P. O. Okemo

Antibacterial activity of East African medicinal plants

In an ethnopharmacological survey, extracts of the six East African medicinal plants Entada abyssinica (stem bark), Terminalia spinosa (young branches), Harrisonia abyssinica (roots), Ximenia caffra (roots), Azadirachta indica (stem bark and leaves), and Spilanthes mauritiana (roots and flowers) were tested against 105 strains of bacteria from seven genera (Staphylococcus, Enterococcus, Pseudomonas, Escherichia, Klebsiella, Salmonella, Mycobacterium). The minimum inhibitory concentration reached by 50% (MIC50%) and 90% (MIC90) of the strains for the extracts of E. abyssinica, T. spinosa, X. caffra, and A. indica (stem bark) ranged from 0.13-8 mg/ml and from 0.5 to > 8 mg/ml, respectively. Their minimum bactericidal concentration by 50% (MBC50%) and MBC90% were all between 0.5 and > 8 mg/ml. H. abyssinica, A. indica (leaves), and S. mauritiana (roots and flowers) had MIC and MBC values > or = 8 mg/ml. Mycobacteria were not inhibited at extract concentrations of 0.5-2 mg/ml. It is concluded that plant extracts with low MIC and MBC values may serve as sources for compounds with therapeutic potency.

In vitro activities of Maesa lanceolata extracts against fungal plant pathogens

In vitro tests were carried out using extracts of Maesa lanceolata var. goulungensis weir against a broad range of fungal plant pathogens such as Phytophthora cryptogea, Trichoderma virens, Aspergillus niger, Phoma sp., Fusarium oxysporium, Pythium ultimum, Cochliobolus heterostrophus, Rhizoctonia solani, Sclerotium rolfsii and Pyrenophora teres. M. lanceolata extracts were very active against all the pathogens tested except P. ultimum and R. solani.

Activity of East African Medicinal Plants against Helicobacter pylori

The activity of extracts from the East African medicinal plants Entada abyssinica (stem bark), Terminalia spinosa (young branches), Harrisonia abyssinica (roots), Ximenia caffra (roots), Azadirachta indica (leaves and stem bark) and Spilanthes mauritiana (roots and flowers) were evaluated against 12 strains of Helicobacter pylori. The most active extracts were those derived from T. spinosa with an MIC50 of 125 micrograms/ml, an MIC90 of 250 micrograms/ml and an MIC range of 62.5-500 micrograms/ml. An MIC50 of 250 micrograms/ml and an MIC90 of > 4,000 micrograms/ml was reached by H. abyssinica with a range of 125-->4,000 micrograms/ml and by X. caffra with a range of 62.5-->4,000 micrograms/ml, respectively. It is concluded that these plants contain compounds with antimicrobial activity against H. pylori.

In vitro propagation of spilanthes mauritiana dc., an endangered medicinal herb, through axillary bud cultures

SummarySpilanthes mauritiana DC., (Compositae), a East African medicinal herb containing pharmaceutically promising secondary metabolites, has successfully been raised in vitro. We have developed a clonal propagation protocol that uses juvenile plants as starting material. The addition of benzylaminopurine (BA) (1.0 μM) and naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) (0.1 μM) to the culture medium resulted in maximum shooting response with minimal callusing. Shoots rooted best in vitro in MS medium supplemented with indole-3-acetic acid (IAA; 0.2 μM), and plants that had already developed roots showed better growth, with maximum survival rate, in the greenhouse after an initial hardening.

Methanolic extracts of Aloe secundiflora Engl. inhibits in vitro growth of tuberculosis and diarrhea-causing bacteria

Background: The emergence of resistance to antimicrobials by pathogens has reached crisis levels, calling for identification of alternative means to combat diseases. Objective: To determine antimicrobial activity of crude methanolic extract of Aloe secundiflora Engl. from Lake Victoria region of Kenya. Materials and Methods: Extract was tested against four strains of mycobacteria (Mycobacterium tuberculosis, M. kansasii, M. fortuitum and M. smegmatis), Salmonella typhi, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and a fungus Candida albicans. activity of the extract was determined using BACTEC™ MGIT™ 960 system. General antibacterial and antifungal activity was determined using standard procedures: zones of inhibition, Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MICs) and Minimum Bactericidal/Fungicidal Concentrations (MBCs/MFCs). Results: The extract was potent against M. fortuitum, M. smegmatis and M. kansasii where it completely inhibited growth (Zero growth units (GUs)) in all the extract concentrations used. It gave strong antimycobacterial activity (157 GUs) against M. tuberculosis. It showed strong antimicrobial activity (P≤0.05), giving inhibition zones ≥9.00 mm against most microorganisms, such as P. aeruginosa (MIC 9.375 mg mL-1 and MBC of 18.75 mg mL-1), E. coli (both MIC and MBC of 18.75 mg mL-1), S. aureus and S. typhi (both with MIC and MBC of 37.5 mg mL-1). Preliminary phytochemistry revealed presence of terpenoids, flavonoids and tannins. Conclusion: The data suggests that Aloe secundiflora could be a rich source of antimicrobial agents. The result gives scientific backing to its use by the local people of Lake Victoria region of Kenya, in the management of conditions associated with the tested microorganisms.

Antifungal, antibacterial and antimycobacterial activity of Entada abysinnica Steudel ex A. Rich (Fabaceae) methanol extract

The purpose of the study was to investigate the antifungal, antibacterial and antimycobacterial properties of methanol extract of Entada abysinnica steudel ex. A. Rich (Fabaceae) leaves used by herbalists from the Lake Victoria region, Kenya. The extract was tested against four strains of mycobacteria (Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Mycobacterium kansasii, Mycobacterium fortuitum, and Mycobacterium smegmatis) using BACTEC Mycobacteria Growth Indicator Tube (MGIT) 960 system and the proportional method. Standard procedures were used to determine the zones of inhibition, minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and minimum bactericidal/fungicidal concentrations (MBCs/MFCs) for Candida albicans, Salmonella typhi, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. The extract showed activity against some mycobacteria strains, especially M. tuberculosis. It also showed strong antimicrobial activity (zones of inhibition were between 9.00 and 14.10 mm) against C. albicans, Sa. typhi, and St. aureus. The extract gave a better zone of inhibition against C. albicans than fluconazole whose zone of inhibition was 13.00 mm. The MICs and MBCs for C. albicans and Sa. typhi were good. The crude extracts were also analyzed for the presence of phytochemicals. Phytochemical screening indicated that the extract most abundantly contained tannins, saponins, and flavonoids. The data suggest that the methanolic leaves extract of E. abysinnica could be a rich source of antimicrobial agents, especially antifungals. The results further show that there is some merit in the use of the plant in alternative medical practices. However, bioassays of isolated compounds are underway and will be reported during subsequent communications.

Cytokines Associated with Antiretroviral Induced Hepatotoxicity in People Infected With the Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 in the Northwest Region of Cameroon

T acute gouty arthritis (GA) is one most painful acute inflammation induced by monosodium urate (MSU) deposition. The pathogenesis of inflammation remains unclear. Activation of MyD88/ NF-kB signal pathway is involved in acute GA, giving rise to the increase of cytokines including TNF-, IL-1, and IL-6. MicroRNAs(miRNAs), severing as post-transcriptional regulation, is reported to participate in many inflammatory diseases including acute GA. Previous study demonstrated miR920 down-regulated in the peripheral white blood cells of GA which negative regulated target IL-1ß. This may be the role of miR-920 in regulating the production of proinflammatory cytokines in the pathogenesis of GA. To further explore the function of miR-920 in acute GA, we detected miR-920 by qRT-PCR in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of 9 acute gouty arthritis patients and 9 healthy controls. However, overexpression of miR-920 was found in PBMCs and MyD88 was predicated as another target gene by bioinformatics. After transfecting the miR-920 mimics or negative control mimics into human monocytic THP-1 cell line, expression of MyD88 decreased. This may hint an opposite role of miR-920 in acute gouty arthritis.A rhinitis is a common heterogeneous chronic upper airway disorder and is an IgE-mediated inflammation characterized by one or more nasal symptoms such as sneezing, itching, nasal discharge, rhinorrhea, post nasal drainage and nasal blockage. In the present study, the effects of Skullcapflavone II (SCFII) on upper airway inflammation, Th2 cytokines, and NF-kb signaling in an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic rhinitis (AR) murine model in vivo were investigated. OVAinduced AR mice increased nasal symptoms, eosinophils and mast cells infiltration into nasal cavity, OVA-specific IgE/ IgG1and histamine in serum, Th2 cytokines including IL-13 and GATA3, and NF-κB signaling in NALF and lung homogenate. Interestingly, treatment of SCFII reduced the levels of OVA-specific IgE/IgG1 and histamine in serum, of Th2 cytokines and of NF-κB signaling in the NALF and the lung homogenate, and histopathological changes in the nasal tissue and the lung. Also, dexamethasone suppressed such increases. The results of this study suggested that SCFII may ameliorate allergic inflammation of upper airway in AR mice model by blocking the Th2 cytokine production, the NF-κB signal pathway and the mast cell histamine release. Taken together, we suggest that SCFII may be used as a therapeutic agent for patients with Th2-mediated or mast cell-mediated allergic diseases.D crassirhizoma (DC) is used as a traditional herbal remedy to treat various diseases, the tapeworm infection, common cold, and cancer in Korea, Japan, and China. DC also has the antioxidant anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activities. However, anti-allergic inflammatory effect of DC and some of its mechanisms in allergic rhinitis model is unknown well. The purpose of this study is to investigate the anti-allergic inflammatory effect of DC on the allergic rhinitis model, mast cell activation and histamine release. Allergic rhinitis was induced in BALB/c mice by sensitization and challenge with OVA. Each various concentration of DC and Dexamethasone was administrated by oral administration on 1 hour before OVA challenge. Mice of control group were treated with saline only. Then mice were evaluated for the presence of nasal mucosa inflammation, the production of allergen-specific cytokine response and the histology of nasal mucosa. DC significantly ameliorated the nasal symptoms and the inflammation of nasal mucosa. DC also reduced the infiltration of eosinophils and mast cells in these tissues and the release of histamine in blood. Meanwhile, DC evidently inhibited the overproduction of Th2 cytokine, and increased reduction of Th1 and Treg cytokines in nasal lavage fluid by OVA. DC also reduced the levels of OVA specific IgE, IgG1 and IgG2a in blood. This study suggests that DC has a significant anti-allergic inflammatory effect in nasal cavity. DC may have the therapeutic effect for allergic rhinitis.V infections are important causes of morbidity and mortality for patients with a hematological malignancy, but the true incidence and consequences of viral infections for these patients who undergo conventional non transplant therapy are inadequately defined. Viral infections in hematological patients may result from reactivation of latent infection or, rarely, from acquisition of a new infection. Thus, screening of patients with hematological malignancies for HHV-6 might be considered mandatory. The aim of this study was to evaluate a possible association between human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) infection and acute leukemia in adults after receiving chemotherapy treatment for acute leukemia. The patients were divided into two main groups according to the type of leukemia. All patients with newly diagnosed acute leukemia were subjected to history taking, complete clinical examination and routine laboratory investigations. Peripheral blood samples (whole blood specimens) were collected from all patients for quantitative determination of HHV-6 DNA viral load by Taqman probe technique (real time PCR) at day 0 and day 100 of induction chemotherapy after being extracted on day of sampling. Data were fed to the computer and analyzed using IBM SPSS software package version 20.0. (Armonk, NY: IBM Corp). The results argued against an etiological relationship between HHV-6 infection and the genesis of acute leukemia in adults, however, it supports the hypothesis of viral latency and the possibility of virus reactivation in immune-compromised hosts. The possible presence of HHV-6 as an associated or a putative causative agent in leukemia should however be considered.H (HCQ) is an antimalarial drug that has been used for treating a large variety of diseases for many years. However, its specific mechanism is still not well demonstrated. In this study, we investigated the effects of HCQ on regulating dendritic cells (DC) function. The surface molecule expression, secretion of inflammatory cytokines and ability in promoting naïve CD4+ T cells proliferation and differentiation of bone marrow-derived DCs (BMDCs) were investigated after HCQ treatment. We found that HCQ treatment could significantly reduce the expression level of MHC II, CD86 and CD40. HCQ could also inhibit the production of cytokines including IL-1β, IL-6, IL-23 and TNF-α by LPS (Lipopolysaccharide) stimulated DC. Additionally, the ability of DC in promoting naïve CD4+ T cells proliferation and Th17 cells differentiation was decreased by HCQ. The effect of HCQ on DC may be partly associated to inhibition of phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and p38 MAP kinase proteins. These findings provided new understanding about the mechanism of HCQ in immune regulation.

P2.23 Hepatotoxicity and anaemia co-morbidity in treated aids patients in fundong sub division in the northwest region of cameroon

Introduction Hepatotoxicity and anaemia are relevant adverse effects of ART and can cause interruption of therapy and death. However, there is dearth of information on hepatotoxicity and anaemia co-morbidity especially in rural areas. The aim of the study was to identify the prevalence of Hepatotoxicity and Anaemia co-morbidity among HIV treated patients. Methods A total of 150 drug naïve patients visiting the day hospital in Fundong District Hospital were recruited into the study from January-March 2015 and follow up for 18 months. Baseline and 18 months levels of CD4 counts, alanine transaminase(ALT), and aspartate transaminase(AST) and Haemoglobin concentration(Hb) were determined. HIV was diagnosed using Alere determine HIV rapid test kit and Bioline or Oral Quick test kit for the confirmatory test. CD4 counts were determined using the Alere Pima CD4 cartridge machine. Hb, ALT and AST counts were determined by colometric enzymatic reaction using the urit 3300 machine and classified based on age and sex. Results The majority of patients were female 115 (76.7%) and belonged to the <30 years age range 48 (32%). The prevalence of anaemia decreased from 86 (57.3%) to 69 (45.6%) at the end of the study period. In all 46 (30.7%) patients had hepatotoxicity and anaemia co-morbidity which was higher in the age group <30 years 30 (41.7%) and in female 37 (32.2%). A total of 1 (0.7%) and 10 (6.7%) patients develop severe hepatotoxicity using ALT and AST respectively. The prevalence of hepatotoxicity was higher in male (31.4% and 62.9%) and in the age group 30–39 years (29.5% and 68.2%) for ALT and AST, respectively. The prevalence of anaemia and elevated AST and ALT were higher in persons with CD4 <200 cells/µl. There was a significant correlation between CD4 and Hb (r=0.193), CD4 and ALT(r=−0.149) and CD4 and AST(r=−0.193). Conclusion Hepatotoxicity especially Grades 1–2 and not anaemia is a significant adverse effect of ART upon time.

Effects of Cabbage Tissue and Calcium Hypochlorite on Soil Fertility and Yields of Selected Solanaceous Crops

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of inorganic compounds treatment(s) namely: Chalim (CM), a chlorine-containing compound, metham sodium (MS) (positive control) and Co (negative control) versus organic compound such as Brassica tissue treatment (BT), on soil pH, micro and macroelements. Three levels of Chalim and that of Brassica tissue; one of MS and one for Co were used. The test crops included were; Tomato, capsicum and potato. All the plots were inoculated with R. solanacearum to a level of approximately 7.5×10 Colony forming unit (CFU) per plot. Soil samples were taken using zigzag method after which the selected parameter levels were determined at the beginning and at the end of each season for three seasons (2009-2010). The amendments were prepared and applied in the field plots measuring (4.5×2.7 M) in randomized complete block design at Kenya agricultural research institute National agricultural laboratories in plant pathology section and Department of Plant and Microbial Sciences, Kenyatta university. The effects of the soil amendments on soil physico-chemical properties and yields were determined. The findings established that, Brassica tissue, at highest level of Review Article Annual Research & Review in Biology, 4(3): 547-559, 2014 548 application was the best soil amendment to be incorporated since more nutrients and yields were realized at that treatment as compared to the others. The various treatments differed significantly on their effect on the total yields. In tomato, the various treatments differed significantly (P<0.05) with plants grown on MS200 and BT5292 having significantly higher yields than the control. The study revealed that BT5292 increased the soil pH, yields, Nitrogen content, organic carbon, calcium and potassium concentration as compared to the other treatments and the control.