Inhibitory activity of xanthine oxidase by fractions Crateva adansonii

ObjectiveTo study the inhibitory effect of various extracts from Crateva adansonii (C. adansonii) used traditionally against several inflammatory diseases such as rheumatism, arthritis, and gout, was investigated on purified bovine milk xanthine oxidase (XO) activity.MethodsXanthine oxidase inhibitory activity was assayed spectrophotometrically and the degree of enzyme inhibition was determined by measuring the increase in absorbance at 295 nm associated with uric acid formation. Enzyme kinetics was carried out using Lineweaver-Burk plots using xanthine as the substrate.ResultsAmong the fractions tested, the chloroform fraction exhibited highest potency (IC₅₀ 20.2±1.6 μg/mL) followed by the petroleum ether (IC₅₀ 30.1±2.2 μg/mL), ethyl acetate (IC₅₀ 43.9±1.4 μg/mL) and residual (IC₅₀ 98.0±3.3 μg/mL) fractions. The IC₅₀ value of allopurinol used, as the standard was 5.7±0.3 μg/mL.ConclusionsEnzyme inhibition mechanism indicated that the mode of inhibition was of a mixed type. Our findings suggest that the therapeutic use of these plants may be due to the observed Xanthine oxidase inhibition, thereby supporting their use in traditional folk medicine against inflammatory-related diseases, in particular, gout.     

Skilled birth attendance-lessons learnt

To reduce the horrific maternal mortality figures that we have globally especially in resource poor countries, there was a global commitment to reduce maternal mortality by three-quarters by 2015 using 1990 as a baseline. To measure the achievement of this goal, two indicators: maternal mortality ratio and proportion of births attended by skilled attendance were selected. To ensure skilled attendance at birth for all women, the international community set a target of 80% by 2005, 85% by 2010 and 90% coverage by 2015. However, in 2008 only 65.7% of all women were attended to by a skilled attendant during pregnancy, childbirth and immediately postpartum globally with some countries having less than 20% coverage. With the global human resource crisis, achieving this target is challenging but possible. This paper provides a narrative review of the literature on the skilled birth attendance strategy identifying key challenges and lessons learnt.     

The time course of liver DNA and RNA alterations in acute experimental pancreatitis in rats--a possible mechanism of prostacyclin (PGI2) protection

The mechanism of the liver damage in acute pancreatitis remains unsolved. The aim of this study was to evaluate RNA and DNA changes in the liver in Na-taurocholate pancreatitis in rats, with consideration being given to the protective effect of prostacyclin (20 micrograms.kg.24 h intraperitoneally). Total RNA increased both in treated and untreated rats after 24 hrs and even more after 48 hrs. After 48 hrs this increase was 35% higher in treated than in untreated rats. The RNA/DNA ratio paralleled the increase of total RNA. In 24 hrs incorporation of 3H-uridine into RNA increased 145% in untreated, and in 48 hrs 50% in treated rats. After 7 days 60% of treated animals survived as compared with 20% in the untreated group. The evident changes in RNA content, RNA/DNA ratio and RNA synthesis suggest a role for nucleic acid disturbances in the liver injury in acute pancreatitis. The beneficial effect of prostacyclin might, in part, be dependent on its effect on nucleic acid metabolism.