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Oral health encompasses the condition of the mouth, teeth, and related facial structures, enabling vital activities such as eating, breathing, and speaking. It also includes psychological and social factors such as self-esteem, overall well-being, and the ability to interact and work without experiencing pain, discomfort, or embarrassment. The objective of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial effects of an aqueous extract of Syzygium aromaticum (clove) on certain bacteria known to cause dental caries. Among the tested bacteria, Lactobacillus casei showed the greatest sensitivity to the ethanolic clove extract, with inhibition zones ranging from 10 to 20 mm. The aqueous extract, however, showed lower inhibition, ranging from 8 to 14 mm. For Streptococcus mutans, the aqueous extract showed higher antibacterial activity, with inhibition zones of 4-8 mm. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of both aqueous and ethanolic extracts against Lactobacillus casei was 125 mg/mL. In the case of Streptococcus mutans, the aqueous extract exhibited an MIC of 62.5 mg/mL, whereas the ethanolic extract exhibited an MIC of 250 mg/mL.Regarding minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), the aqueous and ethanolic extracts required concentrations of 250 mg/mL and 500 mg/mL, respectively, to kill Lactobacillus casei. The ethanolic extract also had an MBC of 500 mg/mL against Streptococcus mutans. These results suggest that extracts from Syzygium aromaticum possess significant antibacterial properties, particularly when extracted with water, emphasising their potential as alternative antibacterial agents for oral health.

Aims: This research was designed to evaluate the phytochemicals present in the leaf extracts of Chromolaena odorata L. and their antimicrobial activities.
 Methodology: Dried leaves of C. odorata were pulverized and subjected to ethanolic and aqueous extraction. The extracts were qualitatively and quantitatively screened for phytochemicals using standard methods. The inhibitory activity of the leaf extracts were evaluated against clinical pathogens; Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis and Candida albicans using agar well diffusion technique at 100 mg/mL and 200 mg/mL concentrations.
 Results: The ethanolic extract of C. odorata had a better percentage yield of 5.49 g, followed by aqueous extract (3.5 g). The phytochemical screening conducted on the extracts revealed the presence of flavonoid, alkaloid, saponin, cardiac glycoside, steroids, tannins and terpenoids. The ethanolic extract exhibited better antimicrobial activity on S. typhi, S. aureus, E. coli, Ps. aeruginosa and C. albicans compared to the aqueous extract. This could be as a result of the higher extraction capability of the ethanol to penetrate easily into the cellular membrane and dissolve the intracellular inclusions from the plant materials than the aqueous solvent. The zones of inhibition of ethanolic extract at 100 mg/mL ranges from 2.33±0.33 mm to 9.50±0.36 mm with the lowest efficacy observed on P. mirabilis and highest on S. aureus. S. typhi was susceptible to the aqueous extract of the plant at this concentration with inhibitory zone of 4.00±0.00 mm. The ethanolic extract of the plant was also effective against C. albicans with inhibitory zone of 4.17±0.17 mm at 100 mg/mL. Chloramphenicol inhibited all the test bacteria with the highest efficacy on E. coli (16.33±0.03 mm) and ketoconazole at 25 mg/mL had a better antifungal activity on C. albicans compared to the observed antifungal activities of the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of C. odorata at 100 mg/mL. Furthermore, the test organisms were more susceptible to the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of C. odorata at 200 mg/mL with zones of inhibition ranging from 3.23±0.15 mm to 12.33±0.33 mm. The lowest being observed on E.coli and highest on S. typhi (ethanolic extract). K. Pneumoniae and P. mirabilis were resistant to the aqueous extract of C. odorata. All the test bacteria were susceptible to the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of C. odorata at 200 mg/mL extracts concentration. Moreover, C. albicans was susceptible to the inhibitory effect of C. odorata at this concentration with inhibitory zones of 3.00±0.00 mm and 5.33±0.33 mm on aqueous and ethanolic extracts respectively.
 Conclusion: The findings from this study revealed the antimicrobial activities of C. odorata on the test pathogens which are in close proximity in comparison with the synthetic antimicrobial agents and thus upon purification, can be harnessed as a lead for the development of natural products derived antimicrobials in drug discovery against infections caused by these human pathogens evaluated in this study.

A comparative study of the ovicidal and larvicidal activities of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of pawpaw seeds Carica papaya (Caricaceae) on Heligmosomoides bakeri

Background: Traditional medicine has employed Azadirachta indica to treat a variety of ailments. However, there is little information on the use of this plant in Zambia. Objective: To evaluate the phytochemicals and antibacterial activity of Azadirachta indica leaf extracts against Escherichia coli. Materials and Methods: This was a laboratory-based experimental study in which ethanol and water were used for extraction by maceration. Phytochemical analysis was then done on the leaf extract. Using the disc diffusion method, varying concentrations of A. indica aqueous and ethanolic extracts were used to test the antibacterial activity of A. indica against Escherichia coli. The sensitivity of the tested microorganisms to aqueous and ethanolic leaf extracts was shown by zones of inhibition after incubation. Results: The phytochemical screening of the A. indica leaves revealed the presence of phenolics and tannins in both the ethanol and aqueous extract. Saponins, flavonoids and alkaloids were only present in the aqueous extract. While steroids were only present in the ethanol extract. The antibacterial activity of A. indica leaves extract was determined by zones of inhibition which showed that both aqueous and ethanol extracts had activity against E. coli. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration was determined at 10 mg/mL for the aqueous extract and 20 mg/mL for the ethanol extract. The zones of inhibition increased with concentration. Conclusion: The extracts of A. indica displayed antibacterial activity against E. coli in a dose-dependent manner. Comparatively, the aqueous extract produced better antibacterial properties against E. coli than the ethanolic extract.

Seaweeds are a group of marine multicellular algae; the presence of antioxidant phytochemical constituents in Seaweed Chaetomorpha sp. extracts has received attention for their role in the prevention of human diseases. This study explores the phytochemical constituents, antioxidant, and anticancer properties of the Cladophoraceae, Chaetomorpha sp. Energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) were performed to study the chemical structure and chemical formula. Different concentrations of ethanol and aqueous extracts of Chaetomorpha were used to estimate antioxidant activity by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity and total flavonoid, phenolic, and tannins content assays. Anti-tumor activity against breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231) was assessed by 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-cyl)-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide (MTT) assay. The EDX analysis indicated the presence of oxygen, silicon, and calcium as dominant elements. Antioxidant assays indicated that the ethanol extracts of Chaetomorpha consisted of a total of 189.14 ± 0.99 mg QE/g flavonoid content, 21.92 ± 0.43 mg GAE/g phenolic content and 21.81 ± 0.04 mg GAE/g tannins content. The DPPH radical scavenging assay exhibited higher antioxidant activity IC50 (9.41 ± 0.54 mg/mL) in the ethanol extract. Moreover, it showed high anticancer activity by growth inhibition in the MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell line and low IC50 (225.18 ± 0.61 µg/mL). GC/MS analysis revealed the presence of Dichloracetic acid (DCA) as the active antitumor constituent of Chaetomorpha sp.; other anticancer compounds identified were Oximes and L-α-Terpinol. The results revealed that the type of Chaetomorpha sp. studied here possesses very unique and novel constituents and active potent antitumor chemical constituents and it can act as a promising antioxidant and anticancer agent for future applications in pharmaceutical industries.

Different extraction media applied on the pulverized leaves of Neem plant (Azadirachta indica) were analyzed for its proximate, phytochemical, and micronutrient compositions, predominantly using the gas chromatographic technique. The results showed that the ethanol extract contained the highest amounts of carbohydrates and fibre. No significant difference (p>0.05) was recorded for the protein and ash content of both ethanol and methanol extracts, while the moisture and fat contents occurred highest in aqueous and methanol extracts respectively. The phytochemical screening revealed the absence of glycosides in all the extracts while steroids were found only in methanol and ethanol extracts. The aqueous extracts contained greater amounts of epicate chin (13.42%), lunamarine (5.81%), tannin (19.18%) and phytates (0.27%), but lacked anthocyanin, phenol and kaempferol, while rutin (77.54%), ribalinidine (2.06%), oxalate (1.23%), anthocyanin (1.16%), and sparteine (0.05%) occurred highest in the ethanol extract. Only sparteine was lacking in the methanol extract. No significant difference was recorded between the aqueous and ethanol extracts for the vitamin A, D, C, and B2­ contents, while except for vitamin B3 (0.22mg/100g) and vitamin K (0.08mg/100g), 08mg/100g), the methanol extracts contained the least amounts of the vitamins evaluated. Manganese, zinc, copper, calcium and lead contents of the methanol extract were significantly higher than those of the other extracts while the aqueous extract contained the highest amount of sodium. This study has provided the scientific backing for the application of a specific extraction medium during the exploitation of distinct phytochemicals, while water, ethanol, and methanol should be the preferred extraction media for vitamins, proximate and dietary mineral contents respectively.

Aims: The study was conducted to evaluate the phytochemical and antioxidant potentials of ethanol and aqueous leaf extracts of Simarouba glauca vis-a-vis standard antioxidants. Study Design: True experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Biochemistry, University of Benin, Benin City. Nigeria, between August and October 2015. Methodology: Samples were harvested, air dried, pulverized and extracted with aqueous and absolute ethanol; freeze dried at the National energy commission centre, University of Benin. Total phenol content was determined by Folin-ciocalteau method, tannin determined according to Folin and Denis methods while flavonoids content was determined according to the methods described by Ebrahimzadeh et al. DPPH radical scavenging activity was conducted based on the ability of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), a stable free radical, to decolorize in the presence of antioxidants. Reducing power activity of extracts was conducted based on test samples extract’ Original Research Article Osagie-Eweka et al.; EJMP, 13(3): 1-11, 2016; Article no.EJMP.24736 2 ability to reduce ferricyanide to ferrocyanide indicated in the colour change. Total antioxidant activity of ethanol and aqueous leaf extracts was determined based on the ability of the sample to reduce the ferric-tripyridyltriazine (Fe (III)-TPTZ) complex to ferrous tripyridyltriazine (Fe(II)-TPTZ) at low pH. Hydroxyl radical activity of extracts was conducted on the principle based on the ability of test samples to reduce H2O2 in the presence of 1,10-phenanthroline. Trolox equivalent antioxidant activity of extracts was conducted based on the ability of test sample to scavenge 2,2’azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) radical generated based on the principle of decolourization. Nitric oxide (NO.) radical scavenging activity of S, glauca leaf extracts was estimated based on the ability of test samples to scavenge radicals generated by the reaction of naphthylethylenediamine dihydrochloride. Butylated hydroxytuolene (BHT), Ascorbate, Quercetin and Trolox were standard antioxidant. Results: DPPH radical scavenging activity yielded aqueous and ethanol extracts IC50 values of 3.2144 and 4.9100 μg/ml respectively. Reducing power activity yielded (aqueous and ethanol extracts) EC50 of values 60.3233 and 60.1000 μg/ml respectively. Total antioxidant activity yielded (ethanol and aqueous extracts) IC50 values of 52.4320 and 68.8201 μg/ml respectively. Hydroxyl radical activity yielded (ethanol and aqueous extracts) IC50 values of 49.3130 and 50.2341 μg/ml respectively. Trolox equivalent antioxidant activity yielded (ethanol and aqueous extracts) IC50 values of 45.2015 and 52.0721 μg/ml respectively. Nitric oxide scavenging activity yielded aqueous IC50 value of 14.2102 μg/ml but ethanol extract yielded no inhibition concentration at 50 percent. Conclusion: The study showed that aqueous and ethanol leaf extracts of S. glauca demonstrated substantial amount of biochemically valuable phytochemicals and antioxidant potential capable of scavenging reactive oxygen species.

Antihypertensive Activity of Paullinia Pinnata Leaf Extract in Animal Models

In vitro activity of aqueous and alcoholic extracts of the plant Calotropis procera (6.25, 12.5 and 25 mg/L) have been applied against Schistosoma mansoni adult worms. The mortality of adult worms was observed after exposure to aqueous and ethanolic stem extracts of C. procera during a period of 48 hours. The ethanolic extract of C. procera (at 25 mg/L) caused death of all worms after only half an hour. However, the concentration of 12.5 and 6.25 mg/L caused death of all tested worms after three hours of exposure to the ethanolic extract. On the other hand, the exposure of Schistosoma mansoni adult worms to the aqueous extract of C. procera (at 25 mg/L) caused death of these worms after four hours. In aqueous stem extracts, a dose of 6.5 and 12.5 decreased the worm viability in comparison with control. Moreover, in all concentrations of both aqueous and alcoholic extracts, coupled adult worms were separated into individual males and females. Alterations of male worms' tegument exposed to ethanolic and aqueous extracts in comparison with control worms were examined by scanning electron microscopy. In conclusion, C. procera alcoholic extract has a more schistomicidal activity than aqueous extract. In addition, it has been found that C. procera extract induces marked effects on tegumental surface architecture.

Phytochemical composition and active ingredients of Garcinia kola extract using two methods of extraction (crude ethanol and aqueous extract) was conducted. Tannin was present in both the aqueous (+) and ethanol extracts (++) of the Garcinia kola qualitative phytochemical analysis. Both the ethanol (-) and aqueous (-) extracts lacked pflobatannins. In ethanol extracts (+), glycoside was detected but not found in aqueous (-). In the ethanol extract (-), saponin was not present, while it was present (++) in the aqueous extract. Comparing the aqueous extract to the ethanol extract counterpart, the mean values of saponins (30.74±10.64), flavonoids (52.97±2.80), and anthraquinones (69.74±3.77) were higher in the aqueous extract, while the corresponding mean values for the ethanol extract were 0.00±0.00, 0.67±0.24, and 26.34±26.34 for saponins, flavonoids, and anthraquinones, respectively. Keywords: Phytochemical Garcinia kola Ethanol and Aqueous extracts

Objective: To perform the phytochemical screening and in vitro Calcium Oxalate anti-urolithaitic activity of Vaccinium macrocarpon aqueous and ethanolic fruit extracts. Methods: The aqueous and ethanolic extracts from, fruit pulp was subjected to qualitative phytochemical screening and the anti-urolithiasis activity was evaluated on in vitro models like Calcium Oxalate dissolution assay, Calcium Oxalate nucleation and aggregation assay. Results: Following the phytochemical screening it was concluded that the ethanolic and aqueous extracts were found to be rich in flavonoids, steroids, phenols, coumarins, terpenoids and cardiac glycosides. The anti urolithiatic activity was found to be dose dependent. A 35.6±0.06 and 33.43±0.02 percentage of Calcium Oxalate nucleation was exhibited by the 40mg/ml aqueous and methanolic extracts respectively, while percentage inhibition of Calcium Oxalate aggregation was found to be 32.2±0.06 and 34.6±0.02 by 40mg/ml dilution of aqueous and methanolic extracts respectively. However the aqueous and methanolic extracts exhibited a higher capacity to dissolve the Calcium Oxalate crystals prepared homogenously. Percentage inhibitions of 44.2±0.06 and 47.3±0.02 were shown by the aqueous and methanolic extracts respectively. Conclusions: The study indicates that the aqueous and methanolic extracts of Vaccinium macrocarpon fruits showed inhibition against the important phases of Calcium Oxalate urolithiasis like nucleation and aggregation. It also aids the dissolution of the Calcium Oxalate crystals prepared. Owing to the rich presence of polyphenols and flavanoids, Vaccinium macrocarpon proves to be an easily available and a beneficial alternative or adjunctive treatment for Calcium Oxalate urolithiasis. Further in vivo and clinical explorations are required to confirm the efficacy of Vaccinium macrocarpon as an antiurolithiatic.

This study aims to evaluate antioxidant activity of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Xylopia villosa stem bark. The quantitative study of polyphenols showed that ethanolic extract (75.00 ± 3.82 g/L EqAG) contains more than the aqueous extract (55.83 ± 1.67 g/L EqAG). It is the same for the quantitative analysis of total flavonoids where ethanolic extract (135.00 ± 1.44 g/L EqQ) contains more than the aqueous extract (115.00 ± 6.61 g/L EqQ). The antioxidant activity in vitro showed that the extracts neutralize DPPH and ABTS + ° with enhanced activity of the ethanolic extract. The ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Xylopia villosa causing 50% inhibition (IC50) of the DPPH radical gave concentrations of 10.50 ± 0.24 and 24.50 ± 0.18 mcg / ml respectively for ethanol extract and aqueous extract. On the reduction of radical ABTS + °, aqueous extract caused a reduction of the radical cation ABTS + 7.82 ± 0.17 micromol TE / L while the ethanol extract reduced by 10.52 ± 0.27 micromol TE / L. Evaluation of antioxidant activity in vivo of xylopia villosa revealed that this is the ethanol extract (9.17 ± 0.48 mmol / L TBA-MDA) which offset the concentration of TBA-MDA adduct more than the aqueous extract (22.67 ± 0.33 mmol / L TBA-MDA). Concerning the total antioxidant activity, ethanolic extract reduced iron III to Iron II more than aqueous extract. After this study, it appears that the ethanolic extract has better antioxidant activity in vitro and in vivo that the aqueous extract.

The present study was carried out to assess the nematicidal potential of Punica granatum L. against the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne javanica responsible for yield losses in tomato. Varied concentrations of methanolic, ethanolic and aqueous extracts from pomegranate peels were investigated for activity against eggs and juveniles of M. javanica in in vitro assays. All extracts used significantly inhibited egg hatch by over than 75%, but viability of second-stage juveniles (J2) was not significantly inhibited by ethanolic extract. Aqueous extract was assessed at the concentration of 10, 25 and 50% against M. javanica on tomato in greenhouse trials; pomegranate peels powder was also tested at the rate of 3, 6 and 9 g as a soil amendment. Both extracts significantly reduced nematode infestations; aqueous extract enhanced plant growth but powder amendment exhibited a phytotoxicity compared to the untreated plants. The reduction in number of galls, egg masses and nematode reproduction rate was recorded.

Asphodelus fistulosus (A. fistulosus) is a wild plant grows in Jordan. Traditionally, it is used to treat different medical conditions and diseases such as respiratory ailments, against burns and dermatomucosal infections.This study aims to find out the effects of A. fistulosus aqueous and ethanolic crude extracts on Staphylococcus aureus(S. aureus) as gram positive bacteria and Escherichia coli (E. coli) as gram negative bacteria and to investigate which one will be affected either by aqueous and/or ethanolic crude extracts of A. fistulosus shooting parts that were collected from Jerash in the north of Jordan. Agar well diffusion method was used to evaluate the antibacterial activity of the crude extracts. In addition, MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) as well as MBC (minimum bactericidal concentration) were determined against both types of bacteria. The results showed that flower aqueous extract of A. fistulosus was very effective against E. coli (20.0 ± 0.50) mm and caused a (14.0 ± 0.50) mm inhibition to S. aureus. The ethanolic extract of stem was very effective cauesed a (19.0 ± 0.50) mm inhibition in both bacterial species. Respectively, both S. aureus and E. coli were inhibited by ethanolic and aqueous extracts (mixture1 and mixture2) (15.0 ± 0.00 mm and 10.5 ± 0.50 mm). The highest antimbacterial activity was observed for the leaves aqueous extract against E.coli (0.06120 mg/mL). The obtained MIC values from A. fistulosus parts extracts demonstrated antibacterial activity ranged between 7.606 and 0.06120 mg/mL. The highest antimicrobial activity was recorded in the leaves aqueous extract against E. coli.The MBC value of stem aqueous extract was 5.00 mg/mL against both S. aureus and E. coli. On the other hand, ethanolic and aqueous extracts of the leaves gave MBC values 5.00 mg/mL, and 0.156 mg/mL, respectively, against E. coli.Based on the results of this study, it can be concluded that there is good inhibitory effect of aqueous and ethanolic of A. fistulosus shooting parts extracts on growth of E. coli and S. aureus. Adding to that, stem ethanolic extract has the most effective against S. aureus while aqueous extract of flower has the most effective against E. coli.So, it is recommended to have further future studies on the A. fistulosus shooting parts crude extract bioactive components and the mechanism of how these constituents affect these types of bacteria.

BackgroundParinari curatellifolia and Combretum zeyheri are medicinal plants used in Zimbabwe and other Southern African countries for stomach ailments, fever, body aches, wound healing, cancer and tuberculosis. Glutathione transferases (GSTs) are mammalian enzymes that play a significant role in the detoxification and metabolism of many xenobiotic and endogenous compounds and as such can interact with many exogenous compounds including herbal medicines.The effects of Parinari curatellifolia and Combretum zeyheri leaf extracts on glutathione transferases of male Sprague–Dawley rats were investigated in vivo and in vitro after oral administration of either leaf ethanol or water extracts of each plant.MethodsFor Parinari curatellifolia, 18 male Sprague-Dawley rats were administered with 0, 500 and 1000 mg/kg body weight of the leaf extracts in corn oil or saline. Animals were sacrificed after 96 h and the kidney and liver samples were removed and used to prepare the cytosolic fractions. GST activity was determined using 1-chloro-2, 4-dinitrobezene. For Combretum zeyheri, twenty four male Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups. These two groups were further divided into three groups of four animals each. They were given either the aqueous or ethanol extract at doses of C. zeyheri at 0, 50 mg/kg body weight and 200 mg/kg body weight. The extracts were administered orally by oral gavage for four consecutive days and the rats were sacrificed by cervical dislocation on the fifth day.ResultsIn animals administered with C. zeyheri, GST activity was significantly increased by the 200 mg/kg aqueous extract in the kidneys and livers in vivo whilst the ethanolic extract at 200 mg/kg decreased enzyme activity significantly both organs. Both the ethanol and aqueous extracts inhibited GST activity in vitro with the ethanol extract being more potent inhibitor than ethacrynic acid, a standard GST inhibitor. The increased GST activity in vivo and versus inhibition in vitro suggests that metabolites may be responsible for the effects observed in vivo. For P. curatellifolia, a dose-dependent decrease in GST activity was observed in vivo for the animals given the aqueous extract but no changes were observed with the ethanol extract. There was a concentration-dependent inhibition of cytosolic GSTs when P. curatellifolia leaf extracts in vitro. The ethanol extract of P. curatellifolia exhibited GST-inhibitory activity in the liver with an IC50 value of 12 μg/mL and for ethacrynic acid, the IC50 was found to be 10 μg/mL. This showed that this extract was a potent inhibitor of GSTs in vitro.ConclusionsC. zeyheri had an inductive effect on GST activity when administered in aqueous solution but inhibited GST in vitro whilst P. curatellifolia inhibited GST activity in vivo. Induction of GSTs would be cytoprotective against the toxic effects electrophilic chemicals. Since GSTs are responsible for the synthesis of prostaglandins, the inhibition of GST activity of by these two plants in vivo maybe one of the reasons that makes the plants important for use in the treatment pain and fever in ethnopharmacology.