Investigation of Antioxidant Compositions and Antioxidative Activities of Ethanol Extract of Alstonia boonei Stem Bark

Background: Oxidative stress is the major mechanism of action employed by many drugs, xenobiotics and toxicants that generate reactive metabolites in the body to elicit adverse reactions when there are insufficient antioxidants to neutralise the excess reactive metabolites. Objectives: This study evaluated antioxidant compositions and antioxidative activities of ethanol extract of Alstonia boonei stem bark with the view of understanding its ameliorative potentials on oxidative stress. Materials and Methods: Thirty-six rats divided into 6 groups of 6 rats each was used for this study. Group 1 served as normal control, group 2-6 were carbon tetrachloride-induced oxidative stress which served as treatment groups. Group 2 was untreated, group 3 was treated with silymarin (100 mg/kg) while group 4-6 were treated with the extract 100, 200 and 500 mg/kg body-weight for 28 days respectively. The animal study and antioxidant compositions of the extract were analysed using standard methods. Results: The extract was found to rich in antioxidant components such as phenols, flavonoids, β-carotene and lycopene. The extract showed high DPPH (2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and nitric oxide radical scavenging activities and high ferric reducing antioxidant power with increasing concentrations. The significant (P < 0.05) reduction in antioxidant enzymes activities and increased level of lipid peroxidation caused by the carbon tetrachloride induction were significantly (P < 0.05) reversed, in the extract-treated groups relative to the normal control. Conclusions: These findings suggest that the extract possesses antioxidative properties and can be used in the management of oxidative stress and its related disease conditions. Keywords: Antioxidant components, Alstonia boonei stem bark, Antioxidative stress, Lipid peroxidation, Antioxidant enzymes

A six year review of hysterectomy for benign gynaecological conditions at the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri

Background: Hysterectomy is one of the commonest major gynaecological surgeries performed for both benign and malignant conditions. Hysterectomy for benign gynaecological conditions is usually done to improve the quality of life of women who suffer from these disorders. Aim of current study was to analyze hysterectomies performed in the centre for benign gynaecological conditions during the period of the study.Methods: This was a retrospective descriptive study of all cases of hysterectomy (for benign gynaecological disorders over a 6 year period (January 1, 2006 - December 31, 2011) at Federal Medical Centre, Owerri. Information on socio-demographic characteristics, clinical presentation, indication for surgery, type of hysterectomy, operative findings, and postoperative complications during admission were retrieved and analyzed.Results: Hysterectomy for benign gynecological conditions accounted for 14.1% of all major gynecological surgeries. The leading indications for hysterectomy were uterovaginal prolapse (47.3%), uterine fibroid (33.6%), and dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB) (9.1%). Abdominal hysterectomy accounted for 55.0% while vaginal hysterectomy accounted for 45.0% of hysterectomies performed for benign gynecological conditions. A post-operative morbidity rate of 23.7% was found. Post-operative fever, requiring investigation and treatment, was the leading complication. No mortality associated with hysterectomy was recorded.Conclusions: Hysterectomy for benign gynaecological conditions is relatively common and safe in our centre, but there is need for improvement on the high post-operative morbidity rate

Hypolipidemic and Antioxidants Properties of Methanol Leaf Extract of Laportea aestuans on Androgen-Induced Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia in Wistar Rats

Background: Benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) is an age-related disease characterized by enlargement of the prostate gland and its associated complications. Objectives: Phytochemicals responsible for hypolipidemic and antioxidants effects of leaf extract of Laportea aestuans in androgen-induced BPH Wistar rats were evaluated. Methods: Thirty (30) male Wistar rats were divided into five groups of 6 rats each. BPH was induced by subcutaneous injection of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and estradiol-valerate (10:1) daily for 28 days. The diseased control and drug control groups were given subcutaneous olive oil and oral finasteride (5 mg/kg.bw) respectively after induction of BPH. Rats in the test groups were given 50 and 100 mg/kg.bw of the extract orally for 28 days respectively, following disease induction. The lethal dose LD50 and antioxidants activity of plant extracts, lipid profile and prostate specific antigen (PSA) level of the rats were assayed using standard biochemical tests. Results: Secondary metabolites detected were alkaloids (20.11±0.07 mg/kg), tannins (1.32±0.21), and saponins (11.41±0.14). PSA level was significantly decreased (P<0.05) when compared with the diseased control. The lipid profile assay revealed a significant (P<0.05) reduction in Triacylglycerol (62%), Cholesterol (27%) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) (19%) but high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) concentration increased by 41%. The extracts also improved SOD (26%), catalase (38%) and reduced glutathione (36%) levels but reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) level by 28%. Conclusion: These findings therefore provide a scientific evidence for the traditional use of L. aestuans in the management of complications associated with BPH which could be a function of the various phytochemicals detected in the plant

Therapeutic effects of Azadirachta indica A.Juss. leaves in malaria-induced male Wistar rats

Context: Azadirachta indica has long been used in herbal or folk medicine as a remedy for the treatment of malaria and the administration of herbal preparations has raised concerns on their toxicity. Aims: To determine the phytochemical content of A. indica and its therapeutic effect on indices of clinical importance in malaria-induced male Wistar rats. Methods: Plant material was extracted with ethanol, and the lethal dose (LD50) on the rats was determined before the study. Normal and Plasmodium berghei infected rats were divided into eight groups of five rats each with groups 1 and 2 serving as normal and disease control respectively. Lumartem was administered twice daily at oral therapeutic doses of artemether/lumefantrine (2/12 mg/kg) and plant extract at 300 and 500 mg/kg body weight. After 5 days of treatment, all the animals were sacrificed according to their groups for the experimental analysis. Results: The plant extract was considered safe with LD50 > 5000 mg/kg body weight. Quantitative phytochemical studies showed a high concentration of alkaloids, tannin, and terpenoids. Treatment with both extracts of A. indica and lumartem in malaria-infected rats showed a slight reduction in triglycerides while total cholesterol, HDL, and LDL levels increased significantly (p < 0.05). Increase in body weight of rats treated with A. indica was dependent on the concentration of extract administered. Treatment of malaria with the extract and lumartem resulted in a slight restoration of the hematological values. Conclusions: This study shows that both Azadirachta indica and lumartem was practically safe and well tolerated

Association between serum chlamydial antibody levels and tubal infertility in tertiary health facility in South-East Nigeria: a case-control study

Objectives: This study evaluates the association between genital Chlamydial infection and tubal factor infertility in a tertiary health facility in South-East Nigeria.Design: This was a case-control analytical study.Setting: Gynaecology Clinic and Maternity Unit of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.Participants: Ninety-six (96) women with confirmed tubal factor infertility served as the cases, and 96 women with normal intra-uterine pregnancy matched in age served as the control.Data Collection/Intervention: A structured questionnaire was used to extract information on the sociodemographic data and the sexual history of the participants. About 2mls of blood was collected, the blood was allowed to clot, and the sera were used for the test.Statistical analysis/Main outcome measure: Pearson Chi-square, Fisher’s exact test, likelihood ratio and multivariate logistic regression were used to determine risk associations and identify factors independently related to tubal factor infertility. P-value &lt; 0.05 was considered significant.Results: The sociodemographic characteristics of both cases and control did not differ (P = 0.975). The Chlamydial antibody seropositivity was significantly higher in the cases than the control 78(81.2%) versus 13(13.5%) respectively {(P &lt; 0.001; OR (95% CI) = 27.7(12.7-60.2)}. Only lower abdominal pain {(P = 0.011); OR (95% CI) = 4.3(1.4-13.3)}; was independently associated with tubal factor infertility.Conclusion: Tubal factor infertility is strongly associated with chlamydial IgG antibodies, and a history of lower abdominal pain significantly predicted tubal factor infertility