Prevalence and consumption pattern of kolanut among pregnant women in Ibadan metropolis.

Kolanut contains caffeine and it is widely consumed in various social contexts in Nigeria and other Sub-Saharan African countries. While some studies have suggested that kolanut is consumed by pregnant women, there is a dearth of information on the prevalence, consumption pattern and reasons for kolanut consumption among this group. This study investigated kolanut use among pregnant women in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional study involving 478 consenting pregnant women in all trimesters of pregnancy was conducted. Semi-structured questionnaires were used to collect data. Associations between kolanut use and respondent characteristics were investigated using the chi-square test and logistic regression analysis. The mean age of the women was 28.7 ± 6.3 years. One hundred and sixty-two (33.9%) of women reported kolanut use during pregnancy, 140 (29.3%) in the current pregnancy. Fifty-five (39.3%) pregnant women reported frequent use and 46 (32.9%) used it in high quantities. Significant associations were found between current kolanut use and Hausa respondents (p = 0.014), educational level; secondary (p = 0.032), tertiary (p = 0.006), TBA (p = 0.005). The majority (93.7%) used kolanut to prevent spitting, nausea, and vomiting. This study showed that kolanut use is quite common among pregnant women and frequently used in large quantities.

Raffia hookeri Ethanolic Pulp Extract Ameliorated Neuronal Damage and Brain Oxidative Stress Following Mechanical-Induced Traumatic Brain Injury in Rats.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a complex process resulting into structural brain damage and functional deficits as a result of an external mechanical force. This study aimed to investigate the possible ameliorative effect of Raphia hookeri ethanol extract (RHEE) on induced acute traumatic brain injury in rats. The choice of the plant was based on its reported anti-oxidative property. Thirty-six female Wistar rats were divided into six groups of six animals each. I: CONTROL - distilled water orally; II: RHEE - 100 mg/kg RHEE; III: Sharp trauma brain injury (STBI); IV: STBI+RHEE; V: Blunt trauma brain injury (BTBI); VI: BTBI+RHEE.  Brain injury was inflicted using modified weight drop technique on experimental day 1 while RHEE was given orally by gavage for 7 days post-injury. Blood was collected serially 24hrs, 72hrs and 7 days post-trauma for full blood count and differentials of the white blood cells. On day nine, rats were euthanized and brain harvested for biochemical and histological analyses. Trauma significantly (p<0.05) reduced the relative brain weight of rats compared with the control. Lymphocyte count increased while neutrophils reduced in all traumatized rats compared with control group. Both BTBI and STBI significantly (p<0.05) elevated MDA and significantly (p<0.05) reduced the level of GSH, the activities of SOD and CAT enzymes compared with control group. Histologically, the extent of haemorrhage into the subarachnoid and brain parenchyma in STBI and BTBI groups was reduced in the BTBI+RHEE and STBI+RHEE groups. Administration of RHEE reduced oxidative damage and ameliorated neuronal damage in sharp and blunt brain injuries.