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Dose-dependent myocardial toxicity of Mangifera indica during diarrhoea treatment
No full textBackground: The use of alternative medicine is on the rise worldwide. Mangifera indica kernel has been used as a diarrhoea remedy. Studies have demonstrated its mechanism of action to be via the sympathomimetic pathway. Possible adverse effects on the cardiovascular system were however unknown. Objective: The current study aimed to investigate the in-vitro effects of Mangifera indica kernel extract (MIE) on myocardial activity. Methodology: The dose-related effects of MIE were tested on isolated rabbit hearts, and the mechanism of action verified. This was then compared against its efficacy on the jejunum, and the likelihood of myocardial toxicity investigated. Results: MIE significantly enhanced myocardial contractility with no effect on the frequency. However, the doses required for this effect were much higher than those that would be required to treat diarrhoea. Discussion: The use of MIE as a diarrhoea remedy is probably safe on the cardiovascular system provided the dose is maintained within an anti-diarrhoeal therapeutic window. Key words: Diarrhoea, adverse effects, mango kernel, myocardial activity
Contraceptive and sexual behavioural effects of methanol extract of Smilax kraussiana root in rodents
Get PDFBackground: Smilax kraussiana root has an age-long historical use for family planning among the Uruan Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Traditionally, a decoction of the root is made either with boiling water or local gin and administered. Objective: To investigate its contraceptive potential with a view of ascertaining the scientific basis for its use in family planning, and establish if any, its mechanism for action. Method: The pulverized root was macerated in methanol for 72h and filtered with Whatman filter paper No.4. It was stored – 40C until when required. Randomized female rats having regular estrus cycle were divided into groups and were administered with various doses of extract. They were observed for estrus, ovulation and contraception as well as progestational and sexual behaviour. Result: The result showed that it has anticonceptive effect, altered estrus, and ovulation cycle and possessed estrogenic effect which resulted in contraception. It also increases lordosis frequency, lordosis quotient as well as intromission frequency. Conclusion: The anticonceptive, estrogenic and progestational properties as well as its copulatory behaviours are predicated on the properties of its phytochemical constituents which includes alkaloids, saponins and flavonoids. This therefore, justifies its folkloric use in family planning. Keywords: Smilax kraussiana, contraceptive extract, rodents, sexual behaviour
Antimicrobial activity of various extracts of the sea urchin Tripneustes gratilla (Echinoidea)
Get PDFThe recent appearance of a growing number of bacteria resistant to conventional antibiotics has stimulated the search for novel antimicrobial agents or lead compounds from a variety of sources, including natural sources crustaceans, molluscs and echinoderms, with particular interest on their secondary metabolites with desirable antimicrobial properties (Haug et al, 2002, Casas et al, 2010).Antimicrobial activity in several species of echinoderms collected from Gulf of California, Mexico, Caribbean and Coast of Norway has been reported (Rinehart et al, 1981; Bryan et al, 1994; Haug et al, 2002). In addition, a variety of antimicrobial factors, including steroidal glycosides (Andersson et al, 1989), polyhydroxylated sterols (Iorizzi et al, 1995), naphthoquinone pigments (Service and Wardlaw, 1984), lysozymes (Canicatti and Roch, 1989; Stabili and Pagliara, 1994), complement like substances (Leonard et al, 1990) and antimicrobial peptides (Beauregard et al, 2001) have also been isolated from echinoderms. These findings suggest that marine echinoderms are a potential source of new types of antibiotics for pharmaceutical development.Tripneustes gratilla (Echinoidea) collected from the Kenyan Coast.Unfortunately, in most of these studies on antimicrobial activity in echinoderms, whole bodies or body walls have been tested for activity. Recently, Haug et al. (2002) observed wide differences in antibacterial activities between different extracts and organs/tissues, as well as between species, of three echinoderms.Whether the same antibacterial factors are responsible for the activity in all organs or tissues remains unclear. The present work focused on screening and comparing antimicrobial and hemolytic activities in different organs/tissues of the sea urchi
Transcriptional regulation of Rat Endothelial Nitric Oxide Promoter in Pulmonary Myofibroblasts cells and its implications in Pulmonary Fibrosis
No full textBackground: Nitric oxide (NO) levels may exert control on the persistence of pulmonary myofibroblast cells in pulmonary fibrosis.Objective: This study set out to examine the regulation of NO levels by transcription factors that influence the expression of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS3) gene.Methods: Using a pGL3-Basic vector plasmid DNA, rat and human eNOS3 gene promoters were inserted upstream of a luciferase reporter gene and cloned in competent E. coli cells (DH5α). Transfection assays were performed and the cells treated with potential regulators of eNOS3 gene. Promoter activity of eNOS3 gene was assayed using the Dual Luciferase reporter gene assay.Results: The results indicated that the rat NOS3 promoter was active in the cells, with the human NOS3 promoter showing little or no activity. The results demonstrated that transforming growth factor-β, EGTA and lipopolysaccharide up-regulated transcriptional activity while Phorbol 12-myristate-13-acetate, 23187 and S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine, suppressed eNOS3 transcriptional activity. Treatment with Nw-Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester had no effect on the gene expression.Discussion: The results of this study demonstrates that high concentrations of NO inhibit NOS3 gene activity, hence an enhanced expression of eNOS in response to pharmacological interventions using some transcriptional factors from these study could provide protection against interstitial pulmonary.Key words: Nitric oxide, transcription, NOS3 gene promoter, pulmonary fibrosi
Renal impact of sub acute lamivudine-artesunate treatment in wistar rats
No full textBackground and objectives: Lamivudine and artesunate are life saving drugs in the treatment of HIV/HBV and malaria respectively, and available data shows artesunate having anti-tumour properties. The concurrent administration of both drugs presents important safety concerns. This study investigated possible effects of lamivudine-artesunate co-administration on renal function and histology in wistar rats. Method: Four groups of rats (n=5) were used in the study with one group as control. Two groups received lamivudine at 20 mgkg-1, with another receiving artesunate at 10 mgkg-1. Artesunate was added to one of the lamivudine groups. While lamivudine treatment was for three weeks, artesunate was introduced only in the last week of the study alone, or in combination with lamivudine. At termination, animals were humanely killed and kidneys harvested, weighed and subjected to H and E stain and observation. Serum urea and electrolytes were also determined. Results: Serum biomarkers and kidney weights did not differ significantly (p>0.05). Various histological changes were observed in the treated groups although these didn’t directly correlate the biomarkers determined. Conclusion: The concurrent use of lamivudine and artesunate appears to be safe within the dose levels used. However caution may be needful when repeated or long term exposure is required. Keywords: artesunate, lamivudine, HIV, HBV, malaria, concurrent drug therap
Factors Affecting Consumer Perception Of Kenyan Manufactured Fast Moving Consumer Goods In The East African Community. A Case of Laundry Detergents Products
Get PDFThe purpose of this study was to determine the factors affecting consumer perception of Kenyan manufactured fast moving goods in East African Community (EAC), a case of laundry detergents products. The study was guided two objectives namely; To determine consumer perception of laundry detergents and to determine factors that influence consumer perception of laundry detergents manufactured or originating from Kenya by EAC consumers. A descriptive survey design was used for the study. The population of the study comprised all consumers of laundry detergents originating or manufactured in Kenya from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi. A convenience sampling was used and sample size for each country was fifty (50) respondents resulting to a sample size of 250. Out of the targeted 250 respondents, 190 responded. Primary data was collected using semistructured questionnaires. Descriptive statistics such as measures of central tendency, dispersion, percentages and frequencies distributions were used to analyze and summarizedata. On the perception of Kenyan manufactured fast moving consumer goods, the case of laundry detergent products, the study found that different detergents such as Omo, Sunlight, Ariel, Persil and Toss were used in the five Nations, with Omo as the most used followed by sunlight brand. Regarding the factors influencing perception of laundry detergents; majority of the respondents indicated that the products were of reasonableprice, and of good quality, in regards to the country of origin, most of the respondents agreed that they would rather buy laundry detergents made in Kenya because they could always trust them in terms of quality, availability and other attributes. On the risks associated with the products, the respondents disagreed with the statements that on perceived risks of using the laundry detergents from Kenya which included; that the products may not work well, that the products may harm them and that they did not like the products from Kenya. The respondents strongly disagreed with the statement that buying Kenyan laundry detergents from Kenya will make them lose money and results to being laughed at by their friends. The study concluded that the East African Community market perceived laundry detergents products manufactured in Kenya to be of good quality and value. On the factors influencing their perception it was concluded that consumers perceived them as reasonably priced, and of good quality. Kenya as the country of origin was perceived favorably. The respondents did not also see any perceived risk associated with the use of these laundry detergents. The study recommended that that Kenyan manufacturers dealing in these laundry detergents products in particular and fast moving consumer goods in general, increase their marketing expenditure so as to create more awareness of their products in the East African Community market in order to increase their sales and subsequently market share.Key Words: Consumer Perception, Consumer Goods, East African Communit
Lumefantrine-resistant and Piperaquine-resistant Plasmodium berghei show cross-resistance to Primaquine but not to Atovaquone
No full textBackground: Malaria affects 300-500 million people annually and kills more than 1 million, with majority of the clinical cases and deaths occurring in Sub-Saharan Africa. Rapid development of drug resistance remains a major challenge in malaria control and has lead to use of combined antimalarial therapies. Resistance to an antimalarial drug may however, be selected for by another drug in which the mechanism of resistance is similar. Objective: This study sought to establish cross-resistance patterns between four antimalarials namely atovaquone (ATQ), primaquine (PMQ), lumefantrine (LM) and piperaquine (PQ) using murine malaria models. Method: The activities of ATQ and PMQ against drug sensitive, PQ and LM-resistant Plasmodium berghei lines was assessed using the 4-day test and 90% index of resistance (I90) determined. Results: Analysis of cross-resistance patterns showed a significant decrease in PMQ sensitivity (I90 of 6.39), and a slight but not significant decrease in ATQ (I90 of 1.19) activity towards the LM-resistant P.berghei ANKA. Conclusion: PQ-resistance in P. berghei is associated with a significant resistance of PMQ (I90 of 12.22) and a slight, though not significant reduction in ATQ (I90 of 1.27) efficacy. Key words: Plasmodium berghei, resistance, piperaquine, lumefantrine, primaquine, atovaquon
Glucose-lowering effects of Momordica charantia (Karela) extract in diabetic rats
No full textBackground: Momordica charantia (MC) is a plant commonly used for both its nutritional and glucose-lowering effects. It has however not been fully validated in diabetes management due to insufficient empirical evidence. The current study thus investigated its effects on blood glucose levels in diabetic rats. Method: Fourteen six-month old, alloxan-induced diabetic Sprague Dawley rats weighing between 200 – 250 g were assigned to two equal groups (control and experimental). Momordica charantia juice extract was administered (10ml/kg) to the experimental group for 28 consecutive days. An equal dose of normal saline was administered to the controls. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels were assessed once weekly for 4 consecutive weeks. Thereafter, intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT) was performed. Results: The experimental group achieved normal glucose levels within 14 days of MC administration. At day 28, FBG levels were significantly lower in the experimental group compared to the control (3.27±0.20 vs. 7.59±1.26 mmol/l, p=0.01). In IPGTT, FBG levels were significantly lower in the experimental group compared to the control through the 180 minute period of observation. Conclusion: Momordica charantia has a glucose-lowering effect in diabetic rats within 14 days of administration. It also prevents fluctuations in FBG levels, and thus has potential therapeutic use in diabetes management. Key words: Momordica charantia, diabetes mellitus, alloxan, intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT)
Potential Animal Sources of Antibodies for the Development of a Chloramphenicol Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
No full textBackground: Chloramphenicol (CAP) is a cheap and effective broad-spectrum antibiotic that has been used in veterinary practice to treat septicaemia, pulmonary, urinary and digestive tract infections. However it has been found to be toxic to humans and may lead to an irreversible aplastic anaemia. Due to these side effects CAP was banned from use in food-producing animals. Objective: The objective of the present study was to produce and select a suitable anti CAP antibody from camels, donkeys or goats for development of a CAP Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay. Method: The methods employed were immunological for immunization of experimental animals and conjugation for preparation of CAP- HRP (Horseradish Peroxidase) conjugate. Ammonium sulphate was used for purification of the antibodies. Results: Antibody production improved with subsequent boosters in camels whereas in donkeys initial immunization yielded significantly (P<0.05) higher titres of anti-CAP antibodies. The anti-chloramphenicol antibody produced in camels following the 11th booster (797 days after immunization) was found to be more specific and sensitive than that produced in donkeys and goats. Conclusion: From this study it was concluded that anti-CAP antibodies from camels were more suitable for the development of a chloramphenicol ELISA. Key words: anti-chloramphenicol antibodies, camels, goats, donkey
Comparisons of Performance of Traditional And Labour-Only Procurement In Construction Projects In Nigeria
Get PDFTwo procurement methods of Traditional and Labour-only are investigated and compared for performance. Labour-only procurement is recently thought to offer cheaper, better and quality projects than Traditional method for which this study is set to substantiate. Purpose of the study is to compare the two methods for performance, to find out which of the two methods is better in overall performance and also to model procurement performance. This study is a survey research that used structured questionnaires to collect data from clients, consultants and contractors in 120 recently completed construction projects that used both Traditional and Labour-only methods. Results indicate that there is no significant difference between the performances of both methods while Traditional procurement performs better than the Labour-only method. Relationship exists between client, designer, construction, procurement characteristics and overall performance of Labour-only and Traditional procurements. Implications of this study are for policy makers in government to develop their awareness on procurement performance for future projects; the proposed regression models support the procurement theory while practitioners and stakeholders should imbibe procurement performance for management of future projects. This study expands existing literature on construction procurement and it recommends Traditional procurement to clients, consultants and contractors for use in their housing projects.The regression models proposed are recommended for measuring procurement performance of completed projects. Awareness on procurement performance should be disseminated by professional bodies and other agencies involved in housing delivery for improvement of future projects.Keywords: Performance, Traditional, Labour-only, Procurements, Nigeri