Search

Background: Acne vulgaris is a skin infection widely seen in adolescents between 10–19 years with males affected more than females. It mainly affects the face but may also affect the back and chest. The symptoms vary with mild acne manifesting as comedones and moderate acne as inflammatory lesions (papulopustular), nodules, and mild scarring while severe acne has the same symptoms that have not subsided within 6 months of treatment. Various treatments including topical medications containing different antibiotics are used to treat acne. Recently, herbal treatments have been shown as better alternatives to conventional treatment. Teucrium oliverianum Ging. ex Benth (Lamiaceae) is traditionally used for skin infections such as wound healing and biofilm formation. Methodology: Methanolic extract of T. oliverianum was subjected to liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis, and its antibacterial effect against Cutibacterium acnes. The anti-acne, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects were also assessed using HaCaT cells infected with C. acnes. The cytotoxicity of the extract was evaluated using a neutral red uptake assay, and anti-inflammatory effects were determined by measuring TNF-α, IL-1β, INF-γ, and COX2 inhibition. The antioxidant action was assessed by ROS generation in HaCaT cells infected with C. acnes. Results: LC-MS analysis of the extract showed the presence of 16 different metabolites with L-carnitine, esculin sesquihydrate, and gamma-linoleic acid as major metabolites. The methanolic extract of T. oliverianum showed an antibacterial effect against C. acnes with an IC50 value of 263.2 μg/mL. The extract attenuated the cytotoxicity of C. acnes on the HaCaT cell and the IC50 was found to be 676.2 μg/mL. It also decreased dose-dependently the expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, INF-γ, and inhibited COX2 in the HaCaT cells infected with C. acnes. It also decreased the generation of reactive oxygen species. Conclusion: The results support the use of T. oliverianum as an anti-acne agent but it possesses mild antibacterial action. It showed anti-inflammatory effects in HaCaT cells infected with C. acnes. It is also an effective antioxidant and decreased the generation of reactive oxygen species. Comparison of the anti-acne effects and adverse reactions of extract with other treatments will provide more insight into its clinical efficacy and toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vibriosis is a common bacterial infection in shrimp that causes mortality in hatcheries and farms. Various steps have been initiated to increase the resistance against bacterial pathogens and decrease the mortality rate through improved culture conditions and feed. Arthrospira platensis (Spirulina), a blue-green alga, is a good source of protein and other nutrients and helps to improve digestion. The effects of the methanol extract of A. platensis on the survival rate and resistance against vibriosis were studied. The minimum inhibitory concentration of the extract for Vibrio species and in vivo antibacterial screening were investigated using Litopenaeus vannamei. Vibrio alginolyticus was inhibited with 2000 µg mL-1 extract and the other two species were inhibited by 1500 µg mL-1 extract. Furthermore, the mortality rate and antioxidant enzyme levels of shrimps injected with pathogens reduced and increased after treatment with the methanol extract, respectively. The survival rate of V. parahaemolyticus and V. harveyi-challenged shrimps were 33.3% and 50%, respectively, after 168 h. The survival rate of V. alginolyticus-infected shrimp reduced (16.6%) 168 h after injection. All surviving shrimp developed resistance to Vibrio pathogens. This study indicated that the bioactive compounds in A. platensis could not only effectively prevent bacterial infection, but also serve as eco-friendly and cost-effective immune stimulants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spirulina plantensis has been evaluated for antimicrobial activity and probiotic efficacy against clinical isolates of bacteria and fungi. Different solvents such as N-hexane, acetone, methanol, chloroform and water were used to prepare extracts. Antifungal and antibacterial activities were studided using well diffusion method. Probiotic activity was tested toelucidate the role of extracts to control the growth of fungal pathogens. N-hexane extracts showed antifungal effect against Epidermophyton floccosum and Trichophyton tonsuran with low concentration. However, higher concentration of the extracts (100mg/ml) showed maximum inhibitory activity towards Trichophyton rubrum. Different concentration of Spirulina was supplimented in the medium to detect the effect on controlling the growth of fungal pathogens. The growth of fungal pathogens were afected by the alga. Antibacterial activity was shown by S. plantensis against the pathogens tested. Water extracts showed maximum activity against P. aureginosa, methanol extract against E. coli, chloroform extract towards both the bacterial pathogens. Phytochemical analysis of the alga revealed the presece of crude protein, gross energy and phosphorus. From the present study, it is clear that S. plantensis is a potential alga with antimicrobial activity and probiotic efficacy, which helps in the discovery of novel drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was undertaken to investigate the contamination of egg shells and to evaluate the antibiotic resistance pattern of the bacterial isolates. Forty egg samples were collected from the local market and bacterial strains were isolated, identified and analyzed. The presence of Gram negative bacteria in the egg shells are higher when compared to Gram positive bacteria. The frequency of multidrug resistance was less in Gram positive when compared to Gram negative bacteria. Results showed that 1(4%) isolate Bacillus sp. was resistant to 5 antibiotics among the 7 tested and Staphylococcus sp. isolate (4%) was resistant to 4 antibiotics among the 7 antibiotics tested. The Gram positive bacterial isolates were resistant to bacitracin at higher frequency (100%) followed by gentamycin (34.04%) and chloramphenicol (6.38%). The antibiotic susceptibility pattern shows that 4.2% of the isolated Gram negative bacteria is resistant to 5 antibiotics out of the 7 antibiotics tested. The bacterial isolates were more resistance towards bacitracin gentamycin, chloramphenicol, erythromycin and tetracycline. All of the 47 Gram negative bacteria (100%) isolated were resistant to bacitracin. Resistance to ampicillin and ciprofloxacin are found to be at less frequency. The uncontrolled usage of antibiotics should be controlled and eggs contaminated with bacteria, which needs more attention in the production site to eliminate the pathogens from the egg shells. Critical monitoring is also needed to control the development of antibiotic resistant bacteria from time to time to ensure the quality of poultry products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this investigation, we report on the biosorption of Pb (II) from aqueous solutions by the nonliving biomass of the micro-alga (cyanobacterium)Spirulina platensis. Propagation of the micro-alga was carried out in outside oblong raceway ponds. The biomass was cleaned, dried and used for the investigation. The effects of pH, adsorbent dose, temperature, initial concentration of Pb (II), and contact time on the adsorption of lead by the dry biomass were studied. The experiments were carried out in 250 ml conical flasks containing 100 ml of test solutions using an orbital incubator at 150 rpm. Concentrations of the metal before and after the experiments were measured using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Very high levels of Pb (II) removal (>91%) were obtained. The optimum conditions for maximal adsorption byS. platensiswere found to be pH 3; 2 g of adsorbent dose; incubation at 26°C; 100 mg/l of lead initial concentration and 60 minutes of contact time. The experimental data fitted well with Freundlich isotherm equation with R2values greater than 0.97. Based on our results, we recommend the utilization ofS. platensisbiomass for heavy metal removal from aqueous solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This investigation compared genetic similarities and diversities within and among Cladosporium species populations using the two PCR-based markers; Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS)-PCR and microsatellite-PCR., Methodology: Nuclear ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacers have been used to analyze intraspecific and interspecific relationships in various fungi. In the present study, the internal transcribed spacer (ITS)-PCR and microsatellite-PCR were used to identify the genetic diversities in Cladosporium species., Results: The Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) was amplified using polymerase chain reaction combining primers ITS4 and ITS5. The PCR products were digested with three restriction enzymes and separated by agarose gel electrophoresis. Restriction patterns generated by CfoI and Msp I and RsaI were unique for most species assayed. The ITS-PCR fingerprinting methods led to a clear differentiation of the isolates at the species level. Fingerprinting profiles generated readily discriminated between each of the 6 species. Cluster analysis further supported this observation and clusters corresponding to each species were readily identified in the dendrograms. Seven microsatellite primers out of eight primers were unable to generate visible DNA fingerprints., Conclusion: Amplification experiments demonstrated that microsatellite primer, T3B and (GTG) 5 are technically simple tools for assaying genetic variability in Cladosporium spp.