Aqueous Herbal Extracts Research Articles

Anti-biofilm and anti-glucosyltransferase effects of nano liposomal plant extracts against Streptococcus mutans

The role of Streptococcus mutans in the initiation of caries is related to its acidogenicity, aciduricity, and polysaccharides extracellular layer production by glucosyltransferases in dental biofilms. Therefore, inhibition of glucosyltransferase activity impairs the virulence of cariogenic biofilms, which can be used to prevent dental caries. We evaluated the anti-bacterial, anti-biofilm, and anti-glucosyltransferases effects of nanoliposomal herbal aqueous extracts of Liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra; G. glabra), Ginger (Zingiber officinale; Z. officinale), Pomegranate (Punica granatum; P. granatum), and Rose (Rosa damascene; R. damascene) via minimum bactericidal concentration and minimum inhibitory concentration against Streptococcus mutans strain ATCC 35,668. An anti-biofilm assay was performed using a minimum biofilm inhibitory concentration test. Among herbs, only P. granatum showed an antibacterial effect. Therefore, a nanoliposomal formulation of P. granatum was developed and characterized. Its effect on S.mutans glucosyltransferases was assessed by measuring glucan amount. The nanoliposomal formulation of P.granatum showed a significantly higher anti-biofilm effect than P. granatum aqueous extract. Their similar potential in blocking glucosyltransferases showed that the nanoliposomal formulation of P.granatum blocked other pathways rather than blocking glucosyltransferases for its anti-biofilm effect. Collectively, the nanoliposomal formulation of P.granatum, due to its anti- Streptococcus mutans characteristics, would be a production which open a new horizon for the oral pharmaceutical industry.

Development of Rice By-Products Based Hair Tonic Mixed with Traditional Thai Herbal Extracts: A Sustainable Approach for Hair Care

Previously, byproducts from Thai rice mill industry including crude riceberry oil (CRO) and broken riceberry (BRB) showed antioxidant and tyrosinase-stimulating activities. This work aimed to develop 5 hair tonic formulae by mixing CRO (0.2-1.0%) and BRB (0.4-2.0%) with three Thai traditional herbal ethanolic extracts (2.0%) of Catunaregam tomentosa (CT), Acacia concinna (AC) and Tinospora crispa (TC) in 4:3:3 (v/v). The results showed that formula 5 (F5) containing 2% BRB, 1.0% CRO and 2% herbal extracts exhibited the highest antioxidant activity (DPPH scavenging capacity at 16.6 TEAC mg/g, FRAP value at 1.18 FeSO4 mg/g, and ABTS value at 14.9 TEAC mg/g) and tyrosinase-stimulating activity of 38%. This hair tonic was safe to use based on skin irritation test, and stable over 8-week storage at room temperature. Hence, F5 hair tonic (coded (R)) was tested on 20 subjects divided in 2 groups (older and younger age groups) with 10 individuals each in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled experimental design with split-head method where treatments were conducted as intra-individual trial for 10, 20 and 30 days. The hair tonic coded C (Control without BRB, CRO or herbal extracts) and the commercial hair tonic coded G were tested for comparison. Adverse reactions were not noticed during the study. The hair tonic R was able to reduce hair loss by 48-71% in 2 groups with no significant difference from the commercial hair tonic. In comparison with the efficacy in the reduction of gray hair of the 2 groups at each time interval, the 2experimental (R) hair tonic product was found to be more effective in group 2 (younger age). However, the efficacy in the reduction of gray hair was lower than that in the reduction of hair loss. The experimental hair tonic R was more effective in dandruff reduction in group 1 (older age). The R hair tonic product received a satisfactory score of 6.79±0.32 out of 9.0 (moderate-to-high likeness) with the highest score from the aroma and the lowest score from the opaque color resulting from mixing aqueous herbal extract and oil. This is a sustainable way to add value to byproducts from rice mill industry and Thai traditional herbs as cosmetic elements in the formulation of hair products.

In-vivo anti-hyperglycemic effect of herbal extracts Tribulus terrestris (L) and Curcuma amada (R) on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats and its associated histopathological studies

Dia/betes is a serious health concern in many countries with high blood glucose, obesity, and multiple organ failures in late stages. Treating diabetes with effective drugs is still a challenging issue since most of the available diabetic drugs are not effective in combating diabetes, especially in secondary disease complications like obesity, retinopathy, and nephropathy associated with diabetes. Hence search for effective antidiabetic medication, especially from natural sources is mandatory with no adverse side effects. In the present study, a combined herbal aqueous extract of Tribulus terrestris and Curcuma amada was administered to diabetic-induced rats for 37 days. During experimentation, the mean blood glucose level was estimated and at the end of the experiment on the 37th day, the animal was sacrificed and observed for weight gain, plasma insulin, glycogen, glycated hemoglobin, urea, and creatinine level. The results revealed that TT and CA extract-treated diabetic groups significantly lowered the mean blood glucose level followed by increased glycogen and insulin level. Urea, creatinine, and HbA1c levels were considerably reduced in TT and CA-treated diabetic animals as compared to that of antidiabetic drug Glibenclamide-treated groups. TT and CA-treated diabetic animals showed considerable net body weight gain at the end of the experimental day. A concluding remark of the study shows that TT and CA herbal extract is effective against diabetes and it can be considered as an antidiabetic agent in ayurvedic medicine practice.

Optimisation of Almond-Based Dairy-Free Milk Alternative Formulation Fortified with Myrtle, Bay Leaf and Fennel Extracts§.

Herbs and spices used in traditional medicine are nowadays increasingly used in combinations to create functional food formulations aimed at treating specific symptoms and disorders. Among herbs originating from the Mediterranean region, extracts of myrtle (Myrtus communis L.), bay leaf (Laurel nobilis L.) and fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) are traditionally used for gastrointestinal disorders. When considering how to incorporate these extracts into products, dairy-free milk alternatives provide an excellent base with almond-based drinks being among the most popular within this group. The aim of this study is therefore to optimise the formulation of an almond drink fortified with a 25 % (on dry mass basis) aqueous herbal extract containing myrtle, bay leaf (25 % each) and fennel seed (50 %) extracts. A central composite design with 20 formulations varied the content of φ(aqueous herbal extract)=2-6 %, lecithin as emulsifier 0.15-0.45 and xylitol as sweetener 2-5 % (m/V), while antioxidant activity, total phenolic content and sensory properties were determined as dependent variables. The antioxidant activity and total phenolic content of the prepared almond drink formulations increased with the amount of added concentrated aqueous herbal extracts, as did the colour, herbal odour and flavour, bitterness and aftertaste. The addition of lecithin resulted in a darker colour and the sweetness was increased by the xylitol content. All formulations had good overall attractiveness, which increased with higher xylitol content. The current work offers new insights into the optimisation of fortified dairy-free alternatives. The addition of myrtle, bay leaf and fennel seed extracts to almond drink-based formulations resulted in a 12-fold increase in antioxidant activity. Xylitol masks the potential bitterness of the phenolic compounds so that higher amounts of extracts can be added.

Innovative strategy based on green nanotechnology for elimination and reduction of aquatic weeds

"This study reports an interesting idea to convert aqueous extracts of invasive terrestrial plants [Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense L.) and Knotgrass (Polygonum aviculare L.)] into valuable silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), and used them against aquatic weeds (Cladophora). The phyto-generated AgNPs presented nano scaled dimension (estimated by DLS), and good antioxidant activities (evaluated by chemiluminescence technique). UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy confirmed the AgNPs phyto-development. The total polyphenols (TPC) and total flavonoid (TFC) contents of the aqueous herbal extracts and of AgNPs phyto-generated from them, revealed the major contribution of polyphenols and flavonoids to phyto-reduction of silver ions, and also, they are responsible for the antioxidant properties of the obtained samples. The bio impact of the prepared AgNPs against Cladophora depends on the AgNPs dose, and the time exposure. These findings could be useful in for various biomedical, agronomic, and biotechnological applications."

Sweet Potatoes Puree Mixed with Herbal Aqueous Extracts: A Novel Ready-to-Eat Product for Lactating Mothers

Worldwide, around 385 thousand babies are born each day. Many of them cannot be breastfed because of several physiological problems of the mothers. Galactogogues remain the most natural and prolific way to improve both milk quantity and quality. Various herbs are traditionally used to increase lactation, but the best known are fennel (Foeniculum vulgare L.) and anise (Pimpinella anisum L.). The main objective of the present study was to obtain some special and nutritious ready-to-eat products from pureed sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) fortified with aqueous extracts from the aforementioned galactogogues herbs. Two different types of thermal treatment, steaming and baking, were investigated to obtain healthy and safe-for-consumption purees. Steam convection had a lower impact, compared with hot air convection, on the content of bioactive compounds among all samples. Among all samples, sweet potato puree with fennel aqueous extract, processed by steaming, (EFCA) showed the highest content of β-carotene (1.27 ± 0.11 mg/g DW), lycopene (0.59 ± 0.07 mg/g DW), and total carotenoids (1.38 ± 0.11 mg/g DW); the cooking loss registered statistically significantly lower values in the case of steam convection. These reports might potentially generate novel ready-to-eat foods used as meals and as well as lactation adjuvants.

A phytobiotic extract, in an aqueous or in a cyclodextrin encapsulated form, added in diet affects meat oxidation, cellular responses and intestinal morphometry and microbiota of broilers

The present trial examined the effects of diet supplementation with an extract including Greek oregano, garlic, rock samphire, and camelina, administered either in aqueous form or encapsulated in cyclodextrin, on broiler chickens. The duration of the trial was 35 days. Mixed broiler chicks (Ross-308, 120 individuals, 1 day old) were randomly allocated to one of three groups, each with four replicates. Control group A (CONTROL) was fed a basal diet consisting of maize and soybean. The diet of the AQORGCC and CDORGCC groups was further supplemented with aqueous and cyclodextrin-encapsulated herbal extracts, respectively. Levels of lipid and protein oxidation were determined in breast and thigh meat samples. Furthermore, to address cellular stress and signaling responses, the expression patterns of heat shock proteins (Hsp60, Hsp70, and Hsp90), mitogen-activated protein kinases (P38 and P44/42 MAPKs), and apoptotic-related proteins (Bcl-2/Bad ratio) were investigated in breast and thigh tissues using Western blot analysis. The intestinal morphometry of the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum was also assessed. To investigate ileal and cecal bacterial community diversity, 16S rRNA gene high-throughput amplicon sequencing on the V3–V4 hypervariable region was performed. The results showed that the herbal extract in cyclodextrin delayed meat lipid oxidation. According to the protein expression patterns, the formulated diets elicited tissue-specific cellular responses. Compared with the CONTROL group, dietary supplementation with the encapsulated form resulted in significant Hsp induction and MAPK activation, whereas, in the group whose diet was supplemented with the aqueous form, the expression of most of the examined proteins decreased or was maintained at a constant level. Villus height and lamina propria width were mostly affected by the aqueous herbal extract, whereas the number of goblet cells remained unchanged among the groups. Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, and Bacteroidota were the major phyla in mean relative abundance in all diets in both cecal and ileal samples. Alpha-diversity indices highlighted higher species richness and diversity in the cecum than in the ileum, as well as in chicks treated with the aqueous extract of the herbal mixture, but only in the cecum. Cecal beta-diversity differed between the cyclodextrin and the CONTROL groups, while ileal beta-diversity varied only between the aqueous-treated group and the CONTROL group. In conclusion, the dietary mixtures of herbal extracts (particularly those encapsulated in cyclodextrin) improved protein and lipid oxidation and increased the number of beneficial lactic acid-producing bacteria in the cecum, whereas the aqueous herbal extract mostly affected bacterial activity in the proximal part of the chicken intestine. Similarly, intestinal morphometry in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum was mostly affected by the aqueous herbal extract, which seems to inhibit proteins associated with stress signaling in meat.

Effects of Heat Treatments on Various Characteristics of Ready-to-Eat Zucchini Purees Enriched with Anise or Fennel.

Galactagogue herbs, also known as natural lactation adjuvants, are frequently used to stimulate breast milk production. Due to their antioxidant activity and phenolic content, anise (Pimpinella anisum L.) and fennel (Foeniculum vulgare L.) were chosen to increase the added value of zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L.) purees. At the same time, this work aimed to determine the influence of heat treatment on various characteristics of the final product. The phytochemical content, color parameters, and rheological and textural parameters of zucchini purees enriched with herbal aqueous extracts were determined after processing and after one week of storage (4 °C). In the case of antioxidant activity, samples registered a variation between 6.62 ± 1.71 and 38.32 ± 3.85 µM Trolox/g DW for the samples processed by steam convection. The total difference color parameter (ΔE) increased seven times after one week of storage compared to samples at T0. Fennel and anise aqueous extracts helped improve the rheological behavior of zucchini samples both by steam and hot air convection. This study may serve as a springboard for future investigations and clinical trials into the scientific validity and safety of ready-to-eat foods with special destinations.

Anti-aging herbs for skin: Experimental study on mice

Herbal remedy has been used for beauty and health purposes in the traditional and modern medicine. The range of using herbs has been escalating in the past few years . However, there are no enough scientific based evidence in this aspect, as herbs contain a wide range of phytochemicals that has to be studied in meticulous details to understand its effect on the body. In this study, three plants were chosen from the local Iraqi market and extracted, then a pharmacological study was conducted on mice. Histopathological changes were studied on all the study groups. It was concluded that the three herbal aqueous extracts of ( APIUM GRAVEOLENS, CARTHAMUS TINCTORIOUS AND PUNICA GRANATUM) gave an antiaging effect and was able to reverse aging induced by D- Galactose. PUNICA GRANATUM ( Pomegranate) gave the best result in reversing aging signs on mouse skin.

Synergistic deciphering of bioenergy production and electron transport characteristics to screen traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for COVID-19 drug development

BackgroundTraditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been used as an "immune booster” for disease prevention and clinical treatment since ancient China. However, many studies were focused on the organic herbal extract rather than aqueous herbal extract (AHE; decoction). Due to the COVID-19 pandemics, this study tended to decipher phytochemical contents in the decoction of herbs and derived bioactivities (e.g., anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties). As prior works revealed, the efficacy of Parkinson's medicines and antiviral flavonoid herbs was strongly governed by their bioenergy-stimulating proficiency. MethodsHerbal extracts were prepared by using a traditional Chinese decoction pot. After filtration and evaporation, crude extracts were used to prepare sample solutions for various bioassays. The phytochemical content and bioactivities of AHEs were determined via ELISA microplate reader. Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) were used as a novel platform to evaluate bioenergy contents with electron-transfer characteristics for antiviral drug development. Significant findingsRegarding 18 TCM herbal extracts for the prevention of SARS and H1N1 influenza, comparison on total polyphenol, flavonoid, condensed tannins and polysaccharides were conducted. Moreover, considerable total flavonoid contents were detected for 11 herb extracts. These AEHs were not only rich in phytonutrient contents but also plentiful in anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Herbs with high polyphenol content had higher antioxidant activity. Forsythia suspensa extract expressed the highest inhibition against nitric oxide production for anti-inflammation. MFC bioenergy-stimulating studies also revealed that top ranking COVID-19 efficacious herbs were both bioenergy driven and electron mediated. That is, electron transfer-controlled bioenergy extraction was significant to antiviral characteristics for anti-COVID-19 drug development.

Anti‐shigellosis activity of the aqueous extract of garlic, clove and fenugreek

AbstractShigellosis causes severe diarrhea and, in some cases, death in children. In this study, we investigated the in vitro and in vivo anti‐shigellosis efficacy of some aqueous herbal extracts or their chosen mixtures, including fenugreek seed, black seed, clove, garlic, and ginger. The antibacterial potential was assessed by well diffusion and microdilution assays. The extracts' minimum inhibitory concentrations ranged from 0.39 to 12.5 mg/ml. The water extract of garlic and combinations of garlic with either fenugreek or clove extracts had the highest antibacterial efficacy, hence these extracts were chosen for the in vivo investigation. Rats were given a Shigella dysenteriae inoculum and then administrated two doses (100 and 200 mg/kg bw) of the selected herbal extracts or the antibiotic ciprofloxacin (20 mg/kg bw) to treat Shigellosis in vivo. The results showed that garlic and clove extract mixtures (G6, 200 mg/kg bw), garlic and fenugreek mixtures (G7 and G8, 100 and 200 mg/kg bw), and ciprofloxacin group (G9, 20 mg/kg bw) had the best anti‐Shigellosis efficacy. G7 (garlic and fenugreek mixtures (100 mg/kg bw) outperformed almost all other groups evaluated. This group had lower defecation frequency, lower stool‐Shigella loudness, restored body weight, recovered hematological, and liver and kidney functions, besides exhibited no anatomical alterations in the colon tissue that were comparable to the uninfected group. As a result, in the treatment of Shigella, this extract combination may be suggested as a viable therapeutic alternative to antibiotics.

Fabrication of Biohybrid Nanofibers by the Green Electrospinning Technique and Their Antibacterial Activity.

The development of bioactive polymer nanofiber sheets based on eco-friendly components is required to meet the needs of various medical applications as well as to preserve the environment. This study aimed to fabricate biohybrid nanofibers based on water-soluble polymers and aqueous extract of myrrh. The myrrh extract was incorporated into poly(vinyl alcohol)/tragacanth gum nanofiber mats (myrrh@PVA/TG) by the green electrospinning technique. Various characteristics of the prepared fibers such as morphology, fiber diameter distribution, crystallinity, and thermal stability were studied. The results confirmed that the morphology of biohybrid nanofibers was uniform without beads and tragacanth gum plays an important role in controlling the average diameter of fibers and the crystallinity. The antibacterial properties of the developed biohybrid nanofibers were investigated against common pathogens of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria by the standard disc diffusion method. A significant antibacterial activity was observed toward bacterial strains after incorporation of aqueous myrrh extract into nanofibers, which increased on increasing the extract ratio. Due to their eco-friendly components and significant antibacterial activity, the prepared biohybrid nanofibers will open new avenues toward incorporating aqueous herbal extracts into degradable polymer fibers for use in many antibacterial applications.

Protective effects of Forsythiae fructus and Cassiae semen water extract against memory deficits through the gut-microbiome-brain axis in an Alzheimer’s disease model

Context Fruits of Forsythia suspensa Vahl (Oleaceae) and seeds of Cassia obtusifolia Linne (Caesalpinaceae) have been used to treat inflammation in Asia. Objective We examined the alleviation of memory function in Alzheimer's disease (AD) rats fed Forsythiae Fructus (FF) and Cassiae Semen water extracts (CS) and investigated the mechanisms responsible for the effects. Materials and methods Thirty Sprague-Dawley male rats had hippocampal infusions of amyloid-β(25–35) (AD rats; memory deficit), and ten rats were infused with amyloid-β(35–25) (non-AD rats; no memory deficit). For eight weeks, all rats freely consumed high-fat diets (43% lard) incorporated with 200 mg/kg body weight assigned aqueous herbal extracts: AD-FF, AD-CS, or without extracts AD-CON (control), non-AD (normal-control). Results Memory impairment was prevented in the AD-FF (0.54 ± 0.06-fold) and the AD-CS rats (0.33 ± 0.04-fold) compared to the AD-CON by inhibiting amyloid-β deposition to the levels less than one-fourth of the AD-CON group. The hippocampal pAkt→pGSK-3β→pFOXO1 pathway was attenuated by approximately 3.25-fold in the AD-CON, while AD-FF prevented the attenuation better than AD-CS. The relative intensity of hippocampal tau protein based on β-actin was suppressed with AD-FF (0.68 ± 0.09) and AD-CS (0.96 ± 0.81), compared to AD-CON (1.19 ± 0.13). AD decreased the abundance of Bacteroidales by 34.2% and Lactobacillales by 23.8% and increased Clostridiales by 181% while the AD-FF, but not the AD-CS, normalised the gut microbiota changes to be similar to the non-AD. Discussion and conclusions FF improved memory deficits better than CS in an AD-induced rat model. The potential neuroprotective benefits of FF against AD may be applicable to human AD therapy with additional clinical research.

Antioxidant Potential of Fermented Milk Supplemented with Various Aqueous Herbal Extracts

Antioxidant Potential of Fermented Milk Supplemented with Various Aqueous Herbal Extracts

Antihypertensive Activity of Fermented Milk Containing Various Aqueous Herbal Extracts

Antihypertensive Activity of Fermented Milk Containing Various Aqueous Herbal Extracts

Potential of herbal extracts to avoid the bacterial infection of Enterobacter cloacae in common carp, Cyprinus carpio L.

The study shows the possibility of herbal aqueous extracts to avoid the infection caused by Enterobacter cloacae in the common carp. The E. cloacae vaccinated on agar plates wherever placed to the filter discs, which were intended by filtration of the aqueous extracts (Six herbal species and four concentrations 10%, 15%, 20% and 25%) of Curcuma longa (Turmeric), Panax ginseng (Ginseng), Cinnamomum zeilanicum (Cinnamon), Thymus vulgaris (Thyme leaves), Olea europaea (Olive leaves), Eugenia caryophyllata (Clove). The herbal extracts inhibit the growth of E. cloacae in the highest concentrations (22 mm inhibition zone in 25%) with C. longa which appears to be the most efficient one, whereas the clove was the least efficient. The current study indicates that attainable and inexpensive herbal extracts may be efficient natural agents for preventing infection of E. cloacae in fish, and they also have been compared with some antibiotics. Furthermore, a study is required in order to carry out the herbal extracts and to detect the proper practice used in aquaculture.

The screen herbal immunopotentiator and research on its effect on the innate immune system and disease resistance of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) against Streptococcus agalactiae

To screen potential herbal immunopotentiators, the effects of 20 herbal aqueous extracts (HAEs) on the oxygen respiratory burst activity (ORBA) and phagocytic activity of tilapia blood leucocytes were determined using nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction and phagocytizing latex beads methods, respectively. The screened-out herbal aqueous extract (HAE) supplemented diet (10 g/kg, dry herb/dry feed) was consecutively fed to healthy tilapia for in vivo evaluating its effects on the ORBA and phagocytic activity of head-kidney leucocytes, the acid phosphatase (ACP), lysozyme (LZM), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities of serum, and the mRNA expression levels of IL-β, IL-8, Hsp70, and TNF-α in the spleen. For evaluating the efficacy of the screened-out HAE on preventing streptococcosis, the tilapia were respectively and consecutively fed the control diet and the screened-out HAE supplemented diet for seven and fourteen days and subsequently infected with Streptococcus agalactiae. Their survival cures were compared using the log-rank test. Additionally, the components in the screened-out HAE were identified using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-Q exactive orbitrap-mass spectrometry (UPLC-QE-MS). Results showed that, among the candidate HAEs, Scutellaria baicalensis HAE showed more ability in terms of simultaneously enhancing the ORBA and phagocytic activity of tilapia blood leucocytes as compared to the other candidate HAEs. Oral administration of S. baicalensis HAE significantly elevated the ORBA and phagocytic activity of head-kidney leucocytes, the ACP, LZM, and SOD activities of sera, the mRNA expression levels of IL-8 and Hsp 70, and the cumulative survival rate of tilapia with S. agalactiae infections. The negative and positive models of UPLC-QE-MS identified 256 and 596 components of S. baicalensis HAE, respectively. Taken together, the results of this study indicate that S. baicalensis HAE could prove useful in the prevention of tilapia streptococcosis and suggest that it could be further developed as immunostimulants.

Synergistic Effect of Aqueous Herbal Extracts to Enhance Vaccinal Antibody Response Against Newcastle Disease in Rural Poultry in A&N Islands

Considering the immune modulating benefits of probiotics and herbal extracts, this applied research was implemented to compare the efficacy of probiotics and herbal extracts on vaccination against Ranikhet (RD) / Newcastle disease ND) in all three breeds of Nicobari fowl, desi bird and Srinithi birds in terms of immune response to Newcastle virus vaccine under field condition. A total of 96 birds were selected at the age of 12 weeks from each of three breeds of rural poultry viz., Nicobari fowl (native bird), desibirds and Srinithi dual poultry from three villages. They were divided into four groups viz., Group 1: Vaccination plus herbal aqueous extracts; Group 2: Vaccination plus commercially available probiotics (Bacillus mesentericus-1 million, Clostridium butyricum – 2 million, Lactic acid bacillus – 50 million, and Streptococcus faecalis-30 million); Group 3: only vaccination; Group 4: No vaccination. Herbal aqueous extract was prepared with composition of neem leaves, garlic, ginger and turmeric. The composition was boiled, cooled, filtered and watered @ 5 ml per bird. Groups (1), (2) and (3) were vaccinated with RDVF vaccine via ocular instillation rout at the 12weeks of age. Admixture of herbal supplementation in vaccinated birds was helpful to augment the humoral immune response which could be appreciated through 4 fold increase in antibody titre compared to control group which received the vaccine alone. Herbal decoction prepared from fresh leaves of neem leaves, garlic, ginger and turmeric powder is advised to use as water supplement in rural poultry before and after Ranikhet vaccination.

Comparative evaluation of some herbs and their suitability for skimmed milk yoghurt and cast Kariesh cheese fortification as functional foods

The objective was to add certain herbs rich in active physiological ingredients for skimmed-milk yoghurt and cast ultrafiltration (UF)-Kariesh cheese to find out their suitability as fortifiers en route to innovate functional products. Yoghurt was made using cow's skimmed milk fortified with the milled herbal aqueous extract (10% w/w) at the level of nil (control), 1, 2, or 3% (w/w) of turmeric, sage or marjoram. Cheese was made using UF-skimmed milk concentrated, to the desired final cheese total solids (TS) % and fortified as mentioned before. Skim milk powder was used to avoid any dilution in the final TS %, whether of yoghurt milk or pre-cheese. Organoleptically, it was accepted the herbal extract providing that its level did not exceed 1.0% for yoghurt or 2% for cheese. The protein content exhibited no difference in yoghurt and reduction in cheese due to herbs because which the ash content decreased in yoghurt and increased in cheese, in those the fiber presented because of herbs. Turmeric encouraged the growth of bacterial starter culture and acid production versus marjoram or sage. The Streptococcus thermophilus count was always higher than that of Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus. But their counts in cheese were lower versus yoghurt. In conclusion, skimmed-milk yoghurt and cast UF-Kariesh cheese could meet the intended health purposes when fortified with 1% for the former or 2% for the latter using aqueous extract (10%) of sage, marjoram or rather turmeric, those of many impressive health benefits.

The In Vitro Antiplasmodial Activities of Aqueous Extracts of Selected Ghanaian Herbal Plants.

Background The asexual and sexual stages (gametocytes) of Plasmodium falciparum parasites are known to respond differently to antimalarial drugs. Herbal products with extended treatment regimens and inadequate dosing information are widely used to treat malaria in Ghana. This study set out to determine the in vitro activity of selected herbal extracts on the development of asexual and sexual stage malaria parasites. Methods The 72-hour SYBR Green 1-based in vitro drug assay was used to determine the asexual parasite growth inhibitory effects exhibited by aqueous extracts of Alchornea cordifolia, Polyalthia longifolia, Moringa oleifera, and Mangifera indica on the NF54, CamWT_C580Y, and IPC 4912 strains of Plasmodium falciparum. The effects of exposure of asexual and early-stage NF54 gametocytes to varying concentrations of the aqueous herbal extracts were assessed by microscopy after 7 days of continuous culturing in the presence of the herbal extract. Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical screening were also performed on the herbal extracts. Results In the SYBR Green 1 assay, aqueous extracts of Alchornea cordifolia exhibited moderate (IC50 of 5.8, 17.4, and 15.8 μg/ml) and Mangifera indica exhibited low (IC50 of 65.4, 96.7, and 81.7 μg/ml) activities against the NF54, Cam WT_C580Y, and IPC 4912 parasites, respectively, whilst Polyalthia longifolia and Moringa oleifera were inactive. Long-term treatment of NF54 parasites with 1 mg/ml of Polyalthia longifolia produced the highest densities of gametocytes and the least (56%) inhibition of asexual parasites on Day 7. Long-term treatment of NF54 parasites with 10 μg/ml Alchornea cordifolia resulted in complete parasite (asexual and gametocyte) clearance on Day 7. Conclusions. Alchornea cordifolia exhibited a ‘moderate' activity against the three parasites tested in the 72-hour SYBR Green 1 assay and also effectively cleared both asexual parasites and gametocytes. Long-term treatment of malaria parasites with herbal extracts mimics a treatment regimen and should be used to determine the antimalarial properties of herbal extracts.