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SAFETY ASSESSMENT OF LINUM USITATISSIMUM (LINN.) INGESTION IN NEW ZEALAND RABBITS
Get PDFBackground: The therapeutic safety of herbal medicine is a major concern for consumers and users. After studying the effects of linseed on hair
growth in rabbits, the turn is to evaluate its safety by the observation of some clinical, biological and anatomo-pathological aspects.
Materials and Methods: A study was conducted during a period of three months on two groups of rabbits (control and test). Test group daily
received feed supplemented with 3g of ground linseed while the control animals received the same feed without any additives. Weekly, rabbits
were weighed and monthly blood samples were taken. By the end of the trial, liver and kidneys biopsies were analyzed for histological and
cytological lesions.
Results: There was no significant improvement in weight gain in the test group rabbits, in which biochemical parameters had differentially
evolved with a decrease in their Glycemia and cholesterolemia. There were also no modifications in their serum hepatic and renal marker
enzymes and their liver and kidneys exhibited noticeably normal histology without any anatomically detectable anomalies.
Conclusion: These findings confirm that prolonged linseed ingestion in rabbits is safe
ANXIOLYTIC - LIKE PROPERTIES OF HALLEA CILIATA IN MICE
Get PDFBackground: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the anxiolytic properties of the decoction of stem bark of Hallea ciliata
in mice. The decoction of Hallea ciliata is used in traditional medicine in Cameroon to treat diseases like anxiety disorders, fever,
infantile convulsions and malaria.
Materials and Methods: Stress induced hyperthermia, elevated plus maze, open field and hole-board tests were used. Four different
doses of the decoction were administered to mice and their effects were compared to the effects of diazepam and vehicle.
Phytochemical characterization of the decoction revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins and saponins.
Results: Administration of Hallea ciliata resulted in a significant decrease of stress induced hyperthermia in mice at the doses of
29.5, 59 and 118 mg/kg. In the elevated plus maze test, Hallea ciliata increased the number of entries and the percentages of entries
and time into the open arms, and reduced the number of entries and the percentages of entries and time into the closed arms. In the
hole-board test, Hallea ciliata increased the number of both head-dipping and crossing and decreased the latency to the first headdips
and rearing. The decoction of Hallea ciliata and diazepam increased locomotion in the open field test.
Conclusion: The number of rearing and the mass of fecal boli produced were decreased in mice treated with decoction and
diazepam. In conclusion, the results indicated that decoction of Hallea ciliata has anxiolytic-like properties in mice and could
potentially be used for anxiety treatment
THE EFFECTS OF SYZYGIUM AROMATICUM-DERIVED TRITERPENES ON GASTROINTESTINAL GHRELIN EXPRESSION IN STREPTOZOTOCIN-INDUCED DIABETIC RATS
Get PDFBackground: Diabetic polyphagia has been associated with elevated plasma ghrelin levels in experimental type 1 diabetes. This
increase in food consumption contributes to chronic hyperglycaemia in diabetes thus contributing to the development of micro- and
macrovascular complications.We have reported that plant-derived oleanolic acid (OA) and maslinic acid (MA) reduce blood glucose
levels, in part, through the inhibition of intestinal carbohydrate hydrolyzing enzymes and glucose transporters. However, their effects
on food intake and plasma ghrelin concentrations are unclear. Accordingly, we investigated the effects of these triterpenes on food
intake and ghrelin expression in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.
Material: The effects of OA and MA on blood glucose concentration; food and water intake were monitored over five weeks after
which plasma ghrelin concentrations were measured. Additionally, the expression of ghrelin in the various sections of the GIT was
determined using Western blot analysis.
Results: Ghrelin concentrations in untreated STZ-induced diabetic rats were significantly higher in comparison to the non-diabetic
control. Interestingly, the administration of OA and MA reduced food intake, blood glucose levels and plasma ghrelin levels in STZinduced
diabetic rats. This was further complemented by significant reductions in the gastrointestinal expression of ghrelin
suggesting that the anti-diabetic properties of these triterpenes are mediated, in part, through the reduction of food intake and the
modulation of ghrelin expression.
Conclusion: The findings of the study suggest that the control of food intake through the reduction of ghrelin expression by plantderived
OA and MA may constitute an avenue of glycaemic control in diabetes mellitus
ISOLATION, CHARACTERIZATION AND IMMUNOCHEMICAL STUDIES ON FIBROUS PROTEINS FROM COWRY SHELL (CYPRAEA MONETA, LINNAEUS)
Get PDFBackground: Biomaterials are non-drug substances used to treat, enhance or replace functions of body tissues or
organs. Natural sources of biomaterials have recently become the focus of several research activities. Cowry shell
constitutes one of the most promising natural sources of biomaterials because of its chemical stability,
biodegradability and biocompatibility in the body. However, its applications may be limited due to immunogenic
and toxic responses that may occur following implantation, hence this study.
Materials and Methods: Crude fibrous protein extracted with citrate buffer from pulverised cowry shells (Cypraea
moneta (L)), was resolved into two components (CSP1 and CSP2) by gel filtration. Immunological studies were
performed with antisera obtained from rabbits by double immunodiffusion and immunoelectrophoresis techniques.
Mice treated with the proteins were observed for signs of toxicity and their liver, kidney, lungs and spleen were
processed histologically.
Results: The native molecular weight of CSP1 and CSP2 determined by gel filtration were 91kDa and 33kDa
respectively. CSP1 and CSP2 displayed single bands on SDS-PAGE with subunit molecular weight values of 19kDa
and 19.5kDa respectively. Antisera obtained from rabbits immunised with the crude citrate buffer extracts
precipitated the antigen in double immunodiffusion tests. Histopathological examinations revealed a dose-dependent
damaging effect of the shell proteins on liver, kidney, lung and spleen tissues of the treated mice.
Conclusion: This study showed that cowry shells contain fibrous proteins which are immunogenic and toxic in mice
at relatively high concentrations, causing visible organ damage without concurrent physical manifestations
ASIATIC ACID INFLUENCES GLUCOSE HOMEOSTASIS IN P. BERGHEI MURINE MALARIA INFECTED SPRAGUE-DAWLEY RATS
Get PDFBackground: Glucose homeostasis derangement is a common pathophysiology of malaria whose aetiology is still controversial. The Plasmodium parasite, immunological and inflammatory responses, as well as chemotherapeutics currently used cause hypoglycaemia in malaria. Anti-parasitic and anti-disease drugs are required to combat malaria while ameliorating the pathophysiology of the infection. Asiatic acid has anti-hyperglycaemic, antioxidant, pro-oxidant properties useful in glucose homeostasis but its influence in malaria is yet to be reported. Here we present findings on the influence of asiatic acid on glucose metabolism in vivo using P. berghei-infected Sprague Dawley rats. Materials and Methods: Acute as well as sub-chronic studies were carried out in vivo where physicochemical properties and glucose homeostasis were monitored after administration of asiatic acid (10mg/kg) in both non-infected and infected animals. Glucose metabolism associated biochemical changes in malaria were also investigated. Results: In acute studies, asiatic acid improved oral glucose response while in the sub-chronic state it maintained food and water intake and suppressed parasitaemia. Normoglycaemic control was maintained in infected animals through insulin suppression and increasing glucagon secretion, in both acute and chronic studies. Asiatic acid administration curtailed lactate concentration towards normal. Conclusion: Per oral post-infection asiatic acid administration preserved drinking and eating habits, inhibited sickness behaviour while suppressing parasitaemia. Reciprocal relationship between insulin and glucagon concentrations was maintained influencing glucose homeostasis positively and inhibition of hyperlactaemia in malaria
RENAL ISCHEMIA REPERFUSION CAUSES BRAIN HIPPOCAMPUS OXIDATIVE DAMAGE AND INHIBITION EFFECT
Get PDFBackground: The acute kidney injury (AKI) may do damage to remote organs. Objective of the study is to investigate effect of
seaweed extract (SE) on brain oxidative damage in kidney ischemia/reperfusion rats.
Material and Methods: Animals were randomly divided into five groups. SE pre-fed to rats.
Results: Kidney I/R may cause oxidative injury in kidneys and brains tissue in rats. SE pre-treatment can decrease lipid peroxidation
levels and increase antioxidant enzymes activities in kidney and brain hippocampus of kidney I/R rats.
Conclusion: Our results indicate that SE is useful for brain nerve function keeping in kidney I/R rats
MOLECULAR IDENTIFICATION OF ORIGINAL PLANTS OF FRITILLARIAE CIRRHOSAE BULBUS, ATRADTIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE (TCM) USING PLANT DNA BARCODING
Get PDFBackground: DNA barcoding is a widely used tool that enables rapid and accurate identification of species based on standardized
DNA regions.
Materials and Methods: In this study, potential DNA barcodes, namely three plastid regions (rbcL, trnH-psbA and matK) and one
nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) were adopted for species identification of original plants of Fritillariae Cirrhosae
Bulbus.
Results: The rbcL and trnH-psbA regions showed better success rate of PCR amplification and DNA sequencing, as well as superior
discriminatory ability. On the contrary, ITS region did not possess effective genetic variation and matK was faced with low success
rate of sequencing. Combination of multi-loci sequences could improve identification ability of DNA barcoding. The trnH-psbA +
rbcL could discriminate 25% - 100% species based on the Blast, Tree-Building and Distance methods.
Conclusion: The potential DNA barcodes could not completely solving species identification of botanic origins of Fritillariae
Cirrhosae Bulbus. In future, we should pay more attention to super-barcoding or specific barcode that enhance ability to discriminate
the closely related plants
FREE FATTY ACIDS PROFILING IN RESPONSE TO CARNITINE SYNERGIZE WITH LUTEIN IN DIABETIC RATS
Get PDFBackground: The objective of this study was to investigate the fatty acids profiling in diabetic rats induced by sterptozocine (STZ)
and their response to administration of lutein and carnitine.
Materials and methods: Ninety male albino rats were divided into 6 groups as follows: Normal control. The remaining rats were
injected i.p a single dose of STZ (65 mg /kg bw) for induction of diabetes. Diabetic rats were grouped as: GP II: (Untreated): GP III:
Rats were given orally with L-lutein (100 mg/kg bw).GP IV: Rats were given carnitine (30 μg/kg) i.p. GP V: Rats were given
carnitine and lutein GP VI were given metformin (100mg/kg bw/d) for 6 weeks.
Results: Treatment of diabetic rats with lutein, L-carnitine, combined decreased the levels of glucose, HA1C compared with
untreated diabetic (
ETHNOBOTANICAL STUDY OF PLANTS USED TO TREAT ASTHMA IN THE MARITIME REGION IN TOGO
Get PDFBackground: Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases in modern society and it is evident that its incidence
and severity are increasing, however very little is known about the plants used in the management of the disease. This
study therefore aimed to document the plants usage in the Togolese traditional medicine to treat asthma.
Methodology: From January to June 2015, an ethnobotanical survey was conducted using a semi-structured
questionnaire with traditional healers (THs) in the southern region of Togo. The importance of the plants species was
assessed by the calculated use values.
Results: In Total, 121 THs (92 males and 29 females) were interviewed and 98 plants species belonging to 54 families
were identified as curing asthma. The most represented families were: Leguminosae with 7 species followed by
Euphorbiaceae and Rutaceae contributing with 6 and 5 species respectively. Based on the calculated use values the
most important species were Carcica papaya L., Cataranthus roseus L., Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh., Piper
guineense Thonn., Eucalyptus citriodora Hook., Eucalyptus globules Labill. and Euphorbia hirta L. The leaves and the
root were the parts predominantly used to prepare the formulations, mainly decoctions, administrated by oral route.
Clinical manifestations such as wheezing (91.74%), difficulty as speaking or coughing (73.55%), dyspnea (66.94%),
dry cough (52.89%), sweating and increased heart rate (52.07%) were used by TH to diagnose the disease.
Conclusion: This study showed initial evidence of the use of plant materials by Togolese TH to heal asthma. These
results could be a starting point for laboratory screenings
PREVALENCE OF BACTERIAL VAGINOSIS AMONG SEXUALLY ACTIVE WOMEN ATTENDING THE CDC CENTRAL CLINIC TIKO, SOUTH WEST REGION, CAMEROON
Get PDFBackground: Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a polymicrobial, superficial vaginal infection involving a reduction in the amount of
hydrogen peroxide-producing Lactobacillus and overgrowth of anaerobic bacteria. Common symptoms include increased fishy
smelling vaginal discharge which is usually white or gray in color. Burning with urination may occur and itching is uncommon. Risk
factors include douching, new or multiple sex partners, antibiotics, and use of intrauterine device among others.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study assessed the prevalence of bacterial vaginosis among sexually active women
aged 15-45 years. Vaginal swabs were obtained with the use of sterile swab sticks which were later smeared on clean glass slides and
then Gram stained. The stained smears were observed for bacterial morphotypes with the X100 oil immersion objective and the
Nugent scoring system was used to determine BV. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS)
version 17.0 and were considered significant at p ≤ 0.05.
Results: A total of 100 women participated in the study with the overall prevalence of BV rated 38%. The prevalence of BV with
respect to associated factors was also investigated and it was observed that BV was more prevalent in the age groups 20-25 (48.1%)
and 25-29 (44.4%), those who had attained only primary education (60.5%), married women, (68.4%), pregnant women (71.0%),
and women who practiced vaginal douching, (97.4%). However, no statistical significant difference was observed in the prevalence
between these parameters (P > 0.05).
Conclusions: Conclusively, the prevalence of bacterial vaginosis in our study population is 38% and highest among women aged
between 25 and 34 years, pregnant women, married women, less educated women and women who practiced poor vaginal hygiene