ANTISICKLING ACTIVITY EVALUATION OF FRACTIONS OBTAINED FROM WHOLE EXTRACTS OF NEWBOULDIA LAEVIS P. BEAUV (BIGNONIACEAE)

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the fractions from whole extracts of roots and stem barks of Newbouldia laevis and their effect on sickling. Methods: Hydroethanolic extracts of stem barks and roots of Newbouldia laevis were fractionated by the technics of cold precipitation in ethanol. The fractions obtained after phytochemical screening were subjected to Emmel test to evaluate their anti-sickling activity. Active fractions were tested for DPPH and AAPH assay (AAPH induced membrane lipoperoxidation and evaluation of reduction of hemolysis). Results: Two fractions were obtained from each whole extract: supernatant and pellet fractions. Supernatants fractions obtained from whole roots barks extract and stem barks extract at a concentration of 30 mg/ml reduced sickling up respectively to 7% and 10% against 86% for the control. Pellets fractions obtained from the both extracts induced coagulation of SS blood at 30 mg/ml against 86% for the control. Conclusion: Supernatants fractions of hydroethanolic whole extract of roots and stem backs of Newbouldia laevis promise as the potential source of active molecules against sickle cell disease

How do Spondias mombin L (Anacardiaceae) leaves extract increase uterine smooth muscle contractions to facilitate child birth in parturient women?

Background: Spondias mombin L. (Anacardiaceae) leaves were used in Togolese folk to treat dystocia, expel placenta and manage post-partum hemorrhage during child birth.Objectives: This study aimed to establish how the extract of S. mombin leaves increase uterine smooth muscle contractions relevant to its traditional use to facilitate child birth.Methods: Tests were performed on uterus muscle strips from Sprague-Dawley rats. Central portion of uterine horns were dissected, cleaned of surrounding fat and loose connective tissue, and cut longitudinally into strips which were placed in the organ bath for isometric tension record in presence of different substances.Results: S. mombin leaves extract increased uterine spontaneous contractions. This effect was reduced by indomethacin (2 x 10-6 M), yohimbine (2 x 10-6 M) and 2- aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2-APB) (5 x 10-5 M), but not by atropine (3.45 x 10-8 M) and cholesterol (2.5 mg/ml).Conclusion: The pharmacological justification for the traditional use of S. mombin leaves to treat dystocia and expel placenta was that its hydro-ethanolic extract induced prostaglandins release, α2-adrenoceptors stimulation, calcium release from internal stores and lifted inhibitory effect of cholesterol on uterine contractions in order to increase uterine smooth muscle contractions.Keywords: Spondias mombin, uterus, contractions, calcium

Structure, Coûts Des Transactions Et Integration Spatiale Des Marches Des Produits Alimentaires Au Togo

Le présent travail évalue d'une part la structure des coûts de transaction des principaux produits commercialisés au Togo (maïs, sorgho, oignon, gari, tomate, poisson, volaille et gros bétail), et d'autre part le niveau de l'intégration du marché de maïs qui est devenu le produit dominant dans le système de production, de consommation et de commercialisation au Togo. L'analyse des coûts de transaction réalisée à partir des données primaires a débouché sur le constat global que les coûts de transport représentent le facteur le plus déterminant dans les coûts de transaction. L'analyse de l'intégration du marché de maïs réalisée au moyen de la technique de co-intégration et du modèle de Ravallion appliqués sur des séries de prix a permis de dresser trois constats: 1) il existe un équilibre de long terme stable entre les marchés de Lomé et les autres marchés; 2)Lomé joue le rôle de marché de référence dans le réseau; 3)un retard dans la transmission des changements des prix. Il importe, pour garantir la sécurité alimentaire au Togo d'entreprendre les actions visant:1)à réduire le coût du service transport des produits alimentaires en milieu rural; 2)à améliorer la disponibilité et l'accessibilité de l'information pour l'ensemble des acteurs du marché céréalier (producteurs, consommateurs et commerçants). La mise en œuvre de ces politiques permettra alors d'améliorer la sécurité alimentaire à travers une meilleure disponibilité et accessibilité des produits alimentaires aux consommateurs.marche, couts transaction, integration, co-integration, securite alimentaire, Agricultural and Food Policy, Consumer/Household Economics, Demand and Price Analysis, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, Food Security and Poverty, Industrial Organization, International Relations/Trade, Labor and Human Capital, Land Economics/Use, Production Economics, Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies,

Hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects of Acanthospermum hispidum (DC) leaves on carbon tetrachloride-induced acute liver damage in rat

The leaves of Acanthospermum hispidum (DC) are used traditionally by Togolese to treat various hepatic disorders. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the hepatoprotective effect and antioxidant activities of the hydroethanolic extract of A. hispidum on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver damage in Wistar rats. The extract was also studied for its in vitro antioxidant activity using ferric thiocyanate (FTC) and 2,2,-azobis(2-amidinopropane hydrochloride) (AAPH) methods. The hydroethanolic extract of A. hispidum administratered oraly at 250 and 500 mg/kg showed a significant hepatoprotective effect (P < 0.001) by reducing levels of alanine amino transaminase (ALT), aspartate amino transaminase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). The extract exhibited significant hepatoprotective and antioxidant activities. These data suggest that the hydroethanolic extracts of A. hispidum can prevent hepatic injuries from CCl4 -induced hepatotoxicity in rats and this is likely mediated through its antioxidant activities.© 2015 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved.Keywords: Hepatoprotective, Antioxidant, Acanthospermum hispidum, CCl4

Burn wound healing effects of the root hydroethanolic extract of Cochlospermum planchonii in mice

Cochlospermum planchonii is a plant traditionally used in Togo to treat burn wounds. The present study aimed at evaluating the effect of the root hydroethanolic extract of Cochlospermum planchonii on the skin burn wounds. Burns were induced in ICR mice by applying on the skin of the dorsal region with a metal stick (0.7 cm diameter) preheated at 100 °C for 10 seconds. Four (4) groups of 8 mice were formed, Control Group (I); Group II, III and IV treated respectively with C. planchonii gel 2.5%, 5%, and Brulex® (Zinc oxide 15% cream). The surfaces of the wounds were evaluated daily by the ImageJ software. Biopsies were performed on day six and twelve for hydroxyproline assays and histological examinations. On the 12th day, wound contraction rates were 44.12%, 67.82%, 66.68% and 69.32% respectively for Group I, Group II, Group III and Group IV. Hydroxyproline levels on day 12 were significantly higher in samples of animals treated with C. planchonii 2.5% and 5% (+114,93 ± 1,61 and +120,54 ± 7,22 of augmentation respectively, P<0.01 when compared to the control group). Histological examination confirmed these observations. C. planchonii root hydroethanolic extract could be a potentially natural remedy for burn wound

Electrostatic flocking of salt-treated microfibers and nanofiber yarns for regenerative engineering

Electrostatic flocking is a textile technology that employs a Coulombic driving force to launch short fibers from a charging source towards an adhesive-covered substrate, resulting in a dense array of aligned fibers perpendicular to the substrate. However, electrostatic flocking of insulative polymeric fibers remains a challenge due to their insufficient charge accumulation. We report a facile method to flock electrostatically insulative poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) microfibers (MFs) and electrospun PCL nanofiber yarns (NFYs) by incorporating NaCl during preflock processing. Both MF and NFY were evaluated for flock functionality, mechanical properties, and biological responses. To demonstrate this platform\u27s diverse applications, standalone flocked NFY and MF scaffolds were synthesized and evaluated as scaffold for cell growth. Employing the same methodology, scaffolds made from poly(glycolide-co-L-lactide) (PGLA) (90:10) MFs were evaluated for their wound healing capacity in a diabetic mouse model. Further, a flock-reinforced polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) disc was fabricated to create an anisotropic artificial vertebral disc (AVD) replacement potentially used as a treatment for lumbar degenerative disc disease. Overall, a salt-based flocking method is described with MFs and NFYs, with wound healing and AVD repair applications presented

Hopping conduction mechanism and impedance spectroscopy analyses of La0.70Sr0.25Na0.05Mn0.70Ti0.30O3 ceramic

The perovskite sample La0.7Sr0.25Na0.05Mn0.7Ti0.3O3 (LSNM0.70T0.30) was produced via a solid-state route process. The frequency dependence of electrical conduction plot established that according to the Jonscher law. The electrical conduction process was based on both theoretical conduction models assigned to the non-overlapping small polaron tunneling model at low temperatures and correlated barrier hopping mechanism at high temperatures. Detailed investigation of impedance data revealed a non-Debye-type relaxation occurring in the polycrystalline. In addition, the dielectric response confirmed the dominance of the Maxwell–Wagner model and Koop’s phenomenological theory effect in conduction phenomenon. The values of permittivity is high for LSNM0.70T0.30 were observed. These values make this composition interesting for microelectric applications. In the thermal study, the relaxation processes observed by electrical conductivity, impedance, and modulus are associated with singly and doubly ionized oxygen vacancies for the lower and higher temperature, respectively. © 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.Majmaah University, MU: R-2021-121The author would like to thank Deanship of Scientific Research at Majmaah University for supporting this work under Project Number No. R-2021-121

Structural characterization of cationic lipid–tRNA complexes

Despite considerable interest and investigations on cationic lipid–DNA complexes, reports on lipid–RNA interaction are very limited. In contrast to lipid–DNA complexes where lipid binding induces partial B to A and B to C conformational changes, lipid–tRNA complexation preserves tRNA folded state. This study is the first attempt to investigate the binding of cationic lipid with transfer RNA and the effect of lipid complexation on tRNA aggregation and condensation. We examine the interaction of tRNA with cholesterol (Chol), 1,2-dioleoyl-3-trimethylammonium-propane (DOTAP), dioctadecyldimethylammoniumbromide (DDAB) and dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE), at physiological condition, using constant tRNA concentration and various lipid contents. FTIR, UV-visible, CD spectroscopic methods and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were used to analyze lipid binding site, the binding constant and the effects of lipid interaction on tRNA stability, conformation and condensation. Structural analysis showed lipid–tRNA interactions with G–C and A–U base pairs as well as the backbone phosphate group with overall binding constants of KChol = 5.94 (± 0.8) × 104 M–1, KDDAB = 8.33 (± 0.90) × 105 M–1, KDOTAP = 1.05 (± 0.30) × 105 M–1 and KDOPE = 2.75 (± 0.50) × 104 M–1. The order of stability of lipid–tRNA complexation is DDAB > DOTAP > Chol > DOPE. Hydrophobic interactions between lipid aliphatic tails and tRNA were observed. RNA remains in A-family structure, while biopolymer aggregation and condensation occurred at high lipid concentrations

Structural characterization of cationic lipid–tRNA complexes

Despite considerable interest and investigations on cationic lipid–DNA complexes, reports on lipid–RNA interaction are very limited. In contrast to lipid–DNA complexes where lipid binding induces partial B to A and B to C conformational changes, lipid–tRNA complexation preserves tRNA folded state. This study is the first attempt to investigate the binding of cationic lipid with transfer RNA and the effect of lipid complexation on tRNA aggregation and condensation. We examine the interaction of tRNA with cholesterol (Chol), 1,2-dioleoyl-3-trimethylammonium-propane (DOTAP), dioctadecyldimethylammoniumbromide (DDAB) and dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE), at physiological condition, using constant tRNA concentration and various lipid contents. FTIR, UV-visible, CD spectroscopic methods and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were used to analyze lipid binding site, the binding constant and the effects of lipid interaction on tRNA stability, conformation and condensation. Structural analysis showed lipid–tRNA interactions with G–C and A–U base pairs as well as the backbone phosphate group with overall binding constants of KChol = 5.94 (± 0.8) × 104 M–1, KDDAB = 8.33 (± 0.90) × 105 M–1, KDOTAP = 1.05 (± 0.30) × 105 M–1 and KDOPE = 2.75 (± 0.50) × 104 M–1. The order of stability of lipid–tRNA complexation is DDAB > DOTAP > Chol > DOPE. Hydrophobic interactions between lipid aliphatic tails and tRNA were observed. RNA remains in A-family structure, while biopolymer aggregation and condensation occurred at high lipid concentrations