title: Methods used in preclinical assessment of anti-Buruli ulcer agents: A global perspective.
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.
authors: 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.
authors: Patrick Valere Fokou
authors: PV
authors: Tsouh
authors: Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, P. O. Box LG 581, Accra, Ghana.
authors: Phyllis
authors: P
authors: Addo
authors: Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, P. O. Box LG 581, Accra, Ghana.
authors: Dorothy
authors: D
authors: Yeboah-Manu
authors: Antimicrobial Agents Unit, Laboratory for Phytobiochemistry and Medicinal Plants Study, Faculty of Science, University of Yaoundé 1, P.O. 812 Yaoundé, Cameroon.
authors: Fabrice Fekam
authors: FF
authors: Boyom
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001135:Armadillos; D001688:Biological Products / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D054312:Buruli Ulcer / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical / Q000379:methods; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D023421:Models, Animal; D019911:Mycobacterium ulcerans / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents; D001688:Biological Products
keywords: Animal models; Assays; Buruli ulcer; Methods; Preclinical