RESUMO
The chitin and chitosan biopolymers are extremely valuable because of their numerous industrial and pharmacological uses. Chitin and chitosan were extracted from the exoskeleton of Periplaneta americana (cockroaches) and termites using various acid and alkali techniques. The extraction process involves an initial demineralization step, during which integument dry powder was subjected to 500 mL (2.07 mol/L) of concentrated HCl at 100 degrees Celsius for 30 min, followed by meticulous rinsing with distilled water to restore the pH to its baseline. Deproteinization was conducted at 80 degrees Celsius using 500 mL (1 mol/L) of NaOH solution, which was repeated for 24 h. A total of 250 mL (0.06 mol/L) of NaOH was added at 100 degrees Celsius for 4 h to obtain chitosan, followed by extensive washing and subsequent drying. FTIR analysis was used to identify the functional groups in Periplaneta americana and termites. The crystallinity of these biopolymers, which have a face-centered cubic structure, was determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. This study assessed the analgesic properties of chitin and chitosan via an acetic-acid-induced writhing test in mice, revealing a significant reduction in writhing behavior following the chitin and chitosan extract. Notably, chitin exhibits the highest degree of analgesic activity compared to chitosan. Both chitin and chitosan show anti-inflammatory effects, with chitosan absorbing proton ions at sites of inflammation, while chitin effectively inhibits ear edema and elicits an analgesic response in mice. Furthermore, the present study revealed antipyretic activity, with termite chitin demonstrating the most significant effect at a concentration of 500 µL/mL, followed by chitosan and chitin at 100 µL/mL. These findings indicate the potential of using chitin and chitosan derived from termites and Periplaneta americana as natural anti-inflammatory compounds, implying prospective uses in anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, and analgesic capabilities.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Cryptosporidium spp are important intestinal protozoan parasites that cause diarrhea in humans, domestic and wild animals. Its infection remains a main public health concern however, the epidemics in human being is still unclear, particularly in developing countries. There are several factors that may enhance the spreading of this parasite in human population especially in young children. METHODOLOGY: A questionnaire was designed to obtain the demographic and clinical data from the participants. A total of 425 stool samples were collected from suspected children (aged 3-10 years) in different hospitals and villages. The initial screening was performed with modified Ziehl Neelsen (mZN) staining technique followed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Several potential risk factors were also assessed through the obtained information from suspected individuals. RESULTS: Out of all 425 collected samples, 127 were observed positive by mZN with a prevalence of 29.88% (127/425). The 127 mZN positive samples together with 50 mZN negative samples were processed for molecular analysis through PCR assay. Among them, 71 out of 127 mZN positive samples and 4 out of 50 mZN negative samples were found positive by PCR. The molecular analysis showed that Cryptosporidium parvum was the main cause of infection in children. The results revealed that individuals exposed to diarrhea were more likely to be infected with Cryptosporidium infection while several environmental factors may also play a key role in spreading of this parasite. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY: The current high prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection may be due to the lack of awareness and routine based testing in identification of this parasite in District Buner. Further studies are required to determine the importance of Cryptosporidium infection in this area as well as across the country and to find out the possible risk factors that may be associated with the occurrence of this protozoan. There is, however, an urgent need for laboratory-based observational studies to develop a more dynamic estimate of the cryptosporidial disease burden in the region.