Antibacterial activity and phytochemical components of leaf extract of Calpurnia aurea.

Local Ethiopians use Calpurnia aurea to treat skin infections. However, there is no adequate scientific confirmation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial activities of the crude and the fractionated extracts of C. aurea leaves against different bacterial strains. The crude extract was made by maceration. The Soxhlet extraction method was used to obtain fractional extracts. The antibacterial activity against gram positive and gram negative American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) strains was performed using the agar diffusion technique. The minimum inhibitory concentration was determined through the microtiter broth dilution method. Preliminary phytochemical screening was done using standard techniques. The largest yield was obtained from ethanol fractional extract. Except for chloroform, which provided a relatively low yield when compared to petroleum ether, increasing the polarity of the extracting solvent improved the yield. The crude extract, solvent fractions, and the positive control showed inhibitory zone diameter, while the negative control did not. When used at a concentration of 75 mg/ml, the crude extract had similar antibacterial effects as gentamicin (0.1 mg/ml) and the ethanol fraction. The 2.5 mg/ml crude ethanol extract of C. aurea suppressed the growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Staphylococcus aureus, according to the MIC values. The extract of C. aurea was more effective in inhibiting P. aeruginosa than the other gram-negative bacteria. Fractionation enhanced the antibacterial effect of the extract. All fractionated extracts showed the highest inhibition zone diameter against S. aureus. Petroleum ether extract had the greatest inhibition zone diameter against all bacterial strains. The non-polar components were more active compared to the more polar fractions. The phytochemical components discovered in the leaves of C. aurea included alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, and tannins. Among these, the tannin content was remarkably high. The current results could provide a rational support for the traditional use of C. aurea to treat skin infections.

Hepatoprotective effect of methanol extract of Agave americana leaves on paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar albino rats.

BACKGROUND: Ethiopians locally treat liver illnesses with A. Americana. Available literature demonstrates this. However, there are few in-vivo investigations that provide supporting data. The aim of this study was to evaluate the hepatoprotective effects of methanolic extract of Agave americana leaves on rat liver damage caused by paracetamol. METHODS: The acute oral toxicity test was conducted in accordance with OECD-425 recommendations. The approach outlined by Eesha et al. (Asian Pac J Trop Biomed 4:466-469,  2011) was used to test the hepatoprotective activity. Wistar male rats weighing between 180 and 200 g were used, and six groups with seven animals each were formed. Group I received treatment with gum acacia (2%) at a dose of 2 ml/kg p.o. daily for 7 days. Rats in group II were treated with 2% gum acacia orally daily for seven days along with a single dose of paracetamol (2 mg/kg) p.o. on 7th day. Silymarin (50 mg/kg) was given orally to Group III for 7 days. Plant extract doses of 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, and 400 mg/kg were administered orally to Groups IV -VI for seven days, respectively. All rats in groups III-VI were treated with paracetamol (2 mg/kg) 30 min following extract administration. Blood samples were obtained from the cardiac puncture after paracetamol had been used for 24 h to induce toxicity. Serum biomarkers (AST, ALT, ALP, and total bilirubin) were estimated. A histopathological investigation was also done. RESULTS: No toxicity symptoms or animal fatalities were recorded during the acute toxicity study. The values of AST, ALT, ALP, and total bilirubin were all substantially raised by paracetamol. Significant hepatoprotective effects were obtained by pretreatment with A. americana extract. Histopathological examination of the liver tissues of paracetamol control group represented the presence of marked foci of mononuclear infiltration in the hepatic parenchyma tissue, sinusoid, and around central vein, as well as disorganization of hepatic plates, necrosis, and fatty changes of hepatocytes. Pretreatment with A. americana extract reversed these alterations. Results of the methanolic extract of A. americana were comparable to Silymarin. CONCLUSION: The current investigation supports the hepatoprotective properties of Agave americana methanolic extract.

Prevalence of Substance Use in University Students, Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Although substance use is a known public health problem and a pressing issue in Ethiopia, its real extent and magnitude are not yet properly explored. The current study aimed to determine the extent and predictors of substance use among regular undergraduate students in the Institute of Technology, Addis Ababa University. METHODS: An institution-based cross-sectional study was carried among 794 undergraduate regular students at the Institute of Technology, Addis Ababa University, using a self-administered structured questionnaire filled by study participants. Data entry, cleaning, and coding were performed by EPI-INFO version 3.5.1. Statistical Package for Social Sciences; AOR: Adjusted odds ratio (SPSS) SPSS version 21 software was used to analyze data by performing descriptive statistics, bivariate, and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: 73.7% of the study participants used substances at least once. The lifetime use of each substance includes alcohol (68.2%), khat (53.6%), cigarettes (46.1%), and illicit drugs (23.3%). Loss of family (AOR [95%CI], 34.50 [7.569, 157.263]), pocket money between 500 and 999 Ethiopian birr (AOR [95%CI], 9.978 [1.240, 80.280]), and above 1000 Ethiopian birr (AOR [95%CI], 10.831 [1.333, 87.971]) were identified predictors for khat use. The odds of lifetime alcohol use was higher among students coming from a divorced family (AOR [95%CI], 9.346 [3.162, 27.625]), lost one (AOR [95%CI], 37.406 [11.375, 123.008]), or both of their parents (AOR [95%CI], 18.750 [5.798, 60.633]). Students of urban origin (AOR [95%CI], 3.214 [1.950, 5.296]), and students with anxiety symptoms (AOR [95%CI], 2.655 [1.981, 3.557]) have a higher odds of lifetime cigarette smoking. The lifetime exposure to illicit drugs is higher among students in age groups between 20 and 24 years (AOR [95%CI], 5.963 [1.361, 26.135]), students coming from substance user family (AOR [95%CI], 2.172 [1.161, 4.063]), and students of urban origin (AOR [95%CI], 2.661 [1.202, 5.889]). CONCLUSION: A higher prevalence of substance use requiring administrative and educational interventions was observed. Awareness creation interventions on the potential impacts of substance abuse should be performed.

Antibacterial Activity and Phytochemical Components of Leaf Extracts of Agave americana.

BACKGROUND: Ethiopian flora is a source of innumerable cures for several infections. The medicinal potential of A. americana has been evaluated in some studies. The current study aimed to investigate the antimicrobial effect of A. americana leaf extracts on selected bacterial strains and to determine the phytochemical components. PURPOSE: To determine the phytochemical constituents and in vitro antibacterial activity of leaf extracts of Agave americana against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella species, and Eshercia coli. METHODS: The macerated and Soxhlet crude extracts of Agave americana were further fractionated to petroleum ether, chloroform, acetone, and methanol fractions. The agar well diffusion method and disc diffusion methods were used to test the antibacterial effect and determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the plant extract. Standard methods of determination were used to determine the phytochemical components of Agave americana. RESULTS: The percentage yield of crude extracts of A. americana was 15.11%. Alkaloids, saponins, tannins, polyphenols, and flavonoids were identified as phytochemical constituents of A. americana. The crude and solvent fractions of A. americana have an antibacterial activity comparable to gentamycin, with zones of inhibition ranging from 17 to 40mm and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 2.5 mg mL for S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, and S. typhi strains and 10 mg mL for E. coli strains. S. aureus and E. coli were the most and least susceptible bacteria among the four bacterial test strains tested. CONCLUSION: The crude and solvent fractions of A. americana have antibacterial activity against S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, and S. thyphi, comparable to gentamycin.