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The prevalence of lung infection caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains that are classified as multi-drug resistant has increased considerably and is mainly attributed to relative insufficiency of potent chemotherapeutic modalities. The present study was conducted to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of aquo-alcoholic extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra against the P. aeruginosa causing lung infection in Swiss albino mice. The study involves evaluation of lethal dose of P. aeruginosa in Swiss albino mice and analysis of disease manifestation that includes bacteremia, hypothermia, reduction in body weight and other parameters for 48 h of infection. Physical manifestations of infected mice showed a significant decline in body temperature that is 29 ± 0.57 °C (at 48th h) from 38.81 ± 0.33 °C (0 h) and 30% weight loss was observed at the end of the study. Further the efficacy of G. glabra extract against lung infection induced with the calculated lethal dose was evaluated by employing bacteremia, histopathology and radiological analysis. Bacterial burden showed that 2.30 ± 0.02 Log10 CFU/mL at day 7, a significant decline in the bacterial load as compared to day 1 when the bacterial burden was found to be 3.32 ± 0.1 Log10 CFU/mL. Histopathological results showed more diffuse and patchy accumulation of inflammatory cells within the alveolar space also the infiltrates were noted in all the lung section of infected mice. In treated animal group improved lung histology was seen with the exudates were less seen in D1 dose (20 mg/kg) and disappeared in D2 dose (80 mg/kg). The study clearly declares that the G. glabra extract is effective against lung infection caused by P. aeruginosa at dose of 80 mg/kg. The LCMS results revealed that the extract contains Glycyrrhizin, Stigmasterol and Ergosterol, Licochalcone and Glabridin. The current study expected to further exploit the biomedical properties of this extract in the preparation of a potent regimen against such threatening pathogen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an autoimmune inflammatory disorder with synovial hyperplasia, destruction of cartilage, bone damage is often associated with risk of infections. Such risk could be attributed towards usage of immunosuppressive agents. Thus, the present study was undertaken to evaluate the anti-arthritic efficacy of aquo-alcoholic extract of Camellia sinensis (L.). Material and methods Dried leaves of Camellia sinensis (L.) or Cs were filtered and extracted in 1:1 aqueous: ethanol by Soxhlet apparatus followed by lyophilization and spray drying to develop amorphous powder. Four different oral doses ( 50, 100, 200, 400 mg/kg/body wt . ) of aquo-alcoholic extract were evaluated for anti-edematogenic effect in collagen induced arthritis model. The selected anti-arthritic doses of Cs were evaluated for the oxidative stress markers like Glutathione [5-5’dithio-bis-2-nitrobenzoicacid (DTNB)], Superoxide dismutase [Epinephrine], Catalase [Hydrogen peroxide], Lipid peroxidation [Thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS)], Nitric oxide [Griess reagents:Nitrobluetetrazolium], Articular elastase [ N -methoxysuccinyl-Ala-Ala-Pro- Val p -nitroanilide] in joints followed by haematological evaluation including RBC, WBC, Haemoglobin, platelets and haematocrit. To validate these biochemical changes, the radiological and histopathological (Haematoxylin & Eosin) evaluation was also conducted. Results The selected anti-arthritic dose of Cs i.e. 400 mg/kg/body wt. (∼60% anti-arthritic efficacy on 35th day) could be attributed towards significant (p < 0.05) increase in the levels of enzymatic (Superoxide dismutase and Catalase) and non-enzymatic (Glutathione) antioxidants by 34%, 59% and 50% respectively. Simultaneously, the significant (p < 0.05) reduction of lipid peroxides, nitrite radical and elastase activity by 32%, 45% & 32% respectively as compare to control indicated overall decrease in oxidative stress. Haematological evaluation revealed restoration of RBC, WBC and platelets level in treatment group. The confirmatory analysis utilizing radiological and histological assessment showed alleviation of joint deformity, tissue swelling, pannus formation and neutrophils infiltration in treatment group as compared to collagen induced arthritis. Conclusion The analysis showed that Cs can play an effective role in reduction of oxidative stress by modulating levels of antioxidants, reducing levels of free radicals while restoring normal haematopoietic cascade as observed in collagen induced arthritis model. Thus, the cumulative dose impact of 400 mg/kg body wt., over a period of 14 days also found extremely effective in terms of safeguarding their structural conformity against such auto-immune disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]