Jaya Parkash Yadav

Cassia occidentalis L.: a review on its ethnobotany, phytochemical and pharmacological profile.

Cassia occidentalis L. is an annual or perennial Ayurvedic plant which is used in several traditional medicines to cure various diseases. This weed has been known to possess antibacterial, antifungal, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, anticancerous, antimutagenic and hepatoprotective activity. A wide range of chemical compounds including achrosin, aloe-emodin, emodin, anthraquinones, anthrones, apigenin, aurantiobtusin, campesterol, cassiollin, chryso-obtusin, chrysophanic acid, chrysarobin, chrysophanol, chrysoeriol etc. have been isolated from this plant. The presented review summarizes the information concerning the botany, ethnopharmacologyquery, phytochemistry, biological activity and toxicity of the C.occidentalis plant.

Hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activity of ethanolic extract of Salvadora oleoides in normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rats

Objective: To find out the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activity of an ethanolic extract of the aerial part of Salvadora oleoides Decne in euglycemic and alloxan-induced diabetic albino rats. Materials and Methods: Diabetes was induced in albino rats by administration of alloxan monohydrate (120 mg/kg, i.p.). Normal as well as diabetic albino rats were divided into groups (n = 6) receiving different treatments: vehicle (control), ethanolic extract (1 g and 2 g/kg b.w), and standard antidiabetic drug tolbutamide (0.5 g/kg b.w.). Blood samples were collected by cardiac puncture and were analyzed for blood glucose and lipid profile on days 0, 7, 14, and 21. Results: The ethanolic extract of S oleoides produced significant reduction (P < 0.001) in blood glucose and also had beneficial effects (P < 0.001) on the lipid profile in euglycemic as well as alloxan-induced diabetic rats at the end of the treatment period (21st day). However, the reduction in the blood glucose and improvement in lipid profile was less than that achieved with the standard drug tolbutamide. Conclusion: We concluded that an ethanolic extract of S oleoides is effective in controlling blood glucose levels and improves lipid profile in euglycemic as well as diabetic rats.

In vitro antimicrobial activity of ten medicinal plants against clinical isolates of oral cancer cases

BackgroundSuppression of immune system in treated cancer patients may lead to secondary infections that obviate the need of antibiotics. In the present study, an attempt was made to understand the occurrence of secondary infections in immuno-suppressed patients along with herbal control of these infections with the following objectives to: (a) isolate the microbial species from the treated oral cancer patients along with the estimation of absolute neutrophile counts of patients (b) assess the in vitro antimicrobial activity medicinal plants against the above clinical isolates.MethodsBlood and oral swab cultures were taken from 40 oral cancer patients undergoing treatment in the radiotherapy unit of Regional Cancer Institute, Pt. B.D.S. Health University,Rohtak, Haryana. Clinical isolates were identified by following general microbiological, staining and biochemical methods. The absolute neutrophile counts were done by following the standard methods. The medicinal plants selected for antimicrobial activity analysis were Asphodelus tenuifolius Cav., Asparagus racemosus Willd., Balanites aegyptiaca L., Cestrum diurnum L., Cordia dichotoma G. Forst, Eclipta alba L., Murraya koenigii (L.) Spreng. , Pedalium murex L., Ricinus communis L. and Trigonella foenum graecum L. The antimicrobial efficacy of medicinal plants was evaluated by modified Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. MIC and MFC were investigated by serial two fold microbroth dilution method.ResultsPrevalent bacterial pathogens isolated were Staphylococcus aureus (23.2%), Escherichia coli (15.62%), Staphylococcus epidermidis (12.5%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (9.37%), Klebsiella pneumonia (7.81%), Proteus mirabilis (3.6%), Proteus vulgaris (4.2%) and the fungal pathogens were Candida albicans (14.6%), Aspergillus fumigatus (9.37%). Out of 40 cases, 35 (87.5%) were observed as neutropenic. Eight medicinal plants (A. tenuifolius, A. racemosus, B. aegyptiaca, E. alba, M. koenigii, P. murex R. communis and T. foenum graecum) showed significant antimicrobial activity (P < .05) against most of the isolates. The MIC and MFC values were ranged from 31 to 500 μg/ml. P. aeruginosa was observed highest susceptible bacteria (46.6%) on the basis of susceptible index.ConclusionIt can be concluded that treated oral cancer patients were neutropenic and prone to secondary infection of microbes. The medicinal plant can prove as effective antimicrobial agent to check the secondary infections in treated cancer patients.

Antibacterial Activity of Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles from Tinospora cordifolia against Multi Drug Resistant Strains of Pseudomonasaeruginosa Isolated from Burn Patients

In the present study, antibacterial activity of silver nanoparticles synthesized from stem of Tinospora cordifolia were analysed against multidrug-resistant strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from burn patients. As Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a scourge of hospital burn units and its emergence as multidrug-resistant strains is a major problem in the control of nosocomial infections. Therefore, we tried to establish a combination of medicinal values of Tinospora cordifolia and nanotechnology possibly with the field of medicine for the development of antibacterial agents against these MDR strains.The synthesized silver nanoparticles were characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy, Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. Transmission Electron Microscopy and X-Ray Diffraction have revealed the size of silver nanoparticles 9 ± 36 nm and 12.49 nm respectively. Further antibacterial activity of silver nanoparticles prepared from Tinospora cordifolia against multidrug resistant strains was determined by agar well diffusion assay and Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) was estimated by qualitative experimentation by resazurin based micro broth dilution method. All experiments were done in triplicate. The silver nanoparticles of stem of Tinospora cordifolia showed the zone of inhibition ranges from 10 ± 0.58 to 21 ± 0.25mm. The MIC of AgNPs from stem extract was found to be 6.25 to 200 μg/ml against Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains. Silver nanoparticles from Tinospora cordifolia possess very good antibacterial activity which makes them a potent source of antibacterial agent.

Green silver nanoparticles of Phyllanthus amarus: as an antibacterial agent against multi drug resistant clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

BackgroundPseudomonas aeruginosa infection is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in burn and immune-compromised patients. In recent studies, researchers have drawn their attention towards ecofriendly synthesis of nanoparticles and their activity against multidrug resistant microbes. In this study, silver nanoparticles were synthesized from aqueous extract of Phyllanthus amarus. The synthesized nanoparticles were explored as a potent source of nanomedicine against MDR burn isolates of P. aeruginosa.ResultsSilver nanoparticles were successfully synthesized using P. amarus extract and the nature of synthesized nanoparticles was analyzed by UV-Vis spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, zeta potential, X- ray diffraction and fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy. The average size of synthesized nanoparticles was 15.7, 24±8 and 29.78 nm by XRD, TEM and DLS respectively. The antibacterial activity of AgNPs was investigated against fifteen MDR strains of P. aeruginosa tested at different concentration. The zone of inhibition was measured in the range of 10±0.53 to 21±0.11mm with silver nanoparticles concentration of 12.5 to 100 µg/ml. The zone of inhibition increased with increase in the concentration of silver nanoparticles. The MIC values of synthesized silver nanoparticles were found in the range of 6.25 to12.5 µg/ml. The MIC values are comparable to the standard antibiotics.ConclusionThe present study suggests that silver nanoparticles from P. amarus extract exhibited excellent antibacterial potential against multidrug resistant strains of P. aeruginosa from burn patients and gives insight of their potential applicability as an alternative antibacterial in the health care system to reduce the burden of multidrug resistance.

In vitro antioxidant activity and total phenolic content of endophytic fungi isolated from Eugenia jambolana Lam.

OBJECTIVE To elucidate the antioxidant activity and total phenolic content (TPC) of ethyl acetate extracts of endophytic fungi isolated from Eugenia jambolana by three different antioxidant assays. METHODS Twenty one different endophytic fungal extracts were screened for presence of various phytochemicals, TPC and in vitro antioxidant activity. TPC was tested by Folin-Ciocalteau reagent based assay. DPPH free radical scavenging, hydrogen peroxide scavenging and reducing power assays were used to evaluate the antioxidant activity. RESULTS Alkaloids, phenols, flavonoids, saponins, and terpenes were the main phytochemicals presents in all 21 endophytes. A significant positive correlation was found between antioxidant activity and TPC in fungal extracts. There is 36% endophytic extracts having high phenolic content exhibited potent antioxidant activity. Chaetomium sp., Aspergillus sp., Aspergillus peyronelii and Aspergillus niger strain showed the highest antioxidant activity ranging from 50% to 80% having 58 mg/g to 60 mg/g GAE total phenolics. Ascorbic acid used as a standard showed 90% reducing potential. CONCLUSIONS The results reveal that metabolites produced by endophytic fungi isolated from Eugenia jambolana can be a potential source of novel natural antioxidant compounds.

Incidence and risk factors for infection in oral cancer patients undergoing different treatments protocols

BackgroundOver the past decade, advances in cancer treatments have been counterbalanced by a rising number of immunosuppressed patients with a multitude of new risk factors for infection. Hence, the aim of this study was to determine risk factors, infectious pathogens in blood and oral cavity of oral cancer patients undergoing different treatment procedures.MethodsThe present prospective cohort analysis was conducted on the patients undergoing treatment in the radiotherapy unit of Regional Cancer Institute, Pt. B.D. Sharma University of Health Sciences, Rohtak, Haryana, during the period of January 2007 to October 2009. Total 186 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of oral cavity were analyzed in the study. Based on treatment procedures patients were divided into three groups, group I were under radiotherapy, group II under chemotherapy and group III were of radio chemotherapy together. Clinical isolates from blood and oral cavity were identified by following general microbiological, staining and biochemical methods. The absolute neutrophile counts were done by following the standard methods.ResultsPrevalent bacterial pathogens isolated were Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumonia, Proteus mirabilis, Proteus vulgaris and the fungal pathogens were Candida albicans, Aspergillus fumigatus. The predominant gram negative bacteria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumonia were isolated from blood of radiotherapy and oral cavity of chemotherapy treated cases respectively. The predominance of gram positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis) were observed in blood of chemotherapy, radio chemotherapy cases and oral cavity of radiotherapy, radio chemotherapy treated cases. Our study also revealed the presence of C. albicans fungi as most significant oral cavity pathogens in radiotherapy and radio chemotherapy cases.ConclusionGram positive bacteria and Gram negative were reported from the blood of all the three groups of patients. Oral mucositis played a significant role in oral cavity infection and make patients more prone to C. albicans infection.

Evaluation of Antimicrobial Activity of Synthesized Silver Nanoparticlesusing Phyllanthus amarus and Tinospora cordifolia Medicinal Plants

The main aim of this study is to evaluate the comparison of antimicrobial efficacy of silver nanoparticles synthesized from aqueous plant extracts of Phyllanthus amarus and Tinospora cordifolia. The synthesized silver nanoparticles were characterzed by UV-VIS spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infra-Red spectroscopy, Transmission Electron Microscopy, Dynamic Light Scattering and zeta potential. The antimicrobial activity of synthesized silver nanoparticles was compared with their respective plant extracts by agar well diffussion method and minimum inhibitory concentration was also calculated. The zone of inhibition varied in range of 12 ± 1 to17 ± 0.58 mm with 100 μg/ml silver nanoparticles concentration, while acetonic, methanolic and aqueous extracts of respective plants does not showed any activity even at 1 mg/ml i.e. 10 times more than that of silver nanoparticles. MIC of silver nanoparticles was found to be in a range of 6.25-25 μg/ml against all tested microbes. The antimicrobial activity of synthesized silver nanoparticles was higher than that of the standard drug i.e. streptomycin (for bacteria) and ketoconazole (for fungus). The synthesized nanoparticles of P. amarus and T. cordifolia have shown good antimicrobial efficacy as compared to plant extracts and may prove to be better antimicrobial agent against wide range of microbes.

Investigations Towards New Antidiabetic Drugs from Fungal Endophytes Associated with Salvadora Oleoides Decne

The nature has provided abundant natural resources which can be explored for their medicinal uses. The present study was undertaken to investigate the antidiabetic and hypolipidemic activity of various extracts fractions obtained from mycelia of seventeen endophytic fungi in different solvents (methanol, acetone and aqueous) isolated from Salvadora oleoides Decne (Salvadoraceae) in glucose loaded fasting and alloxan induced diabetic Wistar albino rats. Only four extracts namely; unidentified fungus (aqueous), Aspergillus sp.JPY2 (methanol), Aspergillus sp.JPY1 (methanol) and Phoma sp. (acetone) significantly reduced blood glucose levels as revealed by glucose tolerance test. It has been observed that in alloxan induced diabetic rats, the maximum reduction in blood glucose level was after 5 hours in the acute treatment experiment and on14th day in sub acute treatment at a dose of 250mg/kg of body weight (P<0.05). The reduction in blood glucose in long term treatment experiment was ranged from 11.3% to 28.04%, whereas standard drug tolbutamide reduced the blood glucose level up to 40%. In long term treatment, unidentified fungus (aqueous) extract showed significant improvement in parameters like body weight and lipid profile of alloxan induced diabetic rats. The gas chromatography mass spectrometer (GCMS) analysis of bioactive fraction (aqueous) of unidentified fungus and methanolic extract fraction of Aspergillus sp.JPY1 revealed that the main constituents were 2, 6-di-tert-butyl-p-cresol and Phenol, 2, 6-bis (1, 1-dimethylethyl)-4-methyl respectively. The results have also suggested that the above four bioactive fractions have good margin of safety and did not show any lethal effects on the animals up to the doses of 1000mg/kg b.w. along with safe doses up to 500 μg/ ml to human erythrocytes.

Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Del. (Hingot): A review of its traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacological properties

Balanites aegyptiaca is an evergreen, woody, true xerophytic tree of tremendous medicinal importance. It belongs to the family Balanitaceae and is distributed throughout the drier parts of India. B. aegyptiaca has been used in a variety of folk medicines in India and Asia. Various parts of the plant are used in Ayurvedic and other folk medicines for the treatment of different ailments such as syphilis, jaundice, liver and spleen problems, epilepsy, yellow fever and the plant also has insecticidal, antihelminthic, antifeedant, molluscicidal and contraceptive activities. Research has been carried out using different in vitro and in vivo techniques of biological evaluation to support most of these claims. This review presents the traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacological properties of this medicinal plant.