Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine

181-187

Authors: Eslam Moradi-Asl, Yavar Rassi, Ahmad Ali Hanafi-Bojd, Abedin Saghafipour

Objective: To determine the spatial distribution and infection rate of sand flies as vectors of Leishmania parasite in Ardabil province, northwest of Iran. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. The sand flies were collected from 30 areas in all 10 districts of Ardabil province during 2017. The specimens were caught using the sticky traps. The head and genitalia of sand flies were separated and mounted in Berlese solution for microscopic identification. The Geographical Information System ArcMap10.4.1 software was used to provide the spatial maps. Results: A total of 2 794 sand flies specimens were collected and 22 species of sand flies were identified from the two genera: Phlebotomus and Sergentomyia from Ardabil province. The highest frequency was found in Phlebotomus papatasi (23.7%) followed by Phlebotomus kandelakii (13.0%). The promastigote form of Leishmania infantum parasite has been reported from the three main vectors of visceral leishmaniasis (Phlebotomus kandelakii, Phlebotomus perfiliewi and Phlebotomus tobbi) from Ardabil province, where the spatial distribution map of these visceral leishmaniasis vectors was prepared. Some important species of sand flies such as Phlebotomus kandelakii, Phlebotomus perfiliewi and Phlebotomus tobbi were reported and identified as main and probable vectors of visceral leishmaniasis in Ardabil. Conclusions: According to the Geographic Information System based maps, the frequency of the sand flies as leishmaniasis vectors, the leishmania parasite infection rate and the prevalence of the disease in the central areas of Ardabil province are higher than in other areas in Ardabil province.

196-203

Authors: NR Adib Ridzuan, SL Teoh, N Abdul Rashid, F Othman, SN Baharum, F Hussan

Objective: To explore the protective effect of Polygonum minus ethanolic extract on cisplatininduced neurotoxicity. Methods: In vitro test, total phenolic content assay and DPPH assay were performed to determine the antioxidant activity of Polygonum minus. For in vivo test, 30 male Sprague- Dawley rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: the control group, cisplatin 10 mg/kg, Polygonum minus 100 mg/kg, Polygonum minus 200 mg/kg and Polygonum minus 400 mg/kg. The control group and the cisplatin group were given distilled water whereas Polygonum minus groups received the respective dose of Polygonum minus extract orally for 14 d. On day 15, a single intraperitoneal administration of normal saline was given to the control group; while 10 mg/kg of cisplatin was given to the cisplatin group and Polygonum minus groups. Body weight, signs of illness, daily activity and mortality were observed at least once daily throughout the experimental period. On day 18, the anterior part of the brain was collected and processed for histological and ultrastructural analyses (right hemisphere). The remaining part (left hemisphere) of the brain was assayed to determine malondialdehyde and catalase levels for oxidative stress analyses. Results: Polygonum minus ethanolic extract possessed high phenolic content (977.6 mg GAE/g) and 95.9% DPPH radical scavenging activities. No mortality was observed in all groups. Rats in the cisplatin group were weak and less active compared to Polygonum minus treated rats. In the cisplatin group, disorganised cellular layers of the cerebral cortex were observed whereas rats treated with low and mid doses of Polygonum minus extract had normal cerebral cortex as in the control group. Mild ultrastructural changes were observed in rats treated with low and mid doses of Polygonum minus extract. Meanwhile, low and mid doses of Polygonum minus extract significantly reduced malondialdehyde level whereas low and mid doses of Polygonum minus extracts groups significantly increased catalase activity compared to the cisplatin group. Conclusions: Polygonum minus ethanolic extract at 100 and 200 mg/kg attenuates cisplatininduced oxidative stress in the cerebral cortex via its antioxidant activity.

209-216

Authors: Cédric Sima Obiang, Rick Léonid Ngoua Meye Misso, Guy Roger Ndong Atome, Joseph Privat Ondo, Louis Clément Obame Engonga, Edouard Nsi Emvo

Objective: To evaluate the phytochemical constituents, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of the extracts of Distemonanthus benthamianus (D. benthamianus) stem bark and Solanum torvum (S. torvum) fruit which have been used as traditional medicinal herbs in Gabon. Methods: Plant extracts were subjected to a qualitative study (phytochemical screening) and a quantitative (dosing) study of secondary metabolites. Antioxidant activity was tested by 1,1- diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2'-azino-bis 3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid assay. Bacteria and fungi susceptibility tests were performed on Mueller Hinton medium and solid Sabouraud, respectively, using the diffusion method, while minimum inhibitory concentration, minimum fungicidal concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration were evaluated by microdilution method. Results: The total phenol and tannin contents were significantly higher in the water-ethanol extract compared to the other extracts of D. benthamianus and S. torvum. The water-ethanol and water-acetone extracts showed significantly higher antioxidant activity than the aqueous extracts of the two medicinal plants. However, the extracts presented weak antioxidant activities compared to standards (Vitamin C, BHA). The water-acetone and water-ethanol extracts of S. torvum showed the highest antimicrobial activity against Bacillus cereus LMG 13569 BHI, Shigella dysenteriae 5451 CIP, Shigella dysenteriae and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Conclusions: Our results show that D. benthamianus and S. torvum can be promising sources of natural products with potential antimicrobial and antioxidant activities.

222-226

Authors: Jacqueline Cosmo Andrade, Ana Raquel Pereira da Silva, Antônia Thassya Lucas dos Santos, Maria Audilene Freitas, Yedda Maria Lobo Soares de Matos, Maria Flaviana Bezerra Morais Braga, Camila Fonseca Bezerra, Maria Isabeli Pereira Gonçalo, Maria Celeste Vega Gomez, Míriam Rolóm, Cathia Coronel, Paulo Riceli Vasconcelos Ribeiro, Edy Sousa de Brito, Henrique Douglas Melo Coutinho

Objective: To compare the in vitro antiparasitic activity of aqueous extracts from Ziziphus joazeiro leaves and stem bark against Trypanosoma cruzi, Leishmania braziliensis, and Leishmania infantum, as well as to evaluate its cytotoxicity in mammalian cells, in addition to identifying the chemical composition of the extracts. Methods: Ziziphus joazeiro leaf and stem bark aqueous extracts were prepared by cold extraction maceration and subjected to ultra-efficient liquid chromatography coupled to a quadrupole/time of flight system. The susceptibility assays used Trypanosoma cruzi CLB5 strains and promastigote forms of Leishmania braziliensis and Leishmania infantum for antiparasitic activity of the extracts. Moreover, mammalian fibroblasts NCTC clone 929 were used for cytotoxicity analysis. Results: Terpenoid compounds, flavonoids and phenolic acid were identified in extracts. The stem bark aqueous extracts presented more significant results in terms of antiparasitic activity compared with the leaf aqueous extracts, especially against Leishmania braziliensis and Leishmania infantum promastigote forms with an IC50 < 500 μg/mL. The cytotoxicity evaluation showed moderate toxicity of the stem bark aqueous extracts, which is relevant information for the rational use of this plant part since it is widely used by the population. Conclusions: These preliminary results may contribute to the formulation of new therapeutic agents against this group of neglected diseases, so further investigations are required to delineate the mechanisms of action mainly of the aqueous extract of stem bark of Ziziphus joazeiro.