EFFECTIVENES AND SAFETY ASSESSMENT OF MIST TONICA, A HERBAL HAEMATINIC

Anaemia is a widespread public health problem, and in Ghana it is the fourth leading cause of hospital admissions and the second factor contributing to death. Mist Tonica, an herbal haematinic produced by the Centre for Scientific Research into Plant Medicine (CSRPM), Ghana, was assessed for its effectiveness and safety in humans after Ethics Committee approval. Clinically established anaemic-patients aged, 13 years and above, with haemoglobin levels less than 11.5 g/dl and 13.5g/dl for females and males respectively were treated with Mist Tonica, 8.96 g/ 40 mls three times daily for two weeks . The mean haemoglobin rise per week caused by Mist Tonica was 1.92 (0.76) g/dl, range (1.66 - 2.55) g/dl/week and over 88 % of the patients on Mist Tonica had their appetite for food improved. Haematological profile, liver and kidney functions were not adversely affected by Mist Tonica. Results of the study suggest that Mist Tonica is an effective and safe herbal haematinic

Clinical Evaluation of the Effectiveness and Safety of Mist Amen Fevermix, a Ghanaian Bi-Herbal Product, Used in the Management of Uncomplicated Malaria

Medicinal plants and products have been used all over the world throughout the history of mankind. Over time in some countries, they have been integrated into the public healthcare system but in the case of Ghana, integration is at the pilot stage. However, questions related to the effectiveness and safety of these medicinal plants and products have been raise and become the bone of contention between orthodox and traditional medicine practitioners. Malaria is a public health problem and continues to be a major cause of morbidity and mortality in most tropical and subtropical countries. The influx of fake medicines and drug counterfeiting have led to malaria parasites becoming resistant to allopathic medicines and have led to an urgent need for new effective antimalarials from medicinal plants.  This research was to determine the effectiveness and safety of Mist Amen Fevermix which is a decoction of the stem bark of Morinda lucida and Parinari robusta at the Tafo Government Hospital, Kumasi after Committee on Human Research, Publication and Ethics approval.Clinically established malaria in male and female patients aged, 15-60 years were treated with Mist Amen Fevermix, at the specified dose of 45 mls (0.45 g) three times daily for six days. Parasitaemia clearance was 82.35% within the first three days in clients who responded positively to treatment. There was a statistically significant difference between the mean levels of malaria parasite load recorded at the first visit and those recorded at the second visit, t (34) =12.20, p=.000. Similarly, there was statistically significant difference between the malaria parasite load recorded on the second visit and that of the third visit, t (24) = 2.50, p=.022. This shows a significant effectiveness of Mist Amen Fevermix in the treatment of malaria. Kidney and liver function tests were within normal range at the end of the study as well as full blood count.The main findings of the study are that Mist Amen Fevermix produced by Amen Scientific Herbal Hospital, Kumasi is an effective and safe finished herbal antimalarial product when used as specified by the manufacturer. Keywords: Malaria; effectiveness; herbal; integrated; antimalarial: parasitaemia

Evaluation of the Microbial Load and Heavy Metal Content of Two Polyherbal Antimalarial Products on the Ghanaian Market

The use of herbal products has increased and become more popularized globally; however, limited studies coupled with questions related to the quality and safety of these herbal products have been raised. Herbal products with hope of their nontoxicity may play a role of alternative to overcome the problems of multi-drug resistant pathogens. Medicinal plants used as raw materials for production may have quality and safety issues due to proximity to wastewater application of fungicides and pesticides, which may be directly deposited superficially or absorbed by the plant system. Therefore, possible contamination of some Ghanaian herbal products cannot be ignored, as it may severely affect human life in the process of treatment. Aim. To evaluate the microbial load and the presence of toxic heavy metals in Mist Amen Fevermix and Edhec Malacure, two polyherbal products used in the treatment of uncomplicated malaria in Ghana. Methods. Thermo Elemental M5 Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) fitted with graphite furnace and an auto sampler was used to determine the heavy metal contents of the herbal products. The herbal samples were evaluated for the microbial load by using the appropriate culture media. Results and Analysis. Mist Amen Fevermix and Edhec Malacure complied with the safety limits evaluated for all different microbial counts and contamination. The following heavy metals were present in Mist Amen Fevermix and Edhec Malacure Mixture: Fe, Ni, K, Zn, Hg, Cu, Mn, Cr, Cd, Pb, Fe, Cu, K, and Na. Ni was below detectable limit in Edhec Malacure. Conclusion. Mist Amen Fevermix and Edhec Malacure may be assured of safety. The products contained heavy metals, but all were within acceptable limit established by the FAO/WHO. The levels of microbial contamination were below the maximum acceptable limit

Effectiveness And Safety Assessment Of Mist Tonica, A Herbal Haematinic

Anaemia is a widespread public health problem, and in Ghana it is the fourth leading cause of hospital admissions and the second factor contributing to death. Mist Tonica, an herbal haematinic produced by the Centre for Scientific Research into Plant Medicine (CSRPM), Ghana, was assessed for its effectiveness and safety in humans after Ethics Committee approval. Clinically established anaemic-patients aged, 13 years and above, with haemoglobin levels less than 11.5 g/dl and 13.5g/dl for females and males respectively were treated with Mist Tonica, 8.96 g/ 40 mls three times daily for two weeks . The mean haemoglobin rise per week caused by Mist Tonica was 1.92 (0.76) g/dl, range (1.66 - 2.55) g/dl/week and over 88 % of the patients on Mist Tonica had their appetite for food improved. Haematological profile, liver and kidney functions were not adversely affected by Mist Tonica. Results of the study suggest that Mist Tonica is an effective and safe herbal haematinic

Hypotensive and Antihypertensive Properties and Safety for Use of Annona muricata and Persea americana and Their Combination Products

Introduction. In the management of hypertension (a cardiovascular disease and the leading metabolic risk factor in noncommunicable diseases) with herbal medicines, efficacy and safety are of uttermost concern. This study sought to establish hypotensive, antihypertensive, drug interaction, and safety for use of the aqueous leaf extracts of Annona muricata (AME), Persea americana (PAE), or their combination products (CAPE). Methodology. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP), mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), and heart rate (HR) were measured in normotensive Sprague-Dawley rats treated with 50–150 mg/kg of AME, PAE, or CAPE to establish a hypotensive effect. “Combination index” was calculated to establish interaction between AME and PAE. The antihypertensive effect of CAPE was established by measuring SBP, DBP, MAP, and HR in ethanol-sucrose- and epinephrine-induced hypertension. Full blood count, liver and kidney function tests, and urinalysis were determined in ethanol/sucrose-induced hypertension to establish safety for use. Results. AME, PAE, and CAPE significantly (p≤0.001) decreased BP in both normotensive and hypertensive animals. Effects of CAPE 1, CAPE 2, and CAPE 3 were synergistic (combination indices of 0.65 ± 0.07, 0.76 ± 0.09, and 0.87 ± 0.07, respectively). There was a significant decrease (p≤0.01−0.001) in SBP and MAP with 100 mg/kg CAPE 1 and 75 mg/kg CAPE 2 treatment in hypertension as well as with nifedipine (p≤0.001) treatment. Epinephrine-induced hypertension in anesthetized cats was significantly and dose-dependently inhibited (p0.05) on full blood count, liver and kidney function, and urine composition in hypertensive rats. Conclusion. The aqueous leaf extracts of Annona muricata, Persea americana, and their combination products possess antihypertensive properties, with combination products showing synergism and safety with use