26. Title: Antibacterial and antifungal activities of the crude extract and compounds from Dorstenia turbinata (Moraceae). Authors: Ngameni, B. 1 Kuete, V. 2 kuetevictor@yahoo.fr Simo, I.K. 3 Mbaveng, A.T. 4 Awoussong, P.K. 5 Patnam, R. 6 Roy, R. 6 Ngadjui, B.T. 1,5 Source: South African Journal of Botany ; Apr2009, Vol. 75 Issue 2, p256-261, 6p
27. Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of the crude extract of the twigs of Dorstenia turbinata (DTT) as well as that of five of the nine compounds isolated from this extract, namely 5-methoxy-3-[3-(ß-glucopyranosyloxy)-2-hydroxy-3-methylbutyl]psoralen (1), 5-methoxy-3-(3-methyl-2,3-dihydroxybutyl)psoralen (2), (2′S, 3′R)-3′-hydroxymarmesin (3), 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde (4) and 4-methoxyphenol (5). Gram-positive, Gram-negative bacterial species as well as fungi were used. The agar disc diffusion test was used to determine the sensitivity of the tested samples while the well micro-dilution was used to determine the minimal inhibition concentrations (MIC) and the minimal microbicidal concentration (MMC) of the active samples. The results of the disc diffusion assay showed that the crude extract (DTT), compounds 1 to 3 were able to prevent the growth of all the tested pathogens at the tested concentrations. Compounds 4 and 5 showed moderate and selective activities. The results of MIC determinations indicated values ranging from 19.53 to 78.12 µg/ml for the DTT and from 9.76 to 78.12 µg/ml for compound 2. The MIC values recorded on 91% of the tested organisms for compounds 1 and 3. The lowest MIC value for the crude extract of D. turbinata (19.53 µg/ml) was noted on Trichophyton rubrum and Escherichia coli. The corresponding value for the tested compounds (9.76 µg/ml) was obtained with 2 and 3 on T. rubrum. The antimicrobial activity of this plant as well as that of compounds 1-2 is being reported for the first time. The overall results provide promising baseline information for the potential use of the crude extracts from DTT as well as some of the isolated compounds in the treatment of bacterial and fungal infections. [Copyright 2009 Elsevier]
28. Anticonvulsant effect of Ficus religiosa: Role of serotonergic pathways. Authors: 1. Singh, Damanpreet 1 2. Goel, Rajesh Kumar 2 goekrkpup@gmail.com Source: Journal of Ethnopharmacology ; Jun2009, Vol. 123 Issue 2, p330-334, 5p
29. Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: Ficus religiosa ( Moraceae ) is reported to have numerous therapeutic utility in folk medicine. Among different biological activities on central nervous system, it has been reported to be used in ethnomedical treatment of epilepsy, which led us to further explore its anticonvulsant activity in various animal models of epilepsy. Aim of the study: To investigate anticonvulsant activity of methanolic extract of figs of Ficus religiosa in animal models and to determine its possible anticonvulsant mechanism. Materials and methods: Anticonvulsant activity of figs extract (25, 50 and 100mg/kg, i.p.) was studied in seizures induced by maximum electroshock (MES), picrotoxin and pentylenetetrazol (PTZ). Cyproheptadine, a nonselective (5HT<sub>1/2</sub>) serotonin antagonist (4mg/kg, i.p.) was used to study the reversal of protective effect of extract in the above mentioned models. Acute toxicity, neurotoxicity and potentiation of pentobarbitone induced sleep by extract was also studied. Results: Extract showed no toxicity, potentiated pentobarbitone induced sleep and inhibited seizures induced by MES and picrotoxin in a dose dependent manner. Anticonvulsant effect of extract was comparable to clinically used antiepileptic drugs (phenytoin and diazepam). However, PTZ induced seizures were not inhibited. Animals pretreated with cyproheptadine showed inhibition of the anticonvulsant effect of extract. Conclusions: These findings suggested that the methanolic extract of figs of Ficus religiosa had anticonvulsant activity against MES and picrotoxin induced convulsions, with no neurotoxic effect, in a dose dependent manner. Inhibition of the anticonvulsant effect of extract by cyproheptadine substantiates the involvement of serotonergic pathways for the anticonvulsant activity of extract. [Copyright 2009 Elsevier]
30. Title: Antimicrobial activity of the crude extract, fractions and compounds from stem bark of Ficus ovata (Moraceae). Authors: Kuete, Victor 1 kuetevictor@yahoo.fr Nana, Frédéric 2 Ngameni, Bathélémy 3 bath_ngameni@yahoo.fr Mbaveng, Armelle Tsafack 4 Keumedjio, Félix 2 Ngadjui, Bonaventure Tchaleu 2,3 Source: Journal of Ethnopharmacology ; Jul2009, Vol. 124 Issue 3, p556-561, 6p
31. Abstract: Aim of the study: This study was designed to investigate the antimicrobial activities of the methanol extracts from the stem bark of Ficus ovata (FOB), fractions (FOB1–6) and compounds isolated following bio-guided fractionation [3-friedelanone (1), taraxeryl acetate (2), betulinic acid (3), oleanoïc acid (4), 2-hydroxyisoprunetin (5), 6,7-(2-isopropenyl furo)-5,2,4-trihydroxyisoflavone (6), Cajanin (7) and protocatechuic acid (8)]. Materials and Methods: The micro-dilution method was used for the determination of the minimal inhibition concentration (MIC) and the minimal microbicidal concentration (MMC) against fungi (two species), Gram-positive (three species) and Gram-negative bacteria (five species). Results: The results of the MIC determinations indicated that the crude extract (FOB), fractions FOB2 and FOB4 as well as compound 5 were active on the entire studied organisms. Other samples showed selective activity, fractions FOB1, FOB3 and FOB5 being active against 50% of the tested microbial species while FOB6 was active on 40%. Compounds 8, 6, 2 and 7 prevented the growth of 80%, 70%, 50% and 20% of the organisms respectively. The lowest MIC value (156g/ml) observed with the crude extract was recorded on Streptococcus faecalis, Candida albicans and Microsporum audouinii. The corresponding value for fractions (39μg/ml) was noted with FOB4 against Staphylococcus aureus, while that of the tested compounds (10μg/ml) was observed with compound 8 on Microsporum audouinii. The results of the MMC determination suggested that the cidal effect of most of the tested samples on the studied microorganisms could be expected. Conclusions: The overall results provided evidence that the studied plant extract, as well as some of the isolated compounds might be potential sources of new antimicrobial drug. [Copyright 2009 Elsevier]
32. Title: Growth promoting potential of Ficus bengalensis root extracts in immature female rats. Authors: Nidhiya, I. S. R. 1 Pai, K. S. R. 1 ksr.pai@manipal.edu Rao, C. Mallikarjuna 1 Source: Pharmaceutical Biology ; Apr2009, Vol. 47 Issue 4, p268-273, 6p
33. The growth promoting potential of alcohol and aqueous extracts of young prop roots of Ficus bengalensis Linn. ( Moraceae ), a medicinal plant widely used among the tribes of the western zone of Maharashtra state, India to increase height, was studied. Its growth promoting effect was evaluated in one-month-old immature female rats. Extracts were administered to young rats for 30 days. Significant ( p < 0.05) increase in body weight was observed in alcohol and aqueous extract treated immature female rats. Animals treated with alcohol extract showed statistically significant difference ( p < 0.05) in parameters such as mean food consumption, total body length and increase in alkaline phosphatase levels, a biochemical marker for bone formation. Significant results were not observed in other parameters such as feed efficiency, tail length, relative organ weight, bone density, tibial epiphyseal cartilage width and bone hydroxy proline levels. The results obtained establish the efficacy of the plant material as well as importance of chronic studies to justify the use of this plant in growth promotion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
34. Title: Optimization of a multitarget preservation technique for jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus L.) bulbs. Authors: Saxena, Alok aloksaxena156@gmail.com Bawa, A.S. 1 Raju, P.S. 1 Source: Journal of Food Engineering ; Mar2009, Vol. 91 Issue 1, p18-28, 11p
35. Abstract: Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus L.) bulbs in pitted and pre-cut form were subjected to a multitarget preservation technique involving water activity (a <sub>w</sub>) regulation, acidification, and in-pack pasteurization as the hurdles. The osmotic dewatering process was optimized using response surface methodology with osmotic concentration, temperature, and duration of immersion as the process variables. Optimized conditions were found to be 65.9°Brix, 68.5°C temperature, and 180.6 minutes of immersion respectively for maximizing water loss, and overall acceptability while minimizing solid gain. Microstructural observations highlighted the maintenance of tissue integrity under the optimized process conditions. Total carotenoids retention in the product was found to be 64.2%, 46.2% and 35.7% under 6°C, ambient (22–32°C) and 37°C temperature conditions respectively during storage. The overall shelf-life of multitarget preserved high moisture jackfruit bulbs was found to be 8, 6 and 4 months under the respective storage temperatures of 6°C, ambient, and 37°C. [Copyright 2009 Elsevier]
