Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine

8-12

Authors: Yamunadevi Mariswamy, Wesely Edward Gnaraj, Johnson Marimuthu Antonisamy

Objective: To identify the flavonoids HPTLC profile (bio-marker), at species level, for the identification and confirmation of crude drugs, HPTLC separation was initiated on different parts of Aerva lanata (A. lanata) L. from South India. Methods: Preliminary phytochemical screening was done by following the method of Harborne. HPTLC studies were carried out following Harborne and)Wagner et al method. The ethyl acetate-butanone-formic acid-water (5:3:1:1) was employed as mobile phase for flavonoids. Results: The methanolic extract of stem, leaves, root, flower and seeds of A. lanata showed the presence of 19 different types of flavonoids with 19 different Rf values with range 0.05 to 0.98. In general more degree of flavonoids diversity has been observed in vegetative parts when compared to the reproductive part. Maximum number of flavonoids has been observed in leaves followed by root and leaves. Conclusions: The results of the present study supplement the folkloric usage of the studied plants which possess several known and unknown bioactive compounds with bio-activity. By isolating and identifying these bioactive compounds new drugs can be formulated to treat various diseases. It can be concluded that constituents of A. lanata have effective components which can be utilized as useful herb for alleviation of various illness and disorder.

17-19

Authors: Pawar Vinod S, Anup Akhade, Shrikrishna Baokar, Shivakumar H

Objective: To evaluate the antidepressant activity of methanolic extract of rhizomes of Acorus calamus (A. calamus). Methods: Tail suspension test (TST) and forced swimming test (FST) in mice were used to evaluate the antidepressant activity of methanolic extract of rhizomes of A. calamus. Methanolic extracts (50 and 100 mg/kg i.p.) were administered daily for 7 days. Imipramine 5 mg/ kg was used as standard antidepressant agent throughout the study. Results: Test extracts of A. calamus decreased immobility periods significantly in a dose dependent manner in both TST and FST. The observed results were also comparable with known standard drug i.e. imipramine. The flavonoid apigenin, which selectively binds with high affinity to the central benzodiazepines receptor, possesses important anxiolytic and antidepressant activities. The review of literature reveals that the A. calamus contains saponin, glycosides, tannin and flavonoid. Conclusions: Methanolic extract of A. calamus rhizomes shows antidepressant activity probably through interaction with adrenergic, dopaminergic serotonergic and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) nergic system. Both the models have been proved to be equally valuable for demonstration of substances with a potential antidepressant activity.

26-29

Authors: Muraleedharannair Jalajakumari Mithraja, Johnson Marimuthu @ Antonisamy, Mony Mahesh, Zachariah Miller Paul, Solomon Jeeva

Objective: To evaluate the phytochemical properties of Azolla pinnata R. Br., Marsilea minuta L. and Salvinia molesta Mitch. Methods: The dried and powered leaves materials (50 g) were extracted successively with 250 mL of petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, methanol, chloroform, acetone, benzene and water by using Soxhlet extractor for 8 h at a temperature not exceeding the boiling point of the solvent. Phytochemical screening of the extracts was carried out according to the standard methods. Results: Out of eighteen tested extracts, eighteen extracts showed the presence of phenolics. Next to that, fourteen extracts were illustrated their existence of tannin. Ten extracts showed the occurrence of carbohydrates in the crude extracts of the selected plants. Steroid and saponin are present in eight extracts, next to that xanthoprotein is present in six extracts, followed by flavonoid and protein which are present in five extracts. Carboxylic acid showed its presence only in two extracts. Conclusions: From the results, it can be concluded that the three plants extracts show the presence of many bioactive compounds after extensive investigation. We recommend further research on these plants to quantify the concentration of these compounds. Further work will accentuate the isolation and characterization of active principles responsible for bio-efficacy and bioactivity.

37-39

Authors: S Priyadharshini, S Bragadeeswaran, K Prabhu, S Sophia Rani

Objective: To evaluate the In vitro antimicrobial and hemolytic activity of marine macroalgae Ulva fasciata (U. fasciata) collected from Mandapam coastal waters, and to identify certain seaweed extracts that can act as an alternative of commonly used antibiotics. Methods: Seaweeds U. fasciata was collected from Gulf of Mannar, Southeast Coastal Region, Mandapam, Tamil Nadu and was screened for antimicrobial and hemolytic activity. Methanol, butanol and aqueous extracts were tested against selected fish pathogens, Aeromonas hydrophila, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Proteus sp. Vibrio alginolyticus (V. alginolyticus) and Enterobacter sp. and fungal pathogens Rhizopus sp., Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus sp., Aspergillus niger and Candida sp. The extract was subjected to TLC to determine the presences of peptides and amide groups. And the hemolytic activity was assayed. Results: Maximum of 16 mm inhibition zone was observed against V. alginolyticus and the minimum 12 mm against Enterobacter sp., respectively. U. fasciata showed poor activity against the fungal pathogens. The present results showed the use of seaweeds as an antimicrobial agents for pharmacology or as a health-promoting food for aquaculture. Conclusions: The screening result confirms that these seaweeds can be further studied and used as possible source of antimicrobial compounds.

43-46

Authors: S Thangaraj, S Bragadeeswaran, K Suganthi, N Sri Kumaran

Objective: To investigate the antimicrobial activities of the methanol and aqueous extract of sea anemone Stichodactyla mertensii (S. mertensii) and Stichodactyla gigantea (S. gigantea). Methods: The sea anemone S. mertensii and S. gigantea were subjected to extraction by using methanol and distilled water. They were evaluated for antimicrobial activity against bacterial and fungal pathogens. Results: In antibacterial activity, S. gigantea exhibited significantly inhibitory activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa than the S. mertensii of butanolic extract. In antifungal activity, the S. mertensii extract showed good activity against Aspergillus niger (A. niger)compared with other strains. Whereas S. gigantea recorded maximum and minimum zone of inhibition against Botrytis cinerea, A. niger and Cladosporium cucumerinum respectively. Conclusions: The results support that the sea anemones S. mertensii and S. gigantea extracts for treatment of some bacterial and fungal diseases as an ethanomedicinal source.

51-54

Authors: Reena lawrence, Kapil lawrence

Objective: To assess in vitro antioxidant activity of the essential oil isolated from fresh rhizomes of garlic (Allium sativum) of the family Alliaceae in an yield of 0.2% (v/w). Methods: 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), Nitrogen oxide scavenging, reducing power and α-carotene bleaching assays were conducted. BHT and gallic acid were kept as standards. Results: IC50 values observed for DPPH and nitric oxide scavenging assays were 0.5 mg/mL and 50 µg/mL respectively. In reducing power assay absorbance increased linearly with increasing concentration of the oil, in α-carotene bleaching method also there is 84% bleaching in first one hour and it decreased to 45 % by the completion of second hour. Conclusions: The results clearly indicate garlic essential oil is effective in scavenging free radical and has the potential to be powerful antioxidant.

58-61

Authors: Roopal V Patel, Vidhi T Thaker, VK Patel

Objective: To evaluate the in vitro effects of ginger and honey on micro-organisms on carious teeth by employing antibiotic sensitivity test. Methods: Two hundred and fifty (250) extracted, carious teeth were aseptically collected into sterile peptone water. Bacterial species were isolated from the peptone water broth, characterized and identified according to standard methods described in the Manual of Clinical Microbiology. Aqueous ginger extract and honey were employed for sensitivity test. Suspensions of the bacterial isolates were made in sterile normal saline and adjusted to the 0.5 McFarland’s standard. Each Mueller Hinton (MH) agar plate was uniformly seeded by means of sterile swab dipped in the suspension and streaked on the agar plate surface, and the plates left on the bench for excess fluid to be absorbed. Approximately 100 µL of the extracts were dropped into each well which filled them respectively to fullness. The setup was allowed to stabilize for 3 h before being incubated at 37 °C for 24 h. The mean zones of inhibition were thereafter measured in mm, for all the individual isolates. Results: Streptococcus mutans (88.0%) and Lactobacillus acidophilus (L. acidophilus) (39.0%) were most prevalent as compared with other isolates. The diameter of the zone of inhibition ranged from (18.0 ± 0.5) mm to (27.0 ± 1.0) mm for ginger and (20.0 ± 0.5) mm to (27.0 ± 0.7) mm for honey, as compared with (18.0 ± 0.7) mm to (23.0 ± 0.5) mm for gentamycin, at the various concentrations used. Results indicate a considerable antibacterial activity of ginger and honey. The combined extracts were most effective against Staphylococcus aureus (30.0.0 ± 1.5) mm but least effective against L. acidophilus (21.0 ± 0.7) mm. Conclusions: For the prevention of the emergence of resistant microorganisms, use of combination of herbal preparations is more useful.Considering in vitro data obtained in this study, there is a significant synergistic effect of antimicrobial activity from the combination of ginger and honey, against isolates from carious teeth.

66-70

Authors: Selvaraju Meenakshi, Shanmugam Umayaparvathi, Muthuvel Arumugam, Thangavel Balasubramanian

Objective: To evaluate the in vitro antioxidant activity of Sargassum wightii (S. wightii) and Ulva lactuca (U. lactuca). Methods: Dried seaweeds of S. wightii and U. lactuca were tested for total phenolic content. In vitro antioxidant activity was determined by DPPH assay and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. Functional groups of two seaweeds were analysed by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Results: The highest total phenolic content was observed in S. wightii (0.65±0.02 mg GAE/g) when compared with U. lactuca. In vitro antioxidant activity of S. wightii showed higher activity in all assays than U. lactuca with the higher total antioxidant activity (123.40±4.00 mg ascorbic acid/g), DPPH radical scavenging activity (108.06± 1.02)% and ferric reducing antioxidant power (153.40±1.41 mg GAE/g). FITR spectrum of standard gallic acid was compared with seaweeds and same number of peaks lying between 449.32 and 3 495.89 cm-1 and 462.89 and 3 407.05 cm-1 was recorded. Conclusions: These results show that S. wightii has higher antioxidant capacity than U. lactuca. Further study is necessary to exploit the multifunctional properties of seaweeds which will be usefull to treat many diseases.

76-78

Authors: Renisheya Joy Jeba Malar T, Johnson M, Mary Uthith M, Arthy A

Objective: To evaluate the antimicrobial potential of five medicinally important plants namely, Curcuma mangga (C. mangga) Valeton & Van Zijp, Ficus racemosa (F. racemosa) Roxb., Vitex negundo (V. negundo) L., Ocimum basilicum (O. basilicum) L., and Etlingera elatior (E. elatior) K. Schum. against the human bacterial pathogens. Methods: The Klebsiella pneumonia (K. pneumonia), Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) (ATCC 6538), Salmonella typhi (S. typhi) (MTCC 733), Proteus vulgaris (P. vulgaris), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) were isolated from clinical samples. The bacteria were identified and confirmed by conventional microbiology procedure. Antimicrobial study was carried out by disc diffusion method against the pathogens by using the crude ethanolic extracts. Results: The results of the present study showed the presence of wide spectrum of antibacterial activities against all the above bacterial pathogens studied. The maximum zone of inhibition observed for each bacterium was as follows: S. typhi (12 mm), K. pneumonia (13 mm), P. vulgaris (20 mm), P. aeruginosa (16 mm) and S. aureus (12 mm). Conclusions: The present study demonstrates that the C. mangga, F. racemosa, V. negundo, O. basilicum, and E. elatior are potentially good sources of antibacterial agents against the pathogens viz., K. pneumonia, S. aureus, S. typhi, P. vulgaris and P. aeruginosa.

82-85

Authors: Prasad TNVKV, Elumalai EK, Khateeja S

Objective: To evaluate the antimicrobial activity of silver nanoparticles synthesized from Psidium guajava (P. guajava) against human pathogens. Methods: Ultraviolet-visible (UVVis) spectrophotometry and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were performed to confirm the formation and stability of silver nanparticles. Antimicrobial activities of the synthesized Ag nanoparticles were determined using the agar well diffusion assay method. Results: UVVis spectrum of the aqueous medium containing silver nanoparticles showed absorption peak at around 410 nm. TEM showed the formation of silver nanoparticles with an average size of 59 nm. The formed silver nanoparticles showed good antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli, Bacillus cereus and Candida tropicalis. Conclusions: P. guajava demonstrated strong potential for synthesis of silver nanoparticles by rapid reduction of silver ions (Ag+ to Ag0). Biological methods are a good competent for the chemical procedures, which are environment friendly and convenient.

90-99

Authors: N Sri Kumaran, S Bragadeeswaran, VK Meenakshi

Objective: To evaluate the antimicrobial activities of ascidian Didemnum psammathodes (D. psammathodes) against human and fish pathogenic organisms. Methods: In this study antimicrobial activities were carried out by standard disc diffusion method. In this experiment 40 human, fish bacterial and fungal pathogens were isolated and assayed against 7 different solvents such as methanol, acetone, ethanol, n-butanol, chloroform, ethyl acetate and dichloromethane. Each solvent were assayed at different concentrations of 25, 50, 75, 100 mg/mL. Results: From this experiment solvent having higher concentrations showed high inhibition activity and the fungi are showed more resistant than the bacterial strains used. Conclusions: These results indicate that the ascidian D. psammathodes is found to have remarkable antimicrobial activities against isolated microbes. Further studies will fulfill for purification and structural elucidation of antimicrobial drugs.

105-108

Authors: Prakash S, S Anto Jeya Dayalan, Edison N

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of bacteriologically positive urinary tract infection (UTI) among people enrolled in the hospital during January 2010 to June 2010. Methods: In the study period, a total of 1 546 patients were screened for UTI and the antibiogram was studied. Results: A total of 744 patients were positive. It revealed that females were more vulnerable to bacteriuria than males. Organisms predominantly isolated were Esherichia coli followed by Klebsiella in both males and females. Among the antibiotics tested against the isolated organisms for sensitivity test, chloramphenicol was more effective followed by amikacin and gatifloxacin for Enterobacteriaceae. For Pseudomonas aeruginosa, chloramphenicol was not effective, amikacin was effective. Amoxycillin, amoxycillin/clavulanic acid and first generation cephalosporin were least effective against Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Conclusions: This study would not only help in proper treatment of patients but also discourage the indiscriminate use of antibiotics and prevent development of drug resistance.

113-118

Authors: Siriporn Phasomkusolsil, Mayura Soonwera

Objective: To assess the repellency to female Aedes aegypti (Ae. aegypti), Anopheles dirus (An. dirus) and Culex quinquefasciatus (Cx. quinquefasciatus) of seven essential oils using two treatment methods. Methods: Topical applications of three dose concentrations (0.02, 0.10 and 0.21 mg/cm2) were made on the forearms of volunteers. Dose-response study and protection time study were employed in the experiment. Results: In the dose-response test, Cymbopogon citratus (C. citratus), Cymbopogon nardus (C. nardus), Syzygium aromaticum (S. aromaticum) and Ocimum basilicum (O. basilicum) exhibited a high repellency against Ae. aegypti with ED50 at < 0.045 mg/ cm2, whereas C. citratus, C. nardus and S. aromaticum showed repellency against An. dirus with ED50 at <0.068 mg/cm2. Furthermore, the essential oils of C. citratus, C. nardus, S. aromaticum, O. basilicum and Cananga odorata gave strong effective dose (ED50) values at <0.003 mg/cm2 when tested against Cx. quinquefasciatus. For testing by arm in cage method, at 0.21 mg/cm2, protection time of C. citratus gave the longest lasting period against three mosquito species, 72 min for Ae. aegypti, 132 min for An. dirus and 84 min for Cx. quinquefasciatus. In addition, the two essential oils exhibited moderate repellency against Ae. aegypti, An. dirus and Cx. quinquefasciatus, at 60, 90 and 78 min with C. nardus, and 54, 96 and 72 min with S. aromaticum, respectively. Conclusions: The percentage repellency increased when the concentration of essential oils increased. In contrast, biting rates decreased when the concentration of essential oils increased. C. citratus exhibited high efficiency for the protection time and the percentage of biting deterrent against all of 3 mosquito species.

124-128

Authors: Duangkamon Sritabutra, Mayura Soonwera, Sirirat Waltanachanobon, Supaporn Poungjai

Objective: To investigate the repellent activity of herbal essential oils from garlic (Allium sativum), clove (Syzygium aromaticum), lemon grass (Cybopogon citratus), citronella grass (Cymbopogon nardus), peppermint (Mentha piperita), eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus), orange (Citrus sinensis) and sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum) and their combinations against Aedes aegypti (Ae. aegypti) (L.) and Anopheles dirus (An. dirus) Peyton & Harrion under laboratory conditions. Methods: In laboratory condition, 0.1 mL of each essential oil was applied to 3-10 cm of exposed area on a volunteer’s forearm. The test was carried out every 30 min until fewer than two mosquitoes bit or land during the 3 min study period and then the repellency test was stopped. Results: Essential oil from lemon grass exhibited protection against biting from two mosquito species, for Ae. aegypti [(98.66±11.56) min protection time and 0.97% biting rate] and for An. dirus [(98.00±15.28) min protection time and 0.80% biting rate]. The combinations from eucalyptus oil and sweet basil oil were effective as repellents and feeding deterrents against Ae. aegypti [(98.87±10.28) min protection time and 0.90% biting rate] and An. dirus [(210±10.70) min protection time and 0.93% biting rate]. All herbal repellents exhibited the period of protection time against Ae. aegypti which was lower than 120 min. Conlussions: It can be concluded that oils of lemon grass and combination from eucalyptus-sweet basil are the most effective in repellent activity.

131-138

Authors: Patel DK, Kumar R, Prasad SK, Hemalatha S

Substances which are used to treat sexual dysfunction or to improve sexual behavior and satisfaction in humans and animals are called ‘aphrodisiac’. Uses of plant material to treat sexual disorder is a long back history in the different system of medicine and it was practiced by different type of vaidyas and traditional healer in almost all the countries in the world, like China, India, Egypt, Rome and Greek. Even though there was an unavailability of the scientific data, these substances have been used as aphrodisiac. During the historic times Lytta vesicatoria, Tribulus terrestris, Ptychopetalum olacoides, Crocus sativus, Bufo marinus, Myristica fragrans, Theobroma cocao and other plants have been investigated for its aphrodisiac activity by in vivo and in vitro model. Even though the study showed positive response to a particular substance, there is always a need to run the clinical trial before administering the tested drug in human being. The present review article summarizes the plant material which has been tested for its aphrodisiac activity in different experimental model (in vitro, in vivo on animal models, or in human clinical trials) and comply its claim in the different system of medicine. A brief overview about the data of percentage study in the last eighteen years duration on aphrodisiac activity of plant material was done on the basis of the CAB abstract database.

141-142

Authors: Vishwanath Sathyanarayanan, Charudutt Sambhaji, Kavitha Saravu, Abdul Razak, Ashwin Polnaya, Rao SN

Human cysticercosis is an infection with the larval stage of Taenia solium and is commonly seen in developing countries. It usually involves the central nervous system but other organs like the heart, skeletal muscle and the orbit can also be involved. Rarely, the liver can also be the site of involvement. We report a case of a 25-year-old male with no premorbid illness but with a history of headache and vomiting. His physical and laboratory examinations suggested a diagnosis of tubercular meningitis. However, the high resolution ultrasound imaging of his abdomen showed that there were multiple cysticerci with scolices. IgG of cysticercosis detected by ELISA was also strongly positive, which supported the diagnosis of hepatic cysticercosis. He was managed with albendazole. This kind of cases has only been reported twice before in medical literature. It highlights the need to use high resolution ultrasonography in patients with a high index of suspicion of hepatic cysticercosis because of its occult presentation.