92 research outputs found
Screening of Traditionally Used Plants for in Vivo Antimalarial Activity in Mice.
No full textAqueous ethanol (80%) extracts of six plants used traditionally for treatment of malaria, Vepris glomerata (F.Hoffm.) Engl (Rutaceae), Maranthus floribunda (Bak.) F.White (Chrysobalanaceae), Strophanthus eminii Asch. & Pax ex Pax (Apocynaceae), Cassia abbreviata Oliv. (Leguminosae) and Caesalpinia bonducella L. Fleming (Fabaceae) were screened for antimalarial activity to establish validity of their claims. The extracts exhibited antimalarial activity in the 4-day Peter's suppressive antimalarial assay in mice inoculated with red blood cells parasitized with Plasmodium berghei. The extracts gave ID(50) values of 42.8, 111.0, 639.3 and 1560 mg/kg body wt for C. bonducella, C. abbreviata, T. furialis and S. eminii, respectively. The ID(50) values for V. glomerata and M. floribunda were above 2400 mg/kg body wt, above which point solubility was a problem. All the tested extracts were innocuous to the mice, up to 2400 mg/kg body wt, suggesting they may be safe for short-term use
Antioxidant activity and HPTLC profile of Lagenaria siceraria fruits
No full textThe fruits of Lagenaria siceraria Standl. (Cucurbitaceae) are widely
used for medicinal and nutritional purposes in Africa. The health
promoting ability of the fruits might be related to antioxidant
properties of its constituents. In this study the antioxidant effect of
fresh and dried fruits of L. siceraria was evaluated by comparing the
2,2-diphenyl-1,1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging and reducing
capacity of ethyl acetate and n-butanol extracts of fresh and dried
fruits. The comparison was further emphasized by high performance thin
layer chromatography (HPTLC) analysis of the extracts so as to relate
activities with their chemical profiles. Results indicated that ethyl
acetate (EA) extract of the fresh fruits exhibited higher DPPH radical
scavenging activity than other samples. At 0.01 mg/ml the order of
activity was: EA dried fruits (50.6%) < Bt ( n -butanol) fresh
fruits (53.3%) < Bt ( n -butanol) dried fruits (64.8%) < EA fresh
fruits (68.6%) < Gallic acid (81.8%). A slight change of activity
was observed at 0.1 mg/ml, where the order was; EA dried fruits (70%)
< Bt dried fruits (71.8%) ≤ Bt fresh fruits (72%) < EA
fresh fruits (81.6%) < Gallic acid (88.5%). In the reducing capacity
assay, Bt fresh fruits extract exhibited higher reducing power than all
test samples. The HPTLC chemical profiles of both fresh and dried fruit
extracts showed some slight differences. The slight differences in
antioxidant activities were justified by the HPTLC chemical profiles of
the fruits. Therefore, taking fresh or dried fruits of L. siceraria
may relatively give similar antioxidant effects. Since the fruits of
this plant matures in bulky, then drying, milling and packing the
products under hygiene environment can ensure a constant supply of
antioxidant supplement
Antioxidant activity and HPTLC profile of Lagenaria siceraria fruits
No full textThe fruits of Lagenaria siceraria Standl. (Cucurbitaceae) are widely
used for medicinal and nutritional purposes in Africa. The health
promoting ability of the fruits might be related to antioxidant
properties of its constituents. In this study the antioxidant effect of
fresh and dried fruits of L. siceraria was evaluated by comparing the
2,2-diphenyl-1,1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging and reducing
capacity of ethyl acetate and n-butanol extracts of fresh and dried
fruits. The comparison was further emphasized by high performance thin
layer chromatography (HPTLC) analysis of the extracts so as to relate
activities with their chemical profiles. Results indicated that ethyl
acetate (EA) extract of the fresh fruits exhibited higher DPPH radical
scavenging activity than other samples. At 0.01 mg/ml the order of
activity was: EA dried fruits (50.6%) < Bt ( n -butanol) fresh
fruits (53.3%) < Bt ( n -butanol) dried fruits (64.8%) < EA fresh
fruits (68.6%) < Gallic acid (81.8%). A slight change of activity
was observed at 0.1 mg/ml, where the order was; EA dried fruits (70%)
< Bt dried fruits (71.8%) ≤ Bt fresh fruits (72%) < EA
fresh fruits (81.6%) < Gallic acid (88.5%). In the reducing capacity
assay, Bt fresh fruits extract exhibited higher reducing power than all
test samples. The HPTLC chemical profiles of both fresh and dried fruit
extracts showed some slight differences. The slight differences in
antioxidant activities were justified by the HPTLC chemical profiles of
the fruits. Therefore, taking fresh or dried fruits of L. siceraria
may relatively give similar antioxidant effects. Since the fruits of
this plant matures in bulky, then drying, milling and packing the
products under hygiene environment can ensure a constant supply of
antioxidant supplement
Tanzanian Couples' Perspectives on Gender Equity, Relationship Power, and Intimate Partner Violence: Findings from the RESPECT Study.
No full textIntimate partner violence (IPV) is widely prevalent in Tanzania. Inequitable gender norms manifest in men's and women's attitudes about power and decision making in intimate relationships and are likely to play an important role in determining the prevalence of IPV. We used data from the RESPECT study, a randomized controlled trial that evaluated an intervention to prevent sexually transmitted infections in a cohort of young Tanzanian men and women, to examine the relationship between couples' attitudes about IPV, relationship power, and sexual decision making, concordance on these issues, and women's reports of IPV over 12 months. Women expressed less equitable attitudes than men at baseline. Over time, participants' attitudes tended to become more equitable and women's reports of IPV declined substantially. Multivariable logistic regression analyses suggested that inequitable attitudes and couple discordance were associated with higher risk of IPV. Our findings point to the need for a better understanding of the role that perceived or actual imbalances in relationship power have in heightening IPV risk. The decline in women's reports of IPV and the trend towards gender-equitable attitudes indicate that concerted efforts to reduce IPV and promote gender equity have the potential to make a positive difference in the relatively short term
Porn video shows, local brew, and transactional sex: HIV risk among youth in Kisumu, Kenya
No full textBackground: Kisumu has shown a rising HIV prevalence over the past sentinel surveillance surveys, and most new infections are occurring among youth. We conducted a qualitative study to explore risk situations that can explain the high HIV prevalence among youth in Kisumu town, Kenya
Methods: We conducted in-depth interviews with 150 adolescents aged 15 to 20, held 4 focus group discussions, and made 48 observations at places where youth spend their free time.
Results: Porn video shows and local brew dens were identified as popular events where unprotected multipartner, concurrent, coerced and transactional sex occurs between adolescents. Video halls - rooms with a TV and VCR - often show pornography at night for a very small fee, and minors are allowed. Forced sex, gang rape and multiple concurrent relationships characterised the sexual encounters of youth, frequently facilitated by the abuse of alcohol, which is available for minors at low cost in local brew dens. For many sexually active girls, their vulnerability to STI/HIV infection is enhanced due to financial inequality, gender-related power difference and cultural norms. The desire for love and sexual pleasure also contributed to their multiple concurrent partnerships. A substantial number of girls and young women engaged in transactional sex, often with much older working partners. These partners had a stronger socio-economic position than young women, enabling them to use money/gifts as leverage for sex. Condom use was irregular during all types of sexual encounters.
Conclusions: In Kisumu, local brew dens and porn video halls facilitate risky sexual encounters between youth. These places should be regulated and monitored by the government. Our study strongly points to female vulnerabilities and the role of men in perpetuating the local epidemic. Young men should be targeted in prevention activities, to change their attitudes related to power and control in relationships. Girls should be empowered how to negotiate safe sex, and their poverty should be addressed through income-generating activities.</p
Cytotoxic Screening of Some Tanzania Medicinal Plants
No full textEast and Central African Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Vol.6(3) 2003: 52-5
Anticancer Activity of Extracts from some Endemic Tanzanian Plants
No full textPlants have shown to be good sources of a variety of drugs for human ailments including cancer. Tanzania is rich in plant species most of which have not been investigated for any biological activity. In the continuing effort to screen Tanzanian plants for anticancer activity, plants were collected from Lindi region and extracts tested for the activity using two cell lines namely RT112 (Human bladder transitional cell carcinoma) and HeLa (Human cervical carcinoma). Of the 52 extracts from 26 plants of different families tested, 5 demonstrated potential activity on the cells. Extract X13 had an exceptionally high activity on both cell lines while extract X29 was highly active on HeLa cells. Fractionation and isolation of constituents from the extracts that have shown anticancer activity in these cell lines is recommended. Keywords: Medicinal plants, extracts, anticancer activity, screeningEast and Central African Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Vol. 10 (3) 2007: pp. 63-6
A comparison of HIV/AIDS-related stigma in four countries: negative attitudes and perceived acts of discrimination towards people living with HIV/AIDS
No full textHIV/AIDS-related stigma and discrimination have a substantial impact on people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA). The objectives of this study were: (1) to determine the associations of two constructs of HIV/AIDS-related stigma and discrimination (negative attitudes towards PLHA and perceived acts of discrimination towards PLHA) with previous history of HIV testing, knowledge of antiretroviral therapies (ARVs) and communication regarding HIV/AIDS and (2) to compare these two constructs across the five
research sites with respect to differing levels of HIV prevalence and ARV coverage, using data presented from the baseline survey of U.S. National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Project Accept, a four-country HIV prevention trial in sub-Saharan Africa (Tanzania, Zimbabwe and South Africa) and northern Thailand. A household probability sample of 14,203 participants completed a survey including a scale measuring HIV/AIDS-related stigma and discrimination. Logistic regression models determined the
associations between negative attitudes and perceived discrimination with individual history of HIV testing, knowledge of ARVs and communication regarding HIV/AIDS. Spearman's correlation coefficients determined the relationships between negative attitudes and perceived discrimination and HIV prevalence and ARV coverage at the site-level. Negative attitudes were related to never having tested for HIV, lacking knowledge of ARVs, and never having discussed HIV/AIDS. More negative attitudes were found in
sites with the lowest HIV prevalence (i.e., Tanzania and Thailand) and more perceived discrimination against PLHA was found in sites with the lowest ARV coverage (i.e., Tanzania and Zimbabwe). Programs that promote widespread HIV testing and discussion of HIV/AIDS, as well as education regarding and universal access to ARVs, may reduce HIV/AIDS-related stigma and discrimination.
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