Aim: To evaluate the antibacterial activity of Ananas comosus (A. comosus) fruit extract against clinically isolated bacteria from urinary tract infected patients. Study Design: Experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: Research Lab, Department of Siddha Medicine, Tamil University, Thanjavur, India and Microbiology lab, School of Pharmacy, KPJ Healthcare University College, Malaysia, between February 2019 and January 2020. Methodology: In the present study the ethanol and aqueous extracts of A. comosus were analysed for the phytoconstituents and the activity of the plant extract was compared with a standard antibiotic which is used for a wide range of Urinary Tract infection which is Ciprofloxacin (250 mg/mL) using cup plate method. Results: The ethanolic extract of A. comosus showed a great level of bacterial inhibition (27.3 mm) against Bacillus cereus as compared with standard (22.3 mm).Whereas the antimicrobial activity was moderate against Klebsiella organism and very less against Staphylococcus. Standard exhibits a huge difference in the zone of inhibition which is (34 mm) and ethanol extract (23 mm) against Enterococcus. While the aqueous extracts do not show any effect on the microorganism. Conclusion: The ethanol extract A. comosus exhibited broad-spectrum activity against tested isolates compared to aqueous extract. A. comosus has broad inhibitory activities to pathogenic microorganisms and promising to act as potential antibacterial agents from natural plant sources.

Beta vulgaris (Family: Chenopodiaceae) is one of the medicinal plants used in traditional Indian medicine for the management of various liver disorders. B. vulgaris bulbs are also used as expectorant, diuretic and to cure mental disorders. However, no scientific report is available for the hepatoprotective potential of B. vulgaris bulbs. The present study was aimed to scientifically evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of B. vulgaris bulbs in CCl4 induced hepatotoxic rats. The dried, pulverized B. vulgaris bulbs were separately extracted with petroleum ether, chloroform, ethanol and water by cold maceration technique for 6 days. The active extract was fractionated using n-hexane, ethyl acetate and n-butanol. All the extracts (200 and 400mg/kg) and the fractions (100 and 200mg/kg) of active extract were evaluated for their hepatoprotective activity in hepatotoxicated rats. Hepatotoxicity induced rats were orally treated with extracts and fractions for 7 days. Biochemical analysis and histopathology studies were performed to support the hepatoprotective activity. Among all the extracts and fractions, ethanol extract of B. vulgaris bulbs (400mg/kg) and its ethyl acetate soluble fraction (200mg/kg) showed significant (p<0.001) hepatoprotective effect. The significant (p<0.001) restoration was observed in the biochemical parameters such as SGOT, SGPT, alkaline phosphate, cholesterol, total protein, albumin, total bilirubin and direct bilirubin. Histopathological examination also supported the hepatoprotective effect of the ethyl acetate soluble fraction. The hepatoprotective activity of the extract and fraction was well comparable to the standard drug, silymarin (100mg/kg). The present study validates the traditional use of B. vulgaris bulbs for the treatment of liver disorders.

Aim: To evaluate the antipyretic activity of Nilavembu kudineer against yeast induced pyrexia in Albino rats. Study Design: Experimental study Place and Duration: Research lab, Department of Siddha Medicine, Tamil University, Thanjavur, India and KPJ Healthcare University College, Nilai, Malaysia between March 2018 and July 2019. Methodology: The Nilavembu kudineer powder was extracted by using acetone, methanol and aqueous solvents. The acute toxicity study was carried on swiss albino mice using acetone, methanolic and aqueous extracts of Nilavembu kudineer. From this, the LD50 value was determined and 1/10th of the LD50 value was taken as ED50 value and selected for the antipyretic studies. The Pyrexia was induced by 20% suspension of Brewers’ yeast at a dose level of 20 mg/kg on Albino rats. The test extracts (200mg/kg), Standard Paracetamol (150 mg/kg) and control saline vehicle were administered orally. The phytochemical parameters such as carbohydrates, proteins, lipid, oil, amino acid, glycosides, tannins, phenolic compounds, triterpenoids, flavones, flavanones and alkaloids were tested using standard procedures. Statistical analysis, the values were subjected to one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Dennett’s test. Results: LD50 value of various extracts of Nilavembu kudineer was 2000 mg/kg and 1\10th of ED50 as 200 mg/kg was selected for screening of various pharmacological activities. The treatment with methanolic extract of Nilavembu kudineer at a dose of 200mg/kg significantly (p<0.001) decreased the elevated rectal temperature after 2 hr of administration. Yeast-instigated pyrexia rodents had been controlled with Nilavembu kudineer at a dose of 200 mg/kg to decide the Tamil traditional claim about this plant for its antipyretic property. Conclusion: The methanolic extract of Nilavembu kudineer (200 mg/kg) possess potent fever reducing agent in various types of fever. The phytoconstituents such as Flavonoids, Alkaloids, Glycosides, Tannins and Phenolic compounds may be responsible for controlling the elevation of body temperature.