African Journal of Pharmacy and Alternative Medicine

Antifungal activity and synergism of Allium sativum, Zingiber officinale, and Citrus limon peel essential oils against Tinea capitis

Alvin W. Karani — 2024-07-02

The burden of Tinea infections, common dermatologic fungal diseases remain high globally, especially in Africa. This is sustained mainly by emergence of resistance to current antifungal drugs in use. Alternative treatment and preventive measures need to be sought in order to eradicate these infections. Antifungal activity and synergism of garlic in combination with ginger and lemon peel essential oils against Tinea capitis is assessed using inhibition assays. Ginger, lemons and garlic samples were randomly collected from Nakuru town market in Nakuru County, Kenya. They were identified by a botanist and then extracted and, analyzed. Antifungal activity against Tinea capitis and synergism among extracts was assessed by the disk diffusion method and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), respectively. The average essential oil yield for ginger, lemon, and garlic was 22%, 20% and 16%, respectively. Ginger, lemon and garlic essential oils depicted a comparable antifungal activity against Tinea capitis isolates (P value > 0.05). The combined essential oils formulation of ginger, lemon and garlic showed the highest activity compared to single extracts (P > 0.05). The MIC for the combined essential oils was 6.25 mg/ml. A combination of the three extracts act in synergy against the Tinea isolates. The rate of inhibition was directly proportional to the concentration of the extracts. Ginger, lemon and garlic are sources of molecules that act in synergy in controlling the Tinea spp infections. They can be leveraged to support the Ministry of health in achieving its universal healthcare goal.

Formulation and Assessment of a Ricinus communis Leaf Extract-Based Shampoo for the Treatment of Tinea capitis

Victor Kiprotich — 2024-07-02

Tinea capitis, a dermatophytic fungal infection affecting the scalp, represents a significant global public health concern, with particular prominence in regions characterized by limited economic resources. Unlike antibacterial medications, the options for antimicrobial treatments targeting fungal infections are relatively scarce. Furthermore, several of the existing antifungal compounds have been shown to be hazardous, chemically unstable and have poor pharmacologic properties. Therefore, it is imperative to explore alternative therapeutic avenues, particularly those derived from traditional medicinal practices and herbal compounds that have demonstrated antifungal efficacy in laboratory settings. This study aimed to formulate and evaluate a shampoo containing Ricinus communis leaf extract as an adjunctive therapy for Tinea capitis using a laboratory-based experimental design. Ricinus communis leaves were harvested from Kabarak University botanical gardens, dried and ground into coarse powder, followed by Soxhlet extraction with methanol. The extract was concentrated to dryness and used in formulation of a shampoo. The shampoo was evaluated for color intensity, clarity, fluidity, ability to produce foam, homogeneity and odor. The in vitro antifungal activity on fungal isolate of Microsporum canis species that cause Tinea capitis was performed to demonstrate the inhibitory effects of the prepared shampoo and the methanolic extract at 100%, 50% and 25% concentrations. Ketoconazole 2% shampoo was used as a positive control. The quantitative bioassay was performed using disk diffusion method. The results showed that the methanol extract and the formulated shampoo have inhibitory effect against Microsporum canis. There was no statistical difference in zone of inhibition caused by the formulated shampoo with that caused by 2% ketoconazole shampoo (P-value = 0.59957; P-value > 0.05). Therefore, the prepared shampoo demonstrated remarkable antifungal activity against the Microsporum canis sample that is comparable to 2% ketoconazole shampoo highlighting its significance as an adjuvant therapeutic alternative for the treatment of Tinea capitis

Evaluation of Counterfeit Antimalarial Drug Awareness and Knowledge Among Pharmacy Attendants in Nairobi County, Kenya

Austine Juma Maima — 2024-07-02

Malaria presents a significant health challenge in sub-Saharan Africa, leading to an increased demand for antimalarial drugs. However, the global prevalence of counterfeit drugs, estimated at 10%, jeopardizes treatment efficacy, resulting in an annual economic loss of $75 billion. In Kenya, the accessibility of antimalarials, particularly through pharmacies, exacerbates this issue. This study sought to address knowledge gaps on counterfeit antimalarials among pharmacy attendants in Nairobi County. Utilizing a cross-sectional descriptive survey, the research evaluated awareness levels of counterfeit antimalarial drugs among pharmacy attendants. The study involved five subsections, focusing on pharmacy professionals engaged in antimalarial sales, with a sample size of 251 determined using Cochran’s formula. Data collection methods included questionnaires, and observation checklist. Instrument validity was ensured through a pre-test analysis, and reliability was assessed via training and a test-retest approach. Data analysis, performed using Microsoft Excel and SPSS, incorporates ANOVA at a 95% significance level. Surveying 251 pharmacy attendants in Nairobi revealed a slightly higher distribution of males (52.2%) than females (47.8%), primarily aged 18-24 (51%), holding TVET qualifications (60.2%), with an average work experience of four years (30.7%). Community pharmacies dominated (61.8%), and pharmaceutical technologists constitute the most prevalent professionals (29.5%). Artemether-Lumefantrine is the preferred antimalarial (36.7%). Concerning awareness of counterfeit drugs, 39.8% rely on the Pharmacy and Poisons Board, with 72.9% knowledgeable about counterfeit antimalarial effects. The study identifies correlations between knowledge levels and the color and odor of antimalarial drugs. The regression model (R²=0.093, F (3, 247) =8.422, p<0.001) signifies the predictive efficacy of drug characteristics on knowledge, with color and odor emerging as robust predictors. Despite commendable knowledge, there exists a perception gap among pharmacy attendants regarding counterfeit antimalarial drug campaigns and awareness training. Addressing this gap is crucial to preventing an increased distribution of counterfeit drugs in the sector.

Incidences of Pregnancy During Concurrent Use of Hormonal Contraceptives and Antiretroviral Therapy at Nakuru County Referral and Teaching Hospital in Kenya

Mbori Beldina Akinyi — 2024-07-02

With concerns on the efficacy and effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives and antiretroviral therapy in curbing incidences of unplanned pregnancies among women living with Human Immunodeficiency virus infection, a study to examine these concerns was carried out at Nakuru County Referral and Teaching Hospital (NCRTH). A cross-sectional retrospective study was carried out at the Comprehensive Care Centre (CCC) at NCRTH from March 2023 to April 2023 with a sample size of 226 participants however the estimated sample size using the Taro Yamane formula was 358. Data was collected using structured questionnaires with both open and close-ended questions and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Frequency tables, bar graphs, and percentages were used to present descriptive statistics. Chi-square was used to conduct inferential statistics, and P<0.05 was considered significant. The majority (86.7%) of participants were on TLD (Tenofovir, Lamivudine, Dolutegravir). Most participants (37.17%) had used ART for 6-10 years. 79.65% of participants avoided pregnancy with concurrent hormonal contraceptives and ART, while 20.35% experienced pregnancies. 15.22% of pregnant participants also used other medications, especially anti-TBs, due to drug-drug interactions. Injectables were the most common contraceptive (41.3%) used by participants who had pregnancy incidences. A significant association was noted between the incidence of unplanned pregnancy and the use of combined oral contraceptives. Incidences of unplanned pregnancies were higher among those aged 30-34 (32.61%), married (73.91%), with secondary education (43.48%), self-employed (60.87%), and Protestant (73.91%). From this study, TLD was the most commonly used antiretroviral, injectables were the most commonly used contraceptive, and the majority of the participants had used antiretrovirals for 6-10 years. Despite the concurrent use of hormonal contraceptives and antiretrovirals to avoid pregnancy incidences, 20.35% of the participants had unplanned pregnancy incidences. 15.22% of these participants who got pregnant were using other medications. Unplanned pregnancies were more common among certain demographic groups. From this study, data on pregnancy incidents during concurrent use of hormonal contraceptives and antiretroviral therapy is availed however limitations such as study design and time limit necessitate more research. To reduce the risk of unplanned pregnancies and ensure the appropriate use of hormonal contraceptives, more support and counseling programs should be established for women using antiretrovirals.

Regulatory Compliance of Cosmetic Products in Kenya: A Narrative Review on Quality and Safety

Sarah Vugigi — 2024-07-02

This study reviews the regulatory compliance of the cosmetic products in Kenya, with a focus on consumer risks and potential public health impact. A narrative review study design was employed and a literature search conducted using government reports, publications, academic databases and other relevant sources. Keywords such as cosmetic industry challenges and cosmetic regulation in Kenya were employed to search the literature for papers. Data focusing on regulatory frameworks, enforcement mechanisms, adverse reactions, and industry challenges was then extracted and discussed in form of a narration. The growth of the cosmetic industry, fueled by urbanization, a rising middle class, and increased grooming awareness, has attracted both local and international investors, presenting challenges in maintaining product quality and safety standards. Seven cases of adverse reactions related to cosmetics were reported by Pharmacy and Poisons Board between 2018-2023. Current study identifies noteworthy challenges by examining Kenya’s regulatory framework, led by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board and the Kenya Bureau of Standards. Enforcement disparities within international standards, variance in regulations on prohibited ingredients, inconsistent labeling requirements, industry dynamics, counterfeiting, compounded with the complex nature of safety assessments raise concerns for cosmetic regulators, distributors and manufacturers. The study highlights existing gaps in regulatory oversight emphasizing the necessity of robust enforcement mechanisms. Compliance assessments by KEBS and PPB encompass evaluation of ingredients, formulations, microbial contamination, packaging and labeling. Factors contributing to regulatory noncompliance include poor product quality aggravated by supply chain complexities in the vast and diverse sector. The cosmetic cottage industry inadvertently presents a quality risk to consumers due to limited process and testing capacity. Reported adverse reactions, particularly to mercury-containing skin-lightening products, raise concerns about public health implications. This study advocates for continuous product monitoring and heightened vigilance. The review proposes improvement strategies, emphasizing a dynamic regulatory approach, periodic ingredient reviews, a centralized product approval system, and alignment with global manufacturing standards. Targeted consumer education initiatives focusing on product quality attributes, adverse reaction reporting, label reading and counterfeit awareness are recommended.