Effect of Methanolic Extract of Ocimum gratissimum on Blood Pressure, Some Electrolytes, Renal and Cardiac Biomarkers in 8% NaCl Induced Hypertensive Male Wistar Rats

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.

Moderately Increased Albuminuria; Marker of Chronic Complications in Nigerian Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 Patients; Makurdi Perspective.

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) and its complications are on the increase especially in the developing countries with significant negative economic consequences on individuals, families and health systems. Objective: We, therefore compared albumin/creatinine ratio, microalbuminuria, and HbA1c among subjects of varying degree of complications with controls to ascertain if they can serve as markers of diabetic chronic complications to enhance early detection of chronic complications amongst diabetes mellitus patients in developing countries. Methods: 109 type 2 DM subjects (47 males and 62 females) and 100 non-DM controls of the same age range (40-80 yrs) were recruited for this study. The chronic complications found were: nephropathy, retinopathy, coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular disease, peripheral vascular disease and diabetic foot. These were further classified into micro vascular complications (nephropathy and retinopathy) and macrovascular complications (Coronary Artery Disease, Cerebrovascular Disease, Peripheral Vascular Disease and diabetic foot).Out of these 109 DM subjects, 36 were without chronic complications, 37 have microvascular complications only and 36 have a combination of microvascular and macrovascular complications. HbA1c, Urine microalbumin and creatinine were analysed using standard methods. Results: The mean levels of HbA1c, Microalbuminuria and albumin-creatinine ratio were significantly higher in DM subjects when compared to the control (p<0.05). Microalbumin, albumincreatinine ratio, and HbA1c were significantly higher in DM subjects with chronic complications than those without complications (p<0.05). However, DM subjects with both macro and micro complications had significant higher level of urine microalbumin, albumin-creatinine ratio, and HbA1c than those with microvascular complications only (p<0.05). Subjects aged 40-45 years had significant (p<0.01) albumin/creatinine ratio than subjects aged 51-55yrs as well as those >60 years. The male subjects had a significant (p<0.01) albumin/creatinine ratio and microalbumin respectively on comparing to their female counterpart Conclusion: Albumin-creatinine ratio is a simple, and less cumbersome tool which could serve as a predictor of complications in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Trace Elements Deficiency in Patients with Homozygous Sickle Cell Disease.

Aim: The serum trace elements statuses of sickle cell patients attending at General Hospital Owerri, Nigeria were investigated to determine whether or not the serum levels of these elements were normal. Materials and Methods: One hundred confirmed sickle cell patients (HbSS) age 5–30 years were selected. One hundred normal subjects (HbAA) age 5–30 years were used as control. Results: The levels of trace elements were significantly decreased in sickle cell anemia (p<0.05), except copper, when compared with the control. Conclusion: The result suggests, but not conclusively, that supplementation of sickle cell patients with food and drug containing trace elements might be helpful, particularly if diminished mineral levels predispose patients to crises.

Immunodiagnosis of bovine trypanosomiasis in Anambra and Imo states, Nigeria, using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay: zoonotic implications to human health.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: The prevalence of trypanosomiasis was studied in cattle, being a major source of animal protein in Nigeria, thus, a very likely means of spread of Human African Trypanosomosis (HAT). METHODS: Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to diagnose bovine trypanosomiasis in 264 samples collected from adult cattle of mixed breeds, age and sex, in Anambra and Imo states, Nigeria. RESULTS: Out of 264 samples analysed, 21 (7.96%) were seropositive for Trypanosoma congolense while 20 (7.58%) were seropositive for T. vivax and 8 (3.03%) were seropositive for T. brucei infections in both the states. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: The predominant species was found to be T. congolense. Mixed infection of three species, T. vivax, T. congolense and T. brucei was found to dominate other mixed infections in both the states. ELISA detected the infection of the three species of trypanosomes in the same group of animals. The usefulness of antigen capture ELISA in the diagnosis of human or animal trypanosomiasis was established, and the possibility of the spread of HAT caused by T. brucei gambiense and T.b. rhodesiense through cattle was expressed.

Some pharmacological properties of Synclisia scabrida II.

The effect of the aqueous extract of S. scabrida on behaviour, and as an analgesic and antiulcer agent were studied. The extracts did not produce significant central nervous system action, or analgesia but had significant antiulcer activity against aspirin induced ulcer. The extract showed anticholinergic and antihistaminergic properties.