Browsing by Author "Alelign, Tilahun"

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    Evaluation of Safety, Antioxidant Effects and Antiurolithiatic Potentials of Selected Ethiopian Medicinal Plant Extracts
    (Addis Ababa University, 2021-06-19) Alelign, Tilahun; Petros, Beyene (Professor); Debella, Asfaw (PhD)
    Urolithiasis is a public health problem with limited treatment options. In the Ethiopian folk medicine, there is a claim that medicinal plants can treat urolithiasis. The present study investigated the safety, antioxidant activities and antiurolithiatic efficacies of Achyrathes aspera, Rumex abyssinicus, Satureja punctata, Chenopodium murale, Aloe pulcherrima, Chenopodium ambrosioides, Inula confertiflora, Gomphocarpus fruticosus and Commiphora myrrha extracts. Primarily, thirteen years retrospective clinical records from St. Paul's Tertiary Referral Hospital were retrieved and analyzed to estimate the overall prevalence of urolithiasis in Ethiopia. In addition, plant extracts were tested for acute and sub-acute toxicity in female Wistar rats. The in vitro DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and calcium oxalate (CaOx) assays were measured using UV-Vis-NIR spectrophotometery. Also, urolithiasis was induced in male Wistar rats by feeding ethylene glycolated (0.75%) water for 28 days. Preventive and curative studies were based on oral exposure of rats to 200 mg/kg extracts for 14 and 28 days, respectively. Urine samples were collected on 13th and 27th day before sacrificing the rats, whereas the liver and kidneys collected after sacrificing on days 14 and 28. Blood samples were collected from retro-orbital sinus under the anaesthetic condition. The bioactive constituents of G. fruticosus extracts were characterized by GC-MS analysis. Among 32,370 surgically treated patients, referred from all over the country, 2.3% (757) urolithiatic cases were recorded. Trend analysis revealed an increasing prevalence of urinary stones. Acute toxicity tests resulted in body weight loss for C. murale, R. abyssinicus, C. ambrosioides and I. confertiflora extracts at dose 2000 mg/kg. Moreover, C. murale (p<0.001) extracts showed significant reduction in platelet count. iv Histopathological studies for R. abyssinicus extract indicated mild liver injuries in sub-acute toxicity test. The DPPH scavenging capacities of S. punctata, G. fruticosus, and A. pulcherrima aqueous extracts were 92.3%, 81.6%, and 72.3%, respectively compared to ascorbic acid, the standard therapy in use, which showed 87.6%, 94.5%, and 92.3% at concentrations of 0.20 mg/ml, 0.78 mg/ml and 3.13 mg/ml, respectively. The IC50 antioxidant value of S. punctata aqueous extract was 0.01 ±0.003 mg/ml, compared to ascorbic acid (0.03 ±0.007 mg/ml). The in vitro inhibition of CaOx nucleation at 3200 g/ml aqueous extracts of A. pulcherrima (22.5%), S. punctata (26%) and G. fruticosus (37.6%) was observed in 30 minutes incubation; whereas their potency of aggregation inhibition at 200 g/ml was 32.9%, 3.8% and 33.3%, respectively. Likewise, the nucleation inhibition of G. fruticosus EtOAc fraction was 56.9%, and its fraction II aggregation inhibition was 58.9% at 3200 g/ml. Furthermore, in vivo studies also confirmed that S. punctata aqueous extract had CaOx deposition inhibitory effects in the preventive study (p<0.001), whereas G. fruticosus aqueous and EtOAc fraction (p<0.01) reduced CaOx deposition in curative study. In the urine, serum and kidney homogenates, stone forming constituents were lowered by G. fruticosus EtOAc fraction (p<0.05). GC-MS analysis of G. fruticosus fraction II revealed 29 compounds, of which di-isooctyl phthalate, n-hexadecanoic acid, isoborneol acrylate, and benzoic acid were the major constituents. In general, the in vitro and in vivo findings were found to be nearly complementary in demonstrating CaOx preventive and therapeutic potencies of S. punctata and G. fruticosus extracts, respectively. However, further investigation may be required to assess the efficacy of G. fruticosus major compounds and S. punctata fractions against urolithiasis.
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    Study of the Association of Soil-Transmitted Helminthiasis with Malnutrition and Anemia among School Children, Debub Achefer District, Northwest Ethiopia
    (Addis Ababa University, 2010-06) Alelign, Tilahun; Erko, Berhanu (Professor)
    Soil‐transmitted helminth (STH) infections are the major public health problems in many developing countries including Ethiopia. STHs are one of the major factors that cause malnutrition and anemia. This study was aimed to investigate the associations of intestinal STHs with malnutrition and anemia among school children. A cross‐sectional study was carried out and 384 schoolchildren were chosen using stratified sampling technique enrolled in the study, Debub Achefer District, Northwest Ethiopia from February to March, 2010. Structured questionnaires were administered to gather relevant information on demographic and socioeconomic data. Stool samples were processed for microscopic examinations using Kato‐Katz method. Weight and height were taken using a digital portable weighing calibrated SECA scale with a sliding headpiece. Epi Info version 6 software was employed to evaluate anthropometric parameters. The NCHS growth chart reference was used to estimate the prevalence of underweight/thinness among 9‐14 years school children. Hemoglobin was determined using Hemocue HB 201 analyzer. Data were analyzed using SPSS statistical software version 15. Binary logistic regression analysis (OR) was used to determine association of STH with malnutrition and anemia, whereas Pearson chi‐square test was applied to compare proportions. The overall point prevalence of STH infection in the study area was 54.9%, single, double, and triple infections being 45.8%, 8.6%, and 0.5%, respectively. The prevalence of hookworm, Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, Enterobius vermicularis, and Hymenolepis nana infections were 46.9%, 13.8%, 2.3%, 1%, and 0.5%, respectively. The prevalence of malnutrition in terms of stunting, underweight and wasting were 12.2%, 30.7% and 17.9%, respectively. The overall prevalence of anemia was 17.2%. The findings showed that there was no statistically significant association between STH infections and malnutrition (P>0.05). However, there was significant association between STH infections and anemia (P<0.05). The present study showed that STH infections, malnutrition, and anemia were highly prevalent. Hookworm infections were considered as the main causes of anemia among schoolchildren in the study area. Nevertheless, no association was observed between STH infections and malnutrition. Mass drug administration is recommended for STHs together with school feeding programs, health education on proper personal and environmental hygiene practices. Key words/phrases: Anemia, Debub Achefer District, Ethiopia, Malnutrition, School children, STH