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Background: Due to the limits of present antidiarrheal medications, it is critical to seek novel, safe, and inexpensive antidiarrheal agents. Thus, the goal of this study was to assess the antidiarrheal activity of 80% methanol crude extract and solvent fractions of Maesa lanceolata leaves in mice. Methods: Leaf powder was extracted by 80% methanol and then fractionated with n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and distilled water. At 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg, the effects of the crude extract on castor oil-induced diarrhea, enteropooling, and gastrointestinal motility tests were investigated. Tween 2% and atropine used as negative and positive controls, respectively. A gastrointestinal motility test was used to explore the anti-motility effects. Data were analyzed with SPSS V. 26, and the significance was established with a one-way ANOVA followed by a post hoc Tukey's test. Results: The crude extract delayed the onset of diarrhea and significantly reduced the number of fecal drops at 100 (p<0.05), 200 and 400 mg/kg (p<0.001). Similarly, the number and weight of wet feces, as well as total fresh feces, were reduced at 200 (p<0.05) and 400 mg/kg (p<0.001) compared to Tween 2%. The enteropooling test demonstrated that the extracts significantly reduced the volume and weight of intestine content at 200 (p<0.05) and 400 mg/kg (p<0.001). The anti-motility activity test revealed that the all extracts decreased gastrointestinal motility significantly (p<0.001). The ethyl acetate fraction significantly reduced gastrointestinal transit time at all doses (p<0.001). At 400 mg/kg, the activities of the n-hexane fraction were significant (p<0.01). The efficacy of the residual aqueous fraction on gastrointestinal motility was significant at 200 (p<0.05) and 400 mg/kg (p<0.001). Conclusion: The 80% methanol extract of Maesa lanceolata Forssk leaf and solvent fractions were shown to exhibit potent antidiarrheal activity in the current study.
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Introduction: Diabetes Mellitus isa chronic metabolic disorder that required long-lasting treatment. In Ethiopian traditional medicine practices, abundant plants have been used for the treatment of diabetes mellitus for a long period. The root of Rumex abyssinicus is employed for the treatment of diabetes mellitus by Ethiopians. This study aimed to investigate the antidiabetic activity of the crude extract of Rumex abyssinicus root in Swiss albino mice. Methods: Cold maceration technique and hydro methanolic (80% methanol) solvent with occasionally shaking were employed during the crude extraction processes. To evaluate the antidiabetic activity of the crude extract, normoglycemic, glucose-loaded, and streptozotocin-induced diabetic models were used. In each model, the overnight fasted mice were randomly divided into five groups for normoglycemic and glucose-loaded models as a negative control, positive control, and three tested groups, whereas, in streptozotocin-induced diabetic models, the mice were grouped into six groups like one diabetic and one normal negative control groups, three diabetic tested groups, and one diabetic positive group. Each group comprised six mice. For all models, the tested groups received the crude extract at 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg doses, both diabetic and nondiabetic negative control groups received 10 ml/kg distilled water, and positive groups received 5 mg/kg glibenclamide. Results: The crude extract of the plant did not show any sign of toxicity up to 2000 mg/kg dose. In normoglycemic and oral glucose tolerance tests, the crude extract significantly (p < 0.01) reduced the blood glucose level at 200 and 400 mg/kg doses. In the streptozotocin-induced diabetes models, a significant effect was observed at all tested doses. Conclusion: The finding of this study revealed that the crude extract of the plant owned antidiabetic activity and supports the traditional use of Rumex abyssinicus root for the treatment of diabetes mellitus.
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BACKGROUND: Brassica carinata is one of the traditional medicinal plants used in Ethiopia for the treatment of wounds and other diseases. However, the plant has not been scientifically validated, and thus the present study evaluated the in vitro anti-oxidant and the in vivo wound healing activity of the crude extract and solvent fractions of B. carinata seeds in mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The crude extract was prepared by maceration using 80% methanol and formulated as 5% and 10% w/w ointments for topical application. The acute dermal toxicity was performed in female albino rats based on Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) guideline number 434. Excision and incision wound healing models were used to evaluate the wound healing activities of crude extract and solvent fractions ointments in mice. Wound healing parameters such as wound area contraction and the period of epithelialization were determined in an excision model, whereas tensile strength was determined in an incision model. Moreover, the crude extract and solvent fractions were evaluated for the free radical scavenging activities in DPPH assay. RESULTS: The acute dermal toxicity test showed that a limit dose of 2,000 mg/kg of 10% w/w crude extract ointment did not cause dermal toxicity in mice. In the excision wound model, the data revealed that 10% w/w ointment exhibited a significant wound contraction (from day 6 to 16, P<0.001) effect with a significant decrease in epithelization period (at day 14, P<0.001). In addition, 5% ointment of the crude extract showed a significant effect in wound contraction (from day 8 onwards, P<0.01) and epithelization period (at day 16, P<0.01). Despite all fractions being shown to promote wound healing, 10% w/w aqueous and ethyl acetate fractions showed a significant wound contraction (P<0.001) effect starting from the 4th day onwards. Besides, the maximum antioxidant activity was seen in the aqueous fraction with an IC50 value of 3.45±0.12 mg/mL. CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated that the 80% methanol extract and solvent fractions of the seeds of B.carinata possess potential wound healing and anti-oxidant effects, supporting the traditional use of the plant for wound management.
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BACKGROUND: Rational use of medicines is patients receiving medicines appropriate to their diagnosis in doses that meet their requirements for an adequate period of time at an affordable price. Irrational prescribing practices result in ineffective, unsafe treatment, prolong prognosis, and increase health-care costs, and this is a common phenomenon in Ethiopia. The aim of this study was to evaluate medicine-use pattern using World Health Organization core drug-use indicators and completeness of prescription at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital. METHODS: A retrospective and prospective cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted at the dispensing pharmacy units of the health facility from March 2019 to May 2019 using a systematic random sampling technique. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 24.0, and results are presented using tables. RESULTS: A total of 1,128 medicines were covered in the analyzed sample. The response rate, using standard prescription paper was found to be 100%. Mean number of medicines per prescription was 1.88. The proportion of medicines actually dispensed was 74.56%, and 91.4% medicines were prescribed by their generic names. Among prescribed medicines, antibiotics accounted for 37.5%, and 20% of the prescribed medicines were injectable. Prescriptions containing patient name, identification number, age, and sex comprised 99.8%, 99.5%, 91.8%, and 94.5%, respectively of the total. Prescriptions signed by prescribers accounted for 96.2%, however, only 75.8% of prescribers wrote their name. Moreover, only 4.8% of dispensers printed their name, and 32.7% of prescriptions were signed by pharmacists. Patient-care indicators were found to be below standard. CONCLUSION: Most prescriptions were incomplete, and prescribers by far completed their role than dispensers. The health facility has standard prescription paper and updated pharmaceuticals list. Percentages for encounters with antibiotics, prescribing by generic name, and patient-care indicators deviated from the standard. The dispensing and counseling time also far from the standard, and most medicines were not labeled.
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BACKGROUND: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is a serious public health problem costing the lives of many people including healthcare workers worldwide. Ethiopia is one of the most seriously affected countries in sub-Saharan Africa, with a large number of people who are living with HIV/AIDS and AIDS -related deaths. Prevention of the virus transmission through the appropriate utilization of post exposure prophylaxis is one of the major strategies. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the utilization of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) among victims of HIV at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, north-west Ethiopia. A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted from May 17, 2018, to May 24, 2018 and descriptive statistics were carried out to analyze the Data using SPSS version 20. RESULTS: From a total of 309 patients PEP was prescribed during the study period, of whom 239 (77.34%) were occupational victims and 55 (17.8%) were rape victims, with one missing data. Occupational victims were exposed by blood and blood product splashes and nurses and physicians were exposed almost equally, 14.24% and 13.92%, respectively. The majority of the victims were exposed at a health facility. Two hundred and eighty-five (92.23%) victims received prescriptions containing three-drug regimens, tenofovir + lamivudine + efavirenz, followed by 9 victims (2.91%) with two-drug regimens; zidovudine + lamivudine. There are no follow-up mechanisms as a result the completion rate and the outcome of PEP was not determined. CONCLUSION: PEP was initiated within 72 hr, most within 24 hr. The adherence was unknown with poor follow-up despite the strong recommendations of the national and WHO guidelines.
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BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus has become a major public health and economic problem across the globe. The inadequacies, as well as serious adverse effects associated with conventional medicines, led to a determined search for alternative natural therapeutic agents. The leaf latex extract of Aloe megalacantha has been used for the management of diabetes mellitus in Ethiopian folk medicine. This study aimed to evaluate the antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic effects of the leaf latex extract of A. megalacantha in streptozotocin- (STZ-) induced diabetic model. METHODS: The experimental diabetes was induced in Swiss albino mice by the administration of a single dose of STZ (150 mg/kg), intraperitoneally. The leaf latex extract of A. megalacantha at three different doses (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) was administered for a period of 14 days. Fasting blood glucose levels (BGLs) were measured by glucose-oxidase and peroxidase reactive strips. After fourteen days, mice from all groups fasted and the blood was collected through puncturing the retroorbit of the eyes under mild anesthetic condition. The collected blood sample was used to determine serum biochemical parameters such as total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. The statistical analysis of results was carried out using one-way analysis (ANOVA) followed by post hoc multiple comparison tests. RESULTS: Oral administration of A. megalacantha leaf latex extract at doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg daily for 14 days results in a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in fasting BGL as compared to negative control STZ-induced diabetic mice. The leaf latex has significantly reduced the level of TC, TG, and LDL, VLDL cholesterol while a significant (p < 0.05) HDL cholesterol increment was observed. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the present investigation indicated that the leaf latex of A. megalacantha possessed significant antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic potential which may prove the claimed use of the plant in amelioration of diabetes and associated complications in Ethiopian folk medicine.
