Antibiotic resistance is the major growing threat facing the pharmacological treatment of bacterial infections. Therefore, bioprospecting the medicinal plants could provide potential sources for antimicrobial agents. Mimusops, the biggest and widely distributed plant genus of family Sapotaceae, is used in traditional medicines due to its promising pharmacological activities. This study was conducted to elucidate the antimicrobial effect of three unexplored Mimusops spp. (M. kummel, M. laurifolia and M. zeyheri). Furthermore, the mechanisms underlying such antibacterial activity were studied. The Mimusops leaf extracts revealed significant antibacterial activities against the five tested bacterial strains with a maximum inhibition zone diameter of 22.0 mm against B. subtilis compared with standard antibiotic ciprofloxacin. The minimal inhibitory and bactericidal concentration values against tested Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains ranged from 3.15-12.5 µg/ml. However, weak antifungal effect was recorded against Candida albicans with MIC value ˃25 µg/ml. The 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay showed that M. caffra was the best antioxidant (IC50=14.75±0.028 µg/ml), while M. laurifolia was the least one (IC50=34.22±0.014 µg/ml). The phenolics in plant leaves extracts were identified and quantified by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) which revealed the presence of seven phenolic acids and four flavonoids. The abundant phenolic compounds were rutin (5.216±0.067 mg/g dried wt.) and gallic acid (0.296±0.068 mg/g) followed by myricetin (0.317±0.091 mg/g) then kaempferol (0.113±0.049 mg/g) as flavonoids. The antibacterial mechanism of M. laurifolia extract, as a representative species, induces ultrastructural changes in the model bacterium Staphylococcus aureus with cell wall and plasma membrane lysis as revealed by transmission electron microscopy. Overall, Mimusops species (M. laurifolia, M. kummel and M. zeyheri) are promising natural alternative sources for antimicrobial agents.
Recent studies highlighted the hazard of emerging antimicrobial resistance (AMR) bacteria in domesticated animals, with multidrug resistance (MRD) patterns in poultry recorded with alarming intensity as a major reservoir. This resistance has been associated with the misuse and overuse of antimicrobial agents in poultry farms. This current study aimed to determine the multidrug resistance (MDR) patterns of Escherichia coli isolated from broiler chickens. A total of 32 human samples were taken from worker handlers (positive: 4 samples, 12.5%), and 40 samples were collected from poultry chickens (positive: 13 samples, 32.5%). The findings revealed marked resistance against six of the ten agents in the isolates (MDR being 100% in all samples an
... Show MoreSingle Walled Carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), as nano-needle structures, are good candidates as nanocarrier delivery systems that carry drug to the site of action. They are good due to their unique pharmaceutical properties. Teniposide is an anticancer drug, which is widely used, but it has a problem of low solubility. In this study, to improve the properties of carbon nanotubes, pre-functionalization of carbon nanotubes via carboxylation with strong acids has been performed and then functionalized through attaching them to the polymer and copolymer. Concurrently, a proper polymer-copolymer combination has been selected by the UV-Visible spectrometer at 880nm. It is selected based on the qualitative dispersibility analysis, the visual observa
... Show MoreAttention has recently been given to finding alternative and sustainable raw material sources for wood and metal adhesives, such as polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), corn starch (CS), arabic gum (AG), and dextrins (D). Modifying polymer dispersion using unique substances, such as modifying reactive elastomer liquid (EL) using PVA, CS, AG, or D results in sufficiently moisture-resistant adhesive joins. In the present study, the physical characteristics of EL/blended with the natural polymers PVA, CS, AG, and D, based on high-density fiberboard (HDF) wood and aluminum (Al) adhesives and coatings, were investigated and compared to those of pure EL. The EL was blended with PVA, CS, AG, or D at a ratio of 60/40 (w/w) to form EL/blends. The che
... Show MoreSchiff bases of Ceftizoxime sodium were synthesized in an attempt to improve the antimicrobial spectrum of Ceftizoxime. Aminothiazole ring of Ceftizoxime is linked directly through an imino group to different aromatic aldehydes reacted by nucleophilic addition using trimethylamine (TEA), as a catalyst and refluxed in methanol. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated for such Schiff bases using disc diffusion method. Molecular docking was conducted on certain penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) and carboxypeptidases using 1- click docking software. Schiff bases of Ceftizoxime were prepared with reasonable yields and their chemical structures were confirmed by spectral analysis (FTIR, 1H-NMR) and elemental microanalysis (CHNS). The antibacter
... Show MoreCiprofloxacin is a broad spectrum fluoroquinolone, effective in the treatment of a wide range of infections, including genitourinary tract infections.In this study, bioadhesive vaginal tablets of ciprofloxacin hydrochloride were prepared by direct compression method using a combination of bioadhesivepolymers carbopol 934P(Cp), carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and sodium alginate (SA) in different ratios.The prepared tablet formulations were characterized by measuring their swelling capacity, surface pH, bioadhesive properties, and in-vitro drug dissolution. It was found that the bioadhesive force was directly proportional to carbopol 934P content in different formulae and was further enhanced by the inclusion of carboxymethylcellulose.
... Show MoreMetals are vital cellular components chosen by nature to perform various critical metabolic activities in living beings. Metal complexes are keys in catalysis, material production, photochemistry, and biological systems. Many studies were conducted to determine their role in biological processes. Transition metal complexes are becoming more important as therapeutic compounds due to their role in inorganic chemistry. Recent advances in inorganic chemistry have created transition metal complexes with target organic ligands that may be therapeutic. Researchers interested in medical applications may find this study useful since it highlights the importance of metals and current developments in medicinal chemistry, such as new approaches to crea
... Show MoreRosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) is one of the most economically important species of the family Lamiaceae. Rosemary extract was examined by applying 2.2-diphenyl-1- picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging assays. The result proved that rosemary extract had a higher antioxidant activity by absorption at a wavelength of 517a nm by using three different concentrations (0.5, 1.0 and 3) mg/ml which performed the absorbance at (2. 314, 0. 211 and 0.296) nm in comparison with control (21.8, 92.2 and 90) nm respectively. Results obtained using chemical detection of the phytochemicals indicated the presence of flavonoids, phenols, saponins, Steroids and cardiac in rosemary water extract. Water extracts of R. officinalis leaves were inves
... Show MoreCurrent research included preparation, characterization of some new chitosan- hydroxy benzaldehyde-Schiff bases with maleic anhydride. The present study aimed to the synthesis and characterization of novel chitosan Schiff base compounds using para- hydroxy benzaldeh and maleic anhydride. The derivative of the schiff-chitosan base, which is associated with different drugs, has been replaced with different amino and hydroxy drugs. The derivative is characterized by different analytical techniques. The results of FT-IR studies clearly indicate construction of the chief amine group in chitosan and the emergence of new bands that correspond to the association of maleic anhydride with the chitosan base. TGA, 1H-NMR, biol
... Show MoreA new Schiff base of HL has been synthesized from amoxicillin drug and 4- Chlorobenzophenone. Cr (III), Fe (III), Co (II), Ni (II), Cu (II), Cd (II) and Hg (II) mixed ligands complexes of Schiff base and Nicotinamide. Diagnosis of synthesis ligand and its complexes are done by 1HNMR, 13CNMR and thermal analysis for HL ligand, FTIR, UV-visible, molar conductance, CHN analysis, magnetic susceptility and atomic absorption. Octahedral geometries have been suggested for all complexes. All compounds under study were tested antimicrobial activity against four type of bacteria such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus Bacillis subtilis in nutrient agar.