Flavonoids are a class of phenolic compounds commonly found in fruits, vegetables, grains, flowers, tea, and wine. They differ in their chemical structures and characteristics. Such compounds show various biological functions and have antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro interactions of flavonoids with fluconazole against Candida tropicalis strains resistant to fluconazole, investigating the mechanism of synergism. Three combinations formed by the flavonoids (+)-catechin hydrated, hydrated quercetin, and (-)-epigallocatechin gallate at a fixed concentration with fluconazole were tested. Flavonoids alone had no antifungal activity within the concentration range tested, but when they were used as a cotreatment with fluconazole, there was significant synergistic activity. From this result, we set out to evaluate the possible mechanisms of cell death involved in this synergism. Isolated flavonoids did not induce morphological changes or changes in membrane integrity in the strains tested, but when they were used as a cotreatment with fluconazole, these changes were quite significant. When evaluating mitochondrial damage and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) only in the cotreatment, changes were observed. Flavonoids combined with fluconazole were shown to cause a significant increase in the rate of damage and the frequency of DNA damage in the tested strains. The cotreatment also induced an increase in the externalization of phosphatidylserine, an important marker of early apoptosis. It is concluded that flavonoids, when combined with fluconazole, show activity against strains of C. tropicalis resistant to fluconazole, promoting apoptosis by exposure of phosphatidylserine in the plasma membrane and morphological changes, mitochondrial depolarization, intracellular accumulation of ROS, condensation, and DNA fragmentation.

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Synergistic Effect of the Flavonoid Catechin, Quercetin, or Epigallocatechin Gallate with Fluconazole Induces Apoptosis in Candida tropicalis Resistant to Fluconazole

Medicinal plants and their uses by the people in the Region of Randa, Djibouti

Gum Arabic (GA) or Acacia gum is an edible biopolymer obtained as exudates of mature trees of Acacia senegal and Acacia seyal which grow principally in the African region of Sahe in Sudan. The exudate is a non-viscous liquid, rich in soluble fibers, and its emanation from the stems and branches usually occurs under stress conditions such as drought, poor soil fertility, and injury (Williams & Phillips, 2000).

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Gum Arabic: More Than an Edible Emulsifier

Herbal medicine is still the mainstay of about 70-80% of world population, main ly in the developing countries, for primary health care because of better cultural acceptability, better compatibility with human body with lesser side effects. Acacia nilotica is also a popular ornamental avenue tree in India. This review aimed at revealing brief account of plant part used, mode of ad min istration, the animal model, description of Pharmaco logical activity and results concluded for the same.

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Medicinal attributes of Acacia nilotica Linn. - A comprehensive review on ethnopharmacological claims

Metabolomic profiling and antioxidant activity of some Acacia species

Various Acacia species have been reported to be effective against a variety of disease including malaria, leprosy and most concerning cancer. The fresh plant parts of different Acacia species are considered as astringent, spasmolytic, demulcent, anthelmintic and abortifacient in Indian traditional medicine system. Currently, numerous herbal products derived from Acaciaspecies are available in market. In present exploration, a total of five species of genus Acacia including: Acacia nilotica ssp. indica (Benth.) A. F. Hill,Acacia tortilis (Forsk.) Hayne, Acacia senegal (L.) Willd., Acacia catechu(L.)Willd, Acacia jacquemontii Benth were undertaken for preliminary ethnomedicinal and antimicrobial screening. Subsequently, the two most active species: A. catechu and A. nilotica were further considered for detail pharmacognostical studies. During antimicrobial screening experiments, A.catechu and A. nilotica exhibited highest activity against three bacterial (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella typhi) and two fungal strain (Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger). The pharmacognostical study revealed that both species (A. catechu and A. nilotica) can be distinguished on the basis of their macroscopic, microscopic and phytochemical characters. Different plant parts (bark and pods) of both species were found to contain various secondary metabolites such asalkaloids, flavanoids, tannins and sponins.

	 

	Key words: Antimicrobial activity, pharmacognosy, abortifacient, antiplatelet aggregatory, saponins.

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Ritu Saini

Papers

Comparative pharmacognostical and antimicrobial studies of Acacia species (Mimosaceae)