No abstract

Caesalpinia pulcherrima L. Swartz (Caesalpiniaceae) is an ornamental plant also used as a common medicinal plant in India, Taiwan and South-East Asian countries. Majority of the diseases/disorders are mainly linked to oxidative stress due to free radicals. The aims of this study were to screen for phytochemical constituents, evaluate cytotoxicity, in vitro antioxidant activity and estimation of total phenolic content of extracts of pods of Caesalpinia pulcherrima. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, steroids and alkaloids. Brine Shrimp Lethality (BSL) bioassay was used to investigate the cytotoxic effects. The LC50(microg mL(-1)) values obtained for extracts as 750 microg mL(-1) for petroleum ether extract, 800 microg mL(-1) for chloroform extract and 900 microg mL(-1) for methanol extract. The total phenolic content of the methanolic extract was 38.04% w/w, equivalent to gallic acid. Petroleum ether, chloroform and methanolic extracts of Caesalpinia pulcherrima and standard ascorbic acid were found to be scavenger of DPPH radical with an IC50 of 124.75, 112.08, 54.34 and 13.86 microg mL(-1), respectively. Methanolic extract was good scavenger of DPPH radical. Petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate soluble fraction of methanolic extracts of pods of Caesalpinia pulcherrima and ascorbic acid were found to be scavenger of nitric oxide radical with an IC50 of 93.32, 65.12, 54.83 and 12.59 microg mL(-1), respectively. Ethyl acetate soluble fraction was found to be good scavenger of nitric oxide radical. Our conclusion provides support that the crude extracts of C. pulcherrima is a probable source of natural antioxidants and this justified its uses in folkloric medicines.

<p class="Abstract">Hamelia patens is used in folk medicine in the treatment of nervous shock. The present study deals to evaluate the antidepressant-like effects of chloroform and methanol extracts of H. patens on the performance of male mice and GC-MS profiling of bioactive extract. Mice were given extracts orally in acute doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg daily for 7 days and then subjected to forced swim test, tail suspension test and open field test. Imipramine (10 mg/kg/day, p.o.) and  fluxetamine (10 mg/kg/day, p.o.) were used as the standard in forced swim test and tail suspension test  respectively. GC-MS profiling of chloroform extract was performed to find out the chemical constituents in bioactive fraction. After one-week treatment, the chloroform extract (100 and 200 mg/kg/day, p.o.) significantly reduced immobility time in forced swim test and tail suspension test (p&lt;0.05). All extracts did not show any significant change in the locomotor activity in open field test. These data indicate that the extract of H. patens possesses antidepressant-like properties in mice without any significant effect on locomotor activity.</p><p><strong>Video Clip of Methodology</strong>:</p><p>4 min 06 sec:   <a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/DDJzDqiwCKU">Full Screen</a>   <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDJzDqiwCKU">Alternate</a></p>

No abstract

Leptospirosis occurs all over the globe but is maximum in the tropics. Leptospirosis, a spirochaetal zoonotic infection, has been documented as a significant rising infectious disease in the last several years. This review deals with the concerns in the epidemiology, diagnosis and clinical management which tackle community health responses, and focuses the advancement completed towards considerate the Leptospira genome, biology and pathogenesis. Although numerous wild and household animals can offer out as reservoir hosts, the brown rat (Rattus norvegicus) is the chief basis of human infections. Persons residing in city slum environments described by insufficient hygiene and poor shelter are at elevated risk of rat contact and leptospirosis. Antimicrobial treatment is specified for the severe leptospirosis, however its use is notorious for the mild form of leptospirosis. In a so-called outbreak, efforts to diagnose leptospirosis must be expectant to enable punctual treatment. For outbreaks in distant or areas with deprived access, limited utilization of screening tests to identify antibody is helpful. When an outbreak of leptospirosis is suspected or recognized, and if it has been promising to identify the attendant concerned, the source must be identified and appropriate environmental measures implemented, with public information to community at danger (including clinicians as well as health care employees and health authorities).