International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology

International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology ISSN: 2326-7267 Vol. 2 (9), pp. 001-004, September, 2011. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Antibacterial evaluation of selected Moroccan medicinal plants against Streptococcus pneumoniae

K.  Warda¹, M. Markouk¹*, K. Bekkouche¹, M. Larhsini¹ A. Abbad¹, A. Romane² and M. Bouskraoui³

¹Laboratory of Biotechnology, Protection and Valorisation of Plant Resources, Phytochemistry and Pharmacology of Aromatic and Medicinal Plant Unit, Faculty of Sciences, Semlalia, Marrakesh, Morocco.

²Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Semlalia, Marrakesh, Morocco.

³Laboratory of Microbiology and Virology, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Marrakesh, Morroco.

Accepted 12 February, 2011

Abstract

In Morocco, most people particularly in rural areas use medicinal plants to treat diseases. In order to find new antipneumococcal extracts, an ethnobotanical survey has been conducted in different regions of Marrakesh (south of Morocco). Four plants often cited by traditional practitioners (Marrubium vulgare, Thymus pallidus, Eryngium ilicifolium and Lavandula stoechas) are tested against Streptococcus pneumoniae responsible for pharyngitis, rhinitis, otitis and sinusitis infections. Aqueous and methanol extracts have been prepared and tested on S. pneumoniae collected in four regions of Marrakesh. A significant activity has been observed with methanol extracts of three plants; M. vulgare, T. pallidus and L. stoechas (MIC= 256 µg/ml).

Key words: Streptococcus pneumoniae, antibacterial activity, medicinal plants, phytochemical screening.

International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology ISSN: 2326-7267 Vol. 2 (8), pp. 001-004, August, 2011. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Anti-inflammatory activity of methanolic extract of Eclipta prostrata L. (Astearaceae)

G. Arunachalam¹*, N. Subramanian², G. P. Pazhani³ and V. Ravichandran⁴

¹PGP College of Pharmaceutical Science and Research Institute, NH-7, Namakkal - Karur Main Road, Namakkal – 637207, Tamilnadu, India.

²Bharathidasan Institute of Technology, Anna University Tiruchirappalli, Tiruchirappalli - 620024, Tamilnadu, India.

³KRS Pallavan College of Pharmacy, Mannur - 602105, Tamilnadu, India.

⁴Vels College of Pharmacy, Chennai- 600035, Tamilnadu, India.

Accepted 17 April, 2011

Abstract

The methanolic extract of leaves of Eclipta prostrata Linn was investigated for anti-inflammatory activity in albino Wistar rats. The methanolic extract administered by the oral route at a concentration of 100 and 200 mgkg^-1 showed the significant dose dependent anti-inflammatory activity in carrageenin and egg white induced hind paw oedema in rats. Anti-inflammatory activity of the tested extract was comparable with that of the standard drug indomethacin (10 mgkg^-1) and cyproheptadine (8 mgkg^-1) . The results lend support to the traditional use of E. prostrata in the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

Key words: Eclipta prostrate, methanolic extract, albino Wistar rats, anti-inflammatory activity.

International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology ISSN: 2326-7267 Vol. 2 (8), pp. 001-005, August, 2011. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Essential oil from gum of Pistacia atlantica Desf.: Screening of antimicrobial activity

B. R. Ghalem* and B. Mohamed

Biotoxicology Laboratory Biology Institute, Science Faculty, Djillali Liabès University of Sidi Bel Abbès , Algeria.

Accepted 12 February, 2011

Abstract

The essential oil from the gum of Pistacia atlantica Desf. grown in Algeria was obtained by the hydrodistillation method, and its antimicrobial activities against the growth of clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Streptococcus pyogenes were evaluated using three different methods; agar disc diffusion and dilution broth methods and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) which was subsequently, determined. The results of the study revealed that essential oil resin of P. atlantica has antimicrobial activity against gram-positive and -negative bacteria which are resistant to commonly used antimicrobial agents, and they were considerably dependent on concentration.

Key words: Gum of Pistacia atlantica Desf., essential oil, antimicrobial activities, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus pyogenes.

International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology ISSN: 2326-7267 Vol. 2 (8), pp. 001-008, August, 2011. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Accessibility of medicines and primary health care: The impact of the revolving drug fund in Khartoum State

Gamal Khalafalla Mohamed Ali

Public Health Institute, Khartoum, Sudan. E-mail: [email protected]. Tel.:+249123039450.

Accepted 17 February, 2011

Abstract

This paper presents a comprehensive evaluation of a country where a revolving drug fund (RDF) has lasted for fifteen years and serves more than three million patients annually, with more than SDG 2.8 million (Sudanese Pound) (US$11.1 million) annual turn over. Regardless of the fact that the supply of medicines and improvement in public health facilities utilization are among the main objectives of user fees policy, there is little information on the effect of RDF on accessibility of essential medicines and its impact on the utilization of public health services where RDF schemes have been introduced. We measured the percentage of prescribed medicines dispensed to patients in selected health facilities (both RDF and non-RDF), the availability of essential medicines in a twelve month period in order to determine whether the cost of the medicines is a barrier to utilization of public health services with RDF scheme in Khartoum State (KS). Structured interviews with users (186), personal observations, and archival as well as statistical records were used to capture data of interest relevant to the study objective. The average availability rate of key items was greater (93%) in the RDF facilities compared to 86% in non-RDF facilities. RDF records also showed that the availability of medicines in the RDF health facilities ranged from 95 to 100% in the twelve months period studied. Data from the household survey, demonstrated that over a third (36%) of respondents did not consult public health facilities when a member of a household was ill two weeks prior to the date of interview. Of note, only 9% of them said that this was because of unavailability of medicines. This study suggests that the RDF scheme adopted by KS made essential medicines available at its health facilities and increased health services utilization compared to those without RDF scheme. Therefore, sustained availability of low cost medicines near where people live that benefit previously disadvantaged poor population, particularly the vulnerable rural groups is achievable through RDF.

Key words: RDF, accessibility, availability, affordability.

International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology ISSN: 2326-7267 Vol. 2 (8), pp. 001-004, August, 2011. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Contact toxicity of some fixed plant oils and stabilized natural pyrethrum extracts against adult maize weevils (Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky)

H.N. Wanyika¹, P.G. Kareru¹*, J.M. Keriko¹, A.N. Gachanja¹, G.M. Kenji² and N.J Mukiira³

¹Department of Chemistry, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya.

²Department of Food Science and Technology, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya.

³National Agricultural Laboratories, Kabete, Kenya.

Accepted 21 March, 2011

Abstract

The contact toxicity of some selected fixed plant oils and stabilized natural pyrethrum (Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium) blends against adult maize weevils (Sitophilus zeamais) were investigated. Natural pyrethrum extract was stabilized against ultraviolet (UV) light by blending with fixed oils extracted from Azadirachta indica A. Juss (neem tree), Thevetia peruviana (yellow oleander) and Gossypium hirsutum L. (cotton) seeds. Cottonseed oil had the highest stabilization effect on the pyrethrum blend exposed to UV light of 366 nm. The results indicated that the natural pyrethrum extract blended with cottonseed oil was the most potent against maize weevils and that the potency was concentration-time dependent. Cottonseed and neem seed oils enhanced the stabilization of the natural pyrethrum insecticide.

Key words: Contact toxicity, maize weevils, ultraviolet light, natural pyrethrum, cottonseed oil.

Key words: Morinda tinctoria, anticonvulsant, PTZ, MES.