Therapeutic potential of concurrent administration of Hippocratea africana and Eremomastax speciosa in the treatment of Plasmodium berghei infected mice

Context: Despite the commonness of polyherbal therapy among the locals in the treatment of malaria in Nigeria, there are no adequate data on the therapeutic potentials and safety profile of these herbal combinations. The use of these plants in combination in the treatment of suspected and confirmed malaria infection is very common among the Niger Delta dwellers in Nigeria. Aim: To evaluate the therapeutic potential of co-administration of Hippocratea Africana, a medicinal plant with well documented antimalarial properties, and Eremomastax speciosa, a tropical plant with well reported antianaemic potential and haematoprotective properties. Materials and Methods: Thirty albino mice, whose weights ranged between 32 - 37g, were divided into five groups having six mice in each. Clinical features, weight changes and parasite clearance were evaluated to determine therapeutic potential of treatments. An inoculum which consisted of 5 x 107 Plasmodium berghei infested erythrocytes per ml of blood from a donor mouse with 64% parasitaemia was injected into each mouse by intraperitoneal route. The mice were kept at room temperature of 28.0 ± 20C for 7 days for the parasite to develop. A non-parasitized mice group served as normal control. After parasitaemia was confirmed using standard procedure, 200mg/kg and 300mg/Kg body weights of Hippocratea Africana root bark and Eremomastax speciosa leaf extracts respectively, were administered by oral routes to the respective groups of mice for 6 days. A parasitized group was treated with fixed doses of 3mg/kg body weight of Artemether and 18mg/kg body weight of Lumefantrine. Another parasitized group was left untreated. Results: Mice treated concurrently with the extracts of H. africana and E. speciosa showed a significant improvement in clinical signs in comparison to the untreated group. The mean body weights of mice administered both extracts was significantly (P < 0.05) increased when compared to the parasitized untreated mice and those treated with extracts separately. The mice treated concurrently with the two extracts also showed significant (P < 0.05) reduction in percentage parasitaemia and significant (P < 0.05) increase in percentage parasite clearance comparable to that of Artemether-lumefantrine. The parasitized untreated group recorded 50% mortality, while the group treated concurrently with the two extracts did not record any mortality.

Experimental murine model of intra-abdominal infections caused by some non-albicans Candida species

Background: Even though intra-abdominal candidiasis (IAC) has been increasingly recognized, with associated high morbidity and mortality rates, its pathogenesis remains poorly understood. This model aims to study the pathogenicity and invivo susceptibility of non-albicans Candida species associated with IAC in human in order to predict the frequency of infections, outcome of clinical disease and response to antifungal therapy. Methodology: Both immunosuppressed and immunocompetent female CD-1 mice were challenged intraperitoneally with 5 x 108 CFU/ml inoculum of five non-albicans Candida strains; Candida glabrata, Candida parapsilosis, Candida lipolytica, Candida tropicalis and Candida guilliermondii. Mice were closely observed for symptoms. Treated groups received voriconazole (40 mg/kg/day) or micafungin (10 mg/kg/day) 24 hours after infection depending on invitro susceptibility results. Survival rate, mean survival time and fungal tissue burdens were recorded for all groups. Results: All infected groups developed hepatosplenomegaly, peritonitis and multiple abscesses on intra-abdominal organs and mesenteries. C. glabrata and C. lipolytica represented the most and the least virulent strains respectively in terms of survival rate, mean survival time and fungal burden in both immunosuppressed and immunocompetent models. Following treatment, all immunocompetent animals survived the entire duration of experiments (0% mortality rate), while mortality rate was relatively high (20-60%) in immunosuppressed mice. Treatment failed to eradicate the infection in immunosuppressed mice despite significant decrease of the fungal burden and increase mean survival time. Conclusion: This study reports an increasing pathogenicity of non-albicans Candida species, with persistent infection among immunosuppressed animals

Evaluation of Antiulcer Properties of Ethanolic and hot Aqueous Stem Extracts of Synclisia Scabrida on Experimentally Induced Ulcer Models in Albino Mice

The treatment of peptic ulcer disease poses therapeutic challenges to both patients and physicians alike because of the tendency of ulcers to relapse. Drugs used in the treatment of this disease are either costly or are associated with high incidence of adverse effects. Synclisia scabrida is a plant used in ethnomedicine for the treatment of various forms of stomach disorders and menstrual pains. The medicinal properties of the plants are claimed to reside in the roots; stems; and the leaves. Aim : This study; therefore; is to verify this claim and elucidate the probable mechanism of action by using crude stem extracts of this plant on drug- and stress-induced ulcer models in albino mice. Materials and Methods : Crude ethanol and hot water extracts; EE and HWE respectively; of the stem were prepared. These extracts were fractionated and separated by chromatographic methods and the fractions pooled together as fractions (PF-1; PF-2; PF-3 respectively) based on their chromatographic mobility and color reactions. Phytochemical analysis was done on the extracts. Ulcer models were induced in albino mice by means of indomethacin; histamine; and stress after prior cytoprotection with orally administered crude extracts and control (cimetidine). Results : Phytochemical analysis of the crude extracts and their fractions revealed the presence of cardiac glycosides (+++); tannins (+++); saponins (+); flavonoids (++); carbohydrates (++) and alkaloids (+++). Acute toxicity study on the crude extracts and their fractions revealed relative safety at the dose of 5000 mg/kg. The crude extracts (EE and HWE) and their fractions (PF-1; PF-2; PF-3) significantly (P = 0.001) protected against indomethacin-; histamine- and stress-induced ulcers. The decrease in GIT motility produced by these extracts was comparable to that produced by atropine sulfate. Conclusion : The findings suggest that these extracts of Synclisia scabrida possess antiulcer and antispasmodic properties; which justify the claims for its use in the treatment of various forms of stomach disorders

Enhanced Antimalarial Effects of Chloroquine by Aqueous Vernonia Amygdalina Leaf Extract in Mice Infected with Chloroquine Resistant and Sensitive Plasmodium berghei strains

Background: The emergence and spread of Plasmodium falciparum with resistance to chloroquine (CQ); the safest and cheapest antimalarial drug coupled with the increasing cost of alternative drugs especially in developing countries have necessitated the need to optimize antimalarial actions of plant extracts and restore chloroquine efficacy. Objective: The present study determines the ability of Vernonia amygdalina leaf extract to enhance the prophylactic and therapeutic efficacy of chloroquine against Plasmo- dium berghei malaria in mice. Methods: Chloroquine sensitive (P. bergheiS) and resistant (P.bergheiR) ANKA clones of Plasmodium berghei maintained by serial passage in mice were used to develop respective experimental rodent malaria models based on intraperitoneal injection of 106 parasitize erythrocyte suspension in PBS (pH 7.2) and subsequent development of parasitaemia. These models were then used to investigate the prophylactic enhancement of chloroquine (CQ) at 5 mg/kg via combination with selected doses (31.25; 62.5; 125mg/kbw) of Vernonia amygdalina leaf extracts using a 4-day suppression test. Effect of these combinations on the therapeutic efficacy of CQ at 30mg/kg over 3 days were evaluated. Treatment outcomes including parasite clearance (PCT) and rescrudescent time (RT) were compared with CQchlorpheniramine com-bination. The acute toxicity of the extract-CQ combinations was also determined enzymatically. Results: Prophylatically; chloroquine (5mg/kg) in combination with vernonia extracts achieved a dose-dependent (57.2 - 72.7) suppression of parasitaemia due to CQ sensitive and resistant P berghei strains in the experimental animals. Therapeutically; chloroquine (30mg/kg for 3 days) combined with vernonia to dose-dependently shorten the parasite clearance times (2.6 - 4.4 vs. 4.8 days; P 0.05 for CQ-V62.5/125 combination); prolong the recrudescent times (8.9 - 18.9 vs. 7.2 days; P 0.05) and improve day 14 cure rate (66.7 - 100 vs. 58.3) in the treated P. bergheiS infected mice compared to CQ monotherapy. Whereas CQ monotherapy failed; resolution of parasitaemia due to the CQ resistant parasite with day 14 cure rates of 25 - 100were also observed with these combinations. In therapeutic terms; the potencies of CQ-V125 combination were comparable to those of CQ-chlorpheniramine (0.25mg/kg; 12hourly; 7 days) in the infected animals. Toxicity testing indicates that these combinations elicited mild to - moderate increases in the liver enzymes measured when adminis- tered orally to mice for 7 days. Conclusion: This study indicates that Vernonia amygdalina leaf extract dose - dependently restore the efficacy of CQ against CQ resistance P. berghei malaria in mice

Effect of Centella Asiatica Extract on Nociception; Experimental Diabetes and Hyperlipidemia in Mice and Rats

This study was undertaken to determine the effect of Centella asiatica aqueous extract (CAEt) on nociception; experimental diabetes and hyperlipidemia in mice and rats. The extract was administered orally and the effects of different doses of the extract on nociception in mice; on blood glucose; glucose-6-phosphatase; and serum and tissue lipids in rats with alloxan-induced diabetes were studied. Diclofenac and chlopropamide were used as standard drugs for nociception and diabetes; respectively. The doses of extract administered were 150; 300; 500 mg/kg body weight. The data obtained indicated that the aqueous extract of Centella asiatica exhibited anti-nociceptive activity in mice. Results of the anti-diabetic study indicated that the extract suppressed the elevated blood glucose. In anti-hyperlipidemic study; lipid levels didn't change in diabetic rats treated with CAEt. These findings show that the extract possesses anti-nociceptive and anti-diabetic activities

Antitumour Activity of Methanolic Extract of Plumeria alba L. Leaves against Dalton Lymphoma Ascites in Mice

Purpose: To evaluate Plumeria alba leaves for antitumor activity against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) and Dalton lymphoma ascites (DLA) bearing Swiss albino mice. Method: The antitumour activity of the methanolic extract of Plumeria alba leaves (MPA) was evaluated against EAC and DLA using in-vitro cytotoxic and mean survival time; a decrease in the tumour volume and viable cell count in the DLA tumour hosts. The animal was observed for improvement in the haematological parameters (e.g.; heamoglobin content; red and white blood cells count; and differential cell count) following MPA treatment of the tumour bearing mice. Results: MPA was found to be cytotoxic in the in-vitro model. Intraperitoneal administration of MPA increased the survival time; dead cell count haematological parameters and solid tumour mass was also significantly reduced. Conclusion: MPA possesses significant antitumour activity

Prevention of Radiation Induced Hematological Alterations by Medicinal Plant Rosmarinus Officinalis; in Mice

The modulatory influence of Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) leaves extract was investigated in Swiss albino mice at a dose of 3 Gy gamma radiation. For this purpose; adult Swiss albino mice were irradiated with 3 Gy gamma rays in the presence (experimental) or absence (control) of rosemary (1000 mg/kg body wt.). These animals were necropsied and their blood was collected at days 1; 3; 5; 10; 20 and 30 post-irradiation. A decrease in the number of erythrocyte and leucocyte counts; hemoglobin content and hematocrit percentage was scored in the control group; whereas a recovery pattern was recorded in experimental animals and a normal value of hematological parameters were regained by day 30 post-treatment. In irradiated group; glutathione level was registered low in the blood; whereas a significant elevation was estimated in rosemary pre-treated animals. An increase in lipid peroxidation level above normal was evident in serum of irradiated mice; while a significant decrease in such values was noted in rosemary pretreated group. The present study suggests the possible radioprotective ability of rosemary extract

In Vivo Screening of Antimalarial Activity of Acacia Mellifera (Benth) (Leguminosae) on Plasmodium Berghei in Mice

The activities of total extracts and lupane triterpenes; isolated from the stem bark of Acacia mellifera;were evaluated against Plasmodium berghei strain ANKA in a female Swiss mouse model. Five isolated compounds and the crude extracts were evaluated for antimalarial activity and Quinine hydrochloride was used as a positive control. Only betulin and the methanolic extract produced considerable antimalarial activity in mice infected with P. berghei parasites. This study demonstrated the presence of bioactive agents in Acacia mellifera

Piroxicam-Induced Hepatic and Renal Histopathological Changes in Mice

Piroxicam is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug widely used in rheumatic diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate Piroxicam-induced histopathological changes in livers and kidneys of male albino mice.Methods: Animals were classified into a control group and 4 treated groups. Piroxicam was injected intraperitoneally using 0.3 mg/kg every day for four weeks. Each week a group of mice was sacrificed. Liver and kidneys were obtained for histological and histochemical examination. Animals were classified into a control group and 4 treated groups. Piroxicam was injected intraperitoneally using 0.3 mg/kg every day for four weeks. Each week a group of mice was sacrificed. Liver and kidneys were obtained for histological and histochemical examination.Results: Liver sections appeared with inflammatory cellular infiltration; vacuolated hepatocytes; dilated sinusoids; and increased number of Kupffer cells. Kidney sections appeared with some cellular inflammations. The glomeruli were shrunk resulting in widening of the urinary space. Oedema and vacuolations were noticed in the tubular cells. There was a positive correlation between these pathological changes and the increased treatment periods. Histochemical staining revealed that glycogen and protein contents had decreased in the hepatocytes. This depletion worsened gradually in liver cells after two; three; and four weeks. Similar depletion of the glycogen content was observed in kidney tissue. However; protein content appeared to be slightly decreased in the kidney tubules and glomeruli. Incensement of coarse chromatin in the nuclei of hepatocytes; Kupffer cells and most inflammatory cells were detected by Fuelgen method. Kidney tissues appeared with a severe decrease in coarse chromatin in the nuclei.Liver sections appeared with inflammatory cellular infiltration; vacuolated hepatocytes; dilated sinusoids; and increased number of Kupffer cells. Kidney sections appeared with some cellular inflammations. The glomeruli were shrunk resulting in widening of the urinary space. Oedema and vacuolations were noticed in the tubular cells. There was a positive correlation between these pathological changes and the increased treatment periods. Histochemical staining revealed that glycogen and protein contents had decreased in the hepatocytes. This depletion worsened gradually in liver cells after two; three; and four weeks. Similar depletion of the glycogen content was observed in kidney tissue. However; protein content appeared to be slightly decreased in the kidney tubules and glomeruli. Incensement of coarse chromatin in the nuclei of hepatocytes; Kupffer cells and most inflammatory cells were detected by Fuelgen method. Kidney tissues appeared with a severe decrease in coarse chromatin in the nuclei.Conclusion: Piroxicam has a time-dependent toxic effect on both liver and kidney tissues

Aspects morphologiques de l'effet de l'hydroxyanisol butyle sur l'hyperplasie thyroidienne chez la souris ICR

Ce travail avait pour objet d'etudier; en utilisant une approche morphologique l'effet du BHA sur l'hyperplasie thyroidienne induite chez la souris ICR par un regime carence en iode et l'administration de PTU ou de perchlorate. Nous avons observe; que le BHA a un effet antigoitrigene chez les souris traitees au LID et PTU; il induit une reduction du volume relatif de l'epithelium; une reaccumulation du colloide; une reduction de la proliferation cellulaire et une reduction de la vasodilatation Par ailleurs; le BHA induirait une augmentation de l'interstitium non vasculaire pour une raison qu'il reste a elucider. La confrontation de nos observations avec certains aspects de la physiologie thyroidienne nous fait evoquer deux hypotheses pour expliquer l'action vasodilatation du BHA sur la cellule thyroidienne; une inhibition de la secretion de TSH par l'hypophyse ou une resistance de la glande a la TSH. D'autres etudes fonctionnelles devront elucider ce point

Dynamique de transmission de schistosoma Mansoni en milieu peri-urbain (quartier de Nkolbisson; Yaounde): infestation naturelle d'un hote definitif; la souris blanche; aux differents points de contact homme/eau

Cette etude de la dynamique de transmission de schistosoma Mansoni aborde les facteurs sociaux comportementaux et environnementaux de la maladie; avec en prealable l'identification des sites a risque de transmission. Elle a finalement permis de preciser plusieurs points utiles a la mise en place d'une politique de lutte efficace contre la bilharziose a Nkolbisson

A preliminary study on intermediate snail hosts of schistosomes in River Enyau; Arua district; Uganda

A total of 1260 snail intermediate hosts of both Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma haemotobium were collected along the non-seasonal River Enyau which lies half a kilometre west of Arua; a north-western Uganda town. The snails collected were Biomphalaria pfeifferi 709: Biomphalaria choanomphala 457; Bulinus Bulinus tropicus 94. These were screened for cercariae shedding and 25 B. pfeifferi and 12 B. choanomphalal shed mammalian cercaricae while none of the Bulinus (Bulinus) tropicus shed any cercariae. River Enyau Biomphalaria snails were susceptible to a Schistosoma mansoni strain from Entebbe. Cercariae derived from these snails and also those found infected in the River Enyau were confirmed to be S. mansoni using laboratory mice