Repurposing Dihydroartemisinin-Piperaquine-Doxycycline as an Antimalarial Drug: A Study in Plasmodium berghei-Infected Mice

Artemisinin-based combination (ACT) therapy is the mainstay for malaria treatment. However, Plasmodium parasite with decreased susceptibility to ACT has emerged. Hence, it is imperative to discover new drugs or explore new drug combinations that can decrease Plasmodium parasite resistance. This study assessed the antiplasmodial activity of dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine- doxycycline (D-P-DX) on mice infected with Plasmodium berghei. Swiss albino mice (25-30g) of both sexes inoculated with 1x107 Plasmodium berghei intraperitoneally were used. The mice were randomly grouped and orally treated with DX (2.2 mg/kg), D-P (1.71/13.7 mg/kg) and D-P-DX daily in curative, suppressive and prophylactic studies. The negative and the positive controls were treated daily with normal saline (0.2mL) and chloroquine (CQ) (10mg/kg), respectively. After treatment, blood samples were assessed for percentage parasitemia, hematological and lipid parameters. Also, the mice were observed for mean survival time. D-P, DX, and D-P-DX produced significant decreases in percentage parasitemia at p<0.05, p<0.01 and p<0.001, respectively when compared to negative control. In the curative study, D-P, DX, and D-P-DX produced 64.9%, 71.1%, and 93.6% parasitemia inhibitions when compared to 70.0% inhibition produced by CQ. Plasmodium berghei -induced alterations in packed cell volume, white blood cells, red blood cells, hemoglobin, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglyceride levels were significantly restored by DX (p<0.05) and D-P (p<0.01) and D-P-DX (p<0.001) when compared to the negative control. D-P-DX showed significant antiplasmodial activity against Plasmodium berghei- infected mice. It may be clinically useful for the treatment of malaria.

Antibacterial Screening of Bacterial Isolates Associated with Mangrove Soil from the Ngurah Rai Mangrove Forest Bali

In this study we reported cultivation of bacteria associated with mangrove soil from the Ngurah Rai Mangrove Forest, Bali. Mangrove soil samples were serially diluted using sterile artificial seawater, spread onto Starch Casein M agar and incubated at 28oC for 28 days. Cultivation of mangrove soil samples yielded 165 bacterial colonies with 68 isolates were selected and purified based on different morphology. Of these 68 isolates, 22 isolates displayed antibacterial activities ranging from weak to strong inhibition against at least one of four bacterial indicators namely Staphyloccocus aureus, Streptococus mutans, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae using perpendicular streak method. Overall, 19 out of 22 bacteria isolates displayed weak antibacterial potential and two isolates exhibited moderate antibacterial activity. The isolate SA4 was the only bacterium with strong antibacterial potential with measured clear distance ≥ 10 mm against the four bacterial isolates. Sequence analysis based on 16S rRNA gene fragment assigned the isolate SA4 as Bacillus subtilis strain BIL/BS-168. Overall, this study confirmed the untapped potential of antibacterial activities from bacteria associated with mangrove soil.

Stability Analysis of Mathematical Modeling of Interaction between Target Cells and COVID-19 Infected Cells

The stability analysis in this mathematical model was related to the infection of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19). In this mathematical model there were two balance points, namely the point of balance free from Covid-19 and the one infected with Covid-19. The stability of the equilibrium point was influenced by all parameters, i.e. target cells die during each cycle, number of target cells at  = 0, target cells infected during each cycle based on virion unit density, effective surface area of the network, the ratio of the number of virus particles to the number of virions, infected cells die during each cycle, the number of virus particles produced by each infected cell during each cycle, and virus particles die during each cycle. In the simulation model, immunity is divided into high, medium and low immunity. For high, moderate and low immunity, respectively, the highest number of target cells is in high, medium and low immunity, whereas for the number of infected cells and the number of Covid-19, it is in the opposite sequence of the number of target cells.

Antibacterial Activity of Mangrove Root Extracts from Ngurah Rai Mangrove Forest, Denpasar-Bali

The increasing rate of antimicrobial resistance in the past decades has motivated the search for novel antibacterial compounds to overcome infectious diseases. Among diverse natural sources, mangrove ecosystems offer untapped sources of biological active compounds for future antibacterial medicine. This research was aimed to evaluate antibacterial activities of crude extracts of four dominant mangrove plants from the Ngurah Rai Mangrove Forest namely Rhizophora mucronata, Avicennia marina, Rhizophora apiculata, and Sonneratia alba. Roots of these four plants were extracted using methanol, chloroform, and n-hexane. These crude extracts were tested against two Gram positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus mutans) and two Gram negative bacteria (Escherichia coli dan Klebsiella pneumoniae) by disc difussion assay. We found that 3 mg/mL of N-hexane crude extracts from R. apiculata yielded the highest zone of inhibition of 8.64 mm against S. aureus. While, 3 mg/mL of chloroform crude extract of R. apiculata yielded the highest inhibition of 19.83 mm against S. mutans. Unfortunately, no zone of inhibition was observed when crude extracts were tested against Gram negative indicator strains. Our results indicate that the root crude extracts of R. apiculata yielded the highest zone of inhibition against Gram positive indicator strains compared to root crude extracts of R. mucronata, S. alba, and A. marina. Further research is required to determine the antibacterial activities of the mangrove crude extracts against other bacterial indicator strains to determine their spectrum of activities.

Acute Toxicity and Hypoglycemic Effect of a Polyherbal Formulation on Blood Glucose in Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) and Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats

Madam F. Kayes Bitters® is an herbal formulation commonly used in Nigeria and some African countries in the management of diabetes mellitus and other diseases conditions. This study evaluated the in-vivo hypoglycaemic activity, as well as acute toxicity of the polyherbal formulation to provide its efficacy and safety. Healthy albino mice (20-30 g) and Sprague Dawley female rats (90-130 g) were used for this study. Acute toxicity study (LD50) of the herbal formulation was determined by methods originally described by Miller and Tainter in 1994. Following oral dosing with glucose (2 g/kg) in normal fasted animals, herbal formulation (HF) at various doses was administered and blood glucose levels at 30 minutes, 60 minutes, 90 minutes, and 120 minutes were taken and recorded. Diabetes was induced using alloxan 150 mg/kg and diabetic rats were given the HF at doses of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg with glibenclamide 2.5 mg/kg used as standard drug treatment. Blood glucose level was determined on 1st day, 7th day, 14th and 21st day. The LD50 was greater than 5g/kg with oral administration. The oral glucose tolerance test showed that the group that received 100 mg/kg HF showed a significant reduction (p<0.05) in glucose level after 120 minutes when compared to the basal level of glucose recorded. All treated diabetic groups showed a significant decrease in glucose level on the 21st day. The herbal formulation of Hydrastis canadesis Aloe capensis, Echinacea angustifolia and honey exhibited a significant glucose-lowering activity in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.

Phytochemical Screening, Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities of the Root Extract of Cyphostemma adenocaule (Steud. ex A. Rich.) Wild & R.B.Drumm

Plant secondary metabolites have provided important bioactive principles for developing new lead compounds. Within their confinement, they exhibit unique chemical diversity, which influences their diverse biological properties. The Vitaceae family is known for its potent antioxidant and antibacterial phytoconstituents, among other biological properties. Cyphostemma adenocaule is one of the family members explored for its ethnomedicinal properties. This study undertook the evaluation of the phytochemical, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties of the root extract of Cyphostemma adenocaule. Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, carbohydrates & glycoside, saponins, and tannins. The methanol root extract had the highest activity in the DPPH assay, providing IC50 (50% inhibition) of 10.87µg/ml, followed by n-Hexane (IC50 74.10µg/ml) and chloroform (IC50 74.31µg/ml) extract. In the antibacterial assay, the chloroform extract was active against E. coli (24.00±0.15) and had moderate activity against Staph. aureus (12.5±0.18). The n-Hexane extract was completely inactive against the test organisms while the methanol extract showed poor activity against the test organisms. The present study adds to the existing literature on Cyphostemma adenocaule with scientific evidence into its biological properties.

A Physical Chemistry Study of Black Powder Materials by Solution Combustion Synthesis Method

A study on the synthesis of black powder (La2NiO4) material using the solution combustion synthesis method at a variation of synthesis temperature of 60, 70, and 80°C was carried out. It produces a mass of black powder of 2 grams by four times of synthesis process. Then, material characterization was performed on the black powder samples obtained by using X-ray Diffraction (XRD) to determine the phases formed, Scanning Electron Microscopy - Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) to determine the morphology and analyze the composition elemental on the microscale and Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR) to determine chemical bonds. From the whole black powder sample, XRD analysis showed the phases of Dilantanum Nickel Tetraoxide (La2NiO4), Nickel Oxide (NiO), Lanthanum Oxide (La2O3), and Lanthanum Oxide Ht x-form (La2O3 Ht (x-form)). In addition, it was seen from the visible compositions of the phases that the NiO phase looks more dominant and the variation of the synthesis temperature shows that the La2O3 phase was increasing. This was supported by the EDS analysis, which showed that the EDS spectrum contains elements La, Ni, and O where the element O indicates that oxidation occurs in the elements Ni and La. On the other hand, the SEM analysis results confirm that the black powder sample contains the elements La and Ni, based on the high and low electron images contained in the morphology of the black powder sample. In addition, it was also known that the particles in the black powder sample were micron size and had porous morphology. This occurs due to rapid thermal decomposition events and excessive gas development. In addition, FTIR analysis showed that the O-H bond had been reduced and there are still C-O and C-H bonds indicating the presence of organic elements possessed by glycine.

Potential of Tithonia diversifolia Hemsley A. Gray (Kembang Bulan) Leaf Extract as Anti-Cancer Agents

The main objective of this review is to explain the great potential of herbal plants as anticancer agents. Cancer is a disease caused by abnormal cell growth in the body. The high number of cancer incidents still become a global concern because of the high mortality rate. The treatments of cancer such as chemotherapy can cause serious side effects by killing the normal cells. This is the reason why it is necessary to develop an alternative treatment of cancer. I discussed a plant that is believed to has health benefit. Many studies have showed the positive effect of Tithonia diversifolia plant for health. After 2000, the researchers discovered a new potential through its cytotoxicity to neoplastic cells. This plant needs to be developed sustainably. However, in the future this plant might become an effective alternative to treat cancer with lower side effects.

Effect of Diabetes Mellitus and Hypertension on Osmotic Fragility and Hemorheological Factors in Male Wistar Rats

Diabetes mellitus is a common risk factor for erythrocyte osmotic stress. This study was aimed at exploring the effect of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes mellitus and salt-induced hypertension on osmotic fragility and hemorheological variables in male Wistar rats. Thirty male rats were grouped into five groups of six animals each as follows: negative control (zero salt in diet); positive control (normal salt diet - 0.3% salt); high salt diet (8% salt) (HSD only); STZ induced diabetes and normal salt diet (STZ only); STZ induced diabetes and high salt diet (STZ + HSD). At the end of a 4 weeks period, hematological variables, osmotic fragility, rheology and cardiovascular responses were assessed. There was an increase (p<0.05) in the mean arterial pressure and heart rate of HSD, STZ and HSD + STZ groups indicating a salt induced hypertension. There was a decrease in the body weight of STZ and HSD +STZ groups. There was significant increase (p<0.05) in the haematocrit, platelets estimates and fibrinogen concentrations in the experimental groups when compared with the controls. The STZ and STZ + HSD groups showed a reduced clotting time which corresponded to the increased platelet estimates and fibrinogen concentration. The increase in haematocrit, platelet and plasma protein resulted in the increased blood viscosity and a decreased flow rate. The osmotic fragility test was also observed to be increased (p<0.05) in HSD, STZ only and STZ + HSD groups. Diabetes mellitus and hypertension increase the rate of hemolysis of erythrocyte, as well as increase blood viscosity.

Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Chromolaena odorata Collected Around Gemstone Mining Site in Ijero-Ekiti

In Nigeria, like many developing nations, the resultant effect of land degradation: aggravated soil erosion, flood disasters, salinization or alkalisation, and the desertification have been a major public health concern for the past decades, however this study highlighted some of the factors that leads to the menace of soil fertility. The study was conducted at a gemstone mining site in Ijero Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria. The soil samples were collected at a depth of 0-15 cm top soil and 0-30 cm subsoil. A line transect of 20 cm was drawn and soil sample was collected, all samples were kept in a clean container and labeled accordingly before been transported to the laboratory for analysis. The plant samples were thoroughly washed with distilled water to remove dust and other particles, air dried in a dust free wire meshed cage. All data obtained from this research were subjected to one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The result obtained in this study indicated that the levels of heavy metal concentration tested were still within the permissible limit in the root and shoot of Chromolaena odorata between the mine and control site. The implication of this is that Chromolaena odorata is safe for human and animal consumption. The said plant can readily undergo photosynthetic activity to aid growth by exploiting the presence of these metals either as a macro-nutrient or micro-nutrient as seen from the Translocation Factor and Metal Transfer Factor. The study concludes that soil at Ijero-Ekiti mine site were slightly acidic soil pH, reduced organic carbon, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, exchangeable cations and averagely elevated heavy metal contents.