The effect of Acetaminophen (Paracetamol ) on Tear Production

The effect of acetaminophen (paracetamol ) on the tear production of 100 young healthy subjects was studied using their right eyes. These subjects with the mean age of 22.5±3.24 years consisted of 40 men and 60 women selected after a thorough case history, IOP measurement and TBUT determination to rule out pathology. Schirmer's test was done in all the selected volunteered subjects before ingestion of 1000mg (2 tablets) of acetaminophen. The test was repeated at interval of one hour after the ingestion for 4 hours. The mean induced tear secretion reduced fromthe mean baseline tear secretion by as 3.70mm(14.43%), 7.06mm(27.55%), 5.76mm (22.47%) and 5.30mm(20.68%) for the first 1-4hours respectively. The mean baseline tear secretion was found to be 25.63mm. These reductions were found to be statistically significant (p>0.05), showing that paracetamol significantly inhibits tear production. Paracetamol should therefore be usedwithcautioninindividuals that have or are predisposed to dry eye syndrome. Keywords: acetaminophen (paracetamol ), prostaglandins, cyclo-oxygenase, Schirmer's strips, tear production

In vivo antimalarial activity of methanol leaf extract of Bombax buonopozense in mice infected with Plasmodium berghei

Bombax buonopozense is used in ethnomedical practice for the treatment of fever. The methanol leaf extract of this plant was evaluated for in vivo antiplasmodial activity against chloroquine sensitive plasmodium berghei in mice. The antiplasmodial effect during early and established infections was investigated. The extract (200-600 mg/kg, p.o) exhibited significant (P<0.05) antimalarial activity both in four-day early and in an established infection tests. The LD50 of the extract was established to be greater than 5000 mg/kg, p.o in mice. The result suggests that B. buonopozense leaf extract possesses significant (P< 0.05) antiplasmodial activity thus confirming its traditional use in malarial therapy.Keywords: Bombax buonopozense; Herbal medicine; Plasmodium berghei berghei; Mic

Studies on anti-ulcer, analgesic and antipyretic properties of the ethanolic leaf extract of Gongronema latifolium in rodents

The ethanol extract of Gongronema latifolium leaves were evaluated for anti-ulcer, analgesic and anti pyretic activities in rats and mice. Ethanol-induced gastric ulceration, acetic acid-induced writhing and formalin-induced nociception were used. Yeast-induced hyperpyrexia was used to investigate the antipyretic activity. The extract produced a significant ulcer protective activity in rats. The extract also decreased pain induced both by acetic acid in mice and early phase of formalin test in rats. A significant reduction in hyperpyrexia was also produced by the extract in rats. This present studyprovides a strong evidence of anti-ulcer, analgesic and antipyretic activities of G. latifolium