Cymbopogon citratus (Lemongrass) is a type of medicinal herb that widely used in Asia. This study aims to investigate the antimicrobial activity of liquid residues of ethanolic and aqueous Cymbopogon citratus oil extracts. Residues of ethanolic and aqueous Cymbopogon citratus oil extracts were used to study their antimicrobial activities for Staphylococcus aureus; Staphylococcus epidermidis; Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans which were isolated from burned skin of patients suffering from burns at Medical City Hospital/Specialist burns Unit/Baghdad. Minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration were measured for all microorganisms using microtitre plates and Resazurin dye by a spectrophotometer at 517 nm. The components of liquid residues were detected by phytochemical tests; and the concentrations of Iodine were determined by Ion Chromatography. The antioxidant activity was measured by using DPPH method. The liquid residues of ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Lemongrass showed antimicrobial effect against all the test microorganisms including Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The ethanolic extraction of Cymbopogon citratus contain Alkaloids, Flavonoids, Glycosides, Phenols, Saponins, Terpenes, Tannins, Fatty acids and Couarins, but no Seroids, volatile oil and Emodins. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations of ethanolic extract for Staphylococcus aureus; Staphylococcus epidermidis; Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans were 12.5, 12.5, 12.5 and 25µl/mL respectively. The extracts of lemongrass residues due to their phytochemical contents and pharmacological activity seem to be highly effective against some pathogenic microorganisms in the inflamed skin. It can be suggested that these extracts may be used for skin treatment in burned patients infected with pathogenic microorganisms.

Background: Asthma is a condition in which your airways narrow and swell and produce extra mucus. Objective: In this study we determine the prevalence of asthma among the population of Aljiza District, Jordan. In order to determine the prevalence of asthma in Aljiza District (Amman, Jordan), Method: a questionnaire was distributed to 4200 respondents of different age and gender. Results and Conclusions: The responses were reviewed and the incidences were determined. From the 4200 questionnaires by respondents 131 person (3.1%) suffered from physician-diagnosed asthma. No attempt was made to confirm the diagnosis and the results relied upon responses to questionnaire. The prevalence of asthma in adult females was higher than that of males in all groups. Adult females and males showed a significant priority on other age groups, and children, 5-10 years group have higher prevalence than children, 10-15 years group, in both males and females. In order of frequency, the triggering factors were common cold, dust, allergens, smoke, exercise, and chest infection. A relationship between asthma and paternal smoking, family history and to a lesser extent recurrent chest infections was suggested. The prevalence of asthma in Aljiza District is less than that reported in the southern and northern parts of Jordan and some Middle East countries. Although our results show a low prevalence of asthma, it still is a health problem among children and the adults in Aljiza District.