Antinociceptive and antiinflammatory activities of crude leave extract and solvent fractions of Commelina latifolia Hochst. ex C.B.Clarke (Commelinaceae) leaves in murine model

Ethnopharmacological relevance: In the past, Ethiopian traditional medicine employed the leaves of the native Commelina latifolia Hochst. ex C.B. Clarke plant to treat wounds, pain, and malaria. Aim of the study: The crude extract and solvent fractions of C. latifolia Hochst. ex C.B. Clarke leaves were examined in the present investigation to determine their ability to have an antiinflammatory effect and provide an antinociceptive effect in animal models. Materials and methods: The leaves of C. latifolia were extracted with 80% methanol, and the CL crude extract was further fractionated with chloroform, pure methanol, and distilled water. The carrageenan-induced paw edema model was used to test the extracts' ability to reduce inflammation. The hotplate model and the acetic acid-induced writhing test on rodents were used to test the extracts' potential antinociceptive effect to reduce pain. Results: Inflammation was decreased by 64.59% with CL crude extract (400 mg/kg); 56.34% (400 mg/kg) of methanol fraction, 64.59% of aqueous fraction (400 mg/kg), and 38.27% of chloroform fraction in the carrageenan-induced inflammatory model. All extracts demonstrated a considerable lengthening of the nociception reaction time in the hot plate test, with a maximum antinociceptive effect of 78.98% (crude extract) and 71.65% (solvent fractions). At a dosage of 400 mg/kg, the natural C. latifolia crude extract and aqueous fraction demonstrated considerable antinociceptive effects against acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) during the writhing test (48.83% and 45.37than%, respectively). The current findings support Ethiopia's traditional user's assertions that the herb can alleviate inflammation and pain.

Medication Adherence and Contributing Factors Among Type 2 Diabetes Patients at Adama Hospital Medical College in Eastern Ethiopia

Introduction

Good glycemic control and preventing early complications are the ultimate targets of diabetes management, which depends on patients' adherence to regimens. Even though highly potent and effective medications have been developed and manufactured with astonishing advancement over the past few decades, excellent glycemic control has remained elusive.

Objective

This study aimed to assess the magnitude and factors associated with medication adherence among type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients on follow-up at Adama Hospital Medical College (AHMC) in East Ethiopia.

Methods

A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 245 T2D patients on follow-up at AHMC from March 1 to March 30, 2020. Medication adherence reporting scale-5 (MARS-5) was utilized to collect information regarding patients' medication adherence. The data were entered and analyzed using SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) version 21. The level of significance was declared at a p-value of  < .05.

Results

Of the 245 respondents, the proportion of respondents who adhere to diabetes medication was 29.4%, 95% CI [confidence interval] (23.7%-35.1%). After adjusting for khat chewing and adherence to blood glucose testing as confounding factors, being married (AOR [adjusted odds ratio]  =  3.43, 95%CI [1.27-4.86]), government employee (AOR  =  3.75, 95%CI [2.12-7.37]), no alcohol drinking (AOR  =  2.25, 95%CI [1.32-3.45]), absence of comorbidity (AOR  =  1.49, 95%CI [1.16-4.32]), and having diabetes health education at health institution (AOR  =  3.43, 95%CI [1.27-4.86]) were the factors associated with good medication adherence.

Conclusion

The proportion of T2D patients who adhere to medication in the study area was remarkably low. The study also found that being married, government employee, no alcohol drinking, absence of comorbidity, and having diabetes health education at a health institution were the factors associated with good medication adherence. Therefore, imparting health education on the importance of diabetes medication adherence by health professionals at each follow-up visit should be considered. Besides, awareness creation programs regarding diabetes medication adherence should be considered using mass media (radio and television).

Antimalarial activity of the hydroalcoholic crude extract and solvent fractions of Commelina latifolia Hochst. ex C.B.Clarke (Commelinaceae) leaves against Plasmodium berghei in mice

Ethnopharmacological relevance

In Ethiopia, the indigenous medicinal plant Commelina latifolia Hochst. ex C.B. Clarke leaves are used to treat malaria and wounds.

Aim of the study

In this work, the antiplasmodial activity of Commelina latifolia crude leaf extract and solvent fractions against Plasmodium berghei-infected mice was investigated.

Materials and methods

80% methanol was used to extract the leaves of C. latifolia, and the crude extract was fractionated using chloroform, pure methanol, and distilled water. All test compounds were undergone an acute oral toxicity test before being put through Peter's 4-day suppressive test to see if they have antiplasmodial activity. The hydroalcoholic crude extract and chloroform fraction were additionally assessed for antimalarial activity using curative and prophylactic tests in P. berghei-infected laboratory mice.

Results

All of the tested crude extracts were safe at a dose of 2000 mg/kg. At 400 mg/kg dose both the 80% methanol extract and chloroform fraction exhibited antimalarial activity with parasitemia suppression values of 86.31%, and 76.56% in the four-day suppressive test, 81.97% and 72.05% in Rane's test, and 69.05% and 62.88% in the prophylactic test, respectively.

Conclusion

Collectively, the oral dose of Commelina latifolia is safe, and reveals promising antimalarial activity. The findings backed up the utilization of the plant in traditional medicine to treat malaria.

Suppressive, Curative, and Prophylactic Effects of Maesa lanceolata Forssk. against Rodent Malaria Parasite Plasmodium berghei

The artemisinin partial resistance is believed to be spread to artemisinin-based combination therapy partner drugs. As a result, new antiplasmodial compounds are required to treat resistant malaria infections. In the invention of antimalarial substances, claimed medical plants are precious resources. So, the current study was designed to assess the antiplasmodial effects of Maesa lanceolata in mice. In this study, preliminary phytoconstituent and in vivo acute oral toxicity tests were done. Early infection, established infection, and residual infection tests were employed to determine the antimalarial effects of the test drugs. Three doses (200, 400, and 600 mg/kg) of the extracts were provided orally to the test mice. Analysis of variance (one-way) followed by post hoc Tukey's test was used to analyze the difference between and within groups. Terpenoids, tannins, saponins, flavonoids, and alkaloids were detected in the phytochemical constituent analysis. Both 80% methanolic crude extract and solvent fractions had no toxic result at the 2000 mg/kg dose. All test drug doses suppressed parasite levels in a significant manner at all tests. The activity of chloroform fraction (maximum percentage suppression, 81.28%) overwhelms the crude extract activity. The curative effects of 80% methanolic crude extract, with a maximum of 80.22% parasitemia suppression, were greater than its suppressive and prophylactic effects. The 400 mg/kg dose of chloroform fraction resulted in a maximum survival period (18 days) than other doses of tested materials. The results of this investigation provide support for the activity of M. lanceolata leaf extract against malaria.

Anticonvulsant Activity of Hydro Alcoholic Extract and Solvent Fractions of Biophytum umbraculum Welw. Syn (Oxalidaceae) Root in Mice

Background

Scientists and researchers continue to focus on medicinal plants as a potential source of lead chemicals in the search for and development of new antiepileptic medicines. Biophytum umbraculum Welw. Syn is used to treat epilepsy in Ethiopian traditional medicine. The anticonvulsant effect of Biophytum umbraculum Welw. Syn hydroalcoholic extract and solvent fractions was evaluated in this study since the claim has not been thoroughly explored.

Methods

The plant’s root was extracted using the maceration procedure, with aqueous, butanol, and chloroform as solvents. The maximum electroshock and pentylenetetrazol model tests were used to assess anticonvulsant activity. Mice were divided into five groups (n = 6) at random. The test groups received 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg of hydroalcoholic extract and solvent fraction, respectively. For the maximum electric shock test, the positive control groups received 25 mg/kg phenytoin and 200 mg/kg valproate for the pentylenetetrazol test. The negative control was given 10 mL/kg of pure water or 2% Tween 80.

Results

There were no signs of toxicity in the hydroalcoholic extract or solvent extraction. When compared to the negative control, the hydro-alcoholic extract had a significant anticonvulsant effect in both the maximum electric shock test and the pentylenetetrazol test. In both cases, the butanol component had a comparable impact. In the pentylenetetrazol test, the chloroform fraction had a significant anticonvulsant effect when compared to the control at dosages of MB200 and MB400. Flavonoids, phenols, tannins, steroids, terpenoids, and saponins were found in both the hydroalcoholic and solvent fractions of the plant extract.

Conclusion

The plant appears to have promising anticonvulsant properties, and it might be used to generate novel anti-epileptic drugs, according to this study.

Poor Sleep in Community-Dwelling Polysubstance Users: Association With Khat Dependence, Metacognition, and Socio-Demographic Factors

Purpose

Poor sleep and cognitive deficits are often associated with increased drug use. However, no study has addressed the relationship between poor sleep, substance dependence, and metacognitive deficit in polysubstance users.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study with a simple random sampling involving community-dwelling polysubstance users (n = 326, age = 18-43 years) in Mizan, Ethiopia. Participants completed a brief sleep questionnaire, severity of dependence on khat (SDS-Khat), a brief meta-cognition questionnaire, and a socio-demographic survey.

Results

Majority (56.4%) of the polysubstance users had sleep disturbance. Chronic health conditions [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 2.52, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.31-4.85], chronic conditions in the family (AOR = 2.69, 95% CI 1.40-5.20), illiterate-primary level of educational status (AOR = 2.40, 95% CI 1.30-4.04), higher SDS-Khat score (AOR = 1.39, 95% CI 1.13-1.72), and lower meta-cognition score (AOR = 0.90, 95% CI 0.84-0.97) predicted poor sleep in the polysubstance users. Moreover, low metacognition score and high SDS score also predicted additional sleep disturbances like chronic sleep insufficiency, lethargy and restlessness after nighttime sleep, socio-occupational dysfunctions, and daytime disturbances in polysubstance users.

Conclusion

Poor sleep, severe khat dependence, and metacognitive deficits are common in community polysubstance users. Moreover, poor sleep is associated with higher khat dependence, lower metacognitive ability, lower educational status, and the presence of chronic conditions in polysubstance users or their families.

In vivo antiplasmodial activity of hydromethanolic leaf extract and solvent fractions of Maytenus gracilipes (Celastraceae) against Plasmodium berghei in mice

BACKGROUND

The incidence of resistance among currently available antimalarial drugs, as well as the high economic cost of malaria, has prompted researchers to look for novel antimalarial molecules. As a result, the current study was proposed to evaluate the antiplasmodial activity (in vivo) of Maytenus gracilipes based on the plant's traditional claims.

METHODS

A cold maceration procedure using 80% methanol as a solvent was employed to obtain a crude extract from M. gracilipes leaves. Chloroform, n-butanol, and pure water were used to fractionate the hydromethanolic extract. Standard procedures were followed for an acute oral toxicity test. The antimalarial effects of the plant at 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg doses were investigated using three rodent malaria models (4-day suppressive, rane's, and repository tests). Thirty mice were utilized in each experiment (3 treatment and 2 control groups, each with six mice). Parasitemia, survival time, body weight, temperature, and packed cell volume were all used to assess the extracts' antiplasmodial activity. To compare results between groups, a one-way ANOVA with Post Hoc Tukey's HSD was used.

RESULTS

In a 4-day suppressive investigation, all doses of the crude extract and fractions suppressed parasitemia significantly (P < 0.001) as compared to the negative control. The crude extract had the greatest chemosuppressive effect (74.15%) at 600 mg/kg dose. Chloroform had the greatest parasitemia suppression among the fractions; however it was less than the crude extract. In Rane's test, all doses of the crude extract produced substantial (P < 0.001) curative effects as compared to the negative control.

CONCLUSION

According to this study, the crude extract and solvent fractions of M. gracilipes leaves contain antimalarial activity with a substantial suppressive effect. The antiplasmodial effects were more active in the chloroform and n-butanol fractions, indicating that the plant's non-polar and medium polar constituents are responsible. Nonetheless, further analysis is required to isolate and characterize the active compounds responsible for the study plant's antimalarial activity.

Evaluation of Antiplasmodial Activity of Hydroalcoholic Crude Extract and Solvent Fractions of Zehneria scabra Roots Against Plasmodium berghei in Swiss Albino Mice

Background

Since drug resistance makes controlling malaria parasites a major challenge, these pioneering researchers explore and discover new novel drugs from a variety of sources. As a result, this study aimed to assess the anti-plasmodial activity of hydroalcoholic crude extract and solvent fractions of Zehneria scabra roots in mice infected with Plasmodium berghei.

Methods

The antimalarial activity and safety profile of Zehneria scabra extracts were tested in a mouse model using four-day suppressive, prophylactic, and rane’s tests against chloroquine-sensitive Plasmodium berghei. Mice were divided into five groups at random: group I received distilled water (10 mL/kg), group II, III, and IV received 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg of the extract, respectively, and group V received chloroquine (25 mg/kg). The antimalarial activity of the extract was determined using parasitemia levels, survival time, rectal temperature, and weight variation.

Results

At all dose levels, the crude extract and solvent fractions of Zehneria scabra showed significant (p<0.05 to p<0.001) chemosuppression, with the crude extract and butanol fraction showing the highest chemosuppression (73.09% and 74.09%, respectively). Apart from suppressing parasitemia, the extract also increased survival time and secured packed cell volume reduction substantially (p<0.05 to p<0.001), while the crude extract had no significant impact on body weight or rectal temperature reduction in four-day suppressive and prophylactic models.

Conclusion

The result designated that Zehneria scabra is endowed with significant antimalarial activity. These results thus support the traditional use of Zehneria scabra, for the treatment of malaria.

Poor Glycemic Control and Its Contributing Factors Among Type 2 Diabetes Patients at Adama Hospital Medical College in East Ethiopia

BACKGROUND

Poor glycemic control is a major public health issue among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and a significant risk factor for the progression of diabetic complications. This study aimed to assess the magnitude and contributing factors of poor glycemic control among type 2 diabetes patients on follow-up at Adama Hospital Medical College (AHMC) in East Ethiopia.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 245 type 2 diabetes patients on follow-up at AHMC from March 1 to 30, 2020. All type 2 diabetes patients on follow-up at AHMC and fulfilling the inclusion criteria were included in the study. The data were collected through face-to-face interviews using structured questionnaires and reviewing the patient chart. The data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 21. The level of significance was declared at a p-value of <0.05.

RESULTS

Of the 245 type 2 diabetes patients included in the study, 157 (64.1%) had poor glycemic control. The factors associated with poor glycemic control were being male (AOR = 2.28, 95% CI [1.24-4.21]), not attending formal education (AOR = 3.12, 95% CI [1.53-6.35]), monthly income of <136 USD (AOR = 2.14, 95% CI [1.17-3.91]), overweight (AOR = 2.60, 95% CI [1.32-5.10]) and obesity (AOR = 3.44, 95% CI [1.44-8.21]), and chewing khat (AOR = 2.77, 95% CI [1.04-7.33]).

CONCLUSION

The proportion of poor glycemic control among type 2 diabetes patients at AHMC was remarkably high. Therefore, more effort should be taken to strengthening and disseminating health education programs for diabetes patients at each follow-up visit on the importance of achieving optimal body weight, avoiding khat chewing, and maintaining regular physical exercise to prevent and mitigate the complications resulting from poor glycemic control.

Antibacterial Activity of Ritchiea albersii Gilg and Cynoglossum amplifolium Leaves Extracts against Selected Bacteria

Background

The increase in antimicrobial resistance worldwide has necessitated the search for alternative therapeutic agents. The leaf extracts of Ritchiea albersii and Cynoglossum amplifolium have been used as traditional medicine for the management of eye, ear and wound infections in Ethiopia.

Objective

The objective of the study was to evaluate the antibacterial activity of R. albersii and C. amplifolium against three common bacteria.

Materials and Methods

In this experimental study, the antimicrobial properties of 80% methanol, chloroform and acetone extracts of R. albersii and C. amplifolium were evaluated against two Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 and Streptococcus pneumoniae ATCC 49619) and one Gram-negative bacterium (Escherichia coli ATCC 25922) using the agar-well diffusion method. Ciprofloxacin 0.05 mg/disc was used as a positive control. Furthermore, a preliminary phytochemical study was carried out.

Results

The zones of inhibition shown by all extracts of the two plants against the tested bacteria were significantly lesser (P < 0.05) than the standard drug. E. coli and S. aureus were the most susceptible strains for most extracts studied. The acetone extract of R. albersii exhibited a higher inhibitory effect (P < 0.05) against S. pneumoniae (16 mm) and E. coli (19 mm) compared with its methanol extract. The chloroform extract of R. albersii was more effective than its methanol extract (P < 0.05) against all tested bacteria. The acetone extract of C. amplifolium displayed a higher inhibitory effect (20 mm) against E. coli than its methanol and chloroform extracts.

Conclusions

The leaf extracts of R. albersii and C. amplifolium exhibited broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, highlighting their potential as phytotherapeutic drugs in preventing and treating infections caused by S. aureus, S. pneumoniae and E. coli. Further investigations for isolating specific compounds and elucidating mechanisms are required to address the need for novel antibacterial drugs.

Migraine screen questionnaire: further psychometric evidence from categorical data methods

BACKGROUND

Psychometric investigations of tools used in the screening of migraine including the migraine screen questionnaire (MS-Q), using an adequate statistical approach is needed. We assessed the psychometric properties of the migraine screen questionnaire (MS-Q) using categorical data methods.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A total of 343 students at Mizan-Tepi University, Ethiopia, age range = 18-35 years were selected by a simple random sampling method to participate in a cross-sectional study. The respondents completed the MS-Q, a semi-structured socio-demographic questionnaire, and a visual analog scale for attention (VAS-A).

RESULTS

The cumulative variance rule (> 40%), the Kaiser's criteria (Eigenvalue> 1), the Scree test and, the parallel analysis (minimum rank) identified a 1-factor model for the MS-Q with the factor loadings in the range of 0.78 to 0.84. Fit indices favored a 1-factor model of the MS-Q as indicated by comparative fit index (0.993), weighted root mean square residual (0.048), root mean square error of approximation (0.067), the goodness of fit index (1.00), and non-normed fit index (0.987). The values of the Factor Determinacy Index (0.953), marginal reliability (0.909), H-latent (0.909), H-observed (0.727), explained common variance (0.906) and the mean item residual absolute loadings (0.225) further complimented finding of the 1-Factor model. McDonald's Omega (0.903) suggested adequate internal consistency. Discriminative validity was supported by significantly higher scores for the total and all the MS-Q items except one among those with complaints of attention.

CONCLUSION

The categorical methods support the psychometric validity of the MS-Q in the study population.

Insomnia Symptoms and Their Association with Anxiety and Poor Sleep Hygiene Practices Among Ethiopian University Students

OBJECTIVE

There is a paucity of research evidence available regarding the impact of anxiety and sleep hygiene on insomnia and related sleep complaints among collegiate students in lower-income countries. The purpose of this study was to investigate if insomnia and insomnia-related sleep complaints are associated with anxiety, age, and sleep hygiene practices among a sample of university students in Ethiopia.

DESIGN MEASURES SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

The participants were young adults (n=525; mean age 21.5 ± 3.0 years; mean BMI of 20.7 ± 2.7kg/m²). Young collegiate adults at Mizan-Tepi University in southwestern Ethiopia were randomly selected to participate in this cross-sectional study. The measures included the Leeds Sleep Evaluation Questionnaire-Mizan (LSEQ-M), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 Scale (GAD-7), and the Sleep Hygiene Index (SHI). Descriptive statistics, binary logistic regression, and multiple linear regressions were used.

RESULTS

Insomnia was associated with young age group (≤25 years) (odds ratio (OR) = 2.20, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.04-4.66), higher GAD-7 (anxiety) (OR = 1.05, 95% CI 1.0-1.10) and SHI (poor sleep hygiene) (OR = 1.15, 95% CI 1.05-1.26) scores. All four insomnia-related sleep complaints were associated with increasing GAD-7 scores, as well as higher SHI scores (p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Insomnia was associated with younger age group (≤25 years), higher anxiety level, and poor sleep hygiene. Four major sleep complaints in insomnia, ie, sleep onset problems, poor sleep quality, awakening problems, and daytime disturbances, were all associated with higher anxiety levels and poor sleep hygiene.

Psychometric properties of the Epworth sleepiness scale in Ethiopian university students

Background

Daytime sleepiness is highly prevalent across the globe. The Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) is the most widely used tool for screening daytime sleepiness. The psychometric properties of the ESS have not been comprehensively examined in African populations.

Material and methods

A cross-sectional design with simple random sampling was used in the present study. The study recruited 600 students from Mizan-Tepi University, Ethiopia, of which 329 (age = 18–28 years and body mass index = 21.19 ± 3.17 kg/m²) completed the study. ESS, a semi-structured socio-demographics questionnaire and a clinical interview to diagnose insomnia according to the International Classification of Sleep Disorders were employed.

Results

All except one item of the ESS showed a floor effect, while only one item score showed ceiling effect. However, no ceiling/floor effect was observed in the ESS total score. The Cronbach’s alpha (0.75) and composite reliability (0.75), indicated good internal consistency, while a moderate item-total score correlation (r = 0.55–0.67) implied favorable internal homogeneity. The known-group validity was established by significantly higher scores for all the ESS item scores and the ESS total scores among those with symptoms of insomnia than among non-symptomatic students. Fit indices along with the consideration of inter-factor correlation coefficient, measures of item retention favored the unidimensional structure of the ESS.

Conclusion

The ESS has excellent psychometric validity for screening daytime sleepiness in Ethiopian university students.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12955-019-1098-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

In Vivo Antimalarial Activity of the 80% Methanolic Root Bark Extract and Solvent Fractions of Gardenia ternifolia Schumach. & Thonn. (Rubiaceae) against Plasmodium berghei

BACKGROUND

Evolution of antimalarial drug resistance makes the development of new drugs a necessity. Important source in search of such drugs is medicinal plants. Gardenia ternifolia plant is used in Ethiopian traditional medicine for the treatment of malaria and is endowed with in vitro antimalarial activity. Herein, the in vivo antimalarial activity of the plant was investigated.

METHODS

Acute toxicity was carried out using a standard procedure. A 4-day suppressive test was employed to evaluate the antimalarial effect of methanolic crude extract and solvent fractions of the plant. The curative and prophylactic effect of crude extract was further tested by Ranes's test and residual infection procedure, respectively, using Plasmodium berghei (ANKA strain) in Swiss albino mice.

RESULTS

The chemosuppressive effect exerted by the crude extract and fractions ranged between 30-59% and 14-51%, respectively. Curative and prophylactic effects of the crude extract were in the range of 36-63% and 24-37%, respectively. All dose levels of the crude extract prevented loss of weight, reduction in temperature, and anemia on early and established infection. Butanol and chloroform fractions also did reverse reduction in temperature, body weight, and packed cell volume.

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicated that the plant has a promising antiplasmodial activity and it could be considered as a potential source to develop new antimalarial agents.