ABSTRACT
Background: Ocimum gratissimum (OG) is a shrub belonging to the family of Lamiaceae. It is commonly called scent leaf or clove basil and it is found in many tropical countries. Studies have shown that the leaf extract of Ocimum gratissimum possess medicinal properties. Aim: The effect of methanolic extract of Ocimum gratissimum on blood pressure, electrolytes, renal and cardiac biomarkers in 8% NaCl- induced hypertensive male Wistar rats. Methodology: Forty Wistar rats (120-160) g were assigned to 5 groups of eight rats each. Group 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 constitute the normal, hypertensive group, OG (200 mg/kg bwt) group, OG (400 mg/kg bwt) group and reference drugs (lisinopril, 30 mg/kg) group respectively. Group 3, 4 and 5 were given the extract and reference drug through oral gavage. All groups except group 1 were induced with 8% NaCl from 0-4weeks before treatment with OG and reference drug from 5-8 weeks. Electrolytes and other biochemical parameters were assayed using standard methods. Results: The phytochemical results revealed the presence of phenol, flavonoids, alkaloids, phytate, tannis and saponin. At 4 weeks (after induction), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), serum sodium, chloride, urea, and creatinine significantly (p<0.05) increased while serum potassium significantly (p<0.05) decreased in all the groups except group 1. At 8 weeks, after treatment with OG (200 mg/kgbwt), OG (400 mg/kgbwt) and lisinopril (30 mg/kg), SBP, DBP, serum sodium, chloride, urea, and creatinine significantly(p<0.05) decreased while serum potassium significantly (p<0.05) increased. Creatine kinase (CK) and CK-MB however, were not significantly altered after the 4th and 8th week. Conclusion: OG extract possesses an antihypertensive effect and enhances the proper functioning of the kidney. It may also be useful in hypertensive condition due to its nephroprotective effect at 200mg/kgbwt and 400 mg/kgbwt.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Group B streptococcus (GBS) is one of the principal agents of early onset neonatal sepsis, pneumonia and meningitis with significant morbidity for newborns and parturients.AIM: This study was done to determine the prevalence of vaginal group B streptococcus amongst parturients in FMC Owerri. It also aimed to elucidate the antibiotic sensitivity of the strains of GBS isolated while comparing the sensitivity of antigen detection tests of GBS to culture.PATIENTS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was done at the labour ward and lying-in units of the Federal Medical Center, Owerri,from February 2015 to October, 2015. It involved one hundred and eighty (180)womenrecruitedsystematically. Two swab samples, high vaginal and rectal were collected from the parturients intrapartum and cultured. The babies were examined and weighed immediately after delivery, seen on the second and tenth days after delivery for features of fever or any other complaints. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of GBS amongst parturients was found to be 6.1%. Prevalence of vaginal colonization was 3.3% and that of the rectum was 2.8%, (2c=0.1282, df=1,p=0.502). Neonates with colonized mothers all had complaints of fever postpartum which was statistically significant (=55.86, df=1, p<0.001). All the microbes showed 100% sensitivity to penicillin G, erythromycin, gentamycin and ceftriaxone. Antibiotic resistance was discovered in augmentin (67%), Cloxacillin (55.6%) and ofloxacin (33.3%). Antigen detection tests gave Sensitivity=100%, specificity=96.4%, positive predictive value (PPV) = 64.7%, negative predictive value (NPV) =100%. Detection in both vaginal (=60.290, p=0.000) and rectal (=50.799, p=0.000) samples were statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of GBS in parturients in the Centre is low. Strains of GBS isolated amongst the sampled population in FMC Owerri had a high sensitivity to penicillin G, erythromycin, gentamycin and 3 generation cephalosporins. Antigen detection method for screening of GBS though very sensitive is however not specific with a significant false positive detection rate due to antigen cross reaction. It is however recommended that antigen detection be employed as intrapartum measure in high risk cases to reduce turnover time whilst supported by culture results later. There was associated significant neonatal sequaelae and further research to establish causal relationship will be advised