ABSTRACT
Aims: The anticonceptive effect of the diethyl ether extract of Ricinus communis Linn (RICOM 1013-1) was studied in rats alongside pharmacognostic properties, amino acids content and elemental analysis. Study Design and Methodology: 20 adult female albino Wistar rats were randomized into four experimental groups of five rats each. The first, second and third groups received 3, 10 and 20 mg/kg of diethyl ether extract administered subcutaneously (SC) in divided doses over two days, respectively. The fourth group received 0.1 ml of corn oil for two days and served as control. They were then mated with proven fertile males in a ratio of 3:1 and followed for three gestation periods. The first day of mating was termed day 0 of pregnancy. In addition, amino acid and elemental analyses were undertaken as well as a phytochemical screening of the seed of RICOM-1013-J. Results: At doses of 3, 10 and 20 mg/kg, RICOM-1013-J produced dose-dependent inhibition of pregnancy in female albino Wistar rats over three gestation periods. The total ash value obtained was 3.13 ± 0.26%, while the acid-insoluble and water-soluble ash values were 0.30 ± 0.003% and 0.20±0.003%, respectively. The yield to ethanol was much higher than the water-soluble extract. Essential and non-essential amino acids were not detected. K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+ were present in high concentrations in the following order: defatted undecorticated>undecorticated>decorticated samples. Phytochemical screening indicated the presence of steroids and alkaloids whereas, triterpenes, tannins and flavonoids were absent. Conclusion: The pharmacognostic parameters, including elemental values, provide some preliminary data for identification of this species among many varieties reported in the literature.
ABSTRACT
Background: Until recently; availability of anti-retroviral therapy (ART) in Nigeria has been limited to government and university based programs. Through the United States' President's Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief (PEPFAR); additional funding has become available for the treatment of HIV-positive patients. Objective: To report the expansion of HIV-1 screening; enrollment in an ART program; and treatment outcomes over twelve months among HIV-positive patients at a nonprofit; non-governmental faith-based clinic providing free and holistic care in Jos City; Plateau State; Nigeria. Design: This was a retrospective analysis of HIV-1 screening and ART received by patients at Faith Alive Foundation Hospital (FAFH). From January through December 2005; voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) was freely available to all patients who requested it. Also beginning in December 2004; HIV-1 infected patients were enrolled in an expanded HIV/AIDS program at FAFH; where patients in clinical stages 3 or 4 based on World Health Organiza- tion (WHO) clinical classification; or had a CD4+ cell count of less than 200/ ml; were initiated on a simplified highly active ART (HAART) regimen through PEPFAR funding. Data from the first six quarters of the FAFH-PEPFAR ART program are presented here. Additionally; analysis of 645 patients who have received ART for one year; including changes in CD4+ cell count from baseline is shown. Results: In 2005; a total of 7672 persons received VCT and 3869 (50.4) HIV-1 positive results were found. From October 2004 to March 2006; the total number of patients enrolled in the FAFH HIV/AIDS program rose from 1330 to 5946 people. Over the same period; the number of patients who received ART increased from 302 to 1667. A majority of patients received an oral ART regimen consisting of generic nevirapine; lamivudine; and stavudine. The number of patients initiated on ART each quarter ranged from 57-578; and the number of deaths of patients on ART was between 12 and 21 people per quarter. Analysis of 645 patients initiated on ART during the first quarter of the FAFH-PEPFAR ART program revealed that the median CD4+ cell count at baseline was 106/ml and the median increase was 173/ml (median time of follow-up; 7.0 months). Conclusions: Comprehensive HIV/AIDS care has been significantly expanded at FAFH; a free and holistic medical center in Jos; Nigeria. Cumulative data from the first year of this PEPFAR-funded ART program indicated that promising outcomes are achievable through delivery of care at this faith-based medical center