MOSP - Macao Scientific Publishers

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Effect of cimetidine on gentamicin-losartan induced - nephrotoxicity in rats

S. M. Poormoosavi, M. A. Behmanesh and H Najafzadeh*

Abstract: Drug-induced nephrotoxicity is an important cause of renal failure. Aminoglycoside antibiotics, such as gentamicin can produce nephrotoxicity, due to in part to an imbalance of pro and anti-oxidants (oxidative stress). Cytochrome P 450 is one enzyme that involved in acute renal failure. Inhibition of this enzyme may decrease drug-induced nephrotoxicity. The aim of present study was evaluating the effect of cimetidine on gentamicin-losartan nephrotoxicity in rats. A control group (saline, group 1, n = 6) was compared with rats administrated gentamaicin by intrapritoneal injection, at dose rate of 80 mg/kg, once daily for 7 days (group 2, 3 and 4). The effect of losartan (group 3) and losartan and cimetidine in combination (group 4) were compared on gentamaicin-induced nephrotoxicity. Losartan alone (group 5) and losartan with cimetidine (group 6) were used for evaluation effect of these drugs in absence of gentamicin. Renal function was assessed using serum biochemical markers including creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), sodium and potassium. Serum creatinine concentration was increased significantly in group 2 compared with group 1. Serum creatinine concentrations were significantly elevated in groups 3 than in group 2 (p = 0.001). Serum creatinine concentration was significantly decreased in groups 4 than in group 3 (p = 0.001) . Serum creatinine concentration in group 5 and 6 was similar group 1. Serum BUN concentrations were significantly elevated in groups 3 than in group 2 (p = 0.001). The cimetidine prevented BUN elevation in group 4 with comparison to group 3 but serum BUN in this group was significantly more than groups 1 and 2. Serum sodium level was significantly decreased in group 3. Serum potassium level significantly increased in group 3 and 4. Losartan severely increased gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity. Cimetidine appears to have protective effect on gentamicin-losartan-induced nephrotoxicity in rats.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Gentamicin, cimetidine, losartan, vitamin E, rats, nephrotoxicity.

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Promising antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of the aqueous ethanolic extract of carob leaves

Khaled Nagib, Omayma A. Eldahshan* and Walid F. A. M. El-Khatib

Abstract: Plants are endless reservoir for several phytochemicals including antioxidant and cytotoxic drugs. The objective of this study was the investigation of the antioxidant and the cytotoxic activities (against Vero and HEp-2 cell lines) of the aqueous ethanolic extract of carob leaves. The extract inhibited xanthine oxidase at IC50 of 244 µg/ml. There is a marked cytotoxic activity of crude aqueous extract of carob on both mammalian cell lines (Vero and HEp-2) and the effect is more obvious on the human cell line (HEp-2). The results revealed that the crude aqueous extract of carob leaves could be a promising source for antioxidant as well as antitumor bioactive agents.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Carob leaves, aqueous ethanolic extract, Ceratonia siliqua, antioxidant, xanthine oxidase, cytotoxicy.

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Biological screening of seventeen medicinal plants used in the traditional systems of medicine in Pakistan for antimicrobial activities

Farnaz Malik, Tahira Mirza, Humayun Riaz, Abdul Hameed and Shahzad Hussain

Abstract: Antibacterial properties of 51 aqueous, ethanolic and n- hexane extracts of seventeen medicinal plants from fourteen families used in the traditional system of medicines in Pakistan were tested against ten commonly prevalent gram negative and gram positive bacteria. In particular we examined the enteric pathogens and yeast using agar well diffusion method. The extracts of Eucalyptus globulus, Emblica officinalis and Sphaeranthus were found to have high levels of activity against all ten of the microorganisms. Ethanolic extracts of Azadirecta indica, Cedrella toona, Punicia granatum, Berginia ciliata and Lawsonia alba have shown considerable activity. Aqueous extracts of B. ciliata, L. alba and P. granatum have also shown low to moderate antimicrobial activity. The hexane extracts of the other fourteen medicinal plants and extracts from Calotropics procera, Melia azdirecta, Myrtus communis, Berberis aristata, Aspholedus tinuipholius had either no activity against most of the organisms or moderate activity against few organisms. Antibacterial activity of some of these plant extracts was comparable with commercially available antibiotics. Pakistan has a rich flora with broad potential for new antimicrobial agents which can be used as a substitute for current antibiotics against which wide spread resistance has developed.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Antimicrobial properties, crude extracts, Pakistani medicinal plants.

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An investigation into studentsâ€™ study habit in volumetric analysis in the senior secondary provision: A case study in Ondo State, Nigeria

Full Length Research Paper

Abstract: An investigation was carried out on students’ study habit in volumetric analysis at the senior secondary school level in Ondo State. A descriptive research design was adopted in the study. Questionnaire on study habit inventory was adapted and used to collect information from the respondents at various sampled schools. The sample comprised 240 senior secondary II chemistry students drawn from six schools in Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo State. The hypotheses investigated with respect to students’ study habit problems such as home work/ assignment, reading and note-taking, students’ concentration, time allocation, teachers’ consultation as human variables were analyzed using chi-square statistics at 0.05 level of significance. The results indicated that the main sources of students’ study problems have strong influence on students’ study habit which is causally related to the performance and consequently the efficiency of the students during the practical lesson in volumetric analysis. Based on the findings of this study, it was recommended that chemistry teachers need proper exposure and orientation to some psychological study problems in order to understand students’ developmental and intellectual progress so as to improved learners’ performances. Hence, there is a need for workshops and seminar for teachers where the importance of effective study habit behavioural pattern would be stressed.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Volumetric analysis, volumetric titration, study habit, practical activities.

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Assessment of the intrinsic and stability properties of the freeze-dried and formulated extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa Linn. (Malvaceae)

Philip F. Builders*, Chukwuemeka R. Ezeobi , Florence D. Tarfa and Modupe I. Builders

Abstract: Water extract of the calyces of Hibiscus sabdariffa Linn (Malvaceae) is used widely as a food additive and refreshing drink with proven medicinal benefits, which are attributed to its phytochemical constituents. Relevant physicochemical and stability studies have been carried out on the freeze-dried and formulated samples of aqueous extract of the calyces of H. sabdariffa. The phytochemical constituents, moisture sorption characteristics and the effect of extract concentration, light and pH on the color of the extract were determined. The stability of the anthocyanins contained in the extract and the thermal characteristics of the freeze-dried extract were also evaluated. The dye solution which has hot-pink color and a pH of 2.1 ± 0.6 contained flavonoids, glycosides, sterols, balsams, phenols, monosaccharides, free reducing and combined reducing sugars. The extract solution also showed colour and light transmittance responsiveness to changes in pH. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) - spectra and the diffraction scanning thermograms show the degradation effect of light on the extract. The dry samples of the extract showed higher photo-stability relative to the solutions. The isothermal moisture sorption profile of the powdered freeze -dried extract and the formulated granules showed characteristic sigmoidal curves corresponding to Type 2 and 5 isotherms respectively. The aqueous extract of the calyces of H. sabdariffa generally showed high light and pH sensitivity and positive tests for the presence of some active secondary plant metabolites that are probably responsible for its claimed health benefits.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Hibiscus sabdariffa, physicochemical properties, stability properties, formulation properties.

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Preparation of new formulations of anti-acne creams and their efficacy

Muhammad Athar Abbasi*, Ayesha Kausar , Aziz-ur-Rehman, Hina Saleem, Sadia Muhammad Jahangir, Sabahat Zahra Siddiqui and Viqar Uddin Ahmad

Abstract: Acne vulgaris (commonly called acne) is a common skin condition, caused by changes in the pilosebaceous units, skin structures consisting of a hair follicle and its associated sebaceous gland via androgen stimulation. In the present study six new anti-acne compositions were made for the treatment of acne and their efficacy was studied on the volunteers of age group of 20 - 28 years via topical applications. Particular emphasis was placed on treating acne conditions without drying and irritating the skin.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Acne vulgaris, pilosebaceous units, Aloe vera, bismuth subnitrate, stearic acid.

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Analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of Aloe ferox Mill. aqueous extract

M. Mwale and P. J. Masika*

Abstract: Pharmacological activities of leaf gel and pulp of Aloe ferox have been extensively evaluated. However, there is scanty information on the pharmacological activities of the whole leaf of A. ferox. Carrageenan, histamine and formaldehyde- induced rat paw oedema were conducted to evaluate anti-inflammatory activity of A. ferox whole leaf aqueous extract. Tail flick, formalin and acetic acid tests were conducted to assess the analgesic activity of the plant. A. ferox exhibited highest anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities in the highest dose (400 mg/kg) tested. This dose level exerted highest anti-inflammatory activity; 78.2 and 89.3% for carrageenan and formaldehyde-induced rat paw oedema, respectively. The analgesic activity was 57.1 and 67.3% for the 400 mg/kg dose in phase 1 and 2, respectively of formalin test and 88.2% in acetic acid test. A. ferox reduced inflammation and relieved pain in rats at the highest dose level studied. This supports the extensive use of the plant as an antihelmintic reducing the inflammation and pain that might have been caused by gastro-intestinal parasite infections.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Leaf extract, pain reduction, oedema inhibition.

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Hypothesis: A promising effect of 5-HT1A receptor agonists in alleviating motor symptoms of Parkinsonâ€™s disease

Review

Abstract: Parkinson©s disease (PD) is a disease caused by degeneration of dopaminergic neurons of substantia nigra, pars compacta. The fact that serotonergic system is also involved in PD has been raised from previous studies. Drugs that have effect on 5-HT1A receptors of basal ganglia might inhibit and facilitate serotonin and dopamine release, respectively. Augmentation of 5-HT1A agonists (e.g., buspirone) to anti-parkinsonian and neuroleptic drugs (D2 receptor blockers) may increase efficiency of anti-parkinsonian drugs and may also prevent motor complications induced by neuroleptic drugs.[...] Read More.

Keywords: 5-HT1A receptor, motor symptom, Parkinson disease.

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In vitro activity of cranberry extract against etiological agents of urinary tract infections

Mohammad Rahbar* and Kambiz Diba

Abstract: Cranberries have long been the focus of interest for their beneficial effects in preventing urinary tract infections (UTIs). The objective of this study was to determine in vitro activity of cranberry extract on common etiologic agents of urinary tract infections isolated from patients. Filter sterilized methanol extract of cranberry was prepared and used in the present study. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was evaluated for active crude extract. The MIC value of methanol extract were 0.391 mg/ml for Enterobacter aerogenes and Staphylococcus aureus whereas the MIC of methanol extract of cranberry were 1.2500 and 0.0195 mg/ml for Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae respectively. The lower MIC value of cranberry extract against K. pneumoniae in comparison to other three organisms suggests that K. pneumoniae showed greater sensitivity towards the extracts of the cranberry extract.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Antibacterial activity, cranberry, urinary tract infections.

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Effect of fractionation on antiradical efficacy of ethyl acetate extract of Terminalia chebula Retz.

Harpreet Walia, Rajbir Singh, Subodh Kumar and Saroj Arora*

Abstract: There is currently an upsurge of interest in phytochemicals as new sources of natural antioxidants. The aim is to use them in foods and pharmaceutical preparations in order to replace synthetic antioxidants, which are being restricted due to their potential health risks and toxicity. The relative levels of antioxidant activity and the total phenolic content of ethyl acetate extract/fractions of Terminalia chebula have been determined using DPPH, Deoxyribose, Reducing power, Chelating power, Lipid peroxidation, DNA nicking assay and the Folin- Ciocalteu colorimetric method. There was a positive linear correlation between antioxidant activity and total phenolic content of ethyl acetate extract/fractions. Thus, it was concluded that phenolic compounds were the predominant antioxidant components in the fruits of T. chebula. The extract was prepared by maceration method at room temperature and further fractionated with ethyl acetate and water. It was observed that the free radical scavenging activity of fractions was comparatively more as compared to their crude extract and ethyl acetate fraction showed the maximum effect in all assays. The percent inhibition with ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) of ethyl acetate extract was observed to be 71.5, 90.0, 75.1, 74.3 and 77.6% in DPPH, site specific and non-site specific deoxyribose, chelating power and lipid peroxidation assays, respectively at maximum concentration tested.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Terminalia chebula, oxidative stress, phytochemicals, antioxidants, lipid peroxidation.

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