EFFECTS OF TOASTED AFRICAN NUTMEG (MONODORA MYRISTICA) ON THE GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF JAPANESE QUAILS (CORTUNIX CORTUNIX)

A research work was carried out to evaluate the effects of toasted Monodora Myristica spice as feed additive in quail nutrition. The proximate, vitamin and mineral composition and antinutritional factors, growth performance, cut parts and organ characteristics, biochemical parameters and egg quality traits were evaluated in this study that lasted for fifteen weeks in a completely randomized design. A total of 300-day-old quail chicks were brooded for 14 days. Thereafter, they were allocated to 4 dietary treatments designated D1, D2, D3 and D4 and having 0%, 0.5%, 1.0% and 1.5% Monodora Myristica respectively. Each treatment was replicated 3 times at 25 quails (5 males: 20 females) per replicate. The growth performance and carcass characteristics study lasted for 8 weeks while the eggs were collected for 4 weeks. From the results, the proximate composition of the toasted Monodora Myristica revealed a crude protein (25.38%), crude fibre (6.24%), ether extract (21.54%), ash (9.40%) and NFE 37.44%. These values were significantly (P0.05) increase in the daily feed intake though it increased only numerically as level of inclusion increased from 0% to 1.0% but decreased at the level above 1.0%. There were significant differences (P<0.05) in the average daily weight gain and feed conversion ratio among the varying treatments. Average daily weight gains for the groups were 1.68g/b/d, 2.18g/b/d, 3.35g/b/d and 3.37g/b/d respectively for D1, D2, D3 and D4. Significant differences (P<0.05) were observed in the cut parts and organ characteristics. From the results, Monodora Myristica was not observed to be detrimental to the quails with respect to the weight of organs and cut parts. Dressed weight increased as level of inclusion increased up to 1.0% but then declined afterwards to 137.69g. Liver weights were 3.55%, 2.55%, 1.79% and 1.77% respectively for D1, D2, D3 and D4. Quails fed the control diet recorded the highest liver weight (P<0.05) of 3.55% indicating stress condition. The low liver weight in quails fed Monodora-flavoured diet indicates potential of Monodora to protect the liver from free radicals that cause stress. Breast meat was significantly reduced at 1.0% and 1.5% M. myristica inclusion

Haematological Indices of Broiler Chickens Administered Water Containing Medicinal Plant Leaf Methanol Extract

The discovery that the use of antibiotics in animal production is fueling the increasing problem of transmitting resistance bacteria from food animals to man has led to the search for an alternative to the use of antibiotics. Therefore, the response of broiler chickens fed various medicinal plants methanol extract as a replacement for antibiotics was investigated. The plant extracts encompass four available leaves; Gercinia kola (Bitter Kola), Alchornea cordifolia (Christmas bush), Pterocarpus santalinoides (Red scandal wood) and Chromolera Odorata (Hagony or Siam weed). A total of 180 unsexed Ross strain broiler chickens were randomly assigned to these dietary treatments which had 30 birds each. The treatments were replicated thrice with 10 birds per replicate in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Feed and water were provided ad libitum throughout the experiment which lasted for 56 days. Haematological indices of broiler chickens were evaluated. Significant differences (p&lt;0.05) were observed in the mean values of all the hematological parameters measured across the treatment groups, except Packed cell volume and White blood cell. The result values obtained in this present study were within the standard range of PCV of normal birds with the reference range of 25.0 - 45.0%. However, the values obtained did not reveal any health problem. The findings of this study conclude that the medicinal plant methanol extracts have considerable potentials as component of broiler chicken diet. Alchornea cordifolia plant methanol extract can successfully be used to replace antibiotics at 1g/litre of drinking water for broiler production. Further research should be carried out on Alchornea cordifolia and other medicinal plants to examine their potentials and inhibitory characteristics

Development of Transdermal Patches for the Delivery of Chlorpheniramine in Infants using Hypromellose and Cassava Starch Composite Polymers

Background: Chlorpheniramine is an antihistamine that is used in the treatment of rhinitis and other allergies. Objectives: The objectives of this research was to develop and evaluate transdermal patches for improved delivery of chlorpheniramine in infants using hypromellose and cassava starch composite polymers. Methods: Chlorpheniramine transdermal patches were formulated by solvent casting method using varying amounts of hypromellose (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose), cassava starch and polyethylene glycol 4000. The formulated transdermal patches were characterized by Fourier Transform Infra-red Spectroscopy (FT-IR), folding endurance, elongation breaking test, percentage moisture uptake/loss and ex vivo permeation studies. Results: The spectra showed no chemical interaction between the ingredients. The transdermal patches showed elastic qualities and high folding endurance. Patches with consistently high moisture uptake (around 40%) were observed to contain high concentration of cassava starch while those with higher amounts of HPMC lost more water (around 35%). The ex vivo study showed efficient permeation and flux for the target purpose. Conclusion: Transdermal patches may be used to deliver low dose chlorpheniramine drug through the skin possibly soft and thin infant skin. Keywords: Transdermal; permeation; flux; allergy; chlorpheniramin

Formulation and characterization of artemether-loaded sodium alginate microcapsules

Purpose: To increase the solubility of artemether (ART) in Transcutol® HP through microencapsulation in sodium alginate polymer to achieve&nbsp; sustained in vivo release.Method: Graded concentrations of ART (0.00, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, and 1.00 g) microcapsules were produced using Tween® 80 by the cold&nbsp; homogenization method at 24 x 1000 rpm for 15 min. Characterization based on yield, encapsulation efficiency (EE), particle size, pH stability,&nbsp; differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and in vivo release using Peter’s four-day suppressive protocol in Wistar mice infected with Plasmodium berghei, were determined.Results: The results obtained indicate that 0.5 g ART-loaded microcapsules (AMC) showed the highest yield of 96.85 %. The EE of 88.3 %&nbsp; corresponded to 0.75 g ART-loaded microcapsules. DSC results revealed that there was a significant reduction in enthalpy in all the formulations compared to the crystalline drug, but no strong bond interaction occurred except for the blank microcapsules. The AMC1.0 showed high dose-dependent plasmodial growth inhibition of 88.75 % while AMC0.25 had the least (68.13 %).Conclusion: The artemether microcapsules showed sustained release characteristics for oral delivery of artemether and therefore may reduce some of the adverse effects associated with high dose artemether therapy in conventional oral tablets. Keywords: Malaria, Artemether, Transcutol® HP, Sustained-release, RBC count, Antiplasmodial activit

Risk factors, phenotypic-pattern and feto-maternal outcomes of preeclampsia with severe features in a low-resource setting: a prospective study

Background: Preeclampsia is exclusive to pregnancy and one of the leading causes of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality globally. This study aims to assess the prevalence, risk factors, phenotypic pattern and feto-maternal outcomes among women managed for preeclampsia with severe features at the Federal Medical Center Asaba. Methods: Women managed for preeclampsia with severe features between 1st June 2022 and, 31st January 2023 were recruited and relevant data extracted and entered into a standardized proforma which was subsequently analyzed using the SPSS version 26. Categorical variables were expressed in frequencies and percentages while continuous variables were expressed as mean and standard deviation. The association test between the categorical variables was via the chi-square and Fisher exact test where necessary with a p&lt;0.05 considered significant. Results: The prevalence of preeclampsia with severe features was 19.3% with the late-onset type (63.7%) being the commonest. Maternal and perinatal outcomes were comparable in both phenotypical patterns except for NICU admission which was higher and significant for early onset. Nulliparity, chronic hypertension, and previous history of preeclampsia were the most commonly identified risk factors. Neonatal intensive care unit admission (43.8%), perinatal mortality (17.8%), admission into the intensive care unit (1.4%), and development of eclampsia (0.7%) were the most frequent fetomaternal outcomes. Conclusions: This study revealed a high burden of preeclampsia with severe features and some of its complications. Interventions such as early antenatal care booking and prompt identification of at-risk women will reduce its burden

Evaluation Of the Antifungal Activity of Cassia fistula (Linn) On Phytopathogenic Fungi Isolated from Citrus sinensis

Citrus sinensis is a prominent tropical fruit with nutritional and economic benefits for humans. However, it can also be plagued by fungal diseases, causing global economic and production reduction. The extensive application of synthetic fungicides in agricultural systems has posed increased toxicological risks to humans and ecosystems. However, the varying phytochemicals found in medicinal plants have enabled them to be regarded as safe and effective alternatives. However, few studies have evaluated the use of Cassia fistula extracts as potential bio-fungicides. This research purposed to evaluate the antifungal activity of Cassia fistula leaflet extracts against phytopathogenic fungi. Ethanol as well as aqueous extracts of Cassia fistula leaves were assessed for antifungal activity. The agar well-diffusion technique was implemented for in vitro screening, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) of all different extracts against isolated fungal species of Aspergillus, Penicillium and Geotrichum. All fungal isolates identified from the spoiled oranges were Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus, Geotrichum sp. and Fusarium sp. Preliminary phytochemical screening exhibited the presence of carbohydrates, terpenoids, quinones and saponins in both ethanolic and aqueous extracts. At 1000 mg/ml, the aqueous and ethanolic extracts had the highest antifungal activity against A. flavus (40 mm) and Fusarium sp. (38 mm), respectively. Both extracts had no antifungal activity against A. fumigatus at 62.5 mg/ml but zones of inhibition were observed from the positive and negative controls of ketoconazole and DMSO, respectively. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) were evaluated at 62.5 mg/ml and 250 mg/ml, respectively. This study's findings demonstrated the antifungal potential of C. fistula leaf extracts as a bio-fungicidal agent against fungal invasion in plant

Clinical effects of Garcinia kola in knee osteoarthritis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Objectives</p> <p>Over the past years, there has been a growing number of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) patients who are not willing to comply with long-term non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) treatment and wish to use herbal anti- rheumatic medicine. This study assessed the clinical effects of <it>Garcinia kola </it>(GK) in KOA patients.</p> <p>Patients and methods</p> <p>Prospective randomized, placebo controlled, double blind, clinical trial approved by the institutional medical ethics review board and written informed consent obtained from each patient. All KOA patients presenting at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital complex were recruited into the study. The patients were grouped into four (A = Placebo, B = Naproxen, C = <it>Garcinia kola</it>, D = Celebrex). The drugs and placebo were given twice a day per oral route. Each dose consisted of 200 mg of <it>G. kola</it>, Naproxen (500 mg), Celebrex (200 mg) and Ascorbic acid (100 mg). The primary outcome measure over six weeks study period was the change in mean WOMAC pain visual analogue scales (VAS). Secondary outcome measures included the mean change in joint stiffness and physical function (mobility/walking).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>143 patients were recruited, 84 (58.7%, males – 24, females – 60) satisfied the selection criteria and completed the study. The effect of knee osteoarthritis bilateralism among the subjects was not significant on their outcome (p > 0.05). The change in the mean WOMAC pain VAS after six weeks of <it>G. kola </it>was significantly reduced compared to the placebo (p < 0.001). Multiple comparisons of the mean VAS pain change of <it>G. kola </it>group was not lowered significantly against the naproxen and celebrex groups (p > 0.05). The onset of <it>G. kola </it>symptomatic pain relief was faster than the placebo (p < 0.001). However, it was slower than the active comparators (p > 0.05). The duration of therapeutic effect of <it>Garcinia kola </it>was longer than the placebo (p > 0.001). <it>G. kola </it>period of effect was less than naproxen and celebrex (p < 0.001). <it>G. kola </it>subjects had improved mean change mobility/walking after six weeks better than the control group(p < 0.001). The mean change in mobility of the <it>G. kola </it>group when compared to the active comparators was not significantly better (p < 0.05). The mean change of knee joint stiffness (p < 0.001) and the change of mean WOMAC score (p < 0.001) were improved on <it>Garcinia kola </it>as compared to the placebo. The mid term outcome of eleven <it>Garcinia kola </it>subjects after cessation of use had a mean pain relief period of 17.27 +/- 5.15 days (range: 9–26 days). There was no significant cardiovascular, renal or drug induced adverse reaction to <it>Garcinia kola</it>.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p><it>Garcinia kola </it>appeared to have clinically significant analgesic/anti-inflammatory effects in knee osteoarthritis patients. <it>Garcinia kola </it>is a potential osteoarthritis disease activity modifier with good mid term outcome. Further studies are required for standardization of dosages and to determine long-term effects.</p

Première relation d’un foyer de bursite infectieuse (maladie de Gumboro) dans l’Etat d’Anambra au Nigeria

La maladie de Gumboro est apparue dans un élevage de poulets déja vaccinés et âgés de sept semaines. Les signes cliniques et les modifications décelées post-mortem ont été classiques, tout comme la pathologie de la bourse à l'examen microscopique. Des broyats homogénéisés de bourses provenant d'animaux morts, ont réagi positivement à l'antigène viral en cause avec le test d'immunodiffusio n en gélose (IDG). Des sérums de convalescents obtenus 14 jours après l'apparition des signes cliniques ont également donné une réaction positive au test IDG. Des animaux sensibles, âgés de sept semaines, infectés par voie intramusculaire avec 0,1 ml d'une préparation de bourse provenant du même foyer, ont développé, dès le 3e jour, les signes cliniques de la maladie et sont morts au sixième jour. La réaction du contenu de la bourse était également positive à l'antigène viral en milieu IDG. Ceci constitue la première observation d'un foyer reconnu de maladie de Gumboro au Sud-Nigéria, consécutif à l'injection d'un vaccin produit localement.</jats:p