A new nano approach to prevent tumor growth in the local treatment of glioblastoma: Temozolomide and rutin-loaded hybrid layered composite nanofiber

Total resection of glioblastoma(GB)tumors is nearly impossible,and systemic administration of temozolomide(TMZ)is often inadequate.This study presents a hybrid layered composite nanofiber network(LHN)designed for localized treatment in GB tumor bed.The LHN,consisting of polyvinyl alcohol and core-shell polylactic acid layers,was loaded with TMZ and rutin.In vitro analysis revealed that LHN^(TMZ) and LHNrutin decelerated epithelial-mesenchymal transition and growth of stem-like cells,while the combination,LHN^(TMZ)+rutin,significantly reduced sphere size compared to untreated and LHNTMZ-treated cells(P<0.0001).In an orthotopic C6-induced GB rat model,LHNTMZ+rutin therapy demonstrated a more pronounced tumor-reducing effect than LHNTMZ alone.Tumor volume,assessed by magnetic resonance imaging,was significantly reduced in LHN^(TMZ)+rutin-treated rats compared to untreated controls.Structural changes in tumor mitochondria,reduced membrane potential,and decreased PARP expression indicated the activation of apoptotic pathways in tumor cells,which was further confirmed by a reduction in PHH3,indicating decreased mitotic activity of tumor cells.Additionally,the local application of LHNs in the GB model mitigated aggressive tumor features without causing local tissue inflammation or adverse systemic effects.This was evidenced by a decrease in the angiogenesismarker CD31,the absence of inflammation or necrosis in H&E staining of the cerebellum,increased production of IFN-γ,decreased levels of interleukin-4 in splenic T cells,and lower serum AST levels.Our findings collectively indicate that LHN^(TMZ)+rutin is a promising biocompatible model for the local treatment of GB.

Screening of Rodents from Rural Communities of Lagos and Ogun State Nigeria of Lassa Virus RNA

Background: In recent times, there has been an increase in the number of Lassa fever cases resulting from the several episodes of Lassa fever epidemics ravaging Nigeria and other West African countries. The presence of Lassa virus in rodents other than the major reservoir (Mastomys natalensis) has been a public health concern as to the actual burden of the disease. It is therefore of a public health necessity to explore the LASV RNA habouring potential of several species of rodents in endemic as well as non-endemic areas for proper prevention of emergence of outbreaks in non-endemic areas. Objectives: The aim of this study was to detect the presence of LASV RNA in different species of rodents in Ikorodu, Lagos state and Abeokuta, Ogun state. Methods: A total of ninety one (91) rodents were captured from Ikorodu, Lagos State (61 rodents) and Abeokuta, Ogun State (30 rodents), euthanized, bled, and plasma obtained for the detection of LASV RNA by Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction. Results: A total of 91 rodents consisting of 77 Rattus rattus and 14 Crocidura spp. The S segment of LASV RNA was not in any of the 91 rodents’ plasma samples. Conclusion: The rodents captured within the rural communities of Ikorodu, Lagos State and Abeokuta, Ogun State were found not to habour the LASV RNA. This study is limited by the relatively small sample size. Similar studies should be encouraged both in endemic and non-endemic areas in order to understand the actual burden of Lassa fever as well as put into check future epidemics.

Cell transplantation for the treatment of spinal cord injury–bone marrow stromal cells and choroid plexus epithelial cells

Transplantation of bone marrow stromal cells （BMSCs） enhanced the outgrowth of regenerating axons and promoted locomotor improvements of rats with spinal cord injury （SCI）. BMSCs did not survive long-term, disappearing from the spinal cord within 2-3 weeks after transplantation. Astrocyte-devoid areas, in which no astrocytes or oligodendrocytes were found, formed at the epicenter of the lesion. It was remarkable that numerous regenerating axons extended through such astrocyte-devoid areas. Regenerating axons were associated with Schwann cells embedded in extracellular matrices. Transplantation of choroid plexus epithelial cells （CPECs） also enhanced axonal regeneration and locomotor improvements in rats with SCI. Although CPECs disappeared from the spinal cord shortly after transplantation, an extensive outgrowth of regenerating axons occurred through astrocyte-devoid areas, as in the case of BMSC transplantation. These findings suggest that BMSCs and CPECs secret neurotrophic factors that promote tissue repair of the spinal cord, including axonal regeneration and reduced cavity formation. This means that transplantation of BMSCs and CPECs promotes ＂intrinsic＂ ability of the spinal cord to regenerate. The treatment to stimu- late the intrinsic regeneration ability of the spinal cord is the safest method of clinical application for SCI. It should be emphasized that the generally anticipated long-term survival, proliferation and differentiation of transplanted cells are not necessarily desirable from the clinical point of view of safety.

Hepatoprotective effects of baicalein against CCl 4-induced acute liver injury in mice

AIM:To investigate the hepatoprotective effect of baicalein against carbon tetrachloride(CCl 4)-induced liver damage in mice.METHODS:Mice were orally administered with baicalein after CCl 4 injection,and therapeutic baicalein was given twice a day for 4 d.The anti-inflammation effects of baicalein were assessed directly by hepatic histology and serum alanine aminotranferease and aspartate aminotransferase measurement.Proliferating cell nuclear antigen was used to evaluate the effect of baicalein in promoting hepatocyte proliferation.Serum interleukin(IL)-6,IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and liver IL-6,TNF-α,transforming growth factor-α(TGF-α),hepatocyte growth factor(HGF) and epidermal growth factor(EGF) genes expression were determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.RESULTS:CCl4-induced acute liver failure model offers a survival benefit in baicalein-treated mice.The data indicated that the mRNA levels of IL-6 and TNF-α significantly increased within 12 h after CCl 4 treatment in baicalein administration groups,but at 24,48 and 72 h,the expression of IL-6 and TNF-α was kept at lower levels compared with the control.The expression of TGF-α,HGF and EGF was enhanced dramatically in baicalein administration group at 12,24,48 and 72 h.Furthermore,we found that baicalein significantly elevated the serum level of TNF-α and IL-6 at the early phase,which indicated that baicalein could facilitate the initiating events in liver regeneration.CONCLUSION:Baicalein may be a therapeutic candidate for acute liver injury.Baicalein accelerates liver regeneration by regulating TNF-α and IL-6 mediated pathways.

Surveillance of multidrug resistant uropathogenic bacteria in hospitalized patients in Indian

Objective:To record surveillance,antibiotic resistance of uropathogens of hospitalized patients over a period of 18 months.Methods:Urine samples from wards and cabins were used for isolating urinary tract infection(UTI)-causing bacteria that were cultured on suitable selective media and identified by biochemical tests;and their antibiograms were ascertained by Kirby-Bauer's disc diffusion method,in each 6-month interval of the study period,using 18 antibiotics of five different classes.Results:From wards and cabins,1 245 samples were collected,from which 996 strains of bacteria belonging to 11 species were isolated,during April 2011 to September2012.Two Gram-positive,Staphylococcus aureus(S.aureus)and Enterococcus faecalis(E.faecalis),and nine Gram-negative bacteria,Acinetobacter baumannii,Citrobactcr sp.,Escherichia coli,Enterobacter aerogenes,Klebsiella pneumoniae.Klebsiella oxytoca,Proteus mirabilis,Proteus vulgaris and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were isolated.Both S.aureus and E.faecalis were vancomycin resistant,and resistant-strains of all pathogens increased in each 6-month period of study.Particularly,all Gram-negatives were resistant to nitrofurantoin and co-trimoxazole,the most preferred antibiotics of empiric therapy for UTI.Conclusions:Antibiograms of 11 UTI-causing bacteria recorded in this study indicated moderately higher numbers of strains resistant to each antibiotic studied,generating the fear of precipitating fervent episodes in public health particularly with bacteria,Acinetobacter baumannii,Escherichia coli,Klebsiella pneumoniae and S.aureus.Moreover,vancomycin resistance in strains of S.aureus and E.faecalis is a matter of concern.

Effects of lysedEnterococcus faecalis FK-23 on experimental allergic rhinitis in a murine model

In the current study, we sought to investigate whether lysed Enterococcus faecalis FK-23 （LFK）, a heat-killed probiotic preparation, attenuated eosinophil influx into the upper airway and had immunomodulatory activity in a murine allergic rhinitis model. Eighteen BALB/c mice were divided into three groups; the ovalbumin （OVA）-sen- sitized/challenged group, which received saline orally for 6 weeks （OVA group）, the OVA-sensitized/challenged group, which received LFK orally for 6 weeks （LFK-fed group）, and the non-sensitized group, which received saline for 6 weeks （saline control group）. Nasal rubbing and sneezing were monitored during the study. After the final challenge, interleukin （IL）-4, interferon （IFN）-y, and OVA-specific IgE levels in the sera and splenocyte culture supernatants were determined, eosinophilic infiltrate into the upper airway was quantified, and splenic CD4~CD25＋ regulatory T cells （Tregs） were examined by flow cytometry. We found that nasal rubbing was sig- nificantly reduced in LFK-fed mice compared to the OVA group on d 27 and 35, and sneezing was significantly inhibited by LFK administration for 35 d. LFK-fed mice had significantly less eosinophil influx into the nasal mucosa than the OVA group. There were no significant differences between the LFK-fed group and OVA group in the serum and splenocyte culture supernatant levels of IL-4, IFN-y, and OVA-specific IgE. Interestingly, the LFK-fed mice had a significantly greater percentage of splenic CD4＋CD25＋ Tregs than OVA group. Our results indicate that oral administration of LFK may alleviate nasal symptoms, reduce nasal eosinophilia, and increase the percentage of CD4＋CD25＋ Tregs in experimental allergic rhinitis.

Analytical methodologies for determination of methotrexate and its metabolites in pharmaceutical,biological and environmental samples

Methotrexate(MTX)is a folate antagonist drug used for several diseases,such as cancers,various malignancies,rheumatoid arthritis(RA)and inflammatory bowel disease.Due to its structural features,including the presence of two carboxylic acid groups and its low native fluorescence,there are some challenges to develop analytical methods for its determination.MTX is metabolized to 7-hydroxymethotrexate(7-OH-MTX),2,4-diamino-N10-methylpteroic acid(DAMPA),and the active MTX polyglutamates(MTXPGs)in the liver,intestine,and red blood cells(RBCs),respectively.Additionally,the drug has a narrow therapeutic range;hence,its therapeutic drug monitoring(TDM)is necessary to regulate the pharmacokinetics of the drug and to decrease the risk of toxicity.Due to environmental toxicity of MTX;its sensitive,fast and low cost determination in workplace environments is of great interest.A large number of methodologies including high performance liquid chromatography equipped with UVevisible,fluorescence,or electrochemical detection,liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy,capillary electrophoresis,UVevisible spectrophotometry,and electrochemical methods have been developed for the quantitation of MTX and its metabolites in pharmaceutical,biological,and environmental samples.This paper will attempt to review several published methodologies and the instrumental conditions,which have been applied to measure MTX and its metabolites within the last decade.

Review of the diagnosis of gastrointestinal lanthanum deposition

Lanthanum carbonate is used for treatment of hyperphosphatemia mostly in patients with chronic renal failure.Although lanthanum carbonate is safe,recently,lanthanum deposition in the gastrointestinal mucosa of patients has been reported in the literature.This review provides an overview of gastroduodenal lanthanum deposition and focuses on disease's endoscopic,radiological,and histological features,prevalence,and outcome,by reviewing relevant clinical studies,case reports,and basic research findings,to better understand the endoscopic manifestation of gastrointestinal lanthanum deposition.The possible relationship between gastric lanthanum deposition pattern and gastric mucosal atrophy is also illustrated;in patients without gastric mucosal atrophy,gastric lanthanum deposition appears as diffuse white lesions in the posterior wall and lesser curvature of the gastric body.In the gastric mucosa with atrophy,lanthanum-related lesions likely appear as annular or granular whitish lesions.Moreover,these white lesions are probably more frequently observed in the lower part of the stomach,where intestinal metaplasia begins.

Long-term prognostic impact of circulating tumour cells in gastric cancer patients

AIM To analyse the long-term prognostic impact of circulating tumour cells(CTCs) in gastric cancer patients who underwent surgery. METHODS A 7.5-m L peripheral vein blood sample was obtained from each patient with treatment-negative gastric adenocarcinoma before surgery. OBP-401, a telomerasespecific, replication-selective, oncolytic adenoviral agent carrying the green fluorescent protein gene, was used to label CTCs. Correlations between the number of CTCs and clinical end points were evaluated. RESULTS The median follow-up period of the surviving patients with gastric cancer was 60 mo. The CTC number tended to increase concomitantly with disease progression. The overall survival of patients with more than five CTCs in 7.5-m L of peripheral blood was lower than that of patients with five or less CTCs, although the difference was not significant(P = 0.183). A significant difference in relapse-free survival was found between patients with more than five and those with five or less CTCs(P = 0.034).CONCLUSION A lower number of CTCs was correlated with higher relapse-free survival rates in patients. Detection of CTCs using OBP-401 may be useful for predicting prognosis in gastric cancer.

Ultrasound-Guided Continuous Thoracic Paravertebral Block Improves Patientʼs Quality of Recovery After Open Hepatectomy: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Background Ultrasound-guided continuous thoracic paravertebral block can provide pain-relieving and opioid-sparing effects in patients receiving open hepatectomy.We hypothesize that these effects may improve the quality of recovery(QoR)after open hepatectomy.Methods Seventy-six patients undergoing open hepatectomy were randomized to receive a continuous thoracic paravertebral block with ropivacaine(CTPVB group)or normal saline(control group).All patients received patient-controlled intravenous analgesia with morphine postoperatively for 48 hours.The primary outcome was the global Chinese 15-item Quality of Recovery score on postoperative day 7,which was statistically analyzed using Student’s t-test.Results Thirty-six patients in the CTPVB group and 37 in the control group completed the study.Compared to the control group,the CTPVB group had significantly increased global Chinese 15-item Quality of Recovery scores(133.14±12.97 vs.122.62±14.89,P=0.002)on postoperative day 7.Postoperative pain scores and cumulative morphine consumption were significantly lower for up to 8 and 48 hours(P<0.05;P=0.002),respectively,in the CTPVB group.Conclusion Perioperative CTPVB markably promotes patient’s QoR after open hepatectomy with a profound analgesic effect in the early postoperative period.

An effective scatter correction method based on single scatter simulation for a 3D whole-body PET scanner

Hamamatsu SHR74000 is a newly designed full three-dimensional （3D） whole body positron emission tomography （PET） scanner with small crystal size and large field of view （FOV）.With the improvement of sensitivity,the scatter events increase significantly at the same time,especially for large objects.Monte Carlo simulations help us to understand the scatter phenomena and provide good references for scatter correction. In this paper,we introduce an effective scatter correction method based on single scatter simulation for the new PET scanner,which accounts for the full 3D scatter correction.With the results from Monte Carlo simulations,we implement a new scale method with special concentration on scatter events from outside the axial FOV and multiple scatter events.The effects of scatter correction are investigated and evaluated by phantom experiments;the results show good improvements in quantitative accuracy and contrast of the images,even for large objects.

A report on infection dynamics of inducible clindamycin resistance of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from a teaching hospital in India

Objective:To investigate the infection of hospital-and community-acquired"erythromycininduced clindamycin resistant"strains or D-test positives of clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus(S.aureus)(with and without methicillin resistance)in a hospital.Methods:Strains of S.aureus isolated from clinical specimens were subjected to D-test and antibiotic profiling.Results:Of the total 278 isolates,140(50.35%)were D-test positives and the rest were D-test negatives.Further,of 140(100%)pesitives,87(62.14%)and 53(37.85%)strains were from males and females,respectively.Of 140(100%)pesitives,117(83.57%)were methicillin resistant S.aureus and23(16.42%)were methicillin sensitive S.aureus;of 140 strains,103(73.57%)strains front persons with and 37(26.42%)were without related infections;of 140 strains,91(65%)and 49(35%)were from hospital-and community-acquired samples,respectively.In 140 strains,118(84.28%)with comorbidities and 22(15.71%)without comorbidities cases were recorded;similarly,persons with prior antibiotic uses contributed 108(77.14%)and without 32(22.85%)positive strains.These binary data of surveillance were analyzed by a univariate analysis.It was evident that the prior antibiotic uses and comorbidities due to other ailments were the determinative factors in D-test positivity,corroborated by low P values,P=0.001 1 and 0.0024,respectively.All isolates(278)were resistant to17 antibiotics of nine groups,in varying degrees;the minimum of 28%resistance for vancomycin and the maximum of 97%resistance for gentamicin were recorded.Further,of 278 strains,only42(15.1%)strains were resistant constitutively to both antibiotics,erythromycin resistant and clindamycin resistant,while 45(16.2%)strains were constitutively sensitive to both antibiotics(erythromycin sensitive,and clindamycin sensitive).Further,of the rest 191(68.7%)strains were with erythromycin resistant and clindamycin resistant,of which only 140(50.35%)strains were D-test positives,while the rest 51(18.34%)strains were D-test negatives.Conclusions:In view of high prevalence of D-test positive S.aureus strains,and equally high prevalence of multidrug resistant strains both in community and hospital sectors,undertaking of D-test may be routinely conducted for suppurative infections.

Simultaneous determination of geniposidic acid. chlorogenic acid and geniposide in eucommia by HPLC

A high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was established for simultaneous determina-tion of geniposidic acid, chlorogenic acid and geniposide in eucommia. Detection at 240 nm with a reversed-phasecolumn, CH3OH volume fraction, acidic additive and pH value of mobile phase were studied for their effects on theseparability of the compounds. The most suitable separation was obtained with isocratic gradient elution systemusing CH3OH-H2O-H3 PO4 (12.00: 87.96: 0.04, volume ratio) at a flow-rate of 1.0 mL/min. Under the experi-mental conditions, the capacity factors of three compounds are in 3-13. The sample is separated rightly. Theanalysis time is 30 min and the retention time of genfposidic acid, chlorogenic acid and geniposide are 6. 7 min,10.5 min and 21 min, respectively.

SYNTHESIS AND OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF POLY (THIENYLACETYLENES)

3-Ethynyl-4-(trimethylsilyl)thiophene (1a) and 3-ethynyl-4-bromothiophene (1b) selectively undergo acetylene polymerizations in the presence of the MoCl5- and WCl6-Ph3SiH catalysts to give soluble, high-molecular-weight poly(thienylacetylenes) (2) (M-w up to 602000) in high yields (up to 100%). Light transmission spectra of THF solutions of 2 continuously red-shift with increasing concentration. The concentratochromism shows a logarithmic concentration dependence; that is, the optical transitions of 2 are predictably tunable by simply changing their concentrations.

西瓜果肉番茄红素含量及果实相关性状QTL分析

目的与意义:番茄红素是重要的天然类胡萝卜素,对人体具有保健作用,同时也是红色果肉西瓜中的主要色素,是决定西瓜果实品质的重要因素之一.栽培西瓜较低的DNA多态性阻碍了高质量遗传图谱的构建和番茄红素含量主效QTL的研究.该研究中,笔者成功地利用自行开发的CAPS标记构建了一个包含16个连锁群的西瓜遗传连锁图谱,该图谱将有利于西瓜果肉番茄红素含量关键基因确定及其克隆的进一步研究,同时为西瓜果肉番茄红素含量分子育种提供行之有效的分子标记.

Aquaporin 1 Facilitated Hepatocellular Carcinoma SMMC7221 Cell Migration Associated with Water Permeability

The authors investigated the regulation of human aquaporin I（hAQP1） and the involvement of aquaporin 1 （AQP 1） in the migration of human hepatocellular carcinoma SMMC-7221 cells using RNA intereference technology Firstly, two short hairpin RNA（shRNA） constructs in PBSU6 vector were reconstructed and their knockdown effects were identified in SMMC-7221 cells. Next, the involvement of endogenous hAQP1 in regulating the migration of SMMC-7221 cells was investigated via siRNA technology. HAQPI-shRNA can specifically inhibit AQP1 dependent osmotic water permeability. Meanwhile the migration of SMMC-7221 cells was inhibited remarkably after silencing AQP1 by performing transwell cell migration assay and in vitro wound healing assay. Furthermore, in the presence of an inhibitor HgCl2, the water permeability of the cell membrane was remarkably decreased, the expression of AQP1 was upregulated after HgCla treatment and the cell movement was decreased at the moment. Increased AQP1 cannot attenuate cell migration ability when cell membrane loses its water permeability function. This demonstrates that the cell migration was remarkably related to the transporting water function of cell membrane.

Immunomodulation effects of heat-treated Enterococcus faecalis FK-23(FK-23) in mice

Objective：The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of Enterococcusfaecalis FK-23（FK-23） on the immune function in mice. Methods：Mice were treated with three doses of the FK-23（0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.6 g/kg body weight） for 30 days. Delayed type hypersensitivity （DTH）, monocyte phagocytic function, serum hemolysis antibody and natural killer cell activity were studied. Results： The significant increases in mice treated with 0.6 g/kg bw were found in DTH, phagocytic function of monocyte, serum hemolysis antibody and natural killer cell activity. Conclusion：The results from the present study suggest that FK-23 could improve both specific and nonspecific immune function.

Growth, Metabolism and Yield of Rice Cultivated in Soils Amended with Fly Ash and Cyanobacteria and Metal Loads in Plant Parts

Soil amendment with fly ash（FA） and combined supplementation with N_2-fixing cyanobacteria masses as biofertilizer were done in field experiments with rice. Amendments with FA levels, 0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0, 8.0 and 10.0 kg/m2, caused increase in growth and yield of rice up to 8.0 kg/m2, monitored with several parameters. Pigment contents and enzyme activities of leaves were enhanced by FA, with the maximum level of FA at 10.0 kg/m2. Protein content of rice seeds was the highest in plants grown at FA level 4.0 kg/m2. Basic soil properties, p H value, percentage of silt, percentage of clay, water-holding capacity, electrical conductivity, cation exchange capacity, and organic carbon content increased due to the FA amendment. Parallel supplementation of FA amended plots with 1.0 kg/m2 N_2-fixing cyanobacteria mass caused further significant increments of the most soil properties, and rice growth and yield parameters. 1000-grain weight of rice plants grown at FA level 4.0 kg/m2 along with cyanobacteria supplementation was the maximum. Cyanobacteria supplementation caused increase of important basic properties of soil including the total N-content. Estimations of elemental content in soils and plant parts（root and seed） were done by the atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Accumulations of K, P, Fe and several plant micronutrients（Mn, Ni, Co, Zn and Cu） and toxic elements（Pb, Cr and Cd） increased in soils and plant parts as a function of the FA gradation, but Na content remained almost unchanged in soils and seeds. Supplementation of cyanobacteria had ameliorating effect on toxic metal contents of soils and plant parts. The FA level 4.0 kg/m2, with 1.0 kg/m2 cyanobacteria mass supplementation, could be taken ideal, since there would be recharging of the soil with essential micronutrients as well as toxic chemicals in comparative lesser proportions, and cyanobacteria mass would cause lessening toxic metal loads with usual N_2-fixation.

Properties of vapor-deposited and solution-processed targets for laser-driven inertial confinement fusion experiments

Targets for low-adiabat direct-drive-implosion experiments on OMEGA must meet rigorous specifications and tight tolerances on the diameter,wall thickness,wall-thickness uniformity,and presence of surface features.Of these,restrictions on the size and number of defects(bumps and depressions)on the surface are the most challenging.The properties of targets that are made using vapor-deposition and solution-based microencapsulation techniques are reviewed.Targets were characterized using confocal microscopy,bright-and dark-field microscopy,atomic force microscopy,electron microscopy,and interferometry.Each technique has merits and limitations,and a combination of these techniques is necessary to adequately characterize a target.The main limitation with the glow-discharge polymerization(GDP)method for making targets is that it produces hundreds of domes with a lateral dimension of 0.7-2 μm.Polishing these targets reduces the size of some but not all domes,but it adds scratches and grooves to the surface.Solution-made polystyrene shells lack the dome features of GDP targets but have hundreds of submicrometer-size voids throughout the wall of the target;a few of these voids can be as large as~12 μm at the surface.

Antimicrobial Activity of <i>Cannabis sativa</i>L.

The oil of the seeds, petroleum ether and methanol extracts of the whole plant of Cannabis sativa belonging to the family Cannabinaceae were screened for their antimicrobial activity against two Gram positive organisms (Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus), two Gram negative organisms (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and two fungi namely Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans using the cup plate agar diffusion method. The oil of the seeds of Cannabis sativa exerted pronounced antibacterial activity (21 - 28 mm) against Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus, moderate activity (15 mm) against Escherichia coli and high activity (16 mm) against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and inactive against the two fungi tested. The petroleum ether extract of the whole plant exhibited pronounced antibacterial activity (23 - 28 mm) against both Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus organisms, high activity (16 mm) against Escherichia coli and inactive against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and both fungi. The methanol extract of the whole plant showed also pronounced antibacterial activity (29 mm) against Bacillus subtilis, low activity (12 mm) against Staphylococcus aureus and high activity (16 - 18 mm) against both Gram negative organisms, inactive against Aspergillus niger and low activity (13 mm) against Candida albicans. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of Cannabis sativa methanol extracts of the seeds and the whole plant against the standard organisms were determined using the agar plate dilution method. The standard organisms were tested against reference antibacterial and antifungal drugs and the results were compared with the activity of the extracts.