<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Uropathogenic <italic>Escherichia coli</italic> (UPEC) is the most prevalent pathogen causing urinary tract infections (UTIs). UPECs have various virulence factors such as adhesins, biofilm forming and toxin producing etc., to survive in urinary tract. Under certain circumstances probiotics are preferred for prevention and treatment of UTIs. In this study, we aimed to investigate the <italic>in-vitro</italic> effects of four different <italic>Lactobacillus</italic> spp. cell-free supernatants on growth and biofilm formation inhibition in clinically isolated UPEC strains. Growths of 50 UPEC strains were determined in 96-well microplate and measured in a spectrophotometer after four hours incubation at 37°C. Biofilm formation was detected by crystal violet staining method on three UPEC strains. Statistical analysis of growth and biofilm formation experiments were performed by Kruskal-Wallis and one-way ANOVA Tukey’s multiple-comparison tests, respectively. All tested cell-free supernatans of lactobacilli inhibited growths (<italic>p</italic>&lt;0. 0001) and biofilm formation (<italic>p</italic>&lt;0.05) of UPECs. All results were found to be statistically significant. As a conclusion, our findings supported previous studies which reported the high efficiency of these four <italic>Lactobacillus</italic> spp. in the prevention of UTIs.</abstract>

Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine

Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy

Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Arts and Science

In Vitro Effects of Various Probiotic Products on Growth and Biofilm Formation of Clinical UPEC Strains

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Leaf and petiole samples of four <italic>Combretum</italic> Loefl. species which were identified in the Herbarium (IFE) were investigated anatomically in search of stable taxonomic micro-anatomical attributes to improve our knowledge of identification of members of the genus. Anatomical characters; in particular, upper and lower cuticles and epidermal structures, fibre structures, vascular architectures, petiolar outlines and trichome micro-morphology are good taxonomic tools to identify the taxa. The invariable uniseriate to multiseriate upper and lower epidermis; the absence of trichome in the petiole and the presence of branched trichome in the mid-rib region of <italic>C. zenkeri</italic> P. Beauv delimit the taxa. Variations in vascular architectures can be used to identify the taxa while some other anatomical features in the genus suggest great taxonomic affinities. However, the artificial key, which was constructed using stable taxonomic characters, is a reliable taxonomic tool for proper identification of the four species and which can as well be employed in separating each of the taxa from their close relatives. A detailed micro-anatomical study of leaf and petiole structures of the Nigerian <italic>Combretum</italic> species may provide an invaluable tool for determination and identification of the four taxa studied, thereby assisting in promoting quality assurance in the genus.</abstract>

Leaf and Petiole Micro-Anatomical Diversities in Some Selected Nigerian Species of <italic>Combretum</italic> Loefl.: the Significance in Species Identification at Vegetative State

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">In December 2019, an unexpected interaction of coronavirus with human’s occurred for the third time in history after Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in 2002-2003 and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) in 2012. Soon the virus was confirmed as SARS-CoV-2, and the severity of its transmission lead the World Health Organization to declare it as World Pandemic. Due to its highly contagious nature, new methods like social distancing, self-hygiene and quarantine were being adopted by many countries to halt the transmission. Due to the dearth in specific therapeutics and/or vaccines against Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), a significant thrust in drugs and vaccine discovery was ratified by all the nations. The current review comprehensively details about the emergence and molecular pathogenesis with an interesting timeline which notes all the major events during this crisis. Given the potential general readers and health workers, the symptoms and diagnostic approaches were simplified. Emphasis was given to therapeutic approaches and clinical trials section to support the translational research and to cope up with the viral outbreak.</abstract>

COVID-19: A Centennial Pandemic from Origin to Clinical Trials

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><italic>Tribulus terrestris</italic> L. (TT) became a very popular plant due to its effects in sexual disorders. The pharmacological actions seem to be related with its content in sterolic saponins. Protodioscin has been reported to be the main compound from TT products with anabolic effects. Because of the popularity of the plant, numerous herbal supplements are consumed around the world. Quantification of steroidal saponins through HPLC methods is sometimes difficult. Several methods have been proposed but not all are reproducible. The aim of this study was to validate a LC MS/MS method for quantification of protodioscin in herbal supplements. Two herbal supplements found on the Romanian market have been chosen for this study. The compounds were separated on a C18 column with ammonium acetate buffer and acetonitrile as mobile phase. The ionization was performed in electrospray negative mode and detection of protodioscin was made by monitoring the sum of ions <italic>m/z 737.41, m/z 739.42</italic> and <italic>m/z 755.42.</italic> In one of the herbal supplements, protodioscin was under the limit of quantification. In conclusion a simple and rapid method is proposed for the quantification of protodioscin in herbal supplements.</abstract>

Department of Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy

George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Târgu Mureș

Chromatography and mass spectrometry laboratory

Development and Validation of an LC-MS/MS Method for Protodioscin Identification and Quantification in Herbal Supplements with <italic>Tribulus terrestris</italic> L.

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><italic>Prunella vulgaris</italic> L. grows in spontaneous flora of Romania in wet places, fields, meadows, unpopulated areas, both in the sun and in the shade. The plant is rich in phenolic acids (caffeic acid, rosmarinic acid), pentacyclic triterpenic compounds (ursolic, oleanolic, betulinic acid) and flavonoids (rutoside, quercetin). <italic>Prunella vulgaris</italic> L. has shown numerous pharmacological actions: antioxidant, anti-allergic, antimicrobial, immunostimulatory activities. The aim of the study was to evaluate the phytochemical and pharmacological profile of the leaves and spike inflorescence of <italic>Prunella vulgaris</italic> L. collected from Romania. The polyphenol content in leaves was found to be 63.78 ± 2.01 mg GAE/g dry weight in the methanolic extract and 45.73 ± 13.87 mg GAE/g in the aqueous extract. In the spike inflorescence, total polyphenol content was 36.44 ± 6.73 mg GAE/g in the methanolic extract and 26.49 ± 2.97 mg GAE/g in the aqueous extract. The results from the antioxidant assays (DPPH and ABTS) were not significantly different between the two herbal drugs. Further studies are needed in order to quantify the active compounds.</abstract>

Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy

George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Târgu Mureş

Discipline of Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy

Department of Analytical Chemistry and Drug Analysis, Faculty of Pharmacy

Phytochemical Characterization of Transilvanian <italic>Prunella vulgaris</italic>

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Acta Biologica Marisiensis

 Acta Biologica Marisiensis (ABM) is an official Journal of the University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology “George Emil Palade” of Târgu Mureș, Romania, and is published twice a year. The peer-reviewed journal is dedicated to the life sciences and publishes articles in the following fields: biochemistry, botany, cell biology and molecular biology, biotechnology, ecology, genetics, microbiology, pharmacognosy, phytochemistry.  Both original research papers and reviews are welcomed. The journal addresses the entire academic community of specialists and researchers activate in different fields of life sciences and pharmacy, and its goal is to provide them the latest research developments in their field of activity.  Acta Biologica Marisiensis is the official publication of the University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology “George Emil Palade” of Târgu Mureș, being published by University Press. The journal is published in every year since 1964 under the name Note Botanice. Since 2018 it is published with a new name, Acta Biologica Marisiensis, included as a new series in Acta Marisiensis.  The journal publishes high-quality articles on various subjects dedicated to the life sciences in the following fields: biochemistry, botany, cell biology and molecular biology, biotechnology, ecology, genetics, microbiology, pharmacognosy, phytochemistry.   Why subscribe and read   It is an international peer-reviewed, open access journal published two times per year, only in English language.  The Journal is designed to facilitate the exchange of ideas between researchers from different countries all around the world.  The Journal has high standards for its contents. It has good publishing quality in electronic and printed form.   Why submit   the Journal is always freely available online  fast, fair and constructive peer review procedure  no payment for article processing or publishing fee is required from authors  free publication of color figures, graphs and tables in published articles  immediate publication of articles  worldwide dissemination and unrestricted access to all published articles  high quality publishing, available in both forms, electronic and printed  promotion of each article in numerous abstracting databases   Archiving  Sciendo archives the contents of this journal in Portico - digital long-term preservation service of scholarly books, journals and collections.  Plagiarism Policy  The editorial board is participating in a growing community of Similarity Check System's users in order to ensure that the content published is original and trustworthy. Similarity Check is a medium that allows for comprehensive manuscripts screening, aimed to eliminate plagiarism and provide a high standard and quality peer-review process. 

Acta Biologica Marisiensis

Volume 3 (2020): Issue 1 (June 2020)

In Vitro Effects of Various Probiotic Products on Growth and Biofilm Formation of Clinical UPEC Strains

Leaf and Petiole Micro-Anatomical Diversities in Some Selected Nigerian Species of Combretum Loefl.: the Significance in Species Identification at Vegetative State

COVID-19: A Centennial Pandemic from Origin to Clinical Trials

Development and Validation of an LC-MS/MS Method for Protodioscin Identification and Quantification in Herbal Supplements with Tribulus terrestris L.

Phytochemical Characterization of Transilvanian Prunella vulgaris

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