BackgroundWith nearly 15 million annual preterm births globally, preterm birth is the most common cause of neonatal death. Forty to 60 % of neonatal deaths are directly or indirectly associated with preterm mortality. As countries aim to meet the Sustainable Development Goals to reduce neonatal mortality, significant reductions in preterm mortality are needed. This study aims to identify the common causes of preterm illness and their contribution to preterm mortality in low-resource settings. This article will describe the methods used to undertake the study.MethodsThis is a prospective, multi-centre, descriptive clinical study. Socio-demographic, obstetric, and maternal factors, and clinical and laboratory findings will be documented. The major causes of preterm mortality will be identified using clinical, laboratory, imaging, and autopsy methods and use the national Ethiopian guidelines on management of preterm infants including required investigations to reach final diagnoses. The study will document the clinical and management protocols followed in these settings. The approach consists of clinical examinations and monitoring, laboratory investigations, and determination of primary and contributory causes of mortality through both clinical means and by post-mortem examinations. An independent panel of experts will validate the primary and contributory causes of mortality.To obtain the estimated sample size of 5000 preterm births, the study will be undertaken in five hospitals in three regions of Ethiopia, which are geographically distributed across the country. All preterm infants who are either born or transferred to these hospitals will be eligible for the study. Three methods (last menstrual period, physical examination using the New Ballard Score, and ultrasound) will be used to determine gestational age.All clinical procedures will be conducted per hospital protocol and informed consent will be taken from parents or caretakers prior to their participation in the study as well as for autopsy if the infant dies.DiscussionThis study will determine the major causes of death and illness among hospitalized preterm infants in a low-resource setting. The result will inform policy makers and implementers of areas that can be prioritized in order to contribute to a significant reduction in neonatal mortality.

Cordia africana Lam (Boraginaceae) is widely used in Ethiopian folk medicine for the treatment of different types of liver disorders. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the hepatoprotective effects of an aqueous (CAAE), 80% methanol extracts of C. africana stem bark (CAME), and the solvent fractions of the methanol extract against acetaminophen (APAP)-induced liver injury in rats. Acute toxicity test and APAP-induced lethality test were done on mice of either sex, while APAP dose selection test was done on female rats. Male rats were used for hepatoprotective experiments and the liver injury was induced using 2 g/kg APAP given orally. Serum levels of the liver enzymes and total bilirubin (TB), as well as lipid profiles, were determined. Histopathological examination of the liver tissues was also conducted to confirm the findings of biochemical analysis. Intraperitoneal (i.p.) sodium pentobarbital (SPB)-induced sleeping duration was also used to determine the protective effect of the test substances. Oral administration of APAP resulted in a significant increase in serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), TB, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), total cholesterol (TC), and triglycerides (TGs) and decrease in serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Administration of the standard drug, silymarin 100 mg/kg, extracts at doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg and fractions at the dose of 400 mg/kg reversed the serum levels of all parameters to normal. CAME exerted a significant dose-dependent hepatoprotective effect in terms of ALT and AST, while CAAE significant dose-dependent hepatoprotective effect was in terms of AST, ALP, and TGs. The protective effect of the extracts and fractions was also confirmed by histopathological investigations and SPB-induced sleeping time. From the results of the present study, it can be concluded that C. africana stem bark aqueous, 80% methanol crude extracts, and solvent fractions of the methanol extract showed hepatoprotective effects.

Background The leaves of V. auriculifera has been used traditionally for the treatment of inflammatory disorders, and pain in various parts of Ethiopia. However, to our knowledge, the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity of the crude extract and solvent fractions has never been experimentally studied. Objective To assess the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of V. auriculifera leaf extract and solvent fractions in rodent models. Material and methods Air-dried leaves of V. auriculifera were grounded and macerated using 80% methanol. The air-dried, grounded leaves were also successively extracted with ethyl acetate, and methanol. The residue was then macerated in water for 72 hr. The extract’s peripheral analgesic activity, as well as the solvent fractions, were determined using an acetic acid-induced writhing test. The hot plate model was used to assess the central analgesic effect. Carrageenan-induced hind paw edema and cotton pellet-induced granuloma models were used to assess the anti-inflammatory effect in rats. Results The 80% methanol leaf extract and solvent fractions have demonstrated significant (p < 0.05) peripheral and central analgesic activity. Both 80% methanol leaf extract and solvent fractions of V. auriculifera were found to have anti-inflammatory activity in a carrageenan-induced rat paw edema model. In the cotton pellet-induced granuloma model, all concentrations of 80% methanol leaf extract (ME), methanol fraction (MEF), and aqueous fractions (AQF) of V. auriculifera inhibited exudate and granuloma formation. Although all tested doses significantly inhibited granuloma mass formation, only the medium and highest ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) doses significantly inhibited the generation of inflammatory exudate. Conclusion This study’s findings indicate that the solvent fractions and 80% methanol extract of V. auriculifera have analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. This study’s findings not only confirm the plants’ traditional claim but also provide clues for further investigation of the active principles of this plant for the development of effective and safe analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs.

Background The leaves of Vernonia auriculifera (Asteraceae) have traditionally been used to treat wounds in several regions of Ethiopia. The purpose of this study was to assess the wound healing properties of the leaf extract and solvent fractions of V. auriculifera in mice. The leaf extract and solvent fractions of V. auriculifera have also been evaluated for their anti-oxidant properties because of their impact on the wound healing process. Material and Methods Air-dried leaves were extracted using 80% methanol. They were also successively fractionated with n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and methanol. The residue was then macerated in water for 72 hr. Simple ointment bases were formulated according to British Pharmacopoeia. Thereafter, two types of ointment formulations, 2.5% w/w and 5% w/w, were formulated. Wound healing and acute dermal toxicity studies were performed on mice. To assess free radical scavenging activity, a 2,2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free radical (DPPH) assay was performed. Results In both models, wounds treated with 2.5% and 5% (w/w) of the ME, the aqueous fraction (AQF), methanol fraction (MEF), and ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) ointments demonstrated significant wound healing activity, as shown by enhanced wound contraction, a shortened epithelialization time, increased hydroxyproline content, and enhanced tissue breaking strength. The extract and solvent fractions displayed free radical scavenging activity with IC50 values of 1.2 mg/mL, 1.46 mg/mL, 1.5 mg/mL, and 2.83 mg/mL for ME, AQF, MEF, and EAF, respectively, as compared to 1.42 mg/mL for ascorbic acid. Conclusion The result of this study indicates that 80% of methanol extract and solvent fractions are endowed with wound healing activity. Additionally, this study has also revealed that ME, AQF, MEF, and EAF have the capacity to scavenge free radicals. The study indicated that the wound healing effect could be attributed to the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities.

In Ankober, Northern Ethiopia, Rosmarinus officinalis has been commonly used for flavoring foods as a condiment; moreover, the plant has also been widely used for different medicinal purposes. The current study was undertaken to provide data on acute and subacute toxicity in mice as well as skin irritation of R. officinalis essential oil in rabbit. Acute dermal and oral toxicity tests were conducted using limited dose of 2000 mg/kg. In sub-acute study, 1000 mg/kg were given by gavage to mice for 28 consecutive days. The mice were weighed and various observations like mortality, behavior, injury, or any signs of illness were conducted once daily during the study period. At the end of each study, biochemical parameters were evaluated and kidney and liver were taken after sacrifice for gross findings and histological analyses. For dermal toxicity, 10% ointment formulation of oils was applied on the rabbit skin to evaluate whether the animals sustained significant skin damage. The LD 50 of R. officinalis essential oil for both dermal and oral administration is greater than 2000 mg/kg. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) observed in the body weights, biochemical parameters, and gross abnormalities, as compared to the control in subacute study. No mortality was recorded. Pathological studies showed that there were no any macroscopic changes in kidneys and liver and all of them have normal appearance. The data of acute skin irritation test demonstrated that 10% R. officinalis oils ointment formulation did not induce acute toxicity in the skin of the animals. Overall, the findings of this study indicate that R. officinalis essential oil is non-toxic.