The Phytochemistry, Ethnobotanical, and Pharmacological Potentials of the Medicinal Plant-Vernonia amygdalina L. (bitter Leaf)

Background Vernonia amygdalina is traditionally used to treat a variety of diseases including diarrhoea, fungal and bacterial infections, inflammation, cancer, diabetes, and its squeezed juice can be applied on wounds. Objective This study reviewed the phytochemistry, ethnopharmacological, and pharmacological potentials of Vernonia amygdalina. Methods Literature search of relevant papers (1994-2021) were performed using ScienceDirect, Springer, Wiley and PubMed databases. For this review study, only publications written in English were utilized. Results The bioactive compounds extracted from Vernonia amygdalina includes 6β,10β,14β trimethylheptadecan-15 α-olyl-15-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-1,5 β olide, glucuronolactone, 11 α-hydroxyurs-5,12-dien-28-oic acid-3 α,25-olide, 10-geranilanyl-O-β-D-xyloside, 1-heneicosenol O-β-D-glucopyranoside, apigenin, luteolin (3´,4´,5,7tetrahydroxyflavone), vernolide, hydroxyvernolide, 3′-deoxyvernodalol , vernodalol, diterpene (ingenol-3-angelate), vernomygdin, 4-methylumbelliferone, cephantharin, cryptolepine, isocryptolepine, neocryptolepine, courmarins, vernolepin, and vernoniosides. Various in vivo and in vitro studies revealed that V. amygdalina and its bioactive components possess pharmacological activities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, antimicrobial, antidiarrheal, anti-diabetic, and neuroprotective activities. Conclusion This review demonstrated that V. amygdalina possess therapeutic effects against a wide variety of diseases. The efficacy of V. amygdalina in ameliorating diseases is attributed to its antioxidant activity and ability to improve the antioxidant system. Despite the vast pharmacological activities of V. amygdalina, more human clinical trials are needed to identify effective and safe doses for treatment of various diseases

Treatment of uncomplicated malaria at public health facilities and medicine retailers in south-eastern Nigeria

Background: At primary care facilities in Nigeria, national treatment guidelines state that malaria should be symptomatically diagnosed and treated with artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT). Evidence from households and health care providers indicates that many patients do not receive the recommended treatment. This study sought to determine the extent of the problem by collecting data as patients and caregivers leave health facilities, and determine what influences the treatment received. Methods: A cross-sectional cluster survey of 2,039 respondents exiting public health centres, pharmacies and patent medicine dealers was undertaken in urban and rural settings in Enugu State, south-eastern Nigeria. Results: Although 79% of febrile patients received an anti-malarial, only 23% received an ACT. Many patients (38%) received sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP). A further 13% of patients received an artemisinin-derivative as a monotherapy. An estimated 66% of ACT dispensed was in the correct dose. The odds of a patient receiving an ACT was highly associated with consumer demand (OR: 55.5, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Few febrile patients attending public health facilities, pharmacies and patent medicine dealers received an ACT, and the use of artemisinin-monotherapy and less effective anti-malarials is concerning. The results emphasize the importance of addressing both demand and supply-side influences on malaria treatment and the need for interventions that target consumer preferences as well as seek to improve health service provision. © 2011 Mangham et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd

IgG levels of participants who were seropositive at baseline and corresponding month 3 and month 6 follow up levels.

*Ptrend = 0.08. (TIF)</p

IgG levels of participants who were seronegative to SARS-CoV-2 at baseline and corresponding month 3 and month 6 follow up levels.

*Ptrend = (TIF)</p

Distribution of IgG levels at baseline (median = 0.178 ug/mL), month 3 (median = 0.348 ug/mL), and month 6 follow-up (median = 0.591 ug/mL) based on complete case analysis.

Distribution of IgG levels at baseline (median = 0.178 ug/mL), month 3 (median = 0.348 ug/mL), and month 6 follow-up (median = 0.591 ug/mL) based on complete case analysis.</p