Impact of maternal DNA contamination of fetal DNA in chorionic villi on prenatal diagnosis of sickle cell anemia

Objective: The study aim was to determine the hemoglobin genotypic and allelic distributions in fetal population, and to quantitatively evaluate the effect of heterozygous maternal DNA contamination of homozygous fetal DNA in chorionic villi, on fetal hemoglobin genotypes. Materials and Methods: A descriptive, cross sectional study of amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction (ARMS-PCR) analysis of fetal hemoglobin genotype using DNA from chorionic villi and maternal venous blood. The primary fetal hemoglobin genotypes were obtained in the first phase and the secondary hemoglobin genotypes after contaminating homozygous primary genotypes (HbAHbA and HbSHbS) with varying proportions of heterozygous maternal DNA (HbAHbS). Data analysis was done with Micosoft Excel 2010 statistical package and Chi-square (goodness-of-fit). Results: There was no statistically significant deviation in the hemoglobin genotypic and allelic counts between the observed and the expected counts in the fetal population based on Mendelian expectation. Contaminating homozygous fetal DNA with >11.1% (0.5 μl) of heterozygous maternal DNA produced significant change in fetal hemoglobin genotype results. Homozygous hemoglobin genotypes HbAHbA were affected more than HbSHbS. Conclusion: Study established Mendelian distribution in the fetal population and the levels of heterozygous maternal contamination of homozygous fetal DNA that resulted in significant risk of misdiagnosis

Evaluation of hypoglycemic and toxicological effects of leaf extracts of Morinda lucida in hyperglycemic albino rats

The aqueous and 50% methanolic extracts of leaf of Morinda lucida were investigated for their phytochemical constituents, hypoglycemic and toxicological effects in alloxan-induced hyperglycemia in rats. In addition, the possible acute toxicological effects of the extracts were also studied for seven days.The results revealed the presence of alkaloids, cardenolides, flavonoids, glycosides, saponins and steroids in the aqueous extract while 50% methanolic extract contained anthraquinones in addition to those found in aqueous extract. Phenolics and tannins were not detected in both extracts while anthraquinones was not detected in aqueous extract. The extracts significantly (P<0.05) lowered the blood glucose level in the alloxan-induced hyperglycemia in rats. However, the aqueous extract was more effective than the 50% methanolic extract, though they may possibly be toxic at the doses used because marker enzymes (ALP, AST and ALT) were secreted into the sera of these extracts-treated rats. The acute intra-peritoneal toxicity study of the extracts at the limit doses of 500-1500 mg/kg body weight revealed toxicity of the extracts, most especially at relatively high concentrations for seven days. Keywords: Leaf extracts, Morinda lucida, blood glucose level and toxicological effects

Phytochemical constituents and antidiarrhoeal effects of the aqueous extract of Terminalia superba leaves on Wistar rats

The aqueous extract of Terminalia superba leaves was subjected to phytochemical screening. Antidiarrhoeal property of the extract was determined at 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg body weight in castor oil-induced diarrhoeal Wistar rats. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of saponins, cardenolides, triterpenes, flavonoids, steroids, phenolics and tannins, whereas alkaloids, anthraquinones and phlobatanins were not detected. The time of induction of diarrhoea was significantly (P < 0.05) prolonged at all the doses of the extract. The frequency of stooling and feacal parameters (total number of feaces and number of wet feaces), intestinal fluid accumulation (enteropooling) and the weight of intestinal content were significantly reduced. The data in the present study indicate that the aqueous extract of T. superba leaves possessed antidiarrhoeal properties. Key words: Phytochemicals, Terminalia superba, aqueous extract, diarrhoea, rats