Toxicological evaluation of aqueous leaf extract of Terminalia catappa linn (combretaceae) in pregnant rats

Introduction

Terminalia catappa (T. catappa) leaves are used in the treatment of hypertension, diabetes, cough, jaundice, indigestion etc, while the bark is used to treat diarrhea, dysentery, abscesses etc. Due to the acceptance and increased use of medicinal plants in pregnancy, there is a need to evaluate their toxicological profiles in pregnancy for safe use. This study aims to evaluate the toxicological effects of aqueous leaf extract of T. catappa in pregnant rats.

Methods

acute toxicity study was carried out using Organization of Economic Corporation Development (OECD) 423 guidelines. Seventy-five rats (50 females and 25 males) were used at the age of 2 weeks just after weaning. The male rats were separated from the female rats in different cages and allowed to mature for 10 weeks. Then the rats were allowed to mate. After mating, 20 female rats with viable spermatozoa counts were selected and divided into 4 groups of 5 rats each (n=5). The control group received distilled water while the treatment groups II, III, and IV were administered with aqueous leaf extract of T. catappa orally at graded doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg respectively for 21 consecutive days. The daily food and water intake, and weight were recorded. On the 22th day, the rats were anesthetized by chloroform inhalation, and blood samples were collected for haematological and biochemical analysis. The maternal livers, kidneys, and hearts were collected and weighed, and histological studies were carried out. The fetuses were removed and examined. An isolated tissue experiment was carried out on the myometrium of the pregnant rat uterus. The isometric reading of the uterine contractions was recorded.

Results

the oral LD50 was found to be ≤2000-5000 mg/kg. There was a significant (p<0.05) increase in the mean food intake at the 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg doses of the extract used on the 14th and 21st days when compared to the 7th day. The renal function test showed a significant (p<0.05) increase for chloride. The liver function test revealed that the extract at 100 mg/kg dose, significantly (p<0.05) increased only Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) liver enzyme, while at 200 mg/kg dose, only AST liver enzyme was significantly (p<0.05) increased, while at 400 mg/kg dose, ALT, AST, ALP, and albumin increased significantly (p<0.05) when compared to the control group. There was a significant (p<0.05) decrease in the relative organ weight of the liver at 400 mg/kg dose of the extract. The liver histology showed moderate hepatic vacuolation and necrosis, while the histology of the kidney showed slight tubular necrosis.

Conclusion

this study has shown that the aqueous leaf extract of T. catappa is relatively not safe in the pregnant rats. Although it is non-toxic to the fetus, it exhibited tocolytic effect by inhibiting uterine contractions, thus it should be used with caution during pregnancy, especially in the third trimester or during labor.

Characterization of Sphingobacterium sp. Ab3 Lipase and Its Coexpression with LEA Peptides

Sphingobacterium sp. is a yellowish Gram-negative bacterium that is usually characterized by high concentrations of sphingophospholipids as lipid components. As microbial enzymes have been in high demand in industrial fields in the past few decades, this study hopes to provide significant information on lipase activities of Sphingobacterium sp., since limited studies have been conducted on the Sphingobacterium sp. lipase. A microbe from one collected Artic soil sample, ARC4, was identified as psychrotolerant Sphingobacterium sp., and it could grow in temperatures ranging from 0°C to 24°C. The expression of Sphingobacterium sp. lipase was successfully performed through an efficient approach of utilizing mutated group 3 late embryogenesis abundant (G3LEA) proteins developed from Polypedilum vanderplanki. Purified enzyme was characterized using a few parameters, such as temperature, pH, metal ion cofactors, organic solvents, and detergents. The expressed enzyme is reported to be cold adapted and has the capability to work efficiently under neutral pH (pH 5.0 to 7.0), cofactors like Na+ ion, and the water-like solvent methanol. Addition of nonionic detergents greatly enhanced the activity of purified enzyme. IMPORTANCE The mechanism of action of LEA proteins has remained unknown to many; in this study we reveal their presence and improved protein expression due to the molecular shielding effect reported by others. This paper should be regarded as a useful example of using such proteins to influence an existing expression system to produce difficult-to-express proteins.

Urothelial carcinoma arising within a congenital bladder diverticulum in an adult male: A rare case report and literature review

Introduction and importance

Neoplasms arising from vesical diverticula are rare clinical entities known as intradiverticular bladder tumors. The bladder diverticulum harboring these tumors can be congenital or acquired. Congenital diverticula are predominantly found in children and are extremely rare in adults.

Case presentation

A 56-year-old male admitted to our hospital with a 10-days history of painless gross hematuria and blood clots. Physical examination and vital signs were unremarkable. Radiologic examination revealed a bladder diverticulum with a mass inside it. Pathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of TCC tumor arising from congenital bladder diverticula.

Clinical discussion

While intradiverticular bladder tumors account for only 1% of all bladder tumors، and the finding of a congenital bladder diverticulum is a rare anomaly in adults, the concurrence of a tumor arising within a congenital bladder diverticulum is almost non-existent in adults.

Conclusion

We aimed to present a rare case of urothelial carcinoma arising from a congenital diverticulum in an adult while highlighting the diagnostic and therapeutic options used in managing such tumors.

•

Congenital diverticula are predominantly found in children and are extremely rare in adults.

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The concurrence of a tumor arising within a congenital bladder diverticulum is almost non-existent in adults.

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Physicians should always consider the possibility of tumors developing within these diverticula.

Traditional knowledge about medicinal plant in the remote areas of Wari Tehsil, Dir Upper, Pakistan

Traditional medicine is cheaper and easily available to local people, to care for most frequent diseases in the Northern parts of Pakistan. Our study aimed at inventorying medicine from local plants, documenting their uses, and assessing their market value in 2015-2018 during spring, summer, and winter seasons. A total of 15 trips were made, 5 in each season. Semi-structured interviews with 165 inhabitant's age range between 20-80 years were conducted, analyzed the data is analyzed using Relative frequency of citation(RFC), Use Value(UV), Fidelity Level(FL), Informants consensus factor(ICF), and Jaccard index(JI) to find the most frequent and well-known used species in the area. A total of 86 species belonging to 39 vascular plant families, 33 genera were documented as medicinally important. Family Asteraceae was observed as the dominant family among all the families with 10 species, the leaf was the most used parts and decoction 36% was the most preferred preparation type. Herb was the predominant life form (67%). The maximum UV (0.92) was demonstrated by J. adhatoda L. species, while A. sativum L. shows maximum RFC (0.58), the highest ICF value represented by diarrhea and dermatitis 0.92, and high FL value is recorded 100%. According to our collections, wild species were 45%, invasive species were 38% and cultivated 17% recorded, dicots species were recorded more 81%. Seven 7 medicinal species is being economically important and export to the local and international market of the world, whereas P. integrima L. species were the most exported species according to the local dealers. The investigated area is rural and the local people depend on the area's plants for their health needs, and other uses like a vegetable, fuelwood, fodder, etc. The current result of RFC, UV, ICF, FL, and JI shows that medicinal flora needs to be pharmacologically and phytochemically investigated to prove their efficacy. The documentation of medicinal knowledge is important to preserve this precious old knowledge before it is lost forever, due to technological and environmental changes in the world.

Exogenous fibrolytic enzymes and recombinant bacterial expansins synergistically improve hydrolysis and in vitro digestibility of bermudagrass haylage

Four experiments were conducted to examine the effects of a recombinant bacterial expansin-like protein (BsEXLX1) from Bacillus subtilis and a commercial exogenous fibrolytic enzyme (EFE) preparation for ruminants on hydrolysis of pure substrates (cellulose and xylan) and in vitro digestibility of bermudagrass haylage (BMH). Recombinant Escherichia coli BL21 strain was used to express BsEXLX1; the protein was purified using an affinity column. In experiment 1, carboxymethylcellulose, Whatman #1 filter paper (General Electric, Boston, MA) and oat-spelt xylan substrates were subjected to 4 treatments (1) sodium citrate buffer (control), (2) BsEXLX1 (162 µg/g of substrate), (3) EFE (2.3 mg/g of substrate), and (4) EFE + BsELX1 in 3 independent runs. Samples were incubated at optimal conditions for both additives (pH 5 and 50°C) or at ruminal (pH 6 and 39°C) or ambient (pH 6 and 25°C) conditions for 24 h and sugar release was measured. In experiment 2, digestibility in vitro of BMH was examined after treatment with the following: (1) control (buffer only), (2) BsEXLX1 (162 µg/g of dry matter), (3) EFE (2.2 mg/g of dry matter), and (4) EFE + BsEXLX1 in 3 independent runs at 39°C for 24 h. Experiment 3 examined effects of EFE and BsEXLX1 on simulated preingestive hydrolysis and profile of released sugars from BMH after samples were suspended in deionized water with sodium azide at 25°C for 24 h in 2 independent runs. In experiment 4, the sequence of the BsEXLX1 purified protein was compared with 447 ruminal bacterial genomes to identify similar proteins from the rumen. In experiment 1, compared with EFE alone, EFE and BsEXLX1 synergistically increased sugar release from carboxymethylcellulose and Whatman #1 filter paper under all simulated conditions; however, hydrolysis of xylan was not improved. In experiment 2, compared with EFE alone, treatment with EFE and BsEXLX1 increased neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber digestibility of bermudagrass haylage (by 5.5 and 15%, respectively) and total volatile fatty acid concentrations, and decreased acetate-propionate ratio. In experiment 3, compared with EFE alone. The EFE and BsEXLX1 synergistically reduced concentrations of neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber and increased release of sugars by 9.3%, particularly cellobiose (72.5%). In experiment 4, a similar sequence to that of BsEXLX1 was identified in Bacillus licheniformis, and similar hypothetical protein sequences were identified in Ruminococcus flavefaciens strains along with different protein structures in E. xylanophilum and Lachnospiraceae. This study showed that an expansin-like protein synergistically increased the hydrolysis of pure cellulose substrates and the hydrolysis and digestibility in vitro of BMH.

Poverty-associated emerging infection of Cystic Echinococcosis in population of Northern Pakistan: A hospital based study

Cystic Echinococcosis (CE) is one of the most important zoonotic parasitic diseases in human, livestock, and wildlife globally. The prevalence of CE depends upon human behavioral risk factors, the diversity and ecology of animal host interactions and the genetic diversity within Echinococcus species which differ in their zoonotic potential and pathogenicity. It is a neglected, economic and socio-cultural problem in Pakistan. The available data about the incidence of CE is very limited and no extensive study has been reported in Pakistan. The current study was aimed to analyze the hospital reported cases of CE and the associated risk factors related to the incidence of CE. The hospital-based data of CE for the time period of January 2012-December 2017 was collected from Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Peshawar. The data covered demographic characteristics including age, gender, and cyst localization of infected individuals and socioeconomic determinants. The data was analyzed based upon different risk factors along with the different socioeconomic parameters that has an important impact on the distribution of disease. A total of 228 cases were presented in the selected hospitals of different cities during the study period. Out of total 228 patients, 59.21% were males and 40.78% were females (P<0.001). Most infections have been recorded in young adults (>20-30) showing 22.8% of total infected individuals followed by children (0-10) showing 10.5% (n=24), respectively (P<0.001). Liver was the most vulnerable organ (58.77%, n=134) followed by lungs (14.47%, n=33) (P<0.001). The infection was higher among rural communities (84.2%) than urban (12.8%) (P<0.001). Socioeconomic and demographic factors had an important impact on the intensity of disease (P<0.001). The occurrence of cases in children and young adults was an important finding as it indicated an active transmission of the parasite in Pakistan along with the poverty index. Emergence of echinococcosis in Pakistan showed that emerging health issues in Pakistan could bring the disease to limelight for future research. This finding, together with the fact that 1 hospital reported 214 cases over 6 years 325 underlines the need for a program for prevention/control of this disease in Pakistan. The timely measure needs to be taken to hamper the disease development and establishment. In order to control the disease, complete surveillance should be done which in turn weighs down the disease progress.

Preparation and evaluation of tilmicosin microspheres and lung-targeting studies in rabbits

Tilmicosin (TMS) is a macrolide used extensively for pulmonary infections in clinical veterinary medicine. However, TMS has frequent administration and short elimination half-life. Therefore, tilmicosin-gelatine microspheres (TMS-GMS) were prepared by an emulsion-chemical cross-linking technique as a sustained-release formulation to extend drug half-life. The particle size distribution, in-vitro sustained-release properties, stability, and physical characteristics, as well as pharmacokinetic (PK) characteristics, were evaluated in rabbits. TMS-GMS were spherical in shape and had a mean diameter of 11.34±1.20μm; 95.65% of the microspheres varied in size from 5.0 to 25.0μm. Light and thermal stability tests indicated no significant changes in all observed indices. Importantly, compared to crude TMS, slower release of TMS from TMS-GMS was noted in drug release studies (in vitro). Pharmacokinetic (PK) characteristics were examined in the lung, liver, heart, kidney and muscle tissue of rabbits following IM injection of TMS-GMS or TMS-injection at a dose of 10mg/kg. The elimination half-life of TMS-GMS (59.21±0.21h) was longer than that of TMS-injection (38.56±0.13h) in the lung. The ratio of peak concentration (C_e) of TMS-GMS to TMS-injection was 2.19 (>1) in the lung, demonstrating the selectivity of TMS-GMS to target the lung compared to that of other tissues (C_e<1). Interestingly, the uptake value of TMS from TMS-GMS was 8.48 times higher in the lung than that for the TMS-injection, and was slightly higher than in the liver (1.85), heart (1.72), kidney (2.44) and muscle (2.79) tissues. TMS-GMS is a sustained-release formulation of TMS with potential to be used in veterinary clinical applications; possible benefits include lung-targeting and prolonged elimination half-life.

Knowledge and practice of injection safety among healthcare workers in a Nigerian secondary healthcare facility

Injection safety is important in today’s healthcare delivery particularly in settings with a high burden of blood-borne viruses. A safe injection protects the patient, the healthcare worker and the community from avoidable infections. In Nigeria, the national policy on injection safety and healthcare waste management were developed in 2007. The development of the policy was followed by series of training on safe injection and behavioural change. Despite this, high burden of unsafe injections was reported in many parts of the country. This study assessed the level of knowledge and practice of injection safety among healthcare workers in a secondary healthcare facility in north-western Nigeria. The study targeted all the healthcare workers employed in the hospital. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to all the available healthcare workers. A total of 80/88 questionnaires were returned and analysed. Majority of the respondents were male in their early career who were within the age range of 31-40years. The results showed that 88.75% of the healthcare workers correctly described injection safety as defined by the WHO. However, only 18.75% and 40.0% had good knowledge of risks associated with, and diseases that can be transmitted through unsafe injections respectively. In addition, only 25.0% reported safe injection practices. Reuse of syringe was reported by 37.50% of the respondents and over 88% recap used needles. Majority of the healthcare workers reported a previous history of needlestick injury which was not associated with their professional cadre p-value = 0.146. Despite injection safety training, inadequate knowledge with poor injection practice was found among the surveyed healthcare workers. The reuse of syringes and needles underscores the need for adequate and safe injection commodities at all levels of healthcare delivery. Keywords: healthcare workers, injection safety, knowledge, practice

Potassium tert-butoxide mediated aerobic hydroxylation of arylboronic acids: an application towards the synthesis of (E)-phenoxy acrylates

The first example of potassium tert-butoxide mediated aerobic hydroxylation of arylboronic acids affording phenols is described.

Attenuation of Oxidative Stress-Induced Osteoblast Apoptosis by Curcumin is Associated with Preservation of Mitochondrial Functions and Increased Akt-GSK3β Signaling

BACKGROUND

Osteoblast apoptosis induced by oxidative stress plays a crucial role in the development and progression of osteoporosis. Curcumin, a natural antioxidant isolated from Curcuma longa, has highly protective effects against osteoporosis. However, the effects of curcumin on oxidative stress-induced osteoblast apoptosis remain unclear. This study aimed to explore the effect of curcumin on hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) induced osteoblast apoptosis and the underlying mechanisms.

METHODS

An osteoblastic cell line (Saos-2) was exposed to various concentrations of H2O2 with or without curcumin treatment. Cell viability was evaluated by MTT assays. The apoptosis rate was analyzed by flow cytometry and TUNEL assays. Mitochondrial ROS and membrane potential were determined using a fluorescence microscope. Mitochondrial respiratory enzyme activity was measured using a spectrophotometer. Protein levels were detected by western blotting.

RESULTS

Curcumin was cytoprotective because it greatly improved the viability of Saos-2 cells exposed to H2O2 and attenuated H2O2-induced apoptosis. Curcumin treatment also preserved the mitochondrial redox potential, decreased the mitochondrial oxidative status, and improved the mitochondrial membrane potential and functions. Furthermore, curcumin treatment markedly increased levels of phosphorylated protein kinase B (Akt) and phosphorylated glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK3β).

CONCLUSION

Curcumin administration ameliorates oxidative stress-induced apoptosis in osteoblasts by preserving mitochondrial functions and activation of Akt-GSK3β signaling. These data provide experimental evidence supporting the clinical use of curcumin for prevention or treatment of osteoporosis.

Effect of application time of maleic acid on smear layer removal and mechanical properties of root canal dentin

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effect of maleic acid (MA) on the cleaning efficacy and mechanical properties of root canal dentine with respect to different time exposure.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

One hundred and eighty single-canal premolars were instrumented with rotary-files and then randomly assigned to test groups receiving 7% MA for 30 s, 45 s, 1 min, or 3 min or to control groups treated with 0.9% saline or 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid for 45 s. The micro-hardness, nano-hardness and elastic modules were measured before and after treatment, while the amount of smear and erosion in the coronal, middle and apical thirds in root canal were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy, finally, the fracture strength was assessed by vertical root fracture testing.

RESULTS

The efficacy of smear layer removal increased with increasing MA application time. The largest effect was observed at 45 s, even in the apical third, whereas the treatment for 1 min resulted in irreversible erosion of the dentine surface. The micro-hardness and nano-indentation testing confirmed that the micro- and nano-scale mechanical properties were significantly decreased after MA application for 1 min. Furthermore, the specimens treated with MA for 3 min presented the lowest fracture resistance among all groups. In contrast, the 45 s treatment appeared to increase the fracture resistance of the tooth.

CONCLUSIONS

The cleaning efficacy and mechanical properties of root canal dentine varied with MA exposure time. The application of MA for 45 s was found to be the most promising for clinical use.

Characterisation of blaTEM genes and types of β-lactamase plasmids in Neisseria gonorrhoeae - the prevalent and conserved blaTEM-135 has not recently evolved and existed in the Toronto plasmid from the origin

Background

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a major concern worldwide. It has been recently feared that the bla_TEM-1 gene is, via bla_TEM-135, evolving into an extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL), which could degrade all cephalosporins including ceftriaxone. The aims of the present study were to characterize the bla_TEM genes, types of β-lactamase plasmids, the degradation of ampicillin by TEM-135 compared to TEM-1, and to perform molecular epidemiological typing of β-lactamase-producing N. gonorrhoeae strains internationally.

Methods

β-lactamase producing N. gonorrhoeae isolates (n = 139) cultured from 2000 to 2011 in 15 countries were examined using antibiograms, bla_TEM gene sequencing, β-lactamase plasmid typing, and N. gonorrhoeae multiantigen sequence typing (NG-MAST). Furthermore, the bla_TEM gene was sequenced in the first described Toronto plasmid (pJD7), one of the first Asian plasmids (pJD4) and African plasmids (pJD5) isolated in Canada. The degradation of ampicillin by TEM-135 compared to TEM-1 was examined using a MALDI-TOF MS hydrolysis assay.

Results

Six different bla_TEM sequences were identified (among isolates with 125 different NG-MAST STs), i.e. bla_TEM-1 (in 104 isolates), bla_TEM-135 (in 30 isolates), and four novel bla_TEM sequences (in 5 isolates). The bla_TEM-1 allele was only found in the African and Asian plasmids, while all Rio/Toronto plasmids possessed the bla_TEM-135 allele. Most interesting, the first described gonococcal Toronto plasmid (pJD7), identified in 1984, also possessed the highly conserved bla_TEM-135 allele. The degradation of ampicillin by TEM-135 compared to TEM-1 was indistinguishable in the MALDI-TOF MS hydrolysis assay.

Conclusions

bla_TEM-135, encoding TEM-135, is predominantly and originally associated with the Rio/Toronto plasmid and prevalent among the β-lactamase producing gonococcal strains circulating globally. bla_TEM-135 does not appear, as previously hypothesized, to have recently evolved due to some evolutionary selective pressure, for example, by the extensive use of extended-spectrum cephalosporins worldwide. On the contrary, the present study shows that bla_TEM-135 existed in the Toronto plasmid from its discovery and that bla_TEM-135 is highly conserved (not further evolved in the past >30 years). Nevertheless, international studies for monitoring the presence of different bla_TEM alleles, the possible evolution of the bla_TEM-135 allele, and the types of β-lactamase producing plasmids, remain imperative.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1471-2334-14-454) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Diversity analysis of Burkholderia cepacia complex in the water bodies of West Lake, Hangzhou, China

A survey of Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) species was conducted in water bodies of West Lake in China. A total of 670 bacterial isolates were recovered on selective media. Out of them, 39.6% (265 isolates) were assigned to the following species: Burkholderia multivorans, Burkholderia cenocepacia recA lineage IIIA, IIIB, Burkholderia stabilis, Burkholderia vietnamiensis, and Burkholderia seminalis while B. cenocepacia is documented as a dominant Bcc species in water of West Lake. In addition, all Bcc isolates tested were PCR negative for the cblA and esmR transmissibility marker genes except B. cenocepacia IIIB A8 which was positive for esmR genelater. The present study raises great concerns on the role of West Lake as a "reservoir" for potential Bcc pathogenic strains.

Antimalarial (+)-trans-hexahydrodibenzopyran derivatives from Machaerium multiflorum

Bioassay-guided fractionation of Machaerium multiflorum yielded the hitherto unreported (+)-trans-hexahydrodibenzopyrans machaeriol A (1) and machaeriol B (2), as well as the known guaiane sesquiterpene (-)-kessane. Structure elucidation was based on (1)H and (13)C NMR data, mainly 2D NMR (1)H-(1)H COSY, (1)H-(13)C HMQC, (1)H-(13)C HMBC, and (1)H-(1)H NOESY experiments. This is the first report of the hexahydrodibenzopyrans from a higher plant other than the genus Cannabis. The cannabimimetic activity was thus evaluated by radioligand binding assay for cannabinoid receptor CB1, which indicated, notably, that both 1 and 2 were inactive. In addition, the cross reactivity of 1 and 2 toward antibodies designed for urinary metabolites of cannabinoids was evaluated with the EMIT and On Line cannabinoids assays. Both compounds showed no response at 100 000 ng/mL in both assays. Machaeriol B (2) demonstrated in vitro antimalarial activity (IC(50) = 120 ng/mL) against Plasmodium falciparum W-2 clone.

Dihydroagarofuran alkaloid and triterpenes from Maytenus heterophylla and Maytenus arbutifolia

The antimicrobially active EtOH extracts of Maytenus heterophylla yielded a new dihydroagarofuran alkaloid,1beta-acetoxy-9alpha-benzoyloxy-2beta,6alpha-dinicotinoyloxy-beta-dihydroagarofuran, together with the known compounds beta-amyrin, maytenfolic acid, 3alpha-hydroxy-2-oxofriedelane-20alpha-carboxylic acid, lup-20(29)-ene-1beta,3beta-diol, (-)-4'-methylepigallocatechin, and (-)-epicatechin. In addition, beta-amyrin, (-)-epicatechin and (-)-4'-methylepigallocatechin were isolated from Maytenus arbutifolia. The structure elucidation of the isolated compounds was based primarily on 1D and 2D NMR analyses, including HMQC, HMBC, and NOESY correlations. Maytenfolic acid showed moderate antimicrobial activity by inhibiting the growth of Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Improved method for the determination of oxindole alkaloids in Uncaria tomentosa by high performance liquid chromatography

This Paper describes an improved HPLC method for the determination of pentacyclic oxindole alkaloids in Uncaria tomentosa (Cat's Claw). Six of the isomeric compounds could be baseline separated at room temperature within less than 30 min by using 3 microm C-18 column material and a mobile phase consisting of 10 mM phosphate buffer at pH 7.0 and acetonitrile. At a wavelength of 245 nm all standard compounds could be detected at concentrations as low as 0.63 microg/ml. Different samples of U. tomentosa bark and market products containing Cat's Claw were extracted with a modified procedure ensuring the integrity of the alkaloids and analyzed successfully. The results indicated accuracy and consistency of the new method, and showed variations in the total alkaloid content in products from 0.156 to 0.962%.

Investigation of Uña De Gato I. 7-Deoxyloganic acid and 15N NMR spectroscopic studies on pentacyclic oxindole alkaloids from Uncaria tomentosa

The C-8-(S) isomer of deoxyloganic acid (7-deoxyloganic acid), together with beta-sitosteryl glucoside, five known stereoisomeric pentacyclic oxindole alkaloids and the tetracyclic oxindole isorhyncophylline, were isolated from the inner bark of Uncaria tomentosa. Structures of the isolated compounds were based on 1H and 13C NMR data, mainly 2D NMR experiments, including 1H-13C HMBC and 1H-1H NOESY correlation. Furthermore, the hitherto unreported 15N chemical shifts of the isomeric oxindole alkaloids, using 1H-15N HMBC experiments, were utilized to facilitate their characterization. Uncarine D showed weak cytotoxic activity against SK-MEL, KB, BT-549 and SK-OV-3 cell lines with IC(50) values between 30 and 40 microg/ml, while uncarine C exhibited weak cytotoxicity only against ovarian carcinoma (IC(50) at 37 microg/ml).

Inhibitory effects of maesanin and analogs on arachidonic acid metabolizing enzymes

The substituted 1,4-benzoquinone, maesanin (1), is a potent 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) inhibitor present in the fruit of Maesa lanceolata Forssk. Thirteen natural, synthetic, semisynthetic, and microbially transformed analogs of 1 were tested for their in vitro inhibition of 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) and cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1). Maesanin was the most active 5-LO inhibitor. All other analogs were inactive or less active than the natural products as 5-LO inhibitors. None of the tested compounds was strongly active in the COX-1 inhibition assay.

Antimalarial, cytotoxic, and antifungal alkaloids from Duguetia hadrantha

Bioassay-guided isolation of Duguetia hadrantha yielded two new 4,5-dioxo-1-azaaporphinoids, hadranthine A (1) and hadranthine B (2), together with the known alkaloids imbiline-1 (3), sampangine (4), and 3-methoxysampangine (5), whose structures were determined primarily from 2D-NMR 1H-13C HMBC, and 1H-15N HMBC experiments. This is the first report of the co-occurrence of the copyrine alkaloids 4 and 5, as well as the first report of either copyrine or imbiline type alkaloids from a Duguetia species. Compounds 1, 4, and 5 demonstrated in vitro antimalarial activity against Plasmodium falciparum (W-2 clone), while 2 was inactive. Instead, 2 showed in vitro cytotoxicity to selected human cancer cell lines (IC50 = 3-6 microg/mL against SK-MEL, KB, BT-549, and SK-OV-3), and 4 was also cytotoxic to human malignant melanoma (IC50 = 0.37 microg/mL). Sampangine (4) also inhibited cell aggregation with a MIC value of <0.15 microg/mL, while 3-methoxysampangine (5) was only weakly active.

Two stereoisomeric pentacyclic oxindole alkaloids from Uncaria tomentosa: uncarine C and uncarine E

The chloroform solvate of uncarine C (pteropodine), (1'S,3R,4'aS,5'aS,10'aS)-1,2,5',5'a,7',8',10',10'a-octahydro-1'-methyl-2-oxospiro[3H-indole-3,6'(4'aH)-[1H]pyrano[3,4-f]indolizine]-4'-carboxylic acid methyl ester, C(21)H(24)N(2)O(4).CHCl(3), has an absolute configuration with the spiro C atom in the R configuration. Its epimer at the spiro C atom, uncarine E (isopteropodine), (1'S,3S,4'aS,5'aS,10'aS)-1,2,5',5'a,7',8',10',10'a-octahydro-1'-methyl-2-oxospiro[3H-indole-3,6'(4'aH)-[1H]pyrano[3,4-f]indolizine]-4'-carboxylic acid methyl ester, C(21)H(24)N(2)O(4), has Z' = 3, with no solvent. Both form intermolecular hydrogen bonds involving only the oxindole, with N.O distances in the range 2.759 (4)-2.894 (5) A.

Haematuria in Africa: is the pattern changing?

OBJECTIVE

To study the aetiological factors and clinical presentation of haematuria as seen in a tertiary healthcare centre in a developing country in Africa.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study comprised a retrospective review of the diagnostic indices and notes of patients with macroscopic haematuria presenting at the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Nigeria, over a 7-year period from 1985 to 1991.

RESULTS

Of a total of 2726 urology patients and 11 232 surgical patients, 482 had haematuria (17.7% and 4.3%, respectively, 387 males and 95 females, ratio 4.1 : 1, mean age 44.8 years, range 6-80). Many presented late with advanced malignant disease (T3, T4). Investigations useful in the diagnosis were urinary cytology, intravenous urography and cysto-urethroscopy. Common causes of haematuria were bladder carcinoma in 142 (31%), benign prostatic hypertrophy in 64 (14%) and urinary stones in 54 (12%).

CONCLUSION

Recurrent haematuria in patients over 30 years of age in this environment should be considered or deemed to be caused by malignancy until confirmed otherwise. An educational programme is required to alert the population to the significance of haematuria as a symptom demanding a thorough investigation before treatment. This would need support by a haematuria service for accelerated diagnosis and treatment.

Influence of HIV infection on presentation of Kaposi's sarcoma

We report a retrospective review of 57 patients with endemic Kaposi's sarcoma (EKS) seen between 1981 and 1990 and 40 prospectively diagnosed patients with and without human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection seen between 1991 and 1995. In the retrospective study 52 patients were males and five were females. Their ages ranged between 15 and 62 years with a mean of 39 years.Thirty-five (61%) patients had symptoms for more than 1 year. Nodular KS was seen in 75% of the patients. In the prospective study 26 patients had EKS while 14 had AIDS associated KS (AAKS). Among the patients with EKS 24 were males and two were females. The mean duration of symptoms was 20 months. The CD4 count done on nine patients ranged between 900 and 1300 cells/mm3 and there was no mortality within 1 year of presentation. Eleven of the patients with AAKS were males and three were females. Their ages ranged between 22 months and 41 years with a mean of 26. Nine patients had symptoms for less than 6 months. Ten patients had peripheral lymphadenopathy. CD4 counts done on 11 patients ranged between 200 and 800 cells/mm3. Five patients (35%) died within 6 months of presentation. Between 1991 and 1995, 486 patients were seen with HIV infection. Patients with AAKS present with fulminant disease which seemed quickly fatal.

Bioactive 12-oleanene triterpene and secotriterpene acids from Maytenus undata

The aerial parts of Maytenus undata yielded four new 12-oleanene and 3,4-seco-12-oleanene triterpene acids, namely, 3-oxo-11alpha-methoxyolean-12-ene-30-oic acid (1), 3-oxo-11alpha-hydroxyolean-12-ene-30-oic acid (2), 3-oxo-olean-9(11), 12-diene-30-oic acid (3), and 3,4-seco-olean-4(23),12-diene-3, 29-dioic acid (20-epi-koetjapic acid) (5), together with the known 3, 11-dioxoolean-12-ene-30-oic acid (3-oxo-18beta-glycyrrhetinic acid) (4), koetjapic acid (6), and the 12-oleanene artifact 3-oxo-11alpha-ethoxyolean-12-ene-30-oic acid (7). Koetjapic acid (6) inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant S. aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, with an MIC range of 3.125-6.25 microg/mL. The new 3,4-secotriterpene acid 20-epi-koetjapic acid (5) potently inhibited rat neonatal brain microglia phorbol ester-stimulated thromboxane B(2) (IC(50) = 0.5 microM) and superoxide anion (IC(50) = 1.9 microM) generation.

Burns in children under 3 years of age: the Zaria experience

This is a retrospective study of 84 children aged 36 months and less who were admitted for burns care from January 1980 to December 1989. Fifty-four (64%) had scalds, 28 (33%) had flame burns and in two children the cause was not known. The upper extremities were most commonly involved. Sixty-five per cent of the children were admitted during the cool, dry Harmattan season. Associated factors included cooking at floor level, bedside fires, epileptic fits in the mothers and general architectural factors. Wound infection was the commonest complication. The overall mortality rate was 27.4%. Burns prevention demands improvement in the design of houses, cooking methods, treatment of epilepsy and abandoning puerperal bathing by mothers.

Major limb amputation in adults, Zaria, Nigeria

Over a period of 10 years, a total of 320 limb amputations were performed on adults at the Ahmadu Bello University Hospital, Nigeria. The major indication for upper limb amputation was trauma and post-fracture splintage gangrene (57%). In the lower limb the most common indication for amputation was advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the skin involving the bone. There was no case of peripheral vascular disease in these patients other than diabetic ulcers. The fitting of prosthesis was uncommon. Most of these amputations were certainly preventable. The need is for early and effective management of fractures, and the excision and grafting of non-healing leg ulcers before they become chronic.

Limb amputation in children in Zaria, Nigeria

Over a period of 10 years, a total of 118 limb amputations were performed in children at the Ahmadu Bello University Hospital, Zaria, Nigeria. The major indication for limb amputation was trauma and gangrene following post-fracture splintage by traditional healers. There was no case of peripheral vascular disease in these patients. None of the patients had a prosthesis applied. The very high number of limb amputations is certainly preventable by early and effective management of fractures.

Clothing burns in Zaria

From 1980 to 1989, 45 patients with clothing burn injuries were admitted into the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Nigeria. Children aged 15 years and below numbered 30 and adults aged 16 years and above totalled 15. There was a female preponderance in the ratio of 1.8:1. The cumulative monthly frequency between October and February recorded the highest number of admissions (77 per cent) with a peak in January (31 per cent). The involvement of women and children especially those below the age of 5 years is noteworthy. Eighty per cent of the patients had a major injury with a total mortality of 42 per cent. The improvement in the economic standard of the populace shown by the improvement in cooking methods, the proper use of gas cookers and kerosene lanterns, the avoidance of bedside fires during the night, the guarded use of loose indigenous garments, and the use of nursery schools for the care of children below 5 years of age will help to lower the incidence of clothing burn injuries in our environment.

Dysuria in infancy and childhood: an analysis of 42 children presenting in the paediatrics outpatients department

Urinary tract infection (UTI) was the only pathology found among 42 children presenting at the paediatric outpatient department with pain or straining on micturition. 18 (42.9%) had cystourethritis proven bacteriologically. 3 of these had gonococcal urethritis and were all males aged less than 3 years. Four had vasical schistosomiasis. No definite diagnosis could be made in 24 (57.1%) cases. Only secondary symptoms of gross haematuria, urethral discharge and cloudy urine were of diagnostic value, others were not. Children without these specific secondary symptoms predominate and may or may not have urinary tract pathology. Urinary leucocyte count on native urine is a useful screening test to identify those to be further investigated.

Spontaneous rupture of primary hepatocellular carcinoma in Zaria, Nigeria

Primary hepatocellular carcinoma more often presents acutely with rupture and haemoperitoneum in Africa and Asia where the tumour is more common than in the Western world. This detailed report on 35 patients with ruptured primary hepatocellular carcinoma describes the clinical features of this phenomenon in the savannah zone of Northern Nigeria. A third of the patients arrived in the hospital in hypovolaemic shock and although haemostasis was achieved by wedge excision and suture in most cases, 16 (46%) of the patients died in hospital.