ABSTRACT
Aims: To determine the antibacterial effect of the ethanol stem extract of Vernonia amygdalina (bitter-leaf) and some mouth washes against some bacteria that have been implicated in causing tooth decay so as to establish the role of herbal medicine and chemical compounds in oral hygiene. Study Design: In vitro assay of antibacterial activities Place and Duration of Study: Dental Department of the State Specialist Hospital, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria and Department of Microbiology, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria, between October, 2012 and January, 2013. Methodology: Bacterial isolates were collected, identified, standardized and the stem extract was prepared. Phytochemical screening of the extracts was carried out as well as the in vitro antibacterial assay using agar well diffusion technique. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration and antibiotics sensitivity test (disc diffusion assay) were also determined. Results: The stem extract showed the presence of anthraquinone, alkaloid, saponin, steroid and cardiac glycoside. The ethanolic stem extract of Vernonia amygdalina inhibited all the test isolates at a concentration of 50 mg/ml with the highest zone of inhibition observed against Staphylococcus aureus (26.0 mm) while the least zone of inhibition of 14.0 mm was observed against Streptococcus mutans. Colgate mouthwash exhibited the highest zone of inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus while the least was recorded by Brett against Staphylococcus epidermidis. The antibacterial assay compared well with Ciprofloxacin, and in most cases higher zones of inhibition were recorded than the commercial antibiotics. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration of the mouth washes ranged from 30 to 70% while it was 12.5 mg/ml for the stem extract. Conclusion: Bioactive components of Vernonia amygdalina can be incorporated as ingredients in manufacturing mouthwashes and the plants’ stem can be used in the form of chewing stick. Further purification of the extract is necessary to further enhance greater antibacterial activity.
ABSTRACT
Aims: To determine the seroprevalence of Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. Study Design: The study focused on socio-demographic characteristics of volunteers such as age, sex, marital status and location. Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out among apparently healthy individuals of Akoko-Edo Local government area of Edo State, Nigeria between October 2012 and December 2012. Methodology: The HBsAg one step hepatitis B surface antigen test strip, a rapid chromatographic immunoassay for the qualitative detection of Hepatitis B surface antigen in serum/plasma, was used for screening the volunteers. Result: Out of the 455 volunteers screened, 125 people (27.5%) were positive which consist of 49 male (28.7%) and 76 females (26.8%). Age related prevalence for HBsAg was 18.2% and 9.2% among those aged 10-40 and 40-70 years respectively. Among single individuals of 101, prevalence of 25.3% was recorded while only 6% (24) was recorded as prevalence among married individuals. This study also reveals that the highest prevalence of HBsAg was observed in Ojirami-Dam community with 40.3% prevalence while the least was observed in Umeme-Osu community with 16.4% prevalence. Conclusion: This study shows high prevalence of hepatitis B among children and young adult in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. The incidence of the infection among individuals between ages of 10-40 years with 83 people infected (66.4%) calls for concern among the people of the area. This provides evidence for urgent public awareness and mass immunization of the people in area.
ABSTRACT
Aims: To determine the antibacterial effect of methanol, petroleum ether and hot water extracts of Anthocleista djalonensis A. Chev on some pathogenic bacteria and to establish the use of the leaf extract in herbal medicine. Study Design: In vitro assay of antibacterial properties. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Microbiology, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria, between November 2011 and January 2012. Methodology: Collection of bacterial isolates; preparation of plant extracts; phytochemical screening; in vitro susceptibility test (agar well diffusion assay); minimum inhibitory concentration; antibiotics sensitivity test (disc diffusion assay); rate of killing of plant extracts; sodium and potassium ion leakage. Results: The results of the phytochemical screening showed the presence of tannins, saponins, flavonoids, steroid, terpenoid and cardiac glycosides. All the leaf extracts inhibited all the test organisms except Escherichia coli which was not inhibited by petroleum ether extract. The methanol extract had the highest effect on the test organisms. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of the extracts ranged between 10 mg/mL and 40 mg/mL. The result of the antibacterial activity of the leaf extracts compared favourably with the activity of standard antibiotics. It was observed that the number of bacterial cells was decreasing with increase in time of interaction between the extracts and the bacterial cells at a concentration 50 mg/mL of the extracts. There was also increase in the number of sodium and potassium ion leaked from the bacterial cells by the leaf extracts. Conclusion: The results of the study indicate the antibacterial potential of Anthocleista djalonensis A. Chev which may be a source of new bioactive compounds for drug development. The results obtained also establish the use of the plant in traditional phytomedicine for the diseases caused by the microorganisms.
ABSTRACT
The study examined the influence of individual and proximate factors in determining condom use. Current use of condom and condom use during last sex were used as proxies for consistent condom use. Data on 3,797 sexually active respondents of reproductive age was analyzed from the 2007 USAID-COMPASS midline evaluation on basic family planning and reproductive health outcomes in five Nigerian states. About 9% of respondents were current users, while 11% used a condom during last sex. Younger and more educated respondents were more likely to report condom use. Of the 23 variables, four were statistically significant (p<0.05) in predicting current use for females, and five for males; six were statistically significant in predicting condom use during last sex for females and seven for males. The paper concluded that understanding the determinants and predictors of condom use is critical to improving family planning and reproductive health indicators in Nigeria (Afr J Reprod Health 2010; 14[4]: 53-62)