Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine

85-89

Authors: Prato Mauro, Gallo Valentina, Arese Paolo

Objective To investigate whether the increase of tumor necrosis factor alpha is dependent on lipidic component of malarial pigment. Methods Adherent human monocytes were fed for 3 hours with different meals (native hemozoin; lipid free hemozoin; and control latex particles), then tumor necrosis factor alpha was monitored in cell supernatants up to 48 hours through western blotting or specific enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay. In selected experiments, unfed monocytes were treated with different doses of 15(S,R)-hydroxy-6,8,11,13-eicosatetraenoic acid or 4-hydroxynonenal instead of phagocytosis. Results Hemozoin-fed monocytes produced higher levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha than unstimulated and latex-fed cells, while lipid-free hemozoin did not reproduce these results. Additionally, hemozoin effects were mimicked dose-dependently by 15(S,R)-hydroxy-6,8,11,13-eicosatetraenoic acid, but not by 4-hydroxynonenal. Conclusions Present data suggest an essential role for lipids in hemozoin-dependent enhanced release of tumor necrosis factor alpha from monocytes, and 15(S,R)-hydroxy-6,8,11,13-eicosatetraenoic acid could be one possible specific mediator.

94-100

Authors: Gino A. Kurian, Jose Paddikkala

Objective To evaluate the effect of insulin administered via oral route with the help of aqueous extract of Desmodium gangeticum (DG) root in rendering cardio protection against ischemia reperfusion injury in diabetic rats. Methods Diabetes mellitus was induced in rats by the β-cell toxin, streptozotocin (STZ, 60 mg/kg). Isolated rat (IR) heart was used to investigate the effect of insulin mixed DG pretreatment on ischemia reperfusion injury. Mitochondrial respiratory enzymes and microsomal enzymes were used to assess the metabolic recovery of myocardium. Cardiac marker enzymes were used to find the functional recovery, which were compared with that of the STZ treated IR rats. Results Compared with IR control group, rat treated with insulin mixed DG showed a significant functional and metabolic recovery of myocardium from the insult of ischemia reperfusion. Even though orally administered insulin mixed DG displayed a slow but prolonged hypoglycemic effect, the cardio protection it provided was more significant than when it was given intra peritoneal. Furthermore the above result indicates that insulin mixed DG can overcome the barriers in the gastrointestinal tract and be absorbed. Conclusions The above results indicate the efficacy of insulin mixed DG in protecting the heart from ischemia reperfusion induced injury in diabetic rats. Furthermore the study gives additional information that herbal extracts can be used to transport insulin across the membrane and found to be a feasible approach for developing the oral delivery of insulin, as well as other peptide drugs.

105-108

Authors: Tara Shanbhag, Arul Amuthan, Smita Shenoy, Sudhakar

Objective To evaluate the effect of ethanolic extract of Phyllanthus niruri. Linn (Euphorbiaceae) on experimentally induced burn wound model in rats and to evaluate whether it reverses the wound healing in steroid suppressed rats. Methods Two models including burn wound model and dexamethasone suppressed burn wound model were used in the study. The formulations of ethanolic extract of Phyllanthus niruri were prepared in gum acacia at 8% and in ointment base at 10% and were administered orally (400 mg/kg) and externally respectively. The parameters studied were the wound contraction and the period of epithelialisation. Results In burn wound model, oral and topical administration of Phyllanthus niruri did not show any significant effects in wound contraction and period of epithelialisation when compared to control. In dexamethasone suppressed burn wound model, wound contraction rate was increased significantly by topical (P < 0.001) and oral (P < 0.001) administrations of Phyllanthus niruri by about 47.57% and 26.16% respectively. Topical administration has shown significant (P < 0.05) enhancement of wound contraction than oral dosage form. Dexamethasone depressed epithelialisation period was reversed significantly by topical (P < 0.0001) and oral (P <0.001) administrations of Phyllanthus niruri by about 32.5% and 21.3% respectively. Conclusions Both topical and oral administrations of ethanolic extract of Phyllanthus niruri are found to reverse dexamethasone suppressed burn wound healing.

112-116

Authors: T Tripathi, M Shahid, HM Khan, RA Khan, MU Siddiqui

Objective To delineate immunomodulatory role of histamine on antibody generation profile in rabbit in the present dose-dependent histamine study. Methods The cohort comprised of three groups (III, IV and V), containing six rabbits each, and received subcutaneous histamine 50 μ g/kg × bis in die (b.i.d.), 100 μg/kg × b.i.d. and 200 μg/kg × b.i.d., respectively for 10 days (starting from the 1st day). They were subsequently immunized on the 3rd day with intravenous injection of sheep blood cell (SRBC) (1×109 cells/mL). Group II (positive control) (n=6) received vehicle (sterile distilled water) and immunized at day 3 similarly while group I (negative control) (n=6) remained non-immunized and received only vehicle. All experimentations were performed in triplicate. Blood samples were collected on pre-immunization (pre-I) (day 0), as well as on days 7-, 14-, 21-, 28- and 58- post-immunization (post-I). Immunological parameters [total immunoglobulins (Igs), IgM and IgG] were analyzed by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. Results Histamine could influence a detectable antibody response to SRBC as early as day 7-post-I, which lasted until day 58- post-I. The results were found statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusions Our results provide evidence that histamine has a short-term effect on antibody generation (until its presence in the body), and the antibody generation titer in vivo were affected by the concentration of histamine.

121-123

Authors: Naser Jarrar, Awni Abu-Hijleh, Kamel Adwan

Objective To determine the antimicrobial activity of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) and to investigate the synergistic effects of this extract combined with ceforuxime against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Methods The inhibitory and bactericidal activities of rosemary ethanol extract, alone and in combination with cefuroxime, were studied. Results The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of the ethanol extract of rosemary were in the range of 0.39–3.13 mg/mL. The minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) were usually equal to or double that MICs. The antimicrobial activity of combinations of the ethanol extract of rosemary and cefuroxime indicated their synergistic effects against all MRSAs. Conclusions The present work clearly demonstrates that rosemary has a key role in the elevation of susceptibility to β-lactams.

128-132

Authors: R Saraswathi, PN Krishnan, C Dilip

Objective To explore the antimicrobial activity of microcapsules encapsulated with mixture of herbs like neem, tulsi and turmeric, and its application on cellulosic fabric in the form of microcapsules. Methods The microcapsules were prepared from the mixture of herbs by plain diffusion method, a natural encapsulation technique with yeast and applied on cotton and silk fabric by pad-dry-cure method. The microcapsules were fixed on cotton and silk fabric using the binder UF Silpure FBR-5(PA)B at 120 °C. The antimicrobial activities of the finished fabric were assessed by using three types of bacteria including Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas. Results The results of antimicrobial activity from the tests including parallel streak method and disc diffusion method showed that activity of the mixture of herbs was very effective among the three types of bacteria selected, and the antimicrobial activity of prepared microcapsule against Pseudomonas was very good. Conclusions The herbal microcapsule treated fabric could be applied in the field of medicine. The scanning electron microscope photographs ensure the fixing of the microcapsules firmly in the yarn structure of plain woven cotton and silk fabric.

136-140

Authors: A Shashi, B Bhushan, M Bhardwaj

Objective To evaluate the effect of sodium fluoride (NaF) on cytochemical distribution of proteins, DNA, and RNA in the gastrocnemius muscle of rat in experimental fluorosis. Methods Young Sprague Dawley albino rats were administered with NaF at 30, 45, and 75 mg/kg bw/day subcutaneously for 15 and 30 days, respectively. The control animals were given the vehicle (1cc deionized double distilled water/kg bw/day). Results In the first phase of 15 days experimentation, the gastrocnemius muscle of rats intoxicated with NaF at 30, 45, and 75 mg/kg bw/day showed decline in proteins including α amino acids as compared to control. In the second phase of 30 days experimentation, the muscle fibers of rat showed elevation in sarcolemmal and sarcoplasmic proteins in 30 mg NaF dose group, and angulated fibers exhibited increase in sarcolemmal proteins in 45 mg NaF group. The marginal regions of angular and rim fibers showed deeply stained rings of sarcoplasmic proteins whereas the split fibers were faintly stained in rats treated with NaF at 75 mg/kg bw/day for 30 days. In rats treated with NaF at 30 mg/kg bw/day for 15 days, the hypertrophied peripheral muscle fibers contained more DNA, however the atrophied fibers had more RNA. In 45 mg NaF group, RNA was located in sarcolemmal regions, while DNA content decreased as compared to control. In 75 mg NaF group, the muscle fibers had dark and light staining regions of DNA and RNA. In the 30 days of experimentation, the DNA level decreased whereas RNA content increased in the gastrocnemius muscle fibers of the rat treated with NaF at 30 mg/kg bw/day. In treatment group with NaF at 45 mg/kg bw/day, the RNA content slightly declined in comparison to control, in all treatments for 15 days as well as in treatment group with NaF at 30 mg/kg bw/day for 30 days whereas the amount of DNA slightly increased as compared to treatment group with NaF at 75 mg/kg bw/day for 15 days. The highest dose group revealed elevated amount of RNA whereas DNA content remained stable. Conclusions The findings of present study demonstrate that certain concentrations of fluoride can induce muscle lesions and damage DNA, RNA, and protein in muscle cells and excessive intake and accumulation of fluoride is therefore a serious risk factor for muscular abnormalities in fluorosis.

145-147

Authors: JO Odigie, IM Siminialayi

Objective To elucidate the awareness and approach to pre-operative human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing and emphasis on the attendant components of HIV testing. Methods The study was conducted at the theatres of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital among 123 nursing, anaesthetic, and operating staff. A descriptive cross sectional design was adopted with stratified sampling. The study instrument was a structured, self administered pro forma. Results All respondents were all aware of HIV infection and all had transmission through infected blood and tissues (100.0%). 88.6% had infection through needle stick injuries, 62.6% through vertical transmission, and 98.4% through blood transfusion. Sixty three percent of respondents correctly knew what preoperative testing was, while 58.5% were aware of the preoperative testing policy of the hospital. All respondents favoured the policy of preoperative testing. Attitudinal values to seropositive patients were not very different as 72.4% of respondents claimed they treated every patient as high risk, and all respondents used personal protective equipment. Conclusions Routine HIV testing now represents a conventional means providing patients with knowledge of their HIV status. Such testing should be accompanied by informed consent, counselling, confidentiality, protection, and access to treatment.

150-151

Authors: OA Georgewill, UO Georgewill

Objective To investigate the anti-inflammatory activity of the extract of Vernonia amygdalina (V.A). Methods Inflammatory response was induced by topical application of croton oil dissolved in suitable vehicle on the rat ear. After 6 hrs, cutting out the ear quantitated the response. The cut ear was weighed and the increase in weight relative to control group was evaluated. Results When co-applied with croton oil to the rat ear extract of V.A. produced a reduction in the inflammatory response when croton oil alone was applied to the rat ear. The extract produced (69.1±2.0)% reduction of the inflammatory response produced by croton oil alone, lower than the reduction of the inflammatory response produced by acetyl salicylic acid [(71.1±2.0)%]. Conclusions This finding suggests that extract of V.A. exhibits anti-inflammatory activity and may explain the usefulness of the leaves of this plant in the treatment of inflammatory disease conditions by traditional healers.

158-159

Authors: Yann A. Meunier

We presented the case of a 64 year old from Mali who was admitted to the hospital for “oozing sub-cutaneous masses”. The diagnosis of African histoplasmosis was established by serology. Several courses of amphotericin B resulted in a cure with sequellae.