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Kaltume Umar Hambali,1 Emmanuel Eilu,1 Sunil Kumar,1 Abdullateef Opeyemi Afolabi,1 Naheem Adekilekun Tijani,1 Yusuf Olusola Faseun,1 Martin Odoki,1 Christine Gechemba Mokaya,1 Danladi Makeri,1 Shango Patience Emmanuel Jakheng,1 Vidya Sankarapandian,1 Rasheed Omotayo Adeyemo,2 Taofeek Tope Adegboyega,2 Ismail Abiola Adebayo,3 Ibrahim Ntulume,4 Saheed Adekunle Akinola2 1Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Kampala International University-Western Campus, Ishaka-Bushenyi, Uganda; 2Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Butare, Rwanda; 3Department of Medical Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Genetics, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Butare, Rwanda; 4School of Biosecurity Biotechnical and Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, Makerere University, Kampala, UgandaCorrespondence: Saheed Adekunle Akinola, Email seddorf2003@gmail.comBackground: The concerning frequency of K. pneumoniae in various recreational settings, is noteworthy, especially regarding multi-drug resistant (MDR) strains. This superbug is linked to the rapid spread of plasmids carrying these resistance genes. The objective of this study was to evaluate the spatiotemporal prevalence of MDR-K. pneumoniae in the Kitagata hot spring, Southwestern Uganda.Methods: A laboratory-based descriptive longitudinal study was conducted between May and July 2023. During rainy and dry seasons, we collected eighty water samples in the morning and evening from the hot spring. The temperature at each point was measured prior to sample collection, and two samples were obtained at varying depths. 5 mL of each homogenized sample were pre-enriched in brain heart infusion broth, and subsequently in both blood and violet red bile agar. The Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method was performed, followed by the detection of carbapenemase (CR) and extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) production. Polymerase chain reaction showed resistance genes viz. blaTEM, blaCTX-M and blaKPC. Data were analyzed using SPSS-20 to obtain chi-square tests and regression analysis.Results: K. pneumoniae accounted for 30.0% of isolates obtained from Kitagata hot springs, with all isolates classified as multi-drug resistant. All isolates were resistant to ampicillin, rifampicin, ceftazidime, and azithromycin (79.2%). Additionally, 95.8% of isolates harbored blaTEM gene alone and both blaTEM and blaCTX genes, followed by blaKPC alone (33.3%), with 25% harboring all three resistance genes. During the dry season, K. pneumoniae had a higher prevalence (35.0%) compared to the wet season (25.0%). The prevalence of MDR-K. pneumoniae significantly increased over the course of the study. The presence of the three studied resistance genes in the isolates showed a positive correlation with the second phase of sample collection and the dry season but exhibited a negative correlation with temperature, except for isolates harboring either blaTEM alone or blaTEM+KPC+CTX genes.Conclusion: Kitagata hot spring serves as a hotspot for continuous dissemination and acquisition of MDR-K. pneumoniae harboring resistance genes that encode for ESBL and CR production. The healthcare sector ought to implement an ongoing monitoring and surveillance system as well as robust antimicrobial resistance stewardship programs aimed at delivering health education to the community.Keywords: antimicrobial resistomes, one health, first generation genomics, Kitagata healing hot spring, MDR-K. pneumonia

Josephat Nyabayo Maniga,1 Saheed Adekunle Akinola,1,2 Martin Odoki,1 John Odda,3,4 Ismail Abiola Adebayo1 1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Kampala International University Western Campus, Bushenyi, Uganda; 2Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North- West University, Mmabatho, South Africa; 3Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Kampala International University Western Campus, Bushenyi, Uganda; 4Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Makerere University, Kampala, UgandaCorrespondence: Saheed Adekunle AkinolaDepartment of Microbiology and Immunology, Kampala International University Western Campus, P.O BOX 71, Bushenyi, UgandaTel +256752887872Email saheed.akinola@kiu.ac.ugIntroduction: Drug resistance remains a major challenge in malaria treatment, especially after the emergence of resistance to artemisinin-based combined therapies. Plasmodium falciparum Kelch13 gene mutations are implicated in conferring artemisinin resistance. Thus, this study was aimed at determining the occurrence of Kelch13 (K13) propeller resistance gene polymorphism mutations in Bushenyi district, Uganda.Methods: Participants suspected to have malaria were recruited. P. falciparum was confirmed using antigen histidine-rich protein 2 (HRP2) (Pf) (Access Bio, Inc, USA) and microscopy. Malaria-positive patients were treated with artemeter-lumefantrine (AL). Blood was withdrawn from participants who tested positive for parasites after day 3 and kept in blood filter papers (ET31CHR; Whatman Limited, Kent, UK). DNA was extracted using chelex-suspension method. Nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was conducted and the second-round products sequenced using Sanger’s method. Sequenced products were analyzed using DNAsp 5.10.01 software and then blasted on to the NCBI for K13-propeller gene sequence identity using the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST).Results: Out of 283 enrolled participants, 194 completed the follow-up schedule. A total of 134 (69%) had no parasites on day 3, while 60 (31%) had parasites on that day. Out of the 60 samples, 40 (62%) were positively amplified as P. falciparum, with polymorphisms in the K13-propeller gene detected in 3 (7.5%) out of the 40 amplicons. Polymorphisms at codon 1929, 1788 and 1801 were detected separately in one sample each. Sequences have been deposited in NCBI with accession numbers PRJNA720348 and PRJNA720800.Conclusion: Polymorphisms in the K13-propeller gene previously reported to be associated with artemisinin resistance were not detected in the P. falciparum isolates from Bushenyi district, Uganda. More studies need to be conducted on the new mutations detected so as to understand their association, if any, with ACT resistance.Keywords: artemisinin, resistance, Kelch13, polymorphism

In recent years, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has become an alarming threat to global health as notable increase in morbidity and mortality has been ascribed to the emergence of superbugs. The increase in microbial resistance because of harboured or inherited resistomes has been complicated by the lack of new and effective antimicrobial agents, as well as misuse and failure of existing ones. These problems have generated severe and growing public health concern, due to high burden of bacterial infections resulting from scarce financial resources and poor functioning health systems, among others. It is therefore, highly pressing to search for novel and more efficacious alternatives for combating the action of these super bacteria and their infection. The application of metallic nanoparticles (MNPs) with their distinctive physical and chemical attributes appears as promising tools in fighting off these deadly superbugs. The simple, inexpensive and eco-friendly model for enhanced biologically inspired MNPs with exceptional antimicrobial effect and diverse mechanisms of action againsts multiple cell components seems to offer the most promising option and said to have enticed many researchers who now show tremendous interest. This synopsis offers critical discussion on application of MNPs as the foremost intervening strategy to curb the menace posed by the spread of superbugs. As such, this review explores how antimicrobial properties of the metallic nanoparticles which demonstrated considerable efficacy against several multi-drugs resistant bacteria, could be adopted as promising approach in subduing the threat of AMR and harvoc resulting from the spread of superbugs., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.)

This article presents a dataset on bacterial community structure associated with Ready-to-eat (RTE) vegetable salads sold in Kampala City, Uganda. The Illumina Miseq sequencing of 16S rRNA gene amplicon unveiled the bacterial communities and generated a metagenomic library from RTE vegetable salads to understand the diversities and distribution. The metagenome contained a total of 23,805 sequences with 35,420 Taxonomic units (OTUs). Metagenome sequence information is obtainable at NCBI under the Bioproject assigned accession number PRJNA1064313. Taxonomic hits distribution from VSEARCH analysis at phylum level classification of NN-3 discovered predominantly Proteobacteria (65.34%) followed by Firmicutes (31.60%) and Bacteroidota (0.14%). Deinococcota (0.01%) and Planctomycetota (0.01%) were also detected. Also, VSEARCH-assisted analysis of NN-4 detected a higher prevalence of Firmicutes (65.68%) than Proteobacteria (33.25%), while Bacteroidota (0.04%) indicating the presence of contaminants of faecal sources., (© 2024 The Author(s).)

Clinacanthus nutans is a medicinal plant recognised for its anticancer properties. We previously discovered that the C. nutans extract had the most potent inhibitory effect on MCF7 breast cancer cell and significantly induced apoptosis. However, there is a scarcity of studies demonstrating the molecular interactions of C. nutans -derived chemical compounds associated with apoptosis-related proteins. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the potential chemical compounds found in the C. nutans extract and examine their interactions with the targeted apoptotic proteins using molecular docking and molecular dynamic simulations. To address this objective, the compounds found in the SF2 extract of C. nutans were analysed using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). The molecular interaction of the compounds with the targeted apoptotic proteins were determined using molecular docking and molecular dynamic simulations. GC-MS analysis revealed a total of 32 compounds in the SF2 extract. Molecular docking analysis showed that compound β-amyrenol had the highest binding affinity for MDM2-P53 (-7.26 kcal/mol), BCL2 (-11.14 kcal/mol), MCL1-BAX (-6.42 kcal/mol), MCL1-BID (-6.91 kcal/mol), and caspase-9 (-12.54 kcal/mol), whereas campesterol had the highest binding affinity for caspase-8 (-10.11 kcal/mol) and caspase-3 (-10.14 kcal/mol). These selected compounds were subjected to molecular dynamic simulation at 310 K for 100 ns. The results showed that the selected protein-ligand conformation complexes were stable, compact, and did not alter much when compared to the protein references. The findings indicate that β-amyrenol and campesterol are potentially significant compounds that might provide insight into the molecular interactions of the compounds with the apoptosis-related proteins.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Background: Currently, chemotherapy stands out as the major malaria intervention strategy, however, anti-malarial resistance may hamper global elimination programs. Artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) stands as the drug of choice for the treatment of Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Plasmodium falciparum kelch13 gene mutations are associated with artemisinin resistance. Thus, this study was aimed at evaluating the circulation of P. falciparum k13 gene polymorphisms from Kisii County, Kenya during an era of ACT deployment., Methods: Participants suspected to have malaria were recruited. Plasmodium falciparum was confirmed using the microscopy method. Malaria-positive patients were treated with artemether-lumefantrine (AL). Blood from participants who tested positive for parasites after day 3 was kept on filter papers. DNA was extracted using chelex-suspension method. A nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was conducted and the second-round products were sequenced using the Sanger method. Sequenced products were analysed using DNAsp 5.10.01 software and then blasted on the NCBI for k13 propeller gene sequence identity using the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST). To assess the selection pressure in P. falciparum parasite population, Tajima' D statistic and Fu & Li's D test in DnaSP software 5.10.01 was used., Results: Out of 275 enrolled participants, 231 completed the follow-up schedule. 13 (5.6%) had parasites on day 28 hence characterized for recrudescence. Out of the 13 samples suspected of recrudescence, 5 (38%) samples were positively amplified as P. falciparum, with polymorphisms in the k13-propeller gene detected. Polymorphisms detected in this study includes R539T, N458T, R561H, N431S and A671V, respectively. The sequences have been deposited in NCBI with bio-project number PRJNA885380 and accession numbers SAMN31087434, SAMN31087433, SAMN31087432, SAMN31087431 and SAMN31087430 respectively., Conclusions: WHO validated polymorphisms in the k13-propeller gene previously reported to be associated with ACT resistance were not detected in the P. falciparum isolates from Kisii County, Kenya. However, some previously reported un-validated k13 resistant single nucleotide polymorphisms were reported in this study but with limited occurrences. The study has also reported new SNPs. More studies need to be carried out in the entire country to understand the association of reported mutations if any, with ACT resistance., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Clinacanthus nutans dichloromethane fraction (CN-Dcm) extract has previously been proven to suppress breast cancer (MCF7) cell proliferation. Despite this, the extrinsic and intrinsic apoptosis mechanisms involved in C. nutans extract-treated MCF7 cells are still unknown. This study was intended to subfractionate CN-Dcm extract using column chromatography and analyse the treated MCF7 cells using the CellTiter 96® AQueous One Solution Cell Proliferation (MTS) assay, Annexin V/propidium iodide (PI) assay, western blot, and reverse transcription-qualitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Out of nine subfraction extracts (SF1 to SF9), SF2 extract strongly inhibited MCF7 cells with the lowest IC 50 value (23.51 ± 1.00 µg/mL) and substantially induced apoptosis in the MCF7 cells. In treated MCF7 cells, SF2 extract significantly upregulated the expression of P53, BAX, BID, caspase-8, caspase-9, and caspase-3, while downregulating the expression of BCL2. The presence of potential bioactive chemical compounds in the SF2 extract was identified using liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-QTOF-MS). Thus, the SF2 extract has the potential to induce apoptosis in MCF7 cells through intrinsic and extrinsic pathways., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Horseshoe crabs are one of the most studied invertebrates due to their remarkable innate immunity mechanism and biological processes. In this work, the proteins of the lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-stimulated and non-stimulated hemocytes of Malaysian Tachypleus gigas were profiled using LC-MS/MS. A total of 154 proteins were identified in both types of samples. Additionally, seventy-seven proteins were commonly found in both conditions, while 52 and 25 proteins were uniquely found in the LPS-stimulated and non-stimulated hemocytes, respectively. ATP-dependent energy-generating proteins such as actins and BLTX actin-related proteins were detected in both stimulated and non-stimulated T. gigas hemocytes, but more of such proteins were found in the former type. Proteins such as tachylectin-2, coagulogen, c-reactive proteins, histones, hemocyanin, and DNA polymerase, which play key roles in the organism's innate immunity, were differentially expressed in the hemocytes following LPS challenge. In conclusion, the proteins identified in the hemolymph of T. gigas are vital for the organism's molecular functions, biological processes, and activation of innate immunity., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Clinacanthus nutans has been reported to have many medicinal properties and it is traditionally used in treating viral lesions. This study aims to determine the molecular docking of C. nutans compounds detected by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) with the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2 main protease) protein and its host receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) protein using the AutoDock 4.2 tool. The drug-likeness and molecular docking analyses showed that fourteen compounds of C. nutans satisfied the Lipinski's rule of five and they exhibited good inhibitory effects against the SARS-Cov-2 main protease and ACE2 proteins. In addition, the glyceryl 2-linolenate compound was found to have the most potent binding affinities with both proteins. The results provide useful insights into the molecular inhibitory interactions of C. nutans compounds detected by GC-MS analysis with the targeted SARS-CoV-2 main protease and ACE2 protein.

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder characterized by chronic hyperglycemia resulting from insulin deficiency or dysfunction. The imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants known as oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathogenesis and complications associated with DM. Chrysophyllum albidum is a seasonal fruit found to be rich in natural antioxidants., Methods: DM was induced by high-fat diet dietary supplementation for 14 days followed by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (35 mg/kg). Thirty-five experimental rats were then divided into seven groups viz.: non-diabetic control; diabetic control; metformin; diabetic and non-diabetic fed with 5 and 10% C. albidum fruit pulp powder (CAFPP). Fasting blood glucose was done with an automatic auto-analyzer and weights were monitored at three-day intervals. The expressions of Nrf2, SOD, CAT, GST, TNF-α, DPP4, and insulin were investigated using RT-PCR. Schrödinger suites was used for docking of C. albidum phytocompounds with insulin., Results: Diabetic rats fed with CAFPP for thirteen days have their blood glucose lowered significantly (p < 0.05) and gained weight compared to diabetic control. CAFPP significantly (p < 0.05) up-regulated Nrf2, CAT, GST, SOD, and insulin genes expression in the diabetic group relative to diabetic control with concomitant down-regulation of TNF-α and DPP4 genes expression. Molecular docking of compounds previously characterized from C. albidum revealed that they are potent ligands of insulin receptors., Conclusion: The study revealed that CAFPP could be effective in the management of DM-related oxidative stress by up-regulating antioxidant and down-regulating pro-inflammatory genes expression. It also positively modulates genes associated with glucose metabolism., Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40200-021-00921-0., Competing Interests: Competing interestsThe authors hereby declare no conflict of interest., (© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021.)

Background: C. vespertiliomis extracts were evaluated for antiproliferative and apoptosis effect on breast cancer (MCF7) cells., Methods and Results: The leaves extracts were analysed for its antiproliferative effect on breast cancer (MCF7) cells and normal epithelial breast (MCF 10A) cells using Sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay. The selective extract was evaluated for its ability to induce apoptosis using Annexin V-FITC apoptosis staining and the expression of molecular genes using qualitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) against MCF7 cells. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to identify the compounds from the selective extract. The findings showed that dichloromethane fraction (CV-Dcm) extract had high antiproliferative effect against MCF7 cells (IC 50  = 24 µg/mL, selective index (SI) = 8.17). The percentages of apoptosis cells in CV-Dcm-treated MCF7 cells was 58.8%. The CV-Dcm extract induced downregulation of PCNA level. The apoptotic genes were also triggered in both extrinsic and intrinsic signaling pathways, affecting a 1.5-fold increase in BAX, 1.4-fold increase in cytochrome c, 1.3-fold increase in caspase-8, 1.7-fold increase in caspase-3 and 0.5-fold-decrease in BCL-2. Treated MCF7 cells also activated P53-dependent apoptotic death pathway., Conclusions: The present work strongly suggests that high efficacy of CV-Dcm extract was attributed to its antiproliferative and apoptosis-inducing activation in MCF7 cells, most likely due to its favourable compounds., (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.)

Moringa oleifera is a well-known medicinal plant which has anti-cancer and other biological activities. This research aims to determine the cytotoxic and apoptotic effect of M. oleifera leave extract on the breast cancer (MCF7) cells. The extracts were prepared using hexane, dichloromethane, chloroform and n-butanol by fractionating the crude 80% methanol extract of the plant leaves. The cytotoxic effect of the extracts on MCF7 cells were determined using CellTiter 96® AQueous One Solution Cell Proliferation (MTS) assay. The apoptosis study was conducted using Annexin V-FITC analysis and confirmed by Western blotting using selected proteins, which are p53, Bax, cytochrome c and caspase 8. Our results showed that the dichloromethane (DF-CME-MOL) extract was selectively cytotoxic to MCF7 cells (5 μg/mL) without significantly inhibiting the non-cancerous breast (MCF 10A) cells. It had the highest selectivity index (SI) value of 9.5 among the tested extracts. It also induced early apoptosis and increased the expressions of pro-apoptotic proteins Bax, caspase 8 and p53 in MCF7 cells. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis (GC-MS) analysis showed that the major compounds found in DF-CME-MOL were benzeneacetonitrile, 4-hydroxy- and benzeneacetic acid, 4-hydroxy-, methyl ester among others that were detected. Thus, DF-CME-MOL extract was found to inhibit the proliferation of MCF7 cells by apoptosis induction, which is likely due to the activities of the detected phytochemical compounds of the extract.

Background: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) persists to be a major health problem especially among children as effective chemotherapy to combat the disease is yet to be available. Boswellia dalzielii is a well-known herb that is traditionally used for treatment and management of many diseases including degenerative diseases. In this study, silver nanoparticles were synthesized from the phytochemicals of B. dalzielii stem bark aqueous extract. The silver nanoparticles were characterized by carrying out Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Energy Filtered Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), X-ray diffraction, and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) analyses. Antioxidant capacity of the nanoparticles was evaluated using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, and the antiproliferative effect of the nanoparticles on Kasumi-1 leukemia cells was investigated using PrestoBlue assay. Flow cytometry analysis was performed to observe the effect of the nanoparticles on the leukemia cell cycle progression., Results: Our findings revealed that the synthesized silver nanoparticles were formed from electrons of the plant phytochemicals which include aromatic compounds, ethers, and alkynes. FESEM analysis revealed that the sizes of the nanoparticles range from 12 nm to 101 nm; however, DLS analysis estimated a larger average size of the nanoparticles (108.3 nm) because it measured the hydrodynamic radii of the nanoparticles. The zeta potential of the nanoparticles was -16 nm, and the XRD pattern of the nanoparticles has distinct peaks at 38.02°, 42.94°, 64.45°, 77.20°, and 81.47°, which is typical of face-centered cubic (fcc) structure of silver. The Trolox Equivalence Antioxidant Capacity (TEAC) of the nanoparticles was estimated to be 300.91  μ M Trolox/mg silver nanoparticles. The nanoparticles inhibited Kasumi-1 cell proliferation. The half minimal inhibitory concentrations (IC50s) that inhibited Kasumi-1 cell proliferation are 49.5  μ g/ml and 13.25  μ g/ml at 48 and 72 hours, respectively. The nanoparticles induced cell cycle arrest in the Kasumi-1 cells at S (5% increase) and G2/M (3% increase) phases., Conclusion: The nanoparticles synthesized from the stem bark extract of B. dalzielii inhibit the growth of Kasumi-1 leukemia cells by activating cell cycle arrest; thus, they are potential antileukemic agents., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this paper., (Copyright © 2020 Ismail Abiola Adebayo et al.)

Background: Recently, nanoparticle synthesis by eco-friendly methods has received tremendous attention due to the method advantages and also because of the application of the nanoparticles in cancer research. Therefore, in this study, we synthesized silver nanoparticles from Detarium microcarpum leaf phytochemicals and evaluated its inhibitory effect on pancreatic and cervical cancer cells., Materials and Methods: Silver nanoparticles (dAgNps) were synthesized by reacting phytochemicals of D. microcarpum leaves with silver nitrate for 12 hours. Cell viability assay was carried out to investigate the cytotoxic effect of dAgNps on HeLa and PANC-1 cells., Results: Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy(TEM) results revealed the average sizes of dAgNps are 81 nm and 84 nm respectively. The x-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern of dAgNps was similar to that of face centered cubic(fcc) structure of silver as reported by joint committee on powder diffraction standards (JCPDS) and fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis showed that some phytochemicals of D. microcarpum such as polyphenols and flavonoids were likely involved in the reduction of Ag+ to form nanoparticles. Finally, cell viability assay revealed dAgNps inhibited PANC-1 and HeLa cell proliferations with IC50 values of 84 and 31.5 µg/ml respectively., Conclusion: In conclusion, the synthesized nanoparticles from D. microcarpum leaves (dAgNps) have inhibitory effect on pancreatic and cervical cancer cells.

Despite the availability of anticancer drugs, breast cancer remains the most death-causing tumor-related disease in women. Hence, there is a need for discovery and development of efficient alternative drugs, and sources such as plants need to be explored. In this study, antioxidant capacities and inhibitory effects against MCF7 cells of the extracts of stem bark of three Nigerian medicinal plants ( Detarium microcarpum , Guiera senegalensis, and Cassia siamea ) were investigated. The D. microcarpum extracts had the highest antioxidant and antiproliferative effects, followed by that of G. senegalensis , and the C. siamea extracts had minimal effects. The IC 50 values of the methanol and aqueous extracts from the three plants that inhibited the proliferation of MCF7 cells ranged from 78-> 500 μ g/ml. Moreover, all the plant extracts but the aqueous extract of Cassia siamea exhibited antimetastatic action and induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in MCF7 cells. Liquid chromatography/time-of-flight/mass spectrometry profiling revealed that the five potent extracts contain many phenols and omega-6 fatty acids, and some of the identified compounds (isorhamnetin, eupatorin, alpinumisoflavone, procyanidin B3, syringin, and gallic acid) have been reported to have antiproliferative effects on cancer cells. Hence, the stem bark of these plants could be potential sources of antibreast cancer agents.

Background: Academic reports have confirmed Moringa oleifera leaves to possess significant antioxidant capacities; however, such studies are unavailable for its ripe seeds even though they are more desirous for consumption due to their sweet taste., Objective: In this study, we investigated antioxidant capacities of four polar extracts (crude water, ethanol, butanol, and aqueous residue) from the plant's ripe seeds., Materials and Methods: Phytochemicals were extracted from the ripe seeds of M. oleifera using ethanol and water solvents at initial stage. Butanol and aqueous residue were then subsequently fractioned out from the ethanol extract. Phenolic and flavonoid contents of the polar extracts were determined. Then, their antioxidant capacities were quantified by 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assays. Finally, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analyses of the extracts were performed., Results: DPPH and ABTS tests showed that the polar extracts possess significant antioxidant capacities that ranged from 29 to 35.408 μM Trolox equivalence antioxidant capacity (TEAC)/mg sample and 7 to 29 μM TEAC/mg sample, respectively. The antioxidant capacities of the extracts corresponded to their phenolic and flavonoid contents that varied from 13.61 to 20.42 mg gallic acid equivalence/g sample and 0.58 to 9.81 mg quercetin equivalence/g sample, respectively. Finally, GC-MS analyses revealed antimicrobial phenolic compounds, 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde in crude water extract and 4-hydroxybenzene acetonitrile in the ethanol and butanol extracts, and aqueous residue., Conclusion: Our results established that M. oleifera ripe seeds have significant antioxidant activity which may be due to its phenolic and nonphenolic compounds content., Summary: In this study, polar phytochemicals from ripe seeds of Moringa oleifera were extracted by water and ethanol solvents, and butanol extract and aqueous residue were subsequently fractioned out of the ethanol extract. The four polar extracts were shown to have significant antioxidant capacities which correspond to their phenolic contents. Further, antimicrobial compounds 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde and 4-hydroxybenzene acetonitrile were identified in the extracts by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses. Abbreviations used: ABTS: 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid); DPPH: 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl; TEAC: Trolox equivalence antioxidant capacity; QE: Quercetin equivalence; GAE: Gallic acid equivalence; GC-MS: Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest.

Context: Cussonia arborea Hochst. ex A. Rich (Araliaceae) is a folk medicine used to treat various diseases. However, there is no report of the root phytochemistry., Objective: This study isolates and identifies the immunomodulatory compounds from root-bark of C. arborea., Materials and Methods: The methanol extract (18 g) was subjected to repeated column chromatography resulting in isolation of five compounds (1-5). Structure determination was achieved by analysis of their 1 D and 2 D NMR, and mass spectroscopy. The compounds (100-1.0 μg/mL) were examined immunomodulatory for effect on production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) from whole blood phagocytes and on proliferation of T-cells. The compounds cytotoxicity (100-1.0 μg/mL) was evaluated on NIH-3T3 normal fibroblast cells., Results: Three pentacyclic triterpenoids [3, 23-dihydroxy-12-oleanen-28-oic acid (1), 3β-hydroxylolean-12-en-28-oic (2) and 23-hydoxy-oxo-urs-12-en-28-oic acid (5)], two phytosterols: [stigmasterol (3)] and [3-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl stigmasterol (4)] were all isolated from the methanol soluble extract. All the tested compounds (1-4) were found to be nontoxic on NIH-3T3 cells. Compound 1 and 2 moderately inhibited the production of ROS (IC 50  = 24.4 ± 4.3 and 37.5 ± 0.1 μg/mL, respectively) whereas compound 2 exhibited the highest inhibitory effect (IC 50  = 12.6 ± 0.4 μg/mL) on proliferation of phytoheamagglutinin (PHA) activated T-cells., Conclusions: The isolated compounds (1-5) are reported for the first time from this species. In addition, compound 2 with suppressive potential on production of intracellular ROS and proliferation of T-cells could be of immense value in control of autoimmune diseases as well as in immune compromised patients.

Background: There is a lack of information on CYP2D6, a major metabolizing enzyme, in Africa ethnic nationalities. The objective was to determine CYP2D6 phenotype in Yoruba Nigerians using dextromethorphan (DEX)., Method: A total of 89 healthy volunteers received 30 mg of DEX orally followed by blood and urine sample collection at 3-hour and over 8 h post-dose, respectively. DEX and dextrorphan (DOR) concentrations were determined using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). The metabolic ratio (MR, DEX/DOR) were plotted for the phenotype determination., Results: The log MR that separated poor (PMs) from normal metabolizers (NMs) was 0.28 and 0.75 for urine and plasma, respectively. Two subjects (2.3%) identified as PMs had a mean MR of 17 and 3.2 in plasma and urine, significantly higher than that of NMs (p < .0001). A positive correlation between urine and plasma MR was noted., Conclusion: The prevalence of PMs in the Yoruba Nigerians was similar to that reported among blacks.

Background: Moringa oleifera belongs to plant family, Moringaceae and popularly called "wonderful tree", for it is used traditionally to cure many diseases including cancer in Africa and Asia, however, there is limited knowledge on cytotoxic activity of Moringa oleifera seeds on MCF7 breast cancer cell. The present study evaluated antiproliferative effect on MCF7 of the seed., Materials and Methods: Seeds of Moringa oleifera were grinded to powder and its phytochemicals were extracted using water and 80% ethanol solvents, part of the ethanolic extract were sequentially partitioned to fractions with four solvents (hexane, dichloromethane, chloroform, and n-butanol). Antiproliferative effects on MCF7 of the samples were determined. Finally, potent samples that significantly inhibited MCF7 growth were tested on MCF 10A., Results: Crude water extract, hexane and dichloromethane fractions of the seeds inhibited the proliferation of MCF7 with the following IC 50 values 280 μg/ml, 130 μg/ml and 26 μg/ml respectively, however, of the 3 samples, only hexane fraction had minimal cytotoxic effect on MCF 10A (IC 50 > 400μg/ml)., Conclusion: Moringa oleifera seed has antiproliferative effect on MCF7., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest

One of the constraints in unraveling the mysteries blurring the advancement of research in the quest to totally put HIV problems under control is getting the appropriate animal model that would truly simulate human cases. This problem is more apparent in studies involving the central nervous system. Consequently, a viable animal model to generate information for the production of drugs and vaccines for the prevention and or control of lentiviral induced dementia in affected host animals is pertinent and vital. In this study, explant cultures prepared from the brain of new-born goat-kid were infected with CaprineArthritis Encephalitis (CAE) virus- a retrovirus affecting goats. The specific brain cell types infected by the (CAE) virus were determined using reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM techniques). TEM showed that in 85 - 90% cases, microglia were the cells specifically infected by the virus. Amplification of the genomic sequence of the envelope and the gag genes by RT-PCR confirmed the presence of CAEV proviral DNA in the brain cells of affected animals. No productive infection of the astrocytes was observed. The results of this study showed a lot of similarities in the tropism of CAE virus infection of goat brain cells to that of HIV infection in humans thus suggesting the potential usefulness of the caprine model for the study of HIV neuropathology. The goat model system as a non-primate model therefore could be more adaptable as a simple animal model than primate models with their complexity of anthropological, environmental and safety problems.

The response of goats infected with caprine arthritis encephalitis virus was evaluated by estimating the binding antibodies in serum. The immunoreactive proteins of the CAEV, strain 63, were determined by immunobloting the lysate against the serum of the infected goat. The major proteins identified were of the molecular weights of 135, 120, 56, 44, 38, 28, 20 and 13 kDa. Proteins with less prominence were of the molecular weights of 96, 32 and 30 kDa. The responses to the viral proteins at several stages of the infection were examined. Antibodies to viral proteins of 135, 121 and 90 kDa were the first to appear in the goat kids that were apparently infected through breast-feeding by infected dam. The time of appearance of these antibodies in the serum varied widely between the goats from one to six months, and preceded the appearence of antibodies to other proteins by two to four weeks. Salient variations revealed in the immunoblot patterns reflect the differences in the immunological responses by the goats to the viral proteins. Littermate goat kids infected through the same dam showed slightly different responses. In the same manner, dissimilarities were observed in the patterns produced by the serums of the damand the corresponding offsprings, when run against the same virus lysate. This study indicates that some differences occur in the immunoblot pattern when this assay is used for diagnosis, although such discrepancies should not affect the interpretation of the diagnostic assay. The host differences in the response to the viral proteins also suggest the potential problems that can be encountered developing an effective vaccine for CAEV, if the binding antibody production reflects that of the neutralizing antibodies in the goats. For effective vaccine coverage, there should be little variability in the immunogenicity of candidate vaccine antigens among the hosts.

This study used the leucocyte migration index to assess cellular immune function in children with urinary schistosomiasis. Migration inhibitory factor was produced (with other lymphokines) by sensitizing mitogens. The production of antigen-induced migration inhibitory factor in vitro correlated with the in vivo state of cellular hypersensitivity of the lymphocyte donor. The percentage positive leucocyte migration rate using three mitogens was least with inactivated measles haemagglutinin virus (IMV) and highest with Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) in the control group, while highest with tuberculin purified protein derivative (PPD) and least with IMV in the test group. The measurement of the migration index of leucocytes comparing the control with lightly- and heavily-infected children on activation using three mitogens was significantly reduced, except in the case of the control versus lightly-infected children using IMV. Using IMV, the leucocyte migration index for control versus lightly-infected children and heavily-infected children was significant (p > 0.002 and p < 0.001, respectively). Using BCG the difference between controls and lightly- and heavily-infected children were significant (p < 0.02). PPD showed no significant difference in leucocyte migration between control and the lightly- or heavily-infected children. In all leucocyte migration index decreased with intensity of infection except in the case of PPD (p < 0.002 for BCG; p < 0.001 for the IMV). There was a significant correlation between egg count and leucocyte migration index; for BCG (r = -0.20, p < 0.005); for IMV (r = -0.3, p < 0.001); for PPD (r = -0.38,p < 0.001). Patients with schistosomiasis infection can express normal and effective cellular immune responses to non-schistosomal antigens and also have equal immunological ability to combat pathogens as S. haematobium-free controls.

The isolation of 98/ASF/NG, a strain of African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV) associated with a 1998 epizootic in Nigeria, is reported. This first isolate of the virus from West Africa was identified through a successful polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and sequencing of a 280 base pair (bp) fragment of the Major Capsid Protein (VP72) gene. Further amplification and sequence analysis of a 1.9 kilobase pair (kbp) fragment encompassing the complete VP72 gene showed that the isolate has a 92.2%, 92.4%, and 97.2% homology with previously sequenced Ugandan, Dominican Republican and Spanish isolates respectively. Of the 50 nucleotide changes observed in this highly conserved gene, 45 were found to result in 40 amino acid changes clustered around the central region (position 426 to 516) of the VP 72 protein while changes at the remaining 5 positions were silent. These changes also led to the loss of two out of the seven potential N-glycosylation sites which are in this gene conserved among all isolates. The possible epizootiological implications of such mutations in a highly conserved gene of a DNA virus is discussed in relation to this outbreak.