Vaginal inflammation represents a heterogeneous group of disorders caused by infection, inflammation, or disruption of vaginal microflora. The most common causes of vaginal infection are Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Streptococcus agalactiae, Escherichia coliand Candida albicans. Antibiotic resistance is a major global problem, which can be mitigated by using natural antimicrobial substances such as essential oils. Each essential oil has an extremely complex composition (some essential oilshave over 200 components), which prevents microorganisms from developing resistance. Therefore, essential oils retain their effects.The aim of our study was to investigate antibacterial activity Melaleuca alternifolia, Achillea millefoliumand Cinnamomumcamphoravaginal suppositories, and see which essential oil has the strongest potential to be used as active ingredient for vaginal infections.The antimicrobial activity of the vaginal suppositories was examined using the disk diffusion method. Standard bacterial strains were used for the ATCC collection: Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) ATCC 25923, Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis)ATCC 51299, Escherichia coli (E. coli)ATCC 25922, Candida albicans (C. albicans)ATCC 10231.The results showed that Melaleuca alternifolia essential oil has an antimicrobial effect on all tested strains, with the strongest effect on Candida albicans(ZI 22.7 mm). Achillea millefoliumessential oil had no effect on Enterococcus faecalis, whereas Cinnamomum camphoraessential oil did not show zones of inhibition of Candida albicans.KEYWORDS:vaginal suppository, Melaleuca alternifolia, Achillea millefolium, Cinnamomum camphora,antimicrobial activity

Tussilago farfara L., also known as coltsfoot, is a plant that has been used since ancient times to relieve coughs. Subsequently, the effectiveness of coltsfoot in the treatment of bronchial asthma, pneumonia and other respiratory diseases was established. In this research, the antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of different coltsfoot extracts was analyzed. The antioxidant activity was monitored through the DPPH radical inhibition efficiency and the extract's reducing ability. Antibacterial activity was tested using the diffusion technique. Tussilago farfara L. extracts showed extremely high antioxidant activity in in vitro conditions. The highest antioxidant capacity was found in extracts prepared by mixing water and organic solvents. High antibacterial activity was found for ethanolic, acetone and aqueous-ethanolic extracts of coltsfoot.

Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medik. (known as shepherd's purse) is a plant whose parts are used as medicine in herbal medicine. It is applicable as a medicine in the treatment of all forms of internal bleeding, for the treatment of hemorrhoids, excessive menstruation, but also for the usual stopping of nosebleeds. Through this research, the influence of organic solvents and their aqueous mixtures on the efficiency of polyphenol extraction and antioxidant activity was compared. The inhibition of free radicals was tested by the DPPH method, while the FRAP method was used to test the reduction potential. Analyzes have shown that water is the most effective solvent in the isolation of polyphenols from the aerial parts of shepherd's purse. Mixtures of organic solvents with water also showed high efficiency in the extraction of bioactive components, while the weakest results were obtained for extracts prepared in pure organic solvents.

Extracts obtained from plant material have widely applied in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries because they contain significant concentrations of biologically active substances. Commercial daisy extract (Bellis perennis) was used in this paper for in vitro testing of tyrosinase enzyme inhibition, and antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. Inhibition of the tyrosinase enzyme was determined by monitoring dopachrome formation at a wavelength of 492 nm. Antioxidant activity was tested using FRAP and DPPH methods, while antibacterial activity was tested by diffusion technique on reference strains from the ATCC collection. The results showed that daisy extract inhibits tyrosinase enzyme in a dose-dependent manner. The extract effectively neutralized DPPH radicals and also showed good reducing ability. Bacterial strains used for in vitro antimicrobial activity testing did not show sensitivity to the extract concentrations used in this study.

Aims: The aims of the study were to analyse the polyphenols of Pulicaria dysenterica (L.) Bernh. methanolic extracts from aerial and underground parts, assessment of antioxidant activity and to evaluate their cytotoxicity on HeLa cells of cervical cancer. Methodology: The total phenolic content (TPC) of extracts was determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu spectrophotometric method. The qualitative and quantitative analysis of individual polyphenolic compounds were performed by the reverse phase HPLC method. The antioxidant capacity was evaluated by both, 2,2-diphenyl1-picrylhydrazyl radical and FRAP assay, while cytotoxicity of the extracts was assessed by MTT assay. Results: TPC of the samples were 127.62±2.22 and 244.12±8.84 mg gallic acid equivalent/g extract. In the extracts chlorogenic acid in amount of 10.06±0.96 and 11.32±0.28 mg/g, flavonoid rutin in amount of 5.68±0.13 mg/g and three caffeic acid derivatives were recorded. Extract from underground parts achieved better antioxidant activity with IC50 value 55.36±0.75 µg/mL and FRAP value 2411.12±37.22 µmol Fe2+g-1 compared to the one from aerial parts. Extract from aerial parts achieved better cytotoxic activity with 50% inhibition of viability (IC50) at concentration of 0.389±0.07 mg/mL, against HeLa cells, compared to the extract from underground parts. Conclusion: Analyzed Pulicaria dysenterica extracts contained phenolic acids and flavonoids. The extracts showed good antioxidant activity and cytotoxic properties against HeLa cells in vitro.

Origanum compactum, an endemic Moroccan medicinal herb, possesses many different activities such as antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant and anticancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the stability and antifungal activity of liposomal dispersion with this essential oil. Liposomal dispersion stability was evaluated by testing the vesicle size, polydispersity index and zeta potential. It was also examined the in vitro release of thymol and carvacrol from liposomal dispersion. The major components of this essential oil were carvacrol (58.4%), thymol (12.5%) and γ-terpinene (10.7%). Origanum compactum essential oil showed a strong antifungal activity, and the inhibition zones ranged from 24 to 45 mm. After 210 minutes, 80.88% thymol and 16.67% carvacrol were released. Stability assessment was performed for three months and the liposomal dispersion showed a good stability.

Aims: The aims of this study was to investigate the susceptibility of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing Klebsiella pneumoniae clinical isolates to antibiotics and essential oils - Origanum compactum, Origanum majorana and Thymus serpyllum. Study Design: Study included 30 isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae obtained from clinical material provided from the University Clinical Center Tuzla. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Tuzla, BiH, between September 2019 to September 2020. Methodology: Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed by the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. The following commercially available antibiotic discs were used: amoxicillin (30µg), cefalexin (30 µg), gentamicin (10 µg), amikacin (30 µg), imipenem (10 µg), piperacillin (75µg), ampicilin (10 µg), meropenem (10 µg), ciprofloksacin (10 µg), ceftazidim (30 µg), cefotaksim (30 µg), ceftriaxone (30 µg), cefepime (30 µg) and aztreonam (30 µg). The antibacterial effect of the essential oils was tested for ESBL K. pneumoniae isolates using the diffusion method according to Clinical laboratory standards institute (CLSI) guidelines. Results: O. compactum and O. majorana essential oils showed the same antimicrobial activity with 80.0% effect on ESBL K. pneumoniae isolates, Thymus serpyllum EO showed antimicrobial activity of 60.0%. The lowest MIC value had the O. compactum essential oil (MIC 6 mg/ml-10.5 mg/ml), followed by the T. serpyllum (MIC 17.2 mg/ml-43 mg/ml), while the O. majorana essential oil showed MIC values in range from 11 mg/ml to 39 mg/ml. Conclusion: The results of the study showed the exceptional sensitivity of ESBL K. pneumoniae clinical isolates to the essential oils from Origanum and Thymus genera, which highly suggests their potential application in the struggle against these pathogens in the future.

In this study, metal complex of Copper(II) with a Schiff base derived from 2,2-dihydroxyindane-1,3-dione and 2-aminoethanoic acid were synthesized. The product are characterized by spectral methods. The antimicrobial activity was tested on reference bacterial strains and the antioxidant capacity was analyzed by using the DPPH and FRAP methods. The spectral data indicates that the Schiff base coordinates the Copper(II) as a tridentate ONO donor ligand. The compounds showed weaker antimicrobial activity on certain tested microorganisms. In vitro testing of antioxidant activity showed a significant reducing ability of the complex, as well as inhibitory activity against DPPH radicals.

Telekia speciosa (Schreb.) Baumg., Asteraceae, is widespread in Eastern and Central Europe and the Balkan Peninsula. Previous phytochemical investigations have revealed T. speciosa as a rich source of sesquiterpene lactone -isoalantolactone, especially in its underground parts. The aim of the present study was to analyze the essential oils from aerial and underground parts of T. speciosa and investigate their antimicrobial activity. Chemical composition of essential oils was determined by GC-FID/MS method leading to the identification of 67 compounds in total, with 15.77 % oxygenated monoterpenes, 7.77 % sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, 49.14 % oxygenated sesquiterpenes, and 12.37 % other compounds from aerial parts, and 3.80 % oxygenated monoterpenes, 3.13 % sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, 90.33 % oxygenated sesquiterpenes from underground parts essential oil. The main components from aerial parts were (E)-nerolidol (11.54 %) and caryophyllene oxide (10.54 %), while isoalantolactone was the predominant component from essential oil underground parts (83.41 %). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal/fungicidal concentration of the essential oils were evaluated against six strains of bacteria and two strains of fungus using in vitro microdilution method. Both oils presented antimicrobial properties against pathogens Staphylococcus aureus, Bacilus cereus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans. Inhibition of growth of tested microorganisms by T. speciosa underground parts essential oil was achieved with MICs ranging from 1.0 to 11.0 mg mL -1 , while MICs of aerial parts essential oil varied from 4.0 to 30.0 mg mL -1 . The obtained results contribute to the knowledge of antimicrobial properties of T. speciosa, which support traditional uses underground parts of the plant.

In this study, the efficacy of different extraction techniques (maceration, ultrasound-assisted and Soxhlet extraction) on the content of biologically active components in extracts from fresh and dried nettle leaves, and their antioxidant activity were analyzed. Methanol was used as the solvent. Total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity were determined by Folin-Ciocalteu, DPPH and FRAP methods, respectively. High content of total phenolic compounds and high antioxidant activity were recorded in extracts of dried nettle. Extracts obtained from fresh nettle samples showed significantly lower content of analyzed bioactive components and lower antioxidant activity. In the case of all extracts, Soxhlet extraction proved to be the most efficient, and maceration the least efficient extraction technique for isolation of bioactive components from nettle leaves.

In this work, four silver(I) complexes with Schiff bases derived from ninhydrin and selected amino acids (methionine, histidine, cysteine, and phenylalanine) were synthesized. The aim of this study is to determine the potential biological activity of these complexes. FTIR and UV/VIS spectroscopy were used for structural characterization of the products. Antioxidant activity was examined in vitro using DPPH method. Antimicrobial screening was performed by diffusion technique on reference bacterial strains from the ATCC collection. Interaction with bovine serum albumin (BSA) was examined using UV/VIS spectroscopy. Based on the obtained spectral data, it is assumed that all Schiff bases coordinate the Ag(I) ion as a tridentate ONO donor ligand. The antioxidant activity of the synthesized compounds is extremely high, with a range of IC 50 values of 0.023-0.06 mg/mL. Antimicrobial screening determined the inhibitory ability of almost all complexes for concentrations of 1 and 2 mg/mL, with zones of inhibition in the range of 9-19 mm. Examination of the interaction of BSA with Ag(I) complexes revealed the same change in the absorption maximum (hyperchromic shift) in the region of about 205 nm, which indicates that the interaction of BSA and the complex results in conformational changes of BSA.

Liposomes are spherical, biodegradable, and biocompatible vesicular systems. These vesicles are built from phospholipid double layers (membranes) surrounding the inner water phase. Liposomes are highly desirable as drug carriers because they can incorporate hydrophilic, hydrophobic and amphipathic drug substances (drugs). The physicochemical properties of liposomes such as size, charge, surface properties and encapsulation efficiency can highly influence their in vivo stability and kinetics. The aim of our study was to prepare liposomal dispersions and to determine the influence of cycles of high pressure homogenization on some parameters, such as vesicle size and polydispersity index (PDI). Higher homogenization pressures and repeated recirculation led to further reduction in vesicle diameter and heterogeneity. For preparing liposomal dispersions Phosal IP 40 and Phosal 75 SA were used (Lipoid, Germany). Liposomal dispersions were prepared according to the thin film hydration method. By sampling after each cycle, an estimate was made of how many cycles are needed for the dispersion to have satisfactory parameters (size and PDI). The size and PDI analysis of the liposomes were carried out by using Zetasizer (Nano series) ZS 90, Malvern Instruments. . High pressure homogenization was carried out in 10 cycles and based on the obtained liposome size values and PDI, was determined how many cycles are needed in the process of homogenization. With each cycle, the size of the liposomes decreased and PDI value was reduced. It has been observed that after 5 cycles of homogenization there is no significant decrease in the size of the liposomes and PDI. Therefore, in the further production of liposomes with active substances with these raw materials, is recommended to use only 5 cycles of homogenization

Origanum compactum (O. compactum) is an endemic Moroccan medicinal herb. Numerous studies have shown that O. compactum organic extracts, essential oil and its main components possess a broader spectrum of pharmacological and therapeutic activities such as antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant and antitumour activity. This research was designed to examine the antibacterial activity of O. compactum essential oil tested on clinical bacterial strains isolated from vaginal and cervical swabs. First, antibacterial activity was tested against standard bacterial cultures: Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 51299, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, and after that on clinical strains. For testing the antibacterial activity, agar diffusion and microdilution methods were used. The inhibition zones (IZ) for standard bacterial cultures were from 31.0 ± 0.57 mm to 35.0 ± 1.15 mm. The minimum inhibitory concentracion (MIC) for essential oil was tested using the broth dilution method. The values were in the range of 0.098 mg/ml - 1.562 mg/ml. O. compactum essential oil provided strong antibacterial activity for all tested microorganisms. The antibacterial activity of essential oil depends largely on the main components: carvacrol and thymol. Clinical isolates, which are more resistant in comparison with laboratory strains, are almost equally sensible to O. compactum essential oil. This essential oil could be an ideal replacement for conventional antimicrobial products, especially if we consider the increasing resistance to implemented antibiotics. In the future, O. compactum essential oil could be an option in the treatment of gynecological infections.

Aim: The aim of this case report is to show the significance of the cardiac tamponade, it’s timely diagnosis and to present the unusual approach of the treatment. That was conducted with corticosteroids when the surgical procedure gave no results in rare cases like this. Case Report: This paper presents the case of a man aged 72 years with a verified tamponade of pericardium. A large pericardial effusion with tamponade signs was verified by ultrasound and computerized tomography (CT) of the chest in a hemodynamically stable patient, and in the inability to evacuate the same, with pericardial fenestration, was successfully treated with corticosteroids. Conclusion: A large pericardial effusion with the signs of tamponade verified by echocardiography and computerized tomography, in hemodynamically stable patient, and in the inability to evacuate the same by fenestration, was treated successfully with corticosteroids.

Introduction: Dilatation of the left atrium and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (DDLV) according to recent studies has significance in the occurrence of postoperative atrial fibrillation (AF), stroke and death. Authors of some studies found no relationship between these parameters and atrial fibrillation. Objective: this study is to determine the time of occurrence and duration of atrial fibrillation in patients after surgical revascularization (CABG) due to the presence of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction and left atrium dilatation and identify the most significant predictors of incident AF. Methods: Prospective study included 116 patients undergoing surgical myocardial revascularization followed from admission to discharge. The study was conducted at the Special Hospital “Heart Center BH” Tuzla for a period of one year (March 2011/2012 g.). For all patients was performed preoperative ultrasound examination, especially parameters of diastolic function of the left ventricle and left atrium volume index (LAVi), as the best parameter sized left atrium, and the postoperative occurrence of certain AF and day occurrence, duration in hours, the number of attacks. To assess whether an event occurred or not was used logistic regression, and the effect of time on the event of interest is analyzed by Cox ‘s regression hazard parallel. Results: 75.9 % of patients had DDLV, and 91.4 % were hypertensives, 12.9 % from the previous stroke (ICV) and 42.2 % diabetics (DM), 14 % with COPD. The average age of patients was 61.41 ± 4.69 years. In both groups was 32.8 % women and 67.2 % men. LAVi preoperative values were significantly higher as DDLV greater degree. In patients with DDLV and higher values LAVi risk of AF is higher, the greater the length of AF and significantly higher number of attacks FA. Early occurrence of atrial fibrillation and its longer duration in function with increasing LAVi a marked increase in the value LAVi have the greatest hazard for the early appearance of atrial fibrillation. As a result of analysis of the most significant predictors of AF are DDLV and LAVi. Conclusion: Postoperative atrial fibrillation occurs earlier and lasts longer in patients with DDLV and elevated left atrial volume index especially LAV > 36ml/m2. LAVi has the best explanation of the function of hazard occurrence of atrial fibrillation after CABG.