Infectious Diseases and Herbal Medicine

Antimicrobial activity, toxicity and retrospective clinical effectiveness of Kantinka BA and Kantinka Herbaltics, two multi-component-herbal products used in the management of infectious diseases in Ghana

Bernard K. Turkson — 2024-09-25

There is an upsurge in the incidence of persons living with infectious diseases and their associated symptoms. Also, there is increased resistance and high cost of available synthetic antimicrobial therapeutic agents. This calls for screening candidate herbal products to examine the risk-to-benefit ratio for users. Moreover, there are inadequate proven scientific studies to assess the quality, effectiveness, and toxicity of herbal products that traditional medicine practitioners in Ghana commonly use for the management of infectious diseases such as those caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Candida albicans and the symptomatic management of symptoms associated with infections like cough, skin infections among others and gastritis. Kantinka BA and Kantinka Herbaltics, two multicomponent herbal products, have been used to manage the above-mentioned disease conditions.

The study aims to evaluate the in vitro antibacterial activity, assess the retrospective clinical effectiveness (clinical responses; the disappearance of presenting signs and symptoms associated with infections, gastritis), and the quality and toxicity of Kantinka BA and Kantinka Herbaltics. The products are registered by the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA).

Data on 200 patients who were diagnosed with infectious diseases such as Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) / Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and associated symptoms from January 2018 to June 2018 was obtained from the Adom Herbal Clinic, and the Tafo Government Herbal Medicine Records Unit was assessed. The antibacterial activity of the products was evaluated using the HT-SPOTi method. Phytochemical screening, microbial load, and pH were carried out according to standard procedures. Acute toxicity was carried out according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) guideline 425. Phytochemical screening, pH, and microbial load have been established for both products.

Binding toxicity studies revealed that the products are non-toxic at a 2000 mg/kg dose. The two products exhibited antimicrobial activities against the test organisms with Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Lethal Concentration (MLC) determined for Kantinka BA and Kantinka Herbaltics as 5% and 10% and <80, respectively, against C. albicans and N. gonorrhoeae - the signs and symptoms associated with infections disappeared during the management period.

The products are safe and may effectively manage some infectious diseases and associated symptoms.

Anti-amoebic effects of selected herbal extracts against Acanthamoeba species isolated from different borehole water samples from Budiriro District in Harare, Zimbabwe

Kudzai Fambisai — 2024-09-12

Acanthamoeba species are the major cause of Acanthamoeba Keratitis (AK) of eyes, Acanthamoeba meningoencephalitis of the central nervous system, and fatal Granulomatous Amoebic Encephalitis (GAE) of the brain in humans. These diseases are difficult to treat due to their resistance to extreme temperatures, pH, alcohol, and pressure. This research aimed to determine the anti-amoebic effects of some selected plant extracts against Acanthamoeba species isolated from borehole water samples from Budiriro District, Harare, Zimbabwe. Acanthamoeba castellannii species were isolated and confirmed present in Budiriro borehole water samples using non-nutrient agar, microscope, real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), and gel electrophoresis. The selected plant samples, Murumanyama (Xeroderris stuhlmannii) bark extract, Munhundurwa (Solanum incanum) fruit extract and Mufandichimuka (Myrothamnus flabellifolius) stem and leaf extracts were then investigated for their anti-amoebic effects against the isolated Acanthamoeba castellannii, using agar well diffusion method. Chlorhexidine gluconate antibiotic was used as a control. The results show that Acanthamoeba castellannii is the most common Acanthamoeba species in borehole water in Budiriro District in Harare and all the tested plant samples had no anti-amoebic effects against this isolated Acanthamoeba castellannii.

Evaluation of antioxidant and neuropharmacological properties of Leea aequata leaves

Md. Riaz Hossain — 2024-09-05

The Bangladeshi medicinal plant Leea aequata is utilized for many health ailments due to its phenolics and flavonoids; however, its bioactive qualities are unknown. An Ethanolic Extract of Leea aequata (EELA) was tested for antioxidant activity in a controlled lab study. It was also tested on rodents for feelings of depression and anxiety. Hole Board Test (HBT) and Elevated Plus Maze (EPM) assessed anxiolytic activity in intact mice. The Forced Swim Test (FST) and Tail Suspension Test (TST) assessed antidepressant action through immobility. DPPH scavenging, total phenolic, and total flavonoid assays assessed in vitro antioxidant capabilities. In the in vitro DPPH scavenging activity model, the half-Inhibition Concentration (IC₅₀) of the plant sample for free radicals is 323.88 μg/mL, which is significant compared to that of ascorbic acid (759.03 μg/mL). The Total Phenol Content (TPC) of 25.78±3.75 Gallic Acid Equivalent (GAE) mg/g of dry extract and the Total Flavonoid Content (TFC) of 20.19 mg Catechin Equivalent (CAE) per gram of dry extract in the Leea aequata extract were found to be substantial. In the in vivo anxiolytic activity model, EELA showed substantial (p<0.01) anxiolytic efficacy at 400 mg/kg in the EPM test. The test extract's anxiolytic action is shown by the open arm's decreased entry at 400 mg/kg (81.33±13.96). Increased head dipping with strong anxiolytic effects at 400 mg/kg (27±4.04) (p<0.0001) was observed in HBT. In TST, EELA showed greater antidepressant effectiveness at 200 mg/kg (64.33±6.58). In the FST, EELA at 200 mg/kg had the strongest anti-depressant effect (p<0.0001) due to its short immobility period. These results suggest that L. aequata has antioxidant and neuropharmacological properties and is a major antioxidant source. According to considerable research, Leea aequata may reduce oxidative stress, anxiety, and depression.

The emergence of Monkeypox Virus: its complications, connection with smallpox and its future aspects - a short review

Dr. Dronesh Chettri — 2024-09-12

Monkeypox Virus (MPXV), a zoonotic orthopox DNA virus related to the smallpox virus, was first identified in humans in 1970. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared monkeypox an "evolving hazard of moderate public health concern" on 23 June 2022. Case reports included in this study showed that all patients with typical rashes and risky sexual behaviour should be encouraged to seek immediate medical attention. If a patient has had sexual contact, a diagnosis of monkeypox should be considered even if the patient does not travel to other countries. According to authentic proof from Africa, smallpox immunization is at least 85% successful at avoiding monkeypox. Given the inadequate health infrastructure in Low and Middle-Income Countries (LMIC), it would be extremely challenging to implement vaccination as a regular component of immunization programs. Patients with monkeypox may experience complications, including bacterial superinfection, encephalitis, pneumonia, and conjunctivitis/keratitis. Seldom-recorded complications incorporate bronchopneumonia, spewing, and corneal scarring, leading to lasting visual deficiency. Lowering the risk of transmission from person to person, reducing the risk of zoonotic transmission, preventing monkeypox by limiting the trade in animals, engaging the LGBTQIA community, and vaccination may reduce and control monkeypox.

Current status and future challenges of avian influenza – a literature review

Dronesh Chettri — 2024-05-20

An infectious agent affecting both domestic and wild birds may cause avian influenza. All of them can be transmitted by coming into contact with tainted food, drink, or bird emissions, particularly feces. Numerous clades of H5N1 infections have been circulating since 2003, including one introduced to the United States in 2014 by wild birds, which persisted until 2016. There were 2,240 wild birds found in 45 states and 519 counties in the United States alone by September 14, 2022. According to the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), the predominant Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) A (H5) virus subtype causing poultry outbreaks worldwide from late 2021 to early 2022 is A (H5N1). Most notifications from wild birds across multiple countries and regions suggest that the virus may have been introduced and spread via uncontrolled bird migration. The primary instance of a goose/Guangdong/1/96-lineage H5 HPAI infection inside the Americas since June 2015 was checked by the later disclosure of an H5N1 HPAI outbreak in Newfoundland, Canada. The avian flu Type A viruses, or bird flu viruses, rarely cause human infection; some bird flu viruses have done so in the past. The HPAI (H5) virus has been persistent in wild bird populations in Europe since the 2020-21 epidemic wave, according to the paper titled “Avian Influenza Overview: March-June 2022.” Even regions like Antarctica had avian influenza cases in 2023-24. Prevention and control can be done by monitoring and reporting outbreaks, preventing avian influenza at its source in animals, banning chicken farms, controlling methodologies, remuneration for ranchers, and vaccination.