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.     

Selection bias: neighbourhood controls and controls selected from those presenting to a Health Unit in a case control study of efficacy of BCG revaccination

Background  

In most case control studies the hardest decision is the choice of the control group, as in the ideal control group the proportion exposed is the same as in the population that produced the cases.     

Laparoscopic hysterectomy in a case of male pseudohermaphroditism with persistent Mullerian duct derivatives

We describe laparoscopic diagnosis and treatment for a case of dysgenetic male pseudohermaphroditism with persistent Mullerian ducts. The patient, a 32 year old man, with a history of surgery for hypospadias and cryptorchidism during childhood, was referred because of anejaculation. He was of short stature, with male external genitalia composed of a small penis and hypoplastic testis (1 ml right, 6 ml left side). Plasma follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) was high (17 mUI/ml), testosterone low (1.9 ng/ml), and his karyotype was 46,XY. Pelvic ultrasound, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and genitography disclosed a uterine-like structure with cavity communicating with the urethra. Laparoscopy and urethrocystoscopy confirmed the presence of a 4 cm uterus, which was removed endoscopically at the same time. A biopsy of the left gonad was also performed. The uterus contained endometrial tissue and was fibrotic. Histology of the left gonad showed spermatocytic arrest. We diagnosed dysgenetic male pseudohermaphroditism. Laparoscopy, in our opinion, is an optimal tool to diagnose and treat abnormal sexual conditions.