Effect of educational intervention on knowledge about hypertension and factors predicting adherence to drug therapy

The present study was aimed at identifying the degree of knowledge of people with hypertension about the disease, identifying the factors predicting adherence to therapy and administering intervention. It was a quasi-experimental study involving 600 patients selected by multistage sampling technique. Adherence status was assessed using Morisky medication adherence scale8. Knowledge was measured using an eight-item instrument. Educational intervention in form of group discussions was administered. Values of p ≤ 0.05 were considered statistically significant. BP control was significantly higher in those that adhered to antihypertensive medication compared with non-adhering patients (χ2 = 14.526; df = 1; p-value = < 0.001). Comorbidity and number of antihypertensive drugs the patients were taking were found to be the predictors of adherence. After intervention, the percentage of respondents with good adherence increased from 41.3% to 48.3% (p = 0.369) in the intervention group. Furthermore educational intervention had a positive effect on knowledge of the respondents [from 64% to 66.3% (p= 0.623)] in the intervention group. The results revealed that the educational intervention had positive impact of knowledge of hypertension and its treatment. Additionally, Comorbidity and number of antihypertensive prescribed were found to be the predictors of adherence to medications.&nbsp

Adherence to antihypertensive medications in patients attending public hospitals in Kano State, Nigeria

Hypertension is a chronic medical condition characterized by an elevated arterial blood pressure with increasing prevalence in developing countries including Nigeria. One of the integral elements in management of hypertension is adherence to medication and life-style modification. This study aimed to assess adherence level for anti-hypertensive medications among adult hypertensive patients attending public hospitals in Kano State, Nigeria. The study was a cross sectional prospective survey involving 600 patients from six public healthcare facilities selected by multistage sampling technique. Adherence status was assessed using Morisky medication adherence scale. Sociodemographic data and other factors that may influence adherence to hypertension medications were evaluated. Out of the 598 patients that participated in the study, only 178 (29.8%) have their BP controlled based on JNC8. Three hundred and thirty two (55.5%) out of 598 patients have good adherence, while 266 (45.5%) have poor adherence. Of the 178 patients who had good BP control, 120 (67.5%) have good adherence while 58 (32.5%) have poor adherence. BP control was significantly higher in those that adhered to antihypertensive medication compared with non-adhering patients (χ2 = 14.526; df = 1; p-value = < 0.001). Additionally, Chi-square test showed significant association between number of antihypertensives and blood pressure control. (χ2=37.556, df=3, p<0.001). The study established that 55.5% of the respondents have good adherence to their antihypertensive medication while 29.8% had their BP controlled. Adherence and number of antihypertensive medication a patient is taking were found to have significant relationship with BP control. Keywords: Medication, adherence, hypertension, antihypertensiv

Immune-mediated Anti-inflammatory Activity of Root Bark Extracts of Calotropis procera (Ait) R.Br. in Rodents

Background: The root bark of Calotropis procera has been reported to be a part of herbal remedies for the management of allergic diseases like asthma. However, there is paucity of data on its anti-inflammatory activity in allergic disorders. Objectives: This study is aimed to investigate the immune mediated anti-inflammatory activity of root bark extracts of Calotropis procera in rats. Materials and Methods: Aqueous and methanol root bark extracts of Calotropis Procera were subjected to preliminary phytochemical screening and their oral median lethal doses were estimated in rats. The aqueous and methanol root bark extracts were investigated for anti-allergic activity using carageenan-induced leucocytosis (100 and 200 mg/kg doses) and egg albumin induced passive paw anaphylaxis (250 and 350 mg/kg doses) test in rats. Results: The oral median lethal doses of both extracts were found to be greater than 5000 mg/kg in wistar rats. Both extracts were found to contain alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, cardiac glycosides, and triterpenes. Both extracts significantly (p˂0.001) decreased leucocyte count in carrageenan induced leucocytosis test at the dose of 100 and 200 mg/kg, with both aqueous and methanol extracts exhibiting the same level of decrease in leucocyte count. Equally, there was a statistically significant decrease (p<0.05) in paw size at 250 mg/kg and 350 mg/kg in egg albumin-induced passive paw anaphylaxis compared to the peak increase for both standard and test groups, but with the aqueous extract exhibiting a greater level of decrease in paw size than methanol extract. Conclusion: The aqueous and methanol root bark extracts of Calotropis procera possesses Anti-inflammatory activity in in vivo anti-allergic tests on animal models, thus support the folkloric use of the plant in inflammatory and allergic conditions including asthma. Key words: Calotropis procera; Anti-inflammatory; Allergy; Carrageenan; Egg albumin

Khaya senegalensis inhibits piroxicam mediated gastro-toxicity in wistar rats

Objective:The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of piroxicam co-administration with ethanolic stem-bark extract of Khaya senegalensis on biomarkers of oxidative stress and gastro-toxicity in Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: Thirty healthy male and female Albino Wistar rats (190-220 g) were grouped into six (n = 5) with designated treatments including: Normal saline, piroxicam (20 mg/kg), extract (200 and 400 mg/kg) alone and both doses of the extract co-administered with piroxicam. The drugs were administered orally to all the rats for fourteen consecutive days and on the fifteenth day, they were euthanized with chloroform inhalation. Blood samples and the stomachs were isolated for evaluation of the oxidative stress biomarkers and gastro integrity, respectively. Results: The results of the study revealed that the levels of oxidative stress markers didn’t differ significantly between the groups receiving the extract alone, the extract in combination or piroxicam alone. Gross and histological observations of the stomach showed gastric mucosal changes and mild atrophic lesions in the piroxicam group only. Conclusion: This study illustrates the interaction of Khaya senegalensis and piroxicam results in the gastro-protective beneficial effects. The extract’s outcome on various prostaglandin levels and synthesis is being considered towards possible elucidation regarding the exact mechanism of cytoprotection.

Effect of methanol leaf extract of Dalbergia saxatilis Hook.f (fabaceae) on renal function

Objective: Dalbegia saxatilis (D.saxatilis) is used as a decoction in traditional medicine for ailments such as cough, small pox, skin lesions, bronchial ailments and toothache. This study is aimed at evaluating the toxic effect of methanol leaf extract of D.saxatilis on renal function. Materials and Methods: Wistar rats of both sexes were divided into four groups of five: control animals (group 1) received distilled water 1 ml/kg while groups 2, 3 and 4 were given graded doses of the extract (250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg body weight, respectively) daily for 28 days. Body weight changes were estimated by weighing the rats twice weekly using digital weighing balance. After 28 days, blood samples were obtained for evaluation of renal indices and the kidney was used for histopathology. Data were analysed using one–way and repeated measures ANOVA using SPSS version 20. Results: Significant weight increase in all groups were observed (

Data on the mechanisms of antidiarrhoeal activity of methanol leaf extract of Combretum hypopilinum Diels (Combretaceae): Involvement of opioidergic and (α1 and β)-adrenergic pathways

This article describes the dataset for the elucidation of the possible mechanisms of antidiarrhoeal actions of methanol leaves extract of Combretum hypopilinum (Diels) Combretaceae in mice. The plant has been used in traditional medicine to treat diarrhoea in Nigeria and other African countries. We introduce the data for the antidiarrhoeal activity of the methanol leaf extract of Combretum hypopilinum at 1,000 mg/kg investigated using charcoal meal test in mice with loperamide (5 mg/kg) as the standard antidiarrhoeal agent. To elucidate the possible mechanisms of its antidiarrhoeal action, naloxone (2 mg/kg), prazosin (1 mg/kg), yohimbine (2 mg/kg), propranolol (1 mg/kg), pilocarpine (1 mg/kg) and isosorbide dinitrate (150 mg/kg) were separately administered to different groups of mice 30 minutes before administration of the extract. Each mouse was dissected using dissecting set, and the small intestine was immediately removed from pylorus to caecum, placed lengthwise on moist filter paper and measured the distance travelled by charcoal relative to the length of the intestine using a calibrated ruler in centimetre. Besides, the peristaltic index and inhibition of charcoal movement of each animal were calculated and recorded. The methods for the data collection is similar to the one used to investigate the possible pathways involved in the antidiarrhoeal action of Combretum hypopilinum in mice in the research article by Ahmad et al. (2020) “Mechanisms of Antidiarrhoeal Activity of Methanol Leaf Extract of Combretum hypopilinum Diels (Combretaceae): Involvement of Opioidergic and (α1 and β)-Adrenergic Pathways” (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2020.113750) [1]. Therefore, this datasets could form a basis for in-depth research to elucidate further the pharmacological properties of the plant Combretum hypopilinum and its bioactive compounds to develop standardized herbal product and novel compound for management of diarrhoea. It could also be instrumental for evaluating the plant's pharmacological potentials using other computational-based and artificial intelligence approaches, including predictive modelling and simulation