International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology

International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology ISSN: 2326-7267 Vol. 3 (4), pp. 001-006, November, 2014. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Management of superficial fungal infections with Senna alata (“alata”) soap: A preliminary report

A. T. Oladele¹*, B. A. Dairo², A. A. Elujoba¹ and A. O. Oyelami²

¹Department of Pharmacognosy, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile - Ife, Osun State, Nigeria.

²Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile - Ife, Osun State, Nigeria.

Accepted 11 September, 2014

Abstract

The paper presents a preliminary report on the observational studies on Senna alata soap for the management of superficial skin infections among the inmates of Ilesa Prison, Nigeria. Thirty three inmates were recruited for the study and randomly distributed into 19 treatments and 14 controls. S. alata leaf powder was incorporated into the soap consisting of caustic soda (NaOH) and palm kernel oil (PKO) to make 1.5% w/w. The herbal soap mixture was poured and allowed to solidify and then cut into stable tablets (65 g each). Tinea versicolor and Tinea corporis were the major fungal infections found on the skin lesions at diagnosis prior to commencement of study, while Epidermophyton floccusum and Cryptococcus sp were microscopically observed to be responsible for the lesions. The ‘alata soap’ significantly cleared the lesions on 16 subjects (94.1%), comprising (11) T. versicolor and (5) T. corporis. None of the controls was cleared significantly. The study clearly confirmed the folkloric claims on S. alata as an antimicrobial agent for treating skin infections.

Key words: Superficial skin infections, Senna alata, Tinea versicolor, Tinea corporis, alata soap.

International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology ISSN: 2326-7267 Vol. 3 (4), pp. 001-005, November, 2014. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Effects of ethanol extract of Azadirachta indica leaves on some immunological and haematological parameters of diabetic Wistar rats

Itemobong S. Ekaidem¹*, Item J. Atangwho², Henry D. Akpan³, Itoro F. Usoh³, Oboso E. Etim³ and Patrick E. Ebong²

¹Department of Chemical Pathology, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.

²Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Cross Rivers State, Nigeria.

³Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State,     Nigeria.

Accepted 15 April, 2014

Abstract

The effects of ethanol extract of Azadirachta indica (Family: Meliaceae) leaves on immunological and haematological parameters of alloxan-induced diabetic rats were investigated with a view to ascertaining its involvement in the immunological or inflammatory control of diabetic vascular complications. Total white blood cell, red blood cell, total lymphocyte and neutrophil counts were determined by microscopy. CD₄⁺ cell counts by flow cytometry as well as packed cell volume (PCV), and haemoglobin determination by spectrophotometry were also performed on normal control (NC) and diabetic rats treated orally for 14 days with 400 mg/kg bodyweight of A. Indica leaf extract (DTAI) or 7.14 mg/kg bodyweight of chlorpropamide (DTCH) or distilled water (DC). The different groups comprised of six rats each. The result showed that total white blood cells, total lymphocytes and CD₄⁺ cells were significantly (p < 0.05) increased in untreated diabetic (DC) rats compared to normal control (NC) rats, whereas the increase in neutrophil was not significant. These immunological parameters in diabetic rats treated with the extract (DTAI) and those treated with chlorpropamide (DTCH) were not different from those of the normal control group. Also PCV, haemoglobin concentration and red blood cell count were not significantly different among the test and control groups. The immune cell lowering effects of the A. indica leaf extract appeared to be of clinical significance in the control of atherosclerosis and other diabetic vascular complications in rats. These effects were comparable to those of chlorpropamide on the immune cells.

Key words: Azadirachta indica, immune cells, atherosclerosis, vascular complications.

International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology ISSN: 2326-7267 Vol. 3 (4), pp. 001-008, November, 2014. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Safety evaluation of aqueous extract of unripe berries of Solanum aculeastrum in male Wistar rats

O. M. Aboyade, M. T. Yakubu, D. S. Grierson and A. J. Afolayan*

Department of Botany, University of Fort Hare, Alice, South Africa.

Accepted 17 April, 2014

Abstract

The acute and sub-acute toxicity of aqueous extract of the fresh, unripe berries of Solanum aculeastrum was investigated in male Wistar rats. In the acute toxicity study, toxicity symptoms such as hypoactivity, respiratory distress and epistaxis which disappeared 72 h post treatment, were observed in all the extract treated animals. Except for the 125 mg/kg body weight of the extract, all the other dose levels (250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg body weight) produced mortality in the animals whose latency was inversely proportional to the doses. The extract produced no histopathological alterations in all the organs except the lungs where there was evidence of follicle formation and interstitial diseases following the administration of 125 and 250 mg/kg body weight of the extract. Again, with 500 and 1000 mg/kg body weight of the extract, the lungs became characterized with massive expansion of the bronchial lymphoid tissue (BALT), extension of lymphocytes and plasma cells through the mascularies into the submucosa and mucosa. In the sub-acute toxicity study however, the 50 and 75 mg/kg body weight of the extract significantly (P < 0.05) increased the body weight of the animals by 9.23 and 20.02%, respectively. The extract decreased the weight of the liver whereas those of the lungs, spleen and the testes increased. All the dose levels also increased the concentrations of serum total protein, globulin, creatinine and MCV of the animals. Whereas the 50 and 75 mg/kg body weight of the extract increased the serum levels of albumin, urea, calcium, GGT, Hb and RBC, the 25 and 50 mg/kg body weight of the extract decreased the total and conjugated bilirubin. The 75 mg/kg body weight of the extract increased the levels of MCHC, WBC, Cl^-, total and conjugated bilirubin. Again, all the dose levels of the extract decreased the activities of serum ALP, ALT, inorganic phosphorus, MCH, platelets, lymphocytes, neutrophils, monocytes, eosinophils, LUC and basophils. The extract at 25 and 75 mg/kg body weight increased the RCDW and PCV levels respectively whereas the 75 mg/kg body weight of the extract reduced the RCDW. The extract at 25 mg/kg body weight decreased the serum AST activity, Hb, RBC, MCHC and WBC. The alterations in the haematological parameters, liver and kidney function indices as well as mortality observed in this study indicates that the aqueous extract of the fresh, unripe berries of S. aculeastrum is toxic and will adversely affect the normal functioning of the blood, liver and kidney of the animals. The follicular bronchitis observed in the lungs of the animals may be associated with immunodeficiency and hypersensitivity to the plant extract. Therefore, the extract is not completely safe as an oral remedy when repeatedly consumed on daily basis for 14 days at the doses investigated.

Key words: Solanum aculeastrum, safety, haematological parameters, functional indices, liver, kidney, histopathological alterations, oral remedy.

International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology ISSN: 2326-7267 Vol. 3 (4), pp. 001-003, November, 2014. © International Scholars Journals

Short Communication

Anti-termite and antimicrobial properties of paint made from Thevetia peruviana (Pers.) Schum. oil extract

P. G. Kareru¹*, J. M. Keriko¹, G. M. Kenji² and A. N. Gachanja¹

¹Chemistry Department, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya.

²Food Science and Technology, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya.

Accepted 5 March, 2014

Abstract

Thevetia peruviana (Pers.) K. Schum. seed oil was used to make a surface coating with antifungal, antibacterial and anti-termite properties. The paint exhibited inhibitory activity against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis and Candida albicans in a concentration dependent manner. The antibacterial activities were statistically significant (p = 0.05). The repellent action of paint against subterranean termites (Microtermes spp.) was significant (p = 0.03). From these results, it was concluded that the Thevetia peruviana-based oil paint was self-preserving against microbes and substantially protected wood from subterranean termite attack.

Key words: Thevetia peruviana, anti-termite, antifungal.

International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology ISSN: 2326-7267 Vol. 3 (4), pp. 001-004, November, 2014. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Preliminary phytochemical and antimicrobial investigations of leaf extracts of Ochna schweinfurthiana (Ochnaceae)

M. I. Abdullahi¹, I. Iliya², A. K. Haruna¹, M. I. Sule¹, A. M. Musa¹* and M. S. Abdullahi³

¹Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria.

²National Institute for Pharmaceutical Raw Materials Research and Development, Abuja, Nigeria.

³National Research Institute for Chemical Technology, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria.

Accepted 14 January, 2013

Abstract

The antimicrobial activity of the acetone and methanol extracts of the leaves of Ochna schweinfurthiana F Hoffm (Ochnaceae) obtained through maceration was evaluated using disc diffusion and Nutrient broth dilution techniques. The microorganisms tested were: Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 021001, Bacillus subtilis NCTC 8236, Escherichia coli NCTC 10418, Salmonella typhi ATCC19430, Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC 10031, Pseudomonas aeruginosa NCTC 6750, Candida albicans ATCC 10231; local hospital isolates: Streptococcus pyogenes, Corynebacterium ulcerans, Neisseria gonorrhoea and methicillin-resistant S. aureus. Susceptibility test results showed that both extracts (600 g/disc) inhibited growth with a mean zone of inhibition range of 15 - 21 mm against Staphylococcus aureus, S. typhi, K. pneumoniae and P. aeruginosa; no activity was however observed against methicillin resistant S. aureus, N. gonorrhea, C. ulcerans, B. subtilis, E. coli and the only fungus, C. albicans. Sparfloxacin (100 g/disc) a standard antibiotic inhibited the growth of all the organisms tested with the exception of C. albicans. Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids, saponins and steroids/terpenes. The results suggest that the plant contains bioactive constituent(s) with modest antimicrobial activity and validates the ethno-medical use in wound dressing and other forms of bacterial infections.

Key words: Antimicrobial, Ochna schweinfurthiana leaves extract, preliminary phytochemical.

International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology ISSN: 2326-7267 Vol. 3 (4), pp. 167-173, November, 2014. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full length Research paper

Posology in children oral liquid medication studies in Liberia

Kolawole* JA, Paye PD and Smith KC

Department of Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of Liberia, Liberia.

Email: [email protected]

Accepted 19 August, 2014.

Abstract

The determination and implementation of appropriate dose(s) and dosing in children for effective therapeutic outcome devoid of medication errors is a concern to health practitioners and regulatory authorities. This study surveyed children oral medications on the Liberian pharmaceutical market for appropriate dose/dosage and delivery devices. In the qualitative work, caregivers were interviewed and surveys were conducted in pharmacies for oral medications and the quantitative phase involved the evaluation of the delivery devices.  The result of the survey showed that 95.7% of caregivers followed instructions provided at the point of dispensing or as on label of product. Survey result showed that 56% of the oral medicinal products have specific direction for usage while 73% have the inscription “as directed by the physician”, either alone or in combination with specific direction for use.  Medicines with delivery device as cup were 80.94% and those with teaspoons were 1.79%, while 17.28% do not have any form of delivery device. 53.11% of the medicinal products provided instruction for delivery of the medicines in “teaspoonful”, though they did not contain teaspoon or cups graduated in “teaspoonful” format. Volume calibration of the teaspoons (n=12, Mean ± SD; 5.389 ± 1.219 ml) showed statistically significant difference (P< 0.05), while the cups volume capacities at 5.0 ml was found to be 5.200 ± 0.326 ml. The large volume cups showed significant difference (P<0.05) at the 5.0 ml graduation. The cups with volume capacities of about 10.0 ml (64.89%) or above 10.0 ml (35.11%) were found to be susceptible to error as only 25.5% of the mothers were able to accurately measure out 5.0 ml in the cups. 

Key Words: Posology, Liberia, delivery devices, medication error, children oral medication.