Effets des extraits totaux aqueux de mallotus oppositifolium et de euphorbia hirta (euphorbiaceae) sur l’activite contractile intestinale du rat

Effects of total aqueous extracts of Mallotus oppositifolium and Euphorbia hirta (Euphorbiaceae) on intestinal contractile activity of the rat. - The contractile activity of the total aqueous extract of Mallotus oppositifolium (Mo) and Euphorbia hirta (Eh) leaves was investigated. Mo extracts (1.32 mg/mL) demonstrated inhibiting effect on the stimulation of rat ileal contractions by acetylcholine (-9 mm) and potassium chloride (-7 mm). Administrated before the magnesium sulfate (6 g/kg), Mo extracts reduce the faeces quantity (- 11g,

Acute and subacute anti-inflammatory activities of dichloromethane extract of Cassia alata (Linn.) leaves in wistar rats

Background: In Burkina Faso, leaves of Cassia alata are used in the treatment of several diseases, including inflammation. This study evaluated the  anti-inflammatory effects of the dichloromethane extract of Cassia alata leaves (CF-AECal) on different models of inflammation in wistar rats in order to enhance its use in traditional medicine.Materials and Methods: Acute inflammation was induced among rats with 0.1 ml of carrageenan, serotonin, histamine and dextrane 1%. The effects of the CF-AECal 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg were compared to the effects of diclofenal 5 mg/kg, prednisone 5 mg/kg, promethazine 1 mg/kg, cyproheptadin 2 mg/kg. Cotton pellet and air pouch - induced granuloma permitted to study CF-AECal effects on the subacute inflammation. The ways of administrations were intra peritoneal for the substances of inductions and oral for the molecules of references and CF-AECal.Result: Carrageenan-induced paw edema has been inhibited to 52.39% by CF-AECal 50 mg/kg and 50.17% by CF-AECal 100 mg/kg. Wet granulomas formation has been inhibited by CF-AECal 50 and 100 mg/kg to 20.94 and 57.82%. The dry granulomas were inhibited at 24.32 and 59.04% by CF-AECal 50 and 100 mg/kg. Air pouch fluid was significantly reduced by CF-AECal in comparison to the control group. There was a massive recruitment of leukocytes in the pocket granuloma of the control group. CF-AECal caused strong inhibition of this infiltration of leukocytes (p< 0.001).Conclusion: Dichloromethane extract of Cassia alata showed anti-inflammatory effects.Key words: Cassia alata, anti-inflammatory effect, animal models, edema, granulom

Effet de l’extrait hydro-éthanolique des feuilles de Trilepisium madagascariense Leeuwenberg D.C. (Moraceae) contre le stress oxydant associé au diabète sucré chez le rat

Trilepisium madagascariense (Moraceae) est une plante utilisée en médecine traditionnelle congolaise pour traiter le diabète dont l’hyperglycémie est un symptôme cardinal. L’hyperglycémie permanente entraine un stress oxydatif qui est à l’origine de l’apparition de plusieurs complications du diabète (hypertension artérielle, cataracte, insuffisance rénale,…). C’est ainsi que, la présente étude a été entreprise pour évaluer l’effet antioxydant de l’extrait hydro-éthanolique de cette plante chez les rats rendus diabétiques par injection de la streptozotocine. L’administration quotidienne de cet extrait à la dose thérapeutique de 400mg/kg et de l’insuline à 5UI/kg aux rats diabétiques pendant trois semaines a provoqué une augmentation significative de l’activité des enzymes anti-oxydantes (superoxyde dismutase ou SOD et catalase) et des taux de glutathion réduit (GSH) et de monoxyde d’azote (NO), comparativement aux rats diabétiques non traités (ou recevant essentiellement de l’eau), chez lesquels, on a observé une baisse de l’activité de ces enzymes, de GSH et de NO. L’augmentation des marqueurs oxydatifs constatée chez les rats diabétiques traités à l’extrait hydro-éthanolique et à l’insuline est un effet compensatoire en réponse au stress oxydatif provoqué par l’hyperglycémie ; alors que leur baisse est le signe d’une atteinte oxydative qui conduit à l’installation des complications du diabète. En conclusion, Trilepisium madagascariense possède un grand potentiel antioxydant qui lui permet de prévenir ou de minimiser l’installation des complications du diabète.Mots-clés: Trilepisium madagascariense, stress oxydant, prévention, complications, diabète.  Trilepisium madagascariense (Moraceae) is a plant used in Congolese traditional medicine to treat diabetes whose hyperglycemia is a cardinal symptom. The permanent oxidative stress leads to hyperglycemia which is responsible for the appearance of several complications of diabetes (hypertension, cataract , renal failure , ...) . Thus, the present study was undertaken to evaluate the hydro- ethanolic extract of the antioxidant effect of this plant in rats made diabetic by injection of streptozotocin. Daily administration of this extract at the therapeutic dose of 400mg/kg and insulin 5UI/kg to diabetic rats for three weeks caused a significant increase in the activity of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase or SOD and catalase) and reduced glutathione (GSH) and nitrogen monoxide (NO), compared to untreated diabetic rats (receiving or essentially water) , in which was observed a decrease in activity of these enzymes , GSH and NO . Increased oxidative markers found in diabetic rats treated with ethanolic extracts and insulin is a compensatory effect in response to oxidative stress induced by hyperglycaemia ; while their decrease is a sign of oxidative attack that leads to the installation of the complications of diabetes. In conclusion, Trilepisium madagascariense has great potential antioxidant that enables it to prevent or minimize the installation of diabetic complications.Keywords: Trilepisium madagascariense, oxidative stress, prevention, complications , diabete

In vitro evaluation of the antimicrobial properties of Mallotus oppositifolium decoction leaf extracts and fractions

In order to verify the in vitro antimicrobial properties of Mallotus oppositifolium (Euphorbiaceae), the qualitative phytochemical screening and the antimicrobial activities on Shigella dysenteriae A2, Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphyllococcus aureus and Candida albicans strains of the aqueous decoction (DEMO) hexane (HEMO) and methanol (MEMO) fractions of leaves were assessed. The screening was performed using colorimetric methods. The antimicrobial activity was carried out using disc diffusion assays. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were determined by the dilution methods. The screening revealed the presence of metabolites such as alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, tannins, saponins, lipids, carbohydrates, mucilages, proteins, triterpens and steroids. DEMO, HEMO, MEMO showed a concentration-dependent activity against Shigella dysenteriae A2 and Salmonella typhi, with inhibition zone ranging from 9.44±0.44 to 19.00±0.24 mm, 8.94±0.05 to 20.03±0.17 mm and 8.13±0.17 to 16.76±0.11 mm respectively. The MIC showed ranges from 0.25 to 1.00 mg.mL-1, 0.20 to 0.50 mg.mL-1 and 1.00 to 3.00 mg.mL-1, while the MBC ranged from 1.00 to 5.00 mg.mL-1, 0.50 to 1.00 and 3.00 to 10.00 mg.mL-1 respectively. The leaves decoction and fractions activity on the two strains showed promising activities to justify the use of the plant against diarrhoea in folk medicine.Keywords: Folk medicine, phytochemical analysis, Mallotus oppositifolium diarrhea, antimicrobial

Evaluation of the Sedative and Anticonvulsant Properties of Three Cameroonian Plants

Millettia thonningii, Ocinum sanctum and Securitaca longepedunculaca are used in traditional medicine in Cameroon to treat epilepsy, insomnia and headaches. Animal models of epilepsy (maximal electroshock (MES), n-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA), pentylenetetrazol (PTZ), isonicotinic hydrazide acid (INH), picrotoxine (PIC) and strychnine (STR)-induced convulsions or turning behavior were used to evaluate anticonvulsant activity while diazepam-induced sleep test was used to evaluate sedative activity of the plants. Four doses of extracts were used for each plant (100, 200, 500 and 1000 mg/kg). At a dose of 1000 mg/kg, Millettia thonningii protected 60 and 90% of mice against MES and PTZ-induced convulsions, respectively. At the same dose, Millettia thonningii also protected 80% of mice against NMDA-induced turning behavior. At a dose of 1000 mg/kg, Ocinum sanctum provided complete protection against MES, PIC and STR- induced convulsions and 83.3% of protection in PTZ test. Securitaca longepedunculata completely protected (100%) mice in PIC test at a dose of 200 mg/kg, in MES test at a dose of 500 mg/kg and in PTZ test at a dose of 1000 mg/kg. 66.7% of mice were protected against STRinduced convulsions. All the three plants showed also sedative properties for they increased significantly and in a dose dependent manner the total sleep time induced by diazepam. The total sleep time of the control groups was multiplied by a factor of 3 at least by each extract. The presence of sedative and anticonvulsant activity in the three plants could explain their use in traditional medicine in the treatment of epilepsy and insomnia in Cameroon.Keywords: Epilepsy; Insomnia; Traditional medicine.doi: 10.4314/ajtcam.v8i5S.2

ACUTE AND SUBACUTE ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITIES OF DICHLOROMETHANE EXTRACT OF CASSIA ALATA (LINN.) LEAVES IN WISTAR RATS

Background: In Burkina Faso, leaves of Cassia alata are used in the treatment of several diseases, including inflammation. This study evaluated the anti-inflammatory effects of the dichloromethane extract of Cassia alata leaves (CF-AECal) on different models of inflammation in wistar rats in order to enhance its use in traditional medicine. Materials and Methods: Acute inflammation was induced among rats with 0.1 ml of carrageenan, serotonin, histamine and dextrane 1%. The effects of the CF-AECal 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg were compared to the effects of diclofenal 5 mg/kg, prednisone 5 mg/kg, promethazine 1 mg/kg, cyproheptadin 2 mg/kg. Cotton pellet and air pouch - induced granuloma permitted to study CF-AECal effects on the subacute inflammation. The ways of administrations were intra peritoneal for the substances of inductions and oral for the molecules of references and CF-AECal. Result: Carrageenan-induced paw edema has been inhibited to 52.39% by CF-AECal 50 mg/kg and 50.17% by CF-AECal 100 mg/kg. Wet granulomas formation has been inhibited by CF-AECal 50 and 100 mg/kg to 20.94 and 57.82%. The dry granulomas were inhibited at 24.32 and 59.04% by CF-AECal 50 and 100 mg/kg. Air pouch fluid was significantly reduced by CF-AECal in comparison to the control group. There was a massive recruitment of leukocytes in the pocket granuloma of the control group. CF-AECal caused strong inhibition of this infiltration of leukocytes (p< 0.001). Conclusion: Dichloromethane extract of Cassia alata showed anti-inflammatory effects

Thermodynamics of ferromagnetic superconductors with spin-triplet electron pairing

We present a general thermodynamic theory that describes phases and phase transitions of ferromagnetic superconductors with spin-triplet electron Cooper pairing. The theory is based on extended Ginzburg-Landau expansion in powers of superconducting and ferromagnetic order parameters. We propose a simple form for the dependence of theory parameters on the pressure that allows correct theoretical outline of the temperature-pressure phase diagram for which at low temperatures a stable phase of coexistence of p-wave superconductivity and itinerant ferromagnetism appears. We demonstrate that the theory is in an agreement with the experimental data for some intermetallic compounds that are experimentally proven to be itinerant ferromagnetic exhibiting spin-triplet superconductivity. Some basic features of quantum phase transitions in such systems are explained and clarified. We propose to group the spin-triplet ferromagnetic superconductors in two different types of thermodynamic behavior, on the basis of quantitative criterion deduced from the present theory and the analysis of experimental data.Comment: Phys. Rev. B (2009) in PRESS; 14 pages, 1 table, 6 figures, Latex2

Potentials of leaves of Aspilia africana (Compositae) in wound care: an experimental evaluation

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The potentials of the leaves of the haemorrhage plant, <it>Aspilia africana </it>C. D Adams (Compositae) in wound care was evaluated using experimental models. <it>A. africana</it>, which is widespread in Africa, is used in traditional medicine to stop bleeding from wounds, clean the surfaces of sores, in the treatment of rheumatic pains, bee and scorpion stings and for removal of opacities and foreign bodies from the eyes. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the potentials for use of leaves of this plant in wound care.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The effect of the methanol extract (ME) and the hexane (HF) and methanol (MF) fractions (obtained by cold maceration and graded solvent extraction respectively) on bleeding/clotting time of fresh experimentally-induced wounds in rats, coagulation time of whole rat blood, growth of microbial wound contaminants and rate of healing of experimentally-induced wounds in rats were studied as well as the acute toxicity and lethality (LD₅₀) of the methanol extract and phytochemical analysis of the extract and fractions.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The extract and fractions significantly (<it>P </it>< 0.05) reduced bleeding/clotting time in rats and decreased coagulation time of whole rat blood in order of magnitude of effect: MF>ME>HF. Also, the extract and fractions caused varying degrees of inhibition of the growth of clinical isolates of <it>Pseudomonas fluorescens </it>and <it>Staphylococcus aureus</it>, as well as typed strains of <it>Ps. aeruginosa </it>(ATCC 10145) and <it>Staph. aureus </it>(ATCC 12600), and reduced epithelialisation period of wounds experimentally-induced in rats. Acute toxicity and lethality (LD₅₀) test in mice established an i.p LD₅₀of 894 mg/kg for the methanol extract (ME). Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, tannins, flavonoids, resins, sterols, terpenoids and carbohydrates.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The leaves of <it>A. africana </it>possess constituents capable of arresting wound bleeding, inhibiting the growth of microbial wound contaminants and accelerating wound healing which suggest good potentials for use in wound care.</p

Locus coeruleus imaging as a biomarker for noradrenergic dysfunction in neurodegenerative diseases.

Pathological alterations to the locus coeruleus, the major source of noradrenaline in the brain, are histologically evident in early stages of neurodegenerative diseases. Novel MRI approaches now provide an opportunity to quantify structural features of the locus coeruleus in vivo during disease progression. In combination with neuropathological biomarkers, in vivo locus coeruleus imaging could help to understand the contribution of locus coeruleus neurodegeneration to clinical and pathological manifestations in Alzheimer's disease, atypical neurodegenerative dementias and Parkinson's disease. Moreover, as the functional sensitivity of the noradrenergic system is likely to change with disease progression, in vivo measures of locus coeruleus integrity could provide new pathophysiological insights into cognitive and behavioural symptoms. Locus coeruleus imaging also holds the promise to stratify patients into clinical trials according to noradrenergic dysfunction. In this article, we present a consensus on how non-invasive in vivo assessment of locus coeruleus integrity can be used for clinical research in neurodegenerative diseases. We outline the next steps for in vivo, post-mortem and clinical studies that can lay the groundwork to evaluate the potential of locus coeruleus imaging as a biomarker for neurodegenerative diseases.Includes MRC, NIHR, Wellcome Trust, H2020 and FP7