The need for new alternative treatment for trichinosis is being motivated by the growing resistance and low bioavailability of current therapies. In this study, experimental mice were used to assess the therapeutic effects of rifampicin alone or in combination with albendazole against Trichinella spiralis. One hundred male mice were classified into five groups of 20 mice each, G1: negative or normal control (non-infected untreated), G2: positive control (infected untreated), G3: drug control (infected and albendazole treated), G4: infected and rifampicin treated, and G5: infected and treated by albendazole and rifampicin combination. Half of the mice were sacrificed on the 10 th day post infection (dpi) for the intestinal phase and the other half were sacrificed on the 40 th dpi for the muscular phase. The treatment effectiveness was evaluated by parasitological, histological, and biochemical tests in contrast with positive control. Mice given albendazole and rifampicin combination gave a highly significant decrease in T. spiralis intestinal adult count, larval count in muscle and lowered liver activity enzymes. This was documented by the histopathology of liver, muscles and intestines.
Epilepsy is one of the most frequent neurological afflictions characterized by excessive temporary neuronal discharges resulting in convulsion. The pathophysiology is still not fully understood. Even though oxidative stress has been implicated as one of the mechanisms, yet the management of convulsions do not take into cognizance the important role played by antioxidants. The aim of the study was to assess the combined effect of sodium valproate (conventional antiepileptic drug) and ascorbic acid (potent antioxidant) in pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) induced seizures. Thirty mice were divided into six groups of five each (n=5). Group 1 served as control and administered normal saline 1ml/kg, group 2 received sodium valproate 200mg/kg, groups 3 and 4 were administered ascorbic acid (vitamin C) 100mg/kg and 300mg/kg, groups 5 and 6 were administered ascorbic acid (vitamin C) 100mg/kg and 300mg/kg respectively, in combination with sodium valproate 200mg/kg, 15 and 30 minutes prior to intra-peritoneal injection of PTZ (65 mg/kg). Seizure latency and duration were determined. The results showed that ascorbic acid alone has no effect on the seizure parameters. Sodium valproate 200mg had protective effect on PTZ-induced seizures. Combination of 300 mg/kg ascorbic acid with 200 mg/kg sodium valproate had a significant (p<0.05) synergistic and marked protective effect, as indicated by increase in the latency of seizure and reduction in seizure duration as compared to the control. Anti-oxidant vitamin C is recommended as co-treatment with sodium valproate in the management of seizures.
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