Ramesa Shafi Bhat

Antibacterial activities of extracts of leaf, fruit, seed and bark of Phoenix dactylifera

The antibacterial activities of different parts of local Phoenix dactylifera were investigated in vitro. Dried leaf, fruit, seed and tree bark were extracted with water, methanol and acetone. Antibacterial property of the extracts was evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus , Streptococcus pyogenes, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa using the disc diffusion method. Overall analysis of the antibacterial activity of various extracts revealed that the highest inhibitory activity was produced by the fruit extract (18.2 ± 0.55 mm) as compared to the leaf, bark and seed extracts. All the extracts from the different parts of the plant showed antibacterial activity against most tested microorganisms. On the whole, aqueous extracts have the least antibacterial activity as compared to methanol and acetone extracts. The antibacterial activity against the Gram-positive strains was the highest in the acetone fruit extract against S. aureus (18.2 ± 0.55 mm). The most active extract against Gram-negative bacteria was methanol extract from the leaves with a 13.5 ± 0.33 mm inhibition zone for E. coli followed by 12.5 ± 0.88 mm for P. aeruginosa. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of carbohydrates and alkaloids in all parts, and flavonoids, steroids, saponins and tannins were present in some parts. Key words : Antibacterial activity, Phoenix dactylifera, disc diffusion assay, extracts, inhibition zone.

Phytochemical constituents and antibacterial activity of some green leafy vegetables

OBJECTIVE To investigate the antibacterial activity and photochemicals of five green leafy vegetables against a panel of five bacteria strains. METHODS Disc diffusion method was used to determine the antibacterial activity, while kanamycin was used as a reference antibiotic. The phytochemical screening of the extracts was performed using standard methods. RESULTS All methanol extracts were found active against all the test bacterial strains. Overall maximum extracts shows antibacterial activity which range from 6 to 15 mm. Proteins and carbohydrates was found in all the green leaves, whereas alkaloid, steroids, saponins, flavonoids, tannins were found in most of the test samples. CONCLUSIONS The obtain result suggests that green leafy vegetables have moderate antibacterial activity and contain various pharmacologically active compounds and thus provide the scientific basis for the traditional uses of the studied vegetables in the treatment of bacterial infections.

Potency of pre–post treatment of coenzyme Q10 and melatonin supplement in ameliorating the impaired fatty acid profile in rodent model of autism

Background Abnormalities in fatty acid metabolism and membrane fatty acid composition play a part in a wide range of neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders. Altered fatty acid homeostasis as a result of insufficient dietary supplementation, genetic defects, the function of enzymes involved in their metabolism, or mitochondrial dysfunction contributes to the development of autism. Objective This study evaluates the association of altered brain lipid composition and neurotoxicity related to autism spectrum disorders in propionic acid (PA)–treated rats. Design Forty-eight young male western albino rats were used in this study. They were grouped into six equal groups with eight rats in each. The first group received only phosphate buffered saline (control group). The second group received a neurotoxic dose of buffered PA (250 mg/kg body weight/day for 3 consecutive days). The third and fourth groups were intoxicated with PA as described above followed by treatment with either coenzyme Q (4.5 mg/kg body weight) or melatonin (10 mg/kg body weight) for 1 week (therapeutically treated groups). The fifth and sixth groups were administered both compounds for 1 week prior to PA (protected groups). Methyl esters of fatty acid were extracted with hexane, and the fatty acid composition of the extract was analyzed on a gas chromatography. Results The obtained data proved that fatty acids are altered in brain tissue of PA-treated rats. All saturated fatty acids were increased while all unsaturated fatty acids were significantly decreased in the PA-treated group and relatively ameliorated in the pre–post melatonin and coenzyme Q groups. Conclusions Melatonin and coenzyme Q were effective in restoring normal level of most of the impaired fatty acids in PA-intoxicated rats which could help suggest both as supplements to ameliorate the autistic features induced in rat pups.

Correction to: Therapeutic effects of probiotics on neurotoxicity induced by clindamycin and propionic acid in juvenile hamsters

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake. The family name of the fourth author listed in the title was incorrect, and the correct name is Nadine Moubayed, as noted in the addresses. Her name is now corrected in the author group of this article.

Correlation between glycemic control and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in Saudi type II diabetics

Objective To evaluate the effect of diabetes mellitus (DM), diabetic retinopathy, and degree of glycemic control (glycosylated hemoglobin [HbA1c]) on peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT) using optical coherence tomography. Methods The study included 126 eyes of healthy controls (n=32) and diabetics patients (n=31), whose ages ranged from 40 to 70 years. The diabetic group was divided into: Subgroup 1: with HbA1c <7% and Subgroup 2: with HbA1c ≥7%. All patients underwent full ophthalmic examination. HbA1c level was obtained with the A1cNow+ system and the peripapillary RNFLT was measured using 3D-OCT 2000 Topcon (360-degree circular scan with 3.4 mm diameter centered on optic disc). Results The obtained data demonstrates significant decrease in peripapillary RNFLT in superior and inferior quadrants of the right eye (p=0.000 and p=0.039, respectively), and in superior quadrant of the left eye (p=0.002) with impairment of glycemic control. Pearson’s correlation test showed significant negative correlation of RNFLT with HbA1c in the superior quadrant in both eyes. Conclusion Impairment of glycemic control affects the peripapillary RNFLT mainly in the superior quadrant. This thickness also tends to decrease with long-standing DM, use of DM medications, and development of diabetic retinopathy. The measurement of peripapillary RNFLT may become a useful method to monitor early retinal changes in diabetic patients.

High-fat diet stimulates the gut pathogenic microbiota and maintains hepatic injury in antibiotic-treated rats

The gut and the liver are closely linked to each other, as changes in the gut microbiota can play a significant role in the development of many liver diseases. Gut bacteria respond rapidly to changes in diet and thus can affect the liver through their metabolites. The impact of a high lipid diet on the liver in the presence of an altered gut flora modulated by ampicillin was investigated. The study was performed on 30 male Western albino rats randomly divided into 3 groups: control (phosphate buffered saline treated), group II (ampicillin 50 mg/kg for three weeks to induce microbiota alterations and fed on standard diet) and group III (same dose of ampicillin and fed on a lipid rich diet). Stool samples were collected for qualitative determination of bacteria. Serum hepato-specific markers, in addition to Glutathione (GSH), Lipid peroxidase (MDA), Glutathione-S- transferase(GST), and vitamin C in liver tissues, were measured. Altered gut microbiota significantly increased the level of the hepato-specific marker MDA and reduced the GST, GSH and vitamin C levels. However, animals fed a lipid rich diet displayed a more significant shift in hepatic markers and antioxidants. Moreover, a new switch in composition of the gut bacteria was observed by feeding the lipid rich diet. Our study showed that bacterial overgrowth in the gut can be associated with liver dysfunction and that a high lipid diet can promote the overgrowth of some liver damaging microflora during antibiotic treatment.

Elimination of high-refined-sugar diet as treatment strategy for autistic features induced in a rodent model

Purpose: To investigate the potency of ampicillin in altering gut flora in the presence of a high-sucrose diet in rat pups, and to determine its effect on selected neurotransmitters and a cytokine as markers of the persistent autistic features repeatedly induced in orally administered propionic acid rat pups.. Methods: Twenty-eight young male Wistar albino rats were divided into four equal groups. The first group served as a control. The second group received an oral neurotoxic dose of propionic acid (PPA, 250 mg/kg body weight/day) for 3 days. The third group was treated with ampicillin (50 mg/kg for 3 weeks) with a standard diet. The fourth group was given the same dose of ampicillin with a high-sucrose diet for 10 weeks. Results: The results showed a significant ( p < 0.001) decrease in the investigated neurotransmitters in PPA- and ampicillin-treated rat pups (norepinephrine by 32.49 and 14.58 %, dopamine by 31.45 and 20.22 %, serotonin by 35.99 and 29.09 %), as well as a remarkable increase ( p < 0.001) in the proinflammatory cytokine, IL-6 (30.07and 6.07 %). The high-sucrose diet also significantly ( p < 0.001) enhanced the neurotoxic effect of ampicillin. Conclusion: The observed dietary modulation of the gut microbiota, coupled with the subsequent modulation of brain neurochemistry and inflammation, demonstrates the considerable potential of dietary intervention through the elimination of highly refined sugar as a treatment strategy to prevent and treat autism. Keywords: Neurotoxicity, Ampicillin, Propionic acid, Neurotransmitters, Cytokines, High-sucrose diet

Role of amino acids in the pathophysiology of autism spectrum disorders in Saudi and Egyptian population samples

Autism spectrum disorders are complex developmental disorders with increasing incidence and poorly understood etiology. Imbalance of amino acids profoundly influences brain function, and is thought to be one of the key players in the pathophysiology of autism. This study aimed to measure the plasma amino acid profiles of 20 Egyptian and 20 Saudi autistic patients in comparison to matching healthy controls to clarify the role of impaired amino acid concentrations in the etiology of autism. Plasma amino acids profiles were measured using high performance liquid chromatography. While plasma levels of glutamic, aspartic, and glycine recorded the most significant percentage elevated amino acids, glutamine, asparagine, arginine, tyrosine and isoleucine recorded the most remarkable percentage decrease in autistic patients from both populations compared to controls. Among the calculated relative values, only acidic/basic, and glutamate/glutamine ratios were significantly higher in autistics compared to controls. Non-essential/essential and glucogenic/ketogenic ratios were unaltered in autistics compared to controls. Increased plasma glutamate/glutamine ratio, together with increased glycine, arginine, aspartate, aspargine levels, and acidic/basic amino acid ratio can serve as a predictive tools for the early detection of autism. These findings suggest that glu- tamatergic abnormalities in the brain may be associated with the pathobiology of autism.