Effect of Achyranthes aspera L. on fetal abortion, uterine and pituitary weights, serum lipids and hormones.

BACKGROUND: The practice of traditional medicine for the control of fertility in rural Ethiopia is based on folk use of numerous antifertility herbs and Achyranthes aspera is one of these used for this purpose. Many plants are known to possess anti-fertility effect through their action on hypothlamo-pituitary-gonadal axis or direct hormonal effects on reproductive organs resulting in inhibition of ovarian steroidogenesis. OBJECTIVES: The present study focused to investigate the effect of methanolic leaves extract of Achyranthes aspera L. on some indicators for anti-fertility activities such as abortifacient, estrogenesity, pituitary weight, and ovarian hormone level and lipids profile in female rats, in attempt to validate the traditional claim. METHODS: The abortifacient effect of the methanolic extract of the leaves of Achyranthes aspera was determined by counting the dead fetuses in vivo. Effect on estrogenesity was assessed by taking the ratio of the uterine weight to body weight. The ratio of the pituitary weight to body weight was also calculated. The effect of the extract on the level of ovarian hormones and lipid profile was evaluated using electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. RESULTS: The extract showed significant (p<0.05) abortifacient activity and increased pituitary and uterine wet weights in ovarectimized rats. The extract, however, did not significantly influence serum concentration of the ovarian hormones and various lipids except lowering HDL at doses tested. CONCLUSION: The methanolic leaves extract of Achyranthes aspera possesses anti-fertility activity, which might be exploited to prevent unwanted pregnancy and control the ever-increasing population explosion.

The geographic distribution of fluoride in surface and groundwater in Ethiopia with an emphasis on the Rift Valley.

This paper analyzes the most extensive database on fluoride distribution in Ethiopia. Of the total 1438 water samples tested, 24.2% had fluoride concentrations above the 1.5 mg/l recommended optimum concentration recommended by WHO. Regionally, by far the highest fluoride levels were recorded in the Rift Valley, where 41.2% of all samples exceeded the 1.5 mg/l level. Only 1.0% of the samples from the central and northwestern highlands and 10.0% in the southeastern highlands exceeded 1.5 mg/l. Larger proportions of deep wells (50.0%) and hot springs (90.0%) than shallow wells (27.2%) and cold springs (12.6%) exceeded the 1.5 mg/l level. The highest fluoride concentrations were recorded for Rift Valley lakes Shala (264.0 mg/l) and Abijata (202.4 mg/l) and the lowest in Lake Tana, and rivers, wells and springs in the highlands. The fluoride concentrations of the Awash River, which originates in the highlands and flows through the Rift Valley, increase downstream, giving concern over the current diversion of high-fluoride water from Lake Beseka. Of the various flourosis prevention methods tried in Ethiopia, the treatment of surface water has been shown to be the most feasible and effective for towns and large commercial farms in the Rift Valley, although defluoridation methods should be considered for smaller rural communities.

The prospect of dental fluorosis prevention in Wonji Ethiopia.

This study identified factors that are associated with dental fluorosis among school adolescents in an endemic area using a control design. Data were collected using a directed self-administered questionnaire. Dental fluorosis was confirmed by a dentist. Out of the 472 students who participated in the study, 398 had dental fluorosis and the remaining 74 were free of dental fluorosis. A logistic regression analysis revealed children born in Wonji compared to those born elsewhere [Adjusted OR (95% CI): 5.12 (2.68, 9.75)]; males compared to female [Adjusted OR (95% CI): 2.76 (1.52, 5.00)]; and those who obtained their regular drinking water from pipe distribution compared to those who obtained water from other sources [Adjusted OR (95% CI): 3.5 (1.24, 10.02] were more likely to have dental fluorosis. Students in the age group 13-14 year compared to those in 11-12 year were less likely to have dental fluorosis [Adjusted OR (95% CI): 0.43 (0.25, 0.76)]. The findings indicate that the risk of dental fluorosis is still much higher for the population in Wonji and recommend strengthening appropriate intervention systems at household and community levels.

In-vivo antipyretic studies of the aqueous and ethanol extracts of the leaves of Ajuga remota and Lippia adoensis.

BACKGROUND: There are quite large number of traditionally used plants that are used to treat ailments associated with fever in the ethnomedical system of Ethiopia. Most of them, however, have not been subjected to scientific investigation for their efficacy and safety. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the antipyretic effects of the aqueous and ethanol extracts of the leaves of Ajuga remota and Lippia adoenesis. DESIGN: An experimental design in which five group of in-house bred albino mice weighing 30-35 g representing positive and negative control, and three dose levels extract treated groups, respectively was employed. The extracts, standard drugs and distilled water were administered into GIT by gavage to evaluate the antipyretic effect after inducing pyrexia in mice. RESULTS: All extracts of both plants that were administered orally at doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg per kg showed antipyretic property. The antipyretic effects were observed to be dose dependent. In both plants, the aqueous extract was found to have more potent antipyretic effect than the ethanol extract. No mouse manifested toxic effects at any dose levels of all the extracts for the observed period of two weeks. CONCLUSION: The present study show that both extracts of the investigated plants have got antipyretic effects and the extracts are effective and safe at the doses tested. This supports the traditional claim or use of these plants.

The possible mechanisms for the antifertility action of methanolic root extract of Rumex steudelii.

BACKGROUND: The practice of traditional medicine for the control of fertility in most parts of Ethiopia is based on the uses of plant medicines for many years. Rumex steudelii Hochst (Polygonaceae), locally known as "Tult" or "Yeberemelas" is one of the traditionally used antifertility plants in Ethiopia. In our previous study, the methanolic extract of R. steudelii root was found to show antifertility activity in female rats. OBJECTIVES: The present study focused further on the possible mechanisms of the antifertility effect of the methanolic extract of R. steudelii. METHODS: The effect of the extract on implantation, the uterus weight of immature ovariectomized rats and serum estrogen-progesterone ratio was evaluated. Its effect on isolated guinea pig uterus in the presence and absence of uterine muscle contractions inhibitors was also assessed. Test for in vivo abortifacient effect was also carried out. RESULTS: It was found that the extract decreased the number of implantation sites significantly. At a contraceptive dose, it was also observed to have no estrogenic activity in immature rat bioassay. The extract did not affect the serum estrogen-progesterone ratio. It produced concentration dependent increase in uterine muscle contractions similar to those of the standard drug, oxytocin. Incubation of the tissue with three uterine muscle contractions inhibitors revealed that the extract produced uterine contractions perhaps by activating muscarinic and/or histaminic receptors. The in vivo abortifacient effect was not seen upon administration of both lower and higher doses of the extract in pregnant rats. CONCLUSION: All these observations suggest that the extract produced antifertility effect mainly by inhibiting implantation though antiestrogen, progesteron and uterotonic effects could as well be possible mechanisms.

Phytochemical screening and pharmacological evaluations for the antifertility effect of the methanolic root extract of Rumex steudelii.

The practice of traditional medicine for the control of fertility in most parts of Ethiopia is based on the uses of plant medicines for many years. The fact that herbal medicines have been employed for such a long time does not guarantee their efficacy and safety. The aim of the present study was, therefore, to carry out phytochemical screening, efficacy and safety studies on one of the traditionally used antifertility plants: Rumex steudelii. The secondary metabolites of the root of this plant were determined. The methanolic extract of the roots of this plant were investigated for their antifertility activity in female rats and oral LD50 was determined in mice. The identification of the secondary metabolites showed that the roots of the plant contained phytosterols and polyphenols. It was found that the extract reduced significantly (p<0.01) the number of litters. It also produced antifertility effect in a dose dependent manner and the contraceptive effect was manifested for a definite period of time. Furthermore, the extract prolonged significantly the estrus cycle (p<0.05) and the diestrous phase (p<0.01) of the rats. The wet weights of the ovaries and uterus were shown to be reduced significantly (p<0.01) and (p<0.05), respectively. The oral LD50 of the extract was found to be 5 g/kg in mice. All these observations suggest that the extract has antifertility effect and is safe at the effective antifertility doses employed in this study.

Antipyretic properties of the aqueous and ethanol extracts of the leaves of Ocimum suave and Ocimum lamiifolium in mice.

Numerous plant species are used to treat ailments associated with pyrexia in the indigenous health care delivery system of Ethiopia. Notable among these are Ocimum suave and Ocimum lamiifolium. The objective of the present study was thus to evaluate the antipyretic effects of the aqueous and ethanol extracts of the leaves of Ocimum suave and Ocimum lamiifolium in mice. Rectal temperatures were recorded before and after inducing pyrexia as well as after administration of the respective extracts every half an hour for 3h. Parallel experiments were run with a standard antipyretic (acetylsalicylic acid) and the vehicle (distilled water). All the plant extracts showed antipyretic property with reasonable onset and duration of action. Both ethanol and aqueous extracts of Ocimum suave were observed to be more potent than those of Ocimum lamiifolium. Aqueous extract of Ocimum suave and ethanol extract of Ocimum lamiifolium were more potent than their other counterpart extracts. Time dependent antipyretic effect was also observed with some extracts; reduced with time with aqueous extract of Ocimum suave and increased with time with both extracts of Ocimum lamiifolium.