Evaluation of the in vivo activity of different concentrations of Clerodendrum umbellatum poir against Schistosoma mansoni infection in mice

Clerodendrum umbellatum Poir (Verbenaceae) is traditionally used in Cameroon for the treatment of many diseases including intestinal helminthiasis. This study was undertaken to assess the in vivo antischistosomal activity of its leaves aqueous extract on a Schistosoma mansoni mice model and to determine the most effective dose of this extract. Mice showing a patent infection of S. mansoni were daily treated with C. umbellatum leaves aqueous extract at the doses of 40, 80 or 160 mg/kg body weight for 14 days. Seven days after administration of the extract, schistosomicidal activity was evaluated on the liver and spleen weights, faecal eggs releasing, liver egg count and worm burden. Treatment using C. umbellatum leaves aqueous extract resulted in an important reduction in faecal egg output by 75.49 % and 85.14 % for 80 mg/kg and 160 mg/kg of the extract respectively. These reduction rates did not differ significantly from the 100 % obtained in the group of infected mice treated with 100 mg/kg of praziquantel. C. umbellatum leaves aqueous extract was lethal to S. mansoni worm. A 100 % reduction rate was recorded in the group of infected mice treated with 160 mg/kg of the extract, as well as in praziquantel-treated mice. An amelioration of the hepatosplenomegaly was noticed in both the extract-treated mice and the praziquantel-treated mice. From these results, we can conclude that C.umbellatum leaves aqueous extract demonstrated schistosomicidal properties in S. mansoni model at doses of at least 80 mg/kg body weight.Key words: Clerodendrum umbellatum, Schistosoma mansoni, faecal egg output, worm burden, mic

Mechanisms underlying the vasorelaxant effect induced by Anacardium occidentale L. leaf fraction in rat small resistance mesenteric arteries

Anacardium occidentale L. (A. occidentale), belonging to Anacardiaceae family, has been documented as traditional plant for the treatment of diabetes and hypertension [1]. Four extracts of A. occidentale were used for this study, namely AOL1 (from cyclohexane), AOL2 (from CH2Cl2), AOL3 (from EtOAc) and AOL4 (from MeOH). The most potent antiradical reactivity was observed in AOL4 with 2023 TE/g of extract compared to chlorogenic acid (2976 TE/g of compound) as positive standard. In the other hand, our data showed a significant inhibitory effect of EtOAc and MeOH extracts on BSA glycoxidation measured in terms of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). In isolated mesenteric artery rings precontracted with phenylephrine [2], AOL1, AOL2, AOL3, and AOL4 induced a concentration-dependant relaxation respectively with IC50 values of 120µg/ml, 100µg/ml, 70µg/ml and 70µg/ml. Exposure of Eahy cells to high glucose for 7 days significantly (p<0.05) decreased, cell viability (22%), the level of antioxidant gluthatione and expression of protein kinase C. Incubation with low concentrations (7µg/ml, 12.5µg/ml) of AOL3 and AOL4 for 7 days significantly (p<0.05) attenuated high glucose-induced dysfunction of EAhy cells. Preliminary phytochemical investigations of AOL3 and AOL4 by HPLC-DAD analyses suggested the presence of flavonoids and biflavonoids as major compounds in both extracts. Anacardium occidentale leaf extract induces a vasodilatation in mesenteric arteries precontracted with phenylephrine. Ethyl-acetate and methanol extracts improved high glucose-mediated endothelial dysfunction and thus may be potential new therapeutic agents for diabetic cardiovascular complications

Effets de l’amprolin-300 Ws sur quelques paramètres de croissance et de reproduction chez le lapin mâle (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

Objectif : L’objectif de la présente étude a été de rechercher les effets de l’Amprolin-300, un anticoccidien largement utilisé en médecine vétérinaire, sur quelques paramètres de croissance et de reproduction chez le lapin mâle de race locale. Méthodologie et résultats : Vingt-quatre (24) lapins âgés de 5 mois environ et pesant entre 2,01 et 2,78 kg ont été répartis en 4 lots comparables de 6 lapins chacun. Ils ont été traités pendant 60 jours avec différentes doses d’Amprolin-300 ws via l’eau de boisson : 0 ; 30 ; 60 et 110 mg/kg de poids corporel. Les résultats obtenus ont révélé que la consommation d’eau a significativement (p<0,05) diminué chez les lapins traités aux doses 60 et 110 mg/kg de poids corporel par rapport aux témoins. Le gain de poids et le gain moyen quotidien ont diminué de manière significative (p<0,05) chez les animaux traités aux doses 30 et 60 mg/kg de poids corporel par rapport aux animaux du lot témoin. Par contre, l’indice de consommation a diminué de façon significative (p<0,05) chez les animaux témoins et chez ceux qui ont ingéré la plus forte dose d’Amprolin-300 ws (110 mg/kg de poids corporel) comparé aux lapins traités avec les doses 30 et 60 mg/kg respectivement. Le pH de la semence a significativement (p<0,05) augmenté chez les mâles traités aux doses 30 et 60 mg/kg de poids corporel par rapport Aux mâles du lot témoin. La motilité individuelle et la concentration des spermatozoïdes ont diminué de manière significative (p<0,05) chez les lapins qui ont ingéré la plus forte dose d’anticoccidien par rapport aux lapins témoins. Conclusion et application des résultats : Ainsi, à la dose de 110 mg/kg de poids corporel, l’Amprolin-300 ws a réduit la consommation alimentaire, le gain de poids, le gain moyen quotidien, le poids spécifique et le pH de la semence. Cette dose a également inhibé la spermatogenèse et réduit le pourcentage de spermatozoïdes mobiles. Son usage devrait donc être règlementé.Mots clés : Amprolin-300 ws, lapin mâle, production et fertilité.Objective: In this study, the effects of Amprolin-300 ws, an anticoccidiostat abundantly used in veterinary medicine, on some growth and reproductive parameters in male rabbits were investigated. Methodology and results: Twenty four (24) rabbits aged 5 months and weighing between 2.01 and 2.78 kg were divided into 4 comparable groups of six rabbits each and treated for 60 days with different doses of Amprolin-300 ws from drinking water: 0, 30, 60 and 110 g/kg of body weight. The results showed that water consumption was significantly (p<0.05) decreased in rabbits treated with 60 and 110 mg/kg of body weight of Amprolin-300 compared to control rabbits. Body weight gain and average daily gain decreased significantly (p<0.05) in animals treated with 30 and 60 mg/kg of body weight compared to control rabbits. On the other hand, feed efficiency decreased significantly (p<0.05) in control animals and those who ingested the highest dose (110 mg/kg of body weight) compared to rabbits treated with 30 and 60 mg/kg of body weight respectively. The pH of semen increased significantly (p<0.05) in animals treated with 30 and 60 mg/kg of body weight compared to control animals. Individual motility and sperm concentration decreased significantly (p<0.05) in rabbits who received the highest dose of Amprolin-300 compared to control rabbits. Conclusion and application of results: Thus, at the dose of 110 mg/kg body weight, Amprolinws-300 reduced in male rabbit, food consumption, body and average daily weight gain, specific weight and pH of semen. It inhibited spermatogenesis and reduced sperm mobility. Therefore its use should be regulated

Evaluation of the reach and impact of the 100% Jeune youth social marketing program in Cameroon: findings from three cross-sectional surveys

BACKGROUND: The 100% Jeune youth social marketing program in Cameroon aims to address the high STI/HIV prevalence rates and the high levels of unwanted pregnancy. This study evaluates the 100% Jeune program, analyzing its reach and impact on condom use, level of sexual activity, and predictors of condom use. METHODS: This analysis uses data from three waves of the Cameroon Adolescent Reproductive Health Survey, implemented at 18-month intervals between 2000 and 2003. The sample is restricted to unmarried youth aged 15–24; sample sizes are 1,956 youth in 2000, 3,237 in 2002, and 3,370 in 2003. Logistic regression analyses determine trends in reproductive health behavior and their predictors, as well as estimate the effect of program exposure on these variables. All regression analyses control for differences in sample characteristics. RESULTS: A comparison of trends over the 36-month study period shows that substantial positive changes occurred among youth. Results of dose response analyses indicate that some of these positive changes in condom use and predictors of use can be attributed to the 100% Jeune youth social marketing program. The program contributed to substantial increases in condom use, including consistent use with regular partners among youth of both sexes. Among males, it also contributed to consistent use with casual partners. While condom use increased with both regular and casual partners, levels of use are higher with the latter. Observed secular trends indicate that factors besides the 100% Jeune program also contributed to the observed improvements. Despite efforts to promote abstinence, the 100% Jeune program had no effect on levels of sexual activity or number of sexual partners. Likewise, there is no evidence that reproductive health programs for youth lead to increased sexual activity. CONCLUSION: Results show that 100% Jeune successfully used a variety of mass media and interpersonal communication channels to reach a high proportion of youth throughout the intervention period. In a context in which a variety of governmental and nongovernmental partners are increasing youth-focused reproductive health programming, the 100% Jeune program reached a higher proportion of youth than did other programs. Collective efforts of multiple organizations over time can lead to improvements in adolescent reproductive health. Resources should be allocated to identify and understand predictors of abstinence and partner reduction to inform future programming decisions

Influence du chlorpyriphos-ethyl sur quelques paramètres de reproduction chez le rat mâle albinos exposé pendant le développement post-natal

Les effets du chlorpyriphos-ethyl (CE) sur le poids des organes reproducteurs, l\'histopathologie des testicules, les caractéristiques des spermatozoïdes épididymaires et sur les performances de reproduction ont été étudiés. A cet effet, 3 doses de CE à savoir 3,50 ; 5,25 et 10,50 mg.kg-1 ont été administrées par voie orale, chacune quotidiennement à 6 animaux prépubères (30 jours) pendant 90 jours. Les animaux du lot témoin ont reçu de l\'eau distillée. A l\'issu de ce traitement, le poids relatif des testicules significativement (

Evaluation Of The In Vivo Activity Of Different Concentrations Of Clerodendrum Umbellatum Poir Against Schistosoma Mansoni Infection In Mice

Clerodendrum Umbellatum Poir (Verbenaceae) is traditionally used in Cameroon for the treatment of many diseases including intestinal helminthiasis. This study was undertaken to assess the in vivo antischistosomal activity of its leaves aqueous extract on a Schistosoma mansoni mice model and to determine the most effective dose of this extract. Mice showing a patent infection of S. mansoni were daily treated with C. umbellatum leaves aqueous extract at the doses of 40, 80 or 160 mg/kg body weight for 14 days. Seven days after administration of the extract, schistosomicidal activity was evaluated on the liver and spleen weights, faecal eggs releasing, liver egg count and worm burden. Treatment using C. umbellatum leaves aqueous extract resulted in an important reduction in faecal egg output by 75.49 % and 85.14 % for 80 mg/kg and 160 mg/kg of the extract respectively. These reduction rates did not differ significantly from the 100 % obtained in the group of infected mice treated with 100 mg/kg of praziquantel. C. umbellatum leaves aqueous extract was lethal to S. mansoni worm. A 100 % reduction rate was recorded in the group of infected mice treated with 160 mg/kg of the extract, as well as in praziquantel-treated mice. An amelioration of the hepatosplenomegaly was noticed in both the extract-treated mice and the praziquantel-treated mice. From these results, we can conclude that C. umbellatum leaves aqueous extract demonstrated schistosomicidal properties in S. mansoni model at doses of at least 80 mg/kg body weight

ANTIHYPERGLYCEMIC EFFECT OF BRIDELIA NDELLENSIS ETHANOL EXTRACT AND FRACTIONS IN STREPTOZOTOCIN-INDUCED DIABETIC RATS

The effects of the ethanol extract (1.25 g/kg) and fractions (1 g/kg) of Bridelia ndellensis stem bark on the blood glucose levels in streptozotocin-induced types 1 and 2 diabetic rats at different prandial states were studied. The ethanol extract of B. ndellensis had no hypoglycemic effect in type 1 diabetic rats in fasting and postprandial glucose load conditions and, in type 2 diabetic rats in fasting condition. However, the extract, and its ethyl acetate and dichloromethane fractions significantly lowered blood glucose levels in type 2 diabetic rats when fed simultaneously with glucose. The active principles responsible for the antihyperglycaemic effect are concentrated in the ethyl acetate and dichloromethane fractions of the extract

Strain differences in testicular/hormonal parameters in adult rats

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