Flavonoid mixture ameliorates increase in erythrocyte osmotic fragility and malondialdehyde concentration induced by Trypanosoma brucei brucei-infection in Wistar rats

Anticonvulsant, Anticholinesterase and Cytoprotective Effects of the Aqueous Extract of Lippia sidoides Cham

(1) Background: Lippia sidoides Cham is a Brazilian aromatic plant rich in phenolic compounds. In traditional medicine, its leaves are used to treat diseases of the Central Nervous System such as stress and anxiety. This study evaluates the capacity of the aqueous extract of L. sidoides as an anticonvulsant, anticholinesterase and antihemolytic agent. (2) Methods: The extract was obtained from the leaves using water as a solvent, then dried in a spray dryer. The anticonvulsant effect was evaluated in zebrafish models using the pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) method. The anticholinesterase effect was determined using the acetylcholinesterase enzyme and physostigmine as a positive control. The antihemolytic action was evaluated by exposing erythrocytes to different concentrations of NaCl in the presence and absence of the extract. (3) Results: The anticonvulsant effect was observed at a concentration of 400 mg/kg, delaying convulsive crises. In the anticholinesterase assay, a dose-dependent action and variation in the effect over time were observed, demonstrating a reversible effect of the extract. For the osmotic fragility test, the extract showed satisfactory results, providing cellular protection across all variations of NaCl concentration. (4) Conclusions: These results demonstrate the promising potential of L. sidoides extract for the development of drugs that act in the treatment of diseases that affect the Central Nervous System.

Antitrypanosomal properties of Anogeissus leiocarpa extracts and their inhibitory effect on trypanosome alternative oxidase

Background

African trypanosomiasis is a protozoan disease with huge socio-economic burden to sub-Saharan African exceeding US$4.6 annual loss. To mitigate the incidence of trypanosomal drug resistance, efforts are geared towards discovery of molecules, especially from natural products, with potential to inhibit important molecular target (trypanosome alternative oxidase, TAO) in trypanosomes that are critical to their survival.

Method

Crude methanol extract of Anogeissus leiocarpa was subjected to in vitro bioassay-guided antitrypanosomal assay to identify the most active extract with trypanocidal activity. The most active extract was run on a column chromatography yielding five fractions, F1-F5. The fractions were assayed for inhibitory effect on TAO. The most promising TAO inhibitor was subjected to antitrypanosomal evaluation by trypanosome count, drug incubation infectivity test (DIIT) and in vivo studies. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to identify and quantify phytochemical constituents of the potential TAO-inhibiting fraction.

Results

Ethyl acetate extract (EtOAc) significantly (p<0.05) produced trypanocidal effect and was the most active extract. Of the five fractions, only F4 significantly (p<0.05) inhibited TAO compared to the control. F4 completely immobilised the trypanosomes up to 0.5 μg/μl, yielding an EC₅₀ of 0.024 μg/μl compared to the 0.502 μg/μl of diminazene aceturate positive control group. The DIIT showed that F4 was significantly (p<0.05) potent up to 0.1 μg/μl. F4 significantly (p<0.05) suppressed parasite multiplication in systemic circulation of the treated rats and significantly (p<0.05) maintained high PCV when compared to the 5% DMSO group. Furthermore, F4 significantly (p<0.05) lowered serum concentrations of malondialdehyde. Phytoconstituents identified by the GC-MS include tetradecene; cetene; 3-(benzylthio) acrylic acid, methyl ester; 1-octadecene; 9-heptadecanone; hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester; dibutyl phthalate; eicosene; octadecenoic acid, methyl ester; oleic acid; 2-methyl-Z,Z-3,13-octadecadienol; 1-docosene; 3-phenylthiane, s-oxide; phenol, 3-methyl; phthalic acid, di(2-propylpentyl) ester and 1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid, bis (2-ethylhexyl) ester.

Conclusion

F4 from EtOAc contains six carbohydrates (9.58%), two free fatty acids (6.48%), five fatty acid esters (27.73%), two aromatic compounds (50.63%) and one organosulphide (5.61%). It inhibited TAO and demonstrated antitrypanosomal effects.

Flavonoid fractions of diosmin and hesperidin mitigate lead acetate-induced biochemical, oxidative stress, and histopathological alterations in Wistar rats

This study aims at investigating the protective effects of flavonoid fractions of diosmin and hesperidin in mitigating sub-chronic lead acetate-induced biochemical, oxidative stress, and histopathological alterations in adult male Wistar rats. Forty animals were randomly assigned into five groups, each consisting of eight animals. Group I animals was treated with deionised water only, group II, IV, and V were administered lead acetate 90 mg/Kg body weight (1/20th of the LD50), groups III, and IV was administered Daflon (100 mg/Kg), while group V was administered Daflon (200 mg/Kg), 30 min prior treatment with lead acetate. All treatments lasted for 42 days. Blood lead levels, electrolyte parameters, zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP) levels, activities of antioxidant enzymes, and histopathology of vital organs, were evaluated following standard practice. Sub-chronic lead acetate exposure induced a decrease in levels of serum electrolytes, and activities of antioxidant enzymes, while blood lead levels, ZPP, and malondialdehyde levels were increased. Lead exposure also instigated marked variation in histopathology of vital organs. Conversely, co-treatment with graded doses of daflon improved the levels of blood lead, electrolytes, ZPP, activities of antioxidant enzymes, and histopathology of vital organs. Data obtained from the current study indicate that rats exposed to sub-chronic doses of lead acetate show increased blood lead levels, electrolyte imbalance, alongside impairment in ZPP levels, activities of antioxidant enzymes, and histopathology, while pretreatment using daflon mitigated the ensued perturbations. This, therefore, suggests that consumption of foods enriched with flavonoid fractions of diosmin and hesperidin may be beneficial for individuals inhabiting lead-polluted environments.

Molecular detection of Theileria species, Anaplasma species, Candidatus Mycoplasma haemobos, Trypanosoma evansi and first evidence of Theileria sinensis-associated bovine anaemia in crossbred Kedah-Kelantan x Brahman cattle

BACKGROUND

Serious disease outbreaks in cattle are usually associated with blood pathogens. This study aims to detect blood pathogens namely Theileria species, Anaplasma species, Candidatus Mycoplasma haemobos and Trypanosoma evansi, and determine their phylogenetic relationships and haemato-biochemical abnormalities in naturally infected cattle.

METHODS

Molecular analysis was achieved by PCR amplification and sequencing of PCR amplicons of 18SrRNA gene of Theileria species, 16SrRNA genes of Anaplasma and Mycoplasma species, MPSP genes of T. orientalis and T. sinensis, MSP4 gene of A. marginale, 16SrRNA gene of Candidatus Mycoplasma haemobos, and RoTat1.2 VSG gene of Trypanosoma evansi, in sixty-one (61) clinically ill Kedah-Kelantan x Brahman cattle in Pahang, Malaysia.

RESULTS

A total of 44 (72.13%) cattle were infected with more than one blood pathogen. Theileria species was the blood pathogen with the highest molecular detection rate (72.13, 95% CI 59.83-81.81%). Nucleotide blast analyses of all sequences demonstrated high degree of molecular similarity (98-100%) in comparison with their respective reference sequences. Analysis of 18SrRNA gene sequences of Theileria species and 16SrRNA gene sequences of Anaplasma species revealed Theileria sinensis and Anaplasma platys respectively as additional species detected in these cattle. MPSP-PCR analysis was conducted for further confirmation of T. sinensis. The blood picture of eight infected cattle groups revealed poikilocytosis, anisocytosis, rouleaux formation and degenerative left shift. High mean erythrocyte fragility values were common in infected cattle groups. Anaemia of the macrocytic normochromic type and spherocytes were observed in the T. evansi and Anaplasma platys + Theileria sinensis double species co-infected cattle group. Normocytic normochromic anaemia was observed in the T. sinensis infected cattle group. Significant (p < 0.05) increases in serum liver and kidney parameters, total protein, globulin, total and unconjugated bilirubin and decreased albumin values were observed in the T. evansi infected cattle when compared to clinically healthy cattle.

CONCLUSION

We present the first evidence of Theileria sinensis-associated bovine anaemia (TSABA) in Malaysian cattle. Because of the high occurrence of bovine theileriosis and detection of A. platys, there is an urgent need for appropriate preventive and control measures against these blood pathogens.

Metabolism and pharmacological activities of the natural health-benefiting compound diosmin

Diosmin is a famous natural flavonoid for treating chronic venous insufficiency and varicose veins.

Acute-phase serum superoxide dismutase level as a predictive biomarker for stroke-associated infection

Background and Purpose: Oxidative stress is involved in the development of infections. However, whether oxidative stress indicators can be used as markers of stroke-associated infection (SAI) is still unclear. The purpose of this study was to test the predictive values of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels for SAI incidence.Methods: A total of 45 consecutive patients with ischemic stroke who were admitted to our hospital were enrolled. A prospective study was carried out to observe the occurrence of SAI during the first 7 days after stroke. Accordingly, the patients were divided into SAI and non-SAI groups. The relationship between SOD and MDA serum levels and SAI was analyzed.Results: The patients in the SAI group had significantly higher serum SOD levels than those in the non-SAI group (41.638 ± 3.428 U/ml vs. 36.542 ± 9.114 U/ml, p = 0.033). However, there were no significant differences in MDA levels between the SAI and non-SAI group (p > 0.05). The discriminating ability of serum SOD level for SAI was measured using an ROC curve. Serum level of SOD >38.16 U/ml was useful in diagnosing SAI with a sensitivity of 88% and a specificity of 61%. Kaplan-Meier curves showed that the group with serum SOD level >38.16 U/ml had higher rates of SAI incidence (χ2 = 9.688, p = 0.002; log rank test). Furthermore, Cox regression analysis indicated that a serum SOD level >38.16 U/ml was an independent risk factor for SAI (hazard ratio = 5.836; 95% CI, 1.298-26.244; p = 0.021).Conclusions: Acute-phase serum SOD level could be a predictor of SAI.

In vivo ameliorative effects of methanol leaf extract of Lawsonia inermis Linn on experimental Trypanosoma congolense infection in Wistar rats

The aim of this study was to investigate the ameliorative effect of Lawsonia inermis Linn used traditionally against trypanosomosis. Twenty-five adult Wistar rats of both sex were individually infected intraperitoneally (IP) with 10⁶Trypanosoma congolense per ml of blood. Following establishment of infection, the rats were randomly divided into five groups of 5 rats each. Rats in groups I, II, and III were treated with 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg of the extract, respectively, while rats in groups IV and V were treated with 3.5 mg/kg and 2 ml/kg of diminazene aceturate (DM) once and physiological buffered saline, respectively. All treatments except DM were given orally for 7 days IP. The antitrypanosomal effect of the plant was assessed by observing the level of parasitaemia daily, packed cell volume (PCV) weekly, erythrocyte osmotic fragility (EOF) and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration on day 21. Phytochemical screening of the extract revealed the presence of alkaloids, carbohydrates, triterpenes, steroids, cardiac glycosides, saponins, tannins and flavonoids. The extract significantly (P < 0.05) reduced levels of parasitaemia at 250 mg/kg. PCV was higher (P > 0.05) in extract treated groups but significantly higher (P < 0.05) in group II at week 2 when compared to group V. Rats in group II had significantly lower values of EOF and MDA when compared with groups IV and V. Thus, the leaf of L. inermis has in addition to an antitrypanosomal effect against T. congolense in rats, an attenuating effect on the trypanosomosis pathology probably mediated via protection of the erythrocyte membrane against trypanosome-induced oxidative damage to the erythrocytes.

Achillea fragrantissima, rich in flavonoids and tannins, potentiates the activity of diminazine aceturate against Trypanosoma evansi in rats

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate activity of methanol extract of Achillea fragrantissima (meth) (A. fragrantissima) alone or in combination with diminazine aceturate (DA) against Trypanosoma evansi (T. evansi) in experimentally infected rats.

METHODS

Sixty adult male Wister albino rats were divided equally into 6 groups (A-F). Rats in groups A-E were experimentally infected with T. evansi and those in group F were uninfected. The groups were treated respectively as follows: group A-with 3.5 mg/kg DA; group B- with 1000 mg/kg meth A. fragrantissima; group C-3.5 mg/kg DA plus 500 mg/kg meth A. fragrantissima; group D-3.5 mg/kg DA plus 1000 mg/kg meth A. fragrantissima. Group E was left untreated. Parasitemia, survivability, packed cell volume, hemoglobin concentration, total leucocytes count, lymphocyte count, and serum malondialdehyde and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels were estimated. Phytochemical screening of meth A. fragrantissima was also performed.

RESULTS

The phytochemical analysis of the meth A. fragrantissima indicated a higher content from polyphenolic tannins and non tannins and flavonoids. The efficacy percentage against trypanosomiasis in groups A - E was respectively as follows 80, 40, 90, 100, 0. The administration of meth-A. fragrantissima (1000 mg/kg b.wt.) produced a moderate efficacy against trypanosomiasis. Untreated rats in group E died between 25 and 30 d post infection. The rats given DA and meth A. fragrantissima combinations (C and D) showed faster and higher recovery rates than the uninfected control and groups A and B. The initial reduction in packed cell volume, hemoglobin, total leucocytes count, increases in serum malondialdehyde and decreases in GSH levels were reversed by the treatments.

CONCLUSION

The administration of the methanol extracts of A. fragrantissima and DA combination therapy was more effective than each product alone in the treatment of rats infected with T. evansi and further studies are required to isolate more active ingredients.

Chemopreventive effect of methanolic extract of Azadirachta indica on experimental Trypanosoma brucei induced oxidative stress in dogs

Introduction:

The medicinal properties of Azadirachta indica have been harnessed for many years in the treatment of many diseases in both humans and animals.

Materials and Methods:

Twenty-five apparently healthy dogs weighing between 3 and 8 kg were randomly divided into five groups with five dogs in each group. Ameliorative effect of A. indica on erythrocyte antioxidant status and markers of oxidative stress were assessed. Liver and kidney function tests were also performed.

Results:

Pre-treatment with methanolic extract of Azadirachta indica (MEAI) at different doses did not significantly alter the values of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase activity in Trypanosoma brucei infection. Although, serum creatinine significantly (P < 0.05) decreased with pre-treatment with 50 mg/kg A. indica, after 2 weeks of T. brucei infection. However, the reduced glutathione (GSH) content of the erythrocyte increased significantly in animals pre-treated with 50 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg of A. indica respectively. Markers of oxidative stress such as malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide generated were higher in animals infected with T. brucei with no significant (P >0.05) difference compared to the values obtained in pre-treated animals. Pre-treatment with 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg of A. indica significantly (P < 0.05) decreased serum myeloperoxidase activity at 2 weeks post-infection with T. brucei.

Conclusion:

From this study, MEAI showed significant ability to attenuate oxidative stress and inflammation during experimental T. brucei infection.