An-Najah Staff

Objective To determine the antimicrobial activity of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) and to investigate the synergistic effects of this extract combined with ceforuxime against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
Methods The inhibitory and bactericidal activities of rosemary ethanol extract, alone and in combination with cefuroxime, were studied.
Results The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of the ethanol extract of rosemary were in the range of 0.39–3.13 mg/mL. The minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) were usually equal to or double that MICs. The antimicrobial activity of combinations of the ethanol extract of rosemary and cefuroxime indicated their synergistic effects against all MRSAs.
Conclusions The present work clearly demonstrates that rosemary has a key role in the elevation of susceptibility to β-lactams. 

Objective To evaluate the possible in vitro interaction between ethanolic extracts of Rhus coriaria (R. coriaria) (seed), Sacropoterium spinosum (S. spinosum) (seed), Rosa damascena (R. damascene) (flower) and certain known antimicrobial drugs including oxytetracycline HCl, penicillin G, cephalexin, sulfadimethoxine as sodium, and enrofloxacin. This synergy study was carried out against 3 clinical strains of multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa).
Methods Evaluation of synergy interaction between plant extracts and antimicrobial agents was carried out using microdilution method.
Results The results of this study showed that there is a decrease in the MIC in case of combination of ethanolic plant extracts and test antimicrobial agents. The most interesting result was that the combination between R. coriaria and these antibiotics, showed a high decrease in minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and a strong bactericidal activity against these strains.
Conclusions These results may indicate that combinations between R. coriaria extract and these antibiotics could be useful in fighting emerging drug-resistance P. aeruginosa, which may due to that R. coriaria extract contain natural inhibitors working by different mechanisms or inhibiting efflux pumps. Now we have experiments underway leading to the identification of the active molecules present in R. coriaria. Further, in vivo experiments are needed to confirm pseudomonal protection.

Ethanolic extract of dried Rumex cyprius Murb (polygonaceae) was tested against four pathogenic fungi: three dermatophytes, Microsporum canis, Trichophyton mentagrophytes and T. rubrum, and the causative agent of chalkbrood disease of bees, Ascophaera apis. The extract showed considerable activity against all these fungi. One of the main constituents of Rumex cyprius was isolated and tested for its antimycotic activity. It showed a significant activity against the test fungi and was identified as 1,3,8-trihydroxy-6-methylanthracene-9,10-dione based on its IR, UV-V and ¹H NMR spectra. 

An ethnobotanical survey was carried out in the West Bank to evaluate the relative efficacy of the plants used to treat skin diseases and prostate cancer. A total number of 102 informants, 30 years and older and either native born or had been living in the West Bank for more than 30 years, were interviewed using a previously prepared questionnaire. Of about 165 plant species mentioned by the informants, 63 (38.1%) were mentioned by three or more informants. On the basis of their primary uses, 21 of these plants were reported to relieve skin disorders, 17 for urinary system disorders, 16 for gastric disorders, nine for cancer and prostate disorders, eight for arthritis, five for respiratory problems, and five for other ailments. Indices on fidelity levels (FLs), relative popularity level (RPL), and rank-order priority (ROP) were calculated. Plants were classified in two groups: ‘popular’ (RPL=1) or ‘unpopular’ (RPL<1). The following plant species were classified as popular in this study: Teucriumpolium, Matricariaaurea, Urticapilulifera, Paronychiaargentea, Petroselinumsativum, and Salviafruticosa. The remaining 57 species were classified as ‘unpopular’. Fifty-nine plants were claimed to be effective against cancer and prostate disorders, which include Arum dioscorides, U. pilulifera, Allium sativum, Viscum cruciatum, and Allium cepa.

Varthemia iphionoides is indigenous to Palestine, where it is traditionally being used for treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. The aim of this paper was to provide pharmacological validation to this medicinal use. Water and ethanol extracts of Varthemia iphionoides were studied on isolated rabbit ileum for spasmolytic action. These extracts showed a reduction of the amplitude and the tone of spontaneous contraction in a concentration-dependent manner. Apart from that, water extract of Varthemia iphionoides drastically diminished the increase of the contraction of the ileum caused by acetylcholine (ACh) concentration of 5.5X10-6M. This indicates that Varthemia iphionoides extract probably acts at least through muscarinic receptors blockade.

Objective To determine the antimicrobial activity of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) and to investigate the synergistic effects of this extract combined with ceforuxime against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
Methods The inhibitory and bactericidal activities of rosemary ethanol extract, alone and in combination with cefuroxime, were studied.
Results  The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of the ethanol extract of rosemary were in the range of 0.39–3.13 mg/mL. The minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) were usually equal to or double that MICs. The antimicrobial activity of combinations of the ethanol extract of rosemary and cefuroxime indicated their synergistic effects against all MRSAs.
Conclusions  The present work clearly demonstrates that rosemary has a key role in the elevation of susceptibility to β-lactams.

To assess the clinical utility of the crude ethanolic extract of the leaves of Varthemia iphionoides (Compositae), minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined using agar dilution technique. Accordingly, The MICs of of this plant extract ranged from 0.0313-1 mg/ml for three clinical taphylacaccus aureus strains and ATCC strains of Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus epidermidis, whereas Escherichia coli studied in this report was found to exhibit higher MIC value (4 mg/ml). The effect of combinations of ethanolic extract of Varthemia iphionoides and cefotaxime was investigated by means of fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) indices. Using the FIC indices, synergistic interactions were observed against B. subtilis (ATCC 6633) and S. ureus strains (FIC indices of 0.75-0.875); while combinations against E. coli and S. epidermidis (ATCC 25923) exhibited antagonistic interactions (FIC indices of 2.5 to 16.4). Synergy was confirmed at cefotaxime concentrations corresponding to 1/2 MIC and an ethanol extract concentrations corresponding to 1/4 MIC and lower.

The potential of antifungal effects of Walnut (Juglans regia L., Juglandaceae) ethanolic and chloroform extracts was reported against four pathogenic fungi: three dermatophytes, Microsporum canis (MC), Trichophyton mentagrophytes (TM) and T. Rubrum (TR), and the causative agent of chalk brood disease of bees, Ascophaera apis (AsA). Both extracts had considerable activity against the studied fungi. The main antifungal component of walnut was isolated and tested for its antimycotic activity individually. Based on its IR, 13C and 1H NMR analysis the main significant activity against was indentifying to be 5-hydroxy- 1, 4-naphthoquinone (Juglone).

To assess the clinical utility of the crude ethanolic extract of the leaves of Varthemia iphionoides (Compositae), minimal inhibitory concentrations eJ'v1Ies) were determined using agar dilution technique. Accordingly, The MICs of of this plant extract ranged from 0.0313-1 mg/ml for three clinical Staphylacaccus aureus strains and ATCC strains of Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus epidermidis, whereas Escherichia coli studied in this report was fOlUld to exhibit higher 1v1Ie value (4 mg/ml). The effect of combinations of ethanolic extract of Varthemia iphionoides a0nd cefotaxime was investigated by means of fractional inhibitory concentration (FIe) indices. Using the FIe indices, synergistic interactions were observed against B. subtilis (ATCC 6633) and S. aureus strains (FIC indices of 0.75-0.875); while combinations against E. cali and S. epidermidis (ATCC 25923) exhibited antagonistic interactions (FIC indices of 2.5 to 16.4). Synergy was confirmed at cefotaxime concentrations corresponding to 1/2 MIC and an ethanol extract concentrations corresponding to 1/41v1IC and lower.

Ethanolic extract of dried Rumex cyprius Murb (polygonaceae) was tested against four pathogenic fungi: three dermatophytes, Microsporum canis, Trichophyton mentagrophytes and T. rubrum, and the causative agent of chalkbrood disease of bees, Ascophaera apis. The extract showed considerable activity against all these fungi. One of the main constituents of Rumex cyprius was isolated and tested for its antimycotic activity. It showed a significant activity against the test fungi and was identified as 1,3,8-trihydroxy-6-methylanthracene-9,10-dione based on its IR, UV-V and ¹H NMR spectra.