Acute toxicity, anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive investigations of extracts from Ampelocissus africana (Lour) Merr (Vitaceae) rhizomes

Ampelocissus africana (Lour) Merr (Vitaceae) is a plant used in traditional medicine in Burkina Faso in the treatment of wounds, edema, drops, infections. This study focused on pharmacological investigations effects of methanolic and aqueous extracts from Ampelocissus africana (Lour) Merr rhizomes. The acute toxicity of the extracts from Ampelocissus africana was performed under OECD 423 guidelines. The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated in vivo using carrageenan-induced paw edema of mice at the doses to 50, 100, 200, 400, 600 mg/kg body weight (bw). The antinociceptive activity of the extracts was determined using acetic acid, formalin nociception models in mice at the doses to 50, 100, 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg bw. The involvement of ATP-sensitive K+ channel pathway and opioid system were tested using glibenclamide, and naloxone respectively at the unique dose (400 mg/kg). No mortality of mice were observed at dose of 2000 mg/kg b.w. The lethal dose (LD50) value estimated to 5000 mg/kg b.w. The tests were showed that the extracts exerted significant dose-dependent anti-inflammatory responses in the paw induced by carrageenan (from 37 to 72.90 percent inhibition), antinociceptives in acetic-induced abdominal contractions (from 25.10 to 63.08%), and in formaldehyde-induced paw licking (from 9.27 to 71.77%) tests. The pretreatment with naloxone and glibenclamide did not affect the antinociceptives effects. The results suggested that the extracts from the rhizomes of Ampelocissus africana possessed anti-inflammatory and antinociception effects in mice. These effects could justify the uses of this plant in traditional medicine

The evolving SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Africa: Insights from rapidly expanding genomic surveillance

INTRODUCTION Investment in Africa over the past year with regard to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) sequencing has led to a massive increase in the number of sequences, which, to date, exceeds 100,000 sequences generated to track the pandemic on the continent. These sequences have profoundly affected how public health officials in Africa have navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. RATIONALE We demonstrate how the first 100,000 SARS-CoV-2 sequences from Africa have helped monitor the epidemic on the continent, how genomic surveillance expanded over the course of the pandemic, and how we adapted our sequencing methods to deal with an evolving virus. Finally, we also examine how viral lineages have spread across the continent in a phylogeographic framework to gain insights into the underlying temporal and spatial transmission dynamics for several variants of concern (VOCs). RESULTS Our results indicate that the number of countries in Africa that can sequence the virus within their own borders is growing and that this is coupled with a shorter turnaround time from the time of sampling to sequence submission. Ongoing evolution necessitated the continual updating of primer sets, and, as a result, eight primer sets were designed in tandem with viral evolution and used to ensure effective sequencing of the virus. The pandemic unfolded through multiple waves of infection that were each driven by distinct genetic lineages, with B.1-like ancestral strains associated with the first pandemic wave of infections in 2020. Successive waves on the continent were fueled by different VOCs, with Alpha and Beta cocirculating in distinct spatial patterns during the second wave and Delta and Omicron affecting the whole continent during the third and fourth waves, respectively. Phylogeographic reconstruction points toward distinct differences in viral importation and exportation patterns associated with the Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron variants and subvariants, when considering both Africa versus the rest of the world and viral dissemination within the continent. Our epidemiological and phylogenetic inferences therefore underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic on the continent and highlight key insights and challenges, for instance, recognizing the limitations of low testing proportions. We also highlight the early warning capacity that genomic surveillance in Africa has had for the rest of the world with the detection of new lineages and variants, the most recent being the characterization of various Omicron subvariants. CONCLUSION Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve. This is important not only to help combat SARS-CoV-2 on the continent but also because it can be used as a platform to help address the many emerging and reemerging infectious disease threats in Africa. In particular, capacity building for local sequencing within countries or within the continent should be prioritized because this is generally associated with shorter turnaround times, providing the most benefit to local public health authorities tasked with pandemic response and mitigation and allowing for the fastest reaction to localized outbreaks. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century

The evolving SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Africa: Insights from rapidly expanding genomic surveillance.

Investment in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) sequencing in Africa over the past year has led to a major increase in the number of sequences that have been generated and used to track the pandemic on the continent, a number that now exceeds 100,000 genomes. Our results show an increase in the number of African countries that are able to sequence domestically and highlight that local sequencing enables faster turnaround times and more-regular routine surveillance. Despite limitations of low testing proportions, findings from this genomic surveillance study underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic and illuminate the distinct dispersal dynamics of variants of concern-particularly Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron-on the continent. Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve while the continent faces many emerging and reemerging infectious disease threats. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century

Phenolic Content, Antioxidant Activity, 15-Lipoxygenase and Lipid Peroxidase Inhibitory Effects of two Medicinal Plants from Burkina Faso: Acacia macrostachya Reich. Ex Benth (Mimosaceae) and Lepidagathis anobrya NEES (Acanthaceae)

Acacia macrostachya (Mimosaceae) and Lepidagathis anobrya (Acanthaceae) are two medicinal plants used in Burkina Faso folk medicine for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. The purpose of this study was to assess the phenolic content, the antioxidant, lipoxygenase and lipid peroxidaseinhibitory effects of Acacia macrostachya and Lepidagathis anobrya.The experimental results revealed that Acacia mascrostachya and Lepidagathis anobrya have respective total phenolic contents  varies from 240.13 ± 0.44 and 30.88 ± 0.30 mg GAE / 100 mg extract; and total flavonoids contents of 2.30 ± 0.002 and 4.24 ± 0.28 QE / 100 mg of extract. The two plants demonstrated anti-free radicals (ABTS) capacities of 0.06 and 0.14 TEAC while the FRAP reducing power of 2.24 ± 0.08 and 4.43 ± 0.12 mmol AAE per 100 mg respectively. Acacia macrostachya and Lepidagathis anobrya showed significant inhibitory effect on lipid oxidation with the inhibition percentage values of 55.45 ± 1.48 and 66.36 ± 0.65 respectively. In the 15-lipoxygenase inhibition, Acacia macrostachya demonstrated very important inhibitory effect with the IC50 value of 1.32 ± 0.16 while the effect of Lepidagathis anobrya is very moderate.The results of this work demonstrated the interest of Acacia macrostachya and Lepidagathis anobrya in the management of inflammatory diseases.</jats:p

Phytochemical, Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Extracts from Ampelocissus africana (Lour) Merr (Vitaceae) Rhizomes

Aims: To determine the phytochemical composition and evaluate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of methanolic and aqueous extracts from Ampelocissus africana (Lour) Merr rhizomes.&#x0D; Study Design: Phytochemical content and screening, in vitro antioxidant and anti-inflammatory assays.&#x0D; Place and Duration of Study: Department of Traditional Pharmacopoeia and Pharmacy (MEPHATRA / PH) of the Institute for Research in Health Sciences (IRSS) and Laboratory of Applied Biochemistry and Chemistry (LABIOCA), University Joseph KI-ZERBO in Ouagadougou between April and August 2020.&#x0D; Methodology: The antioxidant activity of both extracts of the plant was assessed using DPPH radical scavenging, ABTS+ radical cation decolorization, ferric ion reduction and lipid peroxidation inhibition in rat liver assays. The anti-inflammatory activities in vitro were measured on the ability of the extract to inhibit the activity of enzymes such as 15-lipoxygenase, phospholipase A2 (PLA2) and cyclooxygenases (COX-1 and COX-2).&#x0D; Results: This study revealed that the total phenolic contents of the extracts varied from 471.79 ± 1.71 mg GAE/g to 173.88 ± 1.71 mg GAE/g for methanolic and aqueous extract respectively. The extracts were also rich in flavonoids and tannins. The methanolic extract possessed better antioxidant activity with an IC50 of 2.32 ± 0.18 µg/ml for the ABTS, 1.71 ± 0.05 µg/mL for the DPPH, a reducing power agent of 87.44 ± 0.5 mmol AAE /100 g and a percentage inhibition of lipid peroxidation of 52.21%. The methanolic and aqueous extract of A. africana has an inhibitory action on activity of lipoxygenase with IC50 values of 26.09 ± 1.83 μg/mL to 34.32 ± 1.60 μg/mL, respectively. The methanolic extract caused COX-1 inhibition of 36.07%, COX-2 inhibition of 38.31% and PLA2 inhibition of 26.9%.&#x0D; Conclusion: These results showed that the methanolic and aqueous extract from the rhizomes of Ampelocissus africana possessed antioxidant power, inhibitor effect against proinflammatory enzymes.</jats:p

Phytochemical Characteristics and Pharmacological Properties Studies of the Powders of Punica granatum L. (Lythraceae) Leaves from Seven Regions of Burkina Faso with a View to Standardizing

Introduction: Punica granatum is a plant used in traditional and alternative medicine for the management of several diseases.&#x0D; Objective: The objective of the present work is to compare the phytochemical characteristics and the antioxidant properties of extracts of leaves powders of Punica granatum L. collected for standardization.&#x0D; Methodology: We worked on seven samples of powders of leaves of Punica granatum L collected in seven different regions of Burkina Faso. Two types of extracts, aqueous and hydroethanolic were prepared with each sample. We performed a phytochemical screening by thin layer chromatography (TLC), then determined the content of the various extracts in total phenolic and flavonoids as well as a study of the antioxidant activity of the aqueous and hydro-ethanolic extracts of the plant.&#x0D; Results: Fourteen extracts of Punica granatum are obtained and these contain secondary metabolites such as tannins, sterols, triterpenes, saponosides and flavonoids. The anti-free radical activities at the DPPH* were more important in the samples from the towns of Dedougou, Banfora and Fada. The anti-free radicals at ABTS of extracts from the towns of Manga, Banfora, Fada and Kaya were found to be the most active. The FRAP test shows better activity of samples from the cities, Manga, Dedougou and Banfora.&#x0D; Conclusion: At the end of this work, the towns of Dedougou and Banfora may be the sites to be favored as harvesting sites because their samples were the richest in phenolic compounds and had the best antioxidant activities compared to the tests carried out.</jats:p

Assessment of handwashing impact on detection of SARS-CoV-2, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli on hands in rural and urban settings of Côte d’Ivoire during COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract Background Handwashing is the first line of hygiene measures and one of the oldest methods of preventing the spread of infectious diseases. Despite its efficacy in the health system, handwashing is often inadequately practiced by populations. This study aimed to assess the presence of SARS-CoV-2, Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) on hands as indicators of lack of hand hygiene during COVID 19 pandemic. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in rural Taabo and urban Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire) from January to September 2021. A total of 384 participants from 384 households were included in the study. The total households were distributed proportionally within various municipalities in the two study areas according to the number of households in each municipality, based on data of the National Institute of Statistics from the 2014 general population census. Hand swabbing of the 384 participants within households (320 in Abidjan and 64 in Taabo) was performed for the enumeration of E. coli and S aureus, using laboratory standard method and for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 by RT-qPCR. A binary logistic regression model was built with the outcome variable presence of Staphylococcus spp. on hands of respondents that was categorized into binary variables, Staphylococcus spp. (1 = presence, 0 = absence) for the Risk Ratio estimation. Place of living, sex, handwashing, education and age group were used to adjust the model to observe the effects of these explanatory variables. Results No presence of SARS-CoV-2 virus was detected on the hands of respondents in both sites. However, in urban Abidjan, only Staphylococcus spp. (Coagulase Negative Staphylococci) was found on the hands of 233 (72.8%, 95%CI: 67.7–77.4) respondents with the average load of 0.56 CFU/ Cm2 (95% CI, 0.52–0.60). Meanwhile, in rural Taabo, Staphylococcus spp. (Coagulase Negative Staphylococci) and E. coli were found on the hands of 40 (62.5%, 95%CI: 50.3–73.3) and 7 (10.9%, 95%CI: 5.4–20.9) respondents with the respective average load of 0.49 CFU/ Cm2 (95% CI, 0.39–0.59) and 0.08 CFU/ Cm2 (95% CI, 0.03–0.18). Participants living in rural Taabo were less likely to have Staphylococcus spp. on their hands (RR = 0.811; 95%IC: 0.661–0.995) compared to those living in urban Abidjan. Conclusions No SARS-CoV-2 was detected on the hands of participants in both sites, suggesting that our study did not show direct transmission through hands. No E. coli was found in urban Abidjan while E. coli was found on the hands of participants in rural Taabo indicating poor hand washing and disinfection practices in rural Taabo. Living in urban Abidjan is statistically associated to having Staphylococcus spp. on hands. Further studies are necessary especially to understand to what extent the presence of Staphylococcus spp. on hands indicates a higher infection or fecal colonization rates in the case of E. coli

Reported antibiotic use among patients in the multicenter ANDEMIA infectious diseases surveillance study in sub-saharan Africa

Abstract Background Exposure to antibiotics has been shown to be one of the drivers of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and is critical to address when planning and implementing strategies for combatting AMR. However, data on antibiotic use in sub-Saharan Africa are still limited. Using hospital-based surveillance data from the African Network for Improved Diagnostics, Epidemiology and Management of Common Infectious Agents (ANDEMIA), we assessed self-reported antibiotic use in multiple sub-Saharan African countries. Methods ANDEMIA included 12 urban and rural health facilities in Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Republic of South Africa. Patients with acute respiratory infection (RTI), acute gastrointestinal infection (GI) and acute febrile disease of unknown cause (AFDUC) were routinely enrolled, and clinical, demographic, socio-economic and behavioral data were collected using standardized questionnaires. An analysis of ANDEMIA data from February 2018 to May 2022 was conducted. Reported antibiotic use in the ten days prior to study enrolment were described by substance and by the WHO AWaRe classification (“Access”, “Watch”, “Reserve”, and “Not recommended” antibiotics). Frequency of antibiotic use was stratified by location, disease syndrome and individual patient factors. Results Among 19,700 ANDEMIA patients, 7,258 (36.8%) reported antibiotic use. A total of 9,695 antibiotics were reported, including 54.7% (n = 5,299) from the WHO Access antibiotic group and 44.7% (n = 4,330) from the WHO Watch antibiotic group. The Watch antibiotic ceftriaxone was the most commonly reported antibiotic (n = 3,071, 31.7%). Watch antibiotic use ranged from 17.4% (56/322) among RTI patients in Côte d’Ivoire urban facilities to 73.7% (630/855) among AFDUC patients in Burkina Faso urban facilities. Reported antibiotic use included WHO Not recommended antibiotics but no Reserve antibiotics. Conclusions Reported antibiotic use data from this multicenter study in sub-Saharan Africa revealed a high proportion of WHO Watch antibiotics. Differences in Watch antibiotic use were found by disease syndrome, country and health facility location, which calls for a more differentiated approach to antibiotic use interventions including further evaluation of accessibility and affordability of patient treatment