Résumé
Aims: To investigate the antipyretic effect of ethanol extract of Curcuma zedoaria Rosc. (Zingiberaceae) rhizome in animal model. Study Design: Extraction of plant constituents and evaluation of elevated body temperature lowering activity. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pharmacy, North South University, Dhaka between October 2012 and August 2013. Methodology: We have performed phytochemical screening and evaluated antipyretic activity of ethanol extract of the rhizome of Curcuma zedoaria by yeast-induced pyresis method. Ethanol extract of Curcuma zedoaria rhizome was administered to healthy rats. Results: The results showed that the ethanol extract of Curcuma zedoaria significantly reduced yeast-induced elevated body temperature in rats in a dose dependent manner and the antipyretic effect at a dose of 750 mg/kg was comparable to that of the standard antipyretic drug paracetamol (10 mg/kg). Phytochemical screening of ethanol extract showed presence of tannins, flavonoids, saponins, alkaloids, terpinoids, carbohydrates and steroids as main constituents in Curcuma zedoaria extract some of which may possess antipyretic activity. Conclusion: The results justify the traditional use of the ethanol extract of Curcuma zedoaria in the treatment of fever.
Résumé
Transfusion-dependent children are more prone to acquiring various transfusion-transmitted infections (TTIs), such as hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV), HIV, and others. Since the magnitude of these infections among thalassaemic children in Bangladesh is not well-known, this study was conducted to assess the prevalence of TTIs among them (who received more than three blood transfusions) compared to their age- and sex-matched controls (non-thalassaemics and those who had never had a transfusion). Seromarkers for HBV, HCV, HDV, Treponema pallidum, and HIV were tested, and the results were analyzed using SPSS/Windows 10.5. Of 259 children studied, 152 (58.69%) were thalassaemic (mean age 6.8 +/- 3.6 years), and 107 were controls (mean age 6.7 +/- 3.53 years). The HBV and HCV-markers were found significantly more often among multi-transfused thalassaemic children than among the controls in terms of HBsAg (13.8% vs 6.5%, p < 0.04), anti-HBc total (39.5% vs 9.4%, p < 0.0001), and anti-HCV (12.5% vs 0.9%, p < 0.0001). HBeAg did not differ (p = 0.82) between the thalassaemics (9.52%) and the controls (14.28%), whereas anti-HBe differed (0% vs 57.14%, p < 0.003). Neither the thalassaemics nor the controls were positive for HDV, HIV, or T. pallidum. Since more thalassaemic children acquired hepatitis B and C infections through multiple blood transfusions, it is recommended that the safe blood-transfusion programme be strengthened and mass vaccination against HBV (even who suffer from HCV) in Bangladesh be undertaken.