Phytochemical and Pharmacological Investigations of Crude Aqueous Extract of Momordica charantia

The search for new therapeutic remedies from natural sources is a continuous process. Momordica charantia under the family Cucurbitaceous is commonly known as tita korola in Bangladesh. Traditionally, it is used to treat many diseases, including diabetes and obesity, infections, cough, respiratory diseases, wounds and skin diseases, ulcer, gout and rheumatism, spasm, and cancer. This study aimed at the evalualtion of toxicity, anti-inflammatory, membrane stabilizing and thrombolytic activity of M. charantia aqueous leaf extract by applying a number of in vitro and ex vivo test systems. For this, toxicity analysis was done in Allium cepa, while anti-inflammatory, and membrane stabilizing and clotlysis capacity were tested by using egg albumin and human erythrocytes, respectively. Additionally, preliminary phytochemical analysis was also done. The results suggest that the crude aqueous crude extract of M. charantia possesses alkaloid, flavonoid, terpinoid, saponins, glycoside, tannins, and reducing sugars. The crude extract exhibited toxicity in A. cepa in a concentration and time-dependent manner. No adaptation capacity of DNA damage was seen during the exposure time (24-72 h). The extract at 0.03 – 0.14% (v/v) significantly (p <0.05, p <0.01, p <0.001) inhibited protein denaturation, membrane lysis and clot lysis capacity in a concentration-dependent manner. Of note, the extract exerted toxic effects at high concentrations, while protective effects against toxic and cytotoxic effects at low concentrations. M. charantia may be one of the potential sources of phytotherapeutic agents for various diseases, including oxidative stress, inflammatory diseases and cancer

Sinonasal Inverted Papilloma: Epidemiological and Pathological Profile from 15 Cases

Inverted papilloma is a rare benign Sino nasal tumor marked by strong local aggressiveness, a high rate of recurrence after surgery and an unpredictable risk of association with squamous cell carcinoma. We retrospectively investigated 15 cases of inverted papilloma that were treated between January 2004 and December 2018, diagnosed at the pathological anatomy department, CHU MOHAMMED VI of Marrakech. The objective of this work was to study the epidemiological and anatomopathological profile of these polyps. The sex ratio of 2.75 was clearly predominate in males with an average age of 40 years. Its main clinical symptoms was manifested by nasal blockage. The radiological assessment using CT and nasosinus MRI couple constituted a very important means of the positive diagnosis of the inverted papilloma and of the choice of the operating method. Histological examination showed a papillomata’s polypoid respiratory mucosa, at the level of the chorion, with signs of low grade dysplasia in only one case. Their high potential for local aggressiveness, the fear of a recurrence and the possibility of the occurrence of a malignant tumor require radical management.

Long Term Effects of Nephrotoxic Medications and the Increased Prevalence of Kidney Disease in the Geriatric Population

The use of nephrotoxic medications is an ongoing challenge within the health care profession. Many over-the-counter (OTC) medications used to treat numerous disease processes are becoming a major concern to the health care community as it relates to continued use and damaging kidneys in vulnerable populations. The geriatric population in particular, is one that is associated with many challenges due to the normal aging process, co-morbidities, the use of multiple medications, the misuse of OTC medications and drug-to-drug interactions. This paper will discuss three common OTC medications that are associated with nephrotoxicity. These medications include aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, and herbal medications. The research articles reviewed will explore the relationship of long term effects of the use of nephrotoxic medications and the prevalence of kidney disease in the geriatric population.

Evaluation of the Industrial and Medicinal Values of Oil Extracted From Neem Seed

Neem seed (Azadirachta indica) is a medicinal plant which is exclusively tropical in distribution. Traditionally India medicine regards the plant in high esteem. The fatty acid composition of Neem seed oil were: Myristic acid (C14:0) (64.5842) as the highest saturated fatty acid ,Oleic acid (C18:1)(5.3124) as the only highest monounsaturated fatty acid, Linoleic acid (C18:2)(2.6041) and Linolenic acid (C18:3)(0.9938) as the only polyunsaturated fatty acid present. Physicochemical properties of the extracted oil were investigated and their physical characteristics indicated that Oil extracted from Azadirachta indica is light green in color with bitter taste, percentage yield of 43.500%, Specific gravity of 0.8943 and Refractive index of 1.4610 respectively. The chemical characteristic of oil from Neem seed were Acid valve (mglg), (6.7320±0.01), free fatty acid (% oleic)(1.8984±0.01), saponification valve (mglg),(58.9050±0.02), Iodine valve (mglg),(16.2432±0.01), and peroxide valve (mmo1/kg)(104.0000±0.02) respectively. The antibacterial activity of the oil from Azadirachta indica was tested against five pathogenic organism and their zone of inhibition indicated that the oil was susceptible to Klebsiella pneumonia, Pseudomonas spp, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and resistance to Proteus ssp. The values in millimeter were Escherichia coli (2.00±0.01), Staphylococcus aureus(5.00±0.02), Pseudomonas spp( 7.00±0.02), Klebsiella pneumonas(2.00±0.01) and no zone of inhibition against Proteus spp. This study revealed that the oil extracts from neem seed is a useful source of drug for the treatment of pathogenic organism like Pseudomonas spp and Staphylococcus aureus which are most resistance to some antibiotics drugs.

Basal Cell Adenoma: About Four Cases

Benign tumor of the salivary glands, composed of basaloid cells of architecture most often ductal and tubular or in nests (OMS 2017). We report the case of 4 patients carrying basal cell adenoma diagnosed at the department of pathological anatomy CHU MOHAMMED VI MARRAKECH. These are three women and one man. The average age was 49 years old. The clinical examination found a unilateral parotid mass gradually increasing in size. All the patients benefited from an ultrasound which was in favor of a homogeneous hypoechoic lobulated formation with posterior reinforcement evoking a pleomorphic adenoma. The patients benefited from a total parotidectomy. Macroscopic examination found a thick-walled, hemorrhagic-cystic formation in one patient. Microscopic examination showed a benign encapsulated tumor proliferation of compact architecture, in situ clusters and in channels with eosinophilic contents. . The epithelial cells have a basaloid appearance bordered at the periphery by a palisade cell base. They are of small to medium size, provided with ovoid cores with fine chromatin. The cytoplasm is abundant basophilic. The myoepithelial cells are sometimes cuboid, sometimes fusiform. The nuclei are discreetly elongated hyperchromic. The cytoplasm is scarce eosinophilic.The basal cell adenoma is a rare salivary tumor representing less than 3.7%. It occurs mainly in the elderly with a range of 57 to 70 years. Clinically, it is in most cases a mobile solitary mass of firm consistency. The tumor has a monomorphic appearance due to the predominance of basaloid cells. The differential diagnosis is primarily with basal cell adenocarcinoma and adenoid cystic carcinoma.

The Effects of Processing On Heavy Metals Concentrations and Health Risk Assessment in African Palm Weevil (Rhynchophorus Phoenicis) Larvae

This study investigated the concentrations of the heavy metals, Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn and Co in a raw and processed (boiled and fried) Rhynchophorus phoenicis larvae. The concentrations of the metals were measured using Thermal-Elemental Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (FAAS) S4-710-a6 model. The concentrations (mg/kg dry weight bases) of Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn and Co in raw, boiled and fried samples were; raw (10.23+0.08), (15.06+0.09), (5.19+0.01), (2.75+0.05) (1.75+0.12), boiled (7.24+0.19), (9.50+0.07), (4.11+0.09), (1.85+0.07), (2.00+0.00), and fried (6.25+0.06) (5.36+0.11), (3.31+0.04), (1.47+0.09), (2.88+0.07); respectively. The results showed a decreased order of Zn>Fe>Cu>Mn>Co in the raw sample, while the boiled and fried samples were in the order of Zn>Fe>Cu>Co>Mn. Generally, the observed trends were that the processing (boiling and frying) reduces the concentration of the metals except for Co where the highest concentration was found in the fried sample. The results of the non-carcinogenetic risk assessment were less than 1, which signifies no health concern at the moment. However, considering the toxicity and bioaccumulative nature of these metals, the frying practice is advocated, since it caused a significant decreased in most of the metals studied.

Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metal Contamination in Edible Fish Species from the Barekese Reservoir in Kumasi, Ghana

Heavy metal pollution and its resultant accumulation to toxic levels in the Barekese reservoir may threaten human health through the consumption of fish from the Reservoir. The presence and concentrations of arsenic and some other heavy metals (Hg, Pb, Ni, Cr, and Cd) were determined in muscle tissues of widely distributed and highly consumed fish species from the Barekese reservoir using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. A total of 45 fish samples comprising three species (Oreochromis niloticus, Tilapia zilli and Heterotis niloticus) were analyzed for their metal levels. Heavy metals concentrations (mg/kg, w.w) showed varying trends of detection among muscle tissues of selected fish species. However, Hg, Ni, Cr and Cd were detected in muscle tissues of all fish species examined in the study. Indices for non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks were estimated for child and adult upon their consumption of fish from the Reservoir. Results of the study indicate a significant level of exposure to Hg, Ni, Cr and Cd through the consumption of fish species from the Reservoir. Health risk assessment also revealed that children are at a relatively higher non-carcinogenic risk through the consumption of metals in Heterotis niloticus (HQ = 2.95 × 10-1). Also, the consumption of all examined fish species from the Reservoir pose no significant cancer risk effects to humans. The present study, therefore, concludes that anthropogenic activities along the Offin River and within the Barekese reservoir’s catchments could lead to deteriorating the quality of fish from the Reservoir hence regular monitoring of such activities is needed.

Evaluation of Sedative Activity of Methanol Leaf Extract of Ceiba Pentandra Linn (Malvaceae) Using Mice

Background: Insomnia and other associated disorders have been traditionally managed using leaves of Ceiba pentandra (Malvaceae). Methods: In this study, sedative and anxiolytic properties of methanol leaf extract of Ceiba pentandra using mice were evaluated. Acute toxicity study and phytochemical screening of the extract were also determined using standard protocols. The sedative effect of the extract was evaluated using Diazepam and ketamine- induced sleep, hole board test and mouse beam walk assay, whereas the anxiolytic activity was studied using open field, elevated plus maze and elevated stair case tests. Results: The intraperitonial LD50 of the methanol leaf extract of Ceiba pentandra was estimated to be 2150 mg/kg body weight in mice. Preliminary phytochemical screening of the extract revealed the positive reaction of saponins, flavonoids, terpenoids and tannins. The extract at doses of 300 and 600 mg/kg shortened the onset of sleep and prolonged the duration of diazepam-induced sleep. The extract at all doses tested (150,300 and 600 mg/kg) had no effect on mean onset of sleep but significantly (p<0.05) prolonged the duration of ketamine-induced sleep when compared with normal saline treated group. The extract at the doses of 300 and 600 mg/kg significantly (p<0.05) decreased the number of head dips when compared with the control group in the Hole-board test. The extract at all doses tested has no effect on the mean time spent on the beam. However, at the dose of 600 mg/kg, it significantly (p<0.05) increased the number of foot slips made by mice when compared with the control group. In the open field test, the extract at all doses tested (150, 300 and 600 mg/kg) significantly (p<0.05) decreased the number of peripheral square crossing without any effect on the number of centre square crossing. The extract had no effect on the mean number of open arm and closed arm entries, time spent in open arm and time spent in the closed arm. In the elevated staircase test, the extract significantly (p<0.05) reduced the number of stairs climbed and the number of rearing. Conclusion: The results of this work revealed that methanol leaf extract of Ceiba pentandra contains bioactive components that possess sedative properties and hence can be used to treat insomnia in the nearest future.

Prospective Evaluation of Suicide Cases Presented to National Environmental and Clinical Toxicology Center - Egypt

Suicide is a tragic and potentially preventable public health problem. It is the 3rd leading cause of death among young adults worldwide. It was reported that drug overdose was the most common means of suicide in Egypt. Pesticides are a common suicidal agent. Aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of suicidal cases admitted to National Environmental and Clinical Toxicology Research Centre (NECTR) during six months period from (April to September 2017) regarding the most common poison used and different socio-demographic factors in attempt to identify high risk individuals in our community. This prospective study included 162 suicidal cases who were admitted to the National Environmental and Clinical Toxicological Research Center. The results of this study showed that the most frequent age group was those between 18-40 years (60.5%) followed by those below 18 years (33.3%) with female dominance (79%). The most frequently ingested agents were pesticides (34%) followed by miscellaneous agents (30.9%) then psychoactive agents (11.1%). The most common cause of attempting suicide was social problems (69.1%) followed by psychological causes (11.7%). The mortality rate was (4.3%).

Aid for Personal Identification: Stereomicroscopic Morphological Patterns of Lip Print

The lip prints being uniform throughout the life and characteristics of person can be used to verify the presence or absence of a person from the crime, provided there has been consumption of beverages, drinks, usage of cloth, tissues or napkin etc., at the crime scene. The objectives of this study were to find out the distribution of different lip print patterns among Myanmar males and females and to determine the relationship between lip prints and blood group. Thin layer of lip-stick was applied on the lips of these subjects. The hinged portion of a folded paper was inserted between the lips and the sub-jects were asked to press their lips onto it. Only middle 10 mm of both upper and lower lips were taken as study area. The lip prints, thus obtained were studied on the basis of Tsuchihashi’s classification. There was significant difference between male and female lip print patterns. Type II was most common in both gender. Type I was more common in male and Type II, III and IV were more common in female. The most common lip print patterns in left lower quadrant was Type III and Type II pattern was most common in other three quadrants. The least common pattern was Type V in all quadrants for both gender. No correlation was found between lip print patterns and ABO blood group system. Lip print pattern can be used as an additional tool for personal identification and gender determination. Further work on the subject can help to make cheiloscopy a practical reality in the forensic identification process.