O. C. Adumanya ¹, O. B. Odeghe ², A. A. Uwakwe ², F. C. Onwuka ², E. C. Ebiringa ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Imo State Polytechnic, Umuagwo, Imo State, NG
2 Department of Biochemistry, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, NG

Abstract

Malaria is one of the most serious health challenges facing the world today. It is a disease caused by plasmodium. Successful malarial control depends greatly on treatment with effective anti-malarial drugs. Countries have implemented many national malarial treatment policy, which specifies drugs for treatment of both uncomplicated and severe malaria in pregnancy and what to do if first line treatment fails. This investigation is based on the antiplasmodial effects of Metaprim and Alaxin on some selected supplements such as grape juice, orange juice, supermalt and vitamin C. 80 patients (adults) infected with malaria parasites were chosen for this study. After which the anti-malarial drugs and the supplements were co-administered appropriately for 3 days. The result shows that the concomitant administration of the drugs with the multivitamin (super-malt) did not alter the efficacy and potency of the drugs, while grape juice, orange juice and vitamin C altered the efficacy and potency of the drugs. Therefore, the concomitant administration of these anti-malarial drugs with grape juice, orange juice and vitamin C as supplements should be avoided during the period of malaria treatment for the efficacy of drugs.

Keywords

Antiplasmodial ,Alaxin, Metaprim, Plasmodium, Supplements

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A. U. Ezirim ¹, V. I. Okachi ¹, A. B. James ¹, O. A. Adebeshi ², S. Ogunnowo ¹, O. B. Odeghe ³

Affiliations
1 Department of Biochemistry, University of Lagos, Akoka, NG
2 Department of Cell biology, University of Lagos, Akoka, NG
3 Department of Biochemistry, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, NG

Abstract

Prevalence of cancer, especially in Nigeria, is silently growing at exponential rates due to its nature and numerous risk factors associated with its development. Most chemotherapeutic drugs used today are expensive and toxic to normal cells, hence the need for alternative treatment options. In this present study, the efficacy of ethanolic extracts of Annona muricata leaves for its cytotoxicity potential and induction of apoptosis in K562 cancer cells, was investigated. Phytochemical screening verified presence of alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, saponins, anthraquinones and cardiac glycosides. Using Neutral red uptake assay, the ethanolic extract showed peak cytotoxicity levels (PAnnona muricata induced apoptosis in the myelogenous leukemic K562 cell line. This supports the therapeutic application of Annona muricata to be considered as a natural product source for the development of pro-apoptotic drugs.

Keywords

Apoptosis, K562 Cells, Annona Muricata

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