Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common infections in most countries and they are usually caused by the so-called uropathogenic (UP) microorganisms, including Escherichia coli (80%-90%), Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Over the years, the growth of resistance to antibiotics has complicated the treatment of UTIs and has direct consequences on the cost of treatment, the severity of infections, and the length of hospitalization. Medicinal plants, used for thousands of years to treat various diseases, constitute a serious alternative to antibiotics in the public health issue of antimicrobial resistance. In this review, the in vitro and in vivo use of medicinal plants and their nanoparticles (silver, gold, zinc, copper oxide, magnesium oxide, iron, etc.) in the management of uropathogens and their virulence factors (VFs) as well as in the management of UTIs themselves have been discussed. Given the advantages offered by the biologically active compounds of medicinal plants as well as their green-synthetized nanoparticles whether used as such or in combination with conventional antibiotics, it can be concluded that herbal medicine can significantly help in the management of UTIs.
This study investigated a novel procedure of Solanum aethiopicum Shum fruits extract (SASFE) preparation using multivariate experimental designs as factorial and Box-Behnken. The thermal stability of optimized extract as well as its influence on the milk solids in curd was determined. The results showed that extraction time, fruit maturity and pH did not affect significantly SASFE preparation, while the amount of fruits, extraction temperature and NaCl concentration of extractant had a significant effect (p < 0.05). The greatest coagulant index was obtained under the following conditions: 12.5% of fruits, 25°C of extraction temperature and 4% NaCl concentration of extractant. It was thermosensitive and exhibited optimum temperature at 50°C. There was no statistical difference between SASFE and calf rennet in terms of solids yield in curd, estimated yield and actual yield. On the basis of these results, SASFE can be used as a vegetable alternative to calf rennet.
Solanum aethiopicum Shum is a plant belonging Solanaceae family. These berries are used for their food and pharmacological virtues. For instance, they are commonly consumed in the form of hot-drink, so called “Mendim Me Zon” used by the forest people. Revitalizing and detoxifying properties are attributed to this beverage. The bioactivity of this drink is often attributed to its secondary metabolites. While monosaccharides also have a biological activity that may contribute to the virtues of this tea. The present work was carried out to analyse the carbohydrate fraction of “Mendim Me Zon”. The extract prepared following the preparation conditions of “Mendim Me Zon” was analysed to determine its proximate composition, including soluble carbohydrates, proteins and total phenolic compounds. The monosaccharide profile was established using gas chromatography. Results show that carbohydrates were its most abundant constituent in the extract, although the taste was bitter. This taste is certainly determined by phenolic compounds present in the extract. Gas chromatography analysis of the extract showed that extract was composed of pentose (fucose), hexoses (mannose, galactose and glucose), hexosamines (glucosamine and galactosamine), uronic acid (glucuronic acid) and sialic acid (N-acetyl-neuraminic acid). Fructose was absent from the extract, while the mannose was relatively more abundant. These results might suggest that “Mendim Me Zon” contains monosaccharides and their derivatives with many beneficial biological functions. The monosaccharide profile justifies the traditional use of this drink as a nutraceutical. However, further studies including toxicological one are still needed to determine the safety and efficacy of “Mendim me Zon”.
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