Effects of ethanolic extract of Azadirachta indica leaves on lipid peroxidation and serum lipids of diabetic Wistar rats

The effects of ethanolic extract of Azadirachta indica leaves on lipid peroxidation and serum lipids ofalloxan-induced diabetic rats were examined to assess the role of the extract in the management diabetic complications. Serum Malondialdehyde (MDA), totál cholesterol, triglyceride and blood glucose were measured in diabetic and normál rats with or without 400 mg/kg leaf extract of A. indica. The result showed that blood glucose, totál cholesterol (TC), triglyceride and MDA concentrations in serum of untreated diabetic rats were significantly (P<0.05) higher than that of normál control and diabetic rats treated with the extracts. The extract caused a 55.8%, 27.1%, 16.8% and 64.7% reduction in blood glucose, TC, TG and MDA respectively when compared to untreated diabetic rats. The extract alsó demonstrated growth promoting effect on normál and diabetic rats. The anti-lipid peroxidative, antihyperglycaemic and serum lipid modulating activities justify the possible use of extract of A. indica leaves in the management of diabetic complications

Determining the prevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus–Associated nephropathy (HIVAN) using proteinuria and ultrasound findings in a Nigerian paediatric HIV population

Background: HIV associated nephropathy (HIVAN) is the most common form of chronic kidney disease resulting directly from HIV infection. The true prevalence of HIVAN in the paediatric population of West Africa is unknown, largely due to lack of surveillance and reporting of kidney disease in HIV positive patients. Methods: This was a prospective study over a six month period( July to December 2008) conducted in the Infectious Disease Unit of the Department of Paediatrics, University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo, Nigeria involving all confirmed cases of paediatric HIV infection. Urine microalbuminuria using calculated urine albumin &ndash; creatinine ratio was determined and repeated in 4 weeks interval. CD4 count and renal ultrasonography was done for all the patients. The correlation of urine albumin &ndash; creatinine ratio with CD4 count, duration of treatment with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and association with clinical staging of the disease was also examined. Results: Fifty &ndash; nine (60.2%) were males, thirty &ndash; nine (39.8%) were females with male to female ratio of 1.5:1. The prevalence rate of 31.6% HIVAN was found, out of which 3.1% had abnormal ultrasound findings. There was a significant correlation between CD4 count and urine albumin &ndash; creatinine ratio (r = -0.22, p=0.03). There was no correlation between urine albumin &ndash; creatinine ratio and duration on HAART (r = -0.10, p = 0.31). Conclusion: Screening for microalbuminuria is essential for the early diagnosis and treatment of HIVAN in this age group

Vitamin B12 Supplementation: Effects On Some Biochemical And Haematological Indices Of Rats On Phenytoin Administration

Phenytoin is known to have some toxicological implications. Vitamin B12 supplementation during phenytoin administration was investigated to assess the benefits and risks of single vitamin supplementation. This study evaluated the biochemical and haematological effects of vitamin B12 on phenytoin toxicity. Twenty-four experimental animals were divided into 3 groups of 8 rats each. The control (group 1) received distilled water as placebo. Groups 2 and 3 were given 5mg/kg body weight of phenytoin for 4 weeks while group 3 in addition to phenytoin received intra-peritoneal administration of 15\u3bcg/kg body of vitamin B12 twice a week. Biochemical parameters such as AST, ALT, ALP, lipid profile and haematological indices were assayed as indices of toxicity. The result of the study showed that phenytoin administration resulted in anaemia which was ameliorated by vitamin B12 co-administration. Phenytoin also increased significantly the leukocyte count upon which B12 had no effect. Liver enzymes activities were significantly (p&lt;0.05) raised during phenytoin administration and interestingly B12 further increased the level of these enzymes. Administration of phenytoin only gave a significant (p&lt;0.05) increase in the level of serum Low density lipoprotein cholesterol. Serum cholesterol, TG and HDL-chol were not significantly affected. Although there was no significant change in serum cholesterol, the slight increase was more than 1% which is capable of causing a 3% increase in the risk of coronary heart disease. A significant decrease was also noted when phenytoin was supplemented with B12. We observed that vitamin B12 co-administration is beneficial in remitting anaemia and the atherosclerotic risk caused by phenytoin but may enhance hepatotoxicity. By this result we would therefore suggest that the use of vitamin B12 alone as supplement during phenytoin administration be discouraged

Antibacterial and dermal toxicological profiles of ethyl acetate extract from Crassocephalum bauchiense (Hutch.) Milne-Redh (Asteraceae)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The emergence in recent years of numerous resistant strains of pathogenic bacteria to a range of formerly efficient antibiotics constitutes a serious threat to public health. <it>Crassocephalum bauchiense</it>, a medicinal herb found in the West Region of Cameroon is used to treat gastrointestinal infections as well as liver disorders. The ethyl acetate extract from the leaves of <it>C. bauchiense </it>was evaluated for its antibacterial activity as well as acute and sub-acute toxicities.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The plant extract was prepared by maceration in ethyl acetate. Its phytochemical screening was done by standard methods. The broth microdilution method was used to evaluate the <it>in vitro </it>antibacterial activity. The <it>in vivo </it>antibacterial activity of a gel formulation (0.05, 1 and 2% w/v) of this extract was evaluated using a <it>Staphylococcus aureus</it>-induced dermatitis in a murine model. Selected haematological and biochemical parameters were used to evaluate the dermal sub-acute toxicity of the extract in rats.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Phytochemical screening of the <it>C. bauchiense </it>extract revealed the presence of alkaloids, phenols, tannins and sterols. <it>In vitro </it>antibacterial activities were observed against all the tested microorganisms (MIC = 0.04-6.25 mg/ml). Formulated extract-gel (2% w/v) and gentamycin (reference drug) eradicated the microbial infection after five days of treatment. A single dermal dose of this extract up to 32 g/kg body weight (bw) did not produce any visible sign of toxicity. Also, daily dermal application of the <it>C. bauchiense </it>extract gel formulation for 28 days did not show any negative effect, instead some biochemical parameters such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT and AST), low density lipoprotein (LDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL) and triglycerides were significantly (p < 0.05) affected positively.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These results indicate that the <it>C. bauchiense </it>ethyl acetate extract can be used safely for the treatment of some bacterial infections.</p

Plasma Fibronectin Concentration in Obese/Overweight Pregnant Women: A Possible Risk Factor for Preeclampsia

Plasma fibronectin (FN) levels in obese/overweight and non-obese pregnant women were evaluated as a possible risk factor for preeclampsia. A total of one hundred and sixty three pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at University of Calabar Teaching Hospital participated in the study and sixty non-pregnant women served as control. About 77 (47.24%) of the pregnant women were followed up for any subsequent development of preeclampsia during the pregnancy. Fibronectin levels in plasma were measured by ELISA assay and serum total protein, urea and creatinine were determined spectrophotometrically. The mean plasma FN concentration of non-obese pregnant women in first trimester was lower than those of the non-pregnant women by 24%, but however, increased to the non-pregnant level in second and third trimesters. Obese/overweight pregnant women had significantly (P < 0.05) higher values than non-obese pregnant women in second and third trimesters. FN in obese/overweight pregnant women correlated positively with mean arterial blood pressure (MAP: r = 0.414, P = 0.04). About 28.57% of the pregnant women with FN above cut off point of 330 μg/ml at 18–24 weeks of gestation developed preeclampsia. This value increased to 40.0% when only the obese/overweight women were considered. On analysis of both fibronectin >330 μg/ml and MAP > 90, the predictive value increased to 66.7%. We therefore conclude that elevated FN may be regarded as a risk factor of preeclampsia especially among the obese women