In vitro and in vivo evaluation of antidiabetic potential of extracts of selected medicinal plant preparations collected from Nigerian traditional medical practitioners

Background: Diabetes mellitus is one of the main chronic diseases worldwide. It is characterized by persistent hyperglycaemia. Individuals with persistent  hyperglycaemia are at high risk of developing complications (blindness, leg  amputations and kidney failure). Nigeria is 1 of 4 highly populated countries in  Africa with the largest number of people with diabetes mellitus majority of who use plant extracts given to them by traditional medical practitioners (TMPs).Objectives: To assess the antidiabetic potential of extracts of selected Nigerian medicinal plant recipes collected from TMPS.Materials and Methods: Eighteen recipes (maximum 2 plants) were selected after an ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plant recipes used by TMPs in the management of diabetes mellitus in the 6 geopolitical zones of Nigeria. Recipes were extracted in water according to traditional usage and screened in vitro to assess glucose uptake in C2C12 muscle cells and glucose production by the H4IIE liver cells (through inhibition of glucose-6-phosphatase, the rate limiting enzyme) and in vivo through the oral glucose tolerance test in normal mice (2 g/kg glucose).Results: Two extract recipes (NC01 and NC09E) stimulated glucose uptake in  C2C12 cells, 5 (NW14, NE15, NC01, SE01 and NW01) reduced glucose production in H4IIE cells and 4 (SE04, SE11, NC01 and NC09E) prevented hyperglycaemia in glucose-loaded normal mice. Conclusion: Only a few of the extracts from the recipes collected from the TMPs showed antidiabetic activity by increasing glucose uptake in the muscle (11%), reducing glucose production in the liver (28%) and/or preventing hyperglycaemia (22%).Keywords: Diabetes mellitus, Recipe extracts, Glucose uptake, Glucose production, Oral glucose tolerance tes

Pulmonary rehabilitation implementation in Northwest Nigeria: A qualitative study of the views of respiratory health-care professionals

Objectives: Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) service is a comprehensive program comprising both pharmacological and non-pharmacological (exercise training, counseling, nutritional, etc.) treatment options that have been proven to improve physical and psychological conditions of patients with chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs). Nevertheless, PR is non-existent in most parts of Africa. The objective of this study is to report on the views of respiratory health professionals (pulmonologists and allied health) regarding the implementation of PR in Northwest Nigeria. Materials and Methods: Using a qualitative descriptive design, a group of 11 purposively sampled respiratory health professionals working in tertiary hospitals in Northwest Nigeria was contacted to participate in the study. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with the participants. Information power was used to stop data collection. The data obtained were analyzed using thematic synthesis. Results: Six themes emerged from the interviews as follows: (i) Description of PR as a comprehensive life-saving intervention that involves exercises, education, self-care, and nutrition; (ii) absence of PR units; (iii) possession of knowledge of their roles; (iv) possession of basic knowledge of roles of other team members; (v) lack of specialized workforce; and (vi) lack of facilities and equipment. In general, the results of the study indicated that some respondents were more conversant with PR as an intervention in CRDs than others. Furthermore, the respondents had basic knowledge of the roles of other professionals in the delivery of PR. Finally, the major barriers to the utilization of PR services were poor awareness, lack of equipment, and workforce. Conclusion: There was a general lack of comprehensive PR services in the study area with respiratory health-care professionals demonstrating variable, but mostly good knowledge of PR

Bioactive natural compounds from Prosopis africana and Abies nobili

Chromatographic procedures from the aerial parts of Abies nobilis and stem barks of Prosopis africana led to the isolation of two (antimicrobial and cytotoxic) compounds. Their structures were established as 7, 3’, 4’-trihydroxy-3-methoxyflavanone and dehydroabietic acid on the basis of spectroscopic techniques

High risk sexual behavior among adolescent senior secondary school students in Nigeria

Background: The consequences of high risk sexual practices (HRSP) are enormous among adolescent senior secondary school students. They therefore  need to have sufficient knowledge of HRSP.Aim Objectives: The study gauged the level of knowledge and perceptions of high risk sexual behavior among senior secondary school students in Ilorin, Nigeria with a view to improving their understanding of the current trends in HRSP. This  was a quantitative, cross-sectional, descriptive study of adolescent secondary school students in Ilorin East Local Government Area. Multi – stage sampling method involving 3 stages was used. A semi-structured interviewer administered questionnaire was used to obtain data. Informed consent of respondents was obtained. The data was analyzed using SPSS windows software package version 17.Results: Majority, 305 (69.5%) of the students were between 16 – 20 years. The major source of information was from movies, 42.5%, and the internet, 24.7%. Twenty-three percent (23.1%) had poor knowledge of HRSP. Thirty-eight percent (38.1%) did not consider indiscrimi- nate sexual intercourse as HRSP while 27.9% still believed that unprotected sexual practice is safe. Thirty-four percent (34.2%) did not  know that sex with multiple  partners is a HRSP while 34.4% did not know that oral –genital sex is unsafe.  Over thirty-two (32.9%) perceived that engaging in sex made them mature among peers. Twenty-four (24.7%) did not perceive any danger in keeping multiple sexual partners while 15.3% would still engage in unprotected sex.Conclusion: The students had relatively poor knowledge and perceptions of HRSP. Quite a number did not consider indiscriminate sexual intercourse as HRSP. An appreciable number did not perceive any danger in keeping multiple sexual partners or beingengaged in unprotected sex. Counselling on the dangers of HRSP should be a component of the school health services so as to curb the complications of HRSP in our secondary schools.Keywords: Knowledge, attitude , perception , high risk sexual practices, Nigeri

High risk sexual behavior among adolescent senior secondary school students in Nigeria

Background: The consequences of high risk sexual practices (HRSP) are enormous among adolescent senior secondary school students. They therefore need to have sufficient knowledge of HRSP. Aim Objectives: The study gauged the level of knowledge and perceptions of high risk sexual behavior among senior secondary school students in Ilorin, Nigeria with a view to improving their understanding of the current trends in HRSP. This was a quantitative, cross-sectional, descriptive study of adolescent secondary school students in Ilorin East Local Government Area. Multi \u2013 stage sampling method involving 3 stages was used. A semi-structured interviewer administered questionnaire was used to obtain data. Informed consent of respondents was obtained. The data was analyzed using SPSS windows software package version 17. Results: Majority, 305 (69.5%) of the students were between 16 \u2013 20 years. The major source of information was from movies, 42.5%, and the internet, 24.7%. Twenty-three percent (23.1%) had poor knowledge of HRSP. Thirty-eight percent (38.1%) did not consider indiscriminate sexual intercourse as HRSP while 27.9% still believed that unprotected sexual practice is safe. Thirty-four percent (34.2%) did not know that sex with multiple partners is a HRSP while 34.4% did not know that oral \u2013genital sex is unsafe. Over thirty-two (32.9%) perceived that engaging in sex made them mature among peers. Twenty-four (24.7%) did not perceive any danger in keeping multiple sexual partners while 15.3% would still engage in unprotected sex. Conclusion: The students had relatively poor knowledge and perceptions of HRSP. Quite a number did not consider indiscriminate sexual intercourse as HRSP. An appreciable number did not perceive any danger in keeping multiple sexual partners or beingengaged in unprotected sex. Counselling on the dangers of HRSP should be a component of the school health services so as to curb the complications of HRSP in our secondary schools. DOI: Cite as: Odeigah L, Rasaki SO, Ajibola AF, Hafsat AA, Sule AG, Musah Y. High risk sexual behavior among adolescent senior secondary school students in Nigeria. Afri Health Sci. 2019;19(1). 1467-1477. https://dx.doi. org/10.4314/ahs. v19i1.2

High-throughput Screening and Sensitized Bacteria Identify an M. tuberculosis Dihydrofolate Reductase Inhibitor with Whole Cell Activity

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), the causative agent of tuberculosis, is a bacterial pathogen that claims roughly 1.4 million lives every year. Current drug regimens are inefficient at clearing infection, requiring at least 6 months of chemotherapy, and resistance to existing agents is rising. There is an urgent need for new drugs that are more effective and faster acting. The folate pathway has been successfully targeted in other pathogens and diseases, but has not yielded a lead drug against tuberculosis. We developed a high-throughput screening assay against Mtb dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR), a critical enzyme in the folate pathway, and screened a library consisting of 32,000 synthetic and natural product-derived compounds. One potent inhibitor containing a quinazoline ring was identified. This compound was active against the wild-type laboratory strain H37Rv (MIC99 = 207 µM). In addition, an Mtb strain with artificially lowered DHFR levels showed increased sensitivity to this compound (MIC99 = 70.7 µM), supporting that the inhibition was target-specific. Our results demonstrate the potential to identify Mtb DHFR inhibitors with activity against whole cells, and indicate the power of using a recombinant strain of Mtb expressing lower levels of DHFR to facilitate the discovery of antimycobacterial agents. With these new tools, we highlight the folate pathway as a potential target for new drugs to combat the tuberculosis epidemic

Biological and chemical characterization of potential antidiabetic principles from selected Nigerian medicinal plants

Based on ethnobotanical information collected from personally speaking to traditional herbalists in some communities in Nigeria. medicinal plants used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus were collected. Twelve of them were evaluated for acute and sub-chronic hypoglycaemic activity in normal mice following oral administration. These included 75% methanolic extracts of Alchornea cordifolia. Anthocleista vogelii. Cassia nigricans, Cassia sieberiana, Detarium microcarpum, Mitragyna inermis, Nauclea latifolia, Parinaripolyandra, Picralima nitida, Prosopis africana, Pseudocedrela kotschyii and Strychnos spinosa. None of the extracts produced a statistically significant reduction in serum glucose in normal mice after 2 hours. However, four of the extracts (D. microcarpum, P. africana, P. nitida and P. polyandra) produced significant reductions in blood glucose concentrations within weeks; they also produced weight loss or weight stasis.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

The benefits of a guideline on safe termination of pregnancy for legal indications: an illustrative case report of a hydranencephaly

After years of the worsening burden of unsafe abortion and attendant morbidities and mortalities in Nigeria, a National Guideline on the Safe termination of pregnancy for legal indications was enunciated. This report presents and discusses an illustrative case of a hydranencephaly that benefited from it. A 43-year old multipara was informed during routine ultrasonography at booking for antenatal care, at 16 weeks of gestation, of a major defect in her baby and advised to meet her physician. Following a repeat highresolution ultrasonography and discussions between the Obstetricians, Neurosurgeon, and Ultrasonologist, the woman was counseled on the diagnosis. At her insistence and provision of written consent, medical abortion with Mifepristone and Misoprostol was successfully instituted.Keywords: Pregnancy termination, Hydranencephaly, misoprostol, abortio

Characterization of NC00094221.

<p>A. Dose-response curves in low-throughput <i>Mtb</i> DHFR enzyme assay. NC00094221 (chemical structure shown inset into the graph) and MTX were tested at varied concentrations in the kinetic assay performed with 10 µM DHF and 125 ng/mL recombinant DHFR. Data were fitted to a non-linear least-squares curve and IC₅₀ values were calculated using GraphPad Prism™.<b>B</b>. Quanitification of DHFR transcript levels in a recombinant <i>Mtb</i> strain. The levels of DHFR transcript were assayed by qRT-PCR in wild-type <i>Mtb</i> strain H37Rv (wt- pale grey bar) and the engineered <i>Mtb</i> strain (H37Rv:<i>dfrA</i>-TetON, referred to as DHFR <i>kd</i>- dark grey bars) in the presence of varied levels of tetracycline (ATc). DHFR transcript levels from each sample were first normalized to SigA transcript levels and then shown as the fold change when compared to wild-type (wt) <i>Mtb</i>. C. Live <i>Mtb</i> growth inhibition assay. Varied concentrations of methotrexate (MTX, white symbols) or NC00094221 (black symbols) were incubated with wild-type <i>Mtb</i> (triangles) or the DHFR <i>kd</i> (circles) and grown for 6 days prior to assessment of cell growth using the commercially available Bactiter-Glo assay kit. For each strain, controls including wells with no drug (DMSO carrier was added instead), 1.22 µM rifampicin (10× MIC₉₉) and a 1/100 dilution of the starting culture were used to calculate 0%, 100% and 99% inhibition, respectively. Data were fitted to a non-linear least-squares curve and MIC₉₉ calculations were performed using GraphPad Prism™. D. Target-specific drug sensitivity in DHFR <i>kd</i>. The sensitivity of the wild-type <i>Mtb</i> and DHFR <i>kd</i> was tested against various inhibitors and displayed as the ratio of a compound’s MIC₉₉ when measured in wild-type <i>Mtb</i> over the MIC₉₉ measured in DHFR <i>kd</i> in the absence of ATc.</p

Development of a single-time point assay with a diaphorase-coupled fluorescence readout.

<p>A. Reaction schematic. Reaction 1: DHFR, in a NADPH-dependent reaction, converts dihydrofolate (DHF) to tetrahydrofolate (THF), causing a depletion of reduced NADPH. Reaction 2: Diaphorase utilizes NADPH that was unused from the DHFR reaction to generate fluorescence. Enzymes are italicized and bold. B. Kinetic NADPH-depletion assay. The rates of NADPH depletion in reactions performed with 200 µM NADPH, 0.2 mM DHF and varied levels of DHFR were monitored by measuring absorbance at 340 nm. C. Fluorescence coupling. The fluorescence generated after 4 minutes of incubating diaphorase and resazurin with various concentrations of NADPH were measured. D. End-point fluorescence assay. The NADPH-depletion assay run as in (B) was coupled to diaphorase and resazurin after 30 minutes, and the resulting fluorescence measured at excitation and emission wavelengths of 560 and 590 nM, respectively.</p