Respiratory ailments are major human killers, especially in developing countries. Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease causing a threat to human healthcare. Many South African plants are used in the traditional treatment of TB and related symptoms, but there has not been a sufficient focus on evaluating their antimicrobial properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial properties of plants used traditionally to treat TB and related symptoms against microorganisms (Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Mycobacterium aurum A+) associated with respiratory infections using the microdilution assay. Ten plants were selected based on a survey of available literature of medicinal plants used in South Africa for the treatment of TB and related symptoms. The petroleum ether, dichloromethane, 80% ethanol, and water extracts of the selected plants were evaluated for antibacterial activity. Out of 68 extracts tested from different parts of the 10 plant species, 17 showed good antimicrobial activities against at least one or more of the microbial strains tested, with minimum inhibitory concentration ranging from 0.195 to 12.5 mg/mL. The good antimicrobial properties of Abrus precatorius, Terminalia phanerophlebia, Indigofera arrecta, and Pentanisia prunelloides authenticate their traditional use in the treatment of respiratory diseases. Thus, further pharmacological and phytochemical analysis is required.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/840719 | DOI Listing |
MethodsX
June 2025
Technological Insitute of Sonora, Ciudad Obregon, Sonora MX-85000, Mexico.
Electrospinning can be used to prepare membranes with characteristics for biomedical application. In this work, the electrospinning conditions for the fabrication of membranes based on polymers extracted from natural sources such as chitosan and collagen were optimized (injection flow, injection volume, distance from the collector to the neddle, needle size and voltage). Specifically, four formulations were prepared with pure chitosan and mixtures of collagen (purified or hydrolyzed) and agarose.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFront Immunol
January 2025
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Olsztyn, Poland.
Introduction: Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is an immunosuppressive drug administered in the management of both autoimmune diseases and organ transplantation. The main aims of the study were: (a) to obtain information regarding the safety of using MMF in respect of its effect on normal T and B cells in lymphoid tissues; (b) to investigate whether the generation of inducible Foxp3-expressing regulatory T cells (Treg) might constitute additional mechanisms underlying the immunosuppressive properties of MMF.
Methods: The effect of MMF ( studies) and its active metabolite, mycophenolic acid, ( studies) on murine CD4 and CD8 T cells as well as B cells was determined, regarding: (a) absolute count, proliferation and apoptosis of these cells ( studies); (b) absolute count of these cells in the head and neck lymph nodes, mesenteric lymph nodes and the spleen ( studies).
ScientificWorldJournal
January 2025
Department of Biology, College of Science, Bahir Dar University, P. O. Box 79, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.
The present study was aimed to verify the medicinal value of and traditionally used to treat human and animal ailments in Ethiopia. Fresh leaves of these species were collected, dried under shade, and ground into fine powder. The extraction was carried out by the maceration method using methanol as a solvent.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNanoscale Adv
January 2025
Department of Chemistry, School of Sciences & Engineering, The American University in Cairo AUC Avenue, P.O. Box 74 New Cairo 11835 Egypt +202 2615 2559.
Biofilms formed by several bacterial strains still pose a significant challenge to healthcare due to their resistance to conventional treatment approaches, including antibiotics. This study explores the potential of loading natural extracts with antimicrobial activities into β-cyclodextrin (βCD) nanoparticles, which are FDA-approved and have superior biocompatibility owing to their cyclic sugar structures, for biofilm eradication. An inclusion complex of βCD carrying essential oils (BOS) was prepared and characterized with regard to its physicochemical properties, antimicrobial efficacy, and antibiofilm activities.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRSC Adv
January 2025
Department of Pharmacognosy and Medicinal Plants, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University Cairo 11884 Egypt.
Sesquiterpene lactones (SLs) are a structurally diverse group of secondary metabolites primarily produced by plants, particularly within the Asteraceae family. These compounds play significant roles in plant defense and have been extensively studied for their wide range of biological activities, including antiviral, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties. This review focuses on the biosynthesis, structure-activity relationships, and biological activities of sesquiterpene lactones, with an emphasis on their antiviral potential.
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