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ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL SURVEY OF THE MEDICINAL PLANTS USED IN TINDIRET, NANDI COUNTY, KENYA
Get PDFBackground: An inventory of the medicinal plants used by herbalists to treat various ailments in Tindiret area of Nandi County, Kenya
was conducted by a team comprising of medical researchers and botanists with a view to preserve indigenous ethnobotanical knowledge
and potential research and development of new drugs.
Materials and Methods: Data was collected from practicing herbalists through semi-structured interviews, group discussions and
observations. The types of medical conditions treated, treatment methods as well as the plants used were recorded.
Results and Conclusion: A total of 50 medicinal plants belonging to 28 families used for the treatment of 32 medical conditions were
recorded. The disease conditions which were treated by the highest number of plants were abdominal/colic pains with 15 different plants
recorded (13%), respiratory disorders 15(13%) and infertility14 (12%). The most widely used medicinal plants were Vernonia
amygdalina 7(7%), Toddalia asiatica 6(6%), Aloe kedongensis 5(5%) and Zanthoxylum gilletii 5(5%); whereas the families with the
highest number of plant usage were Fabaceae 8(14%), Lamiaceae 4(8%) and Solanaceae 4(8%) plants respectively. The study
documents important ethno-medical knowledge on the plants used by herbalists in Tindiret sub-county
ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF THE FIBER PRODUCED BY “POCHOTE” CEIBA AESCULIFOLIA SUBSP. PARVIFOLIA
Get PDFBackground: The cotton-like fiber from the fruit of Pochote (Ceiba aesculifolia subsp. parvifolia) can be applied to wounds for healing purposes. As microorganisms can infect wounds and hamper the wound healing process, the aim of this study was to determine the antimicrobial activity and chemical composition of the methanolic extract of Pochote fiber. Materials and Methods: The methanolic extract was tested against bacteria and fungi. For bacteria, the Kirby-Baüer disc diffusion and broth dilution methods were employed to determine the MIC and MBC. In addition, bactericidal kinetic curves were generated. The antifungal activity was determined by the radial diffusion method. The antioxidant activity, total phenolic content, and the flavonoid content were determined. Bioassay guided fractionation was also performed.
Results: The methanolic extract showed activity against Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus and Vibrio cholerae (cc). The tested V. cholerae strains were the most sensitive strains, and exhibited a clear CFU size reduction from the bactericidal kinetic curves. The methanolic extract had activity against T. mentagrophytes and R. lilacina . The antioxidant activity (SC50= 36.42 μg/mL) was related to the total phenolic (74.4 mg eAG/g) and flavonoid content (21.982 mg (eQ)/g). The bioassay guided fractionation results suggested that the antimicrobial properties of the extract may act through synergism because the total extract had higher activity against bacteria compared to the collected fractions.
Conclusion: This study scientifically validates the application of the fruit fiber from Pochote as a part of a traditional medicine approach to alleviate infections caused by bacteria and fungi
THE EFFECTS OF EXTRACTS OF ATRACTYLODES MACROCEPHALA KOIDZ COMBINED WITH TRANSCUTANEOUS ELECTRICAL ACUPOINT STIMULATION IN TREATING THE OVARIECTOMIZED FEMALE RATS
Get PDFBackground: The present study was to explore the effects of the extracts of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz (EAMK) combined
with transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) on the ovariectomized female rats.
Materials and Methods: Forty female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: sham-operation, model, livial
and EAMK+TEAS groups (n=10 in each group). After the individual treatments for 8 weeks ended, the serum levels of estradiol
(E2), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), osteocalcin and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured with
commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
Results: We found that in the sham-operation group, the serum E2 and osteocalcin levels were significantly higher, and the serum
levels of FSH, LH and IL-6 were markedly lower than those of other groups (P0.05), however, the serum FSH and IL-6 levels of
EAMK+TEAS group were significantly lower than those of the livial group (
A STUDY ON CHRONIC EFFECT OF PROFENOFOS ON ACETYLCHOLINESTERASE AND BUTYRYLCHOLINESTERASE ACTIVITIES AND PROTEIN CONTENTS IN VARIOUS TISSUES IN MAJOR CARPS
Get PDFBackground: Pesticides widely used for agricultural purposes are carbamates, organophosphates as well as organochlorines. Among
these pesticides, organochlorine compounds have been extensively used to control disease vectors as well as agricultural pests. The
objective of this experiment was to study the chronic effect of a commercial formulation of profenofos on acetylcholinesterase (AChE)
and butylcholinesterase (BuChE) activity in various tissues in Catla catla, Labeo rohita and Cirrhinus mrigala fingerlings was
investigated.
Materials and Methods: Healthy fingerlings of Catla catla, Labeo rohita and Cirrhinus mrigala with an average body length 90±6 mm
and 30.00±2.00 g body weight were collected from the fish seed hatchery and brought to the laboratory. Fishes were maintained in 70
litter glass aquaria (27 ± 1oC, 2.70–2.80 ms and 8.85–9.40 pH). The fingerlings of Catla catla, Labeo rohita and Cirrhinus mrigala were
exposed to the 3 sub lethal concentrations of profenofos (0.038, 0.019, 0.012; 0.06, 0.03, 0.02 and 0.041, 0.020 and 0.013 mg/L) for 8
weeks. The control experiments were also performed with the addition of carrier solvent alone. Acetylcholinesterase and
butyrylcholinesterase level were estimated according to the methodology of Ellman et al. (1961) and Kuster (2005). Total soluble
proteins were determined by the Bradford (1976) standard method to assess enzymatic activity of the protein.
Results: The least activity of AChE was recorded in muscle samples of Catla catla (1.07±0.040 μmoles/min/g of protein), exposed to the
highest concentration of profenofos. BuChE activity was also reduced against various concentrations of profenofos. The AChE and
BuChE activity was significantly inhibited even when exposed to a minimum concentration of this insecticide. Profenofos exposure
affected the functioning of brain, blood, gills, muscle, kidneys and liver. We concluded that profenofos caused more inhibition in the
liver for AChE and BuChE compared to other tissues.
Conclusion: It has been concluded that profenofos is very highly toxic to the C. catla, L. rohita and C. mrigala fingerlings, but further
studies are required to assign a certain level of toxicity to the said pesticide. Considering the high toxicity of profenofos, it is suggested to
handle the profenofos carefully using all the precautionary measures in order to minimize the harmful effects on non-target organisms
EVALUATION THE EXPRESSION OF THREE GENES TO EPITHELIAL OVARIAN CANCER RISK IN CHINESE POPULATION
Get PDFBackground: Ovarian cancer is associated with poor survival, because patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage of the disease, and
in addition, tumors develop chemoresistance, which carries a poor prognosis for the patient.
Material and methods: We hypothesize that high expression of SDF-1, survivin and smac is associated with ovarian cancers
development and could be used as a biomarker to identify this disease. The expressions of SDF-1, survivin and smac in normal
ovarian (NO) tissue, benign tumor (BT) tissue and epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) tissue were immunohistochemically analysed.
Results: Positive expressions of SDF-1, survivin and smac were significantly higher in EOC tissue than those in NO and BT tissues.
SDF-1 expressions were significantly more weaker in advanced ovarian carcinomas (FIGO stage III–IV), and in high-grade
carcinomas. There was a positive correlation between EOC patients with lymph node metastasis and with ascites and SDF-1
positivity (P < 0.05). Survivin expressions were significantly more stronger in advanced ovarian carcinomas (FIGO stage III–IV), and in high-grade carcinomas. There was a positive correlation between EOC patients with lymph node metastasis and with ascites and surviving positivity (P < 0.05). Smac expressions were significantly more stronger in advanced ovarian carcinomas (FIGO stage III–IV), and in high-grade carcinomas. There was a positive correlation between EOC patients with lymph node metastasis and with ascites and smac positivity (P < 0.05)
ANTI-QUORUM SENSING ACTIVITY OF SOME MEDICINAL PLANTS
Get PDFBackground: Quorum sensing is the key regulator of virulence factors of Pseudomonas aeruginosa such as biofilm formation, motility, productions of proteases, hemolysin, pyocyanin, and toxins.
Material and Methods: Quorum sensing inhibitory (OSI) effect of the alcohol extracts of 20 medicinal plants was evaluated by Chromobacterium violaceum reporter using agar cup diffusion method. The efficient QSI extracts were tested for their activity against biofilm synthesis, motility, and synthesis of pyocyanin from P. aeruginosa PA14
Results: The extracts of Citrus sinensis, Laurus nobilis, Elettaria cardamomum, Allium cepa, and Coriandrum sativum exhibited potent quorum quenching effect. On the other hand, Psidium guajava and Mentha longifolia extracts showed lower QSI activity. These extracts exhibited significant elimination of pyocyanin formation and biofilm development of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA14. In addition, they significantly inhibited twitching and swimming motilities of P. aeruginosa PA14.
Conclusion: This study illustrated for the first time the importance of C. sinensis, L. nobilis, E. cardamomum, A. cepa, and C. sativum as quorum sensing inhibitors and virulence suppressors of P. aeruginosa
IN VITRO ANTIMICROBIAL SCREENING OF AQUILARIA AGALLOCHA ROOTS
Get PDFBackground: It was previously shown that some parts of Aquilaria agallocha, which is commonly known as oud or oodh, such as
roots have been used as a traditional medical herbal in different countries. In Turkey A. agallocha is one of the ingredients while
preparing famous Mesir paste, which was invented as a medicinal paste and used from the Ottoman period to now at least for 500
years. The identification the in vitro antimicrobial activity of ethanol extract of A. agallocha roots is main purpose of this analysis.
Materials and Methods: By using 17 bacteria and 1 fungi, which include Bacillus, Candida, Enterobacter, Enterococcus,
Escherichia, Klebsiella, Listeria, Pseudomonas, Salmonella and Staphylococcus genera, the activity of A. agallocha root extracts
were analysed by the help of the disk diffusion method, that is one of the methods commonly used to determine antimicrobial
activities.
Results: As a result of the study it was observed that ethanol extracts of A. agallocha roots have a clear antimicrobial activity
against nearly all microorganism used in the study, but only two bacteria namely E. coli ATCC 25922 and S. typhimurium SL 1344.
Conclusion: According to the disk diffusion test results it may be possible to propose that A. agallocha roots should have a
medicinal uses especially against E. faecium, L. monocytogenes ATCC 7644, B. subtilis DSMZ 1971, C. albicans DSMZ 1386, S.
epidermidis DSMZ 20044 and S. aureus ATCC 25923
BELIEFS AND ATTITUDES OF PARAMEDICAL COLLEGE STAFF TOWARDS COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATE MEDICINE
Get PDFBackground: Complementary and alternate medicine (CAM) has been defined as a group of diverse medical and healthcare
systems, practices, and products not presently considered part of conventional medicine (CM). Studies in different countries have
revealed a geographical difference in the knowledge about CAM therapies, especially among medical school staff and students. This
study aimed to assess the extent of CAM use among staff working in paramedical colleges in the Riyadh region of Saudi Arabia and
to examine their perception and attitudes towards such medicines. Materials and methods: Eighty paramedical staff members of
different age groups and specializations were invited to participate in the study. A self-administered questionnaire adapted from
similar studies was used in this study.
Results: The response rate was 99%. The majority of respondents (56%) reported believing that CAM therapies play an important
complementary role to the action of CM.
Conclusion: To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study of its kind to assess peoples’ attitudes towards CAM use in
the region. As the use of healing practices outside of CM rise among patients, ignorance of CAM by future medical practitioners can
cause a communication gap between people and the profession that serves them. It is encouraging that the majority of medical staff
in this study recognizes and is enthusiastic to rectify this lack of knowledg
PHARMACOGNOSTIC EVALUATION OF THE LEAF OF Rhus succedanea VAR. HIMALAICA. J. D HOOKER
Get PDFBackground: Rhus succedanea is generally traded, distributed and sold in the markets in its crude and raw form. This may have been
mixed with adulterants, mismanaged by malpractices and substituted with other closely related drugs having different effect. This study
is therefore carried out to authenticate the plant through pharmacogonostic evaluations.
Material & Methods: The organoleptic studies were carried through sensory organs i.e size, shape, texrure, odour, etc. Histological
studies were conducted by preparing hand slides, mounting the specimen in potato tuber; fluorescence characters were determined
through UV and phytochemical screening was investigated using various standard and common methods from relevant literature.
Results: Morphologically, the Rhus is a perennial small sized deciduous tree, 5–9 m tall with opposite imparipinnately compound leaves
and small grayish yellow flowers born on paniculate inflorescence; locally, called as Rakhkal in Pashto and Kakarsingi in Urdu. The
organoleptic evaluation showed leaf had pleasant, aromatic odour and astringent taste. Transverse section of leaf through midrib region
was worked out. The anatomy of the midrib has shown to be surrounded by both upper and lower epidermis with multicellular nonglandular
trichomes. The leaf was hypostomatic showing anomocytic stomata with average stomatal number 27.1 ± 7.2 and stomatal
index 14 ± 3.63. The average vein islet, vein termination and palisade ratios were 13.6 ± 3.04, 10.21 ± 1.92 and 6 ± 2.01 respectively.
Leaf powder showed the existance of anomocytic stomata, spirally thickened xylem vessels, non-glandular multicellular and stellate
trichomes. Fluorescence study and percent extractive values was also carried out. The phytochemical screening showed the presence of
carbohydrates, protein, alkaloids, phenols, flavonoids, terpenoids and anthraquenones, while tannins and fixed oil was not detected.
Quantitatively highest amount of alkaloids 16% and flavonoids 19% in leaf was detected.
Conclusion: The results of the of the anatomical, organoleptic and physiochemical studies of the powder of leaf will be helpful in
standardization of R. succedanea the crude drug
EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF CHEMOTHERAPY RELATED LEUKOCYTOPENIA TREATED BY VARIOUS PEROAL LEUCOCYTE INCREASING DRUGS
Get PDFBackground: Clinically, the patients with significant WBC decrease are mostly administered G-CSF, this kind of drugs
is expensive and adverse reactions are often seen. In contrast, oral leucocyte increasing drug has small adverse
reactions, can be used for longer time and can improve the continuity and stability of treatment. The experimental study
based on study of mouse was to evaluate the effects of treatment and chemotherapy of related leukocytopenia by five
kinds of commonly used peroal leucocyte increasing drugs.
Materials and Methods: We prepared mice chemotherapy related leukocytopenia model by cyclophosphamide
intraperitoneal injection, the positive control drug is G-CSF, respectively fill five kinds of peroal Leucocyte increasing
drugs (Qijiao Shengbai Capsule, Weixuening Granule, Compound Zaofan Pill, Berbamine and Leucogen Tablets) in the
stomach, the experimental group was divided into normal control group (group A), model group (group B), positive
control group (Group rhG-CSF, group C) and treatment groups (group D-H), and treatment groups were divided into
Qijiao Shengbai Capsule group (group D), Weixuening Granule group (group E), Compound Zaofan Pill group (group
F), Berbamine Tablet group (group G) and Leucogen Tablet group (group H). Calculate the death rate, blood routine
and important visceral organ index in each group..
Results: The death rate of mice in each group has no significant difference (P>0.05). WBC of B, D, E and F groups
was significantly lower than that of group A (