Antileishmanial, insecticidal and phytotoxic potential of leaves and stems of Rumex nervosus Vahl.

Biological assays including; phytotoxicity, brine shrimp lethality, antileishmanial and insecticidal activities were carried out on crude methanolic extracts of stems and leaves of R. nervosus and their fraction namely; n-Hexane, CHCl3, EtOAc, and MeOH fractions. The highest significant phytotoxicty activity showed by chloroform, n-hexane fractions and crude extract of leaves, the growth regulation were (95%, 90% and 90%) respectively against Lemna minor, while ethyl acetate fraction and n-hexane fractions of stems displayed significant phytotoxicty (100% and 90%) respectively against Lemna minor at high dose (1000µg/ml). The results obtained from cytotoxicity assays revealed that none of the fractions are cytotoxic. The chloroform fraction of stems was showed good antileishmanial activity against L. major with LC50±S.D: 70.3±1.2 at µg/ml. The crude methanolic extracts of leaves, chloroform fraction and ethyl acetate fraction exhibited low mortality against tested insect Rhyzopertha dominica while, the rest of extracts were found almost inactive against insects species.

Changes in antidepressant medications prescribing trends in children and adolescents in Hawai'i following the FDA black box warning.

OBJECTIVES: To study prescribing trends for antidepressants in Hawai'i following the FDA black box warning regarding the possible risk of suicide in children and adolescents. We also explored relationships between changes in prescribing trends and patient and provider characteristics. STUDY DESIGN: Analysis of an existing insurance data set of prescriptions to children and adolescents within the State of Hawai'i. STUDY POPULATION: Children and adolescents under 18-years-old insured through the largest (>60%) third-party insurance company in the state. RESULTS: Our results showed variations in changes in prescribing trends for different selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) following the FDA black box warning. SSRIs with more evidence-based research supporting their safety and efficacy were least affected as were those that were less implicated by the FDA analysis of the possible link between SSRIs and Suicidality. Trends were apparent for all age groups examined and for both females and males. CONCLUSIONS: Changes in prescribing patterns of psychiatric medications for children and adolescents in Hawai'i were identified. Differing patterns have evolved since 2003 following the series of concerns raised regarding SSRIs and suicidality in children and adolescents.

Antioxidant, antimicrobial and urease inhibiting activities of methanolic extracts from Cyphostemma digitatum stem and roots.

Cyphostemma digitatum stem and roots extracts were investigated for antioxidant, antimicrobial, urease inhibition potential and phytochemical analysis. Phytochemical screening of the roots and stem extract revealed the presence of secondary metabolites including flavonoids, alkaloids, coumarins, saponins, terpenoids, tannins, carbohydrates/reducing sugars and phenolic compounds. The methanolic extracts of the roots displayed highest antioxidant activity (93.518%) against DPPH while the crude methanolic extract of the stem showed highest antioxidant activity (66.163%) at 100 µg/mL concentration. The methanolic extracts of both stem and roots were moderately active or even found to be less active against the selected bacterial and fungal strains (Tables S2 and S3). The roots extract (methanol) showed significant urease enzyme inhibition activity (IC50 = 41.2 ± 0.66; 0.2 mg/mL) while the stem extract was found moderately active (IC50 = 401.1 ± 0.58; 0.2 mg/mL) against thiourea (IC50 = 21.011; 0.2 mg/mL).

Phytochemical analysis, antimicrobial, antioxidant and urease inhibitory potential of Cyphostemma digitatum Lam.

In this paper we report the antimicrobial, antiradical and urease inhibitory potential along with photochemical investigation of the crude extracts of Cyphostemma digitatum Lam. Phytochemical screening of both the crude (hot/cold) alcoholic and aqueous extracts of C. digitatum showed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, coumarins, steroids, terpenoids and tannins. The crude methanolic extract (hot/cold) exhibited good antioxidant activity, while the aqueous extract was a weak antioxidant. The crude methanolic extract was found to be more active against Bacillus subtilis, while both the extracts showed moderate antifungal potential, the methanolic crude extract showed good urease inhibitory activity compared with the aqueous crude extract.

Comparative urease enzyme inhibition profile of leaves and stems of Rumex nervosus vahl.

Ureases inhibitory agents are becoming important because of their application in treating many aliments. This work describes the urease inhibitory potential of the crude extracts of leaves and stems of Rumex nervosus, which includes crude extracts as well as various sub-fractions, n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol. The crude extracts of stems and leaves exhibited promising ureases inhibition (IC50 values of 17.5 ± 0.84 and 29.6 ± 0.96 µg/mL, respectively). Among the sub-fractions, methanol-soluble fractions of leaves and stems showed significant inhibition having IC50 values of 21.9 ± 0.67 and 21.5 ± 0.69 µg/mL, respectively, followed by ethyl acetate fractions of stems and leaves.