Inhibition of Gastric Erosion Formations in Rats by Adenosine, 5 /-Adenosine Monophosphate and 5 /- Adenosine Diphosphate

Gastric erosions were induced in rats with indomethacin, 5-hydoxytryptamine (5-HT) or reserpine. Three adenine compounds adenosine, adenosine, 5 /-adenosine monophosphate (AMP) and 5 /- adenosine diphosphate (ADP) were found to protect against the erosion formations. Both 5-HT and reserpine caused untimely deaths of some of the control animals. Also the adenine compounds prevented the untimely deaths caused by the two ulcerogenes. Keywords: Adenosine, AMP, ADP, Anti-ulcer, Antidote, Gastric erosionBio-Research Vol. 6 (1) 2008: pp. 346-34

Effect of ethanol extract of Pyrenacantha staudtii leaves on carbontetrachloride induced hepatotoxicity in rats

The effect of ethanol extract of Pyrenacantha staudtii leaves on carbontetrachloride (CCl4) induced hepatotoxicity in rats was studied. Sixteen male wistar rats of 100-170g body weight divided into four groups of four rats each, designated – group I, II, III and IV were used. Groups II, III and IV were injected intraperitoneally with 5ml/kg body weight of CCl4; control was injected with 5ml/kg body weight corn oil. After 48hrs, groups III and IV were administered with 750mg/kg and 1500mg/kg body weight of the extract respectively and the rats sacrificed after 5 days. Phytochemical analysis of the extract revealed the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, saponnins, carbohydrates, tannins, flavonoids and resin. Result from the study showed that bothconcentrations of the extract (750mg/kg and 1500mg/kg body weight) significantly reduced (

Epidemiology of Concomitant Infection Due to Loa loa and Mansonella perstans in Gabon

Loa loa and Mansonella perstans are blood filarial parasites, endemic in the central and western African forest block, and transmitted by chrysops and culicoides flies, respectively. Loa loa is pathogenic and represents a major obstacle to the control of co-endemic filariae. Treatment of individuals with >8000 Loa loa microfilariae/ml can result in severe adverse reactions. M. perstans is prevalent in the tropics, with undefined clinical symptoms. We screened 4392 individuals for these infections in 212 Gabonese villages. The overall prevalence rates were 22.4% for Loa loa microfilariae, 10.2% for M. perstans, and 3.2% for mixed infection. These rates varied across the different ecosystems: forest, savannah, Lakeland, river (Ogouée), and equator. A correlation was found between the prevalence and intensity of microfilariae, while a negative relationship was found between clinical symptoms (pruritis, Calabar swelling) and the prevalence of Loa loa microfilaremia. This study confirms the spatial uniformity of the relationship between parasitological indices, and provides a map and baseline data for implementation of mass chemotherapy for these infections

Studies on the ecology and sitribution of blackflies (Diptera: Simuliidae) in Imo state Nigeria

Studies on the ecology and distribution of Simulium (Diptera: Simuliidae) in Imo State, Nigeria were undertaken to ascertain the presence or absence of Simulium in the different river systems as well as the distribution of the vector and non-vector species within the study area. A total of 18 breeding sites from 16 river systems in Imo State were sampled for Simulium pre-imaginal stages. The result shows that 7 sites from 5 rivers favored the breeding of blackflies. These breeding sites are: Imo River at Amuro, Umunumo Uboma and Nzerem; Ibii river at Umulolo Okigwe, Iyiechu at Okigwe town, Isi-iyi at Onicha Ezinihitte and Oguchie at Ngor. A total of 9 species of blackflies were identified in the course of this study; S. damnosum s. l. S. alcocki, S. schoutidein; S. mcmahon, S. hargreavesi, S. vorax, S. walshi, S. adersi and S. unicornitum. Rivers/Streams that support Simulium growth and development here rocky substrates, fast flowing, at some points, with high dissolved oxygen of between 6.5 and 7.2 mg/l. Simulium was not recorded in most seasonal polluted streams with accessed dissolved oxygen content and little or no dissolved nutrients. . International Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences Vol. 2 (4) 2006: pp. 412-41

Studies on the types and distribution of S. damnosum adults in Imo state, Nigeria using morphometric method of identification

Studies on the various types and distribution of adult S. damnosumcomplex in Imo Sate Nigeria were carried out between April 2004 and March 2005. The studies were conducted in three selected onchocerciasis endemic communities of the state: - Nguru/Umuaro in Ngor Okpala, Umunumo/Umuawuchi in Ihitte Uboma and Umulolo in Okigwe. Morphometric analysis of adult S. damnosumflies: (colors of forecoxa, wingtuft and antenna) showed that distinct forest flies as well as flies with both savannah and forest characteristics were present in the study area. Forest types were significantly high in abundance (77%), while the savannah type was the least (8.8%) and extremely scarce during the peak of the rains (

Anti-Sickling Effect Of Abrus Seed Spasmolytic Substance

A spasmolytic substance BN, extractable from the seeds of Abrus precatorius Linn Fabaceae has been found to inhibit both metabisulphite- and calcium- induced sickling of human haemoglobin (Hb) SS erythrocytes in vitro. It also inhibited human platelet aggregation elicited by adrenaline (epinephrine) and ADP. In addition, it stabilised Hb SS erythrocyte membrane. The results substantiate the use of the seeds in sickle cell disease. Keywords: Anti-Sickling, Abrus seed, Spasmolytic substance, Induced sickling, HaemoglobinPlant Product Research Journal Vol. 12 2008: pp. 6-

The endemicity of dracunculiasis, transmission pattern and ecology of cyclopoid copepods in the Northwestern part of Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Studies on the endemicity of dracunculiasis, it's transmission pattern and ecology of cyclopoid copepods in Ezza North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State Nigeria were carried out between January and December 2001. Of the 2226 persons examined in eight communities, 426 (19.1%) were infected. This included 24 (18.3%) and 202 (20.2%) males and females respectively. The highest prevalence (47.9%) was recorded in Iyere community followed by Ekka (43.9%) with Umuoghara community as the least (12.4%). Although the overall male prevalence was lower than the female, it was not statistically significant (p>0.05). Infection prevalence in school-aged children (1-24 years) was significantly higher than the older persons (p63% of all the copepods found. This was followed by Thermocyclops oblongatus nigerianus with M. ogunnus Onabamiro as the least. Only T. oblongatus nigerianus and M.aequatorialis were infected with D. medinensis larvae. The ecology of the vector in relation to the epidemiology of the disease in the area is discussed. Keywords: dracunculiasis, endemicity, transmission pattern, ecology, cyclops, Nigeria International Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences Vol. 1(1) 2005: 57-6

Assessment of the effectiveness of intervention strategies in the control of endemic dracunculiasis in Ebonyi state, Nigeria

An assessment study of the effectiveness of intervention strategies in the control of endemic dracunculiasis amongst farming communities of Ezza north, Ebonyi State, Nigeria was carried out. A total of 2,226 persons were physically examined during the initial study prior to the application of intervention measures. A total of 426 (19.1%) subjects had either Dracunculus ulcers or emergent worms. About 18.5% and 20.2% males and females were infected respectively. Infection varied among communities with Iyere (47.9%) and Ekka (43.9%) being significantly higher than others (

Membrane stabilization as a mechanism of the anti-inflammatory activity of methanol extract of garden egg (<it>Solanum aethiopicum)</it>

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Some observations and reports show that people with high consumption of <it>Solanum aethiopicum</it> (African garden egg) have relief in arthritic pains and swelling. We aimed at assessing the effect of methanol extract of <it>Solanum aethiopicum</it> in experimentally induced inflammation using leukocyte mobilization and vascular permeability tests in rats and human red blood cell (HRBC) membrane stabilization as studies.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Twenty five (25) adult Wistar rats of either sex (120 g – 200 g) divided into five groups of five rats each were used for each of the animal models. Groups 2, 3 and 4 were administered varied doses of the extract (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg), while groups 1 (vehicle control) and 5 (treatment control) received normal saline and indomethacin (50 mg/kg) respectively. Vascular permeability was induced by the intra-peritoneal injection of 1 ml of acetic acid and monitored using 0.5 ml intravenous injection of 1% Evans blue solution. Leukocyte mobilization was induced by the intra-peritoneal injection of 0.5 ml of 3% agar suspension in normal saline. Heat and hypotonicity induced heamolysis of HRBC membrane was used to assess membrane stabilization.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The methanol extracts of garden egg significantly and dose dependently reduced (p≤0.05) the acetic acid induced vascular permeability and agar induced leukocyte mobilization in rats. The percentage inhibitions of induced vascular permeability were 21 ± 3.39, 25 ±1.92 and 60 ± 3.81 for the 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg of the extract while the inhibitions of the agar induced leucocyte migration were 23 ± 2.17, 26 ± 1.58 and 32 ± 1.58 for the 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg of the extract respectively. The extract also, at doses of 100, 200, 400, 600 and 800 μg/ml significantly inhibited heat induced lysis of the human red cell membrane with values of 66.46 ± 2.89, 65.14 ± 4.58, 46.53 ± 2.52, 61.88 ± 4.51and 86.67 ± 3.06 respectively.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>These results show that methanol extract of <it>Solanum aethiopicum</it> has anti-inflammatory properties and can reduce inflammatory injury and tissue damage.</p