Native New Zealand plants with inhibitory activity towards Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Traditional Medicinal Plants as a Source of Antituberculosis Drugs: A System Review

Medicinal plants are the chief components in the different oriental formulations in different traditional medical systems worldwide. As a thriving source of medicine, the medicinal plants with antituberculosis (TB) properties inspire the pharmacists to develop new drugs based on their active components or semimetabolites. In the present review, the anti-TB medicinal plants were screened from the scientific literatures, based on the botanical classification and the anti-TB activity. The obtained anti-TB medicinal plants were categorized into three different categories, viz., 159 plants critically examined with a total 335 isolated compounds, 131 plants with their crude extracts showing anti-TB activity, and 27 plants in literature with the prescribed formula by the traditional healers. Our systemic analysis on the medicinal plants can assist the discovery of novel and more efficacious anti-TB drugs.

The Integrated Treatment for Chronic Pain and Anxiety in a Patient with Breast Implant Illness Symptoms: A Case Report

INTRODUCTION

Women with breast implants may experience breast implant illness (BII). BII is comprised of a collection of systemic symptoms, such as fatigue and pain, that are postulated to be related to having breast implants.

CASE PRESENTATION

This case report documents the naturopathic treatment of a 35-year-old female patient diagnosed with fibromyalgia, tension headaches, and chronic anxiety, perceived to be linked to and exacerbated by her textured cohesive gel implants. The patient sought naturopathic treatment for support during the explant process of her breast implants.Naturopathic treatment was provided over a 3-month period in conjunction with prescribed medication for her anxiety and tension headaches.

CONCLUSION

At 3 months post-naturopathic treatment, the patient experienced a reduction in anxiety, fatigue, and self-reported pain. The integration of alternative therapies with prescribed pharmaceutical treatment appeared to positively impact the health of this patient.

Phytochemical screening of five medicinal legumes and their evaluation for in vitro anti-tubercular activity

BACKGROUND

Tuberculosis is a leading cause of death in the world. A new alternative for the treatment of tuberculosis is urgently required, due to the emergence of multidrug resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

AIM

There is currently considerable interest in developing potential drugs from medicinal plants for treating tuberculosis. To evaluate anti-tubercular activity in the leaves of Kingiodendron pinnatum Rox. Hams., Humboldtia brunonis Wall., Indigofera cassioides Rottl.ex DC., Derris scandens Benth. and Ceasalpinia mimosoides Lamk.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Non-polar and polar solvent extracts of leaves of these medicinal legumes were tested against M. tuberculosis H37RV and minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined by the agar based proportion assay.

RESULTS

Phytochemical screening for secondary metabolites revealed the presence of saponins, steroids, anthro-quinones, terpinods, flavonoids and phlabotanins. Crude leaf extracts of these plants have shown MIC value of 50 μg/ml as against the standard drug Isoniazid value of 0.025 μg/ml.

CONCLUSION

Results showed that crude extracts of legume leaves screened exhibited potential anti-tubercular activity against M. tuberculosis and further work is required to identify the active molecule of these legumes, to get a novel anti-tubercular drug. This is the maiden finding on anti-tubercular activity of these medicinal legumes.

Novel fiber optic detection method for in situ analysis of fluorescently labeled biosensor organisms

This research presents a novel, time-resolved fiber-optic "Optrode" system for accurate real-time in situ detection of fluorescent proteins produced by biosensor organisms. The Optrode fluorescence detection system was able to identify, characterize, differentiate, and quantify red and green fluorescently labeled organisms, individually and in mixed aqueous cultures. Detection was also possible in sand systems, where a consistent reduction in signal intensity indicates that signal collection volume was reduced by one-third. The optrode was shown to be sensitive enough to detect fluorescently labeled cell concentrations of 1.9 × 10(4) CFU/mL, indicating it is suitable for detecting typical concentrations of degrader organisms reported in bioremediation trials. The effect of fluorophore photobleaching was characterized for different fluorescent proteins and demonstrated a linear relationship to cell concentration, meaning the effect can be accounted for within methods of fluorescence collection and analysis. Proof of concept is provided for all aspects of this research, which represents an important step toward the goal of achieving a complete, nondestructive, in situ monitoring system to characterize all aspects of microbial activity and gene expression.

In vitro effects of citrus oils against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and non-tuberculous Mycobacteria of clinical importance

We evaluated the in vitro activity of citrus oils against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and other non-tuberculous Mycobacterium species. Citrus essential oils were tested against a variety of Mycobacterium species and strains using the BACTEC radiometric growth system. Cold pressed terpeneless Valencia oil (CPT) was further tested using the Wayne model of in vitro latency. Exposure of M. tuberculosis and M. bovis BCG to 0.025 % cold pressed terpeneless Valencia orange oil (CPT) resulted in a 3-log decrease in viable counts versus corresponding controls. Inhibition of various clinical isolates of the M. avium complex and M. abscessus ranged from 2.5 to 5.2-logs. Some species/strains were completely inhibited in the presence of CPT including one isolate each of the following: the M. avium complex, M. chelonae and M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis. CPT also inhibited the growth of BCG more than 99 % in an in vitro model of latency which mimics anaerobic dormancy thought to occur in vivo. The activity of CPT against drug-resistant strains of the M. avium complex and M. abscessus suggest that the mechanism of action for CPT is different than that of currently available drugs. Inhibition of latently adapted bacilli offers promise for treatment of latent infections of MTB. These results suggest that the antimycobacterial properties of CPT warrant further study to elucidate the specific mechanism of action and clarify the spectrum of activity.