Antimicrobial Effects of the Stem Bark Extracts of Parkia Biglobosa (Jacq.) Benth. on Shigellae

Total and hydroalcoholic extracts of the stem barks of Parkia biglobosa (Jacq) Benth. (Mimosaceae) were tested on strains belonging to three species of Shigellae: S. dysenteriae, S. flexneri and S. boydii collected from hospitals in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. The results showed that both extracts were active against Shigellae. The hydroalcoholic extract was more active than the decoction (aqueous one) prescribed by the traditional healer. Both extracts were particularly effective against S. dysenteriae, the most virulent of the three pathogenic species. The effects of the extracts have been compared to that of gentamicin. The phytochemical screening on the extracts revealed the presence of sterols, triterpenes, polyphenolic compounds including tanins, flavonoids, coumarins, anthocyanidins. Other components are saponosides and reducing sugars.     

Cynodon dactylon andSida acuta extracts impact on the function of the cardiovascular system in zebrafish embryos

The aim of the present study was to screen cardioactive herbs from Western Ghats of India.The heart beat rate (HBR) and blood flow during systole and diastole were tested in zebrafish embryos.We found that Cynodon dactylon (C.dactylon) induced increases in the HBR in zebrafish embryos with a HBR of (3.968±0.344) beats/s,which was significantly higher than that caused by betamethosone [(3.770±0.344) beats/s].The EC 50 value of C.dactylon was 3.738 μg/mL.The methanolic extract of Sida acuta (S.acuta) led to decreases in the HBR in zebrafish embryos [(1.877±0.079) beats/s],which was greater than that caused by nebivolol (positive control).The EC 50 value of Sida acuta was 1.195 μg/mL.The untreated embryos had a HBR of (2.685±0.160) beats/s at 3 d post fertilization (dpf).The velocities of blood flow during the cardiac cycle were (2,291.667±72.169) μm/s for the control,(4,250±125.000) μm/s for C.dactylon and (1,083.333±72.169) μm/s for S.acuta.The LC 50 values were 32.6 μg/mL for C.dactylon and 20.9 μg/mL for S.acuta.In addition,the extracts exhibited no chemical genetic effects in the drug dosage range tested.In conclusion,we developed an assay that can measure changes in cardiac function in response to herbal small molecules and determine the cardiogenic effects by microvideography.     

United States Standard Diphtheria Toxin for the Schick Text and the Erythema Potency Assay for the Schick Text Dose

A diphtheria toxin shown to have high toxicity and avidity and to combine with antitoxin in multiple proportions was selected for the U.S. standard diphtheria toxin for the Schick test and freeze-dried. Assayed values per vial were 1.09 L(f), 1.09 L(r), 1,090 Schick test doses (STD), 33 LD(80), 38 LD(50), and 43,000 minimum skin reactive doses. One STD (L(r)/1000) is slightly more toxic than one unit of the international standard (L(f)/1,000). Experiments showed that the potency assay of Schick test toxin by guinea pig erythema toxicity, determined relative to the toxicity of the standard, was highly reproducible and significantly more reproducible than the lethal (minimum lethal dose) test and that the STD, defined as one L(r)/1000, was equivalent to approximately 1/50 minimum lethal dose. The erythema potency assay was prescribed in the U.S. standards for Schick test toxin effective in 1969.     

In vitro antileishmanial and antitrypanosomal activities of five medicinal plants from Burkina Faso

After ethnobotanical surveys in central and western regions of Burkina Faso, five plants namely Lantana ukambensis (Verbenaceae), Xeoderris sthulmannii (Fabaceae), Parinari curatellifollia (Chrysobalanaceae), Ozoroa insignis (Anacardiaceae), and Ficus platyphylla (Moraceae) were selected for their traditional use in the treatment of parasitic diseases and cancer. Our previous studies have focused on the phytochemical, genotoxicity, antioxidant, and antiproliferative activities of these plants. In this study, the methanol extract of each plant was tested to reveal probable antileishmanial and antitrypanosomal activities. Colorimetric and spectrophotometric methods were used for the detection of antileishmanial and antitrypanosomal activities. Leishmania donovani (LV9 WT) and Trypanosoma brucei brucei GVR 35 were used to test the antileishmanial and antitrypanosomal activities, respectively. All extracts of tested plants showed a significant antitrypanosomal activity with minimum lethal concentrations between 1.5 and 25 μg/ml, the L. ukambensis extract being the most active. In the antileishmanial test, only the extract from L. ukambensis showed significant activity with an inhibitory concentration (IC(50)) of 6.9 μg/ml. The results of this study contribute to the promotion of traditional medicine products and are preliminary for the isolation of new natural molecules for the treatment of leishmaniasis and trypanosomiasis.     

AW2镇痛药理作用的实验研究

目的:研究AW2的镇痛药理作用。方法:采用醋酸致痛的小鼠(扭体法)及热板致痛的小鼠(热板法)模型,观察AW2的镇痛作用。结果:AW2不同剂量组可不同程度抑制化学刺激所致的小鼠扭体反应,提高热板致痛小鼠的痛阈值,扭体镇痛ED50为3.3342 g(生药量).kg-1。结论:AW2具有轻微的镇痛作用。     

Anticancer activities against cholangiocarcinoma, toxicity and pharmacological activities of Thai medicinal plants in animal models

Background

Chemotherapy of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), a devastating cancer with increasing worldwide incidence and mortality rates, is largely ineffective. The discovery and development of effective chemotherapeutics is urgently needed.

Methods/Design

The study aimed at evaluating anticancer activities, toxicity, and pharmacological activities of the curcumin compound (CUR), the crude ethanolic extracts of rhizomes of Zingiber officinale Roscoe (Ginger: ZO) and Atractylodes lancea thung. DC (Khod-Kha-Mao: AL), fruits of Piper chaba Hunt. (De-Plee: PC), and Pra-Sa-Prao-Yhai formulation (a mixture of parts of 18 Thai medicinal plants: PPF) were investigated in animal models. Anti-cholangiocarcinoma (anti-CCA) was assessed using CCA-xenograft nude mouse model. The antihypertensive, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, and anti-ulcer activities and effects on motor coordination were investigated using Rota-rod test, CODA tail-cuff system, writhing and hot plate tests, carrageenan-induced paw edema test, brewer's yeast test, and alcohol-induced gastric ulcer test, respectively. Acute and subacute toxicity tests were performed according to the OECD guideline for testing of chemicals with modification.

Results

Promising anticancer activity against CCA in nude mouse xenograft model was shown for the ethanolic extract of AL at all oral dose levels (1000, 3000, and 5000 mg/kg body weight) as well as the extracts of ZO, PPF, and CUR compound at the highest dose level (5000, 4000, and 5000 mg/kg body weight, respectively). PC produced no significant anti-CCA activity. Results from acute and subacute toxicity tests both in mice and rats indicate safety profiles of all the test materials in a broad range of dose levels. No significant toxicity except stomach irritation and general CNS depressant signs were observed. Investigation of pharmacological activities of the test materials revealed promising anti-inflammatory (ZO, PPF, and AL), analgesic (CUR and PPF), antipyretic (CUR and AL), antihypertensive (ZO and AL), and anti-ulcer (CUR, ZO, and AL) activities.

Conclusion

Plants used in Thai traditional medicine for the treatment of various ailments may provide reservoirs of promising candidate chemotherapeutics for the treatment of CCA.     

Anti-Inflammatory and Analgesic activity of R.A.P. (Radix Angelicae Pubescentis) Ethanol Extracts

The objective of this paper was to study the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of Radix Angelicae Pubescentis (R.A.P) ethanol extracts. Three classic anti-inflammatory models and two analgesic models were used in this research. In anti-inflammatory tests, all the extracts have a certain inhibition on the acute inflammation induced by xylene, however, 60% ethanol extract significantly inhibited the inflammation in the three models. In analgesic experiment, compared with the blank control group, the comparisons between R.A.P. groups and control group had significant difference (p < 0.01). The incubation period in mouse writhing test or the tail-curl immersion tests could be extended greatly.     

金叶女贞花提取物镇痛抗炎活性的筛选及评价

目的:筛选和评价金叶女贞花提取物的镇痛抗炎活性。方法:利用溶剂萃取法制备金叶女贞花水提取物、乙酸乙酯提取物和正丁醇提取物。SPF级昆明小鼠分为5组:空白对照组(control)、阿司匹林组(aspirin)、金叶女贞花水提取物组、金叶女贞花乙酸乙酯提取物组以及金叶女贞花正丁醇提取物组。采用小鼠热板法和冰醋酸扭体法建立小鼠疼痛模型,评价金叶女贞花各提取物的镇痛效果。采用小鼠耳廓肿胀法、小鼠足肿胀法评价金叶女贞花不同提取物的抗炎作用。结果:镇痛实验结果显示,金叶女贞花水提取物能显著提高小鼠痛阈,减少扭体次数(P<0.05),且金叶女贞花水提取物的镇痛率高达63.89%。抗炎实验结果显示,金叶女贞花水提取物、乙酸乙酯提取物和正丁醇提取物均能抑制小鼠耳肿胀和足肿胀,具有显著的抗炎作用(P<0.05)。结论:金叶女贞花兼具镇痛和抗炎活性的物质主要存在于水提取物中。此外,金叶女贞花的乙酸乙酯提取物和正丁醇提取物均具有一定的抗炎活性。     

Potential source of human exposure to Mycobacterium bovis in Burkina Faso, in the context of the HIV epidemic

Objective: To identify potential sources of human Mycobacterium bovis infection in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.
Methods: A tuberculin survey among 174 cattle was performed. Mycobacteriologic identification in 64 samples of pooled milk, and in 199 tissue samples collected from the slaughterhouse of Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, was also done. We retrospectively analyzed the distribution of tuberculosis (TB) cases on 1140 clinical records according to professional occupation and to ethnic group. The frequency of pulmonary and extrapulmonary TB was related to potential exposure and route of transmission of M. bovis from animals.
Results: Out of six herds (total 170 bovines), only one was free of any positive tuberculin test. Among 199 bovines which had been slaughtered over four consecutive nights, 38 (19%) had morphologic lesions suggestive of TB; 17 (45%) of those were positive for acid-fast bacilli by microscopic examination on one of their lesions, and 20 samples (53%) presented a positive culture for a pathogenic mycobacterium, including M. bovis and M. tuberculosis. In the retrospective analysis, Peuls more frequently had a pulmonary form of disease. This may be related to the route of transmission.
Conclusions: Attention has to be paid to human TB of bovine origin in Burkina Faso. The identification of M. tuberculosis in milk and in tissue samples raises the question of the transmission of TB from humans to cattle.     

Toxicity,analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of tectorigenin

Abstract

Objective: Belamcanda chinensis has been used in oriental medicine for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. Tectorigenin is a main compound in B. chinensis and possess inhibitory activity against inflammatory responses. Thus, the current study aimed at evaluating toxicity as well as analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of tectorigenin in animal models.

Methods: Tectorigenin was employed to evaluate acute and subacute toxicity. Acetic acid-induced writhing in mice was used for analgesic test. The anti-inflammatory activity was tested in carrageenan-induced paw edema.

Results: LD₅₀ of tectorigenin was 1.78?g/kg p.o. in mice and no toxic symptoms were observed at doses up to 300?mg/kg in a subacute toxicity test during 28-day treatment. Tectorigenin at doses of 50 and 100?mg/kg had an analgesic effect on acetic acid-induced acute visceral pain in mice. In inflammatory rat model, tectorigenin at 60?mg/kg significantly reduced carrageenan-induced edema.

Conclusion: We demonstrated that tectorigenin is a safe and promising analgesic and anti-inflammatory agent.     

Anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties of Sida rhombifolia stems and roots in adjuvant induced arthritic rats

Free radical stress leads to tissue injury and progression of disease conditions such as arthritis, hemorrhagic shock, atherosclerosis, diabetes, hepatic injury, aging and ischemia, reperfusion injury of many tissues, gastritis, tumor promotion, neurodegenerative diseases and carcinogenesis. Safer anti-oxidants suitable for long term use are needed to prevent or stop the progression of free radical mediated disorders. Herbal medicine provides a foundation for various traditional medicine systems worldwide. The Sida species is one of the most important families of medicinal plants in India. Hence, the present study was aimed to investigate the possible anti-oxidant potential of Sida rhombifolia extracts for 30 days on adjuvant induced arthritis in experimental rats. The altered levels of hematological parameters were reverted to near normal levels, especially the elevated rate of erythrocyte sedimentation was significantly reduced by S. rhombifolia extracts in experimental rats. Oral administration of root and stem of S. rhombifolia extracts significantly increased the levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and activities of catalase and glutathione peroxidase and decreased the levels of reduced glutathione and superoxide dismutase activity in arthritis induced rats. The free radical scavenging activity of the plant was further evidenced by histological and transmission electron microscopy observations made on the hind limb tissue.     

Antiplasmodial activity of alkaloid extracts from Pavetta crassipes (K. Schum) and Acanthospermum hispidum (DC), two plants used in traditional medicine in Burkina Faso

In the course of the search for new antimalarial compounds, a study of plants traditionally used against malaria in Burkina Faso was made. An ethnobotanical study permitted the identification of plants currently used by the traditional healers and herbalists. Two plants among them were selected for further study: Pavetta crassipes (K. Schum) and Acanthospermum hispidum (DC). Alkaloid extracts of these plants were tested in vitro against two reference clones of Plasmodium falciparum: the W2 chloroquine-resistant and the D6 chloroquine-sensitive strains. Significant inhibitory activity was observed with Pavetta crassipes (IC(50)=1.23 microg/ml) and A. hispidum (IC(50)=5.02 microg/ml). Antiplasmodial activity was also evaluated against six Plasmodium falciparum isolates from children between 4 and 10 years old. The IC(50) values for the alkaloid extracts were in the range 25-670 ng/ml. These results indicated that P. falciparum wild strains were more sensitive to the alkaloid extracts than strains maintained in continuous culture. Moreover, the alkaloid extracts exhibit good in vitro antimalarial activity and weak cytotoxicity against three human cell lines (THP1, normal melanocytes, HTB-66). Isolation and structural determination are now necessary in order to precisely determine the active compounds.     

La charge de travail des agents de santé dans un contexte de gratuité des soins au Burkina Faso et au Niger

User fees exemption policy supported by NGOs in Burkina Faso and Niger resulted in a higher utilization of health services in primary health care facilities. We conducted a survey in 2 health districts in Burkina Faso and Niger in 2011. The study objective was to assess whether the higher utilization associated with the user fees exemption policy, may result in an overload for health staff at the front line in health facilities. The WHO’s recommended WISN method was used to compute a ratio of actual/required staff using a comparative study with 4 control facilities and 4 intervention sites where the user fees exemption policy was provided by local NGOs in both countries. Overall, 8 primary health facilities both in Burkina Faso and Niger were involved. In Burkina Faso, the ratio was ≥1 in all facilities both control and intervention, i.e. a sufficient staff in facilities. In Niger, 3 out of the 4 intervention facilities in Keita district were found to have a ratio ≤1, i.e. understaffed. In the 4 control facilities, the staff was sufficient with a ratio ≥1. In Burkina Faso, the actual number of staff in facilities appeared enough to face the higher utilization of health services that may follow the user fees exemption policy supported by local NGOs unlike Niger where we found that the actual number of staff was insufficient to face a possible higher utilization resulting from the same policy in intervention facilities.     

Evaluation of the diagnostic performance and operational characteristics of four rapid immunochromatographic syphilis tests in Burkina Faso

Background and objective

Little information is available on the rapid diagnostic testing for syphilis in Burkina Faso. The objectives of the study were (i) to assess the sensitivity and specificity of four on site rapid tests in comparison with Treponema pallidum haemagglutination assay (TPHA) as a gold standard and (ii) to evaluate the operational characteristics of those tests among health workers in a maternity unit.

Methods

Four rapid syphilis tests commercially available in Burkina Faso were evaluated using archived serum samples and Treponema pallidum hemagglutination assay (TPHA) as the gold standard. Blood samples were collected between November 2011 and June 2012 from blood donors at the Regional Blood Transfusion Center of Ouagadougou. The sensitivity and specificity of the tests were calculated. Evaluation of operational characteristics such as clarity of pamphlet, complexity of technique, duration, was conducted in a first-level healthcare center with health workers in maternity unit.

Results

Alere DetermineTM Syphilis was the most sensitive of the four rapid syphilis tests evaluated. It was followed by SD Bioline Syphilis 3.0, Cypress Diagnostics Syphilis Quick test and Accu-Tell ® Rapid Anti-TP, which was the least sensitive. The four tests demonstrated a good diagnostic specificity for syphilis (95–98%), and healthcare workers found them easy to use.

Conclusions

The study allowed confirming the good performance of three of four rapid syphilis tests in Burkina Faso. More research will be conducted to assess the feasibility of introducing selected rapid tests for syphilis in antenatal care services.     

Acute Toxicity Study and Antipyretic Effect of the Brown Alga Turbinaria Conoides (J. Agardh) Kuetz

The active principles of brown alga, Turbinaria conoides (J.Agardh) Kuetz. (Sargassaceae) was extracted with n-hexane, cyclohexane, methanol and ethanol-water (1:1) and investigated for acute toxicity and antipyretic activity. Phytochemical analysis of the extracts revealed the presence of steroids, flavonoids and reducing sugars. Acute toxicity study was performed in Wistar rats after administration of extracts orally. No mortality was observed up to the dose of 5g/kg for methanol and ethanol-water (1:1) extracts whereas n-hexane and cyclohexane extracts were found to be toxic at the dose levels of 1g/kg and 2 g/kg respectively. In biochemical analysis, n-hexane, cyclohexane and ethanol-water (1:1) extracts caused a significant (P<0.01) increase in serum cholesterol, protein and alkaline phosphatase levels. In haematological studies, a significant difference was observed for cyclohexane and ethanol-water (1:1) extracts in polymorphs, lymphocytes and eosinophils when compared to the control. Antipyretic activity of extracts (100–400 mg/kg doses) was carried out on yeast-induced pyrexia in rats. Cyclohexane extract exhibited more significant antipyretic activity (P<0.01) than the other extracts at a dose of 200mg/kg (54.43%), which was comparable to that of paracetamol at a dose of 33 mg/kg. The findings validated the use of this brown alga in traditional cure of children''s fever.     

Reference values of 15 clinical blood constituent for African adult from Ougadougou (Burkina Faso)

In order to establish reference values of biochemical profile of the adult (n = 559) in tropical sahelian area (Burkina Faso), assumed to be healthy, age between 15 and 50, 15 clinical blood constituents appearing among the most commonly explored were determined. Most constituents levels are influenced by sex et and age. The reference values stemming from the adult native of Burkina Faso were compared with those of the european adult and difference ares observed.     

马钱子碱脂质体透皮制剂的安全性及药效学研究

采用乙醇滴入法制备平均粒径为54 nm、包封率为72%的马钱子碱脂质体;以同剂量纯马钱子碱为对照,考察马钱子碱脂质体透皮制剂的皮肤急性毒性,皮肤过敏性,镇痛抗炎效果以及在240 min内的作用持续性.结果显示:所制备的透皮制剂无皮肤急性毒性、无皮肤致敏性,毒性显著低于普通马钱子碱;镇痛抗炎效果好于同剂量的马钱子碱溶液,且呈现良好的剂量相关性,相同时间内本制剂比同剂量马钱子碱药效更持久.由此可见,脂质体包覆能有效降低马钱子碱的毒性,提高其镇痛抗炎疗效,同时实现药物的长效作用.     

Evidence for high genetic diversity and long-term endemicity of hepatitis C virus genotypes 1 and 2 in West Africa

During 1994 and 1995, the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and its genotypes were studied in several rural and urban populations in three West African countries: Guinea, Burkina Faso, and Benin. The following groups were screened for antibodies to HCV (anti-HCV): 459 villagers in the forest region of Guinea; 965 individuals in urban, suburban, and rural populations of the Bobo Dioulasso area, Burkina Faso; and 582 blood donors in Cotonou, Benin. In Benin, 60 patients with sickle cell anemia (30 with and 30 without history of multiple transfusion) and 13 hospital patients with liver disease were also tested. RT-PCR detection of HCV-RNA was carried out on all anti-HCV positive samples, followed by genotyping and sequencing of unrecognized subtypes. The prevalence rates of anti-HCV were 1.1% in the Guinean population group, 1.4% among blood donors in Benin, and 4.9% in residents of Burkina Faso. In patients with sickle cell anemia, five of the 30 polytranfused patients (17%) had anti-HCV, whereas none of the patients without a history of blood transfusion had anti-HCV (P < 0.05). Among the 13 patients with liver disease, five had anti-HCV, of whom four had history of blood transfusion. HCV-RNA was detected in 41 anti-HCV positive sera. All belonged to genotypes 1 or 2, with a high genomic diversity; 18 different subtypes were identified, including 2c, 2d, and 16 new subtypes. Such genetic diversity poses a challenge for vaccine development and also implies that HCV infection is long-established in these West African regions. J. Med. Virol. 55:92–97, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.