The antimalarial activities of ethanolic root extracts of two plants used traditionally as malarial remedies in southern Nigeria, Uvaria chamae (Annonaceae) and Hippocratea africana (Hippocrateaceae), were studied in vivo, in mice infected with Plasmodium berghei berghei. The extract of U. chamae, when given orally at 300-900 mg/kg.day, exhibited significant antimalarial activity against both early and established infections. When established infections were treated, the mean survival time of the mice observed with this extract at 900 mg/kg.day was similar to that seen with the positive control: chloroquine at 5 mg/kg.day. The extract of H. africana, tested at oral doses of 200-600 mg/kg.day, also demonstrated promising blood schizontocidal activity, both in early and established infections. Although the question of their toxicities has still to be fully addressed, it is clear that both U. chamae and H. africana possess considerable antimalarial activity and they, or drugs based on their antimalarial constituents, may prove useful in the treatment of human malaria.

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Effect of source separated human urine as buffering agent compared to sodium bicarbonate and water in anaerobic co-digestion of lignocellulosic biomass and poultry feces was evaluated in laboratory scale reactor for 180 days at 37 ± 2 • C. Mean biogas volume ranged from 37 ± 8 to 101 ± 18 mL gVS −1 in the urine buffered reactors which was 1-5 times higher than the bicarbonate and water buffered reactors and the difference was significant at p = 0. 05. Total volatile fatty acids (VFA) concentration ranged between 396 and 1,400 mg L −1 with a pH of 6.9 ± 0.3 and 7.8 ± 0.1, respectively. In contrast, VFA concentration ranged between 386 and 3,109 mg L −1 (pH 7.6 ± 0.2 and 4.8 ± 0.4) in sodium bicarbonate buffered digestate and control (water) respectively. The result indicates buffering capacity of urine on anaerobic co-digestion with positive effect on biogas production. The Archaeal isoprenoids included markers of aceticlastic and hydrogenotrophic methanogens with a relative abundance that ranged between 0.71-18, 3-55, and 2-59 µg g −1 dry matter in the water (control), bicarbonate and urine buffered digestate, respectively. The Archaeal abundance was 1.12 and 6 times higher in the combined female/male urine than the bicarbonate buffered digestate and the control, and the difference was significant at p = 0.05. Overall, this study demonstrates that human urine with no pharmaceutical loadings as a wetting and buffering agent is a promising option for anaerobic co-digestion with competitive edge over sodium bicarbonate on lignocellulosic biomass saccharification for enhanced biogas production. HIGHLIGHTS-Source separated human urine served as buffer in anaerobic co-digestion process.-Combined female/male urine exerted an additive effect on biogas production. -Competitive edge offered by the combined female/male urine over sodium bicarbonate buffer in relation to biogas produced. -Evidence of synergy for enhanced biogas production from high C/N ratio lignocellulosic biomass combined with low C/N ratio poultry feces.

The stembarks of Harungana madagascariensis were analyzed for their content of chemical constituents, antinutrients, vitamin levels, and in vitro antioxidant properties in two solvent systems. Phytochemical screening revealed higher levels of alkaloids, saponins, and flavonoids in the methanolic (MHM) extract than in the dichloromethane (DCM) extract. The methanolic extract had higher contents of minerals, vitamins, and antinutrients except K, vitamin B1, and phytic acid, respectively. Antioxidant potentials of the stembark extracts were assessed by the 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity, metal chelating activity, and ferric reducing power. The methanolic extract showed a better antioxidant activity (IC50 = 87.66 -0.97 lg/mL) in the DPPH system. The metal chelating activity was higher in the methanolic extract (92.4% at 20 mg/mL), but lower than the control ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). The methanolic extract also showed greater ferric reducing power and was richer in phenolics (132.24 -0.61 mgGAE/g) and flavonoids (259.05 -2.85 mgQE/g). Antinutrient analysis of the extracts indicated low levels of phytic acid, oxalates, and hydrocyanides below the lethal doses. The LD50 (i.p. mice) of the extracts showed relatively low toxicity in the range 1000-1414 mg/kg. These results support the ethnomedicinal uses of this plant in the treatment of diseases related to oxidative stress and suggest that consumption of H. madagascariensis is not harmful nutritively.

The in vivo antiplasmodial activity of the ethanol root extract of Homalium letestui used as a malaria remedy in Southern Nigeria was evaluated in Plasmodium berghei berghei infected mice. Homalium letestui root extract (500-1000 mg/kg/day) exhibited significant (p < 0.05) blood schizontocidal activities both in a 4-day early infection test and in an established infection with a considerable mean survival time comparable to that of the standard drug, chloroquine, 5 mg/kg/day. The root extract possesses significant (p < 0.05) antiplasmodial activity, which can be exploited in malaria therapy.

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