Leishmanicidal activity of Yucatecan medicinal plants on Leishmania species responsible for cutaneous leishmaniasis.

The leishmanicidal activity of 15 extracts and 4 pure metabolites obtained from Urechites andrieuxii, Colubrina greggii, Dorstenia contrajerva, and Tridax procumbens was evaluated using the newly developed MTS ({3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium, inner salt) assay, optimized for promastigotes of Leishmania major, Leishmania tropica, and Leishmania aethiopica, as well as for L. aethiopica axenic amastigotes. The assay was then used for calculating the percentage of viable stationary phase parasites after a 24-hr treatment with each plant extract or pure metabolite.

Antibacterial activity of plants used in traditional medicines of Ghana with particular reference to MRSA.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: : In an ethno botanical survey carried out in the Akwapim-North district of the Republic of Ghana, 25 plant species, used in traditional medicine to treat skin disease and/or to treat antimicrobial (viral, bacterial or protozoan) infections were identified.

Aim Of Study: : To investigate the antimicrobial activity of traditional Ghanaian medicines with special interest in anti-methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) activity.

Materials And Methods: : Chloroform, ethanol and aqueous extracts (including use of a Stomacher) of these plants were prepared and agar-well diffusion tests, MIC's and MBC's were used to investigate antimicrobial activity.