iosr-JPBS   Volume-9 ~ Issue-5 ~ Sep-Oct 2014

Abstract: Medicinal plants are the wealthy source of antibacterial agents and curatives. The use of plants in treatment of burns, dermatophytes and infectious diseases is common in traditional medicine. The development of new antimicrobial agents against resistant pathogens is increasing interest. It was found that most plant extracts studied had antibacterial and antifungal activities. In the present investigation, the effect of different extracts namely petroleum ether, methanol, ethyl acetate, acetone and chloroform were tested on Gram positive bacteria like Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus and Gram negative bacteria E coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the yeast Candida utilis by disc diffusion and agar well diffusion method. All the extracts showed significant activity against all pathogens, but the methanolic extract showed maximum zone of inhibition against all the microorganisms. Both the gram positive bacteria tested are found to be more sensitive compared to gram negative bacteria which recorded minimum inhibition zone. The plant extracts were found to be more inhibitory towards fungus tested. This study scientifically supports the usage of whole plant as a remedy for various superficial bacterial and fungal infections in traditional medicine.

Key words: antimicrobial agents, methanol, gram positive bacteria, gram negative bacteria

Abstract: Physico-chemical properties of Imo River were determined from source to tributaries between 2007 and 2008 to ascertain the influence of urbanization and farm practices on the river. The physic-chemical parameters determined were pH, Total hardness, Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Chloride (Cl-), Bicarbonate (HCO-3), Nitrate (NO-3), Sodium (Na), Potassium (K), Calcium (Ca) and Magnesium (Mg). Of all the pollution indices studied, the most pronounced were the pH, BOD, DO and COD. The river was found to be acidic at all season (pH ranged from 5.15 – 6.95). However, this level of acidity is tolerable to aquatic life. Dissolved oxygen was most often, dangerously low (2.51 – 16 mg/dm3). BOD of 2.5 – 7.45 mg/dm3 has put a strain on aquatic life. Total hardness of 9.10 – 40.91 mg/dm3 limits the use of the water as a domestic water source. The significance of the entire result to the public health practitioners and the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA) is now obvious since the people who live along the river are now aware that treatment of such water is a matter of necessity. Keywords: Physico-chemical, urbanization, farming practice, public health.

Abstract: Aggression is a response by an individual that delivers something unpleasant to another person. Violence refers to extreme forms of aggression, such as physical assault and murder. Even if male preponderance is there aggression is also common in females. This review article provides a brief knowledge about the various factors responsible for aggression and violence. The main focus of the article is to intervene successfully in aggression and violent behaviour. Overall, it is concluded that there is sufficient evidence currently available to substantiate the claim that personal violence can be reduced by psychosocial interventions, but that much more research is required to delineate the parameters of effectiveness in this context. Prevention at family level, community level and in school level will reduce the occurrence of aggression and violence significantly.

Keywords: Aggression; Violence; Intervene; Psychosocial.

Abstract: Breeding difficulties have been noted in the Melanocortin 3 receptor(MC3R) knockout mouse. The melanocortin 3 receptor(MC3R) is a 7-transmembrane G- protein coupled receptor which signals through the activation of adenylase cyclise andits its characterised by possession of similar binding affinities for α-, β-, γ-MSH, and ACTH. Breeding difficlties observed in MC3R knockout mouse was investigated through examination of the semniferous tubules of the mouse testis and detection of 3βHSD which is a known marker of Leydig cell of semniferous tubules. Leydig cells was known to perform vital endocrine functions in the adult mice testis by secretion of testosterone, a male sex hormone that affects reproductive capacity.In this study, Haematoxylin and Eosin staining was used to examine the morphology of the semniferous tubules in wild type and MC3R Knockout mouse. Result shows morphological abnormalities exist in testicular histology of MC3R knock out mouse when compared with the wild type. The diameter of the somniferous tubules and thickness of the cell layer lining the tubules were measured and compared, there were no any significant difference found ( P value for diameter and thickness of the semniferous tubules was found to be 0.27 and 0.37 respectively. Immunoflourescence staining using green fluorescein goat anti 3βHSD antibody and Texas red rabbit anti MC3R antibody was also performed on tissue section from wild type and MC3R knockout mouse. Result shows significant staining for 3βHSD in wild type and to a lesser extent in MC3R knock out .No significant staining was observed for MC3R in wildtype even though the conditions for immunostaining for were optimized. MC3R knock out mouse which also served as the negative control did not show staining for MC3R as expected. Abbrevation: MC3R: Melanocortin 3 receptor ,H and E: Haematoxylin and eosin, 3βHSD: 3β hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, MSH: Melanocyte-stimulating hormone ACTH: Adrenocorticotropic hormone.

Key words: Melanocortin 3 receptor(MC3R), semniferous tubules, Leydig cells, 3βHSD: 3β hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase

Abstract: Raw Cow Milk, 'Nono', And Locally Fermented Cheese Samples Were Purchased From Three Different Markets In Bida Metropolis, Bida L.G.A. For Microbiological Analysis. The Results Showed That Samples Of Raw Cow Milk Bought From The Post Office Market Had The Highest Microbial Load Of 7.0 X 106 Cfu/Ml. Escherichia Coli, Salmonella Spp., Staphylococcus Spp. Lactobacilus Spp And The Fungus Aspergillus Spp Were Dominant Microorganisms Isolated From All The Samples. Ph Range Of 5.8 – 6.2 And Temperature Range Of 30.3 – 31oc Were Observed In All The Samples During The Experimental Work. The Presence Of E. Coli, Salmonella, Spp. And Staphylococcus Spp. Are Indications Of Contamination Possibly As A Result Of Poor Sanitary Conditions And Poor Handling By The Producers.
Key Words: Raw Cow Milk, Microbiological Analysis, Contamination, Poor Sanitary Practices

Abstract: Background: Adipose tissue can be defined as secretory cells and contains Adipocytes. Conversion of precursor cells to mature fat cells during the formation of adipocytes is controlled by transcription factors including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein family(C/EBPα,β and δ). Nitric Oxide is synthesized from l-arginine by one of three nitric oxide synthases (NOS). Fat mass can be reduced by dietary supplementation with l-arginine. Inhibitors of nitric oxide are classified as endogenous and synthetic.The effect of nitric oxide inhibitors on adipogenesis was investigated in cultured Murine preadipocyte cell line 7F2 derived from mouse white adipose tissue. Methods: Murine preadipocyte cell line 7F2, are maintained in DMEM culture media containing 10% FCS. Induction media contains Insulin 10 ug /ul, dexamethasome 1uM, isobutylmethylxanthine 0.5mM and indomethasone 100 uM, media was changed every 3days. Culture cells treated with panels of nitric oxide inhibitors was stained with Oil red O working solution, and Griess assay was performed on the culture media in other to quantify the nitrate/nitrite level. Results: 7f2 cells have measurable oil red O staining after 7days, amount of Nitric oxide secreted can be reduced by modest amounts of nitric oxide synthase inhibitors and Oil red O staining is reduced by nitric oxide synthase inhibitors. Conclusion: Role of NOS inhibitors in adipose cells proliferation and differentiation may provide new insights into treatment of obesity and control of adiposity.

Key Word: Adiposity, Nitric Oxide, Obesity Abbreviations: BAT- brown adipose tissue, WAT- white adipose tissue, PPARγ- peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor, C/EBPα- CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein family NO-nitric oxide, INOS- induce nitric oxide synthase, L-NMMA- N-monomethyl-arginine and N, ADMA-N-dimethyl arginine , L-NIO-N-iminoethyl-L-ornithine, L-NAME- N0-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, FCS-Fetal calf serum, NOS- nitric oxide synthase, eNOS- endothelial nitric oxide synthase, nNOS- neuronal nitric oxide synthase

Abstract: Cinnamon barks is used to treat microbial and fungal infections in folk medicine. To validate this use, the in- vitro antimicrobial activity of petroleum ether and alcoholic extract of cinnamon barks was evaluated against various microbial strains such as Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus cereus, Salmonella typhimurium, Pseudomonas aeuriogenosa, Escherichia coli, Candida albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae by using disc diffusion method. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined by agar dilution technique. Both extracts showed significant inhibition against reference gram positive bacteria and fungal strains. MIC value of petroleum ether extract against gram positive and fungal strains was 300 μg / ml and that of alcoholic extract was 200 μg / ml. Neither extract showed inhibitions against gram negative bacteria.

Keywords: Cinnamonum zeylanicum (cinnamon), Antimicrobial activity, Antifungal activity, Disc diffusion method, Agar dilution method

Abstract: Social health insurance program known as Jamkesmas was made by Indonesia's Government to increase the health care accessibility and quality. The generic substitution policy for Jamkesmas patient can give lower prescription cost. But in fact, there was still substitution from generic medicine into brand-name in pharmacy practice. The aim of this research was to know medicines substitution from generic into brand-name in social health insurance outpatients of public hospital. This research was an observational-study using prescriptions of social health insurance outpatients and as qualitative data using in-depth interviewed. This study showed that the percentage of medicines substituted by 4.0% - 26.5% and the precentage of increased prescriptions cost which substitued from generic into brand name was 0% - 76.9%. The conclusion was substitution of generic medicine to brand name increased the prescription medicines cost.

Keyword: medicines, substitution, outpatient, public hospital, jamkesmas

Abstract: Ovulation constitutes the central event in ovarian physiology, and ovulatory disfunction is a relevant cause of female infertility. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), widely used due to their analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, consistently inhibit ovulation in all mammalian species investigated so far, likely due to the inhibition of cyclooxygenase that is the rate limiting enzyme in prostaglandin (PG) synthesis.Short -term administration of low-dose (aspirin, mefenamic acid buprofen & meloxicam) to female mice at proestrous cause a highly significant decrease in the ovulatory rate as compared to controls .Greater effect were produced by meloxicam.

Abstract: The present research was focused to evaluate the antidiabetic activity of ethanolic and methanolic leaf extractsof Curcuma inodora in streptozotocin -induced diabetic rats. Ethanolic and methanolic leaves extract of Curcuma inodora (100,200,400 mg/kg) were administered to streptozotocin -induced diabetic rats for 14 day and blood glucose levels were estimated daily at regular intervals up to 14 days through out the treatment using Glucose peroxidation method. Treatment of streptozotocin induced diabetic rats with ethanolic leaf extract of Curcuma inodora caused a significant decrease in blood glucose levels at a dose of 200mg/kg and 400mg/kg when compared with standard glibenclamide drug . Treatment of streptozotocin induced diabetic rats with Methanolic leaf extracts of Curcuma inodora caused less significant decrease in blood glucose levels at a dose of 200 & 400mg/kg when compared with standard glibenclamide drug .The maximum reduction in the blood glucose was observed 6th hour to 10th hour after oral administration of 200 and 400mg/kg b.w of ethanolic extracts of leaves of curcum a inodora . These results suggest that ethanolic leaf extract of cururma inodora reduced elevated blood glucose levels more significantly compared to methanolic leaf extract in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats in a dose dependent manner .

Abstract: The current over dependence on non-renewable sources of energy such as fossil fuels calls for caution and rethink. This research deals with the production of biogas from plantain peels alone and plantain peels mixed with swine droppings using a 50L metal prototype bio-digester. The plantain peels was pre-decayed for 2 weeks before charging. They were charged as plantain peels alone (PP-A) and plantain peels mixed with swine droppings (PP-SD) into two separate digesters. The waste (PP-A and PP-SD) were subjected to anaerobic digestion for a period of 44days. The cumulative biogas yield for the plantain peels alone (PP-A) was 80.10dm3 while that of plantain peels mixed with swine droppings (PP-SD) was 163.30m3. The PP-A commenced flammable gas production on the 2nd day while, PP-SD commenced flammable gas production on the 30th day. The PP-SD had the highest cumulative gas yield though with a slow onset of gas flammability. The overall result indicates that the low gas yield of PP-A could be significantly enhanced by blending it with swine droppings.

Keywords: Biogas, swine droppings, fossil fuels and plantain peels alone.

Abstract: This study has been conducted in order to investigate the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potentials of Memecylon umbellatum leaf extract under in-vitro. The antioxidative potential of different solvent extracts of Memecylon umbellatum leaves were evaluated using 1,1-Diphenyl 2-Picryl Hydroxyl (DPPH),Hydroxyl radical, reducing ability the BHT was used as standard, Nitric oxide, chelating activity and lipid peroxidation inhibition assay, among those solvent extracts methanol extract of Memecylon umbellatum exhibit highest level of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Ascorbic acid BHT and EDTA were used as standard and positive control for analysis of antioxidant. All analysis was made with the use of UV-visible spectrophotometer. The methanol extract of leaves of Memecylon umbellatum shows very significant antioxidant and total phenol content. Hence, the study reveals that Memecylon umbellatum leaves showed significant antioxidant activity.

Keywords: Antioxidant, Memecylon umbellatum, Iron wood tree, NBT (Nitro Blue Tetrazolium), BHT (Buylated Hydroxyl Toluene), Mu-me (Memecylon umbellatum methanol extract), Lipid Peroxidation, Free Radical Scavenging Activity, Anti-inflammatory activity

Abstract: Allium sativum (Garlic) is indigenous to Asia, but largely cultivated in Nigeria. It has acquired a reputation in folklore as a formidable prophylactic and therapeutic agent. This study was undertaken to evaluate the in vitro antioxidant activity of three extracts [ aqueous (AE), ethyl acetate (EA) and petroleum ether (PE)] of garlic using two antioxidant tests; ferric ion reducing power and H2O2 scavenging capacity. The reductive power of each extract was found to be directly proportional to its concentration (0.2 mg/ml - 1 mg/ml) which followed the pattern AE > EA > PE showing the strongest to the least strong antioxidant activity. The reductive power of ascorbic acid as the standard was compared with those of the extracts and was found to be significantly higher (p < 0.05) at all concentrations except 0.6 mg/ml of the aqueous extract. Similarly, ascorbic acid showed strong H2O2 scavenging activity when compared to the extracts (p < 0.05). The % H2O2 inhibition ranged from 67-73, 40-50 and 25-35 for AE, EA and PE extracts respectively. Furthermore, the extracts demonstrated high antioxidant activity against hydrolytic rancidity of crude palm oil by virtue of the low acid value they showed in a concentration dependent manner. The acid values ranged from 4.74 through 5.50 viz. ascorbic acid < AE < PE < EA. These results indicate that garlic prevents lipid peroxidation and radicalic chain reactions. At the same time, the aqueous extract revealed more effective antioxidant capacity than the EA and PE extracts , hence this encourages the culinary use of garlic.

Keywords: Allium sativum, antioxidant activity, radical scavenging, acid value, in vitro.

Abstract: Pulverized aerial plant material (100 g) of Synedella nodiflora Linn was exhaustively extracted with petroleum spirit, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol, the extracts was concentrated in- vacuo using rotary evaporator at 40oC. The ethyl acetate extract was subjected to column chromatography analysis to yield various fractions which were combined based on their thin layer chromatography analysis to give SEA. This was further purified by the preparatory thin layer chromatography (PTLC) to give SEA-1. The structure of the isolated compounds was established by IR and GC-MS spectroscopic analysis and by direct comparison of the data obtained with those reported in literature to be stigmast- 4 -ene-3-one and gamma-sitosterol. The compounds are reported for the first time from this plant. General phytochemical screening of the aerial parts of Synedrella nodiflora revealed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, steroids, glycoside and cardiac glycoside.

Key words: Phytochemical screening, synedrella nodiflora, gamma-sitosterol and stigmast-4-ene-3-one

Abstract: The brain is a delicate organ, and evolution built very efficient ways to protect it. The same mechanisms that protect it against intrusive chemicals can also frustrate therapeutic interventions. Many existing pharmaceuticals are rendered ineffective in the treatment of cerebral diseases due to our inability to effectively deliver and sustain them within the brain. The article reviews the feasibility of delivering drugs to brain via ear, and provides a novel route for delivering drugs to the brain tissues. The targeted delivery has been shown to reduce the toxicity and increase the therapeutic efficacy many-fold. The potential drugs for the treatment of most brain diseases are therefore often not able to cross these barriers. As a result, various drug delivery and targeting strategies are currently being developed and evaluated to enhance the transport and distribution of drugs into the brain. Ear drug administration in naoparticulate form shows great potential and offers a promising alternative to brain-targeted drug delivery.

Keywords: Brain drug targeting , biopolymers, ear physiology , ear to brain connection , nanoparticles

Abstract: Because of increasing anthelmintic resistance and the impact of conventional anthelmintics on the environment, it is important to look for alternative strategies against helminth parasite in sheep. The present study was performed to evaluate in vitro anthelmintic activity of plant Azadirachta indica on rumen amphistome of sheep.Anthelmintic activity of ethanolic and aqueous extracts of A. indica leaves in comparison with albendazole ( positive control ) and PBS (negative control) was evaluated through in vitro studies using worm motility inhibition and tegumental enzyme assays.

Abstract: Polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase are recognized to be antioxidative enzymes playing the critical role in metabolic regulation in plants. However, the regulatory mechanism of these enzymes in root of Basella alba in response to high temperature stress is not clarified. Plants grown in different pots were exposed to 45 oC for 24h, 48h and 72h periods and the respective controls were kept in 30 oC. Dose response specificity of substrate was performed during the assay of polyphenol oxidase (PPO). In roots of different treatments, the PPO activity have been found to increase with 10, 100 and 200 mM substrate concentration for 24h, 48h and 72h, however the effects were found to be more pronounced at 10 mM for 24h periods although different substrate concentrations increased activity dose dependently showing the validity of substrate effects. Conversely, the reciprocal findings were noted for POD whenever plants were exposed to high temperature for the above mentioned periods and the activities in root were down regulated, reduced maximally for 48h periods respectively when compared to respective controls.

Abstract: The study carried out in vivo antibacterial activities of Parquetina nigrescens leaf extracts for the control of typhoid fever. In vivo bioassay was carried out to evaluate the antibacterial and toxicological effects of ethanolic leaf extract of Parquetina nigrescens in Swiss albino mice. Mice infected with the standard inoculum of Salmonella typhi then treated with the extract (group II) showed no signs of infection due to in vivo antibacterial activity of the leaf extract while the mice given standard inoculum of Salmonella typhi without treatment (group I) showed signs of infection. For instance, there was significant (P<0.05) decrease in red blood count (RBC), haemoglobin concentration (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV), mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH). Also, the results obtained from blood analysis of mice given only the extract (group III) showed that the extract has no deleterious effects on the blood parameters of the mice compare to the result obtained from group IV (control group).

Abstract: Ginger (Zingiber officinale) belong to Zingiberacae family is one of the famous spices all over the world. It is a perennial creeping plant with long leaves, yellow green flowers and thick tuberous rhizome. This is a type of storage root having pungent taste. Ginger has a long history of medicinal use for more than 2000 years as one of the most versatile medicinal plants having a wide spectrum of biological activity. From ancient times ginger has been exploited both as Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine for curing heart problems, menstruation disorder, food poisoning, osteoarthritis, epilepsy, nausea, inflammation, cough and cold, motion sickness, menstrual cramps, cancer and many more.