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Background: Study was aimed to evaluate the antidiabetic activity of Murraya koenigii, a traditional medicinal plant (Curry leaf) in normoglycemic and alloxan-induced diabetes rabbits. Methods: Antidiabetic activity of aqueous extract of M. koenigii in 100, 200 300 mg/k doses was determined by estimating blood glucose before and at 1, 2, 4, 8, 24, and 72 hours post treatment intervals in treated rabbits. Results: Aqueous extract of Murraya koenigii showed a dose dependent antidiabetic activity with maximum effect established at 300 mg/kg. The extract also exhibited a significant (p<0.05) dosedependent hypoglycemic effect on normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rabbits. Conclusion: Murraya koenigii causes a reduction in blood glucose. This hypoglycemic property supports-its usein folkloric medicine as an antidiabetic agent and thus suggests a place for it in nutritional therapy in the management of diabetes mellitus and thus as an oral hypoglycaemic agent.
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Background: Gram negative bacteria accounts for significant proportion of hospital and community associated infections responsible for significant proportion of hospital admission, and associated increased level of antibiotic resistance pattern. Based on this information, we retrospectively analyzed the prevalence and resistance pattern of gram negative bacteria isolated from clinical specimens submitted in a tertiary hospital in Maiduguri, Nigeria. Methodology: Bacteriological data of gram negative bacteria isolates recovered from clinical specimens submitted to medical microbiology laboratory of University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) between 2007-2011were extracted and analyzed. A total of 36,800clinical specimens were examined. Results: The prevalence level of gram-negative bacteria isolates was 24.09% (8865/36,800), majority (29.16%, n=2585) of the isolates were recovered from wound specimens. Escherichia coli accounted for 31.8% (n=2823) of the total isolates. High susceptibility was observed with fluoroquinolones, aminoglycosides and cephalosporin tested, and resistance with cotrimoxazole and chloramphenicol. Overall, 7.6% (n=671) of the gram negative isolates exhibited multidrug resistance pattern, Escherichia coli accounted for 39.9% (268/671) of the multidrug resistant isolates. Conclusion: The study highlights epidemiological characteristics of the gram-negative bacteria isolated in our hospital, with prevalence level of 24.09% and diverse isolation pattern which affirmed gram-negative bacteria clinical implication in hospital and community associated infections. In addition, the multidrug resistance pattern level of 7.6% is an indication for laboratory personnel to be aware of possible emergence of multidrug resistant strain among gram-negative isolated in the hospital.
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The effects of penicillin-streptomycin on some liver enzymes and total serum protein were investigated using thirty adult rabbits (Orcytolagus coniculus) weighing 1.8 – 2.5kg. They were divided into six groups (Groups A – F) of five animals each. Groups A – C received high, moderate and low doses of penicillin-streptomycin, respectively; Group D received penicillin at 10mg/kg twice daily, Group E received streptomycin at 50mg/kg once daily while Group F received normal saline throughout the period of drug administration. All treatments were administered intramuscularly and lasted for ten consecutive days. Serum samples were taken before drug administration (0 hour) to establish baseline parameters and then at 24 and 168 hours post administration of the last dose of the drugs, that is, 11th and 17th days post commencement of treatment. Aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatse (ALP) and total serum protein were determined in all the serum samples using appropriate methods. The results showed significant increase in AST and ALT when compared with baseline parameters (p < 0.05). In contrast, there was significant decrease in total serum protein (p < 0.05). However, no significant difference was observed in ALP activities before and after drug administration. In conclusion, penicillin-streptomycin could interfere with liver functions by induction of acute hepatitis especially when given in high dosages.
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Background & objectives: The study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of cotrimoxazole plus artesunate and to compare the efficacy of this combination with that of artesunate plus chloroquine in the treatment of acute uncomplicated falciparum malaria in children. Methods: Children aged between 0.5 and 12 yr with clinical and parasitological evidence of Plasmodium falciparum malaria were randomized to receive either artesunate plus cotrimoxazole or artesunate plus chloroquine. They were followed-up with clinical and parasitological assessment for a period of 14 days. Results: In all, 57 out of 81 (31 in the artesunate plus cotrimoxazole group and 26 in artesunate plus chloroquine group) completed the study as per protocol and were evaluated. Pre-treatment clinical and parasitological parameters were similar in the two treatment groups. The time to clear fever and other symptoms were similar in the two groups 1.0 + 0 vs 1.14 + 0.38 (p > 0.05). Parasite clearance times were also similar; 1.65 + 0.49 days vs 1.58 + 0.67 days respectively for artesunate plus cotrimoxazole and artesunate plus chloroquine (p > 0.05). The cure rates on Day 14 were 100% for both artesunate plus cotrimoxazole and artesunate plus chloroquine groups. Both drug combinations were well-tolerated in the small population of children. Conclusion: These results indicate that artesunate plus cotrimoxazole has similar efficacy to artesunate plus chloroquine in the treatment of acute uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria in children resident in an endemic area of south-west Nigeria.
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Chloroquine is a 4-aminoquinoline discovered over five decades ago for treatment of uncomplicated malaria. It was widely used as first line treatment and prophylaxis for individuals going into malaria endemic regions. It was initially highly effective against the four Plasmodium species (P. falciparum; P. malaria; P. ovale and P. vivax) infecting human. It is also effective against gametocytes except those of P. falciparum. Resistance of P. falciparum to chloroquine is widespread and led to discontinuation of chloroquine in malaria treatment by most countries. In recent times; evidences are emerging for chloroquine to probably secure its original place in treatment of acute uncomplicated falciparum malaria. This would be a welcome idea since chloroquine is readily available; relatively safer and cheaper than most currently use antimalarial drugs. Thus; researchers should intensify efforts on periodic in vitro monitoring of chloroquine efficacy; clinicians should further discourage use of chloroquine until efficacy is remarkably restored and pharmaceutical industries should look into potential chloroquine and chloroquine-resistance reversal fixed and non-fixed doses combinations