School of Health Sciences(Western Campus)

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Clinical characteristics of people living with HIV/AIDS on ART in 2014 attertiary health institutions in Enugu, Nigeria
(2014) Matthew Chibunna Igwe; Emmanuel Ifeanyi Obeagu; Alphonsus Ogbonna Ogbuabor
In the current industrialized world, uses of batteries have gained importance as a result of its high performance and energy storage system. Though, battery was considered safe and produced less carbon foot print, it also has its ill effects such as heavy metal contamination in water and soil, which is also at its threshold to be addressed. Here comes the concern, about the elevated heavy metal concentration especially chromium in the environment and its health hazards exerted over all living organisms. Thus, as an approach towards the bio sorption of chromium from environment, fungal isolates obtained from soil samples of HEB effluent were screened for their resistance and efficiency. Among the 36 fungal isolates attained, Aspergillus was found to be most predominant in both eastern and western area, as well as more resistant to chromium even at 1000 ppm. On further optimization of pH, Temperature, incubation period, carbon source, nitrogen source and phosphorous, it concluded that medium with Glucose, malt extract and potassium dihydrogen phosphate at pH 5 showed significant growth and proficient absorption of chromium under static condition. The 18s rRNA gene sequencing of the effectual organism revealed to be Aspergillus niger (KY354579) with 99 % according to BLAST analysis.
Isolation and polymerase chain reaction identification of bacteria from the 2014–2015 flood of Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia
(Asian Biomedicine, 2015) Bamaiyia, Pwaveno Huladeino; Izreena, Mohd Sani Nani; Khatijah, Mohamada; Eizzatia, Badrul Hisham Nur; Siti-Bainuma, Che Rostman; Farhanaa, Mat Kamir Norsyamimi
Flood waters can be devastating, especially if proactive measures are not adequately taken ahead of time to mitigate the effects of the flood. In addition to the direct impact of flood water is the transmission of waterborne, foodborne, and airborne infection
Effects of lycopene on kidney antioxidant enzyme activities and functions in streptozotocin-induced diabetic Wistar rats
(Scientific Publishing Group, 2015) Daniel, EzeEjike; Mohammed, Aliyu; Tanko, Yusuf; Ahmed, Abubakar
The present study assessed the effects of lycopene on kidney antioxidant enzymes activities and functions in streptozotocin-induced diabetic Wistar rats.Diabetes was induced in animals by single intra-peritoneal injection of streptozotocin. Thereafter the animals were randomly assigned into the following groups: Group I and II (Normal control + olive oil and Diabetic control + olive oil)while Group III to VI were treated with (10, 20 and 40 mg/kg of lycopene and 2 mg/kg glibenclamide) respectively. Alltreatments were givenonce daily orally for four weeks. Results obtained showed that blood glucose was significantly (P < 0.05) reduced. MDAconcentration was reduced in kidney tissue, with increased activities of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase) in diabetic animals administered with lycopene when compared with diabetic control group.There was significant (P < 0.05) increase in the level of serum sodium ion and reduction in serum urea level in diabetic rats treated with lycopene when compared with the diabetic control group. Histological findings showed improved renal architecture as reflected by reduced glomerular and tubular necrosisin all treated groups when compared with control group. It can be concluded that lycopene protects against diabetes-induced kidney damage through elevation of endogenous antioxidant enzymes and improved renal dysfunction in diabetic animals.
A Study to Investigate Major Community Health Challenges and Their Predisposing Factors in Bushenyi District of South Western Uganda
(Scientific Research Publishing, 2015) Echoru, Isaac; Kasozi, Keneth Iceland; Ayikobua, Emmanuel Tiyo; Emorut, Simon Peter
Poor health care systems have contributed to poor standard of living in Uganda. The aim of the study was to assess major health challenges to community health and identify major predisposing factors. This was a cross sectional study in Kyakagina Village of Bushenyi of South Western Uganda. A total of 39 households which included 102 children (<19 years) and 80 adults (>19 years) were included in the study and a semi structured questionnaire was used. It was shown that there were 39 homes and 182 members with more males than females. Age and gender were shown not to be associated (P = 0.157). The majority of participants who boiled water in the community were showed to be of both primary and secondary level of education at 48.7% and 51.3%, respectively, while a significant proportion was found to drink only filtered and sedimented water without treatment at levels of 87.2% and 82.1% who were of only secondary level of education. The adoption of modern contraceptive pills, tube ligation and injections especially amongst the secondary educated level was found to be high, i.e. 94.9%, 87.2%, 82.1%, respectively. Inferential analysis showed that there existed marked differences (P < 0.001) in the health practices between persons of different education levels. Major health challenges identified included malaria, cough and cold, diarrhea which were most prevalent amongnst children at 19.6%, 13.7%, and 10.8%, respectively. In conclusion, failure to clear bushes, boil drinking water and cover pit latrines (P = 0.213) were the major risk factors identified independent of age and education status in the various homesteads.
Acute care surgery in Rwanda: Operative epidemiology and geographic variations in access to care
(Elsevier Inc, 2015) Kyamanywa, Patrick
Background. Surgical management of emergent, life-threatening diseases is an important public health priority. The objectives of this study were to (1) describe acute care general surgery procedures performed at the largest referral hospital in Rwanda and (2) understand the geographic distribution of disease presentations and referral patterns. Methods. We performed a retrospective review of prospectively collected acute care surgery cases performed at the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Kigali (CHUK) in Rwanda between June 1 and December 1, 2011. Using Pearson’s v 2 test and the Fisher exact test, we compared cases originating from within Kigali and transfers from other provinces. Geospatial analyses also were used to further describe transfer patterns. Results. During the study period, 2,758 surgical interventions were performed, of which 25.6% (707/ 2,758) were general surgery operations. Of these, 45.4% (321/707) met the definition of acute care surgery. Only about one-third---32.3% (92/285)---of patients resided within Kigali, whereas about twothirds--- 67.7% (193/285)---were transferred from other provinces. Most patients transferred from other provinces were younger than 18 years of age (40.4%; 78/193), and 83.0% (39/47) of patients older than 50 years of age originated from outside of Kigali. Specific operative indications and surgical procedures varied substantially between patients from Kigali and patients transferred from other provinces. Conclusion. Emergency surgical conditions remain important contributors to the global burden of disease, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Geographic variations exist in terms of operative diagnoses and procedures, which implies a need for improved access to surgical care at the district level with defined transfer mechanisms to greater-level care facilities when needed.
Blood Group Distribution in a Study Population and their Associated Rhesus Factor (Uganda)
(Scholars Academic and Scientific Publisher, 2015) Mukinda, Frank Kamya; Lule, Herman; Kalange, Muhamudu; Echoru, Isaac; Ninsiima, Herbert Izo; Kasozi, Keneth Iceland
Whole blood transfusions have continuously been done in medical hospitals as the major line of emergency recovery on the African continent as a result of limited infrastructure despite of the fact that the general blood group status is poorly understood. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalent blood groups and their associated rhesus factor. This was a cross sectional study conducted for a period of two months at Kampala International University Teaching Hospital involving a total of 47 undergraduate students, blood was picked by pricking the index finger and placed on a white tile from which the antigens were added to it. The study revealed that majority (53.2%) of the population had blood group O with the greatest prevalence being in the male population and blood group B was the second prevalent blood group in this study. This would probably be due to the establishment of endemic stability with malaria infections in the community. This would be due to genetic selection thus favoring the proliferation of the B and O blood groups as they appear to offer a mutuality protective advantage against plasmodium parasites. The major associated Rhesus factor were of O+ (53.2%) and B+ (21.3%) which showed that there was a significant downward shift in the levels of the Rhesus antigen. Blood group O was the most prevalent probably due to its evolutionary advantage in the region. Phenotypic expression need to be investigated further for the development of a strong hematological team in various rural communities.
Selective effects of Datura Stramonium on the granular parallel fibres and purkinje cells of the cerebellum in Wistar rats
(International Journal of Anatomy and Research, 2015) Sunday, Dare S.
Introduction: Datura stramonium (DS) is a tropical ubiquitous shrub which is often used to increase intoxication in some beverages and is also freely used as a hallucinogen. It is a depressant of the central nervous system, yet commonly smoked in like manner tobacco. The present study investigated changes induced by intoxication with DS on the purkinje cells and parallel fibres of the cerebellum in Wistar rats to further elucidate the effects of this drug on cerebellar structure. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on both male and female Wistar rats (200-250 g). They were placed into three batches and four groups were derived from each batch, with eight animals per group. Ethanolic dried seed extract of DS was diluted in normal saline and administered intraperitoneally (I.P.) at a dose of 750mg/kg and given to the treatment groups: once in batch 1, twice in batch 2, twelve hourly and thrice in batch 3, eight hourly per day respectively for 4 weeks, while the control groups received an equivalent of normal saline. The rats were euthanized and sections of the cerebellum were histologically processed in all groups. Silver impregnation stain for degenerating axons and neurons was used to elucidate the actions of DS on purkinje cells and the parallel fibres of the cerebellum. Results: The result of IP administration of DS extract (750 mg/kg) given three times daily to the treated rats showed significant histological changes, which included atrophy of the parallel fibres but no significant changes in the purkinje cells of the cerebellum. Conclusions: Intoxication of DS seed as a result of excessive ingestion may have a selective degenerative effect on the parallel fibres of the granule cells of the cerebellum while the purkinje cells are spared; the implication being motor dysfunction.
The next generation of Rwandan physicians with a primary health care mindset
(Department of Puublic Health. Kampala International University, 2015) Kyamanywa, Patrick
Globally there is a need for well-trained primary health care physicians at the district level. Physicians who focus on ambulatory care will be in greater demand in addressing the global burden of chronic disease and multi-morbidity, which are on the increase in Africa. Not surprisingly, family medicine has grown stronger on the African continent in the past decades.1,2,3 In Rwanda, education of health professionals has recently undergone several changes. Postgraduate training in medical and surgical specialties has been further developed in a constructive and inclusive way with support of American universities.
Hepatitis B and C seroprevalence among health care workers in a tertiary hospital in Rwanda
(The Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 2015-01) Kamanywa, Patrick
Background: Hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) are significant global public health challenges with health care workers (HCWs) at especially high risk of exposure in resource-poor settings.We aimed to measure HBV and HCV prevalence, identify exposure risks and evaluate hepatitis-related knowledge amongst Rwandan tertiary hospital HCWs. Methods: A cross sectional study involving tertiary hospital employees was conducted from October to December 2013. A pre-coded questionnaire was used to collect data on HCWs’ socio-demographics, risk factors and knowledge of blood-borne infection prevention. Blood samples were drawn and screened for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and anti-HCV antibodies. Results: Among 378 consenting HCWs, the prevalence of HBsAg positivitywas 2.9% (11/378; 95% CI 1.9 to 4.6%) and anti-HCV positivity 1.3% (5/378; 95% CI 0.7 to 2.7%). Occupational exposure to blood was reported in 57.1% (216/378). Of the 17 participants (4.5%; 17/378) who reported having received the HBV vaccine, only 3 participants (0.8%) had received the three-dose vaccination course. Only 42 HCWs (42/378; 11.1%) were aware that a HBV vaccinewas available. Most HCW (95.2%; 360/378) reported having been tested for HIV in the last 6 months. Conclusions: Despite their high workplace exposure risk, HBV and HCV sero-prevalence rates among HCWs were low. The low HBV vaccination coverage and poor knowledge of preventative measures among HCWs suggest low levels of viral hepatitis awareness despite this high exposure.
The economic impact attributable to brucellosis among goat farms in Peninsula Malaysia and cost benefit analysis
(Research Opinions in Animal & Veterinary Sciences, 2015-01) Bamaiyi, Pwaveno H.;
Brucellosis is known to cause economic losses to livestock farmers around the world. The amount of direct economic loss suffered by farmers has not been reported in Malaysia. This study reports the cost benefit analysis of goat farming and the economic impact attributable to brucellosis in goat farms in four states of Malaysia. Data about production indices and management was collected from farms through interviewer-administered structured questionnaires. The cost-benefit analysis of goat farming in Malaysia shows that it is a profitable business with 42 farms yielding about RM 2 million (USD 645,161.29) a month. Comparing fifteen farms from the four states when they had no brucellosis infection and after they were infected with brucellosis using the culling of the goats and farm value as criteria the fifteen farms had a financial loss of at least RM 156,212.50 (USD 50,391.13) which was found to be significant (P<0.05) at 95% confidence level using Wilcoxon signed rank test with IBM SPSS version 20. There was no significant difference in the economic impact on the farms between the various states at 95% confidence level using Kruskal-Wallis test with IBM SPSS version 20. Based on reported seroprevalence rate of 2.9% using complement fixation test it was estimated that annually the economic impact due to caprine brucellosis was RM7,974263.8 (USD 2,572343.1). This study highlights the colossal waste to the economy due to caprine brucellosis and underscores the urgent need to take more drastic measures to eradicate brucellosis in Malaysia through a combination of test and slaughter policy with vaccination of goats and a total ban on importation of live goats into Malaysia from any endemic country.
Community Education Challenges in Young Adults of South Western Uganda
(Scientific Research Publishing Inc., 2015-02) Kasozi, Keneth Iceland; Echoru, Isaac; Mbiydzenyuy, Elvis Ngala; Kimwise, Aaron; Nansunga, Miriam; Semuyaba, Ibrahim; Kalange, Muhamudu; Ninsiima, Herbert Izo; Muggaga, Kintu; Emorut, Simon Peter
The aim of this study was to identify the major challenges to community education and any health problem in Bushenyi district of South Western Uganda. Data collection was done through questionnaire and participants were randomly selected. This was a cross-sectional study carried out for a period of three months in 2012. A questionnaire was used to collect data and using onsite observations the responses were validated. A total of 260 participants from 65 homesteads were included in the study from 52 households. 144 were females and 116 males, of which 52.4% of the children were female and the rest male. The mean ± SEM age of females and males was 36 ± 8.6 and 29 ± 8.6 years respectively. In all the homesteads, 71% were headed by an adult male and only 29% were found to be headed by an adult female while none was headed by children. Inferential analysis showed (P = 0.02) that there are more females than male in the homesteads. Majority of the homesteads are being taken care of by women instead of men probably as a result of the high mortalities due to HIV/AIDS in the past decade and above all the movement of most men to urban centers in search of better sources of employment to support their families. Among school going age participant’s i.e. children and adolescents, only 59.6% were found to be attending school. There was no statistical significance (P = 0.16) between school attendance and age. Family responsibilities such as cooking for younger siblings by female participants, obligations on open market days are thought to be secondary limiting factors for community development and livelihood among young persons; thus a follow up study would be conducted to assess their associations in this community as this would raise major child abuse concerns which would need to be reported to the legal authorities for follow up.
Design of a Recombinant Hepatitis B Vaccine Based on Stably Binding HLA-I Peptides
(OMICS Publishing Group, 2015-02) Ondieki, Miruka Conrad; Nyaribari, Matunda Conradus; Ejekwumadu, Nnamdi John; Nyakang’o, Mokembo Justin
The hepatitis B virus continues to infect many millions of people worldwide. There is a need to develop new vaccines against the virus. Using immunoinformatics approaches, we have predicted epitopes within the hepatitis B virus surface antigen that can be used to develop a new vaccine. The predicted epitopes were then used to construct a synthetic vaccine. The interaction between the synthetic vaccine construct and major histocompatibility complex was also predicted using bioinformatics tools.
Availability of Essential Medicines and Supplies during the Dual Pull-Push System of Drugs Acquisition in Kaliro District, Uganda
(Pharmaceutical Care & Health Systems, 2015-03) Bruno, Okiror; Onchweri, Albert Nyanchoka; Ondieki, Miruka Conrad; Nyabayo, Maniga Josephat
The Ugandan government has experimented with various supply chain models for delivery of essential drugs and supplies. In 2010, the dual pull-push system was adopted; however drug stock outs are still a common occurrence in health facilities. This study on availability of essential medicines during the dual Pull-Push system in Kaliro District was undertaken, to be used as an indirect or direct indicator of effectiveness of the dual pull-push system of drugs acquisition in the district. The study combined quantitative and qualitative methods; the study mainly based on; document review (stock cards, delivery notes,) and key informant interviews. Results showed that average stock-out duration of essential medicines and supplies was 23.89% (20.47 % for essential medicines and 27.32% for medical supplies). ACT Artemether/lumefantrine 20/120 mg tablets had the highest percentage stock-out followed by Cotrimoxazole 480mg tablets (51.6 and 32.4 %, respectively). Among the short falls of the system were; drug requisitions based on neither morbidity nor consumption methods of quantification, delays during distribution, supplying medicines with short shelf life, rare condition drugs or low usage drugs. In conclusion, the trend of essential medicines and supplies availability during the dual pull-push system seemed to be declining since its initiation in 2010. It is thus recommended that national medical stores involve stakeholders at all stages of medicines and supplies planning, especially the district health officers, who are the final consumers in the supply chain. The government can also adopt a revolving drug fund system, in the form of ‘Special Pharmacies and drug stores’ to enhance availability of essential drugs in public facilities and thus improve the quality of health care.
Hypoglycaemic Effect of Lycopene in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Wistar Rats
(British Journal of Medicine & Medical Research, 2015-03-31) Ejike, Daniel Eze
Aim: The study was designed to investigate the hypoglycaemic potential of lycopene in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic Wistar rats. Methodology: To achieve this, a total of thirty (30) adult Wistar rats of both sexes were used. The animals were made diabetic by single intraperitoneal injection of freshly prepared (60 mg/kg body weight) of STZ. Diabetes was confirmed by the presence of high blood glucose ≥ 200 after 72 hr. Diabetic animals were divided into six (6) groups (1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6) comprising five animals each. Animals in Group 1 (Diabetic control) and Group 2 (Normal control) received 0.5 ml of olive oil, while those in groups 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 were administered 10, 20, 40 and 2 mg/kg b w of lycopene and glibenclamide respectively orally once daily for a period of four weeks. After the last day of treatments, all animals were sacrificed and blood samples collected and the serum separated for determination of serum insulin concentration. The liver tissue was excised and homogenized in equivalent volumes of phosphate buffer for the determination of hepatic glucokinase enzyme activity. Results: The results obtained showed that lycopene at all doses significantly (P < 0.05) decreased the blood glucose concentration steadily from (431.4±48.84 mg/dL) to (171.1±7.65, 118.4±1.97 and 100.8±6.89 mg/dL) after four weeks of treatment. The Serum insulin level was increased from (3.02±0.24 μIU/mL) to (4.02±0.70, 3.96±1.41 and 5.06±0.96 μIU/mL), but was not significant (P>0.05), when compared with diabetic control animals. The activity of hepatic glucokinase was significantly (P<0.05) increased from (8.78±1.11 ng/mL) to (11.96±0.54, 14.23±0.88 and 15.78±0.27 ng/mL), when compared with diabetic control group. Conclusion: It is therefore, suggested that antidiabetic-activity may be linked to enhanced glucokinase enzyme activity and not due to increased serum insulin level as the elevation was not statistically significant (P > 0.05) when compared with the diabetic control group. It is recommended that, lycopene may be used as a dietary component in controlling sustained hyperglycaemia in diabetes.
Epidemiology of Coccidian Parasites in HIV Patients of Northern Uganda
(SCIENCEDOMAIN international, 2015-04) Echoru, Isaac; Herman, Lule; Micheni, Lisa; Ajagun-Ogunleye, Mulkah O.; Kalange, Muhamudu; Kasozi, Keneth Iceland
Aim: The epidemiology of coccidian parasites in HIV patients of sub-sahara Africa is poorly understood. This study aimed at determining the epidemiology of coccidian parasites and their associated risk factors. This was a cross sectional study carried out in Arua district in West Nile region of Northern Uganda for a period of five months. Materials and Methods: Participants in the study included HIV positive patients presenting with diarrhea. A total of 111 patients were included and classified into children, middle aged and adults. A structured questionnaire was administered, stool samples were obtained using sterile stool containers and laboratory analysis carried out using modified Ziehl-Neelsen technique (ZN). Ethical clearance was acquired and the consent of the patients was sought. Results and Discussion: Prevalence of Coccidian parasites among HIV patients was found to be 5.4% and Cryptosporidium parvum showed more prevalence than Isospora belli and Cyclospora cayatenensis i.e. (3.6%), (1.8%) and (0.0%) respectively. Most Cryptosporidium parvum infections occurred in children (13.6%) compared to adults (3.3%); with a significant relationship of (p = 0.02). The infection was higher in females (7.1%) than males (2.4%) (p = 0.19). The major risk factors associated with the disease were mainly consumption of contaminated and un-boiled water from taps and boreholes. HIV patients who took co-trimoxazole and drunk boiled water were shown to have a low prevalence of coccidian parasites of 1.9% and 2.6% respectively (p<0.05). This is because cotrimoxazole is a prophylactic drug for opportunistic infections and proper boiling of drinking water kills coccidian parasites. Conclusion and Recommendations: The study highlighted the importance and need to screen for coccidian parasites and emphasis on regular taking of prophylactic treatment as a way of controlling opportunistic infections in HIV patients. Future prevalence studies of Coccidia amongst healthy, HIV sero-negative children and adults of similar age groups in similar settings are recommended to ratify the relationship.
Can Focused Trauma Education Initiatives Reduce Mortality or Improve Resource Utilization in a Low-Resource Setting?
(2015-04) Kamanywa, Patrick
Background—Over 90 % of injury deaths occur in low-income countries. Evaluating the impact of focused trauma courses in these settings is challenging. We hypothesized that implementation of a focused trauma education initiative in a low-income country would result in measurable differences in injury-related outcomes and resource utilization. Methods—Two 3-day trauma education courses were conducted in the Rwandan capital over a one-month period (October–November, 2011). An ATLS provider demonstration course was delivered to 24 faculty surgeons and 15 Rwandan trauma nurse auditors, and a Canadian Network for International Surgery Trauma Team Training (TTT) course was delivered to 25 faculty, residents, and nurses. Trauma registry data over the 6 months prior to the courses were compared to the 6 months afterward with emergency department (ED) mortality as the primary endpoint. Secondary endpoints included radiology utilization and early procedural interventions. Univariate analyses were conducted using x2 and Fisher’s exact test. Results—A total of 798 and 575 patients were prospectively studied during the pre-intervention and post-intervention periods, respectively. Overall mortality of injured patients decreased after education implementation from 8.8 to 6.3 %, but was not statistically significant (p = 0.09). Patients with an initial Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) of 3–8 had the highest injury-related mortality, which significantly decreased from 58.5 % (n = 55) to 37.1 % (n = 23), (p = 0.009, OR 0.42, 95 % CI 0.22–0.81). There was no statistical difference in the rates of early intubation, cervical collar use, imaging studies, or transfusion in the overall cohort or the head injury subset. When further stratified by GCS, patients with an initial GCS of 3–5 in the post-intervention period had higher utilization of head CT scans and chest X-rays. Conclusions—The mortality of severely injured patients decreased after initiation of focused trauma education courses, but no significant increase in resource utilization was observed. The explanation may be complex and multifactorial. Long-term multidisciplinary efforts that pair training with changes in resources and mentorship may be needed to produce broad and lasting changes in the overall care system.
Ring Worm Skin Infection in a Rural Community of Bushenyi (Uganda)
(British Microbiology Research Journal, 2015-06-15) Tsamiya, Suleiman Abubakar
Ring worm skin infections which have continuously been neglected in several communities of sub Saharan Africa, thus leading to the development of herbal remedies as communities seek to find solutions to the menace. The aim of this study was to assess the community skin ring worm infections and their associated risk factors in South Western Uganda. Materials and Methods: This was a cross sectional study in a rural community of Bushenyi district in South Western Uganda. A total of 34 homesteads were randomly selected and a semi-structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Results and Discussion: The study showed that majority of homesteads which accessed water from non protected springs, 41.2% had ring worm skin infection of the head (tinea capitis), 11.8% due to tinea corporis and 5.9% either due to tinea unguium, tinea cruris, tinea corporis, tinea circinata, or tinea glabrosa, tinea pedis and tinea barbae which are generalized in different parts of the body. The major risk factors identified were water security (P = 0.01) and community treatment practices (P = 0.002) against the dermatophytes. Despite the fact that some homesteads attempted to treat the skin infections, other homesteads didn’t bother to seek treatment thus posing a major risk factor for the re-infection in the community. Conclusion: The adoption of ethno-medicinal plants for management of skin infection has been shown to be greatly adopted by this rural community, thus a follow up study to understand the antifungal activity of a selected herbal plant from the community is highly encouraged.
Datura metel Administration Distorts Medial Prefrontal Cortex Histology of Wistar Rats
(Scientific Research Publishing, 2015-07) Etibor, Temitope Akhigbe; Ajibola, Musa Iyiola; Buhari, Mohammad Olanrewaju; Safiriyu, Abass Alao; Akinola, Oluwole Busayo; Caxton-Martins, Ezekiel A.
Datura metel is one of psychoactive substances of great ethno-pharmacological significance often abused because of its unrestricted availability, yet, little is known about its mechanisms of action. This work was therefore aimed at assessing the activity of ethanolic seed extract of D. metel on Nissl substances, astrocytes, axonal and neuronal integrity of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) of Wistar rats. Eighteen Wistar rats averaging 175 g were used and randomly assigned to three groups: group A rats (n = 6) were administered extract of 100 mg/kg bw, group B rats (n = 6) received extract of 200 mg/kg bw, and group C-control (n = 6) took distilled water only for 14 days. The results revealed that D. metel is deleterious to the health of Wistar rats at a dose-dependent rate as observed in its actions on the medial prefrontal cortex at 100 mg/kg bw and 200 mg/kg bw. The histological study of the treated Wistar rats exhibited features of disoriented neuronal integrity such as, chromatolysis, reduced protein synthesis due to loss of Nissl substances and nuclei, neuronal loss as well as axonal injuries.
Hypoglycemic and High Dosage Effects of Bidens pilosa in Type-1 Diabetes Mellitus
(Scientific Research Publishing, 2015-08) Mulkah, O. Ajagun-Ogunleye; Tirwomwe, Michael
Ethno-pharmaceutical products have received a lot of international attention in the scientific community in the management of diabetes mellitus (DM). In this study we determined the anti-diabetic and high dosage effects of Bidens pliosa in type 1 DM (T1DM). Methodology: Thirty rats were divided into six groups and subgrouped into the extract and non extract treatment groups. The extract treated group was subdivided into three groups which received 200 mg/kg, 400 mg/ kg and 800 mg/kg dosage treatments respectively. The blood glucose levels were monitored using a standard glucometer for one month, and biochemical analysis of the two liver function enzymes; Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were carried out at the Institute of Biomedical Research (IBR-KIU-WC) at the end of week IV. The study revealed that Bidens pilosa maintained hypoglycemia for a period of two weeks and this status was lost in subsequent weeks. T1DM rats treated with a dosage of 200 mg/kg showed a better recovery (355.25 - 164.5 mg/dl) of the glucose levels, followed by those that were being treated at 400 mg/kg. The AST and ALT enzymes in blood varied with a mean ± SEM (33.72 ± 32.32 to −7.23 ± 12.61 IU and 22.98 ± 11.12 to 42 ± 38.2 IU, respectively) in both the glibencimide® and in the 800 mg/ kg treatment groups in the study. High dosages of extract were associated (P = 0.049) with increased systemic enzyme leakage. In conclusion, tissue degeneration caused by high levels of the extract was accompanied by leakage of various enzymes (AST and ALT) into the blood, which could be a major etiological factor for the development of secondary systemic pathologies, thus potentially worsening the effects of an existing T1DM prognosis in human patients.
Hippocampal pyramidal cell degeneration and changes in CREB protein in Datura stramonium treated rats
(American Journal of Neuroscience, 2015-09-11) Sunday, Dare S.
Datura Stramonium (DS) is a tropical shrub which is available worldwide. It has various uses and is often used to increase the intoxication of certain beverages. The seeds of this plant are very toxic but are commonly smoked in like manner as tobacco. The present study investigated the potential harmful effects of DS on pyramidal cells and CREB protein in the hippocampus of Wistar rats in order to further elucidate the effects of DS seed extract on hippocampal structure. The study was conducted on both male and female Wistar rats (200-250 g). They were first divided into three batches, which were further sub-divided into four groups in each batch with eight animals per group. Ethanolic extract of dried seeds of DS was diluted in normal saline and given to the treatment groups. The treated groups received intraperitoneal administration (i.p.) of 750 mg kg−1 (Bania et al., 2004) of diluted DS seed extracts, once in batch 1, twice in batch 2 and thrice in batch 3 per day respectively for 4 weeks while the control groups received an equivalent of normal saline. The rats were euthanized and Western blot analysis used to evaluate the levels of CREB protein in the rats’ hippocampi. Sections of each hippocampus were histologically processed in all the groups and silver impregnation stain for degenerating axons and neurons was used to elucidate the actions of DS on the pyramidal neurons of the hippocampus. The result of i.p. administration of DS extract (750 mg kg−1) given three times per day to the treated rats showed significant histological changes such as axonal atrophy, cytoplasmic vacuolation and neuronal necrosis of the pyramidal cells of the hippocampus, as well as an increase in CREB protein levels in both male and female rats. Excessive ingestion of DS seeds, therefore, may lead to hippocampal pyramidal cell losses and an increase in CREB protein levels in the hippocampus. This may be implicated in neurological disorders.

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