Browsing by Author "Ahedor, B."
Now showing 1 - 7 of 7
Results Per Page
Sort Options
Item Biochemical and haematological changes following an acute toxicity study of a hydro-ethanolic whole plant extract of Synedrella nodiflora (L) Gaertn in male Sprague-Dawley rats.(Journal of Medical and Biomedical Sciences, 3(1):31-37., 2014) Adjei, S.; Amoateng, P.; Osei-Safo, D.; Ahedor, B.; N’guessan, B.B.; Addo, P.; Asiedu-Gyekye, I.J.Synedrella nodiflora (L) Gaertn (family Asteraceae), a common weed in Ghana, is traditionally used for the management of epilepsy, hiccup and threatened abortion. To further promote the ethno-pharmacological uses of the plant, an acute toxicity of a hydro-ethanolic whole plant extract was assessed in male Sprague-Dawley rats. The lethal dose (LD50) and effects of a single oral admin-istration of the extract (1600, 3200 and 6400 mg kg-1) on haematological and serum biochemical parameters were measured. The extract produced no mortality in the rats treated during a 48-hour examination and after a subsequent 12-day assessment. Thus the LD50 was indicated as being greater than 6400 mg kg-1. The extract also did not significantly affect any of the haematological and serum biochemical indices. This result suggests that acute oral administration of the hydro-ethanolic extract of Synedrella nodiflora is virtually non-toxic in male Sprague-Dawley rats under normal laboratory conditions.Item Development and evaluation of specifc polymerase chain reaction assays for detecting Theileria equi genotypes(Parasites & Vectors, 2023) Ahedor, B.; Otgonsuren, D.; Zhyldyz, A.; et al.Background Theileria equi causes equine piroplasmosis, an economically signifcant disease that afects horses and other equids worldwide. Based on 18S ribosomal RNA (18S rRNA sequences), T. equi can be classifed into fve genotypes: A, B, C, D, and E. These genotypes have implications for disease management and control. However, no conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays are available to diferentiate the genotypes of T. equi. To over come this limitation, we developed and evaluated PCR assays specifc for the detection of each T. equi genotype. Methods A pair of forward and reverse primers, specifcally targeting the 18S rRNA sequence of each genotype, was designed. The genotype-specifc PCR assays were evaluated for their specifcity using plasmids containing inserts of the 18S rRNA sequence of each genotype. Subsequently, the assays were tested on 270 T. equi-positive equine blood DNA samples (92 from donkeys in Sri Lanka and 178 from horses in Paraguay). 18S rRNA sequences derived from the PCR amplicons were analyzed phylogenetically. Results Each genotype-specifc PCR assay accurately targeted the intended genotype, and did not produce any amplicons when 18S rRNA from other T. equi genotypes or genomic DNA of Babesia caballi or uninfected horse blood was used as the template. Previous studies employing PCR sequencing methods identifed T. equi genotypes C and D in the Sri Lankan samples, and genotypes A and C in the Paraguayan samples. In contrast, our PCR assay demonstrated exceptional sensitivity by detecting four genotypes (A, C, D, and E) in the Sri Lankan samples and all fve genotypes in the Paraguayan samples. All the Sri Lankan samples and 93.3% of the Paraguayan samples tested positive for at least one genotype, further emphasizing the sensitivity of our assays. The PCR assays also had the abil ity to detect co-infections, where multiple genotypes in various combinations were detected in 90.2% and 22.5% of the Sri Lankan and Paraguayan samples, respectively. Furthermore, the sequences obtained from PCR amplicons clustered in the respective phylogenetic clades for each genotype, validating the specifcity of our genotype-specifc PCR assays. Conclusions The genotype-specifc PCR assays developed in the present study are reliable tools for the diferential detection of T. equi genotypes.Item The First Survey of Bovine Babesia Species Infecting Yaks (Bos grunniens) in Mongolia(Journal of Parasitology, 2023) Otgonsuren, D.; Myagmarsuren, P.; Ahedor, B.; et al.Yak (Bos grunniens) farming is an important part of Mongolia's livestock industry. Yaks survive in harsh mountain environments; provide meat, milk, and wool; and serve as a mode of transportation. In Mongolia, yaks are frequently raised alongside other livestock animals such as cattle, Bactrian camels, sheep, goats, and horses. Recently, we demonstrated that Babesia bovis, Babesia bigemina, and Babesia naoakii—parasites with the potential to cause clinical bovine babesiosis—infect not only cattle but also Bactrian camels in Mongolia. However, yaks have never been surveyed for Babesia infections in this country. In the present study, we surveyed yaks in 8 Mongolian provinces: Bayankhongor, Bayan-Ulgii, Khovd, Khovsgol, Omnogovi, Ovorkhangai, Uvs, and Zavkhan. Blood samples were taken and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was extracted from 375 yaks. Furthermore, Giemsa-stained thin smears were prepared from 315 of the 375 blood samples and then examined for the microscopic detection of Babesia parasites. Microscopy revealed that 34 (10.8%) of 315 blood smears were positive for Babesia parasites. All 375 DNA samples were then tested for B. bovis, B. bigemina, and B. naoakii infection using specific polymerase chain reaction assays. We observed that 238 (63.5%) yaks in all surveyed provinces and 8 (2.1%) yaks in 3 provinces (Bayankhongor, Bayan-Ulgii, and Omnogovi) were positive for B. bovis and B. bigemina, respectively. However, all yaks tested were negative for B. naoakii. This epidemiological survey, the first to report Babesia infection in Mongolian yaks, suggests that disease management strategies for yaks in this country should further address bovine babesiosis.Item A hydro-ethanolic extract of Synedrella nodiflora (L.) Gaertn ameliorates hyperalgesia and allodynia in vincristine-induced neuropathic pain in rats(Journal of Basic and Clinical Physiology and Pharmacology, 2015-01) Amoateng, P.; Adjei, S.; Osei-Safo, D.; Ameyaw, E.O.; Ahedor, B.; N'Guessan, B.B.; Nyarko, A.K.Background: The hydro-ethanolic extract of Synedrella nodiflora (L.) Gaertn whole plant has demonstrated analgesic effects in acute pain models. The extract has also demonstrated anticonvulsant effects in murine models of experimental epilepsy. The present study illustrates an evaluation of the hydro-ethanolic extract of the plant for possible analgesic properties in hyperalgesia and allodynia associated with vincristine-induced neuropathy in rats. Methods: Neuropathic pain was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats by injecting 100 μg/kg of vincristine sulphate on alternative days for 6 days (days 0, 2, 4, 8, 10 and 12). Vincristine-induced cold allodynia, mechanical hyperalgesia and thermal hyperalgesia were measured pre-vincristine administration and on days 15, 17 and 19 post-vincristine administration. The rats were then treated with S. nodiflora extract (SNE) (100, 300 and 1000 mg/kg), pregabalin (10, 30 and 100 mg/kg) and distilled water as vehicle daily for 5 days and pain thresholds were measured on alternate days for 3 days. Results: SNE and pregabalin produced analgesic properties observed as increased paw withdrawal latencies to mechanical, tactile, cold water stimuli and thermal hyperalgesic tests during the 5 days of treatment. Conclusions: The findings suggest that hydro-ethanolic extract of S. nodiflora possesses anti-hyperalgesic and anti-allodynic effects in vincristine-induced neuropathic pain in rats. © 2015 by De Gruyter 2015.Item In Vivo Modulation of Rat Liver Microsomal Cytochrome P450 Activity by Antimalarial, Anti-HIV, and Antituberculosis Plant Medicines(Journal of Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine, 2018-11) Appiah-Opong, R.; Tuffour, I.; Ofori-Attah, E.; Aning, A.; Atchoglo, P.; Danso, E.A.; Ahedor, B.; Adjei, S.; Nyarko, A.K.Drug interactions are key reasons for adverse drug reactions and attrition from market. Major infectious diseases causing morbidity/mortality in Ghana are malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS. In this study, plant medicines commonly used to treat/manage these diseases in Ghana were investigated for their potential to modulate rat cytochrome P450 enzyme activities. Fluorescence and high-performance liquid chromatography–based assays were used to assess effects of antimalarial plant medicines, Fever (FEV), Mal-TF (MAL), and Kantinka terric (KT); anti-TB medicines, Chestico (CHES), CA + ST Pains + HWNT (TF), and Kantinka herbatic (KHB); and anti-HIV/AIDS medicines, Wabco (WAB), AD + T/AD (LIV) and Kantinka BA (KBA) on rat liver microsomal cytochrome P450 enzyme activities. Effects of medicines on rat biochemical and hematological parameters were also assessed. Generally, the medicines altered microsomal CYP1A1/1A2, CYP2B1/2B2, CYP2C9, and CYP2D6 activities. Only KBA elicited an increase (80%) in CYP1A1/1A2 activity. FEV, MAL, CHES, WAB, and LIV strongly inhibited the enzyme activity. All the medicines significantly inhibited CYP2C9 (24%-80%) activity. CYP2D6 activity increased after treatment with MAL, KBA, LIV, and TF. Also, MAL, WAB, LIV, KHB, and CHES increased CYP2B1/2B2 activity, while KT decrease the activity. Generally, the medicines altered liver function in the rats. Cholesterol levels declined after KBA treatment only. White and red blood cell counts, hemoglobin and hematocrit levels were significantly reduced in KT- and KBA-treated rats. Our results suggest that use of the medicines could have implications for drug interactions and safety, particularly if the medicines are administered over prolonged periods. Further investigations are imperative to establish clinical relevance of these results.Item Long-term continuous administration of a hydro-ethanolic extract of Synedrella nodiflora (L) Gaertn in male Sprague-Dawley rats: Biochemical, haematological and histo-pathological changes(Ghana Medical Journal, 2016-09) Amoateng, P.; Adjei, S.; Osei-Safo, D.; Ahedor, B.; Mahmood, S.A.; N’guessan, B.B.; Asiedu-Gyekye, I.J.; Nyarko, A.K.Background: Conflicting reports about the toxicity of Synedrella nodiflora (L) Gaertn (family Asteraceae), a plant traditionally used in Ghana for the management of epilepsy, abound in literature. The present study evaluates the effect of a 90-day continuous oral administration of a hydro-ethanolic whole plant extract of Synedrella nodiflora (SNE) in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Methods: The toxicological evaluation of the extract (100, 300 and 1000 mgkg-1) was focused on haematological, serum biochemical parameters and histopathological changes of some isolated organs. Results: The extract produced no mortality in the rats treated during the study period. Only SNE 100 mgkg-1 produced significant decrease in white blood cell and neutrophil counts and an increase in albumin, globulin, total bilirubin, total protein and potassium levels. The higher doses (SNE 300 and 1000 mgkg-1) had no significant effect on all the haematological and biochemical parameters measured. Histopathological assessment of the liver, kidney and heart revealed no abnormalities in rats treated with the extracts. Only the SNE 1000 mgkg-1 produced distortions of the branching arrangements of the myocardial fibres and a congested vessel which indicates a healed infarction. Conclusions: The findings suggest hydro-ethanolic extract of Synedrella nodiflora (L) Gaertn generally has a low toxicity profile following a 90-day continuous oral administration in male Sprague-Dawley rats under the present laboratory conditions. However patients with renal or cardiac problems should use the plant with caution.Item Serosurvey for equine piroplasms in horses and donkeys from North-Western Nigeria using IFAT and ELISA(Taylor & Francis Group, 2021) Onyiche, T.E.; Sivakumar, T.; Tuvshintulga, B.; Nugraha, A.B.; Ahedor, B.; Mofokeng, L.; Luka, J.; Mohammed, A.; Mbaya, A.W.; Biu, A.A.; Yokoyama, N.; Thekisoe, O.Equine piroplasmosis is caused by apicomplexan parasites, namely, Babesia caballi and Theileria equi, which are transmitted to equids principally through ticks. To ascertain the exposure of equines to agents of equine piroplasms, we tested serum samples collected from horses (n = 272) and donkeys (n = 170) in North-Western Nigeria for the presence of antibodies against B. caballi and T. equi using IFAT and ELISA. The seroprevalence of T. equi in the horses determined using IFAT and ELISA was 48.89% and 45.96%, respectively, while for B. caballi, it was 6.3% and 0.4%, respectively. For T. equi, the seroprevalence based on IFAT and ELISA results in donkeys was 14.1% and 2.9%, respectively, while for B. caballi, the seroprevalence was 2.4% and 0.6%, respectively, for ELISA and IFAT. Mixed infection detected in the horses using IFAT and ELISA was 5.5% and 0.4%, respectively, while no mixed infection was observed in the donkeys. The seroprevalence of T. equi was significantly (P < .0001) higher than that of B. caballi in both horses and donkeys. Comparatively, the IFAT detected a greater number of piroplasm seropositive animals than ELISA, indicating a difference in their diagnostic accuracy. Findings from this study confirm the existence of equine piroplasms in both horses and donkeys in North-Western Nigeria and highlights the need for robust and effective control measures against the disease.