A screen for Benzo(a)pyrene in fish samples from crude oil polluted environments

Several studies have shown that exposure to Benzo(a)pyrene increases the risk of cancer. In this study several fish samples from Niger the Delta region of Nigeria were screened for the presence of Benzo(a)pyrene. The study was carried out using Gas chromatograph coupled to a mass spectrometry detector. Benzo(a)pyrenes in the samples were identified through both retention time match with authentic standards and simultaneous maximization of several major ions from GC/MS data. Perylene-d12 was used as the internal standard for quantitation. Concentration of benzo(a)pyrene in the samples ranged from 1.47 to 10.53 μg/kg which is more than WHO recommended maximum allowable concentration. Therefore this study concludes that the population is at an elevated risk of cancer of occurrence. © 2008 Science Publications

APPLICATION OF POLYNUCLEAR AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS IN CHEMICAL FINGERPRINTING: THE NIGER DELTA CASE STUDY

Chemical fingerprinting is an aspect of environmental forensic investigation which involves chemical analysis of contaminants and associated chemicals to provide source specific information. Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the environment have 3 categories of sources namely petrogenic, pyrogenic and biogenic sources. Petrogenic PAHs are generated from geochemical alterations of organic mater. Pyrogenic PAHs originate when organic matter is incompletely combusted. Biogenic originate as a result of oxidation of microbial or plant derived compounds in older and deeper sediments. PAHs fingerprinting involves the determination of a number of quantitative diagnostic ratios of source specific marker PAH compounds. These quantitative diagnostic ratios may be used to distinguish petrogenic PAHs including phenanthrene/anthracene; benz(a)anthracene/chrysene; flouranthene/pyrene; phenanthrene/(phenanthrene+anthracene) and indeno(1,2,3-cd) pyrene/indeno (1,2,3-cd) pyrene + benzo (ghi) perylene from other sources. In this research over 40 environmental samples from the Niger Delta region were subjected to chemical fingerprinting employing some of the quantitative diagnostic ratios above with the aim of ascertaining the precise nature and source the contaminants. It was found that the PAHs contamination in the Niger Delta is not only emanating from petrogenic sources but other sources contribute significantly

Physicochemical properties and lubricant potentials of Blighia sapida Sapindaceaeae seed oil in solid dosage formulations

Purpose: To investigate and compare the physicochemical properties and lubricant potentials of Blighia sapida seed oil (BSSO) with those of magnesium stearate, a commercial lubricant.Methods: The dried seeds of Blighia sapida (BS) powder were macerated with n-hexane for five days to separate the oil. The physicochemical properties; solubility profile, acid value, saponification value, iodine value of the oil were determined using standard methods. Batches of ascorbic acid tablets compressed at same compression settings using different concentrations of BSSO as lubricant were evaluated for their friability, weight uniformity, tablet hardness, disintegration and dissolution.Results: BSSO had a density of 0.9 g/ml, acid value of 2.65 ± 0.20 mg KOH/g, saponification value of 141.65 ± 0.75 mg KOH/g, iodine value of 62.50 ±3.71 mg I2/g among other parameters. Fatty acid methyl ester analysis (FAME) revealed 96.89 % of monounsaturated fatty acids and esters in the range of C15-C23; a C23 compound, 22-tricosenoic acid was the dominant compound (46.82 %). The oil showed excellent lubrication properties in ascorbic acid tablets at a low  concentration (0.5 %), similar to 2 % magnesium stearate. However, higher  concentration (5 %) of BSSO resulted in granules that could not be compressed into tablets. Tablets containing BSSO demonstrated satisfactory friability, weight uniformity, hardness, disintegration and dissolution characteristics.Conclusion: Blighia sapida seed oil is a potentially useful low-cost tablet lubricant. However, further investigations on the excipient, including stability, toxicity, etc, are required to ascertain its suitability.Keywords: Blighia sapida, Lubricants, Seed oil, Excipients, Ascorbic acid, Tablet properties, 22- Tricosenoic aci

Atividade modulatória de anti-oxidantes contra a toxicidade da rifampicina in vivo

The World Health Organization (WHO) has shown concern about the burden of tuberculosis in the developing countries. Even though rifampicin is an effective drug in the management of tuberculosis, it has been documented to have some toxic effects in humans. Therefore, this study intends to investigate the modulatory effect of vitamins C and E on the hepatotoxicity, sperm quality and brain toxicity of Rifampicin. Forty Wistar albino rats were used, 10 animals per group. Group 1 animals received 0.3 mL of distilled water, the Group 2 animals received the therapeutic dose of rifampicin, Group 3 animals received therapeutic doses of rifampicin plus vitamin E, while Group 4 received therapeutic doses of rifampicin and vitamin C. The administration was performed orally during three months; the animals were sacrificed by cervical dislocation at the end of that period. Blood samples were collected and liver function and lipid profile was analyzed using fully automated clinical chemistry device. The liver, brain and reproductive organs underwent histopathological examination. Sperm samples were collected from the epididymis to achieve count and motility and morphological analysis. Results showed rifampicin alone to raise (p < 0.05) liver function enzymes (Aspartate amino transferase [AST], Serum alanine amino transferase [ALT] and Total Bilirubin) when compared with controls. While the vitamin E treated group showed remarkable protection, the vitamin C treated group showed questionable protection against the rifampicin induced liver damage. Sperm count results showed an important (p < 0.05) increase in the sperm quality in vitamin E and C treated groups. However, the vitamin E plus Rifampicin treated group showed increased lipid peroxidation. The histopathological findings revealed structural damages by rifampicin in liver, brain and epididymis while some remarkable architectural integrity was observed in the antioxidant-treated groups. It can be concluded that vitamin E or C improved sperm quality and protected against the brain damage caused by rifampicin. Moreover, vitamin E demonstrated remarkable hepatoprotection against rifampicin induced damage while vitamin C shows a questionable hepatoprotection.A Organização Mundial da Saúde tem mostrado preocupação acerca da eclosão da tuberculose nos países em desenvolvimento. Embora a rifampicina seja droga efetiva para o controle da tuberculose têm sido documentados seus efeitos tóxicos em pacientes. Portanto este estudo tem a intenção de investigar o efeito modulador das vitaminas C e E na hepatotoxicidade, qualidade de esperma e a toxicidade cerebral da rifampicina. Quarenta ratos albinos da raça Wistar foram usados, 10 animais por grupo. O grupo 1 de animais recebeu 0,3 mL de água destilada. O grupo 2 recebeu a dose terapêutica de rifampicina. O grupo 3 recebeu doses terapêuticas de rifampicina mais vitamina E, enquanto o grupo 4 recebeu doses terapêuticas de rifampicina e vitamina C. A administração foi feita por via oral durante três meses; os animais foram sacrificados por deslocação cervical após este período. Amostras sanguíneas foram coletadas e função hepática e o perfil lipídico foram analisados usando aparelho automático de química clínica. O fígado, o cérebro e os órgãos reprodutivos foram submetidos a análise histopatológica. As amostras de esperma foram coletadas do epidídimo para contagem, motilidade e análise morfológica. Resultados revelaram que a rifampicina isoladamente aumenta (p < 0,05) os enzimas de função hepática (aspartato amino transferase {AST], alanino amino transferase sérica [ALT] e bilirrubina total) quando comparados com os controles. Embora o grupo tratado com vitamina E mostrasse marcada proteção, o grupo tratado com vitamina C mostrou proteção questionável contra a lesão hepática induzida pela rifampicina. Resultados da contagem espermática mostraram importante (p < 0,05) aumento na qualidade do esperma no grupo tratado com vitamina E e C. Entretanto, o grupo tratado com vitamina E e rifampicina mostrou aumento da peroxidação lipídica. Os achados histopatológicos revelaram danos estruturais pela rifampicina ao fígado, cérebro e epidídimo enquanto uma notável integridade arquitetural foi observada no grupo tratado por anti-oxidantes. Pode-se concluir que as vitaminas E e C melhoraram a qualidade do esperma e protegeram o cérebro de danos causados pela rifampicina. Mais ainda, a vitamina E demonstrou notável hépato-proteção contra o dano induzido pela rifampicina enquanto a vitamina C mostrou hépato-proteção questionável

Mycotic loads’ determination of non-sterile pharmaceuticals in Lagos state and 16S RDNA identification of the fungal isolates

Pharmaceuticals are medicinal products used in the prevention, treatment, and diagnosis of diseases. As such, the presence of microorganisms’ especially fungal toxins can reduce or eliminate the product's therapeutic activity and constitute a potential danger to patient health. This study attempts to determine the fungal loads of liquid preparation used as medication in Lagos State and its environs and identify the fungal isolates. 252 different types of oral liquid drugs (200syrups and 52 suspensions) which included paracetamol syrup, cough syrup and antibiotics suspension manufactured in five different pharmaceutical industries in Nigeria were methodically sampled and analyzed for fungi contamination using standardized method. The isolated fungi were identified using morphological characterization as well as 16SrDNA sequencing. 13% of the sampled syrups were found to be contaminated with fungi where thecolony forming units for paracetamol syrup, cough syrup and antibiotics suspension ranges from 2.0x101 - 9.6×104; 1.0x102- 7.5x104 and 1.0x101- 8.8×104cfu/ml respectively while87% yielded no growth.Thirteen (13) morphologically different species of fungi were identified which included Aspergillus niger strains, A. tamari strains, A. japonicas, A. flavus, A. awamari, A. ellipticus, A. tubingensis, Meyerozyma aaribbica, Candida carpophila and&nbsp; Eurotiomycetes spp, The presence of microorganisms in oral liquid samples might explain the treatment complicacy of the diseased children. Therefore, microbiological quality of such drugs is thus suggested

Antimicrobial Activities of Hexane Extract and Decussatin from Stembark Extract of Ficus congensis

Ficus congensis (Moraceae) is used traditionally in the treatment of various diseases including infectious diseases, infertility, and gastrointestinal disorders. Investigation of hexane extract of the stem bark using chromatographic techniques led to isolation of a xanthone, 1-hydroxy-3,7,8-trimethoxyxanthone (Decussatin). The compound was elucidated based on spectroscopic methods such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), UV, IR, and mass spectrometry (MS). Decussatin and the hexane extract were screened in vitro for antibacterial and antifungal activities using broth microdilution (MHB) and disc Agar diffusion (DAD) techniques against Escheichia coli, Bacilus substilis, Klebsiela pneumonia, Staphylococcus aureus, Aspergillus fumigatus, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Trichophyton rubrum and Candida albicans. Hexane extracts showed potent antibacterial activity against E. coli and B. subtilis with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of 8 mg/mL and 5 mg/mL, respectively, while Decussatin of the highest concentration (8 mg/mL) used in this study showed no appreciable antimicrobial activity. Only hexane extract was active against C. albicans with a MIC of 1 mg/mL

In vivo antimalarial and in vitro antioxidant activities of hydro-methanol leaf extract of Fadogia cienkowskii Schweinf. (Rubiaceae)

Background: Rapid parasite resistance to antimalarial drugs necessitate continuous search for new drugs. Fadogia cienkowskii Schweinf. (Rubiaceae) is one of the several plants utilized in South-East Nigeria for treatment of malaria fever. Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate antimalarial and antioxidant potentials of leaf extract of F. cienkowskii. The phytochemical profile and toxic heavy metal content were also evaluated. Methodology: Antimalarial activity of crude leaf extract of F. cienkowskii (100 – 400 mg kg-1) was assessed against chloroquine sensitive Plasmodium berghei (NK65) using suppressive and curative test models. Chloroquine 10 mg kg-1 was used as positive control. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using 1,1-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and ferric reducing antioxidant power methods. The presence of heavy metals in the raw material was evaluated using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometric technique and modified Lorke’s method was employed to test for oral acute toxicity. Results: The results showed that the test plant exhibited antimalarial activities in both models in a dose-dependent manner. The comparison analysis showed that at 400 mg kg-1, the suppressive and curative effects were 93.44% and 72.47% respectively. All the animal groups that received test extract lived longer and weight loss was prevented compared to the negative control group. The test extract exhibited antioxidant potential in DPPH scavenging and FRAP assays compare with Vitamin C. All the tested heavy metals were present but within permissible range. Acute toxicity study of extract revealed no immediate adverse effect(s). Conclusion: These results support the traditional use of F. cienkowskii in management of malaria fever. Key Words: Fadogia cienkowskii, Plasmodium berghei, antimalarial, heavy metals, antioxidan

Pandemic influenza preparedness and health systems challenges in Asia: results from rapid analyses in 6 Asian countries

BACKGROUND: Since 2003, Asia-Pacific, particularly Southeast Asia, has received substantial attention because of the anticipation that it could be the epicentre of the next pandemic. There has been active investment but earlier review of pandemic preparedness plans in the region reveals that the translation of these strategic plans into operational plans is still lacking in some countries particularly those with low resources. The objective of this study is to understand the pandemic preparedness programmes, the health systems context, and challenges and constraints specific to the six Asian countries namely Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Taiwan, Thailand, and Viet Nam in the prepandemic phase before the start of H1N1/2009. METHODS: The study relied on the Systemic Rapid Assessment (SYSRA) toolkit, which evaluates priority disease programmes by taking into account the programmes, the general health system, and the wider socio-cultural and political context. The components under review were: external context; stewardship and organisational arrangements; financing, resource generation and allocation; healthcare provision; and information systems. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected in the second half of 2008 based on a review of published data and interviews with key informants, exploring past and current patterns of health programme and pandemic response. RESULTS: The study shows that health systems in the six countries varied in regard to the epidemiological context, health care financing, and health service provision patterns. For pandemic preparation, all six countries have developed national governance on pandemic preparedness as well as national pandemic influenza preparedness plans and Avian and Human Influenza (AHI) response plans. However, the governance arrangements and the nature of the plans differed. In the five developing countries, the focus was on surveillance and rapid containment of poultry related transmission while preparation for later pandemic stages was limited. The interfaces and linkages between health system contexts and pandemic preparedness programmes in these countries were explored. CONCLUSION: Health system context influences how the six countries have been preparing themselves for a pandemic. At the same time, investment in pandemic preparation in the six Asian countries has contributed to improvement in health system surveillance, laboratory capacity, monitoring and evaluation and public communications. A number of suggestions for improvement were presented to strengthen the pandemic preparation and mitigation as well as to overcome some of the underlying health system constraints

Antimicrobial resistance of Campylobacter isolates from small scale and backyard chicken in Kenya

Background Thermophilic Campylobacter species are a major cause of bacterial foodborne diarrhoea in humans worldwide. Poultry and their products are the predominant source for human campylobacteriosis. Resistance of Campylobacter to antibiotics is increasing worldwide, but little is known about the antibiotic resistance in Campylobacter isolated from chicken in Kenya. In this study, 35 suspected Campylobacter strains isolated from faeces and cloacal swabs of chicken were tested for their susceptibility to seven antibiotics using a broth microdilution assay and molecular biological investigations. Results Overall, DNA of thermophilic Campylobacter was identified in 53 samples by PCR (34 C. jejuni, 18 C. coli and one mix of both species) but only 35 Campylobacter isolates (31 C. jejuni and 4 C. coli) could be re-cultivated after transportation to Germany. Isolates were tested for their susceptibility to antibiotics using a broth microdilution assay. Additionally, molecular biological detection of antibiotic resistance genes was carried out. C. jejuni isolates showed a high rate of resistance to nalidixic acid, tetracycline and ciprofloxacin of 77.4, 71.0 and 71.0 %, respectively. Low resistance (25.8 %) was detected for gentamicin and chloramphenicol. Multidrug resistance in C. jejuni could be detected in 19 (61.3 %) isolates. Resistance pattern of C. coli isolates was comparable. Resistance to ciprofloxacin was confirmed by MAMA–PCR and PCR–RFLP in all phenotypically resistant isolates. The tet(O) gene was detected only in 54.5 % of tetracycline resistant C. jejuni isolates. The tet(A) gene, which is also responsible for tetracycline resistance, was found in 90.3 % of C. jejuni and in all C. coli isolates. Thirteen phenotypically erythromycin-resistant isolates could not be characterised by using PCR–RFLP and MAMA–PCR. Conclusions To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first report about resistance to antibiotics in thermophilic Campylobacter originating from chicken in Kenya. Campylobacter spp. show a high level of resistance to ciprofloxacin, nalidixic acid and tetracycline but also a remarkable one to chloramphenicol and gentamicin and they are multidrug resistant. Resistance to antibiotics is a global public health concern. In Kenya, resistance surveillance needs further attention in the future. Efforts to establish at least a National Laboratory with facilities for performing phenotypic and genotypic characterization of thermophilic Campylobacter is highly recommended