ABSTRACT
Aim: The common non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and opioids have adverse effects. This has motivated for the search of new drugs with decreased or no side effects. In the present study, we investigated analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of the methanol extract of Tithonia diversifolia in vivo. Methods: Analgesic activity of the methanol extract of T. diversifolia was carried out using an analgesy meter to measure the tolerance of induced pressure. The method of carrageenan-induced inflammation in rat was used for the anti-inflammatory effect. Results: This study shows statistically significant improvements in pain resistance and paw oedema suppression were observed in animals treated with 150 and 300 mg/kg body weight (b.w.) methanol extract of Tithonia diversifolia, when compared to control groups treated with normal saline and acetyl salicylic acid. The maximum analgesic effect was achieved at 300 mg/kg after 30 min with effective ratio of 5.92 when compared with the standard drug acetyl salicylic acid, and twice the activity of 150 mg/kg at the same time. Conclusion: The results suggest that the plant extract has analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities, supporting its uses in traditional medicine.
ABSTRACT
"Background: Dyspepsia has a significant impact on the quality of life of the sufferer; and results in enormous societal costs; either due to direct medical costs for physician visits; diagnostic tests; medications; or indirect costs from absenteeism or reduced productivity at work. It is therefore important to explore the management options available; especially in a resource poor setting like Nigeria; in the light of the foregoing. Methods: Extensive internet literature search was made through Google scholar; Pubmed and HINARI. Keywords employed were dyspepsia; prevalence and management. Result: Several approaches proposed for the management of a newly diagnosed patient with dyspepsia include: empirical trial of acid suppression for 4-8 weeks in regions with low prevalence of H. pylori ; the ""test and treat"" approach for H. pylori infection using a validated non-invasive test and; initial use of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy to determine the nature of the disease before treatment in patients with alarm symptoms and those who are more than 45 years. Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy without initial diagnostic testing can be used as the last result in resource poor regions of the word where diagnostic tests for H. pylori are not available or not cost-effective.Conclusion: Considering the high cost of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and the high prevalence of H. pylori infection in developing countries like Nigeria; it seems reasonable that the 'test and treat' method will be of immense usefulness in population sub-group who are less than 45 years without alarm symptoms; while those with alarm symptoms and those with onset of symptoms after 45 years will require initial upper gastrointestinal endoscopy."
ABSTRACT
Background: Review of causes of morbidity and mortality in health care facilities is an important exercise which gives a picture of the prevailing disease pattern in the particular community and at the same time looks out for any change in the disease pattern over time. This exercise is a necessary component for planning of the health care needs of the community. Objective: To determine the mortality pattern on the medical wards of the Kogi State Specialist Hospital; a tertiary center located in Lokoja; North-Central Nigeria. Methods: A retrospective review of medical records of all patients admitted to the medical wards of the hospital over a period of 18 months (December 2008 - May 2010) was carried out. The information recorded from these sources included the age and gender; diagnosis/cause of death and the duration of admission. Results: A total of six hundred and eighty-four patients were admitted during the period being studied with a predominance of female patients (Female: Male Ratio = 1.07). There were seventy-six deaths (11.1) during the period in question with HIV and related complications accounting for most recorded mortality (32.9) closely followed by non-communicable cardiovascular conditions (hypertension; heart failure and CVD) - 28.9. Conclusion: This study clearly shows that HIV infection and its complications remains the leading cause of death despite the advent of HAART. Clearly there is a need to revisit the strategies of HIV prevention and control. Also there is an urgent need to focus on the prevention and treatment of non-communicable diseases like hypertension and diabetes