In vivo, hypolipidemic and antioxidant effects of Citrullus colocynthis pulp extract in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

The study was designed to evaluate the effect of Citrullus colocynthis pulp hydro-ethanol extract on alloxan-induced hyperlipidemia in diabetic rats. 24 albino rats with body weights of 150 to 200 g were divided into one control and three experimental groups. Group 1 was the normal control rats, orally administered physiological saline. Groups 2, 3 and 4 were diabetic rats orally administered physiological saline (diabetic, untreated), glibenclamide (diabetic, GL) or C. colocynthis extract (300 mg /kg) (diabetic, CC), respectively. All treatments were administered orally, on a daily basis, for a period of 30 days. At the end of the experimental period, animals in all the four groups were fasted for 12 h and then sacrificed. Blood samples and liver tissues were taken for the determination of total cholesterol, triglycerides, free fatty acids and phospholipids. Portions of the liver were homogenized and used for determination of lipid peroxidation biomarkers [thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and lipid hydroperoxides (HPx)], and for biological antioxidant levels [reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT)]. The results show significant decreases in the levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, free fatty acids and phospholipids in serum and liver of C. colocynthis treated diabetic rats when compared to diabetic untreated rats. Also, relative to diabetic untreated rats, oral administration of C. colocynthis to diabetic rats significantly reduced elevated levels of liver TBARS and HPx to near normal levels and caused significant increases in GSH, SOD and CAT levels, an effect that is comparable to but more pronounced than that of glibenclamide. These results indicate that C. colocynthis pulp hydro-ethanol extract possesses potent hypolipidemic and antioxidant actions in alloxan induced diabetic rats.Key words: Citrullus colocynthis, alloxan diabetes, hypolipidemia, antioxidant

Study of the Injured Persons and the Injury Pattern in Road Traffic Accident in Sana'a City, Yemen

Background. Fatal road traffic accidents constitute a significant public health problem. Aim. The aim of the study was to analyze road traffic accidents in Sana'a city, Yemen, during 2013-2015. Methods. The required information and data of accidents were collected, respectively, from police reported road accident statistics, Sana'a city. 11684 cases of road traffic accidents during period 2013-2015 were studied. Results. 840 people were killed and 9760 people were injured in RTAs during 2013-2015 in Sana'a city. The accident rates per 100000 of the population were 234.8 in 2013, 180.3 in 2014, and 92.2 in 2015. Mortality rates per 100000 of the population were 15.17 in 2013, 12.2 in 2014, and 8.9 in 2015. High speed was the single most important factor responsible for accidents, deaths, and injuries accounting for 38.1% of RTAs followed by drivers' fault accounting for 18.9% of the total RTAs. The most common age group involved was ≥18 years. Males accounted for 83.1% of killed and injured persons. Most frequent victims of road traffic accidents were vehicles motor (48.9%) followed by pedestrians (38.1%). More than half of RTAs occurred on the straight road. Conclusion. RTAs are a major source of public health concern in Sana'a city, Yemen. Preventive measures to reduce the burden of mortality and morbidity due to road accidents should be introduced

Derangement of hemopoiesis and hematological indices in Khat (Catha edulis) - treated rats

The purpose of this study was to identify the sub-acute toxic effects of Khat (Catha edulis) on hemopoiesis and hematological indices of white albino rats. Two groups, each of 10 rats, were used. In the experimental group, a hydro-ethanol extract of C. edulis was administered orally to rats, daily, in single doses of 500 mg/kg body weight, for for weeks. The control group received equivalent amounts of normal saline. Our results show, for the first time, that oral administration of C. edulis hydro-ethanol extract caused significant derangement in hemopoiesis and in gross hematological indices in rats, characterized by macrocytic anemia and leucopenia. Our data show statistically significant decreases in total leukocytes count (TLC) in which, hemoglobin concentration (Hb. conc.), packed cell volume (PCV), and red cell count (RCC), accompanied by significant increases in mean cell volume (MCV), red blood cell distribution width (RDW) and platelets count with no change in mean hemoglobin concentration (MHC). In peripheral blood smears (PBS) of treated rats, there were evidences of dyserythropoiesis- impaired hemoglobinization, macrocytosis, poikilocytosis and anisocytosis, and dysgranulopoiesis- giant forms, hypersegmented neutrophils and bizarre nuclear shapes. In conclusion, our results indicate that oral administration of a hydro-ethanol extract of C. edulis adversely affected blood cell formation and induced macrocytic anemia and leukopenia in rats. However, the exact mechanisms of these hematological changes produced by Khat are still in need for further studies.Keywords:Catha edulis, hemopoiesis, anemia, leukopenia, ratsAfrican Journal of Biotechnology, Vol. 13(2), pp. 349-355, 8 January, 201

Hydrogel beads bio-nanocomposite based on Kappa-Carrageenan and green synthesized silver nanoparticles for biomedical applications

This paper describes the fabrication and characterization of bio-nanocomposite hydrogel beads based on Kappa-Carrageenan (κ-Carrageenan) and bio-synthesized silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs). The silver nanoparticles were prepared in aqueous Citrullus colocynthis seed extract as both reducing and capping agent. Cross-linked κ-Carrageenan/Ag-NPs hydrogel beads were prepared using potassium chloride as the cross-linker. The hydrogel beads were characterized using XRD and FESEM. Moreover, swelling property of the hydrogel beads was investigated. The Ag release profile of the hydrogels was obtained by fitting the experimental data to power law equation. The direct visualization of the green synthesized Ag-NPs using TEM shows particle size in the range of 23 ± 2 nm. The bio-nanocomposite hydrogels showed lesser swelling behavior in comparison with pure κ-Carrageenan hydrogel. Regardless the slow Ag release, κ-Carrageenan/Ag-NPs presented good antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus, Methicilin Resistant Staphylococcus aurous, Peseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli with maximum zones of inhibition 11 ± 2 mm. Cytotoxicity study showed that the bio-nanocomposite hydrogels with non-toxic effect of concentration below 1000 μg/mL have great pharmacological potential and a suitable level of safety for use in the biological systems

Crataegus aronia enhances sperm parameters and preserves testicular architecture in both control and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease-induced rats

Context: Crataegus aronia (syn. Azarolus L.) (Rosaceae) is used in traditional medicine due to its hypolipidaemic and antioxidant properties. Objectives: This study investigates the effect of C. aronia whole plant aqueous extract on sperm parameter and testicular structure in control and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)-induced rats. Materials and methods: Male rats were divided into six groups (10 rats each) as control fed a standard diet (STD) (10% kcal), STD + C. aronia (200 mg/kg), high-fat diet (HFD) (45% kcal), HFD + C. aronia, HFD followed by C. aronia, and C. aronia followed by HFD. Rats were treated with C. aronia (once/day, orally) for four weeks. Results: Compared with STD rats, STD rats co-treated with C. aronia had lower hepatic triglycerides (0.58 vs. 0.42 mg/g) and cholesterol (5.4 vs. 3.27 mg/g) contents, higher levels of testosterone (8.43 vs. 10.9 ng/mL), luteinizing hormone (6.05 vs. 8.1 mIU/mL) and follicle-stimulating hormone (5.8 vs. 8.0 mIU/mL) and increased epididymis weight (1.28 vs. 1.5g) and sperm count (133.2 vs. 148.3 million/0.1 mg) and motility (66.8%vs. 77.6%). They showed increased testicular levels of glutathione (6.3 vs. 7.75 µM/L) and higher protein levels of Nrf2 (0.37 vs. 0.79), γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase (0.27 vs. 0.5) and superoxide dismutase (0.92 vs. 2.1). Concomitant or post-treatment of C. aronia to NAFLD rats prevented the declines in sperm parameters and damage in the testis by similar effects like those found in the STD rats. Discussion and conclusions: This study encourages the use of C. aronia in further future clinical studies

PhD dissertation data and scripts

PhD dissertation data and script

Immunization coverage among children in Al-Taizyah district, Taiz Governorate, Yemen

Introduction: At least 2 million people die every year from diseases preventable by vaccines recommended by the World Health Organization. Objective: To assess the routine immunization coverage among children aged 12-23 month and to determine the reasons for unvaccinated. Methods: We conducted a community-based survey in Al-Taizyah district, Taiz governorate, Yemen. Information about vaccination status and related barriers was collected for 420 children from 1st March to 31st March 2012. Results: 49.8% of the children had vaccination cards. About 69.5% of the children were fully vaccinated by cards and by history, 15.5% were partially vaccinated and 15% not vaccinated. As a regards to crude vaccination coverage, 82.9% of children were received BCG vaccine. OPV1 vaccine was 82.6%. Pentavalent1 was 82.6%. Measles 1 represented for 71.7% and vitamin A1 was 46.4%. 91% was valid doses for OPV1 and 93% for pentavalent1. Only 76% of measles1 dose was valid. The high scores14% of drop-out rate was recorded between BCG and Measles. The main reasons for partially vaccinated and unvaccinated of children were the lack of information 61.7%. Conclusion: There is low vaccination coverage among children aged 12-23 months. There is a need to raise the awareness of community about vaccination and EPI services in Al-Taizyah district