International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology

International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology ISSN: 2326-7267 Vol. 2 (4), pp. 001-006, April, 2011. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Effects of plants and medicinal plant combinations as anti-infectives

Ramesh, Putheti¹ and Okigbo, R. N ²

¹Member, an American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS), 236-203, Saint David Court, Maryland, USA.

²Department of Botany, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.

Accepted 06 January 2011

Abstract

The ascendancy of the Human Immuno Deficiency virus (HIV) has spurred intensive investigation into plant derivatives, which may be effective, especially for use in underdeveloped nations with little access to expensive western medicines. This review describes mostly the current state of ant microbial substances of plant origin ranging from extracts commonly in use, largely by the community, to substances being prospected screened and tested by researchers and clinicians. This review focuses on plant and their extracts, which are anti microbial in nature or in other words the anti microbial substances of plant origin and their eventual therapeutic effects on human affairs. Only phytochemicals or anti microbial substances reported to have anti microbial or anti-infective properties are examined.

Key words: Phytomedicines, medicinal plants, human, diseases.

International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology ISSN: 2326-7267 Vol. 2 (4), pp. 001-006, April, 2011. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Phytochemical screening and antibacterial evaluation of the leaf and root extracts of Cassia alata Linn

El-Mahmood, A. M.* and Doughari, J. H.

Department of Microbiology, School of Pure and Applied Sciences, Federal University of Technology P. M. B 2014 Yola 640002 Adamawa State, Nigeria

Accepted 23 September, 2010

Abstract

Phytochemical screening of the leaves and roots of Cassia alata (Linn) revealed the presence of some bioactive components, which have been linked to antimicrobial properties. The effects of water, methanol and chloroform extracts on some pathogenic Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus pyogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Proteus mirabilis showed that the plant parts can be used to treat infections caused by these bacteria. S. aureus, S. pyogenes and P. mirabilis were more susceptible, while E. coli and P. aeruginosa were less sensitive. The effectiveness of the crude extracts were enhanced at elevated temperatures and at near neutrality pH values, which attests to its use in traditional medicine to treat skin, urinary tract and gastrointestinal infections. The aqueous extract was less effective than the organic solvents, thus suggesting the inability of the traditional medicine practitioners to exhaustively extract all the bioactive components with water. The MICs and MBCs of the extracts against the test bacteria were high and correlate with sensitivity test results. The effectiveness of the extracts were less than the conventional antibiotic, metronidazole.

Key words: Antimicrobial bioactive, pathogenic, phytochemical, traditional medicine.

International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology ISSN: 2326-7267 Vol. 2 (3), pp. 001-008, March, 2011. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Gender independent pharmacokinetics of levofloxacin in healthy black African subjects

Mbang A. Owolabi^1*, Grace E. Ukpo¹, Martin E. Okenne¹, Olayinka O. Oyeniyi¹, Olajumoke O. Oladipo² and Smith I. Jaja³

¹Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, College of Medicine Campus, University of Lagos, Nigeria.

²Departmentof Clinical Pathology, School of Clinical Science, College of Medicine, University of Lagos.

³Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Lagos. P. M. B. 12003, Lagos, Nigeria.

Accepted January 25, 2011

Abstract

The pharmacokinetic profile of levofloxacin in healthy black African subjects as well as the influence of gender on its pharmacokinetic parameters was investigated. Sixteen healthy adult volunteers (8 males and 8 females) enrolled in the study and took single oral dose of 500 mg levofloxacin (Levoflox^Ò) after informed consent. The blood of the volunteers was withdrawn from their antecubital vein at 0, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 24 and 36 h post dosing and analysed for levofloxacin concentration. The results of this study revealed that levofloxacin was well tolerated and detectable in the plasma seventeen min after dosing being faster in female than male. Bioavailability was not affected by gender and T_max showed no significant difference between the genders (p 0.05). The C_max and AUC_0- were higher in the female than in the male subjects, plasma clearance (CL) was lower in female than in the male thus explaining the differences in the total systemic exposure of the drug. The volume of distribution (V_d) was significantly reduced in female compared to the male. When pharmacokinetics parameters were expressed relative to mg drug/total body weight or renal function, gender-related differences were attenuated. This result indicates that subject body weight or renal function may be involved in the pharmacokinetic differences of the subjects, thus drug administration based on sex is not relevant.

Key words: Pharmacokinetics, gender, levofloxacin, bioavailability, volume of distribution.

International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology ISSN: 2326-7267 Vol. 2 (3), pp. 001-006, March, 2011. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Synthesis, antiviral and cytotoxic activities of some novel 2-Phenyl-3-Disubstituted Quinazolin-4(3H)-ones

Periyasamy Selvam^1*, K. Babu¹, R. Padamraj¹, Leentje persoons² and Erik de Clercq²

¹Arulmigu Kalasalingam College of Pharmacy, Krishnankoil-626190.

²Rega Institute for Medical Research, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium.

Accepted 12 January, 2011

Abstract

The 2-phenyl-benzoxazin-4-ones were condensed with primary amine to form the 2, 3-disubstituted quinazolin-4(3H)-ones. Their chemical structure was elucidated by means of spectral (FT-IR, ¹H- NMR, MS) and elemental analysis. The antiviral activity and cytotoxicity of the compounds were tested in HeLa cells (vesicular stomatitis virus, Coxsackie virus B4 and respiratory syncytial virus), HEL cells [herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2), vaccinia virus], Vero cells (parainfluenza-3, reovirus-1, Sindbis virus, Coxsackie virus B4 and Punta Toro virus). Among the new derivatives evaluated, specific antiviral activity was noted with compound QAA against vaccinia virus, parainfluenza-3 virus and Punta Toro virus, compound QOPD against HSV-1, HSV-2 and vaccinia virus, and compounds QONA and PD-NFIN against Coxsackie virus B4.

Key words: Quinazoline, antiviral, HSV, vaccinia, sulphanamides.

International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology ISSN: 2326-7267 Vol. 2 (3), pp. 001-004, March, 2011. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Evaluation of the effect of colloidal silver on the antibacterial activity of ethanolic extract of the lichen Parmelia Perlata

Momoh, M. A.* and Adikwu, M. U.

Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nigeria, 410001 Nsukka, Nigeria.

Accepted 22 August, 2010

Abstract

Substances extracted from lichens have previously been reported to possess antimicrobial activities against various groups of bacteria, fungi and viruses. Due to the high abundance of Parmelia perlata in the Eastern parts of Nigeria, we decided to explore the effect of colloidal silver on the antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus. The lichen extract was obtained via cold maceration with ethanol. The phytochemical tests was carried out on the extract of lichen. The minimum inhibitory zone MICs of the ethanolic extract against S. aureus was determine and the solution of the colloidal silver was also determine separately on S. auerus, the MIC of each was noted and their admixture in the presence of concentration of colloidal silver using bore- plate method. Result of the phytochemical tests showed the presence of flavonoids, saponins, tannins, glycosides, steroidal aglycone, carbohydrates. The result also shows that, the ethanol extract of the lichen has activity on S. aureus while the colloidal silver at the dilution used, has very little activity on the S. aureus. It was also seen from the result that the zone of inhibitory of the ethanol extract was increased in the presence of colloidal silver and MICs is concentration dependent. It was therefore finally concluded that colloidal silver potentates the effect of ethanol extract of the lichen P. perlata

Key words: Parmelia perlata, lichen, Staphylococcus aureus, evaluation, colloidal silver.

International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology ISSN: 2326-7267 Vol. 2 (3), pp. 001-006, March, 2011. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Pharmacognostical studies on Dodonaea viscosa leaves

Sama Venkatesh¹*, Y. S. R Reddy¹, M. Ramesh¹, M. M. Swamy², N. Mahadevan² and B. Suresh²

¹University College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kakatiya University, Warangal - 506 009 India.

²JSS College of Pharmacy, Rockland’s, Ooty – 643 001, India

Accepted 15 October, 2010

Abstract

Dodonaea viscosa Jacq is a popular medicinal plant. Its leaves are used as anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer, anti-bacterial and antifungal agents and in the treatment of fractures. In view of its medicinal importance and taxonomic confusion, pharmacognostic studies, microscopical structure, morphological characters, chemical analysis and numerical values in epidermal study were carried out. These studies provided referential information for identification of this crude drug.

Key words: Dodonaea viscosa, macroscopy, anatomy, ash values, extractive values, leaf constants, microscopy, phytochemical.