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In vitro Evaluation of the Anti-scavenging and Anthelmintic Activities of Artocarpus heterophyllus LAM Leaves (Moraceae) in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Lengbiye Moke Emmanuel,
Koto-te-Nyiwa Ngbolua,
Lin Marcelin Messi,
Mbembo wa Mbembo Blaise,
Gédéon Ngiala Bongo,
Mutwale Kapepula Paulin,
Ngombe Kabamba Nadège,
Joséphine Ngo Mbing,
Dieudonné Emmanuel Pegnyemb,
Pius Tshimankinda Mpiana
Issue:
Volume 5, Issue 2, June 2019
Pages:
7-15
Received:
17 August 2019
Accepted:
6 September 2019
Published:
24 September 2019
Abstract: The extracts of Arthocarpus heterophyllus Lam. leaves were evaluated in vitro for their anthelmintic activity. Benhamia rosea and B. itoleisis were used as animal models and Albendazole as reference product (positive control). After calculating the yield, it appears that the ethanol extracts had given a better yield (0.70%) compared to the organic extracts. The result of the phytochemical screening by TLC (thin layer chromatography) showed the presence of phenolic compounds including anthocyanins, coumarins, anthraquinones, phenol acids and terpenoids. From this study, it appears that A. heterophyllus Lam. contains various secondary metabolites such as flavonoids (2.63±0.007mg EQ/100g MS), phenolic acids, coumarins, anthraquinones, terpenoids and anthocyanins (10.46±1.05 mg/100 MS) and total polyphenols (27.33±9.34 mg EAG/100 g MS). The organic/terpenic acids extract showed very high antioxidant activity against the ABTS radical (IC50: 0.97 ± 0.13 µg/ml). The ethanolic and organic acid extracts from the leaves of this plant species have an anthelminthic activity, but this activity is dose dependent. However, at the lowest concentration (0.625 mg/mL), ethanolic extract showed better activity with a paralysis time of 67.3±1.8 minutes compared to 76±2.1 minutes for the organic extract. But the mortality rate at the lowest concentration was higher for organic extracts, at 62.7% compared to 33.3% for ethanol extracts. It is therefore desirable to test bioactive extracts on gastrointestinal parasites of farm animals in order to confirm the results obtained. Ongoing in-depth phytochemical studies will identify the chemical compound (s) and active principle (s) for the formulation of anthelminthic phytomedicine for managing pathologies due to helminthes in farm animals.
Abstract: The extracts of Arthocarpus heterophyllus Lam. leaves were evaluated in vitro for their anthelmintic activity. Benhamia rosea and B. itoleisis were used as animal models and Albendazole as reference product (positive control). After calculating the yield, it appears that the ethanol extracts had given a better yield (0.70%) compared to the organic ...
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High Education Level Protects European Americans But Not African Americans Against Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: National Health Interview Survey
Shervin Assari,
Hamid Chalian,
Mohsen Bazargan
Issue:
Volume 5, Issue 2, June 2019
Pages:
16-23
Received:
23 August 2019
Accepted:
6 September 2019
Published:
24 September 2019
Abstract: Background: Education level reduces the risk of chronic diseases (CDs), including Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Minorities’ Diminished Returns, however, refer to smaller health benefits of socioeconomic position (SEP) improvement for racial and ethnic minorities compared to majority groups. It is not known if MDRs exist for the effects of education level on COPD for African Americans (AAs), relative to European Americans (EAs). Aims: Using a nationally representative sample, the current study explored racial and ethnic variation in the association between education level and COPD among American adults. Methods: Data came from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS 2015), a national survey. A total of 25,488 adults (18+ years old) were included in the study. From this number, 4,533 (17.8%) were AAs and 20,955 (82.2%) were EAs. Education level was the independent variable. COPD was the outcome. Age, gender, and income were the covariates. Race/ethnicity was the moderator. Results: Overall, education level was inversely associated with the odds of COPD. A statistically significant interaction was found between race/ethnicity and education level on odds of COPD, indicating smaller effect of education for AAs compared to EAs. Conclusions: In line with the Minorities’ Diminished Returns (MDRs), highly educated AAs remained at high risk for COPD, a pattern which is not observed for EAs. Policies that exclusively address racial/ethnic inequalities in SEP may not be enough for eliminating racial/ethnic inequalities in COPD in the US. Public policies must go beyond equalizing SEP and address structural and environmental barriers that disproportionately increase risk of COPD in AAs across SEP levels. Future research should test if residential segregation and exposure to air pollutants contributes to high prevalence of COPD in highly educated AAs. Research is needed on multi-level interventions that may minimize MDR-related health disparities.
Abstract: Background: Education level reduces the risk of chronic diseases (CDs), including Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Minorities’ Diminished Returns, however, refer to smaller health benefits of socioeconomic position (SEP) improvement for racial and ethnic minorities compared to majority groups. It is not known if MDRs exist for the effe...
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Bacterial Contamination of Hospital Equipments in Two Tertiary Health Facilities in Central Nigeria and Their Corresponding Susceptibility to Antimicrobial Agents
Adamu Muktar Owuna,
Owuna Jibril Egwu,
Yakubu Akuki Hajara,
Azamu Ibaku Gowon
Issue:
Volume 5, Issue 2, June 2019
Pages:
24-30
Received:
21 August 2019
Accepted:
6 September 2019
Published:
25 September 2019
Abstract: Hospital is a major avenue for the spread of infectious diseases known as nosocomial infections. This study investigated the bacteria that colonize hospital equipments at the Federal Medical Centre and Nasarawa State University Clinic Keffi. Swab samples of different hospital equipments were collected and examined using standard microbiological techniques. Cultural features indicates the presence of the following bacteria; Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp., Pseudomonas spp., Staphylococcus aureus and Enterobacter spp. The mean bacterial load from NSUK clinic equipments (×104cfu/ml) were 0.32, 0.18, 0.19 and 0.1 for total viable, total coliform, total fecal coliform and staphylococcus aureus count respectively, while the mean bacterial load in FMC (×104cfu/ml) was 1.254, 0.347 and 0.283 for total viable count, coliform count and faecal coliform count accordingly. Frequency of occurrence of the bacteria isolates in FMC is in the order: Escherichia coli (50.0%)>Enterobacter spp. (30.0%)>Klebsiella spp. and Pseudomonas spp. (20.0%)>Staphylococcus aureus (0.0%); while that of NSUK clinic is in the order: Escherichia coli (50.0%)>Pseudomonas spp. (30.0%)>Staphylococcus aureus (10.0%), while Klebsiella spp. and Enterobacter spp. were not isolated at NSUK clinic. The antibiotic susceptibility pattern of the bacteria showed Pseudomonas spp. to be completely susceptible to Augmentin, Gentamicin, Chloramphenicol and Ciprofloxacin (100.0% each), while E. coli showed some degree of susceptibility to Streptomycin (44.4%), Ciprofloxacin and Perfloxacin (33.3%), Gentamicin and Sparfloxacin (22.2%), Augmentin, Ofloxacin, Septrin and Chloramphenicol (11.1%), but completely resistant to Amoxicillin. Klebsiella spp. and Enterobacter spp. were resistant to all the antibiotics tested, except for Streptomycin which they displayed high susceptibility of 100.0% and 66.7% for Klebsiella spp. and Enterobacter spp. respectively. Staphylococcus aureus was found to be resistant completely against all the antibiotics tested. Hence, it is pertinent to embrace hand hygiene so as to minimize the risk of acquiring nosocomial infections due to contaminated hospital equipments.
Abstract: Hospital is a major avenue for the spread of infectious diseases known as nosocomial infections. This study investigated the bacteria that colonize hospital equipments at the Federal Medical Centre and Nasarawa State University Clinic Keffi. Swab samples of different hospital equipments were collected and examined using standard microbiological tec...
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