Marius Mihasan
Alexandru Ioan Cuza University
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Featured researches published by Marius Mihasan.
BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine | 2013
Jaurès Ak Noumedem; Marius Mihasan; Stephen T. Lacmata; Marius Stefan; Jules Roger Kuiate; Victor Kuete
BackgroundMany edible plants are used in Cameroon since ancient time to control microbial infections. This study was designed at evaluating the antibacterial activities of the methanol extracts of ten Cameroonian vegetables against a panel of twenty nine Gram negative bacteria including multi-drug resistant (MDR) strains.MethodsThe broth microdilution method was used to determine the Minimal Inhibitory Concentrations (MIC) and the Minimal Bactericidal Concentrations (MBC) of the studied extracts. When chloramphenicol was used as a reference antibiotic, the MICs were also determined in the presence of Phenylalanine-Arginine β- Naphtylamide (PAβN), an efflux pumps inhibitor (EPI). The phytochemical screening of the extracts was performed using standard methods.ResultsAll tested extracts exhibited antibacterial activities, with the MIC values varying from 128 to 1024 mg/L. The studied extracts showed large spectra of action, those from L. sativa, S. edule, C. pepo and S. nigrum being active on all the 29 bacterial strains tested meanwhile those from Amaranthus hybridus, Vernonia hymenolepsis, Lactuca.carpensis and Manihot esculenta were active on 96.55% of the strains used. The plant extracts were assessed for the presence of large classes of secondary metabolites: alkaloids, anthocyanins, anthraquinones, flavonoids, phenols, saponins, steroids, tannins and triterpenes. Each studied plant extract was found to contain compounds belonging to at least two of the above mentioned classes.ConclusionThese results confirm the traditional claims and provide promising baseline information for the potential use of the tested vegetables in the fight against bacterial infections involving MDR phenotypes.
Physiology & Behavior | 2013
Oana Cioanca; Lucian Hritcu; Marius Mihasan; Monica Hancianu
Coriandrum sativum L., commonly known as coriander and belonging to the Apiaceae family is cultivated throughout the world for its nutritional value. In traditional medicine, coriander is recommended for the relief of pain, anxiety, flatulence, loss of appetite and convulsions. In the present study, the effects of inhaled coriander volatile oil (1% and 3%, daily, for 21days) extracted from C. sativum var. microcarpum on spatial memory performance were assessed in an Aβ(1-42) rat model of Alzheimers disease. The Aβ(1-42)-treated rats exhibited the following: decrease of spontaneous alternations percentage within Y-maze task and increase of working memory errors, reference memory errors and time taken to consume all five baits within radial arm maze task. Exposure to coriander volatile oil significantly improved these parameters, suggesting positive effects on spatial memory formation. Assessments of oxidative stress markers in the hippocampal tissue of Aβ(1-42)-treated rats showed a significant increase of superoxide dismutase (SOD), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and a decrease of glutathione peroxidase (GPX) specific activities along with an elevation of malondialdehyde (MDA) level. Coriander volatile oil significantly decreased SOD and LDH specific activities, increased GPX specific activity and attenuated the increased MDA level. Also, DNA cleavage patterns were absent in the coriander rats, thus suggesting antiapoptotic activity of the volatile oil. Therefore, our results suggest that exposure to coriander volatile oil ameliorates Aβ(1-42)-induced spatial memory impairment by attenuation of the oxidative stress in the rat hippocampus.
BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine | 2013
Jaurès Ak Noumedem; Marius Mihasan; Jules Roger Kuiate; Marius Stefan; Dumitru Cojocaru; Jean Paul Dzoyem; Victor Kuete
BackgroundThe present study was designed to investigate the antibacterial activities of the methanol extracts of four Cameroonian edible plants, locally used to treat microbial infections, and their synergistic effects with antibiotics against a panel of twenty nine Gram-negative bacteria including Multi-drug resistant (MDR) phenotypes expressing active efflux pumps.MethodsThe broth microdilution method was used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of the extracts [alone and in the presence of the efflux pumps inhibitor (EPI) Phenylalanine-Arginine β- Naphtylamide (PAβN)], and those of antibiotics in association with the two of the most active ones, Piper nigrum and Telfairia occidentalis. The preliminary phytochemical screening of the extracts was conducted according to the standard phytochemical methods.ResultsPhytochemical analysis showed the presence of alkaloids and flavonoids in all studied extracts. Other chemical classes of secondary metabolites were selectively present in the extracts. The results of the MIC determination indicated that the crude extracts from P. nigrum and V. amygdalina were able to inhibit the growth of all the twenty nine studied bacteria within a concentration range of 32 to 1024 μg/mL. At a similar concentration range (32 to 1024 μg/mL) the extract from T. occidentalis inhibited the growth of 93.1% of the tested microorganisms. At MIC/2 and MIC/5, synergistic effects were noted between the extracts from P. nigrum and T. occidentalis and seven of the tested antibiotics on more than 70% of the tested bacteria.ConclusionThe overall results of the present study provide information for the possible use of the studied edible plants extracts in the control of bacterial infections including MDR phenotypes.
Archives of Microbiology | 2008
Petra Ganas; Paula Sachelaru; Marius Mihasan; Gabor L. Igloi; Roderich Brandsch
A virtually identical nicotine catabolic pathway including the heterotrimeric molybdenum enzyme nicotine and 6-hydroxy-pseudo-oxynicotine dehydrogenase, 6-hydroxy-l-nicotine oxidase, 2,6-dihydroxy-pseudo-oxynicotine hydrolase, and 2,6-dihydroxypyridine hydroxylase have been identified in A. nicotinovorans and Nocardioides sp. JS614. Enzymes catalyzing the same reactions and similar protein antigens were detected in the extracts of the two microorganisms. Nicotine blue and methylamine, two end products of nicotine catabolism were detected in the growth medium of both bacterial species. Nicotine catabolic genes are clustered on pAO1 in A. nicotinovorans, but located chromosomally in Nocardioides sp. JS614.
Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Medicine | 2011
Marius Stefan; Lucian Hritcu; Marius Mihasan; Daniela Pricop; Irina Gostin; Romeo-Iulian Olariu; Simona Dunca; Viorel Melnig
In the present study, we report enhanced antimicrobial properties of 29 and 23 nm silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) obtained by electrochemical synthesis in poly(amide-hydroxyurethane) media. Antibacterial activity assessed by disk diffusion method indicates that silver nanoparticles produced inhibition zones for both Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus depending on silver concentration. The bacterial growth curve performed in the presence of silver nanoparticles showed a stronger antibacterial effect at lower concentrations than those described in the earlier reports. The effect was both dose and size dependent and was more pronounced against Gram negative bacteria than Gram positive one. The smallest Ag NPs used had a bactericidal effect resulting in killing E. coli cells. Scanning electron microscopy analysis indicated major damage and morphology changes of the silver nanoparticles treated bacterial cells. The major mechanism responsible for the antibacterial effect probably consists in clusters formation and nanoparticles anchorage to the bacterial cell surface.
Physiology & Behavior | 2014
Oana Cioanca; Lucian Hritcu; Marius Mihasan; Adriana Trifan; Monica Hancianu
The present study analyzed the possible anxiolytic, antidepressant and antioxidant proprieties of inhaled coriander volatile oil extracted from Coriandrum sativum var. microcarpum in beta-amyloid (1-42) rat model of Alzheimers disease. The anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like effects of inhaled coriander volatile oil were studied by means of in vivo (elevated plus-maze and forced swimming tests) approaches. Also, the antioxidant activity in the hippocampus was assessed using catalase specific activity and the total content of the reduced glutathione. The beta-amyloid (1-42)-treated rats exhibited the following: decrease of the locomotor activity, the percentage of the time spent and the number of entries in the open arm within elevated plus-maze test and decrease of swimming and immobility times within forced swimming test. Exposure to coriander volatile oil significantly improved these parameters, suggesting anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like effects. Moreover, coriander volatile oil decreased catalase activity and increased glutathione level in the hippocampus. Our results suggest that multiple exposures to coriander volatile oil can be useful as a mean to counteract anxiety, depression and oxidative stress in Alzheimers disease conditions.
Phytomedicine | 2013
Monica Hancianu; Oana Cioanca; Marius Mihasan; Lucian Hritcu
Lavender is used in traditional medicines in Asia, Europe, ancient Greece and Rome, and was mentioned in the Bible and in ancient Jewish texts. Also, lavender is reported to be an effective medical plant in treating inflammation, depression, stress and headache. The present study was undertaken in order to investigate the antioxidant and antiapoptotic activities of the lavender essential oils from Lavandula angustifolia ssp. angustifolia Mill. and Lavandula hybrida Rev. using superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and catalase (CAT) specific activities, total content of reduced glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA) level (lipid peroxidation) and DNA fragmentation assays in male Wistar rats subjected to scopolamine-induced dementia rat model. In scopolamine-treated rats, lavender essential oils showed potent antioxidant and antiapoptotic activities. Subacute exposures (daily, for 7 continuous days) to lavender oils significantly increased antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, GPX and CAT), total content of reduced GSH and reduced lipid peroxidation (MDA level) in rat temporal lobe homogenates, suggesting antioxidant potential. Also, DNA cleavage patterns were absent in the lavender groups, suggesting antiapoptotic activity. Taken together, our results suggest that antioxidant and antiapoptotic activities of the lavender essential oils are the major mechanisms for their potent neuroprotective effects against scopolamine-induced oxidative stress in the rat brain.
Neuroscience Research | 2011
Lucian Hritcu; Alin Ciobica; Marius Stefan; Marius Mihasan; Lavinia Palamiuc; Toshitaka Nabeshima
Stimulation of the immune system has been found to enhance, impair, or have no effect on various memory tasks. In the present study, male Wistar rats received saline, lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 250μg/kg in saline, 7 consecutive days), intranigral 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA, 2μg/μl saline; 5μl/site) and intranigral 6-OHDA plus 7 consecutive days of LPS injections and then tested in two cognitive tasks (Y-maze and radial arm-maze). Altered behavioral responses in Y-maze and radial arm-maze tasks were observed in LPS- and LPS+6-OHDA-treated rats compared to control group. Notably, positive correlations were detected among LPS and LPS+6-OHDA-treated rats when behavioral deficits were correlated with indicators of oxidative stress. Taken together, we demonstrated that activation of the immune system with LPS administration induced memory impairment and brain oxidative stress, significantly correlated with nigral lesion promoted by 6-OHDA.
FEBS Journal | 2006
Calin-Bogdan Chiribau; Marius Mihasan; Petra Ganas; Gabor L. Igloi; Vlad Artenie; Roderich Brandsch
New enzymes of nicotine catabolism instrumental in the detoxification of the tobacco alkaloid by Arthrobacter nicotinovorans pAO1 have been identified and characterized. Nicotine breakdown leads to the formation of nicotine blue from the hydroxylated pyridine ring and of γ‐N‐methylaminobutyrate (CH3‐4‐aminobutyrate) from the pyrrolidine ring of the molecule. Surprisingly, two alternative pathways for the final steps in the catabolism of CH3‐4‐aminobutyrate could be identified. CH3‐4‐aminobutyrate may be demethylated to γ‐N‐aminobutyrate by the recently identified γ‐N‐methylaminobutyrate oxidase [Chiribau et al. (2004) Eur J Biochem271, 4677–4684]. In an alternative pathway, an amine oxidase with noncovalently bound FAD and of novel substrate specificity removed methylamine from CH3‐4‐aminobutyrate with the formation of succinic semialdehyde. Succinic semialdehyde was converted to succinate by a NADP+‐dependent succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase. Succinate may enter the citric acid cycle completing the catabolism of the pyrrolidine moiety of nicotine. Expression of the genes of these enzymes was dependent on the presence of nicotine in the growth medium. Thus, two enzymes of the nicotine regulon, γ‐N‐methylaminobutyrate oxidase and amine oxidase share the same substrate. The Km of 2.5 mm and kcat of 1230 s−1 for amine oxidase vs. Km of 140 µm and kcat of 800 s−1 for γ‐N‐methylaminobutyrate oxidase, determined in vitro with the purified recombinant enzymes, may suggest that demethylation predominates over deamination of CH3‐4‐aminobutyrate. However, bacteria grown on [14C]nicotine secreted [14C]methylamine into the medium, indicating that the pathway to succinate is active in vivo.
Journal of Ethnopharmacology | 2011
Lucian Hritcu; Harquin Simplice Foyet; Marius Stefan; Marius Mihasan; Acha Emmanuel Asongalem; Pierre Kamtchouing
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE While the Hibiscus asper Hook.f. (Malvaceae) is a traditional herb largely used in tropical region of the Africa as vegetable, potent sedative, tonic and restorative, anti-inflammatory and antidepressive drug, there is very little scientific data concerning the efficacy of this. MATERIALS AND METHODS The antioxidant and antiapoptotic activities of the methanolic extract of Hibiscus asper leaves (50 and 100 mg/kg) were assessed using superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and catalase (CAT) specific activities, total glutathione (GSH) content, malondialdehyde (MDA) level (lipid peroxidation) and DNA fragmentation assays in male Wistar rats subjected to unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-lesion. RESULTS In 6-OHDA-lesioned rats, methanolic extract of Hibiscus asper leaves showed potent antioxidant and antiapoptotic activities. Chronic administration of the methanolic extract (50 and 100 mg/kg, i.p., daily, for 7 days) significantly increased antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, GPX and CAT), total GSH content and reduced lipid peroxidation (MDA level) in rat temporal lobe homogenates, suggesting antioxidant activity. Also, DNA cleavage patterns were absent in the 6-OHDA-lesioned rats treated with methanolic extract of Hibiscus asper leaves, suggesting antiapoptotic activity. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, our results suggest that the methanolic extract of Hibiscus asper leaves possesses neuroprotective activity against 6-OHDA-induced toxicity through antioxidant and antiapoptotic activities in Parkinsons disease model.