ISSN 2326-7283
Research Article
African Journal of Internal Medicine ISSN 2326-7283 Vol. 8 (12), pp. 001-007, December, 2020. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Effect of falciparum malaria on some plasma proteins in males: With special reference to the levels of testosterone and cortisol
Muawia A. Abdagalil1* and Nabiela M. ElBagir2
1Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of science, University of West Kordufan, Sudan.
2Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Khartoum, Sudan.
Accepted 11 September, 2020
Abstract
Sex-associated hormones were evidenced to modulate immune responses and consequently directly influence the outcome of infection. Testosterone is known to influence both protein metabolism and the level of cortisol which is the hormone of stress. This work was conducted to explore the influence of the degree of parasitemia in Plasmodium falciparum malaria on the male sex hormone testosterone, plasma proteins and the stress hormone cortisol in male patients. The study targeted male subjects whose ages ranged between 20 and 40 years old. The subjects were divided into three groups: lightly-infected patients (Infected with P. falciparum density 1 - 10 asexual form of the parasite per 100 fields), heavily-infected patients (Infected with P. falciparum density 11 - 99 asexual form of the parasite per 100 fields) and a group of malaria-free individuals who were used as a control group. Blood samples were taken from the median cephalic vein to investigate for malaria parasite, plasma proteins and hormones. The effect of the degree of parasitemia was considered for all parameters studied. The study revealed that low parasitemia in malaria-infected patients resulted in significantly (p < 0.05) higher level of plasma total proteins and it was found to be due to a significant (P < 0.05) increase in the total globulins fraction which reached 5.85 ± 1.03 g/dl compared to 3.44 ± 0.4 g/dl in the control group. The opposite was true for the heavily- infected group as it reported significantly (P < 0.05) lower total plasma proteins value which was found to be due to a significant (p < 0.05) reduction of the total globulins fraction reported only 2.96 ± 0.20 g/dl. The albumin fraction maintained levels similar to that of the control group in both infected groups. The levels of the hormones tested also showed significant changes, manifested as significantly (p < 0.05) lower values in both groups of patients compared to the control group for the testosterone hormone, with significant (p < 0.05) difference between the two groups. Thus, high parasitemia resulted in the least testosterone level in the heavily-infected group of 2.64 ± 0.28 ng/ml, compared to 6.03 ± 0.86 ng/ml in the control group. In contrast, the stress hormone, the cortisol, showed the highest level in the heavily- infected patients of 191.03 ± 18.17 ng/ml, with significant (p < 0.05) difference compared to 166.28 ± 10.63 ng/ml in the control group.
Key words: Malaria, testosterone, cortisol, parasitemia.
Muawia A. Abdagalil*, Nabiela M. ElBagir
Page: 1 - 7
Research Article
African Journal of Internal Medicine ISSN 2326-7283 Vol. 8 (12), pp. 001-005, December, 2020. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Antifeedant and antimicrobial activity of Tylophora indica
B. Krishna Reddy1, M. Balaji2, P. Uma Reddy1, G. Sailaja2, K. Vaidyanath1 and G. Narasimha3*
1Department of Genetics, Osmania University, Hyderabad, A.P, India.
2Department of Biochemistry, Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati, A.P, 517502, India.
3Department of Virology, Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati, A.P, 517502, India.
Accepted 17 September, 2020
Abstract
Crude and pure extracts of Tylophora indica were investigated in view of antifeedant, antibacterial and antifungal properties. Leaf crude extract showed more antifeedant activity than stem and root against Spodoptera litura, a polyphagous pest on wide ranging crops. Among the pure compounds isolated, Tylophorine showed the highest antifeedant activity followed by Septicine, O-Methyl Tylophorinidine and simple aliphatic acid. Similarly the crude extracts of leaf has exhibited higher antibacterial activity than root and shoot against Basillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Mycrococcus luteus and P. aergenosa. In contrast, Escherichia coli was not inhibited even at higher concentrations of either crude extracts or extracted pure compounds of T. Indica. Pure compounds displayed strong antibacterial activity at lower concentrations in all tested bacterial strains except E. coli. While all the crude and pure compounds showed antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus and Trichoderma viridae, the pure compounds had strong antifungal activity compared to crude extracts.
Key words: Tylophora indica, antifeedant activity, antimicrobial activity.
B. Krishna Reddy, P. Uma Reddy, K. Vaidyanath and G. Narasimha*, G. Sailaja, M. Balaji
Page: 1 - 5
Research Article
African Journal of Internal Medicine ISSN 2326-7283 Vol. 8 (12), pp. 001-006, December, 2020. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcerogenic activity of the ethanol extract of ginger (Zingiber officinale)
Chioma A. Anosike, Onyechi Obidoa, Lawrence U. S. Ezeanyika and Meshach M. Nwuba
Department of Biochemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Enugu State, Nigeria.
Accepted 20 October, 2020
Abstract
The acute toxicity test carried out on the ginger extract gave the LD50 value as 1000 mg/kg. The anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcerogenic effects of the ethanol extract of ginger (Zingiber officinale) in adult Wistar rats were studied using values below the lethal dose. Inflammation was induced by injecting 0.1 ml undiluted fresh egg albumin (philogistic agent) into the subplantar surface of the right hind paw of the rats. Ethanol extract of ginger with doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg and indomethacin 100 mg/kg were administered intraperitoneally to separate groups of the rats. Control group received 1 ml of normal saline (vehicle). All the doses of the extract (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the fresh egg albumin induced rat paw oedema, though not in a dose dependent manner. The oedema reductions were more than that obtained for indomethacin, the standard anti-inflammatory drug used. The ginger extract also showed good protective effect against indomethacin – induced gastric ulcer in the rats. Administration of the extract doses (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) evinced a significant (p < 0.05) reduction in the indomethacin – induced gastric erosion in all the experimental groups when compared to control. The percent ulcer inhibition by the extract doses was comparable with that of ranitidine (100 mg/kg), the reference drug. These results show that ginger possess good potential as an anti-oedema and anti-ulcer agent.
Key words: Ginger extract, inflammation, oedema reduction, gastric ulcer, indomethacin, ulcer inhibition.
Lawrence U. S. Ezeanyika and Meshach M. Nwuba, Chioma A. Anosike, Onyechi Obidoa
Page: 1 - 6
Research Article
African Journal of Internal Medicine ISSN 2326-7283 Vol. 8 (11), pp. 001-005, November, 2020. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Mineral and phytochemical contents in leaves of Amaranthus hybridus L and Solanum nigrum L. subjected to different processing methods
Akubugwo I. E*, Obasi N.A, Chinyere G.C and Ugbogu A. E
Department of Biochemistry, Abia State University, P. M.B 2000, Uturu Abia State, Nigeria.
Accepted 15 April, 2020
Abstract
Mineral and phytochemical contents of leaves of Amaranthus hybridus L. and Solanum nigrum L. Subjected to different processing methods were evaluated. Processing procedures adopted include shredding, sun–drying, oven–drying, steaming and a combination of these. Minerals examined are Na, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, P, and Zn while the phytochemicals are alkaloids, flavonoids, hydrocyanic acid, phenols, phytic acid and tannins. Oven – drying was the most effective method for retaining the studied minerals in S. nigrum but only for Na, Ca, Fe and Mg in A. hybridus L. Na/K and Ca/P ratios ranged between 0.13–0.14 and 1.24 - 1.28 A. hybridus L. while values for S. nigrum L. were 0.70 – 0.80 and 0.21 – 0.24 respectively in all the treatments. Sun–drying was the most effective method for retaining the phytochemicals. For retention of alkaloids, flavonoids and saponins, oven–drying proved the second best method while steaming with sun – drying elicited the greatest reduction in the levels of hydrocyanic acid, phenols, phytic acid and tannins. Processing methods employed when utilizing these leaves should therefore reflect the desired effect.
Key words: A. hybridus L., S. nigrum L., processing, minerals, phytochemicals.
Obasi N.A, Akubugwo I. E*, Chinyere G.C and Ugbogu A. E
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Review
African Journal of Internal Medicine ISSN 2326-7283 Vol. 8 (10), pp. 001-008, October, 2020. © International Scholars Journals
Review
RNA interference: a pathway to drug target identification and validation in trypanosome
Owino, A. Vincent. 1, 2, Masiga, K. Daniel 1, Limo, K. Moses.2
1Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Department, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), P.O Box 30772-00100, Nairobi, Kenya.
2Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Egerton University, P.O. Box 536, Egerton, Kenya.
Accepted 21 February, 2020
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi) is a phenomenon through which double stranded RNA (dsRNA) induces potent sequence-specific degradation of homologous transcripts. Besides its function in cellular defense and developmental regulation, it has emerged as an invaluable tool for elucidation of gene function and drug target validation. This is particularly useful when substantial genome sequence data are available. Gene silencing using RNAi can aid translation of raw genomic sequence data into biologically relevant information toward the development of new and/or improved control strategies. Here, we review the current status of RNAi in trypanosome research focusing on challenges involved in the utilization of the technique as well as its potential application in drug target discovery and validation.
Key words: RNA interference, trypanosomes, gene silencing, RNAi library, drug targets
K. Moses., Owino , A. Vincent., Limo , Masiga , K. Daniel
Page: 1 - 8
Research Article
African Journal of Internal Medicine ISSN 2326-7283 Vol. 8 (10), pp. 001-007, October, 2020. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Toxic effect of naphta exposure on respiratory system among workers in the tyre industry
H. Zailina1, P. Hanachi2, A. S. Asmila Shahnaz1, I. Norazura1, L. Naing3, H. H. Jamal4 and N. Rusli3
1Environmental Health Unit, Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia.
2 Women Research Center, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran 3School of Dental Sciences, University Sains Malaysia.
4Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
Accepted 11 August, 2020
Abstract
A cross-sectional study was carried out on workers in a tyre manufacturing industry in Malaysia to determine the effects of naphtha exposure on lung functions and respiratory symptoms. Sixty male workers exposed to naphtha and 42 unexposed workers were selected for this study. Personal air monitoring carried out using solid sorbent tubes and low flow pumps (Model: PAS-500 Personal Air Sampler). Personal air monitoring showed that the mean air naphtha concentration was 28.50 mg/m3, the median was 28.47 mg/m3 and the inter quartile range of 1.27 mg/m3. The range was from 0.19 to 200.51 mg/m3 (PEL is 400 mg/m 3). The lung function tests showed in 2 groups for all the 3 parameters (FVC%, FEV1% and FEV1/FVC) were in exposed group 96.16, 85.23 and 0.791 respectively and in Unexposed group was 113.23, 116.28 and 0.903 respectively. The lung function tests showed that there were significant difference in the 2 groups for FVC% (p < 0.001), FEV1% (p < 0.001) and FEV1/FVC% (p = 0.002). Multiple linear regression test showed that monthly household income significantly influence the FVC% predicted (b = 0.003, p < 0.001) and FEV1% predicted (b = 0.006, p < 0.001). In conclusion there was an inverse relationship between air naphtha concentrations and lung functions ability. Early impairment of the respiratory system is detected on the workers who are exposed to naphtha which made up of several chemicals.
Key words: Lung function, naphtha concentrations, tyre manufacturing process.
H. H. Jamal and N. Rusli, I. Norazura1, P. Hanachi, L. Naing, H. Zailina, A. S. Asmila Shahnaz1
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