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Phyllantus amarus and P. muellerianus are herbs reported to possess anti-inflammatory activity. Antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of alginate-based microsphere loaded with extracts of P. amarus and P. muellerianus was here reported. The extract-loaded microspheres were prepared using the ionotropic gelation method. The particle size, swelling index, entrapment efficiency, and FTIR spectroscopy were determined. Antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of extract-loaded microspheres were evaluated in hotplate-induced nociception in mice and carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema, respectively. The physicohemical results showed rigid, free-flowing and spherical microspheres, with particle sizes ranging from 985.977±13.65 to 1232±12.99 µm and entrapment efficiencies of 20.9 ± 0.341 to 45.0 ± 0.002 %. Polymer-drug interaction revealed bands indicating aromatics, alcohols and alkenes. The extract-loaded microspheres showed improved antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities when compared to the extracts alone. The sodium alginate-based microspheres loaded with Phyllanthus amarus and Phyllanthus muellerianus extracts showed acceptable physicochemical properties and had improved antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activity compared to the extracts alone.

This study focused on designing a WASH Index for assessing the status of WASH in Primary Healthcare Facilities (PHCs) especially for low- and middle-income countries. To assess the effectiveness of the WASH Index in evaluating the WASH in PHCs, PHCs were selected from 70 Local Government Areas (LGA) across 3 Southwestern States in Nigeria. The WASH index comprises of the five Joint Monitoring Programme service ladders as outlined in the World Health Organization Global Baseline Report for monitoring basic WASH services in health care facilities: water, sanitation, hygiene, waste management and environmental cleaning. The 5 service elements (termed as components) assessed were based on 10 indicators and 30 sub-indicators. The results of the WASH Index of the PHCs were compared statistically on LGA and State basis with emphasis on the status of WASH facilities. The study concludes that the result would further provide baseline information on the status of WASH in PHCs in the selected States in the quest to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This study recommends that the WASH Index could be adopted an assessment tool for evaluating WASH in PHCs in other to ensure communication of results to policy makers and other relevant stakeholders, for effective monitoring healthcare facilities.

From preclinical and clinical findings, it has been shown that the amygdala is a critical mediator of stress and primary target for stress effects in the brain. We investigated the neuroprotective effect of Ginkgolide B (GB) in repeated restraint stress-induced behavioral deficit and amygdalar inflammation in mice. Mice were orally pre-treated with GB 20 mg/kg 1 h prior to 4 h restraint stress for 21 consecutive days. Behavioural deficit and serum and amygdalar biochemical changes were estimated using spectrophotometric and ELISA techniques. The results showed that GB pre-treatment inhibited spatial memory deficit, renounces neuropsychiatric phenotypes and metabolic redox activity by augmenting the endogenous antioxidant system via Nrf2 levels in the mice. The HPA axis activity impaired by the restraint stress induction was abated with marked reduction of corticosterone, hypertrophy of the adrenal gland and blood glucose level. Meanwhile, our data further reveals that GB pre-treatment inhibited the release of neuroinflammatory mediators (MPO, TNF-α, IL-6, MAPK, COX-2) and elevated CREB production via activation of BDNF protein. Further, the acetylcholinesterase activity was inhibited while the level of glutamate release remains unchanged in the amygdala of the restraint mice. The GB treatment also up-regulate the release of BCL-2 proteins. This study suggests that GB could be considered as a therapeutic agent in the management of memory impairment, neuropsychiatric phenotypes and neuropathological alterations.

Introduction: The therapeutic potential of yeast in the management of depression is unknown. Thus, we evaluated the modulatory effect of nutritional yeast supplementation on antidepressant activity of fluoxetine in mice models of depressive-like behaviors (DLB). Methods: A total of 112 mice were divided into 16 groups (n = 7 each) for a 3-stage study. Stage I (non-DLB study) had groups Ia (10 mL/kg vehicle), Ib (20 mg/kg fluoxetine), Ic – If (2% yeast diet for all, but Id - If additionally received 5 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg, and 20 mg/kg fluoxetine respectively). Stage II (lipopolysaccharide [LPS] model of DLB) had groups IIa - IIb (10 mL/kg vehicle), IIc (20 mg/kg fluoxetine), IId (yeast) and IIe (yeast + 20 mg/kg fluoxetine). After these treatments for 24 days, animals in IIb - IIe received 0.83 mg/kg of LPS on the 25th day. Except for group IIIa (10 mL/kg vehicle), animals in other groups of stage III (unpredictable chronic mild stress [UCMS] model) were exposed to UCMS for 24 days along with 10 mL/kg vehicle (IIIb), 20 mg/kg fluoxetine (IIIc), yeast (IIId), or yeast + fluoxetine (IIIe). Results: Yeast and fluoxetine attenuated LPS- and UCMS-induced immobility, derangement of oxido-inflammatory (TNF-α, IL-6, NO, MDA, SOD, GSH, CAT, and AChE) and CREB/MAPK pathways. While fluoxetine had more potent effect than yeast when used separately, pre-treatment of mice with their combination had more pronounced effect than either of them. Conclusion: Yeast supplementation improves the antidepressant activity of fluoxetine in mice by modulating oxido-inflammatory, CREB, and MAPK pathways.

Introduction: Elemental imbalances in breast cancer patients have been linked with carcinogenic processes which are responsible for the development and growth of breast malignancy. In medical applications of radiation, this elemental characterization is important in determining the radiation parameters which are fundamental in understanding the interaction of radiation with concerned tissue. This study aims to carry out an elemental characterization of malignant and healthy breast tissue and to determine their respective radiation parameters. Methods: Particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) procedure was used for the elemental characterization of the samples. The resulting elemental concentrations were used in calculating the photon radiation parameters with the aid of the “EpiXS” software. Results: Among the elements determined, Mg, Al, P, S, Cl, K, Mn, Zn, and Pb in the malignant group were found to be significantly higher than that of the healthy group at a 0.05 significance level. Although not significant, the effective atomic number (Zeff) and the electron density (ρe) of the malignant group were slightly higher than that of the healthy group and this causes the difference in the mass attenuation coefficients for photoelectric effect and pair production interactions of the two subjects. The healthy tissue which has the lower value of Zeff and ρe dominated the maximum values of EABF while the minimum values were dominated by the malignant breast tissue which has the higher Zeff and ρe. The variation in the photon radiation parameters between the two groups suggests that the two groups will behave differently when photons interact with them. Conclusion: The results obtained in this study will be helpful in radiation biological physics and thus be proven worthwhile in radiodiagnostic, radiation dosimetry, and radiation therapy of breast cancer.

Background: :Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) is an agent that is used to initiate neuroinflammation in animal experimental model. Thus, leading to neurotoxicity and behavioral deficit. These effects are thought to be caused by significant increase in the level of pro-inflammatory mediators in the Central nervous system. However, not much is known about the anti-neuroinflammatory properties of Waltheria americana leaf in LPS- induced neuroinflammation. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the anti-neuroinflammatory properties of the methanol extract of Waltheria americana leaf (MEWA) in experimental animals. Methods: : Leaves of W. americana were collected at the College of Agriculture, Kabba, Kogi State, and authenticated at the Herbarium, Forest Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN), Ibadan (FHI:111,064). The leaves were extracted by maceration in methanol. The components of MEWA were analysed using the Gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The study had four groups (n = 5) of rats: Normal Control and groups that received vehicle (Veh) (10 mL/kg p.o), MEWA (200 mg/kg p.o) and Quercetin (50 mg/kg p.o) for 30 days after a single intra-peritoneal administration of 2 mg/kg Lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Memory was assessed using the Morris Water Maze test. During sacrifice, Striatum (STR), Prefrontal cortex (PFC) and Hippocampus (HPC) were sectioned. The ELISA method was used for IL-6 and TNF-α. Golgi stain was used for neuronal morphology. Data were analysed using ANOVA at α0.05. Results: : The GC–MS analysis revealed fatty acids and methyl esters as the most abundant constituents in Waltheria americana leaf extract. The extract significantly increased the time spent in quadrant area in the probe trial during the Morris Water Maze test. More so, the extract significantly decreased IL-6 and TNF-α in the Striatum, Prefrontal cortex and Hippocampus. Dendritic arborization was also preserved by the extract. Conclusions: : This finding demonstrates the neurotoxic effect of Lipopolysaccharides to neurons in the Prefrontal cortex, striatum and hippocampus and its ability to cause behavioral deficits, and how Waltheria americana leaf extract administration was able to prevent neurotoxic damage and behavioural deficits.

Background: Pineapple peel is a waste component of pineapple with valuable source of metabolites as phytoactive compounds in ameliorating metabolic-related disorders. This study investigated the atheroprotective and neuroprotective effects of peel extract of Ananas comosus fruit (PEAC) in normal diet (ND) and high-fat diet (HFD) fed rats. Methods: Male Wistar rats were fed ND or HFD for 9 weeks, and beginning from the 6th week animals were also orally treated with PEAC (200 mg/kg). Memory performance was assessed using Y-maze test (YMT) and novel object recognition test (NORT) while anxiolytic-like effect was assessed on the elevated plus maze (EPM). Serum cholesterol, triglycerides and HDL-C were determined, while LDL-C and atherogenic risk calculated. Serum and brain tissue malondialdehyde, reduced glutathione, catalase were determined. Brain acetylcholinesterase activity and interleukin-6 level were also determined. Results: PEAC significantly attenuated HFD-induced reduction in correct alternation in YMT, and discrimination index in NORT. Also, PEAC demonstrated anxiolytic-like activity in EPM test. PEAC significantly improved lipid profile and decreased risk of atherogenicity in ND and HFD-fed rats. In addition, PEAC improves serum and brain antioxidant status by decreasing malondialdehyde and increasing GSH and catalase. PEAC significantly impaired HFD-induced brain acetylcholinesterase activity and IL-6 levels. Conclusion: These findings suggest that peel extract of Ananas comosus fruit may protect against diet-induced behavioral disturbances via atheroprotective, antioxidants and anti-inflammatory activities.

Background: Substance abuse is causing increasing threats to the stability of young minds, from teenage to the older youths and is an issue of public health concern in Nigeria. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of drug abuse among students of tertiary institutions in Ekiti State. Methodology: A comparative cross-sectional survey was carried out among students in tertiary institutions in Ekiti state with participants selected from Year 1 to Year 4. Data collection tool was the WHO questionnaire (STASSIS). Data was analysed to obtain descriptive and inferential data, Kruskal-Wallis test and chi square were used for analysis of variance and test of association. Result: The majority of the students reported low use of all the drugs (64–90.1%) though moderate to high use were reported for: alcohol 35.1%, marijuana 15.7%, heroine 15.3%, tobacco 13.8% and cocaine 10.2%. There was a significant association between student's moderate to high use and university type. Students in private universities reported more use, especially heroine. Difference in substance use across the four years surveyed was significant with final year students (400 level) showing highest use. Conclusion: Tertiary students in Ekiti state are low users of psychoactive substances with a prevalence of 60–91%. Moderate to high prevalence of 10–31% was reported with alcohol as the substance with highest usage. Substance use varied significantly with university type with highest prevalence in the private institution and students at different academic levels with final year students being the highest users.

This study investigated the effect of methanolic leaf extract of Peristrophe Bicalyculata (MEPb) on type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) associated cognitive decline in Wistar rats.36 male rats weighing 130–200 g were assigned into 6 groups (n = 6) as follows: normal control, diabetic control, pioglitazone-treated diabetic and three MEPb-treated diabetic groups, type 2 diabetes mellitus was induced with low dose streptozocin (STZ) injection following 3 weeks of high fat diet (HFD) intake. Thirty days after diabetes induction, rats exhibited marked and persistent hyperglycemia, animals were treated with MEPb (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) and pioglitazone (10 mg/kg) as standard. Morris water maze (MWM) test and Novel object recognition test (NORT) were used to assess learning and memory. Blood glucose level, oxidative stress makers, pro-inflammatory marker and acetylcholinestarase activities were analysed.Both MEPb and pioglitazone significantly (P < 0.05) reduced escape latency in treated animals compared to the diabetic control group in the MWM test. Methanolic leaf extract of Peristrophe bicalyculata and pioglitazone also significantly (P < 0.05) increased discrimination index in treated animals compared to the diabetic control group in the novel object recognition test. Serum, brain and liver MDA levels were significantly (P < 0.05) decreased in MEPb and pioglitazone treated rats compared to diabetic control. Serum and liver GSH as well as CAT levels were significantly (P < 0.05) increased while brain GSH and CAT levels shows apparent increase in MEPb and pioglitazone treated rats compared with diabetic control. Treatment with MEPb caused a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in brain nitrite level, interleukin 6 and acetylcholinesterase activity compared to diabetic control group.We conclude that Methanolic leaf extract of Peristrophe bicalyculata enhanced antioxidant capacity and prevented neuroinflammation, consequently improving brain neuronal cholinergic function in experimental animals.

Objective: Psychosocial stress has been implicated in the genesis of psychiatric disorders such as memory deficits, depression, anxiety and addiction. Aqueous leaf extract of Cymbopogon citratus (CYC) otherwise known as lemongrass tea has antidepressant, anxiolytic and anti-amnesic effects in rodents. This study was designed to evaluate if C. citratus could reverse the neurobehavioral and biochemical derangements induced by social defeat stress (SDS) in the resident/intruder paradigm., Methods: Intruder male mice were divided into five groups ( n  = 7): group 1 received saline (10 mL/kg, p.o.; non-stress control), group 2 also received saline (10 mL/kg, p.o.; SDS control) while groups 3-5 had C. citratus (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg, p.o.) daily for 14 d. The SDS was carried out 30 min after each treatment from day 7 to day 14 by exposing each intruder mouse in groups 2-5 to a 10 min confrontation in the home cage of an aggressive resident counterpart. The neurobehavioral features (spontaneous motor activity-SMA, anxiety, memory, social avoidance and depression were then evaluated. The concentrations of nitrite, malondialdehyde and glutathione as well as acetylcholinesterase activity in the brain tissues were also determined., Results: C. citratus (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) attenuated hypolocomotion, heightened anxiety, depressive-like symptom, memory deficit and social avoidance induced by SDS. The altered levels of oxidative stress and acetyl-cholinesterase in SDS-mice were positively modulated by C. citratus., Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that C. citratus might mitigate psychosocial stress-induced neurologic diseases in susceptible individuals., (© 2020 Tianjin Press of Chinese Herbal Medicines. Published by ELSEVIER B.V.)

Aims: Current research effort focuses on the development of safer natural compounds with multipronged mechanisms of action that could be used to ameliorate memory deficits in patients with Alzheimer's disease, as cure for the disease still remains elusive. In this study, we evaluated the effect of methyl jasmonate (MJ), a naturally occurring bioactive compound on memory, acetylcholinesterase activity and biomarkers of oxidative stress in mice., Main Methods: Male Swiss mice were treated with intraperitoneal injection of MJ (10-40 mg/kg) alone or in combination with scopolamine (3mg/kg) once daily for 7 days. Thirty minutes after the last treatment, memory functions were assessed using Y-maze and object recognition tests. Thereafter, acetylcholinesterase activity and levels of biomarkers of oxidative stress were assessed in mice brains using standard biochemical procedures., Key Findings: MJ significantly enhanced memory performance and reversed scopolamine-induced cognitive impairment in mice. MJ demonstrated significant inhibition of acetylcholinesterase activity suggesting increased cholinergic neurotransmission. It further decreased malondialdehyde concentrations in mouse brain indicating antioxidant activity. Moreover, MJ significantly increased glutathione levels and activity of antioxidant enzymes (catalase and superoxide dismutase) in mice brains. The increased oxidative stress; evidenced by elevated levels of malondialdehyde and decreased antioxidant defense systems in scopolamine-treated mice was attenuated by MJ., Significance: The results of this study suggest that MJ may be useful in conditions associated with memory dysfunctions or age-related cognitive decline. The positive effect of MJ on memory may be related to inhibition of oxidative stress and enhancement of cholinergic neurotransmission through inhibition of acetylcholinesterase activity., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)