Background : Diarrhea can be caused by pathogenic microorganisms and chemicals. In view of this, Byrsocarpus coccineus Schum and Thonn(Connaraceae) was used to treat diarrhea induced by castor oil or bacteria in Wista...Background : Diarrhea can be caused by pathogenic microorganisms and chemicals. In view of this, Byrsocarpus coccineus Schum and Thonn(Connaraceae) was used to treat diarrhea induced by castor oil or bacteria in Wistar albino rats. Methods : Qualitative and quantitative analyses of an aqueous root back extract of B. coccineus were made and the acute toxicity, antidiarrhea properties, and in vitro and in vivo antimicrobial activities of the extract were investigated in rats. Results : The phytochemical analysis of the root bark extract revealed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloid, saponins, tannins, and phenols. The quantitative analysis showed that saponins formed 10.6% of the extract, tannins 7.6%, flavonoids 6.2%, phenol 5.8% and alkaloids 4.4%. A dose limit of 5000 mg/kg was safe to use in the rats. At a dose of 100 mg/kg, the extract decreased distance travelled by activated charcoal in the gastrointestinal tract, frequency of defecation, and number of unformed faeces caused by castor oil-induced diarrhea, and led to 74.96% inhibition of the diarrhea effects. Escherichia coli and Salmonella pullorum were susceptible to higher concentrations of the extract with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 0.3125 mg/m L. E. coli-infected rats showed depression, weight loss, anorexia, diarrhea, and weakness, which was ameliorated by the extract on day 2 post treatment. Observed congestion, cellular infiltration and necrosis of the liver, intestine and kidney following infection were improved by the extract. Conclusion : B. coccineus extract can be used in the treatment of anaemia, and castor oil-and E. coli-induced diarrhea in rats.展开更多
Background: About 50 species of scorpions cause fatal scorpionism worldwide.Most of these are members of the Buthidae family, and include, among others,Mesobuthus eupeus, Androctonus crassicauda, Leiurus abdullahbayra...Background: About 50 species of scorpions cause fatal scorpionism worldwide.Most of these are members of the Buthidae family, and include, among others,Mesobuthus eupeus, Androctonus crassicauda, Leiurus abdullahbayrami, Leiurus quinquestriatus, Tityus pachyurus and Androctonus australis. Because high doses of scorpion venom and antivenom can cause death and hypersensitive reactions, there is a need to develop a formula that can be used to calculate both lethal and effective doses for scorpion venom and antivenom, respectively, thereby obviating the need for laboratory experiments.Methods: In view of this, a literature search was carried out with the aim of modifying the formula(LD_(50)=ED_(50)/3× W_a × 10^(-4))for calculation of the median lethal dose(LD_(50)) of scorpion venom and the ED_(50) of antivenom. The human equivalent dose(HED) formula was assessed for extrapolation of LD_(50) and ED_(50) from animals to human for comparison and relevance with the new formula.Results: The findings showed that the newly developed formula(LD_(50)= ED_(50)^(1/3)×W_a× 10^(-4)) yielded results that are very close to the reported values. Therefore, the newly developed and HED formulas can be used for calculation of LD_(50) and ED_(50) values for scorpion venom and antivenom, respectively.Conclusion: The new formula yielded better results than the HED formula, confirming its predictive validity, precision, and reliability, thereby obviating the need for rigorous experiments and justifying the principles of reduction, refinement, and replacement(3 Rs).展开更多
文摘Background : Diarrhea can be caused by pathogenic microorganisms and chemicals. In view of this, Byrsocarpus coccineus Schum and Thonn(Connaraceae) was used to treat diarrhea induced by castor oil or bacteria in Wistar albino rats. Methods : Qualitative and quantitative analyses of an aqueous root back extract of B. coccineus were made and the acute toxicity, antidiarrhea properties, and in vitro and in vivo antimicrobial activities of the extract were investigated in rats. Results : The phytochemical analysis of the root bark extract revealed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloid, saponins, tannins, and phenols. The quantitative analysis showed that saponins formed 10.6% of the extract, tannins 7.6%, flavonoids 6.2%, phenol 5.8% and alkaloids 4.4%. A dose limit of 5000 mg/kg was safe to use in the rats. At a dose of 100 mg/kg, the extract decreased distance travelled by activated charcoal in the gastrointestinal tract, frequency of defecation, and number of unformed faeces caused by castor oil-induced diarrhea, and led to 74.96% inhibition of the diarrhea effects. Escherichia coli and Salmonella pullorum were susceptible to higher concentrations of the extract with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 0.3125 mg/m L. E. coli-infected rats showed depression, weight loss, anorexia, diarrhea, and weakness, which was ameliorated by the extract on day 2 post treatment. Observed congestion, cellular infiltration and necrosis of the liver, intestine and kidney following infection were improved by the extract. Conclusion : B. coccineus extract can be used in the treatment of anaemia, and castor oil-and E. coli-induced diarrhea in rats.
文摘Background: About 50 species of scorpions cause fatal scorpionism worldwide.Most of these are members of the Buthidae family, and include, among others,Mesobuthus eupeus, Androctonus crassicauda, Leiurus abdullahbayrami, Leiurus quinquestriatus, Tityus pachyurus and Androctonus australis. Because high doses of scorpion venom and antivenom can cause death and hypersensitive reactions, there is a need to develop a formula that can be used to calculate both lethal and effective doses for scorpion venom and antivenom, respectively, thereby obviating the need for laboratory experiments.Methods: In view of this, a literature search was carried out with the aim of modifying the formula(LD_(50)=ED_(50)/3× W_a × 10^(-4))for calculation of the median lethal dose(LD_(50)) of scorpion venom and the ED_(50) of antivenom. The human equivalent dose(HED) formula was assessed for extrapolation of LD_(50) and ED_(50) from animals to human for comparison and relevance with the new formula.Results: The findings showed that the newly developed formula(LD_(50)= ED_(50)^(1/3)×W_a× 10^(-4)) yielded results that are very close to the reported values. Therefore, the newly developed and HED formulas can be used for calculation of LD_(50) and ED_(50) values for scorpion venom and antivenom, respectively.Conclusion: The new formula yielded better results than the HED formula, confirming its predictive validity, precision, and reliability, thereby obviating the need for rigorous experiments and justifying the principles of reduction, refinement, and replacement(3 Rs).
