ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITIES OF HONEY FROM DIFFERENT LOCATIONS IN THE TROPICAL RAIN FOREST BELT OF NIGERIA, ON SELECTED BACTERIAL ISOLATES

Honey has been used for various purposes including treatment of diseases. This study was carried out to determine antibacterial activities of honey samples obtained from different locations in the tropical Rainforest Belt of Nigeria (Abeokuta, Aiyetoro, Ajebo, and Saki) against reference bacterial isolates: Escherichia coli (E.coli) (ATCC 25922) and Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), using agar well diffusion technique. Staphylococcus aureus showed sensitivity to all honey samples used with the zone of inhibition ranging between 1.9 and 2.6mm. Escherichia coli was resistant to all concentrations of honey samples used. However, the present study did not explore the possible causative agent(s) involved in the antibacterial activity of the honey used.Â

Antispermatogenic Activity Of Morinda Morindoides Root Bark Extract In Male Wistar Rats

To investigate the effect of the aqueous extract of the root bark of Morinda morindoides (Rubiaceae) on the reproductive activity of male Wistar rats, three groups (A, B and C) of six rats each were treated with 400,800 and 1600 mg/kg/day of Morinda morindoides root bark extract respectively for 28 days while 5mls/kg of distilled water was given to the control group D. At the end of the experimental period, animals were sacrificed and sperm characteristics, histology of the testes and epididymis were assessed. Morinda morindoides root bark extract caused a significant reduction (p<0.05) in sperm motility, a significant dose dependent reduction in the sperm count and a significant (p<0.05) dose dependent increase in morphological abnormalities of the spermatozoa of the treated rats. Histopathological evaluation of the testis and epididymis revealed varying degrees of degeneration and necrosis of the germinal epithelia cell of the seminiferous tubules and spermiostasis. Morinda morindoides root bark extract has significant anti-spermatogenic effects on adult male Wistar rats which could impair reproductive activities in these male Wistar rats. &nbsp

Canine Dirofilariasis: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Dirofilariasis is a disease of clinical importance in dogs. It is to this end that a case of a seven-year-old mongrel with dirofilariasis was presented to examine the unique features and presentation in the canine patient in question. The dog had clinical signs consistent with the disease. Further diagnostic tests were performed to establish the presence and severity of the disease and make an appropriate treatment plan. The Knott’s test revealed Dirofilaria species in the circulating blood and radiography showed right ventricular hypertrophy with pulmonary arterial enlargement and increased bronchial opacification. The treatment instituted was ivermectin therapy by subcutaneous injection every two weeks for six months, cardiac glycoside and antibiotics for 14 days. The clinical signs resolved after completion of the treatment. A general overview of heartworm infection in dogs was also done to update current knowledge of the disease. Though the risk of significant propagation of Dirofilaria immitis is considered low, with the climate change and international pet travel regulations, this emerging zoonosis remains a threat

PLANTS USED BY THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF ODEDA, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA FOR DIFFERENT AILMENTS: ETHNOBOTANICAL REPORTS AND PHARMACOLOGICAL EVIDENCE

The indigenous people of rural and semi-urban regions of Nigeria have a rich traditional medicine practice (TMP) heritage. Despite their wealth of knowledge on the use of plants as medicines, many of these plants have not been adequately explored. This study aimed at documenting, reviewing and validating plant species and their therapeutic benefits by the indigenous people of Ọdédá Local Government Area (LGA), Ogun State. Semi-structured questionnaire was used to gather information on socio-demographic data and ethno-medicinal plants/practices from 21 traditional medicine practitioners in ten villages across the LGA. Information collected included the plant species/parts used, ailments, common/vernacular names of the plants and methods of preparation/administration. An extensive literature survey was thereafter done to authenticate the veracity of the claims and find extra information on what is known about the named plants. Diseases frequently managed in this study area were fever/malaria, typhoid and arthritis. A total of 36 plant species belonging to 27 plant families were documented with their leaves mostly used plant part as oral decoctions. Aframomum melegueta and Citrus aurantifolia were the plant species with the highest relative frequency of citation. Approximately 83 % of the named plant species were found to have similar ethnomedicinal uses with studies conducted in other parts of the world and 99 % have been reported to be pharmacologically active in the literature. Lack of proper documentation can lead to loss of the traditional knowledge which threatens the sustenance of rural healthcare system. Standardization, development of an integrative curriculum and formal training in TMP in Nigeria is urgently needed.   &nbsp