MOSP - Macao Scientific Publishers

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Evaluation of the chemical composition of Mucuna utilis leaves used in herbal medicine in Southeastern Nigeria

Ujowundu C. O.*, Kalu F. N., Emejulu A. A., Okafor O. E.² Nkwonta C. G. and Nwosunjoku E. C.

Abstract: The increased interest in the biological activities of the leaves of Mucuna utilis necessitated this study which evaluated the chemical composition, especially the presence of antiphysiological and toxic factors in the leaves. The results of the phytochemical analyses were: alkaloid, 9.60 ± 0.141%; flavonoids, 4.90 ± 0.20%; saponins, 24.60 ± 1.979%; tannins, 32.55 ± 0.778% and cyanoglycosides 20.736± 0.91%.The results showed crude protein to be 31.91 ± 2.60%; carbohydrate, 53.65 ± 2.11%; crude fibre 14.80 ± 0.42%; moisture, 11.37 ± 0.632%; ash, 0.11 ± 0.01% and crude fat, 2.97 ± 0.009. The results also showed appreciable presence of macro and micro-elements, while the ascorbic acid and vitamin A contents were 25.36 ± 0.212 and 9.83 ± 0.15 mg/100 g respectively. These results showed that the leaves of M. utilis are a veritable source of useful phytochemicals of high medicinal value for human and animals. It also showed that the leaves of M. utilis can be used to fulfill the growing demands of plant-based proteins for humans and livestock and source of important minerals and nutrients. The importance of effective processing to reduce the level of toxic and inhibitory substances was emphasized.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Mucuna utilis, leaves, phytochemicals, medicinal, nutritional, toxic.

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17 -estradiol attenuates LPS-induced interleukin-8 production by human peripheral blood monocytes through estrogen receptor- activation

Full Length Research Paper

Abstract: Proper regulation of the immune response is essential for immune homeostasis. Several proinflammatory cytokines released from activated monocytes mediate inflammation, including interleukine-8 (IL -8) which recruits neutrophils to the site of inflammation. 17 -Estradiol (E2) has a direct role in the modulation of the innate immune function and mediates profound effects on immune function of the monocytes. The effects of 17 -E2 are mediated principally by two receptor subtypes, ER and ER ; both are expressed in monocytes. The aim of this study was, therefore, to characterize the estrogen receptor subtypes that mediate the estrogen effects on LPS-activated IL-8 production by human peripheral blood monocytes. 17 -E2 and PPT attenuated the production of IL- 8 by LPS-activated monocytes in a dose-dependent manner and these effects can be reversed by ICI182, 780. These results suggested a role of ER on the attenuating effect of 17 -E2 on IL-8 production by human peripheral blood monocytes.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Estrogen receptor , monocytes, interleukin 8.

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Anxiolytic action and safety of Kava: Effect on rat brain acetylcholinesterase activity and some serum biochemical parameters

Neveen A. Noor

Abstract: Kava is a herbal anxiolytic drug. The present study investigates the response of central cholinergic neurotransmission to kava treatment by measuring acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in cortex, hippocampus and striatum of adult male rats. The present study demonstrates also the effect of chronic use of kava on some liver and kidney function parameters in the sera of rats. Kava administration (75 mg/kg) induced an increase in AChE activity in the striatum after 1 week. However, significant decreases in the enzyme activity were obtained after 4 weeks of treatment in the three brain areas examined. No significant changes were observed in the enzyme activity on stopping kava administration. Kava administration for 4 weeks resulted in significant decreases in serum aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) activities and creatinine level, while alkaline phosphatase activity and albumin level did not show any significant changes. However, total protein and urea levels were increased significantly. In conclusion, the cholinergic system in the cortex, hippocampus and striatum may play a vital role in the anxiolytic action of kava. The present study showed no adverse effects of kava on liver and kidney function parameters.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Kava, acetylcholinesterase, cortex, hippocampus, striatum.

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Ethnomedicines used for treatment of prostatic disease in Foumban, Cameroon

Noumi Emmanuel

Abstract: The medicinal plants used for the treatment of prostate diseases and related efficiency in Foumban were reviewed based on the ethnobotanic, some chemical and biochemical reports. A total of 40 plants species belonging to 29 families have been used to prepare 27 remedies, for treatment of specific prostate ailments such as prostatitis, prostatic adenoma (benign tumour hypertrophy) and cancer of prostate. Two plant species (Raphia mambillensis and Vernonia guineensis) are those widely used, the more valued being V. guineensis, called “Guinea ginseng” by traditional healers. Some of the plant species, including Allium cepa, Allium sativum, Arachis hypogaea, Carica papaya, Cucurbita pepo, Elaeis guineensis, Ipomoea batatas, Ocimum basilicum and Prunus africana are known to yield constituents treating prostate diseases.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Medicinal plants, prostatic diseases, Foumban, Cameroon.

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Knowledge and behavior of the pediatricians on rational use of antibiotics

Senay Cetinkaya* Yusuf Karata A. Bülent Antmen and S. Emre Alhan

Abstract: This study was performed between June 17 - 20, 2009, in order to examine knowledge, behavior and the attitudes of pediatricians, who attended the 45th Turkish Congress of Pediatrics in Cappadocia, Turkey, about rational use of antibiotics and to investigate any affecting factors. This was a descriptive study that evaluated the pediatricians’ theory about rational use of antibiotics. The survey sheet used in the study was developed by the researchers in light of information in the literature. The 77.3% of the participating physicians indicated that they did not resort to antibiotics when facing flu or common cold themselves. The rate that does not approve the antibiotic prophylaxis in upper or lower respiratory infections and the urinary system infections for an otherwise healthy individual is 65.6%. When prescribing antibiotics, 89.8% indicated that they would see the patient first, 78.1% indicated that they were prescribing according to patient’s clinical condition, 71.1% reported that they paid attention to the indication appropriateness and 67.2% indicated that they would take culture samples for microbiological examination. With the increasing work experience, there is also increase in picking the answer that suggests “use of the third generation cephalosporins should be restricted to cases whose culture positivity had been proven” (p[...] Read More.

Keywords: Antibiotics, rational use, pediatricians.

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Tissue distribution of intramuscularly and intratumouraly administered DNA plasmid harbouring apoptotic gene in mice

Ruzila I., Zeenathul N. A.*, Nik-Mohd- Afizan N. A. R., Sheikh-Omar A. R., NorHidayah M. and Mohd-Azmi M. L.

Abstract: This study investigated the bio-distribution and persistence of plasmid DNA following intramuscular and intratumoural administration in a mice model. Validated quantitative method (real-time qPCR) was used to quantify plasmid distribution in the tissue samples collected at 15 min, 1 h, 24 h and 1 week after administration of 100 g (1.5 x 1013 copies) of naked plasmids. Plasmids remained in the circulating blood (3.6 ± 2.2 x 102copies/500 ng gDNA) and injected muscle (2.8 ± 1.1 x 105 copies/500ng gDNA) for up to 1 week post administration. Plasmids were also detected in opposite muscle, lung, kidney, spleen, lymph nodes, liver and heart only 1 h post-injection or more. After 2 weeks of treatment, plasmids were retained solely in the tumor mass. These results suggest the presently used recombinant DNA plasmid was benefited with its early transgene expression characteristic which could release the anti-cancerous effect within short dwelling time.[...] Read More.

Keywords: DNA vaccine, recombinant plasmid, real-time PCR, biodistribution.

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Evaluation of use of antibiotic without prescription among young adults

Oyetunde, Olubukola O.*, Olugbake, Olubusola A. and Famudehin, Kehinde F.

Abstract: Antibiotics are usually prescription only medicines. A high percentage of world’s antibiotics are however used in the community without prescriptions. The study evaluated use of antibiotics without prescription among young adults in Nigeria. A questionnaire was designed to assess reported purchase, name and use of antibiotic without prescription. 38.79% respondents reported purchase of an antibiotic without a prescription. Only 25.86% correctly named an antibiotic as the medicine purchased. Among the respondents who purchased an antibiotic without a prescription, 90% used medicine for inadequate duration (< 5days) or at wrong dosing intervals. The most commonly named antibiotic purchased without a prescription is Ampiclox®. It is important to enforce regulation and sales of antibiotic to ensure rational use.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Misuse, self-prescription, antibiotics.

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Medication prescription policy for Nigerian physiotherapists: perception of orthopaedic surgeons and neurologists on educational training and clinical management plans

Onigbinde Ayodele Teslim*, Raji Aderonke Oluwatomilayo, Soetan Oluyemisi Adebisi, Ibikunle Adeoye Folorunsho

Abstract: In Nigeria, general medical doctors objected to physiotherapists assuming the responsibility of being supplementary prescribers. It is unknown if Nigerian specialist doctors (Orthopaedic Surgeons and Neurologists) will have different opinion on supplementary prescription (SP) policy. 71 orthopaedic surgeons and 53 neurologists were recruited using purposive sampling technique. A self-administered questionnaire was used to obtain bio-data, awareness on SP, knowledge about Clinical Management Plan and duration of educational training required. Descriptive and non-parametric inferential statistics were used to analyse the data. The level of significance was set at 0.05. The number of specialist doctors who were aware of the prescription status of physiotherapists outside Nigeria as supplementary prescriber was significantly higher than those unaware (X2 = 9.96, P = 0.02),. A high proportion (62.3 - 98%) of the specialists had good knowledge of Clinical Management Plan as required in SP policy. About half of the Orthopaedic Surgeons opined that 24-30 weeks educational training would be adequate for physiotherapists who did not have previous pharmacology education while most neurologists opined that a period greater than 12 weeks would be sufficient as training duration for those with previous education. It was concluded that most specialist doctors were aware of the prescription status of physiotherapists outside Nigeria as supplementary prescribers. Both Orthopaedic Surgeons and neurologists understood what are required in drawing CMP with allied health professionals as required in the policy. A period greater than 12 weeks would be sufficient for educational training for those who had previous pharmacology education while 24-30 weeks would be adequate for those without previous formal education. Keywords: Drug prescription policy, Nigerian physiotherapists, orthopaedic surgeons, neurologists, educational training, clinical management plans.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Drug prescription policy, Nigerian physiotherapists, orthopaedic surgeons, neurologists, educational training, clinical management plans.

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Effect of intra-uterine injection of H2 receptor blockers on implantation in albino Wistar rats

Shyam S. Agrawal* and Sibi P. Ittiyavirah

Abstract: The role of histamine in various stages of female reproductive functions is now understood. The anti-implantation activity of various H2 receptor blockers had been established earlier by our laboratory. The present studies were conducted to evaluate the local effects of direct intra-uterine injection of H2 receptor blockers on implantation in albino Wistar rats. The individual administration of ranitidine, famotidine and roxatidine by direct intra-uterine injection on Day 4 of pregnancy in female albino Wistar rats produced 100% anti-fertility activity probably by acting on the H2 receptors on the blastocyst. Control group animals delivered normal litters. Unilateral injection of roxatidine inhibited implantation in the treated and contralateral uterine horns of rats indicating its systemic as well as local anti-implantation activity while ranitidine and famotidine showed only the local effects on the treated uterine horns suggesting the blockade of locally derived uterine histamine in implantation. Histopathological examination of uterus revealed the absence of morphological damage to the endometrial epithelium. It is concluded that, the intra-uterine application of H2 receptor blockers prevents conception in rats.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Anti-implantation activity H2 receptor blockers, ranitidine, famotidine, roxatidine, intra-uterine injection, implantation.

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Hepatoprotective activity of Morus alba (Linn.) leaves extract against carbon tetrachloride induced hepatotoxicity in rats

M. G. Hogade*, K. S. Patil, G. H Wadkar, S. S Mathapati, P. B Dhumal

Abstract: The aim of the study is to investigate the hepatoprotective activity of Morus alba Linn. leaves extracts against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced hepatotoxicity. Leaves powder of Morus alba was successively extracted with petroleum ether extract (PEE), chloroform extract (CHE), alcoholic extract (ALE) and water extract (AQE) against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced hepatotoxicity using Standard drug Liv-52. Preliminary phytochemical tests were done. The ALE showed presence of alkaloids, flavonoides, carbohydrates, tannins and steroids, while carbohydrates, flavonoides, alkaloids were present with AQE. The PEE, CHE, ALE did not produce any mortality. Carbon tetrachloride produced significant changes in biochemical parameters (increases in serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT), Serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT), alanine phosphatase (ALP) and serum bilirubin.) and histological (damage to hepatocytes) using Standard drug Liv-52. Pretreatment with ALE and AQE extracts significantly prevented the biochemical and histological changes induced by CCl4 in the liver. The present study shows that the ALE and AQE extracts possessed hepatoprotective activity.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Carbon tetrachloride, hepatoprotective, leaves extracts of Morus alba Linn.

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