RP-Department of Pharmacy & Complementary / Alternative Medicine

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Quality of care provided to febrile children presenting in rural private clinics on the Kenyan coast
(Makerere University Medical School, 2004) Abuya, T.O.; Molynuex, C.S.; Orago, A. S.; Were, S.; Marsh, V.
Background: Private sector health facilities are diverse in nature, and offer widely varying quality of care (QOC). Objectives: The study aimed to describe the QOC provided to febrile children at rural private clinics on the Kenyan coast and stakeholder perspectives on standards of practice and opportunities for change. Methods: Data collection methods were structured observations of consultations; interviews with users on exit from clinic and at home and in depth interviews with private practitioners (PP) and district health managers. Findings: Private clinics have basic structural features for health care delivery. The majority of the clinics in this study were owned and run by single-handed trained medical practitioners. Amongst 92 observed consultations, 62% of diagnoses made were consistent with the history, examinations and tests performed. 74% of childhood fevers were diagnosed as malaria, and 88% of all prescriptions contained an antimalarial drug. Blood slides for malaria parasites were performed in 55 children (60%). Of those whose blood slide was positive (n=27), 52% and 48% were treated with a nationally recommended first or second line antimalarial drug, respectively. Where no blood slide was done (n=37), 73% were prescribed a nationally recommended first line and 27% received a second line antimalarial drug. Overall, 68 % of antimalarial drugs were prescribed in an appropriate dose and regime. Both private practitioners and district health managers expressed the view that existing linkages between the public and private health sectors within the district are haphazard and inadequate. Conclusions: Although rural PPs are potentially well placed for treatment of febrile cases in remote settings, they exhibit varying QOC. Practitioners, users and district managers supported the need to develop interventions to improve QOC. The study identifies the need to consider involvement of the for-profit providers in the implementation of the IMCI guidelines in Kenya.
Prescription Audit Carried Out at the Pharmacy Practice Centre of the University of Nairobi between June and November 2004.
(2007) Karimi, P.N.; Ndungu, T.K.; Kuria, K.A.M.; Bururia, J.M.; Maru, S.M.
A retrospective descriptive study was carried out from June to November 2004 in a retail pharmacy situated at the School of Pharmacy, University of Nairobi within the Kenyatta National Hospital complex. The objective was to evaluate prescribing habits and to determine the frequency of prescribing of commonly used drug classes in a hospital. The average number of drugs per prescription was 2.20  1.16. The prevalence of prescribing was 28.6% anti-infective drugs, 21.1% musculoskeletal agents, 16.6% respiratory system drugs, 8.1% cardiovascular system drugs, 7.2% central nervous system drugs, 7.1% gastrointestinal system drugs, 4.3% minerals and vitamins, 2.1% ear, nose and throat drugs, 1.1% endocrine drugs, 2% skin preparations, 0.9% anticancer drugs and 0.74% eye preparations. The prescribing habits evaluated were compared to the legal requirements in Kenya and to recommended international practice. The information gathered may serve as a basis for rational use of drugs.
Promotion of Neuronal Differentiation Through Activation of N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptors Transiently Expressed by Undifferentiated Neural Progenitor Cells in Fetal Rat Neocortex
(Wiley Library Online, 2008) Yoneyama, Masanori; Nakamichi, Noritaka; Fukui, Masaki; Kitayama, Tomoya; Georgiev, Danko D.; Makanga, Juliet O.; Nakamura, Nobuhiro; Taniura, Hideo; Yoneda, Yukio
Neural progenitor cell is a generic term for undifferentiated cell populations composed of neural stem, neuronal progenitor, and glial progenitor cells with abilities for self-renewal and multipotentiality. In this study, we have attempted to evaluate the possible functional expression of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors by neural progenitor cells prepared from neocortex of 18-day-old embryonic rats. Cells were cultured in the presence of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) for different periods up to 12 days under floating conditions. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and fluorescence imaging analyses revealed transient expression of functional NMDA receptors in neurospheres formed by clustered progenitors during the culture with bFGF. A similarly potent increase was seen in the fluorescence intensity after brief exposure to NMDA in cells differentiated after the removal of bFGF under adherent conditions, and an NMDA receptor antagonist invariably prevented these increases by NMDA. Moreover, sustained exposure to NMDA not only inhibited the formation of neurospheres when exposed for 10 days from day 2 to day 12 but also promoted spontaneous and induced differentiation of neurospheres to cells immunoreactive for a neuronal marker protein on immunocytochemistry and Western blotting analyses. These results suggest that functional NMDA receptors may be transiently expressed to play a role in mechanisms underlying the modulation of proliferation along with the determination of subsequent differentiation fate toward a neuronal lineage in neural progenitor cells of developing rat
Growth Disruption Activity of Polar Extracts from Kotschya Uguenensis (Fabaceae) against Anopheles Gambiae S.S. (Diptera: Culicidae) Larvae
(2008) Hassanali, Ahmed; Innocent, E.; Cosam, C.J.; Gikonyo, N.K.; Nkunya, M.H.H.
Studies on the larvicidal properties of extracts and fractions from Kotschya uguenensis Verdc. were done by long-term exposure of Anopheles gambiae s.s. larvae. The cumulative mean percentage mortalities and deformities at different concentrations for the extracts and fractions were recorded after every 24 h. Treatment of A. gambiae s.s. larvae with K. uguenensis extracts showed growth disruption by forming elongated guts and resulting in eventual death. Larvae treated with the methanol extracts from the stem and root barks, and fractions of the former extract attained complete mortality in 6–8 days at 50 and 100 ppm. More deformed larvae were observed from the methanol extract of the stem bark (40%) and methanol-soluble fraction (88%) than those treated with water-soluble fraction (22%) and methanol extract of the root bark (5%). The growth disruption may be associated with constituents in the plant that interfere with the normal endocrine system functions.
Repellency property of long chain aliphatic methyl ketones against Anopheles gambiae s.s
(African Journals Online, 2008) Innocent, E.; Gikonyo, N. K.; Nkunya, M. H. H.
Long chain aliphatic methyl ketone series of C7-C15 were tested for repellency activity against the malaria transmitting mosquito Anopheles gambiae s.s. All methyl ketones produced a dose dependent (P<0.001) repellency response with 2-tridecanone giving comparable protection efficacy to DEET at 10% and 1% concentrations. Aliphatic methyl ketones of C7-C10 had lower activity than those of C11-C15. However, within this range compounds with odd carbon atoms (2-undecanone, 2-tridecanone and 2-pentadecanone) were more effective than compounds with even carbon atoms (2-decanone and 2- dodecanone). Comparable repellency activity of 2-tridecanone to DEET show that, it may save as Anopheles gambiae s.s. mosquito repellent.
Optimization of the Period of Steeping and Germination for Amaranth Grain
(Journal of Agriculture and Food Technology, 2011) Gikonyo, N.K.; Okoth, Judith Kanensi; Ochola, Sophie; Makokha, Anselimo
Properties of a Complementary Food based on Amaranth Grain (Amaranthus cruentus) Grown in Kenya
(Journal of Agriculture and Food Technology, 2011) Gikonyo, N.K.; Mburu, Monica W.; Glaston, M. Kenji; Mwasaru, Alfred M.
Amaranth grain (Amaranthus cruentus) is a pseudo cereal consumed in various parts of the world with potential as a source of dietary nutrients. Amaranth grain is a good source of protein and vitamins and therefore is used largely for feeding children and the elderly. Although it can be used to alleviate malnutrition, its processing and nutritional characteristics are not well established. Development of new products from amaranth will expand utilization of this raw material as cereal-based foods which play an important role in the diets of many people in Kenya. The aim of this study was to determine the nutritional and functional properties of Amaranthus cruentus grain grown in Kenya for preparation of a ready-to-eat product that can be recommended for nutritional interventions as infant complementary food. The effect of processing on the physicochemical and nutritional properties of amaranth grain was analysed. The functional properties, acceptability and stability of amaranth grain product were also determined. The treatment structure involved ungelatinized (raw) amaranth grain flour used as the control and pregelatinized amaranth grain flour referred to as the product. The product was well accepted with 20 minutes steaming period considered as the average time required to acquire a ready to eat product. The colour of raw amaranth grain was cream with a lightness (L*) value of 79.4, which slightly reduced after processing to 74.1, giving a slightly dark cream product. A notably high fat, protein and ash content was demonstrated, both in raw and processed grain. The proximate analysis mean values for raw and processed grain were moisture 10.2% and 2.4%; protein 17.2 and 16.7%; fat 7.0%, 7.0% ash 2.7 and 2.6%; crude fiber 3.8 and 3.1%; carbohydrates 59.2 and 68.3%, respectively. Amaranth grain contained good amount of unsaturated fatty acids 76.1%, with predominant ones being oleic 36.3% and linoleic 35.9%. The fatty acid profile associated with good amount of protein makes pregelatinized amaranth grain product a nutritionally balanced food appropriate for infant feeding. Amaranth grain product was rich in potassium, phosphorus, calcium and magnesium, which were not significantly (P>0.05) affected by the processing method. The tannins significantly (P≤0.05) decreased during processing while phytates were not affected. The water soluble vitamins reduced during processing which affects the nutritional value of the product. However the product was rich in tocopherols which are essential for infant growth and development. The amino acids composition of processed amaranth grain were not significantly (P≤0.05) affected by the processing method with essential ones identified as were histidine, threonine, valine, methionine, isoleucine, leucine, phenylalanine and lysine. Processing affected the functional properties of amaranth grain with water absorption capacity increasing from 343.9 g/100 g for the raw grain samples to 471.3 g/100 g for the product. However the protein water solubility decreased from 44. 1% to 27.4%. The dilution factor for the amaranth grain product was found to be 15 g/100ml with an acceptable viscosity for infant feeding. Due to moisture reduction in the product the bulk density reduced from 0.7 g/ml for the raw sample to 0.5 g/ml for the product. This study achieved the objective of developing a complementary product of adequate nutritive value that can be prepared using locally available resources and technology. Steeping and steam pregelatinization of amaranth grain produced a ready nutritious product with improved solubility during reconstitution, suitable for infant feeding.
Stabilization of the Spine in Patients with Suspected Cervical Spine Injury in Mulago Hospital
(2011-03) Ndeleva, B.M.; Nyati, M.; Beyeza, T.
Nutritional and functional properties of a complementary food based on Kenyan amaranth grain (Amaranthus cruentus)
(African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development, 2012) Gikonyo, N.K.; Mburu, M.W.; Kenji, G.M.; Mwasaru, A.M.
The objective of this study was to determine the nutritional and functional properties of Amaranthus cruentus grain grown in Kenya for preparation of a ready-to-eat product that can be recommended as infant complementary food. Amaranth grains were subjected to steeping and steam pre-gelatinization to produce a ready-to-eat nutritious product with improved solubility during reconstitution. The effect of processing on the functional and nutritional properties of amaranth grain was analyzed. Two blends were prepared from raw and processed amaranth grains. Standard procedures of Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) were used to determine the proximate chemical composition. High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) was used quantify amino acid, water soluble vitamins, α-tocopherols and phytates, while Atomic Absorption Flame Emission spectrophotometry was used to determine the mineral element composition. Fatty acid composition was determined using Gas Liquid Chromatography (GLC). Tannin composition was determined using vanillin hydrochloric acid method. The overall results indicated that processing amaranth grain did not significantly affect its nutritional and physicochemical properties. Amaranth grain product was rich in protein with 0.5 g/10g of lysine, a limiting amino acid in cereals, and methionine, a limiting amino acid in pulses. The product had good amount 44.4 mg/100g of α-tocopherols important for infant development. The product was also rich in oleic acid (36.3%) and linoleic acid (35.9%) with some amounts of linolenic acid (3.4%) that are important for infant growth. It also had good amounts of minerals of importance such as potassium (324.4 mg/100g), phosphorous (322.8 mg/100g), calcium 189.1 (mg/100g), magnesium (219.5 mg/100g), iron (13.0 mg/100g) and zinc (4.8 mg/100g). Considering amaranth grain product fed to infant three times a day, at a reconstitution of 15% product, the levels of magnesium, manganese and tocopherols were far above the recommended intakes, while protein, phosphorous, iron, zinc, riboflavin and niacin were above the average requirements. Therefore, reconstituting the product with milk would enrich the deficient nutrients, especially for iron and zinc which are crucial nutrients for infants. The processing method is a practical approach aimed at combating the problem of malnutrition among infants and young children in Kenya and other developing countries. The product developed in this study would also be appropriate for use in geriatrics care and also in immuno-compromised individuals. The technique in this study can be easily adopted at both household and village levels to produce high protein-energy weaning food to help enhance the nutritional status of Kenyans.
A Simple Technique for On-Table Confirmation of Locking Screw Placement for Cannulated Intramedullary Nails
(2012) Ndeleva, B.M.; Wanjira, B.; Lakati, C.K.; Lutomia, M.L.
Background: Locked intramedullary nailing is the standard of care for femoral and tibial shaft fractures. Correct placement of locking screws is often an ordeal followed at times by a tormenting wait for check radiographs to confirm whether or not the locking screws were correctly placed. Objective: We present a simple, inexpensive, fool-proof technique that confirms the correct placement of the locking screws on table thus allowing for revision at the time of surgery in case the locking screw missed the locking hole in the nail. Methods: The basis of this technique is that a screw or drill bit in the locking hole prevents advancement of a guide wire beyond the level of the screw or drill bit. The maximal length of wire that goes in is marked prior to locking. The most distal lock is placed first. If the lock is in place, then less of the guide wire will go in than what went in the first instance. The length of wire that goes in up to the most distal lock is then marked and used to confirm the placement of the proximal distal lock. In the same manner, the distal proximal lock is placed followed by the most proximal lock in that order. Results: We have used this technique to confirm placement of locking screws in thirty nailing procedures and on all occasions, check radiographs confirmed that the locking screws were correctly placed as confirmed by this technique. Conclusion: This technique enables the surgeon to confirm correct placement of locking screws on table. It can be used with any cannulated nailing system. It is simple, in-expensive and foul-proof. As an adjunct during closed nailing under image intensification, the technique helps reduce operating time and exposure to radiation.
Microbial Quality of Unregulated Herbal Medicinal Products in Kenya
(African Journal of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 2013) Onyambu, Meshack O.; Chepkwony, Hezekiah K.; Thoithi, Grace N.; Ouya, Godfrey. O.; Osanjo, George O.
Background: The use of herbal medicines is global, with the majority of the world’s population depending on traditional medicines, particularly herbal remedies for their primary healthcare needs. In Kenya, it is estimated that conventional healthcare system provides for approximately 30 % of the population, while nearly 70 % rely on herbal remedies. Herbal medicines, however, present safety concerns as they carry a relatively high risk of contamination by pathogenic microbes, organic and inorganic pollutants including toxic metals and non-metals, organic, mycotoxins, endotoxins, and agrochemical residues. Objective: This study was designed to assess the microbial quality of regulated and unregulated herbal medicinal products in diverse Kenyan markets, such as the supermarkets, roadside vendors, retail pharmacies and herbal clinics, for levels of microbial contaminants. Materials and Methods: Thirty samples of registered and unregistered herbal medicinal products were collected by purposive sampling from five Kenyan provinces. Microbial load analysis was performed in accordance to pharmacopoeial methods (BP and USP). Microorganisms were further isolated and characterized using differential and selective media and by biochemical analyses. Results: All registered products had microbial load below 100 cfu/ml, and complied with BP and USP requirements. However, none of the unregistered samples complied with pharmacopoeial limits for either or both bacterial and fungal load limits. Most of the unregistered samples had microbial loads ranging from 3.00×106 to 1.56 × 1010 cfu/ml, thus exceeding by far BP or USP standards. The microbial isolates belonged to fifteen (15) different bacterial genera and seven (7) fungal genera. Escherichia coli was the most frequently isolated bacteria from 75 % of the unregistered product samples while Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter aerogenes, and Staphylococcus aureus followed in 70 %, 60 % and 45 % of the samples, respectively. Salmonella spp was isolated in 40 % of the samples while Shigella spp was found in 20 % of the samples. Conclusion: Unregulated herbal medicinal products that are available in diverse Kenyan markets show poor microbial quality and exhibit contamination by pathogenic microorganisms. There is need to extend regulatory control by the drug authorities to herbal medicinal products to enhance microbial quality and safety.
Investigation of Selected Pathogenic Microorganisms and Toxic Elements in Herbal Materials Used in Management of Oral Health in Nairobi County, Kenya
(Journal of Applied Environmental and Biological Sciences, 2013) Gikonyo, N.K.; Ngari, Florence W.; Wanjau, R. N.; Njagi, E.N.M.
Traditional medical practitioners in Kenya have used herbal materials to treat oral diseases for several years.However data on contamination of the herbal medicine with microbial pathogens and toxic metals is lacking.The aim of this study was to investigate presence of selected pathogenic microorganisms and selected elemental levels of herbal materials used in management of oral health in Nairobi. Herbal materials were purchased from Nairobi County and taken to the laboratory for analysis. Microbial contaminants were analyzed by inoculating the herbal samples in selective media followed by macroscopic, microscopic and biochemical studies to identify the microorganisms. Mineral elements were investigated by Total Reflection XRay Fluorescence (TXFR). Results indicate that herbal materials are contaminated with, Escherichia coli,Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella typhi. The herbal materials are also contaminated with aluminium,chromium, manganese, iron, copper, zinc and lead at various concentrations. The study concludes that some herbal materials in the market are not safe for use by humans orally.
Larvicidal activity of Kotschya uguenensis plant powders and methanol extracts against Anopheles gambiae s.s. larvae in the laboratory and in simulated ponds
(2013-02) Innocent, E.; Nkunya, M. H. H.; Hassanali, A.
Polar constituents of Kotschya uguenensis Verdc. (Fabaceae) do not exhibit acute toxicity but cause growth disruption of Anopheles gambiae s.s. Gile (Diptera: Culicidae) larvae with eventual death. Time-course larvicidal effects of powders of root and stem barks and their crude methanol extracts in form of emulsions were compared in the laboratory and in artificial semi-field ponds. Kotschya uguenensis powders of root and stem barks and emulsions of their crude methanol extracts were assayed against A. gambiae s.s according to protocols of WHO 1996 & 2005. All formulations were equally effective under laboratory conditions giving 100% larval mortality within three days at a dose of 50 μg/ml of the extracts or concentrations of powders corresponding to the same level of extractable material. Under semi-field conditions, suspensions of the powder materials appeared to perform better than emulsions of methanol extracts. Time taken to give 80% mortality (LT80) of larvae and pupa at 0.1% w/v was 6.06 days for powders of root bark and 5.60 days for powders of stem bark. The LT80 for the root bark extract at 200 μg/ml was 8.28 days while that for the stem bark methanol extract was 12.47 days. No residual effects of the test materials on the larvae or pupae were evident in semi-field ponds 14 days after the re-introduction of the test materials. Our results suggest that, for the control of anophelines in the field, a weekly application of appropriate amounts of powders of K. uguenensis may be effective.
Toxicity of Individual and Blends of Pure Phytoecdysteroids Isolated from Vitex Schiliebenii and Vitex Payos against Anopheles Gambiae S.S. Larvae
(Science and Education Publishing, 2013-02) Nyamoita, M.G.
Four phytoecdysteroids: (20-hydroxyecdysone-20, 22-monacetonide (1), 20-hydroxyecdysone (2), stigmasterol (3), gamma-sitosterol (4), were investigated for toxic effect against 3rd /4th instar larvae of Anopheles gambiae under laboratory conditions as individual compounds and in blends. The test larvae were treated with solutions containing the phytoecdysteroids of concentrations 1, 5 and 10ppm. The blends were prepared in the ratio of 1:1. Compounds 1 and 2, isolated from acetone extracts of Vitex payos caused 100% mortality at 10ppm. Compound 3 isolated from acetone leaves of V. schiliebenii and compound 4 isolated from acetone stem bark of V. schilebenii also showed potent activity against the larvae at 10ppm. At the lower concentrations, abnormal mobility and impaired development was observed. Phytoecdysteroids (20-hydroxyecdysone-20, 22-monacetonide (1) and 20-hydroxyecdysone (2) are larvicidal against An. gambiae. stigmasterol (3), gamma-sitosterol (4) also show potent IGR activities against An. gambiae. Also addition of compounds 1 and 2 to stigmasterol (3) and gamma-sitosterol (4) seperately improved the activity of the two compounds.
In Vitro and in Vivo Activities of Blends of Crude Aqueous Extracts from Allium Sativum L, Callistemon Citrinus (Curtis) Skeels and Moringa Stenopetala (Baker F) Cufodontis against Leishmania Major.
(Open Access Science Research Publisher, 2013-06-18) Gikonyo, N.K.; Kinuthia, G.K.; Anjili, C.O.; Kigondu, E.M.; Ingonga, J. M.; Kabiru, Ephantus W.
Leishmania major caused cutaneous leishmaniasis leads to painful skin sores in humans and usual drugs are expensive, toxic, and require prolonged use. The in vitro and in vivo efficacy of aqueous crude extracts from Callistemon citrinus flowers (B), Allium sativum bulbs (C) and Moringa stenopetala leaves (A) against L. major was studied. Controls were pentostam, liposomal amphotericin B, and phosphate buffered saline (PBS). Dried and ground plant materials were soaked in distilled water at 70oC for 1.5 hours, filtered and freeze dried to obtain aqueous extracts. L. major infected BALB/c mice were treated orally or intra peritoneally (ip) with blends of the extracts. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of single extracts ranged from 3 to 5mg/ml while IC50 from 297 to 575µg/ml compared to MICs of 12.50 and 6.25µg/ml and IC50 of 0.26 and 0.82µg/ml for pentostam and liposomal amphotericin B respectively. Blends of M. stenopetala and C. citrinus (AB), M. stenopetala and A. sativum (AC), and C. citrinus and A. sativum (BC) at concentrations based on MICs of individual extracts were active at ratios 1:1, 1:9 and 1:1 with promastigotes’ viabilities of 33.82%, 17.41% and 60.74 % respectively. IC50 for blends AB, AC, and BC ranged from 174µg/ml to 1314µg/ml against promastigotes. The individual extracts comprising blends AB, AC and BC interacted additively and synergistically in several combination ratios. Blend AC (1:1) at 125µg/ml had in vitro infection rate (IR) of 71% and multiplication index (MI) of 48.20% for L. major amastigotes compared to IR of 67% and MI of 47.51% for pentostam at 12.50µg/ml. Oral blend BC (1:1) reduced the mice footpad lesion size significantly (P < 0.05). Both oral blends BC and AC reduced mice spleen amastigotes by 48.33% and 60.94% with total LDUs of 6.35 ± 0.66 and 4.80 ± 0.95 respectively. Oral blend AB (1:1) lowered spleen amastigotes by 6.5% with total LDU of 11.49 ± 6.84. In conclusion, aqueous blends of C. citrinus, A. sativum and M. stenopetala extracts that interacted additively or synergistically were less toxic but active against L. major.
Transverse Patella Fracture in a Ten Year Old Boy: Case Report
(East African Orthopaedic Journal, 2013-09) Ndeleva, B. M.; Lakati, C. K.; Lutomia, M. L.; Mak’Anyengo, S. O.
Patella fractures are rare in children. Transverse fractures in particular are an uncommon pattern. We report a case of a transverse patella fracture in a ten year old boy. He presented with inability to actively extend his left knee, two months after a fall. On evaluation he was found to have a transverse fracture of his left patella. This was treated by tension band wiring.
Contribution of Amaranth Grain (A. Cruentus) on dietary intake and Nutritional Status of Adults Living with HIV in Mweiga, Nyeri, Kenya
(2014) Gikonyo, N.K.; Ndungu, Zipporah W.; Kuria, E. N.; Mbithe, Dorcus
Globally, there is high prevalence of macro and micronutrient deficiency among people living with HIV (PLHIV) which can jeopardize the quality of life. Under nutrition is a major cause of death among PLHIV. Use of nutrient dense foods can be one of the interventions to deal with this challenge. Amaranth grain has high kilocalories, high biological value proteins, better amino acid and micronutrient profile than nearly all cereals. However, it is not commonly used as part of diet especially among adults. The main objective of this study was to determine the contribution of amaranth grain consumption on the dietary intake among PLHIV for improved nutritional status. Experimental design was used to conduct an intervention study which involved daily consumption of amaranth grain porridge for six months. A comprehensive sample of 66 Adults living with HIV attending Mweiga homebased care group and not on antiretroviral therapy was used. Results showed increase in mean energy consumption by 13.1% and 16.7% for males and females respectively after inclusion of amaranth grain in the diet. The proportion of respondents consuming adequate protein increased from 19.4% to 96.8% for males and from 22.9% to 97.1% for females. The proportion of the respondents who met the RDAs for zinc, iron, magnesium, and calcium increased from below 40% to over 77%. Mean weight gain during intervention was 3.35 ± 0.5 kg. Proportion of respondents who were underweight reduced from 71.2% at baseline to 7.6% at month six. Consumption of amaranth grain was positively associated with improved dietary intake among PLHIV. The porridge enabled respondents to meet the RDAs for energy, protein and micronutrients. This lead to the observed weight gain. This study recommends adoption of amaranth grain by PLHIV for improved nutritional status
In vitro activity of aqueous and methanol extracts of Callistemon citrinus (Family Myrtaceae) against Leishmania major.
(African Forum for Health Sciences, 2014-04-29) Kinuthia, G.K.; Kabiru, Ephantus W.; Gikonyo, N.K.; Ingonga, J.M.; Kigondu, E.M.; Anjili, C.O.
Leishmania major is a protozoan parasite that causes cutaneous leishmaniasis and the standard drugs are expensive and toxic. Cheaper and safer natural drugs are therefore needed. In this study, the in vitro efficacy of crude extracts of callistemon citrinus were tested against l. Major. Controls were anti leishmanial drugs pentostam and liposomal amphotericin b. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of c. Citrinus crude aqueous and methanolic extracts were 5mg/ml and 1mg/ml respectively compared to 12.5µg/ml and 6.25µg/ml for pentostam and liposomal amphotericin b respectively. The ic50 for c. Citrinus extracts against promastigotes ranged from 297.75 to 572.69µg/ml compared to 0.26 and 0.82µg/ml for pentostam and liposomal amphotericin b. The ic50 for c. Citrinus extracts against vero cells ranged from 467µg/ml to 1314.65µg/ml. The promastigotes’ viability after treatment with aqueous and methanolic extracts was 69.58% and 75.74% respectively. At 125µg/ml, the aqueous and methanolic c. Citrinus extracts had in vitro amastigotes’ infection rates (irs) of 77.0±2.50 % and 77.5±3.50% respectively. The multiplication indices (mis) and irs of amastigotes treated with c. Citrinus crude aqueous extracts and those treated with crude methanolic extracts differed insignificantly (p > 0.05). C. Citrinus methanolic extracts stimulated production of about 20µm nitric oxide in balb/c mice peritoneal macrophages suggesting immuno-modulatory role of the extracts. The crude aqueous and methanolic extracts of c. Citrinus were therefore concluded to be relatively less toxic and possessed in vitro anti-leishmanial activity against l. Major promastigotes and amastigotes.
Acetyl salicylic acid attenuates cardiac hypertrophy through Wnt signaling
(Springer Verlag, 2015) Gitau, Samuel C.; Li, Xuelian; Zhao, Dandan; Guo, Zhenfeng; Liang, Haihai; Qian, Ming; Lv, Lifang; Li, Tianshi; Xu, Bozhi; Wang, Zhiguo; Zhang, Yong; Xu, Chaoqian; Lu, Yanjie; Du, Zhiming; Shan, Hongli; Yang, Baofeng
Ventricular hypertrophy is a powerful and independent predictor of cardiovascular morbid events. The vascular properties of low-dose acetyl salicylic acid (aspirin) provide cardiovascular benefits through the irreversible inhibition of platelet cyclooxygenase 1; however, the possible anti-hypertrophic properties and potential mechanism of aspirin have not been investigated in detail. In this study, healthy wild-type male mice were randomly divided into three groups and subjected to transverse aortic constriction (TAC) or sham operation. The TAC-operated mice were treated with the human equivalent of low-dose aspirin (10 mg$kg–1$d–1); the remaining mice received an equal amount of phosphate buffered saline with 0.65% ethanol, which was used as a vehicle. A cardiomyocyte hypertrophy model induced by angiotensin II (10 nmol$L–1) was treated with the human equivalent of low (10 or 100 μmol$L–1) and high (1000 μmol$L–1) aspirin concentrations in plasma. Changes in the cardiac structure and function were assessed through echocardiography and transmission electron microscopy. Gene expression was determined through RT-PCR and western blot analysis. Results indicated that aspirin treatment abrogated the increased thickness of the left ventricular anterior and posterior walls, the swelling of mitochondria, and the increased surface area in in vivo and in vitro hypertrophy models. Aspirin also normalized the upregulated hypertrophic biomarkers, β-myosin heavy chain (β-MHC), atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), and b-type natriuretic peptide (BNP). Aspirin efficiently reversed the upregulation of β-catenin and P-Akt expression and the TAC- or ANG II-induced downregulation of GSK-3β. Therefore, low-dose aspirin possesses significant anti-hypertrophic properties at clinically relevant concentrations for anti-thrombotic therapy. The downregulation of β-catenin and Akt may be the underlying signaling mechanism of the effects of aspirin
Phenotypic and genotypic characterization of pathogenic bacteria isolated from herbal medicines in Kenya
(Kenyatta University, 2015) Onyambu, M.O.; Muhu, T. K.; Moturi, M.; Joachim, N.; Mwangi, W.G.
Background: The widespread use of use of herbal medicine has led to its approval by WHO has a factor in the attainment of universal health care coverage together with conventional medicine. However, unlike conventional medicine, herbal medicine has many challenges yet to be addressed. Pathogenic Microbial contamination has been cited as a serious quality issue in previous studies done in Kenya and other countries with no regulation of herbal medicines. Despite newer techniques of microbial analysis taking shape in routine microbial identification and characterization, quality control laboratories use pharmacopoeia techniques address same microorganisms without due regard to possible newer contaminants which may not be detected by the recommended techniques. Objective: This study was therefore designed to use genotypic techniques not utilized before in quality control laboratories for microbial contaminant determination in herbal and nonsterile pharmaceuticals Materials and methods; 16SrRNA a unique conserved gene to bacteria was used to identify bacteria that failed to be determined by routine methods. Bacterial contaminants were isolated from thirty samples of registered and nonregistered herbal products collected by random purposive sampling from five Kenyan provinces. Identification of the unknown isolates was done first by use of selective and differential media with the procedure in the BP 2007, followed by biochemical identification by API 20E commercial kit with the procedure given by the manufacturer. Genotypic characterization was finally carried out for the remaining unknowns. This was done by DNA extraction using DNA mini kits with procedures as given by manufacturer; PCR based fingerprinting, DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the sequences respectively. Results: The total bacteria characterized from all samples were nineteen (19). Thirteen isolates were identified by the phenotypic methods e.g. six by differential and selective media, and seven by biochemical API 20 E kit. The remaining six were characterized genotypically despite the other technique failing to identify them. Conclusion: Though the use of routine pharmacopoeia recommended techniques should be encouraged, practitioner, manufacturers and quality control laboratory analysists should be aware of more contaminants not included in the pharmacopoeia lists. The study further shows that appropriate use of genotypic techniques can enhance the accurate and robust esting of herbal products. Further use of the techniques should be explored in routine microbial contamination analysis.

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