EFFECTIVENES AND SAFETY ASSESSMENT OF MIST TONICA, A HERBAL HAEMATINIC

Anaemia is a widespread public health problem, and in Ghana it is the fourth leading cause of hospital admissions and the second factor contributing to death. Mist Tonica, an herbal haematinic produced by the Centre for Scientific Research into Plant Medicine (CSRPM), Ghana, was assessed for its effectiveness and safety in humans after Ethics Committee approval. Clinically established anaemic-patients aged, 13 years and above, with haemoglobin levels less than 11.5 g/dl and 13.5g/dl for females and males respectively were treated with Mist Tonica, 8.96 g/ 40 mls three times daily for two weeks . The mean haemoglobin rise per week caused by Mist Tonica was 1.92 (0.76) g/dl, range (1.66 - 2.55) g/dl/week and over 88 % of the patients on Mist Tonica had their appetite for food improved. Haematological profile, liver and kidney functions were not adversely affected by Mist Tonica. Results of the study suggest that Mist Tonica is an effective and safe herbal haematinic

Benthaminin 3, a Novel Antibacterial Cassane-Type Furanoditerpenoid from Caesalpinia benthamiana

The roots of Caesalpinia benthamiana (synonym. Mezoneuron benthamianum)are considered to be an effective remedy in Ghana for the management of skin diseases and wounds. Bioactivity-guided fractionation of the chloroform extract of the root bark of the plant has resulted in the isolation of a novel cassane-type furanoditerpenoid, designated as benthaminin 3. The structure of the compound was elucidated by the use of spectroscopic techniques. The antibacterial activity of the compound has been assessed using the microdilution assay method. The lowest MIC (63μg/mL) was recorded against Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis. The compound wasalso observed to have a mild inhibitory effect against resistant strains of bacteria including methicillin-resistant S. aureus, tetracyline-resistant S. aureus and erythromycin-resistant S. aureus with MIC values greater than 1000μg/mL

Benthaminin 3, a Novel Antibacterial Cassane-Type Furanoditerpenoid from Caesalpinia benthamiana

The roots of Caesalpinia benthamiana (synonym. Mezoneuron benthamianum)are considered to be an effective remedy in Ghana for the management of skin diseases and wounds. Bioactivity-guided fractionation of the chloroform extract of the root bark of the plant has resulted in the isolation of a novel cassane-type furanoditerpenoid, designated as benthaminin 3. The structure of the compound was elucidated by the use of spectroscopic techniques. The antibacterial activity of the compound has been assessed using the microdilution assay method. The lowest MIC (63μg/mL) was recorded against Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis. The compound wasalso observed to have a mild inhibitory effect against resistant strains of bacteria including methicillin-resistant S. aureus, tetracyline-resistant S. aureus and erythromycin-resistant S. aureus with MIC values greater than 1000μg/mL

Effectiveness And Safety Assessment Of Mist Tonica, A Herbal Haematinic

Anaemia is a widespread public health problem, and in Ghana it is the fourth leading cause of hospital admissions and the second factor contributing to death. Mist Tonica, an herbal haematinic produced by the Centre for Scientific Research into Plant Medicine (CSRPM), Ghana, was assessed for its effectiveness and safety in humans after Ethics Committee approval. Clinically established anaemic-patients aged, 13 years and above, with haemoglobin levels less than 11.5 g/dl and 13.5g/dl for females and males respectively were treated with Mist Tonica, 8.96 g/ 40 mls three times daily for two weeks . The mean haemoglobin rise per week caused by Mist Tonica was 1.92 (0.76) g/dl, range (1.66 - 2.55) g/dl/week and over 88 % of the patients on Mist Tonica had their appetite for food improved. Haematological profile, liver and kidney functions were not adversely affected by Mist Tonica. Results of the study suggest that Mist Tonica is an effective and safe herbal haematinic

Phytochemical Investigations and Nutritive Potential of Eight Selected Plants from Ghana

In Ghana and most parts of Africa, traditional vegetables and herbs are important sources of proteins, minerals and vitamins for the general population. In order to meet the daily recommended nutritional requirements for the betterment of health and general well being, these vegetables and herbs are seen as an integral part of the diet of the people. In this study, the phytochemical constituents, mineral content and nutritive potential of eight selected plants, Amaranthus incurvatus (Amaranthaceae), Launaea taraxacifolia (Asteraceae), Manihot utilissima (Euphorbiaceae), Ceiba pentandra (Malvaceae), Manniophyton fulvum (Euphorbiaceae), Corchorus olitorius (Malvaceae), Talinum triangulare (Portulacaceae) and Hibiscus sabdariffa (Malvaceae), were evaluated using standard methods. The results showed that, alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, terpenoids, phytosterols and tannins are present in almost all the plant samples. Vitamin C is the abundant vitamin present in the selected plants followed by vitamin A. The crude protein ranged from 7.44 – 31.5% with A. incurvatus and T. triangulare providing the highest amount. The elemental analysis in mg/100g of dry matter revealed H. sabdariffa calyx contained the highest amount of magnesium (Mg) and iron (Fe), providing about 43.48% and 72% of the respective daily value of these minerals. The sodium (Na) and potassium (K) contents of the samples were within recommended daily values except H. sabdariffa which exceeded it daily value for potassium (K). The selected plants may therefore be considered asviable and cheap sources of dietary nutrients and their incorporation in diets may be said to be scientifically justifiable

Phytochemical Investigations and Nutritive Potential of Eight Selected Plants from Ghana

In Ghana and most parts of Africa, traditional vegetables and herbs are important sources of proteins, minerals and vitamins for the general population. In order to meet the daily recommended nutritional requirements for the betterment of health and general well being, these vegetables and herbs are seen as an integral part of the diet of the people. In this study, the phytochemical constituents, mineral content and nutritive potential of eight selected plants, Amaranthus incurvatus (Amaranthaceae), Launaea taraxacifolia (Asteraceae), Manihot utilissima (Euphorbiaceae), Ceiba pentandra (Malvaceae), Manniophyton fulvum (Euphorbiaceae), Corchorus olitorius (Malvaceae), Talinum triangulare (Portulacaceae) and Hibiscus sabdariffa (Malvaceae), were evaluated using standard methods. The results showed that, alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, terpenoids, phytosterols and tannins are present in almost all the plant samples. Vitamin C is the abundant vitamin present in the selected plants followed by vitamin A. The crude protein ranged from 7.44 – 31.5% with A. incurvatus and T. triangulare providing the highest amount. The elemental analysis in mg/100g of dry matter revealed H. sabdariffa calyx contained the highest amount of magnesium (Mg) and iron (Fe), providing about 43.48% and 72% of the respective daily value of these minerals. The sodium (Na) and potassium (K) contents of the samples were within recommended daily values except H. sabdariffa which exceeded it daily value for potassium (K). The selected plants may therefore be considered asviable and cheap sources of dietary nutrients and their incorporation in diets may be said to be scientifically justifiable

Assesssing Herbal Medical Practitioners in Professional Qualifying Examination in Ghana, a Model

About 70% of Ghanaians depend on Alternative health practice for their primary health care needs. Hence, there is the need to streamline and regulate these practices. Graduates from the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (K.N.U.S.T), Kumasi-Ghana were assessed by the Professional Qualifying Examination Board of the Traditional Medicine Practice Council (TMPC), Ghana, after two years of internship training. A model of assessment took into consideration, the scope of the university training, internship and the primary health care needs of the society