Grace Essiet

Embryotoxic and Teratogenic Potentials of Salacia lehmbachii in Rats

Use of herbal remedies in pregnancy may be deleterious to both mother and fetus. Against this background, aqueous and ethanol root bark extracts of Salacia lehmbachii, widely used herbal remedies for treatment of malaria in some localities were evaluated for embryotoxicity and teratogenicity in albino rats. One hundred and five pregnant rats weighing 170-180g were assigned 7 groups (n=15), labeled Control, 1-6. Control rats had 2 mL of distilled water. Groups 1, 2 and 3 received 250, 500 and 750mg/kg body weight of aqueous extract respectively while groups 4, 5 and 6 had similar doses of ethanol extract. Administration was orally on days 1 to 6 of gestation for implantation studies and days 7 to 15 for teratogenicity. The rats were observed daily for lethality, abnormal behaviour and vaginal bleeding. Their weights, food and water intakes were recorded. Cesarean sections were performed on day 20 of gestation to remove their uterine horns and implantations, resorptions, live and dead fetuses recorded. The weight and crown rump lengths of live fetuses were obtained and the placentas weighed and examined along with the litters for anomalies. There were no signs of maternal toxicity, miscarriages and dead fetus. Number of live fetuses in treated rats were similar to control just like litter weights, crown rump lengths and placental weight. There were no external anomalies on the fetuses and placenta. The extracts at the doses used in the study are relatively safe for pregnant rats and developing fetuses.

Antidiarrhoeal and antioxidant properties of ethanol leaf extract of Pseudocedrela kotschyi

This study was carried out to establish the antidiarrhoeal and antioxidant properties of the ethanol leaf extract of Pseudocedrela kotschyi in wistar albino rats. The effect of the ethanol extract on castor oil induced diarrhoea, motility of the GIT using the charcoal plug method and castor oil induced intestinal fluid accumulation in rats were evaluated. The antioxidant potential of the leaf extract was investigated by measuring its capability for scavenging 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical. The phytochemical constituents and the oral acute toxicity of ethanol leaf extract were also determined in rats. Generally, the ethanol leaf extract at all doses used, was found to posses significant (P<0.05) concentration dependent antidiarrhoeal, antimotility and antienteropooling activity. The leaf extract also exhibited strong antioxidant activity. The phytochemical studies revealed the presence of alkaloids, tannin, cardiac glycosides, steroids, flavoniods and saponins. The LD50 in rats was above 5000 mg/kg. The ethanol leaf extract of Pseudocedrela kotschyi has demonstrated strong antidiarrhoeal, antimotility, antienteropooling and antioxidant activities, supporting previous claims of its traditional use in the treatment of different diseases.

Studies on gastrointestinal properties of ethanolic leaf extract of Salacia lehmbachii in Wistar rats

Salacia lehmbachii Loes, is used traditionally in Nigeria for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-ulcer and anti-diarrhoeal activities of the ethanolic leaf extract of S. lehmbachii. The ethanolic leaf extract was evaluated for castor oil-induced diarrhoeal, intestinal transit as well as intestinal fluid accumulation in rats, while indomethacin, water immersion stress-induced and histamine were used for anti-ulcer tests. The extract at the doses used significantly (P<0.05) decreased castor oil-induced diarrhoea in rats as judged by a decrease in the number of wet faeces in the extract treated rats. Moreso, the leaf extract inhibited the propulsive movement of intestinal contents. S. lehmbachii also showed a dose-related inhibitory activity on castor oil-induced intestinal fluid accumulation in rats. The leaf extract of S. lehmbachii significantly (P<0.05) reduced the ulcer index in all assays used. The results of the current study support the folkloric usage of S. lehmbachii leaf extract in the management of gastrointestinal disorders in Nigerian herbal traditional medicine. Key words: Salacia lehmbachii, leaves, herbal medicine, antidiarrhoea, antiulcer, rats.

Nocturnal Enuresis and its Treatment among Primary School Children in Calabar-Nigeria

Background: Enuresis for most children is a source of shame and anxiety with a profound effect on self perception, relationship and school performance. Hence the study of nocturnal enuresis among primary school children in Calabar- Nigeria. Aims and objectives: This was to determine the frequency of enuresis among primary school children in Calabar and to study the treatment modalities. Study design: This was a prospective cross sectional study. A questionnaire was answered by parents of 3,230 pupils from six selected schools during the school term between January 2010 to March 2010. Results: The frequency of nocturnal enuresis was 6.7%. Enuresis frequency was higher among boys (7.3%) than girls (6.0%) though this was not statistically significant (P=0.216). Treatment methods used were medication (1.6%), water restriction (42.8%), awaking for voiding (27.3%) use of alarm bell (0.5%), herbal medication (8.0%), while 19.8% received no form of treatment. Help – seeking behavior for this condition was poor as only 2.1% of this study population ever sought medical attention for this condition. Conclusion and recommendation: The frequency of enuresis was similar to most reports in literature. Help- seeking behavior was poor. Parental education, advocacy and awareness creation on the availability of medical help for enuresis are suggested.