Crude alkaloidal fraction isolated from the leaves of Solanum melongena was screened for its effects on the central nervous system. It exhibited significant analgesic effect and some CNS depression but no anticonvulsant action. The analgesic effects were of non-narcotic type. LD50 was estimated to be higher than 1 g/kg i.p. in mice.

BACKGROUND:: Angiogenesis plays an essential role in tissue repair. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mediates angiogenesis through receptor kinases VEGF-R1 and VEGF-R2, and co-receptors, neuropilins Np1 and Np2. This study examined the spatial and temporal expression of these factors in relation to angiogenesis in surgical wounds. METHODS:: Scar biopsies were obtained from patients between 3 days and 2 years after surgery. Normal skin control biopsies were taken during surgery. Microvessel density (MVD) was quantified using a Chalkley grid. VEGF, VEGF-R1, VEGF-R2, Np1 and Np2 endothelial expression was determined by immunohistochemistry, and correlated with MVD and scar age. RESULTS:: Cumulative MVD was significantly greater in scars than controls (P = 0.011), and was related to scar age (P = 0.007). Expression of VEGF, VEGF-R2, Np1 and Np2 was increased significantly in all scars and correlated with MVD. In contrast, scar VEGF-R1 expression was decreased, and correlated with increased VEGF and VEGF-R2. CONCLUSION:: Levels of VEGF, VEGF-R2, Np1 and Np2 are increased, whereas VEGF-R1 expression is decreased in angiogenesis, suggesting a role for VEGF-receptor complexes in early wound healing. This altered protein expression and increased presence of vessels is prolonged, suggesting that structural remodelling continues for at least 2 years after surgery. Copyright (c) 2009 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

A solution of perfluorohexyloctane and silicone oil with a specific gravity of 1.06 g/cm(3)(Densiron-68) has similar properties as conventional silicone oil (SO) in terms of the shape of the bubble and its ability to act as an internal tamponade agent. We conducted a case-control study to compare the postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients treated with Densiron-68 with those treated with SO.MethodsSeventy-one eyes of 71 patients and 57 eyes of 57 patients who had received Densiron-68 and SO, respectively, were included in our study. Both groups were found to have matched for their preoperative comorbidities (diabetes, glaucoma, phakic status, and refractive errors). IOP at first day, between seventh and fourteenth day, and at 4 week postoperatively was recorded.ResultsThe mean IOP was higher in patients treated with Densiron-68 at day 1 and between seventh and fourteenth day postoperatively (P=0.05 and 0.01, respectively). By the 4th week, the IOP difference between the two groups was insignificant (P=0.17). The difference in the two groups could still be clinically significant and the raised IOP in Densiron-68 group was more difficult to treat in some cases.On day 1, nine eyes (12.7%) in the Densiron-68 group and two eyes (3.5%) in the SO group had IOP greater than 30 mmHg. At 4 weeks, IOP of more than 30 mmHg was seen in nine eyes (12.7%) in the Densiron-68-treated group and in one eye (1.8%) in the SO group.ConclusionThe use of Densiron-68 was associated with a higher IOP in the early postoperative period when compared with SO.Eye advance online publication, 7 December 2007; doi:10.1038/sj.eye.6703055.

The results of a preliminary antimicrobial screening of the methanol extracts of Aframomum melegueta, Piper guineense, Xylopia aethiopica, Zingiber officinale, medicinal plants of Ghana, are reported.

The antimicrobial activity of 36 ethanol extracts from 24 plants, all of them currently used in the Peruvian traditional medicine for the treatment of several infectious and inflammatory disorders, was tested by means of the agar-well diffusion assay against four bacteria (Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and four fungi (Candida albicans, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Microsporum gypseum and Sporothrix schenckii). Twenty-five (69%) extracts showed some degree of antimicrobial activity against at least one microorganism. The plants with the greatest antimicrobial activity were Cestrum auriculatum L. Heritier (Solanaceae), Iryanthera lancifolia Ducke Suesseng (Myristicaceae), Lepechinia meyenii (Walp.) Epling (Lamiaceae) and Ophryosporus peruvianus (Gmelin) King & H. Rob.(Asteraceae).

Plant extracts collected from the wild are important sources for drug discovery. However, these extracts suffer from a lack of reproducible bioactivity and chemical composition caused by the highly inducible, variable, and transitory nature of plant secondary metabolism. Here, we demonstrate that exposing roots of hydroponically grown plants to chemical elicitors selectively and reproducibly induced the production of bioactive compounds, dramatically increased the hit rate, and more than doubled the number of plant species showing in vitro activity against bacteria, fungi, or cancer. Elicitation performed under controlled conditions dramatically improves reliability and efficiency of plant extracts in drug discovery while preserving wild species and their habitats.

In this study, 16 new 6-difluorobenzoyl-3-piperazinomethyl-2-benzoxazolinones were synthesized by Mannich reaction. Their chemical structures were proven by IR, 1H-NMR and elemental analysis. The compounds were screened for their analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities. A modified Koster test, using acetylsalicylic acid (ASA, CAS 50-78-2) as the reference drug, was used to assess analgesic activity. The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by the carrageenan induced hind-paw oedema test. The analgesic activities of all compounds were higher than their anti-inflammatory activities and therefore the prominent analgesic actions of the compounds are thought to be due to a central effect. The microbiological effects of the compounds were evaluated in vitro against various pathogenic fungi and bacteria using the microdilution method. Most of the compounds were found to be inactive against bacteria and fungi. One of the compounds (31) possessed considerable analgesic activity as well as moderate antibacterial activity against S. aureus. Another compound (3m) showed analgesic and antifungal activities comparable to those of ASA and fluconazole (CAS 86386-73-4), respectively.

The methanol extracts of leaves, root and stem barks of Calophyllum soulattri were partitioned with petrol, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate. The extracts demonstrated a range of antibacterial activity, improved on fractionation. None were found to be active against the moulds.

The Pithecolobium avaremotemo bark methanolic extract exhibited a broad spectrum and high levels of antimicrobial activity.

The 60% methanolic extract of Lepista nuda exhibited antimicrobial activity.

Forty-one types of commercially available Thai medicinal teas were tested for their light-mediated activities against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus K147 methicillin-sensitive (Ms), Escherichia coli DC10, E. coli (wild), Pseudomonas aeruginosa 187 (wild), Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus. The results represent a first report of the light-mediated antimicrobial activities of Thai medicinal teas and suggest that phytochemical investigations may be warranted.

Muehlenbeckia hastulata (J. E.Sm.) Johnst. used mainly for its abortive properties was found active for oxytoxic and analgesic activities in a biological activity screening (oxytoxic, analgesic, antimicrobial, cytotoxic and xanthine oxidase assay). Epicatechin, emodin-8-glycoside and rutin were isolated from the aerial part and the root of the plant.

Approximately 75% of rural livestock owners in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa use plants or plant based remedies to treat their livestock. Prominent among these plants are Combretum caffrum, Salix capensis and Schotia latifolia. Water, methanolic and acetonic extracts as well as decoctions of the three plants were screened against ten bacteria and five fungi. The results of the antibacterial assay indicated significant activity against all the Gram-positive bacteria tested with the minimum inhibitory concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 5.0 mg/ml. A few of the extracts showed minimal activity, but the majority of extracts were not active on the Gram-negative bacteria. Generally, all the extracts showed some antifungal activity against the five test fungi. Methanolic extracts exhibited higher fungal growth inhibition, whereas the water extracts showed the least inhibition. It was noteworthy that some water extracts promoted fungal growth.