Analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of Cyphostemma vogelii (Hook. f.) Desc. root extract in mice

Cyphostemma vogelii (family: Vitaceae) is a herbaceous plant which grows in Obukpa town in South Eastern Nigeria. C. vogelii is said to be generally medicinal though no specific medicinal activity was mentioned in the literature for this plant. The analgesic effect of C. vogelii was evaluated using acetic acid-induced writhing and formalin-induced nociception tests. The extract was also screened for antiinflammatory activity using carrageenan-induced and kaolin-carrageenan-induced paw edema tests. C. vogelii extract dose dependently inhibited acetic acid-induced pain in mice. The extract at 200 and 400 mg/kg significantly inhibited inflammatory and neurogenic pain induced by formalin. The effects of 200 mg/kg on formalin induced pain were similar to those of aspirin, while 400 mg/kg produced more inhibitory effects. At 2, 3 and 5 h post carrageenan injection, 200 and 400 mg/kg extract significantly inhibited paw edema. The extract dose dependently suppressed kaolin-carrageenan-induced edema from 3 h post treatment for up to 24 h. The effect of 400 mg/kg on kaolin-carrageenan-induced edema was similar to that of aspirin, while 100 mg/kg showed the least activity. The data obtained from this study showed that the methanol extract of C. vogelii exhibited mild analgesic activity as well as  antiinflammatory activity.Keywords: Analgesic, anti-inflammatory, mice, Cyphostemma vogelii, nociceptionAfrican Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(17), pp. 2288-229

Evaluation of the wound healing potential of Protea madiensis Oliv leaf extract in rats

Protea madiensis Oliv. is a flowering shrub which grows in south eastern Nigeria. Liquids extracted from its leaves are applied on wounds to promote healing. To investigate the effect of P. madiensis on wound healing, its methanol extract was applied topically on excision wounds daily. During the experimental period, the rate of contraction, epithelialisation and histology of the wounds were studied. Also, in vitro antibacterial study, 1,1-diphenyl-2-hydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging assay and phytochemical analysis were performed using P. madiensis extract. Wound contraction and epithelialisation were significantly (p < 0.05) faster in the P. madiensis treated rats compared to the control rats. On day 14 post wounding, wound sections of the extract treated rats showed more collagen fibers, more fibroblasts and fewer inflammatory cells compared to the control. At 5, 10 and 20 mg/ml concentrations, P. madiensis inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis. The extract at 100 μg/ml showed 60.4% DPPH scavenging activity. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of tannins, saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids and glycosides in the extract. In conclusion, the extract of P. madiensis significantly enhanced wound contraction, epithelialisation, fibroblast proliferation and collagen deposition thus authenticating the claim of its efficacy in traditional wound care.Key words: Protea madiensis, excision wounds, antioxidant, fibroblasts, antibacterial

Evaluation of herbal ointment formulation of Milicia excelsa (Welw) C.C berg for wound healing

The wound healing effect of Milicia excelsa ointment was evaluated in three groups of rats using the excision wound model. Also the antibacterial effect of M. excelsa extract on Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus was investigated. The result of the study showed that the ointment of M. excelsa significantly enhanced wound contraction and epithelialization. The epithelialization time in the M. excelsa ointment treated group was significantly shorter than time of epithelialization in the base treated group. On day 7, wound sections of rats treated with M. excelsa ointment showed abundant neutrophils, few macrophages and few fibroblasts while in the base treated rats, abundant neutrophils, few macrophages and few fibroblasts were seen. By day 14, wound sections of M. excelsa ointment treated rats showed abundant fibroblasts, mild collagenization, moderate macrophages and vascularization whereas moderate neutrophils, few macrophages and few fibroblasts were seen in the sections of base treated rats. M. excelsa extract at 100, 50, 25 and 12.5 mg/ml inhibited the growth of S. aureus but not P. aeruginosa. In this study, daily application of M. excelsa ointment enhanced wound contraction, epithelialization and fibroplasia. These results provide scientific evidence showing the efficacy of M. excelsa leaves in wound healing.Keywords: Milicia excelsa, ointment, excision wounds, contraction, epithelializationAfrican Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(21), pp. 3351-335

Anaesthetic potency and physiological effects of refrigerated solution of thiopentone sodium in rabbits

Several in vitro studies have justified the use of thiopentone solutions beyond the period recommended by the manufacturer. We conducted this in vivo study to investigate the anaesthetic potency and physiological effect of refrigerated thiopentone solution. Rabbits in four groups designated A, B, C and D were anaesthetized using 25 mg/kg thiopentone solution stored for 0 (fresh solution), 3, 7 and 14 days in the refrigerator. Anaesthetic potency of the thiopentone solution was determined by monitoring the durations of anaesthesia and recovery time while its physiological effect was assessed by evaluating the changes in the heart and respiratory rates, packed cell volume and blood glucose post injections. The durations of anaesthesia and recovery time in group A were significantly (P < 0.05) longer than those obtained in groups B, C, and D. At 20 min during anaesthesia, heart rates of rabbits in group A and B were significantly (P < 0.05) lower than heart rates of rabbits in group C. Respiratory rates decreased significantly (P<0.05) in the four groups post induction of anaesthesia. Packed cell volumes (PCV) in all groups decreased significantly (P<0.05) by 10 min post induction while PCV of the groups increased at 30 and 60 min. In the four groups, no significant increase (P>0.05) in blood glucose occurred at 10 min post induction while blood glucose decreased significantly (P<0.05) at 60 min post induction. Our findings showed that the potency of thiopentone solution decreased with refrigeration. Also significant drop in blood glucose of rabbits occurred post thiopentone injection. Based on these findings, we discourage the use of refrigerated solutions of thiopentoneKeywords: Glucose, Rabbits, Refrigeration, Respiratory rate, Thiopentone sodiu

Bacteria Isolates From The Uteri Of Does That Had Dystocia

Uterine swabs from 50 does that had dystocia and were operated upon at UNVTH were examined for aerobic bacteria. Of the 50 uteri examined 47 yielded bacterial growth and a total number of 49 bacterial isolates were isolated from the 47 uteri. Of the 49 isolates, 42 were Escherichia coli while 7 were staphylococcus species. All the E. coli isolates were susceptible to ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin. The staphylococcus organisms showed minimal susceptibility to ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, chloramphenicol, and cotrimoxazole. None of the bacteria isolates was susceptible to beta-lactam antibiotics and streptomycin. The most prevalent resistance patterns of the E. coli isolates were ChAmPSTeGnCoCf (28.6), AmPSCoCf (26.2) and ChAmPSTeGnCoCf ( 16.7). All the staphylococcus isolates showed the same resistance pattern (NoPfCfAmGnTePS). The study has shown that E. coli is the major bacterial agent isolated from the uteri of does that underwent caeserian section in the U.N.V.T.H. The isolates showed high resistance to antibiotics routinely used in the U.N.V.T.H. Thus it is essential for the surgeon to take uterine swabs during caesarean surgery for bacterial isolation and sensitivity testing.Agro-Science Vol. 7 (1) 2008: pp. 55-5

Evaluation of local anaesthetic efficacy of the crude extract of Sterculia tragacantha using West African Dwarf Goats

The crude extract of Sterculia tragacantha was subcutaneously infiltrated at the scrotum and left flank of West African dwarf goat prior to orchidectomy and non invasive flank procedures respectively. To assess the local anaesthetic efficacy of the extract post orchidectomy, the pain threshold, changes in vital parameters and blood glucose were monitored. Post flank infiltration, the durations of local anaesthesia, degree of analgesia and distances of tissue diffusion of the extract were monitored. Data obtained in the extract group were compared with those of lignocaine group and a control group. Mean heart rate (HR) of the extract group were significantly (p<0.05) lower than HR obtained in the control group at 30 and 120 min while mean respiratory rate (RR) of extract group was significantly (p<0.05) lower than RR of control group at 30, 120 and 240 min. Post orchidectomy, glucose values of extract group were significantly (p<0.05) lower than those in control group. The mean post operative pain scores in extract group were significantly (p<0.05) lower than those obtained in control group. Duration of local anaesthesia at the flank due to lignocaine infiltration was significantly (P<0.05) longer compared to that due to the extract. Avoidance responses to pain exhibited post flank infiltration of the extract and lignocaine were not significantly (p>0.05) different. Similarly, the rate and distances of tissue diffusion of the extract and lignocaine were not significantly different (p>0.05). On scrotal infiltration, S. tragacantha extract significantly attenuated post operative rise in the vital parameters and blood glucose. The extract was as efficacious as lignocaine when infiltrated on the flank. These results showed that an active component with potent local anaesthetic activity could be isolated from the extract if further purified.Keywords: Anaesthesia, Flank, Infiltration, Lignocaine, Orchidectomy, Sterculia tragacantha

Bacteria isolates from the uteri of does that had dystocia

No AbstractBulletin of Animal Health and Production in Africa Vol. 55 (4) 2007: pp. 296-29

Prevalence of traumatic injuries in dogs presented at the veterinary clinics in Enugu and Anambra States of South Eastern Nigeria

No Abstract.Nigerian Veterinary Journal Vol. 29 (3) 2008: pp. 15-2

Incidence Of Trypanosomosis In A Muturu Herd At Nsukka, South-Eastern Nigeria

A herd of 28 Muturu cattle under semi-intensive system of management at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka Agricultural Farm, southeastern, Nigeria, was examined for the presence of trypanosome infection over a one year period (April, 1998 - March, 1999). The aim was to assess the incidence of trypanosomosis and factors that may affect its occurrence variation. Infection was widespread in the herd (67. 9%) during the period. Out of the factors (season, sex and age) only season showed a significant effect on the occurrence of trypanosomosis. The incidence was highest in the third quarter of the year corresponding to the late rainy season period, followed by the fourth quarter (early dry season) and was least in the first quarter (late dry season). This seasonal incidence varied between 2.6% (CL 0.3 - 9.1 %) to 20.3% (CL 12.0 -30.8%) All the infections were due to Trypanosma vivax and the principal tsetse vector was Glossina tachinoides. Parasitaemic animals were able to control anaemia as their PCV's were similar to those of uninfected animals (P>0.05). The importance of these findings in relation to the general epizootiology of trypanosomosis and animal production in the area is discussed.Keywords: Trypanosomosis, muturu cattle, semi-intensive, Nigeri