The antimicrobial effect of the leaf extract and fractions of Lupinus arboreus was investigated. The crude methanol extract (CME) of the dried leaves obtained by 48 h cold maceration was fractionated into n-hexane fraction (HEF), ethyl acetate fraction (EAF), and methanol fraction (MEF); and evaluated using modified agar-well diffusion method. The results showed that the extract and fractions at varying concentrations, exerted strong antimicrobial activity on some of the test organisms. However, a weak activity was observed on the tested fungi-Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans. Ethyl acetate fraction showed the highest activity on many organisms than extract and other fractions.

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

We planned to isolate the active constituents from methanol extract of Lupinus arboreus leaves. The crude methanol extract (CME) was fractionated into hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol fractions. The fractions were isolated from silica gel column chromatography, which were eluted with gradient mixtures. The isolated fractions were characterized by using flavonoid screening, IR, UV and NMR spectral analyses. The result of the phytochemical analysis and chromatography of the ethyl acetate fraction over silica gel lead to the isolation of a flavonol glycosides, and identified as tetrahydroxyflavone-3α-rhamnoside. Bioactivityguided result indicated tetrahydroxyflavone-3α-rhamnoside and imparts anti-inflammatory compound in this plant.

Introduction: Salacia lehmbachii is used traditionally for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. This study investigated the hypoglycaemic potentials of ethanol leaf extract of S. lehmbachii and its effects on alloxan-induced diabetic rats’ haematological parameters. Methods: A total of 36 male Wistar rats including normal, diabetic untreated, and diabetic treated ones were used in this study. Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of 150 mg/kg of alloxan. When confirmed diabetes, the rats were orally administered 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, and 400 mg/kg daily of the leaf extract for 21 days. The blood glucose levels and haematological parameters were determined in diabetic treated rats compared with the controls. Results: The ethanol leaf extract of S. lehmbachii significantly reduced the blood glucose levels of alloxan-induced diabetic rats when compared with the diabetic control (P < 0.01). The extract also significantly (P < 0.01) improved the haematological parameters of treated rats at three doses employed. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the ethanol leaf extract of S. lehmbachii possesses antihyperglycaemic properties and could be considered a potential candidate for the development of new drugs in the treatment of anaemic conditions.

HIV-associated neurocognitive impairment remains a challenge even in the era of antiretroviral therapy (ART). Over 90% of people living with HIV are in low-and middle-income countries. Hence, it is not surprising that such countries bear a considerable burden of comorbidities like HIV-associated neurocognitive impairment despite an overall increase in life expectancy. The literature suggests differences in patient characteristics, clinical profile, prevalent HIV subtypes, treatment choices, pharmacogenetics, and socioeconomic factors between low-and middle-income countries compared with highincome countries. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the effect of ART on neurocognitive outcomes in low-and middle-income countries. A comprehensive search of five databases (PubMed, CINAHL, CENTRAL, PsychInfo, Google scholar) for studies published between 1996 to 2020 was performed to identify studies that reported neurocognitive outcomes in ART-treated and ART naïve HIV positive individuals. Two independent reviewers conducted study screening, data extraction, and evaluation of the risk of bias. Pooled effect size estimates (Hedges' g) and 95% CI were computed using random-effects models. Sensitivity analysis, subgroup analysis, meta-regression, and evaluation of publication bias were also conducted. Forty studies (24 cross-sectional, 13 longitudinal studies, and two randomized controlled trials) contributed to a series of meta-analyses. We found significant small to moderate effects of antiretroviral therapy for global cognition (Hedges' g observed = 0.30; 95% CI: 0.15, 0.44; k = 25; p = 0.0003; I 2 = 92.1%; tau = 0.32; Q = 305.1), executive function (Hedges' g = 0.24, 95%CI: 0.02,0.46; p-0.04; k = 8; I 2 = 37.5%; tau = 0.23; Q = 11.2), and speed of information processing (Hedges' g = 0.25, 95% CI: 0.05, 0.45; k = 9; p = 0.02; I 2 = 86.4%; tau = 0.21; Q = 58.9). We found no significant ART effect on attention-working memory, learning and memory, motor function, and verbal fluency. No significant effect was seen with the duration of therapy, efavirenz use, and Central Penetrating Effectiveness (CPE) of antiretroviral therapy. Subgroup analyses identified study design (betweengroup and within-group; cross-sectional and longitudinal) and normative scores as significant sources of heterogeneity. Metaregression analysis indicated that nadir CD4 modified the magnitude of ART's effect on cognitive outcomes. Age, gender, and country income-group were not significant moderators. Our findings provide systematic evidence that antiretroviral therapy improves neurocognitive outcomes in the domains of global cognition, executive function and speed of information processing, of people living with HIV in low-and middle-income countries, especially those with advanced immunosuppression. However, these findings are not definitive as they are limited by the probability of publication bias, high heterogeneity, and exclusion of significant confounders. Prospero registration number: CRD42020203791.