Journal of Coastal Life Medicine

592-596

Authors: Basudev Mandal, Sourabh Kumar Dubey, Puja Dasgupta, Bijay Kali Mahapatra, Bimal Kinkar Chand

Objective: To describe the parasitic infestations of Anabas testudineus (A. testudineus) collected from three different fish producing districts of West Bengal state in India. Methods: A total number of 75 specimens of A. testudineus were collected from different floodplain areas of West Bengal, India. These specimens were examined for parasites using established techniques after measuring basic morphometric parameters. Results: A total 165 individual of 20 parasites (13 ectoparasites and 7 endoparasites) belonging to 7 phyla were recorded from 64 infected A. testudineus. Among the observed parasites, 8 were protozoan including 3 ciliates; 2 monogenic trematodes, 2 strigeidid trematodes, 1 nematode, 3 crustaceans, 3 myxozoans and 1 echinorhynchus acanthocephalan parasites. The quantitative abundance of parasites were highest in gill (37%) followed by body outer layer (35%) and intestine (28%). District wise quantitative count of parasites in different investigated organ from A. testudineus revealed that North 24 Parganas is highly infected followed by West Midnapore and East Midnapore. The highest prevalence (%) and mean abundance of parasitic occurrence was observed in North 24 Parganas followed by West Midnapore and East Midnapore. The highest mean intensity was found at West Midnapore followed by North 24 Parganas and East Midnapore. Conclusions: Especially West Bengal state of India, inland culture and capture fishery mainly rural based and operated by poor farmers. Developing right kind of interventions and management practice can prevent adverse impact of diseases and assist poor farmers for sustainable production.

603-607

Authors: Fatma Mohamed Elnabawy Ward, Mohamed Ali Deyab

Objective: To investigate the potential antibacterial activities of ethanol extracts of Turbinaria ornata (T. ornata), Oleic acid (OA) and palmitic acid (PA) extracted from T. ornata as well as mixtures of OA and PA (1:1) against some bacterial species. Methods: Brown seaweed T. ornata was collected from Hurghada shores, Red Sea coast of Egypt. OA and PA were extracted from T. ornata. Ethanol extracts of T. ornata, OA, PA and mixtures of these two fatty acids (1:1) were tested for their antibacterial activities against Escherichia coli, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella pneumonia and Staphylococcus aureus by the disc diffusion method. Results: Ethanol extracts of T. ornata, OA, PA and mixtures of OA and PA (1:1) showed antibacterial activities that increased significantly (least significant difference at 0.05 level) with increasing concentrations against all tested bacteria. Different concentrations of ethanol extracts of T. ornata and extracted OA showed its highest activity against Bacillus subtilis, while PA and mixtures of PA and OA (1:1) showed its highest activity against Bacillus cereus. The maximum inhibition activities were shown for mixtures of OA and PA (1:1). Scanning electron microscope showed that mixtures of OA and PA (1:1) caused plasmolysis and reduction in cell size of Escherichia coli. Conclusions: Different concentrations of T. ornata and its fatty acids showed activities against all tested bacteria. Therefore, it is a potential source of natural antimicrobial compounds.

612-615

Authors: Homa Hamayeli, Abdolhamid Namaki Shoshtari, Mehdi Hassanshahian, Majid Askari Hesni

Objective: To evaluate the antifungal and inhibitory activity of six different species of marine sponges and one species of sea anemone that were collected from the Persian Gulf on the growth of Candida albicans (C. albicans). Methods: Sea anemone and six different sponges were gathered from the Persian Gulf and extracted by methanol macerated with dichloromethane solvents. The activity of each extracts against C. albicans was determined by paper disc diffusion and agar well diffusion methods. Also, minimum inhibitory concentration and minimal bactericidal concentration of each extract were determined. Results: The finding of current research confirmed that all sponge extracts had sufficient inhibitory effect against C. albicans but the extracts of sponge type 2 and 5 had the best inhibitory effect on C. albicans and their zones of inhibition were 45 mm and 38 mm, respectively. The tentacle of sea anemone had the best inhibitory effect against C. albicans compared to other part of the body and its zone of inhibition was 41 mm. Besides, the sponge type 5 extracts had the best minimum inhibitory concentration and minimal bactericidal concentration values with 6.25 and 12.5 mg/mL, respectively. Conclusions: It could be concluded that the crude extracts of six different sponges and sea anemone have high potential to produce broad spectral antifungal activity with minimal concentration against different pathogenic fungi.

619-622

Authors: Emmanuel Ogboma Dania, John Ezerioha

Objective: To investigate the preventive, protective and ameliorative activity of the aqueous extract of Phoenix dactylifera L. (P. dactylifera) against paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity. Methods: A total of 50 male albino rats were used for the study and 2 g/kg body weight of paracetamol and 400 mg/kg body weight of aqueous extract of P. dactylifera were administered orally for the study. They were divided into 5 groups, namely group A (vehicle control), group B (paracetamol control), group C (preventive), group D (ameliorative) and group E (protective), with 10 rats in each group. Group B was administered with paracetamol for 7 days; group C was administered with the extract for 7 days before administering with paracetamol for 7 days; group D was administered with paracetamol for 7 days, then the extract for 7 days; while group E was administered with paracetamol and the extract simultaneously for 7days. Results: The study revealed that the extracts of date palms contained active chemical compounds such as anthocyanins, phenolics, sterols, carotenoids and flavonoids. The levels of antioxidant enzymes activity such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase were found to be reduced while malondialdehyde level was significantly increased in the paracetamol-treated group. This trend was reversed in groups where the extract was administered, as the antioxidant enzymes level in the liver was raised. Conclusions: This study has shown that the aqueous extract of P. dactylifera can mitigate the hepatotoxicity effect of paracetamol with a better ameliorating effect than protective or preventive.

628-633

Authors: Malek Besbes Hlila, Kaouther Majouli, Fethia Harzallah Skhiri, Hichem Ben Jannet, Mahjoub Aouni, Maha Mastouri, Boulbaba Selmi

Objective: To examine the potential antioxidant and anti-α-glucosidase inhibitory activities of Tunisian Euphorbia paralias L. leaves and stems extracts and their composition of total polyphenol and flavonoids. Methods: The different samples were tested for their antiradical activities by using 2, 2’- azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assays. In α-glucosidase activity, α-glucosidase (0.3 IU/mL) and substrate, 2 500 µmol/ L p-nitrophenyl α-D-glucopyranoside were used; absorbance was registered at 405 nm. Results: The leaves acetonic extract exhibited the strongest α-glucosidase inhibition [IC50 = (0.0035 ± 0.001) µg/mL], which was 20-fold more active than the standard product (acarbose) [IC50 = (0.07 ± 0.01) µg/mL]. Acetonic extract of the leaves exhibited the highest quantity of total phenolic [(95.54 ± 0.04) µg gallic acid equivalent/mg] and flavonoid [(55.16 ± 0.25) µg quercetin equivalent/mg]. The obtained findings presented also that this extract was detected with best antioxidant capacity [IC50 = (0.015 ± 0.01) µg/mL] against DPPH and a value of IC50 equal to (0.02 ± 0.01) µg/mL against ABTS. Positive relationship between polyphenolic content of the tested Euphorbia paralias L. leaves and stems extracts and its antioxidant activity (DPPH and ABTS) was detected. Elevated positive linear correlation was got between ABTS and total phenolic (R2 = 0.751). Conclusions: The findings clearly demonstrate that the use of a polar solvent enables extraction of significant quantities of phenol compounds and flavonoids.

639-644

Authors: Muhammad Adil,Aasif Awa, Sudhair Abbas, Kamran Chishti, Lateef Ahmad

Objective: To assess the pharmaceutical quality of different brands of metronidazole manufactured, available and prescribed by the doctors of Peshawar, Pakistan. Methods: Different film-coated metronidazole products manufactured by multinational and national pharmaceutical industries and prescribed by the doctors were collected from Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Their hysico-chemical properties were assessed, which included friability, hardness, disintegration, dissolution and weight variation tests according to the the United States Pharmacopoeia (USP) standards. Results: All the brands showed a average weight of 5.74 g for 13 tablets (products A–M). Product J had the highest weight and products D and E failed the hardness, friability and disintegration time according to USP standards. Products M, K and G, L failed disintegration test and dissolution test, respectively. Weight variation of all the products proved statistically that they were in accordance with the standards of USP. Conclusions: The study suggested that products A, F, H and J passed all the tests according to the USP standards while the rest of them did not fulfill the standards specification.

649-651

Authors: Ruksana Faizal, Lincy George, Panayappan Lakshmanan, Treesa P. Varghese

Objective: To assess the role of pharmaceutical care in improving quality of life in type II diabetes mellitus patients in a tertiary care hospital. Methods: A prospective observational survey study was carried out for a period of 9 months in the General Medicine Department of the hospital. A total of 106 patients were enrolled and were randomly allocated to the control and intervention groups with 53 patients in each group. Version-19 of audit on diabetes-dependent quality of life questionnaire were provided to the patients, at the time of admission and during review. At the time of admission the intervention group was provided with counseling for diabetes and with patient information leaflets on the disease. A data entry format comprising the socio-demographic details of the patients, their medical and medication history, laboratory results, etc. were used to note down the patient details. The prescribing patterns of different oral hypoglycemic agents were noted. Results: A total of 106 patients were recruited, 51% being male. Age ranged from 32 to 80 years with a mean age of 60.210 ± 10.045. The duration since diagnosis was 5–10 years for most of the participants (67%), 10–20 years for 29% and > 20 years for the remaining. At the time of study, 17.9% of participants were received insulin treatment, and 82.1% on oral hypoglycemic agent. The average weighted impact of intervention group which improved from -1.752 6 ± 0.563 0 to -1.668 800 ± 0.048 013 was found to be statistically significant. Thus the study showed that pharmaceutical care has a positive impact on the quality of life of diabetes patients. Conclusions: Quality of life is worsened in diabetes mellitus patients, particularly for the 'freedom to eat' domain, indicating that an intervention to improve dietary freedom might be a good way of improving quality of life. The study also showed that patient counseling played an important role in improving quality of life of diabetes patients.

655-658

Authors: Mengistu Wale, Abeje Kassie, Tesfu Fekensa

Objective: To identify the distribution, threats and community attitudes towards naked molerat in Eastern Ethiopia. Methods: Data were collected through direct observation and interview and Chi-square at 95% confidence interval was used for significance test. Results: Naked mole-rat was identified in Fafan, City/Shinele, Eastern Hararghe Zone and Dire Dawa Administrative. The main threats of naked mole-rat identified were agricultural expansion, human killing and lack of awareness. From a total of 100 respondents, 92% of them considered naked mole-rat as pest as a result that 46% of them participated in direct killing. Literacy rate significantly affects the willingness to participate in the conservation of naked mole-rat (χ2 = 7.478, df = 1, P < 0.05). From a total of 26% respondents who did not show the willingness to participate in the conservation, 80.8% of them were illiterate. Conclusions: Naked mole-rat is fairly common in many of the study sites. However, rapid shift from nomadic life style to cultivation of crops and lacks of awareness were the main threats of naked mole-rat. Therefore, since there is no conservation action currently, further comprehensive study is required to design conservation plan for this species.

663-667

Authors: Kanika Patel, Dinesh Kumar Patel

Ricinine (3-cyano-4-methoxy-N-methyl-2-pyridone) is an alkaloid present in leaves and seeds of castor plant i.e. Ricinus communis. It can cause vomiting, convulsions, hypotension, liver and kidney damage and several other complications in human. Ricinine presents mainly in young plant and it is the only cyano-substituted pyridine compounds occurred naturally. Ricinine also found in some other plants such as Piper nigrum, Discocleidion rufescens, Aparisthmium cordatum and Nicotiana tabacum. Accidental and intended Ricinus communis intoxications in humans and animals have been known for centuries. In the present review, we summarize the information regarding its medicinal uses, pharmacological activities, analytical techniques and intended and unintended poisoning cases in humans and animals. This review will be beneficial for the researcher in the field of herbal medicine and other allied sciences.

670-672

Authors: Mário César Sedrez, João de Ávila Barcelos, João Pedro Barreiros

This article reports the necropsy of a specimen of striped dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba found stranded in the north coast of Terceira Island, Azores, Portugal. Here, the importance of standard protocols in post-mortem examinations and the need to adequately proceed were discussed. Stranded marine mammals are valuable specimens for several studies of pathology and other veterinary medical aspects. Although the causa mortis was not determined, the full access to stranded specimens was crucial, not only for pathology studies but also for a proper training to veterinary medicine students whenever possible.