Antimicrobial activity of selected plants against fungal species isolated from South African AIDS patients and their antigonococcal activity

Influence of low-cost Thai leucoxene minerals on the growth, bioactive compounds, and antibacterial activities of Chrysanthemum indium L. cuttings in in vitro culture

The effects of low-cost Thai leucoxene mineral (LM) at different concentrations (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 mg/L) on the growth and antibacterial properties of Chrysanthemum indium L. cuttings under in vitro were evaluated. The primary chemical composition of LM was approximately 86% titanium dioxide (TiO2), as determined by dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The crystalline structure, shape, and size were investigated by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. LM at 40 and 50 mg/L significantly increased plant height, leaf number, node number, and fresh and dry weight. These growth-promoting properties were accompanied by improved chlorophyll and carotenoid contents and antioxidant enzyme activities and reduced malondialdehyde levels. Additionally, LM treatment at 40 and 50 mg/L had positive effects on antibacterial activity, as indicated by the lowest minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values. The high levels of phenolic compounds in the plants contributed to the MIC and MBC values. In conclusion, these findings provide evidence for the effectiveness of LM in enhancing the growth of Chrysanthemum plants in in vitro culture and improving their antibacterial abilities.

Opuntia spp. in Human Health: A Comprehensive Summary on Its Pharmacological, Therapeutic and Preventive Properties. Part 2

Plants of the genus Opuntia spp are widely distributed in Africa, Asia, Australia and America. Specifically, Mexico has the largest number of wild species; mainly O. streptacantha, O. hyptiacantha, O. albicarpa, O. megacantha and O. ficus-indica. The latter being the most cultivated and domesticated species. Its main bioactive compounds include pigments (carotenoids, betalains and betacyanins), vitamins, flavonoids (isorhamnetin, kaempferol, quercetin) and phenolic compounds. Together, they favor the different plant parts and are considered phytochemically important and associated with control, progression and prevention of some chronic and infectious diseases. Part 1 collected information on its preventive actions against atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and obesity, hepatoprotection, effects on human infertility and chemopreventive capacity. Now, this second review (Part 2), compiles the data from published research (in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies) on its neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, antiulcerative, antimicrobial, antiviral potential and in the treatment of skin wounds. The aim of both reviews is to provide scientific evidences of its beneficial properties and to encourage health professionals and researchers to expand studies on the pharmacological and therapeutic effects of Opuntia spp.

Optimization, Characterization, and Antibacterial Activity of Copper Nanoparticles Synthesized Using Senna didymobotrya Root Extract

The economic burden and high mortality associated with multidrug-resistant bacteria is a major public health concern. Biosynthesized copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) could be a potential alternative to combat bacterial resistance to conventional medicine. This study for the first time aimed at optimizing the synthesis conditions (concentration of copper ions, temperature, and pH) to obtain the smallest size of CuNPs, characterizing and testing the antibacterial efficacy of CuNPs prepared from Senna didymobotrya (S. didymobotrya) roots. Extraction was done by the Soxhlet method using methanol as the solvent. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis was performed to identify compounds in S. didymobotrya root extracts. Box–Behnken design was used to obtain optimal synthesis conditions as determined using a particle analyzer. Characterization was done using ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis), particle size analyzer, X-ray diffraction, zeta potentiometer, and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR). Bioassay was conducted using the Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion susceptibility test. The major compounds identified by GC-MS in reference to the NIST library were benzoic acid, thymol, N-benzyl-2-phenethylamine, benzaldehyde, vanillin, phenylacetic acid, and benzothiazole. UV-Vis spectrum showed a characteristic peak at 570 nm indicating the formation of CuNPs. The optimum synthesis conditions were temperature of 80°C, pH 3.0, and copper ion concentration of 0.0125 M. The FT-IR spectrum showed absorptions in the range 3500–3400 cm−1 (N-H stretch), 3400–2400 cm−1 (O-H stretch), and 988–830 cm−1 (C-H bend) and peak at 1612 cm−1 (C=C stretch), and 1271 cm−1 (C-O bend). Cu nanoparticle sizes were 5.55–63.60 nm. The zeta potential value was −69.4 mV indicating that they were stable. The biosynthesized nanoparticles exhibited significant antimicrobial activity on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus with the zone of inhibition diameters of 26.00 ± 0.58 mm and 30.00 ± 0.58 mm compared to amoxicillin clavulanate (standard) with inhibition diameters of 20 ± 0.58 mm and 28.00 ± 0.58 mm, respectively.

African Herbal Medicines: Adverse Effects and Cytotoxic Potentials with Different Therapeutic Applications

The African continent is naturally endowed with various plant species with nutritional and medicinal benefits. About 80% of the people in developing countries rely on folk medicines to treat different diseases because of indigenous knowledge, availability, and cost-effectiveness. Extensive research studies have been conducted on the medicinal uses of African plants, however, the therapeutic potentials of some of these plants has remained unexploited. Over the years, several studies have revealed that some of these African floras are promising candidates for the development of novel drugs. Despite the plethora of studies on medicinal plant research in Africa, there is still little scientific data supporting the folkloric claims of these plants. Besides, safety in the use of folk medicines has been a major public health concern over the year. Therefore, it has become mandatory that relevant authority should take measures in safeguarding the populace on the use of herbal mixtures. Thus, the present review extracted relevant information from different scientific databases and highlighted some problems associated with folk medicines, adverse effects on reproductive systems, issue about safety due to the toxicity of some plants and their toxicity effects with potential therapeutic benefits are discussed.