The in vitro hepatoprotective effect of the methanolic extract from Ficus gnaphalocarpa (Miq.) Steud. ex A. Rich (Moraceae) on the CCl₄-induced liver cell damage as well as the possible antioxidant mechanisms involved in this protective effect, were investigated. The phytochemical investigation of this methanolic extract led to the isolation of six compounds identified as: betulinic acid (1); 3-methoxyquercetin (2); catechin (3); epicatechin (4); quercetin (5); and quercitrin (6). The hepatoprotective activity of these compounds was tested in vitro against CCl₄-induced damage in rat hepatoma cells. In addition, radical-scavenging activity, β-carotene-linoleic acid model system, ferric-reducing antioxidant parameter and microsomal lipid peroxidation assays were used to measure antioxidant activity of crude extract and isolated compounds. Silymarin and trolox were used as standard references and, respectively, exhibited significant hepatoprotective and antioxidant activities. (5), (6) and (2) showed significant antioxidant and hepatoprotective activities as indicated by their ability to prevent liver cell death and lactate dehydrogenase leakage during CCl₄ intoxication. These results suggest that the protective effects of crude extract of F. gnaphalocarpa against the CCl₄-induced hepatotoxicity possibly involve the antioxidant effect of these compounds.

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Co-infection with HIV and hepatitis B virus (HBV) has become an important factor of co-morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of HIV/HBV co-infection and its effect on the disease progression in people living with HIV/AIDS identified in Yaoundé Central Hospital. Blood samples from 75 HIV positive patients were collected in Yaoundé Central Hospital from November 2015 to February 2016, for the determination of hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) using immunoassays. Cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4) T-cells count and biochemical markers of liver function were also collected and analyzed. The socio-demographic data were also collected. The effect sizes were confirmed using G*Power version 3.1.9.2 software. The data were entered and analyzed using the SPSS Version 22.1 software. The statistical tests performed were x2, and Pearson correlation, with significant difference at the threshold p ≤ 0.05. Hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) was identified in 12 patients out of 75 HIV-positive patients, for a HIV/HBV co-infection prevalence of 16%. The co-infection rate was higher in women 9 (12%) than in men 3 (4%). Among HIV infected patients, a negative and significant correlation was observed between CD4 count and ALT activity, and between the concentration of conjugated bilirubin and the activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) p≤ 0.05. The prevalence of HIV/HBV co-infection is higher among HIV positive patients in the Yaoundé Central Hospital. HIV associated with HBV plays a role in the disease progression. Consequently, it is important that a national management programme is in place in the country to monitor the incidence and morbidity rates of these affections.

This study investigates the current status of HIV/HCV co-infection through viral sero-prevalence and correlation with liver markers and CD4 count in three hospital settings in Cameroon. Blood samples of 75 newly diagnosed HIV patients, and 546 people attending the target hospitals were screened for HCV(antigen-antibodies) using enzyme-immunoassay. Biochemical liver markers (ALT-AST--GTBilirubin) and CD4-cell count were also analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed using student's ttest, χ2-test and Pearson correlation. The statistical significance was set at the threshold p≤0.05. Out of 75 people with HIV, 10(13.33%) were diagnosed with HIV/HCV co-infection; 56(10.25%) individuals from the cohort of 546 participants were diagnosed with HCV infection and 5(8.93%) were confirmed HIV positive. Results showed that HCV infection rate is higher among HIV patients than among the general population. For the two populations, co-infection rate was higher in women: 7(9.3%) and 3(4%) respectively in HIV positive patients, 3(5.35%) and 2(3.57%) in HCV patients. Women comprised the majority of people with HIV (72%) while men were the majority in the HCV-infected population (78.57%). Mean age in co-infected individuals was higher, with 93.33% aged 50 years or above. A negative and significant correlation was associated with CD4 count, ALT activity and bilirubin concentration in people with HIV, whereas in HIV/HCV co-infected patients, positive and significant correlations were associated with ALT, AST and -GT. HIV/HCV co-infection is a concern in hospital settings in Cameroon. HCV screening should be compulsory for patients and integrated in the existing guidelines/policies in Cameroon.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a devastative neurodegenerative disorder with complex etiology. AD is characterized by blood-brain barrier disruption, oxidative stress, mitochondrial impairment, neuro- inflammation, hypo-metabolism; it decreases in acetylcholine levels and a reduction of cerebral blood flow. It is also not solely the end-product of aberrantly processed, misfolded, and aggregated oligomeric amyloid- beta peptides but hyper phosphorylated Tau (tubulin binding protein) which formed senile plaque and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles respectively. However, despite the long-term and worldwide effort for a more effective therapy, the only available treatment is a symptomatic use of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and memantine. Then, many researchers focused their attention to modulate amyloid-beta peptides. These therapeutic approaches as well as those based on cholinergic or amyloid theory have not brought the desired benefits yet. Thus, the main features related with the Tau pathology found in AD are Tau phosphorylation and aggregation. Based on the biochemically diverse range of pathological Tau protein, a number of approaches have been proposed to develop new potential therapeutics like inhibition of Tau phosphorylation, proteolysis and aggregation; promotion of intra- and extracellular Tau clearance and stabilization of microtubules (MTs). Medicinal plants have been used in different systems of medicine and exhibited their powerful roles in the management and cure of memory disorders. This review paper discusses the potential of medicinal plant molecules to targeting Tau protein in Alzheimer’s disease therapy.  

The dyeing of wool fabric using a natural dye extracted from Dacryodes macrophylla has been studied using both conventional as well as ultrasonic dyeing methods. Natural dye was extracted using water as solvent by Soxhlet extraction method. The extracted color was characterized by spectroscopic studies like UV/Visible and further tested for antimicrobial activity (against Vibrio cholerae (MTCC3906), Salmonella enterica serotype typhi (MTCC733), Shigella flexneri (MTCC1457), Escherichia coli (MTCC119), Listeria monocytogenes (MTCC657) and Staphylococcus aureus (MTCC 96). It was observed that the water extract of D. macrophylla showed antimicrobial activities against S. enterica. The effect of mordants on the dyeing outcome in terms of colour depth as well as fastness properties of the dyeing was investigated.  It has been found that employing all the three techniques of dyeing i.e., conventional dyeing at 100 oC and 80 oC as well as ultrasonicated dyeings conducted at 80 oC, the mordanted samples were deeper in depth than their unmordanted counterparts. The results of fastness properties of the dyed fabrics were fair to good. Depths of the shade and fastness properties in case of ultrasonic dyeing were found to be better compared to conventional dyeing. Dacryodes macrophyllaextract  was found to enhance microbial resistance of wool as well as was itself as a good source of coloration. These textiles dyed with the natural dyes can be very useful in developing clothing for infants, elderly and infirm people to protect them against common infections.

Introduction. Due to the increasing demand for natural and functional products, scientists together with industries are conducting research to improve the nutritional quality of food. One of the ways to enhance the functionality of food is to add fruits or vegetables to their formulations. In this study, we attempted to develop muffins fortified with Dacryodes macrophylla L. fruit as a value-added ingredient. Study objects and methods. Our study objects included D. macrophylla L. extract and six muffins: three eggless samples and three egg-containing samples. Each group included control and experimental samples. The experimental samples containing 0.5 and 1% of D. macrophylla L. extract instead of wheat flour were evaluated for muffin-making properties. All the samples were analyzed for their physicochemical, antioxidant, and sensory properties, as well as rheological parameters. Results and discussion. We found that D. macrophylla L. reduced the water activity, color values (L*, a*, b*), and firmness of muffins. It had no significant effect on baking loss, height, moisture, cohesiveness, springiness, gumminess or chewiness, but tended to decrease the specific volume of muffins. However, D. macrophylla L. fruit increased the specific gravity, improved rheology properties, and tended to increase adhesiveness and mineral contents. Na and K varied from 5.93 to 7.75 and 2.88 to 7.35 mg/g, respectively. Furthermore, D. macrophylla L. fruit significantly improved the muffins’ antioxidant activities. According to sensory evaluation, the muffins made with egg solids and 0.5% of D. macrophylla L. fruit had higher sensory scores than the other experimental samples. Conclusion. D. macrophylla L. fruit is a good potential ingredient for enriching muffins and developing new functional bakery products. However, further research is needed to improve the color reproduction of muffins and determine the optimal concentration of D. macrophylla L.

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