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Abstract Background In 2023, Burkina Faso experienced the largest dengue epidemic ever in Africa. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of symptomatic, subclinical, and asymptomatic dengue and determine the associated factors among adult contacts of dengue in the Central Region, Burkina Faso. Methods This cross-sectional study included contacts of dengue probable cases through cluster sampling in 2022–2023. These suspected cases that tested positive were identified from the five health facilities (Pissy CMA, Saaba CM, Kossodo CMA, Samandin CM, and Marcoussis CSPS) that reported the highest number of cases in 2021 per district. All participants underwent dengue and malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDT). Samples positive for non-structural 1 protein antigen (AgNS1) and/or immunoglobulin M (IgM) were tested for serotype detection by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Binary logistic regression was done to identify the determinants of asymptomatic, subclinical, and symptomatic dengue among contacts of probable dengue cases. Results A total of 484 contacts were included, mostly in 2023 (75.2%). Most participants were females (58.6%), residing (24.3%) and passing their daytime (23.1%) in Saaba. The overall prevalence of dengue was estimated at 15.1% [95% confidence interval (CI): 12.0–18.6%], representing cases not seeking care in hospitals. Asymptomatic cases represented 2.9% (95% CI: 1.6–4.8%). Subclinical and symptomatic cases accounted for 6.0% (95% CI: 4.1–8.5%) and 6.2% (95% CI: 4.2–8.7%), respectively. Of the 58 samples tested by RT-PCR, 10 were confirmed for serotype 3 in 2023. Malaria cases were estimated at 5.6% (95% CI: 3.7–8.0%). After adjustment, participants claiming that a virus transmits dengue were likelier to have asymptomatic dengue [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 7.1, 95% CI: 2.4–21.0]. From the multivariable analysis, subclinical dengue was statistically associated with being included in the study in 2023 (aOR = 30.2, 95% CI: 2.0–455.5) and spending the daytime at Arrondissement 4 (aOR = 11.5, 95% CI: 1.0–131.0). After adjustment, symptomatic dengue was associated with living less than 50 m away from cultivated land (aOR = 2.8, 95% CI: 1.1–6.9) and living less than 50 m from a stretch of water (aOR = 0.1, 95% CI: 0.0–0.6). Conclusions The overall burden of dengue among populations not seeking care in hospitals was quite high, with few asymptomatic cases. Efforts to manage dengue cases should also target non-hospital cases and raise population awareness. The 2023 epidemic could be due to dengue virus (DENV)-3. Graphical Abstract

Introduction: Ampelocissus africana is a medicinal plant used to treat several diseases, including those affecting the prostate. This study investigated the effects of the aqueous extract of rhizomes from Ampelocissus africana (AAA) on a testosterone propionate (TP)-induced benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) model. Methods: The effect of the extract at 50, 150, and 300 mg/kg on BPH in male rats was assessed using daily subcutaneous injections of 3 mg/kg TP for four consecutive weeks. After the induction schedule, physical parameters, prostate index (PI), serum biochemical parameters, homogenate antioxidant, enzyme parameters, and prostates histopathological studies were carried out. Triterpenes and sterols were also assessed. Results: Treatment with AAA reduced the PI level in a dose-dependent manner (up to 75.91% at the dose of 300 mg/kg). The inflammatory marker measured in the present study, namely C-reactive protein, increased significantly in the BPH group and improved with the treatments. In addition, AAA reduced oxidative stress by decreasing the malondialdehyde (MDA) level and increasing the catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels in comparison to the positive control group. A histopathological examination corroborated the result of the analysis of the physical and biochemical parameters. The study also showed interesting levels of triterpenes (119.5 ± 4.5 mg UAE/g) and sterols (104.6 ± 3.06 mg CE/g). Conclusion: These results suggest that the aqueous extract of Ampelocissus africana could be used as a natural herbal therapy to treat BPH.

Background/Objectives: Balanites aegyptiaca Del. (Zygophyllaceae) is widely used in traditional medicine, both human and veterinary, throughout Africa for its many properties, including antiparasitic properties. This experimental study aims to optimize the extraction conditions of the seeds of Balanites aegyptiaca Del. Methods: Aqueous maceration was carried out with mass-to-volume ratios of 40%, 30%, 20%, 10% and 5% and extraction times of 6, 12, 24, 36 and 48 h. Extraction yields, phytochemical screening, saponins assay, antioxidant activities ABTS+ free radical scavenging activities, Ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay and antiparasitic tests on Heligmosomoides bakeri were used to compare the different extracts. Results: The pharmaco-chemical study generally showed that aqueous maceration gave the best results, with a mass/volume ratio of 10% after 12 h of maceration. The yield obtained was 28.03% with a saponins content of 13.81 mg/g. The antioxidant activities were 4.25 ± 0.17 µg/mL by the ABTS method and 0.739 µg/mL by the FRAP method. The larvicidal activity also showed that the 10% 12 h extract produced 100% larval mortality from 25 µg/mL. Conclusions: These data provide a basis for guiding the extraction process parameters in producing this antiparasitic phytomedicine.

Aqueous extracts of calyx from Hibiscus sabdariffa (HS) (roselle) are highly appreciated for their nutritional and therapeutic effects, especially as anti-hypertensive substances. This study aimed to evaluate their anti-hypertensive potential through an in vitro inhibition assay of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and hypertension precursor enzymes and to assess the in vivo diuretic activity of HS. Results showed that HS extract inhibited enzymes belonging to several classes, such as α-amylase, trypsin, chymotrypsin, xanthine oxidase, lipoxygenase, and angiotensin-converting enzyme. In particular, enzymatic kinetics of ACE indicated a competitive inhibition fashion of HS extract. Furthermore, the extracts showed remarkable diuretic and natriuretic effects at doses of 50 mg/kg/bw, 100 mg/kg/b.w, and 200 mg/kg.b.w. These activities can be explained by the high content of phenolic compounds and essential amino acids. Roselle could be a potential source of nutraceuticals and anti-hypertensive bioactive compounds.

Background: Flemingia faginea Guill. & Perr. is a medicinal plant used for the endogenous treatment of hypertension. This study aimed to establish the phytochemical profile, antioxidant power, and vasodilation effects of aqueous decoction (FAD), ethyl acetate (EAF) and aqueous residual fractions (ARF) of the leafy stem of Flemingia faginea (F. faginea). Methods: The phytochemical study was performed using high-performance thin-layer chromatography technique and high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS). Folin-Ciocalteu and aluminum trichloride colorimetric methods were used, respectively, to quantify total polyphenols and flavonoids. The antioxidant properties of the extracts were determined using 2,29-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic (ABTS•), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH•) and ferric ion reduction (FRAP) methods. The vasodilatory effects of F. faginea extracts were performed using the DMT 620M myograph technique for an ex vivo study. Results: The phytochemical study revealed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, coumarins, sterols, and triterpenes, alkaloids, and saponins in the extracts studied. HPLC MS analysis identified as the main phenolic compounds, gallic acid-glucoside (16.56 ± 0.06 mg/g), myricetin rhamnoside (15.39 ± 0.04 mg/g), myricetin rutinoside (9.32 ± 0.00 mg/g), quercetin rutinoside (9.05 ± 0.00 mg/g), caffeoyl-glucoside (6.07 ± 0.02 mg/g) and 5-Caffeoylquinic acid (4.52 ± 0.00 mg/g). The present data also showed higher contents of phenolic compounds and flavonoids in fractions of ARF (280.49 ± 0.08 mgGAE/g) and EAF (33.31 ± 0.33 mgQE/g) fractions respectively. Furthermore, the ARF fraction had the best iron ion reduction capacity (16.96 ± 0.01µgAAE/100 mg), while, the EAF (ABTS: IC50=67.33 ± 0.04 µg/mL; DPPH: IC50=4.69 ± 0.20 µg/mL) was the best free radical scavenger. In endothelium-intact rings, study extracts showed a vasodilation effect in a concentration-dependent manner with half-maximum effective concentration (EC50) of 0.24 ± 0.03 mg/mL, 0.85 ± 0.07 mg/mL and 0.05±0.01 mg/mL respectively for FAD, ARF and EAF. In endothelium-denuded vessels, these values were 0.26 ± 0.09 mg/mL, 0.57 ± 0.05 mg/mL, and 0.85 ± 0.01 mg/mL for EAF, FAD, and ARF, respectively. The maximum effects were of 99.94 ± 0.15%, 86.89 ± 5.58%, and 62.69 ± 5.14% (endothelium-intact) and of 100 ± 0.06%, 96.55 ± 4.68%, and 74.16 ± 4.06% (endothelium-denuded), respectively, for EAF, FAD, and ARF with a significant difference between them. Conclusion: This study reports that the decoction and fractions of F. faginea are rich in various chemical compounds and possess antioxidant and vasodilatory properties. These preliminary data provide a scientific basis which contributed to justify that plant used in traditional medicine.

Chronic inflammation is a deleterious process occurring in several pulmonary diseases; it is a driving force promoting tumorigenesis. By regulating local cyclic nucleotide concentration, cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (PDE) govern important biological processes, including inflammation and proliferation. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative effects of NCS 613, a specific PDE4 inhibitor, on TNFα-treated human lung adenocarcinoma cell line (A549) and on human lung adenocarcinoma explants. PDE4 isoforms and inflammatory pathways mediated by p38 MAPK, ERK1/2, and IκBα were analyzed by Western blot and immunostainings. Proliferation were performed using [3H]-thymidine incorporation under different experimental conditions. TNFα-stimulation increased p38 MAPK phosphorylation and NF-κB translocation into the nucleus, which was abolished by NCS 613 treatment. Concomitantly, NCS 613 restores IκBα detection level in human adenocarcinoma. An IC50 value of 8.5 μM was determined for NCS 613 on anti-proliferative properties while ERK1/2 signaling was down-regulated in A549 cells and lung adenocarcinoma explants. These findings shed light on PDE4 signaling as a key regulator of chronic inflammation and cancer epithelial cell proliferation. It suggests that PDE4 inhibition by NCS 613 represent potential and interesting strategy for therapeutic intervention in tackling chronic inflammation and cell proliferation.

Introduction: The trunks barks of Anogeissus leiocarpus contains multiple antihypertensive components and are, therefore, widely used for the treatment of hypertension. Objective: This study aimed to formulate capsules containing a freeze-dried aqueous extract of the trunk’s barks. Methodology: Three (03) capsule formulations were prepared using wet granulation from lyophilised aqueous extract of Anogeissus leiocarpus trunk bark, with different proportions of excipients including Corn starch used as the diluent, Polyvinylpyrrolidone K25 (PVP) used as binding agent and Magnesium stearate used as gliding agents. The filling of capsules was done using a semi-automatic capsule filler with empty capsules of size 3. The flow properties of the granules and the quality control were performed according to the European Pharmacopoeia 10th ed. Results/Discussion: All granules had good flow properties, and the F1 and F3 formulations had the best pharmaceutics characteristics according to the recommendations of the European Pharmacopoeia 10th ed. The mean levels of phenolic tracers were 0.039±0.0097 mg gallic acid equivalent per capsule (GAE/capsule) for the F1 formulation and 0.059±0.0063 mg GAE/capsule for the F3 formulation. Conclusion: This study allowed the galenic formulation of capsules based on extracts of good characteristic quality for the treatment of hypertension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sickle cell disease remains a major public health problem in Burkina Faso and Africa. For the management of this pathology in young children, the Institute for Research in Health Sciences has developed an herbal drug called FACA® syrup. The objective of this study was to verify the safety and pharmacological efficacy of this formulation for its use in the management of sickle cell disease. Acute and subacute oral toxicity tests were performed on Wistar rats in accordance with Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development test guidelines and anti-sickling activity of FACA® syrup was evaluated according to the Emmel test. In the acute test, FACA® syrup didn't cause mortality or any behavioral change at dose of 2000 mg/kg/b.w suggesting that the test product estimated LD50 is 5000 mg/kg b.w. The results of subacute toxicity study indicate that the daily administration of FACA® syrup during 28 days did not result in significant change on physical, haematological and biochemical parameters up to dose of 1000 mg/kg b.w. The evaluation of effect of FACA® syrup in vitro on sickling revealed that, FACA® syrup possesses a real antisickling activity. Regarding these results FACA® syrup would be considered as safe in both acute and subacute exposure and could be used in the management of sickle cell diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: This study investigated the antioxidant activity and the 90 days subchronic toxicity of the standardized LAMIC phytomedicine prototype based on aqueous extracts from Lannea microcarpa trunk bark. Methods: Three spectrophotometric methods were used to evaluated the antioxidant activity of LAMIC which were 2,2-Diphenyl-1- picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical, 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzolin-6-sulphonate) (ABTS) radical scavenging assays and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. For the standardized LAMIC subchronic toxicity study, male and female Wistar rats were used by daily oral administration at doses of 500, 1000 and 1500 mg/kg bw consecutively for 90 days. Results: The LAMIC extract exhibit better inhibitory activity against DPPH radical than ABTS radical with respective IC50 values of 45.38±3.21 µg/mL and 66.45±18.76 µg/mL, while FRAP assay exhibit antioxidant activity of 211.34±15.92 mmol EAA/g. Subchronic oral administration of LAMIC was well-tolerated at all tested doses. No behavioral and physiological changes and mortality were observed. The LAMIC extract did not present any impact on general hematological parameters and biochemical parameters. Moreover, no significant changes were raised in organ and body weight of treated groups compared to the Control group. Conclusion: These results support that LAMIC prototype was a valuable source of natural antioxidants and no toxicity was associated to it s long terms oral consumption in rats indicating a potential application as a cardiovascular protective formulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim of this study was to evaluate in vitro polyphenols content, antioxidant and antispasmodic properties of the aqueous extract and fractions of the trunk bark of Acacia nilotica. According to a survey conducted in rural Burkina Faso, Acacia nilotica var. adansonii (Guill and Perr). Ktze reported to be widely used in the treatment of gastrointestinal diarrhoea and parasitosis. A maceration of the powder of the trunk bark of the plant was carried out. Then the aqueous macerate obtain, was fractionated with dichloromethane, butanol and ethyl acetate successively. The phenolic compounds of the aqueous extract, butanol and ethyl acetate fractions was determinated. The antioxidant activity of aqueous extract and fractions was evaluated by the DPPH, ABTS and FRAP tests. The contractility test on smooth muscle was realized according to Magnus method. Assay of the extracts revealed a high content of polyphenols, tannins and flavonoids. The aqueous extract, the butanol fraction and the ethyl acetate fraction demonstrated a high antioxidant capacity. Aqueous extract showed a better antispasmodic effect of acetylcholine contraction induction at 1 µM (IC50 = 13.02 µg / mL) and for BaCl2 at 160 µg / mL (IC50 = 117.2 µg / mL). The aqueous extract of Acacia nilotica and his fractions had antioxidant properties. Only aqueous extract proven better antispasmodic property. Hence its use in traditional medicine in the treatment of diarrhoea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]