Mental illness refers to all diagnosable mental disorders which are characterised by abnormalities in thinking, feelings or behaviours. Ethnobotanical study surveyed the different types of medicinal plants used for the treatment of mental illness in Bassa, Pankshin, and Kanke Local Government Areas of Plateau State, Nigeria. Information was obtained from traditional medicine practitioners, herbalist and herb sellers, with the aid of semi structured questionnaire. Plant samples were collected and identified by taxonomists in the herbarium section of Federal College of Forestry Jos and Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Nigeria. The information was obtained from a total of 35 respondents. Forty two plants were identified from the study, from 31 families. The source, uses, plant parts, and methods of preparation were some of the information derived. The family with the highest number of represented species was Lamiaceae accounting for 10% with a user value of 0.035. The dominant route of administration employed for drug delivery was oral accounting for up to 80% (56% as strictly oral). The plant parts mostly collected by the respondents for management of the conditions reported are leaves amounting to 51%. Some of the plants have recorded scientific values for neuropharmacological activities, whereas others are yet to be tested. It is important to validate these plants scientifically for possible neuropharmacological properties that may be harnessed for future use.

Aim of the Study:To determine the phytochemicals and the antiviral activity of methanol stem bark extract of Enantia chlorantha and Boswellia dalzielii against Newcastle disease virus in embryonated eggs. Materials and Methods: Preliminary phytochemical screening was carried out using standard methods. Investigation on the effect of stem bark of Enantia chlorantha and Boswellia dalzielii

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The Idoma people are indigenous to the middle belt region in North Central Nigeria and they possess a rich history and tradition of using medicinal plants in the management of various ailments. Oral transmission is the primary method by which history is passed from one generation to another. The present study involved an ethnomedical survey done with the aid of questionnaires and it covered Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State which is the headquarters of the Idoma speaking areas of the State. The information obtained showed that over a hundred species of plants from several families were identified and these were being used to manage a wide range of ailments from dysentery and gonorrhea to asthma and pneumonia. The scientific names and the part of the plant used together with their mode of preparation and dosage regimen were also reported. The importance of this kind of documentation was also discussed as it will help to preserve the rich cultural heritage of the tribe and could also serve as a basis for further research on the documented plants and aid in global bio-conservation efforts.

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Herbal medicines have been used for disease prevention and treatment for both humans and animals worldwide. The present study was designed to determine the herbs used during pregnancy in Jos and to evaluate attitudes of pregnant women. The survey was carried out in antenatal clinics. Information was obtained from pregnant women (17-60 years) through both informal, unstructured conversations and the use of structured questionnaire. Botanical data were focused on the name and part of the herbs or plant used during pregnancy including herbs, herbal preparations and finished products having medicinal properties. In total, 300 pregnant women were enrolled for this study. The respondents were farmers (33.3 %), housewives (26.7%) and students (23.3 %). The most commonly used herbs were, garlic (16.7 %), pawpaw (13.6 %), ginger (13.0 %) and Moringa (8.0 %). Among the parts, bulb was the most used (16.7 %) followed by fruits (14 %). The most common reasons for the use were: herbal medicine is more effective than conventional medicine for some medications (20 %) and more easily accessed than conventional medicine (20 %). Most of the women were advised by family (31.3 %) and believed herbs had fewer side effects. The findings revealed their knowledge on medicinal plants. The women used one or more herbal medicine during pregnancy. Keywords: Pregnant women; Herbal medicine; Medicinal plants; Jos; Nigeria

Clove buds obtained from flower buds of (Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merril et L. M. Perry (Eugenia caryophyllus C. Spreng. Bull et Harr) have been used in traditional medicine for a variety of ailments, as food spice and in aromatherapy. Some of the pharmacological properties have been reported as anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. The main constituent of clove is eugenol which has been reported and confirmed to have antibacterial action. The oil from the commercial clove sample was extracted using a Clevenger apparatus and assessed by gas chromatography for the content of eugenol in comparison to a standard clove oil. In addition, the TLC fingerprint, physicochemical and antibacterial properties were determined by standard methods to authenticate and establish the quality of the clove prior to use in the herbal mouthwash formulation. The sample clove oil exhibited minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) values of <0.02 -0.312 mg/ml and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC) of 0.156 -0.312 mg/ml against selected gram positive and negative organisms. MIC and MBC values for Copper sulphate were in the range of <0.02 -0.156 and 0.156 -0.312 mg/ml respectively. The sample clove oil with 15% yield was determined to have 71.7% purity in comparison to the standard clove oil. The evaluation of the clove buds, oil and copper sulphate showed that it conformed to specifications and has potential for use in the mouthwash formulation.

Newcastle disease remains a disease of global concern and serious economic challenge to the poultry industry because of its high mortality rate, in spite of the various intervention programs including vaccination. This research is aimed at studying the antiviral activity of the extract and fractions of Boswellia dalzielii against Newcastle disease virus (NDV) using chicken embryonated eggs. Phytochemical analysis was conducted using standard procedure. The methanol extract of Boswellia dalzielii was subjected to solvent-solvent fractionation using solvents of varing polarity. This process generated four fractions namely hexane fraction, ethyl acetate fraction, n-butanol fraction and aqueous fraction. Nine to eleven day-old viable embryonated chicken eggs (ECE) were used for the antiviral assay; these were divided into seven groups of five eggs each. The methanol extract was also screened for its cytotoxicity, prophylatic, therapeutic and neutralization effects against NDV, while the fractions were screened for their cytotoxicity and neutralization effects. The phytochemical screening of the stem bark extract and fractions of B. dalzielii showed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, saponin, terpenoids and steroids. It was observed from the results that the extract was toxic to the embryo at a concentration above 100 mg/ml. At the end of the bioassay, methanol extract and fractions of B. dalzielii showed antiviral activity against NDV. However, the extract seems to possess the most significant anti-NDV activity than the fractions. The results of the study are very promising and support the use of B. dalzielii in the treatment of viral infections in animals and humans.