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Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) is a polymicrobial syndrome characterized by a shift in the vaginal flora from a predominant population ofLactobacillito a replacement with anaerobes. Vaginal suppositories containingL. pentosusKCA1 were formulated using glycerol-gelatin base. A prospective and follow-up community-based study was done. Vaginal samples were collected from women of reproductive age (non-pregnant) between 18-45 years. A total of 360 women both symptomatic and asymptomatic provided High Vaginal Swabs (HVS) for BV screening using Nugent scoring method and 65 (18.1 %) participants were identified as having BV by microscopy with 45 (12.5 %) of them being consistent with BV (Nugent score of 7-10) and twenty (5.56 %) being intermediate with BV (Nugent score of 4-6). A baseline and intervention questionnaire were administered to the participants. Majority (81.5 %) of the participants affirmed that they have not heard about BV. Social burden reveals that 90.8 % affirmed that they feel frustrated, having BV symptoms recur after treatment and 83.1 % admitted that BV symptoms makes them feel embarrassed, ashamed and dirty. Majority (58.8 %) claimed that the state of their reproductive health is ‘very good’ four weeks after treatment, while 88.2 % of the participants rated their reproductive health after four weeks of treatment to be ‘somewhat better than now than a year ago’. In conclusion, it was revealed that BV has impact on the social status and quality of life of the participants except on their economic status. Knowledge on the awareness of BV among women of reproductive age is essential.

Background: Millettia aboensis (Hook. F.) Baker (Fabaceae) is popular in ethnomedicine for its acclaimed efficacy in a number of disease conditions. This study evaluated the immunomodulatory effect...

Malaria is an infectious disease that continues to be linked with considerable morbidity and mortality, and significant social and economic impact in developing countries Malaria is transmitted from person to person by the bite of mosquitoes infected with the protozoan parasite Plasmodium spp. P. falciparum, P. vivax, P. malariae, and P. ovale. Of these, P. falciparum is responsible for over 90% of cases and almost all of the malaria deaths worldwide. This review discusses the epidemiology of malaria, its transmission and clinical manifestations, and the current malaria treatment regimens with emphasis on the artemisinins. Included are the efficacy of the artemisinins and their mechanism of action. Their low bioavailability was linked to extensive metabolism, as well as their chemical instability. Different factors that have permitted the emerging resistance to the artemisinins were showcased, probably as poor-dosing regimen and substandard products in developing countries. Also discussed were the plasmodial genes so far implicated in artemisinin resistance. Lastly, based on the available evidence with regard to bioavailability, metabolism, stability, drug transport, and pharmacokinetics, different approaches were proffered for formulations that will enhance therapeutics efficacy.

Ciprofloxacin is a broad spectrum bactericidal anti-infective agent of the fluoroquinolones class used in treatment of many bacterial infections. In recent times, there has been increasing resistance to the antibiotic. In this work, we investigated the effect of making an ion- pair complex of Ciprofloxacin â hydrochloride with Sodium cholate on bacterial activity. The optimal ratio of the reactants and pH were determined using UV spectrometry. The complex was characterized by octanol-water partitioning, melting point, and IR spectrometry. The antibacterial activity of the complex was determined against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Streptococcus pneumoniae by the agar-well diffusion method. The complex was whitish to off-white in color and crystalline, with a melting point of 238â¯Â°C. The stoichiometry of the complex shows a molar ratio of 1:1 of sodium cholate to ciprofloxacin. The best pH for complexation was pH 9. The complex partitioned 3.38 times into octanol than in water. The FTIR revealed interaction between the 4-nitrogen atom in the 7-piperazinyl group of ciprofloxacin and the carbonyl of the cholate. The drug in complex form gave double the antibacterial activity of the uncomplexed drug. This study showed that development of hydrophobic ion pair complex enhances antibacterial activity of ciprofloxacin hydrochloride. Keywords: Ciprofloxacin, Sodium cholate, Ion-pair complex, Antibacterial activity, Enhanced activity

The pharmacognostic, toxicity and anti-diabetic profiles of stem bark of Terminalia catappa were evaluated. The plant material was subjected to macroscopy, microscopy and proximate analyses using standard methods. The pulverized sample was extracted using soxhlet apparatus. The methanol extract (CE) was then fractionated into n-hexane fraction (HF), ethyl acetate fraction (EF), n-butanol fraction (BF) and water fraction (WF); the crude extract and the fractions were subjected to phytochemical analysis and screened for toxicity and antidiabetic properties using streptozotocin, alloxan and alloxan-nicotinamide induced diabetic Wistar rats. The chromatographic fingerprints of both the methanol extract and butanol fraction were obtained. The retardation factors (Rf-values) of the individual spots were calculated. The microscopic examination revealed some phloem parenchyma with pits, phelloderm, fibres, parenchyma cells, sclereids, cork cells and calcium oxalate crystals. Phytochemical analysis showed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, saponin, steroids, cardiac glycosides, carbohydrates, proteins and anthraquinones. Acute toxicity test on the crude extract established that at 5000 mg/kg, no toxicity was recorded; the extract and fractions of Terminalia catappa slightly increased WBC concentrations. The crude extract and the fractions administered for 7 days significantly (p < 0.01) reduced the blood glucose levels when compared with control. The potency of the extract and fractions in relation to blood glucose concentration increased in the order WF ˃ BF ˃ CE ˃ EF ˃ HF; with the WF and BF at 500 mg/kg exhibiting fasting blood glucose reduction comparable to that obtained with 500 mg/kg metformin. The results showed that stem bark of Terminalia catappa possess anti-diabetic activity.

Millettia aboensis (Hook. F.) Baker (Fabaceae) is popular in ethnomedicine for its acclaimed efficacy in a number of disease conditions. This study evaluated the immunomodulatory effect of the leaf extract as a possible mechanism of its ethnomedicinal uses.Humoral and cellular immune responses of Balb/c mice to tetanus toxoid and cyclophosphamide, respectively, were used to monitor immunomodulatory activities of the ethanol leaf extract and fractions of M. aboensis at 200, 300 and 400 mg/kg. Active (butanol) fraction of the extract was subjected to chromatographic purifications to isolate the active compound and the structure elucidated by a combination of 1D and 2D NMR and mass spectrometry. Stimulation of specific T-lymphocytes using intracellular cytokine staining technique was used to evaluate immune-enhancing activity of the isolated compound.The extract and fractions evoked increase in both humoral and cellular immunity. At 400 mg/kg of butanol fraction, the normalized mean secondary production of IgG1 and IgG2a antibodies were 9.0 and 7.7, respectively. Serum cytokine production by butanol fraction following secondary challenge with tetanus toxoid showed that IL-12, IL-17A and IFN-γ were expressed by 48.14, 41.37 and 38.22%, respectively. Structural elucidation of the active compound revealed presence of isomeric mixtures of quercetin-3-O-rutinoside and quercetin-3-O-robinobioside (Compound 1a/b). Compound 1a/b exhibited in vitro upregulation of specific CD4M. aboensis expressed strong immune-enhancing properties, which may explain its ethnopharmacological use in disease management.

The research work is aimed at evaluation of microbiological quality of soybean milk highly consumed by the public in Nigeria. To verify the hygenicity, purity and safety of the Soybean consumed by the public in Nigeria. Ten samples of soybean milk locally prepared by different manufacturers were used for the study. The microbial load and identity of the microorganisms present were determined usingg the streak plate technique of isolation. Bacterial and fungal viable counts, biochemical characters of fungi present, the starch hydrolysis test and microscopic characters of the isolates were done using standard techniques. The microbial population detected in terms of number and types of organisms reflected poor hygienic standard of production, constituting a public health hazard among the populace. The products were found to contain pathogenic microorganisms like Staphylococcus aureus, E coli, some fungi (Candida species) were also found in some of the Soybean products. The implication of this study is that the quality of some commercial soybean milk preparations marketed in Nigeria needs to be critically scrutinized to avoid transmission of infections to patients through them. Also it is very necessary that producers should be enlightened about Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) as this will ensure products free of pathogenic microorganisms.

To investigate the immunological effect of Vernonia amygdalina (V. amygdalina) leaf extract and immunace(®) on HIV infected patients taking highly active antiretroviral therapy.Fresh V. amygdalina leaves were collected within Nsukka area in Enugu State. The leaves were rinsed with distilled water. Two handful of cleaned fresh leaves were soaked in 200 mL water and squeezed gently by hand to a mixture. Clients were divided into four groups and each group was given different combination. They took the medication for four weeks. The immune effect was tested against marketed immune booster in some retroviral clients.The mean absolute CD4 count was increased in the client who took the extract or supplement. And the clients who took both the extract and supplement had a greater increase in the CD4 count. The increased CD4 was significant as compared with the control group (P0.05). The skin rashes were also improved in the entire groups.It can be concluded that the aqueous extract of V. amygdalina and immunace or both have immunological effect on HIV infected patients. Therefore, we suggest that the V. amygdalina extract or immunace or both could be used as adjuvant in the management of HIV/AIDS clients.

Extracts of named medicinal herbs (Garcinia kola, Zingiber oificinale, Aframonum melequeta and Ocimum viride) were formulated into an antitussive preparation to alleviate cough. Some physical properties of the cough syrup formulation evaluated were: specific gravity, pH, viscosity, content uniformity, and shelf life. The specific gravity and viscosity of the formulations were stable on storage, with glycerin-based formulations having higher values. The pH of the formulation varied from 4.2 to 5.3 and was also stable on storage. Glycerin-based formulations had lower pH values. The total flavonoids content of Streptol was calculated based on GB1 and found to be 46 mg. The estimated shelf life of the Streptol cough syrup was 4.5 years.

Objective: The study investigated the hypoglycemic effect of the methylene chloride/methanol (1:1) extracts (methylene methanolic extracts) of fresh and dried fruits of Gongronema latifolium in both normoglycemic and alloxan-induced diabetic animals. Activities of these extracts were also tested in combination with reference antidiabetic drug – Glibenclamide. Methods: Qualitative screening for secondary metabolites and acute toxicities of the extracts were carried out using standard methods and modified Lorke’s method respectively. Diabetes was induced intraperitoneally using alloxan monohydrate (120 mg/kg) and blood samples drawn by tail milking at 0 hr, 30 minutes, 1hr, 2hrs, and 4 hours respectively for the determination of blood glucose. The extracts were tested at 50 and 100 mg/kg while the combination study was tested at 50 mg/kg of the extracts + 5 mg/kg gibenclamide in both alloxan-induced diabetic and normoglycemic rats. Results: Phytochemical analysis revealed presence of varying amount of secondary metabolites like alkaloids, glycosides, tannins, steroids, terpenoids, saponins and resins. The acute toxicity tests indicated no obvious sign of toxicity or mortality. The fresh and dried fruit extracts produced significant (p< 0.05) dose-dependent hypoglycemic activities in both normoglycemic and alloxan-induced hyperglycemic rats. Co-administration of the fresh fruit extract at 50 mg/kg and glibenclamide at 5 mg/kg showed a significantly (p < 0.05) increased activity over glibenclamide alone throughout the duration of the experiment. Conclusion: This study establishes the antidabetic activities of the fresh and dried fruits of G. latifolium and proves the treatment benefit in combining the methylene methanolic extract of this fruit with a standard oral hypoglycemic agent.

Objective: Ciprofloxacin is a broad spectrum antibiotic widely used in the treatment of infections, but its toxicological effects remains a great challenge. This research emphasized on analyzing the effect of a hydrophobic ion pair complex, involving ciprofloxacin hydrochloride and sodium cholate and also pegylated ciprofloxacin hydrochloride-sodium cholate complex.Methods: The effects of ciprofloxacin-cholate complex and pegylated ciprofloxacin-cholate complex were evaluated. LD50 was determined. The test drugs were orally to twenty-four albino mice, in six groups of four mice, at different doses of 7.14 mg/kg, 14.2 mg/kg and 21.4 mg/kg; and PEG complex, 7.14 and 14.2 mg/kg. Each was administered twice daily for fourteen days. The animal blood samples were subjected to hematological, biochemical tests; and the liver organs were collected. Histopathological examination was carried out on the harvested organs. Pharmacokinetic parameters were determined using the non-compartmental method.Results: The LD50 of the complex was above 5000 mg/kg. The non-significant decrease in PCV and WBC showed the parent drug and its complex are neither anemia inducing nor immunosuppressing; the significant decrease in the average RBCs count in post–treatment of 21.47 mg/kg of the complex could be from physiological changes; the bio-liver makers showed hepatocellular damage. Photomicrograph of the liver sections of mice showed mild areas of hepatocyte degeneration and inflammatory cell infiltrates.Conclusion: The biochemical, hematological and histology results showed complexation did not increase adverse effects of ciprofloxacin. The PEGYlated complex showed higher AUC and Cmax peak than the uncomplexed drug, hence more therapeutic benefits.