Spices are natural compounds derived from different parts of a plant which are commonly used as flavoring, aroma and preservatives. The essential oil content and oleoresins present in the spices have given them the flavoring and aroma. In addition, the essential oil can also act as a natural preservative in foods (Ceylan and Fung, 2004).
Other than flavoring, aroma and preservatives, spices have many therapeutic properties such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, chemopreventive and antifungal. The antimicrobial properties of spices have led to the development of plant-origin antibiotics so as to overcome the antibiotic resistant problems. In addition, the anticancer, antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties of spice extracts have help to maintain and promote the health of human (Ceylan and Fung, 2004).
1.1 SPICES AS ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS
Prolonged antibiotic usage has resulted in the development of several resistance mechanisms by the bacteria, causing them to be resistant towards the action of antibiotics. Many infectious pathogens have developed multidrug resistance capacity, including methicilin-resistance Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Antibiotic resistance is caused by either genetic or biochemical aspects.
1.1.1 Mutations
Antibiotic resistance may occur due to the mutation caused by errors of replication or incorrect repair of damaged DNA (Giedraitiene et al., 2011). The changes in at least 7 amino acids in the gyrA gene or 3 amino acids in the parC gene causes Escherichia coli to be resistance towards quinolones; whereas, complete resistance to rifampin is mainly because of the single point mutation in rpoB gene (Dzidic et al., 2008).
Hypermutators are bacteria with...
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Acquired antimicrobial resistance generally can be ascribed to one of five mechanisms. These are production of drug-inactivating enzymes, modification of an existing target, acquisition of a target by-pass system, reduced cell permeability and drug removal from the cell. (Sefton) Also a bacterium that was once prone to an antibiotic can gain resistance through alt...
Antibiotic resistance is a consequence of the misuse of antibiotics that give pathogenic bacteria the ability to withstand the effects of an antibiotic. Resistance occurs when bacteria change in such a way that they survive exposure to antibiotics. Resistance may not be confined to a single antibiotic, but may affect multiple antimicrobial classes. Antibiotic resistance is a major problem and everyone needs to work together to combat it - from medical practitioners to patients.
Antibiotic resistance evolves naturally through natural selection via random mutation, but it could also be engineered by applying an evolutionary stress on a population. The antibiotic action is an environmental pressure; those bacteria which have a mutation allowing them to survive will live on to reproduce. They will then pass this trait to their offspring, which will be a fully resistant generation. Studies at the Finnish Academy found that using one type of antibiotic increases the resistance of bacteria to other types of antibiotics as well. Antibiotics do not work against illnesses t...
Antibiotics have been vital tools in the fight against bacterial infections, however their effectiveness has waned in recent times due to the advent of antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria. According to a review by P, the uses of antibiotics, as well as influences from the environment have allowed such bacterial strains to respond to changes in their environment rapidly, and so develop resistance. This acquired ability can have serious and broad implications in the medical field, evident in a study by O into the resistance of intestinal Staphylococcus aureus.
However, the research that has been done shows overall that turmeric in the powder form is not generally toxic to humans. However, according to Drugs.com a daily dose of 8 grams per day or more could cause some adverse gastrointestinal effects. Turmeric does have at least one contraindication, it has the ability to increase the bile which will cause excessive pain in people with gallstones and general discomfort for others. Therefore, patients with choleithiasis (aka gallstones) should avoid turmeric (Asher). It should be noted that the actual ingredient in Turmeric that is thought to be beneficial in a medical capacity is the “curcumin”. It is difficult to get enough curcumin into one’s diet, so it necessary for medical testing purposes to extract the curcumin chemically from the turmeric root. The chemical makeup of curcumin is C21H20O6.
Resistance first appears in a population of bacteria through conditions that favor its selection. When an antibiotic attacks a group of bacteria, cells that are highly susceptible to the medicine will die. On the other hand, cells that have some resistance from the start or acquire it later may survive. At the same time, when antibiotics attack disease-causing bacteria, they also attack benign bacteria. This process eliminates drug-susceptible bacteria and favors bacteria that are resistant. Two things happen, populations of non-resistant and harmless bacteria are diminished, and because of the reduction of competition from these harmless and/or susceptible bacteria, resistant forms of disease-causing bacteria proliferate. As the resistant forms of the bacteria proliferate, there is more opportunity for genetic or chromosomal mutation (spontaneous DNA mutation (1)) or transformation, that comes about either through a form of microbial sex (1) or through the transference of plasmids, small circles of DNA (1), which allow bacteria to interchange genes with ease. Sometimes genes can also be t...
Modern scientific discipline is beginning to uncover the ultimate power of spices and herbs, as tools against diseases starting with cancer to Alzheimer's illness. While scientific research has yet to show that any spice cures health condition, generally there's convincing evidence that several may assist manage some chronic conditions (however it's always wise to talk with your physician). All of spices come from vegetations: fruits, seed products, roots. florals,, leaves, barks... etc. Natural herbs and spices not just boost the flavor of meals, but can help maintain them for longer time periods.
The evolution of bacterial resistance to antibiotics is inevitable. One might say that it is a part of the evolutionary process of life. Resistance to antibiotics creates a major problem for the treatment of infections and disease, but there are steps that can be taken to reduce the effects. By understanding the history, origin, and functions of antibiotics and bacteria, solutions can be developed. As of today, scientists and doctors are fighting the bacterial resistance to antibiotics by taking steps such as proper consultation before prescribing certain antibiotics, and deeper research about bacteria and antibiotics. There are numbers of short-term fixes that help slow the process of resistance, but a long-term fix is yet to be discovered.
It is fascinating how many natural remedies have been used for oral health care over time. Honey is one of the most common antimicrobials due to its peroxide content which moisturizes the mouth while healing oral wounds. In the early 1200s, honey was traded in Latvia and Riga for its healing properties (Garlough, 2016). Native Americans used purple coneflowers, as an essential antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal herb. In today’s society, the coneflower is better known as Echinacea, which has immune system boosting properties. Myrrh is usually remembered as a spice gifted to Jesus of Nazareth by the three wise men but it was used as an antiseptic by ancient Chinese, Egyptian, Arab and African cultures. By rinsing out your mouth or applying
Food use to be a part of treatment in some cultures. Some kind of food have a majority of vitamins like vitamin C, B, and Omega3 which support the human body. Also it can fight disease or prevent it from developing such cancer cells. This essay will explain how Ginger and Garlic improve our health.
\In-fact, mutations and genetic changes result in defence mechanisms against antimicrobials, where the majority of these changes are a direct result of selection pressure on bacteria to develop resistance.[25, 26] In addition, bacteria may obtain these genes through the process of conjugation where bacteria trade plasmids which contain resistant genes. Plasmids are an extra chromosome element of DNA which are found in the cytoplasm of a bacterium, as illustrated in Figure 2.[25] The process of conjugation is also referred to as horizontal gene transfer.[26]
Rationale of study The review of essential oil and the detailed information about the acid value, saponification, antioxidant and antimicrobial study of essential oils of clove, mustard and ghee.
With its rising popularity and use, comes its abuse and frightening downsides (Davies, 2010). There are hundreds of antibiotics and to further complicate things, many people remain unaware and oblivious to their contribution to antibiotic resistance. Antibiotic resistance occurs when an antibiotic has lost its ability to effectively control or kill bacterial growth. In other words, the bacteria are "resistant" and continue to multiply in the presence of therapeutic levels of an antibiotic. It happens when an antibiotic kills the susceptible bacteria and the surviving bacteria are selectively pressured to survive and the genes mutate to evade and inhibit the functions of an antibiotic. It is very imperative in medicine that doctors and patients become more familiar with the repercussions that regard the abuse of antibiotics and how to take preliminary precautions to begin the fight against antibiotic resistance (Author Unknown,
Gingerols, which is the main active component in ginger and responsible for its distinctive taste can also help in inhibiting the growth of cancer cells. In a research made for colorectal cancer, mice were injected cancer cells and only 4 tumors are found in those treated with gingerol c...