ABSTRACT
Aims: To investigate the effect of Carica papaya leaves on some haematological parameters (PCV, RBC, Hb, WBC and differential blood counts) were investigated. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Amassoma, Bayelsa-State, Nigeria, between. Methods: Thirty male albino rats were randomly allotted to five groups of six rats per group. Haemoglobin (Hb) was determined spectrophotometrically by the cyanomethaemoglobin method, Red blood cells (RBC), was estimated by haemocytometer, using adopted standard procedure. Group1 (negative control) were fed with 100% rat feed. Groups 2- 4 were pretreated with 10, 30 and 50% C. papaya L respectively, while Group 5 (normal control) received 100% rat feed. Rats in groups (1-4), were injected with CCl4 (0.5 ml/kg body weight in 0.5 ml olive oil) on the 29th day while rats in group 5 were not administered with CCl4 (normal control). Results: The results were statistically analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). There were significant increases (p≤ 0.05) in the levels of Hb, PCV, RBC, lymphocytes and decreased WBC and neutrophils in rats in group 5 (normal control) as against the negative control (group 1). Rats groups pretreated with 10, 30 and 50% Carica papaya (groups 2, 3 and 4 respectively), showed significant increased (p≤ 0.05) PCV, RBC and Hb levels, when compared with untreated rats (group 1). Rats that were administered with CCl4 only (negative control), showed significant increases (p≤ 0.05) in the levels of WBC and neutrophils. However, incorporation of 10, 30 and 50% Carica papaya in groups 2, 3 and 4 respectively, significantly decreased the levels of WBC and neutrophils, when compared with rats in untreated group 1. Monocytes levels significantly increased (p≤ 0.05) in rats pre-treated with 30% and 50% Carica papaya (groups 3 and 4 respectively). While, there was zero level of basophils in all the groups. Conclusion: Carica papaya L, may therefore possess and confer erythropoietic properties on rats pretreated groups as evident in the increased levels of Hb, PCV, RBC and lymphocytes.
ABSTRACT
Background: Helicobacter pylori has become recognized as a major cause of gastroduodenal diseases in man. Evidence indicates that once acquired; H. pylori persists; usually for life unless eradicated by antimicrobial therapy. Over the past few years; we have accumulated some knowledge of the epidemiology of H. pylori in Ile-Ife; South-West Nigeria. In one collaborative study; we detected H. pylori in 195 (73) patients referred for endoscopy at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC). Furthermore we have observed a variegated gastric inflammatory response and atrophy including atrophic pangastritis but are yet to demonstrate MALToma in any of our patients. In addition we have demonstrated that dental plaque is a possible source of gastric H. pylori infection and such an endogenous source could account for difficulty in eradication leading to re-infection. Presently; infected patients are treated with standard combination therapy made up of amoxycilin and ciprofloxacin with a proton pump inhibitor /bismuth. Reports however have shown that the incidence of antimicrobial resistance in Helicobacter pylori is a growing problem and which has been linked with failures in treatment and eradication. Given this situation it has become necessary to have information about the susceptibility of isolates to particular antimicrobial agents before the selection of an appropriate treatment regimen. Objectives: More recently; we sought to study antimicrobial susceptibility of locally isolated H. pylori strains. Methods: We subjected 32 isolates to antimicrobial susceptibility testing against seven agents. Results: All the isolates showed multiple acquired antimicrobial resistance as they were all resistant to amoxicillin; clarithromycin; metronidazole; while 29/31; 27/31 showed resistance to rifampicin and tetracycline respectively. Five (15.6) of these isolates showed resistance to ciprofloxacin. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that H. pylori strains isolated within our study environment have acquired resistance to all the commonly pres-cribed antibiotics. On the basis of the findings it would be necessary to re-evaluate the eradication treatment regime in our setting