A comparative study of Caesalpinia bonduc (L.) Roxb. root extracts on sexual behaviour in male Wistar rats.

Caesalpinia bonduc is among the traditionally used plant in Benin, for its enhancement of male sexual activity. This study was undertaken to investigate the potential effect of C. bonduc root extracts on sexual behaviour of male Wistar rats. For that, thirty-six rats were allocated into six groups and orally treated with dimethyl sulfoxide (control), Sildenafil citrate (standard) and C. bonduc root extracts (hexane, ethyl acetate, ethanol and methanol) orally for twenty-eight days. Sexual behaviour parameters such as intromission frequency, intromission latency, mount latency and mount frequency were evaluated on day 0, 14 and 28. After the study completion, the body and reproductive organ weights as well as testicular histology and testosterone level were recorded. C. bonduc root extracts treatments had no significant effect on the body weight of rats. Enhancement in sexual behaviour was observed in ethanolic extract treated rats. An significant increase in mount frequency and intromission frequency as well as significant reduction in mount latency and intromission latency were noticed for ethanolic extract. The same extract caused an improvement in testosterone levels, relative testes weight and histological architecture. The findings demonstrate the aphrodisiac potential of C. bonduc root and lend support to the folkloric use as aphrodisiac.

Étude comparée des gels hydroalcooliques importés et ceux produits au Bénin, vendus dans les supermarchés de la ville de Cotonou / NA

Depuis le début de la crise épidémique liée au virus Covid-19, pour de nombreux citoyens, se laver les mains est devenu un rituel nécessaire. Le gel hydroalcoolique constitue une solution alternative qui a été popularisée par les recommandations des autorités sanitaires dans le cas d'indisponibilité du lavage des mains. Que cela soit en pharmacie, en supermarché, ou sur internet, de nombreux sites de commerce proposent ces produits à la vente. Toutefois l'appellation ne garantit pas l'efficacité de chaque produit vendu. C'est ainsi que la présente étude s'est attelée à l'évaluation de la qualité des gels hydroalcooliques (GHA) utilisés pour la désinfection des mains au cours de la crise sanitaire liée au Coronavirus. Au total, 28 échantillons dont 23 importés et 5 locaux ont été collectés dans 16 supermarchés de la ville de Cotonou. Ils ont été soumis au test d'inspection visuelle, aux tests organoleptiques ainsi qu'aux analyses physico-chimiques et microbiologiques. Au terme de l'étude, 17,86% des GHA ont été déclarés non-conformes par rapport aux inspections visuelles, 39,28% par rapport aux tests organoleptiques, 21% par rapport au pH et à la densité et enfin 21% de non-conformité aux tests microbiologiques. Le taux de non-conformité est plus important dans le camp des gels importés ce qui atteste l'effort des producteurs locaux pour le respect des normes promulguées par les autorités sanitaires

Since the start of the epidemic crisis linked to the Covid-19 virus, for many citizens, washing their hands has become a necessary ritual. Hydroalcoholic gel constitutes an alternative solution which has been popularized by the recommendations of the health authorities in the case of hand washing unavailable. Whether in pharmacies, supermarkets, or on the internet, many shopping sites offered these products for sale. However, this name does not guarantee the effectiveness of each product sold. The present study has been set out to assess the quality of hydroalcoholic gels (GHA) used for hand disinfection during the health crisis linked to the Coronavirus. In total, 28 samples, of which 23 were imported and 5 locals, were collected in 16 supermarkets in the city of Cotonou. They were subjected to visual inspection test, organoleptic tests as well as physico-chemical and microbiological analyzes. At the end of the study, 17.86% of GHAs were declared non-compliant with respect to visual inspections, 39.28% with respect to organoleptic tests, 21% with respect to pH and density and finally 21% of noncompliance with microbiological testing. The rate of non-compliance is higher in the imported gel camp, which attests to the efforts of local producers to comply with the standards promulgated by the health authorities

Evaluation de la toxicité de «anteprost »: médicament traditionnel amelioré, utilisé contre l'hypertrophie benigne de la prostate

Objectif : Evaluer la toxicité du phytomédicament 'Antéprost' chez les animaux de laboratoire. Méthode : Après une extraction hydro-alcoolique, un criblage phytochimique a été réalisé. Ensuite une dose unique de 5000 mg/kg de poids corporel a été administrée aux cobayes dans l'étude de toxicité aiguë avec une surveillance des animaux pendant 15 jours. Au cours de l'étude de toxicité subchronique, trois différentes doses (153,6 mg/kg/jr, 307,2 mg/jr et 614.4 mg/kg) ont été administrées quotidiennement pendant 90 jours à des rats Wistar des deux sexes. Ils ont été surveillés pour tout signe de toxicité et les données relatives aux poids corporels, consommations alimentaires, para-mètres biologiques ainsi qu'à l'histologie des organes ont été relevées. Résultats : Plusieurs composés phytochimiques ont été mis en évidence dans notre extrait. Nous n'avons enregistré ni de mortalité ni de signes de toxicité aussi bien dans le comportement des co-bayes que dans leur consommation alimentaire au terme des quinze jours d'observation. L'étude de toxicité subchronique n'a révélé aucun signe de toxicité. Le poids corporel des animaux ainsi que la consommation alimentaire, les paramètres biochimiques, hématologiques et histologiques n'ont pas été significativement modifiés. Conclusion : Cette étude a permis de montrer que la DL50 d u médicament traditionnel amélioré''Antéprost'' est supérieure à 5g/kg chez le cobaye. Aucune toxicité n'a été observée au cours de l'étude de la toxicité subchronique de 90 jours. Toutes ces données suggèrent que le produit est rela-tivement non toxique aux doses étudiées

Evaluation of the knowledge and attitude of pharmacists about the national malaria control policy in southern Benin.

BACKGROUND: The national strategy against malaria in an endemic country should involve all the health stakeholders. In Benin, the private sector is rarely present in the activities of the National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP), and its surveillance system does not cover private sector outlets that are a non-negligible part of the healthcare system. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe the drug delivery practices within private pharmacies of Cotonou and Porto-Novo and the awareness of medicine providers concerning the national policy of malaria treatment. METHODS: A survey was performed among pharmacy staff members responsible for dispensing medicines and providing advice to patients within pharmacies of Cotonou and Porto-Novo. Dispensing/pharmacy assistants ('dispensators') from 82 pharmacies in Cotonou and 19 in Porto-Novo were surveyed. Data entry was performed using Epidata 3.1 software and data analysis was carried out using SPSS software version 21.1. Chi square test was used to compare proportions. A significance threshold of 0.05 was defined for the p value. RESULTS: 46% of providers did not know the artemisinin-based combination therapy recommended by the NMCP for treating uncomplicated malaria. 58.7% were not able to recognize the gravity signs of malaria. 89.8% of dispensators were used to deliver an anti-malarial upon patient request, without prior biological confirmation as requested by the NMCP policy. CONCLUSIONS: Dispensing practices within the studied pharmacies from Cotonou and Porto-Novo were not in adequacy with the NMCP guidelines for uncomplicated malaria, which is a striking weakness in the training of drug providers on key elements of the guidelines for managing malaria. The NMCP needs to help dispensator from private pharmacies sector to standardize drug delivery practices according to its guidelines.

Antiparasitic activities of two sesquiterpenic lactones isolated from Acanthospermum hispidum D.C.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Aerial parts of Acanthospermum hispidum D.C. are often used by traditional healers in Benin for various diseases and especially for malaria. AIM OF THE STUDY: To identify active compounds from extracts of Acanthospermum hispidum D.CV. leaves previously shown to possess antimalarial properties and analyse in vivo activity and toxicity of crude extracts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Compounds were isolated from aerial part of Acanthospermum hispidum D.C. and structurally elucidated using extensive spectroscopic analysis. Antiplasmodial activity was evaluated in vitro against a chloroquine-sensitive strain of Plasmodium falciparum (3D7) using the measurement of the plasmodial lactate dehydrogenase activity and in vivo against Plasmodium berghei berghei by the 4-day suppressive test. Selectivity of extract and purified compounds on Plasmodium parasites were evaluated by using MTT test on J774 macrophage like murine cells and WI38 human normal fibroblasts and also against two other parasites: Trypanosoma brucei brucei and Leishmania mexicana mexicana. Acute and sub-acute toxicities of a crude extract were evaluated on mice. RESULTS: Two known sesquiterpenic lactones were isolated: 1 (15-acetoxy-8ß-[(2-methylbutyryloxy)]-14-oxo-4,5-cis-acanthospermolide) and 2 (9α-acetoxy-15-hydroxy-8ß-(2-methylbutyryloxy)-14-oxo-4,5-trans-acanthospermolide). 1 and 2 showed in vitro antiplasmodial activity against the chloroquine-sensitive strain (3D7) with IC(50) of 2.9±0.5 and 2.23±0.09µM respectively. Only 2 showed a high selectivity index (SI: 18.4) on Plasmodium compared to cytotoxicity against human fibroblasts cell line (WI38). 1 and 2 also showed interesting antiparasitic activities in vitro against Trypanosoma brucei brucei (IC(50) of 2.45±0.49 and 6.36±1.42µM respectively) and Leishmania mexicana mexicana (IC(50) of 0.94±0.05 and 2.54±0.19µM respectively). Furthermore, crude acidic water extract and fractions containing one of the two isolated compounds displayed a weak in vivo antimalarial activity against Plasmodium berghei berghei with a long half-life causing a delayed effect. In vivo acute (2000mg/kg) and sub-acute (1000mg/kg) toxicity tests on the crude acidic water extract did not show toxicity. CONCLUSION: Crude acidic water extract, fractions and pure isolated compounds from Acanthospermum hispidum showed promising in vitro antiplasmodial activity. Despite our study did not show in vivo acute and subacute toxicities of the crude acidic water extract, its weak in vivo antimalarial activity and the in vitro cytotoxicity of pure compounds and enriched extracts containing 1 and 2 indicate that the aerial parts of Acanthospermum hispidum should be used with caution for malaria treatments.

In vitro antiplasmodial activity of plants used in Benin in traditional medicine to treat malaria.

AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of the study was to evaluate the in vitro antiplasmodial activity of crude extracts of 12 plant species traditionally used in Benin for the treatment of malaria in order to validate their use. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For each species, dichloromethane, methanol and total aqueous extracts were tested. The antiplasmodial activity of extracts was evaluated using the measurement of the plasmodial lactate dehydrogenase activity on chloroquine-sensitive (3D7) and resistant (W2) strains of Plasmodium falciparum. The selectivity of the different extracts was evaluated using the MTT test on J774 macrophage-like murine cells and WI38 human normal fibroblasts. RESULTS: The best growth inhibition of both strains of Plasmodium falciparum was observed with the dichloromethane extracts of Acanthospermum hispidum DC. (Asteraceae) (IC(50)=7.5 microg/ml on 3D7 and 4.8 microg/ml on W2), Keetia leucantha (K. Krause) Bridson (syn. Plectronia leucantha Krause) (Rubiaceae) leaves and twigs (IC(50)=13.8 and 11.3 microg/ml on 3D7 and IC(50)=26.5 and 15.8 microg/ml on W2, respectively), Carpolobia lutea G.Don. (Polygalaceae) (IC(50)=19.4 microg/ml on 3D7 and 8.1 microg/ml on W2) and Strychnos spinosa Lam. (Loganiaceae) leaves (IC(50)=15.6 microg/ml on 3D7 and 8.9 microg/ml on W2). All these extracts had a low cytotoxicity. CONCLUSION: Our study gives some justifications for the traditional uses of some investigated plants.

Analyse rétrospective de la prise en charge thérapeutique du VIH-SIDA pédiatrique au Bénin

Objectif : L'étude avait pour objectif principal de décrire le profil de prescription du traitement antirétroviral chez les enfants infectés par le VIH au Bénin. Secondairement, l'étude devait décrire les modalités de changement de la trithérapie antirétrovirale initiale et les causes du changement. Méthodes : Etude rétrospective descriptive de janvier 2002 à juillet 2013 ayant pris en compte 237 enfants dans le service de pédiatrie du Centre National Hospitalier et Universitaire Hubert Koutoukou Maga (CNHU-HKM) de Cotonou. Résultats : Le schéma thérapeutique le plus utilisé était : deux inhibiteurs nucléosidiques de la transcriptase inverse (INTI) + un inhibiteur non nucléosidique de la transcriptase inverse (INNTI). La trithérapie la plus utilisée était lamivudine-zidovudine-efavirenz ou 3TC+AZT+EFV (25,23%). Les associations lamivudine-zidovudine-névirapine (24,62%) et 3TC+AZT+NFV (20%) étaient les moins tolérées. La cause de modification de traitement la plus fréquente était les ruptures de stocks. Conclusion : Au Bénin, l'initiation des ARV chez les enfants est assez fréquemment tardive avec des changements forcés de protocoles et même l'utilisation d'associations d'ARV déconseillées à cause de rupture de certains médicaments