ANALGESIC EFFECT AND ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY OF AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF BOSWELLIA DALZIELII (BURSERACEAE) STEM BARK

Objective: To evaluate the analgesic effect and anti-inflammatory properties of Boswellia dalzielii (Burseraceae), a medicinal plant commonly used in northern Nigeria as an anti-diarrhoeal, antipyretic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory agent.Methods: Three doses (25 mg/kg, 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg) of the crude aqueous extract of Boswellia dalzielii were evaluated for analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities using the acetic acid-induced writhing test, formalin-induced nociception and formalin-induced hind paw oedema in rats. The acute oral toxicity was carried out using the up and down procedure as described by the OECD guidelines.Results: All doses (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg) of the extract tested were effective against acetic acid induced abdominal constrictions producing a percentage inhibition of (55.43, 69.56 and 71.73%) respectively. A percentage inhibition of the formalin-induced nociception of (7.31, 31.70 and 48.78%-early phase) and (12.82, 21.79 and 48.71%-late phase) respectively was also produced. For the acetic acid writhing test, the percentage inhibition obtained at the dose of 50 and 100 mg/kg (69.56 and 71.73%) were higher than that of the standard drug (Piroxicam, 10 mg/kg) (59.78%). For formalin-induced nociception, the test extract at 100 mg/kg showed a higher percentage inhibition compared to Piroxicam, in early (48.78 and 43.90%) and late phase (48.71 and 39.74 %) respectively. The extract, however, did not show a significant activity against formalin-induced paw oedema at all the doses used.Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that Boswellia dalzielii has significant analgesic properties comparable to that of the standard drug (10% Piroxicam), thus validating the traditional claim of its antinociceptive property

Phytochemical screening and antiproliferative effects of methanol extract of stem bark of Diospyros mespiliformis Hochst (Ebenaceae) against guinea corn (Sorghum bicolor) seeds radicles length

The plant Diospyros mespiliformis Hochst (Ebenaceae) is commonly known as Kanya in Northern Nigeria which has been used widely in treating various ailments such as fever, whooping cough, wounds. Malaria, Pneumonia, Syphilis, Leprosy, Dermatomycoses, Diarrhea without scientific validation. Preliminary Phytochemical screening. Thin layer chromatographic profile (TLC) of methanol crude extract and antiproliferative studies were carried out in this research. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of carbohydrate, glycoside, anthraquinone, steroid, triterpenes, saponin, tannins, flavonoids and alkaloid. TLC profile of the crude extract gave four sports with good Rf values. Antiproliferative evaluation were carried out using Guinea corn (Sorghum bicolour) seeds spread in a 9 cm wide petridish laid with cotton wool and Whatman filter paper which was treated with 1-30 mg/ml of methanol extract in 24-96 hr period of incubation. At 24 hrs of incubation, the methanol extracts had 24.771 ± 0.526 mm length of growth for the controls whereas the seeds treated with 10, 20, and 30 mg/ml of the extract produced a length total of 2.772 ± 0.494 mm, 2.150 ± 0.490 mm and 2.257 ± 0.489 mm respectively, while at the end of 96 hours of incubation period, the radicles length of the control seeds measured 93.77 ± 9.730 mm while those treated with 10, 20, and 30 mg/ml were observed to be 37 ± 3.297 mm, 17.023 ± 2.802 mm and 16.086 ± 1.976 mm. This reduction in the growth implied 60.54, 81.87 and 82.83% respectively compared to the controls. This study has scientifically justified the traditional uses of Diospyros mespiliformis stem bark extracts asantiproliferative agent against radicles of a Guinea corn (Sorghum bicolour) which may relate to its use as anticancer agent.Keywords: Antiproliferative effects, Diospyros mespiliformis, Phytochemica

Citation Analysis Of Doctoral Theses In Library And Information Science Submitted To University Of Maiduguri, Nigeria

Citations of doctoral theses in library and information science, submitted to the School of Post-graduate Studies (SPGS), University of Maiduguri between 2014 and 2018 were analysed for the following variables, viz; bibliographical format of literature cited, age of publications cited and a ranked list of journal titles cited. Bibliometric techniques were used in the analysis, which involves counting and categorizing references cited for each of the following; textbooks and monographs, journal articles, theses and dissertations, conference proceedings, unpublished sources, reports, newsletters and online sources, journal articles cited, and examinations of the age of publications cited. The data gathered was collated and analysed using frequency distributions and percentage scores, presented in tables. Findings of the study revealed that, the fourteen (14) theses generated 1,828 citations, with journal articles accounting for highest number of citations 732 (40%) while textbooks and monographs with 648 (35.4%) citations. In addition, findings on distributions of age of publications cited by decade showed that majority of the works cited 986 (53.9%) is from 2000 – 2009, followed by 2010 – 2018 with 411 (22.5%) citations. Finding on the ranked list of journals cited arranged in decreasing order revealed a total of 732 citations form ninety-one (91) journal titles. The most frequently cited journal was Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal) with 92 citations followed by African Journal of Library, Archives and Information Science with 61 citations, while about fifty (50) other journal titles recorded lowest scores of three, two and one citations respectively

Improved Livelihoods and Poverty Reduction through Functional Education Programmes in Nigeria Rural Areas: A Prescription

There is general global call for provision of basic education for all and sundry to overcome poverty, as poverty tranced beyond its traditional meaning of “have not.” The poor populace is deprived of basic education rights, especially in southern Asia and African. Absolute and relative types of poverty do exist in Nigeria in particular. The study was anchored on theory of andragogy. The paper therefore aimed at exposing such blatant types of poverty in Nigeria and proffered solutions for eradicating the poverty via functional education programmes in the country

An Empirical Study on the Use Intention of Electronic Cash Collection System in Nigerian Federal Hospitals

It is a well-known fact that the use of electronic systems around the globe has facilitated and enhanced the efficiency in organizations. In light of this, federal hospitals in Nigeria have started using electronic collection system for cash collection purposes. Electronic cash collection system (e-collection) is a computerized system designed to handle cash collections with a view to block revenue leakages that are widespread within the Nigerian public sector organizations. However, the continuous use of the system is being faced with great resistance by those employees that were purposely meant to use it. In view of that, the aim of this paper is to investigate factors that could influence employee’s intention to use e-collection system in the performance of their duties. Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) was adapted with an extension of computer self-efficacy variable with a view to providing additional explanation to the model. Partial Least Square (PLS) was used to analyse 116 responses from e-collection users in investigating the relationship between three independent variables (perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, computer self-efficacy) and the dependent variable (intention). The results of the analysis revealed that positive and significant relationships exist between the independent variables and the dependent variable except between perceived usefulness and intention. Recommendations were made to the hospital authorities to educate and enlighten the concern employees on the usefulness and benefits of the new system

Evaluation of the groundwater quality in Pariya

Abstract: This article attempts to appraise the groundwater water quality of Pariya, Nigeria. Water samples was collected from 10 different borehole sources in the study area and analysed for the physicochemical factors such as pH, TDS, Total Hardness, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Potassium, Chloride, Sulphate, Lead, Fluoride, Iron, Bicarbonate and total coliforms. The results of physicochemical quality was compared with the WHO standards. It was found that the physicochemical quality was within the permissible limits. The bacteriological analyses indicated the occurrence of total coliforms above the standards. It was recommended to adopt basic treatment by boiling before ingestion to safeguard against water borne diseases

Evaluation on the effectiveness of the use of Management Information System (MIS) by students of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai. Niger State

This study investigated the effectiveness of the use of management information system (MIS) by students of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University Lapai. Specifically, four research questions guided the study such as what are the factors influencing the need for management information system to students in Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai? How effective is management information system to students in Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai in terms of e-learning, e-accounting, e-administration, records keeping and e-communication? It adopted a descriptive survey design and had a population of 845 undergraduate students in the department of business administration Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University Lapai. The study used two hundreds undergraduate students through simple random sampling in business administration department. Two hundred (200) copies of the questionnaire were distributed with one hundred and seventy (170) returned; representing a return rate of 85%. The data collected were analyzed using percentages. The findings of the study revealed that there is need for management information system for effective records keeping of both students and staff files, the effectiveness of management information system has helped in the smooth running of university records, the challenges of management information system are lack of basic ICT skills, inadequate power supply, lack of management involvement in the design of MIS, low data concentration, lack of management support and inadequate ICT professionals. The study recommended that attention should be given to management information system for effective records keeping. There is the need to have an effective management information system in place for effective records keeping, the challenges facing management information system should be looked into and solve once and for all so that Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University Lapai will have an effective and reliable management information system for records keeping. Keywords: Management Information System (MIS), University, Students, Computer, Evaluation, Record

Zakah on employment income in Muslims majority states of Nigeria: Any cause for alarm?

This paper aims at adding to reliable solutions of the menace of poverty in the Muslim majority states of Nigeria by providing facts that buttress the payment of Zakah on employment and professional income as a powerful source of funds for dealing with the harsh effect of poverty among Muslim communities.The paper is purely a literature review research that explores the jurisprudential debate and ruling on Zakah on employment income and traces how some Muslim majority jurisdictions benefitted immensely towards eradicating poverty using proceeds from Zakah on employment and professional income.In view of this, the paper recommends to those in authority to take a juristic stance on the matter and generate Zakah funds from employment and professional income as well as ensure proper disbursement of the funds to the target group in order to curb the poverty situations of the Muslim majority states in Nigeria and beyond

Assessment on the Use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) For Teaching And Learning In Arabic Secondary Schools (Case Study: Kano State, Nigeria)

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has changed the world entirely. These change span across all sectors, ranging from transportation, economic, health, military, banking, education, to mention a few. The rise of communication technologies has provoked great interest in the way in which they can be applied in education to improve its efficiency and effectiveness. This study aimed at determining the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for teaching and learning in Arabic Secondary Schools in Kano State, Nigeria. The study focused on six (6) Arabic Secondary Schools in Kano Municipal, among the schools are: School for Arabic Studies Kano (SAS), Government Arabic College Gwale (GAC Gwale), Abdullahi Bayero College of Qur’an, UmmuWarqa Government Girls Arabic School, Hasiya Bayero Government Girls Arabic School and Balarabe Haladu Government Arabic School Kano. A survey research design method was adopted to conduct the study. The population used for the study consisted of the teachers and students from the six Arabic schools. Two different questionnaires were designed and distributed among the teachers and their students. The first questionnaire is for the students which consist of four sections and the second questionnaire is for the teachers which are under six sections, two hundred samples are used in each case. The findings showed that 26% of the teachers are using ICT applications for teaching and learning, while 74% of the teachers are not using ICT tools for teaching and learning. On the other hand, 34% of the students are using ICT applications for teaching and learning, while 66% of the students are not using ICT tools for teaching and learning Keywords: Arabic, Qur’an, Secondary, School, Information Communication Technology

Comparative yield and characterization of flavonoids from the stem back and root of Blighia sapida

Flavonoids represent a wide spread group of water soluble phenolic derivatives, known for their medicinal effect. This paper is focused on identifying the functional groups present in flavonoids of Blighia sapida stem bark and root sample. The percentage yield was higher with methanol extract of the stem bark compared to the root. The GC-MS of methanol extract shows carboxylic acid which might be attributed to presence of lipids. The isolation of flavonoids by TLC and the FITR revealed the functional group –OH, C=O,CH which are majorly responsible for the medicinal effect.Keywords: Blighia sapida, characterization, comparative yield, Flavonoids, methanol extrac