Antiulcer Effect of Aqueous Ethanolic Extracts of Pseudocedrela kotschyi (Schweinf) Harms (Meliaceae) and Ximenia americana L. (Olacaceae).

Purpose: This study aimed to provide pharmacological evidence of Pseudocedrela kotschyi and Ximenia americana in preventing or healing peptic ulcers claimed by traditional healers in Burkina Faso. Methods: The trunk bark of Pseudocedrela kotschyi and the roots bark of Ximenia americana (Olacaceae) were macerated in mixed ethanol/water (80:20), respectively, to obtain dried extracts. Two models of hydrochloric acid (HCl, 0.3 M/ethanol, 60%) and hypothermic stress-induced peptic ulcer were used. The cytoprotective effect of individual or combined plant extracts was assessed at 1; 10; 30mg/kg. bw. Then, the healing effect of the extracts at 10mg/kg.bw was evaluated within 21 days of treatment on the hydrochloric acid-induced ulcer model. The extracts' antioxidant activity and phenolic content were assessed to support the plant extracts' efficiency. Results: The extracts of P. kotschyi and X. americana at 10 mg/kg.bw reduced ulceration index in hydrochloric acid- and hypothermic stress-ulcer models by more than 83% and 65%, respectively. The extract from X. americana at 10mg/kg.bw allowed complete ulcer healing but not the association of the two plant extracts. The plant extracts had IC50of inhibition of DPPH radical lower than 5µg/mL and total ferric reducing antioxidant power of more than 77 mg EQAA/100mg. The total polyphenolic content was 64.82 ±0.99 and 53.75 ±1.39 mg EGA/g of dried extract of P. kotschyi and X. americana, respectively. Conclusion: X. americana extract is better than the combined two plant extracts in gastric cytoprotection and ulcer healing. Further investigations are needed to highlight mechanism-based effects.

In vitro impact of five pesticides alone or in combination on human intestinal cell line Caco-2.

In Burkina Faso, as in most Sahelian countries, the failure to follow good agricultural practices coupled with poor soil and climate conditions in the locust control context lead to high environmental contaminations with pesticide residues. Thus, consumers being orally exposed to a combination of multiple pesticide residues through food and water intake, the digestive tract is a tissue susceptible to be directly exposed to these food contaminants. The aim of our work was to compare in vitro the impact of five desert locust control pesticides (Deltamethrin DTM, Fenitrothion FNT, Fipronil FPN, Lambda-cyalothrine LCT, and Teflubenzuron TBZ) alone and in combination on the human intestinal Caco-2 cells viability and function. Cells were exposed to 0.1-100 µM pesticides for 10 days alone or in mixture (MIX). Our results showed a cytotoxic effect of DTM, FNT, FPN, LCT, and TBZ alone or in combination in human intestinal Caco-2 cells. The most efficient were shown to be FPN and FNT impacting the cell layer integrity and/or barrier function, ALP activity, antioxidant enzyme activity, lipid peroxidation, Akt activation, and apoptosis. The presence of antioxidant reduced lipid peroxidation level and attenuated the pesticides-induced cell toxicity, suggesting that key mechanism of pesticides cytotoxicity may be linked to their pro-oxidative potential. A comparative analysis with the predicted cytotoxic effect of pesticides mixture using mathematical modeling shown that the combination of these pesticides led to synergistic effects rather than to a simple independent or dose addition effect.

Pilot study on agricultural pesticide poisoning in Burkina Faso.

Epidemiologic data related to agricultural pesticide poisoning cases in Burkina Faso were collected. The study was carried out using retrospective (from January 2002 to June 2010) surveys conducted among farmers and healthcare centers. One hundred and fifty-three (153) pest control products were recorded during the survey and 56 active ingredients were identified. Out of the 153 pest control products, 49 (i.e. 32%) were authorized for sale in Burkina Faso. The main risk factors are socio-demographic characteristics of farmers, their low education level, and some attitudes and practices on using agricultural pesticides. Pesticide poisonings are relatively frequent and their management was not always efficacious. Actions are needed to reduce pesticide poisoning as a global public health problem and to improve management of pesticide poisoning. To this purpose, advanced investigations should be carried out over a longer period of time to complement the present pilot study.

Protective effect of Moringa oleifera leaves against gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rabbits.

Oxidative stress due to abnormal production of reactive oxygen species has been implicated in the nephrotoxicity induced by gentamicin. The nephroprotective effect of aqueous-ethanolic extract of Moringa oleifera leaves (150 and 300 mg/kg) was evaluated against gentamicin-induced (80 mg/kg) renal injury in rabbits. Serum urea and creatinine levels were evaluated as the markers of renal nephrotoxicity. At the end of the experiment, the kidneys of rabbits were excised for histological examinations and determination of lipid peroxidation levels. Serum urea and creatinine levels were reduced in the M. oleifera (150 and 300 mg/kg) plus gentamicin treated groups. On histological examinations, kidney of intoxicated rabbits groups which received M. oleifera extract showed reparative tendencies. A highly significant (p < 0.01) elevation was observed in lipid peroxidation (LPO) level in the kidneys of gentamicin-intoxicated rabbits whereas combined treatment of M. oleifera and gentamicin group showed a highly significant (p < 0.01) depletion in LPO. The present study indicates that aqueous-ethanolic extract of M. oleifera leaves attenuates renal injury in rabbits treated with gentamicin, possibly by inhibiting lipid peroxidation.

Arsenic levels in tube-wells water, food, residents' urine and the prevalence of skin lesions in Yatenga province, Burkina Faso.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the levels of arsenic in tube-well water, food and residents' urines samples in Yatenga province, Burkina Faso. The prevalence of skin lesions was evaluated as well. The study was cross-sectional in design. It was conducted during April 2009. Permanent residents of 20 villages were included in the study. Water samples were collected from 31 tube-wells located in the selected villages. Tomatoes, cabbages, and potatoes produced in the selected village were randomly sampled. Arsenic content in water, food, and residents' urine was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry using hydride generation method. Finally, 240 people were examined by a medical doctor for skin lesions. Arsenic concentrations from the tube-well water ranged from 1 to 124 µg/l. Arsenic concentrations of more than one-half (52%) of the water samples exceeded the WHO guideline value (10 µg/l). No trace of arsenic was found in the samples of tomatoes, cabbages, and potatoes. Variation in arsenic concentrations in the urines was correlated to arsenic concentrations in tube-well water. Clinical examinations revealed that melanosis and keratosis were respectively identified in 29.26% and 46.34% of the population. Both conditions were observed in 24.39% of the population. The frequency of skin lesions was positively associated with the arsenic concentration in tube-well water. A great majority (89.53%) of those who had skin lesions were at least 18 years old. In conclusion, chronic arsenic poisoning remains a major public health problem in the province of Yatenga (Burkina Faso).

Biological alterations and self-reported symptoms among insecticides-exposed workers in Burkina Faso.

Occupationally exposed workers, farm workers and plant protection agents in the Sahel region of Burkina Faso were interviewed to assess adverse health effects of insecticides. The subjects were also examined for changes in both hematological and biochemical parameters. The prevalence of liver and kidney dysfunction was found to be quite high among insecticide applicators, especially among plant protection agents. The prevalence of biochemical alterations seems to be correlated to the frequency of insecticide use. However, no significant differences were found between the hematological parameters among farm workers and plant protection agents. The hematological parameters of all the insecticide applicators were normal. The great majority of insecticide applicators (85%) reported symptoms related to insecticide exposure. The use of insecticides in the agriculture of Burkina Faso is threatening to human health.