Quality of patient-care: Drug monitoring

No Abstract. NQJHM Vol. 8 (2) 1998: pp. 127-13

Toxicological profiles of commercial herbal preparation, Jobelyn

PURPOSE: Jobelyn® is a commercial herbal product recommended for the management of anemia related illnesses. Despite its wide use, there is limited report on its toxicological profile. This study examined the acute and shortterm chronic toxicity profiles of the product with emphasis on the LD50, gross morphological and histopathological effects. METHODS: Albino mice (mean weight: 16.45±3.14g) were used in this study. For acute toxicity, graded concentrations of Jobelyn® were administered orally and intraperitoneally as single doses to the mice. Intraperitoneal administration of sub-lethal doses daily for 14 days was adopted for the shortterm chronic toxicity studies. RESULTS: The LD50 following oral and intraperitoneal administration were 215.06 mg/kg (r = 0.916) and 193.37 mg/kg (r = 0.995), respectively. The major behavioral/ morphological effects at high doses were reduction in motor activity, piloerection and sedation. The sub-lethal doses did not significantly modify the normal behavioral repertoire of licking, grooming and sniffing. Histopathological examination also did not indicate severe pathological changes. At the lethal doses, some degree of congestion was noticed in the lung, liver splenic and kidney tissues. Short-term chronic studies did not produce further toxic effects but transient mild sedation and piloerection and histopathological examination revealed only mild congestion in the organs. No death of the animals was recorded during the period of sub-chronic toxicity assessment. CONCLUSION: Jobelyn® is likely to be safe for use in humans when administered at recommended doses. Keywords: Jobelyn, safety profile, LD50, toxicit

D-1 and D-2 dopamine agonist - antagonist action in the nuclius accumbens to modify mouse spontaneous climbing behaviour

No Abstract. NQJHM Vol. 8 (2) 1998: pp. 139-14

Drug management in the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH)

No Abstract. NQJHM Vol. 8 (1) 1998: pp. 65-6

Taking alcohol by deception II: Paraga (alcoholic herbal mixture) use among commercial motor drivers in a south-western Nigerian city

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Paraga, an alcoholic herbal preparation that comes in different varieties had been shown to be commonly available to commercial drivers in southern Nigeria. This study aims to determine the prevalence and pattern of paraga use, and to evaluate the level of awareness of the risks entailed in taking paraga among intercity commercial drivers operating out of motor parks in Osogbo, southwest Nigeria. We administered a locally validated version of the WHO drug and alcohol survey questionnaire to 350 commercial drivers.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Of the 350 questionnaires administered, 332 were used for the data analysis; the remaining 18 were rejected because they had too many missing data. The prevalence rate in the past one year was 53.6% and 43.2% for the past one month (current). Three-quarters were moderate to heavy users, and many take the drug while working. A total of 25.6% had been involved in road crashes after taking paraga and 36.7% had actually seen people getting drunk from taking paraga. Only 40% of the drivers thought paraga use was harmful to their health, the others believing it to have therapeutic values (25%) or undecided (35.0%). Only 43.8% of the drivers would be willing to stop taking paraga.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Paraga use is popular among commercial drivers. Because of its alcoholic nature, drivers’ access to the concoction should be controlled and appropriate enforcement put in place.</p