ABSTRACT
This paper explores the unique realities and effects of Covid-19 as experienced in the global North and global South with special reference to Canada and sub-Saharan Africa; it also examines the moral responsibilities countries have towards their own people and the duty they have to work together to minimise and mitigate the devastating effects of the pandemic worldwide. We illuminate the importance of countries sharing their own world views, strengths, and expertise, and learning from one another in order to better situate all in tackling the pandemic. We argue that it is only insofar as all countries work collaboratively commensurate to each party’s capacity to contribute towards the tackling of the Covid-19 pandemic that we may truly be said to be “all in this together”. Keywords; Covid-19, global North, global South, solidarity, sub-Saharan Africa, global health
ABSTRACT
Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) poses immense challenge to the health of people worldwide. Current therapies are limited by cost and adverse effects. Solanum nigrum, a complex of many species in the family Solanaceae has been recorded to be used by many communities in the management of DM. The aim of this study was to evaluate the phytochemical, antidiabetic efficacy and safety of two species, namely; Solanum villosum and S. nigrum var sarrachoides using streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice model.Methods: Qualitative assessment for phytochemical constituents was carried out. Acute toxicity was conducted based on 慜rganisation of Economic Cooperation and Development� 2001 guidelines. Diabetes was induced by injection of streptozotocin at a dose of 200 mg/kg body weight intraperitoneal after the mice fasted for 8 hours. Aqueous extracts were administered orally using an oral gavage at doses of 150, and 300 mg/kg body weight for each plant daily and monitored weekly for 28 days.Results: Both plants contain vital phytochemicals. Flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, saponins, phenols, and glycosides were present in both plants. However, phytosterols and coumarins were absent in S. villosum. Additionally, both plants did not show toxicity. Both plants showed efficacy with S. nigrum var sarrachoides being more potent at both doses.Conclusions: The study validates the use of these plants by herbalists and recommends further studies on them with the aim of elucidating the active compounds that can be used as novel therapies for diabetes. Additionally, the study recommends the evaluation of other species in this complex for antidiabetic properties.
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Background: Tea is a beverage that is most widely consumed worldwide. Studies have shown that oral consumption of tea has health benefits however, there is paucity of data in Kenya detailing the biochemical effects of tea in the liver and elucidation of its mechanism of action.Methods: The polyphenol composition and antioxidant capacity of tea were determined by HPLC and the Folins Ciocalteu spectrophotometric methods. Metal levels were determined using flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS). Aqueous black and green tea extracts were administered to the rats at dosages of 400mg/kg b.w.t. The effect of tea on total blood proteins, Albumin, ZHX1, TBARS, AST, ALP and ALT were determined by spectrophotometric methods. The body weight of each rat was also determined at one week interval.Results: Total Polyphenols (TP), Total Catechins (TC) and Antioxidant Activity (AA) between the black and green teas were significantly (P<0.05) different. Green tea had the highest levels of TP (19.70-26.12%), TC (8.51%-17.60%) and AA (86.65%-94.50%). Tea did not have a significant (P>0.05) effect on TP, ALB, ALT, AST, ALP, MDA and ZHX1 in the test animals compared with the controls. This data indicates that green tea is rich in catechins while black tea being rich in Theaflavins (TFs) and Thearubigins (TRs). Both tea products possess essential and non-essential metals well within the maximum permissible concentrations.Conclusions: Findings from this study indicate both green and black tea aqueous extracts have polyphenols and high antioxidant activity. Administration of the aqueous tea extracts have no toxicological effect on the liver.
ABSTRACT
In this commentary on Section 9 (Social and Behavioural Sciences Research for Health) of the National Ethical Guidelines for Biomedical and Health Research Involving Human Participants (2017) by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), we appreciate that the guidelines clarify that human beings are “research participants” and not merely “subjects”. Further, we appreciate and commend the ICMR for: i) contextualising the guidelines to India’s unique sociocultural and economic situation and ii) affirming the multidisciplinary nature of health research and the wide scope of social and behavioural research. However, we question the prominence given to the difference between biomedical research and other aspects of health research and the description of social and psychological risks and discomforts as minor risks. Finally, we suggest that the guidelines would express greater value and diversity of the social aspects of health if they recommended wider representation of these aspects in the composition of research ethics committees.