Antigenotoxic and Antioxidant Activity of Methanol Stem Bark Extract of Napoleona Vogelii Hook & Planch (Lecythidaceae) In Cyclophosphamide-Induced Genotoxicity

BACKGROUND: Napoleona vogelii is used in traditional medicine for cancer management.AIM: The study was conducted to evaluate the antigenotoxic and antioxidant activities of methanol stem bark extract of N. vogelii in male Sprague Dawley rats.MATERIALS AND METHOD: Thirty male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into group 1 (control) administered 10 mL/kg distilled water, groups 2 and 3 were co-administered 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg of N. vogelli and 5 mg/kg cyclophosphamide (CPA) respectively for 7 days p.o. Groups 4 and 5 were administered only 5 mg/kg CPA and 200 mg/kg NV respectively.RESULTS: The LD50 oral was greater than 4 g/kg. There were significant (p < 0.0001) increases in plasma enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant enzymes and significant (p < 0.0001) decrease in percentage micronuclei in bone marrow of extract treated rats compared to rats administered 5 mg/kg CPA alone. There was steatosis pointing to cytotoxic injury in the liver of rats co-administered 200 mg/kg NV and 5 mg/kg CPA. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of the extract showed the presence of phytol and unsaturated fatty acids.CONCLUSION: N. vogelii possesses antigenotoxic and antioxidant activities associated with the presence of phytochemicals, phytol and unsaturated fatty acids

Medication adherence in type 2 diabetes patients: study of patients in Alimosho General Hospital, Igando, Lagos, Nigeria.

Background: Poor adherence is an obstacle in therapeutic control of diabetes. Despite the advances in the treatment of diabetes mellitus over the years, diabetes places an immense burden on the individuals living with the condition, their families and the overall health care system. Objective: Evaluation of the impact of medication adherence on the clinical outcomes of type 2 diabetes patients at Alimosho general hospital, Igando Lagos state. Method: The medication adherence study was both descriptive (retrospective) and prospective. The retrospective study assessed the prevalence of medication non-adherence leading to poor glycemic control. This involved the review of case notes of one-hundred and fifty two randomly selected patients. Prospective study was done by counselling and educating the patients on medication adherence and assessing their medication adherence and the impact of medication adherence on glycemic control. Results: The proportions of females/males with type 2 DM was found to be 69% and 31% respectively. 51.32% of these patients viewed their medications to be unaffordable. 56.6% of the patient population were 61 years and above in age. There was a significant relationship between patient age, gender and adherence to medication. There was however no significant P 65 0.05 association between educational level and adherence. Health education and counselling resulted in adherence rate and clinical parameters improvements. Conclusion: Non-adherence is a major factor that could lead to morbidity and mortality in diabetic patients. The overall improvement in adherence rate of 86.8% was observed with a decline in non- adherence rate after interventions

Cancer distribution pattern in south-western Nigeria

 The burden of cancer in Nigeria is appreciable with about 100,000 new cancer cases been reported in the country each year. This study aimed to determine the level of occurrence and pattern of distribution of different cancer types in two major functional cancer registries in south-western Nigeria. A desk review of the level of occurrence and pattern of distribution of different cancer types in Lagos and Ibadan cancer registries over a 5 year period (2005-2009) was carried out. The results obtained showed a total number of 5094 cancer patients registered between 2005 and 2009 in both Lagos (60%) and Ibadan (40%) cancer registries. Breast cancer accounted for the majority of cases (20.2%), followed by cervical cancer (7.9 %), fibroid (4.4%), liver (4.4%), stomach (4.3%), brain (3.9%), pancreas (3.8%), prostate (3.3%), lung (3.0%) and cancer of the kidney (0.7%). There were significant differences (P ≤ 0.05) in the level of occurrence between cancers of the breast, cervix, prostate, liver, ovary and all other cancers. Liver cancer (147; 77) and bone cancer (91; 37) were predominant in females than males while lung cancer (89; 65), stomach cancer (112; 109), and kidney cancer (24; 14) were predominant in males than females. In conclusion the findings of this study provide insights to cancer epidemiology in the western region of Nigeria. This study confirms earlier findings that breast, prostate, liver and cervical cancers account for the majority of cases of cancers in Nigeria. Thus, there is need to organize on a wider scale suitable methods for early detection of these diseases

Atividade modulatória de anti-oxidantes contra a toxicidade da rifampicina in vivo

The World Health Organization (WHO) has shown concern about the burden of tuberculosis in the developing countries. Even though rifampicin is an effective drug in the management of tuberculosis, it has been documented to have some toxic effects in humans. Therefore, this study intends to investigate the modulatory effect of vitamins C and E on the hepatotoxicity, sperm quality and brain toxicity of Rifampicin. Forty Wistar albino rats were used, 10 animals per group. Group 1 animals received 0.3 mL of distilled water, the Group 2 animals received the therapeutic dose of rifampicin, Group 3 animals received therapeutic doses of rifampicin plus vitamin E, while Group 4 received therapeutic doses of rifampicin and vitamin C. The administration was performed orally during three months; the animals were sacrificed by cervical dislocation at the end of that period. Blood samples were collected and liver function and lipid profile was analyzed using fully automated clinical chemistry device. The liver, brain and reproductive organs underwent histopathological examination. Sperm samples were collected from the epididymis to achieve count and motility and morphological analysis. Results showed rifampicin alone to raise (p < 0.05) liver function enzymes (Aspartate amino transferase [AST], Serum alanine amino transferase [ALT] and Total Bilirubin) when compared with controls. While the vitamin E treated group showed remarkable protection, the vitamin C treated group showed questionable protection against the rifampicin induced liver damage. Sperm count results showed an important (p < 0.05) increase in the sperm quality in vitamin E and C treated groups. However, the vitamin E plus Rifampicin treated group showed increased lipid peroxidation. The histopathological findings revealed structural damages by rifampicin in liver, brain and epididymis while some remarkable architectural integrity was observed in the antioxidant-treated groups. It can be concluded that vitamin E or C improved sperm quality and protected against the brain damage caused by rifampicin. Moreover, vitamin E demonstrated remarkable hepatoprotection against rifampicin induced damage while vitamin C shows a questionable hepatoprotection.A Organização Mundial da Saúde tem mostrado preocupação acerca da eclosão da tuberculose nos países em desenvolvimento. Embora a rifampicina seja droga efetiva para o controle da tuberculose têm sido documentados seus efeitos tóxicos em pacientes. Portanto este estudo tem a intenção de investigar o efeito modulador das vitaminas C e E na hepatotoxicidade, qualidade de esperma e a toxicidade cerebral da rifampicina. Quarenta ratos albinos da raça Wistar foram usados, 10 animais por grupo. O grupo 1 de animais recebeu 0,3 mL de água destilada. O grupo 2 recebeu a dose terapêutica de rifampicina. O grupo 3 recebeu doses terapêuticas de rifampicina mais vitamina E, enquanto o grupo 4 recebeu doses terapêuticas de rifampicina e vitamina C. A administração foi feita por via oral durante três meses; os animais foram sacrificados por deslocação cervical após este período. Amostras sanguíneas foram coletadas e função hepática e o perfil lipídico foram analisados usando aparelho automático de química clínica. O fígado, o cérebro e os órgãos reprodutivos foram submetidos a análise histopatológica. As amostras de esperma foram coletadas do epidídimo para contagem, motilidade e análise morfológica. Resultados revelaram que a rifampicina isoladamente aumenta (p < 0,05) os enzimas de função hepática (aspartato amino transferase {AST], alanino amino transferase sérica [ALT] e bilirrubina total) quando comparados com os controles. Embora o grupo tratado com vitamina E mostrasse marcada proteção, o grupo tratado com vitamina C mostrou proteção questionável contra a lesão hepática induzida pela rifampicina. Resultados da contagem espermática mostraram importante (p < 0,05) aumento na qualidade do esperma no grupo tratado com vitamina E e C. Entretanto, o grupo tratado com vitamina E e rifampicina mostrou aumento da peroxidação lipídica. Os achados histopatológicos revelaram danos estruturais pela rifampicina ao fígado, cérebro e epidídimo enquanto uma notável integridade arquitetural foi observada no grupo tratado por anti-oxidantes. Pode-se concluir que as vitaminas E e C melhoraram a qualidade do esperma e protegeram o cérebro de danos causados pela rifampicina. Mais ainda, a vitamina E demonstrou notável hépato-proteção contra o dano induzido pela rifampicina enquanto a vitamina C mostrou hépato-proteção questionável

Larvicidal activity of essential oil from citrus sinensis and Citrus paradisi against Anopheles gambiae

Malaria is a major health challenge in the developing world causing millions of death annually. Synthetic pesticides used in the vectors control are not environmentally safe and are expensive. We screened the essential oils of Citrus sinensis and Citrus paradisi peels at concentrations ranging between 40 and 400 ppm against late 3rd instar of Anopheles gambiae larvae. The effects of ethanol and methanol on the larvicidal activity of these oils were examined. The effects of combined oils formulations on larvicidal activity were also determined. The larvicidal concentration (LC50) of the orange and grape oil was 73ppm and 76 ppm, respectively in methanol, and 121 ppm and 82 ppm in ethanol solution. The LC50 of the combined oil formulations ranged between 54 and 99ppm. The different oil combinations showed synergism except when combined at equal proportion in ethanol. Conclusively, orange and grape oils could be used as biopesticides against A. gambiae larvae.Keywords: Anopheles gambiae; Citrus paradisi; Citrus sinensis; essential oils; Mosquito larvaeBiokemistri 28(1): 16–2

Perception of community pharmacists on abuse of psychotropic medications among the consumers

Purpose: Abuse of medications implies that the user is using them for reasons other than those indicated in the prescribing literature. Psychotropic medications are those capable of affecting the mind, motions, and behavior of humans. This study sought to determine the perception of community pharmacists about the pattern of psychotropic medication abuse among their customers.Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study carried out among community pharmacists in Surulere axis of Lagos State, Nigeria, by census sampling method using a structured questionnaire.Results: Majority of the respondents (74.7%) were male and within ten years of practice experience (85.1%). About four-fifth (84.4%) of the respondents perceived that psychotropic medications were being abused by customers purchasing such medications from them. Caffeine-based analgesics ranked highest (85.1%) among the drugs perceived to be abused while dextromethorphan-containing cough syrup, sedative antihistamine, codeine-based analgesics, tramadol, oral decongestant, and benzodiazepines were perceived to be equally abused (84.4%). Male customers were perceived to abuse psychotropic medications more than their female counterparts and abuse of tramadol and codeine-based analgesics were specifically noted to be higher in customers younger than 26 years of age.Conclusion: Consumer psychotropic medication abuse at community pharmacies was perceived to be ignificant in Lagos community pharmacies

Knowledge, treatment seeking and preventive practices in respect of malaria among patients with HIV at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital

The synergistic interaction between Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease and Malaria makes it mandatory for patients with HIV to respond appropriately in preventing and treating malaria. Such response will help to control the two diseases. This study assessed the knowledge of 495 patients attending the HIV clinic, in Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria.&nbsp; Their treatment seeking, preventive practices with regards to malaria, as well as the impact of socio &ndash; demographic / socio - economic status were assessed. Out of these patients, 245 (49.5 %) used insecticide treated bed nets; this practice was not influenced by socio &ndash; demographic or socio &ndash; economic factors.&nbsp; However, knowledge of the cause, knowledge of prevention of malaria, appropriate use of antimalarial drugs and seeking treatment from the right source increased with increasing level of education (p &lt; 0.05). A greater proportion of the patients, 321 (64.9 %) utilized hospitals, pharmacy outlets or health centres when they perceived an attack of malaria. Educational intervention may result in these patients seeking treatment from the right place when an attack of malaria fever is perceived

Bioacumulación de metales pesados en los riñones de peces escamosos y no escamosos de la Laguna Epe, Nigeria

Introduction: Heavy metal contamination of aquatic ecosystems has been a serious concern throughout the world for many decades, and has caused devastating effects on aquatic organisms. Objective: To evaluate the levels of Cu, Zn, Fe, Pb and Cd in the kidneys of scaly (T. zillii, M. rume and R. ocellatus) and non-scaly (C. gariepinus, Ch. nigrodigitatus and S. filamentosus) fishes in Epe lagoon, Nigeria to understanding the bioaccumulation potential of the kidney relative to other organs in fish that have previously been reported in literature. Methods: We studied concentrations of copper (Cu), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) in the kidneys of 141 scaly fishes (Mo. rume, R. occellatus, T. zillii) and 134 non-scaly fishes (C. gariepinus, S.filamentosus, Ch. nigrodigitatus) and water samples obtained from Epe Lagoon using Standard Atomic Absorption Spectrometry methods. Results: The kidneys of R. ocellatus had the highest levels of Fe (2,92±0,10) and Cd (0,18±0,03), while that of Ch. nigrodigitatus (2,78±0,02) and T. zillii (0,31±0,02) had the lowest concentration of Fe and Cd respectively. T. zillii and M. rume accumulated Cu and Zn in their kidneys respectively more than the others. There was no significant difference (p&lt;0,05) in mean trace metal concentrations among the scaly and non-scaly fishes. The concentrations of metals in fish specimens were below the FEPA and WHO prescribed maximum allowable limits in food fish. Dissolved oxygen (9,0±0,02) and total alkalinity (24,0±0,01) were above FEPA values (dissolved oxygen: 3,0-5,0mg/L and total alkalinity: 3,05-5,3mg/L). The ranking of heavy metals distribution in the water body was Cu (4,70)&gt;Fe (0,72)&gt;Zn (0,13)&gt;Pb (0,007)&gt;Cd (0,006). Bioconcentration factor of Zn was generally high in all species. Conclusion: Close monitoring of these metals in the fishes and the lagoon is important to ensure the safety of fish consumers in the area.Introducción: La contaminación por metales pesados de los ecosistemas acuáticos ha sido una gran preocupación en todo el mundo durante muchas décadas y ha causado efectos devastadores en los organismos acuáticos. Objetivo: Evaluar los niveles de Cu, Zn, Fe, Pb y Cd en los riñones de peces escamosos (T. zillii, M. rume y R. ocellatus) y no escamosos (C. gariepinus, Ch. Nigrodigitatus y S. filamentosus) en la Laguna Epe, Nigeria, para comprender el potencial de bioacumulación del riñón en relación con otros órganos en peces que se han descrito anteriormente en la literatura. Métodos: Estudiamos las concentraciones de cobre (Cu), hierro (Fe), zinc (Zn), cadmio (Cd) y plomo (Pb) en los riñones de 141 peces escamosos (M. rume, R. occellatus, T. zillii) y 134 peces no escamosos (C. gariepinus, S. filamentosus, Ch. nigrodigitatus) y muestras de agua obtenidas de la Laguna Epe utilizando métodos estándar de espectrometría de absorción atómica. Resultados: Los riñones de R. ocellatus tuvieron los niveles más altos de Fe (2,92±0,10) y Cd (0,18±0,03), mientras que el de Ch. nigrodigitatus (2,78±0,02) y T. zillii (0,31±0,02) tuvieron la concentración más baja de Fe y Cd, respectivamente. T. zillii y M. rume acumularon Cu y Zn en sus riñones, respectivamente, más que los otros. No hubo diferencias significativas (p&lt;0,05) en las concentraciones medias de metales traza entre los peces escamosos y no escamosos. Las concentraciones de metales en las muestras de peces estaban por debajo de los límites máximos permisibles por la FEPA y la OMS para peces comestibles. El oxígeno disuelto (9,0±0,02) y la alcalinidad total (24,0±0,01) estaban por encima de los valores de FEPA (oxígeno disuelto: 3,0-5,0mg/L y la alcalinidad total: 3,05-5, 3mg/L). La clasificación de la distribución de metales pesados en el cuerpo de agua fue Cu (4,70)&gt; Fe (0,72)&gt; Zn (0,13)&gt; Pb (0,007)&gt; Cd (0,006). El factor de bioconcentración de Zn fue generalmente alto en todas las especies. Conclusión: El monitoreo cercano de estos metales en los peces y la laguna es importante para garantizar la seguridad de los consumidores de pescado en el área

Evaluation of haematological, hepatic and renal functions of petroleum tanker drivers in Lagos, Nigeria.

Background: Hydrocarbons which are among the major components of petroleum products are considered toxic and have been implicated in a number of human diseases. Tanker drivers are continuously exposed to hydrocarbons by inhalation and most of these drivers do not use protective devices to prevent inhalation of petroleum products; nor do they visit hospital regularly for routine check-up. Objective: In view of this occupational hazard, we investigated the haematological, renal and hepatic functions of workers of petroleum tankers drivers in Lagos, Nigeria. Method: Twenty-five tanker drivers’ and fifteen control subjects were randomly selected based on the selection criteria of not smoking and working for minimum of 5 years as petroleum tanker driver. The liver, renal and haematological parameters were analyzed using automated clinical and haematological analyzers while the lipid peroxidation and antioxidant level tests were assayed using standard methods. Results: There were significant (p ≤ 0.05) increases in the levels of serum alanine amino transferase (31.14±13.72; 22.38±9.89), albumin (42.50±4.69; 45.36±1.74) and alkaline phosphatase (84.04±21.89; 62.04±23.33) of petroleum tanker drivers compared with the controls. A significant (p≤0.05) increase in the levels of creatinine, urea and white blood cells of the tanker drivers, compared with the controls, were also obtained. Conclusion: The results have enormous health implications of continuous exposure to petroleum products reflected hepatic and renal damage of petroleum tanker drivers. Therefore, there is need for this group of workers to be sensitized on the importance of protective devises, regular medical checkup and management