Molecular detection of virulence markers to identify diarrhoeagenic isolated from Mula-Mutha river, Pune District, India.

In this study presence of virulence genes in multidrug resistant isolated from Mula-Mutha river, Pune, India was undertaken. The objective was to understand whether the isolates were of diarrhoeagenic or of environmental origin. This was essential since the river flows through urban and rural parts of Pune and its water is used not only for industrial and agricultural purposes but also for domestic usage.

H nuclear magnetic resonance-based metabolite profiling of guava leaf extract: an attempt to develop a prototype for standardization of plant extracts.

Background: Herbal medicines are fast gaining popularity. However, their acceptability by modern practitioners is low which is often due to lack of standardization. Several approaches towards standardization of herbals have been employed.

A randomized open label efficacy clinical trial of oral guava leaf decoction in patients with acute infectious diarrhoea.

Background: Diarrhoea is amongst the first ten causes of death and its treatment faces an increased threat of drug resistance. Previous studies on the guava leaf decoction (GLD) revealed its suitability for use in infectious diarrhoea of unknown etiology.

Objective: The objective of this trial was to establish efficacy, dose and safety of GLD prepared from the Indian Sardar variety in adults with acute infectious diarrhoea.

Anti-infective efficacy of L. leaves against certain pathogenic bacteria.

Water extracts of leaves prepared by three different extraction methods were compared with respect to their anti-infective activity against and in the nematode host . The water extract prepared by Microwave Assisted Extraction method was found to have better anti-infective activity, and its activity was further compared with hydroalcoholic extract prepared using the same extraction method against five different pathogenic bacteria. Both these extracts could attenuate virulence of , , , and , towards Anti-infective efficacy of leaf extract seems partly to stem from its quorum-modulatory property, as it could modulate production of quorum sensing-regulated pigments in all the susceptible bacteria.

Seasonal prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the river Mula-Mutha, India.

The river Mula-Mutha in Pune District, India, is linked to a number of major drinking water sources in villages situated along its banks. This study assessed the seasonal variations in bacteriological water quality along the Mula-Mutha river using Thermotolerant Faecal Coliforms (TFC) as indicator bacteria for faecal contamination as per the WHO standard guidelines for drinking water. Eight points were chosen based on a survey carried out focusing on different sources of contamination which may influence water quality.

Antibiotic Resistance Characterization of Environmental Isolated from River Mula-Mutha, Pune District, India.

In the current study, ceftazidime- and ciprofloxacin-resistant—or dual drug-resistant (DDR)— were isolated from river Mula-Mutha, which flows through rural Pune district and Pune city. The DDR were further examined for antibiotic resistance to six additional antibiotics. The study also included detection of genes responsible for ceftazidime and ciprofloxacin resistance and vectors for horizontal gene transfer.

A Single Plant for Multiple Health Problems of Rural Indian Population.

The rural population in India faces a number of health problems and often has to rely on local remedies. Linn. (guava), a tropical plant which is used as food and medicine can be used by rural communities due to its several medicinal properties.

Development of botanicals to combat antibiotic resistance.

The discovery of antibiotics in the previous century lead to reduction in mortality and morbidity due to infectious diseases but their inappropriate and irrational use has resulted in emergence of resistant microbial populations. Alteration of target sites, active efflux of drugs and enzymatic degradations are the strategies employed by the pathogenic bacteria to develop intrinsic resistance to antibiotics. This has led to an increased interest in medicinal plants since 25-50% of current pharmaceuticals are plant derived.

Activity of Medicinal Plant Extracts on Multiplication of Mycobacterium tuberculosis under Reduced Oxygen Conditions Using Intracellular and Axenic Assays.

Aim. Test the activity of selected medicinal plant extracts on multiplication of Mycobacterium tuberculosis under reduced oxygen concentration which represents nonreplicating conditions. Material and Methods.

Implementing Perennial Kitchen Garden Model to Improve Diet Diversity in Melghat, India.

Lack of diet diversity causing micronutrient deficiency is common in developing countries and is gaining attention due to the hidden consequences of impaired physical and cognitive development. This paper describes the propagation of a sustainable perennial kitchen garden (KG) model to address household (HH) diet diversity in Melghat. Nutrient dense plants, comprising of minimum one tree (perennial) and one green leafy vegetable (GLV) were given to participating HHs along with qualitative interventions.

Psidium guajava leaf extract prevents intestinal colonization of Citrobacter rodentium in the mouse model.

Diarrheal diseases are the second highest cause of mortality of children under 5 years worldwide. There is a continuous search for developing a cost-effective treatment for diarrhea as the present ones are facing challenges. Medicinal plants can be explored further as an alternative treatment for diarrhea.

Antimycobacterial Efficacy of Andrographis paniculata Leaf Extracts Under Intracellular and Hypoxic Conditions.

The inhibition of the growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis by the extracts of Andrographis paniculata has been studied using intracellular and axenic hypoxic conditions. The inhibition (confirmed using the gold standard colony forming unit assay) was found to increase with "double stimuli" or higher concentration of the extract. Organic solvent extracts were found to inhibit bacterial growth more than the aqueous extracts under microaerophilic conditions mimicked through axenic and intracellular assays.

Possible causes of malnutrition in Melghat, a tribal region of Maharashtra, India.

Melghat, situated in Amravati District of Maharashtra, India is a tribal region with amongst the highest numbers of malnutrition cases. This paper focuses on possible causes of malnutrition in the Dharni block of Melghat. Quantitative survey recorded the existing burden of malnutrition, kitchen garden (KG) practices, Public Distribution System, food provisioning, Anganwadi services and hygiene/sanitation in the community.

Approaches in fostering quality parameters for medicinal botanicals in the Indian context.

India is among the important megabiodiversity centers of the world with nearly 45,000 known plant species. This diversity coupled with a rich heritage of traditional knowledge has made India a home to several important time-honored systems of health care such as Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani. Herbal medicines, however, are associated with a number of shortcomings including uniform efficacy and lack of appropriate quality control measures at various stages of product development.

Bactericidal Effect of Selected Antidiarrhoeal Medicinal Plants on Intracellular Heat-Stable Enterotoxin-Producing Escherichia coli.

Diarrhoeal diseases due to enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli continue to be a cause of global concern. Medicinal plants have been gaining popularity as promising antidiarrhoeal agents. In the present study, four antidiarrhoeal plants, viz.

Evaluating the anti Mycobacterium tuberculosis activity of Alpinia galanga (L.) Willd. axenically under reducing oxygen conditions and in intracellular assays.

Background: In tuberculosis (TB), the steadily increasing bacterial resistance to existing drugs and latent TB continue to be major concerns. A combination of conventional drugs and plant derived therapeutics can serve to expand the antimicrobial spectrum, prevent the emergence of drug resistant mutants and minimize toxicity. Alpinia galanga, used in various traditional medicines, possesses broad spectrum antibacterial properties.

Studies on the activity of Cyperus rotundus Linn. tubers against infectious diarrhea.

To study the antidiarrheal activity of the decoction of Cyperus rotundus Linn. tubers using representative assays of diarrheal pathogenesis and understand its mechanism of action.Antibacterial, antigiardial and antirotaviral activities were studied.

Newer insights into the mechanism of action of Psidium guajava L. leaves in infectious diarrhoea.

Background: Psidium guajava L., Myrtaceae, is used widely in traditional medicine for the treatment of diarrhoea, dysentery, gastroenteritis, stomachaches, and indigestion. However, the effect of the leaf extract of P.

Studies on the antidiarrhoeal activity of Aegle marmelos unripe fruit: validating its traditional usage.

Background: Aegle marmelos (L.) Correa has been widely used in indigenous systems of Indian medicine due to its various medicinal properties. However, despite its traditional usage as an anti-diarrhoeal there is limited information regarding its mode of action in infectious forms of diarrhoea.

Ethnobotanical survey of antidiarrhoeal plants of Parinche valley, Pune district, Maharashtra, India.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Maharashtra is the third largest state in India with a large tribal population. Documentation of traditional knowledge through ethnobotanical studies is important for conservation and utilization of indigenous knowledge. Diarrhoeal diseases are the second largest cause of morbidity in rural India.

Studies on Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre leaves: understanding the mechanism(s) of action in infectious diarrhea.

While data are available on the effect of medicinal plants on intestinal motility and their antibacterial action, there is a paucity of information on their mode of action on various aspects of diarrheal pathogenicity, namely colonization to intestinal epithelial cells and production/action of enterotoxins. Crude decoction of dried leaves of Pongamia pinnata was evaluated for its antimicrobial (antibacterial, antigiardial and antirotaviral) effect; and its effect on production and action of enterotoxins (cholera toxin, CT; Escherichia coli labile toxin, LT; and E. coli stable toxin, ST); and adherence of enteropathogenic E.

Sacred Groves of Parinche Valley of Pune District of Maharashtra, India and their Importance.

Sacred groves are protected areas of forests because of religious beliefs and constitute an important aspect of the cultural life of various communities throughout the world. The source of this culture can be traced back to prehistoric times. The sacred groves of Parinche valley, Pune district of Maharashtra, India were studied to understand their status and importance in relation to common natural resource bases and cultural aspects.