A survey of fruits and vegetables sold in Dekina and Bassa market Kogi, Nigeria was carried out to determine the level of their contamination with cysts and ova of geohelminths between April and August 2010. The vegetables and fruits were bought from the sellers and examined for helminth cyst and ova using concentration technique. Of 2426 samples of fruits and vegetables examined 75(4.3%) were positive for helminth ova and cyst with vegetables 19(2.8%) being more contaminated than the fruits (2.5%) but the difference was not statistically significant (p>0.05).The contamination rate of helmith cyst and ova found are, Trichuris trichuris (1.73%) Ascaris lumbricoides (0.78%) and Strongyloides stercoralis (6.06%). The difference was not statistically significant (p>0.05).Among the vegetables surveyed, Vernonia species had the highest contamination rate of (21.11%) while Amarattus cruentus had the least (5.33%).Corchorus olitorius was uncontaminated. There were more contaminations of the fruits and vegetables bought from Dekina than other markets. However, the difference were not statistically significant (p>0.05).The health risks of these finding underscore the need to embark on health promotion and health education among the populance on the made od transmission of helminthic infections eating habits and personal hygiene.
A rapid and facile one pot synthesis of nitrile has been carried out in high yields from the corresponding aldehydes and hydroxylamine hydrochloride in the presence of anhydrous Zinc oxide nanoparticles and DMF under reflux condition. Keywords: Aldehydes, Hydroxylamine hydrochloride, Anhydrous Zinc oxide nanoparticles, Nitriles.
3.
PHARMACOGNOSTICAL, PHYTOCHEMICAL AND PHARMACOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION OF STEM BARK OF PLANT TOONA CILIATA M.ROEM (MELIACEAE)
Sonam Soni, Vinay S Verma, Hemendra Swarnkar, Sanjay Vaishnav, Md.Nazir Nasim Khan, 1Gautam Jana, Mukesh Sharma*
Toona is a large deciduous tree with a spreading crown, commonly attaining a height of 20-30 m and a girth of 1.8-3 m. Toona ciliata (Family: Meliaceae) is commonly known as Toonee, Tuni in Hindi; Red ceder in English and Nandi in Sanskrit. It is reported to have good medicinal values in traditional system of medicines. The stem of Toona ciliata is reported the antioxidant, analgesic, antiulcer, antifungal, antimicrobial, antifeedant, cytotoxicity properties, flowers used as emmenagogue, used in menstrual disorders, and Bark is bitter, acrid, powerful astringent, tonic, expectorant, anthelmintic. The phytoconstituents present in the plants including triterpenoids, cedrelone, polyynes, limonoids, siderin etc. of Toona ciliata. In the present study, an attempt was made to carry out the extraction of chemical constituents. The Extracted compound was identified by TLC and chemical analysis and the crude drug was passes from different test which shows their purity, solubility and extractive values. The present study aims to determine the antipyretic activity of methanolic extract of Toona ciliata in brewer’s yeast induced pyrexia model in albino rats. From different parameters the crude drug and extract show different result such as Water soluble extractive 20%, Alcohol soluble extractive 21%, Moisture content11.5%, Total ash 6%, Rf value 0.78.
Keywords: Toona ciliata, Antipyretic, Cytotoxicity, Pharmacological activities.
4.
TOTAL PHENOLIC CONTENT & TOTAL FLAVANOID CONTENT OF ASPARAGUS RACEMOSUS LEAVES METHANOLIC EXTRACT
Nature has been a source of medicinal agents for thousands of years and an impressive number of modern drugs have been isolated from natural resources. Asparagus racemosus is a very important medicinal plant and used in various diseases. The methanolic leaf extract obtained through successive solvent extraction from Asparagus racemosus in order to prove the ethnopharmacological application of the plant in Indian folk medicine.The total phenolic content (TFC) and total flavonoid concentration were determined using spectrophotometric method. The TPC 126.4±1.562 mg/g expressed as gallic acid equivalents and the total flavonoid concentration 47.6 ± 3.511 mg/g expressed as rutin equivalents. Methanolic extract of Asparagus racemosus showed the highest phenolic and flavonoid concentration. The quantitative estimation of total phenolic and total flavonoid contents showed the biological properties of the extracts might provide detailed evidence for the use of this plant in different medicines.
Keywords: Asparagus racemosus, Spectrophotometric method, TPC and TFC.
5.
SYNTHESIS OF SOME NEW HALOGEN SUBSTITUTED FLAVONE DERIVATIVES
Heena Kausar, Md Umar Khan, Sk Nuzhat Begum, MMV Baig and MA Baseer*
A new series of biologically active halogen substituted flavones (2a-j) were synthesized by the oxidative cyclization of corresponding halogen substituted 2’-hydroxychalcones (1a-j) using conventional method in dimethyl sulfoxide as solvent with excellent yields. The structures of these compounds have been characterized by IR, 1H NMR and Mass spectral data. All the newly synthesized compounds were tested for their in vitro antibacterial activity against four different pathogenic bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis and antifungal activity against four different fungi, namely Aspergillus niger, Penicillium chrysogenum, Fusarium moneliforme and Aspergillus flavus which exhibited moderate to good activity against different strains of bacteria and fungi employed.
Marine organisms are a rich source of structurally novel and biologically active metabolites. Ascidians are marine sedentary animals. Microcosmus exasperatus is a simple ascidian belonging to the family Pyuridae. It is found in plenty throughout the year in the Thoothukudi harbour area. Microscopic examination of the test, mantle, branchial tentacles, dorsal tubercle, dorsal lamina, branchial folds, stigmata, liver lobes and gonads have been carried out to confirm identification of the species. Physico chemical parameters and preliminary chemical screening of petroleum ether, benzene, methylene chloride, chloroform, ethanol, methanol, and water extracts were performed. A characteristic yellow fluorescence was noticed in petroleum ether (40 0-60 0C), green in benzene, dark green in methylene chloride, yellowish green in chloroform, greenish yellow in ethanol, methanol and aqueous extracts under UV light (365 nm). Percentage of total ash was 47.91 with acid insoluble ash 4.19 and water soluble ash 2.23. The residue on ignition was nil. The percentage of extractive value was minimum in petroleum ether (1.05), maximum in ethanol (13.95), methanol (12.12) and water (11.94). Alkaloids, terpenoids, steroids, tannins, saponins, flavonoids, quinones, anthraquinones, proteins, carbohydrates and lipids were observed in this species. TLC analysis showed the presence of single spot in petroleum ether, benzene; two in methylene chloride, chloroform, ethanol and three in methanol extracts. An analysis of these parameters in Microcosmus exasperatus is the first attempt of standardisation of marine drug powder.
Keywords: Ascidian, Microcosmus exasperatus, Pharmacognosy, Chemical screening.
7.
THE IN VITRO ANTIBACTERIAL EVALUATIONS OF THE CRUDE PERICARP EXTRACT OF HYPHAENE THEBAICA (DOUMPALM) ON SOME PATHOGENIC BACTERIA ORGANISMS
*Abdullahi Shuaibu, Mohammed Shaibu Auwal, Muhammad Mustapha and Ismail Alhaji Mairiga
The Preliminary phytochemical and antibacterial evaluation of crude pericarp extract of Hyphaene thebaica (doumpalm) was ascertained. The crude pericarp powder of the plant was extracted for phytochemical screening by reflux method. The phytochemical analysis of the extract revealed the presence of tannins, steroids, saponins, carbohydrates, flavonoids, terpenes and terpinoids in low and moderate concentration. The crude pericarp extract exhibited activity on some laboratory isolates such as Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli and Shigella dysenteriae and the rest were resistant. The effect of this extract on both gram positive and negative isolates indicates broad spectrum antibacterial activity. These organisms were sensitive to all the concentrations of the extract used except salmonella typhi that were resistant at 200 mg / ml. The minimum inhibitory concentration for Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenesand Salmonella typhi is 25 mg / ml and 50 mg / ml for Escherichia coli and Shigella dysenteriae. All the laboratory isolates has a minimum bactericidal concentration of 50 mg / ml. This finding concludes that Hyphaene thebaica have some important phytochemicals that can be used as a therapeutic agent in the inhibition of the multiplication of these pathogenic organisms.
The purpose of the present study was to evaluate scientifically the anti-diarrhoeal effects of ethanol extract of roots of Barringtonia acutangula Linn (EBA) was studied against castor oil-induced-diarrhoea model in rats. Antidiarrhoeal activity of ethanol extract of Barringtonia acutangula was investigated in this study using castor oil-induced-diarrhoeamodel in rats. Standard drug diphenoxylate (5 ml/kg, p.o) was significant reductions in fecal output whereas EBA at the doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg p.o significantly (P<0.001) reduced the castor-oil induced frequency and consistency of diarrhoea. The EBA showed marked reduction in the number of diarrhoea stools. The results obtained establish the efficacy and substantiate the folklore claim as an anti- diarrheal agent. Further studies are needed to completely understand the mechanism of anti-diarrhoeal action of Barringtonia acutangula.
Staphylococcus aureus to be one of the leading causes of food-borne diseases. Types of meat and meat products are often contaminated with resistant strains of this bacterium. Foodstuff contamination may occur directly from infected food-producing animals or may result from poor hygiene during production processes, or the retail and storage of foods, since humans may carry the microorganism. The number of S. aureus strains that exhibits antimicrobial-resistance properties has increased, together with the potential risk of transmitting the same properties to the human microflora via foods or inducing infections hard to be tread. Of 186 meat samples consisting of 89 (47.85 %) from hen/chicken meat, 30 (16.13 %) from turkey meat, 47 (25.27 %) from calf/cow meat and 20 (10.75 %) from sheep meat examinated for the presence S. aureus. All isolates were tested for resistance to vancomycin by disk diffusion test and MIC methods according to CLSI standards. Resistant and Intermediate isolates were tested for Presence the vanA gene. S. aureus strains was isolated from 46 (24.73 %) samples consisting of 19 (41.30%) from hen/chicken meat, 10 (21.74 %) from turkey meat, 11 (23.91 %) from calf/cow meat and 6 (13.05 %) from sheep meat. There were a number of isolates VRSA (n=24 , 52.17 %), VISA (n=9 , 19.57%) and VSSA (n=13, 28.26%). Among all strains were a number containing the vanA gene (n=16 , 34.78%). Results show clearly the potential risks behind poor sanitary conditions during meat processing. Considering that Vancomycin resistance strains within human society could be originated from food materials that have been produced and processed under poor conditions.
Cerebral Ischemia is the major cause of high morbidity and mortality for both developed and developing countries. It is a serious neurological disease in which sudden loss of brain function resulting from interference with the blood supply to the central nervous system. Because of its very few clinical, social, and economic implications it demands a significant effort from both basic scientists and clinicians to adopt suitable preventive measures and successful therapies. Till date only the recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) are FDA-approved drug is available for the treatment of ischemic stroke but due to short therapeutic window, use of them is limited. Cerebral ischemia is a complex pathological process involving a series of mechanisms, and a framework for the development of neuroprotectants from traditional herb medicine is a promising treatment for cerebral ischemia. Chinese medicinal herbs exert neuroprotective effects on cerebral ischemia. Natural compounds with the effects of anti-oxidation, anti-inflammation, exhibit preventive or therapeutic effects on experimental ischemic brain injury. According to the pharmacological mechanisms underlying neuroprotection, we evaluated natural products from traditional medicinal herbs that exhibit protective effects on ischemic brain injury and characterized the promising targets.
Keywords: Ischemia, rt-PA, FDA, Neuroprotection.
11.
BIOACCUMULATION POTENTIAL OF PISTIA STRATIOTES AND ITS RESPONSE TO TANNERY EFFLUENT EXPOSURE
Pistia stratiotes was explored as bioindicator potential investigation to treated tannery effluent containing Cr (VI).The root system was found to accumulate a high amount of Cr to the extent of (23.64 64 μgg-1fw) with respect to the shoot system (11.22 μgg-1fw) for an 2.36 ppm concentration of Cr. The chlorophyll and protein content of the plant decreased in correspond to effluent concentration and duration. At highest concentration and duration a maximum reduction of 34.12% in total chlorophyll content and 23.24% in protein content was recorded in Pistia stratiotes. An anatomical study was carried out to assess the effects of metal accumulation within the plants. Changes in the anatomical structures exhibits the capacity of these species to act as indicator of effluent toxicity. The high Cr accumulation capacity of plants indicated a noticeable improvement of overall removal of chromium from effluent which clearly advocates the benefit of potential application to alleviate Cr (VI) uptake by aquatic macrophyte.
India has long tradition for use of drugs derived from plants. Ayurvedic classical formulations and single herb have been tested for thousands of years on people and have proved safe. Dashang lepa is the one of the prestigious compound formulation of ten indigenous drugs which is having predominantly anti-inflammatory properties. Although, Dashang lepa is clinically used in inflammatory swellings like as cellulitis, erysipelas, boil furunculosis as external application. Dashang lepa has been mentioned in numerous Ayurvedic literatures such as Chakradutta, Sharangdhar, Bhavprakash, Yogaratnakar and Bhaishjyaratnavali in context of Visarpa (Erysipelas or Cellulitis) and other inflammatory swelling. It is used by making a paste with cow‟s pure butter (Ghrita) in various diseases as external application. Many secondary metabolites like flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, phenols, tannins are present in Dashang lepa. Loss on drying, ash value and pH value of Dashang lepa were attained 9%, 8%, and 5.5 respectively.
Neerizhivu Choornam is a polyherbal Siddha formulation useful in the treatment of Diabetes. Efficacy of formulation depends on their genuineness of herbs used. Authentication of herbs is first and fundamental step for standardization of herbal formulation. In this paper Pharmacognostic investigations like Macroscopic, Microscopic and preliminary phyto-chemical examination of Neerizhivu Choornam is reported. The standard methods recommended in “Quality Control Methods for Medicinal Plant Materials” by WHO, 1998 was followed. Macro-microscopic, preliminary phyto-chemical and physico-chemical constants of the formulation has been documented. Findings of the study helpful in standardization of polyherbal Siddha formulation Neerizhivu Choornam, which will promote global acceptance of the formulation and reputation of the Siddha system.
