ABSTRACT
Background: Senna alata is an underutilized shrub found in many countries and is known for its traditional use in the treatment of dermatophytes and other related diseases. Therefore, this study aimed at evaluating the phytochemical and antibacterial effects of S. alata leaves extracts against bacterial isolates obtained from urinary tract infection patients in Calabar. Methodology: Matured fresh leaves of Senna alata were collected within Calabar, Cross River state, Nigeria, in May 2022 and identified by a botanist in the Department of Botany, University of Calabar. The leaves of S. alata were extracted with water, methanol and ethyl acetate using maceration and soxhlet methods. Phytochemical analysis was conducted to detect the presence of bioactive compounds using standard methods. The crude extracts of S. alata were investigated for antibacterial properties using agar well diffusion method and mechanisms of antibiosis determined using MBC/MIC ratio. Results: In both methods of extraction, methanol yielded more extracts compared to other solvents. Soxhlet methanol extract (SaMeSh) had the highest (12.21%) percentage yield while maceration ethyl acetate extract (SaEaMa) had the least (4.77%) percentage yield. The phytochemicals assayed revealed the presence of saponins, tannins, flavonoids, anthraquinones, terpenoids and steroids. However, terpenoids was not detected in methanol and ethyl acetate extracts. Senna alata extracts demonstrated broad spectrum of activity against the tested isolates at various concentrations with organic solvents exhibiting the highest antibacterial activity. However, the observed activity varied with respect to concentration of extract and types of organisms. The MIC values ranged from 31.25 to 250 mg/mL and MBC values from 62.5 to 500 mg/mL. The MIC index of the crude extracts against the test uropathogens was ?8. Conclusion: This study indicates that S. alata could be a source of novel antimicrobial agent. Further research is required to isolate, characterize and identify bioactive constituents responsible for the observed activity.
ABSTRACT
Aim: The aim of this study is to determine the incidence of prostate cancer in men living in Calabar- Nigeria, which has not been determined up till now. Study Design: A trend analysis of prostate cancer cases in Calabar between 1st January 2004 to 31st December 2013. Place and Duration of Study: Calabar cancer registry, May to June 2015. Methodology: Record of prostate cancer cases in the Calabar cancer registry between 1st January 2004 and 31st December 2013,was accessed. The patients age, sex, place domiciled in the last one year; whether rural or urban as well as prostate cancer topography and morphology were obtained and analyzed. The population of males domiciled in Calabar was determined using the 2006 national population census data and 3.0% population growth as specified by the national population commission. Excluded are all male genital tract cancers outside prostate cancer .The data was subjected to statistical analysis using SPSS version 21. Results: Two hundred and seventy nine (279) prostate cancer cases were seen, with mean (SD) age of subjects being 64.2 (9.5) years, with a range 40 to 95 years. About 249 cases (89.3%) occurred in those who are 55 years or older at time of diagnosis, with the commonest age group being 60-64 years. The age specific incidence of prostate cancer is 89 per 100,000, both crude and adjusted incidence rates were highest in 2012 (69.4 and 97.4 per 100,000, respectively). There was significant decrease in incidence rates in the initial five years (2004-2008), and increase in rates in the following five years of study (2009-2013). Within the 5-year period from 2004 to 2008, there was an average annual decrease in incidence rate of 9.63% (95% CI: 6.1%-12.8%). However, within the 5-year period from 2009 to 2013, there was an average annual increase in incidence rate of 11.95% (95%CI: 8.72% to 13.04%). Conclusion: This epidemiologic study demonstrate the incidence of prostate cancer in Calabar, Nigeria, with a predominance of patients in the 60- 64 years age group. West African states have to scale up population screening and study of this neoplasm.