Steam sauna and mother roasting in Lao PDR: practices and chemical constituents of essential oils of plant species used in postpartum recovery

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Fundamental in traditional postpartum recovery in Lao PDR is the use of hotbeds, mother roasting, steam sauna and steam baths. During these treatments medicinal plants play a crucial role, but little has been published about how the treatments are carried out precisely, which species are used, the medicinal properties of these species, and the medicinal efficacy of their chemical constituents.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Sixty-five interviews, in 15 rural villages, with women of 4 different ethnic groups were conducted to survey confinement rituals, and postpartum plant use and salience. Essential oils from the main species used were extracted using steam distillation and the main chemical constituents characterized using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total of 10 different species were used by three or more of the ethnic groups included in this study. All species were used in steam sauna and bath, but only 3 species were used in hotbed and mother roasting. Essential oils of <it>Amomum villosum, Amomum microcarpum </it>and <it>Blumea balsamifera </it>were found to contain significant amounts of the following terpenes: β-pinene, camphor, bornyl acetate, borneol, linalool, D-limonene, fenchone, terpinen-4-ol and α-terpinene.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Many of these terpenes have documented antimicrobial and analgesic properties, and some have also synergistic interactions with other terpenes. The mode of application in hotbed and mother roasting differs from the documented mechanisms of action of these terpenes. Plants in these two practices are likely to serve mainly hygienic purposes, by segregating the mother from infection sources such as beds, mats, stools, cloth and towels. Steam sauna medicinal plant use through inhalation of essential oils vapors can possibly have medicinal efficacy, but is unlikely to alleviate the ailments commonly encountered during postpartum convalescence. Steam sauna medicinal plant use through dermal condensation of essential oils, and steam bath cleansing of the perineal area is possibly a pragmatic use of the reported medicinal plants, as terpene constituents have documented antimicrobial, analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties.</p

Inhibitory effects of fluoroquinolone antibiotics on Babesia divergens and Babesia microti, blood parasites of veterinary and zoonotic importance

Mohamed Abdo Rizk,1,2 Mahmoud AbouLaila,3 Shimaa Abd El-Salam El-Sayed,1,4 Azirwan Guswanto,1,5 Naoaki Yokoyama,1 Ikuo Igarashi1 1National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada‑Cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido, Japan; 2Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt; 3Department of Parasitology and Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Damanhour University, Damanhour, ElBehera, Egypt; 4Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry of Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt; 5Veterinary Services Section, Disease Investigation Center, Subang, West Java, Indonesia Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the inhibitory effects of fluoroquinolone antibiotics, including enrofloxacin, enoxacin, trovafloxacin, norfloxacin, and ofloxacin, on the in vitro and in vivo growth of Babesia divergens and Babesia microti parasites, respectively. Materials and methods: The in vitro and in vivo inhibitory effects of fluoroquinolone antibiotics against B. divergens and B. microti, respectively were evaluated using fluorescence-based assay. Additionally, combination therapies of highly effective fluoroquinolone antibiotics (enrofloxacin, enoxacin, and trovafloxacin) with diminazene aceturate, luteolin, or pyronaridine tetraphosphate were tested on the in vitro cultures of B. divergens. Results: Enrofloxacin, trovafloxacin, and enoxacin were the most effective fluoroquinolones against the in vitro growth of B. divergens, followed by norfloxacin and ofloxacin. Furthermore, a combination of enoxacin or trovafloxacin with either diminazene aceturate, luteolin, or pyronaridine tetraphosphate significantly enhanced the inhibitory effect on the growth of B. divergens in in vitro cultures. In mice infected by B. microti, enoxacin and diminazene aceturate combination therapy exhibited a potential antibabesial effect. Conclusion: These results suggest that safe and cheap fluoroquinolone, such as enoxacin, might be used for the treatment of clinical cases caused by Babesia spp. in animals or humans. Keywords: Babesia, fluoroquinolones, in vitro, in viv