Search

Purpose: To report the clinical features and outcomes of toxic keratitis after application of powdered custard apple seeds for hair washing for head lice infestation., Methods: Retrospective review of all patients with toxic keratitis after application of powdered custard apple seed for head lice infestation during the time period from January 2015 to December 2017. Demographic details, clinical features, and visual outcomes were documented., Results: Thirty-one eyes of 19 patients with toxic keratitis after application of crushed custard apple seeds for head lice infestation were included in the study. Eighteen females and 1 male with a median age of 14 years [interquartile range (IQR) 12-34 years] presented with severe epiphora, congestion, photophobia, and defective vision (median logMar visual acuity 0.4, IQR 0.2-0.8) after application of custard apple seed powder for hair washing. Ten eyes (32.2%) had an epithelial defect (median size 9 mm, IQR 5-12 mm), and 21 (67.7%) eyes had punctate epithelial erosions. All the patients were treated with topical antibiotics, and at 3 days follow-up, all of them had resolution of symptoms and signs with a median logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) visual acuity of 0 (IQR 0-0.2)., Conclusions: Health education about the harmful effect of this traditional practice for head lice infestation will prevent further similar events.

Background: The purpose of these studies was to determine the safety of a botanical treatment for supporting healthy liver function developed in Peru. The formulation, A4+, contains extracts of Curcuma longa L. rhizome (A4R), Cordia lutea Lam. flower (A4F) and Annona muricata L. leaf (A4L). The tests were used to support an application for a non-traditional Natural Health Product Licence from the Natural Health Product Directorate of Health Canada and future clinical trials., Methods: Besides reviewing the scientific and clinical information from Peru on the ingredients and conducting an initial Ames test for mutagenicity, we analysed A4+ for its chemical profile and tested genotoxicity (micronucleus test) and general toxicity (28-day repeated dose)., Results: A4+ and extracts from the three plants provided distinctive chemical fingerprints. A4L contained acetogenins, requiring a second chromatographic method to produce a specific fingerprint. The Ames test proved positive at the highest concentration (5,000 μg/mL) but A4+ showed no evidence of genotoxicity in the more specific mouse micronucleus test. The 28-day repeated dose (general toxicity) study in rats showed no toxicity at 2,000 mg/kg., Conclusions: We conclude that under the conditions of these studies, A4+ shows no evidence of toxicity at the levels indicated. A no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) of 2,000 mg/kg was assigned.

Objective: To investigate the safety profile of Annona senegalensis (A. senegalensis)., Methods: Dried powdered root-bark of A. senegalensis was prepared by Sohxlet extraction using methanol-methylene chloride (1:1) solution and concentrated to obtain the methanol-methylene chloride extract (MME). MME was fractionated to obtain the n-hexane (HF), ethylacetate (EF) and methanol (MF) fractions. Acute toxicity (LD(50)) test was performed with MME, HF, EF and MF in mice by oral route. The sub acute toxicity studies were performed in rats after 14 days of MME administration while haematological and biochemical parameters were monitored., Results: Medium lethal (LD(50)) values of 1,296, 3,808, 1,265 and 2,154 mg/kg were obtained for the MME, MF, HF and EF, respectively. The sub-acute toxicity studies indicated a significant (P<0.05) increase in the body weight of both the treated rats and the control. The haematological tests indicated no change in the packed cell volume values but a significant (P<0.05) increase in the total WBC count at 100 and 400 mg/kg doses. The differential analysis showed a decrease in the nutrophils and a non-significant increase in the lymphocyte counts. The liver transaminase enzymes, alanin transaminase and aspartate transaminase showed no significant increase compared to the control. Histopathological examination of the liver sections also indicted no obvious signs of hepatotoxicity except with the 400 mg/kg dose that showed degeneration and necrosis of the hepatocytes., Conclusions: These results indicated that the root bark extracts of A. Senegalensis are safe at the lower doses tested, and calls for caution in use at higher doses in treatment., (Copyright © 2012 Hainan Medical College. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Widespread use of pesticides represents a potential risk to human and environmental health. Hence, biopesticides from plants are some of the future strategies for plant protection. In this regard, a seed extract of Annona squamosa was prepared and found to be a promising pesticide. In order to establish the inherent toxicity and non-target safety required for registration and marketing of pesticides, toxicological studies are conducted. The genotoxicity potential was evaluated in rats with 75, 150 and 300 mg/kg Annona squamosa by the comet assay in leucocytes, micronucleus and chromosomal aberration tests in bone marrow. We also studied the effects of 300 mg/kg of extract on lipid peroxidation, reduced glutathione level and glutathione S transferase activity in liver, lungs, brain, kidneys, heart and spleen of treated rats. The comet assay showed a statistically significant dose related increase in DNA migration. The micronucleus and chromosomal aberration tests revealed a significant induction in frequency of micronuclei and chromosomal aberrations at 150 and 300 mg/kg. Annona squamosa treatment significantly enhanced lipid peroxidation, decreased glutathione and glutathione S transferase levels revealing the oxidative stress condition. Our results warrant careful use of Annona squamosa seed extract as a biopesticide till more tests are carried out.

Atypical parkinsonism in Guadeloupe has been associated with the consumption of fruit and infusions or decoctions prepared from leaves of Annona muricata L. (Annonaceae), which contains annonaceous acetogenins, lipophilic inhibitors of complex I of the mitochondrial respiratory chain. We have determined the concentrations of annonacin, the major acetogenin in A. muricata, in extracts of fruit and leaves by matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionization mass spectrometry. An average fruit is estimated to contain about 15 mg of annonacin, a can of commercial nectar 36 mg, and a cup of infusion or decoction 140 microg. As an indication of its potential toxicity, an adult who consumes one fruit or can of nectar a day is estimated to ingest over 1 year the amount of annonacin that induced brain lesions in rats receiving purified annonacin by intravenous infusion.