Ocimum basilicum: Antibacterial activity and association study with antibiotics against bacteria of clinical importance

Context: Ocimum basilicum L. (Lamiaceae), popularly known as basil, is part of a group of medicinal plants widely used in cooking and known for its beneficial health properties, possessing significant antioxidant effects, antinociceptive, and others.

Objective: The objective of this study is to determine the pharmacological effects produced on the bacterial strains Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa when standard antibiotics and O. basilicum essential oil are combined.

Materials and methods: The extraction of O. basilicum (leaves) components was done by steam distillation. The Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was calculated using microdilution technique, where the oil concentrations varied from 2 to 1024?μg/mL. The combinations of O. basilicum oil with ciprofloxacin or imipenem were analyzed by the checkerboard method where fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) indices were calculated.

Results: Ocimum basilicum essential oil, imipenem, and ciprofloxacin showed respective MIC antibacterial activities of 1024, 4, and 2?μg/mL, against S. aureus. In S. aureus, the oil with imipenem association showed synergistic effect (FIC?=?0.0625), while the oil with ciprofloxacin showed antagonism (FIC value?=?4.25). In P. aeruginosa, the imipenem/oil association showed additive effect for ATCC strains, and synergism for the clinical strain (FIC values?=?0.75 and 0.0625). The association of O. basilicum essential oil with ciprofloxacin showed synergism for clinical strains (FIC value?=?0.09).

Conclusion: Ocimum basilicum essential oil associated with existing standard antibiotics may increase their antibacterial activity, resulting in a synergistic activity against bacterial strains of clinical importance. The antibacterial activity of O. basilicum essential oil may be associated with linalool.     

Honey, a prospective antibiotic: extraction, formulation, and stability

Old and recent reports show that honey has beneficial effects on the skin as antiseptic for wounds, burns and ulcers and as a healing promoter. Many investigators confirmed the usefulness of honey in the treatment of skin infections as well as internal diseases. The factors behind these effects are not completely explained. The aim of this study is: a) to investigate the antimicrobial activity of crude honey, b) to separate the fractions responsible for its activity, c) to formulate the honey extract as semisolid dosage forms, d) to study its release, and e) to determine its stability. The results showed that the ethylacetate honey extract showed antibacterial, anticandida and antifungal effects at low concentration. The release of honey extract from different ointment bases was depending on the constituents of the base, and its stability was found to be temperature and base dependent.     

Antibacterial activity of some plant extracts used in folk medicine

In the present work, selected plants were screened for their potential antibacterial activity. For evaluating antibacterial activity, both aqueous and organic solvent methanol was used. The plants screened were Ocimum sanctum, Jatropha gossypifolia, Boerhavia diffusa, Azadirachta indica, Solidago virgaurea, and Commelina benghalensis. The antibacterial activity was assessed against six bacterial strains--Pseudomonas testosteroni, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Bacillus subtilis, Proteus morganii, Micrococcus flavus. Agar disc diffusion method and Agar ditch diffusion method were used to study the antibacterial activity of all these plants. Ps. testosteroni and K. pneumoniae were the most resistant bacterial strains. A. indica showed strong activity against tested bacterial strains. Therefore, we conclude that A. indica may prove to be a promising agent, and further exploration into this compound should be performed to determine its full therapeutic potential. In addition, its leaf extract can also be used as a lead molecule in combating the diseases caused by the studied bacterial strains.     

不同来源罗勒挥发油成分的GC-MS法分析及体外抗菌活性

应用GC-MS法分析来源于三个不同产地的唇形科罗勒属植物罗勒Ocimum basilicum Linn.的全草挥发油成分,并以金黄色葡萄球菌、大肠杆菌和白色念珠菌作为鉴定菌,测试不同来源罗勒油的体外抗菌活性.结果表明:蒿脑是其主要的共有组分,但不同来源罗勒挥发油的成分组成差异较大,其抗菌活性也表现不一.     

Green synthesis and characterisation of natural antiseptic soaps from the oils of underutilised tropical seed

The maintenance of beautiful skin and hair is the desire of many people all over the world, thus, the application of safe cosmetic products is inevitable. Natural cosmetics containing bioactive phytochemical compounds offer great deal of beauty and pharmacological effect with less toxicity to users and the environment. The principle of green chemistry was adopted for the preparation of herbal antiseptic soaps which were plant-based, biodegradable and free of artificial colourings/preservatives. Underutilised tropical seeds of Daniellia oliveri, Elaeis guineensis and Vitellaria paradoxa (Shea butter) were used as sources of oil or fat for the saponification processes while Moringa oleifera seed oil and leave extract served as sources of antimicrobial agents. Ocimum basilicum also served as source of fragrance as well as antiseptic agent. The oils were mixed at different ratio to obtain soaps with different properties. Physicochemical parameters which include colour, acid value, free fatty acid values, saponification values, hardness, pH, colour and foaming ability of the oil and soaps were determined as applicable. The fatty acids methyl esters of the oils were prepared via transesterification and subjected to GC–MS analysis to obtain the fatty acid composition of the oils. Daniellia oliveri oil contains 57% linolelaidic acid as the major fatty acid, while oleic acid (46%) and lauric acid (44%) were the most prominent in Shea butter and palm kernel oil respectively. The antimicrobial activity of the soaps determined using agar diffusion method indicated that the soaps made from the oil of Daniellia oliveri and Shea butter inhibited the growth Streptococcus aureus, Klebsiella granulomatis and Aspergillus niger. Shea butter soap has the highest activity against Klebsiella granulomatis (42 mm), while soaps made from blend of palm kernel oil and Shea butter had highest activity against Aspergillus niger (7.0). The production was highly cost effective when compared to selected commercial soaps. Therefore, the adoption of these natural resources for the preparation of eco-friendly herbal soaps would save the environment of the daily introduction of many hazardous synthetic chemical products whilst also finding utility for non-conventional seed oils and at the same time improving the economic status of the community.     

Antibacterial Activity of Medicinal Plants Against Pathogens causing Complicated Urinary Tract Infections

Seventeen Indian folklore medicinal plants were investigated to evaluate antibacterial activity of aqueous, ethanol and acetone extracts against 66 multidrug resistant isolates of major urinary tract pathogens (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterococcus faecalis) by disc diffusion method. Ethanol extract of Zingiber officinale and Punica granatum showed strong antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli. Ethanol extracts of Terminalia chebula and Ocimum sanctum exhibited antibacterial activity against Klebsiella pneumoniae. Ethanol extract of Cinnamomum cassia showed maximum antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa while ethanol extract of Azadirachta indica and Ocimum sanctum exhibited antibacterial activity against Enterococcus faecalis. The results support the folkloric use of these plants in the treatment of urinary tract infections by the tribals of Mahakoshal region of central India.     

枳实、枳壳挥发油化学成分及抑菌活性的比较研究

目的:对比分析不同生长期枳实、枳壳挥发油成分差异,比较不同生长期枳实、枳壳挥发油的抑菌活性。方法:采用药典甲法提取挥发油,通过GC-MS分析枳实、枳壳挥发油的组成;结合枳实、枳壳挥发油的成分差异,对二者挥发油的抑菌活性进行了初步比较研究。结果:枳壳挥发油的抑菌活性总体上较枳实挥发油强。结论:同一来源的枳实、枳壳因生长期不同,挥发油成分和抑菌活性均存在差异。     

Antibacterial activity of Artemisia herba-alba.

The antibacterial activity of Artemisia herba-alba was investigated. Only its essential oil was active against some Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The essential oil was fractionated by column chromatography, and these fractions were tested for antibacterial activity. The principal component of the most active fraction was santolina alcohol.     

Appropriate nitroxoline dosage regimen design

Clinically used dosage regimen of nitroxoline, three times 100 mg daily, was proved to be inappropriate because the successfulness of medical treatment was rarely sufficient. Nitroxoline, used as urinary antiseptic, exhibits its antibacterial activity in concentrations higher than 6 mg/l, as demonstrated in many "in vitro" experiments. This work deals with the most appropriate nitroxoline dosage form as well as with the optimal dosage regimen design. The data were obtained by the aid of the suitable pharmacokinetic model and multiple dosing simulation on analog-hybrid computer EAI 580. From the several studied alternatives two usable dosage forms with the necessary dose and corresponding dosage interval were selected.     

Network copolymers of acrylic and methacrylic acids: Hydrophilic ointment bases for wound-healing preparations

Investigations aimed at the development of a combined wound-healing preparation on a hydrophilic ointment base have been carried out. Copolymers of acrylic acid and its derivatives with a new divinyl monomer, β-vinyloxyethylamide of acrylic acid, are proposed as the bases. It is established that these ointment bases exhibit sufficiently high osmotic activity. Polymer-based complexes including the ethereal oil of smooth wormwood and the proteolytic enzyme protosubtilin showed pronounced antibacterial and wound-healing activity. __________ Translated from Khimiko-Farmatsevticheskii Zhurnal, Vol. 41, No. 9, pp. 53–56, September, 2007.     

Sedative effects of the essential oil and headspace air of Ocimum basilicum by inhalation in mice

The sedative effects of the essential oil released by living Ocimum basilicum (basil) plants were investigated using a mouse activity monitoring system. Ocimum basilicum plants were grown in a hydroponic chamber, and either the headspace air from the hydroponic chamber or the essential oil extracted from mature plants was administered by the inhalation route to mice in an open field test. The most effective dose of O. basilicum essential oil for reducing the locomotor activity of the mice was found to be 4.0?×?10^?3 mg per cage. The headspace air was administered to mice held in a glass cage via a Teflon tube connected to a hydroponic chamber containing O. basilicum plants. A significant decrease in locomotor activity was observed when the hydroponic chamber contained nine plants. The results of this study demonstrate that the headspace air of living basil plants could effectively reduce the locomotor activity of mice.

     

Microbiologically active Mannich bases derived from 1,2,4-triazoles. The effect of C-5 substituent on antibacterial activity

Our research proved that chemical character of the C-5 substituent significantly determines the antibacterial activity of the Mannich bases derived from 4,5-disubstituted 1,2,4-triazole-3-thiones. This activity was considerably increased by an introduction of a chlorine atom to the phenyl ring. The obtained compounds were particularly active against opportunistic bacteria (Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus cereus). The antibacterial activity of some Mannich bases was similar or higher than the activity of commonly used antibiotics such as ampicillin and cefuroxime.     

Chemical composition and evaluation of modulatory of the antibiotic activity from extract and essential oil of Myracrodruon urundeuva

Context: The combination of antibiotics with natural products has demonstrated promising synergistic effects in several therapeutic studies.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a combination of an ethanol extract of Myracrodruon urundeuva Fr. All. (Anacardiaceae) (aroeira plant) and its essential oil with six antimicrobial drugs against multiresistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli from clinical isolates.

Materials and methods: After identification of the chemical components by GC-MS, the antibacterial activity of the natural products and antibiotics was assessed by determining the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) using the microdilution method and concentrations ranging 8–512?μg/mL and 0.0012–2.5?mg/mL, respectively. Assays were performed to test for a possible synergistic action between the plant products and the antimicrobials, using the extract and the oil at a sub-inhibitory concentration (128?μg/mL) and antibiotic at concentrations varying between 8 and 512?μg/mL.

Results: The GC-MS analysis identified the main compound as δ-carene (80.41%). The MIC of the natural products was >1024?μg/mL, except against S. aureus ATCC25923. Only the combinations of the natural products with gentamicin, amikacin and clindamycin were effective against S. aureus 358, enhancing the antibiotic activity by reducing the MIC.

Conclusions: The extract from aroeira showed a higher antibacterial activity and the oil was more effective in potentiating the activity of conventional antibiotics.     

Anticancer Activity of Ocimum Sanctum

Ocimum sanctum L. (Labiatae), a plant with various medicinal properties, has been investigated against human fibrosarcoma cells (HFS cells) in culture. Treatment with an ethanolic extract of Ocimum sanctum induced cytotoxicity at 50 µg/ml and above. Morphologically the cells showed shrunken cytoplasm and condensed nuclei. The DNA was found to be fragmented on observation in agarose gel electrophoresis. Biochemically the extract-treated HFS cells showed depleted intracellular glutathione and increased levels of lipid peroxidation products. Administration of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Ocimum sanctum to mice bearing Sarcoma-180 solid tumors mediated a significant reduction in tumor volume and an increase in lifespan. These observations clearly indicate Ocimum sanctum extracts possess anticancer activity.     

Synthesis of novel nalidixic acid-based 1,3,4-thiadiazole and 1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives as potent antibacterial agents

Novel nalidixic acid-based 1,3,4-thia(oxa)diazoles, their thio ethers, sulfones, bis mercapto, and Mannich bases were synthesized and characterized by Infrared spectra, (1) H NMR, (13) C NMR, and elemental analysis. These compounds were evaluated for their antibacterial activity against two Gram-positive and three Gram-negative bacteria. The preliminary bioassay showed that most of the compounds had better antibacterial activity than the parent compounds, 1,3,4-thia(oxa)diazoles, at the dosage 50μg/mL toward five test bacteria. Four Mannich bases of nalidixic acid-based 1,3,4-thiadiazole exhibited maximum antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa with minimum inhibitory concentration in the range of 6.25-125μg/mL.     

In vivo antimalarial activity of essential oils from Cymbopogon citratus and Ocimum gratissimum on mice infected with Plasmodium berghei

The essential oils obtained by hydrodistillation from fresh leaves of Cymbopogon citratus and Ocimum gratissimum growing in Cameroon were analyzed by GC and GC/MS. The main constituents of the oil of Ocimum gratissimum were gamma-terpinene (21.9 %), beta-phellandrene (21.1 %), limonene (11.4 %) and thymol (11.2 %), while the oil of Cymbopogon citratus contained geranial (32.8 %), neral (29.0 %), myrcene (16.2 %) and beta-pinene (10.5 %). The effects of these oils on the growth of Plasmodium berghei were investigated. Both oils showed significant antimalarial activities in the four-day suppressive in vivo test in mice. At concentrations of 200, 300 and 500 mg/kg of mouse per day, the essential oil of C. citratus produced the highest activity with the respective percentages of suppression of parasitaemia: 62.1 %, 81.7 % and 86.6 %. The corresponding values for the oil of O. gratissimum at the same concentrations were 55.0 %, 75.2 % and 77.8 %, respectively. Chloroquine (10 mg/kg of mouse, positive control) had a suppressive activity of 100 %.     

Chemical and biological evaluations of potent antiseptic cosmetic products obtained from Momordica charantia seed oil

The Principles of Green Chemistry was employed for the preparation of organic antiseptic soaps with improved skin sensitivity, reduced skin toxicity and improved biodegradability. Non-conventional and lesser known tropical seeds of Momordica charantia were used as the source of oil for the saponification processes. The fatty acid methyl esters of the oil were prepared via transesterification and subjected to GC–MS analysis to obtain the fatty acid composition of the oil and saponified products were subjected to various physicochemical and antimicrobial evaluations. The results indicated that stearic acid (18:0) and eleostearic acid (18:3) were the most abundant fatty acids making up 37.60% and 39.16%, respectively. Palmitic acid (16:0) 12.36%, oleic acid (18:1) 8.71%, linoleic acid (18:2) 0.67% and gamolenic acid (18:3) 1.50% were present in smaller amount in the oil. The oil is a viable source of polyunsaturated fatty acid which is required as essential fatty acids in the human body. The prepared soaps containing only natural additives (such as honey and shear butter) and components showed appreciable degree of hardness comparable to commercial Dudu Osun and the synthetic Lux soaps used as standards. This work demonstrates the probability of the preparation of green antiseptic soaps from the underutilized tropical seed of M. charantia. The seed oil and the allied products obviously have great potential for further advancement, development, research and applications in health and cosmetics sectors. The adopted approach could also assist maintaining a safe and healthy biotic and abiotic environment.     

新型缩氨基硫脲衍生物——氨基巯三唑Schiff碱的合成与抗菌活性

设计合成了新型缩氨基硫脲衍生物4-氨基-3-(呋喃-2)-5-巯基-1,2,4-三唑及其十种不同醛的Schiff碱衍生物,并进行了抑菌实验。结果表明:Schiff碱化合物结构中的甲亚胺基是该类化合物的活性功能基。苯环上更换不同的取代基对其活性有一定的影响,其中化合物4-(5-硝基亚糠基氨基)-3-(呋喃-2)-5-巯基-1,2,4-三唑(Ik)抗菌活性最高且抗菌谱最广;化合物4-亚水杨基氨基-3-(呋喃-2)-5-巯基-1,2,4-三唑(Ib)具有较强的抑霉活性。     

Protection against mercury-induced renal damage in Swiss albino mice by Ocimum sanctum

Mercury is being widely used in the industry, medical, agriculture and other fields. However, mercury deposition affects the nervous, cardiovascular, pulmonary, gastrointestinal and renal systems, as well as the embryo. In most animals' species, including man, the kidney is one of the main sites of deposition of inorganic mercury and target organ for its toxicity. The present investigation reports protection against mercury-induced toxicity by Ocimum sanctum (a traditional sacred medicinal plant, family: Labiatae). Swiss albino mice were divided into four groups. (i) Control group-only vehicle (0.9% NaCl) was given (ii) HgCl(2)-treated group-5.0mg/kg b.w. HgCl(2) administered as i.p. (iii) Ocimum treated group-10mg/kg b.w. Ocimum leaves extract was administered orally. (iv) Combination group-Ocimum leaves extract was administered 10 days prior to mercuric chloride administration and continued upto 30 days after mercuric chloride administration (5.0mg/kg b.w.). The animals were autopsied on day 1, 3, 7, 15 and 30 after treatment. Activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), acid phosphatase (ACP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and lipid peroxidation (LPO) were measured in kidney homogenates. The results indicated that there was a significant increase in LPO content, ACP activity and decrease in LDH and ALP activity after HgCl(2) treatment. The animals treated with Ocimum alone did not show any significant alterations in ACP and ALP activity. However, a significant increase in LDH activity and decrease in LPO level was observed. In combined treatment of Ocimum with HgCl(2), a significant decrease in LPO content and ACP and elevation in LDH and ALP activity was observed as compared to HgCl(2)-treated group. Ocimum extract is also effective in reducing the pathological alterations in the kidney. Thus, the results from the present study suggest that pre-and post-treatment of Ocimum sanctum leaves extract can significantly protect the renal damage against mercuric chloride-induced toxicity.     

Chemical Composition,In Vitro Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activities of the Essential Oils of Ocimum Gratissimum,O. Sanctum and their Major Constituents

The essential oils of the flowering aerial parts of two Ocimum species viz., Ocimum gratissimum and O. sanctum were analyzed by gas chromatography and gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy. The principal constituent of O. gratissimum and O. sanctum was eugenol (75.1%) and methyl eugenol (92.4%), comprising 99.3 and 98.9% of the total oils, respectively. In vitro antimicrobial activity of the essential oils of O. gratissimum, O. sanctum and their major compounds eugenol and methyl eugenol were screened by using tube dilution methods. O. gratissimum oil was found highly active against S. marcescens while O. sanctum oil showed significant activity against A. niger and S. faecalis. Methyl eugenol exhibited significant activity against P. aeruginosa while eugenol was effective only against S. aureus. Antioxidant activity of oils, eugenol, and methyl eugenol was determined by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2’- azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) assays. Essential oil of O. gratissimum showed comparative antioxidant activity with IC₅₀ values 23.66±0.55 and 23.91±0.49 μg/ml in 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2’- azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) models, respectively. Eugenol showed slightly weaker antioxidant activity compared to oil of O. gratissimum, while O. sanctum oil demonstrated very feeble antioxidant activity and methyl eugenol did not show any activity. Eugenol and methyl eugenol would be elite source from O. gratissimum and O. sanctum, respectively, of this region could be consider as a source of natural food antioxidant, preservatives, and as an antiseptic.