The current 5% prevalence rate of HIV in Nigeria represents a significant population of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). Discrimination against PLWHA has profound impact on the care and support required for their optimal management particularly in resource-constrained settings. The study sought to assess the knowledge of health-care providers about HIV/AIDS, determine the potential for discrimination in the provision of services based on patients' HIV sero-status and review the factors that may contribute to such attitude. Self-administered semi-structured questionnaires were administered to respondents who were selected by multi-stage sampling technique. The questionnaires explored the respondents' knowledge about HIV and their attitude and practice regarding PLWHA. Three hundred and forty-five questionnaires were completed. Only 77.1% correctly identified breastfeeding as a source of HIV transmission; 5.2%and 2.6% respectively thought transmission was possible through mosquito bite and handshake. About 10% and 15% respectively among trained nurses and auxiliary nurses were unaware that HIV could be transmitted to the child during delivery. Some 13.9% and 12.7% of respondents respectively were unwilling to take vital signs and carry out physical examination on PLWHA. Compared to physicians, trained nurses and auxiliary nurses were more likely to deny services based on HIV sero-status. Negative attitude was more likely if the source of the HIV infection was from homosexual exposure or bisexual indiscretion. The health-care workers studied manifested certain attitudes that are potentially discriminatory of PLWHA. Well-coordinated continuing education of HIV/AIDS for all categories of health-care workers is recommended as a vital strategy in the crusade against the epidemic.
Context:Various studies have shown that the leaf extracts of Spondias mombin Linn (Anacardiaceae) possess pharmacological properties such as antioxidant and antiviral effects. However, no biological activity from its essential oil has been reported in literature. Objective: To analyse the chemical constituents, cytotoxic activity and antioxidant capability of the essential oils from fresh and dried leaves of S. mombin. Materials and methods: Hydrodistillation using Clevenger-type apparatus was employed to obtain the essential oil. Oil analysis was performed using an HP 6890 Gas Chromatograph coupled with an HP 5973 Mass Selective Detector. The cytotoxicity bioassay was carried out using the brine shrimp lethality test (10,000-0.01 lg/mL). Additionally, the reactive oxygen species scavenging potential of the two S. mombin oils (1000-200 lg/mL) were investigated using a hydroxyl radical scavenging and ferric iron reducing system. Results: Chemical analysis of essential oils from S. mombin revealed the presence of 41 compounds, with predominance of monoterpenoids, sesquiterpenoids and non-terpenoids derivatives. In both fractions, the principal component was b-caryophellene (27.9-30.9%), followed by c-cadinene (9.7-12.3%). There was an increase in the oxygenated monoterpenoid contents and a concomitant decrease in the amounts of sesquiterpenoids hydrocarbons observed on drying the leaves. The oil obtained from the fresh leaves was more active than that obtained from dried leaves, with LC 50 values (from the brine shrimp lethality assay) of 0.01 and 4.78 lg/mL, respectively. The two oils (from fresh and dried leaves) at 1.0 mg/mL scavenged hydroxyl radical by 83% and 99.8%, respectively. Moreover, they reduced ferric ion significantly and compared favourably with vitamin C. Conclusions: Essential oil derived from the leaves of S. mombin could hold promise for future application in the treatment of cancer-related diseases.
ARTICLE HISTORY
ABSTRACT. Reflevone (1), a new flavone, together with, mearnsetin (2), 7,4'-dihydroxyflavone (3) and two known phytosterols, β-sitosterol (4) and stigmasterol (5) were isolated from ethanol soluble part of the roots of Dioclea reflexa (Hook F.). Their structures were elucidated by analysis of spectroscopic data involving 1D and 2D NMR, MS, IR and UV experiments. The crude roots extract showed significant activity with IC50 = 5.18 µg/mL against the prostate cancer cell line.
Dioclins A (1) and B (2), the new flavonoids, have been isolated from the ethyl acetate soluble fraction of the roots of Dioclea reflexa along with 3,5-dihydroxy-4 methoxybenzoic acid (3), lupeol (4) and the rare dipeptide, auratiamide acetate (5). Their structures have been elucidated by spectroscopic techniques. The compounds 1 and 2 showed a significant antioxidant activity in DPPH radical scavenging assay.
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