ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Antidiabetic activity of aqueous stem bark extract of Annickia polycarpa in alloxan-induced diabetic mice

Background and aim: There is a growing need to develop new drugs for type II diabetes mellitus (DM) from plant sources due to the high cost and adverse side effects of current drug therapies. To this end, the antidiabetic activity of aqueous stem-bark extract of A. polycarpa (APE) in alloxan-induced diabetic ICR mice was investigated. Experimental procedure: The effect of APE (20, 100 and 500 mg/kg), glibenclamide and metformin as positive controls, were determined over 4 weeks on fasting blood glucose (FBG). An oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was also conducted. The effects of these treatments on the morphology of the pancreas were assessed. In addition, phytochemical constituents and antioxidant properties of APE were determined. Results and conclusion: APE, like glibenclamide and metformin, showed significant hypoglycaemic effect. The OGTT supported the hypoglycaemic effect. The destroyed pancreatic beta-cells in diabetic control mice were restored to normal by APE or drug treatment. APE showed antioxidant activity by scavenging DPPH free radicals; this may be due to the presence of phenolic compounds, particularly flavonoids. Thus, APE may act by restoring pancreatic beta-cell integrity through mopping of reactive oxygen species (ROS) associated with the diabetic state, and thereby improving pancreatic function and consequently, the lowering of FBG levels. These findings provide ample evidence to validate the traditional use of A. polycarpa in the management of DM.

Source: UG
Antidiabetic activity of Croton klozchianus in rats and direct stimulation of insulin secretion in-vitro

Croton klozchianus is a relatively uninvestigated species with no pharmacological or phytochemical reports available, although it has been used clinically by Ayurvedic physicians to treat diabetes. We have investigated this use by studying the insulin secretion and antidiabetic activity of C. klozchianus. Treatment of diabetic rats with aerial parts of C. klozchianus extract (CK, 100 and 300 mg kg(-1) body weight) for three weeks showed significant reduction in blood glucose (45.8% after 14 days for 300 mg kg(-1)). C. klozchianus extract caused a significant concentration-dependent increase in insulin secretion (8-fold at 2 mg mL(-1) for cells challenged with 20 mM glucose) from MIN6 cells grown as monolayers and as pseudoislets, indicating that the antidiabetic activity may have been as a result of increased insulin secretion. It also had a role on the lipid profile of the rats by causing reduction in cholesterol and triglycerides and increasing high density lipoprotein significantly. The results obtained gave some scientific support to the traditional use of the plant as a treatment for diabetes

Source: UG
The antidiabetic activity of the herbal preparation ADD-199 in mice: A comparative study with two oral hypoglycaemic drugs

The Clinical Pathology Department conducts research that contributes to intervention strategies and safeguards of public health in Ghana. In view of this the Department carries out research into plant medicine development, drug interactions and regulation, bio-monitoring and prevention of poisoning from environmental toxicants (e.g. mycotoxins specifically aflatoxins and toxic heavy metals). The Department also provides specialized laboratory services in support of public health programmes.

Source: UG
Antigenicity and immune correlate assessment of seven Plasmodium falciparum antigens in a longitudinal infant cohort from northern Ghana

The Department of Immunology conducts research in the field of immunology of infectious and non-infectious diseases. The Department has the overall goal of contributing knowledge to better diagnosis, management, control and prevention of infectious and non-infectious diseases in Ghana and worldwide. This is consistent with the overall strategy of the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) and in line with the strategy of the College of Health Sciences of the University of Ghana.

Source: UG
Antiinflammatory effects of cordia myxa fruit on experimentally induced colitis in rats

Products of certain species of Cordia are reported to have antiinflammatory properties. In the present study we examined the effects of Cordia myxa fruit on experimentally induced colitis in rats. Colitis was induced by intrarectal administration of 4% acetic acid. Colitic, normal, and corresponding control animals were included. Body weight was recorded daily. All the animals were sacrificed 4 days after the fruit treatment. Colitis was monitored histologically and by activity of myeloperoxidase. Glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, as well as total antioxidant status and concentrations of zinc, copper, manganese, selenium, and iron were assayed in plasma, liver, and colon using standard methods. Histology of the colon of colitic rats showed acute colitis that was confirmed by a significant increase in the myeloperoxidase activity. Colitis was associated with significant decreases in the tissue activities of glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase and lower concentrations of trace elements. Histologic examination and myeloperoxidase activity showed that the fruit treatment reversed the above findings in the inflamed colon, and in liver and plasma of colitic rats. The present results suggest that the observed antiinflammatory effect of the Cordia myxa may be attributed partly to its antioxidant property and to restoration of the levels of trace elements in the inflamed colon, liver, and plasma. © Elsevier Science Inc. 2001.

Source: UG
Antileishmanial and cytotoxic activities of a new limonoid and a new phenyl alkene from the stem bark of Trichilia gilgiana (Meliaceae)

The Department of Parasitology conducts research into parasitic diseases of public health importance with the overall goal of reducing their transmission and the heavy disease burden that they impose on affected populations. The Department maintains focus on parasitic diseases in general. These include major diseases such as malaria, and others listed under the Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) control initiative such as, lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis, soil-transmitted helminthiasis, trypanosomiasis and leishmaniasis.

Source: UG
Antimalarial activity of Malaria Box Compounds against Plasmodium falciparum clinical isolates

Malaria remains a major cause of childhood deaths in resource-limited settings. In the absence of an effective vaccine, drugs and other interventions have played very significant roles in combating the scourge of malaria. The recent reports of resistance to artemisinin necessitate the need for new antimalarial drugs with novel mechanisms of action. Towards the development of new, affordable and easily accessible antimalarial drugs for endemic regions, the Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) assembled a total of 400 active antimalarial compounds called the Malaria Box. The potency and the efficacy of the Malaria Box Compounds have been determined mainly using laboratory strains of P. falciparum. This study investigated the potency of twenty compounds from the Malaria Box against four clinical isolates from Ghana, using optimized in vitro growth inhibitory assays. Seven out of the 20 compounds screened had 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) below 500 nM. The most active among the selected compounds was MMV006087 (average IC50 of 30.79 nM). Variations in the potency of the Malaria Box Compounds were observed between P. falciparum clinical isolates and Dd2 strain. We also investigated the sensitivity of the clinical isolates to chloroquine and artesunate. The N093 clinical isolate was found to be resistant to chloroquine but showed high sensitivity to artesunate. The results underscore the importance of including clinical isolates with different drug-resistant backgrounds, in addition to laboratory strains, in validating potential compounds during antimalarial compound screening programs. © 2017 The Authors

Source: UG
Antimalarial drug use among caregivers in Ghana.

Background: Chloroquine remains the first line antimalarial drug in Ghana. However, the emergence of Plasmodium falciparum resistance to chloroquine is a major obstacle to the national control strategy of case management. This study provides information on some of the reasons underlying chloroquine treatment failure in the country. Methodology: Household surveys, using multi-stage sampling , were conducted in 2 sentinel districts, Wassa West and Kassena Nankana, established to monitor chloroquine resistance in the country. Five hundred caregivers were interviewed in each district to determine patterns of antimalarial drug use among caregivers of children under 10 years. Inventory on home-kept drugs was conducted. Results: Two hundred and four households in the Wassa West district kept a cumulative total of 248 drugs, whereas 228 households in the Kassena Nankana district kept a cumulative total of 410 drugs. One hundred and ninety-nine (80.2%) of the drugs kept in the Wassa West district and 181 (44.2%) of drugs kept in the Kassena Nankana district were antimalarials. The most commonly kept antimalarial drug in homes was chloroquine (88% and 96% in the Wassa West and Kassena Nankana districts respectively). Reasons given for keeping antimalarials were mainly “leftover after previous treatment”. Caregivers’ descriptions of the amount of chloroquine given to family members suspected to have malaria within the 2-week period preceding the survey were mostly inappropriate in the 2 districts. However, the proportion of appropriateness of doses was significantly lower in the Wassa West district (11.1% vs 36.4%; p<0.0001). Conclusions: The significantly higher proportion of inappropriateness of chloroquine use in the Wassa West district could be a factor influencing the lower sensitivity of Plasmodium falciparum to chloroquine in the district compared to the Kassena Nankana district.

Source: UG
An antimalarial neem leaf extract has both schizonticidal and gametocytocidal activities

A crude acetone/water (50/50) extract of neem leaves (IRAB) was evaluated for activity against the asexual (trophozoites/schizonts) and the sexual (gametocytes) forms of the malarial parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, in vitro. In separate 72 hour cultures of both asexual parasites and mature gametocytes treated with IRAB (0.5 μg/mL), parasite numbers were less than 50% of the numbers in control cultures, which had 8.0% and 8.5% parasitemia, respectively. In cultures containing 2.5 μg/mL, asexual parasites and mature and immature gametocytes were reduced to 0.1%, 0.2%, and 0% parasitemia, respectively. There were no parasites in the cultures containing 5.0 μg/mL. This extract, if found safe, may provide materials for development of new antimalarial drugs that may be useful both in treatment of malaria as well as the control of its transmission through gametocytes. © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.

Source: UG
Antimicrobial and in silico studies of the triterpenoids of Dichapetalum albidum

Here we report a new polyhydroxylated triterpene, 2β,6β,21α-trihydroxyfriedelan-3-one (4) iso lated from the root and stem bark of Dichapetalum albidum A. Chev (Dichapetalaceae), along with six known triterpenoids (1–3, 5, 6, 8), sitosterol-3β-O-D-glucopyranoside (9), a dipeptide (7), and a tyramine derivative of coumaric acid (10). Friedelan-3-one (2) showed an antimicrobial activity (IC50) of 11.40 μg/mL against Bacillus cereus, while friedelan-3α-ol (1) gave an IC50 of 13.07 μg/ mL against Staphylococcus aureus with ampicillin reference standard of 19.52 μg/mL and 0.30 μg/ mL respectively. 3β-Acetyl tormentic acid (5) showed an IC50 of 12.50 μg/mL against Trypano soma brucei brucei and sitosterol-3β-O-D-glucopyranoside (9) showed an IC50 of 5.06 μg/mL against Leishmania donovani with respective reference standards of IC50 5.02 μg/mL for suramin and IC50 0.27 μg/mL for amphotericin B. Molecular docking of the isolated compounds on the enzyme glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) suggested 3β-acetyl tormentic acid (5) and sitosterol-3β-O-D-glucopyranoside (9) as plausible inhibitors of the enzyme in accordance with the experimental biological results observed.

Source: UG
Antimicrobial interactions of microbial species involved in the fermentation of cassava dough into agbelima with particular reference to the inhibitory effect of lactic acid bacteria on enteric pathogens

Lactic acid bacteria, Bacillus species and yeasts are involved in the fermentation of cassava dough into agbelima. Microbial interactions within and between these groups of microorganisms were investigated in addition to the survival of five enteric pathogens inoculated into agbelima under various conditions. Nine out of 10 cultures of lactic acid bacteria isolated at the end of agbelima fermentation showed inhibitory effect against 10 cultures of lactic acid bacteria isolated at the start of fermentation. Only 3 out of 10 isolates of Bacillus subtilis were inhibited by 10 isolates of lactic acid bacteria tested. No interactions were observed between yeasts and the lactic acid bacteria, whereas three of the Bacillus isolates showed inhibitory effects against the yeasts. Twelve isolates of Lactobacillus plantarum tested inhibited the growth of an isolate each of Lactobacillus fermentum and Lactobacillus brevis but none tested positive for bacteriocin production. The antimicrobial effect of the lactic acid bacteria was attributed to acid production. In fermenting cassava dough, enteric pathogens survived to different extents depending on pH and their sensitivity to acids. Vibrio cholerae C-230, Salmonella typhimurium 9 and Salmonella enteritidis 226 were not detectable in 10 g of sample after 4 h when inoculated into the 48-h fermented product, agbelima, whereas Shigella dysenteriae 2357T and Escherichia coli D2188 were detectable up to 8 h in the product. © 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Source: UG
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and molecular characterization of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in Ghana, 2012-2015

The Bacteriology Department aims to improve the quality of life first for Ghanaians and the world at large by conducting research into bacterial diseases of public health importance to Ghana and globally. In addition to working on enteric pathogens and sexually transmitted diseases, the department’s current main focus is on the two most important mycobacterial diseases of public health importance to Ghana, namely Buruli ulcer (BU) and tuberculosis (TB).

Source: UG
Antimicrobial Resistance Levels of Non-Tuberculous Bacteria Isolates from Sputum of TB Patients in Ghana.

The Bacteriology Department aims to improve the quality of life first for Ghanaians and the world at large by conducting research into bacterial diseases of public health importance to Ghana and globally. In addition to working on enteric pathogens and sexually transmitted diseases, the department’s current main focus is on the two most important mycobacterial diseases of public health importance to Ghana, namely Buruli ulcer (BU) and tuberculosis (TB).

Source: UG
Antimicrobial Resistance: Is Health Technology Assessment Part of the Solution or Part of the Problem?

Antimicrobial resistance is a serious challenge to the success and sustainability of our healthcare systems. There has been increasing policy attention given to antimicrobial resistance in the last few years, and increased amounts of funding have been channeled into funding for research and development of antimicrobial agents. Nevertheless, manufacturers doubt whether there will be a market for new antimicrobial technologies sufficient to enable them to recoup their investment. Health technology assessment (HTA) has a critical role in creating confidence that if valuable technologies can be developed they will be reimbursed at a level that captures their true value. We identify 3 deficiencies of current HTA processes for appraising antimicrobial agents: a methods-centric approach rather than problem-centric approach for dealing with new challenges, a lack of tools for thinking about changing patterns of infection, and the absence of an approach to epidemio logical risks. We argue that, to play their role more effectively, HTA agencies need to broaden their methodological tool kit, design and communicate their analysis to a wider set of users, and incorporate long-term policy goals, such as containing resistance, as part of their evaluation criteria alongside immediate health gains.

Source: UG
Antimicrobial susceptibility of salmonella typhi and staphylococcus aureus isolates and the effect of some media on susceptibility testing results

The Bacteriology Department aims to improve the quality of life first for Ghanaians and the world at large by conducting research into bacterial diseases of public health importance to Ghana and globally. In addition to working on enteric pathogens and sexually transmitted diseases, the department’s current main focus is on the two most important mycobacterial diseases of public health importance to Ghana, namely Buruli ulcer (BU) and tuberculosis (TB).

Source: UG
Antimicrobial use of patients with sexually transmitted infection symptoms prior to presentation at five health facilities in Southern Ghana

The Department of Parasitology conducts research into parasitic diseases of public health importance with the overall goal of reducing their transmission and the heavy disease burden that they impose on affected populations. The Department maintains focus on parasitic diseases in general. These include major diseases such as malaria, and others listed under the Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) control initiative such as, lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis, soil-transmitted helminthiasis, trypanosomiasis and leishmaniasis.

Source: UG
Antimycobacterial and cytotoxic activity of selected medicinal plant extracts

The Clinical Pathology Department conducts research that contributes to intervention strategies and safeguards of public health in Ghana. In view of this the Department carries out research into plant medicine development, drug interactions and regulation, bio-monitoring and prevention of poisoning from environmental toxicants (e.g. mycotoxins specifically aflatoxins and toxic heavy metals). The Department also provides specialized laboratory services in support of public health programmes.

Source: UG
Antinociceptive and antioxidant activity of an aqueous root bark extract of Daniellia oliveri (Rolfe) Hutch. &amp; Dalziel (Fam: Leguminosae [Fabaceae]) in ICR mice

Daniellia oliveri stem bark is used traditionally by the people of Northern Ghana to manage pain. This study therefore sought to validate the antinociceptive property of an aqueous stem bark extract of Daniellia oliveri (DOE) using murine hot plate and paw pressure pain models as well as its antioxidant property. Groups of ICR mice were pre-treated with DOE (250, 500, 1000 or 2000 mg kg-1 , p.o), morphine (3 mg kg-1 , i.p), diclofenac (3 mg kg-1 , i.p) or normal saline (2 ml/kg) respectively for 0.5 - 1 h, prior to pain induction. Pain latency period were measured at 0.5 h intervals for 1.5 h. To establish the possible mode of analgesic activity, nociceptive activity of DOE was antagonized by naloxone (2 mg kg-1), glibenclamide (8mg kg-1), and theophylline (5mg kg1). The extract was screened for antioxidant property by its effect on DPPH radical scavenging activity. DOE in both pain models produced significant (P ≤ 0.001) dose and time - dependent antinociceptive effect comparable to morphine, and diclofenac. The antinociceptive effect of DOE was significantly (P ≤ 0.001) attenuated by naloxone, glibenclamide, and theophylline. DOE caused a concentration dependent percentage increase in DPPH radical scavenging activity. The aqueous stem bark extract of Daniellia oliveri therefore has antinociceptive and antioxidant effect with antinoception possibly mediated through activation of ATP-sensitive potassium channels, as well as opioidergic and adenosinergic receptor pathways. © 2013 Alex Boye et al.

Source: UG
Antioxidant activities of sunflower protein hydrolysates treated with dual‐frequency ultrasonic: Optimization study

In this study, ultrasound pretreatments of sunflower-meal protein (SMP) to yield high antioxidant capacity from its hydrolysates by response surface methodology were optimized. Optimization of experimental conditions was achieved to examine the impact of temperature, solvent-solid ratio and sonication time on antioxidant capacities of SMP hydrolysates with Box–Behnken's design. Quadratic models of DPPH-scavenging activity (DPPHSA), hydroxyl-radical scavenging activity (HRSA), and Cu 2+ and Fe 2+ chelating activity (Cu 2+ -CA and Fe 2+ -CA) were developed, and their coefficients observed from multiple-regression analysis. ANOVA indicated that time was highly significant (p &lt;.01) on all experimental responses. The best experimental point of DPPHSA, HRSA, Cu 2+ -CA, and Fe 2+ -CA was accessed at 42.50°C, 18.16 mL/g and 26.52 min and the predicted data for these responses were 52.09, 70.05, 50.85, and 43.35%, respectively. Outcome of verification experiment was reliable with predicted data for all responses. Additionally, DPPHSA, HRSA, Cu 2+ -CA, and Fe 2+ -CA of pretreated hydrolysate improved (p &lt;.05) by 17.41, 20.00, 14.72, and 26.41%, respectively over nonsonicated hydrolysate. Amino acid content and hydrophobicity of SMP hydrolysate at the optimum sonication condition were analyzed. Analyses indicated that ultrasonication could facilitate the releasing/unfolding of hydrophobic amino acids from SMP over nonsonicated samples during enzymolysis with high antioxidative capacity. Practical applications: Sonication pretreatment has been presented to have notable impacts on the antioxidant's capacities of protein hydrolysates. Sunflower-meal protein is an abundant and low-cost residue of oil industries, and is considered a potential bioactive peptides source, such as antioxidants. In this research, sonication pretreatment has been illustrated to be an effectual technique for the production of hydrolysates with antioxidant capacity from SMP. So, optimization of ultrasonication conditions is vital to examine the antioxidant capacities in SMP hydrolysates, which could be applied in large-scale food system and future pharmaceutical activity research. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Source: UG
Antioxidant activity of solvent fractions of taraxacum officinale (dandelion) leaves

Methanolic crude extract of dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) leaves was fractionated in solvents and antioxidant activity evaluated. The ethyl acetate and butanol fractions showed high antioxidant activities in all the assays. Methylene chloride and water fractions demonstrated moderate activity, whereas the hexane fraction had relatively lower activity. Copyright © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Source: UG
Antioxidant and Anticancer Potential of Natural Cocoa Extract

The Clinical Pathology Department conducts research that contributes to intervention strategies and safeguards of public health in Ghana. In view of this the Department carries out research into plant medicine development, drug interactions and regulation, bio-monitoring and prevention of poisoning from environmental toxicants (e.g. mycotoxins specifically aflatoxins and toxic heavy metals). The Department also provides specialized laboratory services in support of public health programmes.

Source: UG