BackgroundSelf-medication with antibiotics is an important factor contributing to the development of bacterial antibiotic resistance. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of self-medication with antibiotics for the treatment of menstrual symptoms among university women in Southwest Nigeria.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was administered to female undergraduate and graduate students (n = 706) at four universities in Southwest Nigeria in 2008. The universities were selected by convenience and the study samples within each university were randomly selected cluster samples. The survey was self-administered and included questions pertaining to menstrual symptoms, analgesic and antibiotic use patterns, and demographics. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression.ResultsThe response rate was 95.4%. Eighty-six percent (95% CI: 83-88%) of participants experienced menstrual symptoms, and 39% (95% CI: 36-43%) reported using analgesics to treat them. Overall, 24% (95% CI: 21-27%) of participants reported self-medicated use of antibiotics to treat the following menstrual symptoms: cramps, bloating, heavy bleeding, headaches, pimples/acne, moodiness, tender breasts, backache, joint and muscle pain. Factors associated with this usage were: lower levels of education (Odds Ratio (OR): 2.8, 95% CI: 1.1-7.1, p-value: 0.03); non-science major (OR: 1.58, 95% CI: 1.03-2.50, p-value: 0.04); usage of analgesics (OR: 3.17, 95% CI: 2.07-4.86, p-value: <0.001); and mild to extreme heavy bleeding (OR: 1.64, 95% CI: 1.01-2.67, p-value: 0.05) and pimples/acne (OR: 1.57, 95% CI: 0.98-2.54, p-value: 0.06). Ampicillin, tetracycline, ciprofloxacin and metronidazole were used to treat the most symptoms. Doctors or nurses (6%, 95% CI: 4-7%), friends (6%, 95% CI: 4-7%) and family members (7%, 95% CI: 5-8%) were most likely to recommend the use of antibiotics for menstrual symptoms, while these drugs were most often obtained from local chemists or pharmacists (10.2%, 95% CI: 8-12%).ConclusionsThis is the first formal study to report that approximately 1 out of 4 university women surveyed in Southwest Nigeria self-medicate with antibiotics to treat menstrual symptoms. This practice could provide monthly, low-dose exposures to antibiotics among users. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the impacts of self-medication on student health.

Transmission of human malaria parasites (Plasmodium spp.) by Anopheles mosquitoes is a continuous process that presents a formidable challenge for effective control of the disease. Infectious gametocytes continue to circulate in humans for up to four weeks after antimalarial drug treatment, permitting prolonged transmission to mosquitoes even after clinical cure. Almost all reported malaria cases are transmitted to humans by mosquitoes, and therefore decreasing the rate of Plasmodium transmission from humans to mosquitoes with novel transmission-blocking remedies would be an important complement to other interventions in reducing malaria incidence.

Euphorbia lateriflora is used in ethnomedicine for treating several conditions, including genital and urinary tract infections (UTI). Although ethnobotanical claims support its use in therapy, there is limited evidence on its effect on UTI, even though UTI remains a public health problem in Nigeria especially due to increasing antimicrobial resistance. We investigated the activity of E. lateriflora extracts and fractions on bacterial and fungal isolates from symptomatic urinary tract infections and vaginosis respectively. Qualitative phytochemical screening was conducted on dried pulverised leaves. Successive gradient extraction was carried out with the aid of a soxhlet extractor with n-Hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol respectively. Bioactivity guided fractionation was conducted on the ethyl acetate extract using Vacuum Liquid Chromatography. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing by disc diffusion was conducted on test isolates. Antimicrobial susceptibility of isolates to extracts and fractions was done using the agar well diffusion technique. Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MIC) and Minimum Biocidal Concentrations (MBC) were determined by agar and broth dilutions respectively. Time-kill assay of the ethyl acetate extract was conducted using the viable count technique. Phytochemicals present include saponins, tannins and flavonoids. The majority of isolates used in this study were multidrug resistant. Extracts and fractions of E. lateriflora produced appreciable zones of inhibition on both antibiotic susceptible and resistant bacteria with MICs of 6.25 mg/mL and MBC ranging from 6.25–50 mg/mL. Bactericidal activity of the ethyl acetate extract was concentration and time dependent with 100% kill at 25 mg/mL after 6 h for E. coli and 2 h for C. albicans . Euphorbia lateriflora contains phytochemicals which possess antimicrobial activity on antibiotic resistant bacteria and has potential in the development of chemotherapeutics for bacterial and fungal infections.

Background: This study examined the in vitro antibacterial property of extracts of Moringa oleifera and the effect of different concentrations of the ethyl-acetate extract on cutaneous wound using an ointment delivery base. The aim of the study was to screen the extracts with best antibacterial property and evaluate effectiveness of different concentrations of the best extract when delivery is modified to ensure prolonged contact and reduced frequency of administration using an ointment base delivery vehicle. Materials and Methods: Dried and pulverized leaves of Moringa oleifera were screened for secondary metabolites. Successive gradient extraction was carried out using n-hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol. Leaf extracts were screened against clinical wound isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Proteus mirabilis using agar cup diffusion technique. The ethyl acetate extract was investigated for its healing efficiency on excision wound model in rats. The study made use of wistar rats (150-180 kg), randomized into Gentamicin, M. oleifera ointment (5% and 3.25%), and ointment base treatment groups. Treatments were applied topically on days 0, 7 and 14. The percentage wound closure rate was measured and histopathology of the healed wounds carried out. Results: In vitro antimicrobial screening showed that ethyl-acetate extract was effective against the test isolates. Topical application of ointment with 3.25% of the plant extract resulted in faster wound closure rate, rapid epithelization, resolution of granulation tissue, and remodeling at histology. Conclusion: This may be due to less interference by components of M. oleifera which appear to retard wound healing at higher concentrations. Therefore, M. oleifera 3.25% ointment preparation is recommended topically for wound healing.

Background: Diarrhoea is one of the major health threats to the populace in the tropics, and also one of the killer diseases in children under 5 years of age. Antimicrobial resistance and its spread pose serious public health threats, hence the need for development of safer and more effective antibacterial agents. Daniella oliveri Hutch and Dalz is used in ethnomedicine for the treatment of diarrhoea and other gastrointestinal disturbances. Objective: To investigate the antimicrobial activity of Daniella oliveri leaves on diarrhoeal pathogens. Methods: Successive plant extraction was carried out with hexane, ethylacetate and methanol using soxhlet apparatus. Methanol extract was fractionated using vacuum liquid chromatography (VLC). Phytochemical screening was done using standard chemical assays. Antibiogram of test isolates was carried out using disc diffusion assay. Antimicrobial activity of plant extract and fractions against strains of diarrhoeagenic Escherichia coli, Salmonella cholerae-suis, Shigella dysenteriae, Proteus mirabilis and Acinetobacter baumannii was determined by agar well diffusion and MIC by agar dilution methods. Kill-kinetics study was carried out using viable count technique. Results: Terpenoids, steroids and anthraquinones were detected in fractions of D. oliveri. Antibiogram assay showed that 66% of isolates were MDR. Extract and fractions produced appreciable zones of inhibition on all challenge organisms except Acinetobacter baumannii. MICs ranged between 6.25-25 mg/ml. Kill kinetics studies showed total kill on susceptible pathogens after 24 hours. Conclusion: This research has shown D. oliveri is a promising drug candidate for the management and treatment of diarrhoea.