NATURAL EXTRACTS AS A PROMISING SOLUTION FOR GRAM-POSITIVE ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW
Background: Antibiotic resistance is currently one of the biggest problems in public health. Infectious diseases are the second human death cause, and the emergence of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria increases mortality and morbidity rates. There is a growing clinical need for the development of new antibiotics. In this line, WHO issued an alert about 12 bacteria with an urgent need to develop new antibiotics. Aims: This review aims to analyze the current knowledge of their antibacterial activity against the gram-positive pathogens listed by WHO and their extraction techniques. Methods: We systematically reviewed the literature in PubMed, searching publications describing the use of natural extracts as antibiotics over bacteria. The exclusion criteria consisted of limiting papers on natural extracts tested over the bacteria culture related to eleven selected bacteria, according to an alert issued by WHO in 2017, and seven plant extracts. Results: All the gram-positive bacteria present in the WHO alert have been treated, with different degrees of advance, with some of the plant extracts and plant-based compounds reviewed. Currently, they are in the preclinical stage. Edible herbs are more often used, as well as artemisia and wine byproducts. Discussion: Natural products based on plants have shown to be efficient in inhibiting bacterial growth, even in antibiotic-resistant strains. The classical extraction methods are still in use and have been improved with the available technology to improve efficiency and yield. Conclusions: Ongoing evidence shows that plant extracts and plant-based compounds are effective as antibacterial, with minimal effects on the host cell, a promising antibiotic source. Furthermore, they are sustainable, environmentally friendly, and renewable.
Read ArticlePOTENTIAL EFFECTS OF KETOGENIC DIETS, A NARRATIVE REVIEW
Background: Ketogenic diets have a long history of therapeutic use and have recently attracted significant attention due to their promising effects on a variety of disorders. However, no definitive links have been identified. This review aims to highlight the possible impacts of ketogenic diets as well as the mechanisms involved in metabolic processes and related non-communicable metabolic diseases. Methods: For our analysis, a bibliographic review of articles about ketogenic diets and their therapeutic effect on chronic pathologies was carried out, retrieved from the scientific literature. Results and discussion: These studies found both positive and negative outcomes for the effects and implications of ketogenic diets on metabolism. Significant differences in metabolic markers such as weight, glycemia, serum lipids and lipoproteins, anthropometric measures, and hormones such as insulin, leptin, and adiponectin have been reported. In addition to changes in the microbiome that have modest to moderate concurrent effects, changes in metabolism indicate the significance of dietary changes in treating and preventing chronic non-communicable diseases. Conclusions: In this review, we present the available scientific evidence on the effects of the ketogenic diet, and thus ketone bodies, on metabolism and related chronic diseases.
Read ArticleINVESTIGATION OF PHOSPHATE-ION RETENTION STRENGHT IN SOME TYPES OF KAKHETI SOILS
The presented article describes the soil types existing in east Georgia, particularly in several villages of Gurjaani Municipality-Vazisubani, Kalauri, Mukuzani, Shashiani. Meadow-brown and brown soils represent good soil types for viticulture development in Kakheti. The vineyards cultivated on these soils produce such wellknown wines as Tsinandali, Vazisubani, Mukuzani, Akhasheni, Gurjaani, Manavi. The study explores brown carbonate and meadow-brown soil lab tests to examine the absorption of phosphate ions by them. The study showed that the amount of phosphorus deposited through soils is sufficiently absorbed under various conditions, having a positive effect on the amount of crop. Was compared the rates of phosphate absorption in these soils with the efficiency of phosphorus fertilizers, which showed that the higher the absorption of phosphorus, the lower the amount of phosphorus available to the plant and the lower the yield, and the lower the strength of phosphorus retention, the higher the amount of phosphorus to be consumed by the plant and the higher the yield. But under the conditions of high cultivation degree, the strength of phosphorus absorption became weak, resulted in a large amount of exchangeable and movable phosphates already existing in the soil, which is available to the plant. So, the efficacy of phosphorus fertilizers on such soil is weak. The speed of phosphorus absorption in the soil of Gurjaani municipality villages is satisfactory. However, in case of a high degree of cultivation (or in case of excess fertilization), the degree of phosphorus retention decreases. Accordingly, phosphorus-containing fertilizers should be used within strictly controlled limits.
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