Sushma Drabu

Insignificant anti-acne activity of Azadirachta indica leaves and bark

Background and Aim: Azadirachta indica has a long history of medicinal usage in skin ailments due to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. The present study was undertaken to explore the potential of the leaves and bark of Azadirachta indica in the treatment of acne. Materials and Methods: Monographic analysis of the plant was carried out, followed by the phytochemical screening of the sequential extracts of leaves and bark of Azadirachta indica. The results indicated presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, terpenes, and tannins. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis of the test extracts indicated the presence of many phytoconstituents in dichloromethane and methanolic extracts namely stigmasterol, nimbiol, sugiol, 4-cymene, α-terpinene terpinen-4-ol, and vitamin E. The test extracts were evaluated against acne causing bacteria, namely Staphylococcus aureus (MTCC 96), Staphylococcus epidermidis (MTCC 2639), and Propionibacterium acnes (MTCC FNx011951), for their in vitro antimicrobial activity, using agar disc diffusion method. Results: Dichloromethane and methanolic extracts of Azadirachta indica showed very little activity against S. aureus and S. epidermidis, but did not show any antimicrobial activity against P. acnes. Conclusion: Despite possessing antibacterial properties, Azadirachta indica showed insignificant effect against acne causing bacteria.

Antimicrobial screening and one-pot synthesis of 4-(substituted-anilinomethyl)-3-(2-naphthyl)-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazole derivatives

Aim: Synthesis of series of 4-(substituted-anilinomethyl-3-(2-naphthyl)-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazole derivatives (4a–4k) and their in vitro antifungal and antibacterial screening. Materials and Methods: A series of compounds (4a–4k) was synthesized through direct reductive amination of 3-(naphthalen-2-yl)-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carbaldehyde with various substituted aromatic amines using NaBH4 in the presence of I2 as reducing agent. The reaction was carried out in anhydrous methanol under neutral conditions at room temperature. The structures of synthesized compounds (4a–4k) were established on the basis of IR, 1H and 13C-NMR, and mass spectral data. Results: All 4-(substituted-anilinomethyl-3-(2-naphthyl)-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazole derivatives (4a–4k) were tested in vitro for antifungal and antibacterial activities against different fungal and bacterial strains. Most of the compounds exhibited considerable antifungal activity, but poor antibacterial activity against the test strains. Conclusion: In the series compound 4e, 4g, 4j, and 4k, showed excellent antifungal activity against the fungal strain Aspergillus niger (MTCC) 281 and Aspergillus flavus MTCC 277 (% inhibition in the range of 47.7–58.9).

Synthesis of 2-(3-methyl-2-oxoquinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)acetamide-based azetidinone derivatives as potent antibacterial and antifungal agents

AbstractTwelve compounds belonging to series N-[3-chloro-2-oxo-4-(substituted)phenylazetidin-1-yl]-2-(3-methyl-2-oxoquinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)acetamide (5a–l) were synthesized. These compounds were evaluated for their in vitro antibacterial against E. coli, S. aureus, K. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa and antifungal activity against C. albicans, A. niger and A. flavus by cup-plate method. Structures of all the newly synthesized compounds were confirmed by their spectral data interpretation. Compound 5g having p-dimethylaminophenyl group on 4-position of azetidinone ring attached to N-atom of acetamido group on 1-position of 3-methyl-1H-quinoxaline-2-one, was found to be active against all the bacterial and fungal strains under investigation. Graphical AbstractA new series of compounds belonging to N-[3-chloro-2-oxo-4-(substituted) phenylazetidin-1-yl]-2-(3-methyl-2-oxoquinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)acetamide was synthesized and all the newly synthesized compounds were evaluated for their in vitro antibacterial and antifungal activities.

Heavy Metal Analysis in Urtica Dioica Aerial Parts Using Automatic Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer Controlled via Computer Data System

The present paper investigates the levels of heavy metal contamination i.e. lead, cadmium, mercury and arsenic in Urtica dioica aerial parts using automatic atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) by computer plotting. The computer data system allows higher precision, higher sensitivity, and lower detection limits. The determination of heavy metals even in traces is of utmost importance as these metals are involved in biological cycles and their accumulation causes high toxicity. The paper compares the data of toxic metals with respect to permissible/acceptable limits of different countries. The level of heavy metals for Urtica dioica was found to be within the permissible limits for safe human use.

Synthesis of 2-(3-methyl-2-oxoquinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)acetamide Based Thiazolidinone Derivatives as Potent Antibacterial and Antifungal Agents

AbstractTwelve compounds belonging to series N-[3-chloro-2-oxo-4-(substituted)phenylazetidin-1-yl]-2-(3-methyl-2-oxoquinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)acetamide (5a–l) were synthesized. These compounds were evaluated for their in vitro antibacterial against E. coli, S. aureus, K. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa and antifungal activity against C. albicans, A. niger and A. flavus by cup-plate method. Structures of all the newly synthesized compounds were confirmed by their spectral data interpretation. Compound 5g having p-dimethylaminophenyl group on 4-position of azetidinone ring attached to N-atom of acetamido group on 1-position of 3-methyl-1H-quinoxaline-2-one, was found to be active against all the bacterial and fungal strains under investigation. Graphical AbstractA new series of compounds belonging to N-[3-chloro-2-oxo-4-(substituted) phenylazetidin-1-yl]-2-(3-methyl-2-oxoquinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)acetamide was synthesized and all the newly synthesized compounds were evaluated for their in vitro antibacterial and antifungal activities.