Objective The Background The Problem: Global antibiotic resistance by bacteria is becoming an increasing public health concern, and the race is on to discover new antibacterial (Bax et al., 2000). The importance of carrying out this type of research and surveillance of antibiotic resistance is critical (reviewed by Aubry-Damon and Courvalin, 1999). In addition to the use of antibiotics, non-steroidal anti- inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are also used routinely to treat numerous gram-negative infections. However, there are increasing concerns over complications caused by NSAIDS in infections an in this field, nez therapeutics are also in demand. Therefore, the aim of this investigation was to;- Determination and comparison of the anti-microbial actins of Aloe vera Barbadensis Miller with ampicilllin and nalidixic acid (routine antibiotics for the treatment of shigellosis). This was achieved by investigating the minimum inhibitory concentrations of Aloe Vera needed to kill Shigella Flexneri.- Determination and comparison of the anti-inflammatory actions of Aloe vera Barbadensis Miller with a known NSAID (Ibuprofen).This was achieved by investigating TNF-alfa and IL-1Beta release by blood cells incubated with Shigella flexneri. These results were similar to those obtained by Shelton (1991) who showed that Aloe Vera had anti-microbial properties in vitro and inhibited Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Bacillus subtilis. S.flexneri has been shown to be completely resistant to ampicillin at concentrations greater than 256 µg/ml (Navia et al., 1999). It is thought that antibiotic resistance in shigellosis is due to the over use of antibiotics (Travis, 1994). As with many antibiotics, nalidixic acid has many side-effects when given at this dose, including nausea, vomiting, dyspepsia, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, headache, dizziness, sleep disorders and rash (BNF, 2000. An advantage of using Aloe vera as an anti-microbial is that anecdotally, fewer side effects have been reported. Fields of science medical and health scienceshealth sciencespublic healthnatural sciencesbiological sciencesmicrobiologybacteriologymedical and health sciencesclinical medicinepneumologytuberculosismedical and health sciencesbasic medicinepharmacology and pharmacypharmaceutical drugsantibioticsmedical and health sciencesbasic medicinepharmacology and pharmacydrug resistanceantibiotic resistance Programme(s) FP5-HUMAN POTENTIAL - Programme for research, technological development and demonstration on "Improving the human research potential and the socio-economic knowledge base" (1998-2002) Topic(s) Data not available Call for proposal Data not available Funding Scheme ACM - Preparatory, accompanying and support measures Coordinator FIONA BRADBURY EU contribution No data Address Miller Road 35 KA7 2AX AYR United Kingdom See on map Total cost No data
