37 The essential oil also revealed a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and fungi. The inhibition zones of the essential oil on tested organism show a significant correlation with MIC values (P < 0.05). Several studies from various medicinal plants, have reported the antimicrobial effects of essential oils on various pathological strains during recent years. In this study, the oil was found to be more effective on both the Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria, which is in conformity

with earlier studies. The composition, structure as well as functional groups of the oils play an important role in determining their antimicrobial activity. They are generally more inhibitory against Gram-positive than against Gram-negative bacteria. 20, 38 and 39 But, the essential oil isolated from T. decandra was found to inhibit the Gram negative organism see more with inhibition zones measuring 19 ± 0.01 to 24 ± 0.05 mm. The higher phenolic content of essential oil might have contributed to higher antioxidant activity of essential of T. decandra. Usually

compounds with phenolic groups are most effective. 40 and 41 As reported in previous studies, the antioxidant activity of essential oils was related to their content of phenolics. In addition, the presence of phenolic compounds, flavonoids and terpenoids in extract exhibits free radical scavenging

activity. selleck inhibitor 42 The essential oil derived from T. decandra is mixture of several components, with antimicrobial properties. Our study is the first report on T. decandra on the antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of an essential oil against clinical pathogens. Further this activity may be extrapolated for use in treatment of different human diseases. All authors have none to declare. The authors acknowledge the technical support of the Sargam Laboratory Private Ltd, Chennai and Botanical Survey of India, TNAU Campus, Coimbatore for the identification and authentication of the plant. “
“The Knoevenagel condensation is a nucleophilic addition of an active hydrogen compound to a carbonyl group under basic conditions.1 and 2 Several solid phases, solvent free organic syntheses already and various other green chemistry approaches utilizing the same reaction have been reported in the literature.3, 4, 5 and 6 Many drugs such as lipid lowering atorvastatin,7 thiazolidine-2,4-dione class of antidiabetic agent, pioglitazone use Knoevenagel reaction during their syntheses.8 Thiazolidine-2,4-dione (TZD), one of the most important heterocyclic systems of therapeutic importance has been extensively studied for wide range of biological activities such as anti-diabetic,9 anti-inflammatory,10 anti-oxidant,11 anti-tubercular,12 anti-microbial,13 anticonvulsant14 and cytotoxic activities.