Joseph Adusei Sarkodie

Prevalence and Self-Management of Female Sexual Dysfunction among Women inSix Regions of Ghana: A Cross- Sectional Study

Background: Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is widespread and a relevant health condition among women. Few women seek medical care, yet, the patronage of female sex-enhancing agents from the pharmacies, chemical and herbal shops have increased in recent times. The study sought to determine the prevalence and self-management of FSD among Ghanaian women. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted using structured questionnaires to elicit descriptive accounts of sexual experiences, help-seeking behaviours and measures taken to manage the sexual problems. Two hundred and seven (207) sexually active women aged 18 years and above were interviewed from six out of the ten regions in Ghana. Results: The majorities of the respondents was married (53.1%), had tertiary education (74.4%) and were within the ages of 18-29 (52.4%). Of all the respondents, 44.3% were not aware of FSD. The overall prevalence of FSD was 45.6%. The most prevalent sexual problems were pain during sex (72.9%), lubrication difficulties (72.3%), arousal disorder (70.3%), desire disorder (54.2%) and sexual dissatisfaction (27.1%). Only 22.5% of the respondents with FSD sought formal medical help. The reasons for not seeking formal help included the perception that FSD was normal (50.0%), personal embarrassment (19.2%) and time constraints (15.4%). About 57% of the respondents had self-managed at least one sexual problem. Counselling (31.2%), use of vaginal lubricants (24.1%), and sex and relationship strategies (23.4%) were the most cited options for managing FSD. Overall, 85.0% of women perceived the management options were effective. Only 1% of the respondents experienced side effects (vaginal itching) when vaginal lubricants and vaginal herbal preparations were employed. Conclusion: Women in Ghana experience female sexual dysfunction making it a health concern requiring recognition and intervention.

Artemether–Lumefantrine Concentrations in Tablets and Powders from Ghana Measured by a New High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Method

We developed and validated a new analytical method for the simultaneous quantification of artemether and lumefantrine in fixed-dose tablets and powders for reconstitution into pediatric suspensions (PSs). The method showed linearity (r(2) > 0.9947), precision (coefficient of variation < 2%), accuracy (deviation of mean from actual concentrations < 4%), and specificity (peak purities > 99%). The validated method was used to analyze 24 batches of fixed-dose tablets and PSs of artemether and lumefantrine. Of the samples, 23 were obtained using convenience sampling of commonly available brands within Accra in Ghana and one was obtained from Aarhus University Hospital. In all, 83.3% (confidence interval: 80-120%) passed for both artemether and lumefantrine contents, 16.7% failed by the U.S. Pharmacopoeia standards, 8.3% failed for one content, and 8.3% failed for both contents. All four products (16.7%) that failed were PSs, and two (8.3%) showed higher levels of artemether than prescribed (222% and 756%).

Herbal Medicines Used in the Treatment of Typhoid in the Ga East Municipality of Ghana

Croton membranaceus (Mull. Arg.) Euphorbiaceae is a shrub that grows wild in West Africa. It is used by Ghanaian Traditional Medical Practitioners in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Research findings have provided some scientific bases for the use of this plant in the treatment of BPH. The aim of the present study was to investigate the antihyperglycaemic and antioxidant activities of C. membranaceus. There is also evidence suggesting an association between BPH and diabetes through a common pathogenic mechanism. Research findings also suggest that oxidative stress may be one of the major factors responsible for the development of BPH and diabetes. The antihyperglycaemic activity of three different doses (100, 300, 600 mg/kg body weight) of the ethanol (70 %) extract of C. membranaceus root was studied in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The antioxidant activity of the ethanol extract of C. membranaceus root was also investigated using the spectrophotometric 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicalscavenging method. C. membranaceus root extract showed a dose-dependent reduction of glucose levels over both short term and long term treatment period. This study also provided evidence that C. membranaceus root has significant antioxidant properties. These findings demonstrate for the first time the potential of C. membranaceus extracts in the management of type 1 diabetes mellitus and diseases in which oxidants or free radicals are implicated. INTRODUCTION: The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that around 80% of the world’s population in developing countries relies on traditional medicines for primary healthcare needs, of which a major proportion corresponds to herbal medicines 1 . QUICK RESPONSE CODE DOI: 10.13040/IJPSR.0975-8232.5(1).1000-05 Article can be accessed online on: www.ijpsr.com DOI link: http://dx.doi.org/10.13040/IJPSR.0975-8232.5(1).1000-05 In many developed countries, traditional medicine is increasingly being used in parallel to allopathic medicine, particularly for treating and managing chronic diseases 2 . These herbal preparations are generally considered to be less toxic as compared to synthetic drugs. However, most of the preparations have not been evaluated scientifically for safety and efficacy. It is therefore imperative to investigate scientifically such preparations used in traditional medicine for the treatment of various diseases 3 . Scientific investigation may provide the necessary information required to promote the rational use of medicinal plants/herbal medicines.

Antioxidant and antimicrobial capacities of ethanolic extract of Pergularia daemia leaves: a possible substitute in diabetic management.

Abstract Background: The leaves of Pergularia daemia Forsk (family Asclepidaceae) provide alternative plant-based treatments for the management of diabetes mellitus and diarrhoea in both humans and indigenous poultry species like the Guinea fowls (Numida meleagris). However, no scientific investigations to validate its usefulness in Ghana have been established. This study therefore sought to investigate the anti-hyperglycaemic activity of the 70 % ethanolic extract of P. daemia using streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic male Sprague–Dawley rats. Additionally, the antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of the extract were investigated. Methods: The total phenolic content, total flavonoids content, radical scavenging activity and reducing power assays were estimated using Folin–Ciocalteu method, aluminium chloride colorimetric assay, Fe3+ reduction assay and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assays, respectively. Results: The results showed that P. daemia extract caused anti-hyperglycaemic activity in the STZ-induced rats at doses of 30, 60 and 90 mg/kg body weight with significant reduction in blood glucose levels. The phytosterols, saponins, phenols, alkaloids, tannins and triterpenes found in the extract may be responsible for the observed anti-hyperglycaemia and antioxidant activities. The extract also showed antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis. Conclusions: These findings justify the folkloric use of P. daemia as an anti-diabetic and antibacterial agents for susceptible species.

Borassus aethiopum, A Potential Medicinal Source of Antioxidants, Anti-Inflammatory and Antimicrobial Agents

Background: Borassus aethiopum Mart (Family Arecaceae), commonly known as the African Fan Palm, is a tropical plant species found widely across Africa, and used globally for both medicinal and non-medicinal purposes. In this study, the anti-oxidant, anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory activities of an ethanolic extract of the fruit of Borassus aethiopum was investigated. Methods: The Carrageenan induced foot edema model in chicks was used to investigate the anti-inflammatory activity of an ethanolic extract of the seed endocarp cotyledon. For the anti-oxidant activity determination, three assays were employed; namely, the total anti-oxidant capacity assay, the 2, 2-diphenyl- 1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging assay and the Folin-Ciocalteau’s assay for total phenols. For the anti-microbial activity, the agar diffusion method was used. Phytochemical analysis to determine the types of secondary metabolites present was also conducted on the plant extract. Results: The phytochemical screening showed the presence of alkaloid, tannins, saponins, steroids, carbohydrates triterpenoids and phenols. A dose dependent reduction in edema was observed when the extract was compared with Diclofenac and Dexamethasone. The extract had an EC50 of 13.49 µg/ml DPPH scavenging activity, which is excellent when compared to the reference ascorbic acid of 140.00 µg/ml. Thus the extract was about 10 times more potent than the ascorbic acid. Conclusion: The anti-microbial assay revealed activity against the gram positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis. The results obtained showed that Borassus aethiopum has anti-inflammatory and significant anti-oxidant properties, which are dose and concentration dependent respectively.