Antidiabetic properties of aqueous barks extract of Parinari excelsa in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.

The aqueous extract of the Parinari excelsa barks at doses of 100 and 300 mg/kg/day for 7 days has a significant antihyperglycemic effect on alloxan-induced diabetic rats. At the same dose the acute oral administration of aqueous extract of the P. excelsa barks (100 and 300 mg/kg) induced a significant decrease of blood glucose on glucose-loaded normoglycaemic rats. Our results seem to confirm the rational bases for its use in traditional medicine.

[Experimental evidence of against cough activity of total alkaloids from Guiera senegalensis Lam. in guinea pig;]. / Mise en evidence de l'activité antitussive des alcaloïdes totaux de Guiera senegalensis Lam. chez le cobaye.

INTRODUCTION: Against cough activity from Guiera senegalensis' leaves has been previously scientifically studied. However, to the best of our knowledge, active principles responsible of this activity were not yet identified. Thus, we undertook this work with the aim to evaluate the effect of total alkaloids from plant's leaves in cough induced in guinea pig by ammoniac inhalation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Guinea pigs were divided up in 5 groups of 10 and were crammed with distilled water (control), total alkaloids with 10, 25 and 30 mg/kg and codeine with 50 mg/kg. They were then exposed to ammoniac inhalations and the number of coughs was counted every hour, after cramming, during 5 min. RESULTS: Our results show, after 5 hours, with the doses of 15, 25 and 30 mg/kg per os, that total alkaloids induce against cough activity, 2 hours after cramming (p < 0.01) and the difference was still significant 3, 4 and 5 hours after (p < 0.001). These alkaloids effects were comparable with codeine activity which was used as reference product. CONCLUSION: Total alkaloids of Guiera senegalensis present an against cough activity and would be responsible of against cough activity of the plant.

[Myorelaxant and antispasmodic activity of ethanolic total extract's fractions of roots of Cassia sieberiana D.C. (Caesalpiniaceae) on isolated wistar rat ileum]. / Activite myorelaxante et antispasmodique des fractions de l'extrait total ethanolique des racines de Cassia sieberiana D.C. (Caesalpiniaceae) sur l'intestin isole de rat.

INTRODUCTION: Cassia sieberiana DC (CAESALPINIACEAE) is a plant which grows in Southern Senegal. Its roots are used by traditional medicinal practitioners for its s pasmolytic and antiparasitic properties. The objective of our study was to investigate the myorelaxant and antispasmodic activity of the roots of C. sieberiana on the isolated Wistar rat ileum. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The powder of the roots of C. sieberiana was treated in a soxhlet with ethanol at 90 degrees. After dry evaporation, the extract was dissolved into water before successive treatments with ethyl acetate and butanol. Ethyl acetate, butanolic and aqueous residual fractions as well as the ethanolic total extract were tested on isolated rat ileum. RESULTS: The mean of inhibition Percentage (MIP) of the basal tonus of rat ileum after the total ethanolic extract (75 microg/ml) treatment was 50.51 +/- 10.18% (p < 0.05, n=5). Ethyl acetate and butanolic fractions were significantly more active on the ileal basal tonus to the one of total ethanolic extract. At 37.5 microg/ml, it decreased the ileal basal tonus with MIP respectively to 70.46 +/- 5.18% and 60.61 +/- 1.5% (p < 0.05, n=5). In contrast, the residual aqueous fraction was not active at all. After intestine precontracted with acetylcholine, the total ethanolic extract (MIP=52 +/- 20.49%) as well as the butanolic (MIP = 73 +/- 6.09%) and the ethyl acetate (MIP = 71 +/- 4.07 %) (p < 0.05, n=5) fractions induced a significant decrease of spasms (p < 0.05) (n=5). CONCLUSION: the butanolic and ethyl acetate fractions of the roots of C. sieberiana were more potent than the total ethanolic extract to induce myorelaxant a nd antispasmodic activity on isolated rat ileum. This study provides a pharmacological basis for a rational use of the roots of C. sieberiana in traditional medicine to treat gastro-intestinal disorders.

[Antipyretic effect of aqueous extract and alcaloid of Tinospora bakis (Miers) in rabbits]. / Effet antipyrétique de l'extrait aqueux et des alcaloïdes de Tinospora bakis (A. Rich.) Miers (Menispermacea) chez le lapin.

Lyophilised aqueous extract and alcaloidic totum (basic form) from roots of Tinospora bakis (Miers) have been tested with hyperthermic rabbits by sub-cutaneous administration of Saccharomyces cerevisiae mixture at 2g/kg. Total aqueous extract had been orally administrated at three doses: 150, 300 and 600 mg/kg and we obtained significant antipyretic effects at 300 and 600 mg/kg. With the alcaloidic totum at 2.5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg (per os) corresponding to 150 and 600 mg/kg of the aqueous extract, we have observed significant antipyretic effects as compared with those of Aspirin used as reference product. These results show that aqueous extract of Tinospora bakis (Miers) has an antipyretic effect and total alcaloids could account for this activity.

[Preparation of a syrup with Bakis roots (Tinospora bakis) and evaluation of its choleretic activity in rats]. / Preparation d'un sirop a base de racines de Bakis (Tinospora bakis) et evaluation de son activite cholérétique chez le rat.

The aim of this work was to prepare a pharmaceutical using the aqueous extract of bakis roots and to check if the choleretic activity of this latter was maintained in cholestatic rats. So, a sirup was prepared and tested. The obtained results had shown that the aqueous extract maintained its choleretic activity. Indeed, when it was used at a dose of about 7.5 mg/100 g of weight, the sirup induced a significant increase of bilary secretion in healthy rats and cholestatic rats, confirming the results observed with the aqueous extract. Therefore, futher investigations in order to improve the quality of the sirup can be considered before performing clinical trials.

Primary prevention with cotrimoxazole for HIV-1-infected adults: results of the pilot study in Dakar, Senegal.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficacy and tolerance of chemoprophylaxis with cotrimoxazole compared with placebo among HIV-1-infected adults. DESIGN: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial in the urban community of Dakar, Senegal. METHODS: Eligibility criteria were age greater than 15 years, HIV-1 or HIV-1 and HIV-2 dual seropositivity, CD4 cell count lower than 400 copies/mm3, no progressive infection, no previous history of intolerance to sulphonamide, lack of severe anemia or neutropenia, and renal or hepatic failure. Written informed consent was obtained. Recruited patients received 80 mg of trimethoprim and 400 mg of sulphamethoxazole daily or a matching placebo. The main outcomes were survival and the occurrence of clinical events defined as Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, cerebral toxoplasmosis, bacterial pneumonia, infectious enteritis, bacterial meningitis, urinary tract infection, bacterial otitis and sinusitis, and pyomyositis. RESULTS: Between September 1996 and March 1998, 297 patients were screened, and 100 were randomized in the study. Demographic, clinical, and biological characteristics of the two groups were similar as was the mean length of follow-up (7.7 months for the cotrimoxazole group vs. 8.0 months for the placebo group). There was no significant difference between the two groups in survival (hazard ratio = 0.84; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.36-1.94) in the probability of severe event occurrence, defined as death or hospital admission (hazard ratio = 1.10; 95% CI: 0.57-2.13), or in the probability of clinical event occurrence (hazard ratio = 1.19; 95% CI: 0.55-2.59). Adjustment for initial CD4 cell count did not change these results. A low dose of cotrimoxazole was tolerated well clinically as well as biologically; only one treatment interruption occurred as the result of a moderate cutaneous eruption (grade 2). CONCLUSION: Our study does not show a beneficial effect of chemoprophylaxis with low-dose cotrimoxazole on survival or occurrence of opportunistic or nonopportunistic infections for HIV-1-infected patients in Dakar, Senegal.

[Toxocological study of Guiera senegalensis Lam (Combretaceae)]. / Etude toxicologique de Guiera senegalensis Lam (Combretaceae).

The study was based on an aqueous extract derived from a 60 degrees ethanolic tincture containing 0.032 g of dry matter per ml. The leaves of Guiera senegalensis Lam (Combretaceae) were collected in December 1991 at Nguekhokh a village within 20 km from Mbour (Senegal). The extract was administered for six months through daily forced-feeling at 2 g/kg to Wistar male and female rats whose weight at the beginning of the experiment tanged between 140 g and 180 g. The urine was analysed during the study and the animals were weighed every four weeks. At the end of the experiment, the animals were slaughtered and various analyses carried out. Haematological features in relation with erythropoiesis, haemoglobinogenesis and leucopoiesis, were studied in relation with renal and hepatic functions; biochemical features too. Some organs (heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, cerebellum, spleen and liver) were removed and examined in order to detect possible lesions following the experiment. Judging by the results, Guiera senegalensis Lam (Combretaceae), as used in the experiment, did not show any significant toxicity.

[Application of phytotherapy in odontology: the case of Euphorbia balsamifera. Endodontic clinical trial]. / Application de la phytothérapie à l'odontologie: cas d'Euphorbia balsamifera. Essais d'études cliniques endodontiques.

Phytotherapy is a medicinal and ancestral practice in Africa. It deals with all the fields of human pathology. We wanted to ascertain the efficacy of some plants used in odontology as Euphorbia balsamifera traditionally used as antalgic treatment of acute dental pulpitis. The latex of the plant was caught and treated as to get enough stable paste. We used that paste in the same conditions we use arsenical nerve caustics, a pulpal devitalizer widely used in dental offices. The study carried out on 37 teeth has shown that latex of Euphorbia balsamifera is an effective pulpal devitalizing in contact with the pulp. Its lifetime action was comparable to that of the pulpal nerve caustics. The active principles are not known, however the product seems attractive as a pulpal devitalizing agent.

[Antibacterial activity of essential oils from mint in Senegal]. / Activité antibactérienne des huiles essentielles de menthes du Sénégal.

Three species of the Mentha gender are found in Senegal under the name of "Nana", and are essentially used in tea and juices as flavour. The aerial parts of the three species (common mint, mentholated mint and "fass" mint) have been harvested two months after they have been sown and the extraction of the essential oils was done by carrying them away with water vapour by hydrodistillation. The essential oils were used to study the antibacterial potency (typing of the Minimal Inhibitory concentrations-MIC) by the agar dilution method. This survey has been carried out on ten bacterial strains among which three (3) ATCC reference stubs, and on one fungus (Candida albicans). The MIC found was less than 25 mcg/ml; these results show an antibacterial potency according to the NCCLS norms (MIC < 256 mcg/ml). The tested strains were more sensitive to the essential oil of the "common mint" than the "fass mint". Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most resistant strain and Candida albicans the most sensitive agent.

[Purgative activity of Cassia italica]. / Contribution à l'étude de l'activité purgative de Cassia italica.

Twenty guinea pigs were used to study the effects of Cassia italica leaves and pods extracts on intestinal motricity in vitro. The results obtained showed that the plant stimulate intestinal contractions with dose-dependent relation. Moreover, Cassia italica contractile activity was comparable to the acetylcholine one and was inhibited by atropine. According to these results, Cassia italica purgative activity is supported at least, by it's stimulating effect on intestinal motricity.

[Antihypertensive action of Parkia biglobosa+ (Jacq) Benth seeds in the rat]. / Etude de l'action antihypertensive des graines de Parkia biglobosa (Jacq). Benth chez le rat.

Hundred white Wistar rats have been used to evaluate the antihypertensive effects of entire seeds and decorticated, fermented seeds of a soudanian plant, Parkia biglobosa. The arterial blood pressure was measured by using bloody method in anesthizied animals. The Pham Huu Chanh method was used to determine type plant's antihypertensive activity. According to the results obtained, in both preparations, adequate doses decrease arterial blood pressure, diastolic more than systolic, but the effect of fermented seeds was more important than the entire seeds. In the two cases, the decrease in blood pressure is greated in hypertensive than in normotensive subjects, and the hypotension induced was well correlated with a bradycardia.

[Senegalese pharmacopoeia: study of acute toxicity and antitussive activity of Calotropis procera AIT (Asclepiadaceae)]. / Pharmacopée sénégalaise: etude de la toxicité aigue et de l'activité antitussive de Calotropis procera AIT (Asclepiadaceae).

We confirmed the innocuity of different extracts (leaves and stem bark) of Calotropis procera (Asclepiadaceae), a plant widely used in Asian and West African traditional therapy in dermatological and bronchal affections. We proved the against cough activity of the aqueous stem bark extract after administration, per os, upon bronchal irritation by ammoniac on Guinea Pig.

[Choleretic effects of Cassia alata Linn in the rat]. / Etude de l'activité cholérétique de Cassia alata Linn chez le rat.

Fifty rats weighing average 200 g were used to study choleretic activity of Cassia alata LINN extract. Bile was collected according to acute biliarly fistula technic on animals anesthetized with 1.5g/kg of ethyle carbamate (Urethane ND). After determination of the minimal active dose (15 mg/kg) and lethal dose (100mg/kg) of the extract, rats were allowed in 5 groups of 10 each one: one reference group, one group receiving 15 mg/kg of Hydroxycyclohexenyl-butyrate (Hebecol ND) a synthetic choleretic, and 3 groups receiving respectively 15 mg/kg, 30 mg/kg and 60 mg/kg of Cassia alata extract. According to results obtained, choleretic activity of Cassia alata at 15 mg/kg is better than the Hebucol ND ones. But at elevated doses, the plant tend to inhibit bile secretion.