Posted by admin on Aug 1, 2014 in |
Phragmanthera capitata is mistletoe (parasitic plant) that grows on other plants including avocado trees. Leaves infusion or decoction is claimed to treat amongst other ailments abdominal pains by herbalists in Cameroon. Our goal was to evaluate possible secretory, gastro and ulcer activities of aqueous extract of P. capitata (AEPC) in indomathacin induced gastric ulcer and pylorus ligation induced gastric ulcer (PLIGU) in albino rats. Preliminary phytochemical and toxicity assays were performed following standard procedures. To evaluate indomethacin induced gastric ulcer, control group received 10 ml/kg normal saline, standard group received 100 mg/kg cimetidine, test groups received AEPC (100, 200 and 300 mg/kg). To evaluate PLIGU, treatment was same as indomethacin induced ulcer. Data obtained were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Tukey test used as post hoc. In preliminary phytochemical assays AEPC revealed the presence of terpenoids, tannins, saponins, glycosides, anthraquinones, flavonoids, alkaloids and phenols. In acute oral toxicity assay, AEPC was safe up to a concentration of 3000 mg/kg in mice. In anti-ulcer evaluation AEPC decreased significantly...
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Posted by admin on Aug 1, 2014 in |
Aim: Plants have been used for medicinal purposes for more than many centuries. The use of a given plant for the same purpose by people geographically distant or with dissimilar cultural backgrounds constitutes impressive evidences that the use is valid. The aim of this study was to document ethnopharmacology of medicinal plants in Agaro District, Jimma Zone, South West Ethiopia. Methods: A cross–sectional study was conducted in the district from June 01-July 31, 2013. A structured questionnaire was used to record pertinent information on the use of the medicinal plants and collect their specimens. The study involved 440 households living in the district. Result: Eighty medicinal plants were collected, of which sixty–eight were identified botanically and the remaining were reported in vernacular names. The identified species were distributed in thirty–eight families. Leaves were the major plant parts used accounting for 42(44.7%), followed by roots 21(22.3%), fruits 17(18.1%) and barks 7(7.4%). Regarding the method of preparation, vegetable drug was the most commonly used method accounting for 30(37.5%), followed by decoction...
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Posted by admin on Aug 1, 2014 in |
The field of cancer research has been emerged in recent years for the development of specific drugs to cancer treatment. New agents with the ability to provide efficient treatment by reducing side effects has led to new opportunities for improving agents for cytotoxic therapies. While there are several drugs for colon cancer treatment, researchers are trying to evaluate new agents or combinations of existing ones which can be used efficiently. Schiff bases with a wide range of variety and biological properties including anticancer activity might be used for colon cancer treatment. In the current study, a novel schiff base derivative synthesized by our group was tested in vivo for colon cancer. In a model of azoxymethane (AOM) induced colorectal cancer, chemopreventive properties of schiff base was also analyzed in rats. While AOM induced de novo crypt formation, adenocarcinoma and dysplasia development, schiff base application reduced the number of aberrant crypt foci (ACF), dysplasia or adenocarcinoma. Analysis of the intestinal mucosa showed that peritoneal administration of SB complex not only...
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Posted by admin on Aug 1, 2014 in |
The effectiveness of drugs is directly related to the quality thus quality evaluations of medications throughout the production process and distribution are very essential. Counterfeit medications are known to have poor quality as the medications are in the market without the consent of the regulatory body. A total of 11 samples of paracetamol tablets were collected from kiosks, one from each sub city of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia except Addis Ketema where Merkato (the biggest open market in Africa) is located in which two sampling sites were selected. The tablets were assessed for different quality parameters; weight variation, friability, diameter, thickness, assay, disintegration and dissolution using compendial methods. The weight variation, friability, diameter and thickness results were in accordance with the British Pharmacopeia for all samples. The samples also comply with the BP disintegration requirements except a sample from Bole sub city, Paracetamol EPHARM (2110743). The dissolution profiles of the two brands (Asmol and Kelvin) and a generic Paracetamol, EPHARM were evaluated and the results show that all the samples...
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Posted by admin on Aug 1, 2014 in |
The study was aimed to compare the effect of lipid lowering only through Atorvastatin and lipid lowering combined with HDL-C raise by adding Niacin on the lipid profile and renal outcomes in renovascular disease. It was prospective, analytical hospital based study. In diagnosed patients Atorvastatin (20mg) and/or in combination with Niacin Extended Release 500mg/day was prescribed randomly distributed in two groups of equal size (n=60) for four months. 50 healthy individuals were also added to get local reference values. Pre and post treatment lipid profile and Apo A-1 were measured and analyzed using t-test at alpha 0.05. There was no difference in the baseline values. Atorvastatin induced a significant reduction in total cholesterol (p<0.05) and LDL (p<0.05), while decrease in TG and vLDL levels remained insignificant. It also causes an increase in HDL (p<0.05) and Apo A1 that was non-significant. Atorvastatin combined with NER reduced cholesterol (p<0.05), TG (p<0.05), LDL (p<0.05) enhanced HDL (p<0.0001) and Apo A1 (p<0.01). The inter-group comparison of both treatments demonstrated relatively better outcomes following...
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