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
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.
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