Abstract: Bauhinia variegata, commonly known as Koiralo is considered as medicinal plant in Nepal and India. The alcoholic extract of this plant was found to have antimicrobial activity against Bacillus subtilis (ATCC 6635) Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853), Salmonella typhi, Shigella dysenteriae, Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 29213) and Vibrio cholerae. The largest zone of inhibition (18 mm) was found to be exhibited against B. subtilis. For this organism the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of the crude extract was 0.39 mg/ml. The extract was found to be more effective against gram-positive than gram-negative bacteria. The antimicrobial activity of the extract was found to be decreased during purification.

Abstract: The effect against bacteria of petroleum ether (60-80 degrees C), chloroform and methanolic extract of dried root of Terminalia catappa Linn. (combrataceae) was employed by cup plate agar diffusion method. The chloroform extract showed prominent antimicrobial activity against S. aureus and E. coli as compared to other tested microorganisms, while petroleum ether extract was devoid of antimicrobial activity. The methanolic: extract exhibited MIC of 0.065 mg/ml against E. coli. and chloroform extract exhibited MIC of 0.4 mg/ml against S. aureus The chloroform has well as methanolic extracts showed good antimicrobial activity against Gram positive and Gram negative microorganisms.

Abstract: The effects of methanolic crude extracts of some medicinal plants, which are used in Iranian traditional medicine on RS322N (rad52) of the yeast strians of Saccaromyces cerevisiae were investigated, using agar diffusion method and the concentration which produced 12 mm inhibition zone (IC12)was determined. The RS322N IC12for Dorema ammoniacum (oleogum resin), Bunium persicum (fruit) and Illicium verum (fruit) were 3.14, 5.58 and 5.27 mg/ml respectively. Based on these findings, oleogumresin of Doremaammoniacum is a potential cytotoxic agent and a good candidate for further studies.

Abstract: The antimicrobial activity of cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) and anacardic acids isolated from nuts of Anacardium occidentale were tested against several strains responsible of cutaneous infection or olfactory disagreement. CNSL exhibited minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) against Propionibacterium acnes (1.56 µg/mL), Corynebacterium xerosis (6.25 µg/mL), and various strains of Staphylococcus aureus (25 µg/mL), but was not active against the fungus Pityrosporum ovale. The s-lactamase inhibition was tested by the agar diffusion method with penicillin G, against two strains of S. aureus, both resistant to penicillin by synthesis of s-lactamase, but one strain being insensitive to all s-lactamines antibiotics due to a modification of protein linking penicillin (PLP 2a). The results showed clearly the s-lactamase inhibitory activity of CNSL and anacardic acids on S. aureus enzyme, without activity on PLP 2a.

Abstract: The antimicrobial activity of the cold methanolic extracts of the leaf and root bark of Calotropis procera (Ait), (Fam: Asclepiadaceae) was determined using the agar diffusion method. Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Candida albicans, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella aerogenes and Enterobacter aerogenes were used as test organisms. Antimicrobial activity was observed with the leaf extract on four of the organisms tested, while the root bark showed activity on only two of the test organisms. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for the positively tested organisms lie within the range of 10-50 mg ml - 1 . Phytochemical analysis conducted on the samples revealed the presence of saponins, glycosides, and simple sugars in the leaves, while the root bark was found to contain tannins in addition to these groups. Fractionation of the crude extract by solvent-solvent extraction procedure indicated that the organic acidic and organic basic fractions were more active. Infra-red (IR) spectroscopy of the two factions indicated the presence of carboxylic acids and carbonyl groups. The findings of this study conforms with the local use of the plant.

Abstract: Antimicrobial activity spectra of the glucose/glucose-oxidase (GOD) system and the lactoperoxidase (LP) system modified by changing SON - by I - or IO 3 - were performed against 39 indicator strains. These major food-spoilage or pathogenic micro-organisms were Gram negative or Gram positive bacteria, yeasts or filamentous fungi. A simple and reproducible spot diffusion method using agar plates was retained. The higher zone of inhibition was obtained with the low inoculum level, a pre-incubation time for 16 h at 4°C followed by an incubation at 15°C. Agar concentration had no significant effect. For the majority of strains, the inhibitory activity of the glucose/GOD system was zero or weak. The LP system (SCN) inhibited bacteria but was strain-dependent for fungi and yeasts. The substitution of SCN - by I - or IO 3 - anion always resulted in a greater inhibition.

Abstract: The results of studies on the detection of biologically active substances (BAS) in biomass dilutions and culture fluid of Spirulina platensi and algae (Chlorella, Fucus, Laminaria) by the agar diffusion method are presented. After the sterilization of the solutions with chloroform (CF) a substance with lysozyme-like activity and 2 substances with antagonistic activity deep in agar and on its surface were detected with the use of the micrococcal indicator strain. After CF treatment, depending on the concentration of S. platensis strains, a compound stimulating the growth of bacteria and sensitive to heat treatment was detected. BAS were also detected with the use of other indicator cultures.

Abstract: Objective: To determine the antimicrobial activity of a distillate of Hamamelis (Aqua Hamamelidis ), United States Pharmacopoeia (USP) 23, and urea formulated as a topical dermatological preparation that contains both active ingredients. Methods: Using the simple occlusion test and expanded flora test, we conducted in vivo studies in 15 healthy volunteers. We also performed in vitro studies using the agar diffusion test. Results: The occlusion test and expanded flora test demonstrated significant antimicrobial activity for a product containing the Hamamelis distillate (90%) and urea (5%) among other ingredients. The expanded flora test demonstrated significant antimicrobial activity for both Hamamelis distillate and urea. The simple occlusion test showed the same tendency, but results were not significant. The agar diffusion test showed inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans , among other organisms. Comparison with earlier studies of chlorhexidine digluconate and fuchsine using the same method showed that the antimicrobial activities of Hamamelis distillate and urea were relatively weak. This finding is supported by the weak inhibitory activity observed in the agar diffusion test (using 100% of the finished dosage form). Conclusion: Formulations of Hamamelis distillate and urea are mainly used for their antiinflammatory, hydrating, and barrier-stabilizing effects in dermatitis maintenance therapy. As bacterial colonization has a central role in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis and intertrigo, the antimicrobial activity of such products is considered a welcome, added benefit.

Abstract: ®bone cement. METHODS Palacos ® bone cement was used for all experiments. Antibiotic powders were homogenized using mortar and pestle and added to pre-polymerized PMMA powder. Pre-chilled monomer was hand mixed with Palacos ® powder containing the antibiotic of interest in a standardized mixing bowl under atmospheric pressure at 25˚ C. By using a novel process developed in our lab, we produced standardized, cylindrical PMMA discs for all experiments. A quantitative Kirby-Bauer assay was used to define antibiotic elution from the PMMA discs. Staphylococcus aureus (strain 6538P) was cultured in solid agar media and was used for all experiments. Construction of standard curves for each antibiotic was performed by graphing a known quantity of antibiotic against the bacterial zone of inhibition that it produced. The zone of inhibition produced by the same antibiotic when eluted from a PMMA disc was then compared to the previously constructed standard curve to determine the amount of antibiotic eluted. PMMA discs containing no antibiotics (negative control) as well as discs containing the following antibiotics were made (3g antibiotic per 40g packet of Palacos ® powder): Vancomycin (positive control), Daptomycin, Synercid, and Linezolid. Antibiotic discs and controls were plated on agar containing staph aureus as detailed above and the subsequent bacterial zones of inhibition measured every 24 hours for 14 days. Measurements for each zone were made by two different observers (2 measurements per zone) and averaged. After measuring the zone of inhibition, discs were rinsed with phosphate buffer solution and blotted dry to remove any agar or other biologic material from the PMMA surface and then plated onto new agar. RESULTS Negative controls produced no zones of inhibition. PMMA discs (N=10, each) containing Vancomycin, Daptomycin, Synercid, and Linezolid all demonstrated reproducible, measurable zones of inhibition similar to that seen in the picture below. PMMA disc dimensions were