Evaluation of the effect of a plant alkaloid [berberin derived from berberis aristata] on trichomonas vaginalis in vitro

Berberine is a quaternary alkaloid derived from the plant Berberis aristata having antibanterial, antiamoebic, antifungal, antihelminthic, leishmanicidal and tuberculostatic properties. The effect of berberine sulphate salt on the growth of Trichomonas vaginalis in vitro was compared to the efficacy of metronidazole as a reference drug. Results showed that berberine sulphate was comparable to metronidazole as regards potency with the advantage of being more safe and possible replacement in metronidazole resistant cases

Platelet monoamine oxidase activity in schizophrenia

Platelet monoamine oxidase activity was assessed in 50 schizophrenics and 30 controls. The platelet MAO activity was significantly lower in schizophrenics compared to controls. There was no significant difference between paranoid and disorganized schizophrenics regarding platelet MAO activity. Schizophrenics with negative symptoms showed significantly lower platelet MAO activity than those with positive symptoms. The platelet MAO activity in patients with positive family history of schizophrenia was significantly lower than schizophrenics with negative family history

Evaluation of the antiparasitic effect of aqueous garlic [allium sativum] extract in hymenolepiasis nana and giardiasis

The effect of serial dilutions of crude garlic [Allium sativum] extract on adult Hymenolepis nana was studied to detect the minimal lethal concentration which was found to be 1/20. A. sativum was tried in the treatment of 10 children infected with H. nana and 26 infected with G. lamblia as 5 ml crude extract in 100 ml water in 2 doses per day, or commercial preparation [0. 6 mg capsules] 2 capsules twice day for 3 days. A. sativum was found to be efficient, safe and shortens the duration of treatment. The possible mode of action of A. sativum and the correlation between the clinical and parasitological findings were discussed

Pattern of eosinophilia and muscle larval burdens in experimental trichinosis

Absolute eosinophilic counts to different developmental stages of Trichinella spiralis in experimental trichinosis were studied to identify the stage responsible for eosinophilia. Two peaks of eosinophilia were noticed, the first [545 +/- 172.3] was attributed to the adult stage while the migrating larvae were accused to be responsible for the more pronounced second peak [1265 +/- 331.7]. With encapsulation a steady raised level was demonstrated. Chromatographic studies to determine the nature of eosinophilogens produced by the different stages are recommended. The role of eosinophils in damaging the parasite is discussed in details. No correlation could be determined between muscle larval burden and eosinophilic count