Wound healing effect of aqueous extracts of Brucea antidysenterica and Croton marcostachyus from Northwest Ethiopia in albino mice

Back ground: The practice of traditional medicine to treat wound and bleeding disorders in Ethiopia is based on use of numerous herbs. In Ethiopia, the traditional healers use the leaves of Brucea antidysenterica and Croton marcostachyus for wound healing purposes. But no scientific study is reported on the in vivo evaluation of the pharmacological effect of the two selected plants collected locally from Zegie and around Lake Tana monasteries, Northwest Ethiopia. Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the wound healing effects of Brucea antidysenterica and Croton marcostachyus on a mouse model. Methods: 50mg/ml and 100mg/ml of Brucea antidysenterica and 50mg/ml and 100mg/ml of Croton marcostachyus leaf aqueous extract solutions were applied on the 1.5cm inflicted wound on the trunk part of the mice of different groups. The degree of wound healing as a percentage was calculated from the wound diameter for each experimental animal. Result: The aqueous extract 50mg/ml and 100mg/ml of Brucea antidysenterica and Croton marcostachyus achieved a relatively higher degree of wound healing percent compared to the control group. Moreover, the 100mg/ml aqueous leaf extract of Croton marcostachyus and Brucea antidysenterica have shown higher degree of wound healing percent compared to the 50mg/ml concentrations of the two plants. Conclusion: The current study concluded that the aqueous extracts of Brucea antidysenterica and Croton marcostachyus possess excellent wound healing potential. Hence, the results of the current study support the traditional use of leaf extracts of Croton marcostachyus and Brucea antidysenterica as remedies for wound healing. Further studies are required to isolate the active compounds and determine safety margin of the plant extracts. Key words: Wound healing, Brucea antidysenterica, Croton marcostachyu

Traditional therapeutic uses and phytochemical screening of some selected indigenous medicinal plants from Northwest Ethiopia

Background: Medicinal plants including Achyranthes aspera, Brucea antidysentrica and Croton macrostachyus in the Zegie and Lake Tana area are among the main herbal agents traditionally used to treat various illnesses. However, scientific investigations including their phytochemical screening have not been conducted. Objective: To survey the use of these selected medicinal plants by traditional healers and/or herbal medicine users in the Zegie and Lake Tana areas, and conduct phytochemical screening of such commonly used herbal agents. Methodology: Detailed interviews about the therapeutic uses of Achyranthes aspera, Brucea antidysentrica and Croton macrostachyus were conducted among the traditional healers and users in the study area. The plants were collected and separately extracted using water and ethanol and the crude extracts screened for phytochemical components by using standard procedures. Results: The interview results from the traditional healers and users in the study area on the selected medicinal plants pointed to the therapeutic usage of these herbal agents for a variety of disease conditions, including infectious and non-communicable diseases. Plant extracts from Achyranthes aspera and Brucea antidysentrica showed the presence of flavonoids, carbohydrates and vitamin C but the absence of saponins and proteins (peptides). Croton macrostachyus was found to have most of the screened phytochemical constituents (including saponins, flavonoids, carbohydrates, free amino acids and vitamin C) except proteins. Discussion: The herbal agents were found to have a variety of therapeutic uses for various illnesses in the area. The presence of the above mentioned phytoconstituents detected may be responsible for the therapeutic activities of these herbal agents. Key words: Traditional medicines, phytochemicals, Achyranthes aspera, Brucea antidysentrica, Croton macrostachyu

Anticholangiocarcinoma activity and toxicity of the Kaempferia galanga Linn. Rhizome ethanolic extract

Abstract Background Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is an important public health problem in several tropical and subtropical parts of the world particularly Thailand. Chemotherapy of CCA is largely ineffective and discovery and development of effective alternative drugs is urgently needed. The objective of the study was to confirm the anti-CCA potential as well as toxicity of the crude extract of Kaempferia galangal Linn. (rhizome) both in vitro and in animal models. Methods The ethanolic extract of K. galanga Linn. rhizome, ethyl-p-methoxycinnamate (EPMC) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against CCA cell line (CL-6) using MTT cell proliferation assay. Acute and subacute toxicity of the extract were evaluated in ICR (Imprinting Control Region) mice according to the OECD (International Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development) Guideline. Anti-CCA activity was evaluated in CCA- xenografted nude mice. Results Results of cytotoxicity test showed moderate activity of the extract and EPMC with median (95% confidence interval: 95% CI) 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 64.2 (57.76–72.11) and 49.19 (48.16–52.29) μg/ml, respectively. The IC50 of 5-FU was 107.1 (103.53–109.64) μg/ml. The selectivity index (SI) values for the extract, EPMC and 5-FU against human normal cell line (OUMS) and cancer cell line (CL-6) were 2.2, 2.09 and 1.31, respectively. Toxicity testing revealed no overt toxic effect up to the maximum single oral dose of 5000 mg/kg body weight and up to daily dose of 1000 mg/kg body weight for 30 days. The extract at the maximum tolerated dose level of 1000 mg/kg body weight for 30 days exhibited promising anti-CCA activity in CL6-xenografted nude mice as determined by inhibitory activity on tumor growth (58.41%) and lung metastasis (33.3%), as well as prolongation of survival time (62 days). Conclusion The K. galangal Linn. rhizome extract and its bioactive compound EPMC exhibited moderate cytotoxic activity against human CCA tumor (CL-6) cell line. Results of toxicity testing suggest that the extract was well tolerated up to the maximum single oral dose of 5000 mg/kg body weight and daily dose of 1000 mg/kg body weight for 30 days. The extract exhibited promising anti-CCA activity in CL6-xenografed nude mice as determined by significant inhibitory activity on tumor growth and lung metastasis, as well as prolongation of survival time

Haematological and CD4+ T cells reference ranges in healthy adult populations in Gojjam zones in Amhara region, Ethiopia.

Establishing national population haematological and immunological reference ranges are essential for clinical management of patients. However, there is scarcity of information on community based haematological reference ranges established from Ethiopian population. Therefore, this study aimed at determining haematological and CD4+ T cells reference ranges in healthy adults from East and West Gojjam zones, Ethiopia.Community based cross-sectional study was conducted from May 2015 to December 2015 in healthy adult residents of Gojjam zone. A total of 481(246 females and 235 males) healthy adults enrolled in the study. Healthy adults were defined by medical history, physical examination and laboratory screening for HIV, HBV, HCV and intestinal parasitosis. Haematological parameters were measured using haematology analyzer MindrayBC320 (Mindray Biomedical electronic Corporation, China). CD4+Tcells were enumerated using FACS count (Becton Dickinson).The median age of the participants was 25 years. The overall median and 95th percentile of CD4+ T cells count were 869 cells/mm3 and396-1598 cells/mm3, respectively. Females had a significantly higher CD4+ T cell counts compared to males (P = 0.002). The 95th percentile range for red blood cells (RBCs) was 3.93-6.1 x 106cells/mm3and for hematocrit (Hct) was 40-58% while for hemoglobin (Hb) was 15.69-17.84g/dl. Males had significantly higher values of RBC and Hct than females (P < 0.001). Females (120-379 x 106 cells/mm3) had significantly higher platelet counts than males (106-352 x106 cells/mm3) (P < 0.001). The overall median of WBC was6.78 x103/mm3and its95thpercentile range was3.5-11.5 x103/mm3. The overall 95th percentile range of MCV, MCH and MCHC were 89.5-107.5 fl, 28-34 pg and 30-33.2g/dl, respectively. The higher mean absolute count of RBCs was found in the youngest age groups (P = 0.03). The mean count of RBCs and Hct were significantly higher in highschool completed and above than other participants (P < 0.001). The lower and upper limit of platelet counts was significantly higher in highland (118 -383x106 cells/mm3) compared to lowland residents (107-352 x106 cells/mm3) (P < 0.001). Moreover, it was significantly higher in residents with better monthly income (124-383 x106 cells/mm3) compared to the counters (115-368 x106 cells/mm3) (P = 0.02).Some of the haematological and CD4+ T cells reference ranges of the healthy adults in this study showed variations with the reference ranges used and reported so far in Ethiopia, Africa and Western countries. We recommend further study considering gender, altitude, and residency in other parts of Ethiopia to establish national reference ranges for Ethiopian population

Clinical chemistry reference intervals of healthy adult populations in Gojjam Zones of Amhara National Regional State, Northwest Ethiopia.

Reference interval is crucial for disease screening, diagnosis, monitoring, progression and treatment efficacy. Due to lack of locally derived reference values for the parameters, clinicians use reference intervals derived from western population. But, studies conducted in different African countries have indicated differences between locally and western derived reference values. Different studies also indicated considerable variation in clinical chemistry reference intervals by several variables such as age, sex, geographical location, environment, lifestyle and genetic variation.This study aimed to determine the reference intervals of common clinical chemistry parameters of the community of Gojjam Zones, Northwest Ethiopia.Population based cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2015 to December 2016 in healthy adult populations of Gojjam zone. Data such as, medical history, physical examination and socio-demographic data were collected. In addition, laboratory investigations were undertaken to screen the population. Clinical chemistry parameters were measured using Mindray BS 200 clinical chemistry autoanalyzer as per the manufacturer's instructions. Descriptive statistics was used to calculate mean, median and 95th percentiles. Independent sample T-test and one way ANOVA were used to see association between variables.After careful screening of a total of 799 apparently healthy adults who were consented for this study, complete data from 446 (224 females and 222 males) were included for the analysis. The mean age of both the study participants was 28.8 years. Males had high (P0.05). Mean, median, 95% percentile values of AST, ALP, amylase, LDH, creatinine, total protein, total bilirubin, and direct bilirubin across all age groups of participants were similar (P>0.05). But, there was a significant difference in the value of ALT (P1500 ETB compared to those with low monthly income. Significant (P<0.05) higher values of the ALT, ALP and total protein were observed in people living in high land compared to low land residences.The study showed that some of the common clinical chemistry parameters reference intervals of healthy adults in Gojjam zones were higher than the reference intervals generated from developed countries. Therefore, strict adherence to the reference values generated in developed countries could lead to inappropriate diagnosis and treatment of patients. There was also variation of reference interval values based on climate, gender, age, monthly income and geographical locations. Therefore, further study is required to establish reference intervals for Ethiopian population

Mean, median and 95% reference ranges values of haematological and CD4 ⁺ T cells in relation to sex and age profile of healthy adults.

<p>Mean, median and 95% reference ranges values of haematological and CD4 ⁺ T cells in relation to sex and age profile of healthy adults.</p

Demographic characteristics of study participants.

<p>Demographic characteristics of study participants.</p

Comparison of reference ranges values of the present study with other studies in Ethiopia, African and Western countries, 2016.

<p>Comparison of reference ranges values of the present study with other studies in Ethiopia, African and Western countries, 2016.</p

Mean, median and 95% range values of haematological and CD4⁺ T cells in healthy adults in relation to altitude.

<p>Mean, median and 95% range values of haematological and CD4⁺ T cells in healthy adults in relation to altitude.</p

Mean, median and 95% reference range values of haematological and CD4⁺ T cells in relation to educational status of healthy adults.

<p>Mean, median and 95% reference range values of haematological and CD4⁺ T cells in relation to educational status of healthy adults.</p