Clinical effects of Garcinia kola in knee osteoarthritis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Objectives</p> <p>Over the past years, there has been a growing number of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) patients who are not willing to comply with long-term non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) treatment and wish to use herbal anti- rheumatic medicine. This study assessed the clinical effects of <it>Garcinia kola </it>(GK) in KOA patients.</p> <p>Patients and methods</p> <p>Prospective randomized, placebo controlled, double blind, clinical trial approved by the institutional medical ethics review board and written informed consent obtained from each patient. All KOA patients presenting at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital complex were recruited into the study. The patients were grouped into four (A = Placebo, B = Naproxen, C = <it>Garcinia kola</it>, D = Celebrex). The drugs and placebo were given twice a day per oral route. Each dose consisted of 200 mg of <it>G. kola</it>, Naproxen (500 mg), Celebrex (200 mg) and Ascorbic acid (100 mg). The primary outcome measure over six weeks study period was the change in mean WOMAC pain visual analogue scales (VAS). Secondary outcome measures included the mean change in joint stiffness and physical function (mobility/walking).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>143 patients were recruited, 84 (58.7%, males – 24, females – 60) satisfied the selection criteria and completed the study. The effect of knee osteoarthritis bilateralism among the subjects was not significant on their outcome (p > 0.05). The change in the mean WOMAC pain VAS after six weeks of <it>G. kola </it>was significantly reduced compared to the placebo (p < 0.001). Multiple comparisons of the mean VAS pain change of <it>G. kola </it>group was not lowered significantly against the naproxen and celebrex groups (p > 0.05). The onset of <it>G. kola </it>symptomatic pain relief was faster than the placebo (p < 0.001). However, it was slower than the active comparators (p > 0.05). The duration of therapeutic effect of <it>Garcinia kola </it>was longer than the placebo (p > 0.001). <it>G. kola </it>period of effect was less than naproxen and celebrex (p < 0.001). <it>G. kola </it>subjects had improved mean change mobility/walking after six weeks better than the control group(p < 0.001). The mean change in mobility of the <it>G. kola </it>group when compared to the active comparators was not significantly better (p < 0.05). The mean change of knee joint stiffness (p < 0.001) and the change of mean WOMAC score (p < 0.001) were improved on <it>Garcinia kola </it>as compared to the placebo. The mid term outcome of eleven <it>Garcinia kola </it>subjects after cessation of use had a mean pain relief period of 17.27 +/- 5.15 days (range: 9–26 days). There was no significant cardiovascular, renal or drug induced adverse reaction to <it>Garcinia kola</it>.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p><it>Garcinia kola </it>appeared to have clinically significant analgesic/anti-inflammatory effects in knee osteoarthritis patients. <it>Garcinia kola </it>is a potential osteoarthritis disease activity modifier with good mid term outcome. Further studies are required for standardization of dosages and to determine long-term effects.</p

Garcinia Kola (Bitter Kola): Is it truly the Wonder Seed?

In search for new therapeutic agents, against several diseases such as inflammation, diabetes, hypertension, cancer, etc, scientists have embraced the importance and great values of medicinal plants. Garcinia kola seed is eaten raw with the belief that it promotes longevity. In folkloric medicine, extracts of this seeds are used for the treatment of laryngitis, cough, and liver diseases (Iwu, 1990).Kolaviron (KV) (a biflavonoid fraction) has been isolated as one of the active components of Garcinia kola (Iwu, 1986). Basic medical research has shown KV to act as anti-inflammatory agent by inhibiting the production of nitric oxide, prostaglandin E2 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (Aggarwal, 2004). In several models of hepatotoxicity, KV has been shown to elicit anti-tumor property via elevation of phase-II drug metabolizing enzymes, prevention of DNA oxidation, inhibition of lipid peroxidation process and pro-apoptotic effect by increasing bax/bcl2 ratio. The anti-hypercholesterolmic effect of KV in animals fed on high cholesterol diets has been established.In addition, the antidiabetic activity of KV in rats rendered type-II diabetic has been confirmed. KV is known to inhibit α-amylase and glucose-6-phosphatase activities, thereby reducing fasting plasma glucose levels in diabetic rats. KV is a known chemo preventive agent against testicular damage caused by several toxicants. Experiments on the longevity effect of KV and involvement of regulator genes is on-going. This review summarises the diverse biological activities of Garcinia kola and possible role as an emerging therapeutic agent.Keywords: Garcinia kola, Therapeutic Agent, Health, Medicinal Plan

Kolaviron, a biflavonoid complex from Garcinia kola seeds, ameliorates ethanol-induced reproductive toxicity in male wistar rats

In previous studies, we established that kolaviron (KV) (a biflavonoid from Garcinia kola seeds) elicited anti-oxidative and hepatoprotective effects in Wistar rats chronically treated with ethanol. The present study investigates the possible ameliorative effect of KV against ethanol-induced reproductive toxicity in male Wistar rats. Twenty-eight rats were randomly divided into four groups of seven animals each; Group 1 (control) was administered corn oil, group 2 was given 45%v/v ethanol at 3g/kg body weight, group 3 received ethanol and KV (200mg/kg) simultaneously and group 4 received KV alone. All drugs were given daily by oral gavage for 21 consecutive days. Ethanol treatment resulted in a significant (p&lt;0.05) decrease in relative weight of testis of the animals. In the spermatozoa, ethanol intoxication resulted in 54%, 21% and 38% decreases in testicular protein content, sperm motility and count, respectively. In addition, ethanol administration enhanced lipid peroxidation (LPO) process assessed by the accumulation of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the testis. Precisely, MDA level was increased by 121% in the testis of ethanol-treated rats relative to the control. Furthermore, levels of testicular glutathione and activities of testicular antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase and catalase were significantly (p&lt;0.05) reduced in ethanol-treated rats. Histopathology showed extensive degenerative changes in seminiferous tubules and defoliation of spermatocytes in testis of ethanol-treated rats. Interestingly, co-administration of KV with ethanol led to almost complete inhibition of testicular LPO thereby enhancing antioxidant status of the testis. Overall, KV ameliorates ethanol-induced toxic assault on testis and improves seminal qualities of the rats.Keywords: Kolaviron, Testis, Ethanol, Reproduction, Toxicit

Trace elements and Vitamin E status in Nigerian patients with prostate cancer

Background: Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer among men. Objectives: To investigate the trace elements (Se, Zn, Cu and Cd) and vitamin E status of some Nigerian prostate cancer (PCa) patients relative to their prostate-specific antigen (PSA) values. Methods: Prostate cancer patients were assigned into groups 1, 2 and 3 with PSA of 5-10 ng/ml, 11-20 ng/ml and > 20 ng/ ml, respectively. Results: The results showed that the levels of whole blood superoxide dismutase (SOD) and serum Se and Zn were significantly lower (p< 0.05) in the PCa patients. Specifically, levels of SOD, Se and Zn decreased by 67%, 30% and 35%; 70%, 52% and 41%; 81%, 58% and 47%, in subjects with PSA of 5-10 ng/ml, 11-20 ng/ml and > 20 ng/ml, respectively. There were no significant differences (p > 0.05) in levels of Cu and Cd. Serum Cu/ Zn ratio were significantly higher in PCa patients. The Cu/Zn ratios were 1: 1.2: 1.3 for subjects in groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Vitamin E levels in PCa patients were significantly lower and followed the order; normal > PSA (5-10) > PSA (11-20) > PSA (> 20). Conclusions: Deficiency of vitamin E, Zn and Se may be risk factors for development of PCa

Anti-Diabetic And Hypolipidemic Studies Of Telifairia occidentalis On Alloxan Induced Diabetic Rabbits

The biochemical effects of the methanol extract of Telifairia occidentalis on plasma cholesterol, glucose, protein, triglyceride and creatinine levels were studied in alloxan induced diabetic rabbits. The extract reduced the plasma glucose, cholesterol, creatinine and triglycerides levels of diabetic rabbits, but had no effect on the plasma protein level. Polydipsia in untreated diabetic animals was reduced to normal in those administered with the plant extract. Key words: Telifairia occidentalis, Curcubitaceae, antihyperglycaemic, hypolipidemic, alloxan diabetic rabbits. Nig. J. Nat. Prod. and Med. Vol.8 2004: 45-4

Developing a competency-based medical education curriculum for the core basic medical sciences in an African Medical School

Funmilayo Eniola Olopade,1 Oluwatosin Adekunle Adaramoye,2 Yinusa Raji,3 Abiodun Olubayo Fasola,4 Emiola Oluwabunmi Olapade-Olaopa5 1Department of Anatomy, 2Department of Biochemistry, 3Department of Physiology, 4Department of Oral Pathology, 5Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan,&nbsp;Nigeria Abstract: The College of Medicine of the University of Ibadan recently revised its MBBS and BDS curricula to a competency-based medical education method of instruction. This paper reports the process of revising the methods of instruction and assessment in the core basic medical sciences directed at producing medical and dental graduates with a sound knowledge of the subjects sufficient for medical and dental practice and for future postgraduate efforts in the field or related disciplines. The health needs of the community and views of stakeholders in the Ibadan medical and dental schools were determined, and the &ldquo;old&rdquo; curriculum was reviewed. This process was directed at identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the old curricula and the newer competences required for modern-day medical/dental practice. The admission criteria and processes and the learning methods of the students were also studied. At the end of the review, an integrated, system-based, community-oriented, person-centered, and competency-driven curriculum was produced and approved for implementation. Four sets of students have been admitted into the curriculum. There have been challenges to the implementation process, but these have been overcome by continuous faculty development and reorientation programs for the nonteaching staff and students. Two sets of students have crossed over to the clinical school, and the consensus among the clinical teachers is that their knowledge and application of the basic medical sciences are satisfactory. The Ibadan medical and dental schools are implementing their competency-based medical education curricula successfully. The modifications to the teaching and assessment of the core basic medical science subjects have resulted in improved learning and performance at the final examinations. Keywords: competency-based medical education, curriculum revision, basic medical science, integratio