Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine

505–512

Authors: Vagish Kumar Laxman Shanbhag

Curcumin is a widely researched natural product and is known to possess anticarcinogenic properties. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia is a type of leukemia that principally affects patients with age higher than 60 years. Since the toxicity of conventional drugs exceeds the benefits of treating this leukemia type, patients are treated only in the advanced symptomatic stages. The current article reviews curcumin, its general actions and targets in cancer, and specifically that of it in chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

524–532

Authors: Oluwaseyi Tunrayo Taiwo, Sammy Olufemi Sam-Wobo, Olufunmilayo Ajoke Idowu, Adewale Oladele Talabi, Adewale Matthew Taiwo

Objective: This study compared the prevalence of intestinal helminths in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) intervention and non-intervention communities in Abeokuta, Nigeria. Methods: Stool samples were collected from 225 respondents in a study carried out between July and November, 2014. Stool samples were examined for presence of helminths using Formol-Ether concentration method. Data collected from stool samples were analyzed using SPSS for Windows (version 16). Results: Results showed that, at the intervention community, 88 out of 113 respondents were infected with at least one helminth infection while at non-intervention community, 80 out of 112 respondents were infected. This result revealed overall helminth prevalence of 78% at Mawuko and 71% at Isolu. In both intervention (Mawuko) and non-intervention (Isolu) communities, hookworm was the most prevalent helminth observed (21% and 18%, respectively) followed by Ascaris lumbricoides (13% and 13%, respectively), Taenia sp. (4% and 3%, respectively) and Trichostrongylus sp. (1% and 3%, respectively). Cases of single infections of Trichuris trichiura, Strongyloides stercoralis and Hymenolepsis nana were observed only at the non-intervention community. However, S. stercoralis occurred in the multiple infections observed at the intervention community. Significantly more (p < 0.05) cases of infections were observed in male (46%) at the intervention community than female (31%) while in non-intervention community females (39%) were significantly (p < 0.05) more infected than their male counterparts (32%). Conclusions: This study concludes that the Community Led-Total Sanitation intervention programme, which was executed in Mawuko was not effective as expected.

538–543

Authors: Nathalie Heil, Karent Bravo, Andres Montoya´ , Sara Robledo, Edison Osorio

Objective: This study was designed to investigate the wound healing activity of aqueous extracts of Ullucus tuberosus (U. tuberosus) using in vitro models. Methods: Lyophilized pulp and acetone extracts of U. tuberosus were produced using ultrasound extraction. The capacity for collagenase activation was evaluated using fluorescence detection of the enzymatic activity. Then, the influence of U. tuberosus extracts on cell proliferation, cell migration and synthesis of the extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, metalloproteinase (MMP-1) and pro-collagen was analyzed using human dermal fibroblasts in culture. Results: An increase in collagenase activity of 12% supports the utility of U. tuberosus as an agent for scar treatment. In addition, the extracts showed an increase in the proliferation and migration of human dermal fibroblasts and the production of pro-collagen and MMP-1 after treatment with U. tuberosus extracts. The increase in proliferation, migration and pro-collagen levels positively influenced the regeneration of scarless tissue during the proliferation phase, whereas the increase in MMP-1 may have favored the wound healing process during the remodeling and cellular differentiation phases. Conclusion: The results of this study show for first time that U. tuberosus is a promising candidate to support scarless tissue regeneration.

549–554

Authors: Ali Jelowdar, Abdollah Rafiei, Mohammad Reza Abbaspour, Iran Rashidi, Mahmood Rahdar

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of combined ABZ and PZQ and their solid lipid nanoparticles in chemoprophylaxis of cystic echinococcosis (CE). Methods: ABZ and PZQ loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) were prepared by high shear homogenization and microemulsion congealing techniques with some minor modification. Nanoparticles average size, polydispersity index (PDI), and particle size distribution were determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and photon correlation spectroscopy. Forty females BALB/c were experimentally infected by protoscoleces (PSC) and randomly divided into four equal groups of 10 mice. After the end of the 3 months treatment period and 2 months rest, mice were sacrificed and the peritoneal cavity was opened for removal, counting, measuring, and histological analysis of hydatid cyst. Results: The results indicated that ABZ and PZQ chemoprophylaxis treatment reduced the wet weight and size of developed cysts 77.3% and 79%, respectively. The corresponding result for the ABZ and PZQ loaded SLNs was 83% and 85%, respectively. Conclusions: This study for the first time demonstrated that ABZ and PZQ loaded SLNs is superior to free ABZ and PZQ for the chemoprophylaxis of CE in mice.

563–568

Authors: Muawiya Musa Abarshi, Edward Oyedeji Dantala, Sanusi Bello Mada

Objective: To investigate the level of heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Fe Mn Ni, Pb and Cd) in muscles, gills and liver tissue of Croaker fish from oil spilled rivers of Bonny and Finima, Niger Delta region, Nigeria. Methods: Twenty four Croacker fishes (Genyonemus lineatus) weighing between 250 and 260 g and 24–26 cm length were collected from each sampling sites (Bonny and finima rivers). The frozen fishes were thawed and dried at 105
C until they reach a constant weight. The dried samples were homogenized and digested with 10 ml tri-acid mixture (HNO3: HClO4:H2SO4), and then the digested samples were diluted to 100 ml with deionized water. Heavy metals (Cu, Ni, Zn, Pb, Mn, Iron Fe, and Cd) concentrations were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Results: Our results revealed that concentrations and distribution patterns of all heavy metals studied varied significantly (P < 0.05) amongst the fish tissues analyzed and sampling sites. Moreover, liver tissue of fish caught from Finima creek accumulated the highest concentrations of Cu (52.64 ± 3.01 mg/g dry wt), Zn (166.50 ± 6.45 mg/g dry wt) and Fe (801.50 ± 14.15 mg/g dry wt) in comparison to the liver of fish caught from Bonny river in which the levels of Cu, Zn and Fe were (45.00 ± 2.79), (49.90 ± 2.91) and (216 ± 6.11 mg/g dry wt), respectively. In addition, Mn, Ni, Pb and Cd exhibited their highest concentrations in gills from both locations. As expected, muscle tissue contained the least concentrations of all metals investigated from both sampling sites. Furthermore, all the metals investigated exhibited highest concentration in fish collected from Finima creek. These abnormal high level heavy metals accumulation observed in this location could be linked to the frequent crude oil spills as well as industrial activity around the area which might get discharged into Finima creek. In general, the mean concentrations of some toxic heavy metals investigated exceed the recommended maximum permissible limits set by the Joint FAO/WHO committee. However, some metals are within the acceptable limits. Conclusions: In conclusion, our data showed the abnormal higher concentration of these metals and this might be toxic to the fish and other aquatic organisms directly or by extension to humans that frequently consumed such contaminated fishes.

577–584

Authors: Samuel Odeyemi, Anthony Afolayan, Graeme Bradley

Objective: The bulb of Albuca bracteata Jacq., and Albuca setosa commonly used in Eastern Cape Province of South Africa for the treatment of several types of disease conditions including diabetes, was investigated for their phytochemical contents and antioxidant activities. Methods: The antioxidant activity was determined by evaluating the effect of various solvent extracts (acetone, methanol, ethanol and water) on 2,2 – diphenyl-2- picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity, 2,2 0 – azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6- sulfonic acid diammonium salt (ABTS), ferric reducing power, hydrogen peroxide and nitric oxide scavenging activity while the various extracts were also analysed for phytochemical their contents. Results: The results obtained indicate that polyphenols, proanthocyanidins, saponins and alkaloids are present in higher concentrations. The composition of phenols (117 mg/g), flavonols (26.28 mg/g), proanthocyanidins (84.85 mg/g) and flavonoids (5.36 mg/g) were significantly higher in the acetone extract while saponin and alkaloids contents were higher in the aqueous extract. Antioxidant studies of the extracts for nitric oxide, hydrogen peroxide, ABTS and DPPH showed high antioxidant potential in a concentration-dependent manner that was not significantly different from Vitamin C, BHT and Rutin used as standard references. The methanol extract showed higher ferric reducing potential compared to the aqueous extract but was significantly different from Vitamin C, BHT and Rutin. Conclusion: This implies that the bulb of Albuca bracteata may serve as a natural source of antioxidants, which together with the numerous phytochemicals present, could account for its folkloric use as a medicinal plant.

587–590

Authors: Nurul Suhaiza Hassanudin, Zubaidah Abdul Wahab, Khalid Ibrahim, Fadzilah Mohd Nor

Infections caused by Strongyloides stercoralis (S. stercoralis) in human are generally asymptomatic, however in immunocompromised individual, hyperinfection may develop with dissemination of larvae to extra-intestinal organs. The diagnosis could be easily missed due to asymptomatic presentation and insufficient exposure towards the infection itself, which may lead to low index of suspicion as a consequence. In this report, a case of a Malaysian male with underlying diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cerebrovascular accident, bullous pemphigus and syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion who initially complained of generalized body weakness and poor appetite without any history suggestive of sepsis is presented. However, he developed septicemic shock later, and S. stercoralis larvae was incidentally found in the tracheal aspirate that was sent to look for acid fast bacilli. Regardless of aggressive resuscitation, the patient succumbed due to pulmonary hemorrhage and acute respiratory distress syndrome. It was revealed that the current case has alarmed us via incidental finding of S. stercoralis larvae in the tracheal aspirate, indicating that the importance of the disease should be emphasized in certain parts of the world and population respectively.