Journal of Coastal Life Medicine

1-7

Authors: Berhan Asmamaw

Objective: To detect single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the cod transferrin gene by comparing the sequences from Norwegian (North East Atlantic Ocean) and Canadian (North West Atlantic Ocean) specimen, and to quantify the genetic variation and differentiation in East and West Atlantic cod populations. Methods: cDNA sequences between individuals of Canadian (North West Atlantic Ocean) and Norwegian (North East Atlantic Ocean) origin were aligned. Allele frequencies of the SNPs were used to discriminate the different Atlantic cod populations in West/East Atlantic Ocean, and the Baltic Sea. Results: The sequence alignment detected 19 SNPs, of which 18 of them resulted in amino acid changes in the transferrin protein. Nonsynonymous to synonymous site substitution ratio (dn/ ds) was by far greater than 1 providing an evidence for the existence of positive selection. The West Atlantic cod populations showed high values of heterozygosity and the Baltic populations were found to be inbred. Conclusions: This study identified and indicated transferrin gene polymorphisms that can be used for population differentiations.

10-13

Authors: Khan Hira, Viqar Sultana, Jehan Ara, Syed Ehteshamul-Haque, Mohammad Athar

Objective: To assess the hepatoprotective effect of ethanol extracts of Sargassum variegatum (S. variegatum), Sargassum tenerrimum (S. tenerrimum) and Sargassum binderi occurring at Karachi coast against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) and acetaminophen intoxication in rats. Methods: Sargassum species were collected at low tide from Buleji beach at Karachi coast. Effect of ethanol extracts of Sargassum spp., on lipid parameter, serum glucose and kidney function was examined. Liver damage in rats was induced by CCl4 or acetaminophen. Rats were administered with ethanol extracts of S. tenerrimum, S. variegatum and Sargassum binderi at 200 mg/kg body weight daily for 14 days separately. Hepatotoxicity was determined in terms of cardiac and liver enzymes and other biochemical parameters. Results: S. variegatum showed highest activity by reducing the elevated level of hepatic enzymes, bilirubin, serum glucose, triglyceride with restoration of cholesterol. Urea and creatinine concentrations were also significantly (P < 0.05) reduced as compared to acetaminophen intoxicated rats. S. tenerrimum and S. variegatum showed moderate activity against CCl4 hepatic toxicity. Conclusions: The protective role of S. variegatum against acetaminophen liver damage and its positive impact on disturbed lipid, glucose metabolism, kidney dysfunction and S. tenerrimum against CCl4 liver toxicity suggest that Sargassum species offer a non-chemical means for the treatment of toxicity mediated liver damage.

21-23

Authors: Nwoha Rosemary Ijeoma Ogechi, Omamegbe Joseph Omalathebu

Objective: To determine the effect of Trypanosoma brucei (T. brucei) on blood sugar level of infected rats. Methods: The experiment was done with 42 albino rats grouped into 3 groups of 14 members each. Group A was uninfected (control group), Group B was infected with T. brucei and treated with diminazene aceturate, and Group C was infected with T. brucei and treated with imidocarb dipropionate. Blood samples were collected from the media canthus of the experimental rats on Days 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 for the assessment of change in blood sugar levels. The blood sugar levels were determined with a glucometer (Accu-chek active serial No. GN: 10023338). Results: By 4 to 5 days post infection, there was a significant increase (P < 0.05) in the blood sugar of Group B and Group C. By Day 6 post infection (Day 2 post treatment), no significant difference (P > 0.05) was observed in the groups when compared with the control group till Day 12 of the experiment. Conclusions: T. brucei caused a significant increase in blood sugar of infected rats.

30-35

Authors: Pankaj Kumar, Harresh Adikesavalu, Thangapalam Jawahar Abraham

Objective: To study the prevalence of Edwardsiella tarda (E. tarda) in finfish and shellfish of West Bengal and Bihar, India and their antibiogram. Methods: Fish samples were enriched overnight in Edwardsiella ictaluri broth and plated onto Edwardsiella ictaluri agar. Typical colonies were identified conventionally and by VITEK 2 compact system. Antibiogram was done by agar disc diffusion assay. Results: Of the 118 fish samples screened, only 14.41% had E. tarda. The incidence was marginally high in wild fish (15.30%) than in cultured fish (13.26%). Maximum incidence was in intestine (12.98%) followed by gills (6.60%) and skin (2.38%). All E. tarda strains were sensitive to ciprofloxacin and exhibited varying degrees of resistance to other antibiotics. Multiple antibiotic resistance was seen in 84.00%–87.50% of the E. tarda strains. Majority of them had high minimal inhibitory concentration values (200 µg/mL) for oxytetracycline and gentamycin. Conclusions: The results suggested that considerable proportions of commercially important finfish are carriers of multiple antibiotic resistance E. tarda. This calls for proper sanitary measures to eliminate this pathogen in fish and fishery products.

39-44

Authors: Fethi Benbelaïd, Abdelmounaïm Khadir, Mourad Bendahou, Fatima Zenati, Chafika Bellahsene, Alain Muselli, Jean Costa

Objective: To evaluate the antimicrobial potency of Rosmarinus eriocalyx (R. eriocalyx) essential oil and total polyphenols against pathogenic microorganisms. Methods: Antimicrobial activity of R. eriocalyx extracts was assessed by disc diffusion method and minimum inhibitory concentrations determination. Essential oil obtained from endemic rosemary by hydrodistillation was analysed by gas chromatograph/retention index and gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer. Results: An interesting antimicrobial activity was shown by R. eriocalyx extracts. Polyphenols, constituted mainly by flavonoids, were the most effective extract with very low minimum inhibitory concentrations values, ranged between 0.06 and 8.00 mg/mL, while essential oil was less efficient. It should be noted that antimicrobial activities of both R. eriocalyx extracts were more directed against fungi and Gram-positive bacteria than Gram-negative ones, in which Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, and Candida albicans were the most sensitive strains. Concerning chemical composition of R. eriocalyx essential oil, camphor (37.8%), 1,8- cineole (17.4%), camphene (13.3%), and α-pinene (10.9%) were the major compounds. Conclusions: The findings of the present study indicate that R. eriocalyx extracts possess significant bactericidal and fungicidal activities. Because of its richness in essential oil, and especially flavonoids, R. eriocalyx may be a source for effective and safe antimicrobial agents.

50-52

Authors: Wondu Dagnaw, Alemayehu Mekonnen

Objective: To investigate phytochemicals constituents and check the anthelmintic activities of Maesa lanceolata (M. lanceolata) solvent extracts against aquatic leech. Methods: Several phytochemicals were tested and screened from petroleum ether, chloroform and methanol extracts of M. lanceolata extracts and their anthelmintic activities were done based on the standard procedure against aquatic leech. Piperazine citrate (20 mg/mL) was used as a reference standard while distilled water was used as a control. Results: Qualitative phytochemical analysis of different solvent (petroleum ether, chloroform and methanol) extracts of M. lanceolata revealed the presence of flavonoids and alkaloids in chloroform extracts and alkaloids in methanol extracts. In addition to the qualitative analysis of the plant extracts, the anthelmintic effects were also evaluated against aquatic leech (Lymnatis nilotica). Accordingly, various concentrations (10, 20, 40 and 60 mg/mL) of each solvent (petroleum ether, chloroform and methanol) extracts and 20 mg/mL of standard drug were prepared and tested against the selected leech. All the tested concentrations showed anthelmintic activities in a dose-dependent manner. From petroleum ether, chloroform and methanol extracts, chloroform extracts with 60 mg/mL concentration was effective with the paralytic time of (29.00 ± 1.06) min and death time of (65.00 ± 2.00) min in gradient extraction method. But in the case of extraction without gradient method, methanol extracts with 60 mg/ mL concentration showed effective paralysis and death time (26.00 ± 1.73) and (56.00 ± 1.56) min, respectively, against the selected aquatic leech. Conclusions: The present study revealed that M. lanceolata extracts have magic anthelmintic activities which are helpful to treat aquatic leeches (Lymnatis nilotica) which are associated with the nasal cavities of animals and human beings.

56-60

Authors: Narayan Sharma, Amit Raj Sharma, Bishun D Patel, Kanti Shrestha

Objective: To study chemical constituents of essential oil of the roots of Nardostachys jatamansi found in different regions of Nepal and also to investigate phytochemical as well as antimicrobial activity of the sample with high yield of essential oil. Methods: The essential oils of roots of plant from five different regions were extracted by hydro-distillation and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy for their chemical constituents. The root samples were also subjected to hydro-alcoholic extraction and then fractionated with hexane, chloroform, n-butanol and water so as to perform phytochemical screening and antimicrobial activity. Results: The essential oil yield of sample from Jumla was found to be the highest followed by a sample from Nepalgunj, Surkhet and Kathmandu whereas that of sample from Dharan was found to be the lowest. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometer analysis of essential oil of five samples showed that “2-beta pinene” appeared dominated in three samples, namely, 6VJ Nepalgunj, 9VJA Jumla and 10VJ Surkhet. Similarly “alkohol aus neoclovenoxid” in 8VJ Dharan and “methoxy phenyloxime” in 13VJA Kathmandu was found to be present in the highest amount. Phytochemical screening of different fractions of sample 9VJA Jumla showed the presence of alkaloids, terpenoids, glycosides, proteins and amino acids, and carbohydrates etc. Antimicrobial susceptibility test of same fractions showed the n-butanol fraction potent against all pathogens and most affected one was Escherichia coli. Conclusions: Our study suggests that the essential oil of Nardostachys jatamansi found in Nepal contains more than 80 compounds with their quality and quantity differing from place to place.

69-72

Authors: Garima Mishra, Ratan Lal Khosa, Pradeep Singh, Mohd Adil Tahseen

Herbal drug therapy is the most trusted system of medicine in countries like India, where people strongly believe in Ayurveda as herbs are the part of rural Indian lifestyle. Most of the diseases which have no medicine in allopathic system can be cured successfully by using traditional medicines. Leea indica, a traditional Chinese medicinal plant is the sole member of the family Leeaceae, which is closely related to the economically important grape family, Vitaceae. It is widely distributed from Southern Asia to Northern Oceania. The plant parts are enriched with various bioactive compounds such as gallic acid, quercitrin, β-amyrin, β-sitosterol and lupeol, etc. Traditionally, it is used to treat itchy skin, fever, diarrhea, and body aches. The current review attempts to encompass the available literature on Leea indica with respect to its phytochemistry, traditional uses and gist of its various pharmacological activities.

78-79

Authors: Somsri Wiwanitkit, Viroj Wiwanitkit

Diphyllobothriasis caused by Diphyllobothrium latum is an important helminthiasis. It is seen in many non-tropical countries. Since it is a marine fish-borne zoonosis, it becomes an important issue in coastal medicine. However, in the few recent years, there are some reports on a new emerging diphyllobothriasis caused by Diphyllobothrium latum in tropical countries. In this specific short article, the authors review and present on the situation of diphyllobothriasis in Southeast Asia. Diphyllobothriasis presently becomes a new concern in tropical coastal medicine.

83-84

Authors: Lott Pooi Wah, Syed Shoeb Ahmad, Yew Yih Voon, Shuaibah Abdul Ghani, Visvaraja A/L Subrayan

This case report aims to report an uncommon case of bee sting keratopathy with retained stinger. A 55-year-old man presented with left cornea bee sting while gardening two days prior to first visit. He complained of severe eye pain with redness, tearing and blurring of vision. On examination, his right eye visual acuity was 6/6 and in left eye was hand movement. There was generalized conjunctival hyperemia and cornea showing significant descemet striae. A bee stinger with surrounding infiltration noted at 2 o'clock was associated with striate keratitis. It was deeply seated at the posterior third of cornea stroma near to paracentral area. Pupil was mid-dilated with absence of relative afferent pupillary defect. There was neither hypopyon nor cataract. The posterior segment could not be visualized due to severe corneal edema. However, B-scan ultrasound was normal. Bee stinger was removed under local anaesthesia on the day of presentation. Post-operatively, patient was administered with topical moxifloxacin and topical non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Three weeks later, there was resolution of cornea infiltrate with improvement of striate keratitis and his vision was improved to 1/60. However, cornea edema did not regress but ended up with bullous keratopathy. The patient has undergone descemet-stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty and his vision was improved to 6/9. We recommend early stinger removal to reduce the possible sequelae of bee sting toxicity for better visual outcome.