The Pharmaceutical and Chemical Journal

8-12

Authors: Tahia H. Saleem, Hamdy N. Eltalawy, Ahmed El-Abd Ahmed, Nagla H. Abu-faddan, Yasser Gamal, Mohammed H. Hassan

Glycogen storage disease type IV (GSD-IV) "Andersen's disease" is an autosomal recessive disorder due to a deficiency of glycogen branching enzyme (GBE). We report a four years old female patient with glycogen storage disease type-IV who exhibited an abdominal distension and failure to thrive since the age of 9 months. The patient showed hepatosplenomegaly and hypotonia of both upper and lower limbs proximally. The laboratory findings showed fasting hypoglycemia, raised liver enzymes, moderate hypochromic microcytic anemia, hyperlactatemia with raised total creatine phosphokinase & lactate dehydrogenase. The light microscopic findings of the liver biopsy specimen were consistent with GSD-IV. This study focuses on evaluation of the detailed clinical, biochemical and histopathological findings that found in a pediatric patient with GSD-IV.

27-34

Authors: Zaccheus Shehu, Lamai Wilson Danbature, Ahmed Muhammed

In this study, the locally available materials which include; montmorillonite clay and rice husks were used to synthesize montmorillonite-silica nanocomposite as adsorbent in removal of lead from aqueous solution. Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR), was used to characterize the adsorbent. Batch method of adsorption was employed in the study and parameters that influence the adsorption such as adsorbent dose, initial concentration and contact time have been studied. The optimum conditions of the study were found at the initial concentration 500 mg/L, adsorbent dosage (0.3g), contact time 40 (minutes) and constant stirring at 200 rpm. The experiments were carried out at the natural pH 5 ± 0.3 of the solution and room temperature (309 K). The results showed the maximum percentage of lead removal to be 99.99%. The equilibrium data for the adsorption was analyzed using both Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms models with R2 =0.9375 and R2=0.9275 respectively and both fitted the experimental data. The maximum adsorption capacity (qmax) using Langmuir isotherm was found to be 132.802mg/g. The kinetics study was carried out by employing pseudo-first order and pseudo-second order kinetics, the result of the kinetic studies showed that pseudo-second order kinetic model was found to correlate well to experimental data with R2=1. The results indicate that montmrillonite-silica nanocomposite is a cost effective adsorbent that can employ for the adsorption of Lead from aqueous solution.

47-56

Authors: Elías Bedoya Marrugo, Carlos Severiche Sierra, José Jaimes Morales, Yesid Marrugo Ligardo

Review main postulates of industrial safety applied to activities of high risk in the industry. Security is fundamental in the processes of each company even more for those who handle high risk tasks, since this way will preserve the safety of workers, this article focuses on this issue as it is important to maintain the working environment Safe, a fundamental part in prevention, for this it is necessary that workers are aware of the risks to which they are exposed and how to prevent accidents and work diseases, there are specific regulations for each of these tasks, although it is a topic Which must be managed by all companies, there are few articles that talk particularly about safety in high risk tasks, thematic that contributes to continuous improvement and sustainable development.

66-72

Authors: Fariba Nabatchian, M. Tashauoei, A. Bahrami, N. Davoudy

Introduction and Objective: Morphine is one of the most important alkaloids of the opioid family and its most effective compound. Morphine is a very potent analgesic and narcotic drug. Considering the widespread use of morphine and its derivatives, its effects on hormones, especially sex hormones, are very important. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of morphine on sex hormones and its effectiveness differences according to sex. Materials and Methods: This applied study was performed on 38 adult Wistar rats. The serum levels of 17-beta-estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone were measured using biochemical kits. Statistical tests, t-test, paired t-test, and ANOVA were used to analyze the results. Discussion: Our findings showed that the level of testosterone decreased significantly during 1 week after morphine use when compared to the control group. The decrease in the testosterone level continued to the 4th week with continuing the use of morphine. Our results showed that the hormonal levels did not change significantly between the 1st and the 2nd, and between the 1st and the 3rd week. The level of progesterone decreased significantly in the 2nd week compared to the 1st week (P<0.002); however, the comparison between the 2nd and the 1st week was not significant by sex. No significant relationship was observed between morphine use and the level of estradiol. Conclusion: The level of testosterone decreased significantly following the use of morphine. The decrease is definitely associated with decreased libido and fertility in the male sex. The level of progesterone decreased significantly with the use of morphine, which may be associated with the pregnancy status and fetal preservation during pregnancy.

83-88

Authors: Johnson JT, Ekpo GI, Ugwuoke JE

The immunomodulatory effect of the ethanolic leaf extract of Phyllantus amarus on wistar rats was investigated. Twenty eight (28) male animals were used for the study. The animals were divided into four (4) groups of seven (7) animals each. Group 1 was the normal control and received distilled water, animals in group 2 were given low dose (7.1 mg/kgBW) of the extract, group 3 were given medial dose (14.1mg/kgBW) and group 4 were given high dose (28.3 mg/kgBW) of the extract. The treatment was administered twice daily for twenty eight (28) days after which the animals were sacrificed and blood samples used for analysis where obtained via cardiac puncture. The phytochemical screening of the plant was carried out and results shows that the plant contains flavonoids, saponins, alkaloids, terpenes, phenols, steroids, glycosides and tannin. Results reveal that the group treated with low (102.41±7.41), medial (101.84±11.72) and high dose (100.94±30.47) recorded an elevated WBC value when compared with the control (83.20±11.30) at p<0.05 significant level. Similar trend was observed for lymphocytes. The extract recorded no effect on monocytes and eosinophils counts. More so, the plants extract lowers the CD4, T-cells and B-cells count at p<0.05 significant level compared with the control, suggesting that the extracts have anti-microbial properties to lower infections and hence the decreased values observed. Owing to this phytochemical constituents, it also suggests that the extract have the ability to suppress inflammatory diseases and auto-immune diseases occasioned by CD4. Conclusively, ethanolic Phyllantus amarus leaf extract is a good immunomodulatory agent at recommended dose range of 7.1 to 28.3mg/kg.

98-106

Authors: Pratap Chandran R, Reshmi Sudhakaran, Abhiram Krishna, Arya B, Krishna Priya S, Surya Gayathry, Vandana R, Nino Joseph

Andrographis paniculata is an annual herb distributed in tropical countries and it is widely used in traditional medicines. The present study was aimed to investigate the presence of phytochemical constituents, anthelmintic and insecticidal properties of leaf extracts of A. paniculata. The highest percentage of extractive of 24.6% was observed for ethyl acetate extract and lowest, 10.8% for hexane extract. The phytochemical constituents such as carbohydrates, alkaloids, coumarin glycoside, flavonoids, phytosterols, fats and oils and terpenoids were present in the different solvent extracts. The aqueous and methanol extract showed anthelmintic activity. Anthelmintic properties were tested in Indian earth worm, Pheretima posthuma. The methanol extract at 80 mg/ml concentration only took 3 minutes for paralysis and 5 minutes for death, the standard albendazole took 16 minutes for paralysis and 48 minutes for death. The aqueous extract took 73 minutes for paralysis and 79 minutes for death. Insecticidal activity of aqueous extract at 200 mg/ml concentration showed 40% mortality on the 4th day and 75% mortality was observed on 7th day. The aqueous and methanol extract showed the presence of anthelmintic activities and the aqueous extract showed considerable insecticidal property.

121-128

Authors: Elías Alberto Bedoya Marrugo, José del Carmen Jaimes Morales, Carlos Alberto Severiche Sierra, Irma Osorio Giraldo

Introduction: The occupational disease refers to the personal injury that the professional can suffer as a result of the performance of his profession. Among the occupational diseases presented in people who work in offices, nurses, sewers, textiles, flower growers, packers and other jobs that require force and continuous and repetitive movements, is carpal tunnel syndrome, which consists of a neuropathic compression of the median nerve at the wrist level. Objective: To know and deepen the symptomatology of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and its repercussion in the workplace. Methodology: An electronic search was carried out in the databases of online journals such as ScIELO, Redalyc, web search engines such as Google and complementary information from the University of Cartagena database. Results: During the selection and examination of several articles it was possible to collect information and to deepen the symptoms of the Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and the close relationship that it has with the work environment, since at present it is a disease classified as of work origin. Conclusion: It was found that, despite having an established belief that working conditions, especially repetitive manual labor, are important factors that increase the risk of CTS, the evidence is not yet sufficient to make such a statement, the studies have not been conclusive and the diagnostic tests are not sufficiently specific of this pathology.

137-142

Authors: Pandit Deepika, Rathore Kamal Singh

Purpose: The aim of the study was to evaluate the antibacterial activity of the ethanolic extract of the plant Lantana camara leaves against Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli species. Also to formulate effective and stable herbal antibacterial cream evaluates its physical and antibacterial properties. Methods: Disk diffusion method was used to assess antibacterial activity of ethanolic extract using reference disk of antibiotics. The antibacterial cream was prepared by incorporating different amount of ingredients together and a certain amount of the herbal extract. Results: The prepared cream was evaluated for their physical, rheological and antibacterial properties. Finally the efficacy of the herbal cream formulation was compared to two commercial products. The antimicrobial activity of the ethanolic extract was found to be effective against both Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli. All the physical and rheological properties of all the preparation were nearly the same as commercial products. Stability studies showed a stable homogenous appearance and effective during three months storage period at room temperature. Conclusion: The prepared cream was found to be natural, stable and safe. Lantana camara cream could be used topically in order to treat skin infections.

147-153

Authors: Negbenebor C, Johnson JT, Gbodo EA, Ekpo G

Anti-hepatitis B viral activity of ethanol stem bark extracts of Vitex doniana and Lophira alata in Wistar rats was investigated. Forty-two (42) humanized albino rats were used for the study. The animals were divided into six (6) groups of seven (7) animals each. Groups II-VI were inoculated with hepatitis-B virus at the concentration of 25μl of the virus preparation was inoculated into a day old suckling humanized Wistar rat via intra cerebral route using tuberculin syringe. Group 1 and 2 served as normal and positive controls respectively and were given Dimethylsulphoxide/distilled water as placebo. Group III received 300mg/kgBW of standard anti-retroviral drug (Tenofovir-Lamivudin), group IV received 244mg/kgBW of Vitex doniana, group V received 244mg/kgBW of Lophira alata and group VI received combination of Vitex doniana and Lophira alata both at 244mg/kgBW. The treatment was administered twice daily for ninety days with the aid of orogastric tube. Result of the study reveal a drastic reduction in viral load in all treated groups; groups III (172.47 ± 3.99), IV (18.58 ± 1.01), V (548.48 ± 3.26) and VI (0.00 ± 0.00) with more significant (p<0.05) reduction in the combined treated group; group VI (0.00 ± 0.00) which recorded no significant (p<0.05) differences and compared well with the normal control (0.00 ± 0.00). Results of biochemical indices determination revealed a significant (p<0.05) increase in AST activity in group VI compared with normal controls but was significantly lowered when compared with positive control. However, ALT activities in group V showed a significant (p<0.05) decrease while that of group VI was significantly (p<0.05) increased compared with normal controls. ALP activities showed significant (p<0.05) reduction in all treatment groups compared with the positive control. Total protein, globulin and albumin showed significant (p<0.05) increased in all treated groups compared with the positive controls. The results obtained for the above parameters in all treated groups may be as a result of the administration of the extracts which reduces the HBV viral load and hence, reversing hepatic necrosis and morphological distortion occasion by viral toxins on the liver tissues. Co-administration of the two plants extracts in the treatment of HBV-induced hepatitis in Wistar rats appears to be effective, safe at the dose investigated compared with the standard drug (Tenofovir-Lamivudin) and can be a candidate for further research and development new anti-viral drug.

164-173

Authors: Joshua O Owolabi, Philip O Ogunnaike, Joshua A. Adeyeye

The damaging effects of lead poisoning effects to various organs of the body have been severally reported; as well as the health complications they produce. There are however relatively few reports on the nature of such effects on body tissues- histology, most publications have rather addressed the resulting complications. The proper understanding of the nature of the effects of lead poisoning on body tissues could help in understating the cause of the complications and may provide insights into better ways of managing lead poisoning effects. This research investigated the effects of lead poisoning on vital body tissues histology. Twelve Wistar rats were distributed into two groups: Group A being the control and Group B was administered 50mg/kg body weight of lead-in-water for a period of 28 days that the experiment lasted. The tissues were excised, fixed in formal saline and processed using the routine Haematoxylin and Eosin staining technique. Photomicrographs were obtained and analysed critically using qualitative histological principles. Lead produced observable deleterious effects on all tissues tested, the extent however varies greatly: from its extensively disruptive effects on the brain tissues. Brain cerebral and cerebellar cortices show neuronal damage and morphological disruption. Cardiac muscle also showed signs of damage. Skeletal muscle simply had slight myocytes and fibre distortions. Lead poisoning effects was observed in all the tissues.