Antimicrobial Activity of Quercus infectoria Gall Extract vs. Leptospira
Journal name: The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences
Original article title: Anti-microbial Activity of Aqueous Quercus infectoria Gall Extract against Pathogenic Leptospira
The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences (MJMS) is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal published online at least six times a year. It covers all aspects of medical sciences and prioritizes high-quality research.
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Husna Mustafa, Nabilah Ismail, Wan Nor Amilah Wan Abdul Wahab
The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences:
(A peer-reviewed, open-access journal)
Full text available for: Anti-microbial Activity of Aqueous Quercus infectoria Gall Extract against Pathogenic Leptospira
Year: 2018 | Doi: 10.21315/mjms2018.25.4.4
Copyright (license): CC BY 4.0
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Summary of article contents:
Introduction
Leptospirosis is a significant infectious disease caused by the spiral-shaped bacteria known as Leptospira species, affecting both animals and humans globally, with more than 500,000 reported cases annually. The disease is particularly prevalent in tropical and sub-tropical regions, where high humidity and warm temperatures create ideal conditions for the bacteria to thrive. The majority of cases are diagnosed in their severe stages, often leading to delayed antibiotic treatment with conventional therapies primarily relying on penicillin and doxycycline. However, current treatments fail to prevent severe complications or mortality effectively, creating a need for alternative therapeutic approaches. This study explores the potential of Quercus infectoria gall extract as a natural alternative for treating leptospirosis due to its established broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties.
Efficacy of Quercus infectoria Gall Extract
The study demonstrates that the aqueous extract of Q. infectoria gall exhibits significant antimicrobial activity against pathogenic Leptospira serovars, specifically L. interrogans serovars Javanica and Icterohaemorrhagiae, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of 0.125 mg/mL for both serovars. Furthermore, the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values were determined to be 0.125 mg/mL for Javanica and 0.250 mg/mL for Icterohaemorrhagiae, indicating that the extract not only inhibits but also kills the bacteria. Scanning electron microscope analyses reveal that L. interrogans cells treated with the extract show notable morphological changes, including deformation and elongation compared to untreated controls. This study highlights the extract’s potential mechanism of action involving tannins that disrupt the bacterial cell structure, suggesting a significant role for Q. infectoria in managing leptospirosis.
Conclusion
The findings from this study provide compelling evidence that Q. infectoria gall extract possesses both antimicrobial inhibition and bactericidal activity against Leptospira isolates. The results underscore its potential as a therapeutic agent worthy of further exploration, particularly in combination with traditional antibiotics to enhance treatment efficacy in leptospirosis. Future research should focus on examining the extract's pre-clinical therapeutic applications and its effectiveness in conjunction with existing antibiotic treatments, thereby contributing valuable insights into alternative strategies for combating this infectious disease.
FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What is the purpose of the study on Quercus infectoria?
This study aims to determine the anti-microbial activity of Quercus infectoria gall extract against pathogenic Leptospira and analyze the morphological changes of the cells treated with the extract using a scanning electron microscope (SEM).
How was the anti-microbial activity measured in the study?
The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were determined using a two-fold serial microdilution broth assay. Observations were made after three days under specific conditions to assess bacterial growth and responsiveness to the gall extract.
What were the significant findings of the study?
The findings revealed that Quercus infectoria gall extract exhibited anti-microbial activity against both Leptospira serovars tested, with MIC values at 0.125 mg/mL, indicating its potential use in treating leptospirosis.
What changes were observed in the morphology of Leptospira?
The scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis showed that extract-treated Leptospira cells displayed deformations in shape and size, differing significantly from untreated cells, suggesting a bactericidal effect from the gall extract.
Glossary definitions and references:
Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “Antimicrobial Activity of Quercus infectoria Gall Extract vs. Leptospira”. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of Ayurveda and other topics.
1) Table:
A structured arrangement of data or information, often displayed in rows and columns, which facilitates easy understanding and analysis. In scientific studies, tables are used to summarize results, such as the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of various treatments against specific microorganisms, presenting findings clearly for readers and researchers.
2) Activity:
In the context of microbiology or pharmacology, 'activity' typically refers to the effectiveness of a substance against pathogens or the biological processes it induces. This term is essential in discussions of antimicrobial effects, such as the ability of Quercus infectoria gall extract to inhibit bacterial growth or kill harmful microorganisms.
3) Study (Studying):
A systematic investigation aimed at discovering or interpreting facts, phenomena, or relationships within a subject. Studies are foundational in scientific research, helping to validate hypotheses and contribute to knowledge, such as exploring the antimicrobial properties of natural substances like plant extracts against disease-causing organisms.
4) Antibiotic (Antibacterial):
Referring to substances that fight against bacteria, this term encompasses a range of compounds, including antibiotics and natural extracts with the ability to inhibit or kill bacterial growth. Understanding anti-bacterial mechanisms is essential in developing effective treatments for bacterial infections, especially in the context of rising resistance.
5) Disease:
A pathological condition disrupting normal physiological functions characterized by specific signs and symptoms. Understanding diseases is fundamental in medicine and public health, especially infectious diseases like leptospirosis caused by Leptospira strains. Identifying effective treatments, including natural remedies, is essential for managing disease prevalence and impact.
6) Phytochemical:
Naturally occurring bioactive compounds found in plants, often responsible for their medicinal properties. Phytochemicals, such as flavonoids and tannins in Quercus infectoria, play a significant role in antimicrobial activity and can enhance health by providing anti-inflammatory or antioxidant benefits, highlighting the importance of plant-based remedies in modern therapy.
7) Killing (Killed):
In a microbiological context, 'killing' refers to the lethal effects of substances on microorganisms. Understanding how certain extracts or antibiotics induce cell death is critical in developing effective treatments against pathogens. This information aids in designing new therapies, especially for drug-resistant bacterial strains.
8) Water:
Commonly used as a solvent in extracting substances from plants due to its polar nature. In studies, water facilitates the dissolution of phytochemicals. The use of aqueous extracts in research helps evaluate the therapeutic potential of various plants, including their antibacterial effects against specific microbial species.
9) Species:
A group of organisms that share common characteristics and can interbreed. In biology, the classification of species is essential for understanding biodiversity, ecology, and pathogen interactions. Identifying bacterial species relevant to human health is crucial for developing targeted antimicrobial treatments in clinical settings.
10) Field:
In scientific research, 'field' often refers to a specific area of study or practice. Field studies involve observing phenomena in natural settings and are crucial for understanding ecologies, microbial behavior, and the efficacy of treatments outside controlled laboratory environments, contributing to broader ecological or health insights.
11) Science (Scientific):
A systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe. Scientific methods, including experimentation and observation, are fundamental in research, particularly in understanding biological interactions, developing therapeutics, and addressing health challenges posed by diseases.
12) Surface:
The outermost layer of an object or organism. In microbiology, the surface of bacteria can impact their interactions with drugs and host structures. Understanding how treatments affect the bacterial surface can provide insights into their mechanisms of action and inform strategies to combat infections.
13) Transmission:
The process by which a pathogen is spread from one host to another. In the context of infectious diseases, understanding transmission dynamics is vital for controlling outbreaks. It helps inform public health strategies, vaccination efforts, and the development of effective treatments to reduce incidence.
14) Medium:
In microbiology, a medium refers to the nutrient-rich solution or gel used to culture microorganisms. Selecting the right medium is crucial for promoting growth and studying microbial behavior, drug susceptibility, and interactions with various substances, making it an essential component of laboratory research.
15) Powder:
A dry, bulk material composed of fine particles. In herbal medicine and pharmacology, powdered plant extracts are often used in formulations. Powdering enhances the surface area for extraction and interactions, ensuring better efficacy in delivering phytochemicals that may have antimicrobial properties against pathogens.
16) Arrow:
In figures or diagrams, an arrow symbolizes direction or movement. In scientific contexts, arrows indicate relationships or processes, such as showing the effect of one variable on another. Such visual cues enhance understanding of complex interactions within research findings, aiding in data interpretation.
17) Rules:
Guidelines or principles that govern scientific research and experimentation. Adhering to established rules ensures the validity and reliability of study findings. Rules in microbiology or pharmacology dictate protocols for testing, analyzing results, and reporting outcomes critical for corroborating scientific claims and advancing knowledge.
18) Drug:
Any substance that, when introduced into the body, alters physiological functions. The study of drugs encompasses their therapeutic effects, potential side effects, and interactions. This term is crucial in pharmacology, focusing on developing safe and effective medications for treating diseases while minimizing risks.
19) Pharmacotherapeutics:
A branch of pharmacology that deals with the therapeutic uses of drugs, focusing on their selection, dosing, and administration for treating diseases. Understanding pharmacotherapeutics is essential for healthcare professionals to provide effective treatment regimens tailored to individual patient needs, maximizing benefits and minimizing adverse effects.
20) Pharmacology:
The study of how drugs interact with biological systems, encompassing the mechanisms of action, therapeutic effects, and safety profiles. Pharmacology is fundamental in drug development and clinical practice, as it informs healthcare providers on how best to utilize medications for various diseases, including bacterial infections.
21) Pomegranate:
A fruit that contains various phytochemicals, known for their antioxidant and potential health-promoting properties. In research, pomegranate extracts are investigated for their medicinal benefits, including antimicrobial effects. Such studies help identify natural sources of compounds that could serve as alternatives to conventional therapies.
22) Observation:
The act of monitoring and recording phenomena in a scientific context. Robust observation methods are critical for data collection in experiments, allowing researchers to understand effects of treatments or natural occurrences. Accurate observations influence conclusions drawn in studies of antimicrobial properties and their implications.
23) Relative:
In research, 'relative' often refers to comparisons or relationships among variables. Understanding relative impacts on outcomes or effectiveness helps provide context for results, guiding conclusions regarding the efficacy of substances like plant extracts or drugs in combating specific pathogens or diseases.
24) Vaidya:
Refers to sources of knowledge or practitioners in medicine, particularly traditional or alternative forms. In the context of pharmacology and herbal studies, references to Vaidya may support research on natural remedies, emphasizing the importance of integrating traditional practices into modern health practices for holistic treatment approaches.
25) Charan:
A reference to an author or researcher in the field of herbal medicine or pharmacology. Including Charan in discussions emphasizes contributions to understanding the efficacy of natural compounds, like Quercus infectoria gall extracts, and highlights collaborative efforts in the scientific community to advance knowledge.
26) Sharman (Sarma, Sharma, Sarman):
An indication of authorship in scientific literature. The inclusion of researchers like Sharma stresses the collaborative nature of research projects. These contributions enhance the understanding of medicinal plants, their antibacterial properties, and the significance of careful scientific inquiry in developing new treatment modalities.
27) Insect:
Refers to the class of arthropods that include organisms with a three-part body structure, often involved in ecological roles as pollinators or pests. In the context of pharmacological studies, insect-related compounds may inspire investigations into natural products for their potential medicinal uses against various diseases.
28) Saxena (Sakshena, Saksena):
Another reference to a contributing researcher. Including Saxena emphasizes the collaborative aspect of scientific inquiry, particularly highlighting contributions to studies of phytochemicals and their antibacterial properties, informing future research directions toward finding effective alternative treatments for infections.
29) Indian:
Denotes the geographical and cultural context associated with the research findings. Discussing Indian medicinal plants, such as Quercus infectoria, helps celebrate traditional knowledge and fosters appreciation for natural remedies' contributions to modern medicine, highlighting culturally significant approaches to health and healing.
30) Kumar:
A common surname indicating authorship in scientific literature. The mention of Kumar recognizes the contributions of researchers in pharmacological studies focusing on natural extracts, their properties, and efficacy in treating infections, reinforcing the collaborative nature of research in advancing healthcare solutions.
31) Thong:
Represents a researcher or contributor in the field. Including Thong in research citations highlights the collaborative efforts in examining natural compounds, such as Quercus infectoria, and promotes shared knowledge and practices in exploring effective treatments against various diseases, enriching the overall scientific conversation.
32) Miti:
In the context of pharmacognosy or herbal medicine, 'Miti' may refer to traditional practices or knowledge associated with medicinal plants. Discussions of Miti emphasize integrating indigenous knowledge with scientific research to produce effective and culturally relevant treatment options for various health conditions.
33) Food:
Refers to substances consumed for nutrition. In pharmacology, food-derived compounds are increasingly studied for their health benefits, including antimicrobial properties. Understanding the effects of food and dietary extracts helps inform nutrition-based strategies for disease prevention and the development of natural therapeutics.
34) Wall:
In microbiology, 'wall' often describes the structural barrier that protects cells. Understanding microbial cell walls is crucial in drug development, as many antibiotics target the synthesis and integrity of bacterial cell walls, influencing treatment strategies against bacterial infections by exploiting their structural vulnerabilities.
35) Post:
In academic contexts, 'post' often refers to published articles or contributions to scientific knowledge. Maintaining a post or adding new findings to existing literature helps inform future research directions, influencing the collective understanding of subjects like antimicrobial activities of plant extracts in combating infections.
36) Soil:
The upper layer of earth in which plants grow, consisting of organic matter, minerals, and microorganisms. Soil health is vital for agriculture and ecosystem stability. Microbial communities in soil can influence plant health and degradation processes and are often studied for their interactions with pathogenic species.
37) Discussion:
A segment of scholarly articles where findings are interpreted, implications examined, and future directions suggested. Discussions synthesize research outcomes, placing them in the context of existing knowledge and disease management practices, guiding researchers and clinicians towards practical applications and innovations in therapeutics.
38) Substance:
Any material with defined properties, which can be a chemical compound, formulation, or natural extract studied in pharmacology. Understanding substances' behavior, interactions, and effects is crucial for developing effective treatments, enhancing therapeutic efficacy, and minimizing side effects in clinical applications.
39) Container:
An item used to hold, store, and manage materials, such as laboratory reagents or samples. Proper containers are essential in scientific research to ensure integrity and prevent contamination of substances, particularly when dealing with sensitive plant extracts for their antibacterial and pharmacological studies.
40) Medicine:
A field focused on diagnosing, treating, and preventing diseases through various therapies, including pharmaceuticals, surgery, and holistic approaches. Medicine's integration with research on natural products enhances understanding of alternative treatments, aims to improve health outcomes, and addresses emerging public health challenges.
41) Aureus:
Refers to Staphylococcus aureus, a bacteria known for its role in various infections and antibiotic resistance. Understanding S. aureus is pivotal in clinical microbiology, as it serves as a model organism for studying bacterial behavior, developing new treatments, and evaluating the effectiveness of antibiotics and natural extracts.
42) Animal:
Refers to organisms in the kingdom Animalia, which can be part of research studies assessing the effects of treatments or diseases. Understanding the role of animals in disease transmission or as models for human diseases is crucial in developing treatment protocols and understanding microbial pathogenesis.
43) Filling (Filled):
In a scientific context, 'filled' can describe how a container or medium contains substances. Accurate filling ensures the right proportions for experiments and research protocols. Standardizing amounts is critical for reproducibility in studies looking at the efficacy of extracts against specific pathogens.
44) Death:
Refers to the cessation of biological functions that sustain life. In microbiology, understanding the mechanisms leading to microbial death due to treatments, such as antimicrobial agents, informs treatment strategies against infections and helps address challenges posed by drug resistance and treatment failures.
45) Beta:
A term that may indicate a specific classification or group within biology, particularly in relation to beta-lactam antibiotics, which are vital in treating bacterial infections. Understanding the role of beta-lactams in antimicrobial therapy highlights the continued need for effective treatments against resistant strains.
46) Gold (Golden):
Refers to a valuable metal often associated with high value in economics and culture. In medical contexts, gold nanoparticles and compounds are investigated for their therapeutic applications, including in drug delivery and as antimicrobial agents, showing potential for innovative approaches in treating various infections.
Other Science Concepts:
Discover the significance of concepts within the article: ‘Antimicrobial Activity of Quercus infectoria Gall Extract vs. Leptospira’. Further sources in the context of Science might help you critically compare this page with similair documents:
Antibiotic, Skin disease, Traditional medicine, Penicillin, Infectious disease, Incubation period, Antibiotic treatment, Antibacterial activity, Urinary tract, Phytochemical screening, Minimum inhibitory concentration, Anti-inflammatory effect, Anti-microbial activity, Antioxidant activities, Antibacterial activities, Antibiotic resistance, Pharmacognostic studies, Tannic acid, Positive control, Water extract, Transmission Electron Microscope, Bactericidal activity, Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), Minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), Scanning electron microscope, Cell morphology, Negative control, Bioactive compound, Gallic acid, Minimum bactericidal concentration, Antibiotic agents, Antibacterial agent, Antimicrobial Susceptibility test, Multi-drug resistant bacteria, Spectrophotometer, Phyllanthus amarus, Rotary evaporator, Antibiotic susceptibility test, Sterile distilled water, Peptidoglycan, MIC value, Leptospirosis, Herbal alternative, Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Morphological change, Penicillin-binding protein, Phytochemical substance, CELL WALL, Anti-candida activity, Pyrogallol, Quercus infectoria, Electron micrograph, Phosphate buffer saline (PBS), Chemical component, Multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacteria, Freeze-dried extract, Condensed tannin, Hydrolysable tannin, Critical point dryer, Antioxidant and antibacterial activities.
Concepts being referred in other categories, contexts and sources.