ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Anti-Diabetic Effect of Aqueous Ripe Fruit Extract of Borassus Aethiopum Mart. (Family: Arecaeae) in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a group of metabolic diseases characterized by hyperglycaemia resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. The chronic hyperglycaemia is associated with long-term damage, dysfunction, and failure of various organs, especially the eyes, kidneys, nerves, heart, and blood vessels and is among the top ten causes of death in the world. Borassus aethiopum Mart. (family Arecaceae) is a plant species of Borassus palm found widely across Africa. It serves an important source of food, providing edible fruits, and nuts, and also has a number of pharmacological uses that have been reported in some parts of the world. This study explored the phytochemical constituents and antidiabetic properties of ripe fruit extract of B. aethiopum in alloxanized experimental rats for 7 and 28 days. Normoglycaemic and alloxan-induced diabetic rats were treated with fruit extract of borassus (FEB) at doses of 100, 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight. Body weight, relative organ weight, haematological and biochemical parameters were measured in both acute and sub chronic studies. The preliminary phytochemical screening showed the presence of tannins, saponins, glycosides, triterpenoids and alkaloids. Fasting blood glucose was reduced significantly (p<0.05) in diabetic rats in acute study at a dose of 500 mg/kg body weight and at 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight in sub chronic studies. White blood cell count (WBC) and platelets (PLT) levels were significantly increased after treatment with 500 mg/kg body weight. Urea and Alanine Transaminase (ALT) levels also reduced significantly in both acute and sub chronic studies. The experiment supports the traditional use of B. athiopum as a medicinal plant in the treatment of diabetes mellitus.

Source: KNUST
Anti-inflammatory, Antipyretic, and Safety Assessment of Aqueous and Ethanolic Leaf Extracts of Pistia stratiotes Linn (Araceae)

Pistia stratiotes Linn has been reported to have therapeutic effect on arthritis, conjunctivis, and iritis. Thus, this study sought to determine the efficacy of aqueous and ethanolic leaf Pistia stratiotes leaf extracts on acute and chronic inflammatory disorders and to establish its safety for use. Carrageenan-induced paw edema, adjuvant and formalin-induced arthritis, endotoxin-induced uveitis and other mediator-induced inflammation using PGE2, serotonin, bradykinin, and histamine was induced in Sprague-Dawley rat. Antipyretic, acute and delayed and ocular toxicity assessment were also performed. The extracts significantly reduced (P ≤ 0.05-0.001) paw thickness in all the models of acute inflammation except the 300 mg/kg doses. In adjuvant-induced arthritis, the extracts, except the 300mg/kg ET PSE doses, caused significant (P ≤0.05–0.001) reduction in ipsilateral paw swelling, similar to the effects of methotrexate, dexamethasone, and diclofenac. White blood cell number, erythrocytes sedimentation rate and C- reactive proteins decreased significantly (P ≤0.05–0.01) in arthritic rats treated with the 30 mg/kg dose of aqueous extract and those treated with methotrexate. Histopathological assessment confirmed the efficacy of 30mg/kg dose of the aqueous extract in the management of arthritis in rats. There was significant reduction (P ≤ 0.05-0.01) in paw thickness of formalin-induced arthritic animals treated with both aqueous and ethanolic leaf extracts with effects comparable to the reference drugs. Lipopolysacharride-induced fever in rats was also significantly reduced (P ≤ 0.05-0.01) at all doses of the extract treated animals similar to that of acetaminophen. The extracts significantly reduced protein exudation, inflammatory cell infiltration and vasodilation of the iris vessels (P ≤ 0.05-0.01) associated with uveitis in endotoxin-induced uveitis in rats. Safety assessment showed that the aqueous extract caused reduction in the number of red blood cells (hemolysis and presence of urobilinogen in urine), proteinuria and microalbuminuria indicating possible acute kidney impairment. But the topical application of the extracts directly into the the conjunctival sac did not show any toxic effect on the ocular tissues.

Source: KNUST
Anti-microbial properties of yam rhizosphere micro-organisms and their potential use for controlling yam tuber rots

The main purpose of this study was to screen some yam rhizobacteria for antagonism towards some yam tuber rot fungi and to control yam tuber rot caused by Aspergillus niger with the most promising rhizobacterium. Twenty- four rhizobacterial isolates were screened using the zone of inhibition test. Six bacterial isolates associated with rotten yam tubers were also studied. Three-day- old nutrient broth (NB) cultures of promising rhizobacterial isolates and their cell-free extracts were further tested for fungitoxicity. Nine rhizobacterial isolates, representing 30 % of all bacterial isolates screened, exhibited appreciable antifungal activity. They were all Gram-negative, catalase positive, aerobic and endospore-forming rods, suggesting that they could be Bacillus spp. None of the bacterial isolates from rotten yam tubers was inhibitory. Broth cultures and culture filtrates of the nine rhizobacterial isolates were fungitoxic when they were individually mixed with spores of three fungi and assayed. Fungitoxicity of the sterilized culture filtrate of the most promising rhizobacterium, ESI, was compared with two synthetic fungicides, Topsin-M (70 WP) and Ridomil Plus. Topsin-M completely inhibited the test fungus, A. niger, at 25% concentration and above whereas Ridomil Plus and the rhizobacterial culture filtrate completely suppressed the fungus at 75% concentration and above. These results suggest that the rhizobacterial extract is very potent and could be exploited as a bio-fungicide. The rhizobacterium, ESI, also inhibited all 22 fungal species from different phyla assayed against it, indicating its broad-spectrum fungitoxicity. £81 was further tested for ability to suppress yarn tuber rot caused by A. niger. When the tuber was inoculated with only A. niger, an average of 6 g of tuber with a volume of 6 cm3 was rotted. These were significantly higher (P> 0.05) than the 2.96 g (vol., 2.25 cm3) and 2.25 g (vol., 2.25 cm3) rotten tuber tissues, respectively, associated with the ESI and Topsin-M treatments. ESI and Topsin-M were equally effective in suppressing yam tuber rot. The rhizobacterium, £81, was consistently isolated from inoculation points on tubers, indicating its competitive survival, colonization and persistence on the tuber. The current study has clearly shown that certain rhizobacteria of yarn possess antifungal properties and should be investigated further for possible use in the control of yam tuber rot Curvularia lunata was identified in the current study as a new yam rot pathogen in Ghana.

Source: KNUST
Anti-nociceptive effects of an aqueous extract of the aerial parts of phyllanthus muellerianus (kuntze) exell. And its main constituent, geraniin, in rodents

Phyllanthus muellerianus has been used in folk medicine for several ailments including toothache, dysmenorrhea and general body pains. However, there is little scientific data supporting its use in pain management. This study therefore evaluated the antinociceptive potential and the acute toxicological profile of the aqueous extract of the aerial parts of Phyllanthus muellerianus (PME) as well as its dominant secondary metabolite, geraniin. Acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing and formalin–induced nociception tests were used to assess the anti-nociceptive effects of PME and geraniin. The involvement of the opioidergic, adrenergic, muscarinic, adenosinergic, serotonergic and nitric oxide pathways in anti-nociception were evaluated in vivo by selective antagonism of these pathways in ICR mice. An isobolographic analysis was performed using geraniin and the conventional analgesics; morphine and diclofenac. The formalin test was used to determine whether tolerance develops to the anti-nociceptive activity of PME and geraniin after chronic administration. The effect of the agents on naloxoneprecipitated morphine withdrawal signs was also evaluated. The acute toxicological profile of the extract was also assessed after both single and multiple administrations in mice and rats respectively. Oral administration of PME (30, 100, 300 mg kg-1) and geraniin (3, 10, 30 mg kg-1) produced significant anti-nociceptive effects in all models used. The anti-nociceptive effects of both the extract and geraniin were not antagonized by all the antagonists except naloxone which reversed the anti-nociceptive effects of only geraniin. Also, isobolographic analysis of geraniin/morphine as well as geraniin/diclofenac combinations indicated synergistic effects. PME and geraniin did not produce any tolerant effects. PME and geraniin did not induce withdrawal signs and significantly produced a reduction in the number of jumps of morphine dependent mice. In the toxicological study, acute administration of high doses of the extract did not produce any lethality with the Lethal Dose 50 (LD50) of PME estimated to be above 5000 mg kg-1. There were also no significant differences found in almost all of the hematological and serum biochemical parameters as well as organ/body weight ratio. In conclusion, the aqueous extract of the aerial parts of P. muellerianus and geraniin possess anti-nociceptive effects justifying the use of the plant in traditional use as an analgesic

Source: KNUST
Anti-Nociceptive and Central Nervous System Effects of the Stem Bark Extracts of Trichilia Monadelpha (Thonn.) JJ De Wilde (meliaceae)

Trichilia monadelpha (Thonn.) JJ de Wilde (fam. Maliaceae) is used in Ghanaian and other African traditional medicine for the treatment of various painful and inflammatory conditions. This study therefore examined the anti-nociceptive and central effects of the petroleum ether, ethyl acetate and hydroalcoholic extracts of the stem bark of Trichilia monadelpha in various animal models...

Source: KNUST
Anti-Oedemic, Antipyretic and Antinociceptive effects of the Ethanol root extract of Albizia Zygia (dc.) j.f. macbr (Leguminosae-Mimosoideae)

Medications for inflammation, pain and fever are the most frequently patronized over-the-counter drugs. Research into these medicines is nevertheless unending, due to the need for newer improved alternatives. Albizia zygia (DC.) J.F. Macbr is such an alternative; it is used traditionally in pain and fever therapy. The plant is widespread in forest zones of West and East Africa, and Asia. In this study, the actions of the ethanol extract of the roots of Albizia zygia (AZE) on inflammation (oedema and oxidative imbalance), fever and pain were investigated. Animal models of acute oral toxicity, acute inflammation, pyrexia and nociception were employed. The primary phytochemical assay of AZE disclosed the constituents: saponins, tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids and glycosides. There was no death recorded after acute oral toxicity studies conducted; LD50 of AZE was estimated to be greater than 5000 mg/kg. AZE (30-300 mg/kg; p.o.) and diclofenac administrations in the prophylactic and therapeutic protocols of carrageenan-induced pedal oedema significantly attenuated pedal swelling in the ipsilateral paw by the highest doses [AZE: 57.65±6.70 % (pre-emptive) and 55.41±7.37 % (curative); Diclofenac: 77.08±3.80 % (pre-emptive) and 75.87±4.00 % (curative)]. Evaluation of the extract in Baker’s yeast-induced pyrexia displayed significant inhibition of pyrexia after 4 h of sustained pyrexia. Maximal attenuation of antipyrexia was achieved by AZE at dose 300 mg/kg (F4, 24=18.39; P<0.0001) and highest dose of paracetamol (F4, 25=15.73; P<0.0001). In the in vivo assay of antioxidant activity, pre-treatment of the rats with AZE significantly elevated the endogenous expressions of SOD, CAT and GSH at the inflamed site. AZE also reduced the formation of MDA and the pro-inflammatory enzyme MPO. AZE (F3, 14=9.27; P=0.0012) and morphine (F3, 15=12.91; P=0.0002) significantly augmented the time of reaction to heat (tail immersion test). Mechanical hyperalgesia, initiated with the phlogistic agent carrageenan, was attenuated by AZE (F3, 16=11.90; P=0.0002), and the standards diclofenac (F3, 16=12.52; P=0.0002) and morphine (F3, 16=39.51; P<0.0001). The total number of writhes were maximally inhibited by AZE (85.85±3.96 %) and diclofenac (99.65±0.35 %) at their highest doses. AZE ameliorated formalin-induced nociception in the time-dependent neurogenic and inflammatory phases. Significant analgesic effect of AZE was antagonised by atropine and naloxone pre-administration suggesting that AZE possibly acts via the muscarinic and opioidergic signalling pathways. No negative neurological deficits were observed in the rotarod test, thus, confirming the true analgesic effect of AZE. In all, these results confirm the propensity of the ethanol extract of Albizia zygia in ameliorating oedema, oxidative imbalance, pain and pyrexia.

Source: KNUST
Anti-parasitic activities of some selected medicinal plants and marine algae in Ghana.

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a group of major chronic conditions that affects people in the poor regions of sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean. Current medications have untoward side effects and the microorganisms responsible for these NTDs have grown resistant to some of these medicines. There is the need to get new medicines for the treatment of NTDs. Ghana as a country is biodiversitically rich in medicinal plants and marine flora. In this study, extracts, fractions of extracts and isolated compounds of some plants and marine algae (U. fasciata, S. vulgare and H. dentata) were screened against Giardia lamblia, Entamoeba histolytica, Trypanosoma brucei brucei, Schistosoma mansoni and Naegleria fowleri: N. fowleri, G. lamblia and E. histolytica were screened using the CellTitre Glo luminescent cell viability assay while T. b. brucei and Schistosoma mansoni (juvenile and adult stages) were, respectively screened using the SYBR-Green assay and phenotypic observation of physical changes of the worms. The ethanol extracts of the barks of A. glaberrima and M. angolensis, pet ether fraction of M. nobilis bark and ethyl acetate fraction of E. ivorense bark exhibited IC50s ranging between 13.76 and 44.25 μg/mL against G. lamblia. For N. fowleri, ethanol bark extract of A. glaberrima had IC50 of 38.70 μg/mL. The acetone and ethyl acetate fractions of the bark of E. ivorense, the aqueous leaf extract of P. muellerianus and the pet ether fraction of M. nobilis exhibited activity against T. b. brucei (IC50: 10.53 - 25.60 μg/mL). The ethyl acetate and acetone fractions of E. ivorense caused rounding of the schistosomulae at concentrations of 0.31 and 0.63 μg/mL respectively, whiles the adult worms were killed at 1.25 μg/mL (both fractions) within 48 h. Among the algae studied, only U. fasciata showed inhibitory activity against G. lamblia (IC50 of 35.86 μg/mL). None of the plant extracts and fractions exhibited activity against E. histolytica. However, xylopic acid and geraniin inhibited E. histolytica with IC50s of 4.80 and 34.71 μg/mL iv respectively. Xylopic acid also exhibited anti-parasitic activity against G. lamblia (IC50 of 11.45), T. b. brucei (IC50 of 13.42) and N. fowleri (IC50 of 16.06 μg/mL). Geraniin as well showed inhibitory activity against T. b. brucei (IC50 of 6. 41 μg/mL). Phytochemical screening of the algae revealed the presence of saponins, tannins and alkaloids in all the three species. H. dentata and S. vulgare also possessed glycosides and flavonoids while sterols were present in H. dentata and U. fasciata. The plant extracts and compounds exhibited activity against the parasites tested and hence the use of these medicinal plants in the treatment of the studied parasitic infections may be justified.

Source: KNUST
Antiasthmatic and other Pharmacological studies on an aqueous extract from Parquetina Nigrescens (Periplocaceae)

Anti-asthmatic and other pharmacological studies have been carried out on the aqueous extract of Parquetina nigrescens, an anti-asthmatic traditional medical remedy. The extract dose-dependently reduced the contractile effects of histamine and carbachol on the guinea-pig tracheal chain preparation. However, Parquetina induced dose related contractions of isolated guinea-pig ileum (dose ranging 0.024-1 .53 6mg/mI). The contractions were not affected by hexamethonium or mepyramine, but were inhibited by atropine, which implies it was acting on muscarinic receptors, in the ileal preparation. The contractions were also partially abolished in the presence of guinea-pig serum. On the conscious guinea pig, the extract (400 and 800mg/kg) had a protective effect on histamine and antigen-induced broncho spasm comparable to the standard drug, astemizole (0.143mg/kg). The extract in rats, caused inhibition of the increase in the paw size (acute inflammation) induced by subplantar injection of carrageenan suspension. The action of extract was also studied on skeletal muscle preparations of toad rectus abdominis muscle and day old chicks. Farquetina produced neuromuscular blockade of depolarising type; there was also an indication of a direct effect on muscle fibres of the toad rectus abdominis muscle. The LD50 in rats could not be determined after acute administration of 3200mg/kg (LD50> 3200mg/kg). The toxic potential of extract was also assessed by assaying serum activities of γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine amin1otransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). Serum bilirubin and urea were also determined. The effect of extract on these parameters is not indicative of damage due to internal organs. This was supported by the histopathological studies which did not show any pathological change in them. Haematological studies showed a slight reduction in haemoglobin concentration as well as red blood cell and white blood cell counts.

Source: KNUST
Antibacterial Activity of Phyllanthusamarus (Schumand Thonn) Extract against Salmonella Typhicausative Agent Of Typhoid Fever

The study was conducted to assess the antibacterial activity of Phyllanthus amarus (Schum and Thonn) extract against Salmonella typhicausative agent of typhoid fever at the laboratories of the Departments of Chemistry and Theoretical and Applied Biology of the College of Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi. The objectives were to determine the highest yield of crude extract of P. amarus using different proportions of water to ethanol and to determine the sensitivity of Salmonella typhito these. Three different extraction procedures were carried out. In the first procedure, seven extraction setups each containing different proportions of the two extract (water and ethanol) were used with 10g of the plant sample. In the second procedure, eight setups were used for the two solvents. Ten grams of both fresh and dry plant sample were extracted in two different 200ml of water and in another two different 200ml of water; 20g of both fresh and dry plant sample were again extracted. The same procedure was repeated using ethanol as the solvent. In the third procedure, 10g each of fresh plant sample were boiled in 100ml and 200ml of water for 30 minutes. A sensitivity test to determine the zones of inhibition for the various plant extracts was done on Salmonella typhiisolated from human. Results from the crude yield of P. amarususing water only had the highest crude yield of 2.57g, followed by ethanol only which was 2.52g. The sensitivity studies conducted on the fresh P. amarus indicated that aqueous extract of P. amarus inhibited S. typhito a zone of 5.00mm in 10g/200ml and 7.17mm in 20g/200ml. Ethanol extract also recorded an inhibition zone of 2.67mm and 5.33mm in 10g/200ml and 20g/200ml respectively. Again, sensitivity studies using dry P. amarus samples showed that the aqueous extracts recorded a zone of inhibition of 7.33mm in 10g/200ml and 13.50mm in 20g/200ml. Also ethanol extracts also recorded an inhibition zone of 6.83mm in 10g/200ml and 10.50mm in 20g/200ml. Significant differences were observed among the extracts and the control in both 10g/200ml and 20g/200ml concentrations (P<0.05). Aqueous and ethanol extracts of P. amarus proved inhibitory to S. typhi. .

Source: KNUST
Antibiotic Resistance Patterns of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa and Escherichia Coli Isolates from Three Hospitals In Kumasi

Nosocomial infections are worrying situations in health care delivery across the world. Every year, millions of people report of contracting one form of nosocomial infections which are difficult to treat due to the level of antibiotic resistance exhibited by these microorganisms. In this study, a total of 600 samples including swabs of door handles, benches, beds, and floors, and waste water from drainages were collected from Tafo, Kumasi-South, and Suntreso Hospitals all in the Kumasi Metropolis between January and June, 2010 and cultured. By morphological and biochemical reactions, 57 strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and 97 strains of Escherichia coli were isolated, identified and tested for their antibiotic sensitivities using the Kirby-Bauer agar disc diffusion assay against ampicillin (10μg), gentamicin (10μg), ceftriaxone (30μg), ciprofloxazole (5μg), and co-trimoxazole (25μg) on Mueller-Hinton agar. E. coli was present in all the samples while P. aeruginosa was mainly present in samples from the floor, beds, drainages and door handles. All the P. aeruginosa isolates and about 90% of the E. coli isolates were resistant to ampicillin. For gentamicin, 46% of the P. aeruginosa isolates exhibited resistance while 21% and 33% showed intermediate and sensitive responses respectively. For ciprofloxacin, 36.84% of these isolates were resistant while equal proportions (31.58%) exhibited intermediate and sensitive responses. About 40% of the P. aeruginosa isolates also showed intermediate response to ceftriaxone while 39% and 21% were respectively resistant and sensitive. For gentamicin, many of the resistant P. aeruginosa isolates (34.6%) were obtained from door handle samples while majority of the sensitive isolates (47.4%) came from drainage samples. In the case of ceftriaxone, high proportions of drainage isolates were resistant (45.5%). Almost equal proportions of the drainage sample isolates recorded the various activities to ciprofloxacin: 38.9% sensitive, 38.1% resistant and 33.3% intermediate isolates. The study has also shown that out of 52 E. coli isolates from hospital beddings, 53.85% were resistant to gentamicin, 25% to ceftriaxone and 61.5% to ciprofloxacin. Similarly, out of 21 P. aeruginosa isolates from drainage samples, 28.57% were resistant to gentamicin, 47.62% to ceftriaxone and 28.57% to ciprofloxacin. Out of 97 E. coli isolates, 78(80.41%) were resistant to at least three different classes of antibiotics while 32(56.14%) out of 57 P. aeruginosa isolates were also resistant to at least three different classes of the antibiotics. vii This study has therefore highlighted the presence of antibiotic resistant pathogens in our hospital environments including more especially, hospital beddings. It has also provided data on these resistant pathogens which will be useful in health care policy planning in Ghana and the sub-region at large.

Source: KNUST