ASTHFIN A1: a breakthrough in the treatment of ASTHMA
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REPUBLIC OF GHANA
MINISTRY OF HEALTH
CENTRE FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH INTO PLANT MEDICINE

W.H.O .COLLABORATING CENTRE
FOR RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT OF TRADITIONAL MEDICINE

REPORT ON PHYTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS AND SAFETYASSESSMENT OF "ASTHFIN Al"

Ref. No. CPM/A34/SFI/393: 27 - 01 2004 

"Asthfin A1" is a herbal preparation submitted to the Centre for Scientific Rescarch into Plant Medicine for phytochemical analysis and safety assessment. According to the manufacturer, the Medicine, mixed wíth honey is recommended for the treatment of "asthma".

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

(a) Organoleptics
Form: Powder
Colour: Black
Odour: Pleasant

(b) Physicochemical data
pH (2.3% honey ext.) = 4.30 ± 0.02
Total Ash = 9. 8 ± 0.7 % (w/w)
Total Water Extractive = 3.1 ± 0.1 % (w/w)
Net Weight = 14..93 ± 0.30 g

(c) Major chemical components:
Reducing sugars.

(d) Pharmaco-toxícological report

Acute toxícity:

Species and straín
= Swiss albino rats

No. o animals Sex/group
= 30 male; 5 groups (N=6)

Route of admin.
=Intra-Peritoneal

Formulation and Dosage
= Herbaldecoction; 900, 1112, 1375, 1700, 2100 mg/k

Time of deaths and period of Observatíon
= Highest dose caused death at 8 houts after adnministration; 24 hours

Approx. lethal dose and method of calculation
= 1533 mg/kg bodyweight; Probit analysis

Symptoms
= Crawling gait, twitching and tremor before death.

REMARKS
The LD50 in rats was estimated to be 1533mg/kg-body weight. No death occurred at the lowest dose of 900 mg/kg-body weight. At the highest dose of 2100 mg/kg-body weight symptoms of toxic effects observed in rats were crawling gait, twítching and tremor. In the acute toxícity studies, it was established that the laboratory animals needed to consume almost 89 times the normal adult dose (mix whole contents of sachet (15gm of powder) in one beer bottle of honey (600 ml); take one tablespoonful thrice daily) in order to produce acute toxic effect. No syniptoms of toxic effects were- observed in rats at the dosage level iiidicated by the manufacturer.

CONCLUSION

The LD50 of "Asthfin A1" is 89 times the dosage indicated by the manufacturer. The recommended dose is thus within an acceptable margin of safety.

S. Osafo - Mensah
(Head, Pharmacology/Toxicology)

DR. G. Duke - Eshun
(Head, Phytochemistry)

Dr. A. A. Sittie
Deputy Dírector

REPUBLIC OF GHANA
(MINISTRRY OF HEALTH)

CENTRE FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH INTO PLANT MEDICINE
W.H.O .COLLABORATING CENTRE FOR RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT OF TRADITIONAL MEDICINE
Local Tel: 0872-22041 / 22103 Tel/Fax: 0872-22087
Emali: csrpmghana.com
P.O. BOX 73
Mampong - Akuapem
Zastern Region, Ghana

REQUEST FOR FINANCIAL ASSSISTANCE
TO COMPLETE A RESEARCH ON
ASTHFIN A1A MEDICINE FOR ASTHMA

This appeal goes to
Pilantropists
NGO's
Medical Schools
Foundations for Medicaml Researches
Pharmaceutical Companies
Asthmatic Societies
Universiries Worldwide

Dear Sir/Madam
I would be very grateful if you offer me financíal assistance to enable me complete a research on a local medicine very potent for asthma,
I began this rescarch a decade ago, and could confirm today that 1 have found an effectìve cure for asthma. I have already' treated a few other patients and myself in my locality with it. I now feel strongly that this medicine
should bo given a scientific touch and be developped into an orthodox one to the bénefit of asthmatícs worldwide.

One positive indication about it is that its life, I believe, could span well over five years.
Your assístance will go into the study of the adequate dosage, the laboratory and clinical tests, and eventual submission to the Food and Drugs Board for approval.

I have 'also registered with the Ghana Psychíc and Traditional Healers Associafion under license No 337 dated 27th February 1997 to give legal backing to my findings

I have also received a letter of support for the project from the Ketu Dístrict Assembly, P. .0. Box 88, Denu, V/R. (Ghana) dated May 29th 2000, with reference No. KUDA / GEN. 24 / VOL. 5/2 10.
Tlie World Health Organízatìon has already acknowledged the project wíth referenee No. CRA dated 22nd February 2000, and sígned by Dr.N. Khaltaev, Responsible Officer - Chronic Respiratory Diseases and Arthrítís, Non-commuunícable Disease Management - World Health Organization - CH 1211 Geneva 27 - SWITZERLAND.

I have also submitted the medicine to the Centre for Scíentific Rescarch ínto Plant Medicine, an affiliated body to the World Health Organìzatíon (WHO) for Phytochemistry and Pharmacology/toxicology tests under parcel No. 15011052 dated October 1st 2002.

In another development I am working on Phycolin Syrup whích when taken helps to stop cigarettes and marijuana smoking, since smoking is one of the causes of asthma.

I will require ten thousand Pounds (£ 10,000) for the project..

I am eurrently the Ketu Distrìct Secretary of Ghana Federation of Traditional and Alternative Medicine Practitioners Associations (CHAFTRAM).

A publication on the religious magazine "Awake!", June 8 1999 issue, entitled "Asthma on the Rise"" has sensitised me further to undertake the project more seriously, and I quote: "Reports from the World Health Organisation indicate that in the last decade, there has been a 40% (percent) rise in both the prevalence of an hospitalisation rates for asthma worldwide.... Presently there are about 1,5 million asthmatics in Canada and 500 die every year from the disease."

I am full of convietion that dreadful nature of the disease and plight of asthmatìcs coupled with your undersianding of my determination to solve a human problem, and your sympathy for asthmatics wìll prompt you give a due consíderatíon to this passionate appeal.

Your contrìbutìon and advice are most welcome.
I am also seekng grants to study vegetation in Japan, Malaysia, Canada, United States, brazil, Australia etc
Yours Faìthfully,

JOHNNY AMENUVEGBE