Phytochemical analysis, in vitro and in silico effects from Alstonia boonei De Wild stem bark on selected digestive enzymes and adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes.

Background: Obesity is a global health issue arising from the unhealthy accumulation of fat. Medicinal plants such as Alstonia boonei stem bark has been reported to possess body weight reducing effect in obese rats. Thus, this study sought to investigate the in vitro and in silico effects of fractions from Alstonia boonei stem bark on selected obesity-related digestive enzymes and adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes.

Pharmacological activities of a novel phthalic acid ester and iridoid glycoside isolated from the root bark of Anthocleista vogelii Planch.

In this study, a novel phthalic acid ester (1) and a known iridoid glycoside (2) were isolated from the root bark of Anthocleista vogelii. The structures of the novel compound and iridoid glycoside were elucidated on the basis of their chemical and spectral data (UV, FT-IR, EI-MS, 1D and 2D NMR) and found to be phthalic acid ester, 4-ethyl-6-propyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro3H-2,8-benzodioxacycloundecine-1,9-dione (1) and sweroside (2). The compounds were evaluated for their in vitro inhibitory activities against pancreatic lipase, α-amylase and αglucosidase, and in vivo laxative activity in rats.

Modulatory effect of crude aqueous extract of Lingzhi or Reishi Medicinal Mushroom, Ganoderma lucidum (Higher Basidiomycetes), on hematological and antioxidant indices in Plasmodium berghei-infected mice.

Hematological and antioxidant effects of the aqueous extract of fruiting bodies of Ganoderma lucidum were evaluated in Plasmodium berghei-infected mice. Extract was administered at doses of 100, 250, and 500 mg/kg body weight by an intragastric tube once daily for 14 d starting from the fourth day after parasite inoculation. At the end of treatment period, mice in each group were sacrificed and blood was collected for hematological and biochemical analyses.

The role of rotavirus associated with pediatric gastroenteritis in a general hospital in Lagos, Nigeria.

Introduction: Bacterial, viral and parasitic agents have been implicated and confirmed as causative agents of gastroenteritis in children with ages below 5 years old. The major role of rotavirus as causative agent is not widely recognized within the public health community, particularly in developing countries. This study examined the role of rotavirus as a causative agent of childhood gastroenteritis in infants and young children below 5 years of age in a General Hospital in Lagos, Nigeria.

Evaluation of public awareness and attitude to pulmonary tuberculosis in a Nigerian rural community.

Introduction: Community based interventions have long been linked to tuberculosis control efforts. Effectively treated and cured patients living within their home communities are often the best advocates and may become the drivers of social mobilization to support control of tuberculosis.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional knowledge, attitude, behavioral and practice (KABP) survey on tuberculosis was carried out in a rural Nigerian community.

Recent advances in the diagnosis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Molecular technologies offer the greatest potential for laboratories in resource-rich countries because they have the highest sensitivity and specificity. Continued use of new technologies will be crucial in elucidating the true epidemiology and pathogenesis of a disease, including the less well studied diseases. Continued development of affordable, sensitive, and specific diagnostic tools will be required for use in resource-poor settings, where the incidence of disease is highest.

Modulation of Lipoprotein Cholesterol Levels in Plasmodium berghei Malarial Infection by Crude Aqueous Extract of Ganoderma lucidum.

In this study, attempt is made to establish changes in serum and liver lipoprotein cholesterols accompanying Plasmodium berghei malarial infection in mice treated with aqueous extract of Ganoderma lucidum at 100, 250, and 500 mg/kg body weight in comparison with 15 mg/kg chloroquine (CQ). Significant increases in all the lipoprotein fractions were observed in infected untreated mice compared with normal control mice. Treatment with 100 and 250 mg/kg G.

Model alternative strategies for tuberculosis and Human immune deficiency virus case-finding in hard-to-reach populations in rural Eastern Nigeria.

Background: Since roughly half of all cases of active tuberculosis (TB) and Human immune deficiency virus (HIV) infection currently go undetected, there is a compelling need to pursue research aimed at improving case-finding, particularly among hard-to-reach populations.

Objective: To identify and simplify TB/HIV case finding in Eastern Nigeria.

Methods: This study involved an extensive pre-intervention Knowledge, Aptitude, Behavioural, Practice (KABP) Survey which revealed the specific limitations to TB/HIV case-finding using semi-structured questionnaires, key informant interviews and focus group discussions.

Antimalarial and hepatoprotective effects of crude ethanolic extract of Lingzhi or Reishi medicinal mushroom, Ganoderma lucidum (W.Curt.:Fr.)P.Karst. (higher Basidiomycetes), in Plasmodium berghei-infected mice.

This study was aimed at investigating the in vivo antimalarial activity (using some biochemical indices) of crude aqueous extracts of the fruiting bodies of Ganoderma lucidum, a mushroom with well-established medicinal properties. A rodent malaria parasite, Plasmodium berghei (1 × 107), was inoculated intraperitoneally into Swiss albino mice. The test groups were administered G.

Changes in carboxypeptidase A, dipeptidase and Na+/K+ ATPase activities in the intestine of rats orally exposed to different doses of cadmium.

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of cadmium on some protein digestive and absorption enzymes in rats. Thirty-six rats were grouped into three groups of 12 animals each; one group received deionised water and acted as control. One group received 445 microM Cd and the last group received 890 microM Cd in their drinking water for a period of one month.

Serum protein index in human malaria.

The serum protein levels were determined in 158 malarial patients infected with Plasmodium falciparum. Contrary to an earlier reported protein deficiency during malarial infection, the results obtained from this study showed no significant change (p > 0.05) in serum protein levels when compared with the controls.

Regulation of tyrosine aminotransferase activity by glucagon and cAMP analogues in chick embryos in ovo.

Glucagon, dibutyryl cAMP (Bt2cAMP) and 8-(4-chlorophenylthio) cAMP (CptcAMP), singly or when combined, stimulated tyrosine aminotransferase (TAT) activity in 17-day-old chick embryos in ovo. Maximal induction was produced within 4 hr of injection of the inducers. The effects of glucagon and the cAMP analogues were not additive.

Studies on the energy reserve of Fasciola gigantica (COBB.) from Nigerian zebu cattle. II. The fatty acid composition.

The fatty acids were studied of the total lipid extracts of mature liver flukes Fasciola gigantica from the bile ducts of Nigerian zebu cattle. The high content of saturated fatty acids, which amounted to more than 54% of the total fatty acids, conferred a high level of saturation on these parasites. This was brought about by a general increase in the values of palmitic acid.

Studies on the energy reserve of Fasciola gigantica from Nigerian Zebu cattle.

As energy reserves in the body tissue of mature liver flukes var. Fasciola gigantica from the bile ducts of Nigerian Zebu cattle the following percentages were found: protein 60.29, lipid 11.

Plasma lipid changes in human malaria.

Lipid concentrations in human subjects during and after infection by Plasmodium falciparum were determined. The increase in the concentration of phospholipids and triglycerides during infection was statistically significant (p less than 0.01 for moderate infection and p less than 0.