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Background: Xylopia aethiopica is highly reputed for its numerous medicinal properties. In the present study, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and toxicity profile of methanol seed extract of Nigerian X. aethiopica in rat were evaluated. Methods: Phytochemical compositions were evaluated using standard procedures. The antibacterial study was carried out using agar well diffusion method, while antioxidant activities were evaluated by DPPH and FRAP assay. Twenty-five rats (5 each) were given 0, 75, 150, 300 and 600 mg/kg bwt of the extract orally for 28 days. Results: The extract had total phenolic and total flavonoid contents of 15.98±0.03mg GAE/g and 2.29±0.02 mg/g CE respectively. The extract had IC50 values of 52.45±3.05 μg/mL and 73.45±3.89 μg/mL in DPPH and FRAP assay respectively. The E. coli showed the highest susceptibility (20.27±0.90mm) while P. aeuruginisa showed the least (15.08±0.20mm). The MIC ranged from 25-50 μg/mL while MBC ranged between 50μg/mL and 100 μg/mL. In comparison with the control rats, the levels of serum creatinine, bicarbonate total proteins, albumin, and ALP were significantly higher in rat dosed 600 mg/kg bwt while urea decreases in rat dose 300 and 600 mg/kg. However, serum concentration of ALT, AST, bilirubin, Na+, K+ and Cl-compared favorably (P>0.05) with control at all doses. Conclusion: The study revealed the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Nigerian X. aethiopica, the extract at 75, 150 and 300 mg/kg/b.wt did not provoke toxic effects to the animals' liver and kidney; however, caution should be exercised when using as a prolonged oral remedy at high doses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study was undertaken to review the caesarean section rate and perinatal mortality in Federal Medical Centre, Birnin Kudu from 1st January 2010 to 31st December, 2012. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study involving review of 580 case files. Ethical clearance was obtained. The records of labour ward, neonatal intensive care unit (ICU) and operating theatre were use. Information extracted includes age, parity, booking status, total deliveries, indications for caesarean section and perinatal outcome from 1st January 2010 to 31st December 2012 at Federal Medical Centre, Birnin Kudu. The data obtained was analysed using SPSS version 17.0 statistical software (Chicago, Il, USA). Absolute numbers and simple percentages were used to describe categorical variables. Association between caesarean section and perinatal mortality was determined using Pearson's Coefficient of correlation and student t- test. P - value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Result: This study reported a caesarean section rate of 17.69 % and a perinatal mortality rate of 165.6 per 1000. Majority of the babies (78.2%) were within normal weight. The mean age of the women was 25.9 ± 6.2 years and mean parity was 4 ± 3. Majority of them were uneducated and unemployed. Obstructed labour was the commonest indication for emergency caesarean section accounting for 31.7% of caesarean sections and foetal distress was the least at 2.6 %. Two or more previous caesarean section was the commonest indication for elective caesarean section (17.1%) and bad obstetrics history the least indication (1.4%). There is a weak positive correlation (r = 0.35) between caesarean section rate and perinatal mortality and this association was not statistically significant (P = 0.12). Conclusion: Caesarean section and perinatal mortality rates in the present study are comparatively high. Absence of significant correlation means that a high caesarean section rate is not likely to improve perinatal outcomes in babies of normal weight; therefore the caesarean section rate in this centre should be reduced. Measures to reduce perinatal mortality such as skilled attendant in labour and training of medical staff in neonatal resuscitation should be adopted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Episiotomy can be defined as a surgical incision made at the perineum to widen the introitus and facilitate delivery. Objective: To assess the perception of women on episiotomy. Design: A prospective cross sectional study. Settings: This was the antenatal clinic of Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano. Methods: All consented pregnant women at booking were recruited and interviewed. Results: Over the six weeks period of the study, 109 women were interviewed. Majority of the women (94.5%) have heard of episiotomy and 81.7% were able to describe it as a surgical incision to facilitate delivery. Most of their sources of information were from friends/relatives (52.3%). Fifty seven (52.3%) out of the 109 women have had episiotomy and 'Big baby' as described was the commonest indication for the episiotomy (62.5%). Majority of the women (66.1%) Did not have prior counselling before episiotomy and 76.8% Did not have any complication following the repair. Most of the women (69.6%) had their episiotomies repaired within an hour of delivery. Twenty eight (49.1%) out of the 56 women who had episiotomy do not believe women should be routinely given episiotomy at delivery while 40.4% of the women were of the opinion that it should be routine to avoid injury to the baby. Majority of the women (82.1%) advocated for anaesthesia prior to episiotomy. Conclusion: There is a good knowledge of this procedure among pregnant women in AKTH Kano. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Zingiber officinale is a rhizome commonly consumed as a delicacy, medicine or spice. It is considered as a safe spice with several medicinal properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate in-vitro antioxidants, antimicrobial and safety of Nigerian Z. Officinale.Methods: Methanol extract of Nigerian Z. Officinale (MEZO) was evaluated for phytochemical composition, total flavonoids and phenol contents using standard procedures. Antibacterial study was carried out via the agar well diffusion method. Antioxidant activities were carried out using 2, 2′- diphenyl-1- picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and ferric reducing antioxidant properties (FRAP) assay. Twenty five (25) wister rats were randomly grouped into five (A-E) of five animals each. Animals in Groups A-D were orally administered 75,150, 300 and 600 mg/kg bwt of the extract on daily basis for 4 weeks while those in Group A (control) received distilled water.Results: Total phenolic and flavonoids contents of the extract were 15.24 ± 0.02 mg GAE/g and 19.84 ± 0.32 mg/g CE respectively. The extract promoted an inhibition of free radicals with IC50 values of 47.05 ± 2.03 μg/mL and 89.15 ± 0.29 μg/mL in DPPH and FRAP assay. At extract concentration of 100 μg/mL, K. pneumoniae showed the highest susceptibility of 29.04 ± 0.35 mm, followed by P. aeuruginisa (26.03 ± 0.41 mm), while S. aureus (15.08 ± 0.20 mm) was least susceptible. The serum concentrations of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), sodium, albumin, total proteins and the computed organs/body weight ratios compared favorably (p > 0.05) with control at all extract doses tested. The bilirubin, urea and creatinine levels significantly (p < 0.05) increase while chloride decreases in rats dosed 600 mg/kg bwt. However, potassium level increases significantly (p < 0.05) in rats dose 300 mg/kg of the extract when compare with the control.Conclusion: This study revealed the strong antioxidant and antimicrobial potentials of methanol extract of Nigerian Zingiber officinale. It was also found to be relatively safe for consumption and thus could serve as a source of candidate for the development of new antioxidants and antimicrobial drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Terminalia catappa (T. catappa) leaves are used in the treatment of hypertension, diabetes, cough, jaundice, indigestion etc, while the bark is used to treat diarrhea, dysentery, abscesses etc. Due to the acceptance and increased use of medicinal plants in pregnancy, there is a need to evaluate their toxicological profiles in pregnancy for safe use. This study aims to evaluate the toxicological effects of aqueous leaf extract of T. catappa in pregnant rats. Methods: acute toxicity study was carried out using Organization of Economic Corporation Development (OECD) 423 guidelines. Seventy-five rats (50 females and 25 males) were used at the age of 2 weeks just after weaning. The male rats were separated from the female rats in different cages and allowed to mature for 10 weeks. Then the rats were allowed to mate. After mating, 20 female rats with viable spermatozoa counts were selected and divided into 4 groups of 5 rats each (n=5). The control group received distilled water while the treatment groups II, III, and IV were administered with aqueous leaf extract of T. catappa orally at graded doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg respectively for 21 consecutive days. The daily food and water intake, and weight were recorded. On the 22th day, the rats were anesthetized by chloroform inhalation, and blood samples were collected for haematological and biochemical analysis. The maternal livers, kidneys, and hearts were collected and weighed, and histological studies were carried out. The fetuses were removed and examined. An isolated tissue experiment was carried out on the myometrium of the pregnant rat uterus. The isometric reading of the uterine contractions was recorded. Results: the oral LD50 was found to be ≤2000-5000 mg/kg. There was a significant (p<0.05) increase in the mean food intake at the 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg doses of the extract used on the 14th and 21st days when compared to the 7th day. The renal function test showed a significant (p<0.05) increase for chloride. The liver function test revealed that the extract at 100 mg/kg dose, significantly (p<0.05) increased only Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) liver enzyme, while at 200 mg/kg dose, only AST liver enzyme was significantly (p<0.05) increased, while at 400 mg/kg dose, ALT, AST, ALP, and albumin increased significantly (p<0.05) when compared to the control group. There was a significant (p<0.05) decrease in the relative organ weight of the liver at 400 mg/kg dose of the extract. The liver histology showed moderate hepatic vacuolation and necrosis, while the histology of the kidney showed slight tubular necrosis. Conclusion: this study has shown that the aqueous leaf extract of T. catappa is relatively not safe in the pregnant rats. Although it is non-toxic to the fetus, it exhibited tocolytic effect by inhibiting uterine contractions, thus it should be used with caution during pregnancy, especially in the third trimester or during labor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The use of medicinal plants for diabetes treatment is increasing owing to their effectiveness and safety compared to synthetic drugs. Thus, the ameliorative effects of Azanza garckeana (F. Hoffm.) fractions in diabetes-induced dyslipidemia, hepatopathy, and nephropathy in rats were evaluated in this study., Methods: Rats with alloxan (120 mg/kg body weight (BW))-induced diabetes were randomized into different groups ( n =5) and treated with the crude methanolic extract, and fractions (n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and aqueous fractions) of A. garckeana each at 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg BW. Glibenclamide (5 mg/kg BW) was used as a reference drug, and all treatments were administered orally daily for 6 weeks., Results: Our data revealed that treatment with the crude extract caused a dose-dependent hypoglycemic effect of 61.32±3.45%, 76.05±3.05%, and 78.59±5.90% at 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg BW, respectively and improved the BW of the animals. The extract also ameliorated the elevated cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and increased serum levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol compared with untreated control animals. The extract also reversed serum biochemical alterations in aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, creatinine, total and direct bilirubin, urea, and uric acid that were observed in untreated diabetic rats. Interestingly, the A. garckeana fraction also exhibited significant protection against diabetes-induced dyslipidemia, hepatopathy, and nephropathy in rats, with the ethyl acetate fraction exhibiting a remarkable protective effect. The LC-MS characterisation of the active fraction identified the presence of various phenolic and flavonoid compounds that could be responsible for the bioactivity of the fraction., Conclusion: Collectively, this study suggests the potential application of A. garckeana for effective treatment of diabetic nephropathy, with the ethyl acetate fraction of this plant representing a reserve of potential candidates for developing new drugs., Competing Interests: None., (AJTR Copyright © 2023.)