Browsing by Author "Ngure, Veronica N."

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    Efficacy of crude methanolic extracts of Allium sativum L. and Moringa stenopetala (Baker f.) Cufod. against Leishmania major
    (Int. J. Med. Arom. Plants, 2014-03) Gikonyo, Nicholas K.; Kinuthia, Geoffrey K.; Kabiru, Ephantus Wanjohi ; Anjili, Christopher O.; Kigondu, Elizabeth M.; Ngure, Veronica N.; Ingonga, Johnstone M.
    Leishmania major is a protozoan parasite responsible for cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in humans. CL is transmitted via a bite by infected female phlebotomine sand fly. Research on herbal therapy for leishmaniases is increasing globally because conventional drugs are costly, toxic and require a prolonged administration. In vitro and in vivo antileishmanial activities of dried Allium sativum (garlic) and Moringa stenopetala methanolic extracts against L. major were studied. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of methanolic extracts of A. sativum (A) and M. stenopetala(M) against L. major were 3 and 5 mg/ml and IC50 of 863.12 and 1752.92 μg/ml respectively. The blend AM (1:1) hadIC50 of 372.1μg/ml and promastigotes’ viability of 71.03% compared to IC50 of 0.26 and 0.82μg/ml and promastigotes’viability of 18.41% and 12.22% for Pentostam and Liposomal amphotericin B respectively. Multiplication indices (MIs) of L. major amastigotes ranged from 43.67% to 45.93% after treatment with extracts A or M or blend AM at 125μg/ml and were significantly different (P < 0.05) from Liposomal amphotericin B at 12.5μg/ml. Oral extract A reduced significantly (P > 0.05) L. major caused foot pad lesions in BALB/c mice while oral extract M did not. Blend AM (ip) reduced the lesion sizes and its efficacy was close to Pentostam and Liposomal amphotericin B. Oral extract A had a high parasite reduction rate of 60.70% and average LDU of 0.22±0.15 compared to Pentostam at 66.40% and LDU of 0.18±0.08. In conclusion, methanolic extract of A. sativum showed anti-leishmanial activity both in vitro and in vivo and it decreased L. major caused foot pad lesions in BALB/c mice. Methanolic extracts of M. stenopetala (ip) reduced the amastigotes burden in spleens of BALB/c mice. A blend of garlic and moringa methanolic extracts (AM at 1:1) were active against L. major. The active ingredients in crude methanolic extracts of garlic and moringa plants should be established and tested against L. major when blended.
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    Mosquito Diversity in the Nairobi – Kenya Urban Environment and Implications for Disease Transmission
    (2020-05-23) Kinuthia, Geoffrey K.; Ngure, Veronica N.; Kamau, Luna; Beti, Dunstone; Lugalia, Reuben; Wangila, Agnes; Ngari, Florence Wanja; Mburu, Faith W.; Kiarie, Martha
    Mosquito surveillance and control efforts especially those carried out under programmatic settings by mosquito control departments of governments in many situations in Africa tend to focus on rural locales, mainly because this is where mosquito transmitted diseases have been found to be prevalent. In a recent study, we found an abundance of mosquitogenic conditions conducive for mosquito breeding in Nairobi in areas in close proximity to informal settlements, similar to previous studies. Thirteen different mosquito species were identified with Culex pipiens accounting for over 97% of the 7,605 mosquitoes sampled. Implications for disease transmission within the context of climate change and other factors are discussed. The evidence points to the need for enhanced vector surveillance and control in urban environments to minimize the risk of emergence and resurgence of mosquito-borne diseases.