Ficus sycomorus Plant was known traditionally for its medicinal properties, Shigella species as a bacterial was also known for their resistance to orthodox medicine. Hence the synthesis of silver nanoparticles from Ficus sycomorus. This study was carried out to investigate the anti-shigellosis potential of silver nanoparticles synthesized from Ficus sycomorus Linn stem bark aqueous extract against Multi-drug Resistant (MDR) Shigella species isolated from clinical specimen collected from patients attending Yobe State Specialist Hospital Damaturu, Nigeria. A total of 400 diarrhoeagenic stools were screened for isolation of Shigella species and determined their antibiotic susceptibility pattern using standard methods. Phytochemical constituents of Ficus sycomorus extract were used to synthesize silver nanoparticles using green synthesis approach. The nanoparticles was analyzed for transmittance, functional groups, sizes and shapes using Uv-vis, FTIR and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and was tested for antibacterial activities on MDR Shigella isolates. There is no significant difference in Shigella recovery relation to patients gender (P<0.05). The age group, 0-10 years were more susceptible, 40% (36), followed by >30 years (21). Shigella were also found to be sensitive to Ciprofloxacin (92%), Augmentin (87%), Cefuroxime (85%), Streptomycin (83.5%) while the most frequent resistance was showcased against Nalidixic Acid (48%), and Tetracycline (27%). Phytochemicals detected include saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids, cardiac glycoside and tannin. Uv-vis showed broad peaks around 460nm, the FTIR showed C-H stretch of hydroxyl group of alkanes and the SEM showed nanoparticles with wide range of shapes and sizes. Anti-Shigella activities of silver nanoparticles is higher at zones of inhibition between 10mm and 30mm higher compared to the activities of crude aqueous extract and AgNO 3 solution against the MDR Shigella species which showed an enhanced activities. The high prevalence of shigellosis among children in this study, indicated that improved hygiene is needed for children in the area and detailed examination is required for the treatment of diarrhoea in adults. Ciprofloxacin and Amoxicillin Clavulanate, Nalidixic acid could be used only where culture and sensitivity results prevailed. Enhanced traditional medicine should be given priority because of its potentials. This study have demonstrated feasibility of the green synthesis of F. sycomorus as a potent antishigellosis to combat the global burden of the disease. This is the first study On Stem bark aqueous extracts of F. sycomorus against shigella species in the area.

Aim: This work investigated the gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy of methanolic extract and antimicrobial spectrum of acetone and aqueous crude extracts of Ficus sycomorus stem bark. Place and Duration of the Study: Department chemistry research laboratory and microbiology laboratory, Yobe State University, Damaturu between April 2019 and August, 2019. Methodology: Pure isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, Shigella dysentariae, proteus spp, Pseudomonas auruginosa, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella pneumonia and a fungi, Candida albicans were collected from National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), Vom, Plateau State. The plant was collected and the extract was used in preliminary phytochemical screening, GC-MS analysis and reconstituted for antimicrobial activities testing. Results: The preliminary phytochemical screening revealed presence of saponin, flavonoids, alkaloids, carbohydrates, cardiac glycoside and tannin. GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of heterocyclic members of pyrazole, imidazole, triazole, thiazole and 1, 3-Benzenedicarboxylic acid, bis (2-hethylhexyl) ester. Acetone extract showed the greatest antimicrobial activity against Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis and Shigella spp while the aqueous extract produced antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumonia and Candida albicans. Both acetone and aqueous extracts of both stem bark extracts did not exhibit any activity against Escherichia coli. All the extracts were tested at 100mg/ml concentration. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and the Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) (125 – 250 mg/ml) of both extracts were higher than those of ciprofloxacin (5.0 mg/ml). Conclusion: There is scientific basis for the uses of F. sycomorus in traditional medicine for the treatment of various diseases as prescribed earlier on and stronger basis for recommendation for its cautious use for the presence of 2-ethylhexyl which could be Carcinogenic. This is first study to identify 2-ethylhexyl from F. sycomorus stem bark extract and recommend cautious use.

Background: Superficial fungal infections can lead to systemic infection in immune-compromised individuals. Acacia nilotica pod have been used ethnomedical to treat dermatophytes infection for ages. In this study, the anti-dermatophytes potential of silver nanoparticles biogenically synthesized using extracts from pod of A. nilotica against dermatophytes isolated from secondary care hospital in Damaturu, North-East Nigeria. Experimental:Phytochemical screening and GC-MS analysis were conducted to screen the phytoconstituents of the plant material. The synthesized AgNPs were characterized by Uv-vis, FT-IR, and SEM. 133 samples (skin scraping) were screened for dermatophytes and antifungal susceptibility testing were conducted against the isolates using aqueous, methanolic extracts, and AgNPs. Results: Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, oxalate, quinones, phenols, saponins, terpenoids, GS-MS revealed the presence Polyphenolics including Hexadecenoic, Octadecanoic and Undecanoic acids, Catechol, pyrogallol, 3-methylpyridine and methylmannose. Uv-vis of synthesized AgNPs exhibited double sharp absorbance at 308nm and 311nm, FT-IR showed functional groups, thus, OH, C – H, C≡N, and C=O stretches of phenolics, alkenes, nitrile, and ketones respectively, and SEM showed various characteristic shapes and sizes. out of 133 samples collected, 54% were male and the age group with the highest clinical presentation were51 – 60, followed by 1 – 10years. according to clinical presentation, Tinea pedis (36%) and T. capitis (29%) were the commonest which may be due to constant contact with water and limited hair care. Aetiologic agents isolated include Trichophyton mentagrophyles (51%), T. rubrum (34%), and T. tonsurans (14%), although, there is no significant relationship between the clinical presentation and disease agent (p-value < 21.3 at 95% confidence level). AgNPs showed wider consistent zones of inhibitions against all the isolates. Discussion: A. nilotica is indeed very rich in polyphenolics. Foot and hair infections commonest in the study could be due to current weather conditions but sharing of footwear, caps, and brushes should be discouraged. Conclusion: This study opens up possibilities for exploration of this eco and economic approach of improving the medicinal value of plants, an opportunity the pharmaceutical industries can utilize. This study is the first to report prevalence of dermatophytes in the area &explored the AgNPs against it.

Chloramphenicol a broad spectrum antibiotic was tested on broiler birds to evaluate the effect of its prolonged administration on heamatological parameters, identification of histopathological changes on organs (Liver, Spleen and Kidneys) and to determine if prolonged effect has effects on weight gain and mortality rate. One hundred and twenty day old chicks from Kamadex Ibadan were used for the experiment. The birds were assign to two (2) treatments and control group each replicated in a Complete Randomized Design (CRD), birds in treatment one (T1) were administered normal dose of Chloramphenicol (250 mg/Kg), while treatment two (T2) were served with triple dose in medicated water served ad-lib for seven weeks, while the control (T3) were served with un-medicated water ad-lib. Samples (blood, liver, kidney and spleen) were collected and analyzed after 8 weeks of the experiment. Birds showed significant variations in heamatological values across treatments. Lymphocysts count: treatment two (T2) was higher than the treatment one (T1) whereas that of (T3) was found to be less, compared to those of T1 and T2. Heterophils: T3 was higher than the T1 while that of T2 was less as compared to T3 and T1. Basophil: T1 was higher than T3 while that of T2 was less. A lower value was observed in weight gain with birds on T2 as compared to T1 and T3. The liver of birds on T1 and T2 were significantly larger than those on T3. High mortality was recorded in birds on T2 compared to those in T3 and T2. The histopathological pictures of the liver, kidney and the Spleen depict a varying degree of necrosis and hemorrhagic foci on all the organs, the changes were much severe on T2 as compared to those of T1 and T3.