Xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity of some Indian medical plants.

Xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity was assayed from six species belonging to different families traditionally used for the treatment of gout and related symptoms by indigenous people of India. The aqueous, methanol-water mixture and methanolic extract of these plants were used for the experiment. Of the 18 extracts assayed, 14 extracts demonstrated xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity at 100 microg/ml, among which 10 extracts showed an inhibition greater than 50% and IC(50) values below 100 microg/ml.

In vitro and in vivo synergism between tetracycline and the cardiovascular agent oxyfedrine HCl against common bacterial strains.

The cardiovascular drug oxyfedrine HCl revealed noteworthy in vitro antibacterial action against 501 strains of Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. It also offered significant protection to mice challenged with a mouse-virulent bacterial strain. Prompted by such results, the present study was carried out to ascertain whether this drug could augment the efficiency of an antibiotic when used in combination with it.

Experimental analysis of antimicrobial action of dicyclomine hydrochloride.

Dicyclomine hydrochloride is an antispasmodic agent. The MIC of dicyclomine against standard strains of Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria were performed by NCCLS broth dilution technique. These drugs showed a rapid killing action on Gram positive bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus NCTC 6571, 8530 and several other reference strains.

Evaluation of synergism between the aminoglycoside antibiotic streptomycin and the cardiovascular agent amlodipine.

Amlodipine, a cardiovascular drug, exhibited remarkable antibacterial action in vitro against 504 bacterial strains belonging to both Gram positive and Gram negative genera, as well as in vivo against a mouse-virulent bacterium. Based on such findings, the present study was undertaken to determine whether the efficacy of this non-antibiotic drug could be enhanced in the presence of any antibiotic. Twelve bacterial strains, sensitive to amlodipine as well as to 6 antibiotics, viz.