ABSTRACT Rapid urbanization has resulted into substantial increase in quantities of sewage, which is traditionally discharged into the ocean, causing a number of environmental problems including threats to oceanic lives as well as ground water contamination. So far, there is limited data in Kenya regarding the toxic effects of sewage on benthic organisms. The aim of this study was to investigate the biogeochemical effects of sewage pollution on the mollusc Nerita polita by determining its im...
ABSTRACT Tsetse flies (Glossina sp) are the vector of African trypanosomes, the causative agents of sleeping sickness in man and Nagana in cattle. The insect is strictly hematophagous, taking in significantly high quantities of water during bloodmeals that present a considerable osmotic challenge. This necessitates machinery for eliminating excess water. One potential candidate is a group of membrane channel proteins called aquaporins (AQPs) that are responsible for the movement of water acr...
ABSTRACT Antioxidants are chemical substances that inhibit oxidation (oxidation is a chemical reaction that can produce free radicals, leading to a chain reaction that may damage cells or other molecules) Free radicals are reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species generated by our bodies naturally during normal metabolic functions. If free radicals overwhelm the body ability to regulate them, a condition known as oxidative stress ensues. Oxidative stress leads to the destruction o...
ABSTRACT Solanum incanum, Craterostigma pumilum and Euclea divinorum have been used for generations as folklore medicine for various ailments associated with pain and inflammation in humans in Kenya. However, there is scarcity of data on scientific studies done on their effectiveness, modes of action, toxicity and their phytochemical composition. The aims of this study was to evaluate the antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic potential of these plants crude extracts, to determine...
ABSTRACT Among human parasitic diseases, malaria is the most important and it has global incidence of 300 to 500 million cases per year with about 1.5 million deaths among African children. Recently the disease has been subjected to massive control efforts with varying degrees of success. The development of parasite and vector resistance to conventional drugs and insecticides has complicated both treatment and control today. The main goal of this project was to identify viable phytomedicines ...
ABSTRACT Prunus africana (Hook.f.) is an evergreen tree that grows in African mountains. The species’ bark and bark extracts are used for the treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia. The pharmacological efficacy of the extracts is said to be due to synergistic effect of several compounds such as phytosterols, pentacyclic triterpenoids and ferulic acid esters. High demand for the bark and bark extracts has led to over-exploitation of natural population of the species. As a result, P. africa...
ABSTRACT Malaria remains a major public health problem affecting an estimated 40% of the world’s population and resulting in more than 650,000 deaths worldwide every year. The emergence and rapid spread of parasite resistance to affordable, easy to use and widely available anti-malarial drugs such as chloroquine and sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) has prompted many countries in endemic areas to switch to the more effective artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs). To mitigate against...
ABSTRACT Diabetes mellitus is a glucose metabolism disorder that has become an issue of public health concern in Kenya today. Conventional drugs used in management of the disease are unaffordable to the general populace and are associated with many undesirable side effects. Locally made herbal extracts are cheap and readily available but proper scientific study has not been conducteed on most medicinal plants to validateK their efficacy and safety. M. indica, E. schlechterianum (Loes.) Loes....
ABSTRACT Schistosomiasis is a tropical disease caused by worms in the genus Schistosoma. It remains one of the most prevalent parasitic infections and has significant economic and public health consequences. Despite having an effective chemotherapeutic drug, praziquantel, there is still need for a vaccine since the immediate manifestations in most people are negligible or indeterminate. Several antigens have been tested as vaccine candidates with largely disappointing results. Both rodents a...
ABSTRACT Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic diseases characterized by high blood sugar levels that result from defects in insulin secretion, or action, or both. The disorder completely throws the metabolism of dietary carbohydrates, lipids and proteins into disarray. This condition in its fully developed form is characterized by high blood sugar level (hyperglycemia), glycosuria, increased protein breakdown, ketosis and acidosis. Diabetes is a chronic medical condition which can be co...
ABSTRACT Various diseases and injuries are always presented with pain, fever and inflammation. These are considered as symptoms associated with various pathological processes in an animal body. Drugs that are used to alleviate pain, fever and inflammation such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs exhibit adverse effects for example cardiac abnormalities, peptic ulcers, liver toxicity and kidney failure. Therefore, there is need to come up with alternative remedies. Herbal medicines are de...
ABSTRACT Acetaminophen is amongst the most widely used over the counter analgesic and antipyretic agent. Its acceptance is attributed to its efficacy and a high safety margin. An oral dose of 325-650 mg/kg is recommended for use. However, over dosage is responsible to half of the reported cases of acute liver failure. So there is need to explore on alternative therapy as the current treatment using N-acetyl cysteine is encountered with severe side effects such as seizures, intracranial hypote...
ABSTRACT Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic diseases characterized by high blood sugar levels that result from defects in insulin secretion, or action, or both. The disorder completely throws the metabolism of dietary carbohydrates, lipids and proteins into disarray. This condition in its fully developed form is characterized by high blood sugar level (hyperglycemia), glycosuria, increased protein breakdown, ketosis and acidosis. Diabetes is a chronic medical condition which can be con...
ABSTRACT Prosopis juliflora (Mathenge) is an exotic, evergreen leguminous plant found in the dry Coastal, Rift Valley and Northern parts of Kenya. It is tolerant to extreme environmental conditions, declared a deleterious weed in Kenya and is among top 100 most invasive species worldwide. The species leaves and pod extracts have promising pharmacological properties and have been used in treatment of various illnesses traditionally. However, information on toxicity of these extracts in animals...
ABSTRACT Acacia nilotica, Urtica dioica, Aloe volkensii and Cynanchum viminale have been used to manage several diseases including pain, inflammation and fever. However, their efficacy has not been scientifically validated. The aim of this study therefore is to investigate the antinociceptive, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory activities of their aqueous extracts. The plant materials were collected from Loita division, Narok County in Kenya. A total of 240 albino mice with an average weight ...