Anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of methanol extract of red cultivar Allium cepa bulbs in rats and mice.

OBJECTIVES: Several cultivars of Allium cepa L. have been studied for anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities but there is inadequate information on such biological activities of the concentrated extracts of the Nigerian grown red cultivar A. cepa bulb. METHODS: The anti-inflammatory models used in this study were Carrageenan-induced paw oedema and formalin-induced paw lick in rats, while acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing, hot plate reaction, hot water tail flick tests in mice were the analgesic models. RESULTS: At 30 min post-induction (pi), the inhibition of paw oedema (62.50%) by 200 mg/kg of methanol extract of red cultivar A. cepa bulb (MERCACB) was significantly (p<0.001) higher than that of indomethacin (15.63%) at 10 mg/kg. The paw oedema inhibition at 60 min pi by MERCACB (76.92%) was significantly higher than that of indomethacin (41.03%). At the early phase of formalin paw-lick test, the pain reaction time (PRT) of rat treated with MERCACB (400 mg/kg) was significantly lower than that of indomethacin and the control groups. The hotplate test revealed that PRT of mice treated with 800 mg/kg of MERCACB were significantly (p<0.01) longer in comparism to indomethacin and control groups. The PRT of mice subjected to thermal pain due to hot water and treated with 800 mg/kg of MERCACB was significantly (p<0.05) longer than that of the control group. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that MERCACB possesses potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties which confirm the traditional use of the plant for the treatment of inflammatory diseases and may be useful as a future therapeutic agent.

Effect of the methanol extract of the red cultivar Allium cepa L. on the serum biochemistry and electrolytes of rats following sub-chronic oral administration.

Background In traditional medicine, Allium cepa Linnaeus is used for the treatment of several disease conditions. Whilst reports abound on the effects of several cultivars of A. cepa L on biochemical parameters, similar information on the red cultivar is scarce. This study examines the effects of the methanol extract of the red cultivar A. cepa L on some serum biochemical parameters in experimental Wistar rats. Materials and methods Fifty-five Wistar rats were divided into three groups (A, B and C), which include 25, 25 and 5 rats, respectively. The rats in Groups A and B were sub-divided into 5 groups of 5 rats. Each rat was administered a certain dose of methanol extract of the red cultivar A. cepa L for 14 days (Group A) or 28 days (Group B). Group C rats served as the control and were administered with distilled water (10 mL/kg). Results A. cepa L administration resulted in dyslipidaemia, hyponatremia, hypokalaemia and hyperchloraemia; a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in hepatic enzymes and a significant (p < 0.05) increase in serum bicarbonate, bilirubin and its fractions. Conclusions These biochemical results indicate that the excessive and prolonged medicinal consumption of A. cepa L products beyond 7 days may induce moderate hepatic injury and mild renal dysfunction and may complicate disease conditions, such as hypertension and diabetes. Thus, in order to minimize its toxic effects, it is recommended that A. cepa L products should not be used for more than seven consecutive days or beyond a dosage of 90 mg/kg.

Melanotic neuroectodermal tumor of infancy: a rare presentation of an extremely rare neoplasm and diagnostic implications in Gombe, Nigeria.

Melanotic neuro-ectodermal tumor of infancy is very rare. A unique neoplasm of the formative years, it typically involves the face or cranium; possesses rapid, expansile growth; presents as a firm swelling and displays a high rate of recurrence. Its rarity and unique features make diagnosis and management quite challenging. This challenge is increased in resource-limited settings like ours and with atypical presentation, such as was seen at our center, where patient presented with a bony hard swelling.

Quality of life of patients surgically treated for ameloblastoma.

BACKGROUND: The surgical management of ameloblastoma can have a profound functional and psychological effect on a patient's quality of life (QoL). The aim of this study was to compare the pre- and post-operative QoL outcomes of patients requiring surgical treatment for ameloblastoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total number of 30 patients were identified as fulfilling the criteria for this study. They included 18 males and 12 females, aged between 14 and 47 years with a mean of 27.3 years (standard deviation 10.2). Each patient completed a modified version of the University of Washington QoL questionnaire version 4, a day to surgery and postoperatively on the 7(th) day, 3 months, and 6 months. RESULTS: Following surgical treatment of patients for ameloblastoma, the QoL decreased immediately after surgery. It then gradually improved over time and exceeded the preoperative value at 6 months postoperatively. When analyzed with respect to location, posteriorly placed tumors had the best postoperative QoL outcome. Patients expressed concern more about their appearance preoperatively while postoperative concerns were mostly focused on their ability to chew. CONCLUSION: Significant improvement occurred in QoL scores following surgical management of ameloblastoma. The small sample size utilized in this study limits a definitive conclusion. A larger multicenter study is therefore recommended.

Maxillomandibular distraction osteogenesis.

BACKGROUND: Distraction osteogenesis (DO) is a biologic process of new bone formation between the surfaces of bone segments that are gradually separated by incremental traction. It consists of 4 primary phases, namely, corticotomy and device placement, a latency period, active distraction, and consolidation. The objectives of the current study were to review DO as it applies to maxillomandibular defects and to share our clinical experience in the cases we have done. METHODS: A clinical narrative review of the literature was performed to evaluate the use and efficacy of maxillomandibular osteogenesis in maxillomandibular defects. A systematic search of the literature was performed using PubMed, with special interest in the history of DO and its application in dentistry and maxillofacial surgery. medical subject headings terms included surgical procedures, osteogenesis, distraction, and orthodontics. Two cases of maxillomandibular DO managed at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH), Nigeria, were reported and discussed. RESULTS: Articles involving maxillary and midface distractions, bilateral distraction for airway obstruction, and distraction for hemifacial microstomia were all reviewed. In the first case reported, a unidirectional distractor was used to achieve simultaneous mandibular lengthening and maxillary occlusal correction. Gains of 10 mm in mandibular ramal height and 23 mm in corpus length were achieved in the second reported case, using a bidirectional distractor. The literature search revealed no previous Nigerian reports of maxillomandibular DO. CONCLUSIONS: The DO is a viable and available treatment option for reconstructing maxillomandibular discrepancies and accompanying soft and hard tissue deficiencies.

Community Mobilization and Awareness Creation for Orofacial Cleft Services: A Survey of Nigerian Cleft Service Providers.

Background. The opportunity to provide free surgical care for orofacial clefts has opened a new vista and is enhanced by well-informed communities who are aware of the free surgical services available to them. It is the responsibility of cleft care providers to adequately inform these communities via a combination of community mobilization and awareness creation. Methods. This was a nationwide, cross-sectional descriptive study of all orofacial cleft service providers in Nigeria using a structured, self-administered questionnaire. Results. A total of 4648 clefts have been repaired, 50.8% by the ten government-owned and 49.2% by the five nongovernment-owned organizations included in the study. The nongovernment-owned institutions seemed to be more aggressive about community mobilization and awareness creation than government-owned ones, and this was reflected in their patient turnout. Most of the organizations studied would prefer a separate, independent body to handle their awareness campaign. Conclusion. Community mobilization requires skill and dedication and may require formal training or dedicated budgets by government-owned and nongovernment-owned institutions alike. Organizations involved in cleft care provision must take community mobilization and awareness seriously if the largely unmet needs of orofacial cleft patients in Nigeria are to be tackled.

Epidemiology of adult cleft patients in North-western Nigeria: our experience.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: To review cleft lip and palate procedures over a three-year (2008-2010) partnership between the smile train and our organization, the Grasssroot Smile Initiative (GSI). METHOD: A three-year retrospective study (2008-2010) involving 79 adult patients with clefts. RESULTS: Seventy nine (14.4%) of 550 patients with orofacial clefts seen and treated within a three-year period were adults with age range of 17 to 81 years; mean 31.45 ± 13.09. Majority were between 20 and 39 years. There were 54 (68.4%) males and 25 (31.6%) females, with the male:female ratio of 2.2:1. Analysis of the cleft types/site revealed 35 (44.3%) lip alone, 22 (27.8%) lip and alveolus, 7 (8.9%) lip and palate and 15 (19%) palate alone. Seven (8.9%) of these patients had other relatives with clefts. Sources of information were friends and relatives; 33 (41.8%), radio; 18 (22.8%), charity organization/NGO; 13 (16.5%), hospitals/physicians; 5 (6.3%), and others; 10 (12.7%). 57 patients with lip clefts had surgery under local anesthesia while the remaining 22 patients were done under general anesthesia. All clefts of the lip were repaired using the Millard advancement rotational flap for complete cleft, simple straight line closure for incomplete and double layer closure for the palate. CONCLUSION: The incidence of adult patients with orofacial cleft is not rare in our community, probably due to limited access to specialized health care facilities, poverty and ignorance. Furthermore, some of these patients are not aware that these facial defects can be repaired. The advent of the smile train organization and free services has resulted in this harvesting phenomenon.