Appraisal of anti-mycobacterial potential against MDR-MTB in pediatric patients, cytotoxicity and mutagenicity of Aloe vera and Allium sativum.

The purpose of the studies was to evaluate an in-vitro anti-mycobacterial activity of Aloe vera and Allium sativum against MDR-MTB, their cytotoxicity and mutagenicity. Four extracts of Aloe vera and Allium sativum were prepared by Soxhlet apparatus and their minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC's) were determined by BACTEC MGIT960 system against multi drug resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MDR-MTB) isolates, collected from pediatric patients. Fractions of Aloe vera and Allium sativum extracts were separated using glass column chromatography, followed by evaluation of cytotoxicity and mutagenicity by tetrazolium salt (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and Ames test, respectively. Out of four extracts, ethanol extracts of Aloe vera and Allium sativum exhibited activity at MIC 5mg/mL to 7mg/mL and 3mg/mL to 5mg/mL, respectively and IC50 by MTT assay for combination of all fractions were 278.3mcg/100µL and 270.8mcg/100µL and in Ames assay M.I of TA98 were 0.14 and 0.07 and M.I of TA100 were 1.14 and 0.44, respectively. Aloe vera and Allium sativum extracts showed anti-mycobacterial activity against MDR-MTB isolates so, MIC of ethanol extracts of each plant and fractions of column chromatography had been checked. The MTT and Ames tests depicted that ethanol extracts of Aloe vera and Allium sativum were non-cytotoxic and non-mutagenic, and can be used in treatment of patients suffering from MDR-MTB.

Antiviral, embryo toxic and cytotoxic activities of Astragalus membranaceus root extracts.

Antiviral activity of Astragalus membranaceus aqueous and methanol root extracts was determined against Avian influenza H9 virus. Toxicity profile of extracts was evaluated using chicken embryos and BHK-21 cell line. Different concentrations (400, 200, 100, 50, 25. 12.5, 6.25 and 3.12µg/mL) of both aqueous and methanol extracts were mixed with standard virus inoculum (4HAunits) and incubated for 30minutes at 37°C prior to inject the chicken embryos. Chorioallantoic fluid harvested 72 hours post inoculation and evaluated for virus growth using hemagglutination assay. Same concentrations of both extracts without virus were injected in chicken embryos to evaluate embryo toxic activity as well. The cytotoxic activity of aqueous and methanol extracts was determined by MTT colorimetric assay using BHK-21 cells. Three concentrations (400, 200 and 100µg/mL) of aqueous and five concentrations (400, 200, 100, 50 and 25µg/mL) of methanol extract showed antiviral activity. None of the tested concentrations of aqueous and methanol A. membranaceus root extracts caused chicken embryo mortality. Cell survival percentage of aqueous extract was higher than 50 at all of the tested concentrations except 400µg/mL. Two concentrations (400 and 200µg/mL) of methanol extract showed cytotoxicity. It was concluded that aqueous and methanol roots extracts of A. membranaceus have antiviral activity and concentrations which were safe may be used for treatment of Avian influenza H9 virus infections.

Anti-avian influenza virus H9N2 activity of aqueous extracts of Zingiber officinalis (Ginger) and Allium sativum (Garlic) in chick embryos.

In the present study, anti-Avian influenza virus H9N2 activity of aqueous extracts (5, 10, 15, 20, 25%) of Zingiber officinalis and Allium sativum was evaluated. Embryo-toxicity was evaluated by histopathological scoring of Chorio-allantoic membrane of chick embryos. Cytotoxicity of extracts was determined by MTT assay on Vero cells. Aqueous extract of ginger had antiviral activity at 10, 15, 20 and 25% while garlic had activity at 15, 20 and 25%. Histopathological scoring of chorio-allantoic membrane for aqueous extracts (5, 10, 15, 20, 25%) of ginger (0.66±0.57, 1.33±0.57, 1.66±0.57, 2.66±0.57, 3.66±0.57, respectively) and garlic (1.00±0.00, 1.33±0.57, 2.00±0.00, 2.33±0.57, 3.66±0.57, respectively) was concentration dependant. MTT assay revealed cytotoxicity of both plants was also concentration dependent. Extracts of ginger (5, 10, 15, 20, 25%) had lower cytotoxicity (71, 59, 28, 22, 0 % cell survival, respectively) as compared to garlic (61, 36. 20, 11, 3% cell survival, respectively). Overall results revealed that concentration of aqueous extract of ginger (10%), showing antiviral activity against H9N2, was less toxic to vero cells (> 50% cell survival). It is insinuated that ginger may have anti- Avian influenza virus H9N2 potential and its active compounds needs further investigations.