The Pharmaceutical and Chemical Journal

1-7

Authors: Stanley E. Ukwueze, Festus B.C. Okoye

A guided fractionation and characterization of the methanol extract from the leaves of Psidium guajava L. (Myrtaceae) yielded two new benzophenone glycosides, Guajaphenone C (I) and Guajaphenone D (II) together with three known compounds, Guajaphenone A (III), Garcimangosone D (IV) and Guaijaverin (V). Their structures were elucidated by analysis of spectroscopic data including 1D and 2D NMR and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). These data were also compared with those reported in the literature.

15-19

Authors: Bintu Babagana, Lukman O. Sadiq

The effect of Moringa oleifera crude leaf extract on Chlorpyriphos-induced hepato-toxicity in Wistar albino rats was investigated. Sixteen (16) adult Wistar albino rats of weighing about 100g and 250g were divided into a group of four (4) of four (4) rats each. Group I served as the control and were given a standard feed while groups II, III and IV were given 200mg/kg, 100mg/kg and 100mg/kg of the feed respectively following different treatments with Moringa and Chlorpyriphos. All feed were administered in pelleted form for a period of 28days. On the 29th day, the animals were humanely sacrificed and blood collected for some biochemical analysis (liver enzymes marker). Body weight/feed consumption increased significantly (p<0.001) in group III when compared with groups I and IV. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) increase in group IV when compared with group II. The values of Aspartate transaminase (AST) and Alanine transaminase (ALT) were not significant (p>0.05) and decreased in group IV treated with Moringa/Chlorpyriphos compared with group II contaminated with Chlorpyriphos. The Alanine transaminase (ALP) level was significantly different (p<0.001) and increased in group II when compared with other groups. This study therefore showed that Moringa oleifera has the potential to increase body weight and offer some level of protection against Chlorpyriphos-induced hepato-toxicity.

28-32

Authors: Ayari Jihene, Lamjed Bouslama, Majdi Hammami, Iness Jabri Karoui, Manef Abderrabba

The in vitro effect of propolis on several RNA and DNA viruses including Coxsackie virus type B3 (CVB-3) and Herpes virus type 2 (HSV-2), was investigated. The overuse of some drug as a usual therapy led to the emergence of resistant strains. Therefore, the search for new alternative molecules to overcome this obstacle is needed. In this objective, Propolis is used for its CVB-3 and HSV-2 activity. Propolis samples from four different origins in Tunisia were evaluated for their cytotoxicity on Vero cells by the MTT test and anti CVB-3 and HSV-2 activity by plaque reduction assay. Only the extract of propolis collected from the region of Zelligua exhibited activity against CVB-3 with a 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) and a selectivity index (SI) of 30 and 9μg/mL, respectively. In addition, the study of the antiviral mode of action revealed that this extract exerts a virucidal action both during the entry of viruses and the release of the newly formed virions. The active extract went through a liquid-liquid fractionation and only the Ethyl Acetate fraction was found active against CVB-3.

39-45

Authors: Shahin Aziz, Md. Abu Bakar Siddique, Most. Hosney Ara Begum

Cotton tree is often called silk cotton tree containing non edible oil in its seeds and grows widely in hilly areas in Bangladesh. Oil extracted from the seeds of this plant is used as energy source as well as in tanneries while the cake (a byproduct after extracting oil) was found to be rich in all plant nutrients. In order to reduce the production cost by minimizing or utterly eliminating the use of chemical fertilizers, decreasing environmental hazards, improve soil structure, promote leveraging agriculture and obtain high quality crops, cotton seed oil cake getting importance due its rich mineral contents. Cotton seed oil cake was assessed and it was found to be a potential source of bio-fertilizer due to richness of minerals in the form of plant nutrients. The analysis of valuable elements present in this oil cake was done by Atomic absorption spectrophotometer.

50-54

Authors: Kalio, Ibiene Sarah, Victoria Umor

This study was carried out to determine the concentrations of trace elements in carpenters exposed to sawdust within Port Harcourt Metropolis, Rivers state. A total of thirty carpenters exposed to sawdust were compared with twenty-six apparently healthy individuals who work in an offices setting far away from saw dust as control. Atomic absorption spectrophotometer was used to estimate the plasma concentrations of zinc, cobalt, selenium and copper in all subjects. The mean concentrations of zinc, cobalt, selenium and copper for carpenters is 0.785 ± 0.111mg/l, 0.028 ± 0.011mg/l, 0.303 ± 0.238mg/l, and 0.236 ± 0.048mg/l respectively while the concentrations in control are 0.705± 0.106mg/l,0.032 ± 0.230mg/l, 0.785 ± 0.106mg/l and 0.796 ± 0.172mg/l. The result showed that Zinc concentration is significantly higher (P<0.05) in carpenters exposed to sawdust compared to control while cobalt concentration was not significantly deferent in carpenters exposed to sawdust when compared to control (P>0.05). However selenium and copper concentrations were significantly lower (P<0.05) in carpenter expose to sawdust when compared to control. The study has shown that sawdust caused changes in trace elements among carpenters.

61-64

Authors: Rosa Lelyana

Currently nanomedicine and nanotechnology have been widely used in the community. However, some people still do not understand what the meaning of nanomedicine and nanotechnology is currently increasingly widespread use in the field of cosmetics and even drugs, as well as food and beverages. Lack of public understanding is due to the low level of publication about the benefits of nanomedicine and nanotechnology in the public media in the community. Many ordinary people have not understood the importance and usefulness of nanomedicine and nanotechnology itself for the medical world and what is the difference with cosmetics and drugs without nano formulations and even foods / beverages that do not use nano technology in food processing. Even medical personnel and nutritionists as well as many other health workers have not understood the meaning and benefits of nanomedicine and nanotechnology for medicine and nutrition. It is therefore the purpose of this paper to discuss the benefits of using nanomedicine and nanotechnology in the field of nutritional science and the field of medical science.

72-79

Authors: Ebru Yuce Babacan, Gülden Dogan, Azize Demirpolat, Eyüp Bagci

Tunceli is a province that has different kind plants and large biodiversity and also there are more endemic and local endemic species. It has also consist of more medicinal and aromatic plants naturally grown. The essential oil from plants has more widely used for different purposes. The essential ois of wild-growing Allium tuncelianum from Munzur Valley in Turkey was obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC and GC-MS. In the oil of the Allium tuncelianum were characterized 1-propene 3,3- thiobis (21.2%), disulfide di-2-propenyl (12.9%), trisulfide di-2-propenyl (21.2%), diallyl tetrasulphide (17.35%) and linoleic acid ethyl ester (6.2%) as the main constituents. The light and scanning electron microscope results showed that the pollen grain Allium tuncelianum is monads, oblate (P/E= 1.39), monosulcate. The exine sculpturing is rugulate-perforate. The sulcus extends to the proximal side of pollen.

86-94

Authors: Ghizlane Hajjaj, Rabab chakour, Aziz Bahlouli, Mouna Tajani, Yahia Cherrah, Amina Zellou

This work was carried out within the framework of the valorization of the Moroccan aromatic and medicinal plants, we chose to study Pistacia atlantica Desf. whose use for a long time by the populations, in the nutrition and the traditional medicine. The objective of this study is to determine the yield of Pistacia atlantica Desf. fruit essential oil (PAEO) extracted by the hydrodistillation method and to investigate the chemical composition by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS).The central nervous system (CNS) activity of PAEO was investigated using different models based on mice and rats behavior and anti-inflammatory effect were performed using the carrageenan induced hind paw edema test. Pistacia atlantica Desf provided a 0.058% yield of essential oil with constituents representing approximately 97.35% of the total oil, the major compounds are: anisole (25.62%), cineol (1.4) (16.88%), sabinene (14.45%) and cresylacetate para (8.55%). In the pharmacological activities tests it was found that the pretreatment of Pistacia atlantica Desf. fruit essential oil has a potent sedative and anti-inflammatory properties.

101-117

Authors: Hussain, M. Musharraf, Ali, M. Umar

Prophetic medicine or Medicine of the Prophet (peace be upon him) comprises the divinely inspired words of therapy of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The Prophet (pbuh) made specific statements on 61 medicinal plants, herbs and shrubs while making prescriptions for the sick people. Therefore, although the Prophet’s arrival was not as a physician or pharmacist he was inspired by Allah (God) to make nearly 1000 statements on healing for the benefits of man, because, man needs to remain well, free from sickness to fulfill his brief mission on earth. However, it is amazing that not a single statement of the Prophet (pbuh) is found to be contradictory to the basic principles of modern medical science. The Qur’an says, “He does not speak anything of his own desire. It is only a Revelation revealed” (An-Najm 53:3-4). So traditions of the Prophet (pbuh) on healing are also true, and modern science has proved it through research after 14 centuries. About Nigella sativa Abu Hurayrah (ra) narrates that the Prophet (pbuh) said: "Hold on (use this seed regularly)! Because it is a remedy (cure) for every disease except death." (Bukhari, Muslim, Ibn Mâjah and Aḥmad) This amazing statement generated tremendous interest among the world’s scientific community. Their question was, how an unlettered man of the desert without having any pen and paper, could make such a wonderful statement on medical science? Moreover, the Prophet (pbuh) made the statement at a time when there was no chemistry, no science, no pharmacy. The statement finally led the scientific community to carry out extensive phytochemical and biological investigations on Nigella sativa and its oil. However, the researchers after having carried out hundreds of scientific researches around the globe finally came to the conclusion that this tiny plant seed can effectively cure 129 different types of ailments including 17 types of cancer, AIDS, hypertension and diabetes. This large number of diseases curable by Nigella sativa demonstrates the authenticity of the Prophet’s statement. In this paper the learned readers will be enlightened with findings of modern scientific researches on how Nigella sativa can effectively cure numerous ailments particularly diabetes mellitus (DM) 2.

130-134

Authors: Usman A Garkuwa, Alhassan A Wahab, Yusuf T, Buhari I, Bello Y Adamu, Garkuwa N Adamu, Ibrahim A, and Ahmad A Ladan

Diabetes mellitus is associated with chronic hyperglycemia, impaired liver function, end organ damage among others. Therefore, curcumin may provide a better treatment for this disease. The present study is aimed at investigating the effect of curcumin on liver enzymes and liver proteins of alloxan-induced diabetic Wistar rats. Twenty rats weighing between 100-150g were used for the study. The animals were divided into five (5) groups of four each (n=4). Group I were non-diabeticand received distilled water, group II, III, IV and V were diabetic and received olive oil 1 ml/kg, glibenclamide 2 mg/kg, curcumin 50 mg/kg and curcumin 100mg/kg respectively. Alloxan (150mg/kg) was used to induce diabetes. Diabetes was confirmed 72 hours after induction by glucose oxidase principle. All administrations were done via oral gavage for duration of 21 days. On day 21, the animals were sacrificed and the blood samples were collected for biochemical assays. The result obtained from this study showed that there was a significant decrease (P<0.05) in the liver enzymes activity (ALT and ALP) when compared with the control group. Also, serum albumin level significantly increases at curcumin 50 mg/kg dose compared to the control group. The findings of this study suggest that curcumin has hepatoprotective effect and improve blood glucose level and may ameliorate diabetes-induced liver disorders.

143-149

Authors: Emmanuel Paul Okoi, Gregory Elayeche Oko, Margaret Akpana Odey , Khuyen Thi Kim Vo , and Maryam Ammani Lawal

Parkinson disease is a multi-factorial neurological disorder instigated by a collapse in the dopaminergic pathways due to an inhibition in the normal flow of dopamine in the brain neurons. The prevalence of this disease is notable among people who are over 60 years and above. The ineffectiveness of most drugs currently in use with no definite treatment regimes is hinged on the lack of understanding of the cellular and molecular processes that transcends in the manifestation of its pathogenesis. Understanding the biochemical processes of the dopaminergic pathways is essential for specificities in drug design and discovery as drugs must be designed to target the missing functionalities thus avoiding drug failure. In this review, series of causative agents classified under genetic and environmental factors were discussed alongside their underlining cellular and molecular pathways that reveals failure of biochemical systems and release of harmful enzymatic activities.

158-165

Authors: Nagham Sheblaq, Mohamad Al Kaiyat, Ahmed Qudaimat, Samir Shnikat, Marwan El Bagoury, Ahmed M Elagouz, Omar M Hussein

Background: The role of CRC is crucial for the success of clinical trials. However, a lot of health care providers are not fully aware of the roles and responsibilities of CRC. Purpose: To explore the awareness of health care providers in MENA region about roles and responsibilities of CRC. Method: A qualitative study was conducted using survey monkey software between17th of February 2015, and 18th of January 2018, where 103 health care providers from different regions and specialties completed the survey. Results: 80.81 % of respondents claimed that they were aware of GCP Guidelines. GCP certified respondents represented 50.51 % of study population. Respondents were asked about 28 tasks if they belong to responsibilities of clinical research coordinator in conducting clinical research, and they indicated their level of agreement or disagreement on a Likert scale. The mean percentage of the right answers of nurses was 50.89 %, followed by clinical research specialties "CRAs and CRCs" (47.62 %), pharmacists (41.67 %), and MD/PhD (37.14 %). However, the results were not statistically significant (p= 0.19). Conclusion: A higher level of awareness about GCP guidelines and CRC job description is required.

181-192

Authors: OLAYE1 Théophile, TCHOBO Fidèle Paul, SESSOU, Philippe YEDOMONHAN Hounnakpon, ALITONOU Guy Alain, AVLESSI1 Félicien, SOHOUNHLOUE Dominique

Free radicals are risk factors that can lead to certain oral infections. The contributions of antioxidants is necessary to fight effectively against these free radicals, in the oral cavity. Plants being recognized as a source of natural antioxidants, chewing stick still used today in several developing countries can serve as a remedy to fight against these free radicals. Thus, in this study, we studied the antioxidant activity of plants used as a chewing stick in Benin by the DPPH method, both in ethanolic and micellar medium. The results show that the DPPH method in micellar medium is a credible alternative to the conventional method which takes place in ethanolic or methanolic medium. Depending on the concentration of antioxidant present, the percentage inhibition of DPPH increases with the concentration of CTAB to a given value where it begins to fall. The activity also depends on the number of hydroxyl groups provided by the phenolic compounds.