Preparation, Characterization, and Antimicrobial Activities of Mixed Ibuprofen-Salicylic Acid Metal-Drug Complexes

Most variants of bacteria are resistant to traditional antibiotics which are organic. To overcome the growing infections, bacteria resistant infections, and multiple drug resistance (MDR) rates, transition metals with biological importance were coordinated to organic ligands (Ibuprofen and Salicylic acid) with anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, metal complexes of mixed Ibuprofen and Salicylic acid were prepared using a standard method to give of the type [M(Ibu)(Sal)X] (where M = Fe2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, and X = Cl2, Ibu = Ibuprofen, Sal = Salicylic acid). The complexes were characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy, conductivity measurements, melting points, FT-IR, and X-ray diffraction. The metal ions are coordinated to the ligands via the carboxylato oxygen donor atoms of both ligands. From the physicochemical data, the complexes are non-electrolytes. The XRD study suggested that the metal complexes possess a well-defined crystalline structure with average crystallite sizes of < 62 nm. Evaluations of the antimicrobial activities of the ligands and their complexes against gram-positive bacteria (S. aureus, B. subtilis,  S. faecalis) and gram-negative bacteria (K. pneumonia, E. coli, and  P. aeroginosa) via standard method were utilized to determine the zones of inhibition. The complexes exhibited a higher zone of inhibition, indicating higher antimicrobial activities when compared to the parent ligand. The results revealed that the metal-drug complexes are promising chemotherapeutic agents with wide spectrum of activities. Keywords:  Metal-drug complexes; Ibuprofen; Spectra studies; Salicylic acid; Antimicrobial activit

Antimalarial and Antimicrobial Activities of some Heteroleptic Metal(II) Complexes of Sulfadiazine–Vitamin C: Synthesis and Spectroscopic Studies

Some new Ni(II), Zn(II), Co(II), Cu(II), and Cd(II) of mixed Sulphadiazine and Vitamin C complexes have been synthesized and characterized by different spectroscopic techniques such as FT-IR, elemental analysis, molar conductivity, and magnetic measurements. Both ligands used for this research work act as bidentate ligands towards the central metal ions coordinating through the nitrogen atoms of >C=N-, NH2 groups of Sulphadiazine and oxygen atoms of OH, CO groups of Vitamin C. Tetrahedral and square-planar geometries have been proposed for the complexes. The complexes are stable under atmospheric conditions. The ligands and their complexes were screened for antimicrobial activities against some isolated organisms: Klebsiella pneumoniae, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterococcus faecalis to evaluate their microbial inhibiting potential. The derived complexes were found to exhibit an increased inhibitory action against the organisms when compared to the free ligands. The percentage reduction in parasitaemia for the compounds was also evaluated against Plasmodium berghei. In this realm, [Cd(Su)(Vit)]Cl2 showed the highest activity (89%) as compared to other compounds: Sulphadiazine, Ni(II), Zn(II), Co(II), and Cu(II) complexes are 70, 50, 81, 76, and 77%, respectively, Vitamin C showed no activity. Keywords: Sulfadiazine, Antimalarial, Vitamin C, Physicochemical, Metal-drug complexes, Antimicrobia

Evaluation of equity in informal land development systems in two Nigerian cities

The informal land development system in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is perceived to promote equity and could be leveraged to support sustainable urban development and management. However, scanty empirical evidence exists on the extent of the system’s provision of equity to support policy formulation and practice in the region. Based on stakeholder workshops, focus group discussions and questionnaire surveys, this study analyses the system’s provision of equity in Nigeria. The study finds all categories of people undertake informal developments. Consistent with literature, this finding reflects wide patronage of the informal land development system and its relevance. Nevertheless, contrary to the existing perception, the system’s provision of equity is low. The study recommends for the institution of pro-poor and gender sensitive land development and management policies and programmes to increase the levels of equity to support the achievement of the country’s sustainable urban development and management agenda

Hibiscus sabdariffa fractions attenuate oxidative stress and some cardiac biomarkers in sodium fluoride(NaF)-induced cardiotoxicity rat

The excessive intake and bioaccumulation of sodium fluoride (NaF) through water, toothpaste or pesticides could trigger cardiac oxidative stress. The effects of Hibiscus sabdariffa (HS) fractions on biochemical markers of the heart in NaF-induced rats. Thirty male and female rats were grouped into five: Normal control (NC) received water only, Sodium fluoride (NaF,  300 mg L−1), the others were exposed to 300 mg L−1 NaF while the treated animals received100 mg kg−1d−1 of aqueous, n-hexane and butanol -H. sabdariffa (AQE-HS, HEE-HS, BTE-HS) fractions orally for 14 days respectively. This study revealed that NaF exposure increases TBARS, TC, TG, LDL-c, AI, AC, CRI-I, CRI-II and arginase activity with a decrease in catalase, GST, SOD, GSH, HDL-c, and NO level whilethe HS treatment stimulates antioxidant production which eventually reduce oxidative stress. The AQE-HS suppressed TBARS, lipid profile, and cardiac indices. Therefore, bioactive constituent of HS attenuates NAF-induced cardiac oxidative stress

Unpacking rights in indigenous African societies: Indigenous culture and the question of sexual and reproductive rights in Africa

Background: Modern declarations on human rights have often proceeded without reference to the cultural content of rights, the existence of rights in African indigenous backgrounds, and the embodiment of certain key rights in the community itself. This paper is an attempt at developing an inventory of rights in African cultures as a prelude to the generation both of a holistic theory of rights as well as a research agenda that can recognize the multifaceted nature of rights. Methods: We use an interpretive ethnographic approach built on three sources of data: 1) our continuing ethnographic work among two distinct ethnic groups in southeastern Nigeria - the Ubang and the Igbo; 2) informal conversational interviews with individuals from a range of African countries; and 3) a review of relevant literature based on African cultures which provides a context for some of the issues we raise. Results: An examination of selected indigenous rights, entitlements, or privileges among the Ubang and Igbo illustrates indigenous culture as a key, but often neglected, axis of rights, as a critical framework for understanding human relationships with rights, and as a resource for, and challenge to, contemporary programmatic efforts focusing on universalized notions of rights. Understanding or interpreting rights in African settings within the framework defined by contemporary human rights discourse poses steep challenges to making progress in the realization of sexual and reproductive rights. Conclusions: Despite the potential dangers of privileging group rights over individual rights, when important rights are vested in the community; rights, entitlements, and privileges can also be recognized through community experiences, and realized through engagement with communities. Building on communal conceptualizations of rights in order to realize an even wider range of rights remains a largely unexplored strategy which holds promise for the achievement of sexual and reproductive health rights