METHODS: Time-kill analysis of one MRSA reference strain (ATCC 43300) and three clinical isolates (WM3, BM1 and KJ7) for both compounds was first performed to provide the bacteriostatic/bactericidal profile. Then, MRSA ATCC 43300 strain treated with both compounds was interrogated by NGS.
RESULTS: Both stigmasterol and lupeol possessed bacteriostatic properties against all MRSA tested; however, lupeol exhibited both bacteriostatic and bactericidal properties within the same minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration values against BM1 (12.5mg/mL). Transcriptome profiling of MRSA ATCC 43300 revealed significant modulation of gene expression with multiple desirable targets by both compounds, which caused a reduction in the translation processes leading to inhibition of protein synthesis and prevention of bacterial growth.
CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the potential of both stigmasterol and lupeol as new promising anti-MRSA agents.
AIM: The present study evaluated the effect of methanolic and aqueous extract of Amorphophallus paeoniifolius tuber on croton oil induced hemorrhoids in rats.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: The methanolic extract was standardized with the major phenolic compound, betulinic acid, by HPLC. The hemorrhoids were induced by applying 6% croton oil preparation in the ano-rectal region. Rats were orally administered methanolic and aqueous extract at doses of 250 and 500mg/kg, each for 7 days. Pilex (200mg/kg) was used as reference anti-hemorrhoidal drug. Hemorrhoids were assessed on eighth day by measuring hemorrhoidal and biochemical parameters along with histology of ano-rectal tissue.
RESULTS: Croton oil application caused induction of hemorrhoids as indicated by significant (p<0.001) increase in plasma exudation of Evans blue in ano-rectal tissue, macroscopic severity score and ano-rectal coefficient as compared to normal rats. It significantly (p<0.001) elevated lactate dehydrogenase and cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6) levels in serum and increased myeloperoxidase activity and lipid peroxidation in ano-rectal tissue along with marked histological damage as compared to normal rats. Treatment with tuber extracts and pilex significantly (p<0.05-p<0.001) ameliorated Evans blue exudation, hemorrhoidal parameters and other biochemical parameters with attenuation of tissue damage compared to hemorrhoid control rats. The results indicate that tuber extracts exhibited curative action on hemorrhoids. The aqueous extract showed more pronounced effect than methanolic extract. The effects may be attributed to anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
CONCLUSION: Results indicate that tuber of Amorphophallus paeoniifolius exhibited curative action on hemorrhoids through anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The study validates the ethnomedicinal use of tuber in hemorrhoids and implicates its therapeutic potential as an anti-hemorrhoidal agent.