Antiplasmodial activity of Setaria megaphylla.

The antimalarial activity of an ethanol leaf extract of Setaria megaphylla was studied in vivo in mice infected with Plasmodium berghei berghei during early and established infections. Setaria megaphylla (100-300 mg/kg/day) exhibited a significant (p < 0.05) blood schizonticidal activity in 4-day early infection and in established infection with a significant (p < 0.05) mean survival time comparable to that of the standard drug, chloroquine, 5 mg/kg/day. The leaf extract possesses a promising antiplasmodial activity in vivo which can be exploited in malaria therapy.

Antimalaria activity of ethanolic extract of Tetrapleura tetraptera fruit.

The in vivo antiplasmodial activity of the ethanol fruit extract of Tetrapleura tetraptera used as spice and in the treatment of various ailment in Niger Delta region of Nigeria was evaluated in Plasmodium berghei infected mice. Tetrapleura tetraptera (300-900 mg/kg day) exhibited significant (P < 0.05) blood schizonticidal activity both in 4-day early infection test and in established infection with a considerable mean survival time comparable to that of the standard drug, chloroquine, 5 mg/kg day. The fruit extract possesses significant (P < 0.05) antiplasmodial activity with may have contributed to the immune status of the Nigerians against malaria in addition to its nutritive value.

Antiplasmodial activity of Homalium letestui.

The in vivo antiplasmodial activity of the ethanol root extract of Homalium letestui used as a malaria remedy in Southern Nigeria was evaluated in Plasmodium berghei berghei infected mice. Homalium letestui root extract (500-1000 mg/kg/day) exhibited significant (p < 0.05) blood schizontocidal activities both in a 4-day early infection test and in an established infection with a considerable mean survival time comparable to that of the standard drug, chloroquine, 5 mg/kg/day. The root extract possesses significant (p < 0.05) antiplasmodial activity, which can be exploited in malaria therapy.

Antiplasmodial activity of Cylicodiscus gabunensis.

The antimalarial activity of ethanolic stembark extract of Cylicodiscus gabunensis was studied in vivo in mice infected with Plasmodium berghei berghei during early and established infections as well as for repository activity. The LD(50) of the extract was determined to be 223.6 mg/kg, while doses of 250 mg/kg and above were found to be lethal to mice. Cylicodiscus gabunensis extract (20-60 mg/kg/day) exhibited a significant (P<0.05) blood schizontocidal activity in 4-day early infection, repository evaluation and in established infection with a significant mean survival time comparable to that of the standard drug, chloroquine, 5 mg/kg/day. The stembark extract possesses a promising antiplasmodial activity, which can be exploited in malaria therapy.

Bacteriological quality of some pharmaceutical products marketed by drug vendors in Uyo, Nigeria.

Bacteriological quality of some pharmaceutical products purchased from open markets, buses and drug stores in Uyo metropolis was studied in order to determine the level of contamination of the drugs. The drug samples examined were Tetracycline capsules, Paracetamol tablets, Ampicillin capsules, Chloroquine tablets, Chloroquine syrup, Chloroquine injections, Flagyl tablets and Chloramphenicol tablets. The bacterial count ranged from 2.3x10(4) cfu/g to 4.4x10(4) cfu/g for the 16 samples of Ampicillin, 1.2x10(5) cfu/g to 1.8x10 (4) cfu/g for the 7 samples of unsealed capsules of tetratcycline, 2.9x10(4) cfu/g to 3.8 x10(4) cfu/g for the 15 samples of paracetamol, 3.8 x10(4) cfu/ml to 2.0 x10(4) cfu/ml for the 23 samples of Chloroquine injection, tablets and syrup 1.0 x10(4) cfu/g to 4.8 x10(4) cfu/g for 15 samples of Flagyl. The organisms isolated were Bacillus subtilis (19.0%), Staphylococcus aureus (25.0%), Aerobacter aerogenes (7.0%) and Proteus mirabilis (8.0%). Although the counts obtained from this work were of low levels, the presence of known pathogenic microorganisms such as Staphylococcus aureus and Proteus mirabilis in some drugs constitute a health hazard to the public.