The role of urology and radiology in prostate biopsy: current trends and future perspectives.

PURPOSE: Prostate biopsy is central to the accurate histological diagnosis of prostate cancer. In current practice, the biopsy procedure can be performed using a transrectal or transperineal route with different technologies available for targeting of lesions within the prostate. Historically, the biopsy procedure was performed solely by urologists, but with the advent of image-guided techniques, the involvement of radiologists in prostate biopsy has become more common. Herein, we discuss the pros, cons and future considerations regarding their ongoing role. METHODS: A narrative review regarding the current evidence was completed. PubMed and Cochrane central register of controlled trials were search until January 2024. All study types were of consideration if published after 2000 and an English language translation was available. RESULTS: There are no published studies that directly compare outcomes of prostate biopsy when performed by a urologist or radiologist. In all published studies regarding the learning curve for prostate biopsy, the procedure was performed by urologists. These studies suggest that the learning curve for prostate biopsy is between 10 and 50 cases to reach proficiency in terms of prostate cancer detection and complications. It is recognised that many urologists are poorly able to accurately interpret multi parametric (mp)-MRI of the prostate. Collaboration between the specialities is of importance with urology offering the advantage of being involved in prior and future care of the patient while radiology has the advantage of being able to expertly interpret preprocedure MRI. CONCLUSION: There is no evidence to suggest that prostate biopsy should be solely performed by a specific specialty. The most important factor remains knowledge of the relevant anatomy and sufficient volume of cases to develop and maintain skills.

Pattern of Clinical and Laboratory Presentation of Cerebral Malaria among Children in Nigeria.

Introduction: Cerebral malaria (CM) is the most lethal form of severe malaria with high case fatality rates. Overtime, there is an inherent risk in changing pattern of presentation of CM which, if the diagnosis is missed due to these changing factors, may portend a poor outcome. Variations in the pattern of clinic-laboratory presentations also make generalization difficult. This study was, therefore, set out to report the pattern of clinical and laboratory presentation of CM. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study among children aged 6 months to 14 years admitted with a diagnosis of CM as defined by the World Health Organization criteria. A pretested pro forma was filled, and detailed neurological examination and laboratory (biochemical, microbiology, and hematology) investigations were done. P <5% was considered statistically significant. Results: Sixty-four children were recruited with a mean age of 34.9 ± 24.9 months and a male-to-female ratio of 1.9:1. There were 87.5% of under-five children. Fever (96.9%) was the major presenting feature closely followed by convulsions (92.2%). Convulsions were mainly generalized (94.9%) and multiple (76.5%). Profound coma (Blantyre coma score of 0) was present in 12.5% of cases, and the leading features on examination were fever (84.4%) and pallor (75.0%). Retinal vessel whitening (48.4%) was the most common funduscopic abnormality. Metabolic acidosis (47.9%), severe anemia (14.1%), hyperglycemia (17.2%), and hypoglycemia (7.8%) were seen among the children. Few (1.6%) had hyperparasitemia and bacteremia (3.2%). Conclusion: Early recognition of the clinical presentation and prompt management may improve the outcome of cerebral malaria.

Photocatalytic Degradation of Dyes in Wastewater Using Solar Enhanced Nickel Oxide (NiO) Nanocatalysts Prepared by Chemical Methods.

This study examined the surface morphology and photocatalytic activity of nickel oxide (NiO) nanoparticles prepared through a chemical method. The synthesized nanoparticle was characterized by using spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. Photocatalytic degradation of hazardous Eriochrome Black T (EBT) was carried out using the synthesized nanoparticle and the efficiency of the NiO used was determined. Highest degradation efficiency of 70% at 25 mg loading was observed at 40 min exposure time. The study concluded that the synthesized nanoparticles could be used in industrial wastewater treatment containing organic dyes.

Blood pressure and electrocardiographic profile of children with sickle cell anaemia in steady-state and vaso-occlusive crisis.

Objective: To compare the cardiovascular features of patients with sickle cell anaemia (SCA) in steady-state with those in vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) at the Wesley Guild Hospital (WGH). Design: A descriptive cross-sectional, matched, case-control study among children with SCA at the WGH, a tertiary health facility in southwest Nigeria. Setting: The participants were recruited from the children's emergency unit and paediatric haematology clinic of the WGH. Participants: Consisted of 93 children with VOC (cases) and 93 age and sex-matched in steady state (controls), aged 5 - 15 years. Main outcome measures: Cardiovascular parameters, including pulse rate, blood pressure, and electrocardiographic profile, were assessed and compared using the appropriate statistical tests. Results: The mean (SD) age of the cases and controls were 8.8 (3.2) years and 9.0 (3.1) years, respectively (p= 0.106). There was no significant difference in the mean height of the groups. The mean pulse rate, diastolic, systolic, and mean arterial pressures were significantly higher in the cases than in the controls. A significantly higher proportion of the cases than the controls also had a higher frequency of heart blocks, prolonged QTc interval, ST elevation or depression, and T wave abnormality (p = 0.018, 0.039, 0.041, 0.009, respectively). The prevalence of chamber enlargements was not significantly different between the two groups. Conclusion: Cardiovascular dysfunction is worse during VOC when compared with steady state. Physicians should look for these dysfunctions in SCA children with VOC to reduce mortality from the disease. Funding: None declared.

A Review on Graphene Quantum Dots for Electrochemical Detection of Emerging Pollutants.

Graphene quantum dots which are known as zero-dimensional materials are gaining increasing attention from researchers all over the world. This is predicated upon their relatively unique chemiluminescent, fluorescent, electrochemiluminescent, and electronic properties. The precise mechanism of electrochemiluminescence continues to be a subject of debate in the research world, and this is important in identifying synthetic pathways for graphene quantum dots. Heavy metals and other emerging pollutants are global health and environmental concerns. Several studies have reported the sensitivity and limit of detection of graphene quantum dots up to the nano-, pico-, and femto- levels when used as sensors. This review seeks to bridge information gaps on the reported electrochemiluminescence chemosensors for emerging pollutants using graphene quantum dots under the sub-headings, synthesis, characterization, electrochemiluminescence chemosensor detection, and comparison with other detection methods.

Clinical Utilities of Electrocardiography in the Diagnosis of Myocardial Ischemia in Children With Sickle Cell Anemia: Correlation With Serum Cardiac Troponin I.

BACKGROUND: Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is associated with recurrent vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) and the risk of myocardial ischemia (MI). This study investigated the utility of electrocardiography (ECG) and cardiac troponin I (cTnI) in diagnosing MI during VOC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Children with SCA 5 to 15 years of age in VOC (patients) and age-matched and sex-matched steady-state controls were studied. Their ECG and cTnI levels were measured at contact and after 4 to 6 weeks. RESULTS: One hundred eighty-six children (93 patients and 93 controls) were studied. The mean (SD) ages of the patients and controls were 8.8 (3.2) and 9.0 (3.1) years, respectively. The mean MI score was significantly higher for the patients, 1.7 (1.2), than the controls, 1.3 (1.0), P=0.002. A significantly higher proportion of the patients, 18 (19.4%), also had significant ischemia compared with the controls, 8 (8.6%), P=0.016. The median (interquartile range) serum cTnI level was significantly higher in the patients than the controls, P=0.006. All 7 of the patients with elevated cTnI had VOC. No significant correlation was found between MI score and cTnI in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: cTnI is elevated and ECG features of MI worsen during VOC. Longitudinal studies to investigate their evolvement over time are advocated.

Comparative chemical analysis of Indigenous Nigerian soaps with conventional ones.

This study compared the chemical properties of the indigenous Nigerian soaps with the conventional soaps in order to determine whether or not they met acceptable standards. The locally made soaps were obtained from markets in Ile-Ife, Osun State and Okitipupa, Ondo State, Nigeria. The soap samples were acid digested and trace metals (Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn, and Hg) in the digested samples were profiled using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. Documented techniques were adopted to analyze the soaps for pH, moisture content, free fatty acid, chloride content, free caustic alkali, matters insoluble in water and ethanol. The margin of safety (MoS) and hazard index (HI) associated with the use of the soaps were also evaluated. The locally made soaps had higher physicochemical properties than the conventional soaps. Mercury (Hg) had the highest concentration in the locally made soaps ranging from 106.50 ± 0.23-273.58 ± 0.49 µg/g and 46.35 ± 0.22-55.12 ± 0.65 µg/g in the conventional soaps, while Cd had the least concentration in the locally made soaps ranging from 2.95 ± 0.45-6.05 ± 0.60 µg/g and 2.88 ± 0.11-5.20 ± 0.60 µg/g in the conventional soaps. Although highly mercuric soaps are known to kill bacteria and fungi, the observed MoS (<100) and HI (>1) indicated that the soaps might be safe if only restricted to occasional use by adults and children. A careful preliminary investigation and selection of the raw materials used in the production of indigenous soaps should be considered a necessary step.

Pathological response and clinical outcomes in operable triple-negative breast cancer with cisplatin added to standard neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy is associated with improved outcomes for patients with triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). Patients with residual disease are at increased risk of relapse and death from breast cancer. In this retrospective study, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of cisplatin added to standard neoadjuvant chemotherapy for locally advanced TNBC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All TNBC treated with neoadjuvant cisplatin 60mg/m2 once in 3 weeks with weekly paclitaxel for 12 weeks, following 8 weeks of dose-dense epirubicin 90mg/m2 or doxorubicin 60mg/m2 with cyclophosphamide 600mg/m2 were analyzed retrospectively. The data related to pathological complete response, adherence to planned therapy, disease-free survival and overall survival were collected. RESULTS: Eighty-three patients were included, of whom 80% had stage III disease. Pathological complete response in both breast (T0/Tis) and axilla (N0) was observed in 48.1% of patients. Miller Payne grade 5 pathological response in the breast was seen in 61% of patients. Good partial responses (Miller Payne grades 3,4) were observed in 32.5% of patients. The remaining 6.5% were poor responders. Seventy-seven patients underwent surgery. The disease-free survival at 1 and 3 years for those who had a pathological complete response was 96.7% and 77.6%, respectively, and 92.3% and 62.7% for those who did not, respectively. The predominant adverse events were hematological, with anemia being the most common one. CONCLUSION: The addition of cisplatin to neoadjuvant chemotherapy with anthracycline and taxane in TNBC was tolerable and produced a high rate of pathological complete response. Cisplatin added to standard chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced TNBC could improve clinical outcomes.

Development of Electrochemical Nanosensor for the Detection of Malaria Parasite in Clinical Samples.

In this study, electrochemical nanosensors were developed from the synthesized metal oxide (MO) nanoparticles by supporting it on a gold electrode (Au). The activity of the developed nanosensor toward the detection of malaria biomarker (ß-hematin) was determined and the optimum conditions at which the maximum detection and quantification occurred were established. ß-Hematin current response at the sensors was higher when compared with the bare Au electrode and followed the order Au-CuO (C) > Au-CuO (M) > Au-Fe2O3 (M) > Au-Fe2O3 (C) > Au-Al2O3 (M) > Au-Al2O3 (C) > bare Au. The developed sensors were stable with a relatively low current drop (10.61-17.35 %) in the analyte. Au-CuO sensor had the best performance toward the biomarker and quantitatively detected P. berghei in infected mice's serum samples at 3.60-4.8 mM and P. falciparum in human blood serum samples at 0.65-1.35 mM concentration.

Concentrations of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) in Water from Asunle Stream, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.

This study assessed the concentrations of polybrominated diphenylethers (PBDEs) in stream water obtained from Asunle stream, an adjoining stream of the Obafemi Awolowo University dumpsite. Water samples were collected for a period of eight months from six different locations comprising of a spot upstream in an uphill area relative to the refuse dumpsite and five others downstream along the stream course. The sampled waters were extracted with dicholoromethane using liquid-liquid extraction method and cleanup was carried out with silica gel. The final extracts after concentration were analyzed using GC-MS/MS. The recovery experiments were adequate (105%-110%). The mean levels of Æ©6PBDEs compounds analyzed ranged from 0.03 to 0.45 ng/mL. Seasonal variability of PBDEs indicated that higher levels were found during the wet season. The levels of PBDEs recorded in this work were relatively lower compared to the values reported in the literature from other developed nations.

Assessment of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in sediment of Asunle stream of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.

Assessment of levels of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) from the sediment of Asunle stream, an adjourning stream of the Obafemi Awolowo University dumpsite, has been carried out. Sediment samples were collected from the stream at six locations for a period of 8 months, composed of 4 months each of wet (May-Aug) and dry (Nov-Feb) seasons. Soxhlet extraction was employed for the isolation of all the target compounds from the sediment samples. Extracts were further subjected to multi-layer column chromatography employing different forms of silica gel. The prepared samples were analyzed using GC-MS. The overall mean concentrations of the total PBDEs ranged from 1.80 to 9.46 ng/g. The results showed that the concentrations of the PBDEs were slightly higher during the wet season than those during the dry season. In all the studied locations, BDE28, BDE47, BDE99, BDE100, BDE153, and BDE154 were detected in all the sediment samples at concentrations that ranged from 0.73 to 10.43 ng/g. Results of this study indicated that BDE153 was the major pollutant of the Asunle stream sediments.

Speciation study of the heavy metals in commercially available recharge cards coatings in Nigeria and the health implication.

This work assessed levels of heavy metals exposure from silver coatings of mobile phones recharge cards of three major companies (designated as A, B and C) with price denominations 100, 200 and 400 from companies A, B and C respectively, which were carefully scratched using a plastic scraper into a glass tube. The coatings were acid digested for total metal concentration, while speciation experiment for Mn, Cu, Cd and Pb was carried out. Total metals and speciation analysis were done using AAS and XRF techniques. The total metal concentration from XRF analysis was in the range: Ca (70-2140 µg/g), K (20-4930 µg/g), Sc (80-270 µg/g), Ti (1530-12,580 µg/g), Fe (50-6660 µg/g), Ni (20-2040 µg/g), Cu (20-850 µg/g) and Zn (40-460 µg/g). Cr had the lowest concentration (10 µg/g) in A ( 400) while Ti had the highest concentration (12,580 µg/g) in C ( 500) for all the coatings analyzed. AAS and XRF results agreed closely except for Fe with higher concentration. A ( 100) contained high concentration of the metals compared with others. Speciation study identified Mn as the most mobile element when present in the environment.

Hypoglycaemic and hypotensive effects of Ficus exasperata vahl. (Moraceae) leaf aqueous extract in rats.

The hypotensive and hypoglycaemic effects of Ficus exasperata (Vahl) (family: Moraceae) leaf aqueous extract (FEE) were investigated in experimental rat models. In this study, spontaneously-hypertensive rats (SHR) (type 1 diabetes), obese Zucker (type 2 diabetes) and Wistar rats were used. Three (A, B and C) groups of rats, each group consisting of 10 rats, were used. Group A Wistar rats received distilled water in quantities equivalent to the volume of streptozotocin (STZ) and FEE administered intraperitoneally to treated rats. Diabetes mellitus was induced in the SHR group B rats by multiple low-dose (MLD) intraperitoneal injections of STZ (40 mg/kg body weight) to induce type 1 diabetes. The animals in group C were the obese Zucker rats with non-insulin-independent diabetes mellitus (NDDM) (type 2 diabetes) on genetic basis. F. exasperata leaf aqueous extract (FEE, 100 mg/kg/day p.o.) was administered orally by orogastric intubation to fasted Groups B and C rats. In groups B and C rats, administration of FEE commenced 4 weeks post STZ injection, and continued for the next 4 consecutive weeks. Group A rats gave normal biochemical and morphological findings. Group B rats exhibited pronounced polyuria, hypoinsulinaemia, hyperlipidaemia and hyperglycaemia. These findings were also observed in group C rats, except that there was hyperinsilinaemia. Histopathological study of the aortic blood vessels showed extensive collagen fiber formation as well as perivascular fibrosis in both groups B and C rats. Four weeks of oral administration of F. exasperata leaf aqueous extract to diabetic groups of rats decreased blood glucose, blood pressure and lipid profiles. Administration of FEE (100 mg/kg p.o.) also restored the microanatomy of the blood vessels to almost normal levels. The findings of this study suggest that F. exasperata leaf aqueous extract possesses hypoglycaemic, hypotensive and hypolipidaemic properties. These findings lend biomedical and pharmacological support to the folkloric, ethnomedical uses of the plant in the management and/or control of diabetes and hypertension among the Yoruba-speaking people of Western Nigeria.

Sclerocarya birrea (A. Rich) Hochst. ['Marula'] (Anacardiaceae): a review of its phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology and its ethnomedicinal uses.

A plethora of ethnotherapeutic properties and pharmacological actions have been attributed to Sclerocarya birrea (family: Anacardiaceae). It is one of the most highly valued indigenous trees of southern Africa. Reports in biomedical literature have indicated the presence of medicinally-important chemical constituents in the plant, notably: polyphenols, tannins, coumarins, flavonoids, triterpenoids, phytosterols, and so forth. Pharmacological studies by various groups of investigators have shown that S. birrea possesses antidiarrhoeal, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiplasmodial, antihypertensive, anticonvulsant, antinociceptive and antioxidant properties, thus lending pharmacological support to the plant's folkloric, ethnotherapeutic uses in South African traditional medicine. In view of the immense medicinal importance of the plant, this review aimed at compiling all currently available information on S. birrea's chemical constituents, as well as its ethnomedicinal, pharmacological and toxicological properties.

Uterotonic effect of Harpagophytum procumbens DC (Pedaliaceae) secondary root aqueous extract on rat isolated uterine horns.

Some traditional health practitioners of South Africa have claimed that Harpagophytum procumbens DC (family: Pedaliaceae) secondary root is a useful obstetric remedy for induction or acceleration of labour, as well as for expelling retained placentas in pregnant women. In the present study, therefore, we investigated the effect of H. procumbens secondary root aqueous extract (HPE) on longitudinal, tubular uterine horn muscle strips taken from non-pregnant and pregnant, young adult, female rats. HPE (10-800 microg/ml) induced concentration-related and significant (P<0.05) increases in the baseline tone, and caused powerful rhythmic, myogenic contractions of, oestrogen-dominated rat longitudinal uterine horn muscle strips taken from stilboesterol-pretreated, non-pregnant female rats. Relatively low to high concentrations of HPE (10-800 microg/ml) also provoked concentration-dependent and significant (P<0.05-0.001) increases in the baseline tone of, and contracted, longitudinal, tubular uterine horn muscle strips taken from female rats in the early, middle and late stages of pregnancy. Moderate to high concentrations of HPE (200-1,000 microg/ml) always provoked powerful contractions of isolated longitudinal, tubular uterine horn muscle preparations of non-pregnant and pregnant rats. The results of this in vitro study indicate that H. procumbens secondary root aqueous extract possesses spasmogenic, uterotonic action on mammalian uterine muscles. These findings lend pharmacological credence to the suggested folkloric obstetric uses of the plant's secondary root for induction and/or acceleration of labour, as well as for expelling retained placentas in pregnant women.

Bronchorelaxant property of 'African potato' (Hypoxis hemerocallidea corm) aqueous extract in vitro.

This study was undertaken to investigate the bronchorelaxant effect of Hypoxis hemerocallidea corm ('African potato') aqueous extract (APE) on spasmogen-provoked contractions of guinea-pig isolated tracheal smooth muscle preparations. APE (25-400 mg/ml) relaxed spasmogen (histamine-, carbachol- and potassium-)-induced contractions of the isolated tracheal muscle preparations in a concentration-dependent manner. The relaxant effects of APE on spasmogen-evoked contractions of the tracheal muscle preparations were not altered by bath-applied propranolol (0.1-5.0 microg/ml), which markedly inhibited or completely abolished the relaxant effects of isoprenaline (0.1-5.0 microg/ml). Although the precise mechanism of the bronchorelaxant effect of APE could not be established in the present study, it is unlikely that the herb's aqueous extract stimulates the beta(2)-adrenoceptors present on the bronchial smooth muscles to produce its bronchodilatation. The finding that APE significantly relaxed (P<0.05) histamine-, carbachol- and high potassium ion concentration (K(+), 80 mM)-induced contractions of guinea-pig isolated bronchial muscle preparations appears to suggest that the bronchospasmolytic effect of the plant's extract is probably not mediated through a specific receptor, but rather, probably mediated via a non-specific bronchospasmolytic mechanism.

Cardiovascular effects of Ekebergia capensis Sparrm (Meliaceae) ethanolic leaf extract in experimental animal paradigms.

The purpose of this study was to examine the in vivo effects of Ekebergia capensis leaf ethanolic extract (EKE) on the blood pressure of anaesthetised normotensive male Wistar rats and conscious weanling Dahl salt-sensitive (DSS) rats, which develop hypertension as they age. To investigate possible mechanism(s) of the extract's hypotensive effects, the contractile or relaxant responses to EKE in the absence or presence of reference drugs were evaluated in Wistar rat isolated aortic rings precontracted with methoxamine hydrochloride (ME, 10 microM). Acute intravenous administration of EKE elicited hypotensive responses in anaesthetised animals, while sub-chronic treatment with the extract averted the development of high blood pressure in weanling DSS rats. Isometric recordings of methoxamine hydrochloride (ME) pre-contracted, isolated, endothelium-intact and -denuded aortic rings revealed concentration-dependent relaxation responses to EKE (1-160 mg/ml). The potency was significantly less in the endothelium- denuded rings. Inhibitors of endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF), L-NAME, methylene blue and indomethacin significantly reduced EKE-evoked vasorelaxations in endothelium-intact aortic rings. These results indicate that the vasorelaxant effect of EKE was in part mediated via EDRF-dependent or -independent pathways. These observations suggest that the hypotensive effect of EKE was in part mediated via modulation of total peripheral resistance of the vascular smooth muscles.

Spasmolytic effect of Psidium guajava Linn. (Myrtaceae) leaf aqueous extract on rat isolated uterine horns.

Globally, primary dysmenorrhoea is one of the most frequent gynaecological disorders in young women. It is associated with increased uterine tone, and exaggerated contractility of uterine smooth muscles. In many rural African communities, a number of medicinal plants, including Psidium guajava Linn. (family: Myrtaceae), are used traditionally for the management, control and/or treatment of primary dysmenorrhoea. The present study was, therefore, undertaken to examine the spasmolytic effect of Psidium guajava leaf aqueous extract (PGE) on isolated, spontaneously-contracting and oestrogen-dominated, quiescent uterine horns of healthy, young adult, female Wistar rats. Graded, escalated concentrations of PGE (0.5-4.0 mg/ml) produced concentration-dependent and significant inhibitions of the amplitude of spontaneous phasic contractions of the isolated rat uterine horn preparations. In a concentration-related manner, PGE also significantly inhibited or abolished contractions produced by acetylcholine (ACh, 0.5-8.0 microg/ml), oxytocin (0.5-4.0 microU), bradykinin (2.5-10 ng/ml), carbachol (CCh, 0.5-8.0 microg/ml) or potassium chloride (K+, 10-80 mM) in quiescent uterine horn preparations isolated from the oestrogen-dominated rats. The spasmolytic effect of PGE observed in the present study lends pharmacological support to the traditional use of ;guava' leaves in the management, control and/or treatment of primary dysmenorrhoea in some rural African communities.

Antidiarrhoeal activity of Hypoxis hemerocallidea Fisch. & C. A. Mey. (Hypoxidaceae) Corm ('African potato') aqueous extract in rodents.

This study investigated the antidiarrhoeal activity of Hypoxis hemerocallidea corm aqueous extract (APE) on experimentally-induced diarrhoea, gastrointestinal motility, intestinal transit and enteropooling in rodents. H. hemerocallidea corm aqueous extract (APE, 50-400 mg/kg, p.o.) produced dose-dependent and significant (p < 0.05-0.01) protection of rats and mice against castor oil-induced diarrhoea, inhibited intestinal transit and delayed gastric emptying. Like atropine (1 mg/kg, p.o.), APE (50-400 mg/kg, p.o.) produced dose-dependent and significant (p < 0.05-0.01) antimotility effect, and caused dose-related inhibition of castor oil-induced enteropooling in the animals. Like loperamide (10 mg/kg, p.o.), APE (50-400 mg/kg, p.o.) dose-dependently and significantly (p < 0.05-0.01) delayed the onset of castor oil-induced diarrhoea, decreased the frequency of defaecation and reduced the severity of diarrhoea in the rodents. Compared with control animals, APE (50-400 mg/kg, p.o.) dose-dependently and significantly (p < 0.05-0.01) decreased the volume of castor oil-induced intestinal fluid secretion, and reduced the number, weight and wetness of faecal droppings. APE (50-400 mg/mL) also produced concentration-related and significant (p < 0.05-0.01) inhibitions of the spontaneous, pendular contractions of the rabbit isolated duodenum, and attenuated acetylcholine (ACh, 0.1-5.0 microg/mL)-induced contractions of the guinea-pig isolated ileum. Although the precise mechanism of the antidiarrhoeal activity of APE could not be established, the results of this study indicate that APE possesses antidiarrhoeal activity. This finding supports the use of 'African potato' as a natural supplementary remedy for the treatment, management and/or control of diarrhoea in some rural communities of southern Africa.

'African potato' (Hypoxis hemerocallidea corm): a plant-medicine for modern and 21st century diseases of mankind? - a review.

The traditional uses, therapeutic attributes, phytochemical and pharmacological profiles of 'African potato' (Hypoxis hemerocallidea corm) extracts have been reviewed. Available biomedical evidence suggests that 'African potato' is a potential plant-medicine for some modern and 21st century diseases of mankind. Thus far, biomedical evidence has revealed that 'African potato' extracts possess antiinflammatory, antineoplastic, antioxidant, antidiabetic and antiinfective properties in vivo and in vitro. However, more laboratory and clinical studies are required to clarify these observations, and to isolate, purify and characterize the active chemical constituents responsible for the herb's pharmaco-therapeutic effects.