Epidemiology and Performances of Typhidot Immunoassay and Widal Slide Agglutination in the Diagnosis of Typhoid Fever in Febrile Patients in Bafoussam City, Cameroon: A Cross-Sectional Comparative Study.

Background: Enteric fever is a great public health problem associated with significant illness and death in many endemic countries, and its clinical diagnosis is still daunting. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of S. Typhi among febrile patients in Bafoussam and to evaluate the diagnostic performances of Widal and Typhidot tests. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study among 336 participants visiting three hospitals in Bafoussam from August 1, 2021, to November 31, 2021. Widal test, Typhidot assay, and stool culture were used to screen for salmonellosis with the help of a structured questionnaire. Results: The prevalence of S. Typhi and S. Paratyphi was found to be 62.85% and 37.14%, respectively. The overall prevalence of typhoid fever using stool culture was 20.86%. The significant risk factors associated with enteric fever were lack or insufficient knowledge of typhoid fever, poor hand hygiene, and anorexia. Typhidot immunoassay was more sensitive (100%) and specific (82.3%) than the Widal test. Both were analytically inferior to stool culture. Conclusions: High prevalence of typhoid fever (20.86%) was observed which was largely associated with lack or insufficient knowledge of typhoid fever, poor hygiene measure, and anorexia as risk factors. The performances of the Widal and Typhidot test against a stool culture were inferior but with Typhidot better than the Widal slide agglutination.

Multidrug-Resistant Escherichia coli Causing Urinary Tract Infections among Controlled and Uncontrolled Type 2 Diabetic Patients at Laquintinie Hospital in Douala, Cameroon.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) in patients with diabetes are a major public health problem worldwide, particularly in developing countries. This study assessed the resistance profile of Escherichia coli and biochemical abnormalities in controlled and uncontrolled type 2 diabetic patients. A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Douala Laquintinie Hospital from January, 2020, to July, 2021, on the diabetic and nondiabetic participants. The clinical symptoms and biochemical parameters of patient having UTIs were measured using standard methods. E. coli was isolated from urine and an antibiotic susceptibility test was performed using the Kirby-Bauer Agar diffusion method. A total of 851 participants were included with a mean age of 48.54 years. Three hundred and forty-six (40.67%) were nondiabetic, 226 (26.56%) were diabetic patients with balanced blood sugar levels (i.e., glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) is normal), and 279 (32.78%) were diabetic patients with unbalanced blood sugar levels (i.e., patients having an abnormal HbA1c). The prevalence of UTI caused by E. coli was significantly (p < 0.001) higher in diabetics with unbalanced blood sugar levels (15.41%) and diabetics with balanced blood sugar levels (9.73%) compared to nondiabetics (0.87%). Significant (p < 0.001) high frequencies of polyuria (48.39%), proteinuria (29.75%), leukocyturia (27.96%), and polyphagia (8.24%) were observed in diabetic participants with unbalanced blood sugar levels. Significantly (p < 0.001) high average values of aspartate transaminase (25.34; 27.07; 29.93), alanine transaminase (26.08; 27.38; 28.20), creatininemia (8.15; 9.67; 11.31), total cholesterol (1.57; 1.83; 2.63), and atherogenic index (3.81; 6.56; 11.73) were noted in nondiabetics, balanced, and unbalanced blood glucose diabetics, respectively. E. coli showed a high level of resistance to ciprofloxacin (30%), amoxicillin (10.8%), and ofloxacin (9.3%) in diabetic participants with unbalanced blood sugar levels. The antibiotic resistance patterns of the E. coli to triple, quadruple, and quintuple antibiotics were higher when participants had diabetes and even more when diabetes was not controlled. The present findings underline an increased susceptibility of diabetic patients with unbalanced blood sugar levels to multidrug resistant E. coli. Further studies should be conducted to determine the causal association between uncontrolled diabetes and bacterial multidrug resistance.

Évaluation des performances des mutuelles de santé communautaire de Douala et Yaoundé, Cameroun.

INTRODUCTION: The longevity of Mutual Health Organization (MHOs) in Cameroon is not guarantee, and it tends to fail after a very short period of functioning. Very little studies talks about the performance of MHOs. Therefore, we will like to measure the financial, economic and mutualist satisfactory performance indicators in two community-based mutual health organizations. That is the Mutual health organization of Douala V (Musocom) and Yaoundé I (Mucamaadd). METHODOLOGY: It is a descriptive and analytical study in which sampling was conducted using a non-probability method using a self-administered questionnaire and evaluation grid. RESULTS: It revealed an overall satisfaction of 69%; an availability rate of management tools and activities of 85.5%; a solvency ratio of 34.2%; an expense coverage ratio of 37.4%; an equilibrium ratio of 50.9%; an operating expense ratio of 76% and a loss ratio of 133%. There is a significant association between beneficiary satisfaction and the fact of belonging to a household or small medium size enterprise, enrolling in groups of 6-11 people or > 22 people, being from the private sector or retired and having a salary > 100.000 frs (OR> 1 and P-Value < 0.05). DISCUSSION: The measure of Mutual health organization performance permitted to bring out difficulties, gaps in line with their professionalism, organization and technicality. The findings present a more significant measure of performance in Mucamaadd than in Musocom due to its constant ability in research of amelioration in rendering services.

Effects of Vitellaria paradoxa (C.F. Gaertn.) aqueous leaf extract administration on Salmonella typhimurium-infected rats.

BACKGROUND: The present study investigates the effects of Vitellaria paradoxa crude extract administration on Salmonella typhimurium infected Wistar rats. METHODS: Rats were infected by single dose oral administration of Salmonella typhimurium (1.5×108 CFU). Negative control groups were infected and treated orally with distilled water (vehicle), neutral control group were not infected, while the four test groups were treated up to 18 days with 55 mg/kg, 110 mg/kg, 220 mg/kg and 440 mg/kg body weight of aqueous extract of V. paradoxa respectively. The effects of this extract administration on serum markers (total protein, creatinine, transaminases, bilirubin and lipid profile) as well as acute toxicity test and phytochemical screening were also investigated. RESULTS: Following in vivo studies, aqueous extract of V. paradoxa allowed to clear salmonellosis in previously infected rats within twelve days of treatment. Infection has resulted in a significant increase of transaminases activity. Besides, significant decrease was observed in liver and kidney relative weight and their protein content. Nevertheless, administration of this plant extract at higher doses has resulted in the correction of some of these injuries. Results obtained from acute toxicity study showed that mice administered with the aqueous leaf extract exhibited a mild reaction to noise and pinch; excreted watery discharges and the LD50 value was 12.0 g/kg. In addition, the extract showed no toxic effect after 14 days. However, it may have a sedative effect or depressant effect on the central nervous system, may induce a decrease in plasma levels of algogenic substances, and may cause diarrhea at high doses. Phytochemical screening of the extract revealed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, phenols and polyphenols, saponins, anthocyanins, steroids and anthraquinones. CONCLUSIONS: These results support the ethnomedicinal use of V. paradoxa, and suggest that its leave can be used in the management antibacterial phytomedicine.

Antibacterial activities and toxicological study of the aqueous extract from leaves of Alchornea cordifolia (Euphorbiaceae).

BACKGROUND: A. cordifolia is a plant widely used in Africa to solve many health problems. In Cameroon, it is used in the treatment of urogenital infections. As a continuation of our search for pharmacologically active agents from natural sources, the antimicrobial activity of A. cordifolia leaf extracts against E. coli and the toxicity of this extract were investigated. METHODS: The antibacterial activity of the aqueous extract from leaves of Alchornea cordifolia was carried out in vitro on Escherichia coli, as well as in vivo on E. coli-infected rat model. Phytochemical screening was performed using standard methods. The acute toxicity was investigated in mice, while at the end of treatment of infected rats, some biochemical, hematological and histological markers of toxicity were evaluated. RESULTS: The extract exhibited a bacteriostatic activity with MIC value of 1500 µg/ml. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of phenols, tannins, triterpens, flavonoids, alkaloids, anthraquinones, anthocyanins, saponins and coumarins in the extract. The acute toxicity study showed LD50 values of 8.6 g/kg and 3.8 g/kg in male and female mice respectively. In vivo, the oral administration of the extract showed a dose-dependent decrease of the bacterial load as the extract at 232, 112 and 58 g/kg were able to eradicate the infection after 9, 11 and 13 days of treatment. The infected rats showed a significant (p < 0.05) increase in the level of serum creatinine, ALAT, white blood cells, and a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in the level of food and water intake, the relative weight of lungs, heart and spleen. In the treated rats, a significant (p < 0.05) increase in food and water intake and ALAT was observed at the doses of 116 and 232 mg/kg. A decrease in the red blood cells count and serum protein levels was also observed. These observations corroborate liver damages as revealed by the histopathological examination of the cross sections of this organ. CONCLUSION: The results of this assay thus showed that the extract of A. cordifolia is bacteriostatic, therapeutic at 58 g/kg bw and may be considered as slightly and almost non-toxic on females and males mice respectively.

Antibacterial and antioxidant properties of crude extract, fractions and compounds from the stem bark of Polyscias fulva Hiern (Araliaceae).

BACKGROUND: In our previous work, the dichloromethane-methanol (1:1 v/v) extract, fractions and isolated compounds from Polyscias fulva stem bark showed interesting antifungal activity. As a continuity of that work, this study aimed to bring out complementary informations about the antimicrobial properties of P. fulva stem bark that may be useful in the standardization of phytomedicine from this plant. METHODS: The antibacterial activities of the crude extract, fractions (n-hexane, ethyl acetate, n-butanol and residual) and isolated compounds from Polyscias fulva stem bark were assayed by broth microdilution techniques. Their antioxidant activity were evaluated using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), pyrogallol (superoxide anion) and ß-carotene - linoleic acid assays. RESULTS: The crude extract presented antibacterial activities against S. typhi (ATCC 6539), E. aerogenes (ATCC 13045), P. aeruginosa (PA01) and E. coli (ATCC 10536) with MIC values of 2000 to 8000 µg/ml. The fractionation led the ethyle acetate and n-butanol fractions relatively more active (MIC = 500 to 1000 µg/ml) as compared to the crude extract. ß-sitosterol and 3-O-α-L- arabinopyranosyl-hederagenin were the most active compounds on the tested bacteria with MIC values ranging from 6.25 to 100 µg/ml. The most sensitive was P. aeruginosa (PA01) on which all the tested compounds were active with MICs ranging from 6.25 to 400 µg/ml. Among all the tested substances, the crude extract (RSa50 = 84.86 µg/ml) and the methyl atrarate (RSa50 = 14.77 µg/ml), showed the highest scavenging activities against DPPH free radicals and those arising from the oxidation of the linoleic acid respectively. CONCLUSION: From this study, the results obtained reveal that the stem bark of P. fulva possesses antibacterial and antioxidant activities. It may then be useful in the development of an antimicrobial phytomedicine with a large spectrum of actvity endowed with antioxidant properties which can be standardised based on the isolated compounds.

Antifungal properties of a new terpernoid saponin and other compounds from the stem bark of Polyscias fulva Hiern (Araliaceae).

BACKGROUND: In our previous studies, it was evident that the dichloromethane-methanol (1:1 v/v) stem barks extract of Polyscias fulva and fractions (ethyl acetate, n-butanol and residue) demonstrated interesting antidermatophytic activities. So, as a continuity of that, this work aimed at identifying active principles with antifungal properties from P. fulva that could be used as markers for possible standardization of this plant as phytomedicine. METHODS: The ethyl acetate, n-butanol and residual fractions of the dichloromethane-methanol (1:1 v/v) stem bark extract of Polyscias fulva were further fractionated by column chromatography and the structures of isolated compounds elucidated based on their spectroscopic data in comparison with existing literature information. Antifungal activity was assayed by broth microdilution techniques on yeasts and dermatophytes spores. RESULTS: The fractionation of the crude dichloromethane-methanol (1:1 v/v) stem bark extract of Polyscias fulva led to the isolation of 10 known compounds (1 to 10) and one new saponin (11: 3-O-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1-2)-α-L-arabinopyranosyl]-28-O-[α-L-4-O-acetyl-rhamnopyranosyl (1-4)-ß-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-6)-ß-D-glucopyranosyl]-hederagenin). Among these compounds, 3-O-α-L- arabinopyranosyl-hederagenin and 3-O-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1-2)-α-L-arabinopyranosyl]-hederagenin were the most active on the tested fungi with MIC values ranging from 0.78 to 100 µg/ml against both yeasts and dermatophytes. CONCLUSION: The results of this work constitute a step forward in the possible development of an antidermatophytic phytomedicine from Polyscias fulva stem bark, the isolated compounds being possible markers for the standardisation.

Antimicrobial steroidal saponin and oleanane-type triterpenoid saponins from Paullinia pinnata.

BACKGROUND: Paullinia pinnata L. (Sapindaceae) is an African woody vine, which is widely used in traditional medicine for the treatment of human malaria, erectile dysfunction and bacterial infections. A phytochemical investigation of its methanol leaf and stem extracts led to the isolation of seven compounds which were evaluated for their antimicrobial properties. METHODS: The extracts were fractionated and compounds were isolated by chromatographic methods. Their structures were elucidated from their spectroscopic data in conjunction with those reported in literature. The antimicrobial activities of the crude extracts, fractions and compounds were evaluated against bacteria, yeasts and dermatophytes using the broth micro-dilution technique. RESULTS: Seven compounds: 2-O-methyl-L-chiro-inositol (1), ß-sitosterol (2), friedelin (3), 3ß-(ß-D-Glucopyranosyloxy) stigmast-5-ene (4), (3ß)-3-O-(2'-Acetamido-2'-deoxy-ß-D-glucopyranosyl) oleanolic acid (5), (3ß,16α-hydroxy)-3-O-(2'-Acetamido-2'-deoxy-ß-D-glucopyranosyl) echinocystic acid (6) and (3ß)-3-O-[ß-D-glucopyranosyl-(1″-3')-2'-acetamido-2'-deoxy-ß-D-galactopyranosyl]oleanolic acid (7) were isolated. Compounds 5 and 7 showed the best antibacterial and anti-yeast activities respectively (MIC value range of 0.78-6.25 and 1.56-6.25 µg/ml), while 6 exhibited the best anti-dermatophytic activity (MIC value range of 6.25-25 µg/ml). CONCLUSION: The results of the present findings could be considered interesting, taking into account the global disease burden of these susceptible microorganisms, in conjunction with the search for alternative and complementary medicines.

In vitro and in vivo antidermatophytic activity of the dichloromethane-methanol (1:1 v/v) extract from the stem bark of Polyscias fulva Hiern (Araliaceae).

BACKGROUND: During the last decades, the number of people suffering from dermatophytoses has seriously increased, mainly due to the development of resistant strains of microorganisms to a range of formally efficient antibiotics. Polyscias fulva, a medium size tree which grows in the West Region of Cameroon is traditionally used for local application against dermatoses and orally against venereal infections. The dichloromethane-methanol (1:1 v/v) extract from the stem bark of Polyscias fulva was evaluated for its in vitro and in vivo antifungal activities. METHODS: The plant extract was prepared by maceration of its stem bark powder in CH(2)Cl(2)-MeOH (1:1 v/v). The extract obtained was successively partitioned in hexane, ethyl acetate and n-butanol. Phytochemical screening was performed using standard methods. In vitro antidermatophytic activity was assayed by the well diffusion and broth microdilution methods. The degree of dermal irritation of the crude extract was determined in guinea pigs using the occluded dermal irritation test method. The in vivo antidermatophytic activity of the extract-oil formulation (1.25, 2.5 and 5% w/w concentrations) was evaluated using Trichophyton mentagrophytes-induced dermatophytosis in a guinea pigs model. RESULTS: Phytochemical screening indicated that, the crude extract, ethyl acetate, n-butanol and residue fractions contain in general saponins, tannins, alkaloids, anthraquinones and phenols while the hexane fraction contains only alkaloids. The ethyl-acetate, n-butanol and residue fractions displayed higher antifungal activities (MIC = 0.125-0.5 mg.mL(-1)) against eight dermatophytes as compared to the crude extract (MIC = 0.5-1 mg.mL(-1)). This latter appeared to have slight perceptible erythema effects on guinea pigs as the primary irritation index (PII) was calculated to be 0.54. In vivo, the antidermatophytic activities of the extract-oil formulations were dose-dependent. Griseofulvin-oil 5% at 0.01 g/kg and formulated extract-oil (5%) at 0.1 g/kg eradicated the microbial infection after thirteen and fourteen days of daily treatment respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The results of preclinical in vitro and in vivo evaluations indicate that the extract-oil formulation at 5% may constitute an alternative means to alleviate fungal infections caused by dermatophytes.

In vitro anti-Herpes simplex virus activity of crude extract of the roots of Nauclea latifolia Smith (Rubiaceae).

BACKGROUND: Nauclea latifolia Smith, a shrub belonging to the family Rubiaceae is a very popular medicinal plant in Cameroon and neighboring countries where it is used to treat jaundice, yellow fever, rheumatism, abdominal pains, hepatitis, diarrhea, dysentery, hypertension, as well as diabetes. The ethno-medicinal use against yellow fever, jaundice and diarrhea prompted us to investigate on the antiviral activity of the root bark of N. latifolia. In this study, HSV-2 was chosen as a viral model because of its strong impact on HIV transmission and acquisition. METHODS: The crude extract under study was prepared by maceration of air-dried and powdered roots barks of N. latifolia in CH2Cl2/MeOH (50:50) mixture for 48 hours, then it was subjected to filtration and evaporation under vacuum. A phytochemical analysis of the crude extract was performed by High Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled with a photodiode array and mass spectrometry (HPLC-PDA-ESI-qMS). The anti-HSV-2 activity was assayed in vitro by plaque reduction and virus yield assays and the major mechanism of action was investigated by virucidal and time of addition assays. Data values were compared using the Extra sum of squares F test of program GraphPad PRISM 4. RESULTS: The main components detected in the extract belong to the class of indole alkaloids characteristic of Nauclea genus. Strictosamide, vincosamide and pumiloside were tentatively identified together with quinovic acid glycoside. N. latifolia crude extract inhibited both acyclovir sensitive and acyclovir resistant HSV-2 strains, with IC50 values of 5.38 µg/ml for the former and 7.17 µg/ml for the latter. The extract was found to be most active when added post-infection, with IC50 of 3.63 µg/ml. CONCLUSION: The results of this work partly justify the empirical use of N. latifolia in traditional medicine for the treatment of viral diseases. This extract could be a promising rough material for the development of a new and more effective modern anti-HSV-2 medication also active against acyclovir-resistant HSV-2 strains.

Canarimoic acid: new tirucallane triterpene with antisalmonellal activity from the stem bark of Canarium schweinfurthii Engl.

One new tirucallane triterpene named as canarimoic acid (1), and three known analogues: 3ß-hydroxytirucalla-8,24-dien-21-oic acid (2), 3α-acetyltirucalla-8,24-diene-21oic acid (3) and 3-oxotirucalla-8,24-dien-21-oic (4) were isolated from the hydro-ethanolic crude extract of Canarium schweinfurthii. Their structures were established by extensive analysis of 1 D and 2 D NMR data in conjunction with mass spectrometry and by comparison with those reported in the literature. The evaluation of their antisalmonellal activity using broth microdilution method showed that compound 3 was the most active (MIC =16 µg/mL) against Salmonella Typhi and Salmonella Typhimurium followed by compound 1 (MIC= 32 µg/mL) against Salmonella Typhi and Salmonella Enteritidis.

Relation between haptoglobin polymorphism and oxidative stress status, lipid profile, and cardiovascular risk in sickle cell anemia patients.

OBJECTIVE: The haptoglobin (Hp) gene located on chromosome 16q22 exhibits a polymorphism that can impact its capacity to inhibit the deleterious oxidative activity of free hemoglobin. We aimed to determine the influence of Hp polymorphism on oxidative stress, lipid profile, and cardiovascular risk in Cameroonian sickle cell anemia patients (SCA patients). METHOD: The Hp genotypes of 102 SCA patients (SS), 60 healthy individuals (AA), and 55 subjects with sickle cell trait (AS) were determined by allele-specific PCR, and the blood parameters were assessed using standard methods. RESULTS: Hp2-2 genotype was significantly (P < .05) present in SS (54%) than in AS (42%) and AA (38%). Levels of catalase and cell reactive protein were higher, while levels of total antioxidant capacity, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholestetol, blood pressure, Framingham score, and body mass index were lower in the SCA patients. These parameters appeared to be unrelated to the haptoglobin genotypes. SCA patients with Hp1-1 genotype presented a higher oxidative stress index (0.53 ± 0.31) than those with Hp2-1 (0.33 ± 0.18). Lipid profile and cardiovascular risk were not significantly different between various Hp genotypes in SCA patients. CONCLUSION: Haptoglobin polymorphism did not affect lipid profile, cardiovascular risk, and oxidative stress status of SCA patients. Nevertheless, SCA patients with Hp1-1 genotype tended to be more prone to oxidative stress than those with Hp2-1.

Antidermatophytic and Toxicological Evaluations of Dichloromethane-Methanol Extract, Fractions and Compounds Isolated from Coula edulis.

BACKGROUND: Coula edulis Bail (Olacaceae), is an evergreen tree growing to a height of 25. This study aimed at evaluating the antidermatophytic and toxicological properties of the stem bark of C. edulis extract as well as fractions and compounds isolated from it. METHODS: The plant extract was prepared by maceration in CH(2)Cl(2)-MeOH (1:1 v/v). The fractionation of this extract was done by silica gel column chromatography. Antidermatophytic activities were assayed using agar dilution method. The acute and sub-acute toxicities of oral administrations of the extract were studied in rodents. RESULTS: The crude extract of C. edulis displayed antidermatophytic activity against the tested microorganisms with highest activity against Microsporum audouinii and Trichophyton mentagrophytes. The fractionation enhanced the antidermatophytic activity in fraction F(3 )(MIC=0.62-1.25 mg/ml) compared to the crude extract (MIC=1.25-5 mg/ml). Further fractionation and purification of the fractions F(2) and F(3) gave respectively 3-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside of sitosterol (MIC=0.20-0.40 mg/ml) and a mixture of ß-sitosterol, stigmasterol and n-hexadecanoid acid (MIC=0.80 mg/ml). The median lethal doses (LD(50)) of the crude extract were 16.8 and 19.6 g/kg body weight (BW) in male and female mice, respectively. At 200 mg/kg BW(, )there was a decrease in body weight gain, food and water consumptions. Gross anatomical analysis revealed white vesicles on the liver of the rats treated with the extract at 200 mg/kg BW. This dose also induced significant (P<0.05) changes on hematological and biochemical parameters in rats after 28 days of treatment. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that the CH(2)Cl(2)-MeOH (1:1 v/v) extract of C. edulis stem bark possesses antidermatophytic properties. They also show that at high doses (≥ 200 mg/kg BW), the extract has significant hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic activities.

Haptoglobin Gene Polymorphism among Sickle Cell Patients in West Cameroon: Hematological and Clinical Implications.

Haptoglobin is a protein involved in protecting the body from the harmful effects of free hemoglobin. The haptoglobin gene exhibits a polymorphism, and the different genotypes do not have the same capacity to combat the free hemoglobin effects. The present study aimed at determining the polymorphic distribution of haptoglobin in sickle cell patients (SCPs) from West Cameroon and their impact on the hematological parameters, as well as clinical manifestations of the disease severity. Haptoglobin genotype of 102 SCPs (SS) and 115 healthy individuals (60 AA and 55 AS) was determined by allele-specific polymerase chain reaction, and the complete blood count was determined using the AutoAnalyser. Results showed that the genotype Hp2-2 was significantly (p < 0.05) represented in SS patients (54%) than in controls AA and AS (27% and 29%, respectively), while Hp2-1 was mostly found (p < 0.05) in AS (42%) and AA (38%), against 15% in SS. The allelic distribution in SS patients was Hp2: 0.613, Hp1S: 0.304, and Hp1F: 0.084. In AA and AS controls, the proportions of the Hp1 and Hp2 alleles were similar (around 0.5 each), with 0.282 for Hp1S and 0.218 for Hp1F in AS and 0.283 for Hp1S and 0.258 for Hp1F in AA. The distribution of the haptoglobin genotypes did not reveal any significant difference across hematological parameters and clinical manifestations of disease severity in SCP and controls. SCP with Hp1S-1F genotype presented the highest level of hemoglobin. Although Hp2-2 was more frequent in SS patients, it appeared not to be related to the hematological parameters and to the disease's severity. Further investigations are necessary to explore the impact of Hp polymorphism such as antioxidant, lipid profile, and functionality of some tissues in SCP in Cameroon.

Toxicological Profile of the Aqueous Extract of Tectona grandis L.F. (Verbenaceae) Leaves: A Medicinal Plant Used in the Treatment of Typhoid Fever in Traditional Cameroonian Medicine.

Tectona grandis (T. grandis) is a medicinal plant widely used in Cameroon to treat typhoid fever and several other diseases. Despite its heavy use for medical purposes, no study has yet been conducted to assess its potentially toxic effects. This study aimed at evaluating the acute and subchronic toxicological profile of Tectona grandis leaf extract in rats. The acute toxicity study revealed neither behavioral disturbances nor death in rats. The lethal dose (DL50) of this extract is greater than 5000 mg/kg body weight. The subchronic toxicity study showed no significant change in weight gain in rats at test doses throughout the treatment period. However, there was a significant decrease in alanine transaminase activity and serum protein levels at all doses. Alkaline phosphatase activity decreased at doses of 30, 90, and 270 mg/kg and increased at the dose of 810 mg/kg body weight. Serum and urinary urea levels increased simultaneously at doses of 270 and 810 mg/kg body weight. Repeated administration of the extract also increased total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein levels in both sexes were compared to respective controls, and the ratio of high- to low-density lipoprotein was found to be greater than 1 in all animals. However, at the dose of 810 mg/kg, necrosis was observed on the kidney sections and vascular congestion on the liver sections of animals. Aqueous extract of T. grandis did not lead to any adverse effects in rats after acute and subchronic treatment at 30 and 90 mg/kg doses. This extract can, therefore, be used for the formulation of typhoid fever phytomedicine at the therapeutic dose of 30 mg/kg, but before this, chronic and mutagenic toxicity evaluations must be carried out.

Turrealabdane, turreanone and an antisalmonellal agent from Turraeanthus africanus.

Phytochemical investigation of the seeds of Turraeanthus africanus (Meliaceae), a Cameroonian plant species traditionally used in the treatment of typhoid fever, afforded eight compounds, including two labdanes, a C-arabinoside derivative, a sesquiterpene, and several triterpenes, two of which are new: 15',16'-dihydroxy-15(12'),15'(16')-diolidebislabd-8(17),8'(17'),12-trien-16-al ( 1), trivially named turrealabdane and a C-arabinoside derivative ( 2), trivially named turreanone. The other compounds are 12,15-epoxylabda-8(17),12,14-trien-16-acetate ( 3), (+)-eudesmanol- O-L-arabinoside, cyclolaudenol, stigmasterol, sitosterol glucoside and lupeol. Acetylation and oxidation of turrealabdane yielded 15',16'-diacetoxyturrealabdane and 15,12'-dioxoturrealabdane-15',16'-dial, respectively. Their structures were determined by means of spectroscopic data including 1D and 2D NMR in combination with MS. The compounds were evaluated for antibacterial activities, chloramphenicol and amoxicillin being used as standard. Compound 3 was the only active principle, possessing the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values of respectively 25 microg/mL and 100 microg/mL against Salmonella typhi, S. paratyphi a and S. paratyphi B.This compound did not show any activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus.

Fungal transformation of norandrostenedione with Cunninghamella blakesleeana and anti-bacterial activity of the transformed products.

Although the discovery of antibiotics has decreased the spread and severity of infectious diseases, their uncontrolled use has lead to the emergence of bacterial resistance to existing chemotherapeutic agents. Bacterial disease thus remains a challenge for health authorities in worldwide and especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite their efficacy, the miss-use of medicinal plants for the treatment of infectious diseases couple to the farming and hunting activities has contribute enormously to the destruction of many medicinal plant species. In search of an alternative for new and effective agents against bacterial infection, norandrostenedion (19-nor-4-androsten-3,17-dione) (1), was biotransformed by Cunninghamella blakesleeana ATCC 8688A and yielded a new metabolite, 6α,10 ß -dihydroxy-19-nor-4-androsten-3-one (2), together with three known compounds, 10 ß -hydroxy-19-nor-4-androsten-3,17-dione (3), 6 ß,10 ß,17 ß -trihydroxy-19-nor-4-androsten-3-one (4) and 10 ß,17 ß -dihydroxy-19-nor-4-androsten-3-one (5). Their structures were elucidated on the basis ofspectroscopic techniques: NMR analysis (1D and 2D) and HRIE-MS and by comparison with previously reported data. In addition, the agar diffusion method was used to evaluate the diameter of the inhibition zone and INT colorimetric assay for MIC values. All metabolites obtained showed a potent and varied activity against tested bacteria. These results support the uses of biotransformation to develop new antimicrobial compounds for clinical application.

Isolation, characterization and in vitro anti-salmonellal activity of compounds from stem bark extract of Canarium schweinfurthii.

BACKGROUND: Bacteria belonging to the Salmonella genus are major concern for health, as they are widely reported in many cases of food poisoning. The use of antibiotics remains a main stream control strategy for avian salmonellosis as well as typhoid and paratyphoid fevers in humans. Due to the growing awareness about drug resistance and toxicities, the use of antibiotics is being discouraged in many countries whilst advocating potent benign alternatives such as phyto-based medicine. The objective of this work was to isolate, characterise the bioactive compounds of Canarium schweinfurthii; and evaluate their anti-salmonellal activity. METHODS: The hydro-ethanolic extract of Canarium schweinfurthii was fractionated and tested for their anti-salmonellal activity. The most active fractions (i.e. chloroform and ethyl acetate partition fractions) were then explored for their phytochemical constituents. Fractionation on normal phase silica gel column chromatography and size exclusion chromatography on Sephadex LH-20 led to the isolation of four compounds (maniladiol, scopoletin, ethyl gallate and gallic acid) reported for the first time in Canarium schweinfurthii. RESULTS: Result indicated that scopoletin and gallic acid had greater activity than the crude extracts and partition fractions. Among the isolated compounds, scopoletin showed the highest inhibitory activity with a MIC of 16 µg/ml against Salmonella Typhimurium and Salmonella Enteritidis. CONCLUSIONS: The overall results of this study indicates that the hydro-ethanolic extract as well as some of isolated compounds have interesting anti-salmonellal activities that could be further explored for the development of potent therapy for salmonellosis. Furthermore, the study adds credence to the folkloric applications of the plant.

Antidiarrhoeal and antimicrobial activities of Emilia coccinea (Sims) G. Don extracts.

Emilia coccinea (Sims) G. Don is reported to possess a number of medicinal properties including antidiarrhoeal and antimicrobial activities. The antidiarrhoeal effects of both methanol and aqueous extracts of the leaves of Emilia coccinea were studied in rats against castor oil-induced diarrhoea at the doses of 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg body weight. The methanol extract, and to a lesser extent the aqueous extract, significantly prolonged the time for diarrhoeal induction; it reduced the frequency of diarrhoea episodes and decreased the propulsion of charcoal meal through the gastrointestinal tract in a dose dependent manner. The aqueous extract did not have any antimicrobial activity at the tested concentration (5 mg/ml), but the methanol extract was most active on Escherichia coli. These results may support the fact that this plant is used traditionally to cure diarrhoea.