Methanolic extract of Hemidesmus indicus root augments the antibacterial and antibiofilm activity of amoxicillin and clindamycin against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus of bovine origin.

The present study evaluated the antibacterial and antibiofilm activity of methanolic extract of Hemidesmus indicus root (MHIR) in combination with amoxicillin and clindamycin against biofilm-forming methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolated from milk samples of mastitic cows. Microdilution susceptibility testing and microtitre plate assays were used to evaluate the in vitro efficacy of MHIR and antibiotic combinations against MRSA (n = 12). Furthermore, in vitro findings were validated in a murine model. Minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum biofilm inhibitory concentration of amoxicillin and clindamycin in combination with MHIR were significantly (P < 0·05) lower than when used alone against MRSA. In terms of antibacterial activity, MHIR showed additive interaction (fractional inhibitory concentrationindex >0·5-4) with amoxicillin and clindamycin against all the MRSA isolates, whereas MHIR synergizes (fractional biofilm inhibitory concentrationindex ≤0·5) the antibiofilm activity of amoxicillin and clindamycin against 58·33% and 83·33% of the MRSA isolates respectively. Amoxicillin/clindamycin in combination with MHIR significantly (P < 0·05) reduced disease activity score, and bacterial load and Gram-positive spots in kidney and liver of MRSA-infected mice. The combined efficacy of MHIR and amoxicillin/clindamycin was comparable to clindamycin alone but superior to amoxicillin alone. Hence, the combination of MHIR with amoxicillin/clindamycin is advocated in the treatment of MRSA-associated infections.

The studies on nutrient balances in crossbred cattle bulls fed chopped green sugarcane tops supplemented with some agro industrial by- products.

Fifteen adult crossbred cattle bulls, 18-22 months old (mean body weight 286.33 + 9.43) were divided into 3 groups following RBD design and were fed sugarcane tops (SCT) supplemented with some agro-industrial byproducts and concentrate feeds to determine nitrogen, Ca and P in crossbred cattle bull. For this purpose, crossbred cattle bulls were fed for 30 days ad lib SCT supplemented with Wheat bran (WB), Lentil chuni (LC) and WB + LC (50:50) in Group I, II, and III respectively. The balance values were 15.28 + 2.70, 26.85 + 4.35 and 18.00 + 3.17 for nitrogen, 11.77 + 1.34, 12.94 + 2.96 and 15.38 + 1.15 for calcium, 11.74 + 0.64, 11.26 + 1.58 and 11.69 + 0.79 for phosphorus in group I, II and III, respectively. There were no significant differences among the experimental groups in Ca and P balance values but balance of nitrogen was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in group II as compared to group I and III. It may indicated that the rumen fermentation was more appropriate in group III where animals were fed 50% lentil chuni and 50% wheat bran (supplementation of both protein and energy).