The interface between inhibition of descending noradrenergic pain control pathways and negative affects in post-traumatic pain patients

Background

Animal studies have shown that surgical trauma activates the descending noradrenergic pathway. However, perioperative patients have decreased concentrations of noradrenaline (NA) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). We proposed that the descending monoaminergic pathway is altered in post-traumatic pain patients and that CSF monoamine neurotransmitters may be more closely related to affective symptoms. We investigated the levels of monoamine neurotransmitters and assessed pain in these patients.

Methods

Patients were divided into a post-traumatic pain group, a pain-free group, a painful labor group, and a pain-free labor group. CSF was collected from all patients, and concentrations of NA, 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG), dopamine, homovanillic acid, and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography.

Results

In the post-traumatic pain group, lumbar CSF concentrations of NA and MHPG were significantly decreased (P < 0.01) compared to the control group. The post-traumatic pain group displayed a significant negative correlation between NA and the respective total value of the short form of the McGill pain questionnaire (SF-MPQ), SF-MPQ (affective), and visual analog scale (r = –0.388, r = –0.433, and r = –0.367; P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Post-traumatic pain patients demonstrated decreased concentrations of NAin CSF, indicating that descending noradrenergic pain control pathways may be inhibited. NA is more closely related to negative affects in post-traumatic pain patients.     

Total-tau in cerebrospinal fluid of patients with multiple sclerosis decreases in secondary progressive stage of disease and reflects degree of brain atrophy

Abstract

Introduction. Tau protein is a potential marker of neuronal damage. The aim of the study is to investigate its potential role as a marker of brain atrophy in multiple sclerosis (MS).

Materials and methods. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood samples were collected from 48 patients with multiple sclerosis. Total-tau (t-tau) and phospho_181Thr-tau (p-tau) concentrations were assayed with commercially available INNOTEST® hTAU Ag and INNOTEST® phospho181Thr-tau_(181P) and correlated with indices of brain atrophy in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and clinical characteristics of the study population.

Results. T-tau concentration in CSF was significantly higher in relapsing-remitting (RR) compared to secondary progressive (SP) MS patients (P = 0.01). Brain parenchymal fraction (BPF) was significantly decreased in SP patients (P = 0.002). BPF in the whole study population correlated inversely with Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) (r = –0.51, P = 0.0002) and Multiple Sclerosis Severity Score (MSSS) (r = –0.42, P = 0.002). T-tau in CSF in the whole patient group correlated inversely with EDSS (r = –0.58, P = 0.0006).

Conclusions. The results of our study suggest that total-tau concentration in CSF in a MS population decreases in the course of disease and reflects degree of parenchymal brain loss.     

Evaluation of bone mineral density in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients before and after treatment

Background

The relationship between bone mineral density (BMD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has been controversial. Recent studies have revealed adverse impact of antidiabetic drugs on BMD in type 2 diabetic patients. However, the influence of various antihyperglycaemic agents on BMD has not been well studied.

Method

A total of 200 patients with T2DM were screened initially for the study. Finally 67 patients (M:34, F:33) who satisfied the requirement of having been on one year of prescribed therapy were included for analysis.

Results

Bone mineral density was lower in diabetic patients as compared to controls (hip 0.962 ± 0.167 g/cm² vs 1.013 ± 0.184 g/cm², P = 0.05; spine 0.929 ± 0.214 g/cm² vs 1.113 ± 0.186 g/cm², P < 0.00001). In males BMD was significantly lower at spine (P < 0.00001) and in females BMD was significantly lower in both at the spine (P < 0.00001) and hip (P < 0.032). On multivariate analysis significant positive correlation was found between spine BMD and body mass index (BMI) (r = 0.372, P = 0.002), total cholesterol (r = 0.272, P = 0.026), low-density lipoprotein (r = 0.242, P = 0.047), and triglycerides (r = 0.282, P = 0.021). There was no correlation between BMD and glycosylated haemoglobin (r = 0.158, P = 0.265). A significant decrease in BMD at spine and hip was seen with the use of glitazones and metformin while increase was noted with sulphonylurea and its combination.

Conclusion

Men and women with T2DM have lower BMD. Bone mineral density did not have correlation to glycaemic control. Glitazones, metformin, and insulin are associated with decrease in BMD at spine, and hip, while sulphonylureas are associated with increase in BMD.Key Words: antihyperglycaemic drugs, bone mineral density, type 2 diabetes mellitus     

General practitioners' awareness of their own drug prescribing profiles after postal feedback and outreach visits

Background.

General practice accounts for the vast majority of drug prescribing in the Nordic countries. Various methods have been used to promote rational drug prescribing. Awareness of own prescribing profile may be a first crucial step in the quality assessment and improvement process.

Aim of the study.

To analyse awareness among general practitioners of their drug prescribing profile during two outreach visits one year apart.

Methods.

All 94 practices with a total of 166 general practitioners in the former Storstrøm County, Denmark, were invited to participate in a project launching outreach visits led by a general practitioner; 88 practices with 160 general practitioners agreed to participate.

Results.

During the first round of outreach visits the general practitioners were asked to rate their own prescribing level of 13 major drug groups as being in the lowest 25%, the middle 26%–74%, or the highest 25% of the distribution across all 88 practices. The result was better than chance (chi-square = 337, 4 df, r = 0.37, both P < 0.0001). After the assessment a one-hour discussion on rational drug prescribing was held. One year later a new round of outreach visits was held. This time the assessment accuracy was generally greatly improved (chi-square = 724, 4 df, r = 0.48, both P < 0.0001). The main determinants for the improved accuracy during the second round were high accuracy during the first round, and the number of general practitioners in the practice.

Conclusions.

General practitioners'' awareness of their prescribing volumes was substantially improved by a single outreach visit with discussion on rational drug prescribing.     

Clinical efficacy of radical nephrectomy versus nephron-sparing surgery on localized renal cell carcinoma

Background

The aim of the present study was to compare the clinical efficacy of radical nephrectomy (RN) with nephron-sparing surgery (NSS) in treating patients with localized renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

Methods

The literature search was performed in PubMed, MEDLINE Springer, Elsevier Science Direct, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar up to December 2012. The software Review Manager 5.1 and the STATA software package v.11.0 were used for analyses. The odds ratios (ORs) and its 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were calculated for comparison. Subgroup analyses were performed based on the tumor size of RCC.

Results

In total, 10 studies with 10,174 RCC patients (7,050 treated with RN and 3,124 treated with NSS) were selected. The pooled estimate (OR = 1.58, 95% CI = 1.15–2.15, P = 0.004) showed a significantly lower rate of cancer-specific deaths in the patients treated with NSS compared to RN. However, no statistically significant differences were found in the rate of tumor recurrence (OR = 0.84, 95% CI = 0.67–1.06, P = 0.14) and complications (OR = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.51–1.63, P = 0.74) between the patients treated with NSS and RN. In addition, all the subgroup analyses presented consistent results with the overall analyses.

Conclusions

NSS had no significantly different from RN in tumor recurrence and complications for localized RCC. However, the significantly lower rate of cancer-specific deaths supported the use of NSS not only for RCC with tumor size >4.0 cm but also for tumor sizes ≤4.0 cm compared with RN.     

Elective orthopedic and cardiopulmonary bypass surgery causes a reduction in serum endostatin levels

Background

Endostatin is an endogenous inhibitor of angiogenesis that inhibits neovascularisation. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of elective surgery on endostatin levels.

Methods

Blood samples were collected prior to elective surgery and 4 and 30 days postoperatively in 2 patient groups: orthopedic surgery (n =27) and coronary bypass patients (n =21). Serum endostatin levels were measured by ELISA.

Results

Serum endostatin was significantly reduced 30 days after surgery in comparison with presurgical values in both the orthopedic (P =0.03) and cardiopulmonary surgery (P =0.04) group.

Conclusion

Serum endostatin is reduced 30 days after surgery. This reduction would favor angiogenesis and wound-healing.     

Anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of Melanthera scandens

Objective

To evaluate the anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of leaf extract of Melanthera scandens (M. scandens).

Methods

The crude leaf extract (39–111 mg/kg) of M. scandens was investigated for anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities using various experimental models. The anti-inflammatory activity was investigated using carragenin, egg-albumin induced oedema models, while acetic acid, formalin-induced paw licking and thermal-induced pain models were used to evaluate the antinociceptive property.

Results

The extract caused a significant (P<0.05 – 0.001) dose-dependent reduction of inflammation and pains induced by different agents used.

Conclusions

The leaf extract possesses anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects which may be mediated through the phytochemical constituents of the plant.     

Hypertension and catecholamine levels in sleep apnoea

Background

Sleep-disordered breathing has been strongly associated with systemic hypertension. Increased sympathetic activity in sleep-disordered breathing may be responsible for this association.

Method

In this sleep clinic-based study, 82 newly diagnosed patients of sleep-disordered breathing were evaluated for hypertension, and their plasma and urinary levels of catecholamines were measured. Catecholamine levels were then compared separately with the severity of sleep apnoea and blood pressure (BP).

Results

The prevalence of hypertension in the study population was 46.3%. The BP showed a strong and statistically significant correlation with apnoea-hypopnoea index (diastolic, r = 0.65, P < 0.001 and systolic, r = 0.60, P < 0.001) which was maintained even after the results were analysed separately for obese and non-obese subjects. Both plasma and urinary levels of catecholamines were greater in patients with severe sleep apnoea (compared to nonsevere cases) and in those with hypertension compared to normotensives. However, statistical significance was achieved only for urine catecholamines and not for plasma catechol-amines in both the cases.

Conclusion

Hypertension is highly prevalent among Indian subjects with obstructive sleep apnoea. Catecholamine levels are significantly higher in hypertensive than in normotensive apnoeics and are also directly related to the severity of obstructive sleep apnoea. Twenty-four hour urinary catecholamine levels are more valid measures of sympathetic activity than spot plasma samples.Key Words: catecholamines, hypertension, sleep apnoea, sleep-disordered breathing, sympathetic     

A limited sampling strategy for estimation of the area under the curve (0 to 8 hours) of mycophenolic acid administered three times daily to liver transplant recipients

Objectives

Gastrointestinal side-effects caused by mycophenolic acid (MPA) are frequent in liver transplant recipients, and in these cases a switch from two to three daily doses is usually recommended. However, a limited sampling strategy for the estimation of MPA area under the curve from 0 to 8 hours (AUC_(0–8h)) has not been made.

Design and methods

In 22 liver transplant patients who were administered MPA three times daily, the trapezoidal extrapolated MPA AUC_(0–8h) values using a sampling time from 0 to 2 hours were calculated.

Results

A tentative therapeutic range for MPA AUC_(0–8h) of about 20–40 μg.h/mL is proposed, and in the 13 patients with supratherapeutic values the total leukocyte blood count was significantly lower than in the 9 patients with AUC_(0–8h) ≤ 40 μg.h/mL (P < 0.001). Significant negative correlations were found between the total leukocyte blood count and the MPA trough levels (r = −0.458; P < 0.05), AUC_(0–8h) (r = −0.479; P < 0.05), and AUC_(0–2h) (r = −0.437; P < 0.05). A significant correlation was found between the trapezoidal extrapolated AUC_(0–8h) and trapezoidal AUC_(0–2h) results (r = 0.850; P < 0.001).

Conclusions

The trapezoidal extrapolated AUC_(0–8h), and possibly trapezoidal AUC_(0–2h), may be useful for routine therapeutic MPA monitoring in liver transplant recipients in which the dosing frequency is increased from twice to three times a day.     

Thiamine and its phosphate esters in relation to cardiometabolic risk factors in Saudi Arabs

Background

Thiamine deficiency has suggested to be linked to several insulin-resistance complications. In this study, we aim to associate circulating thiamine levels among cardiometabolic parameters in an Arab cohort using a simple, sensitive, rapid and selective high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method that has recently been developed.

Methods

A total of 236 randomly selected, consenting Saudi adult participants (166 males and 70 females) were recruited and screened for the presence of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) using the modified National Cholesterol Education Program–Adult Treatment Panel III definition. Blood thiamine and its derivatives were quantified using HPLC.

Results

A total of 140 participants (53.9%) had MetS. The levels of thiamine and its derivatives of those with MetS were not significantly different from those without. However, hypertensive subjects had significantly higher urinary thiamine (P = 0.03) as well as significantly lower levels of thiamine diphosphate (TDP) (P = 0.01) and total thiamine (P = 0.02) than the normotensive subjects, even after adjusting for age and body mass index (BMI). Furthermore, age- and BMI-matched participants with elevated blood glucose levels had significantly lower levels of thiamine monophosphate (P = 0.020), TDP (P < 0.001) and total thiamine (P < 0.001) and significantly elevated levels of urinary thiamine (P = 0.005) compared to normoglycemic participants.

Conclusions

Low thiamine levels are associated with elevated blood glucose and hypertension in Saudi adults. Determination of thiamine status may be considered and corrected among patients with, or at high risk for, MetS, but the question whether thiamine deficiency correction translates to improved cardiometabolic status needs further longitudinal investigation.     

Seasonal variations of insulin sensitivity from a euglycemic insulin clamp in elderly men

Introduction.

Seasonal variations in hemoglobin-A1c have been reported in diabetic patients, but the underlying mechanisms have not been elucidated.

Aims.

To study if insulin sensitivity, insulin secretion, and fasting plasma glucose showed seasonal variations in a Swedish population-based cohort of elderly men.

Methods.

Altogether 1117 men were investigated with a euglycemic insulin clamp and measurements of fasting plasma glucose and insulin secretion after an oral glucose tolerance test. Values were analyzed in linear regression models with an indicator variable for winter/summer season and outdoor temperature as predictors.

Results.

During winter, insulin sensitivity (M/I, unit = 100 × mg × min^-1 × kg^-1/(mU × L^-1)) was 11.0% lower (4.84 versus 5.44, P = 0.0003), incremental area under the insulin curve was 16.4% higher (1167 versus 1003 mU/L, P = 0.007). Fasting plasma glucose was, however, not statistically significantly different (5.80 versus 5.71 mmol/L, P = 0.28) compared to the summer season. There was an association between outdoor temperature and M/I (0.57 units increase (95% CI 0.29–0.82, P < 0.0001) per 10°C increase of outdoor temperature) independent of winter/summer season. Adjustment for life-style factors, type 2 diabetes, and medication did not alter these results.

Conclusions.

Insulin sensitivity showed seasonal variations with lower values during the winter and higher during the summer season. Inverse compensatory variations of insulin secretion resulted in only minor variations of fasting plasma glucose. Insulin sensitivity was associated with outdoor temperature. These phenomena should be further investigated in diabetic patients.     

Urothelial bladder carcinoma in young patients is characterized by a relatively good prognosis

Introduction and aim.

Urothelial bladder carcinoma (UBC) is a very rare condition in patients aged below 50 years. The aim of the study was to answer the question whether the characteristics of cancer in this group of patients differ from general UBC features.

Material and methods.

Altogether 2160 patients treated with primary transurethral resection due to a bladder tumor were included in the study. The mean age of the cohort was 69.1 years (range 11–100). Patients were divided into three subgroups depending on age: age <41 years (group 1), age 41–50 years (group 2), age >50 years (group 3). Sex ratio, tumor grade, and stage of disease were recorded.

Results.

Women constituted 18.5%, 19.2%, and 25.8% of the patients in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively (P < 0.05). WHO grade 3 tumors were diagnosed in 0%, 8.5%, and 17.2%, respectively (P < 0.05). Non-invasive papillary carcinoma was found in 100.0%, 76.7%, and 62.7%, respectively (P < 0.05). The incidence of muscle-invasive bladder cancer was 0%, 11.0%, and 15.6%, respectively (P < 0.05).

Conclusions.

Pathological characteristics of UBC are dependent on the patients’ age. Being a very rare condition, UBC in young patients is characterized by a relatively good prognosis.     

Comparing of Light Transmittance Aggregometry and Modified Thrombelastograph in Predicting Clinical Outcomes in Chinese Patients Undergoing Coronary Stenting with Clopidogrel

Background:

Several platelet function tests are currently used to measure responsiveness to antiplatelet therapy. This study was to compare two tests, light transmittance aggregometry (LTA) and modified thrombelastography (mTEG), for predicting clinical outcomes in Chinese patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods:

Prospective, observational, single-center study of 789 Chinese patients undergoing PCI was enrolled. This study was investigated the correlations between the two tests and performed receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) at 1-year follow-up.

Results:

MACEs occurred in 32 patients (4.1%). Correlations were well between the two tests in the adenosine diphosphate induced platelet reactivity (Spearman r = 0.733, P < 0.001). ROC-curve analysis demonstrated that LTA (area under the curve [AUC]: 0.677; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.643–0.710; P = 0.0009), and mTEG (AUC: 0.684; 95% CI: 0.650–0.716; P = 0.0001) had moderate ability to discriminate between patients with and without MACE. MACE occurred more frequently in patients with high on-treatment platelet reactivity (HPR) when assessed by LTA (7.4% vs. 2.7%; P < 0.001), and by TEG (6.7% vs. 2.6%; P < 0.001). Kaplan–Meier analysis demonstrated that HPR based on the LTA and mTEG was associated with almost 3-fold increased risk of MACE at 1-year follow-up.

Conclusions:

The correlation between LTA and mTEG is relatively high in Chinese patients. HPR measured by LTA and mTEG were significantly associated with MACE in Chinese patients undergoing PCI.     

Efficacy and side effects of praziquantel in the treatment of Schistosomiasis mansoni in schoolchildren in Shesha Kekele Elementary School,Wondo Genet,Southern Ethiopia

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy and side effects of praziquantel (PZQ) in the treatment of schistosomiasis in Ethiopia.

Methods

In a cross-sectional study, stool specimens were collected from randomly selected 299 school children in Shesha Kekele Elementary School, Wondo Genet, Southern Ethiopia, in April 2010. Stool specimens were examined using a single Kato-Katz thick smear for Schistosoma mansoni (S. mansoni) ova. Children who were found positive for S. mansoni were treated with a single oral dose of PZQ at 40 mg/kg bw and interviewed for treatment-related symptoms 24 hours after drug administration. Four weeks post-treatment, stool specimens were collected from the same children and examined following the same procedure as in the pre-treatment. Drug efficacy was determined based on cure and egg reduction rates.

Results

Pre-treatment prevalence of S. mansoni infection was 74.9% with geometric mean egg count of 268. The evaluated generic PZQ produced an overall cure rate of 73.6% (P<0.000 1, OR: 8.33, CI: 5.3–13.1) and egg reduction rate of 68.2% (P=0.03, F=0.64). The cure rate showed significant association with age (χ²=11, P=0.004), the highest rate being observed in the 15–22 age group. 83% of S. mansoni infected children showed various treatment-related symptoms, the most frequent being headache, nausea, and abdominal pain. These symptoms were associated with age (P<0.001) and pre-treatment intensity of infection (P<0.05).

Conclusions

The present observations revealed relatively lower cure and egg reduction rates of the PZQ evaluated as compared to previous reports for other PZQ brands in Ethiopia. Hence, in depth studies are recommended to clarify whether the present relatively lower cure rate is the actual cure rate of the praziquantel evaluated, treatment failure, or reduced susceptibility of the parasite. Treatment-related side effects observed were transient and tolerable.     

Cytokinin induced shoot regeneration and flowering of Scoparia dulcis L. (Scrophulariaceae)-an ethnomedicinal herb

Objective

To develop an improved protocol for micropropagation of ethnomedicinally important Scoparia dulcis (S. dulcis) L.

Methods

Explants were inoculated on MS basal medium supplemented with kinetin and 6-benzylaminopurine for shoot bud induction. To enhance the shoot induction, various auxins like 3-indoleacetic acid or 3-indolebutyric acid or α-naphthylacetic acid were tested along with 2.32 M KI and 4.44 µM BAP. The regenerated shoots were rooted in half strength MS medium supplemented with various concentrations of IAA, IBA or NAA. After roots were developed, the plantlets were transplanted to pots filled with vermiculate and sand and kept in growth chamber with 70%–80% humidity under 16 h photoperiod. After acclimatization, the plantlets were transferred to the garden and survival percentage was calculated. Data were statistically analyzed and means were compared using Duncan''s multiple range test (P<0.05).

Results

An in vitro method was developed to induce high frequency shoots regeneration from stem, mature leaf and young leaf explants of S. dulcis. Shoot induction on young leaf explants was most successful in MS medium supplemented with combination of two cytokinins (2.32 µM KI and 4.44 µM BAP) 2.85 µM IAA, 10% CM and 1 483.79 µM adenine sulfate. A single young leaf explant was capable of producing 59 shoots after 13 days of culture. Flower was induced in medium supplemented with combination of KI and BAP.

Conclusions

Cytokinins are the key factor to induce the direct shoot regeneration and flowering of S. dulcis.     

Dipstick urinalysis findings in children with Plasmodium falciparum in the South Tongu District: A case-control study

Background:

Malaria ranks among the major health and developmental challenges facing some of the poorest countries in tropical and sub-tropical regions across the globe. We determined urinary abnormalities and its relationship with parasite density in children ≤12 years with Plasmodium falciparum infection.

Materials and Methods:

From December 2013 to March 2014, we randomly recruited 116 participants comprising 58 malaria patients (cases) and 58 healthy controls from the Comboni Mission and the Sogakope District Hospitals both in the South Tongu district. Blood was collected for the estimation of hemoglobin and total white blood cells; thick and thin blood films were used for the determination of malaria parasite density. Urine was collected for the measurement of the various biochemical components using the automated urine analyzer. A pretested questionnaire was used to obtain demographic and clinical data.

Results:

Urine protein (P < 0.001), blood (P < 0.001), bilirubin (P < 0.001), urobilinogen (P < 0.001), and ketones (P = 0.001) were significantly higher in individuals with P. falciparum infection than in healthy controls. Proteinuria (P = 0.247; r = 0.155), hematuria (P = 0.142; r = 0.195), bilirubinuria (P = 0.001; r = 0.438), urobilinogenuria (P = 0.876; r = 0.021), and ketonuria (P = 0.136; r = 0.198) were positively correlated with malaria parasite density; however, only bilirubinuria was significantly higher at higher parasitemia.

Conclusion:

Malaria has a significant effect on the chemical composition of urine with bilirubin positively correlated with parasite density. Dipstick urinalysis can be used together with light microscopy in resource-limited malaria-endemic areas to accurately diagnose falciparum malaria infection.     

Effects of bisoprolol and cilazapril on the central retinal artery blood flow in patients with essential hypertension—preliminary results

Background

A growing body of evidence suggests that effective blood pressure reduction may inhibit the progression of microvascular damage in patients with essential arterial hypertension. However, the potential influence of anti-hypertensive drugs on ocular circulation has not been studied sufficiently.

Purpose

The aim of our study was to evaluate the effects of anti-hypertensive therapy on blood flow in the central retinal artery in patients with systemic arterial hypertension.

Material and methods

Twenty patients with essential arterial hypertension, aged 32–46 years, were examined with Doppler ultrasonography (10 MHz ultrasound probe). Blood flow velocities, pulsatility, and vascular resistance were determined before and 3 hours after systemic application of either bisoprolol 5 mg or cilazapril 2.5 mg.

Results

Administered bisoprolol significantly decreased maximum (9.8 ± 0.5 cm/s versus 8.5 ± 0.6 cm/s; P < 0.05) and minimum (2.75 ± 0.19 cm/s versus 1.75 ± 0.27 cm/s; P < 0.02) velocity, increased the Pourcellot''s index (0.71 to 0.79; P < 0.05) in central retinal artery. There were no statistically significant changes in central retinal artery blood flow after administration of cilazapril.

Conclusion

Systemic application of beta-blockers may unfavourably disturb the ocular blood flow.     

Antiplasmodial and antiulcer activities of Melanthera scadens

Objective

To evaluate the antimalarial and antiulcerogenic activities of leaf extract and fractions of Melanthera scandens (M. scandens).

Methods

The crude leaf extract (37–111 mg/kg) and fractions (chloroform, ethylacetate and methanol; 78 mg/kg) of M. scadens were investigated for antiplasmodial activity against chloroquine-sensitive Plasmodium berghei infections in mice and for antiulcer activity against experimentally-induced ulcers. The antimalarial activity during early and established infections as well as prophylactic was investigated. Artesunate (5 mg/kg) and pyrimethamine (1.2 mg/kg) were used as positive controls. Thin films made from tail blood of each mouse were used to assess the level of parasitaemia of the mice. Antiulcer activity of the crude extract was also evaluated against indomethacin, ethanol and histamine induced ulcers.

Results

The extract and its fractions dose-dependently reduced parasitaemia induced by chloroquine-sensitive Plasmodium berghei infection in prophylactic, suppressive and curative models in mice. These reductions were statistically significant (P<0.001). They also improved the mean survival time (MST) from 9.28 to 17.73 days as compared with the control (P<0.01–0.001). The activities of extract/fractions were incomparable to that of the standard drugs i.e. artesunate and pyrimethamine. On experimentally-induced ulcers, the extract inhibited indomethacin, ethanol and histamine induced ulcers. These inhibitions were statistically significant (P<0.001) and in a dose-dependent fashion.

Conclusions

The antiplasmodial and antiulcerogenic effects of this plant may in part be mediated through the chemical constituents of the plant.