ANTIMICROBIAL PROPERTIES OF LEPTADENIA HASTATA (PERS) DECNE LEAVES EXTRACT

Objective: This study was carried out with an objective to investigate the antibacterial potential of five leaf extract of Leptadenia hastata plant on some bacteria.Methods: Leptadenia hastata extracts were evaluated for potential antimicrobial properties. The leaves of the plant were extracted with n-hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, chloroform and methanol and then vaporized to give respective extracts. Antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli, salmonella typhi, staphylococcus aureus and Klebsielia pneumonia, was determined by an agar well diffusion method. The optical density of the broth using UV mini spectrophotometer and zone of inhibition by the crude extract were determined.Results: The results showed that of n-hexane, ethyl acetate, dichloromethane and methanol extracts of Leptadenia hastata, methanolic and chloroform extracts displayed more activity with 1.10±0.10 mmab and 0.97±0.06 mmab where aSignificantly (p<0.05) higher compared to different extract at the same concentration bSignificantly (p<0.05) lower compared to the control, than others at 25-1000 ppm per well of the extracts tested.Conclusion: The present results showed the potential of the medicinal plant used by traditional herbal medical practitioners as natural antimicrobial agents, thus can be further used to determine the bioactive products that may provide as leads in the development of new drugs

Antifungal potential of Leptadenia Hastata against some pathogenic fungi

The objective of this study was to evaluate if the plant extract could provide antifungal potential against some pathogenic fungi. Extract of Dichloromethane solvents was used for disc diffusion assay. The inhibitory concentration of the extract was performed by broth dilution method and zone of inhibition was studied by disc diffusion method at the concentration of 25, 50, 100, 250, 500 and 1000ppm in DMSO. Fluconazole was used as the reference control for antifungal study. The extract showed maximum inhibition potential of zone of inhibition against most of the pathogen (Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Candida tropicalis and Fusarium oxysporium) used at concentration 25ppm to 250ppm with zone of inhibition (3.45±0, 3.33±0.12, 3.07±0.05 and 2.97±0.10mm respectively). The extract showed minimum inhibition potential against Fusarium oxysporium in all the concentration when compared with the control as well as to the other pathogens. Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus was found to be more sensitive to Dichloromethane leaf extract followed by Candida tropical and lastly fusarium oxyspurium. The Present study indicates the potential usefulness of Dichloromethane leaf extract of Leptadenia hastata as antifungal agent. © 2018 Isaac John Umaru, Fasihuddin A. Badruddin, Henry Y. Wakawa, Hauwa A. Umaru and Kerenhappuch I Umaru

Emotional Difficulties and Experiences of Stigma among Persons with Lymphatic Filariasis in Plateau State, Nigeria.

Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is a chronic and often disfiguring condition that predominantly affects the rural poor and leads to social exclusion, stigma, and discrimination. Little is currently known about the emotional difficulties and stigma experiences among persons living with LF in Nigeria. Our study evaluated the emotional difficulties and stigma experienced by persons with LF in Plateau State, Nigeria. We utilized a combination of qualitative data instruments comprising focus group discussions, McGill's Illness Narrative Interviews, and key informant interviews. We transcribed and analyzed the data using a combination of inductive and deductive coding approaches. Sixty-nine respondents were interviewed: 37 females and 32 males. The prevalent community perception of LF was the belief that it was a spiritual problem. Emotional reactions included feelings of sadness, hopelessness, anger, frustration, worry, and suicidal ideation. These experiences, including those of stigma, discrimination, and social exclusion, culminated in difficulties with occupational functioning, marital life, and community participation. Our findings highlight the value of a rights-based approach that emphasizes state and non-state actors' need to provide access to the highest attainable standard of health, including mental health, and to protect persons with LF from stigma, discrimination, and social exclusion

Effect of Leptadenia Hastata Hexane leaf extracts against heamotological, biochemical and Indometachin induced ulser in rats

This study was targeted at valuing a claim by traditional herbal practitioner that the leaves of Leptadenia hastata possess ulcer healing property by assessing the effect of Leptadenia hastata on ulcer induced rats. Material and method: The effects of an hexane leaf extracts of Leptadenia hastata were studied in 40 white albino rats over a period of 21days, to ascertain the claim of Leptadenia hastata has ulcerogenic properties, the rats were divided into eight groups those in group one served as control group, group two negative control (Indomethacin) ulcer induced with no treatment, while group three positive control (Omeprazole) and groups four to eight are dosed groups ranged from; 100mg/kg 200mg/kg, 300mg/kg, 400mg/kg and 500mg/kg extracts respectively, Microscopic examination was carried out and scored for the presence of lesion. The length and breadth of the lesion of the stomach was measured for ulcer index. Stomach and Blood sample were collected for Histological, hematological and biochemical analysis. The specimen of the stomach was taken for histopathological studies. Results: The study showed that the extracts of Leptadenia hastata caused increased in the weight of the rats compared to the negative control and the levels of packed cell volume, hemoglobin concentration, red blood cell, white blood cell, mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular hemoglobin. The changes in the biochemical parameter were all within the range of the control. Histologically, stomach degeneration was characterized by lesion and decrease number of lining cell of the epithelium. Conclusion: The study indicate that hexane leaves crude extracts of Leptadenia hastata possess ulcer healing activity

Alpha amylase and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitory potential of aqueous extract of Azanza garckeana fruit

Diabetes mellitus and hypertension are common diseases affecting a lot of people. Alpha amylase and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are used to treat type II diabetes and hypertension respectively. This study investigated the alpha amylase and ACE inhibitory potential of Azanza garckeana fruits. Phytochemical screening, α-amylase and ACE inhibitory potential of the aqueous extract of A. garckeana fruit was determined using standard procedures. The mode of inhibition of α-amylase by A. garckeana fruit was determined from the Lineweaver-Burk plot. Alkaloids, flavonoids, anthraquinones, steroids, tannins, phenols and terpenoids were present in the aqueous extract of A. garkeana fruit. The percent inhibition of α-amylase  was greater than 50%. The IC50 values were 2.6 ± 0.02 and 0.04 ± 0.09 for the extract and acarbose (standard drug) respectively. The Lineweaver-Burk plot showed that extract Vmax did not change when compared to the no inhibitor (no extract) but the km increased. The percent inhibition of ACE by A. garckeana was also greater than 50%. Its IC50 was 0.625 ± 0.03 while that of the standard drug (captopril) was   0.875 ± 0.07. Thus A. garckeana inhibited  α-amylase and ACE and can be used to treat type II diabetes and hypertension. It is a competitive inhibitor of α-amylase

The Health of Gashaka Gumti National Park using SWOT Analysis

Biodiversity conservation has witnessed a tremendous growth as several scholars from different jurisdictions have directed their attention toward this subject matter. The aim of this study is toasses the health of Gashaka Gumti National Park using SWOT Analysis. The study design combines both quantitative and qualitative research, this research was to develop a questionnaire as a means to collect primary data from sampled subjects. The purpose of this data is to achieve the research objectives. This study used both construct validity and content validity and the questionnaire seeks responses on health of the national park. The participant (households) opinion was sought on threats (e.g., poaching, logging, farming etc.) on Gashaka Gumti National Park (GGNP) and require to indicate YES or NOas wellas likert scale. This study makes several contributions to knowledge in terms of methodology, empirical evidence and as well as theoretical. This findings open new research page for in-depth discussions on weakness and strengths, threats and opportunity of National parks. The study applied to identify appropriate variables to predict the cases. The contribution is that tourism development and biodiversity literature is enhanced by the findings of this work

Influence of Tourism Development and Community Participation Factors on Opportunity of Gashaka Gumti National Park

National parks are storehouse for wildlife and habitat and endowed with potentials. Although local community participation and tourism development can enhance the potentials of national park, identifying the significant factors influencing outcomes of maximizing opportunity of the Gashaka Gumti National Parks is important. Based on the backwards selection method of community support for tourism development, help to local community, tourism development bring job opportunity and community conservation initiative significantly contributes to the likelihood of maximizing opportunity of Gashaka Gumti National in conserving biodiversity. Thus it can be concluded that local community involvement and tourism development are more likely to impact biodiversity conservation in Gashaka Gumti national Parks than strict conservation

Review of the Sedimentological and Geochemical Approaches for Environmental Assessment of River Sadong, Samarahan-Asajaya District Sarawak, Malaysia

This paper presents an overview of the implication of geomorphology and sedimentology on the chemical characteristics of sediments of River Sadong, Malaysia. There is limited published work on the effect of topography, climate, soil and geology on the sediments lying in the River Sadong. Studies have been undertaken around Kota Samarahan and Asajaya areas whereby some heavy metal constituents and their environmental effects were determined. The study entails the description of the depositional processes alonggside with physical and geochemical changes, without neglecting natural and anthropogenic effects

Prevalence of depression and associated clinical and socio-demographic factors in people living with lymphatic filariasis in Plateau State, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Lymphatic filariasis is a chronic, disabling and often disfiguring condition that principally impacts the world's poorest people. In addition to the well-recognised physical disability associated with lymphedema and hydrocele, affected people often experience rejection, stigma and discrimination. The resulting emotional consequences are known to impact on the quality of life and the functioning of the affected individuals. However, the management of this condition has focused on prevention and treatment through mass drug administration, with scant attention paid to the emotional impact of the condition on affected individuals. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and severity of depression among individuals with physical disfigurement from lymphatic filariasis in Plateau State, Nigeria. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional 2-stage convenience study was conducted at 5 designated treatment centers across Plateau State, Nigeria. All available and consenting clients with clearly visible physical disfigurement were recruited. A semi-structured socio-demographic questionnaire, Rosenberg Self-esteem and a 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) were administered at the first stage. Those who screened positive (with a PHQ-9 score of five and above) were further interviewed using the Depression module of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI). RESULTS: Ninety-eight individuals met the criteria and provided consent. Twenty percent of the respondents met criteria for depression, with the following proportions based on severity: Mild (42.1%), Moderate (31.6%) and Severe (26.3%). History of mental illness (OR 40.83, p = 0.008); Median duration of the illness was 17 years (IQR 7.0-30 years) and being unemployed (OR 12.71, p = 0.003) were predictive of depression. High self-esteem was negatively correlated (OR 0.09, p<0.004). CONCLUSION: Prevalence of depression is high among individuals with lymphatic filariasis and depression in sufferers is associated with low self-esteem and low levels of life satisfaction