Im Siminialayi

Anticonvulsant activity of the fractionated extract of Crinum jagus bulbs in experimental animals

Abstract Objective To investigate the anticonvulsant activity of the bulbs of Crinum jagus in experimental animals. Methods The uprooted bulbs were air dried for a week and ground into creamy-paste. 200g of paste was macerated each in 2 litres of water, ethanol and petroleum ether and filtered after 48 h. The obtained filtrates were each evaporated at the appropriate temperature to solid residue. The residues were further fractionated with successive changes of petroleum ether, ethyl acetate and n-butanol into a pooled filtrate which was further evaporated to dry solid brown-paste. Phytochemistry was carried out based on Treas and Evans method of 1987. The acute toxicity study (LD50) was carried based on Lorkes 1983 method. Convulsion was induced using maximum electric shock (MEST), pentylenetetrazole(PTZ), strychnine and Picrotoxin in the appropriate animal models. Seizures onset time and death time were used as successful induction of convulsion while prolongations of these features were taken as anticonvulsant activity. Results where possible, were statistically analyzed using SPSS-16.0 version. Results The LD 50 was got at 1118.003mg/kg (IP) in mice using Lorkes 1983 method. Fractionated extract of Crinum jagus exhibited dose dependent antiseizure against MEST induced seizure (P Conclusions We conclude that the bulbs of Crinum jagus possess proven broad spectrum antiseizure and perhaps antiepileptogenic activity thus justifies its use in traditional medicine. Clinical trial in man is recommended.

Pattern and antibiogram of urinary tract infection at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital.

To explore the prevalence, pathogenicity, and antibiotic susceptibility patterns of urinary tract infections at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital. Methods: Samples from 400 patients with a presumptive diagnosis of urinary tract infection including 250 non pregnant females and 150 males were used for this study. They were distributed into two groups: children aged 2 to 17 (Group A) and adults aged 18 to 75 (Group B).The standard wire loop and agar diffusion technique were employed for culture and susceptibility testing, respectively. Data obtained were analysed using SPSS, version 14. Results: 30.0% of Group A and 41.0% of Group B had significant bacteriuria with 66.7% and 79.3% as females, respectively. The commonest isolates cultured were Escherichia coli (32.8%), Staphylococcus aureus (17.2%), and Klebsiella spp. (16.4%). About 76.6% of isolates were sensitive to the fluorinated quinolones, 31.2% to the aminoglycosides, and 22.7% to the urinary antiseptic, nitrofurantoin. The isolates were non-sensitive to tetracycline (93.8%), cotrimoxazole (92.2%), and nalidixic acid (86.7%). Most isolates showed non-uniform sensitivity patterns to the cephaloporins (cefuroxime and ceftazidime). Pseudomonas spp. isolates were generally resistant to the fluorinated quinolones. Conclusion: Though the fluorinated quinolones are still largely effective for empirical therapy in urinary tract infections, the importance of prior sensitivity testing in checking the emergence of bacterial antibiotic resistance can not be overemphasized.

Protective Effects of Pleurotus tuber-regium on Carbon- Tetrachloride Induced Testicular Injury in Sprague Dawley Rats

The high rate of male infertility and the meager resources to manage same in sub Saharan Africa have necessitated the search for cost effective and available alternatives. Mushrooms have been used traditionally in folk medicine and as nutraceuticals. This study has investigated the effect of the wild mushroom Pleurotus tuber-regium on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) deleterious effects on the reproductive system of male rats. Thirty six rats were divided into six groups of six animals each. Group I (negative control) received 10 ml/kg olive oil intraperitoneal weekly in addition to feed and water ad libitum. Group II (positive control) received CCl4 10 ml/kg (30% in Olive oil) weekly. Group III, IV, and V received 100 mg, 20 0mg, and 500 mg P. tuber-regium (33.3% in feed) daily in addition to 10 ml/kg CCl4 weekly. Group VI received 500 mg P. tuber-regium (33.3% in feed) daily. After 4 weeks, sperm motility, epididymal count and vitality were determined. Serum malondialdehyde (MDA), testosterone, Luteinizing hormone (LH), Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), prolactin and oestradiol were estimated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. Histopathologic examinations of the testis were carried out. Carbon tetrachloride significantly reduced the sperm motility (54.33 ± 3.79%), epididymal count (28.73 ± 2.86 × 106/ml, vitality (4.96 ± 0.62), LH (0.88 ± 0.14), FSH (2.04 ± 0.33), and Testosterone (2.02 ± 0.24) when compared with control (89.33 ± 9.01), 91.91 ± 1.92 × 106/ml, 13.12 ± 0.19, 2.74 ± 0.32, 3.64 ± 0.62, and 4.16 ± 0.23, respectively, which were reversed by P. tuber-regium administration. Co-administration of P. tuber-regium plus CCl4 significantly reduced MDA level. P. tuber-regium showed dose dependent ameliorative activity against CCl4 deleterious action on the testis and may be beneficial in the management of male infertility.

Maternal lead exposure and pregnancy outcome in Wistar albino rats

Lead (Pb) is a heavy metal environmental pollutant and toxicant. The present study investigated dose-related effects of maternal Pb exposure on pregnancy outcome. Wistar albino rats were gavaged with Pb nitrate (4 or 8 mg/kg) or vehicle daily from gestation day 0 until delivery. Length of pregnancy was noted. Number, birth weight and physical characteristics of pups were registered. Neonatal mortality was also recorded between days 1 to 15 post-delivery. Lead treatment significantly (p < 0.05) inhibited maternal body weight gain and caused abortion of pregnancy dose-dependently (4 mg/kg: 67.7%, 8 mg/kg: 100%). Besides, all occurring births in 4 mg/kg Pb-exposed rats were preterm (p = 0.0023) with morphological abnormalities in the head and limbs, and about 33% were still births. Also, average number and birth weight of Pb-exposed rats offspring were significantly (p < 0.0001) lower compared to controls. Furthermore, while body weights of offspring of control rats increased significantly (p < 0.0001) over time, those of Pb-exposed rats decreased significantly (p = 0.0077). Neonatal survival was 0% in Pb treated rats and 100% in control. The results demonstrate that maternal Pb exposure adversely and dose-dependently affects pregnancy outcome. Key words: Developmental toxicity, gestation, heavy metals, lead, reproductive toxicity, resorption.

Perception and Attitude of Theatre Staff to Preoperative HIV Testing at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital

Objective: To elucidate the awareness and approach to pre-operative human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing and emphasis on the attendant components of HIV testing. Methods: The stud was conducted at the theatres of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital among 123 nursing. anaesthetic, and operating staff. A descriptive cross sectional design was adopted with stratified sampling. The study instrument was a structured, self administered pro forma. Results: All respondents were all aware of HIV infection and all had transmission through infected blood and tissues (100.0%). 88.6% had infection through needle stick injuries. 62.6% through vertical transmission, and 98.4% through blood transfusion. Sixty three percent of respondents correctly knew what preoperative testing was, while 58.5% were aware of the preoperative testing policy of the hospital. All respondents favoured the policy of preoperative testing. Attitudinal values to seropositive patients were not very different as 72.4% of respondents claimed they treated every patient as high risk, and all respondents used personal protective equipment. Conclusions: Routine HIV testing now represents a conventional means providing patients with knowledge of their HIV status. Such testing should be accompanied by informed consent, counseling, confidentiality, protection, and access to treatment.

ACETONE EXTRACT OF CRINUM JAGUS BULBS (LILLIACEAE): AN ACUTE AND SUB CHRONIC TOXICOLOGICAL EVALUATION IN ALBINO RATS

The bulbs of Crinum jagus bulbs are used in the treatment of various ailments in traditional medicine. This study was aimed at evaluating the toxicity of acetone extracts of Crinum jagus bulbs on albino rats following acute and sub-chronic exposure on haematological and biochemical parameters. The LD50 of this plant was estimated to be more than 5000 mg/kg. Phytochemical screening of the bulbs extract revealed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, saponins, steroids, alkaloids, carbohydrates, reducing sugars and saponins. In the repeated dose 28 days oral toxicity study, administration of 250 and 500 mg/kg of body weight of extracts revealed increase in body weights. The extract produced a significant (P 0.05) changes in alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin, total cholesterol, conjugated bilirubin, total protein and haematological parameters of the treated groups compared with control were observed. The plant extract is however, not safe for long term use.