Root bark extract of Terminalia avicennioides was obtained by cool maceration with 750 ml n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol, independently for 48 h using soxhlet extractor. ATCC 33591 standard strains of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was used. Strain resistance to methicillin/oxacillin antibiotic was verified by a retest of its sensitivity to oxacillin antibiotic. The antimicrobial test and zone of inhibition were determined using the agar well diffusion method. The isolated bioactive fractions of the extract were subjected to FTIR and GC-MS analysis. Results revealed both fractions (TLb4 and TLb17) were both bacteriostatic and bactericidal. The growth of MRSA was inhibited at extract concentrations of 60, 120, 180 and 240 µg/ml, within the susceptible range of ≥ 14 mm, with a mean inhibitory zone sensitivity of 14 mm at 60 µg/ml, 15.76 mm at 120 µg/ml and 15.33 mm at 180 µg/ml for fraction TLb4 and 15.33 mm at 60 µg/ml, 17.33 mm at 120 µg/ml and 20 mm at 180 µg/ml for TLb17 (≥ 14 mm). GC-MS detected oleic acid and analogs of palmitic acid as pharmacological active compounds of both fractions. FTIR showed the presence of alkyl halides. These bioactive agents revealed could be effective therapeutic agents for the treatment of MRSA.

Decitabine is a cytidine deoxynucleoside analog, which acts by inhibiting DNA methyltransferase, and is used for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia. Decitabine has a short half-life (25 minutes), and is sensitive to harsh conditions. Elastic liposomes are an effective tool that can be used to overcome this disadvantage. Elastic liposomes also known as transfersomes are modified lipid carriers that enable drug to reach deeper skin layers and/or the systemic circulation. These vesicular formulations are several orders of magnitudes, more deformable than the standard liposomes and thus well suited for skin penetration. The objective of present study is to develop and evaluate the elastic liposomes of Decitabine so as to provide the sustained release and improve its bioavailability. Elastic liposomes were prepared by rotary evaporation method using Span 80 and Span 60 as a surfactants. The prepared Elastic liposomes were evaluated for entrapment efficiency, vesicle size, in vitro drug release. The drug release profiles from different elastic liposomes-in-vehicle formulations were in agreement with the physicochemical properties of the formulations. Based on different parameters formulations of batch ELS1 was found to be the best formulations. Stability study was performed on the selected formulation ELS1. Study concludes that Decitabine can also be formulated in the liposomal carrier which finds its best way for the topical administration.

Antioxidants are agents or compounds that are capable of inhibiting the oxidation processes that occur under the influence of reactive nitrogen species (RNS) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as singlet oxygen (O.), hydroxyl (.OH), peroxide (H 2 O 2) and superoxide (O 2 .) radicals. Antioxidants play crucial role in the defense mechanism of living cells against the pathologies associated with the attack of ROS and RNS. 1-3 Antioxidants mediate their role of preventing oxidant-induced cell damages either through the reduction of ROS generation, scavenging ROS, or interfering with ROS-induced alterations. 1 By its role of reducing the oxidative damages in the body and inhibiting lipid peroxidation, antioxidants retard the progress of many diseases. 1,3,4 An imbalance between ROS and antioxidants defense system results to abnormal physiological condition known as oxidative stress 1,3. During energy production in the body by oxidation process, the associated oxygen molecule has the tendency to generate free radicals 5. These free radicals which are by-products of the oxidation attacks specific region in the body, leading to oxidative stress, and ultimately results to the damage of affected tissues and organs. Under stress, the living cell end up having more reactive oxygen species than antioxidant, this imbalance leads to deleterious damage of the cellular components, particularly lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation and deoxyribonucleic acid mutation. 3 This is considered to be the major reason for many diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, atherosclerosis, hypertension among others. 1,2 Even though almost all organisms possess antioxidants and several enzyme systems such superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase to protect them from oxidative damage, these systems are inadequate to prevent the damage entirely, hence, the need to supplement antioxidants for efficient and adequate scavenging of free radical. 2 Currently available synthetic antioxidants including Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), Gallic acid among others have been found to cause negative health effects, 6,7 hence, the search for antioxidants without side effects, from natural sources, with keen interest in plants due to the bioactive secondary metabolites they produce. 8,9 It has been established that anti-oxidants play important role in the prevention of many chronic diseases including cancer, cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus, asthma, hepatitis and arthritis. 10,11 The consumption of traditional diets prepared with spices, medicinal and aromatic ABSTRACT Background: Use of molecules with antioxidant properties have evolved as effective strategy for preventing oxidative damage caused by reactive oxygen species. Moringa oleifera and Hibiscus sabdariffa are ancient plants with antioxidant properties, and have served numerous therapeutic purposes, in addition to their nutritional benefits. Aim:...