Background: The present study investigated the antihyperglycemic and ameliorative effect of aqueous leaves extract of Acalypha wilkesiana on alloxan-induced diabetic male rats. The experimental rats were divided into six groups. Rats of the first group served as normal controls. Rats of the second group were negative control as they were induced with diabetes without treatment. The third group was treated with glibenclamide after induction of diabetes. The fourth, fifth and sixth groups were diabetic rats, treated with aqueous leaves extract of Acalypha wilkesiana at low dose (100mg/kg body weight), medium dose (200mg/kg body weight) and high dose (400mg/kg body weight) respectively. The blood glucose levels of the animals in each group were checked on day 5, 10 and 15 to examine the antihyperglycemic effect of the aqueous leaves extract of Acalypha wilkesiana. Also, on day 5, 10 and 15, the pancreas and spleen of experimental animals from each group were harvested for histological examination. Result: The result obtained showed that the graded doses of the extract significantly (p<0.05) reduced the blood glucose levels of the diabetic animals in a dose-dependent manner. Also, the histological examination of the pancreas and spleen of the experimental animals treated with aqueous leaves extract of Acalypha wilkesiana showed normal pancreatic islet (PI) filled with islet cells (Granular appearance) and pancreatic acini (PA), while normal spleen with white pulp containing periarteriolar lymphatic sheath (PALS) and central arteriole (CA), splenic cord (SC) and sinusoids (SS) were seen in the same animals treated with the extract. The effect of the extract was similar in action to the standard drug glibenclamide. Conclusion: The aqueous leaves extract of Acalypha wilkesiana possesses antihyperglycemic potentials and ameliorates the pancreas and spleen of diabetic albino rats.

Background: Konzo disease is a neurological condition that affects the upper and lower motor neurons. This disease is prevalent in females and youngsters. The effects of soya beans and brown beans on neurobehavioural deficit in Cassava-induced konzo disease rat model were investigated in the present study. Materials and Methods: 30 male wistar rats weighing 200-250g were assigned to Group 1 (Control, n=5). They were fed on animal pellet, whereas Group 2 (Soya and Brown Beans, n=5) was provided Soya and Brown Beans. Bitter cassava flour was provided to Group 3 (cassava induced Konzo, n=15). Protein (Soya and Brown Beans) and bitter cassava flour were supplied to Group 4 (protein treatment group, n=5). Neurobehavioural paradigms (Forelimb grip strength and gait test) were carried out to assess the effect of cyanogenic bitter cassava on motor coordination. Result and Discussion: Forelimb grip strength test showed significant decrease in the grip strength in Cassava group compared to Control and Protein(Soya and Brown Beans) group (p<0.01). It was observed that there was significant increase in grip strength test in the Cassava+ Protein (Soya beans and Brown Beans) when compared to Cassava group (p<0.05). Gait test showed significant decrease in the stance, stride and sway length of Cassava group when compared to the Control and Protein (Soya and Brown Beans) group (p<0.01). However, Cassava+ Protein group had a significant increase in stance, stride and sway length when compare to Cassava group (p<0.05). Conclusions: This study has provided a reference data on the ameliorative effects of Soya beans and Brown Beans on the neurobehavior of Cassava induced Konzo disease rat model. The ameliorative effects may be as a result of the presence of flavonoids and tannins in the brown beans and soya beans. This study will be useful to the Anatomists and Neuroscientist.

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the impact of different meal compositions on glycemic control in healthy adults in the University of Port Harcourt by examining the order and combination of carbohydrate and vegetable consumption. Method: A randomized crossover trial was conducted with 30 male and female participants. Three groups were formed, each consuming meals consisting of carbohydrates and vegetables in different sequences. Continuous glucose monitoring and postprandial glucose tests were employed to assess blood glucose levels. The glycemic index (GI) of the meals was also determined. Results: Participants who consumed vegetables before carbohydrates exhibited significantly lower mean glucose levels compared to the other groups. The Vegetable before Carbohydrate group demonstrated a lower overall glycemic response, as indicated by the lower GI values at various time intervals. Conclusion: The findings suggest that consuming vegetables before carbohydrates can lead to better glycemic control in healthy adults. The order of food consumption plays a role in regulating postprandial blood glucose levels. Including vegetables, which have a low glycemic index, in carbohydrate meals can mitigate rapid spikes in blood glucose levels.

Background: The use of hormonal contraceptives is on the increase among women of reproductive age in Nigeria. In this study effort was made to examine the influence of combined oral contraceptives on some Red blood cell (RBC) parameters in women attending family planning unit. Materials and Methods: Data for this study were obtained through questionnaire administered on one hundred and twenty (120) respondents who were randomly purposively selected. The subjects blood samples were collected and analysed using appropriate techniques. One way ANOVA was adopted as statistical analysis method for the study. Results and Discussions: It was observed that while combined oral contraceptives therapy caused reduction in MCV value, MCHC was significantly raised. The significant increase in haematocrit value coupled with con-comitant reduction in haemoglobin concentration in circulation as reported by this study is of great advantage in terms of oxygen carrying and delivery capacity of red blood cells and maintenance of normal function in individuals. Conclusion: The combined oral contraceptives does not show the capacity of inducing anaemia in users.

Cassia angustifolia is a plant best known for its medicinal properties, commonly known as Indian Senna. This is a flowering plant belonging to the Fabaceae family. In this Study, the antibacterial activities of ethanolic extract of Cassia angustifolia leaves were evaluated against MDR Microorganisms. The antimicrobial activity of the extract was assessed against a range of bacterial strains, including Escherichia coli (MDR), Klebsiella sp. (MDR), Pseudomonas sp. (MDR), and Acinetobacter sp. (MDR). The result showed that the leaf extract of Cassia angustifolia exhibit significant antimicrobial activity against all tested MDR Microorganisms. The phytochemical content of the plant includes many bioactive compounds like Tannins, Saponins, Flavonoids, Alkaloids, Steroids and quinones etc which may be responsible for the observed antimicrobial activities. These findings suggest that Indian Senna, which could be used to develop new drugs for the treatment of resistant bacterial infections.

The increasing resistance of Plasmodium falciparum to standard anti-malarial drugs has led to a search for new compounds with antimalarial properties. Throughout history, various plants have been used for the treatment of malaria. Gossypium hirsutum, a plant commonly used in Ondo state for malaria treatment, was the focus of this study. The crude extracts of Gossypium hirsutum were evaluated for their anti-plasmodial, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory properties. To assess the anti-plasmodial effect, Plasmodium berghei was inoculated into 12 mice divided into four groups, with three mice in each group. Groups 1 and 2 were treated with doses of 200mg/kg.bw and 400mg/kg.bw of the crude plant extract, respectively. Group 3 received 5mg/kg.bw of chloroquine phosphate, while group 4 received normal saline. The analgesic effects were evaluated using the Eddy's hot plate method and the Tail flick method in mice. The anti- inflammatory effect was assessed using egg albumin-induced paw edema in rats. The crude methanolic extracts of Gossypium hirsutum demonstrated activity against Plasmodium parasites and a significant anti-inflammatory effect, suppressing paw edema by 49.7%. Animals administered with the extracts showed increased response time to thermal pain induction in both the hot plate and tail flick methods, similar to the effect observed with the standard drug. The crude plant extract reduced parasitemia in mice by 79.2%, accompanied by a slight but statistically insignificant decrease in packed cell volume (PCV) and the weight of treated animals. Overall, the crude extract of Gossypium hirsutum exhibited effectiveness in managing malaria, along with a moderate analgesic and anti-inflammatory potential. These findings suggest that the plant contains active compounds with promising antimalarial effects, which could be further isolated and studied.

In search of effective treatment against E. coli there are some conventional medicinal treatments available but it becomes difficult to fight against MDR strains as they are resistant to most of the antibiotics. It was found that Bakreshwar hot spring water has some therapeutic properties against various infections, mostly against skin infections. Bakreshwar hot spring having a pH range of 8.1-8.5 and temperature which varies from 35°-71°C, contains several chemical compounds. Our aim of this work was to study whether Bakreshwar hot spring water can cure infections caused by E. coli in Gallus gallus embryo in relation to their gross appearances and IFN- γ and IL-10 gene expression changes. The sample water was collected around March, 2023. To study the therapeutic activity of Bakreshwar hot spring water, different experimental sets were set up with 14days embryonated eggs. Freshly prepared 0.5Mcfarland E. coli culture was inoculated into the eggs and in curative set, 100µl hot spring water was injected to check any alterations. Allantoic fluid was collected and mRNA was extracted the very next day. cDNA was synthesized from the extracted mRNA. Along with master mixture (primers, nuclease free water, Syber green) the cDNA was run at RT-PCR and CT value was obtained. The mean gene expression shows that IL-10 and IFN- γ both gene expression was decreased in curative set after treatment with water as compared to control sets. These finding suggests that Bakreshwar hotspring water treatment can be a potential method to control E. coli caused infections.