The antibacterial activity and medicinal properties of ginger extracts were studied. Ginger extracts were obtained using solvents, n-hexane, ethyl acetate, ethanolic soxhlet and water. The extracts were assayed for antibacterial activity and bacterial growth inhibition activity. The results showed that all the extracts except the water extract have antibacterial activity and that the inhibition of bacterial growth was dose dependent. The results also showed that ginger extracts possesses antibacterial properties and could be used for the treatment of bacterial infections.

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Summary: Effect of alcohol and kolanut interactions on biochemical indices of neuronal gene expression in Wistar albino rats was studied. Thirty Wistar albino rats were divided into six groups of five (5) rats per group. The control group (1) received via oral route a placebo (4ml of distilled water). Groups 2 -6 were treated for a period of 21-days with (10% v/v) 50mg/kg body weight of alcohol, 50mg/kg body weight of kolanut, 50mg/kg body weight of caffeine, 50mg/kg body weight of alcohol and 50mg/kg body weight of kolanut, and 50mg/kg body weight of alcohol and 50mg/kg body weight of caffeine in 4.0ml of the vehicle via gastric intubation respectively. One day after the final exposure, the brain of each rat was harvested and processed to examine several biochemical parameters, i.e., total protein, DNA, RNA and protein/RNA ratios. The status of neuronal gene expression was monitored through assessment of these parameters. The results showed that alcohol-kolanut co-administration decreased brain total protein, DNA, RNA levels and protein/RNA ratios, and inhibited gene expression. These effects, in turn, inhibited DNA transcription, MRNA splicing and protein synthesis, and polypeptide expression, which are necessary for the growth, development, differentiation and cell survival.

Susceptibility of blood groups to HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis B virus infections in human subjects was studied. One hundred and fifty adult male and female patients who came for routine check up at the Heart to Heart Centre, General Hospital Calabar and the General Hospital Ogoja in Cross River State were used for this investigation.The patients were classified into three groups with group I consisting of sixty (60) normal subjects ( i.e. non HIV/AIDS and non HBV patients) serving as control. Group II was made up of sixty (60) HIV/AIDS infected patients only and group III had thirty (30) patients co-infected with HIV/AIDS and HBV. Blood and serum samples were collected and screened for both HIV/AIDS and HBV. The blood and serum samples were assayed for totalprotein and bilirubin levels, aspartate aminotransferase(AST), alanine aminotransferase(ALT) activities, antioxidants vitamins levels and determination of blood groups. The results showed that group O+ had increased levels relative to control and others,suggesting that patients with blood group O+ are more susceptible to HIV/AIDS and HBV infections. The results showed that blood group B+ had decreased level relative to the control and other blood groups, suggesting that patients with blood group B+ may resist HIV/AIDS and HBV infections. The results also revealed that AST and ALT activities were significantly increased, suggesting hepatic peroxidation and liver damage. The results also showed that the antioxidant vitamins(vitamin A and vitamin C) were significantly decreased, suggesting high level of free radicals leading to hepatic peroxidation and liver damage.

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