Alepidea amatymbica

Alepidea amatymbica is an important medicinal plant in Southern Africa with a long history of traditional use for the management of conditions like colds, coughs, sore throat, influenza, asthma, and abdominal cramps. Despite the much acclaimed traditional uses of the plant, there is a dearth of scientific information on the review of this plant. Hence, this review is aimed at providing information on the botany, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology of A. amatymbica. This review uses all the synonyms of the plant obtained from the plant list. Google scholar, Science Direct, PubMed, and Scopus were made use of in addition to the University of Fort Hare’s online databases. All the phytochemical studies on Alepidea amatymbica obtained from the literature reported the presence of kaurene-type diterpenoids and their derivatives. Pharmacological areas identified on A. amatymbica fresh and dried extract include antibacterial, antifungal, sedative, astringent, antimalarial, anti-inflammatory, antihelminthes, antihypertensive, anti-HIV, and diuretic activities. Literature search on A. amatymbica revealed the use of cell line, brine shrimps, and rats for the determination of the toxicity in the plant. Clinical trials and product development to fully exploit the medicinal value are also required to validate its folklore use in traditional medicine

Evaluation of the polyphenolic contents and antioxidant properties of aqueous extracts of garlic, ginger, cayenne pepper and their mixture

Garlic (Allium sativum), Ginger (Zingiber officinale), and Cayenne Pepper (Capsicum fructences) are common culinary spices that are used singly or combined in the diet of many populations of the world and there is a long-held belief of their health-enhancing properties.  This study investigated the aqueous extracts each of garlic, ginger, cayenne pepper and a combination of the three for polyphenolic and antioxidant properties that might justify such claims. Aqueous extracts of garlic, ginger, pepper and a combination of the three was evaluated for polyphenolic and antioxidant activities using DPPH, ABTS, nitric oxide radical scavenging activities and reducing power assay. Each of the spice extracts showed high content of phenolics, flavonoids, flavonols and proanthocyanidin, with the pepper extract exhibiting the highest concentration of each polyphenol investigated. The antioxidant activities of the spices and their mixture was concentration dependent, though positively comparable with the standards used. Among the extracts, the mixture exhibited the highest antioxidant activity compared to the individual spices and standards probably due to a synergistic effect of combining the spices. The present study confirmed that the aqueous extracts of garlic, ginger and pepper exhibited significant polyphenolic content and antioxidant potentials. Also, that a mixture of the three spices potentially exhibits more powerful synergistic antioxidant activity than the individual spices, making a strong case for their combined use

Comparative Analysis of Path Loss Prediction Models for Urban Macrocellular Environments

A comparative analysis of path loss prediction models for urban macrocellular environments is presented in this paper. Specifically, three path loss prediction models namely free space, Hata and Egli were used to predict path losses. The calculated path loss values were compared with practical measured data obtained from a Visafone base station located in Uyo, Nigeria. The comparative analysis reveals that the mean square error (MSE) for free space, Hata and Egli were 16.24dB, 2.37dB and 8.40dB respectively. The results showed that Hata’s model is the most accurate and reliable path loss prediction model for macrocellular urban propagation environments, since its MSE value of 2.37dB is smaller than the acceptable minimum MSE value of 6dB for good signal propagation

Compressive Strength Properties of Cassava Peel Ash and Wood Ash in Concrete Production

High rate of increase in the prices of cement is worrisome and become burden to people in the entire construction industry. Researchers, civil engineers, builders, architects and all concerns parties in the building industry are desperate for any suitable and effective but cheaper materials that can replace cement. There is need to find an alternative binding material that can be used mainly or in partial replacement of cement. The materials used were sourced from Bida town, Niger state, Nigeria. Wood ash and cassava peel ash were obtained after burning in the furnace at National Cereal Research Institute Badeggi, Bida into ash and passed through 75 micro meter sieve to the finest texture. The water use for the work was free from impurities. The comparative study on the compressive strength of concrete when OPC was partially replaced independently by some percentage of cassava peel ash (C.P.A) and wood ash (W.A) using 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% and 25% on both materials, 0.5 water-cement ratio and mixed design ration of 1:2:4. The mean strength of concrete at control is 0% (27.11N/mm2), 5% (24.44N/mm2), 10% (23.25N/mm2), 15% (23.36N/mm2), 20% (18.52N/mm2) and 25% (15.93N/mm2). 25% replacement of cement has the lowest mean strength at 28 days. Replacement at 5, 10 15% are within specification of (20N/mm2) for plain concrete while 20 and 25% are not suitable for structural concrete. The higher the pozzolanic material added to the cement in concrete production the lower the strength. The effects of Cassava Peel Ash and Wood Ash as environment pollution can be reduced when utilized as part of cement in concrete production

ULTRASTRUCTURE AND ELEMENTAL ANALYSIS OF HYPOXIS HEMEROCALLIDEA: A MULTIPURPOSE MEDICINAL PLANT

Background: Herbal medicine is a popular means of medical management in some parts of the world especially in Africa. Hypoxis hemerocallidea Fisch.C.A.Mey. & Avé-Lall, also known as African potato of the Hypoxidaecae family, is one of the medicinal plants that have enjoyed long usage as an herbal medicine in South Africa. In this study, the morphology and elemental constituents of H. hemerocallidea leaf was investigated to correlate the functional role of the ultrastructure in the production of therapeutic compounds. Materials and Methods: Fresh leaves of H. hemerocallidea were prepared for analysis using standard methods. The ultrastructure and crystal deposits of the plant were assessed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive x-ray (EDX). Results: It was observed that the leaves were characterised by multicelullar glandular and non glandular trichomes which are sparsely distributed over the entire surfaces. The glandular trichomes (GTs) in H. hemerocallidea leaf have boulbous heads which are probably filled with secretions, while the non glandular trichomes were long, fibrous and sparse. EDX-SEM of Hypoxis hemerocallidea leaf revealed that carbon, oxygen, nitrogen and silicon are the major components of the deposits, while other elements such as iron, sulphur, sodium, calcium, magnesium, potassium, manganese, iodine, chromium and iodine were present in small but variable amounts. Conclusion: The presence of these elements which are crucial to maintaining good health, in addition to other bioactive constituents might be accountable for the multipurpose therapeutic uses of Hypoxis hemerocallidea in the treatment of cancers, HIV/AIDS related diseases, urinary tract infections, cardiovascular disorders, diabetes and other chronic ailments of human

Comparative analysis of the chemical composition of three spices – Allium sativum L. Zingiber officinale Rosc. and Capsicum frutescens L. commonly consumed in Nigeria

The beneficial health effects of spices against common chronic systemic diseases have been well documented. Comparative study of the proximate, mineral and phytochemical components of three spices namely garlic (Allium sativum L.), ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) and pepper (Capsicum frutescens L.) were investigated. Analysis of the proximate composition revealed that the spices had considerable carbohydrate and crude protein content, but low ash, fibre, moisture and fat except pepper which has high crude fat content. The spices were also characterized by the presence of mineral elements such as calcium, iron, potassium, phosphorus, sodium, magnesium, copper and zinc which are very important to human nutrition. Phytochemical screening indicated that these spices are also rich in phytonutrients including alkaloid, tannin, carotenoids, saponin and flavonoids. The spices had low concentrations of steroids and cardenolides. Overall, the findings indicate that the spices are good sources of nutrients, mineral elements and phytochemicals which could be exploited as great potentials for drugs and/or nutritional supplements.Key words: Comparative, nutritional, supplements, spices

Antibacterial and antioxidant properties of the methanol extracts of the leaves and stems of Calpurnia aurea

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In South Africa, <it>Calpurnia aurea</it> (Ait.) Benth is used to destroy lice and to relieve itches, to destroy maggots and to treat allergic rashes, particularly those caused by caterpillars. Antioxidants play an important role protecting against damage by reactive oxygen species. Plants containing flavonoids have been reported to possess strong antioxidant properties.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The antibacterial, antioxidant activities and phenolic contents of the methanol extracts of the leaves and stems of <it>Calpurnia aurea</it> were evaluated using in vitro standard methods. Spectrophotometry was the basis for the determinations of total phenol, total flavonoids, flavonols, and proanthocyanidins. Tannins, quercetin and catechin equivalents were used for these parameters. The antioxidant activities of the stem extract of <it>Calpurnia aurea</it> were determined by ABTS, DPPH, and ferrous reducing antioxidant property (FRAP) methods. Laboratory isolates of 10 bacteria species which included five Gram-positive and five Gram-negative strains were used to assay for antibacterial activity of this plant.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The results from this study showed that the antioxidant activities of the stem extract of <it>Calpurnia aurea </it>as determined by the total phenol, flavonoids, and FRAP methods were higher than that of the leaves. On the other hand, the leaf extract of the plant has higher level of total flavonols and proanthocyanidins. The leaf extract also has higher radical scavenging activity as shown in 1, 1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and 2,2¿-azinobis-3- ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) assay. The leaf extract showed activity against seven of the bacterial organisms.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The results from this study indicate that the leaves and stem extracts of <it>Calpurnia aurea </it>possess antioxidant properties and could serve as free radical inhibitors or scavenger or, acting possibly as primary antioxidants. Although, the antibacterial properties of <it>Calpurnia aurea</it> are not as effective as the standard drugs- Chloramphenicol and Streptomycin, they still possess some activity against bacterial strains used in this study. <it>Calpurnia aurea </it>may therefore be a good candidate for functional foods as well as pharmaceutical plant-based products.</p

Re – Training Needs of Mechanical Engineering Technologists for Improved Performance in Scientific Equipment Development Institutes in Nigeria.

Following constant complains by our schools on short falls in the supply of laboratory apparatus and even when available they are sub – standard, this study was conducted to determine the re-training needs of mechanical engineering technologists who are directly involved in the production of these laboratory apparatus  for improved performance in Scientific Equipment Development Institutes (SEDI) in Nigeria. Two research questions and 2 hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. The study was conducted in the two Scientific Development Institutes located at Minna and Enugu. A survey research design approach was adopted. The entire population of 82 mechanical engineers and 140 mechanical engineering technologists served as the respondents. No sampling was done. A 50 item structured questionnaire was used to collect the relevant data for the study. Data collected were analyzed using frequency counts, standard deviation, mean and t – test statistics. Results from analysis of data showed that all the 50 proposed items were accepted as retraining needs of mechanical engineering technologists. Specifically, the study revealed that the technologists were most deficient in areas of the use of automatic, NC, and CNC machines. It was recommended that as a matter of urgency government should put in place various strategies of retraining such as partnership with production industries, workshops, seminars and short term trainings outside the country. Key words: Re-training, performance, technologists, industries, scientific equipmen

Determinants of Contraceptive Options among Postpartum Women Attending Selected Health Care Facilities in Nigeria: A Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction: Differences in availability and choices of contraceptive methods among postpartum women have been found to influence their quality of life as the fertility rate is very high, and the contraceptive usage rate persistently remains low in Nigeria. Objectives: This study assessed the determinants of contraceptive options among postpartum women in Nigeria. Methods: Two Local Governments were randomly selected from the four Local Governments. Within these two local governments, five health facilities were selected. A multistage sampling technique was used to select the 240 respondents, while a structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Results: Findings from the study indicated that 81.7% of the respondents have planned to have their current baby, and about 65.4% of the women have resumed sexual activities since delivery. Of those who have resumed sexual activities, the majority, 91.1% did so 6 weeks after delivery. Some form of contraceptive usage was prominent among 59.2% of the respondents, as the most common contraceptive method used was withdrawal (24.8%). Contraceptive prevalence was slightly lower for urban respondents than rural respondents, although the relationship was not significant. Also, there was a statistically significant relationship between the current use of contraceptives and resumption of sexual activities since delivery (p = .001), resumption of menstruation (p = .001), and information received about postpartum family planning (p = 0.013). Conclusion: Findings from this study emphasize the urgent need for enhanced accessibility and availability of contraceptive methods, with a parallel emphasis on targeted interventions and effective communication strategies to promote contraceptive uptake and family planning. Addressing these determinants is vital in improving postpartum women's overall quality of life in the study area