African Journal of Malaria and Tropical Diseases

African Journal of Malaria and Tropical Diseases ISSN 4123-0981 Vol. 6 (1), pp. 376-381, January, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

A study of the effects of antimalarials on the reproductive system of adult men

Ejebe, D. E.¹*, Ojieh, A. E.², Ovuakporaye, S.I.², Odion-Obomhense, H. K.³, Adegor, E. C.², Amadi C.N⁴, Nwadito, C.⁴, Emudainohwo, J. O. T.¹ and Ozoko, T. C.⁵

¹Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria.

²Department of Physiology, Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria.

³Department of Anatomy, Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria.

⁴Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Management , University of Port-Harcourt, Nigeria.

⁵Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Delta State University, Abraka Nigeria.

*Corresponding  author. E-mail:  [email protected].  Tel:+2348059034991.

Accepted 16 July, 2017

Abstract

The effects of treatment with the anti-malarial alkaloids quinine and chloroquine on sperm properties and blood levels of selected reproductive hormones (testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormones) of adult men were determined. Informed consents were obtained from twenty healthy adult volunteers who were subsequently allotted to groups A and B with 5 subjects each .While group C had 10 subjects. Group A received 600 mg of quinine 8 hourly for 5 days; group B subjects had 4 tablets of chloroquine (250 mg each) daily for 2 days then 2 tablets for one day. Group C subjects had neither of these drugs in the study period of 65 days. Venous blood and masturbation specimens of semen were obtained from the subjects before treatment, immediately post-treatment and by the 65^th day from commencement of treatment. Blood levels of follicle stimulating hormones, leutinizing hormone and testosterone were determined by Enzyme Linked Imuno Assay. Seminal Fluid Analysis was carried out on the semen specimens to determine sperm count, percentage forward motility and percentage abnormal sperm morphology. The means of all the variables assessed were within the limits of normal for their respective method of analysis. No statistical significant effect of these drugs on sperm count, percentage sperm forward motility and blood levels of testosterone were observed when pre-treatment results were compared with post-treatment and 65^th day results as well as when results of quinine and chloroquine treated groups were compared with those of control group. The suggestion by disparate IN VIVO animal and IN VITRO studies that the short term use of these drugs to treat malaria may be associated with fertility changes as a result of their inherent anti-spermatogenic effects have not been collaborated by this study in adult men.

Key words: Anti-malarial alkaloids, quinine, chloroquine, sperm properties, reproductive hormones, adult men.

African Journal of Malaria and Tropical Diseases ISSN 4123-0981 Vol. 5 (4), pp. 333-336, April, 2017. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

A study of antioxidant profile of Nigerian children diagnosed with plasmodium falciparum

Nmorsi O.P.G.¹*, Ukwandu N.C.D.² and Egwunyenga A.O.³

¹Tropical Disease Research Unit, Department of Zoology, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Nigeria.

²Department of Medical Microbiology, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Nigeria.

³Department of Zoology, Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected].

Accepted 22 April, 2016

Abstract

We evaluated the antioxidant status of 148 Nigerian children with Plasmodium falciparum malaria. The mean malarial parasitaemia was 4701.05 ± 2160.53/µL. The mean antioxidant concentrations of the infected children were determined for vitamin A (12.16 ± 1 - 16 µg/dL), vitamin C (0.43 ± 0.03 mg/dL), 5 carotenes (40.96 ± 5.38 µg/dL), and vitamin E (0.45 ± 0.03 mg/dL) . The control subjects had higher mean concentrations of vitamin A (72.12 ± 3.12 µg/dL), and of the 5 carotenes (132.63 ± 22.45 µg/dL), and these differences were statistically significant (X² = 42.86, P > 0.05 and X² = 50.64, P > 0.05, respectively). The mean concentrations of vitamin C (1.22 ± 0.31 mg/dL) and vitamin E (1.03 ± 0.48 mg/dL) in the control children were not statistically significant when compared with their infected children (X² = 0.34, P < 0.05) and (X² = 0.66, P < 0.05), respectively. The relationship between malarial parasitaemia and the concentrations of vitamin E and the 5 carotenes were positively correlated (r = 0.83 and r = 0.99, respectively) . The levels of plasma vitamin A and vitamin C were negatively correlated with the malarial parasitaemia (r = -0.98, and r = -0.96, respectively). Children within their first 5 years of age had higher malarial parasitaemia (7628.42 ± 3151.42/µL) than those > 6 years (1176.58 ± 956/µL). The children between 1 - 5 years old had lower concentrations of vitamin A (8.89 ± 3.74 µg/dL) and vitamin C (0.28 ± 0.21 µg/dL), while the concentration of the 5 carotenes (44.54 µg/dL) and of vitamin E (0.50 ± 0.16 µg/dL) was higher in these children. In conclusion, the depressed levels of plasma antioxidants in the P. falciparum-infected children suggested lowered immunity of the children, which may contribute to the morbidity and mortality of malaria in our locality.

Key words: Vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, antioxidants, Children, Plasmodium falciparum, Nigeria.

African Journal of Malaria and Tropical Diseases ISSN 4123-0981 Vol. 5 (12), pp. 371-375, December, 2017. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

A study of in vivo activity of aqueous and methanolic extracts of plant used as antimalaria

Oyewole I. O. ¹*, Ibidapo, C. A. ², Moronkola, D. O.³, Oduola, A. O.⁴, Adeoye G. O.⁵, Anyasor G. N.⁶ and Obansa J. A. ⁷

^{1, 6}Department of Basic and Applied sciences, Babcock University, Ilisan-Remo, Nigeria.

²Zoology Department, Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos, Nigeria.

³Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye;

⁵University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria.

^{4, 7}Public Health Division, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author: E-mail: [email protected].

Accepted 22 April 2016

Abstract

Extracts from the leaf of Tithonia diversifolia used in folk medicine for treatment of various ailments were tested for antimalaria and mosquito repellency properties in experimental animals and human volunteers, under the laboratory conditions. Comparison of the effectiveness of Chloroquine with the aqueous and methanolic extracts from the plant (T. diversifolia) showed that Chloroquine was 100% effective in clearing the parasite while the aqueous and methanolic extracts were 50 and 74% effective in clearing the parasites respectively. Both aqueous and methanolic extracts were more effective when administered before the onset of the infection, probably indicating the time-dependency of the antimalaria effects. Earlier application of the extracts at the onset of the malaria symptoms was more effective in reducing the parasitemia within a few days. The administration of the plant extracts during the malaria episode was also effective with longer period of administration. The LC₅₀ of the aqueous extract in mice was 1.2ml/100g body weight while the Maximum Tolerated Dose (MTD) was found to be 1.0ml/g. The repellent activity of volatile oil at different concentrations was measured by protection period against the bites of Anopheles gambiae, Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus. The volatile oil extract showed higher repellent effect on A. gambiae at higher concentrations however its repellent and protective effects at various concentrations on all other species of mosquito tested can not be underestimated.

Key words: Tithonia diversifolia, aqueous, methanolic, volatile oil extracts, chloroquine, Plasmodium berghei, mosquitoes.