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Napoleona vogelii is used in ethnomedicine for the treatment of asthma and cough. This study evaluated antiasthmatic and antitussive properties of its methanol leaf extract (NVE) in rodents. Phytochemical screening was conducted using established methods. Acute oral toxicity test was done in mice and guinea pigs. Ovalbumin (OA)-sensitized guinea pigs were orally pretreated with 100, 200 or 400 mg/kg/day of NVE or 0.5 mg/kg/day of salbutamol for 14 days before exposure to 0.2% histamine aerosol. Latency to preconvulsive dyspnea (PCD), tracheal fluid volume (TFV), flow rate (FR), and tracheal morphometry (TM) were evaluated. Tracheal rings from sensitized guinea pigs were tested in organ baths for antispasmodic and spasmolytic effects. Citric acid and ammonium hydroxide cough models were used to evaluate antitussive effects in guinea pigs and mice respectively. Tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids, and phenolic substances were found in NVE. LD 50 values in mice and guinea pigs were greater than 5000 mg/kg. NVE caused a significant (P < 0.05) increase in the latency to PCD and a decrease in TFV in the group treated with 200 mg/kg. TM indicated a reduction in airway narrowing in NVE-treated groups. The presence of NVE significantly attenuated responses of tracheal rings to carbachol. Its addition to carbachol precontracted rings resulted in significant relaxation. E max for calcium concentration-response was significantly (P < 0.01) decreased in the presence of NVE. Cough bouts dose-dependently decreased significantly (P < 0.05) in guinea pigs and mice. We conclude that NVE seems safe and possesses anti-asthmatic effect that involves inhibition of calcium influx. It also has antitussive properties that may be peripherally mediated., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Background and Aim: Alpha-tocopherol has been implicated in reproduction processes, and deficiency of phylloquinone has been associated with serious complications in pregnancy. This study was therefore aimed at investigating the effects of phylloquinone and alpha-tocopherol on uterine contractility and female reproductive function using mouse models., Materials and Methods: Both in vivo and ex vivo animal models were employed and designed to assess changes on uterine contractility and reproductive functions in the non-pregnant uterus. The effect of alpha-tocopherol and phylloquinone on spontaneous uterine contractions, oxytocin-induced uterine contractions (11.82nM) and high KCl-induced tonic uterine contractions (80mM) were assessed. The effect of subcutaneous administration of alpha-tocopherol (10mg/kg) on reproductive hormone levels and reproductive tissues were also determined., Results: Alpha-tocopherol increased the force of contractions while phylloquinone decreased the force of uterine contractions. Plasma levels of luteinizing hormone (P<0.01), estrogen (P<0.01) and progesterone (P<0.001) were elevated in the presence of alpha-tocopherol after 6 days subcutaneous administration., Conclusions: Alpha-tocopherol and phylloquinone have been shown to directly modulate uterine contractility and reproductive function and may contribute to the management and treatment of reproductive disorders., (Copyright © 2017 The Lithuanian University of Health Sciences. Production and hosting by Elsevier Sp. z o.o. All rights reserved.)

Background: Scoparia dulcis Linn (Scrophulariaceae) together with other medicinal plants serve as antisickling remedies in Africa. This study was aimed at investigating the antisickling activity of the leaves of the plant as well as establishing the toxicological profile., Method: Chemical tests were employed in phytochemical investigations. Evaluation of the antisickling activity involved the inhibition of sodium metabisulphite-induced sickling of the HbSS red blood cells obtained from confirmed sickle cell patients who were not in crises. Concentrations of the crude extract and its fractions were tested with normal saline and p-hydroxybenzoic acid serving as controls. Acute toxicological evaluation was carried out in mice while 30-day assessment was done in rats., Results: Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids and saponins. Percentage sickling inhibitions of the aqueous methanol extracts of S. dulcis were significant all through the period of assay p < 0. 05 compared to normal saline, but not significant with PHBA. The fractions had less activity compared to the crude extracts. The LD 50 of the extract in mice was above 8000 mg/kg body weight when administered orally. Toxicological evaluations at 250 and 500 mg/kg showed mild congestion in virtually all the target organs., Conclusion: The antisickling results confirmed traditional usage of Scoparia dulcis in the management of Sickle cell disorders and a candidate for further investigations.

Hunteria umbellata K. Schum (Apocynaceae) is used in herbal medicine for the treatment of diabetes, peptic ulcers, piles, yaws, dysmenorrhea, fevers, infertility, and helminthic infections. The present study investigated the in vivo sub-acute toxicity of the aqueous fruit pulp extract of Hunteria umbellata (H. umbellata). Sub-acute toxicity was evaluated after administering daily oral doses of 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg of H. umbellata extract, for 28 days to the rats. Anthropometric, biochemical, hematological and histopathological parameters were assessed using standard procedures. There were significant reductions (p&lt;0.01) in the pattern of weight gain in 200 and 400 mg/kg H. umbellata -treated rats but no significant differences in the organ weight index between control and treated animals. Hematological and biochemical analysis showed no marked differences in any of the parameters examined in either the control or treated groups but there was significant (p&lt;0.05) thrombocytosis. Pathologically, neither gross abnormalities nor histopathological changes were observed. H. umbellata led to activation of the reticulo endothelial tissue of the spleen as evidenced by proliferation of the sinus histocytes and activation of the lymphoid aggregates in the lungs, indicating activation of the local immune system of the lungs. H. umbellata fruit pulp is relatively nontoxic in animals but there is increased tendency to cause thrombocytosis on prolonged use.

Objective: To evaluate the antiasthmatic and antitussive properties of the aqueous leaf extract of Bryophyllum pinnatum (B. pinnatum) (BP) Lam., Methods: Ovalbumin-sensitized guinea pigs which were treated with BP for 21 consecutive days were exposed to 0.2% histamine aerosol in a glass chamber. Mucus viscosity, white blood cell and lymphocyte counts and tracheal wall morphometry were measured. Bouts of cough were counted pre and post acute exposure of extract-treated (× 7 d) guinea pigs to 7.5% citric acid aerosol in a chamber. Phenol red expectoration was estimated in mice after 7 d of daily administration of BP., Results: Doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg/day (×21 d) BP significantly increased the time for guinea pigs to experience preconvulsive dyspnoea. BP and salbutamol (0.5 mg/kg/day ×21 d) reduced mucus viscosity in the sensitized group to values comparable with controls. White blood cell, lymphocyte counts and tracheal morphometry were not significantly altered. Both doses of BP also significantly reduced the bouts of cough but only 400 mg/kg/day significantly inhibited the amount of phenol red secreted., Conclusions: BP has demonstrated antiasthmatic and antitussive properties in these rodent models. These properties may underscore its use in Nigerian ethnomedicine., (Copyright © 2013 Hainan Medical College. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Garcinia kola is popularly used in African traditional medicine for the relief of acute bronchoconstrictive episodes., Objective: In this study, we examined the anti-asthmatic and morphological effects of the ethanol extract of G. kola in animal model., Materials and Methods: Guinea pigs were sensitized with ovalbumin and then given doses of 200 or 400 mg/kg/day for 21 consecutive days. Theophylline (10 mg/kg/day) was used as a standard. At the end of the exposure, the animals were exposed to 0.2% histamine aerosol in a chamber. Lymphocyte count, bronchial histology and morphometry were done., Results: Compared with non-sensitized controls, 200 mg/kg/day dose of the extract significantly (P < 0.05) increased the time taken for onset of preconvulsive dyspnea while the dose of 400 mg/kg/day significantly (P < 0.01) reduced bronchial wall thickness. Lymphocytes counts were not significantly affected but the bronchi of extract-treated animals were histologically clearer of lesions visible in the sensitized., Conclusion: These protective and ameliorative properties lend credence to the use of G. kola in ethnomedicine.

Gastric duplications are uncommon developmental abnormality reported to present with different clinical scenarios. We present a 2-1/2-year-old Nigerian female who started having intermittent massive lower gastrointestinal haemorrhage at 5 months of age. She subsequently developed a lower chest wall mass and enterocutaneous fistula. She was found to have gastric duplication with fistulous communication with the descending colon, spleen, and lower chest wall. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first paper on gastric duplication resulting in intermittent massive lower gastrointestinal bleeding mainly from splenic capsular erosion and fistula and enterocutaneous fistula resulting from erosion of anterior abdominal wall. Gastric duplication is hence an important rare cause of intermittent massive lower gastrointestinal haemorrhage and spontaneous enterocutaneous fistula in the paediatric population.

Background: Children under the age of 15 years constitute over 40% of the population in developing countries of the world including Nigeria. Deaths in this age group also contribute over 40% of total mortality in the general population; a significant proportion of these deaths is of medicolegal importance., Objective: The purpose of this study was to describe the frequency and pattern of medicolegal deaths during childhood period., Methods: The study was a retrospective analysis of all autopsies performed in children less than 15 years of age by the Police Pathologist attached to the Police Medical Unit in Benin City between January 1998 and December 2002. We analysed the deaths by age, sex, and circumstance of death., Results: Ninety-four medicolegal deaths occurred in children under 15 years of age during the period under review. Eighty (85.1%) were sudden unnatural deaths (SUDs) while 14(14.9%) were sudden unexpected natural deaths (SUNDs). Causes of SUDs were accidents 72 (90%), homicides seven (8.8%) and suicide one (1.2%). The major causes of SUNDs were infections seven (50%) and haemodynamic disorders three (21.5%)., Conclusion: Preventable accidental deaths make up most of the medicolegal childhood deaths in our environment. These deaths can be reduced if adequate measures backed up by favourable government policies are put in place.

A retrospective analysis of solid tumours in children less than 28days old over a 31 year period (1978-2008) was carried out at University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) to determine the incidence and histological patterns of such tumours. A total of 17 cases were seen during the study period: 16 cases (9 in males and 7 in females) were benign and 1 was malignant and it was recorded in the male gender. Vascular tumours (n=9), granular cell tumours (n=4), teratomas (n=2) and myxofibroma (n=1) were the histological types of benign tumours seen. The only malignant tumour encountered was a rhabdomyosarcoma. Head and neck was the commonest location of the tumours and most cases presented within 2 weeks of birth.

Background: Tumours are uncommon in childhood; malignancies are even more uncommon. Yet malignancies are among the leading causes of childhood death in many parts of the world. The pattern of these tumours in Benin City Nigeria, however, is not known., Objective: To describe the pattern and histological types of childhood tumours in a Nigerian teaching hospital., Methods: All histologically diagnosed cases of malignant solid tumours in children less than 15 years of age seen over a 10 year at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) Benin City of southern Nigeria were analysed in order to determine their histological patterns., Results: Eighty-four cases of malignant tumours were seen during the 10-year period (1993 to 2002) in children less than 15 years of age at the UBTH Benin City. Forty-nine (50.3%) cases occurred in males and 35 (41.7%) in females. There was a decline in the frequency of childhood cancer with increasing age. The histological types, in descending order of frequency, were lymphoma 28(33.3%), nephroblastoma 18 (21.4%), retinoblastoma, rhabdomyosarcoma 12 (14.3%) each, and carcinoma 9 (10.7%). The head and neck region was the commonest location for all the various histological types (except tumours arising from tissues specific to other regions e.g. nephroblastoma). About 40% of all tumours occurred in the head and neck compared to 32% that occurred in the abdomen., Conclusion: Malignant childhood solid tumour pattern in Benin City Nigeria is similar to that observed in other third world countries.