Antibacterial activity of Alpinia galanga (L) Willd crude extracts.

Methanol, acetone and diethyl ether extracts of Alpinia galanga have been evaluated against pathogens viz. Bacillus subtilis MTCC 2391, Enterobacter aerogene, Enterobacter cloacae, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli MTCC 1563, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa MTCC 6642, Salmonella typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus epidermis using Agar well diffusion method. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of all the extracts were determined using the macrodilution method. Methanol extracts have shown excellent activity towards all the pathogens with MIC and MBC values ranging from 0.04-1.28 mg/ml and 0.08-2.56 mg/ml, respectively. The GC-MS analysis of methanol extracts have yielded compounds like 5-hydroxymethyl furfural (59.9%), benzyl alcohol (57.6%), 1,8 cineole (15.65%), methylcinnamate (9.4%), 3-phenyl-2-butanone (8.5%) and 1,2 benzenedicarboxylic acid (8.9%), which could be responsible for its broad spectrum activity. So, A. galanga can be quite resourceful for the development of new generation drugs.

Alpha-glucosidase inhibitory anthranols, kenganthranols A-C, from the stem bark of Harungana madagascariensis.

One new prenylated 1,4-anthraquinone and three new prenylated anthranols, named kengaquinone (1) and kenganthranols A (2), B (3), and C (4), were isolated from a hexane extract of the stem bark of Harungana madagascariensis. Six known compounds including anthraquinones, anthrones, and xanthones were also isolated and identified. The structures of the new compounds were determined by analysis of spectroscopic data and comparison with data of previously known analogues. Some isolated compounds (3-5, 7-11) were evaluated for their alpha-glucosidase inhibition activity. Compounds 3, 4, 8, and 11 showed significant activity, whereas compounds 7, 9, and 10 were inactive in this test.

Chemically induced inflammation in rat oral mucosa.

The toxic, irritative, and sensitizing effects of topically applied sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), dithranol triacetate (DTA), nonanoic acid in methyl- or propyl ester (NAM, NAP) in the buccal mucosa were investigated in a Sprague-Dawley rat model. Semi-quantitative evaluations of cellular infiltrates were performed in routine histologic preparations. The toxic potential was tested with 2% and 0.2% solutions. All substances, except 0.2% SLS, caused an increased cellularity, mainly of a mononuclear cell type. The low dose of NAM induced stronger inflammatory reactions than the high dose. Repeated applications of 2% solutions decreased the response compared to one application, except for NAM, where a clear irritative potential was observed. Pre-exposure of dorsal skin prior to buccal painting resulted in an enhanced reaction to NAM and NAP, whereas no sensitizing capacity was noted in SLS or DTA in this model.

A 6-month dermal toxicity test with dithranol and butantrone in miniature swine.

Continuous topical administration of dithranol and butantrone for 6 months caused different irritation profiles in miniature swine. In paraffin wax sticks in white petrolatum, butantrone gave rise to much less initial irritation than dithranol, but after 2-3 weeks the situation had equalized. In gel formulations, butantrone was initially more irritant than dithranol. The vehicles themselves induced significant irritation. Signs of skin hyperplasia (parakeratosis and acanthosis) and inflammation were frequent histopathological findings at the end of the study, but no malignant changes were found. Dithranol and butantrone did not produce any chemical, hematological or serious histological abnormalities during the treatment, suggesting a lack of systemic toxicity. No evidence of systemic absorption was found. This long-term study did not predict delayed irritation of butantrone observed in about 1/3 of the psoriatic patients after treatment for 1-2 months.