Antifungal activity of Erigeron floribundus (Asteraceae) from Côte d\'Ivoire, West Africa

Purpose: Erigeron floribundus is a reputed medicinal plant used in Côte d'Ivoire, West Africa for the treatment of skin disorders. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antifungal activity of this plant against fungi from human origin. Method: Dichloromethane, methanol 80% and aqueous extracts from the leaves with stem were tested for their antifungal activity against 7 strains of dermatophytes (Epidermophyton floccosum, Microsporum canis, M. gypseum, M. langeronii, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, T. rubrum, T. soudanense) and one strain of the filamentous fungus, Scopulariopsis brevicaulis. The assays were performed using the agar dilution method at serial concentrations ranging from 2 to 0.06 mg/ml. Result: Only the dichloromethane extract exhibited an activity against Microsporum canis and a broad spectrum of good antifungal activity against all the remaining fungi tested. Conclusion: To the best our knowledge, this is the first report of the antifungal activity of Erigeron floribundus against a wide range of dermatophytes, including Microsporum langeronii and Trichophyton soudanense, the most frequent dermatophytes in Côte d'Ivoire. E. floribundus might be potential sources for improved traditional medicines or new antidermatophyte agents for the treatment of dermatomycoses. Keywords: Erigeron floribundus, dermatophytes, antifungal activity, Côte d'Ivoire. Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research Vol. 7 (2) 2008: pp. 975-97

Synthesis and anthelmintic activity of some hybrid Benzimidazolyl-chalcone derivatives

Purpose: To synthesize hybrid benzimidazolyl-chalcone derivatives, evaluate their anthelmintic activity, and establish some structural elements which could lead to induction and enhancement of this activity.Methods: A series of 1-(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)-3-aryl-2-propen-1-one compounds (6a-z) was synthesized by condensation reaction of 2-acetylbenzimidazole with aryl and heteroaryl aldehyde derivatives. The physicochemical characterization of these benzimidazolyl-chalcones was carried out by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H and 13C NMR) and mass spectroscopy (MS). All compounds were screened in vitro for their nematicidal activity against Haemonchus contortus in larval development assay. The anthelmintic activities obtained were compared with those of anthelmintic reference drugs (fenbendazole and ivermectin); 1,3-diphenyl-2-propen-1-one also used as reference for chalcone.Results: Compounds 6a, 6g, 6w and 6y showed good nematicidal activity (LC100) at 0.002 and 0.0092 μg/ml. The activity of these four benzimidazolyl-chalcones is nearly equal to that of fenbendazole. It is also interesting to know that these compounds have anti-haemonchus activity which is equal or more efficient than ivermectin. Four other compounds (6d, 6h, 6o and 6t) possess interesting anthelmintic activities at 0.68 and 0.16 μg/ml.Conclusion: Preliminary structure-activity relationship studies revealed that arylpropenone group in position 2 of the benzimidazole ring can be considered as new pharmacophore for nematicidal activity.Keywords: Benzimidazole, Chalcone, Anthelmintic activity, Haemonchus contortu

First Detection of Leishmania major DNA in Sergentomyia (Spelaeomyia) darlingi from Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Foci in Mali

Leishmania major complex is the main causative agent of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) in the Old World. Phlebotomus papatasi and Phlebotomus duboscqi are recognized vectors of L. major complex in Northern and Southern Sahara, respectively. In Mali, ZCL due to L. major is an emerging public health problem, with several cases reported from different parts of the country. The main objective of the present study was to identify the vectors of Leishmania major in the Bandiagara area, in Mali. Methodology/Principal Findings: An entomological survey was carried out in the ZCL foci of Bandiagara area. Sandflies were collected using CDC miniature light traps and sticky papers. In the field, live female Phlebotomine sandflies were identified and examined for the presence of promastigotes. The remaining sandflies were identified morphologically and tested for Leishmania by PCR in the ITS2 gene. The source of blood meal of the engorged females was determined using the cyt-b sequence. Out of the 3,259 collected sandflies, 1,324 were identified morphologically, and consisted of 20 species, of which four belonged to the genus Phlebotomus and 16 to the genus Sergentomyia. Leishmania major DNA was detected by PCR in 7 of the 446 females (1.6%), specifically 2 out of 115 Phlebotomus duboscqi specimens, and 5 from 198 Sergentomyia darlingi specimens. Human DNA was detected in one blood-fed female S. darlingi positive for L. major DNA. Conclusion: Our data suggest the possible involvement of P. duboscqi and potentially S. darlingi in the transmission of ZCL in Mali

Health prophylaxis in goat breeding in southern and central Côte d’Ivoire

A survey on the health prophylaxis in goat farming was conducted, in five regions of southern and central Côte d’Ivoire, within 45 goat farms. It aimed to appreciate the methods of breeders in animal management, identify common diseases, describe their symptoms and take inventory of products used to treat them. The results revealed that 93.3 % of farmers have not received any training on farming techniques against 6.7 % of breeders coming from a farming school. The feed is ensured mainly by urban fodder (48.9 %) and natural pastures (51.1%); none breeder has a modern pasture. Most farmers (77.8 %) have never practiced the disinfection of their farms and livestock equipment. Evoking semiotics, 75.6 % offarmers have found cases of death without symptoms. The observed frequency of diarrhea was 88.9 %, including 13.3 % of bloody diarrhea. Furthermore, 62.2 % of farmers claimed to have seen worms in feces. Slimming frequent symptom is estimated by 15.6 % of livestock farmers and signs of loss of appetite in 13.3% of them. Only 6.7 % of farmers used treatments, once per quarter, of their animals; while 75.6 % did so occasionally. Veterinary drugs used are: Levamisole (6.7 %), Albendazole (71.2%), Ivermectin (13.3 %) and oxytetracycline (8.9 %). Incorrect use of these products by some breeders may cause the resistance ofgastrointestinal parasites. Keywords: Investigation, health prophylaxis, dwarf goats, Ivory Coas