Effects of Spondias mombin Linn (Anacardiaceae) on rat parturition

The leaves of Spondias mombin Linn (Anacardiaceae) are used by traditional healers in some parts of Africa to treat dystocia and postpartum hemorrhage. All experiments are performed on albino wistar mature and immature rats. This study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of Spondias mombin Linn on rat parturition in order to determine its action on labor time, uterus and sex steroids organs weight and coagulation time. Hydro-ethanolic extract of Spondias mombin leaves were given daily by oral route to female rats from 19th day of pregnancy, at doses of 100; 250 and 500 mg/kg. The dose 250 mg/kg reduced significantly (P < 0,05) labor time. To explore estrogenic activity of the extract, the dose of 250 mg/kg, given daily by oral route to immature female rats for 7 days, induced vaginal opening and the increase in uterus and ovarian weight. The extract at 100 mg/ml was reduced the coagulation time. These results suggest that the leaves hydro-ethanolic extract of S. mombin contain one or more principles which reduced labor time, induced vaginal opening, increased uterus and ovarian weight and reduced coagulation time.Keywords: Spondias mombin, labor time, vaginal opening, uterus, ovarian, coagulation time

Controle qualite pharmaceutique et etude de la bioequivalence in vitro des generiques et specialites au Togo : cas des comprimes de ciprofloxacine (fluoroquinolones)

Le marché togolais est de nos jours envahi par les médicaments génériques en réponse à l’appel d’Alma Ata. Cependant, un réel problème se pose quant à l’assurance de sa qualité. Cette étude a été menée dans le but d’évaluer la qualité des médicaments dispensés au Togo spécialement la ciprofloxacine.Nos travaux analytiques se sont déroulés au Laboratoire National de Contrôle de Qualité des Médicaments et Consommables Médicaux du Bénin (LNCQ) à Cotonou durant une période de onze mois. C’est une étude analytique qui s’est faite sur 30 échantillons dont 02 spécialités, 12 génériques prélevés dans les pharmacies privées, centres de santé, formations sanitaires publiques, grossistes-répartiteurs et 16 médicaments de la rue achetés dans les grands marchés de quatre carrefours commerciaux du Togo (Lomé, Anié, Sokodé, Dapaong). Sur ces échantillons nous avons réalisé des essais de contrôle de qualité selon le plan ci-après :- Le contrôle macroscopique : un examen visuel et critique- Le test d’uniformité de masse- Le test de désagrégation- L’identification de la ciprofloxacine par Chromatographie sur Couche Mince- La détermination de la teneur en ciprofloxacine par spectrophotométrieUV/VisibleEnfin le test de dissolution in vitro a été réalisé en vue d’étudier la bioéquivalence entre les génériques, la spécialité et les médicaments de rue.A l’issue de ces différents tests, les résultats se présentent comme suit :- 30% de non-conformité au plan général- 100% de conformité en ce qui concerne les spécialités- 16,66% de non-conformité en ce qui concerne les génériques- 43,75% de non-conformité en ce qui concerne les médicaments de la rueIl ressort de ces résultats que le marché de la rue ou dit ‘’marché parallèle’’ constitue un danger permanant pour la santé de nos populations. Egalement, la substitution des spécialités par les génériques peut se faire avec une certaine assurance.Mots clés: Qualité, Substitution, Ciprofloxacine, TogoEnglish Title: Control of pharmaceutical quality and study of bioequivalence in vitro of generics and specialities drugs in Togo. Case of ciprofloxacin tablets (flouroquinolones)English AbstractThe Togolese market is today overgrown with generic drugs in response to the call of Alma Ata. However, a real problem arises as to its quality. This study aims to evaluate the quality of medicines provided to Togo especially ciprofloxacin.Our analytical study was conducted at the National Laboratory of quality control of drugs and consumables of Bénin (LNCQ) in Cotonou during eleven months. It is an analytical study which has been carried on 30 samples including 02 specialities drugs, 12 generic drugs from private pharmacies, health centres, public health units, wholesalers-dispatchers and 16 street drugs purchased in the major markets of four commercial crossroads of Togo (Lomé, Anié, Sokodé, Dapaong). On these samples we tested quality according to the following plan: macroscopic control, a visual and critical test of uniformity, of mass disintegration , identification of ciprofloxacin by Thin Layer Chromatography and the content determination in Ciprofloxacin by UV/Visible spectrophotometry.The dissolution test in vitro was conducted to study the bioequivalence between the generics drugs, specialities drugs and illicit way drugs.At the end of these different tests, the results are as follows: 30% of no-conformity on global test ; 100% of conformity for specialities drugs ; 16.66% of no-conformity for generics drugs ; 43.75% of no-conformity for illicit way drugs.These results showed that illicit way drugs are a danger for the health of our population. Thus, the substitution of specialities drugs by generics can be done safely.Keywords: Quality, substitution, ciprofloxacin, Tog

Analyse de la disponibilite des medicaments dans la prise en charge des patients au niveau du service des urgences medicales du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sylvanus Olympio (CHU SO)

La disponibilité des produits pharmaceutiques au niveau du service des urgences médicales permet d’une part de mettre à la disposition du personnel, les ressources et dispositifs nécessaires pour une bonne prise en charge des patients et d’autre part une intervention rapide. C’est dans ce cadre que s’inscrit la présente étude qui se propose de contribuer à l’amélioration de la disponibilité des médicaments d’urgence au niveau du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) et dans la prise en charge des urgences médicales. Elle s’est fixée comme objectif de décrire le circuit d’approvisionnement des médicaments à la pharmacie hospitalière et au niveau du service des urgences médicales du CHU Sylvanus Olympio et de déterminer l’écart entre l’offre et la demande des médicaments à travers une enquête effectuée auprès de 30 patients. L’étude menée a été transversale. L’enquête a relevé que les médicaments d’urgence n’étaient pas disponibles à 100% et la couverture des besoins est différente d’un produit à un autre. Chez les 30 patients enquêtés, seulement 9 soit 30% ont bénéficié d’une disponibilité totale et le reste des patients (21 soit 70%) ont acheté au moins un (01) médicament en dehors de la pharmacie hospitalière. Sur les 121 médicaments prescrits, 65,29% seulement étaient disponibles à 100% et donc 34,71% des médicaments prescrits chez les 30 patients n’étaient pas disponibles pour répondre aux besoins des patients admis aux urgences médicales. Les besoins non couverts étaient dus à plusieurs raisons (indisponibilité des produits au niveau de la centrale d’achats (CAMEG) et à un problème financier). L’analyse des résultats a montré que le circuit des médicaments assure en partie la disponibilité qui sera améliorée si on agit sur les problèmes de gestion soulevés relatifsà chacune des étapes du circuit.Mots clés : disponibilité ; médicament ; urgence ; circuit ; hôpital.  Analysis of the availability of medicines in the management of patients at the level of the medical emergency department of Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sylvanus Olympio (CHU SO).The availability of pharmaceutical products at the level of the Medical emergency department allows on the one hand to make available to the staff, the resources and devices necessary for a good management and on the other hand an intervention fast. It is in this context that the present study aims to contribute to the improvement of the availability of medicines at the level of the University Hospital (CHU SO) and in the management of medical emergencies. It aims to describe the drug supply circuit at the hospital pharmacy and at the level of the Medical emergency department at CHU SO and to determine the gap between supply and demand for drugs through. A survey conducted with 30 patients. The study carried out was transversal. The investigation found that the drugs were not available at 100% and the needs coverage is different from one product to other. Of the 30 patients surveyed, only 9 or 30% received total availability and the rest of the patients (21 or 70%) purchased at least one (01) drug outside the hospital pharmacy. Of the 121 prescribed drugs, only 65.29% are available at 100% and therefore 34.71% of the medications prescribed in the 30 patients are not available to meet the needs of patients admitted to medical emergencies. Non-covered needs are due to several reasons  (product unavailability at the CAMEG level and a financial problem.) The analysis of the results showed that the drug circuit ensures in part the availability that will be improved if we act on the management problems raised relative to each of the stages of the circuit.Keywords: availability; drugs Emergency; circuit; hospital

Anti-ulcer and Anti-inflammatory Effects of Hydroalcohol Extract of Aloe buettneri A. Berger (Lilliaceae)

Purpose: Aloe buettneri A. Berger is commonly used in Togolese folk medicine to treat inflammation and gastric ulcer. In this study we investigated the anti-oedema, analgesic, antipyretic and ulcer healing properties of the hydro-alcohol extract of their leaves. Methods: Rat oedema paw were induced by the injection of 0.1 ml of formaldehyde 1%, tail flick method is used to study analgesic property, hyperthermia was induced by subcutaneous injection of 15% of a brewers' yeast suspension at dose of 10 ml/kg and ulcers were induced by ethanol or HCl/ethanol mixture. Results: The extract showed anti-inflammatory properties at doses between 250-500 mg/kg. It inhibited, in a dose- dependent manner, the oedema induced by 0.1 ml of formaldehyde 1%. Scores of 73.70% and 83.63% were obtned when the doses of extract administered were 100 and 500 mg/kg, respectively. The tail flick analgesic index showed an increase of 36.56% when the dose was 500 mg/kg. The extract decreased significantly the hyperthermia induced by the injection of yeast. 1000 mg/kg of the extract inhibited 63.77% of the gastric lesion induced by acid-water-ethanol mixture while daily administration of the same dose accelerated the cicatrisation of gastric ulcer induced by 95% ethanol. Conclusion: The results obtained show that the hydro-alcohol extract of Aloe buettneri A. Berger (Lilliaceae) has anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer and wound healing propertie

Anticonvulsive effects of the hydroethanolic extract of the leaf of Kigelia africana

Kigelia africana is traditionally used in Togo to control epileptic seizures. We undertook this study in order to evaluate its anticonvulsive properties. We pretreated Wistar albino rats of both sexes with the hydroethanolic extract (v: v) of the leaf of K. africana at 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg of body weight. This pretreatment was done one hour prior to the administration of the convulsive drugs. We induced convulsions by administration (i.p) of strychnine, picrotoxin (PTX) or pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) respectively at 3 mg/kg, 6 mg/kg and 75 mg/kg. In the pentylenetetrazol’s model, the above protocol was conducted both in male and in female groups of rats. We registered the latency and duration of generalized tonic-clonic convulsions in all models. The Incidence rates of the generalized convulsions in all models were decreased. Furthermore, the extract increased the survival rates of the rats in all model used in this study. The extract either at 250 mg/kg or 500 mg/kg significantly increased the latency of the onset of generalized tonic-clonic convulsions. Duration of the convulsions was significantly decreased in all models except for the picrotoxin-induced seizure’s one. In the PTZ model, the extract was more active in female rat. The extract decreased the incidence rate, prolonged the mean latency and shortened the mean duration of the generalized convulsions induced with PTX, strychnine and PTZ. The leaf of K. africana possesses anticonvulsive properties. This partially explains itstraditional use in epileptic conditions

Activites antihyperglycemiante et antioxydante des ecorces de racines de Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides (Rrutaceae)

Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides (Rutaceae) est une plante médicinale utilisée dans les régions tropicales pour le traitement du diabète sucré. L’objectif de cette étude est d’évaluer l’activité hypoglycémiante de l’extrait hydroalcoolique des écorces de racines de Z. zanthoxyloides. L’extrait  hydroalcoolique des écorces de racines de Z. zanthoxyloides a été évalué sur des souris normales en état d’hyperglycémie provoquée par voie orale (HPVO) et sur des souris normoglycémiques. Après une étude phytochimique, les activités antioxydantes de l’extrait ont été déterminées par le test de chélation et de réduction des métaux. Le pouvoir antioxydant par piégeage de radicaux libres a été également réalisé. L’administration de l’extrait aux doses de 250 et 500 mg.kg-1avant la surcharge glucidique a diminué significativement (p<0,01) le taux de glucose des souris, 30 minutes après la surcharge glucidique par rapport au lot témoin. Pendant 60 minutes, l’effet de l’extrait à 500 mg.kg-1 reste significative (p<0,05). Par ailleurs, l’administration de l’extrait à la dose de 500 mg.kg-1chez des souris normoglycémiques n’a montré aucune diminution significative (p> 0,05) de la glycémie basale comparée aux témoins. Le screening phytochimique a révélé la présence des flavonoïdes, d’alcaloïdes, de tanins et de saponosides dans l’extrait. L’étude quantitative a montré la présence des polyphénols tels que les phénols totaux, les tanins et les flavonoïdes  totaux. Les tests in vitro ont montré une activité antioxydante de l’extrait. L’activité antihyperglycémiante associée aux propriétés antioxydantes de la plante, justifie son utilisation dans le traitement du diabète en médecine traditionnelle. Mots-clés : Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides, activité antihyperglycémiante, antioxydant. English Title: Antihyperglycemic and antioxidant activities of root barks of <i>Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides</i> (Rutaceae) Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides is a medicinal plant used for the treatment of diabetes mellitus in subtropical and tropical regions. The aim of this study is to evaluate the hypoglycemic activity of this plant. The hydro-alcoholic extract was evaluated on hyperglycemic mice by oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and on normoglycemic mice. After phytochemical study, antioxidant properties of the extract were determined by the  chelation and reducing power test and AAPH test. The administration of the extract at 250 and 500 mg.kg-1 before glucose loading significantly decreased (p <0.01) the glucose level of the mice, 30 minutes after the glucose loading compared to the control group. During 60 minutes, the effect of the extract at 500 mg.kg-1 was significant (p <0.05). In addition, the administration of the extract at a dose of 500 mg.kg-1 of normoglycemic mice showed no significant decrease (p> 0.05) in basal glucose compared with controls. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids,  alkaloids, tannins and saponosides in the extract. The quantitative study showed a presence of polyphenols such as total phenols, tannins and total flavonoids. In vitro tests showed an antioxidant activity of the extract. The antihyperglycemic activity associated with the antioxidant properties of the plant, justifies its use in the treatment of diabetes in traditional medicine. Keywords: Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides, antihyperglycemic activity, antioxidant

Membrane stabilization as a mechanism of the anti-inflammatory activity of methanol extract of garden egg (<it>Solanum aethiopicum)</it>

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Some observations and reports show that people with high consumption of <it>Solanum aethiopicum</it> (African garden egg) have relief in arthritic pains and swelling. We aimed at assessing the effect of methanol extract of <it>Solanum aethiopicum</it> in experimentally induced inflammation using leukocyte mobilization and vascular permeability tests in rats and human red blood cell (HRBC) membrane stabilization as studies.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Twenty five (25) adult Wistar rats of either sex (120 g – 200 g) divided into five groups of five rats each were used for each of the animal models. Groups 2, 3 and 4 were administered varied doses of the extract (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg), while groups 1 (vehicle control) and 5 (treatment control) received normal saline and indomethacin (50 mg/kg) respectively. Vascular permeability was induced by the intra-peritoneal injection of 1 ml of acetic acid and monitored using 0.5 ml intravenous injection of 1% Evans blue solution. Leukocyte mobilization was induced by the intra-peritoneal injection of 0.5 ml of 3% agar suspension in normal saline. Heat and hypotonicity induced heamolysis of HRBC membrane was used to assess membrane stabilization.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The methanol extracts of garden egg significantly and dose dependently reduced (p≤0.05) the acetic acid induced vascular permeability and agar induced leukocyte mobilization in rats. The percentage inhibitions of induced vascular permeability were 21 ± 3.39, 25 ±1.92 and 60 ± 3.81 for the 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg of the extract while the inhibitions of the agar induced leucocyte migration were 23 ± 2.17, 26 ± 1.58 and 32 ± 1.58 for the 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg of the extract respectively. The extract also, at doses of 100, 200, 400, 600 and 800 μg/ml significantly inhibited heat induced lysis of the human red cell membrane with values of 66.46 ± 2.89, 65.14 ± 4.58, 46.53 ± 2.52, 61.88 ± 4.51and 86.67 ± 3.06 respectively.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>These results show that methanol extract of <it>Solanum aethiopicum</it> has anti-inflammatory properties and can reduce inflammatory injury and tissue damage.</p