ABSTRACT
The aqueous root extract of Cochlospermum tinctorium (CTR) was investigated for its phytochemical composition; acute oral toxicity and hepatoprotective effect on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced liver damage in rats. Phytochemical screening indicates the presence of alkaloids; tannins; cardiac glycosides; saponins; flavonoids; triterpenes; cyanogenic glycosides and volatile oils while steroids and anthraquinones were absent. Administration of 5000 mg/kg (body weight) of the extract orally did not produce any death in the rats within the observable period. The extract at 100 - 300 mg/kg (body weight) significantly and dose dependently reduced the levels of Alanine aminotransferase (ALT); Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) enzymes levels in the CCl4 -treated rats. The values of serum albumin; serum total protein and reduced glutathione in the extract treated groups of rats remained comparatively higher than its values in the CCl4 - treated group. The pretreatment of the rats with the extract produced a significant (P 0.05) reduction in blood clotting time. The histopathological findings were in support of the biochemical changes recorded during the study. These results suggest that aqueous root extract of CTR possess hepatoprotective effect against CCl4- induced liver damage in rats and the extract at 5000 mg/kg body weight appeared to be safe when administered orally
Subject(s)
Adult , Bixaceae , Carbon Tetrachloride , Liver Diseases , Plant ExtractsABSTRACT
Background: This study examines the diagnosis of malaria and pattern of prescription of antimalarial drugs in the most vulnerable age group (the under 5 children) in the study environment in order to identify the possible shortcomings and suggest solutions so as to improve the treatment outcome in future. Methods: The hospital records of 430 children with malaria infection admitted for treatment in a chosen tertiary health facility between January to December 2005 were selected for study. Forty-eight case records were excluded due to incomplete information. Data on demographic; clinical features of disease; diagnostic procedures; drug administration and the treatment out come were collected from the patients' records. Results: Analysis of the data revealed that more male (213) than female (169) children were admitted for malaria treatment: Fever with convulsion (55.8) was the commonest presenting symptoms; and anemia was the most frequent complications of malaria recorded. Chloroquine was found to be the most prescribed antimalarial agent and overall antemisinin-based drug was prescribed either as a first or second line treatment in only 18.2of the cases. The death rate recorded was 16. Conclusion: The pattern of antimalarial drugs prescription in the study center in most cases did not meet the recommended guidelines. The prescriptions were predominantly chloroquine; instead of artemisinin based. The death rate was comparatively high. Measures to raise the level of awareness among the practitioners on the current National policy on malaria treatment through seminars and workshops were suggested