HEPATITIS AND PHYSIOLOGY OF LIVER CELLS-A REVIEW

Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver, with accompanying damage to liver cells. Hepatitis is classified into chronic and acute hepatitis and the different types are hepatitis A, B, C, D and E. However, their causes, modes of transmission, incubation periods, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, treatments and preventions were also discussed. Hepatitis causes liver diseases such as liver cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and jaundice. It is reviewed that when chronic hepatitis C or B goes untreated, it causes scarring to the liver (cirrhosis) and an increased chance of liver cancer and liver failure, ending in death. Hepatitis viruses, especially Hepatitis A Virus (HAV), Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection are endemic in Nigeria and constitute a public health menace, the prevalence of HBV in some professional group was found to be highest among the female sex workers (FSWs). Global prevalence of chronic HAV and HBV infection is highest in Africa, Asia and Western Pacific; intermediate in Southern and Eastern Europe and Lowest in Western Europe, North America and Australia. Pregnant women, in the 3rd trimester of gestation are found to be more likely to be infected than those in the 1st and 2nd trimester, thus, the virus can be transmitted from the infected mother to the offspring during birth. The group of people who stood the high risk of contracting both HAV and HBV infections were also revealed. It is recommended that hepatitis screening should be incorporated in the routine antenatal check up, and government at all levels should be proactive in innovation and immediate implementation of a general child and adolescent immunization against HBV to prevent further spread of this virus.Key words: Hepatitis, Liver cell, cirrhosis, jaundice, hepatocellular carcinom

Phytochemical composition and antitrypanosomal activities Of aqueous leaf extracts of Loranthus micranthus Linn. (Loranthaceae) in rats infected with Trypanosoma brucei Brucei

Phytochemical composition and antitrypanosomal activities of aqueous leaf extracts of Loranthus micranthus in rats infected with Trypanosoma brucei brucei was investigated for 28 days using 72 adult male albino rats weighing between 150 – 250 g. The rats were divided into six groups (A – F), replicated thrice with each replicate having four rats. Group A, B and C were given 400 mg/kg, 800 mg/kg and 1200 mg/kg of the extracts respectively, according to their body weights, while group D, E and F served as the negative, positive and normal control groups, respectively. LD50, phytochemical screening, parasitaemia and body weight were determined using standard methods. It was observed that tannins and flavonoids were highly present, alkaloids, resins, steroids and saponins were moderately present in the plant extract, while terpenes and glycosides were present in trace amounts. LD50 of the crude leaf extract of L. micranthus showed no mortality at dose levels of up to 5,000 mg/kg after 24 hours. The level of parasitaemia in all the tested groups and negative control were significantly high (p<0.05) when compared with the positive and normal control groups throughout the duration of the experiment. Similarly, a significant decrease (p<0.05) was observed in the mean values of body weights of the infected and treated animals throughout the duration of the experiment. The results showed that all the tested rats and negative control groups died from the overwhelming parasitaemia unlike the case of those administered the standard drug. The aqueous leaf extract of L. micranthus may not be used as an antitrypanosomal agent.Keywords: Phytochemical composition, Parasitaemia, Trypanosomiasis, Albino rats, Loranthus micranthus, Non antitrypanosomal agen

Gene therapy, physiological applications, problems and prospects - a review

Gene therapy can be defined as the use of DNA as a pharmaceutical agent to treat disease. It is also an experimental medical treatment that manipulates a gene or genes within cells in order to produce proteins that change the function of those cells. The physiological applications, problems and prospects of gene therapy are reviewed in this study. The different types of gene therapy such as germline gene therapy, somatic gene therapy and chimeraplasty gene therapy are discussed. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR), nanoparticles, sonoporation, electroporation and gene gun are the techniques used in gene therapy. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is used in medical and biological research. Nanoparticles have been widely used in the field of drug and gene delivery to target cells. Sonoporation allows uptake of large molecules of DNA into the cell, in a process called cell transformation. Electroporation is highly efficient for the introduction of foreign genes in tissue culture cells, in tumor treatment and cell-based therapy. A gene gun is a device for injecting cells with genetic information to plant cells. Gene therapy is applied in medicine, agriculture, loss and gain of function, tracking and expression studies. Some problems bedeviling gene therapy include insertional mutagenesis, mutagenic disorders, problem of viral vectors, immune response etc. Gene therapy has the potential to eliminate and prevent hereditary diseases such as cystic fibrosis and is a possible cure for Alziehmer’s disease and cancer, enhance agricultural productivity of farm animals, and in the production of genetically modified animals (GMOs) which will further help in medical and biomedical research.Keywords: Gene therapy, Chimeraplasty, Nanoparticles, Sonoporation, Electroporation, Gene gun, Polymerase chain reactio

CHARACTERIZATION OF MULTI-DRUG RESISTANCE LIVESTOCK ACQUIRED METHICILLIN RESISTANT STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS (LA-MRSA) ISOLATES FROM DIFFERENT SWINE FARMS IN ENUGU METROPOLIS, NIGERIA

Aim and Objective: Globally, livestock animals, particularly swine, calves and poultry are colonized by Livestock acquired methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) (LA-MRSA). This study was aimed at screening for multi-drug resistant in LA-MRSA strains isolated from swine from selected swine farm within Enugu metropolis. Methods: A total of 307 pig nasal swabs samples were collected, from farm A (76), farm B (116) and from C (108) in Enugu metropolis. Then within 1 hour of collection, samples were transferred to the Caritas University Microbiology Laboratory unit for bacteriological analysis using a standard microbiological isolation and identification protocol. Isolated S. aureus and LA-MRSA strain were phenol-typing screened and identified for MRSA using Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method with 1 μg oxacillin/30μg cefoxitin antibiotic Disc and Tetracycline Disk Test respectively. Antibiogram studies of LA-MRSA against several antibiotic discs and multiple antibiotic resistance indexes were determined. Results: Results showed overall isolation rate of 76.2 % S. aureus comprising of 90.5 %, 80.3 % and 62.9 % in Farm B, Farm A and Farm C respectively, total MRSA detection rate of 125 (40.7%) comprising Farm A 50.0 %, Farm B 46.6 %, Farm C 30.6 %.  LA-MRSA were identified in 84(27.4%) of swine with high proportion of 29(38.2 %) in Farm A followed by Farm C30(27.8%) and Farm B 25(21.6 %). LA-MRSA from Farm A Nursery: 27.3%, Weaning 0.0 %, Grower 77.0 % while Farm B Nursery 24.1 %, Weaning 0.0 %, Grower 7.3 %, finisher 100 % and Farm C Nursery 28.0 %, Grower 34.5 % and finisher 53.3 %. LA-MRSA isolates exhibited a significantly (p≤0.05) high % resistance within the range of 50-100 % against tetracycline, erythromycin, cefotaxime, clindamycin, Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole and exhibit MDR with MARI value ≥0.3 but were susceptible to ciprofloxacin 77.8 %, amikacin 100 % and imipenem 100 %. Conclusion: LA-MRSA strains increased levels of MDR phenotype suggest that the emergence of LA-MRSA in swine up keeping could be promoted through veterinary antibiotics. Thus, to prevent antimicrobial resistance in both animals and humans, joint cross-examination of multi-resistant livestock acquired S. aureus, with an incorporated ‘One Health’ advancement are needed for effective curbing and control measures for LA-MRSA infections.                           Peer Review History: Received: 1 September 2022; Revised: 12 October; Accepted: 4 November, Available online: 15 November 2022 Academic Editor: Prof. Dr. Gorkem Dulger, Duzce University, Turkey, [email protected] Received file:                             Reviewer's Comments: Average Peer review marks at initial stage: 5.5/10 Average Peer review marks at publication stage: 7.0/10 Reviewers: Dr. U. S. Mahadeva Rao, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Terengganu Malaysia, [email protected] Prof. Cyprian Ogbonna ONYEJI, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria, [email protected] Similar Articles:   PREVALENCE OF METHICILLIN RESISTANT STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS (MRSA) AND ANTIMICROBIAL SUSCEPTIBILITY PATTERNS AT A PRIVATE HOSPITAL IN SANA'A, YEME

PHYTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS AND ESTIMATION OF ANTI OXIDANT POTENTIAL OF PHYTOSOMES FORMULATIONS OF MORINDA LUCIDA BENTH

Introduction:  Lucid morinda (L) A medium-sized evergreen tree of the Morinda genus, the Benth (M. lucida, Rubiaceae) is a tropical West African rainforest plant that is also known as the Brimstone tree. In several West African nations, it is utilized in traditional medicine to cure a variety of human ailments. Phytosomes are freshly developed herbal formulations that have superior bioavailability and effects than traditional phyto molecules or botanical extracts because they are more readily absorbed. The goals of the current study were to evaluate ethanolic leaf extract of M. lucida's phytosomes, in vitro antioxidant properties, qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analyses, and phytosome formation. Methods: The ethanolic plant extract and cholesterol-containing phospholipids were used to make the phytosome. The entrapment efficiency, particle size and size distribution, optical microscopic research, stability tests, and in vitro dissolution investigations were used to characterize phytosomes. Alkaloids, glycosides, sterols, phenols, terpenoids, tannins, and saponins were found by phytochemical examination. Results: The ethanolic leaf extract of M. lucida contained 0.721 mg of total phenols and 0.464 mg of total alkaloids per 100 mg. Using industry-standard procedures, the ethanolic leaf extract's in vitro antioxidant activity was evaluated against the DPPH assay technique. Combining phospholipids and M. lucida can have a synergistic impact, which can be measured using the DPPH model for free radical scavenging activity. The optimised batch F10's particle size and entrapment efficiency were found to be 223.30±0.41 nm and 76.46±0.61 nm, respectively. Conclusion: It can be employed as a targeted medicine delivery system in the future for applications such as liver, brain, heart, etc. protection. The use of novel approaches rather than traditional methods for delivering herbal drugs increases the bioavailability of polar extracts and boosts patient compliance.                        Peer Review History: Received: 28 October 2022; Revised: 27 November; Accepted: 3 January 2023, Available online: 15 January 2023 Academic Editor: Dr. Gehan Fawzy Abdel Raoof Kandeel, Pharmacognosy Department, National Research Centre, Dokki, 12622,  Giza, Egypt, [email protected]  Received file:                             Reviewer's Comments: Average Peer review marks at initial stage: 5.5/10 Average Peer review marks at publication stage: 7.0/10 Reviewers: Dr. George Zhu, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, [email protected] Dr.  Hasniza Zaman Huri, University of Malaya Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, [email protected] Similar Articles: NUTRITIONAL COMPOSITION, CONSTITUENTS, AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF POWDER FRACTIONS OF FICUS DICRANOSTYLA MILDBREAD LEAVES IN VITRO ASSESSMENT OF ANTIMICROBIAL AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITIES OF EXTRACTS OF YEMENI FAGONIA SCHWEINFURTHII HADIDI CYTOTOXIC EFFECT, ANTIOXIDANT POTENTIAL, AND PHYTOCHEMICAL STUDY OF THE ETHYL ACETATE EXTRACT OF PLEIOGYNIUM TIMORENSE SEED

PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING AND ANTIDIABETIC ACTIVITY OF METHANOLIC EXTRACT OF CAYLUSEA ABYSSINICA LEAVES

Introduction:  Controlling type 2 diabetes with a treatment having no side effects remains a challenge for researchers even if the side effects are reduced and there may be a chance for reduced adverse reactions or severe side effects due to drug interaction. These interactions could result from concurrent use of dietary supplements or pharmacological therapy in addition to the medications. The current reading's objective was to assess the qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analyses, and antidiabetic potentials of methanol leaf extract of Caylusea abyssinica (C. abyssinica) in diabetic rats. Methods:  The qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analyses of total alkaloids phenol, and flavonoids were determined using the well-known test procedure outlined in the literature. The obtained C. abyssinica methanol leaf extract was used to examine in vitro anti-diabetic activity (α-Amylase inhibition), oral acute toxicity, and in vivo anti-diabetic activity against streptozotocin-induced diabetes rat model. Alkaloids, carbohydrates, reducing sugars, saponins, phenolic compounds, glycosides, tannins, and flavonoids were all established in the samples after phytochemical examination. Results: The amount of phenolics in the methanol leaf extract was (295.50 mg/g), with flavonoids coming in second (136.66 mg/g) and alkaloids coming in third (11.23 mg/g). The extract's ability to inhibit α-amylase was investigated. The study's findings show that the chosen plants had significant in vitro anti-diabetic effect. Up to 2000 mg/kg given over 14 days, the methanol extract's acute toxicity trials did not reveal any harmful effects. Rats were given streptozotocin (60 mg/kg; i.p.) to induce diabetes, and glibenclamide (500 mcg/kg body weight) was utilized as the usual medication. Body weight, HDL, total protein, SGOT, SGPT, cholesterol, blood sugar levels, and triglycerides were all assessed in this study. Comparing diabetic rats to normal (control) rats, blood sugar and total protein, SGOT, SGPT, cholesterol levels, and triglyceride concentrations were all considerably (p<  0.001) reduced after oral administration of methanol extract of C. abyssinica at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg and increased the level of HDL and body weight. Conclusion: As a result of the aforementioned findings, it can be said that C. abyssinica methanol leaf extract significantly reduces blood sugar levels in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.                       Peer Review History: Received: 5 November 2022; Revised: 11 December; Accepted: 8 January 2023, Available online: 15 January 2023 Academic Editor: Dr. Tamer Elhabibi, Suez Canal University, Egypt, [email protected] Received file:                             Reviewer's Comments: Average Peer review marks at initial stage: 5.0/10 Average Peer review marks at publication stage: 7.0/10 Reviewers: Dr. Sangeetha Arullappan, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Malaysia, [email protected] Prof. Hüsniye Kayalar, Ege University, Turkey, [email protected] Similar Articles: EFFECT OF THE AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF CLERODENDRUM THOMSONIAE LINN (VERBENACEAE) LEAVES ON TYPE 2 DIABETIC WISTAR RATS INDUCED BY THE MACAPOS1 TYPE DIET AND DEXAMETHASONE ANTIDIABETIC AND ANTIHYPERLIPIDEMIC ACTIVITY OF DRACAENA CINNABARI BALF. RESIN ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF SOQATRA ISLAND IN EXPERIMENTAL ANIMALS EVALUATION OF METHANOLIC EXTRACT OF EUPHORBIA NERIIFOLIA STEM BARK ON BLOOD SUGAR LEVELS, SERUM AND TISSUE LIPIDS IN A PRECLINICAL MODE