Ameliorative Potential of Biocharcoal on Sodium Azide Toxicity in African Yam Bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa Hochst. Ex. A. Rich) Harms.

The study focused primarily on evaluating the ameliorative potential of biocharcoal on sodium azide toxicity (35 ppm) in African yam bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa Hochst. Ex. A. Rich) Harms. A field experiment was conducted using river sand and mixtures of biocharcoal from Pentaclethra macrophylla, represented by 0 (100 % river sand, control), 25, 50, 75 and 100 % biocharcoal added to ameliorate the toxic effects of sodium azide on African yam bean. Morphological parameters measured include germination percentage, number of leaves and secondary roots, percentage seedling emergence, shoot height, number of branches and number of leaves were recorded. The effect of biocharcoal on the toxicity of sodium azide to soil pH, conductivity, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium contents and microbial community were also recorded. The growth of African yam bean was significantly improved by the application of the biocharcoal as higher plant height, number of leaves, percentage seedling emergence and number of branches were observed when compared with control. Soil conductivity, potassium and phosphorus were significantly higher in the treatments with biocharcoal. No positive effect on soil nitrogen content was observed. Biocharcoal addition adversely affected soil microbial community. Biocharcoal proved to have ameliorative potential however more work is needed to understand the mechanism by which it operates

Bradley’s Account of the Self as Appearance: Between Kant’s Transcendental Idealism and Hegel’s Speculative Idealism

The constitutive activity of the self and the ground of the unity of the self are two important aspects of understanding the self. This paper attempts to delineatethese considerations, tracing their use, function and implications in Bradley’s thesis on the self. The article argues that for Bradley, the focalization is on the understanding of the self and the relation of thought to reality. Furthermore, the article attempts to locate Bradley’s account of the self as appearance as a middle course between Kant’s transcendental idealism to Hegel’s speculative idealism to demonstrate the overlaps, ruptures, and evolution of the philosophical journey of the concept of the self, its nature, and its expressions

Sub-chronic toxicity evaluation of Dryopteris filix-mas (L.) schott, leaf extract in albino rats

This study evaluated the acute and sub-chronic toxicities of ethanol leaf extract of Dryopteris filix-mas. Acute toxicity and phytochemical tests on ethanol leaf extract were determined. In sub-chronic toxicity test, animals were treated with 62.5, 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg of extract every day for 90 days. Blood samples were collected via retro-orbital puncture for baseline studies and at 31, 61 and 91st days for determination of hematological, kidney and liver function parameters. Liver and kidneys were harvested for histopathology analyses on 91st day. Also, a 28 day recovery study was carried out to determine reversibility in toxicological effects. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of tannins, phenols, flavonoids, saponins, steroids, alkaloids, terpenoids, reducing sugar and cardiac glycosides. Acute toxicity test did not show toxicity or death at 5000 mg/kg. There was significant (p<0.005) reduction in white blood cell and lymphocyte counts, significant (p<0.05) increase in some liver and kidney biomarkers as well as alterations in liver and kidney histo-architecture on 91st days in animals that were treated with 250 and 500 mg/kg extract. However, toxicities observed on 91st day were reversible in recovery studies. The leaf extract of Dryopteris filix-mas may be hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic when used for long periods

Development and Validation of Questionnaire for theAssessment of Pharmaceutical Care by CommunityPharmacists in a State in Nigeria.

Objective: This study is to develop and validate a questionnaire for the assessment of community pharmacists’ efforts in the provision of pharmaceutical care. Method: A questionnaire based survey of community Pharmacists was conducted within Anambra State. The questionnaire was constructed in line with the Behavioral Pharmaceutical Care Scale (BPCS) and consisted of four sections/domains namely: demographic and other characteristics of the respondent, direct patient activity/current pharmacy practice at community pharmacy, referral, consultation and instrumental activities and exploring the awareness of pharmaceutical care. Face and content validity, construct validity, factorial validity, and reliability of questionnaire were evaluated. Reliability was established using internal consistencies with Cronbach’s Alpha. Factor analysis used principal component analysis and varimax rotation with Kaiser normalization. Convergent correlation was determined using Pearson correlation. Results: A self administered 25-item questionnaire was developed. Questionnaire evaluated pharmaceutical care rendered by community pharmacists. Ten questionnaires were collected for pilot study while ninety completed questionnaire were retrieved for the validity test. Factor analysis resulted in four domains/factors: demographic and other characteristics of the respondents, direct patient care activities/current pharmacy practice at the community pharmacy, referral, consultation and instrumental activities and exploring the awareness of pharmaceutical care. Cronbach’s Alpha for the whole questionnaire was 0.924, and 0.916, 0.840, 0.992 and 0.949 for the four factors, respectively. Four items used for convergent validity showed convergence between the related items. Conclusion: The questionnaire developed is a reliable and valid questionnaire for assessing pharmaceutical care rendered by community pharmacists in Nigeria. Further research is required to expand this instruments’ robustness. Keywords Community pharmacy, Pharmaceutical care,  Pharmacists,  Questionnair

An overview of anti-diabetic plants used in Gabon: Pharmacology and Toxicology

© 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Ethnopharmacological relevance: The management of diabetes mellitus management in African communities, especially in Gabon, is not well established as more than 60% of population rely on traditional treatments as primary healthcare. The aim of this review was to collect and present the scientific evidence for the use of medicinal plants that are in currect by Gabonese traditional healers to manage diabetes or hyperglycaemia based here on the pharmacological and toxicological profiles of plants with anti-diabetic activity. There are presented in order to promote their therapeutic value, ensure a safer use by population and provide some bases for further study on high potential plants reviewed. Materials and methods: Ethnobotanical studies were sourced using databases such as Online Wiley library, Pubmed, Google Scholar, PROTA, books and unpublished data including Ph.D. and Master thesis, African and Asian journals. Keywords including ‘Diabetes’ ‘Gabon’ ‘Toxicity’ ‘Constituents’ ‘hyperglycaemia’ were used. Results: A total of 69 plants currently used in Gabon with potential anti-diabetic activity have been identified in the literature, all of which have been used in in vivo or in vitro studies. Most of the plants have been studied in human or animal models for their ability to reduce blood glucose, stimulate insulin secretion or inhibit carbohydrates enzymes. Active substances have been identified in 12 out of 69 plants outlined in this review, these include Allium cepa and Tabernanthe iboga. Only eight plants have their active substances tested for anti-diabetic activity and are suitables for further investigation. Toxicological data is scarce and is dose-related to the functional parameters of major organs such as kidney and liver. Conclusion: An in-depth understanding on the pharmacology and toxicology of Gabonese anti-diabetic plants is lacking yet there is a great scope for new treatments. With further research, the use of Gabonese anti-diabetic plants is important to ensure the safety of the diabetic patients in Gabon.Peer reviewedFinal Accepted Versio

Six months chronic toxicity of Dryopteris filix –mas (L.) Schott ethanol leaf extract on Wistar rats

Background & Aim: Dryopteris filix-mas (D. filix-mas) is used among the Southern Nigerian populace in the management of rheumatoid arthritis, treatment of wounds, worm infestations, among other diseases. We evaluated the 6 months chronic exposure effects of its ethanol leaf extract in Wistar rat. Experimental: A total of 48 rats were randomized into four groups of 12 each as follows; group A (control) and the test groups B-D received 31.25, 62.5 and 125 mg/kg of the leaf extract, respectively. Blood samples were collected via retro-orbital puncture for baseline determination of haematological and biochemical parameters. Thereafter, rats were dosed orally (p.o) for 180 days (6 months) and blood samples were collected for the determination of haematological, biochemical parameters on the 181st day. Liver and kidneys were harvested for histopathology analyses. A 28 - day recovery study was also conducted to determine reversibility in toxicological effects. Results: There was no significant alteration (P>0.05) in heamatological, lipid profile and electrolyte parameters as well as body weight gain and relative organ weights of animals that were exposed to the extract when compared with control group. However, there was significant (P<0.005) reductions in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) as well as elevation in urea and creatinine levels of extract treated groups. Histological sections did not reveal toxicity of liver architecture on day 181st, except dose dependent kidney toxicity, which was reversed following the recovery study. Recommended applications/industries: The leaf extract of Dryopteris filix-mas may be nephrotoxic following 6 months exposure

LEGAL RESPONSES TO EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES IN AFRICA: EXPERIENCES FROM NIGERIA

Sometimes, people suffer acute sickness or injury requiring immediate medicalattention, to escape death or disability. These occur without prior notice,pronouncing premature death or survival in a matter of minutes. It implies thatvictims must receive right treatment where they are or nearby. It follows thatnecessary conditions must be put in place to handle this healthcare needs beforethey happen. These necessary conditions are known as Emergency Medical Services(EMS). Nigeria, assures her citizens of universal health coverage. This workexamines the legal structure and financing of EMS in Nigeria. It adopts doctrinalresearch design methodology from analytical approach. It found that there areinconsistencies within and between the EMS legal frameworks as some areambitious while others are deficient, affecting their effectiveness. It recommendsthe amendment and harmonization of laws and total state financing of EMS, ifneedless, untimely deaths are to be averted

Ficus Sycomorus L (Moraceae): A review on its Phytopharmacology and toxicity profile

Ficus Sycomorus (F. sycomorus), belonging to the family of moraceae, is an evergreen tree found in Nigeria and other parts of the world. It has several medicinal and culinary uses. This present review evaluated its traditional uses, phytochemical constituents, pharmacological and toxicological effects. From this evaluation, bioactivity guided isolation and purification of its promising extracts is recommended to facilitate the discovery and development of its lead molecules as alternative therapie