Reversal of Hypertension and Amelioration of Oxidative Stress by Persea americana and Allium sativum in Experimentally-Induced Hypertensive Wistar Rats

Aim: This study evaluated the antihypertensive and antioxidant effects of hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of Persea americana and Allium sativum in experimentally-induced hypertensive Wistar rats. Study Design: Experimental Research. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Ibadan (Animal House), between May 2019 and December 2019. Methodology: The experiment was carried out in 85 rats randomly divided into 17 groups. Group 1 were normotensive rats while hypertension was induced in groups 2-16 by unilateral nephrectomy and inclusion of NaCl (1%) in drinking water. Group 17 had abdominal incision without nephrectomy (sham). Treatment groups were administered P. americana or A. sativum extracts at 20 mg/kg or 50 mg/kg dose and standard antihypertensives; lisinopril or hydrochlorothiazide. Results: Results of the experiment showed treatment of hypertensive rats with 50 mg/kg of A. sativum hexane and P. americana methanol extract caused the most significant decrease in blood pressure compared to normotensive rats. Various extracts of these two plants elevated antioxidants levels (GPx, GST, GSH and SOD) in the brain, heart, kidney and liver significantly while H2O2 and MDA were significantly decreased compared to untreated hypertensive rats. NO, an important neurotransmitter for normal endothelial function was also restored in the extract-treated rat, as a deficiency contributes greatly to the development of hypertension. Conclusion: The study concluded that P. americana and A. sativum do not only lower blood pressure. The plants also inhibited generation of free radicals by enhancing the antioxidant system and mopped up generated free radicals demonstrated by decline in H2O2 and MDA levels. These plants have been shown in this study to contain potential drug candidates which can be proposed for treatment of hypertension.

Epidemiology of Head and Neck Cancers in Maiduguri-Northeastern Nigeria.

Head and neck cancers is one of the common health problems in our environment affecting relatively the youth. The paucity of literature on community based studies in Nigeria to determine the incidence of the disease obscure its burden, pattern and magnitude. This study presents epidemiological characteristics of head and neck cancers in Maiduguri as seen during the period of insurgency. A 5 year retrospective review of patients seen from January, 2010 to December, 2014 with histologically diagnosed head and neck cancers. Data extracted from the records of histopathology department of University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital was analyzed using SPSS version 16.0. Of the 7655 patients, 1312 (17.14%) were cancers and 217 (16.54%) of this was head and neck malignancies. Average age was 35.5years with SD±20.07. About 69% of cases were epithelial in origin and 60.83% of patients were less than 41 years of age. The age group worse affected by carcinoma is older than those with sarcoma and lymphoma. Head and neck is not uncommon in Maiduguri even in the face of insurgency, it is also among one of the common health problems of the relatively young. This therefore call for in-depth research on aetiological factors. Relevant authorities shall also establish oncology centers which will promote education, screening programmes, early detection, prevention and control of head and neck cancers.

Evaluation of the Anxiolytic Effect of Methanolic Leaves Extract of Paullinia pinnata Lin in Mice.

This study was designed to evaluate the anxiolytic effect of methanolic leave extract of Paullinia pinnata L. in mice. The elevated plus-maze and staircase paradigm were used to assess the anxiolytic activity of the methanolic leaf extract of Paullinia pinnata and diazepam. The results of the elevated plus-maze test showed that the extract at the dose of 50 mg/kg and diazepam significantly (P<0.05 and P<0.005) increased both the number of entries and time spent in the open arm by mice. In staircase paradigm, the extract produced a significant (P<0.05-P<0.0005) dose dependent decrease in the number of steps ascended and number of rearing events compared to the control mice. Diazepam significantly (P<0.0005) reduced the number of rearing events compared to control. The result of the present preliminary study suggests that methanolic leaf extract of Paullinia pinnata may possess an anxiolytic activity.

Tracing children with blindness and visual impairment using the key informant survey in a district of north-western Nigeria

To identify children with irreversible blindness in a district of northern Nigeria for enrolment into an inclusive education pilot project. Using key informants [KIs] working and residing within the communities, children with blindness and visual impairment in Gwadabawa local government area [LGA] were identified and then examined by a team of ophthalmologists/optometrists. Data analysis was performed manually using simple percentages and proportions. Sixty children were reported with visual problems by parents/guardians of whom 58 [97%] were examined. Twenty children [35%] were blind, 17 [29%] were irreversibly blind, and 9 [16%] had low vision [<6/18 to 3/60] with presenting vision. The major causes of childhood blindness were corneal opacity/phthisis bulbi [75%], and cataract [15%]. The cause of irreversible blindness in these children was largely preventable [80%] as it was due to childhood-related illnesses, such as vitamin A deficiency and measles. The major causes of childhood blindness in the study area were avoidable and the use of KI survey in this study provided an opportunity for service delivery

Prune belly syndrome and associated malformations. A 13-year experience from a developing country

A retrospective investigation was conducted to describe clinical features and birth outcomes among babies with prune belly syndrome detected ante-natally and at birth at the University Teaching Hospital in Cameroon. A total of 11 cases were identified over a period of 13 years, and the majority of affected fetuses were male (10 of 11). Most of the mothers were less than 30 years of age, had singleton pregnancies, and about two-thirds were complicated by placenta praevia, genital infections, preeclampsia, and anaemia associated with hookworm infestations. The most prominent findings related to prune belly syndrome among our patients were clubfoot (45), pulmonary hypoplasia (27), Potter facies (27), imperforate anus (27), and arthrogryposis (18). About two-thirds of the affected pregnancies did not reach the age of viability either due to voluntary termination (three of seven cases) or spontaneous abortion (four of seven cases). Of the remaining four viable pregnancies, two cases each of stillbirth and neonatal death were recorded. Among pregnancies that were not voluntarily terminated (n = 8), multiple concomitant anomalies and bilateral renal lesions were apparently the cause of fetal/infant death in the majority of cases (75). In conclusion, Cameroonian babies with prune belly syndrome presented with clinical features that were comparable to those observed in developed nations