Disregard of neurological impairments associated with neglected tropical diseases in Africa

Quansah, Emmanuel; Sarpong, Esther; Karikari, Thomas K.

doi:10.1016/j.ensci.2015.11.002

Cited by 13 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…Schistosomiasis is one of the high-priority neglected tropical diseases recognized by the WHO 1. This disease remains one of the most prevalent helminthic infections worldwide, as the number of people with active schistosome infections being likely between 391 and 587 million in 78 countries where schistosomiasis is endemic, with an estimated 12,000–200,000 deaths reported annually 2,3.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Eugenol, a potential schistosomicidal agent with anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic effects against Schistosoma mansoni, induced liver pathology

et al. 2019

IDR

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Introduction Schistosomiasis is one of the most prevalent parasitic infections in developing countries. Although chemotherapy is one of the main strategies in controlling the disease, it is less effective in reversal of schistosome-induced pathology especially in the chronic and advanced stages of schistosomiasis. New strategies and prospective therapeutic agents with antifibrotic effects are needed. Eugenol has a wide anti-inflammatory effect. In the present study, we investigated the possible antischistosomal effect of eugenol on Schistosoma mansoni . Materials and methods The murine model of S. mansoni was established in three groups of adult male Balb-c mice; group I (infected non-treated group) and groups II and III (infected groups) treated orally with eugenol and praziquantel (PZQ), respectively. The expression of the sensitive immunohistochemical marker α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in schistosome-infected tissues was determined. In addition, parasitological, biochemical, and histological parameters that reflect disease severity and morbidity were examined. Results Eugenol treatment showed significant reduction in total worm burden by 19.2%; however, the oogram pattern showed no marked difference compared to that of the PZQ group. Yet, eugenol significantly reduced the serum levels of hepatic enzymes: aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase. Histopathological examination revealed a significant reduction in both numbers and diameters of hepatic granulomata, which was consistent with reduction in collagen fiber deposition. Additionally, the antifibrotic effect of eugenol was validated by its considerable reduction in the expression of the sensitive marker α-SMA in both eugenol- and PZQ-treated groups. Conclusion Although eugenol could not totally eradicate adults of S. mansoni , the significant amelioration of liver enzymes and hepatic fibrosis potentiate eugenol’s role as a promising antifibrotic and a complementary antischistosomal agent.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Eugenol, a potential schistosomicidal agent with anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic effects against Schistosoma mansoni, induced liver pathology

et al. 2019

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“…Schistosomiasis is one of 17 top priority neglected tropical diseases recognised by the World Health Organization [ 1 ]. It is caused by blood flukes belonging to the genus Schistosoma and is a chronic illness common in humans living in underdeveloped tropical and subtropical countries in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and South America [ 2 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Antischistosomal and anti-inflammatory activity of garlic and allicin compared with that of praziquantel in vivo

Metwally

Al-Olayan

Alanazi

et al. 2018

BMC Complement Altern Med

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BackgroundSchistosomiasis is an acute and chronic zoonotic parasitic disease caused by trematode worms. The host inflammatory response to schistosome eggs leads to perioval granulomata formation, mainly in the liver and intestine. This study investigated the potential antischistosomal and anti-inflammatory activity of both garlic extract and allicin on liver fibrotic markers in BALB/c mice with schistosomiasis (S. mansoni infection) compared with that of the commonly used drug, praziquantel (PZQ).MethodsIn this study, 140 female BALB/c mice (7-weeks old) were divided into seven groups with 20 mice each. Six groups were infected with S. mansoni cercariae and treated with garlic, allicin, or PZQ. The seventh group was the negative control. Twenty-four hours after the final treatment, the mice were euthanised and perfused for worm recovery. The liver and intestines were harvested for parasitological and histological assessment and to analyse the proinflammatory cytokine mRNA expression.ResultsProphylactic administration of garlic and allicin to the infected mice significantly reduced the worm burden. Serum concentrations of liver fibrosis markers and proinflammatory cytokines were also reduced. PZQ was the most efficacious for reduction in the number of worms. These results are similar to those normally obtained using PZQ.ConclusionsCrushed garlic homogenate and allicin are potential complementary treatments that may be used with PZQ.

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“…Moreover, although little research attention has been paid to diseases such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and other psychotic disorders in Africa, some studies have shown that schizophrenia is a major psychiatric diagnosis leading to in-patient admissions on these continents [3–6]. In addition, the CNS/PNS disease burden in Africa is exacerbated by the numerous but understudied neurological impairments associated with common tropical diseases such as the neglected tropical diseases [7].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Medicinal Plants Used in the Treatment of Mental and Neurological Disorders in Ghana

Amoateng

Quansah

Karikari

et al. 2018

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine

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Ethnopharmacological Relevance Mental and neurological disorders are a serious public health challenge globally, particularly in developing countries where cultural factors and limited access to standard healthcare have led to a reliance on traditional medicines. However, ethnopharmacological characterization of traditional medicines used to treat these diseases is lacking. In this study, an ethnobotanical description of plant species used in treating mental and neurological disorders in Ghana and an update of their experimentally validated pharmacological relevance are provided. Materials and Methods Two hundred herbalists agreed to participate but sixty-six specialized in treating mental and neurological disorders were interviewed on their traditional medical practice. Literature review was conducted to verify the experimentally validated pharmacological importance of the reported plants. Results Thirty-two plant species belonging to twenty-eight families were identified. Most plant species had either analgesic (50%), anxiolytic (18.8%), or anticonvulsant (15.6%) properties. Others had reported sedative, anti-Alzheimer's disease, motor coordination, antipsychotic, antidepressant, cognitive enhancement, and neuroprotective properties. While Ageratum conyzoides L. (Asteraceae) and Ocimum gratissimum L. (Lamiaceae) were the most commonly mentioned species with analgesic properties, Lantana camara L. (Verbenaceae) was the most-reported anxiolytic product, with Cymbopogon citratus DC. (Gramineae), Mangifera indica L., Tetrapleura tetraptera Schum Taub. (Fabaceae), and Persea Americana Mill (Lauraceae) being the most studied anticonvulsants. Conclusions This study provides the first report specifically on medicinal plants used in treating mental and neurological disorders in Ghana. Most of the identified plants have been scientifically confirmed to possess neuro- and psychopharmacological properties and may serve as templates for drug development.

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Disregard of neurological impairments associated with neglected tropical diseases in Africa

Cited by 13 publications

References 17 publications

<p>Eugenol, a potential schistosomicidal agent with anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic effects against <em>Schistosoma mansoni</em>, induced liver pathology</p>

<p>Eugenol, a potential schistosomicidal agent with anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic effects against <em>Schistosoma mansoni</em>, induced liver pathology</p>

Antischistosomal and anti-inflammatory activity of garlic and allicin compared with that of praziquantel in vivo

Medicinal Plants Used in the Treatment of Mental and Neurological Disorders in Ghana

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