The emergence of antibiotic-resistant micro-organisms calls for inventive research and development strategies. Inhibition of these pathogenic micro-organisms may be a promising therapeutic approach. The screening of antimicrobial compounds from endophytes is a promising way to meet the increasing threat of drug-resistant strains of human and plant pathogens. In the present study, a total of 20 endophytic fungi and 23 endophytic actinomycetes have been isolated from wheat (Triticum durum). Mohamed Ben Bachir variety collected from Bordj Bou Arreridj region (Algeria) during winter 2010. The isolates were screened and evaluated for their antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated for crude ethyl acetate extracts using an agar diffusion assay against twelve pathogenic bacteria, yeast, and two phytopathogenic fungi. All extracts showed inhibitory activity on at least one or more pathogenic microorganisms, with an average zone of inhibition varied between 7 mm to 25 mm, and the largest zone was of 25 and 25.3 mm against candida albicans and Escherichia coli respectively. The antioxidant capacity of the extracts was evaluated by β-carotene/linoleic acid assay. Results showed that 60% of these extracts have antioxidant activity, exhibiting 50, 57% to 78, 96% inhibitions. While the inhibitory activity for oxidation of linoleic acid of 40% of them was less than 50%. From the present work it is possible to conclude that these microorganisms could be promising source of bioactive compounds, and warrant further study.
Background: Many studies have reported the contamination by pesticides in a variety of matrices, such as food, water and soil, which despite their use, health risk of pesticides residues on food and in drinking water for the general population has been raised. The aim of this study is to quantify the pesticides residues of Abamectin and Imidacloprid in some vegetable samples; to study the in vitro effects of the both pesticides on the lipid peroxidation and hemolytic activity and finally, based on the mathematical models we estimate the values equivalent to the concentrations of pesticide residues detected in the vegetable samples. Methods: The extraction of pesticide residues from vegetable samples we use the FaPEx kits. Agilent Technologies 1260 infinity high performance liquid chromatography having UV/visible detector was used for the identification and quantification of pesticides residues. The results of this study proved the presence of pesticide residues in vegetable tested with higher values comparing with their corresponding MRLs. Result: The mean of the quantity of Abamectin detected in the vegetables samples ranged from 1.93 to 4.11 mg/kg for the green pepper (Capsicum annuum spp) and courgette (Cucurbita pepo), respectively. In addition, the Imidacloprid is just detected in the cucumber (Cucumis sativus) samples and the mean value of quantity is 24.09 mg/kg and corresponding MRL is 0.05 mg/kg. The in vitro study of the effects of the both pesticides on lipid peroxidation and hemolytic activity demonstrate significant effects of the different concentrations of the both pesticides on the both activities. The estimation by mathematical models of malondialdehyde quantity and hemolytic activity equivalent to the concentrations of the pesticides residues detected in vegetables samples proved the non-toxicity effects of these residues.
The seeds of Trigonella foenum-graecum (fenugreek) are used for treatment of diabetes mellitus in traditional medicine. This paper examines the protection effects of fenugreek from the damage induced by streptozotocin diabetes rats. Tannins content of T. foenum-graecum was also estimated in vitro. Normoglycemic male Wistar rats, weighing 170-250 g, were selected and randomly divided into five groups (n= 6): normal control, diabetic + TFGE (200mg/kg), diabetic+ TFGE (600mg/kg), diabetic + Glibil (3mg/kg), untreated group. Diabetes was induced after a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (50 mg/kg body weight) and Fenugreek was given every day via orogastric tube for 18 days. At the end of experiment, rats were sacarificed. Organ weight was estimated of all groups. Trigonella foenum-graecum administration significantly improved the polydipsia, polyphagia, and it also compensated weight loss of diabetic rats (P<0.05, P < 0.01). Moreover, fenugreek had a significant concentration of tannins (806.22 ±0.036 µg TAE/gE). The results revealed that fenugreek improves the damage in diabetic rats that in some ways validates the traditional use of this plant in treatment of diabetes.
Keywords: Antidiabetic activity, Protective effect, Streptozotocin, Tannins, Trigonella foenum-graecum
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