No abstract

Hypertension accounts for 13% of global mortality, is one of the most frequent causes of end stage kidney failure in the world, and has a 25% prevalence in Nigeria. Primary prevention based on comprehensive population-based intervention has been found most economical. Lifestyle modification is an essential part of management. It is important for the researcher to have a deep understanding of people's perceptions and attitudes to diseases like hypertension where effective interventions must address lifestyle choices of community members. Thus, this descriptive qualitative study carried out among 48 rural dwellers between ages 20 and 75 in Isunjaba, Imo state, to determine their perception and attitude to hypertension issues. Information gathered would be used in creating intervention programme to prevent hypertension and promote health. Findings revealed that participants were aware of incidents of sudden deaths and stroke in the town. There was a strong belief among members that hypertension "can be sent by one's enemy", even though majority attributed it to "worries and much thinking". Unhealthy lifestyles such as alcohol, and stimulant consumption (kolanut and snuff) were elicited. Daily activities were said to be equivalent to regular exercise. Participants were eager for measures to prevent hypertension and curb the incidence of stroke in the communities. There is therefore the need to institute hypertension awareness and blood pressure monitoring programme in the community.

Introduction: Blighia unijugata is a potent medicinal plant extensively employed in traditional herbal remedies for the treatment of various diseases such as fever, fertility, inflammation, hypertension, migraine and treatment of infections due to microorganisms. Aim: This work, investigates the pharmacognostic screening and anti-inflammatory activities of the methanol extract of B. unijugata stem bark. Method: Collection, drying, pulverization, and methanol extraction of the stem bark were done accordingly. The screening of phytochemical constituents and Pharmacognostic numerical data were carried out. The chromatographic analysis was carried out using TLC. The acute toxicity was determined using Lorke’s method. Methanol extract was investigated for anti-inflammatory effect in albino rats using egg-induced hind paw oedema at doses of 200, 400 and 600mg/kg body weight respectively. Result: The macroscopical investigation showed the stem bark outer layer is greyish and, the inner layer is pale reddish brown, disagreeable odour, bitter, Microscopical screening revealed the presence of starch grains, trichomes and sclerenchyma cells. Chemomicroscopic result revealed the presence of lignin, starch, calcium oxalate, cellulose, stone cells. Qualitative phytochemical screening of the powdered bark showed the presence of saponins, steroids, tannins, and resins. Numerical data: moisture content/ weight loss on drying gave value of 7.7%, percentage yield of 6.7%, alcoholic soluble extractive 5.6%, water soluble extractive 6.3%, total ash of 7.1%,  acid insoluble ash 0.57% and water soluble ash 4.56%. The chromatographic screening results were close compared with the standard drug. Toxicity test established the lethal dose of greater than 5000mg/kg. There was a significant inhibition of the edema p>0.05, the presence of various bioactive constituents may have contributed to the anti-inflammatory properties of the plant extract. Conclusion: The result of this study confirms that the barks of B. unijugata have anti-inflammatory effect and justifies the use as traditional treatment of inflammation and pain. Keywords: Blighia unijugata, Inflammation, Inflammatory agents, Anti inflammatory

This study assessed the comparatively antimicrobial activity of ethanol extracts of aeruginosa, respectively at the same concentration (100 mg/mL). S. aureus showed greatest susceptibility while P. aeruginosa was the least for both extracts. The stem bark extract of C.Africana possess greater antimicrobial activity compared to B. dalzielii.

Background: Malaria remains a life-threatening tropical disease. Due to the development of resistance to the commonly available orthodox antimalarials which of course, poses a great challenge in malaria-controlling-program, alternative and complementary approach becomes imperative thereby making phytotherapy a research focus. Objectives: To investigate the effect of chikadoma plant using its methanol leaf extract against a plasmodium-mediated tropical disease, malaria. Materials and Methods: The culture samples of Plasmodium (P.) falciparum from 20 symptomatic adult outpatients were used in the antimalarial in-vitro test. For cultivation of P. falciparum, the culture medium employed was Roswell Park Memorial Institute (RPMI) 1640. Optical microscopy was used for parasite quantification in the performance of antiplasmodial in-vitro assays. The leaf extract of chikadoma dissolved in dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO) was the treatment, prepared into 7 different levels of concentration (3.125, 6.25, 12.5, 25, 50, 100, and 200 mg/mL) while culture medium with the malarial parasite alone served as negative control. Micromalarial culture preceded by culture synchronized with sorbitol 5%, were divided into “control” and “treated groups”, followed by incubation in CO2 candle jar at 370C for 72 h. The percentage of parasitemia was measured 8 h, showing the activity of the extract on P. falciparum stages of proliferation. Thin blood smear from the erythrocytes layer was made and stained with 10% Giemsa for 30 mins to estimate the parasitemia. The antimalarial activity of the extract was calculated using Probit analysis by counting the 50% growth inhibition (IC50). Results: The growth of P. falciparum was inhibited by the extract on mature schizont stage; and the IC50 of the extract after 40 h incubation was 3.0 mg/mL. Conclusion: The leaf extract of chikadoma significantly has antimalarial effect in-vitro against P. falciparum. Keywords: Chikadoma; Lupinus arboreus; antimalarial activity; tropical disease; Nigeria.

Introduction: Elaeis guinenesis is a perennial monocot belonging to the family Arecaceae. It is the source of the oil commonly called African palm oil or macaw fat which in traditional medicine has many uses Aim: This study is focused on the pharmacognostic screening of oil of Elaeis guineensis, and its antidotal effect on cyanide poisoning. Method: The extracted oil was subjected to various screening technique in order to determine its quality, purity and chemical constituents. The oil was macroscopically examined; acute toxicity test of Elaeis guineensis oil was carried out on rats. The oil was subjected to heating to determine the moisture content. Phytochemical analysis was also carried out on the palm oil extract. The physicochemical analysis was carried to determine the acid value, saponification value, ester value, hydroxyl value and iodine value. The Ld50 for the pure cyanide was carried out on the rats using “Up and Down” method. The antidotal study of Elaeis guineensis oil was carried out on the rats. Result: Macroscopic evaluation showed, the oil was in fresh condition, smooth texture, bright red colour, characteristic taste, oily appearance and a characterictic smell. The Phytochemical analysis showed the presence of flavonoids, phenols, tannins, saponnins, alkaloids, steroids and terpenoids. The physicochemical analysis showed that the oil has an acid value of 31.2, Saponification value of 194.8, Ester value 163.54, Peroxide value of 18.0, Hydroxyl Percentage of 2.07% and Free Fatty Acid of 3.65. The moisture content was calculated to be 0.2%. For the acute toxicity test on the oil using Lorkes method no death was recorded. The LD50 of the cyanide carried out on the rats showed that the lethal dose of cyanide is 5 mg/kg. The antidotal effect of Elaeis guineensis oil showed the absence of death on the group given oil extract alone and the groups that were poisoned and given the oil (antidote) within 4 minutes. Deaths were recorded for the groups that were administered antidotes after 8 minutes. Conclusion: Elaeis guineensis oil has counteracting effect on cyanide poisoning if administered within four minutes of cyanide ingestion.

Ocimum gratissimum belongs to the group of plants known as spices. The plant is an erect small plumb with many branches usually not more than 1m high. It is of the familylabiatae, genus Ocimum and species gratissimum. It is commonly known as scent leaf. This project is focused on the pharmacognostic and coagulant activities of the ethanol extract of the leaves of Ocimum gratissimum. The ethanol leaf extract of the plant was obtained using cold maceration with ethanol and then filtered and concentrated using rotary evaporator. The extract was used for coagulant evaluations, pharmacognostic evaluation and chromatographic (thin layer chromatography) analysis. The LD50 was determined in rats using Lorkes method. Microscopic result shows the presence of a covering or uniseratetrichomes, sclerenchyma none pitted with lumen and diacytic stomata. The numerical data obtained were 8.75%, 12% and 8.45% for moisture content, alcohol extractive value and total cash value. The LD50 shows that there was no death recoded because of the holistic use of the plants. The result of the coagulation research are as follow: Group 1 clotting time 1: 69 min and bleeding time 2: 62min, group 2 clotting time 1: 39 min and bleeding time 4: 79min, group 3 clotting time 1: 37 min and bleeding time 1: 99min, group 4 clotting time 1: 81mins and bleeding time is 2: 28mins, group 5 clotting time is 1: 47mins and bleeding time is 2: 49mins) This shows that the ethanol extract of Ocimum gratissimumon rats exhibited coagulant property. The phytochemical analysis of this plant reveals that it contains alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, terpenoids, tannins, glycosides and resins. It can therefore be concluded that the ethanol extract of Ocimum gratissimum possesses coagulant activity. This study can be of great importance to the development of new coagulant drugs. Citation: Osualaet al.(2021) Pharmacognostic Evaluation and Coagulant screening of Ethanol Extract of the Leaves ofOcimumgratissimumL. (Lamiaceae) Journal

Introduction: Parkia biglobosa belong to the family mimosaceae and Acanthus montanus belong to the family acanthaceae. The plants both have a multipurpose use as herbal medicine. Aim: This work investigate the pharmacognostic standard and anti-dysentery activity of the mixed ethanol extract of both plants on E. histolytical induced dysentery. Method: The phytochemical, chemo microscopy and proximate analysis were carried out using the standard procedures. The mixed extract of ratio 50:50 was administered to different groups of rats at different doses. Loperamide was administered as standard drug. The change in faecal consistency was observed and recorded. Result: The phytochemical analysis shows the presence of alkaloids, tannins, proteins, glycosides and carbohydrates. Chemomicroscopy of both plants showed the presence of starch, calcium oxalate, lignin, cellulose. While the extractive value analysis gave 25.0% and 32.7% for water extractive value and ethanol extractive value respectively (for Acanthus montanus) and 23.0% and 30.0% for water extractive value and ethanol extractive value respectively (for Parkiabiglobosa). The absence of death at 5000mg/kg of the extract shows that the lethal dose of the ethanol extract of the plant mixture is higher than 5000mg/kg which may be an indication of safety of the mixture. The anti-dysentery activity of the mixture of both plants with different concentration of 250mg/kg, 500mg/kg, 1000mg/kg body weight of ethanol extract showed a significant change in the faecal consistency of the rats. The effect obtained on the administration of 500mg/kg body weight of the extract mixture is more comparable to the standard (loperamide). Conclusion: The synergistic use of the extract contains the secondary metabolites glycosides, alkaloids, flavonoids, which may be responsible for their anti-dysentery synergistic activity. Mixed extracts from both leaves of P. biglobosa and A. montanus can be recommended as an anti-dysentery agent.