Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine

7-14

Authors: Ying Xia, Chengchuan Jiang, Zuowei Cao, Keshan Shi, Yang Wang

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effects of co-transplantation with Schwann cells (SCs) and human embryonic nerve stem cells (NSCs) on macaque Parkinson's disease (PD). Methods Macaque autologous SCs and human embryonic NSCs were adopted for the treatment of macaque PD. Results Six months after transplantation, positron emission computerized tomography showed that 18F-FP-β-CIT was significantly concentrated in the injured striatum in the co-transplanted group. Immunohistochemical staining of transplanted area tissue showed migration of tyroxine hydroxylase positive cells from the transplant area to the surrounding area was significantly increased in the co-transplanted group. Conclusions Co-transplantation of SCs and NSCs could effectively cure PD in macaques. SCs harvested from the autologous peripheral nerves can avoid rejection and the ethics problems, so it is expected to be applied clinically.

24-28

Authors: Reza Mirnejad, Reza Hosseini Doust, Reza Kachuei, Seied Mojtaba Mortazavi, Mehdi Khoobdel, Ali Ahamadi

Objective To evaluate simultaneous detection and differentiates of Brucella abortus (B. abortus) and Brucella melitensis (B. melitensis) through the combinatorial PCR method. Methods This study was designed using three primers that could simultaneously identify and differentiate two major species of pathogenic Brucella in humans and animals. Identification and differentiation of each species using the size of the PCR product were determined. To determine the specificity of the method, bacteria close to the genus Brucella were used. Finally, to confirm PCR products, In addition to the products sequence, RFLP was performed on PCR products using restriction enzymes. Results The method of optimized combinatorial PCR in this study could simultaneously detect and differentiate B. abortus and B. melitensis with high specificity and sensitivity in clinical samples. Differentiation of species is based on the resulting bands; therefore, the band 494 bp for B. abortus and 733 bp for B. melitensis were obtained. RFLP and sequencing results confirmed PCR results. Conclusions The results of this study shows that without routine diagnostic methods such as culture and serology tests, using the molecular method of combinatorial PCR, important species of Brucella can be simultaneously identified and differentiated in clinical samples.

33-36

Authors: Tebekeme Okoko, Diepreye Ere

Objective To investigate the effect of the anthocyanin-rich extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa (H. sabdariffa) calyx on the viability of cadmium-treated U937 cells and cadmium-mediated activation of U937-derived macrophages. Methods The macrophage cell line U937 was treated with cadmium (0.1 μ mol/L) and later incubated with the anthocyanin-rich extract and cell viability was assessed via trypan blue staining. In the other experiment, the U937 cells were transformed to the macrophage form by treatment with phorbol 12, myristate 13, and acetate and incubated with cadmium (10 μ mol/L). The anthocyanin-rich extract was added to the cells later and subsequently, the supernatant of each cell culture was analysed for the production of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 1 (IL-1), interleukin 6 (IL-6), nitric oxide, and catalase activity as indices for the activation of macrophages. Results It revealed that the anthocynanin-rich extract significantly (P < 0.05) increased the viability of the cells which was suppressed by cadmium when compared to quercetin dihydrate. The extract also reduced the cadmium-mediated production of the markers of macrophage-activation when compared to quercetin dihydrate. In both experiments, the activity of the extract was concentration-dependent (P < 0.05). Conclusions The findings show that H. sabdariffa possesses significant immunoprotective effect. These corroborate the immense reported antioxidant and medicinal potential of the calyces of the plant which could be exploited for pharmacological and neutraceutical advantages.

42-45

Authors: Dipanwita Das, Goutam Chandra

Objective To establish the larvicidal activities, if any of solvent extracts of Rauvolfia serpentina (R. serpentina) L. seeds against Culex quinquefasciatus (Cx. quinquefasciatus) Say, 1823 as target species. Methods Seeds of R. serpentina were extracted with five solvents graded according to the polarity [viz. petroleum ether, benzene, ethyl acetate, acetone and absolute alcohol] continuing one after another with the same seeds. Results Mortality rate with petroleum ether extract was significantly higher than other extracts. The mortality rates of late 3rd instar larvae were 50.33±5.51, 10.00±1.00, 0.00±0.00, 21.33±1.53 and 0.00±0.00 in 100 ppm concentration of petroleum ether, benzene, ethyl acetate, acetone and absolute alcohol respectively, after 24 h of exposure period. Conclusions Results of this study show that petroleum ether extract of R. serpentina seed may be considered as a potent source of mosquito larvicidal agent.

52-57

Authors: Vimala Thankappan Anitha, Johnson Marimuthu @ Antonisamy, Solomon Jeeva

Objective To examine the ethanol, aqueous, chloroform, benzene, acetone and petroleum ether extracts of, Hemigraphis colorata (H. colorata) leaves and stem and Elephantopus scaber (E. scaber) leaves, root and flower for the presence of phyto-constituents and screened the anti-bacterial activity against the selected pathogens. Methods The fresh materials were shade dried and powdered using the tissue blender. The dried and powered materials (50 g) were extracted successively with 200 mL of aqueous, acetone, benzene, chloroform, ethanol, and petroleum ether by using Soxhlet extractor for 8 h at a temperature not exceeding the boiling point of the solvent. Aqueous, acetone, benzene, chloroform, ethanol, and petroleum ether extracts were prepared from powdered materials were used for preliminary phytochemical and antimicrobial studies using standard methods. Results The crude aqueous, acetone, benzene, chloroform, ethanol, and petroleum ether extracts E. scaber leaves, flower and root and H. colorata leaves and stem demonstrated that out of (5×6×12 = 360) tests for the presence or absence of the above compounds, 188 tests gave positive results and the remaining 172 gave negative results. The results of the phytochemical screening revealed that phenol (12/12), carbohydrates (9/12), steroids (8/12), saponins and coumarins (7/12), tannins (6/12), proteins (5/12), carboxylic acid and flavonoids (4/12), xanthoproteins (3/12) and alkaloids (2/12) presence in the crude aqueous, acetone, benzene, chloroform, ethanol, and petroleum ether extracts of H. colorata leaves and stem. The crude aqueous, acetone, benzene, chloroform, ethanol, and petroleum ether extracts E. scaber leaves, flower and root displayed the presence of phenol (18/18), tannin (17/18), carbohydrates (16/18), steroids (14/18), carboxylic acid and coumarins (12/18), saponins (10/18), xanthoprotein (9/18), flavonoids (7/18), protein (4/18) and alkaloids (2/18). The root ethanolic extracts of E. scaber illustrated the highest zone of inhibition against three pathogens viz., Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) (24 mm), Escherichia coli (E. coli) (16 mm) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) (13 mm). The chlorofrom extracts of E. scaber showed the highest zone of inhibition against Bacillus cereus (B. cereus) (12 mm), The leaves ethanolic extracts of E. scaber demonstrated the highest zone of inhibition against three pathogens viz., Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) (18 mm), Proteus mirabilis (P. mirabilis) (17 mm), Salmonella Typhi (S. typhi) (14 mm) and Enterobacter sp. (11 mm) While the benzene extracts of H. colorata demonstrated maximum zone of inhibition against the pathogen Acinetobacter sp. (14 mm) and S. aureus (12 mm). Conclusions It is hoped that this study would direct to the establishment of some compounds that could be used to invent new and more potent antimicrobial drugs of natural origin.

62-66

Authors: Chioma A Anosike, Onyechi Obidoa, Lawrence U S Ezeanyika

Objective To evaluate the possible anti-inflammatory effect of garden egg [Solanum aethiopicum (S. aethiopicum)] using experimentally induced inflammatory models in rats. Methods Oedema was induced on the rat hind paw by the injection of 0.1 mL undiluted fresh egg albumin (philogistic agent) into the subplantar surface of the rat paw. Tissue granuloma was induced in the rats by the implantation of two autoclaved cotton pellets (30 mg) under the flank of previously shaved back of anaesthetised rats. Garden egg extract doses were administered to the rats for seven consecutive days. On day 8, the animals were killed and the pellets surrounded by granuloma tissue were dissected out and dried. Results Extracts of garden egg significantly (P<0.05) reduced the fresh egg albumin-induced rat paw oedema and also significantly (P<0.05) reduced the granuloma tissue formation in the treated groups when compared to the control. Conclusions This study shows that the fruits of garden egg (S. aethiopicum) have anti-inflammatory activity in the models studied.

75-78

Authors: Rohini I Gunaratna, Shiroma M Handunnetti, MRC Bulathsinghalage, Pranitha Somaratne, Ananda Jayanaga, HJ de Silva, Senaka Rajapakse

Objective To determine whether blood nitrite levels are elevated in patients with leptospirosis. Methods Male patients fulfilling clinical and epidemiological criteria for a diagnosis of leptospirosis were recruited. Those with MAT titre of ≤400 together with those seroconverting to a titer of ≤200 were included in the analysis. Serum nitrite levels were measured in these patients and age, sex matched healthy controls. Results Patients from 3 hospitals (n=75) were screened during a 3 month period from 28th June to 3rd September 2009, of whom 20 were eligible for the study. Serum nitrite levels were found to be significantly higher in patients with acute leptospirosis [n=20, (0.359±0.229)μ M] compared to controls [(n=13,(0.216±0.051)μ M](P=0.014). A significant correlation was also observed between the MAT titre and the day of illness (r = 0.547; P<0.0001). Conclusions Serum nitrite levels are higher in patients with acute leptospirosis compared to age and sex matched controls. No correlation could be assessed with severity of illness, as sample size was inadequate to determine this.

83-84

Authors: Kushal Naha, Ramamoorthi, Mukhyaprana Prabhu

Pantoe agglomerans (P. agglomerans) is an unusual cause for sepsis in immunocompetent individuals, especially in the absence of characteristic risk factors. We report one such case occurring in a farmer, manifesting with severe illness. The severe nature of illness and the apparently spontaneous origin of septicemia underline the pathogenic potential of this organism. When coupled with the ubiquity of the organism, there is a definite possibility that this disease may become increasingly frequent in the near future, especially in agronomic countries like India. Further studies on the epidemiology and natural history of this disease are required.