Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine

846-850

Authors: RD Sharma, S Petare, GB Shinde, Goswami Kalyan, MVR Reddy

Objective To explore the effect of herbal polyphenolics on filariasis in vitro. Methods Two herbal extracts, methanolic extracts of roots of Vitex negundo Linn. (Nirgundi) and leaves of Aegle marmelos Juss. (Beal) in different concentrations ranging from 40-80 ng/mL were tested for their antifilarial activity either alone or in combination with diethyl carbonate (DEC) (300 μ g/mL) and/or H2O2 (0.5 mM). Results Combination of DEC and each extract had significant anti-filarial effect. And fractions of both extracts were not effective as crude herbal extract. Conclusion Such unique pharmacodynamics reported in this study might provide new drug development stratagem against filariasis.

855-859

Authors: Noppadon Tangpukdee, Khin Myat Wai, Sant Muangnoicharoen, Shigeyuki Kano, Nanthaporn Phophak, Janram Tiemprasert, Srivicha Krudsood, Polrat Wilairatana

Objective To illustrate the clinical features and investigate the indicators associated with a fatal outcome in adult patients with severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria admitted to the Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Bangkok, Thailand. Methods We studied 202 adult malaria patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit. A total of 43 clinical variables were identified by univariate and logistic regression analyses, to eliminate confounding factors. Results Regarding the statistical methods, only 6 variables-jaundice, cerebral malaria, metabolic acidosis, body mass index, initial respiratory rate, and white blood cell count-were significant indicators of death, with adjusted odds ratios (95% CI) of 15.2 (2.1-32.3), 4.3 (2.3-12.6), 3.3 (2.3-5.7), 2.4 (1.9-3.5), 2.2 (1.5-2.6), and 1.7 (1.2-3.1), respectively. Conclusion Our study found that jaundice, cerebral malaria, metabolic acidosis, body mass index, initial respiratory rate and white blood cell count were indicators of fatal outcome in severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Further studies on the fatal indicators in severe malaria need to be compared with data from different geographical areas, to construct practical measures to address potentially fatal indicators in different settings.

866-870

Authors: N Mirzaie Damabi, AA Moazedi, SM Seyyednejad

Objective To investigate Petroselinum crispum Latifolum (parsley) for treating stomach and intestinal disorders in Iran. Methods An 80% ethanol extract was prepared from parsley seeds, and its antispasmodic activity assessed by measuring contractions of isolated ilea induced by 60 mM potassium chloride (KCl). A piece of ileum from an adult male Wistar rat was dissected and mounted in an organ bath containing Tyrode's solution, and ileum contractions were recorded by an isotonic transducer under one gram resting tension. The effect of parsley extract was measured in the presence of two antagonists' of α — and β —adrenoceptors. Results These experiments showed that parsley extract inhibited the response to 60 mM KCl in a concentration-dependent manner (P<0.01, n=7). The spasmolytic effect of parsley extract was unaffected by 1 μ M phentolamine or 1 μ M propranolol. Conclusion This study shows that parsley seed extract is a relaxant of isolated rat ileum and the relaxation effect of extract does not involved adrenergic receptors.

874-877

Authors: Marimuthu Govindarajan

Objective To determine the mosquito larvicidal activity of leaf essential oil and their chemical constituents from Clausena anisata(C. anisata) (Willd.) Hook. f. ex Benth. against Culex quinquefasciatus, Aedes aegypti and Anopheles Stephensi. Methods Essential oil was obtained by hydro-distillation and the chemical composition of the leaf essential oil was analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The mosquitoes were reared in the vector control laboratory and twenty late III instar larvae of three mosquito species were exposed to based on the wide range and narrow range tests, essential oil was tested at 50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 ppm and each compound was tested at various concentration (5-75 ppm) and were assayed in the laboratory by using the protocol of WHO 2005; the 24 h LC50 values of the C. anisata leaf essential oil and their major compounds were determined following Probit analysis. Results The oil contained were mainly β-pinene (32.8%), sabinene (28.3%), germacrene-D (12.7%), estragole (6.4%) and linalool (5.9%). The essential oil from the leaves of C. anisata exhibited significant larvicidal activity, with 24 h LC50 values of 140.96, 130.19 and 119.59 ppm, respectively. The five pure constituents extracted from the C. anisata leaf essential oil were also tested individually against three mosquito larvae. The LC50 values of β-pinene, sabinene, germacrene-D, estragole and linalool appeared to be most effective against Anopheles stephensi (LC50–23.17, 19.67, 16.95, 11.01, 35.17 ppm) followed by Aedes aegypti (LC50–27.69, 21.20, 18.76, 12.70, 38.64 ppm) and Culex quinquefasciatus (LC50–32.23, 25.01, 21.28, 14.01, 42.28). Conclusion The essential oil of C. anisata contains five major compounds and has remarkable larvicidal properties, which may be considered as a potent source for the production of natural larvicides.

884-886

Authors: LU Amazu, CCA Azikiwe, CJ Njoku, FN Osuala, PJC Nwosu, AO Ajugwo, JC Enye

Objective To scientifically verify the claims of our traditional healers on the anti-inflammatory activity of Carica papaya (C. papaya) and possibly deduce its activities. Methods 0.1 mL of fresh egg albumin was injected into the right hind-paw of adult white Wistar rats to induce inflammation an hour post intraperitoneal (IP) administration of 50-200 mg/kg doses of the extract to 3 groups of 5 rats per group. The 4th group of 5 rats was used as negative control and received 2 mL/kg (IP) of physiological saline, while the 5th group of 5 rats was used as positive-comparative control and received (IP) 150 mg/kg of aspirin. Increases in diameter of the paw were measured with the aid of Veneer Calipers before extract administration and at interval of 30 minutes post administration for further 2 hours. Percentage inhibition of oedema was calculated for each dose group and results were subjected to statistical analysis using student t-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results All doses of extract showed a dose and time dependent inhibition effects of oedema (P<0.05). Conclusion This work is at present though limited to animals, the anti-inflammatory activity of the seeds of C. papaya is perhaps proven.

890-893

Authors: Rengasamy Ragupathi Raja Kannan, Rajasekaran Arumugam, Perumal Anantharaman

Objective To evaluate the antibacterial activity of Halophila stipulacea (H. stipulacea), Cymodocea serrulata (C. serrulata) and Halodule pinifolia (H. pinifolia) against seven human bacterial pathogens. Methods The antibacterial activities of the extracts on the various test organisms using disc diffusion method and Minimum Inhibitory Concentraction (MIC). Results Methanol and chloroform extracts of all the three seagrasses were active against all the tested pathogens, whereas the hexane extract of seagrasses was not active against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). Antibacterial activity of three seagrass screened, was in the order of H. pinifolia > H. stipulacea > C. serrulata. Conclusion This antibacterial studies can further investigated on seagrasses for purification of bioactive substance and its possible utility in disease control.

898-901

Authors: Rengasamy Ragupathi Raja Kannan, Rajasekaran Arumugam, Perumal Anantharaman

Objective To search for new sources of safe and inexpensive antioxidants, the leaf, root and rhizome of Enhalus acoroides (E. acoroides) were screened for the first time for their antioxidant activities. Methods Samples of leaf, root and rhizome from E. acoroides were tested for total phenolic content, proanthocyanidins and in vitro antioxidant activity in terms of total antioxidant assay, DPPH assay and FRAP assay. Results The leaf sample was found to have high levels of phenolic (0.323±0.028 mg TAE/g) and proanthocyanidins (0.570 0±0.000 3 mg TAE/g) when compared to root and rhizome. The leaf samples exhibited higher total antioxidant activity (11.770±0.026 mg Ascorbic acid equivalent/g), higher percentage of DPPH radical scavenging activity (25.76±0.04) and higher reducing power (18.060±0.073) in terms of mg GAE/g. In addition, there was a significant correlation between total phenolic content and total antioxidant activity (R2=0.923), DPPH assay (R2=0.509), FRAP assay (R2=0.994). Similarly, significant correlation was found between the proanthocyanidin and total antioxidant activity (R2=0.977), DPPH assay (R2=0.464) and the FRAP assay (R2=0.998). Conclusion These results suggested that E. acoroides have strong antioxidant potential. Further study is necessary for isolation and characterization of the active antioxidant agents, which can be used to treat various oxidative stress-related diseases.

906-912

Authors: Hamdan Ibrahim Al-Mohammed, Tarek Tawfik Amin, Elsayed Aboulmagd, Hatem Refaat Hablus, Burhan Omar Zaza

Objective To investigate the prevalence of different intestinal parasitic infections among male primary schoolchildren in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia, and to explore the possible relative socio-economic, environmental and behavioural sanitary correlates. Methods A cross-sectional descriptive study was performed. A total of 1 289 male students aged from 7 to 12 years were selected randomly from 20 urban and 12 rural primary schools by multistage sampling method. Data collection was carried out by self administered questionnaire form to the parents/guardians of students and included inquires about socio-demographics, environmental conditions, and behavioural sanitary habits. Stool analysis was carried out to examine the presence of intestinal parasitic infections. Results Overall prevalence of parasitic infections was 27.2%, more among rural students. Frequently encountered infections included Entamoeba histolytica/dispar (8.2%), Giardia lamblia (6.5%), Entamoeba coli (4.0%) and Enterobius vermicularis (1.6%). Logistic regression revealed that lower maternal educational level and occupational status, low family income, big family size, poor personal hygienic practices and positive history of previous intestinal infections among family members increased the likelihood of infections. Conclusion Although of low magnitude, intestinal parasitic infections still represent a public health concern among male schoolchildren in Al-Ahsa region. Socio-demographic and poor personal hygienic habits are the main predictors for these infections.

917-921

Authors: GTA Jombo, SK Gyoh

Cutaneous leishmaniasis is regarded as a re-emerging disease due to its increase in spread and rate of transmission over the past decade due to a proportionate increase in global human movements. This study was therefore carried out to review epidemiology, laboratory diagnosis and treatment with in-depth discussion on some of the rare clinical presentations of the disease capable of influencing its control. The study was based on literature review on clinical and laboratory features of cutaneous leishmaniasis from original research articles, review articles, short communications, letters to editor and case reports on the disease for the past 10 years (April 2000 to April 2010). The results were analysed using simple descriptive methods. The rarest presentations of leishmaniasis encountered were peritibial ulcérations, hard painful nipple in a male, swollen upper lip, dermatofibro sarcoma protuberans, sternal proliferative growth, turban tumour, post operative granuloma, chalazion-like 0.00%, and cutaneous sterile pyogranuloma with asymmetrical alopecia 0.00% each. Others include infected sebaceous cysts 0.45%, syphilis 0.19%, yaws 0.13%, thrombotic ulcérations 0.40%, mycetoma 0.90%, sarcoidosis 0.67%, painless nasal solitary nodule 0.00%, tuberculous lymphadenopathy 0.25% and unilateral erythema nodosum 0.28%. Physicians practicing in cutaneous leishmaniasis endemic, but most especially in the non-endemic areas should bear in mind that the disease may not be that rare in the context of the present global village phenomenon; and that, the next case could just be that of cutaneous leishmaniasis, the clinical picture of the patient notwithstanding.