Screening of West African plants for anthelmintic activity

Eighteen plants traditionally used for the treatment of human and animal helminthiasis in Africa were screened for anthelmintic activity using the Nippostrongylus - rat model. Aloe barteri, Terminalia avicennioides, Annona senegalensis, Cassia occidentalis, Anogeissus leiocarpus and Diospyros mespiliformis showed significant activity, giving deparasitizations of 92, 89, 75, 69, 60 and 58% respectively compared to untreated controls

Characterisation of ZnO nanoparticles prepared using aqueous leaf extracts of Chromolaena odorata (L.) and Manihot esculenta (Crantz)

Plant-mediated routes for synthesising metal oxide nanoparticles are gaining tremendous attention due to the benefits of the technique: simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and eco-friendliness. We compared the properties of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) made from aqueous leaf extracts of Chromolaena odorata and Manihot esculenta, both of which are abundant on the African continent. The phytochemical composition of the extracts was first assessed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to determine the types of biomolecules involved in the reducing and capping processes that result in ZnONP formation. After that, UV-Vis spectrophotometry, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffractometry, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were used to study ZnONP formation, morphological characteristics, elemental composition, shape and size properties, and phase composition. The ZnONPs made with Chromolaena odorata leaf extract had a better distribution of spherical and hexagonal forms, with an average particle size of 42.35 nm. The ZnONPs made with Manihot esculenta leaf as a reductant had a particle size of 14.71 nm on average and were more agglomerated with poor particle distribution. Phytosterols were shown to be the most important biomolecules in the reduction and capping reactions, according to GC-MS and FTIR analyses. In this study, we created a cost-effective technique for the synthesis of ecofriendly ZnONPs for diverse applications, particularly in Africa, using Chromolaena odorata and Manihot esculenta leaves. Significance:• This study could provide useful information on how the phytochemicals embedded in Chromolaena odorata and Manihot esculenta could influence the properties of the ZnONPs obtained from them.• Differences in morphology and formation yield of ZnONPs are obtainable from aqueous leaf extracts of Chromolaena odorata and Manihot esculenta.• Chromolaena odorata and Manihot esculenta could serve as dependable raw materials for the green synthesis of ZnONPs in Africa

The practice of hepatocellular cancer surveillance in Nigeria

Background: Hepatocellular cancer is a disease of global and public health importance due to the widespread distribution of risk factors and associated high case fatality. Hepatocellular Cancer (HCC) in Sub-Saharan Africa is commonly seen among the younger age groups (<45 years) who present mostly in the terminal stage, when the disease is not amenable to any curative therapy. Hepatocellular Carcinoma surveillance employs the use of simple, cheap and readily available investigations, to detect early curable cancer in individuals with risk factors for HCC.Objectives:The aim of this study is to assess the practice of hepatocellular cancer screening among physicians.Methodolgy:This is a nationwide online survey carried out among physicians who care for patients with HCC. A questionnaire was sent out via a web link to all consenting doctors in Nigeria. The responses were collated in a cloud-based application and data was analysed using Epi-info version 20.Results:Atotal of 218 respondents, 142 were males (65.1 %) with a mean age of 37.6 ± 5.7 years. The modal age group was 31-40 years 153 (69.5%). The main factors considered as a hindrance to surveillance were; the cost of the tests (57.7%), failure of return of patients (50.5%) and not being aware of a surveillance program (45.2 %). The majority of the respondents were Gastroenterologists and Family Physicians. 54% of the gastroenterologists and 64% of the family physicians have never offered HCC surveillance to their patients.Conclusion:This survey highlights a knowledge gap in HCC surveillance among physicians. There is a need to make HCCsurveillance a daily routine among patients at risk by all physicians. Keywords: Surveillance, Hepatocellular Carcinoma, HBV, HCV, Cancer screening

Recherche sur l'activite anthelmintique des plantes de l'Afrique de l'Ouest

Eighteen plants traditionally used for the treatment of human and animal helminthiasis in Africa were screened for anthelmintic activity using the Nippostrongylus - rat model. Aloe barteri, Terminalia avicennioides, Annona senegalensis, Cassia occidentalis, Anogeissus leiocarpus and Diospyros mespiliformis showed significant activity, giving deparasitizations of 92, 89, 75, 69, 60 and 58% respectively compared to untreated controls

Characterisation of ZnO nanoparticles prepared using aqueous leaf extracts of Chromolaena odorata (L.) and Manihot esculenta (Crantz)

Plant-mediated routes for synthesising metal oxide nanoparticles are gaining tremendous attention due to the benefits of the technique: simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and eco-friendliness. We compared the properties of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) made from aqueous leaf extracts of Chromolaena odorata and Manihot esculenta, both of which are abundant on the African continent. The phytochemical composition of the extracts was first assessed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to determine the types of biomolecules involved in the reducing and capping processes that result in ZnONP formation. After that, UV-Vis spectrophotometry, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffractometry, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were used to study ZnONP formation, morphological characteristics, elemental composition, shape and size properties, and phase composition. The ZnONPs made with Chromolaena odorata leaf extract had a better distribution of spherical and hexagonal forms, with an average particle size of 42.35 nm. The ZnONPs made with Manihot esculenta leaf as a reductant had a particle size of 14.71 nm on average and were more agglomerated with poor particle distribution. Phytosterols were shown to be the most important biomolecules in the reduction and capping reactions, according to GC-MS and FTIR analyses. In this study, we created a cost-effective technique for the synthesis of eco-friendly ZnONPs for diverse applications, particularly in Africa, using Chromolaena odorata and Manihot esculenta leaves.Significance: This study could provide useful information on how the phytochemicals embedded in Chromolaena odorata and Manihot esculenta could influence the properties of the ZnONPs obtained from them. Differences in morphology and formation yield of ZnONPs are obtainable from aqueous leaf extracts of Chromolaena odorata and Manihot esculenta. Chromolaena odorata and Manihot esculenta could serve as dependable raw materials for the green synthesis of ZnONPs in Africa

Cooking Fuels in Lagos, Nigeria: Factors Associated with Household Choice of Kerosene or Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).

Cooking with dirty-burning fuels is associated with health risk from household air pollution. We assessed the prevalence of and factors associated with the use of cooking fuels, and attitudes and barriers towards use of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). This was a cross-sectional, population-based survey conducted in 519 households in Lagos, Nigeria. We used a structured questionnaire to obtain information regarding choice of household cooking fuel and the attitudes towards the use of LPG. Kerosene was the most frequently used cooking fuel ( = 475, 91.5%; primary use = 364, 70.1%) followed by charcoal ( = 159, 30.6%; primary use = 88, 17%) and LPG ( = 86, 16.6%; primary use = 63, 12.1%). Higher level of education, higher income and younger age were associated with LPG vs. kerosene use. Fuel expenditure on LPG was significantly lower than for kerosene ( N (Naira) 2169.0 ± 1507.0 vs. N 2581.6 ± 1407.5). Over 90% of non-LPG users were willing to switch to LPG but cited safety issues and high cost as potential barriers to switching. Our findings suggest that misinformation and beliefs regarding benefits, safety and cost of LPG are important barriers to LPG use. An educational intervention program could be a cost-effective approach to improve LPG adoption and should be formally addressed through a well-designed community-based intervention study