Effect of seed scarification methods on Mimosa pigra Linn. germination

Dormancy is a condition in which seeds do not germinate despite the provision of suitable growth conditions. This study assessed germination percentage and germination rates of Mimosa pigra using different pre-sowing treatments. Seeds were sown in white plastic buckets filled with loose and well-drained river sand at a sowing depth of 3 cm. Bucket diameter was 22 cm and bucket depth from base to the brim was 24 cm. Four replicates of 100 randomly picked seeds at 25 seeds per bucket were used for each treatment and the buckets were laid out in a complete randomized design. Viable seeds determined by floatation method were subjected to pre-sowing treatments using control, 98% concentrated Sulphuric acid, hot water (wet heat) and physical abrasion for 40, 80 and 120 seconds. Data were subjected to statistical analysis. Results showed that physical abrasion resulted in the highest germination percentage of 74 to 83% and the lowest mean emergence time of 6 and 7 days while the control resulted in 16% germination rate and a mean emergence time of 23 days. Therefore, physical scarification is recommended for the propagation of Mimosa pigra for its medicinal use

Effect of seed scarification methods on Mimosa pigra Linn. germination

Dormancy is a condition in which seeds do not germinate despite the provision of suitable growth conditions. This study assessed germination percentage and germination rates of Mimosa pigra using different pre-sowing treatments. Seeds were sown in white plastic buckets filled with loose and well-drained river sand at a sowing depth of 3 cm. Bucket diameter was 22 cm and bucket depth from base to the brim was 24 cm. Four replicates of 100 randomly picked seeds at 25 seeds per bucket were used for each treatment and the buckets were laid out in a complete randomized design. Viable seeds determined by floatation method were subjected to pre-sowing treatments using control, 98% concentrated Sulphuric acid, hot water (wet heat) and physical abrasion for 40, 80 and 120 seconds. Data were subjected to statistical analysis. Results showed that physical abrasion resulted in the highest germination percentage of 74 to 83% and the lowest mean emergence time of 6 and 7 days while the control resulted in 16% germination rate and a mean emergence time of 23 days. Therefore, physical scarification is recommended for the propagation of Mimosa pigra for its medicinal use

In silico analysis of compounds characterized from ethanolic extract of Cucurbita pepo with NF-κB-inhibitory potential

NF-κB controls cellular growth properties of cells and its regulation is key to the management of disease like cancer. Although plant-derived bioactives have been reported to inhibit NF-κB, there is limited knowledge on the interactions between the phytochemicals and NF-κB. In this study, we identified the phytochemicals in ethanolic extract of Cucurbita pepo using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy technique and used in silico approach to understand the interaction between the identified phytochemicals and NF-κB using Molegro Virtual Docker. The docking algorithm showed that nine phytochemicals fit well into the pocket on NF-κB.. Our analysis showed that Lys144 is a prominent residue by involving in the binding of 9-octadecenoic acid (Z)-, methyl ester, hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester and octadecanoic acid, methyl ester with the moldock score of -55.5264, -57.4634 and -61.1258 respectively. Hence, the binding of these phytochemicals to NF-κB could be responsible for the anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer property of C. pepo

Phenotypic Intraspecific Variability among Some Accessions of Drumstick (Moringa Oleifera Lam.)

Phenotypic characterization of plant species is the basis for selection, conservation as well as improvement. Moringa oleifera (Lam.) is commonly grown as multi-purpose medicinal and leafy vegetable crop in Nigeria. This study evaluated phenotypic intraspecific variations among 40 accessions of M. oleifera collected from different agro-ecological zones. A total of 30 morphometric traits involving qualitative and quantitative vegetative, floral, fruit/pod and seed traits, seed set and germination percentages were combined for the analyses. Descriptive statistics, variance analysis, correlation coefficient, principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis (CA) were used to evaluate the intraspecific variability. The accessions showed marked differences in floral, fruit pod and seed characters analyzed. Accessions edN037 (71 days), osN024 (73 days), ogN028 (74 days), oyN003 (75 days) and abN059 (76 days) were identified as early maturing accessions. Correlation coefficients r ≥ 0.70 were high and significant for reproductive characters. The PCA and CA generated similar results. The first five principal component axes explained 61.40% of the total variation with PC1 (23.92%) and PC2 (14.19%) contributing 38.11% of the total variation. The CA showed that the degree of intraspecific similarity was high (66.82%) based on Euclidean similarity index. Nevertheless, four clusters were formed indicating intraspecific phenotypic dissimilarity among the 40 accessions especially with the separation of accessions that were collected from similar environments. The phenotypic variations could be explored for utilization, conservation and for future genetic improvement by selection of accessions with promising agronomic characters

Polypharmacy in psychiatric outpatient practice in northern Nigeria

Objective:To describe and analyze patterns of polypharmacy among psychiatric outpatients in northern Nigeria and identify predictors of psychotropic polypharmacy.Method:A cross-sectional study, using chart review of new patients at out-patient clinics of two regional psychiatric hospitals in northern Nigeria,measuring rates, patterns and predictors of psychotropic polypharmacy.Results: A total of 278 patients were seen, of whom 92%were given two ormore psychotropic agents.The pattern of psychotropic polypharmacy revealed that total, multi-class and adjunctive polypharmacy rates were high, while augmentation and same class polypharmacy rates were low. Age of respondent and diagnosis were the factors associated with total polypharmacy. Conclusion: The complex interplay of factors influencing physician prescription practices requires that a more pragmatic approach be adopted in efforts to curtail polypharmacy practice, rather than a wholesale, absolute condemnation of the practice.African Journal of Psychiatry Vol. 10 (4) 2007: pp. 215-21

Influence of knowledge of spousal fertility cycles on male reproductive health participation in Ibadan Metropolis, Nigeria

Despite the established roles and influence of men on women‟s uptake and utilization of reproductive health care interventions, the degree of involvement with intimate issues within the household which could help to understand male involvement and support remains an under-researched topic. The aim of this study was to investigate the degree of involvement at the family level of men within sub-urban communities of Ibadan in South-West Nigeria. A cross sectional survey design was conducted among 380 men selected from sub-urban communities in Ibadan, Oyo State using multi-stage sampling. Data was obtained using pre-tested, semi-structured, interviewer administered questionnaires. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis and logistic regression with level of significance set at 5%. Mean age of respondents was 41.1 ± 7.6 years. Men who were knowledgeable of spouse‟s menstrual cycles and ovulation dates were significantly more likely to have supported some form of public health intervention before (p<0.001). Age over 30, above secondary education, and men aware of menstrual dates of spouse were significant predictors of reproductive health interventions. Men who were aware of menstrual cycles of spouse were 96.6% more likely to be supportive or involved in reproductive health matters compared to those who were not (OR =0.034; 95% CI = 0.02 - 0.07; p<0.001). Involvement of men at family level as demonstrated in this study serves to influence and explain the level of involvement with reproductive health. Further research investigating other proximal factors that influence male participation is recommended.Keywords: reproductive health, health disparities, male involvement, menstrual cycle, ovulatory cycles, fertilit

Multiple Shoots Induction from Indigenous Nigerian Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.)

Aim: The aim of this study is to develop a protocol for in vitro regeneration of a Nigerian indigenous pumpkin (C. pepo L.) via seedling-derived cotelydon, cotyledonary node and hypocotyl explants. Study Design: A combination of 0.00, 1.00, 2.00 and 3.00 mgl-1 of 6-Benzylaminopurine (BAP) and 0.00 or 0.05 mgl-1 of 2,4-Dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D) for each explant type were set up in three replicates making a total of 36 culture vessels in the entire experimental set up. Five explants were cultured per combination. Place and Duration of Study: The work was conducted in the Plant Tissue Culture Laboratory of the Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science and Technology, Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria, between January 2017 and July 2017. Methodology: Hypocotyl, cotyledonary node and cotyledon explants derived from 4-week ol