Combination Of Plant Extracts Research Articles

Antimicrobial efficacy of Mentha piperata-derived biogenic zinc oxide nanoparticles against UTI-resistant pathogens

Misuse of antibiotics leads to the worldwide spread of antibiotic resistance, which motivates scientists to create new antibiotics. The recurring UTI due to antibiotics-resistant microorganism’s challenges scientists globally. The biogenic nanoparticles have the potential to meet the escalating requirements of novel antimicrobial agents. The green synthesis of nanoparticles (NPs) gained more attention due to their reliable applications against resistant microbes. The current study evaluates the biogenic ZnO NPs of Mentha piperata extract against resistant pathogens of urinary tract infections by agar well diffusion assay. The biogenic ZnO NPs revealed comparatively maximum inhibition in comparison to synthetic antibiotics against two bacterial strains (Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and a fungal strain (Candida albicans).The synthesized biogenic ZnO NPs alone revealed maximum activities than the combination of plant extract (PE) and ZnO NPs, and PE alone. The physiochemical features of ZnO NPs characterized through UV–Vis spectroscopy, FTIR, XRD, SEM, and EDX. The UV–Vis spectroscopy revealed 281.85 nm wavelengths; the XRD pattern revealed the crystalline structure of ZnO NPs. The FTIR analysis revealed the presence of carboxylic and nitro groups, which could be attributed to plant extract. SEM analysis revealed spherical hollow symmetry due to electrostatic forces. The analysis via EDX confirmed the presence of Zn and oxygen in the sample. The physiochemical features of synthesized ZnO NPs provide pivotal information such as quality and effectiveness. The current study revealed excellent dose-dependent antimicrobial activity against the pathogenic isolates from UTI-resistant patients. The higher concentration of ZnONPs interacts with the cell membrane which triggers oxidative burst. They may bind with the enzymes and proteins and brings epigenetic alteration which leads to membrane disruption or cell death.

Stand Up to Stand Out: Natural Dietary Polyphenols Curcumin, Resveratrol, and Gossypol as Potential Therapeutic Candidates against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection.

The COVID-19 pandemic has stimulated collaborative drug discovery efforts in academia and the industry with the aim of developing therapies and vaccines that target SARS-CoV-2. Several novel therapies have been approved and deployed in the last three years. However, their clinical application has revealed limitations due to the rapid emergence of viral variants. Therefore, the development of next-generation SARS-CoV-2 therapeutic agents with a high potency and safety profile remains a high priority for global health. Increasing awareness of the "back to nature" approach for improving human health has prompted renewed interest in natural products, especially dietary polyphenols, as an additional therapeutic strategy to treat SARS-CoV-2 patients, owing to its good safety profile, exceptional nutritional value, health-promoting benefits (including potential antiviral properties), affordability, and availability. Herein, we describe the biological properties and pleiotropic molecular mechanisms of dietary polyphenols curcumin, resveratrol, and gossypol as inhibitors against SARS-CoV-2 and its variants as observed in in vitro and in vivo studies. Based on the advantages and disadvantages of dietary polyphenols and to obtain maximal benefits, several strategies such as nanotechnology (e.g., curcumin-incorporated nanofibrous membranes with antibacterial-antiviral ability), lead optimization (e.g., a methylated analog of curcumin), combination therapies (e.g., a specific combination of plant extracts and micronutrients), and broad-spectrum activities (e.g., gossypol broadly inhibits coronaviruses) have also been emphasized as positive factors in the facilitation of anti-SARS-CoV-2 drug development to support effective long-term pandemic management and control.

Synergistic Effect of Combined Antibiotic and Methanolic Extracts of Withania somnifera and Catharanthus roseus against MDR Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhi

Typhoid has become the most neglected and majorly affecting disease of tropical and subtropical countries, including India, and is among the most important global health problems, as the emergence of multidrug resistance has shut down the effect of antimicrobial agents and makes it difficult to control the bacteria inside the host. Hence, there is a great need to develop some natural-based drugs, which will be new promising natural therapeutic interventions with high efficacy and lesser side effects in comparison to synthetic drugs already available for typhoid treatment. The present study completely focused on the synergistic effect of bioactive constituents of medicinal plants in combination to synthetic drugs for enhancing the bacterial eradication mechanism. The methanolic extracts of 25 medicinal plants were screened for their antisalmonella effect and out of which only 2 plants were studied further on the basis of their high effectiveness against 17 MDR isolates using well diffusion assay and MIC/MBC determination. The synergistic activity was assessed with two nonantibiotics (ibuprofen and paracetamol) and 3 antibiotics (ceftazidime chloramphenicol, and trimethoprim) using methods of growth inhibitory indices (GIIs) and fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI). The highly effective methanolic extracts were of W. somnifera and C. roseus, and the synergism was obtained in terms of GIIs and FICI values of 0.9 and 0.3 and 0.9 and 0.5, respectively, fulfilling the criteria for both extracts, respectively. The results for combinations of plant extracts and antibiotics ceftazidime, trimethoprim, and chloramphenicol and nonantibiotics (analgesic drugs) ibuprofen and paracetamol showed good synergistic activity (100%, 88%, 50%, 45%, and 35%, respectively) against the MDR isolates of S. Typhi. The present study also suggests that in the future, combined treatment with the antibiotics and the bioactive compounds can enhance the immune system to perform better action against the external pathogens as well as in the treatment of internal pathogens, and the combinations will be the successful immune modulators.

Effect of Plant Extracts Combinations on TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-10 Levels in Serum of Rats Exposed to Acute and Chronic Stress.

Oxydative stress, anxiety and depression are associated with changes in cytokine levels. Natural products, including individual and combined plant extracts, have the potential to be used in the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders. The goal of this study is to investigate the effects of two combined plant extracts, rich in flavonoids, on the levels of the cytokines TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10 in rats subjected to models of acute cold stress and chronic unpredictable stress. The study utilized common medicinal plants such as Valeriana officinalis, Melissa officinalis, Crataegus monogyna, Hypericum perforatum, and Serratula coronata, which were combined in two unique combinations-Antistress I and Antistress II. The compositions of the used extracts were determined by HPLC methods. Pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in rats' serum were measured with Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The results from the acute stress model revealed that the individual extract of Crataegus monogyna decreased levels of TNF-α, while Serratula coronata, Hypericum perforatum, and Valeriana officinalis effectively reduced IL-6 levels. Both combinations, Antistress I and Antistress II, were effective in reducing TNF-α and IL-6 levels, with Antistress II also increasing IL-10 levels. In the chronic stress model, Hypericum perforatum extract decreased the levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6, whereas extracts of Serratula coronata and Valeriana officinalis only reduced TNF-α levels. The two combined extracts, Antistress I and Antistress II, decreased TNF-α and IL-6 levels, while Antistress I also reduced the levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. The combinations of plant extracts used in our experiment have not been previously studied or documented in the available literature. However, based on our own experimental results, we can draw the conclusion that the combinations exhibit a more pronounced effect in reducing cytokine levels compared to the individual plant extracts.

Antibacterial Efficacy of Green Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles Using Salvia nubicola Extract against Ralstonia solanacearum, the Causal Agent of Vascular Wilt of Tomato.

Ralstonia solanacearum is a phytopathogen causing bacterial wilt diseases of tomato and affecting its productivity, which leads to prominent economic losses annually. As an alternative to conventional pesticides, green synthesized nanoparticles are believed to possess strong antibacterial activities besides being cheap and ecofriendly. Here, we present the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (Sn-AgNPs) from medicinally important aqueous plant extracts of Salvia nubicola. Characterization of biologically synthesized nanoparticles was performed through UV-vis spectrophotometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and thermogravimetric analysis. The antibacterial activity of the biosynthesized silver nanoparticles was tested against the phytopathogen R. solanacearum through in vitro experiments. Preliminary phytochemical analysis of the plant extracts revealed the presence of substantial amounts of flavonoids (57.08 mg GAE/g), phenolics (42.30 mg GAE/g), tannins, and terpenoids. The HPLC phenolic profile indicated the presence of 25 possible bioactive compounds. Results regarding green synthesized silver nanoparticles revealed the conformation of different functional groups through FTIR analysis, which could be responsible for the bioreduction and capping of Ag ions into silver NPs. TEM results revealed the spherical, crystalline shape of nanoparticles with the size in the range of 23-63 nm, which validates SEM results. Different concentrations of Sn-AgNPs (T1 (500 μg/mL) to T7 (78.1 μg/mL)) with a combination of plant extracts (PE-Sn-AgNPs) and plant extracts alone exhibited an efficient inhibition of R. solanacearum. These findings could be used as an effective alternative preparation against the bacterial wilt of tomato.

The Importance of Plant Extract in Improving the Microflora of the Gastrointestinal Tract in the Treatment of Diseases of the Stomach and Duodenum

The paper presents the results of studying the anti-ulcer activity of a combination of complex plant extracts on experimental models of stress and acetylsalicylic gastric ulcers when administered per os extract at a dose of 150 mg/ kg to laboratory animals. The experiments were performed on nonlinear male rats and mongrel male mice. Determination of the Pauls index, the anti–ulcer action index (AUE) - the main criteria for evaluating the anti-ulcer activity of drugs. It is shown that in stress ulcers, the effectiveness of the extract is characterized by a decrease in large, point, stripe-shaped ulcers, a decrease in the number of ulcerative lesions in mice, the AUE index = 4.6. It was found that in the acetylsalicylic model of gastric ulcers against the background of the introduction of the extract, ulcers were detected only in 70% of animals, less pronounced damage to the gastric mucosa was observed, the AUE index is 4.5.

TOTUM-070, A combination of plant extracts, reduces hypercholesterolemia trough inhibition of intestinal cholesterol absorption in hamsters and human CACO2 cells

TOTUM-070, A combination of plant extracts, reduces hypercholesterolemia trough inhibition of intestinal cholesterol absorption in hamsters and human CACO2 cells

Antimicrobial Synergism within Plant Extract Combinations

Ideas for research are drawn from the herbal medicine tradition of synergy. Using online databases, a study of the literature on plant synergy and antimicrobial research that was published in most recent years. In each plant sample, the efficacies of the various extract combinations varied, with some combinations of plant extracts exhibiting the greatest synergistic effects when combined according to proportionate extract yield. Since the beginning of time, herbal medicines and phytochemicals have been employed for their potent antibacterial action, and there is a growing trend toward the creation of plant-based natural products for the prevention and treatment of pathogenic infections. Utilizing antimicrobial agent-phytochemical combinations to neutralize the resistance mechanism and maintain the drug’s efficacy against resistant microorganisms is one method for successfully modifying resistance

1624-P: Hudev-PRE, a Combination of Plant Extracts, Improves Glucose Homeostasis in Both High-Fat Diet C57Bl/6J and Ob/Ob Mice

Despite advances in the understanding of the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes (T2D), new therapeutic & nutritional solutions are needed to delay its emergence and prevent the development of its associated complications. Here, we tested the effect of HUDEV-PRE, an original mixture of plant extracts, on glucose homeostasis in in two different mouse models of T2D. In a first experiment, 8 weeks old C57Bl/6J males were fed with high-fat diet during 8 weeks to induce insulin resistance. In a second set-up, we used 6 weeks old Ob/Ob males. In both experiments, mice received a double daily oral administration of vehicle, metformin (150mg/kg) or HUDEV-PRE for 30 days. Food intake, body weight change, random fed plasma glucose, cholesterol and triglyceride levels were measured once weekly. Finally, oral glucose tolerance tests (GTT) were performed after 7 and 21 days of treatment. In both models, HUDEV-PRE did not alter food intake and body weight. Interestingly, a rapid, sustainable and significant reduction of random fed blood glucose levels was observed in HFD fed C57Bl/6J and Ob/Ob mice receiving metformin or HUDEV-PRE administration. In HFD fed C57Bl/6J mice, GTT revealed no significant effects at day 7 but a strong improvement of glucose tolerance in mice treated for 21 days with metformin or HUDEV-PRE compared to control vehicle treated mice. In Ob/Ob mice, we observed similar results and the glucose tolerance was even improved after only 7 days of treatment. Finally, at day 21, we also measured a significant reduction of fasting plasma insulin levels and HOMA-IR in both mouse models treated with HUDEV-PRE. Together, our data demonstrate that HUDEV-PRE rapidly improve glucose homeostasis in two mouse models of T2D. Although additional studies are warranted to decipher the mechanisms of action, these findings indicate that HUDEV-PRE could represent a nutritional supplement of interest to delay the onset of insulin resistance and T2D in patients at metabolic risk. Disclosure C.Le may: None. J.Blua: None. B.Cariou: Board Member; Eli Lilly and Company, Novartis, Research Support; Sanofi, Speaker's Bureau; Abbott, AstraZeneca, Novo Nordisk, Sanofi.

Synergistic Chemopreventive Effects of a Novel Combined Plant Extract Comprising Gallic Acid and Hesperidin on Colorectal Cancer.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer with a high mortality rate worldwide. Although gallic acid and hesperidin exert anticancer activity, synergistic effects of gallic acid and hesperidin against CRC remain elusive. This study aims to investigate the therapeutic mechanism of a novel combination of gallic acid and hesperidin against CRC cell growth, including cell viability, cell-cycle-associated proteins, spheroid formation, and stemness. Gallic acid and hesperidin derived from Hakka pomelo tea (HPT) were detected by colorimetric methods and high-performance liquid chromatography using ethyl acetate as an extraction medium. CRC cell lines (HT-29 and HCT-116) treated with the combined extract were investigated in our study for cell viability (trypan blue or soft agar colony formation assay), cell cycle (propidium iodide staining), cell-cycle-associated proteins (immunoblotting), and stem cell markers (immunohistochemistry staining). Compared with other extraction methods, HPT extraction using an ethyl acetate medium exerts the most potent effect on inhibiting HT-29 cell growth in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, the treatment with combined extract had a higher inhibitory effect on CRC cell viability than gallic acid or hesperidin alone. The underlying mechanism was involved in G1-phase arrest and Cip1/p21 upregulation that could attenuate HCT-116 cell proliferation (Ki-67), stemness (CD-133), and spheroid growth in a 3D formation assay mimicking in vivo tumorigenesis. Gallic acid and hesperidin exert synergistic effects on cell growth, spheroids, and stemness of CRC and may serve as a potential chemopreventive agent. Further testing for the safety and effectiveness of the combined extract in large-scale randomized trials is required.

Green production of plant/collagen-based antibacterial polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanocomposite films

The climate crisis, environmental pollution and waste generation have increased the demands for the green production of eco-friendly and bio-based nanocomposites. Modified polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanocomposite films were produced using hemp seeds, St. John's Wort, Rosemary and Cherry Laurel plant extracts, collagen and nano silver (AgNPs) and their microstructure, mechanical properties, swelling behavior and antibacterial properties were investigated. Morphological investigations revealed that the PVA matrix was enhanced with green synthesized silver nanoparticles of equiaxed and circular shape in the 30–37 nm size range. It was determined that the produced nature-based nanocomposites hardness are 2.3 times higher than neat un-modified samples, and their swelling in aqueous media was 3.5 times more resistant. Increasing the thermal resistance of green nanocomposite films and creating stronger chemical bonds were achieved by modification of the combined combinations of collagen, plant extracts and nano silver to PVA. In addition, the combination and compositions used in the study made an environmentally friendly nanocomposite films with 10 times stronger antibacterial effects.

Influence of Azadirachta indica and Cnidoscolus angustidens aqueous extract on cattle ruminal gas production and degradability in vitro.

Mitigation of ruminant greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is crucial for more appropriate livestock production. Thus, there is a need of further research evaluating feed supplementation strategies to mitigate enteric GHG emissions and other gases produced within the rumen. This study was conducted as a completely randomized experimental design to determine the effectiveness of liquid extracts from A. indica (AZI), C. angustidens (CNA), or their combination (Mix. 1:1) at dosages of 0, 36, 72, and 108 mg of liquid extract/g DM substrate incubated in reducing GHG production in vitro, particularly methane (CH4), from the diet of steers during anaerobic incubation in rumen fluid. Total gas production, CH4, CO, H2S, and fermentative characteristics were all measured in vitro. Treatment AZI at a dose of 108 mg of liquid extract/g DM substrate produced the highest (P < 0.05) gas volume at 6 h, whereas CNA at a dose of 72 mg of liquid extract/ g DM substrate produced the least (P < 0.05) at 6 and 24 h, and Mix. at a dose of 72 mg of liquid extract/g DM substrate produced the least (P < 0.05) at 48 h. In addition, CH4 levels at 6 and 24 h of incubation (36 mg/g DM substrate) were highest (P < 0.05) for CNA, and lowest (P < 0.05) for AZI, whereas this variable was lowest (P < 0.05) at 72 mg of liquid extract for CNA at 24 and 48 h. At 6 and 24 h, CO volume was highest (P < 0.05) for AZI at 108 mg of liquid extract and lowest (P < 0.05) for Mix. at 72 mg of liquid extract. Treatment Mix. had a high (P < 0.05) concentration of short chain fatty acids at 72 mg of liquid extract/g DM of substrate. In general, herbaceous perennial plants, such as AZI and CNA, could be considered suitable for mitigating enteric GHG emissions from animals. Specifically, the treatment Mix. achieved a greater sustainable reduction of 67.6% in CH4 and 47.5% in H2S production when compared to either AZI. This reduction in CH4 might suggest the potential of the combination of both plant extracts for mitigating the production of GHG from ruminants.

Antiulcer Effect of Aqueous Ethanolic Extracts of Pseudocedrela kotschyi (Schweinf) Harms (Meliaceae) and Ximenia americana L. (Olacaceae).

This study aimed to provide pharmacological evidence of Pseudocedrela kotschyi and Ximenia americana in preventing or healing peptic ulcers claimed by traditional healers in Burkina Faso. The trunk bark of Pseudocedrela kotschyi and the roots bark of Ximenia americana (Olacaceae) were macerated in mixed ethanol/water (80:20), respectively, to obtain dried extracts. Two models of hydrochloric acid (HCl, 0.3 M/ethanol, 60%) and hypothermic stress-induced peptic ulcer were used. The cytoprotective effect of individual or combined plant extracts was assessed at 1; 10; 30mg/kg. bw. Then, the healing effect of the extracts at 10mg/kg.bw was evaluated within 21 days of treatment on the hydrochloric acid-induced ulcer model. The extracts' antioxidant activity and phenolic content were assessed to support the plant extracts' efficiency. The extracts of P. kotschyi and X. americana at 10 mg/kg.bw reduced ulceration index in hydrochloric acid- and hypothermic stress-ulcer models by more than 83% and 65%, respectively. The extract from X. americana at 10mg/kg.bw allowed complete ulcer healing but not the association of the two plant extracts. The plant extracts had IC50of inhibition of DPPH radical lower than 5μg/mL and total ferric reducing antioxidant power of more than 77 mg EQAA/100mg. The total polyphenolic content was 64.82 ±0.99 and 53.75 ±1.39 mg EGA/g of dried extract of P. kotschyi and X. americana, respectively. X. americana extract is better than the combined two plant extracts in gastric cytoprotection and ulcer healing. Further investigations are needed to highlight mechanism-based effects.

Dependence of gold nanoparticle formation on Muntingia calabura and Lagerstroemia speciosa extract amounts

Investigating gold nanoparticle formation using plant extract combinations could pave the way for more green synthesis possibilities involving interactive effects of biochemicals. In this study, varying amounts of combined leaf extracts of Muntingia calabura and Lagerstroemia speciosa provide reducing agents capable of producing quasi-spherical gold nanoparticles with average diameter ranging from 30 to 40 nm. These gold nanoparticles generate visible light absorbance peaks at 550 to 559 nm. Gold nanoparticle formation time and peak absorbance wavelength increase with the combined leaf extract amount up to 2.5 vol parts before an eventual decrease is observed for 3 vol parts of extract. Nanoparticle sizes due to 1.5–2.5 vol parts of extract are comparable with each other and are significantly different as compared with nanoparticles produced using 3 vol parts of extract. Based on comparing absorbance spectra before and after two weeks, all the gold nanoparticles were found to be stable for that time period. In conclusion, the combined extract could be used to vary gold nanoparticle size, absorbance, and formation time depending on its amount.

BIOSYNTHESIS OF COPPER OXIDE NANOPARTICLES AND EVALUATION OF THEIR ANTIMICROBIAL PROPERTIES

Objective: This research was carried out to synthesize and characterize copper oxide nanoparticles (CuONPs) using Vernonia amygdalina leaf extract and investigate the in vitro antimicrobial properties using clinical microbial isolates. Methods: The CuONPs were synthesized by heating a mixture of copper sulfate pentahydrate and V. amygdalina aqueous extract. The CuONPs were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and particle size analysis. Phytochemical analysis of V. amygdalina was carried out to determine the bio-molecules that served as a reducing agent during the synthesis of CuONPs. The antimicrobial activities of CuONPs and V. amygdalina were evaluated by the agar disc diffusion method against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans. Ampicillin and fluconazole were used as reference antibacterial and antifungal agents, respectively. Results: The nanoparticles were in the nanometer dimension and exhibited significant antimicrobial activity (P&lt;0.05) against the tested microbes. However, the standard antibacterial drug, ampicillin, showed higher antibacterial activity against S. aureus and E. coli with the inhibition zone diameter of (IZD) of 13.10±0.38 mm and 11.80±0.12 mm, respectively. Fluconazole had no antifungal activity against C. albicans while V. amygdalina demonstrated good antibacterial activity against S. aureus and E. coli but lacked antifungal activity against C. albicans. However, the combination of CuONPs and plant extract exhibited significant antifungal activity with an IZD of 10.37±0.72 mm. Conclusion: An eco-friendly, simple, reproducible, and economical CuONPs have been synthesized using V. amygdalina leaf extract. The findings indicate that CuONPs could be used as an antimicrobial agent.

The Synergistic Anticancer Effect of Some Plant Extracts in Combination against Human Liver Cancer Cell Line

Background: Cancer is still a major health problem worldwide, despite the big development in treatment and diagnostic methods. For this reason, this study aims to find new drugs with low cost and fewer side effects on cancer cells continue. Medical plants represent a suitable candidate for discovering new materials for cancer treatment. Methods: Ten plants usually used in traditional medicine were used to evaluate their effectiveness as anti-cancer. These plants were divided into two mixtures according to traditional usage, named mixtures A and B. The anticancer effect against HepG2 was determined by MTT assay. The IC50 was also calculated. Result: Mixture A showed cytotoxicity reached 66.98%, while mixture B showed 63.66% by using 400 µg/ml at 4 8h. The IC50 for mixture A was 53 µg/ml, while for mixture B was 44.29 g/ml. All these results compare to normal cell line HnFd cells. In conclusion, mixing medical plants can effectively increase the anticancer activity of the synergistic effect between the phytochemicals. Future studies will be done to scan these effects.

Evaluation of the antibacterial activity of selected Kenyan medicinal plant extract combinations against clinically important bacteria

BackgroundInfectious diseases are a major global public health concern as antimicrobial resistance (AMR) currently accounts for more than 700,000 deaths per year worldwide. The emergence and spread of resistant bacterial pathogens remain a key challenge in antibacterial chemotherapy. This study aims to investigate the antibacterial activity of combined extracts of various Kenyan medicinal plants against selected microorganisms of medical significance.MethodsThe antibacterial activity of various extract combinations of Aloe secundiflora, Toddalia asiatica, Senna didymobotrya and Camelia sinensis against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus was assessed using the agar well diffusion and the minimum inhibitory concentration in-vitro assays. The checkerboard method was used to evaluate the interactions between the various extract combinations. ANOVA test followed by Tukey’s post hoc multiple comparison test was used to determine statistically significant differences in activity (P < 0.05).ResultsAt concentrations of 100 mg/ml (10,000 µg/well), the different combinations of the aqueous, methanol, dichloromethane and petroleum ether extracts of the selected Kenyan medicinal plants revealed diverse activity against all the test bacteria. The combination of methanolic C. sinensis and A. secundiflora was the most active against E. coli (14.17 ± 0.22 mm, diameter of zones of inhibition (DZI); MIC 2500 µg/well). The combination of methanolic C. sinensis and S. didymobotrya was the most active against S. aureus (16.43 ± 0.10 mm; MIC 1250 µg/well), K. pneumonia (14.93 ± 0.35 mm, DZI; MIC 1250 µg/well), P. aeruginosa (17.22 ± 0.41 mm, DZI; MIC 156.25 µg/well) and MRSA (19.91 ± 0.31 mm, DZI; MIC 1250 µg/well). The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration of the different plant extract combinations ranged from 10,000 µg/ well to 156.25 µg/well. The ANOVA test indicated statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) between single extracts and their combinations. The fractional inhibitory concentration indices (FICI) showed that the interactions were either synergistic (10.5%), additive (31.6%), indifferent (52.6%), or antagonistic (5.3%) for the selected combinations.ConclusionThis study findings validate the ethnopractice of selectively combining medicinal plants in the management of some bacterial infections in traditional medicine.

Histo-biochemical analyses of the ameliorative potentials of Phyllanthus nuriri and Carica papaya on some visceral of Albino rats previously treated with Nitrofuratoin

Herbal medicine has been used since the days of our forefathers. Nitrofuratoin is a synthetic drug used in the treatment of bacterial infections. This study was aimed at the ameliorative potential of Phyllanthus nuriri and Carica papaya on liver, kidney and lungs histomorphologies of albino rats pre-treated With nitrofuratoin. Twenty eight (28) rats were used for this research work. The research was in two stages. The animals were in five groups in stage one, group 1 with 8 animals received rat pellet and water and was used as control while group 2, 3, 4, and 5 with five rats each received 100 mg/kg body weight of nitrofuratoin. After 14 days of administration, four rats from group the control group (1) and four rats from the test groups were sacrificed, tissues were harvested taken for histological evaluation. In stage two, group 1and 2, received rat pellet and water and served as positive and negative control, group 3, 4,and 5 received 100mg/kgbody weight of Phyllanthus nuriri, Carica papaya and combine extract respectively. After 14 days of administration, Animals used as control experiment and test were weighed, sacrificed via cranial dislocation, and tissues harvested for histopathological evaluation There were significant increase (P &lt; 0.05) in potassium, chloride and bicarbonate and also deleterious effect on the kidney, liver and lungs in nitrofuratoin administered rats. All these physiological and morphological alterations were repaired with P. niruri and C. papaya and combined plant extract. The plant extract could serve as cheap and affordable treatment for kidney, lungs and liver inflammation.

Antifungal Action of Herbal Plants' Glycolic Extracts against Candida Species.

Candida spp. cause fungal infection that affects patients' oral health. This study aimed to evaluate the isolated and synergistic antifungal effect of Rosa centifolia L., Curcuma longa L., Rosmarinus officinalis L., and Punica granatum L. glycolic extracts against Candida albicans, Candida dubliniensis, Candida tropicalis, and Candida krusei planktonic and biofilm forms. The plant extracts were chemically characterized and the main compounds were quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC-DAD) analysis. The minimum inhibitory and minimum fungicidal concentrations of the extracts were determined, and antibiofilm activity was evaluated by MTT assay. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Tukey's tests, and by Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn's tests, considering a significance level of 5%. The main compounds identified in each of the extracts were: p-coumaric acid (2153.22 μg/100 mL) in the rosemary extract, gallotannins (4318.31 μg/100 mL) in the pomegranate extract, quercetin derivatives (3316.50 μg/100 mL) in the extract of white roses, and curcumin (135.09 μg/100 mL) in the turmeric extract. The combination of R. centifolia and C. longa glycolic extracts was effective against C. albicans, C. dubliniensis, and C. tropicalis biofilms over different periods (p < 0.05). The combination of R. officinalis and P. granatum glycolic extracts was effective against C. albicans and C. krusei biofilms after 30 min, and against C. tropicalis after 24 h, with all combinations showing an average reduction of 50% in cell viability (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the combined plant extracts have antifungal and antibiofilm action against Candida spp. in different concentrations and times of action.

Synergistic Growth Inhibition of Herbal Plant Extract Combinations against Candida albicans

Many skin diseases are caused by microbial infections. Representative pathogenic fungus and bacterium that cause skin diseases are Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus, respectively. Malassezia pachydermatis is a fungus that causes animal skin diseases. In this study, we propose a method for removing pathogenic microorganisms from the skin using relatively safe edible herbal extracts. Herbal extracts were screened for skin health through the removal of pathogenic microorganisms, and combinations for effective utilization of the screened extracts were identified. In this study, among methanol extracts of 240 edible plants, C. albicans, S. aureus, and M. pachydermatis were killed by extracts of 10 plants: Acori Gramineri Rhizoma, Angelicae Tenuissimae Radix, Cinnamomi Cortex, Cinnamomi Ramulus, Impatientis Semen, Magnoliae Cortex, Moutan Cortex Radicis, Phellodendri Cortex, Scutellariae Radix, and Syzygii Flos. By evaluating the synergistic antifungal activities against C. albicans using all 45 possible combinations of these 10 extracts, five new synergistic antifungal combinations, Acori Gramineri Rhizoma with Magnoliae Cortex extracts, Acori Gramineri Rhizoma with Phellodendri Cortex extracts, Angelicae Tenuissimae Radix with Magnoliae Cortex extracts, Magnoliae Cortex with Phellodendri Cortex extracts, and Phellodendri Cortex with Syzygii Flos extracts, were identified. By utilizing the selected extracts and five combinations with synergistic antifungal effects, this work provides materials and methods to develop new and safe methods for treating candidiasis using natural products.