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BIOACTIVITY-GUIDED APHROSIDIAC POTENTIAL OF MOMORDICA CHARANTIALINN
Get PDF1College of Pharmacy, Igbinedon University, Okada, Edo State, Nigeria.
2Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Benin, Edo State, Nigeria
ESSENTIAL OIL OF THYMUS PECTINATUS FISCH&MEY.VAR.PECTINATUS: CHEMICAL FORMATION, ANTIMICROBIAL, ANTIOXIDANT, ANTISPASMODIC AND ANGIOGENIC ACTIVITIES
Get PDFBackground: Thymus species are well-known as medicinal plants. It was aimed to investigate the chemical composition of Thymus pectinatus (TP) and its antioxidant, antimicrobial, antispasmodic, and angiogenic activities. Materials and Methods: After essential oil of TP (EO-TP) was obtained with clevenger distillation system, it was analyzed for chemical composition with GC-MS. To study antispasmodic activity, eight male Wistar albino rats each weighing approximately 250-300 g were used. Results: The results of the analysis revealed 19 components, which equals to 92.93 of the essential oil. The following are the main components; thymol (48.77%), m-cymene (9.15%), isoborneol (5.19%), trans-caryophyllene (4.43%), carvacrol (3.91%) and -terpinene (3.54%). It has been found that microorganisms subjected to whole all of microbiological tests are highly resistant to EO-TP. 2,2- diphenyl-l-picrylhydrazyl, hydroxyl radical, along with superoxide radical scavenging, and lipid peroxidation says were utilized to show the antioxidant activities of the EO-TP. In measuring its effect, 0.1 mg/mL and 0.5 mg/mL dosage of the EO-TP was applied to the rat ileum as a result of which the magnitude and the frequency of the contractions were observed to be significantly. Conclusion: It was also understood that EO-TP had angiogenic effect upon the vein system of the embryos of chicks. There is a need for further studies to clarify the mechanisms of antimicrobial, antioxidant and angiogenic effects and to determine the constituents of EO-TP responsible from these effects, especially the angiogenic
ELECTRO-ACUPUNCTURE AT JIANSHI (PC5) AND NEIGUAN (PC6) ALTERS HEART RATE VARIABILITY (HRV) IN FRIGHTENED VOLUNTEERS
Get PDFBackground: Fear is one of the most widely studied emotions and is closely associated with the autonomic nervous system (ANS). Previous studies have proven that acupuncture directly impacts the ANS, influences the heart rate (HR) and the heart rate variability (HRV) and exerts other effects. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of Jianshi (PC5) and Neiguan (PC6) electro-acupuncture on HRV during fear-invoking auditory stimulation using an Actiheart ECG recorder.
Materials and Methods: Two hundred healthy subjects were recruited. Using a random number table, subjects were grouped for exposure to fear-invoking auditory stimulation (n=40) or neutral auditory stimulation (n=40). After determining that our fear-invoking auditory stimulation produced the fear emotion, the other 120 subjects were similarly divided into an electro-acupuncture (EA group) and a control group that received PC5 and PC6 electro-acupuncture or no intervention.
Results: The fear score of the fear-invoking auditory group was significantly higher than that of the neutral auditory group. The EA group showed higher SD, RMSSD, and high frequency (HF) components of HRV than those of the control group.
Conclusion: The primary result suggests that PC5 and PC6 electro-acupuncture affects cardiac autonomic neural regulation, mainly via the parasympathetic system, in subjects exposed to fear-invoking auditory stimulation
CAPTURING INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE ON MEDICINAL PLANTS USE: CASE STUDY OF SELECTED COMMUNITIES IN OLD OYO NATIONAL PARK, NIGERIA
Get PDFBackground: Understanding the intricate link between humans and the plants use is needed to address some of to-day’s socio-economic and health challenges.
Materials and Methods: The study focused on plants that have high cultural and medicinal values for the host communities of Old Oyo National Park, Nigeria. Local Knowledge was captured through focus group discussions with herbal vendors, interviews with herbalists as key informants and through field observations. Snowball sampling technique was used in selecting the key informants. Participants selected for the Focus Group Discussion varies with the number of herbal vendors encountered in each commercial market.
Results: In total, 78 medicinal plant species belonging to 39 families including 47 trees, 8 shrubs and 23 herbaceous plants were documented. Forty ailments categorized into thirty one treatments and prevention methods were discovered. Kigellia africana, Cassia spp and Alstonia boonei were used for treating common ailments like malaria, dysentery and gonorrhea. Sources of collecting the medicinal plant species and their mode of administration were different.
Conclusion: The research outcome will contribute to advancement of traditional medicine, resource efficiency and development of new enterprise among the locals. Comprehensive quantitative study of social- economic importance of the medicinal plants is recommended
ANTIUROLITHIC ACTIVITY OF BERBERIS TRIFOLIATA EXTRACT ON INDUCED UROLITHIASIS IN RATS BY ZINC DISC IMPLANTATION
Get PDFBackground: In clinical therapy, there is no satisfactory drug available for treatment of urolithiasis, especially for the prevention of their recurrence. The aim of this work was to evaluate in vivo antiurolithic activity of methanolic extract of Berberis trifoliata leaves.
Material and methods: Urolithiasis was induced in Wistar rats by zinc disc implantation in urinary bladder. Upon postsurgical recovery, different doses of the methanolic extract of B. trifoliata leaves (50, 100 and 150 mg/kg body weight) were administered orally to zinc disc implanted rats for a period of 20 days. Antiurolithiatic activity was evaluated by measuring the difference between the weight of the implanted zinc discs at the time of implantation and the final weight of the dried calculi taken out from the bladder at the end of the 20 days period of treatment.
Results: Extract of B. trifoliata significantly reduced calculi deposition around the implanted zinc disc at all doses (50, 100, and 150 mg/kg).
Conclusion: Treatment with methanolic extract of B. trifoliata is useful agent against the kidney stone formation
A COMPARISON OF RAPID DIAGNOSTIC TESTING (BY PLASMODIUM LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE), AND QUANTITATIVE BUFFY COAT TECHNIQUE IN MALARIA DIAGNOSIS IN CHILDREN
Get PDFBackground: The World Health Organization (WHO) considers early and rapid diagnosis as one of the strategies to
control malaria. This study compared the performance of Quantitative Buffy Coat (QBC) test and the Plasmodium lactate
dehydrogenase (pLDH) rapid diagnostic test (RDT) with microscopy as the gold standard.
Materials and Methods: The study involved children ages 0-5 years who presented with a history of fever at the
University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria. Blood was collected from each patient and used for RDT, QBC and Giemsastained
blood films for malaria parasites (MP). Results of QBC and RDT were compared with microscopy results for the
diagnosis of malaria.
Results: A total of 370 cases (194 boys and 176 girls) were studied giving a male: female ratio of 1.1:1. Of the 370 cases
tested using Giemsa-stained thick blood films for MP, 78 (21 %) were positive. For the QBC test, 78 (21%) of the cases
were positive with sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of 70.5 %, 92.1%, 70.5 % and 92.1 %
respectively. Seventy-six (20%) of the cases were positive by RDT with sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative
predictive values of 84.2 %, 95.2 %, 82.1 %, and 95.9 % respectively. There was no significant difference in the sensitivity
of QBC compared with the RDT.
Conclusion: Both the QBC and the pfLDH (RDT) performed reasonably well in this study Malaria rapid diagnostic tests
are recommended in malaria endemic clinical settings to avoid unnecessary antimalarial treatment
EXTENDED-SPECTRUM BETA-LACTAMASE PRODUCING GRAM NEGATIVE BACTERIA IN IRAN
Get PDFBackground: The emergence and spread of extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Gram- negative bacteria
(GNB), particularly in Enterobacteriaceae, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, have increased all over
the world. ESBLs are characterized by their ability to hydrolyze β-lactams, early cephalosporins, oxyimino-thiazolyl
cephalosporins, and monobactams, but not cephamycins or carbapenems. The rate of nosocomial infections caused by
ESBL-producing GNB in Asia Pacific has increased and several studies have identified their prevalence in the region. The
aim of this study is to review the prevalence of ESBL-producing GNB in the West Asia and the Middle East with a
particular focus on Iran.
Materials and Methods: The available evidence from various studies (Microbia and clinical studies, retrieved from the
PubMed, and Scopus databases) regarding the ESBL producing Gram negative bacteria in Iran were evaluated.
Results: In almost all parts of the country, high resistance has been observed, especially in the central part of Iran. Up to
89.8% Escherichia coli, 72.1% Klebsiella pneumonia, 84.2% Acinetobacter baumannii, and 83.8% Pseudomonas
aeruginosa isolates are ESBL positive.
Conclusion: The present study showed the increasing prevalence of ESBLs in different regions of Iran, which could be
useful to strategic policy towards reducing reduce their prevalence
BURDEN AND DETERMINANT FACTORS OF ANEMIA AMONG ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHILDREN IN NORTHWEST ETHIOPIA: A COMPARATIVE CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY
Get PDFBackground: Anemia is an indicator of both poor nutrition and health. In low-income countries like Ethiopia, the prevalence of anemia remains high due to several determinant factors. There is a lack of regular surveillance system to determine the magnitude of anemia among school age children. The aim of this study was to determine the burden and determinant factors of anemia among school children.
Materials and Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted from March 2014 to May 2014 among elementary school children in Northwest Ethiopia. Multi stage and simple random sampling techniques were used to select the schools and the study subjects. Standard questionnaire was employed to assess the socioeconomic status of study participants. Intestinal parasitosis infections and hemoglobin level were determined by formula ether concentration technique and automated hematology analyzer, respectively. Descriptive statistics were used to determine the burden of anemia. Stepwise logistic regression was used to identify the determinants of anemia.
Results: Among 2,372 elementary school children, the prevalence of anemia was 7.6% (95 % CI: 7% - 9%). The mean hemoglobin level was 11.6 g/dl ranging from 10 g/dl to 13g/dl. The magnitude of hookworm infection was 530 (22.3%). In multivariate analysis anemia was found associated with residence, source of water, availability of latrine, maternal education, family size and hookworm infection.
Conclusion: Anemia still remains as a major public health problem among the school children in the study area. Residence, source of water, availability of latrine, maternal education, family size and hookworm infection are also the major determinant factors for the high prevalence of anemia. Therefore, health education, iron supplement and deworming should be given to school age children
PRESENCE OF CITRININ IN GRAINS AND ITS POSSIBLE HEALTH EFFECTS
Get PDFBackground: Citrinin is a mycotoxin produced by several species of the genera Aspergillus, Penicillium and Monascus
and it occurs mainly in stored grain. Citrinin is generally formed after harvest and occurs mainly in stored grains, it also
occurs in other plant products. Often, the co-occurrence with other mycotoxins is observed, especially ochratoxin A,
which is usually associated with endemic nephropathy. At the European Union level, systematic monitoring of Citrinin
in grains began with the aim of determining its highest permissible amount in food. Thus, far the systematic monitoring
of the above mentioned mycotoxin in Croatia is yet to begin.
Materials and Methods: The main goal of this study was to determine the presence of Citrinin in grains sampled in the
area of Međimurje, Osijek-Baranja, Vukovar-Srijem and Brod-Posavina County. For the purpose of identification and
quantification of citrinin, high performance liquid chromatograph (HPLC) with fluorescence was used (Calibration
curve k ≥ 0.999; Intra assay CV = 2.1%; Inter assay CV = 4.3%; LOQ < 1 μg/kg).
Results: From the area of Međimurje County, 10 samples of corn and 10 samples of wheat were analyzed. None of the
samples contained Citrinin
EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT HYDROPONIC SUBSTRATE COMBINATIONS AND WATERING REGIMES ON PHYSIOLOGICAL AND ANTI-FUNGAL PROPERTIES OF SIPHONOCHILUS AETHIOPICUS
Get PDFBackground: Production of medicinal plants in controlled environments, particularly hydroponic technology, provides opportunities for high quality biomass accumulation and optimizes production of secondary metabolites. Applying special watering regimes in combination with efficient soil draining is an encouraging new tool for the production of pharmaceutical relevant plants. The purpose of this paper was to evaluate the effect of substrate combinations and watering regimes on nutrient uptake, anti-F. oxysporum activity and secondary metabolite profile of S. aethiopicus.
Materials and Methods: Coir was used as the main component for the preparation of media in different combinations; T1 (Coir + vermiculite + perlite + bark), T2 (Coir + bark), T3 (Coir + perlite) and T4 (Coir + vermiculite). Plants in different treatments were grown under two watering regimes: 3 and 5-days watering intervals. At 9 weeks post treatment, plants were harvested, oven dried and tissue nutrient content, anti-F. oxysporum activity and secondary metabolites were analyzed.
Results: The results showed that there were significant differences (P < 0.05) on the uptake of P, K, N, Mg, Fe, Cu, B and NH4-.The highest mean values for most nutrients were obtained in treatments under 3-days interval. Acetone extracts of S. aethiopicus under 5-days interval were the most bioactive against F. oxysporum. The MIC values obtained are relatively lower for the rhizomes, ranging from 0.078 - 0.3125 mg/ml compared to the higher MIC values (0.375 - 0.75 mg/ml) obtained in the leaves. LC-MS analysis of acetone extracts revealed the presence of phytochemicals such as caffeic acid, quercetin, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, rutin, kaempferol, epicatechin, naringenin, hesperetin and protocatechuic acid.
Conclusion: The antimicrobial activity and/or the phytochemical profile of the crude extracts were affected by watering regimes