Browsing by Author "Acheampong, Akwasi"

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    Assessment of Mercury Levels in Omega-3 Food Supplements Available on the Ghanaian Market
    (Asian Journal of Applied Sciences (ISSN: 2321 – 0893), 2014-10-05) Acheampong, Akwasi; Darko, Godfred; Apau, Joseph; Oti-Boakye, Adolf; 0000-0001-7157-646X
    As a measure to prevent cardiovascular diseases and enhance in-utero development of the foetus, adequate omega-3 intake has been recommended. This has led to the manufacture of omega-3 supplements by various pharmaceutical companies and these products have flooded the market. Coldwater fishes are the primary sources of the omega-3 food supplements but these fishes are known to have high levels of mercury in them. There is therefore the potential of mercury poisoning in the course of people taking the omega-3 food supplements. Mercury levels in ten products of Omega-3 food supplements have been determined in order to ascertain their safety for human consumption. The mean mercury levels determined for the ten brands were 0.0170.003 µg/g, 0.093 0.002 µg/g, 0.0210.003 µg/g, 0.2730.005 µg/g, 0.1230.004 µg/g, 0.06580.001 µg/g, 0.0180.005 µg/g, 0.0260.008 µg/g, 0.4280.002 µg/g, 0.4280.002 µg/g, 0.0290.004 µg/g. All the levels of mercury determined were within the acceptable limits stipulated by Food and Agriculture Organization and World Health Organization, and therefore do not pose any health threat to consumers.
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    Bioavailability of locally manufactured co-trmoxazole tablets
    (2005.) Acheampong, Akwasi
    Pertinent bioavailability and bioequivalent data are required by Pharmacist, Physicians, and others who prescribe, dispense or purchase drug products. This is because a plethora of drug products containing the same amount of active ingredients have flooded the Ghanaian market. The bioequivalence of generic co-trimoxazole and reference (Septrin- GlaxoWeilcome) was compared in six healthy subjects in a crossover design using the amount of the unchanged sulphamethoxazole excreted in urine over 24 hours. The generic product was from Phyto-Riker (GIHOC). It was designated in the study as S. The reference product was designated as R and it was purchased from S. K. Osei Pharmacy, a retail pharmacy shop at Adehyeman Gardens opposite the Methodist Book Depot in Kumasi. ln vitro dissolution test was also carried out. With reference to the product R, the relative bioavailability of product S was 109.23. An HPLC method for determining accurately and precisely sulphamethoxazole in urine was tried and used. Phermacokinetic variables that were tested to characterize bioequivalence were the mean cumulative amount of unchanged sulphamethoxazole excreted, the mean peak rate of urinary excretion, and the time for peak urinary excretion. In order to ensure that any difference observed in the in vivo study among the products were not due to sample identity and formulation factors, pharmacopoeial identification tests, uniformity of weight, friability and hardness tests, dissolution and percent content assay were performed on all the drug products. For all tested products, the results of sample identification, uniformity of weight, dissolution, friability test and hardness test as well as percent content assays were within acceptable limits of BP 2000 and USP XXII (1980). Pharmacokinetic variables tested showed no significant difference between the products S and R. The generic product was therefore fully bioequivalent with the reference product. An HPLC separation and resolution could be achieved with a mobile phase combination of ethanol and 70% ammonium perchiorate ( 95 : 5) on a reversed phase column at ambient temperature. Elution was socratic with UV detection wavelength of 254nrn Internal standard calibration method was used for quantification with Salicylic acid as the internal standard. Mean retention times for trimethoprim, sulphamethoxazole and salicylic acid were 3.4 ± 0.125 mm, 3.8 ± 0.075 mm, and 4.5 ± 0.125 mm respectively. Assaying the two products with the new HPLC method and the official BP 2000 method yielded t-values of 1.52 and 0.858 in test and reference respectively. This means these two methods were comparable at 95% confidence level. Also the percentage content each of active ingredient in test and reference samples by both methods fell within acceptable limits of BP 2000 and the USP-XXII (1980) limit.
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    “Hydroethanol extract and triterpenoids of Senegalia ataxacantha show antiplasmodial activity and the compounds are predicted to inhibit parasite lactate dehydrogenase (pfLDH) as indicated by molecular docking studies”
    (Elsevier, 2024-10) Baah, Kennedy Ameyaw; Acheampong, Akwasi; Amponsah, Isaac Kingsley; Adjei, Silas; Jibira, Yakubu; Nketia, Nketia; Sarpong, Linda Mensah; Kontoh, Emmanuel Quaye; 0000-0003-2481-1126
    Malaria claims over 600,000 deaths annually with a disproportionately high burden in the WHO African Region. The development of parasite resistance has warranted the search for novel anti plasmodial drug candidates. This research aimed at validating the efficacy of Senegalia atax acantha and tracking down its bioactive constituents. In vivo antiplasmodial activity of the extract was assessed using suppressive and curative protocols. Yeast-induced pyrexia was employed to evaluate the antipyretic activity of the extract. In vitro anti-plasmodial activity of isolated compounds was done using SYBR green I fluorescence assay on chloroquine sensitive (3D7) and resistant (Dd2) strains of P falciparum. In silico pharmacokinetic and interactions with parasites lactate dehydrogenase predictions of isolated compounds was conducted through molecular docking studies. Ethanol (70 %) extract of the plant showed in vitro and in vivo anti-plasmodial effect. The extract demonstrated significant (p < 0.05) dose-dependent suppression of 63.39 % and 63.32 % respectively at the highest dose (300 mg kg-1). Artesunate (4 mg kg-1/day) had considerably better curative potential (85.25%). The compounds showed in vitro anti-plasmodial activity in the order lupeol> friedelin/ friedelinol mixture>friedelin>β-sitosterol based on IC50 measurement. Friedelinol and lupeol exhibited higher binding affinities with pfLDH compared to Chloroquine. The extract and acetaminophen (positve control) showed significant (p < 0.05) reduction in rectal temperature compared to the control group. In silico studies of the compounds revealed moderate interactions with some cytochrome P450 metabolizing enzymes.
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    In vitro anthelminthic and anti-inflammatory activities, and GC-MS analysis of methanol and acetone extracts of Mareya micrantha leaves
    (Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, 2024-03) Acheampong, Akwasi; Quartey, Emmanuel; Acquaye, Maud Adoley; Naazo, Abdulai A; Baah, Kennedy Ameyaw; Amankwaa, Lydia Tima; Buah, Patrick; Frimpong, Silas Ofori; 0000-0003-2481-1126
    Mareya micrantha, a medicinal plant, is used to treat pains, wounds, worm infestations and gastrointestinal disorders. The aim of this research was to investigate the anthelmintic and anti-inflammatory properties of the methanol and acetone extracts of Mareya micrantha leaves. Phytochemical screening was performed using standard methods with GC-MS used for the identification of the phytochemicals. Egg albumen denaturation was used for the determination of the anti-inflammatory (in vitro) activities of the extracts. Anthelmintic activity (in vitro) of the extracts was investigated against Millsonia ghanensis. Phytochemical investigation revealed the presence of phenols, terpenoids, polyphenols, flavonoids, tannins, steroids, saponins, and glycosides. Twenty phytochemicals, most of which have known bioactivities, were identified for each extract with five being common to them, and they are n-hexadecanoic acid, Tributyl acetyl citrate, hexadecanoic acid methyl ester, 3, 7, 11, 15-tetramethyl-2-hexadecen-1-ol, and 2, 2, 4-trimethyl-3-(3, 8, 12, 16-tetramethyl-heptadeca-3, 7, 11, 15-tetraethyl)-cyclohexanol. The extracts had anti-inflammatory activity. The anthelmintic activity of the extracts was significantly higher than mebendazole-treated helminths. The outcome of this study points to the fact that Mareya micrantha could be exploited as a source of potential drug candidates against helminthic and microbial infection as well as inflammation and oxidative stress.
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    In vitro antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-helminthic activities and GC-MS analysis of fractions of the leaves of Aspilia silphioides
    (Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, 2024-08) Acheampong, Akwasi; Buah, Patrick; Oti-Boakye, Adolf; 0000-0003-2481-1126
    The leaves of Aspilia silphioides are effective for wound healing, stomach aches, headaches, worm infestations, and birth control. The purpose of this study was to determine the phytochemical components of the bulked fractions of A. silphioides and evaluate the antimicrobial, anti-helminthic, and antioxidant activities of various solvent fractions. Standard methods were employed for the phytochemical screening. The methanol extract was fractionated and bulked to obtain bulked fractions A, B, C and D. The bulked fractions contained phytoconstituents including tannins, flavonoids, phenolics, steroids, polyphenols, phytosterols, and terpenoids. GC-MS analysis of the fractions revealed various compounds including 9-octadecenamide, O-methyl- (+)-a-tocopherol, and a-Amyrin as being present in the bulked fractions. The IC50 of the fractions B, C, D and the reference drug with regards to the DPPH scavenging activity were 15.47±0.61 μg/mL, 28.16 ±0.61 μg/mL, 19.62 ±0.61 μg/mL, and 40.29±0.62 μg/mL respectively. At 20 μg/mL, the paralysis and death time for both fraction C and Mebendazole drug were 19.45±0.15 min, 31.60±18 min, and 52.06±2.89min, 82.03±47.37min respectively. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of fractions A, C, and D against the tested organisms were 25±0.01-50±0.01 mg/mL, 6.25±0.02-25±0.01 mg/mL, and 12.5±0.01-25±0.01 mg/mL respectively. The minimum bactericidal concentrations of fractions A, C, and D against the tested organisms were 25±0.01-50±0.01 mg/mL, 6.25±0.01-25±0.01 mg/mL, and 12.5±0.01-50±0.02 mg/mL respectively. The bulked fractions of the methanol extracts of Aspilia silphioides possess antioxidant, anti-helminthic, and antimicrobial activities.
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    Repellency Potential, Chemical Constituents of Ocimum Plant Essential Oils, and Their Headspace Volatiles against Anopheles gambiae s. s., Malaria Vector
    (Hindawi, 2023-04) Acheampong, Akwasi; Osei-Owusu, Jonathan; Heve, William K.; Aidoo, Owusu Fordjour; Opoku, Maxwell Jnr; Apau, Joseph; Dadzie, Kodwo Ninsin; Vigbedor, Bright Yaw; Awuah-Mensah, Kwaafo Akoto; Appiah, Margaret; Birkett, Michael; Hooper, Antony; 0000-0003-2481-1126
    African malaria mosquitoes (Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto) transmit a malaria parasite (Plasmodium falciparum) to humans. )ecurrent control strategies for the vector have mainly focussed on synthetic products, which negatively impact the environment and human health. Given the potential use of environmentally friendly plant-derived volatiles as a control, this work aims to examine and compare the repellency potential of essential oils and headspace volatiles from Ocimum gratissimum, Ocimum tenui2orum, and Ocimum basilicum and their chemical compositions. )e repellency potential and chemical composition of the plants were achieved by using the protected arm-in-cage method and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. Among the three Ocimum species, both the essential oils and the headspace volatiles from O. tenui2orum achieved the longest repellency time lengths of 90–120 minutes. One hundred and one (101) chemical constituents were identi6ed in the headspace volatiles of the three Ocimum spp. Nonetheless, (−)-camphor, (E)-c-bisabolene, terpinolene, 4-chamigrene, cubedol, (E)-farnesol, germacrene D-4-ol, viridi9orol, c-eudesmol, tetracyclo [6.3.2.0 (2,5).0(1,8)] tridecan-9-ol, 4,4-dimethyl, 5-eudesmol, isolongifolol, and endo-borneol were unique only to O. tenui2orum headspace volatiles. Either essential oils or headspace volatiles from O. tenui2orum could o>er longer protection time length to humans against An. gambiae. )ough 6eld studies are needed to assess the complementarity between the chemical constituents in the headspace volatiles of O. tenui2orum, our observations provide a foundation for developing e>ective repellents against An. gambiae.