The effects of varying ingredients combination and boiling time on total phenolic content, antioxidant activity, and antimicrobial properties of lemongrass-ginger tea.

This study was aimed at exploring the effect of varying lemongrass-ginger combinations, and boiling time on total phenolic contents (TPC), antioxidant activity, and antimicrobial efficacy of lemongrass-ginger tea. Lemongrass-ginger tea was produced by varying the percentage of lemongrass (25 %, 50 %, and 75 %) and boiling times (5, 10, and 15 min). The antioxidant activity of the lemongrass-ginger tea samples was investigated using the DPPH and ABTS assays whereas the TPC was determined using the Folin-Ciocalteau method.

Vikil Suppresses the Proliferation of Prostate Cancer (PC-3) Cells and Quenches Free Radicals In Vitro.

Vikil is an herbal formula produced in Ghana and is widely marketed as a product to boost immunity as well as for general well-being. However, the pharmacological effect of this herbal preparation has not been proven scientifically. Therefore, this study was aimed at investigating the antioxidative as well as the anti-prostate cancer effects of the product.

Elevation of free triiodothyronine (fT3) levels by Plasmodium falciparum independent of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in children with uncomplicated malaria.

Background: Malaria parasites have a devastating effect on the infected host. However, there is a paucity of data on the effect of Plasmodium falciparum on thyroid hormones.

Methods: This case-control study (1:1) involved children <16 years of age with uncomplicated malaria.

Exposure assessment and cancer risk characterization of aflatoxin M (AFM) through ingestion of raw cow milk in southern Ghana.

Milk and dairy products are the most important nutritional foods among all age groups. Aflatoxin M1 (AFM) contaminates milk and makes its consumption potentially dangerous. Infants are mostly at risk because they are typically fed as many as six and more times per day, which is indeed a disquieting concern.

Utilization of 18s ribosomal RNA LAMP for detecting Plasmodium falciparum in microscopy and rapid diagnostic test negative patients.

In this study, Plasmodium falciparum was detected in patients that were declared negative for malaria microscopy and rapid diagnostic test kit (mRDT), using Plasmodium 18s rRNA loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) technique. The main aim of this study was to assess the usefulness of LAMP assay for detecting pre-clinical malaria, when microscopy and mRDT were less sensitive. DNA was obtained from 100 μL of whole blood using the boil and spin method.

Aflatoxin M exposure in a fermented millet-based milk beverage 'brukina' and its cancer risk characterization in Greater Accra, Ghana.

Brukina is a millet based fermented milk product which is consumed as a beverage in Ghana. It is however prone to aflatoxin M (AFM) contamination, which is a serious health challenge for low and middle-income countries in subtropical regions. This study aimed at evaluating AFM levels and cancer risks associated with brukina (n = 150) sampled from different locations of the Greater Accra Region of Ghana.

Toxicogenic Fungi, Aflatoxins, and Antimicrobial Activities Associated with Some Spices and Herbs from Three Selected Markets in Ho Municipality, Ghana.

Spices and herbs are widely used food ingredients that enhance most organoleptic features of prepared foods. They are also used for medicinal and preservative purposes. Spices and herbs are potential carriers of bacteria, yeasts, and molds due to the nature of cultivation, harvest methods, storage conditions, packaging procedures, distribution, sale, and general handling.

Oxidative stress and associated clinical manifestations in malaria and sickle cell (HbSS) comorbidity.

In Ghana, uncomplicated malaria and sickle cell disease (SCD) is common, hence comorbidity is not farfetched. However, the extent of oxidative stress and the array of clinical manifestations in this comorbidity (presence of both malaria and SCD) has not been fully explored. This study highlights the impact of uncomplicated malaria on SCD.

Ecological and seasonal variations and other factors associated with clinical malaria in the Central Region of Ghana: A cross-sectional study.

Background: This study investigated malaria transmission under various contrasting settings in the Central Region, a malaria endemic region in Ghana.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in five randomly selected districts in the Central Region of Ghana. Three of the districts were forested, while the rest was coastal.

Antibiofilm Activity of and and Their Synergistic Effects in Combination with Antimicrobial Agents against Fluconazole-Resistant Strains and MRSA.

The rapid emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance has become a global public health concern that threatens the effective treatment of infectious diseases. One major approach adopted to overcome antimicrobial resistance is the use of plant extracts individually and/or with combination of antibiotics with plant extracts, which may lead to new ways of treating infectious diseases and essentially representing a potential area for further future investigations. In this study, the antifungal activities of leaf and flower extracts against fluconazole-resistant strains (isolated from pregnant women with vulvovaginal candidiasis) and anti-methicillin-resistant (MRSA) were evaluated by agar well diffusion, microdilution, and biofilm inhibition assays.

Evaluation of the Modulatory Effect of Extracts on the Activity of Some Selected Antibiotics against Biofilm-Forming MRSA.

The study investigated the influence of extracts on the action of selected antibiotics against biofilm-forming MRSA. The various parts of the plant were processed into powder and extracted with ethanol or hot water and then screened for the presence of phytochemicals. The modulatory effect of the extract was also tested on some antibiotics against Methicillin-resistant (MRSA).

Bioactive triterpenoids from Solanum torvum fruits with antifungal, resistance modulatory and anti-biofilm formation activities against fluconazole-resistant candida albicans strains.

Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is the second most common vaginal infection that affects women of reproductive age. Its increased occurrence and associated treatment cost coupled to the rise in resistance of the causative pathogen to current antifungal therapies has necessitated the need for the discovery and development of novel effective antifungal agents for the treatment of the disease. We report in this study the anti-Candida albicans activity of Solanum torvum 70% ethanol fruit extract (STF), fractions and some isolated compounds against four (4) fluconazole-resistant strains of C.

Exposure and risk characterizations of ochratoxins A and aflatoxins through maize (Zea mays) consumed in different agro-ecological zones of Ghana.

Mycotoxin contamination of foodstuffs is a serious food safety concern globally as the prolonged ingestion of these toxins has the tendency to worsen the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma. This study aimed at estimating ochratoxin A (OTA) and aflatoxin (AF) levels above international (European Food Safety Authority, EFSA) and local (Ghana Standards Authority, GSA) standards as well as the health risks associated with the consumption of maize (n = 180) sampled from six (6) regions representing the agro-ecological zones of Ghana. OTA and AF were measured with High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with a Fluorescence detector.

Evaluation of the Antidiarrheal and Antioxidant Effects of Some Chewing Sticks Commonly Used for Oral Hygiene in Ghana.

Microbial etiology of diarrhea is a significant cause of death, especially in children in developing countries. The presence of microbes that are resistant to current treatment options for diarrhea suggests the need to find newer antimicrobial agents for treatment. Therefore, this study focused on investigating the antimicrobial effect of some Ghanaian chewing sticks commonly used for oral hygiene, , and , against selected diarrhea-causing organisms.

Elemental minerals and microbial compositions as well as knowledge and perceptions regarding kaolin (clay) consumption by pregnant women in the Ho municipality of Ghana.

Introduction: Kaolin is a type of clay consumed mostly by women especially pregnant women of which the act of clay eating is termed geophagy. Different people use this type of clay for diverse purposes. Notwithstanding, most Ghanaians consume this clay out of cravings, taste and smell.

Vasodilatory effect of kaempferol-7-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside via NO-cGMP-PKG signaling.

Hypertension is one of the major causes of mortality. Though a host of drugs are available for the treatment of hypertension, majority have been linked to adverse side effects, necessitating the need for research into natural compounds with fewer side effects. Kaempferol-7-O-α-L-rhamnopyroside (KR) is a glycosylated flavone with neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects.

leaf extracts suppress pro-inflammatory adhesion response in human umbilical vein endothelial cells and proliferation of HeLa cells.

The objective of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects of the leaves of . The aqueous extract was examined for its anti-inflammatory effects on tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α-induced inflammation in HUVECs whereas the aqueous (water), ethyl acetate (EA), butanol (B) and methylene chloride (MC) extracts were examined for their anticancer effect on HeLa cells. The aqueous extract suppressed the (TNF)-α-induced expression of ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and TNF-R1 and attenuated the expression of MCP-1, MMP-9, NF-kB and IFN-.

Endothelium-dependent vasodilatory effect of Linn. water extract via PI3K/Akt signaling.

The objective of this study was to investigate the pharmacological effect of Linn. water extract (SCLWE) on vascular relaxation and its underlying biochemical mechanisms. Isolated rat aortic rings were pre-constricted with phenylephrine (PE).

In-vitro anticancer activity of green synthesized silver nanoparticles on MCF-7 human breast cancer cells.

In recent years, green synthesis of metallic nanoparticles is a growing area of research because of their potential applications in nanomedicine. In the present study we synthesized silver nanoparticles (silver NPs) from AgNO3 using aqueous extract of Lonicera hypoglauca flower as reducing and capping agents. The synthesized silver NPs were characterized using UV-Vis spectroscopy, FTIR, SEM-ED, TEM and SAED.

Characterization, antibacterial, antioxidant, and cytotoxic activities of ZnO nanoparticles using Coptidis Rhizoma.

Here, we report a simple, eco-friendly and inexpensive approach for the synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) using Coptidis Rhizoma. The ZnO NPs were characterized by UV-visible absorption spectroscopy, FTIR, SEM-EDX, TGA, TEM, SAED and XRD. TEM images confirmed the presence of spherical and rod shaped ZnO NPs in the range of 2.