacin induced gastric lesion score. Pretreatment with Montelukast and Curcumin significantly counteracted Indomethacin induced gastropathy by a combination of its effect on inhibition of neutrophil adherence, through decrease in related production of free radicals that disrupts integrity of stomach mucosa and decrease in vascular permeability as compared to Indomethacin group. The results of the present study further indicates the role of 5-LOX metabolites in NSAIDs induced gastro inflammation and suggests that Montelukast and Curcumin counteracted the Indomethacin induced gastropathy by a combination of its effect on inhibition of neutrophil adherence and through decrease in related production of free radicals that disrupts integrity of stomach mucosa. Conclusions: Experimental data clearly demonstrated the role of LTs was indomethacin induced gastric ulcers. However, inhibition of ulcerogenic events by Montelukast and Curcumin is suggestive of an important balance between COX and 5-LOX products.

225-229

Authors: Sanis Juliet, Reghu Ravindran, Sunil A Ramankutty, Ajith Kumar K Gopalan, Suresh N Nair, Amithamol K Kavillimakkil, Amitabh Bandyopadhyay, Ajay Kumar S Rawat, Srikanta Ghosh

Objective: To study the effect of ethanolic extract of leaves of the plant Jatropha curcas as a step towards developing a safe and ecofriendly therapeutic agent to combat the problems of tick and tick-borne diseases. Methods: Pulverised leaves of J. curcas were subjected to soxhlet extraction using ethanol. The ethanolic extract of J. curcas at different dilutions such as, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 and 100 mg / ml were tested against ticks using adult immersion test. The per cent adult mortality, inhibition of fecundity and hatching of laid ova were studied. Results: The extract caused significant blocking of hatching of the laid ova by the treated ticks. Conclusions: Eclosion blocking effect of J. curcas extract is a promising property of the plant that can be utilized for controlling the population of ticks.

234-238

Authors: Chairman K, Ranjit Singh AJA, Alagumuthu G

Objective: To evaluate the anticancer activity of the crude extracts of Rhabdastrella globostellata (R. globostellata) and Spirastrella inconstans (S. inconstans) var. moeandrina Dendy. Methods: Soxhlet extraction method was used to extract the secondary metabolites and various assays antioxidant, anticancer and various assays were carried out. The extract were tested anticancer activity against a HeLa, Raw 264.7 and Hek-293. Results: The sponge extracts tested exhibited from median to high toxicity in at least one of the toxicity bioassays performed. The antioxidant activity of the isolated metabolite in ethylacetate solution was assessed by SOD and GTH assays and compared with that of other known natural antioxidants. Conclusions: Potent antioxidants have been detected among both phenolic metabolites and alkaloids. Antioxidant effects of tested compounds have been attributed to their action as chain-breaking antioxidants and/or as scavengers of radicals.

251-252

Authors: Anuradha CK Rao, Geetha V, Ranjini Kudva, Vidhyalakshmi S, Rupashree S

Isospora belli is an opportunistic protozoan causing wasting diarrhea especially in patients with an immunocompromised status. Diagnosis is usually established by demonstrating the oocyst of the organism on stool examination, which however can often be inconclusive. Serological tests for isosporiasis are currently not available. In such a scenario, biopsy often provides evidence for a confirmatory diagnosis. We describe two such cases, in which intestinal biopsy was the only diagnostic evidence of isosporiasis as the cause for chronic diarrhea.