- 1
- Noguchi
Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, P. O. Box
LG 581, Accra, Ghana; Antimicrobial Agents Unit, Laboratory for
Phytobiochemistry and Medicinal Plants Study, Faculty of Science, University of Yaoundé 1, P.O. 812 Yaoundé, Cameroon. Electronic address: ptsouh@noguchi.ug.edu.gh.
- 2
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, P. O. Box LG 581, Accra, Ghana.
- 3
- Antimicrobial Agents Unit, Laboratory for Phytobiochemistry and Medicinal Plants Study, Faculty of Science, University of Yaoundé 1, P.O. 812 Yaoundé, Cameroon.
Abstract
Buruli
ulcer (BU) caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans is the third most common
chronic mycobacterial infection in humans. Approximately 5000 cases are
reported annually from at least 33 countries around the globe,
especially in rural African communities. Even though anti-mycobacterial
therapy is often effective for early nodular or ulcerative lesions,
surgery is sometimes employed for aiding wound healing and correction of
deformities. The usefulness of the antibiotherapy nonetheless is
challenged by huge restrictive factors such as high cost, surgical scars
and loss of income due to loss of man-hours, and in some instances
employment. For these reasons, more effective and safer drugs are
urgently needed, and research programs into alternative therapeutics
including investigation of natural products should be encouraged. There
is the need for appropriate susceptibility testing methods for the
evaluation of potency. A number of biological assay methodologies are in
current use, ranging from the classical agar and broth dilution assay
formats, to radiorespirometric, dye-based, and fluorescent/luminescence
reporter assays. Mice, rats, armadillo, guinea pigs, monkeys, grass
cutters and lizards
have been suggested as animal models for Buruli ulcer. This review
presents an overview of in vitro and in vivo susceptibility testing
methods developed so far for the determination of anti-Buruli ulcer
activity of natural products and derivatives.
Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier Inc.
KEYWORDS:
Animal models; Assays; Buruli ulcer; Methods; Preclinica
