Piloting a smartphone-based application for tracking and supply chain management of medicines in Africa.

A confounding factor for healthcare programmes in African countries is the inability of essential health tools to reach targeted locations and populations, due to poor Logistics Management Information System (LMIS). In a bid to contribute towards addressing these challenges, a pilot study was undertaken to evaluate the tracking ability, reliability and applicability of EASE App, a novel Smart Phone based Application. The App is designed to provide real-time tracking and tracing of commodities as well as curation of data in a cloud based database with restricted access which can be linked with other databases.

Simulation of metabolism-based herb-drug interaction: towards safe and efficacious use of NIPRD-AM1.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of NIPRD-AM1 on CYP3A4 in order to generate clinically significant data for its safe and efficacious use.

Materials And Methods: NIPRD-AM1 is a phytomedicine developed from aqueous root extracts of Nauclea latifolia Smith (Rubiaceae) for the treatment of uncomplicated malaria. The effect of NIPRD-AM1 on CYP3A4 was measured with and without the addition of NIPRD-AM1, by testing different concentrations of the product at 37 °C in reactive mixtures with ketoconazole (2.

Behavioral and anticonvulsant effects of the standardized extract of Ficus platyphylla stem bark.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Decoctions of Ficus platyphylla Del.-Holl (Family: Moraceae) are used in Nigeria׳s folk medicine for the management of epilepsy and their efficacies are widely acclaimed among the rural communities of northern Nigeria. The aim of the study is to examine the behavioral and anticonvulsant properties of the standardized methanol extract of Ficus platyphylla (FP) stem bark, in order to scientifically describe its potential values in the management of convulsive disorders.

Effect of NIPRISAN® on CYP3A4 activity in vitro.

NIPRISAN(®) is a phytomedicine developed from herbal products used in folkloric practice for the management of sickle cell disease (SCD). The effect of NIPRISAN(®) was tested on human cytochrome P4503A4 drug metabolising enzyme to generate clinically significant data for its safe and efficacious use. Inhibitory activity on CYP3A4 was measured with and without the addition of NIPRISAN(®), by testing different concentrations of the product at 37 °C in reactive mixtures with ketoconazole (2.

Ketamine-enhanced immobility in forced swim test: a possible animal model for the negative symptoms of schizophrenia.

Schizophrenia is a chronic and highly complex psychiatric disorder characterised by cognitive dysfunctions, negative and positive symptoms. The major challenge in schizophrenia research is lack of suitable animal models that mimic the core behavioural aspects and symptoms of this devastating psychiatric disorder. In this study, we used classical and atypical antipsychotic drugs to examine the predictive validity of ketamine-enhanced immobility in forced swim test (FST) as a possible animal model for the negative symptoms of schizophrenia.

Pharmacological evidence favouring the use of Nauclea latifolia in malaria ethnopharmacy: effects against nociception, inflammation, and pyrexia in rats and mice.

Aim Of The Study: Nauclea latifolia Smith is used traditionally in the treatment of uncomplicated malaria and painful conditions among its several other applications. The objective of this study is to investigate the pharmacological activities of the plant relevant to the symptomatic treatment of malaria fever and other painful conditions as an initial step towards developing an effective therapy for the symptomatic management of malaria fever and relief of other painful conditions.

Materials And Methods: Various concentrations of the aqueous extract of the root bark of this plant were evaluated for its anti-nociceptive, anti-inflammatory and anti-pyretic activities in mice and rats.

Anticonvulsant properties of saponins from Ficus platyphylla stem bark.

Preparations of Ficus platyphylla have been used in Nigerian traditional medicine for the management of epilepsy for many years and their efficacy is widely acclaimed among the Hausa communities of northern Nigeria. The anticonvulsant properties of the saponin rich fraction (SFG) obtained from the methanol extract of F. platyphylla stem bark were studied on pentylenetetrazole-, strychnine- and maximal electroshock seizures in mice.

Anti-diarrhoeal and ulcer-protective effects of the aqueous root extract of Guiera senegalensis in rodents.

The anti-diarrhoeal and ulcer-protective properties of the aqueous root extract of Guiera senegalensis, a popular herbal traditional medicine in Nigeria were investigated in rats and mice. Acute toxicity studies were also carried out. The intestinal transit in mice was significantly (P < 0.

Neuropharmacological effects of the aqueous extract of Nauclea latifolia root bark in rats and mice.

The present study evaluated the neuropharmacological effects of the aqueous extract of Nauclea latifolia root bark in rodents. Effects on the spontaneous motor activity (SMA), exploratory behaviour, pentobarbital sleeping time, apomorphine-induced stereotypic behaviour and motor coordination (rota-rod performance) were investigated. The extract (50-200 mg/kg p.

Effect of Annona senegalensis rootbark extracts on Naja nigricotlis nigricotlis venom in rats.

Annona senegalensis Pers (family: Annonaceae) is used traditionally in Nigeria to treat victims of snakebite. The potency of the methanol extract of the root bark of the plant was tested against cobra (Naja nigricotlis nigricotlis Wetch) venom in rats. The extract was also tested on brine shrimp (Artemia saline Leach).

Effect of aqueous leaf extract of Irvingia gabonensis on gastrointestinal tract in rodents.

Effect of the aqueous leaf extract of I. gabonensis on the gastrointestinal tract was investigated on isolated rabbit jejunum, guinea pig ileum, gastrointestinal motility, castor oil-induced diarrhoea in mice and castor oil-induced fluid accumulation in rats. The results showed that the extract exhibited a concentration-dependent relaxation of spontaneous pendular movement of isolated rabbit jejunum and guinea pig ileum, and attenuated both acetylcholine-induced contraction of rabbit jejunum and histamine-induced contraction of guinea pig ileum.

The efficacy of Sphaeranthus senegalensis Vaill extract against diarrhoea in rats.

The aqueous extract of Sphaeranthus senegalensis (Asteraceae) was investigated for anti-diarrhoeal activity in rats. Its effect on castor oil-induced diarrhoea and fluid accumulation and on gastrointestinal (charcoal meal) test was evaluated. Results showed that pre-treatment for 30 min with the extract at 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg, p.

Is Berlina grandiflora (Leguminosae) toxic in rats?

The toxicity profile of the aqueous methanolic extract of Berlina grandiflora (BG) stem bark was studied in rats. The rats were administered graded doses (125-500 mg/kg p.o) of the extract daily for 21 days and the effects on body weight, organ weight, clinical signs, gross pathology, hematology, histology and serum biochemical parameters were measured.

Antinociceptive profile of the methanolic extract of Neorautanenia mitis root in rats and mice.

The antinociceptive activity of the methanolic extract of Neorautenania mitis was studied in mice and rats. Five experimental models of nociception employed were: acetic acid-induced abdominal constriction and hot-plate test in mice, formalin-induced pain, analgesy-meter and Randall-Selitto tests in rats. The antinociceptive action of the extract was tested against naloxone in the hot-plate test in a bid to further elucidate probable mechanisms of antinociception.

Behavioural effect of Pavetta crassipes extract on rodents.

The effects of the ethanol extract of Pavetta crassipes on the central nervous system (CNS) and on actions of some selected centrally acting drugs were studied in mice and rats. These studies were carried out using the spontaneous motor activity (SMA), amphetamine-induced hyperactivity and stereotyped behaviour, pentobarbital-induced hypnosis and exploratory activity, apomorphine-induced climbing and haloperidol-induced catalepsy in rats. The results demonstrated that the extract of P.

Anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of the methanolic extract of Parinari polyandra stem bark in rats and mice.

The methanolic extract of the stem bark of Parinari polyandra (family Rosaceae) was investigated for possible anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects in mice and rats. Three models were used to study the extracts effects on nociception which were the acetic acid-induced abdominal constriction test, hot-plate method (both in mice) and the formalin test in rats. The anti-inflammatory effects were investigated employing the albumin-induced hind-paw oedema in rats.

Postsynaptic dopamine (D(2))-mediated behavioural effects of high acute doses of artemisinin in rodents.

Artemisinin or qinghaosu is the active principle of quinghao (Artemisia annua L.) developed from Chinese traditional medicine, which is now widely used around the world against falciparum malaria. Behavioural effects of high acute doses of artemisinin were studied on spontaneous motor activity (SMA), exploratory behavior, apomorphine-induced stereotype behavior and pentobarbital sleeping time in mice and rats in order to provide additional evidence on its safety profile on the central nervous system (CNS).

Hypotensive activity of the ethanol extract of Pavetta crassipes leaves.

Pavetta crassipes leaf is routinely used locally in Nigeria for the management of respiratory disorders and hypertension. The hypotensive and other cardiovascular effects of Pavetta crassipes were investigated in cats and rats. The effects of the extract on rat and cat blood pressures, isolated rat atria, rat portal vein, isolated rat aorta and rat vas deferens were studied.

Studies on the use of Cassia singueana in malaria ethnopharmacy.

Cassia singueana (Family: Fabaceae) is used in northern Nigeria for the treatment of acute malaria attack. We investigated the activities of the methanol extract of the root bark of this plant against rodent plasmodia infection, nociception, pyrexia and inflammation in mice and rats. The studies were carried out using acetic acid-induced writhing, hot plate algesia, rodent plasmodia (Plasmodium berghei) in mice; formalin test, yeast-induced pyrexia and egg-albumin-induced inflammation in rats.

Smooth muscle contraction induced by Indigofera dendroides leaf extracts may involve calcium mobilization via potential sensitive channels.

The contractile effects of the aqueous extract of the leaves of Indigofera dendroides (ID) were studied on the gastrointestinal motility in mice and isolated smooth muscle preparations obtained from rats and guinea pigs. The contractile effects of 10(-6) M acetylcholine, 80 mM KCl and 1.6 mg/ml ID were measured on the rat ileal smooth muscle exposed to calcium-free buffer or physiological solution, to determine the calcium pools mobilized by extract for activation of contraction.

Effect of the aqueous extract of Chrysanthellum indicum on calcium mobilization and activation of rat portal vein.

The effects of the aqueous extract of Chrysanthellum indicum (CI) on calcium activation and mobilization were studied using the rat portal vein. The extract caused a concentration-dependent contraction of the portal vein. KCl (80 mM), norepinephrine (NA, 10(-6)M) and CI (4 mg/ml) evoked sustained contraction of the portal vein.

Evaluation of the antidiarrhoeal effects of Zizyphus spina-christi stem bark in rats.

The antidiarrhoeal effects of the methanol extract of Zizyphus spina-christi stem bark were evaluated in laboratory rodents. Studies on castor oil induced diarrhoea, intraluminal fluid accumulation, and gastrointestinal transit time were carried out. Results obtained revealed that the extract caused a dose dependent protection of rats against castor oil induced diarrhoea, decreased the intraluminal fluid accumulation and gastrointestinal transit.

Anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive effects of Sphaeranthus senegalensis.

Sphaeranthus senegalensis Vaill (Asteraceae) is used in traditional medicine as a remedy for rheumatic pains and other ailments. The anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive activity of the aqueous extract of the whole shoot of the plant was evaluated in mice and rats. Activity of the extract against egg-albumin induced hind paw oedema was measured to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity while the anti-nociceptive potency was evaluated using three painful stimuli viz acetic acid induced abdominal constriction and hot plate test in mice, and the formalin test in rats.

Central inhibitory activity of the aqueous extract of Crinum giganteum.

The aqueous extract of Crinum giganteum given intraperitoneally at doses of 6.25, 12.5 and 25 mg/kg in rats prolonged the duration of pentobarbital sleeping time and in mice reduced spontaneous motor activity, decreased the exploratory activity and attenuated amphetamine-induced stereotype behavior.