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ANTIOXIDANT AND HEPATOPROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF ASTRAGALUS ECHINOPS AND ASTRAGALUS LOGOPODIOIDES ETHANOLIC EXTRACTS ON PARACETAMOL-INDUCED LIVER INJURY IN RATS
Get PDFBackground: Paracetamol (PCM) has an adequate safety profile when taken in normal doses. However, it could
produce oxidative stress with liver injury when taken in an overdose. Plants of Astragalus genus (F. Fabaceae) are of
wide-spread applications. Astragalus echinops (A. echinops) and Astragalus logopodioides (A. logopodioides) were
tested for their potential hepatoprotective activities against liver injury induced by PCM in rats.
Material and Methods: Seven groups of rats were used for determination of hepatoprotective activities of the extracts.
The normal and hepatotoxic control groups received the vehicle while other groups were treated with silymarin (100
mg/ kg), A. echinops (250 and 500 mg/kg) and A. logopodioides (250 and 500 mg/ kg), respectively for seven days.
Liver injury was induced on the 5th day by oral dosing of PCM (2g/kg) to all rats except those in normal control group.
Moreover, the in vitro antioxidant activities of A. echinops and A. logopodioides extracts were tested using 2,2-
diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging.
Results: Hepatic enzyme markers as alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and
glutamyl transferase and level of total bilirubin were significantly elevated, while total protein and albumin were
declined significantly in PCM-exposed animals. The liver antioxidant markers like the activities of superoxide
dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase and the levels of reduced glutathione were significantly declined, while
hepatic malondialdehyde levels were significantly increased in PCM alone-treated rats. Administration of A. echinops
(250 and 500 mg/kg) and A. logopodioides (500 mg/ kg) extracts prior to PCM, significantly protected against the
elevation in the serum activities of hepatic enzymes and bilirubin and reduced oxidative stress. The hepatoprotective
effect of both extracts was further confirmed by histological findings in the liver tissue. In addition, both extracts
displayed in vitro antioxidant activities in a concentration-dependent way.
Conclusion: Our results suggest that both extracts protect the liver against oxidative damage and they could be used as
effective hepatoprotectives against PCM induced liver injury
ANTIOXIDANT PROPERTIES OF DICHROCEPHALA INTEGRIFOLIA (ASTERACEAE) IN A MOUSE MODEL OF MONOSODIUM GLUTAMATE-INDUCED NEUROTOXICITY
Get PDFBackground: In Africa, neurodegenerative diseases in the elderly have become a major health concern due to the increase
in live expectancy. Glutamate mediated neurotoxicity is involved in neurodegenerative diseases such as Ischemia, Epilepsy,
Alzheimer’s and Parkinson diseases. Plants with antioxidant properties are reported to protect vital organs against
glutamate toxicity. This study aims to assess the effect of Dichrocephala integrifolia against monosodium glutamatemediated
neurotoxicity and oxidative stress.
Methodology: The decoction prepared from the leaves of Dichrocephala integrifolia was evaluated against monosodium
glutamate-induced neurotoxicity in mice. The animals were grouped in seven groups of 6 animals each. The animals
received daily; distilled water (p.o) for the distilled water and the negative control groups, one of the four doses of the
decoction of the plant (35, 87.5, 175 or 350 mg/kg p.o) for the tests groups and memantine (20 mg/kg p.o) for the positive
control group. Monosodium glutamate (2.5 g/kg ip) was injected daily to animals except those of the normal control group
all the seven days of the experimentation. Animals were observed for aggressiveness, locomotor and forepaws muscle grip
activities 30 min after monosodium injections. Brain reduced glutathione and malondialdehyde levels were also assessed
following the behavioral tests on day 8.
Results: The decoction of Dichrocephala integrifolia at the doses of 87.5 and 175 mg/kg significantly (
ATTITUDES OF FEMALE STREET VENDORS TOWARDS HIV/AIDS IN VHEMBE DISTRICT OF SOUTH AFRICA
Get PDFBackground: The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) are still
global health problems. This study was conducted to describe the attitudes of female street vendors (FSV) in
Thohoyandou, Vhembe district, towards HIV/AIDS and those infected with the virus.
Materials and methods: A quantitative, cross-sectional survey design was adopted. Data were collected by means of a
structured, self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version
20.0.
Results: Majority (85.0%) of the participants had completed secondary education, 46.7% were single and 41.5% were
aged 40 and above. Most of them (90.5%) indicated that they would accept to do a voluntary HIV test. Fear of
stigmatization ranked highest among the reasons given by those not in favour of testing. Whilst 91.0% of the participants
reported that they can stay in the same house with a person who is HIV positive and 88.5% said they would not have sex
in exchange for money, only 57.5% indicated that they would agree to take antiretroviral drugs if they tested positive in
pregnancy. The level of education was found to be significantly associated (p-value = 0.000) with the type of attitude
shown towards HIV and those infected.
Conclusion: It is recommended that HIV information providers and health workers in South Africa pay more attention to
enlightening women about the importance of taking
antiretroviral drugs in pregnancy to reduce the incidence of mother-to-child transmission of HIV
VESTIBULAR FUNCTION IN A GROUP OF ADULTS WITH HIV/AIDS ON HAART
Get PDFBackground: The high prevalence of HIV/AIDS and the established otological manifestations of the disease have important implications for research into vestibular function in this population.
Materials and Methods: The main aim of the current study was to investigate and monitor the vestibular status in a group of adult patients with AIDS receiving Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) and other therapies in a hospital outpatient clinic in Gauteng, South Africa. The study was exploratory and observational in nature, with repeated measures in the form of pre- and post-treatment survey; and a control group. The measures were taken before commencement of antiretroviral therapy (ARVs), three months after initiation of treatment and six months into therapy. A comparison of results of the control group and treatment group was done for all objectives. A total of 150 (104 in the treatment group and 46 in the control group) participants who were recruited through a nonprobability convenience sampling technique were included in the study. All participants were at stage three of HIV/AIDS according to their CD4+ T-cell counts at baseline. Data were analysed through descriptive statistics.
Results: Findings from the current study revealed occurrence of acute vertigo which spontaneously resolved in adults with AIDS on HAART over a monitoring period of six months; with this occurrence being higher in participants on HAART than in the control group. The symptoms occurred after diagnosis with HIV and mostly after HAART initiation; and participants who experienced vertigo did not report this to their attending doctor. Furthermore, there was a lack of a relationship between the increasing occurrences of hearing loss in the group to the presentation of vertigo over the six months of monitoring.
Conclusion: Findings from the present study which revealed occurrence of possible acute vertigo that spontaneously resolves in adults with AIDS on HAART, over a monitoring period of six months, add to the existing literature on vestibular function in this population. These findings raise important research as well as clinical assessment and management implications in this population
THE BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES OF MOLTKIA AUREA BOISS., AN ENDEMIC SPECIES TO TURKEY
Get PDFBackground: Staphylococcus aureus is the direct reason of mastitis. Mastitis is a disease characterized by pathological
changes in mammary glands as well as physical, chemical, bacteriological changes in milk. This disease causes loses in
milk yield and quality. In recent years, it is reported that mastitis pathogens have developed a resistance to antibiotics
as a natural consequence of widespread use of it. Today’s researches are focused on discovering and using new
antibiotics against bacteria. The aim of this paper is to examine the antibacterial properties of Moltkia aurea Boiss.][o]
(an endemic species to Turkey), and its other biological activities.
Materials and Methods: All of the extracts were tested by disc diffusion assay in order to screen antibacterial activity.
MIC values were evaluated as antibacterial activities of plant extracts. The non-enzymatic antioxidative activities
including DPPH radical scavenging effects were studied in vitro.
Results and Conclusions: Results shown that the extracts had strong antibacterial effects on three bacteria (S. aureus-
17, S. aureus-18 and CNS-37) and the range of inhibition zone was 4-6mm. This three bacteria screened the lowest
sensitivity to 65000 μg /mL concentration. Besides, the extracts were tested for non-enzymatic antioxidant activities.
As a result, the methanol extract of the flower displayed a strong antioxidant activity. The various extracts of Moltkia
aurea have different antibacterial and antioxidant properties
PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF MORINGA PEREGRINA LEAVES EXTRACT ON ACETAMINOPHEN - INDUCED LIVER TOXICITY IN ALBINO RATS.
Get PDFBackground: Acetaminophen is a common antipyretic drug but at overdose can cause severe hepatotoxicity that may
further develop into liver failure and hepatic centrilobular necrosis in experimental animals and humans. This study
was undertaken to assess the ameliorative role of Moringa peregrina leaves extract against acetaminophen toxicity in
rats.
Materials and methods: Induction of hepatotoxicity was done by chronic oral administration of acetaminophen (750
mg/kg bwt) for 4 weeks. To study the possible hepatoprotective effect, Moringa peregrina leaves extract (200 mg/kg
bwt) or Silymarin (50 mg/kg bwt) was administered orally, for 4 weeks, along with acetaminophen.
Results: acetaminophen significantly increased serum liver enzymes and caused oxidative stress, evidenced by
significantly increased tissue malondialdehyde, glutathione peroxidase, hepatic DNA fragmentation, and significant
decrease of glutathione and antioxidant enzymes in liver, blood and brain. On the other hand, administration of
Moringa peregrina leaves extract reversed acetaminophen-related toxic effects through: powerful malondialdehyde
suppression, glutathione peroxidase normalization and stimulation of the cellular antioxidants synthesis represented by
significant increase of glutathione, catalase and superoxide dismutase in liver, blood and brain, besides, DNA
fragmentation was significantly decreased in the liver tissue.
Conclusion: acetaminophen induced oxidative damage can be improved by Moringa peregrina leaves extracttreatment,
due to its antioxidant potential
NEW INSIGHTS INTO THE PRESENCE OF BILIRUBIN IN A PLANT SPECIES STRELITZIA NICOLAI (STRELITZIACEAE).
Get PDFBackground: The fortuitous discovery of an animal pigment bilirubin found in the plant Strelitzia nicolai has opened
an enormous number of questions regarding bilirubin’s formation and its ultimate function in the human body.
Materials and Methods: A methodical review of bilirubin in humans and animals was carried out, information was
gathered using published scientific journals, books and conference proceedings. Articles based on case studies of
elevated levels of bilirubin were analysed thoroughly.
Results: Even though for numerous years bilirubin was assumed to be merely a desecrate product of the heme catabolic
pathway by greatest, and a likely lethal compound at worst; statistics from the last few decades clearly shows that
placidly high serum bilirubin levels are robustly related to have abundant beneficial effects on the human body.
Conclusion: This study reveals new insights into the presence of the only animal pigment found in Strelitzia nicolai
arils, the potential advantages of bilirubin found in a plant and its therapeutic value indications. This review hopes to
resuscitate researchers’ credence regarding bilirubin as a toxic compound
THE EFFECT OF BODY AWARENESS THERAPY AND AEROBIC EXERCISES ON PAIN AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN THE PATIENTS WITH TENSION TYPE HEADACHE
Get PDFAbstract
Background: This study is to investigate the effect of Body Awareness Therapy (BAT) and Aerobic Exercises on pain
and quality of life in patients with Tension-Type Headache (TTH). Materials and Method: Sixty individuals with
TTH diagnosis who referred Neurologist were incorporated into study. The individuals were randomly grouped into 3
as BAT (n=20), aerobic exercise (n=20) and control group (n=20). Pain severity of the individuals was evaluated by
Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and pain diary, disability with ache; by Pain Disability Index (PDI) and Headache Impact
Tests (HIT) and quality of life was evaluated by SF-36. Subsequent to first assessments, 3 sessions of 60 minutes per
week throughout 6 weeks totally.
Results: When the groups were compared at the end of the study, a significant decrease was observed in VAS, PDI and
HIT values in the individuals in the BAT and aerobic exercise groups. With the individuals in group BAT and aerobic
exercise all parameters of quality of life were observed to be increased significantly.
Conclusion: BAT and aerobic exercise programs to be applied on TTH patients were concluded to be important in
decreasing the pain, in increasing the quality of life and in reducing pain-related daily constraints of the individuals
STRUCTURAL CHARACTERISTICS AND ANTIHYPERTENSIVE EFFECTS OF ANGIOTENSIN-ICONVERTING ENZYME INHIBITORY PEPTIDES IN THE RENIN-ANGIOTENSIN AND KALLIKREIN KININ SYSTEMS
Get PDFBackground: The commercially available synthetic angiotensin-I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are known to
exert negative side effects which have driven many research groups globally to discover the novel ACE inhibitors.
Method: Literature search was performed within the PubMed, ScienceDirect.com and Google Scholar.
Results: The presence of proline at the C-terminal tripeptide of ACE inhibitor can competitively inhibit the ACE
activity. The effects of other amino acids are less studied leading to difficulties in predicting potent peptide sequences.
The broad specificity of the enzyme may be due to the dual active sites observed on the somatic ACE. The inhibitors
may not necessarily competitively inhibit the enzyme which explains why some reported inhibitors do not have the
common ACE inhibitor characteristics. Finally, the in vivo assay has to be carried out before the peptides as the
antihypertensive agents can be claimed. The peptides must be absorbed into circulation without being degraded, which
will affect their bioavailability and potency. Thus, peptides with strong in vitro IC50 values do not necessarily have the
same effect in vivo and vice versa.
Conclusion: The relationship between peptide amino acid sequence and inhibitory activity, in vivo studies of the active
peptides and bioavailability must be studied before the peptides as antihypertensive agents can be claimed
IN VITRO EFFECTS OF A COMMERCIAL HERBAL MEDICINE USED AS AFRICAN TRADITIONAL MEDICINE ON HUMAN NEUTROPHILS
Get PDFBackground: Commercial herbal medicines (CHMs) being marketed as immune boosters or tonics, have gained
widespread popularity. The many herbal mixtures sold have not been tested for efficacy and safety, despite their
modern packaging and presentations. It is imperative that these herbal mixtures be investigated for their effects on
human neutrophils.
Methods: The selected herbal mixture (HM), Stametta™ Body healing liquid, is common in retail outlets in Pretoria,
South Africa (SA) and is used as an immune booster or intended to strengthen the body. Isolated neutrophils as well as
those in whole blood phagocytes were obtained from blood samples collected from consenting healthy adult volunteers.
The neutrophils were incubated with the HM at different strengths, and taken through a luminol-enhanced
luminescence assay, using activators- phorbol myristate acetate and N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine.
Results: The HM had variable stimulatory and inhibitory effects on the luminescence activity of healthy isolated and
non-isolated human neutrophils. The effects, ranging from weak to potent were either directly or inversely related to
the concentration of the HM and were mediated through a direct protein kinase C activating mechanism and an indirect
formyl peptide receptor-linked mechanism.
Conclusion: The findings have shown the immunomodulatory potential of Stametta TM. The in vitro inhibitory and
stimulatory effects on neutrophils which are furthermore time-based, suggest variable effects on the immune system,
which may be beneficial as well as risky. The effects at different concentrations highlight the importance of appropriate
dosing. It would therefore be prudent to caution users of this commercial herbal medicine accordingly