Anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of methanol root extract of Andropogon gayanus Kunth (Poaceae) in rodents

Background: Andropogon gayanus is widely used in traditional medicine for various ailments such as postpartum pain, bronchitis and oedema. Objective: This study evaluated the anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of methanol root extract of A. gayanus in experimental rodents. Methods: Phytochemical screening tests and acute toxicity studies were carried out. Analgesic activity using acetic acid-induced writhing response and hot plate test in mice, formalin-induced pain and carrageenan-induced paw oedema in rats were evaluated at doses of 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg of the extract. Results: Oral median lethal dose was >5000 mg/kg in both mice and rats. The extract significantly (p<0.01) decreased the number of writhing movements at all tested doses. It also significantly (p<0.05) increased the mean reaction times. A significant (p<0.05) decrease in mean pain scores was also observed in both phases of the formalin test at 1000 mg/kg. The extract at 1000 mg/kg significantly (p<0.05) reduced the oedema at the 1st hour, while at the 5th hour, all doses tested significantly reduced the oedema. Conclusion: The methanol root extract of Andropogon gayanus possesses antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities. Keywords: Andropogon gayanus, Analgesic, Anti-inflammatory, Pai

Anxiety, Anger and Depression Amongst Low-Income Earners in Southwestern Uganda During the COVID-19 Total Lockdown

Background: Low-income earners are particularly vulnerable to mental health, consequence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown restrictions, due to a temporary or permanent loss of income and livelihood, coupled with government-enforced measures of social distancing. This study evaluates the mental health status among low-income earners in southwestern Uganda during the first total COVID-19 lockdown in Uganda. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was undertaken amongst earners whose income falls below the poverty threshold. Two hundred and fifty-three (n = 253) male and female low-income earners between the ages of 18 and 60 years of age were recruited to the study. Modified generalized anxiety disorder (GAD-7), Spielberger's State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory-2 (STAXI-2), and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) tools as appropriate were used to assess anxiety, anger, and depression respectively among our respondents. Results: Severe anxiety (68.8%) followed by moderate depression (60.5%) and moderate anger (56.9%) were the most common mental health challenges experienced by low-income earners in Bushenyi district. Awareness of mental healthcare increased with the age of respondents in both males and females. A linear relationship was observed with age and depression (r = 0.154, P = 0.014) while positive correlations were observed between anxiety and anger (r = 0.254, P < 0.001); anxiety and depression (r = 0.153, P = 0.015) and anger and depression (r = 0.153, P = 0.015). Conclusion: The study shows the importance of mental health awareness in low resource settings during the current COVID-19 pandemic. Females were identified as persons at risk to mental depression, while anger was highest amongst young males

Preliminary Phytochemical Screening and Quantitative Analysis of Methanol Leaf Extract of Erlangea tomentosa (Oliv. & Hiern) S.Moore (Asteraceae)

Various medications are being developed using natural products, particularly those resulting from medicinal plants. So, the screening and quantity analysis of phytochemicals in the methanol leaf extract of Erlangea tomentosa was looked at to find out what chemicals in the plant were responsible for its biological activity. Ten different phytochemicals, such as alkaloids, glycosides, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, saponins, coumarins, steroids, terpenoids, phenols, and tannins, were found by the analysis. Glycosides and cardiac glycosides were below the limits, and neither phlobatannins nor anthraquinones were found. Quantitative phytochemical analysis showed that there were 3.38g of alkaloids, 2.19g of tannins, 1.81g of flavonoids, and 0.31g of saponins. The concentrations of standard solutions per 100g of crude sample were used to estimate all the results of the tests