Virgin Coconut (Cocos nucifera) Oil Attenuates Rotenone-Induced Toxicity in Fruit Flies (Drosophila melanogaster)

Background: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a multifactorial neurodegenerative disease with pathogenic mechanisms traceable to oxidative damage and mitochondrial dysfunction. Rotenone, a chemical compound commonly found in pesticides, has been found to inhibit mitochondrial complex-I and initiate PD-like symptoms in mammals and several invertebrates. Virgin Coconut Oil (VCNO) obtained from the coconut fruit has been found to possess anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. Objectives: The present study evaluated the effect of VCNO on rotenone-induced Parkinsonism in fruit flies- Drosophila melanogaster (D. melanogaster). Methods: Canton special (CS) strains of D. melanogaster, aged between 1 to 3 days were orally exposed for 7 days to 0, 250, 500 and 750 μM rotenone diet for toxicity assay, and 0, 2.5, 5 and 10 % w/w VCNO diet for longevity assay. Thereafter, 5 % VCNO diet was selected for evaluation against 500 μM rotenone. Subsequently, behavioural test (negative geotaxis), markers for redox status and enzyme activities were evaluated. Results: The results showed that rotenone induced toxicity in the flies, while VCNO increased the lifespan of D. melanogaster in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, VCNO ameliorated rotenone-induced locomotor deficits, elevated MDA, as well as the depleted GSH levels. It also mitigated the inhibited activities of SOD, CAT and ATPase in the flies. Conclusions: VCNO protected D. melanogaster against rotenone-induced toxicity by extending longevity, preventing locomotor deficits and reducing oxidative stress.

Comparative Quality of Different Brands of Metformin Tablet Marketed in Zaria, Nigeria.

Background: Metformin tablets are oral anti hyperglycaemic agents that are used as the first line agent in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus. The proliferation of many brands of metformin tablets in the market has led to availability of different types; some of which may be substandard or counterfeit. Thus, the need to determine the quality of the various brands marketed in Zaria. Objective: To compare the quality of different brands of metformin tablets that are available in Zaria using British pharmacopoeia standards. Method: Seven brands of metformin tablet (500 mg) were randomly sampled from various community pharmacies within Zaria and analysed with respect to identification, weight variation, friability, disintegration time, dissolution and drug content assay using Pharmacopoeial standards. Results: Except for the dissolution and assay tests, the results of all the other parameters for the various brands were within the Pharmacopoeial limits. The percentage content of metformin in brand 2 was 89.90 % which is outside the official range (95 – 105 %). Furthermore, only 70.61, 75.34 and 70.58 % of metformin dissolved from brands 2, 4 and 7 respectively, after 30 minutes of the dissolution test. Conclusion: It can be concluded that of the seven brands evaluated, only four brands are interchangeable with each other and can be substitutes of each other.

Sensitivity and Resistance Pattern of Bacteria in Benin City, Nigeria

Background: Sensitivity and resistance pattern of bacteria provides vital information for the development and implementation of an effective antibiotic policy. Proper identification of causative organisms enables informed decision making in rational use of antibiotics. Objectives: To determine the most common site of bacterial infection, the prevalence of common bacteria based on their site of infection and to document the sensitivity of these microorganisms to two selected antibiotics. Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study conducted in seven laboratories and a private hospital in Benin City, Nigeria. A validated structured questionnaire was administered to 420 respondents. Data obtained were analyzed using Microsoft Excel and GraphPad Instat. P-values < 0.05 at 95% confidence interval were interpreted as significant. Ethical considerations were observed. Results: Response rate was 83.57%, 60% of the respondents were females while a majority were within the ages of 26-30 years (31.91%). Majority of the patients surveyed contracted Staphylococcus aureus (n=180, 51%) while Escherichia coli was the next most prevalent bacteria. Staphylococcus aureus was found to be resistant to cotrimoxazole and amoxicillin but sensitive to erythromycin and ciprofloxacin. Only 18 patients had more than one micro- organism isolated from their site of infection. Urinary tract was the most common site of infection. Isolates showed sensitivity and resistance to multiple antibiotics. Conclusion: The urinary tract was the most common site of bacterial infection while the most prevalent microorganism was Staphylococcus aureus which is sensitive to erythromycin and ciprofloxacin but not to cotrimoxazole and amoxicillin.

Effects of Dacryodes edulis Leaf Extract on Pain and Inflammation

Background: Dacryodes edulis leaf extract is used in traditional settings in management of many disease conditions including pain and inflammation. However, these empirical claims have not been evaluated scientifically. Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the effect of ethanol leaf extract of Dacryodes edulis on pain and inflammation using rodents. Materials and Methods: Writhing test using acetic acid for induction of pain and tail-immersion in temperature controlled water were used to study the effect on pain sensation while xylene-induced ear oedema and carrageenan-induced paw oedema were used for the effect of Dacryodes edulis on inflammation. Male mice divided into seven groups and three different doses of extract viz,100mg/kg, 200mg/kg and 400mg/kg based on the results of the acute toxicity study and the mean effective dose study, ED50 were used for the study. Ethical approval was obtained from the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Calabar Animal Research Ethics Committee with number: 012PA31116. Results: 400mg/kg extract showed significant analgesic activity having 75% inhibition of pain in the writhing test while aspirin showed 80% inhibition of pain. The extract also significantly (p<0.05) prolonged flick latency period comparable to morphine in tail immersion test. The extract caused 72% inhibition of xylene induced ear oedema compared to 91% of dexamethasone. Similarly it showed comparable activity (p<0.05) with aspirin in the carrageenan-induced paw oedema. Conclusion: Dacryodes edulis leaf extract has activity against pain and inflammation. This validates its application in management of inflammation and pain in local settings.

Analysis of Aldrin, Endosulfan and Heptachlor epoxide in Cowpea from South-West Nigeria

Background: Pesticides are applied on cowpeas to reduce the losses incurred to the attack by Callosobruchus maculatus which adversely affect its production and storage. Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the mean concentration of heptachlor epoxide, aldrin and endosulfan in randomly collected cowpeas obtained from local markets in South-West states of Nigeria and compare the mean concentration with the maximum residual limit (MRL) set by the regulatory body. Method: Seventy-six samples of cowpeas were collected from from local markets within the study area, pulverised, extracted with dichloromethane, cleaned-up and analysed by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS) for aldrin, endosulfan and heptachlor epoxide. Results: The experiment showed that aldrin, endosulfan and heptachlor epoxide are widely used in South-West for preservation of cowpea. Mean concentration of aldrin (406.8±0.12 μg/kg) in Bodija market, Oyo state, was observed to be the highest. The market in Ile Epo market, Lagos state, was observed to have the highest mean concentration for endosulfan (315±0.164 μg/kg) while Okitipupa market, Ogun state, recorded a mean concentration for heptachlor epoxide (156±6.23 μg/kg), which is the highest. Conclusion: This shows that aldrin, endosulfan and heptachlor epoxide are used in the storage of cowpeas long after they were labelled probable carcinogens and their mean concentrations were above the MRL set by USEPA. Thus there is need for regular monitoring to be conducted on cowpeas for organochlorines.

Assessment of the Pharmaceutical Quality of some Brands of Omeprazole Capsules Marketed in Maiduguri Metropolis, Borno, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: The proliferation of counterfeit, substandard and inferior quality drugs is a major challenge in low- middle income countries like Nigeria where drug regulation and law enforcement are constrained by limited resources. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to assess the quality parameters of some brands of Omeprazole capsules marketed in Maiduguri Metropolis, Borno State, Nigeria. METHODS: The uniformity of weight, disintegration test, content uniformity and dissolution rate test were the official tests carried out using Pharmacopoeial methods. Organoleptic tests and other non-official tests were carried out. RESULTS: Ten brands of omeprazole capsules were assessed for purity using omeprazole sample as standard for comparison. All the ten brands tested passed the visual inspection, organoleptic tests, weight uniformity and disintegration tests. Three (3) brands (OMC 1, 4 and 6) out of the ten (10) brands passed the content uniformity test, while the other seven (7) brands were either below or above the acceptable Pharmacopoeial limit. For the dissolution test, only three (3) brands (OMC 1, 3 and 8) passed the test. CONCLUSION: The results therefore, indicated that some of the brands of the Omeprazole capsules marketed in Maiduguri Metropolis failed to comply with some Pharmacopoeial standards.

Knowledge and Practices of Hypertensive/Diabetic Patients with Hyperlipidaemia in a Secondary Care Setting in Ebute Metta, Lagos State.

Background: Hypertension and diabetes are two chronic medical conditions which require aggressive management. When both diseases coexist with hyperlipidaemia, it poses a greater risk for cardiovascular disease than with either of the diseases alone. Self-management, a pillar of chronic disease management, is unachievable if patients are unaware or inadequately informed about their medical condition. Adequate information about a disease and its management will empower patients to manage their medical conditions better Objective: To assess hyperlipidaemia knowledge and practices among hypertensive/diabetic patients with hyperlipidaemia. Method: This study was conducted in a secondary healthcare facility in Lagos State. A cross-sectional study design was used. Data collection was done using researcher-administered questionnaires. An educational intervention was thereafter carried out. Verbal feedback on impact of intervention was received from all respondents. Frequency distribution and cross tabulations were generated using SPSS version 23.0 at significance level set at p<0.05. The knowledge-related questions were scored and converted to percentages. Scores below 50% were considered poor, while scores of 50 % and above were considered good. Results: The overall knowledge scoring revealed that more than half of the patients had poor knowledge of hyperlipidaemia. A significant association was observed between gender and knowledge of hyperlipidaemia (p<0.05); males having better knowledge. Patients had good practices such as good level of medication adherence and appropriate dietary and lifestyle choices necessary for effective hyperlipidaemia management. Conclusion: This study showed that knowledge of hyperlipidaemia is poor in this patient population, especially among the females though patients emonstrated good hyperlipidaemia practices.

Neuropharmacological Activity of Various Fractions Obtained from Solanum aethiopicum (Linn.) Fruit in Mice.

Background: Solanum aethiopicum (L.), family Solanaceae, is known as garden eggs. The fruit is used in the treatment of insomnia, diabetes and constipation. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate anxiolytic-like activity of fractions obtained from crude methanol extract of Solanum aethiopicum fruit. Method: Acute toxicity testing was conducted according to the OECD guidelines 420 via oral and intraperitoneal routes (ip). n-Hexane (HF), chloroform (CHF), ethyl-acetate (EAF), n-butanol (BF) and residual aqueous fraction (RAF) at doses of 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg ip were experimented using the open field, elevated plus maze, staircase, light dark box and hole-board tests. Results: Results: In open field test, there was statistically significant increase in frequency of central square entry by EAF 25mg/kg, 50mg/kg and 100mg/kg and RAF 25mg/kg, 50mg/kg and 100mg/kg all at p<0.05 compared to distilled water (D/W) group. Elevated plus maze test showed statistically significant increases in open arm entry and duration by CHF 25mg/kg, RAF 25mg/kg and 50mg/kg again at p<0.05. Also, in the staircase test, statistically significant decrease in frequency of rearing with no effect on step climbing was observed by RAF 25mg/kg (p< 0.05) compared to D/W. Light and dark box test produced increased light box entry and duration by EAF 25mg/kg, RAF 25mg/kg and 50mg/ kg at p<0.05. Furthermore, the hole -board test showed statistically significant increases in number of head dips by EAF 50mg/kg and 100mg/kg as well as RAF 25mg/kg, 50mg/kg and 100 mg/kg at p<0.05. Conclusion: The fractions obtained from Solanum aethiopicum fruits possesses anxiolytic-like activity.

Toxicity Profile of Chemotherapeutic Agents among Cancer Patients Receiving Care in a Nigerian Tertiary Health Care Facility.

Background: Chemotherapeutic agents are among the mainstay of managing cancer patients. However, they are associated with various degrees of toxicity. Objectives: To evaluate the toxicity profile of chemotherapeutic agents among cancer patients receiving care in Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria. Method: Retrospective cross-sectional design and systematic random sampling were used in selecting the records of patients that met the eligibility criteria for the study. Five-year records (2014–2018) of Full Blood Count (FBC), Serum Electrolyte Urea and Creatinine (SrEUCr) and Liver Function Test (LFT) were evaluated for changes from baseline to the end of chemotherapy. The data were compared with standards and analysed using descriptive, t-test and correlation analyses at p<0.05. Results: The mean age of the 260 patients evaluated was 47.1±16.3 years. T-test analysis showed that the percentage changes in the patients’ parameters under FBC and SrEUCr tests were normal while the ones under LFT were abnormal. Patients on platinum-based combinations especially Cisplatin+Fluorouracil+Paclitaxel (87.5±87.4%) and Carboplatin+Paclitaxel (68.4±114.5%) had the highest percentage increase in their overall LFT results while those on Doxorubicin+Cyclophosphamide+Vincristine (4.8±18.7%) and Doxorubicin+ Cyclophosphamide+ Paclitaxel (12.3±27.9%) had the least. The number of chemotherapy cycles was weakly correlated with Hepatotoxicity (r=0.165, p=0.046). Conclusion: The patients had essentially normal FBC and SrEUCr results, however, LFT was abnormal due to the elevation of liver enzymes. Platinum-based combinations especially Cisplatin + Fluorouracil + Paclitaxel and Carboplatin + Paclitaxel had the highest elevation in liver enzymes while Doxorubicin+Cyclophosphamide+Vincristine and Doxorubicin+Cyclophosphamide+Paclitaxel had the least. These findings should be considered by clinicians in managing cancer patients to minimise their medication-related toxicities.

Physicochemical Evaluation of Brands of Amlodipine Besylate Tablets.

Background: Hypertension is a chronic condition, and the cost of filling prescriptions has a potential of putting a financial strain on patients, hence the need for lower priced but bioequivalent generics. The Nigerian drug market is awash with generics of Amlodipine besylate, a first line drug in the treatment of hypertension, therefore, any prescribed alternative must be bioequivalent to the originator. Objectives: This study assessed the physicochemical properties of some brands in order to predict pharmaceutical and bioequivalence and invariably, the interchangeability with the innovator brand. Methods: Compendial parameters of average weight, friability, disintegration, drug content and dissolution profile of ten generic brands were evaluated using the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) as well as the non-official hardness test. Results: Two brands failed the test for hardness, while still keeping to the stipulated friability limit. All the brands met the required disintegration time, irrespective of the discordance of some brands in the breaking force and friability values. All brands were found to contain between 92.00 and 103.57% (w/w) of Amlodipine besylate. Two brands failed to achieve ≥75% dissolution expected at 30 minutes and this was reflected in the low f2 values of 35.06% and 28.73%. The dissolution curves displayed a similarity for two brands, which was also corroborated by the high percentage dissolution efficiency (DE) of 92.00%, as well as the f1 and f2 values, compared to the innovator brand. Conclusion: Although the parameters used may predict therapeutic equivalence, interchangeability with the comparator brand is subject to relevant bioequivalence studies.