In Vivo Inhibition of Prostaglandin E2 Production by Crude Aqueous Extract of the Root Bark of Zanthoxylum Xanthoxyloides

Background: Crude aqueous extract of the root bark of Zanthoxylum xanthoxyloides is used in folklore medicine for its anti-inflammatory activity. Although it shares the analgesic and anti-inflammatory propertyof non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), its mechanism of action has not been well elucidated. Objective: To ascertain whether the extract decreases carrageenin-induced increase in plasma prostaglandinE2 (PGE2) concentration with the view to shed light on the mechanism of action.Methods: The extract was obtained by Soxhlet extraction and rotatory evaporation, followed by freezedrying. Forty Wistar rats (150g - 200g) were assigned to 8 groups of 5 rats each. The rats were given fourdifferent treatments orally: 0.9% saline (two groups of control); two groups received indomethacin, 20mg/kg and 40mg/kg respectively; another two groups received the extract, 2000mg/kg and 4000mg/kg respectively;and the remaining two groups, 50mg/kg and 100mg/kg nimesulide respectively. Inflammation was induced with carrageenin in one of the two groups of control. Enzyme-linked immunospecific assay was used tomeasure plasma PGE2 concentration in the control and treated groups of rats. Analysis of variance was used as the statistical test. Differences in means at

Crude Aqueous Extract of the Root Bark of Zanthoxylum Xanthoxyloides Inhibits White Blood Cells Migration in Acute Inflammation

Background: Crude aqueous extract of Zanthoxylum xanthozyloides is used locally to treat inflammatory conditions. Previous study confirmed that the extract has anti-inflammatory activity and also reduced vascularresponse in inflammation.Objective: To identify the effect of the extract on migration of white blood cells to the site of inflammation.Method: The extract was obtained by Soxhlet extraction and rotatory evaporation, followed by freezedrying. Cohorts of Wistar rats (150g – 200g) were randomly assigned to 6 treatment cells, and were given,per os, three different treatments: indomethacin (20mg/kg and 40mg/kg), the extract (2000mg/kg and 4000mg/kg), and 0.9% saline (two groups of control). Inflammation was induced with carrageenin in the hind paw of the treated groups of rats and one group of the control (positive control), one hour after treatment. Inflammatory exudates from the inflamed paws werecollected and the white blood cells (WBCs) counted.Results: Carrageenin increased the total WBC count (in the paw fluid) which was reduced by the extract and indomethacin (

Inhibition of Vascular Response in Inflammation by Crude Aqueous Extract of the Root Bark of Zanthoxylum Xanthoxyloides

Background: The root bark extract of Zanthoxylum xanthozyloides is used in folklore medicine in Ghana and Nigeria to treat inflammation. A previous pharmacological study confirmed the anti-inflammatory activity of the extract. Objective: To study the effect of the extract on vascular response in inflammation. Method: The extract was obtained by Soxhlet extraction and rotatory evaporation, followed by freezedrying. Groups of rats (with carrageenin-induced paw inflammation) and mice (with xylene-induced pinna inflammation) were, respectively, assigned randomly to treatment groups. The animals were given three different treatments orally: 0.9% saline (control), the extract (400mg/kg and 800mg/kg for mice; 1000mg/kg, 2000mg/kg, and 4000mg/kg for rats), and indomethacin (5mg/kg and 10mg/kg for mice; 10mg/kg, 20mg/kg, and 40mg/kg for rats). In another set of experiment, each treatment group received phenylephrine subcutaneously (30μg/kg for rats and 20μg/kg for mice) inaddition to the specified treatment aforementioned. Inboth sets of experiments, each group of rats was rotated through the entire treatment groups such that each animal served as control as well as received all the treatments. Analysis of variance was used as the statistical test. Results: The extract and indomethacin both causeddose-dependent reduction in the carrageenin-induced increase in paw volume in rats and also reduced xylene- induced increase in blood flow in mice pinna arteries. Phenylephrine enhanced the decrease in capillary permeability and vasodilatation caused by low dose extract but not that caused by high dose extract or both low and high dose indomethacin. Conclusion: The extract reduced vasodilatation anddecreased capillary permeability in inflammation

A qualitative study on the morbidity experiences of under-five children in oil spill communities

Abstract Introduction: Under-five years old (U5) children that reside in oil spill communities are exposed to various pollutants, and therefore are prone to respiratory symptoms and diseases. This study aimed to develop a deeper understanding on the lived experiences of U5 children residing in these communities. Methods: The study was done in August, 2022, on eleven caregivers/parents of U5 children, aged 26–45 years old via purposive sampling. This study utilized a phenomenological research design through in-depth interviews and audio recordings. Results: Findings revealed that numerous oil spills have occurred, and are still occurring. According to the respondents, these spills are caused majorly by poor maintenance of old, rusted pipelines of oil companies; and pipeline vandalism, leading to land, water and air pollution. Results also showed that these spills have led to several adverse respiratory health (RH) experiences in U5, including cough, catarrh, chest pain and other health emergencies that have resulted in frequent hospital visitations and admissions like difficulty/fast breathing, pneumonia, hemoptysis, exacerbation of previously existing conditions, asthma development, etc. The destruction of their source of livelihood, have contributed to worsening these symptoms. Conclusion: U5 children living in crude oil polluted areas are burdened with a high prevalence of respiratory symptoms and diseases. Implementation of already existing regulatory laws on oil pollution, prompt clean-up of oil spills, provision of standard health facilities, and trained health personnels, were some of the measures recommended to curb the menace of crude oil spills and its RH effects

Crude oil spills and respiratory health of clean-up workers:a systematic review of literature

Abstract Background: We systematically reviewed the literature’s existing knowledge on crude oil spills and the respiratory health (RH) outcomes of clean-up workers. Methods: We searched PubMed, Google Scholar, SCOPUS, Web of Science, and Science Direct databases to systematically review studies of crude oil spills and RH outcomes of clean-up workers published from 1 January 2001 to 30 June 2022. We excluded in vitro, animal, and household studies. Results: We identified 20 articles assessing the relationship between crude oil spills and RH outcomes of clean-up workers. Most studies were prospective and analytical, and fewer studies were cross-sectional studies. Most articles showed short- and long-term RH effects, with two articles refuting the adverse long-term RH effects and five articles showing no significant differences. Less than 50% of the articles assessed RH using spirometry. Studies on some independent oil spills (Hebei Spirit) were limited. Conclusion: There is a high level of exposure to crude oil spills by clean-up workers, which is associated with adverse RH effects. Integrated efforts are needed to curb the menace of oil spills, thereby reducing the adverse RH effects among this vulnerable population

Identification of single microbial particles using electro-dynamic balance assisted laser-induced breakdown and fluorescence spectroscopy

<p>Online characterization of fungal and bacterial spores is important in various applications due to their health and climatic relevance. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the capability of the combination of electro-dynamic balance assisted laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) techniques for the online detection of single fungal spores (<i>Aspergillus versicolor</i> and <i>Penicillium brevicompactum</i>) and bacteria (<i>Bacillus aureus</i>). The method enabled sensitive and repeatable LIBS analysis of common elemental components (Ca, Na, and K) from single microbial particles for the first time. Significant differences in the concentrations of these elements were observed between the species, e.g., bacterial spores had over three orders of magnitude higher Ca concentration (2 × 10⁻¹² g/particle) compared to fungal spores (3–5 × 10⁻¹⁶ g/particle). The LIF analysis has previously been used to distinguish bioaerosols from other aerosols due to their fluorescence ability. This study showed that combination of LIF and LIBS analysis is a promising tool for identification of different bioaerosol particle types.</p> <p>Copyright © 2016 American Association for Aerosol Research</p

Wide band frequency measurements of fungal species using laser patterned finger electrodes on LTCC

Abstract High frequency measurements at 50 MHz – 10 GHz were performed for the first time using interdigitated electrodes on a low temperature co-fired ceramic substrate to analyze fungal spores. Wet and dry spore generation methods were evaluated and tested with two different fungal species. The dry generation method was found feasible for RF measurements, since the component capacitance increased 14–21% in the 2–6 GHz range, but for the wet generation method the capacitance decreased only slightly (&lt;1%). Based on these initial results the RF measurements have the capacity to evaluate the quantity of fungal spores but not to identify their species