Bitter kola and kola nut use and their effect on treatment outcome on People Living with HIV at a Military Hospital in Benue state Nigeria: Bitter kola (Garcinia) and Cola nut (Cola nitida among PLWHIV

Introduction Bitter Kola (Garcinia Kola) and kola nut, contains substances attributed to numerous effects on humans including anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic properties, anti-infective and caffeinism. This study explores Bitter kola and kola nut use and its impact on treatment outcome on People Living with HIV (PLWHIV). Methods: The study was conducted at a Military Hospital in Nigeria. An analytical cross-sectional study was done using questionnaire among 700 HIV-positive clients selected using simple random sampling. Data were collected by researcher and three trained assistants. Chi-square test and binary logistic regression were used for identifying associations and predictors, respectively. The level of significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: Findings show that 260 (63.6%) and 179 (25.6%) have ever and currently used Bitter kola/Kola nut, respectively. Also, 14 (7.8%) used Bitter kola/Kola nut alone while 165 (92.2%) used it in addition to other substances, especially with alcohol 123 (68.7%). Bitter kola use was associated with age (p = 0.037), gender (p < 0.001), occupation (p = 0.001), and number of children (p < 0.011). Identified predictors were being a female (AOR 0.79; 95% CI 0.08-0.92) and earning <18,000 Naira (AOR 2.91; 95% CI 2.03-21.54). There was no association of Bitter kola/kola nut use with CD4 count and viral load suppression. Conclusion: Though Kola nut and Bitter kola use was high as in the general population we have not found any effect on treatment outcome among PLWHIV. This calls for more research to ascertain if there are other possible beneficial effects on PLWHIV.

Buchholzia coriacea (wonderful kola) seeds induce male reproductive toxicity by suppressing the pituitary-gonadal axis in Wistar rats

The methanolic extract of Buchholzia coriacea seeds (MEBC) has been reported to induce male reproductive toxicity by decreasing sperm parameters and fertility index. To elucidate the possible mechanism(s), the effects of graded doses of MEBC on sex hormones and sperm profile were investigated in this study. The MEBC (e.g., 50, 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg) was administered daily (p.o.) to male Wistar rats for 6 weeks, while a concurrent control group received distilled water (vehicle). Then, the animals were sacrificed under sodium pentobarbital anaesthesia. Weights of organs were recorded, and the sperm profile was determined microscopically. Testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) were assayed from the obtained serum using the ELISA technique. Sperm motility was significantly reduced by MEBC (i.e., 50 and 200 mg/kg), and sperm count reduced in all treated groups in a dose-dependent manner compared with that of the control. Serum testosterone, LH, and FSH decreased in treated rats. A histopathological examination of testes showed a considerable depletion and necrosis of the epithelium of seminiferous tubules. The result suggests that Buchholzia coriacea seeds induce male reproductive toxicity by suppressing the pituitary-gonadal axis.

In Vitro Effect of Acidic Challenges on the Physical Properties of Dental Prosthesis Artificial Teeth

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the effect of immersion and acid challenge with cola drink on color change (ΔE), Vickers hardness (VHN) and surface roughness (Ra) of artificial acrylic resin teeth. Material and Methods: The artificial teeth were divided into 6 groups (n= 8): TC (Trilux/Control), BC (Biotone/Control), TAC (Trilux/Acid challenge), BAC (Biotone/Acid challenge), TI (Trilux/Immersion) and BI (Biotone/Immersion). The teeth were embedded in acrylic resin and the labial side was serially polished to provide appropriate flat surface. The samples of TC, BC, TI, BI groups were immersed in artificial saliva and cola drink (coke) for 7 days, respectively. The acid challenge was performed with immersion of samples in coke for 5 min, and subsequently immersion in artificial saliva for 2h. This cycle was repeated at 4 times/day, during 7 days. The tests of VHN, ΔE and Ra were analyzed before and after the challenge and immersion groups. Data was analyzed by ANOVA, Tukey and T test (α = 0.05). Results: There was no difference in Ra values between groups after treatments. However, there was a decrease in VHN for all groups. BI (19.2 ± 0.3) presented significantly lower hardness than BAC (19.5 ± 0.9) and BC (20.2 ± 0.5). Groups BI (2.18 ± 0.41) and TI (1.50 ± 0.43) had statistically higher ΔE compared to the other groups. Conclusion: The hardness of resin teeth decreased after acid challenges, but the roughness surface was not affected. The color was more affected by the times of exposure in cola beverage and remineralization in artificial saliva, which were associated to the material degradation (AU).

Color stability of three dimensional-printed denture teeth exposed to various colorants / 대한치과보철학회지

PURPOSE: This study evaluated color stability of Dentca 3D-printed denture teeth, in comparison to color stabilities of four conventional types of denture teeth, upon being immersed in various colorants.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four types of conventional prefabricated denture teeth (Surpass, GC, Artic 6, Heraeus Kulzer, Premium 6, Heraeus Kulzer, Preference, Candulor), 3D-printed denture teeth (Dentca); and Z250 (Filtek Z250, 3M ESPE) were prepared for testing. The samples were immersed in erythrosine 3%, coffee, cola, and distilled water (DW) at 37℃. Color change (ΔE) was measured by spectrophotometer before immersion and at 7, 14, and 21 days after immersion. One-way analysis of variance was performed along with Tukey's honestly significant difference multiple comparisons test (P<.05).RESULTS: No great difference was observed between the color change of Dentca denture teeth and that of conventional denture teeth in most cases (P>.05). The color change of Dentca denture teeth immersed in erythrosine 3% was greater than that of Surpass (ΔE = 0.67 ± 0.25) after 1 week; Artic 6 (ΔE = 1.44 ± 0.38) and Premium 6 (ΔE = 1.69 ± 0.35) after 2 weeks; and Surpass (ΔE = 1.79 ± 0.49), Artic 6 (ΔE = 2.07 ± 0.21), Premium 6 (ΔE = 2.03 ± 0.75), and Preference (ΔE = 2.01 ± 0.75) after 3 weeks (P<.05).CONCLUSION: A color change was observed in Dentca denture teeth when immersed in some colorants; however, the maximum value of ΔE for Dentca denture teeth was within the clinically acceptable range.

Inhibition of dental erosion through addition of calcium to commercial plum beverages / 대한구강보건학회지

OBJECTIVES: We examined the effect of commercial plum beverages on dental erosion and whether the addition of calcium to these beverages would inhibit dental erosion. METHODS: We analyzed three groups as follows: Maesil 1 group (Chorok Maesil), Maesil 2 group (Sunkist plum), both of which were selected from commercially-available plum beverages, and Calcium-added maesil group (addition of 3% calcium to Chorok Maesil). For negative and positive control groups, Jeju Samdasoo and Coca Cola were selected, respectively. The characteristics of the experimental beverages were analyzed, and the specimens were immersed in the experimental beverage. The degree of erosion was measured by Vickers hardness number (VHN) and scanning electron microscope images. RESULTS: Positive control group had the lowest pH (2.50±0.03), followed by Maesil 2 (pH 2.59±0.01), Maesil 1 (pH 2.81±0.02), calcium-added maesil (pH 4.19±0.01), and negative control group (pH 7.57±0.06). Significant differences were found in surface microhardness between positive control, Maesil 1, Maesil 2 and calcium-added maesil group before immersion and at 30 minutes after immersion (P<0.05), and change in VHN (positive control group, −80.94±20.63; Maesil 1 group, −69.33±24.88; and Maesil 2 group, −78.49±18.60 in comparison with negative control group, −6.57±26.73). There was no significant difference (P<0.05) in change in VHN between calcium-added maesil (−13.02±17.33) and negative control group. CONCLUSIONS: Plum beverages can potentially induce dental erosion due to their low pH. However, adding calcium to these beverages can reduce the risk of dental erosion. Therefore, the risk of dental erosion must be considered during consumption of plum beverages, and the addition of calcium into plum beverages may be considered as a way to prevent dental erosion.

Color Stability of Self-Cured Temporary Crown Resin according to Different Surface Treatments / 치위생과학회지

In this study, the surface treatment of a self-cured temporary crown was polished using a denture bur, silicone bur, or pumice. The color stability of the temporary crown resin specimen was evaluated by immersing it in coffee, and cola, wine, beer, red pepper paste, or soybean paste. Two-hundred eighty-five identical resin specimens with six types of staining solution and three types of surface treatment were placed in a shaking incubator at 37℃. The degree of discoloration was observed using a time-lapse recording of days 1, 5, and 7. L*, a*, and b* were measured using a spectrophotometer, which shows the quantitative value of discoloration, and statistically processed after calculating ΔE*. The results show that as time passed, all the specimens showed a color change (p<0.001). The amount of color change was the greatest in in crowns with denture bur polishing on the day 1, 5, and 7. As the precipitation time increased, the ΔE* value was also increased. Of the specimens immersed on day 1, the greatest color change in crowns polished with denture bur was observed in those immersed in red pepper paste, while the smallest color change was observed in those immersed in cola. On days 5 and 7, the greatest color change in crowns polished with denture bur was observed in those immersed in red wine. Crowns polished with silicone bur and immersed in soybean paste exhibited the smallest color change. Based on the results, compared to pumice polishing, silicone bur polishing results in better color stability, saves time and money, and is recommended for patients with temporary crowns.

The erosive effect of commercial red ginseng beverages on bovine enamel surfaces / 대한구강보건학회지

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to investigate the influence of several commercial red ginseng beverages on the surface of healthy teeth and to confirm the anti-erosive effect of added calcium. METHODS: For the experimental group selection, the pH of red ginseng beverages on the market were measured and the mean pH was calculated. Beverages with the lowest pH (Dong Wha Hongsam Gold; red ginseng beverage group with pH 2.98), mid-level pH (Kwangdong Jin Hongsam Gold; red ginseng beverage group with pH 3.61), and the highest pH (Hongsam Han Ppuri; red ginseng beverage group with pH 5.34) were selected as the experimental groups. In order to confirm the anti-erosive effect of added calcium, we added 1% calcium to the product with the lowest pH (red ginseng beverage group with pH 2.98+1% Ca) and included the product in the experimental group. Jeju Samdasoo and Coca Cola were used as the negative and positive control groups, respectively. We soaked healthy bovine teeth samples in the selected six beverages for 1, 3, 5, 10, 15, and 30 minutes. The surface microhardness (VHN, Vickers hardness number) and the surface roughness (center line average roughness, Ra) of each sample were measured, and the surface features were observed with a scanning electron microscope (SEM). RESULTS: The change in the surface micro-hardness (△VHN) of teeth after 30 minutes of soaking in each beverage was the highest in the positive control group (60.99±8.99), followed by A (41.63±8.96), B (30.64±8.21), and the negative control group (―4.48±7.29) (P<0.05). No significant difference was observed in group C (―18.79±10.11) or D (―16.40±7.89). Surface roughness (Ra) exhibited significant differences between each group (P<0.05). Surface roughness (Ra) was high in A (102.88±26.34) and B (67.76±39.89), as well as in the positive control group (101.21±39.59). In contrast, C (30.80±28.49) and D (25.05±10.79) showed low surface roughness values similar to the negative control group (23.77±22.48). Following SEM examination, severe cracks were observed between the crystals in groups A and B; such characteristics were similar to those of the positive control group. CONCLUSIONS: Red ginseng beverages with low pH were shown to erode the surface of the teeth. When calcium was added to the red ginseng beverages, a decrease in tooth erosion was observed. Therefore, the possibility of tooth erosion should be considered when drinking red ginseng beverages. Furthermore, the addition of calcium to red ginseng beverages can be an alternative solution to suppress tooth erosion.

Titratable acidity of beverages influences salivary pH recovery

A low pH and a high titratable acidity of juices and cola-based beverages are relevant factors that contribute to dental erosion, but the relative importance of these properties to maintain salivary pH at demineralizing levels for long periods of time after drinking is unknown. In this crossover study conductedin vivo, orange juice, a cola-based soft drink, and a 10% sucrose solution (negative control) were tested. These drinks differ in terms of their pH (3.5 ± 0.04, 2.5 ± 0.05, and 5.9 ± 0.1, respectively) and titratable acidity (3.17 ± 0.06, 0.57 ± 0.04 and < 0.005 mmols OH- to reach pH 5.5, respectively). Eight volunteers with a normal salivary flow rate and buffering capacity kept 15 mL of each beverage in their mouth for 10 s, expectorated it, and their saliva was collected after 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, and 120 s. The salivary pH, determined using a mini pH electrode, returned to the baseline value at 30 s after expectoration of the cola-based soft drink, but only at 90 s after expectoration of the orange juice. The salivary pH increased to greater than 5.5 at 15 s after expectoration of the cola drink and at 30 s after expectoration of the orange juice. These findings suggest that the titratable acidity of a beverage influences salivary pH values after drinking acidic beverages more than the beverage pH.

The effect of different drinks on the color stability of different restorative materials after one month

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of three different drinks on the color parameters of four different restorative materials. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three different composites (Filtek Ultimate Universal Restorative, Filtek Ultimate Flowable, and Filtek Silorane, 3M ESPE) and a polyacid-modified composite resin material (Dyract XP, Dentsply DeTrey GmbH) were evaluated. Eighty-four disc-shaped specimens of 8 mm in diameter and 2 mm in thickness were prepared (n = 21 each). Color coordinates (L*a*b*, DeltaL*, Deltaa*, Deltab*, and DeltaE*) were measured using a VITA Easyshade Compact (VITA Zahnfabrik) after 24 hr of storage (baseline) and after 30 day of storage in three different beverages of black tea, Coca cola, or water (control) (n = 7). In each beverage, the specimens were stored three times a day, one hr each, for 30 day. The color changes (DeltaE) were calculated and were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn multiple comparison test. RESULTS: The color difference (DeltaE*) of the resin materials ranged between 1.31 and 15.28 after 30 day of immersion in the staining solutions. Dyract XP in Coca cola (15.28 +/- 2.61) and black tea (12.22 +/- 2.73) showed the highest mean DeltaE* value after 30 day, followed by Filtek Ultimate Universal Restorative (5.99 +/- 1.25) and Filtek Ultimate Flowable (4.71 +/- 1.40) in black tea (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The compomers displayed unacceptable color changes at the end of 30 day in all beverages. Among resin composites, the silorane based composite exhibited relatively good color stability than the others. Filtek Ultimate Universal Restorative and Filtek Flowable showed similar color changes in all beverages.

Successful Removal of Hard Sigmoid Fecaloma Using Endoscopic Cola Injection / 대한소화기학회지

Colorectal fecaloma is hardening of feces into lumps of varying size that is much harder in consistency than a fecal impaction. Complications of colorectal fecaloma include ulceration, bleeding, perforation and obstruction of the colon. Most fecalomas are successfully removed by conservative treatment with laxatives, enemas and rectal evacuation to relieve fecal impaction. When conservative treatments have failed, a surgical intervention may be needed. Herein, we report a case of 4.7 cm sized sigmoid fecaloma showing no response to conservative treatments that was successfully removed by endoscopic fragmentation with Coca-Cola injection instead of surgery.

Effect of coffe and a cola-based soft drink on the color stability of bleached bovine incisors considering the time elapsed after bleaching

There is no consensus about the waiting time necessary for the patient to start consuming beverages containing colorants again after bleaching. Objective: To evaluate the influence of beverages with coloring agents on bleached bovine incisors considering the time elapsed after bleaching. Materials and methods: Sixty bovine incisors were bleached with 35% hydrogen peroxide for in-office use (Whiteness HP Max) and divided into 10 groups. The color was evaluated with a spectrophotometer (Spectro Shade MICRO) before and after bleaching, employing the CIE-Lab system. After bleaching, the teeth were exposed for 5 min to coffee or cola-based soft drink (CBSD) at different periods after bleaching: 10 min, 1 h, 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h. Color (∆E) and lightness (∆L) variations were obtained from the CIE-Lab coordinates. Data were subjected to two-way ANOVA and Tukey HSD tests (p<0.05). Results: Significant differences were observed between groups for both the ∆L and ∆E values (p<0.001). All specimens presented a decrease in brightness (negative ∆L). The highest ∆E values were observed for teeth stained with a CBSD at 10 min and 1 h (4.12 and 4.16, respectively). Teeth pigmented with coffee presented ∆E values below 3.3 units for all evaluation times. Conclusion: The exposure to coffee after bleaching causes less color changes than the exposure to a CBSD regardless of the time after bleaching. .

Can Fecaloma be Dissolved by Cola Injection in a Similar Way to Bezoars?

No abstract available.

The Effect of Oral Cola Ingestion for Endoscopic Inspection of Remnant Stomach: Randomized Case Control Study

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Nasogastric administration of cola for dissolution of phytobezoar was reported but the mechanism is not well understood. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of cola ingestion for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in patients who have had distal gastrectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients were enrolled from July 2007 to October 2007 and all previously received subtotal gastrectomy. We conducted a randomized case-control study which the patients were randomly assigned to two groups. Group A had preparation with cola and group B had no preparation. Cola preparation group ingested about 1,500 mL of cola between 7 PM to 10 PM in the evening before the procedure. Two examiners who were blinded to the type of preparation performed the endoscopy. We assessed the degree of food residue and bile reflux by Japanese classification. RESULTS: A total of 70 patients were included. The comparison of clinical and laboratory characteristics between the two groups showed no statistically significant difference. During endoscopy, food residue was less found in group A than B, but without statistically significance (group A=12.1%, group B=21.6%, P=0.087). However, bile reflux was significantly less found in group A than B (group A=36.4%, group B=67.6%, P=0.015). Multivariate analysis, cola preparation significantly reduced food residue (OR, 0.032; P=0.001) and bile reflux (OR, 0.102; P=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Preparation with cola in the evening before endoscopic examination may provide a good quality of preparation in patient with remnant stomach after distal gastrectomy.

A Case of Huge Gastric Bezoar Removed by Endoscopic Combination Therapy with Coca-Cola Injection / 영남의대학술지

Gastric bezoars are concretion of undigested material in the gastrointestinal tract. In the past, gastric bezoars were generally treated with surgical management. Recently, the efficacy of oral intake or endoscopic injection therapy with Coca-Cola has been reported. We report a case of a 47-year-old-man with huge gastric bezoar (4x2.5 cm) that was successfully removed by endoscopic fragmentation with Coca-Cola injection. Compared with a single endoscopic fragmentation therapy, the combination therapy with Coca-Cola injection shortened the procedure time and reduced the complication associated with fragmented bezoar.

Analysis of the erosive effects of children's beverages using a pH-cycling model / 대한구강보건학회지

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this in vitro study were (1) to assess the erosive potential of several children's beverages in comparison to cola and orange juice, by using an in vitro pH-cycling model, and (2) to investigate the factors related to dental erosion caused by the beverages. METHODS: Eight different children's beverages (Chorongi, Capri-sun, Grateful nature wisdom, I-kicker, Koal-koal koala, My friend pororo, Qoo, and Strong zzanggu), Cola, and an orange juice, which are available in the Korean market, were used. To characterize each test beverage, the pH, titratable acidity to pH 7.0, concentration of calcium and phosphorus, and degree of saturation with respect to hydroxyapatite (DS(HAP)) were analyzed. Erosive potential of the test beverages was assessed by the depth of enamel loss observed in specimens subjected to pH cycling for 8 days. This cycle consisted of exposure to each beverage for 20 min, thrice daily, and to a remineralizing solution every day. The correlation between the depth of the enamel loss and the chemical properties of the beverages was assessed by Spearman's rank correlation coefficients and multiple linear regression tests (P<0.05). RESULTS: The depth of enamel loss caused by the beverages was found to vary from 0.11 to 105.47 microm. Enamel loss with all the children's beverages tested was lesser compared to that with Cola (P<0.05) but was similar or greater than that with orange juice, except in one beverage. The pH, concentration of calcium, and DS(HAP) were significantly correlated with the depth of enamel loss (rho=-0.842, rho=-0.796, and rho=-0.867, respectively; P<0.01). Multiple regression analysis showed that pH and concentration of calcium were impact variables for the erosive potential of test beverages (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The children's beverages tested had lower erosive potential than Coca Cola, but five (I-kiker, Grateful nature wisdom, Qoo, Capri-sun, and Chorongi) of them had higher erosive potential than orange juice. Moreover, among the chemical properties of beverages, significant factors affecting enamel loss were pH value and concentration of calcium.

Intestinal Obstruction due to the Migration of a Phytobezoar during Cola-Lysis in a Patient Who Had Previously Undergone Partial Gastrectomy

Gastric surgeries may predispose patients to the formation of gastric phytobezoars. Cola-lysis through nasogastric lavage, endosopic infusion and/or the oral intake of cola are recently introduced techniques for the dissolution of phytobezoars. However, their complications have rarely been reported. Herein, we report a 56-year-old woman, who had previously undergone partial gastrectomy, severe intestinal obstruction due to the migration of a phytobezoar during cola-lysis and was successfully managed with surgical intervention.

effect of repeated applications of enamel surface treatment on in-vitro bovine enamel hardness after multiple exposures to cola drink

The aim of this study was to test the impact of repeated applications of various enamel surface treatments on the remineralization process after multiple exposures to cola drink, and to compare their ability to resist demineralization. Enamel demineralization and remineralization were monitored using surface microhardness. Bovine incisor teeth were exposed to cola drink for 2 minutes, 3 times per day for 3 days in the presence of artificial saliva. Then, the following surface treatment materials were tested: 1] Tooth Mousse, 2] MI Paste PlusTM, 3] Fluoraphat, and 4] Control [no treatment]. The procedure was repeated every 3 days for 12 days. Results showed that cola soft drink significantly [p < 0.05] decreased enamel microhardness. All tested enamel surface materials significantly [p < 0.05] increased the hardness of eroded enamel when repeatedly applied. MI Paste PlusTM showed better remineralization and higher resistance to erosion when compared to other groups. It was concluded that repeated applications of enamel surface treatment were effective in increasing enamel microhardness after erosion process, caused by multiple exposure to soft drink in bovine incisor teeth

A Huge Gastric Bezoar That Was Removed by Endoscopic Combination Therapy with an Argon Plasma and Coca-Cola Injection / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Bezoars are collections or concretions of indigestible foreign material in the gastrointestinal tract. In the past, the most common method for the treatment of bezoar was surgical management. The current treatment methods for bezoars include chemical dissolution and endoscopic lithotripsy using biopsy forceps and, snare, electrohydraulic lithotripsy and laser. Cases of endoscopic fragmentation of gastric bezoars using an argon plasma and dissolution of gastric bezoars with Cola have recently been described, but it took a long time in those cases to remove a bezoar by a single method. Moreover, fragmented, residual bezoar-related complications sometimes occurred. We report here on a case of a 35-year-old man with a 10x8x8 cm sized huge gastric bezoar that was successfully removed by combination therapy using an argon plasma and Coca-Cola injection. Compared with the previous single method, combination therapy using an argon plasma and Coca-Cola injection shortened the procedure time and reduced the complications related to a fragmented, remaining bezoar.

A Case of Incidentally Found Primary Esophageal Bezoar in a Patient with Situs Inversus Totalis / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Situs inversus totalis (SIT) is very rare autosomal recessive condition, and patients with SIT have complete mirror image reversal of the thoracic and abdominal viscera. There have been no case reports of esophageal bezoar in a patient with situs inversus totalis. Bezoars are retained concretions of indigestible foreign material, including food material, vegetable material and hair, and they are usually founded in the stomach, small intestine and rectum. Esophageal bezoars are very rare, but they are known to occur in patients with anatomical defects or esophageal motility disorders. The treatment of esophageal bezoar is usually based on endoscopic fragmentation and extraction, dissolution with papain, cellulose, pancreatic enzyme and/or Coca cola. We report here on a case of an endoscopically treated primary esophageal bezoar in a patient with situs inversus totalis, and the patient experienced no complications from the treatment.

Phytochemical and antimicrobial studies of four species of Cola Schott & Endl. (Sterculiaceae)

Abstract: The in-vitro antimicrobial evaluation of ethanol extracts of four species of Cola Schott & Endl. was done using human isolated strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus albus, Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella pneumonia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger as test organisms. The assays were carried out by agar well diffusion, erythromycin and ketoconazole served as the control drugs. The leaf ethanol extracts of the plants were found to be more effective against the tested fungi than the bacteria at high concentrations. None of the extracts was active against Staphylococcus aureus. Plant extract of C. acuminata (P.Beauv.) Schott & Endl. and C. nitida (Vent) Schott & Endl. showed activity on S. albus at concentrations ranging from 10-150 mgmlˉ¹ having comparable diameters of zone of inhibition of 7.3±0.03-16.0±0.0 for C. acuminata and 10.0±0.0-19.0±0.0 for C. nitida. Also, these two species of Cola demonstrated activities on C. albicans and A. niger at concentrations ranging from 90-150mgmlˉ¹ with relatively close diameters of zone of inhibition. Only C. acuminata inhibited the growth of K. pneumoniae at the MIC of 90mgmlˉ¹ whereas, C. albicans was inhibited by C. acuminata, C. millenii K. Schum and C. gigantea A.Chev. at the MIC of 120mgmlˉ¹. Phytochemical screening of the four species of Cola showed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, tannins and cardenolides in all the plants which apart from showing the probable closeness of the species could also be responsible for the observed activities. The antimicrobial property shown by the plant extracts is an evidence of the ethnomedicinal uses of the plants. The similarity observed in the phytochemical constituents and antimicrobial activities demonstrated by C nitida (Vent.) Schott & Endl., C. millenii and C.gigantea A. Chev. and C. acuminata suggest a probable closeness among these species. The results obtained in this study provide preliminary evidence of the chemotaxonomic significance of secondary metabolites and antimicrobial activities in infra-generic taxonomy of species of Cola