IntroductionEstablishing national population haematological and immunological reference ranges are essential for clinical management of patients. However, there is scarcity of information on community based haematological reference ranges established from Ethiopian population. Therefore, this study aimed at determining haematological and CD4+ T cells reference ranges in healthy adults from East and West Gojjam zones, Ethiopia.MethodsCommunity based cross-sectional study was conducted from May 2015 to December 2015 in healthy adult residents of Gojjam zone. A total of 481(246 females and 235 males) healthy adults enrolled in the study. Healthy adults were defined by medical history, physical examination and laboratory screening for HIV, HBV, HCV and intestinal parasitosis. Haematological parameters were measured using haematology analyzer MindrayBC320 (Mindray Biomedical electronic Corporation, China). CD4+Tcells were enumerated using FACS count (Becton Dickinson).ResultsThe median age of the participants was 25 years. The overall median and 95th percentile of CD4+ T cells count were 869 cells/mm3 and396–1598 cells/mm3, respectively. Females had a significantly higher CD4+ T cell counts compared to males (P = 0.002). The 95th percentile range for red blood cells (RBCs) was 3.93–6.1 x 106cells/mm3and for hematocrit (Hct) was 40–58% while for hemoglobin (Hb) was 15.69–17.84g/dl. Males had significantly higher values of RBC and Hct than females (P < 0.001). Females (120–379 x 106 cells/mm3) had significantly higher platelet counts than males (106–352 x106 cells/mm3) (P < 0.001). The overall median of WBC was6.78 x103/mm3and its95thpercentile range was3.5–11.5 x103/mm3. The overall 95th percentile range of MCV, MCH and MCHC were 89.5–107.5 fl, 28–34 pg and 30–33.2g/dl, respectively. The higher mean absolute count of RBCs was found in the youngest age groups (P = 0.03). The mean count of RBCs and Hct were significantly higher in highschool completed and above than other participants (P < 0.001). The lower and upper limit of platelet counts was significantly higher in highland (118 -383x106 cells/mm3) compared to lowland residents (107–352 x106 cells/mm3) (P < 0.001). Moreover, it was significantly higher in residents with better monthly income (124–383 x106 cells/mm3) compared to the counters (115–368 x106 cells/mm3) (P = 0.02).ConclusionsSome of the haematological and CD4+ T cells reference ranges of the healthy adults in this study showed variations with the reference ranges used and reported so far in Ethiopia, Africa and Western countries. We recommend further study considering gender, altitude, and residency in other parts of Ethiopia to establish national reference ranges for Ethiopian population.

BackgroundReference interval is crucial for disease screening, diagnosis, monitoring, progression and treatment efficacy. Due to lack of locally derived reference values for the parameters, clinicians use reference intervals derived from western population. But, studies conducted in different African countries have indicated differences between locally and western derived reference values. Different studies also indicated considerable variation in clinical chemistry reference intervals by several variables such as age, sex, geographical location, environment, lifestyle and genetic variation.ObjectiveThis study aimed to determine the reference intervals of common clinical chemistry parameters of the community of Gojjam Zones, Northwest Ethiopia.MethodPopulation based cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2015 to December 2016 in healthy adult populations of Gojjam zone. Data such as, medical history, physical examination and socio-demographic data were collected. In addition, laboratory investigations were undertaken to screen the population. Clinical chemistry parameters were measured using Mindray BS 200 clinical chemistry autoanalyzer as per the manufacturer’s instructions. Descriptive statistics was used to calculate mean, median and 95th percentiles. Independent sample T-test and one way ANOVA were used to see association between variables.ResultsAfter careful screening of a total of 799 apparently healthy adults who were consented for this study, complete data from 446 (224 females and 222 males) were included for the analysis. The mean age of both the study participants was 28.8 years. Males had high (P<0.05) mean and 2.5th-97.5th percentile ranges of ALT, AST, ALP, creatinine and direct bilirubin. The reference intervals of amylase, LDH, total protein and total bilirubin were not significantly different between the two sex groups (P>0.05). Mean, median, 95% percentile values of AST, ALP, amylase, LDH, creatinine, total protein, total bilirubin, and direct bilirubin across all age groups of participants were similar (P>0.05). But, there was a significant difference in the value of ALT (P<0.05). The reference intervals of ALT, total protein and creatinine were significantly (P<0.05) high in people having monthly income >1500 ETB compared to those with low monthly income. Significant (P<0.05) higher values of the ALT, ALP and total protein were observed in people living in high land compared to low land residences.ConclusionThe study showed that some of the common clinical chemistry parameters reference intervals of healthy adults in Gojjam zones were higher than the reference intervals generated from developed countries. Therefore, strict adherence to the reference values generated in developed countries could lead to inappropriate diagnosis and treatment of patients. There was also variation of reference interval values based on climate, gender, age, monthly income and geographical locations. Therefore, further study is required to establish reference intervals for Ethiopian population.

BackgroundCholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is an important public health problem in several tropical and subtropical parts of the world particularly Thailand. Chemotherapy of CCA is largely ineffective and discovery and development of effective alternative drugs is urgently needed. The objective of the study was to confirm the anti-CCA potential as well as toxicity of the crude extract of Kaempferia galangal Linn. (rhizome) both in vitro and in animal models.MethodsThe ethanolic extract of K. galanga Linn. rhizome, ethyl-p-methoxycinnamate (EPMC) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against CCA cell line (CL-6) using MTT cell proliferation assay. Acute and subacute toxicity of the extract were evaluated in ICR (Imprinting Control Region) mice according to the OECD (International Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development) Guideline. Anti-CCA activity was evaluated in CCA- xenografted nude mice.ResultsResults of cytotoxicity test showed moderate activity of the extract and EPMC with median (95% confidence interval: 95% CI) 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 64.2 (57.76–72.11) and 49.19 (48.16–52.29) μg/ml, respectively. The IC50 of 5-FU was 107.1 (103.53–109.64) μg/ml. The selectivity index (SI) values for the extract, EPMC and 5-FU against human normal cell line (OUMS) and cancer cell line (CL-6) were 2.2, 2.09 and 1.31, respectively. Toxicity testing revealed no overt toxic effect up to the maximum single oral dose of 5000 mg/kg body weight and up to daily dose of 1000 mg/kg body weight for 30 days. The extract at the maximum tolerated dose level of 1000 mg/kg body weight for 30 days exhibited promising anti-CCA activity in CL6-xenografted nude mice as determined by inhibitory activity on tumor growth (58.41%) and lung metastasis (33.3%), as well as prolongation of survival time (62 days).ConclusionThe K. galangal Linn. rhizome extract and its bioactive compound EPMC exhibited moderate cytotoxic activity against human CCA tumor (CL-6) cell line. Results of toxicity testing suggest that the extract was well tolerated up to the maximum single oral dose of 5000 mg/kg body weight and daily dose of 1000 mg/kg body weight for 30 days. The extract exhibited promising anti-CCA activity in CL6-xenografed nude mice as determined by significant inhibitory activity on tumor growth and lung metastasis, as well as prolongation of survival time.

Malaria is one of the parasitic infections that cause enormous public health, economic, and emotional burden in many tropical and subtropical countries of the world. Resistance of the vector mosquitoes to the current insecticides as well as the emergence of multidrug resistance by malaria parasite to widely used antimalarial drugs has made malaria control and treatment much more difficult. New alternative antimalarial drugs and approaches for mosquito control are urgently required. Ethiopia, as most of the African continent countries, is rich in a wide range of tropical habitats, remarkable biodiversity, and the uses of traditional medicines for treatment of various illnesses. The article thus focuses on review of ethnopharmacological activities (medicinal properties), phytochemistry, and safety (toxicity) of some of the commonly used antimalarial herbal agents in Ethiopia and around which could have significant potential for antimalarial drug discovery and development.

Background Cholangiocarcinoma(CCA) is an important public health problem in many tropical and subtropical parts of the world. Eucalyptus camaldulensis leaves as well as its essential oil extracts are well known for its traditional use and pharmacological actions including insect repellant/insecticidal activity, antimicrobial, cytotoxic/anticancer activity as well as for many other disorders in different parts of the world including Africa and Southeast Asia. Materials and Methods This study was conducted to investigate the cytotoxic activity of E. camaldulensis leaf extract preparations at in vitro against the CCA tumor (CL-6 cell line). E. camaldulensis leaves collected from Ethiopia (Western Gojjam and Southern Gonder area) was used for extract preparation in 95% ethanol using different extraction methods, i.e.,ultrasonication, heating reflux, and maceration (1 day, 3 days and 7 days). The extract and the standard anticancer drug preparation 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) were evaluated in triplicate for their cytotoxic activities against CL-6 cell line and normal human cell line (OUMS) using standard MTT cell proliferation assay at eight serial dilution concentrations (3.8–500µg/mL). Results A semi-solid brown black residue with a characteristic odor was obtained after solvent removal and extract concentration was done by using a rotary evaporator at 60oC. The highest (mean ± SD) percent yield (3.73 ± 0.61) was obtained by using maceration technique with the solvent for 7 days, followed by heating reflux (1.73 ± 0.80) and the least was obtained from 1day maceration method (0.90 ± 0.52). The extract was then stored at -20oC until use. The cytotoxic activity (mean ± SD IC50 values) E. camaldulensis extract and 5-FU against CL-6 were 102.29 ± 5.87 and 106.75 ± 3.06 (mean IC50 ± SD) µg/mL, respectively. The extract’s IC50 value observed in normal OUMS cell line was 165.9 ± 10.3. Conclusion The extract of E. camaldulensis collected from the study area exhibited in vitro cytotoxic activity against human CCA tumor cell line (CL-6). Further in vitro and in vivo evaluation of the selected herbal extract preparation is recommended in the search for development of safe and promising drug options against CCA and other cancer types.