Larvicidal effects of paw paw (Carica papaya) aqueous extract on mosqiuto vectors

As part of local sourcing for control of malaria in Nigeria, the larvicidal effect of Carica papaya extract against larvae of Anopheles and Culex mosquitoes and the rate of decay of the extract in aqueous solution was investigated. The leaf extract was found to achieve a 100% mortality rate of the Anopheles mosquito larvae at the concentration of 0.06 mg/ml. A much higher concentration (0.10 mg/ml) was required to achieve the same mortality rate for Culex larvae. The lethal strength of the solution decreased with time of storage, loosing its larvicidal property on the 18th day of storage. The study suggests that Carica papaya extract could act as effective larvicide if appropriate bio-degradation controlled system capable of maintaining the release of the active ingredients for a longer period is developed.. International Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences Vol. 2 (4) 2006: pp. 417-42

Occurrence of different Plasmodium species in malaria patients in Owerri, Nigeria

An investigation into the species of Plasmodium parasites in malaria endemic area of Owerri was carried out between January and March 2005. Five hundred blood samples from two public and one private health institutions were examined using the conventional microscopic examination of Giemsa and Leishman stained smears. Results showed that the prevalence rate of malaria parasite in the area was 62.0%. Only two species namely Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax were identified with the former predominating (99.2%). International Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences Vol. 2 (4) 2006: pp. 409-41

Evaluation of Levamisole Activity on Ascaris lumbricoides and Hookworm Infections - A Therapeutic Trial

Thirty Ascaris lumbricoides and 30 hookworm-infected patients attending the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital and Rex Medical Center, Port Harcourt were treated with clinically-accepted regimen of levamisole (3 tablets[120mg] as a single dose). Pre- and post-treatment stool specimens were examined microscopically for ova of A. lumbricoides and hookworm and for total egg counts. Using the absence of the helminth ova in post – treatment stool sample as criteria for cure, 73.7% and 66.7% cure rates were observed for A. lumbricoides and hookworm infections respectively. The resultshowed that the local A. lumbricodes and hookworm strains might be developing resistance against levamisole and that the drug is more effective in the treatment of ascariasis than hookworm infections

The use of liquid based cytology and conventional papanicolaou smear in cervical screening: A comparison study

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Hepatprotective Activity of Stem Bark Extracts of Garcinia kola in Acetaminophen-Induced Hepatic Injury in rats

This study evaluated the hepatoprotective effect of the aqueous and methanolic extracts of stem bark of Garcinia kola on acetaminophen-induced liver injury in rats. Twenty four (24) male Wister rats weighting between 116-247g were used for the study and the experimental animals were treated with graded doses of the aqueous (AE) and methanolic (ME) extracts of stem bark Garcinia kola for 7 days before induction of liver damage with 750mg/kg body weight of acetaminophen on the 8th day. At the end of the experimental period, serum samples were collected for biochemical studies and results showed markedly lowered mean values of liver maker enzymes (P<0.001) with mean values of 52.90 + 4.21 IU/I, 12.8+ 3.93 IU/I and 14.00 + 2.21 IU/L for APL, ALT and AST respectively in group A (treated with 25mg/kg AE) when compared to respective mean values of 128.32 + 5.04 IU/L recorded in group E.This trend was also observed in groups B, C and D treated with 50mg/kg AE, 25mg.kg (ME) and 50mg/kg ME respectively. Also other biochemical parameters including total protein (TP) and albumin (ALB) showed mean values that demonstrated evidence of hepatroprotection in groups A-D when compared to group E. In conclusion, the aqueous and methanolic extracts of G. kola have been shown to have hepatoprotective activity and it is recommended that the phytochemical principles responsible for this effect be further elucidated through high resolution techniques.Key Words: Acetaminophen, ethnomedicine, hepatoprotective, Garcinia kol

Histopathological evaluatin of the hepatoprotective activity of stem bark extracts of Garcinia Kola on acetaminophen-Induced liver injury in rats

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Observations on parastrongyliasis in two land snails Achatina achatina and Achatina marginata with special reference to public health

Between December 2001 and August 2002, a study on the prevalence of Parastrongylus cantonensis nematode infection in two edible land snails Achatina marginata and Achatina achatina were carried out in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria. Of the 350 A. marginata examined, 209 (59.7%) were infected with a mean worm load of 27.2 larvae per snail. Similarly, 221 (61.1%) of 362 A. achatina examined had larvae of P. cantonensis with an intensity of 38.1 larvae per snail. The prevalence of Parastrongyliasis increased significantly with snail size (age) in both snails. There were seasonal fluctuations of infection intensities in both snails with peak intensities occurring during the rainy season, 43.9 larvae per snail in July and 55.8 larvae per snail in August for A. marginata and A. achatina respectively. The involvement of P. cantonensis in some diseases of man is highlighted. Keywords: Parastrongylus cantonensis; Achatina achatina; Achatina marginata; snail; public health; NigeriaAnimal Production Research Advances Vol. 2 (3) 2006: pp 183-18