Ivermectin-Albendazole Combination Therapy in Lymphatic Filariasis of the Upper Limb: Case Report

The commonest manifestation of lymphatic filariasis is lymphoedema, which on progression leads on to elephantiasis. Even though lower limbs are commonly affected, upper limbs involvement is rarely reported in West Africa especially in females. In the present report a 19 year old female (BMI 20.49 kg/m2) in the West-African subregion presented with swelling of the right upper limb of 4 weeks duration with associated pruritus and hyperpigmented lesions interspersed with hypopigmentation in the affected limb. There was a dramatic recession in the lymphoedema within 2 weeks following the administration of ivermectin and albendazole combination therapy. The adverse effect observed following the use of this combination was mild. This confirms the efficacy and safety of the above combination in the management of lymphatic filariasis.  Keywords: Lymphatic filariasis, Lypmhoedema, Combination therapy, Ivermectin, Albendazol

Evaluation of hypoglycemic activities of hydroethanolic leaf extract of Nicotiana tabacum (Solanaceae)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the hypoglycemic activities of hydroethanolic leaf extract of Nicotiana tabacum. Acute toxicity was evaluated in Swiss albino mice using graded oral doses of the extract. Hypoglycemic properties of Nicotiana tabacum was assessed using oral glucose tolerance test and on normoglycemic rats that received single doses of the extract at 40 and 80 mg/kg body weight and blood glucose levels estimated at 2, 4 and 6 hours (single dose study). Phytochemical screening of the extract for the presence of secondary metabolites was performed with standard methods. Acute toxicity study revealed a median lethal dose (LD50) of 5.82g/Kg. the single-dose study showed that 40mg/Kg and 80mg/Kg body weight of the extract significantly (p<0.05) reduced blood glucose levels at 2h compared to control (27.35% and 28.37% respectively), while 80mg/kg body weight of the extract significantly (p<0.05) reduced blood glucose level at 6h compared to control (75.40%). The oral glucose tolerance test results also showed a significant reduction (p<0.05) in blood glucose levels. These findings suggest that the extract of Nicotiana tabacum has hypoglycemic properties which may be accounted for by the presence of secondary metabolites in the extracts -flavonoids, alkaloids, phenols and terpenoids.Key words: Nicotiana tabacum, Diabetes mellitus, Hypoglycemia, Oral glucose toleranc