12 research outputs found
Acute Toxicological, Analgesic and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Methanol Extract of Laggera aurita Linn F (Compositae) in Mice and Rats
Background: The plant Laggera aurita is an annual or biannual plant belonging to the family Compositae that has been used for management of pain related conditions locally. It reportedly has anti-oxidant as well as antimicrobial properties. Objectives: To conduct LD50 and phytochemical studies, evaluate the analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties of the methanol extract of L. aurita and determine possible mechanism of action. Methodology: Analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties of the extract were investigated using acetic acid induced writhing, thermally-induced pain, and formalin induced inflammation in rats and mice. Phytochemical and acute toxicological screenings were also conducted. Results: The LD50 was found to be above 5000 mg/kg with slight changes in histological architecture observed in the kidney, liver, lungs and stomach. The extract at dose 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg significantly (p<0.05) inhibited acetic acid induced writhes in mice and increased mean reaction time in the thermal pain model, both dose dependently. The effect on thermally induced pain was blocked by naloxone, a non-specific opioid antagonist, suggesting opioid receptor involvement in analgesia. The extract also significantly (p<0.05) decreased formalin induced paw edema dose dependently. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the methanol extract of L. aurita possesses analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties that justify its ethnomedicinal use in management of pain and inflammation. Keywords: Laggera aurita, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, acute toxicity
Anticonvulsant activity of methanol stem bark extract of Boswellia dalzielii Hutch. (Burseraceae) in mice and chicks
Background: Boswellia dalzielii is a widely used medicinal plant in African traditional medicine. The efficacy of its stem bark extract in management of convulsions is well acclaimed among communities of Northern Nigeria. Objective: To evaluate the anticonvulsant potentials of methanol stem bark extract of Boswellia dalzielii in mice and chicks. Methodology: Phytochemical screening, elemental analysis and acute toxicity studies was carried out. The extract was evaluated for anticonvulsant activity against electrically-induced seizures in chicks and against pentylenetetrazole, strychnine, picrotoxin and 4-aminopyridine-induced seizures in mice at doses of 20, 40 and 80 mg/kg. Results: The intraperitoneal LD50 was estimated to be 280 and 570 mg/kg in mice and chicks respectively. The extract at 20 mg/kg provided 40% protection and significantly (p<0.05) increased the mean onset of seizure in MEST. A dose-dependent and significant (p<0.05) increase in the mean onsets of pentylenetetrazole and strychnine-induced seizures were produced by the extract at 80 mg/kg. Similarly, a dose-dependent and significant increase (p<0.05 and p<0.01) in latency to picrotoxin-induced convulsions was observed at 40 and 80 mg/kg respectively. Conclusion: These findings suggests the methanol stem bark extract of Boswellia dalzielii possesses anticonvulsant activities and thus supports the ethnomedical rationale for its use against convulsions. Keywords: Anticonvulsant, Boswellia dalzielii, Epilepsy, Pentylenetetrazole, Picrotoxi
Evaluation of Steroid Utilization in Management of Asthma in a Tertiary Hospital in Northern Nigeria
Background: There are concerns about the rational use of corticosteroids in asthma as they are associated with serious adverse drug reactions, abuse and are rarely evaluated in clinical settings. Objectives: The study set out to evaluate the drug utilization parameters of corticosteroids in the management of chronic asthma in Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Nigeria. Method: A Retrospective study employing structured data collection form to obtain data from randomly selected folders of 120 asthmatic out-patients in a tertiary health care facility between July 2011 and June 2012. Prescribing, facility and complimentary drug use indicators were analyzed using descriptive and Chi-Square statistics. Results: Females accounted for 80% of study population, mainly housewives (51.6%). While 59.1% were aged 21-50 years. Mean number of drugs per prescription was 4.46±0.098. Generic prescriptions were 45.5% while antibiotics and injections were 30% and 28.4% respectively. The medications most utilized include inhaled Fluticasone/Salmeterol fixed combination in 71% and inhaled Salbutamol in 77.7% of patients respectively. Oral corticosteroid (prednisolone) was used in 25% of patient. The average cost per prescription was N5080 ($31). There was no significant association between severity of asthma and use of inhalational steroids (Chi-Square P>0.05), in contrast to a statistically significant difference (P=0.01) in use of oral corticosteroids. Conclusion: Sub maximal utilization of steroids in asthmatics as inhalational therapy was observed. Recommendations on the use of therapy that suit local conditions with respect to cost will promote adherence and ultimately improve rational drug use and outcomes in patients Key words: Steroid Utilization, Chronic Asthma, Fluticasone/Salmeterol, Salbutamo
Khaya senegalensis inhibits piroxicam mediated gastro-toxicity in wistar rats
Objective:The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of piroxicam co-administration with ethanolic stem-bark extract of Khaya senegalensis on biomarkers of oxidative stress and gastro-toxicity in Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: Thirty healthy male and female Albino Wistar rats (190-220 g) were grouped into six (n = 5) with designated treatments including: Normal saline, piroxicam (20 mg/kg), extract (200 and 400 mg/kg) alone and both doses of the extract co-administered with piroxicam. The drugs were administered orally to all the rats for fourteen consecutive days and on the fifteenth day, they were euthanized with chloroform inhalation. Blood samples and the stomachs were isolated for evaluation of the oxidative stress biomarkers and gastro integrity, respectively. Results: The results of the study revealed that the levels of oxidative stress markers didn’t differ significantly between the groups receiving the extract alone, the extract in combination or piroxicam alone. Gross and histological observations of the stomach showed gastric mucosal changes and mild atrophic lesions in the piroxicam group only. Conclusion: This study illustrates the interaction of Khaya senegalensis and piroxicam results in the gastro-protective beneficial effects. The extract’s outcome on various prostaglandin levels and synthesis is being considered towards possible elucidation regarding the exact mechanism of cytoprotection.
Toxicological Assessment of Lamivudine-Artesunate Treatment on Renal Function, Renal Histology and Some Biomarkers in Parasitized and Immunosuppressed Rodents
The endemic nature of malaria and the prevalence of the viral infections of HIV and HBV in Africa necessitate concurrent lamivudine and artesunate therapy, and these drugs are amongst first line agents in management of these diseases. This study investigated the safety of lamivudine-artesunate co-administration in a rodent model of Plasmodium berghei infection in cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression. Thirty Wistar rats divided into five groups were used for the study with intraperitoneal drug administration for 21 days. Group 1 served as healthy controls while group 2 was disease control (Plasmodium berghei and cylcophosphamide inmmunosuppression). Group 3 and 4 received lamivudine 20mgkg-1, with group 4 receiving artesunate 10mg kg-1 in addition. Group 5 received only artesunate. All drugs were administered intraperitoneally and artesunate was from day 15 while groups 2-5 were also diseased. Electrolytes and urea levels did not differ significantly between treated and disease controls. Relative kidney weights were within close range of each other in all groups including the vehicle group. While lymphocytes were significantly lower in the lamivudine group, PCV levels were significantly decreased with artesunate in the disease group. Histological observations however did not show much difference and correlated the electrolytes and urea data from serum analysis. Data from this study suggests that concurrent administration of lamivudine and artesunate in the diseased state of malaria in immunosuppression may not pose severe renal consequences if administration is not intravascular in nature. Further safety studies with longer co administration of lamivudine and artesunate is recommended.Keywords: Drug safety, drug interaction, antimalarial-antiviral interaction, lamivudine, artesunat
Renal impact of sub acute lamivudine-artesunate treatment in wistar rats
Background and objectives: Lamivudine and artesunate are life saving drugs in the treatment of HIV/HBV and malaria respectively, and available data shows artesunate having anti-tumour properties. The concurrent administration of both drugs presents important safety concerns. This study investigated possible effects of lamivudine-artesunate co-administration on renal function and histology in wistar rats. Method: Four groups of rats (n=5) were used in the study with one group as control. Two groups received lamivudine at 20 mgkg-1, with another receiving artesunate at 10 mgkg-1. Artesunate was added to one of the lamivudine groups. While lamivudine treatment was for three weeks, artesunate was introduced only in the last week of the study alone, or in combination with lamivudine. At termination, animals were humanely killed and kidneys harvested, weighed and subjected to H and E stain and observation. Serum urea and electrolytes were also determined. Results: Serum biomarkers and kidney weights did not differ significantly (p>0.05). Various histological changes were observed in the treated groups although these didn’t directly correlate the biomarkers determined. Conclusion: The concurrent use of lamivudine and artesunate appears to be safe within the dose levels used. However caution may be needful when repeated or long term exposure is required. Keywords: artesunate, lamivudine, HIV, HBV, malaria, concurrent drug therap