A review of available techniques for determination of nano-antimicrobials activity

In recent years using nanoparticle has been increased to resolve microbial resistance. It has been shown that nanomaterial such as metallic nanoparticles is the most effective in microbial cell reduction. In nanoparticle using the antimicrobial activity assay should be identified by suitable method. This review consists of introduce the available techniques for determination of Nanoantimicrobials activity, specifically metal oxide nanoparticles. Determining methods for the antimicrobial potential of nanoparticle, including the use of viable cells by exploring and indirect tests, each with unique advantages and disadvantages, such as bacterial cell enumeration, diffusion test, minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration, adenosine triphosphate assay, fluorescein diacetate (3,6-diacetylfluorescein), molecular biological techniques, and fractional inhibitory concentration index, to determine the effectiveness of test substances for synergistic, antagonistic, or additive effects, in one section. Antimicrobial activity parameters of nanoparticles, including UV illumination effect, impact of nanoparticle shape, surface modification, influence of nanoparticle size and concentration, surface defects, ion release of used nanoparticles, charge on the surface of the nanoparticles, and generation of reactive oxygen species, are described in other sections. It can be concluded that being familiar with all the existence method’s advantages, disadvantages and application range can reduce the challenge of method selection that providing relevant and reliable information about antimicrobial activity of NPs.     

Patterns of recurrence and treatment in male breast cancer: A clue to prognosis?

Male breast cancer (MBC) patients seem to have inferior survival compared to female (FBC) ones, which is not fully explained by usual prognostic factors. Recurrence analysis could show differences in relapse patterns and/or in patients' approaches that justify these outcomes. Retrospective analysis of MBC patients treated in a cancer center between 1990 and 2014, looking for relapse. For each patient, three matched FBC patients were selected by: diagnosis' year, age (within 5 years), stage and tumors' type (only luminal‐like were considered). Differences between cohorts were assessed by χ² test and hierarchical clustering was performed to define subgroups according to relapse local. Survival curves were calculated by Kaplan–Meier and compared using log‐rank test. Statistical significance was defined as p < 0.05. Groups were balanced according to age, histological grade, stage, expression of hormonal receptors and adjuvant treatments. Median time to recurrence was equivalent, p = 0.72, with the majority of patients presented with distant metastases, p = 0.69, with more lung involvement in male, p = 0.003. Male patients were more often proposed to symptomatic treatment (21.1% vs. 4.4%, p = 0.02). Overall and from recurrence survivals were poorer for male, median: 5 years [95% confidence interval (CI): 4.1–5.9 years] and 1 year (95% CI: 0–2.1 years) vs. 10 years (95% CI: 7.8–12.2 years) and 2 years (95% CI: 1.6–2.4 years), p < 0.001 and p = 0.004, respectively, and this tendency remained in the five cluster subgroups, that identified five patterns of relapse, p = 0.003. MBC patients had the worst survival, even after controlling important factors, namely the local of relapse. Palliative systemic treatment had favorable impact in prognosis and its frequently avoidance in male could justify the outcomes differences.     

基于生物抑菌活性的金银花颗粒效价测定方法

摘 要 目的： 探讨符合中医药特点的中药固体制剂质量控制与评价的化学 生物联合评价模式。方法: 以金银花颗粒为模型药,采用菌敏试验（最小抑菌浓度和最小杀菌浓度的测定）考察金银花提取液对4种标准菌株（金黄色葡萄球菌、变形链球菌、大肠埃希菌、铜绿假单胞菌）的抑菌性。建立敏感菌抑菌圈直径与不同浓度金银花提取液之间的相关曲线,计算不同厂家金银花颗粒的生物效价,并将测定结果与HPLC法测定（以绿原酸计）的结果相比较。结果: 抑菌实验表明,金银花对金黄色葡萄球菌、变形链球菌、大肠埃希菌、铜绿假单胞菌敏感,其中金黄色葡萄球菌的抑菌圈边缘清晰、敏感度较高。当金银花的质量浓度在0.0142～0.0680 g·ml^-1范围内时,对数浓度与反应效应呈线性关系,且相关性好（ｒ＝0.990 9）。结论:以生物活性为导向的效价评价方法有望成为评价中药固体制剂有效成分含量的手段之一,可配合传统检验方法对中药材及其制剂进行质量监控。     

Successful Outcome in Patients with Fanconi Anemia Undergoing T Cell-Replete Mismatched Related Donor Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Using Reduced-Dose Cyclophosphamide Post-Transplantation

Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) has been shown to restore normal hematopoiesis in patients with Fanconi anemia (FA), with excellent results in matched related donor HCT. Outcomes of alternative donor HCT are less favorable, however. In patients without FA, several reports have documented stable engraftment and/or a low risk of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) using unmanipulated HLA-mismatched related donors and post-HCT cyclophosphamide (PT-CY) for GVHD prophylaxis. Data on the use of this approach in patients with FA are scarce, and thus we launched a study of HLA-mismatched related donor HCT in these patient. Here we report our findings in 19 patients. The conditioning was fludarabine 30 mg/m²/day for 5 days, antithymocyte globulin 5 mg/kg/day for 4 days, and total body irradiation (total dose, 200 cGy). GVHD prophylaxis was cyclosporine and mycophenolate and reduced doses of PT-CY, 25 mg/kg, on days +3 and +5. All patients exhibited absolute neutrophil count recovery. Grade III-IV acute GVHD occurred in 3 patients, and chronic GVHD occurred in 1 patient. At a mean follow-up of 38.3 ± 5.8 months, the 5-year probability of overall survival for our patients was 89.2% ± 7.2%. The regimen was well tolerated; hemorrhagic cystitis occurred in 7 patients, and severe mucositis occurred in 5 patients. There were 2 deaths; the primary cause of death was severe GVHD in 1 patient and leukemia recurrence in the other. We conclude that in patients with FA lacking a matched related donor, the use of mismatched related HCT with low-dose PT-CY is a viable option; it is well tolerated, with a high rate of engraftment and an acceptable incidence of GVHD.     

Eugenol (an essential oil of clove) acts as an antibacterial agent against Salmonella typhi by disrupting the cellular membrane

Aim of the study

To evaluate the antibacterial activity of eugenol and its mechanism of bactericidal action against Salmonella typhi.

Materials and methods

The antibacterial activity was checked by disc-diffusion method, MIC, MBC, time course assay and pH sensitivity assay. The chemo-attractant property of eugenol was verified by chemotaxis assay. The mode of action of eugenol was determined by crystal violet assay, measurement of release of 260 nm absorbing material, SDS-PAGE, FT-IR spectroscopy, AFM and SEM.

Results

Treatment with eugenol at their MIC (0.0125%) and MBC (0.025%) reduced the viability and resulted in complete inhibition of the organism. Eugenol inactivated Salmonella typhi within 60 min exposure. The chemo-attractant property of eugenol combined with the observed high antibacterial activity at alkaline pH favors the fact that the compound can work more efficiently when given in vivo. Eugenol increased the permeability of the membrane, as evidenced by crystal violet assay. The measurement of release of 260 nm absorbing intracellular materials, SDS-PAGE, SEM and AFM analysis confirmed the disruptive action of eugenol on cytoplasmic membrane. The deformation of macromolecules in the membrane, upon treatment with eugenol was verified by FT-IR spectroscopy.

Conclusion

The results suggest that the antibacterial activity of eugenol against Salmonella typhi is due to the interaction of eugenol on bacterial cell membrane.     

龙脑与异龙脑的体外抗菌作用的研究

天然冰片主成份为龙脑,合成冰片除龙脑外,尚含较大量异龙脑。为了弄清这两种冰片的抗菌效果,作者选用了临床上常见的五种细菌作为试验菌,分别对合成冰片、龙脑及异龙脑进行最小抑菌浓度、最小杀菌浓度和小数抑菌浓度指数的测定。结果表明龙脑和异龙脑抗菌作用一致,说明两种冰片具有等同的抗菌效果。而合成冰片来源丰富,且价格低廉,故具有应用前景。     

宫炎泡腾片体外抗菌作用的药效学试验

目的:了解宫炎泡腾片的体外抗菌作用情况。方法:将试验药与对照药在相同条件下进行比较试验。结果:试验药对金黄色葡萄球菌和白色念珠菌的MBC分别为15.6mg/mL和62.5mg/mL,与阴性对照药比较,P<0.01,拒绝H0。结论:试验药宫炎泡腾片具有一定的体外抗菌作用。     

Antibacterial activity of selected Cameroonian dietary spices ethno-medically used against strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Tuberculosis (TB) is considered as a re-emerging disease and one of the most important public health problems worldwide. The use or (in most cases) misuse of existint anti-tuberculosis drugs over the years has led to an increasing prevalence of resistant strains, establishing an urgent need to search for new effective agents. Spices are largely used ethno-medically across Africa.

Aim of the study

The present study aimed to evaluate the in vitro antimycobacterial activities of a total of 20 methanol crude extracts prepared from 20 Cameroonian dietary spices for their ability to inhibit the growth of or kill Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains H₃₇Rv (ATCC 27294) and H₃₇Ra (ATCC 25177).

Materials and methods

The antituberculosis screening was performed using the Microplate Alamar Blue Assay (MABA) method to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimum mycobactericidal concentration (MBC).

Results

Fifteen (15) plant extracts out of 20 showed varied levels of antimycobacterial activity against the strains M. tuberculosis H₃₇Rv and H₃₇Ra, with MICs in the range of 2.048–0.016 mg/ml. The extract of Echinops giganteus exhibited the most significant activity with a MIC value of 32 μg/ml and 16 μg/ml, respectively against H₃₇Ra and H₃₇Rv. To the best of our knowledge, the antimycobacterial activity of the tested spices has not been reported before and therefore our results can be evaluated as the first report about the antimycobacterial properties.

Conclusions

The results of this study suggest that Echinops giganteus and Piper guineense could be important sources of bactericidal compounds against M. tuberculosis and could probably be promising candidates that can be further investigated.     

Botany,phytochemistry, pharmacology,and potential application of Polygonum cuspidatum Sieb.et Zucc.: A review

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Polygonum cuspidatum Sieb. et Zucc. (Polygonum cuspidatum), also known as Reynoutria japonica Houtt and Huzhang in China, is a traditional and popular Chinese medicinal herb. Polygonum cuspidatum with a wide spectrum of pharmacological effects has been used for treatment of inflammation, favus, jaundice, scald, and hyperlipemia, etc.

Aim of the review

The present paper reviews the traditional applications as well as advances in botany, phytochemistry, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics and toxicology of this plant. Finally, the tendency and perspective for future investigation of this plant are discussed, too.

Materials and methods

A systematic review of literature about Polygonum cuspidatum is carried out using resources including classic books about Chinese herbal medicine, and scientific databases including Pubmed, SciFinder, Scopus, the Web of Science and others.

Results

Polygonum cuspidatum is widely distributed in the world and has been used as a traditional medicine for a long history in China. Over 67 compounds including quinones, stilbenes, flavonoids, counmarins and ligans have been isolated and identified from this plant. The root of this plant is used as the effective agent in pre-clinical and clinical practice for regulating lipids, anti-endotoxic shock, anti-infection and anti-inflammation, anti-cancer and other diseases in China and Japan.

Conclusion

As an important traditional Chinese medicine, Polygonum cuspidatum has been used for treatment of hyperlipemia, inflammation, infection and cancer, etc. Because there is no enough systemic data about the chemical constituents and their pharmacological effects or toxicities, it is important to investigate the pharmacological effects and molecular mechanisms of this plant based on modern realization of diseases’ pathophysiology. Drug target-guided and bioactivity-guided isolation and purification of the chemical constituents from this plant and subsequent evaluation of their pharmacologic effects will promote the development of new drug and make sure which chemical constituent or multiple ingredients contributes its pharmacological effects. Additionally, chemicals and their pharmacological effects of the other parts such as the aerial part of this plant should be exploited in order to avoid resource waste and find new chemical constituents.     

小儿青翘颗粒对呼吸道病原菌的体外抑制作用研究

目的:了解小儿青翘颗粒体外抗呼吸道病原菌的活性。方法:采用微量法测定小儿青翘颗粒对临床分离的肺炎链球菌、鲍曼不动杆菌、肺炎克雷伯菌和副流感嗜血杆菌的最低抑菌浓度(MIC)和最小杀菌浓度(MBC);采用平板法测定小儿青翘颗粒对鲍曼不动杆菌的杀菌时效与量效曲线。结果:小儿青翘颗粒对大部分呼吸道病原菌均有较好抗菌效果,对肺炎链球菌、鲍曼不动杆菌、肺炎克雷伯菌和副流感嗜血杆菌的MIC范围分别为9.38~75、4.69~9.38、1.17~4.69和4.69~75 mg/mL;MBC范围分别为18.75~75、4.69~9.38、2.34~4.69和4.69~75 mg/mL。结论:小儿青翘颗粒对常见呼吸道病原菌均具有较好的抑菌作用,对鲍曼不动杆菌的抑菌效果最好。