Preliminary anti-microbial and phytochemical investigation of the extracts and column fractions of Alchornea Floribunda leaves

The leaves of Alchornea floribunda were collected, identified and reduced to coarse powder. Using various solvent treatments, the powdered drug leaf was fractionated into A1, A2, B, C and D. The fractions were subjected to anti-microbial screening and phytochemical analysis. Phytochemical analysis of the extracts showed the presence of terpenes, sterols, flavonoids, tannins, carbohydrate, glycoside, saponins and alkaloids. Only fraction A2 (the terpenoid fraction) showed promising antimicrobial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (IZD 42 mm) Salmonella keitambii (IZD 34mm) and Bacillus subtilis (IZD 32mm). A2 was further separated into 14 major column chromatographic fractions. The fractions were subjected toanti-microbial and phytochemical investigation. Fraction Af7, Af9, Af12 and Af13 (all terpenoids) showed mild activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella keitambii. In conclusion, the anti-microbial activity of Alchornea floribunda leaves can be attributed to the presence of the terpenoids which may interact synergistically to causeinhibition of the sensitive bacteria

In vivo Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Zapoteca portoricensis (Jacq) HM Hernández

Purpose: To evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of the root extracts and fractions of Zapoteca portoricensis. Methods: The root of Z. portoricensis was extracted with methanol and the extract (ME) subjected to activity-guided fractionation to obtain chloroform (CF), ethyl acetate (EF) and methanol (MF) fractions. CF was further separated into four column fractions (CF1-CF4). The crude methanol extract and all the fractions were screened for anti-inflammatory activity using eggalbumin induced rat paw edema as a model of inflammation. Results: The crude methanol extract (200 mg/kg) exhibited a significant (P<0.01) anti-inflammatory effect with edema inhibition of 71.9 % at 3 h. At 200 mg/kg, CF exhibited high and significant (P < 0.01) inhibition of edema (59.9 % at 3 h). EF (200 mg/kg) exhibited moderate inhibition of edema (29.8 % at 3 h) while MF (200 mg/kg) did not show any edema inhibition at 3 h. The column fractions CF1, CF3 and CF4 showed high and significant (P < 0.01) inhibition of edema (62.3, 60.9 and 66.7 %) respectively. The activities of these fractions are significantly higher than that of acetyl 100 mg/kg salycilic acid (45.6 % at 3 h). These column fractions on phytochemical analysis were shown to contain mainly terpenoids and steroids. Conclusion: Zapoteca portoricensis possesses significant anti-inflammatory activity in acute inflammation in rats. The terpenoids and steroids present in the column fractions may be responsible for the activity.Keywords: Zapoteca portoricensis; Anti-inflammatory, Egg albumeninduced edema, Terpenoids; Steroids

In Vitro Antimicrobial Evaluation of Lozenges Containing Extract of Garlic and Ginger

Purpose: The present work is an antimicrobial evaluation of lozenge dosage forms containing garlic and ginger extract. Methods: Lozenges containing pulverized garlic and ginger were produced by the moulding method and was evaluated against oropharyngeal microbial isolates after time-release in a normal saline-saliva sink solution. The solution was withdrawn at different intervals and screened for antimicrobial activities using the agar diffusion method against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans. Nystatin tablets were used as standard. Results: There was inhibition of growth by Nystatin tablet but garlic-ginger combination only inhibited growth of laboratory strains of C. albicans. Conclusion: The result of this study showed that the garlic and ginger can be formulated into lozenges and used in nonresistant oral thrush.Keywords: Antimicrobial evaluation, Lozenges, Garlic extract, Ginger extract, Oral thrush

Efficacy and safety of Syferol-IHP for the treatment of peptic ulcer disease: a pilot, double-blind randomized trial

George Uchenna Eleje,1,2 Henrietta Aritetsoma Ogbunugafor,1,3 Chiemelu Dickson Emegoakor,1,4 Ebere Innocent Okoye,1,5 Ogochukwu Ifeanyi Ezejiofor,6 Shirley Nneka Chukwurah,7 Joseph Ifeanyichukwu Ikechebelu,1,2 Godwin W Nchinda,8 Chidozie Godwin Ugochukwu,3 Lucy Ijeoma Nnaji-Ihedinmah,9 Festus Basden C Okoye,1,10 Frank Uchenna Eneh,3 Michael Emeka Onwukamuche,11 Charles Okechukwu Esimone1,12 1Biomedicine Research Group, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria; 2Effective Care Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria; 3Department of Applied Biochemistry, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria; 4Department of General Surgery, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria; 5Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria; 6Department of Medicine, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria; 7Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Medicine, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Nigeria; 8Laboratory of Vaccinology/Biobanking, CIRCB BP 3077, Messa Yaounde, Cameroon; 9Department of Chemical Pathology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Nigeria; 10Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria; 11Department of Histopathology, Faculty of Medicine, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria; 12Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Biotechnology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria Background: To our knowledge, there is no prior randomized study on the utility of Syferol-IHP (blend of virgin coconut oil and Ocimum sanctum oil) when coadministered with a triple therapy schedule.Aim: This study determined the efficacy and safety of Syferol-IHP as adjunct to conventional triple therapy for the treatment of peptic ulcer disease (PUD).Methods: A pilot double-blind randomized trial was conducted in patients with confirmed diagnosis (endoscopy-guided biopsy) of PUD. Eligible patients were randomized to Pylorest (a three-in-one tablet containing rabeprazole 20 mg, amoxicillin 1 g, and clarithromycin 500 mg) and Syferol-IHP for 2 weeks, followed by rabeprazole and Syferol-IHP for 2 weeks or Pylorest and placebo for 2 weeks, followed by rabeprazole and placebo for 2 weeks. Repeat endoscopy-guided biopsy and histology were done 4 weeks posttherapy. Primary outcome measures were the healing of ulcer and eradication of Helicobacter pylori. Secondary outcome measures were the disappearance of epigastric pain, gastritis, and duodenitis. Analysis was by intention-to-treat.Results: Of the 63 patients enrolled, 60 patients had complete evaluation, with 37 patients receiving Pylorest and Syferol-IHP and 23 patients receiving Pylorest and Placebo. Healing of the PUD in favor of Pylorest and Syferol-IHP was significantly higher for gastric ulcer (RR=0.000, 95% CI=undefined, P=0.048) but not for duodenal ulcer (RR=0.400, 95% CI=0.07–2.37, P=0.241). H. pylori eradication was 100% with Syferol-IHP vs 50% with placebo (P=0.066). Epigastric pain (reduction to 16.2% vs 43.5%; P=0.021), gastritis (reduction to 13.5% vs 39.1%; P=0.024), and duodenitis (reduction to 0% vs 8.7%; P=0.327) were observed in the Syferol-IHP and Pylorest vs placebo and Pylorest groups, respectively. Adverse events (RR=0.971, 95% CI=0.46–2.04, P=0.937) and laboratory parameters were not significantly different pre- and posttherapies (P>0.05, for both groups).Conclusion: Although both treatment arms were equally safe, co-administration of Syferol-IHP and triple therapy is more efficacious than triple therapy alone for treating PUD. Pan African Clinical trial registry identifier number is PACTR201606001665364. Keywords: gastritis, duodenitis, virgin coconut oil, Ocimum sanctum oil, triple therapy, Pylorest, gastric ulce