In vivo hepatoprotective and in vitro antimicrobial potential of Ceasalpinia bonduc (Linn): Pharmacological correlation with identified phytochemicals.

The in vivo hepatoprotective potential of methanolic extract of Ceasalpinia bonduc (CBLM) has been explored against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced acute liver injury in rats. Treatment of plant extract on CCl4 intoxicated liver significantly reduced the hepatoxicity, along with serum enzymes GPT and GOT. To explore the chemical constituents from CBLM extract, it was fractionated into non-polar to moderately polar fractions (CBLM-H, CBLM-HEt, CBLM-Et, CBLM-EtM, CBLM-M) and subjected to GC/GC-MS analysis. Altogether twenty seven (~71%) phytochemicals were identified from different fractions by using Electronic Mass Spectral Library GC-MS (NIST 20). Out of which twenty one are first time reported from Ceasalpinia bonduc, fourteen from genus Caesalpinia and ten from family Fabaceae. The identified phytochemicals 2-ethyl-2-hydroxy-1,3-dimethylcyclopentanecarboxylic acid, ethyl ester (21) and 1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine,6-hydroxy-N,N-dicyclohexyl (23) are first time identified as plant metabolites. To explore the antimicrobial potential four strains of Gram-positive and eight strains of Gram-negative bacteria were used along with pure cultures of five saprophytic fungus (molds) and two strains of yeast were utilized. CBLM-H and CBLM-HEt were exhibited praiseworthy antimicrobial potential. CBLM-H showed complete growth inhibition of P. mirabilis and V. cholerae at the concentration of 0.1g/mL while CBLM-HEt at 0.05g/mL halted the growth of S. aureus.

Effect of pre-cooling agent on intensity of pricking pain at intraoral injection site in adults: An experimental study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of pre-cooling agent on the intensity of pricking pain at the intraoral injection site in adult patients. METHODS: The in-vivo interventional study was conducted at the Department of Operative Dentistry, Dr. Ishrat-ul-Ebad Khan Institute of Oral Health Sciences, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, from September 2018 to August 2019, and comprised adult patients of either gender. The pricking pain perception during needle administration was assessed using split-mouth technique. Topical anaesthesia benzocaine gel was applied on the left side, which was treated as controls, for 1 min, while on the right side, which was treated as the experimental side, refrigerated cartridge was placed for 2 min. Infiltration anaesthesia was then administered on both sides. Pain perception ratings were measured through visual analogue scale. After profound anaesthesia was achieved, restorative treatment was performed under rubber dam isolation. Data was analysed using SPSS 24. RESULTS: Of the 152 subjects, 77(50.65%) were females and 75(49.34%) were males. The overall mean age was 35.97±8.669 years (range: 21-50 years). The effect of refrigerated cartridge was significant on the intensity of pricking pain at the intraoral injection site in patients aged 41-50 years, and in female patients aged 21-30 years (p<0.05), whereas its effect was non-significant in males aged 21-30 years and patients aged 31-40 years (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Pre-cooling agent was found to be effective in decreasing pricking pain felt by patients.

Green synthesis and characterisation of silver nanoparticles and their effects on antimicrobial efficacy and biochemical profiling in Citrus reticulata.

The synthesis of nanoparticles by utilising plant extract has revolutionised the field of nanotechnology. In the present study, AgNPs were synthesised by utilising the leaves of Moringa oleifera as reducing and stabilising agent. UV-visible spectroscopy showed characteristic surface plasmon band in the range of 413-420 nm. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) elucidated rectangular segments fused together. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the crystalline nature of AgNPs and presence of metallic silver ions was confirmed by energy dispersive X-ray (EDX). The different concentrations (10, 20, 30 and 40 ppm) of AgNPs were exogenously applied on Citrus reticulata to record the disease incidence at different day intervals. The disease intensity was progressively increased in all the applied treatments with the passage of time. The 30 ppm concentration of AgNPs was found to be most suitable concentration for creating the resistance against brown spot disease. Moreover, the effects of AgNPs were also assessed for biochemical profiling in C. reticulata. The enhanced production of endogenous enzymes and non-enzymatic components was observed in response to 30 ppm concentration of AgNPs. The present work highlighted that green synthesised AgNPs can be as used as biological control of citrus diseases and the enhanced production of secondary metabolites antioxidants.

EFFECT OF VISIBLE RANGE ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATIONS ON ESCHERICHIA COLI.

BACKGROUND: Escherichia coli is the agent responsible for a range of clinical diseases. With emerging antimicrobial resistance, other treatment options including solar/photo-therapy are becoming increasingly common. Visible Range Radiation Therapy/Colour Therapy is an emerging technique in the field of energy/vibrational medicine that uses visible spectrum of Electromagnetic Radiations to cure different diseases. In this study, our goal was to understand the effect of Visible Range Electromagnetic Radiations on E. coli (in vitro) and therefore find out the most appropriate visible range radiation for the treatment of diseases caused by E. coli. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 6 non-repetitive E. coli isolates were obtained from urine samples obtained from hospitalized patients with UTI. Single colony of E. coli was inoculated in 3 ml of Lysogeny Broth (LB) and 40 µl of this E. coli suspension was poured into each of the plastic tubes which were then irradiated with six different wavelengths in the visible region (Table. 1) after 18 hours with one acting as a control. The Optical Densities of these irradiated samples were then measured. Furthermore, scanning electron microscopy (TEFCAN ZEGA3) was carried out. RESULTS: The analysis of the microscopic and SEM images of irradiated E. coli samples with six different visible range radiations is representative of The fact that E. coli responded differently to every applied radiation in the visible region and the most profound inhibitory effects were that of 538nm Visible Range Radiation (Green) which proved to be bactericidal and 590nm Visible Range Radiation (yellow) which was bacteriostatic. The enhanced growth of E. coli with varying degrees was clearly observed in 610nm (orange), 644nm (red), 464nm (Purple) and 453nm (blue). CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that 538nm (Green) and 590nm (Yellow) can effectively be used for treating E. coli borne diseases.

Activity-guided isolation of a novel protein from Croton tiglium with antifungal and antibacterial activities.

This study describes the activity-guided isolation and purification of a novel antimicrobial protein from the seed of Croton tiglium Linn. Purification was carried out by (NH(4))(2)SO(4) precipitation, gel filtration and DEAE-cellulose ion-exchange chromatography. Antifungal and antibacterial activities were determined after each purification step. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed that the purified protein was a monomer with molecular mass of 50 kDa. This is a first report on purification of a protein from Croton tiglium, which possesses a strong and broad spectrum antimicrobial activity.