Anthelmintic activity of Cassia occidentalis L. methanolic leaf extract on Ascaridia galli and Heterakis gallinarum and its acute toxicity

Background: Cassia occidentalis is traditionally used to treat helminth infestations in poultry. We investigated the in-vitro anthelmintic activity of the methanolic leaf extract of this plant against Heterakis gallinarum and Ascaridia galli worms and its acute toxicity.Methods: Leaves of the plant were air dried, ground into powder and extracted with 70% methanol, filtered and dried at 50  into a dark green semi-solid mass. The worms were isolated from fresh intestines of local chicken and pheasants or turkeys freshly slaughtered in Kampala markets. They were placed in conical flasks containing Goodwin’s solution, kept in a water bath set at 39°C and exposed to 8, 12, 16, 20 and 24mg/ml extract concentrations. Percent worm mortality was determined for each concentration at 12h intervals. piperazine and ivermectin were used as positive controls. For acute toxicity evaluation, Swiss mice were divided into 5 groups (n=6) and administered per os with extract doses of 5,000, 10,000, 15,000, 20,000 and 25,000mg/Kg. The EC50 was determined by a plot of mortality probits against log extract concentration.Results There was a concentration-dependent relationship with worm mortality. The mean worm mortality for A. galli was significantly higher for the extract than for piperazine at 16 and 20mg/ml (p<0.05) and 24 mg/ml concentrations (p<0.01). Activity against H. gallinarum was not significantly different from that of ivermectin. The EC50 of the extract was 11.78mg/ml for A. galli and 17.78mg/ml for H. gallinarum. The extract is safe according to OECD acute toxicity guidelines since no mortality and toxicity signs were observed in mice even at 25,000mg/kg.Conclusions: The study demonstrated the anthelmintic activity of C. occidentalis and this could explain its use in traditional medicine as a remedy against helminth infections over the generations in many parts of Uganda

Crude ethanolic leaf extracts of Citropsis articulata: a potential phytomedicine for treatment of male erectile dysfunction associated with testosterone deficiency

Background: Erectile dysfunction is the inability to sustain erection of the penis firm enough for sexual intercourse in males. Citropsis articulata is used locally by communities in Uganda for the management of erectile dysfunction. The current study evaluated the effect of ethanolic leaf extract of C. articulata on the serum level of testosterone and mounting frequency in Male albino rats.Methods: The study animals were divided into four groups and the extract groups dosed daily orally with 400 mg/kg and 600 mg/kg of extract for three weeks. Sildenafil citrate (1mg/kg) and distilled water (10 ml/kg) were used as positive and negative control respectively. The mounting frequencies of the males exposed to estrus induced females rats on day (7 and 21), testosterone levels (day 21) and phytochemicals present in the extract were determined.Results: At 400 mg/kg and 600 mg/kg, both testosterone level and mounting frequency increased significantly (p<0.05) by third week. The mean testosterone level at 600 mg/kg (2.678 ng/ml) of the extract was higher than that of group treated with 1mg/kg sildenafil citrate (2.18 ng/ml). The aphrodisiac activity of this extract may be associated with presence of saponins and basic alkaloids in the plant extract.Conclusions: Taken together, the crude leaf extracts of C. articulata could be used as a cheap alternative for the treatment of low libido due to testosterone deficiency. However, further studies are needed on the safety profile and the identification of the molecules responsible for the biological activity of the plant extract

An Experimental Study to Determine the Antibacterial Activity of Selected Petroleum Jellies against Selected Bacteria that cause Skin Infections.

Background: The skin is the largest organ of the body and forms its first line of defense against pathogens. When the integrity of this natural protective barrier is compromised, it’s an opportune moment for pathogenic microorganisms such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes among others to invade the body causing skin infections such as folliculitis, acne, impetigo among others. Objectives: This study aimed at determining the phytochemical profile of the selected petroleum jellies, determining the antibacterial activity of different petroleum jellies on selected bacteria causing skin infections, comparing the antibacterial activity of the jellies to that of the commonly used drugs against skin infections, and determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the jellies exhibiting antibacterial activity. Methods: The antibacterial activity of the jellies was determined by the agar well diffusion method (AWD) and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined by the broth dilution method. Results: Only herbal jellies exhibited antibacterial activity against at most two of the three bacterial species studied. The MIC values for the herbal jellies ranged from 47 mg/ml to 188 mg/ml. Conclusion: The non-herbal petroleum jellies did not show antibacterial activity while that of herbal jellies was minimal with very low potency and thus should not be relied on for wound healing or curing skin infections. Recommendations: The antibacterial activity of jellies should be tracked diligently to detect and address antimicrobial resistance as it arises to ensure that they remain efficacious

HEPATOPROTECTIVE EFFECT OF CYMBOPOGON CITRATUS ESSENTIAL OILS AGAINST NEVIRAPINE-INDUCED HEPATIC DAMAGE IN WISTAR ALBINO RATS

Background: The use of nevirapine in the management of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infections is greatly limited by its fatal hepatotoxicity. In sub-Saharan African, traditional medicine involving use of plant materials has been proposed to counteract liver damage, albeit with no scientific evidence. The aim of the present study was to determine the hepatoprotective effect of Cymbopogon citratus essential oils against nevirapine induced hepatic oxidative damage in Wistar albino rats. Materials and Methods: Five groups of rats received a daily oral dose of 36mg/kg nevirapine for 4 consecutive weeks. After 15 minutes, rats in three of the groups were given 200mg/kg, 400mg/kg and 800mg/kg of Cymbopogon citratus essential oil extract. The positive control group received nevirapine and 200mg/kg of silymarin while the normal control group received only 2ml of distilled water. Blood was used to determine the levels of liver function parameters and liver sections were used for histological studies. Results: The results revealed that oral administration of nevirapine (36mg/kg b.w. p.o) for 4 weeks significantly (

IMMUNOMODULATORY ACTIVITY OF THE CHENOPODIUM OPULIFOLIUM TOTAL CRUDE EXTRACT IN WISTER ALBINO RATS

Background: Chronic disease conditions like cancer, diabetes, malnutrition and HIV/AIDS compromise the immune system thus necessitating immune boasting. The use of medicinal herbs in immunomodulation is now common, albeit with limited evidence regarding efficacy. We therefore investigated the immunomodulatory activity of the total crude leaf and stem extract of Chenopodium opulifolium in mice. Materials and methods: An experimental study was conducted using four groups of rats each with 6 animals with treatments administered daily for 29 days. Group one served as the positive control and received 20mg/kg of levamisole. Group 2, the negative control received 2 ml of an olive oil and normal saline mixture. Groups 3 and 4 received 100mg/kg and 200mg/kg bwt of the total crude leaf and stem extract respectively. On the 15th day, whole blood was collected for complete blood count and delayed type hypersensitivity response determination, haemagglutination antibody titer assay was done on blood collected on the 29th day. Results: Results revealed that the extract had a significant (P< 0.05) effect on haemagglutination antibody titers with the highest response observed in the extract group at 200mg/kg (30.67±1.33). The mean WBC (3.13±0.71×103/μl), neutrophil (0.93±0.48 cells/ μl) and lymphocyte (2.20±0.00 cells/ μl) counts in the 200mg/kg bwt extract group were elevated to levels comparable to the positive control. Conclusion: The total crude extract of Chenopodium opulifolium exhibits immunomodulatory activity in a dose dependent manner. Future studies utilizing pure extracts in order to pin point to the extract mechanism responsible for Immunomodulation are required for more conclusive results

Emerging Anthelmintic Resistance in Poultry: Can ethnopharmacological approaches offer a solution?

Limited pharmacological studies have been conducted on plant species used against poultry helminths. The objective of this study was to provide a basis for plant based anthelmintics as possible alternatives against poultry anthelmintic resistance. The study justified the need for alternative anthelmintics. The study places emphasis on the increasing anthelmintic resistance, mechanism of resistance, and preparational protocols for plant anthelmintics and their associated mechanism of action. Pharmaceutical studies on plants as alternative therapies for the control of helminth parasites have not been fully explored especially in several developing countries. Plants from a broad range of species produce a wide variety of compounds that are potential anthelmintics candidates. Important phenolic acids have been found in Brassica rapa L. and Terminalia avicenniodes Guill. and Perri that affect the cell signaling pathways and gene expression. Benzo (c) phenanthridine and isoquinoline alkaloids are neurotoxic to helminths. Steroidal saponins (polyphyllin D and dioscin) interact with helminthic mitochondrial activity, alter cell membrane permeability, vacuolation and membrane damage. Benzyl isothiocyanate glucosinolates interfere with DNA replication and protein expression, while isoflavones from Acacia oxyphylla cause helminth flaccid paralysis, inhibit energy generation, and affect calcium utilization. Condensed tannins have been shown to cause the death of nematodes and paralysis leading to expulsion from the gastro-intestinal tract. Flavonoids from Chenopodium album L and Mangifera indica L act through the action of phosphodiesterase and Ca(2+)-ATPase, and flavonoids and tannins have been shown to act synergistically and are complementary to praziquantel. Artemisinins from Artemisia cina O. Berg are known to disrupt mitochondrial ATP production. Terpenoids from Cucurbita moschata L disrupt neurotransmission leading to paralysis as well as disruption of egg hatching. Yeast particle encapsulated terpenes are effective for the control of albendazole-resistant helminths

Effect of adjuvants on the humoral immune response to congopain in mice and cattle

Background: We investigated several adjuvants for their effects on the humoral immune response in both mice and cattle using the central domain of congopain (C2), the major cysteine protease of Trypanosoma congolense, as a model for developing a vaccine against animal trypanosomosis. The magnitude and sustainability of the immune response against C2 and the occurrence of a booster effect of infection, an indirect measure of the presence of memory cells, were determined by ELISA, while spectrofluorometry was used to determine and measure the presence of enzyme-inhibiting antibodies. Results: Mice immunized with recombinant C2 in TiterMax (TM), Adjuphos (TM), purified saponin Quil A (TM) or Gerbu (TM) showed the best response according to the evaluation criteria and the latter three were chosen for the cattle vaccination study. The cattle were challenged with T. congolense four and a half months after the last booster. Cattle immunized with recombinant C2 in purified saponin Quil A (TM) showed the best antibody response according to the measured parameters. Conclusions: We identified purified saponin Quil A (TM) as a good adjuvant for immunizations with C2. The results from this study will be useful in future attempts to develop an effective anti-disease vaccine against African trypanosomosis

An Experimental Study Determining Levels of Lead Contamination of Dioscorea Spp. (Yams) From Selected Regions of Kampala Capital City, Uganda.

Background: Heavy metal toxicity is a growing concern and often an unknown root cause of a number of serious health issues. Due to bio-accumulation, heavy metals are passed up the food chain from plants to humans. The objectives of this study were to determine the quantity of lead in yams from selected swamps and upland gardens, to compare lead contamination in yams from swamps to those from upland gardens, and compare the levels of lead in yams from swamps and upland gardens to the FAO/WHO acceptable limits. Methods: Ready to eat/mature yams were harvested from swamps and upland gardens respectively and their lead content was determined using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). Results: Yams collected from RS, a swamp site had the lowest amount of lead at a mean lead level of 1.110 mg/kg. Yams collected from KCU which was an upland garden had the highest amount of lead with a mean lead concentration of 2.324mg/kg. Yams obtained from upland gardens contained a higher concentration of lead at a mean lead concentration of 1.7858 mg/kg compared to a mean lead concentration of 1.6172 mg/kg which was found in yams collected from the swamp sites. However, there was no statistically significant difference in lead contamination of the yams obtained from either site. The concentration of lead in both yams collected from swamps and those obtained from upland gardens was higher than the FAO/WHO acceptable limit of lead in food. Conclusion: The level of lead contamination in yams is not dependent on the agricultural site where they are grown. Concomitantly, lead levels in yams regardless of their site of growth, were above the FAO/WHO maximum acceptable limits of lead in food and thus suggested that yams pose a significant route of human exposure to lead once they are consumed

Mycotoxin and metallic element concentrations in peanut products sold in Ugandan markets

The increasing prevalence of cancer among Ugandans has aroused consumer concerns about food-borne carcinogens. This study sought to compare mycotoxin and metallic element concentrations in processed peanuts sold in selected markets in Kampala, Uganda to those traditionally prepared in homes. Market-processed peanut samples (n = 33) were purchased from four markets. Control samples (n = 5) were unground peanuts bought from markets but processed in homes by traditional methods. Aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, G2; Fumonisins; Deoxynivalenol, Nivalenol, Ochratoxin A, T2 toxin, Zearalenone, and Zearalenol were analyzed by LC/MS/MS while As, B, Ba, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mg, Ni, Pb and Zn were analyzed by ICP/MS. The data was statistically analyzed using Wilcoxon scores (rank sums) or the Kruskal-Wallis test. Aflatoxins were the predominant mycotoxins found in significant amounts. 55 and 34% of the samples had concentrations of total aflatoxins greater than 20 ppb (FDA acceptable limit). There were significantly higher concentrations of aflatoxins in market-processed than in home-processed samples. Metallic element concentrations were generally below FDA maximum acceptable concentrations. Roasting and duration of grinding had no significant effect on aflatoxin or metallic element concentrations. There is a need for food-borne toxicant monitoring of food sold in public markets in Uganda.This article is published as Baluka, Sylvia Angubua, Dwayne Schrunk, Paula Imerman, John N. Kateregga, Elisiane Camana, Chong Wang, and Wilson Kiiza Rumbeiha. "Mycotoxin and metallic element concentrations in peanut products sold in Ugandan markets." Cogent Food & Agriculture 3 (2017): 1313925. doi: 10.1080/23311932.2017.1313925.</p