BackgroundMalaria and helminths share the same geographical distribution in tropical Africa. Studies of the interaction of helminth and malaria co-infection in humans have been few and are mainly epidemiological, with little information on cellular immune responses. This study aimed to determine Cytokine profiles among patients co-infected with Plasmodium falciparum malaria and soil borne helminth attending Kampala International University Teaching Hospital (KIU).MethodsA case control study of 240 patients were recruited at KIU teaching hospital. Patients with Plasmodium falciparum malaria were 55 (22.9%) and those with soil-borne helminths were 63 (26.3%). The controls were 89 (37.1%), while those co-infected with Plasmodium falciparum malaria and soil-borne helminths were 33 (13.8%). Cases were defined as having a positive blood smear for P. falciparum malaria, those with helminths or co-infections of the two. Negative controls were those with a negative blood smear for P. falciparum malaria and those with no stool parasitic infections. Patients presenting with signs and symptoms of malaria or those suspected of having helminths were recruited for the study. A panel of five cytokines (IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-6, TGF-β and IL-10) were assayed from plasma samples in patients with and without Plasmodium falciparum malaria, patients with and without helminth, and then those co-infected with the two diseases diagnosis was done using thick blood smears stained with 10% Giemsa and stool examination was done following the Kato Katz technique following standard procedures.ResultsThe prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum malaria by sex was 28 (11.7%) and 27 (11.3%) in male and female respectively. The overall prevalence of soil borne helminth was 26.3%, and among those harbouring helminths, 13.8% were co-infected with Plasmodium falciparum. Cytokine levels significantly differed across Plasmodium falciparum malaria, soil borne helminth infected patients and health controls for IFN-γ (P = 0.023), IL-10 (P = 0.008) and TGF-β (P = 0.0001). Cytokine levels significantly differed across Plasmodium falciparum malaria, soil borne helminth infected patients and patients co-infected with Plasmodium falciparum malaria and soil borne helminth for IL-10 (P = 0.004), IL-6 (P = 0.011) and TGF-β (P = 0.003).ConclusionAn up-regulation of IFN-γ during Plasmodium falciparum malaria and an up-regulation of IL-10 and TGF-β in soil borne helminth infections was demonstrated. We demonstrate that co-infections of Plasmodium falciparum and soil borne helminth lead to an up-regulation of IL-10 and IL-6 and a down-regulation of TGF-β.Trial registration No17/10-16
Aims: Bidens pilosa is an extraordinary source of phytochemicals particularly flavonoids especially in leaves which have been attributed in various studies due to its antibacterial properties. The present study aimed at addressing bio-burden of chronic wound through proving a possible source of new antimicrobial product for wound healing. Methodology: Solvent-solvent extraction method was used to isolate crude flavonoid fraction from leaves of B. pilosa using ether, chloroform, ethylacetate and methanol (1:1:1). Thin-layer chromatography was used to identify crude flavonoid fraction using methanol/n-hexane (1:2: v/v) as mobile phase solvents. Agar well diffusion method was used to determine anti-bacterial activity of crude flavonoid against bacterial pathogens: Susceptible Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC®27853™, resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa susceptible Staphylococcus aureus ATCC®25923™, methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae and methicillin resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and Minimum bactericidal contrition (MBC) were also determined using broth dilution and culture methods. Results: Thin-layer chromatographic profiling revealed an identity of three different spots with flavonoids from B. pilosa leaves showing three bands with Rf values 0.51, 0.60 and 0.63. The mean and standard deviation zone of inhibition of crude flavonoids ranged from 11.50±0.50 mm to 17.50±1.50 mm. The mean and standard deviation of positive controls (Ciproflaxacin, Co-Amoxiclay and Voncomycin) ranged from 0.00±0.00 to 22.50±0.50 mm. MIC and MBC of crude flavonoids ranged from 12.5-25.0 mg/mL and 50 to 200 mg/mL respectively. The flavonoid fraction was more effective against gram positive bacteria than on gram negative bacteria and it exhibited bactericidal effect on Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus, resistant P. aureginosa, sensitive P.aureginosa and S. pneumonia. Conclusion: B. pilosa leaves could be a potential source for future drug development from flavonoid to address the issue of need for new antibiotics due to alarming burden of antimicrobial resistance in last resort antibiotics.
Aims: Although Melanthera scandens is a plant widely used in traditional medicine for the management of seizures, stomach ulcers and sores, dysmenorrhea, diabetes and malaria, there was scanty information about its safety. There was, therefore, a need to evaluate the sub-acute and subchronic toxicity studies of this plant which would reflect on its safety. Methodology: This was an experimental laboratory study. The research was conducted at Kampala International University-Western Campus at the Pharmacology laboratory from February to June 2017. The sub-acute toxicity was evaluated after administering daily oral doses of M. scandens crude extract (250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg) for 28 days and 90 days for subchronic study, after which the effect on haematological, biochemical and histopathological parameters were assessed in male and female Wistar rats (five of each sex). Results: Sub-acute toxicity results revealed that there was a significant decrease in the AST between the male Wistar rats that received 250 mg/kg (P= .005) and those that received 500 mg/kg (P= .05) as compared with the control group. Subchronic studies showed a significant increase in ALP (P= .05) at 1000 mg/kg compared with 500 mg/kg. Terminal necropsy did not reveal any treatment-related histopathological findings. There were also no toxicologically significant treatment-related effects on haematological parameters. The sub-acute toxicity results suggest that doses of 250mg/kg and 500mg/kg are safe and could be hepatoprotective due to reduced levels of AST and ALP, while the subchronic toxicity study results suggest that doses greater than 1000 mg/kg could be toxic to the plasma membrane, liver cells or endoplasmic reticulum due to increased ALP levels at this dose. Conclusion: The M. scandens crude extract did not cause significant toxicity on haematological and histopathological indices, after sub-acute and subchronic administration in Wistar rats.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.