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This study investigated toxicological effects of 5 and/or 10 mg/kg artemether (ART5 or ART10) and nevirapine (NVP) co-administration on serum biochemistry and some organs of Wistar rats. Drugs were administered intraperitoneally to 6 groups (n=6) for 21 days. On day 22, rats were sacrificed, sera obtained to determine electrolyte and antioxidant levels. Liver, kidney, lung and spleen were harvested and weighed for histological studies. Data analysed using oneway ANOVA, Dunnett’s post-hoc test and were considered significant at p≤0.05. There was no difference in superoxide, catalase, Na+ , K+ , Ca2+ and HCO3- levels in the treated groups. Cl- decreased (p≤0.05) in NVP + T80 and NVP + ART10 administered groups. MDA increased (p≤0.05) in NVP + ART10 group while GPx decreased. No pathological changes were observed in the liver of all treated groups but relative weight increased (p≤0.05) in NVPART10 treated group. The kidney of NVP-ART5 and NVP-ART10 treated groups did not differ in relative weight but showed some renal necrosis. The spleen and lung of ART10 treated group showed some pathological changes. The changes in relative liver weight, kidney tissue, Cl-, MDA and GPx levels of ART-NVP administered rats suggest the need for precautionary measures during drug treatment combination. Keywords: Artemether; Nevirapine; Toxicology; Liver; Kidney; Spleen; Lung, Biochemical parameters

Moringa oleifera Lam. (Moringaceae) has gained awareness for its antidiabetic effect, and is used as alternative therapy or concurrently with orthodox medicines such as sitagliptin in diabetes mellitus. This is without ascertaining the possibility of drug-herb interactions, which could either lead to enhanced antidiabetic efficacy, increased toxicity, or compromised glycaemic control with negative consequence in diabetic retinopathy.To investigate the effect, of sitagliptin (50mg/kg), Moringa oleifera (300mg/kg) leaf extract, and a combination of both on glycaemic control parameters, lenticular opacity and changes in retinal microvasculature in alloxan (150mg/kg i.p) induced diabetic rat model.Seven groups of eight rats per group were used, with groups I, II and VII as normal (NC), diabetic (DC) and post-prandial controls (PPC). Groups III to VI were diabetic rats on sitagliptin (III), M. oleifera (IV), sitagliptin and M. oleifera (SM) (V), for 42 days with 2 weeks delayed treatment in a post-prandial hyperglycaemic group (PPSM) (VI). Glycaemic control parameters, insulin levels, body weights, and effects of retinal microvasculature on lenticular opacity/morphology were investigated.A significant decrease in fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels was displayed in SM group from day 14(60%) (p0.01) to day 28 (38%) (p0.01) of treatment, compared to day 1. Thereafter, a steady increase of up to 57% on day 42 compared to day 28 was observed. A significant decrease in random blood glucose (RBG) levels, were demonstrated on day 42 (24%) (p0.001), compared to day 1. No significant difference was seen in mean serum levels of insulin across groups. No significant changes in body weights. Evidence of mild lenticular opacity was observed, with no significant effect in pathologic lesions in the retina.The chronic co-administration of sitagliptin and M. oleifera showed a progressive decrease in anti-hyperglycaemic effect of sitagliptin, and although it delayed the onset of lenticular opacity (i.e. cataract-like changes) it did not prevent the progression nor ameliorated pathologic lesions in the retina.

Children are more vulnerable to adverse events related to use of drugs. It is therefore important to study drug use in children in order to optimize pharmacotherapy. The aim of this study was to compare drug utilization in paediatric outpatient departments of primary and secondary health care facilities. The patient and drug information of 600 patients was analyzed for World Health Organization (WHO) recommended prescribing indicators. The average number of drugs per prescription was significantly (p < 0.0005) lower in secondary (2.97) compared to primary (3.62) facilities, while average consultation time was shorter (p < 0.0005) in primary than secondary facilities. Percentages of drugs prescribed from Nigerian Essential Drug List (EDL, primary {89.78%}; secondary {91.79%}) and by generic name (primary {55.04%}; secondary {57.88%}) were insignificantly different between the facilities. The use of injectables was low (8.32% in primary versus 3.74% in secondary facilities) while antibiotic use was high (54.14% in primary to 60.28% in secondary facilities). Analysis of the dispensing indicators showed that the secondary facilities were significantly (p < 0.05) better than the primary facilities, even though not a single drug was adequately labeled in both the primary and secondary facilities. Prescription from EDL was found to be fair in the study area while use of injections was low. There is a need for improvement in case of medicines prescribed by generic name.

Background: Leonotis nepetifolia Linn (Lamiaceae) is used in traditional medicine for its calming (tranquilizing) effects. The aim of this study was to determine whether there is any scientific justification for this use. To achieve this purpose, we investigated the behavioural effects of the methanol extract of Leonotis nepetifolia stem (37.5, 75 and 150 mg/kg) in mice. Methods: Acute toxicity studies were carried out on the methanol stem extract of Leonotis nepetifolia to determine the LD50. The behavioural tests employed were diazepam-induced sleep onset and duration, hole board assay for exploratory activity, mouse beam walk assay for motor coordination, and the staircase test for the detection of anxiolytic compounds. Preliminary phytochemical screening was also carried out on the extract. Results: The intraperitoneal LD50 value was found to be 3.8 g/kg. The results showed that the extract significantly prolonged the duration of diazepam-induced sleep at the highest dose (150 mg/kg). There was no observable effect on exploratory activity and motor coordination at the doses tested (37.5, 75 and 150 mg/kg). The extract, however, at 150 mg/kg elicited a significant decrease in the number of rearings in the staircase test, an effect also observed in the group of mice injected with an anxiolytic dose of diazepam. The preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, glycosides and triterpenoids. Conclusion: The results obtained suggest that the crude methanol extract of Leonotis nepetifolia stem possesses some biologically active constituents with potential anxiolytic activity and thus may justify its traditional use as a tranquilizer.

Background: Leonotis nepetifolia Linn (Lamiaceae) is used in traditional medicine for its calming (tranquilizing) effects. The aim of this study was to determine whether there is any scientific justification for this use. To achieve this purpose, we investigated the behavioural effects of the methanol extract of Leonotis nepetifolia stem (37.5, 75 and 150 mg/kg) in mice. Methods: Acute toxicity studies were carried out on the methanol stem extract of Leonotis nepetifolia to determine the LD50. The behavioural tests employed were diazepam-induced sleep onset and duration, hole board assay for exploratory activity, mouse beam walk assay for motor coordination, and the staircase test for the detection of anxiolytic compounds. Preliminary phytochemical screening was also carried out on the extract. Results: The intraperitoneal LD50 value was found to be 3.8 g/kg. The results showed that the extract significantly prolonged the duration of diazepam-induced sleep at the highest dose (150 mg/kg). There was no observable effect on exploratory activity and motor coordination at the doses tested (37.5, 75 and 150 mg/kg). The extract, however, at 150 mg/kg elicited a significant decrease in the number of rearings in the staircase test, an effect also observed in the group of mice injected with an anxiolytic dose of diazepam. The preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, glycosides and triterpenoids. Conclusion: The results obtained suggest that the crude methanol extract of Leonotis nepetifolia stem possesses some biologically active constituents with potential anxiolytic activity and thus may justify its traditional use as a tranquilizer

Background: Lamivudine and artesunate are sometimes co administered in HIV-malaria co morbidity. Both drugs are used concurrently in presumptive malaria treatment and simultaneous HIV post exposure prophylaxis. Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of lamivudine-artesunate co administration on the histology of the liver of diseased adult Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: Five groups of rats of both sexes were used for the study and placed on feed and water ad libitum . Disease state consisted of immunosuppression with cyclophosphamide, and infection with Plasmodium berghei . Group 1 animals served as vehicle control, while group 2 were the diseased controls. Group 3 animals received 20 mg/kg lamivudine for three weeks, while group 4 similarly received 20 mg/kg Lamivudine but also received 10 mg/kg artesunate from day 12. Animals in group 5 received 10 mg/kg artesunate from day 12. All drugs were administered intraperitoneally. The animals were treated for twenty-one days, at the end of which they were sacrificed and their livers fixed in 10% formalin for histological studies. Result: Results from the study show the presence of regions of focal necrosis and perivascular cuffing with animals that received artesunate. Hemosiderosis was a common feature in all the parasitized groups, while fatty degeneration was observed in the group that received artesunate alone. Conclusion: Concurrent lamivudine-artesunate administration resulted in some histopathological changes in the liver. This study suggests there may be considerable histological changes with repeated occurrence of malaria and immunosuppression that may warrant intermittent lamivudine-artesunate administration, and may require evaluation as well as monitoring of liver function during such therapeutic interventions.

Tapinanthus globiferus is mistletoe that is used in folklore for the management of sleep disorders and epilepsy, amongst others. This study was designed to evaluate the sedative and anticonvulsant properties of the ethanol extract of T. globiferus in mice and chicks. The extract was screened for its sedative activity and effect on motor coordination using diazepam-induced sleep and beam-walk assay respectively; while anticonvulsant property was screened, using maximal electroshock (MES), pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)- and strychnine (STN)-induced seizure test models. Experiments were conducted in mice except MES which was conducted in day old cockerels, with all drug administered by intraperitoneal route. Data was analysed using ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s post-hoc test. The extract produced a significant (p ≤ 0.05) and dose-dependent decreased in the onset and increased in the duration of diazepam-induced sleep at doses of 87.5, 175 and 350 mg/kg and also produced significant (p ≤ 0.05) increase in number of foot slips and the time spent on beam at the highest dose of 350 mg/kg, compared to control. However, the extract had no effect on the onset of seizure compared to the control in both PTZ and STN-induced seizures and offered no protection against STN and MES-induced seizure. The results indicated that the ethanol extract of T. globiferus possesses sedative effects in mice and minimum or no anticonvulsant properties in mice and chicks. Keywords: Tapinanthus globiferus , Electroshock, Pentylenetetrazole, Strychnine

Dose and treatment-duration neurotoxic effects are reported for artemisinin drugs of mostly the liposoluble derivatives; and yet artemether, the only parenteral formulation of the artemisinin series available in Nigeria is fat-soluble and also has a treatment-duration of 5–7 days (in an attempt to delay recrudescence). Since parenteral drugs are usually resorted to in severe/complicated or multidrug-resistant malaria against the oral artemisinin co-formulated therapies (ACT), this study is aimed to investigate the pathological changes on selected tissues (if any), in rats, of the normal 7-days artemether-injections when used both in the normal and higher doses. Artemether was administered i.p., at three dose levels, equivalent to therapeutic dose (1.5 mg kg−1) as well as 5 and 10 times higher (7.5 and 15 mg kg−1). A three percentage v/v Tween 80 vehicle was used for the control experiment. The pathological changes in the kidney, heart, liver, and lungs evaluated using percentage mean organ:body-weight rat...

Artemether (AM), a highly effective treatment for multidrug-resistant malaria and a component of artemisinin combination therapy, has been associated with some neurotoxicity following repeated high doses. This study was aimed at investigating the effect of AM on pentobarbitone sleep and electrical activities in rats. Wistar rats received AM i.p. at 3 dose levels: 1.5, 7.5, and 15 mg/kg, whereas control rats received 0.2 mL of the vehicle (3% v/v Tween 80). AM administered 20 min before pentobarbitone had no significant effect on the onset and duration of sleep. However, after a 7-day pretreatment, AM dose-dependently prolonged pentobarbitone sleep, as did chloramphenicol. Electroencephalogram and electromyogram recordings 20 min after pretreatment showed that AM (15 mg/kg) exhibited inhibitory activity similar to chlorpromazine as opposed to the excitatory effect of amphetamine. When pretreated for 7 days, rats receiving 1.5 mg/kg AM also showed inhibitory activity of the cortical centres, whereas desynchronization of the optic tectum and reticular formation was observed in rats pretreated with 7.5 and 15 mg/kg AM. The present data suggest that although the therapeutic equivalent dose of 1.5 mg/kg AM had no appreciable effects on pentobarbitone sleep but caused reduced electrical activity in rats, higher doses have more profound effects on both indices.

Formal mentorship programs are frequently not available in higher education institutions in the less developed countries. However, the demonstrated benefits of mentoring to mentees, mentors and ins...

Decoctions of the root of the plant Neorautanenia mitis. (A. Rich) Verde (Papilonaceae) are commonly employed ethnomedicinally in the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders and some other conditions. The central inhibitory effects of the methanol extract of N. mitis. (5–20 mg/kg) were therefore investigated in mice and rats to provide scientific evidence for some of these claims. Activities of the extract were studied on pentobarbital hypnosis in rats, and spontaneous motor activity (SMA), exploratory activity, rota-rod performance (motor coordination), and amphetamine-induced as well as apomorphine-induced hyperactivity, all in mice. The extract at doses of 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg (i.p.) produced significant (p < 0.05) prolongation of pentobarbital hypnosis and significantly (p < 0.05) reduced both SMA and exploratory behavior at the same doses. The extract attenuated both amphetamine- and apomorphine-induced hyperactivity in mice at the higher doses (10 and 20 mg/kg) but had no effect on motor coor...

Artemether, currently one of the first-line antimalarials in Nigeria was evaluated for its ability to reduce pain and inflammation, which are common symptoms of malaria. This study was to ascertain whether artemether has an analgesic / anti-inflammatory effect to complement its anti-parasitic activity against Plasmodium species. Acetic-acid-induced writhing test was used to measure peripheral-analgesic activity in mice while the tail-flick and hot-plate methods were used for central-analgesic activity. Fluid-volume-displacement by egg-albumin-induced hind-paw oedema in rats was used to assess for anti-inflammatory effect. Artemether was administered i.p., at three-doses equivalent to therapeutic-dose (1.5 mg/kg) as well as 5 and 10-times higher (7.5 and 15 mg/kg), once (acute) and daily for 7 days (sub-acute). Artemether inhibited peripheral-pain dose-dependently, but this was not significant at 1.5 mg/kg. Statistically significant pain-inhibition (P Keywords : Artemether; Analgesia; Inflammation; Mice; Rats Journal of Pharmacy and Bioresources Vol. 4 (2) 2007: pp. 39-48

Preliminary investigation of the in vitro and in vivo efficacies of different extracts from the leaves of Vernonia amygdalina (VA), a plant widely used in Nigeria was evaluated in Balb/C mice infected with a laboratory strain of Leishmania major (L. major). The ability of the methanol, hexane and aqueous extracts of the plant to suppress the infection rate and its cytotoxicity on macrophages and L929 cells were determined in the in vitro study. The in vivo study evaluated time course of infection, lesion progression and the histopathology of cutaneous lesions, liver and spleen after inoculation with metacyclic promastigotes. Methanolic extract of VA containing high levels of flavanoids, was the most potent extract as it showed the highest suppression on infectivity and viability of intracellular amastigotes at a concentration lower than that which elicited cytotoxicity on macrophages. Treatment of infected mice with methanolic extract of VA showed delayed onset of disease with a significant reduction in lesion size and attenuation of the histopathological outcome characterised by intact epidermis and less tissue destruction in skin, spleen and liver. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that VA has potent antileishmanial properties which warrants further investigation into the immunological mechanism.

Lamivudine-Artesunate co-administration is common in HIV-malaria settings, as well as in prophylaxis from occupational HIV exposure and presumptive malaria treatment. Pain is a symptom often associated with malaria and HIV which is usually treated with piroxicam due to availability, affordability, and low addiction potential. This study evaluated possible analgesic effects of lamivudine and artesunate, and also the effect of lamivudine-artesunate co-administration on piroxicam mediated analgesia in mice using acetic acid induced writhing method. Animals received 21 day intraperitoneal treatments with vehicle, lamivudine, artesunate or lamivudine/artesunate co administration. The result showed that artesunate possessed analgesic properties, and also showed that piroxicam mediated analgesia was significantly reduced (p

Alcohol-Drug/ Food interaction is a common pharmacokinetic interaction that can cause inter-individual variability in drug kinetics and response by influencing hepatic drug metabolism and related factors. This study was aimed at establishing the influence of alcohol on the pharmacokinetics of antipyrine which has often been used as an index of hepatic metabolizing capacity of the individual tested. Age and sex matched healthy volunteers were chosen respectively as control population (n =12, age = 18-32 years, weight=46-76 kg, males, non alcohol consuming) and study population (n=11, age=18-32 years, males, weight =50-80 kg, alcohol consumption =10-20 g of ethanol per week). Subjects were made to fast for 8 hours before the study. Each was then given 2 tablets of 270mg antipyrine trinitrate to swallow with 200ml of water on an empty stomach. 2 hours later, they were allowed to eat food and drink water. Alcohol ingestion and cigarette smoking were not allowed. Blood samples were then collected from each subject at times 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, 6.0, 8.0, 10.0, 12.0 and 15.0 hours. Plasma antipyrine was extracted by adding methanol, benzoic acid and distilled water to the plasma. The mixture was then centrifuged and filtered. The filtrate was injected into a high pressure liquid chromatography using reversed phase Bondesil C18 (0.5um) column, with benzoic acid (as internal standard) and acetonitrile: acetic acid (in 1% water) (35:65) as mobile phase. The concentrations of the antipyrine were determined from the chromatographic calibration output. The pharmacokinetic parameters of antipyrine in these subjects were compared with control using the Student's “t” test with significance in the values of the elimination rate constant, elimination half-life, systemic (plasma) clearance, lag time, time to attain peak drug concentration and the area under the drug concentration-time curve (zero to 15 hours and zero to infinity respectively). However, parameters such as absorption half-life, absorption rate constant, the extrapolated plasma drug concentration at zero time, the peak plasma drug concentration and volume of distribution were not significantly different in the two populations (P >0.05). The precision of the method used in the study was checked by manual Peak height (PH) method of quantitation with precision of 1.1- 5.5 %. This study has shown that chronic alcohol ingestion increased the systemic clearance of antipyrine by decreasing its elimination half-life without affecting its absorption from the intestine and its distribution in the body. Key words: Alcohol, drug-food interaction , antipyrine, pharmacokinetics

The effect of intravenous infusion of a solution of lactose-in-normal saline on the course of Trypanosoma vivax induced anaemia in Zebu yearlings was investigated. The animals were infected with 11 x 106 trypanosomes by jugular venipuncture and lactose-in-normal saline infusion started on day 6, post-infection (p.i). Three four-hourly doses of 0.5 g lactose/kg body weight were administered to each infected yearling in the experimental group daily for five days, while the infected control yearlings received no lactose-infusion. The experiment was terminated on day 13, p.i. Parasitaemia in the lactoseinfusedyearlings was scorable throughout the duration of experiment while parasites could not be detected in the blood of the infected control yearlings between days 7 and 9, p.i. Serum free sialic acids(FSA) concentration was also consistently higher in the lactose-infused yearlings than in the lactosefree ones. In the before lactose infusion (BL) period the PCV of the lactose-infused group dropped at asignificantly (P < 0.05) faster rate than in the lactose-free one. In the DL (during lactose infusion) period, the rate and magnitude of decline in PCV was significantly lower in the lactose-infused yearlings than inthe lactose-free animals. When lactose infusion was stopped (AL) the rate and magnitude of PCV decline became greater in the lactose-infused yearlings than in the lactose-free ones. It was thusconcluded that lactose ameliorated anaemia, by inhibiting the sequestration of desialylated erythrocytes from the blood stream of T. vivax-infected yearlings. This manifested in the reducedmagnitude and rate of decrease in PCV in the lactose-infused infected yearlings.

Siculine syrup – a traditionally prepared plant extract used in sickle cell anaemia pain crisis has been certified in a previous study to possess a dose-dependent analgesic and RBC-sickling inhibitory activities. In the present study, the phytochemical and antimicrobial screening as well as effect on food intake, water intake and urinary output was carried out. Standard methods were used to test for the presence of phytochemical metabolites, while the antimicrobial effect was tested on standard organisms‟ isolates of Staphylococcus aureus NCTC 6571, Escherichia coli NCTC 10418 and P seudomonas aeruginosa NCTC 6750. Twenty four hourly daily measurements of food intake, water intake and urinary output of rats placed inside metabolic cages was used to assess for changes in these parameters. The results showed that siculine contained cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, terpenes and sterols and it also demonstrated antimicrobial activity against S. aureus, but not against P. aeruginosa and E. coli. Siculine did not affect food intake, but water intake was substantially increased, but not significantly (P> 0.05; Student‟s t-test). However, there was significant diuretic effect due to siculine (P< 0.05; Student‟s t-test). Keywords: Siculine syrup; Sickle cell anemia; Antimicrobial; Food intake; Water intake; Urinary output

The effects of cimetidine on drug metabolism were studied in male and female rat pups and compared to similar effects in adult rats. As in adult rats, cimetidine 50 mg/kg/day i.p. for 7 days in the 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th weeks of life resulted in prolonged pentobarbitone sleeping times (diminished pentobarbitone hydroxylase activities), particularly when administered during the 3rd week. These effects of cimetidine were reversible since they continued only up to 2 weeks in males and 4 weeks in females, but by the 6th week were no longer observed. Pretreatment with cimetidine 15, 25 and 50 mg/kg/day i.p. for 7 days, resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of aminopyrine N-demethylase and aniline hydroxylase as well as a prolongation of pentobarbitone sleeping time in both pups and adults, aniline hydroxylase being the least affected. In general, female pups were more adversely affected than male pups and adults. The therapeutic and toxicological relevance of these results in man are discussed.

Earlier pharmacological screening showed that siculine syrup (a traditional herbal remedy purported to be useful in the prevention and treatment of sickle cell pain - crises, due to sickle cell anaemia - SCA) had antisickling and analgesic activities as well as antimicrobial and diuretic effects. SCA is an important haemoglobinopathy in Africa and many other communities/countries worldwide, with relatively high morbidity and mortality. The present study was to determine the effects of the extract on various isolated muscle preparations - smooth, skeletal and cardiovascular. Siculine (4-20 microg/mL), like acetylcholine (40-400 microg/mL), contracted the isolated rat uterus concentration dependently. Similar effects were observed with the guinea-pig ileum and rabbit jejunum (2-20 microg/mL). In contrast to these effects, the direct (muscle) and indirect (nerve) stimulations of rat phrenic nerve-diaphragm were relaxed by siculine (4 and 8 microg/mL) and d-tubocurarine (0.8 microg/mL). Siculine also concentration-dependently decreased both the rate and force of contraction of guinea-pig atria and rabbit heart and also resulted in a fall in cat blood pressure in a manner similar to those of acetylcholine. The possible therapeutic and/or toxicological consequences of these effects including the hypotensive activity is noteworthy since siculine syrup is used by the local population for the prevention and treatment of sickle cell pain crises.

The effects of maternal cimetidine pretreatment at different dose levels during lactation, on drug metabolism, were investigated in mouse dams and recently weaned pups. Aminopyrine N-demethylase, aniline hydroxylase and pentobarbitone metabolism were inhibited in both dams and pups in a dose-dependent manner (15, 25 and 50 mg/kg/day, i.p.). Pretreatment at a dose level of 50 mg/kg/day resulted in comparable levels of inhibition of drug metabolism in dams and female pups while male pups were less affected. Of the three indices studied, aniline hydroxylase was the least influenced by cimetidine pretreatment. Thus, the effects of maternal cimetidine pretreatment on drug metabolism in the nursing pair varied with the dose, sex and substrate. The possible implications of these results for man are discussed.

In a bid to establish a scientific rationale for the folkloric use of Khaya senegalensis the aim of this study was to determine the effect of the methanolic root bark extract of the plant on the rat uterus. With respect to uterine effects, the rat is the most appropriate animal model which can be extrapolated to man. Contractile response of isolated rat uterine preparations (approximately 2 cm strips) mounted in De-Jalon solution (in 25 ml organ bath) gassed with 95% oxygen / 5% carbon dioxide mixture at 32oC, were recorded using a microdynamometer. Both non-pregnant and pregnant isolated rat uterine tissues were challenged with oxytocin and acetylcholine as standard as well as with different concentrations of the extract followed by interaction studies. The results obtained from the experiments showed that the extract at concentrations between 0.3-3mg/ml (final organ bath concentrations) did not elicit any significant contractile properties but rather antagonized the contractile effects of oxytocin and acetylcholine. The antagonism was rapidly reversed in the non-pregnant uterine tissue while it was sustained in the pregnant uterine tissues. The present data therefore does not provide contractile basis for the purported use of K. senegalensis in abortions. Further studies are in progress to ascertain other possible mechanisms of abortions by the plant. Keywords : Khaya senegalensis , Oxytocin; Rat uterus Journal of Pharmacy and Bioresources Vol. 3 (1) 2006: pp. 30-35

Artemether, highly effective in multi-drug-resistant malaria is not routinely available for use in pregnancy due to the lack of adequate research data in animals and man. This study was therefore aimed at investigating some pregnancy-related effects of artemether. Artemether (1.5, 7.5 and 15 mg/kg i.p. daily for 7 days) did not produce changes in rat oestrous cycle. The drug did not prevent or prolong the rate of conception or parturition, cause pre-term delivery and affect litter size. Birth weight and growth rate of pups from artemether-pretreated dams were within the normal range. Artemether (48–480 µg/ml) had no agonist effect on the isolated uterine smooth muscles of both non-pregnant and pregnant rats and guinea pigs. However, the drug (24– 240 µg/ml) reduced oxytocin-induced contraction of uterine tissues concentration-dependently, particularly in pregnant uteri.

The antinociceptive activity of the methanolic extract of Neorautenania mitis was studied in mice and rats. Five experimental models of nociception employed were: acetic acid-induced abdominal constriction and hot-plate test in mice, formalin-induced pain, analgesy-meter and Randall-Selitto tests in rats. The antinociceptive action of the extract was tested against naloxone in the hot-plate test in a bid to further elucidate probable mechanisms of antinociception. Results showed that the extract at doses of 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg body weight caused significant (P

Background: Psychotropic medication adherence is a major challenge in psychiatric patients with comorbidity.Objective: The objective was to determine medication adherence behavior among psychiatric out‑patients with psychoactive substance use comorbidity in a Nigerian Tertiary Hospital.Settings and Design: A cross‑sectional study of a tertiary hospital in Northern Nigeria.Methods: Adult patients who have been attending the out‑patient clinic for at least 1 year were included. From the routine clinic, each consecutive fourth patient completed a socio‑demographic and drug use questionnaire, a self‑administered medication adherence scale, and a semi‑structured proforma which sought reasons for poor adherence, information on supervision and who keeps patient medications at home; until a calculated sample of 208 was attained.Statistical Analysis: Done by means of descriptive statistics using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 16. The level of significance was set at P < 0.05.Results: Totally, 208 patients participated in the study. 61 (29.3%) of them were substance users, out of which 59% never reported missing their medications. No statistically significant relationship was found between substance use and medication adherence. A significant proportion of substance users were compliant with medication use when the drugs were in their possession. For substance users and nonusers, the major reason for poor drug adherence was the unavailability of the medications, while nonsubstance users were more likely to complain about being tired of the medications. No report of side effects in supervised patients.Conclusion: The use of psychoactive substances in patients with other mental disorders influences their medication adherence behavior.Key words: Adherence, hospital, Nigeria, out‑patients, psychoactive, substance

The leaves of Cassia tora Linn. (Family: Caesalpiniaceae) were soxhlet extracted with methanol. The spasmogenic effects of the extract were evaluated on guinea pig ileum, rabbit jejunum and mice intestinal transit. Antinociceptive activity of the extract was also evaluated in the mice. The LD(50) values of the extract in mice were >2000 mg/kg i.p. and p.o. The extract contracted smooth muscles of guinea pig ileum and rabbit jejunum in a concentration-dependent manner. Atropine reversibly blocked this activity. Mepyramine also reduced the contractile amplitude due to the extract in a concentration-dependent manner. The extract increased intestinal transit in mice dose dependently. C. tora extract significantly (P

Intraperitoneal injection of rats with 2 mg/kg ring labelled 14C AFB1 (spec. act. 110 mCi/mM/nmole) showed a higher level of radioactivity in the urine of test animals on diets containing 600 mg/kg vit. E 24 h after pretreatment. Analysis of the urine by chloroform extraction, thin layer chromatography and liquid scintillation counting of the various fractions showed less aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) and less unmetabolized AFB1 in test samples than in controls. Incubation of ring labelled 14C AFB1 with hepatic 10,000 g supernatant fractions, however, showed increased metabolism of AFB1 by fractions from test animals as compared with the controls. Rate of disappearance of 14C AFB1 and the consequent formation of AFM1 was greater in the test fractions than in the controls. At 30 days all test animals showed higher levels of serum vitamin E than the controls. Hepatic aniline hydroxylase and ethyl morphine N-demethylase activities of the liver fractions and blood glutathione reductase activity were greater in the tests. P-nitroanisole-O-demethylase activity was reduced while hepatic and serum reduced glutathione levels remained basically unaltered.

Dietary association with chemical carcinogens is a well recognized occurence the world over. This paper reviews the presence of some compounds which have been detected and measured in foods and drinks that are indigenous to Nigeria. Diverse staple food items are known to be heavily contaminated with mycotoxins, particularly those producing the aflatoxin series. Poly-cyclic aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzpyrenes and anthracenes are present in smoked fish and meat. Several locally brewed alcoholic beverages have also been shown to contain nitrosatable amines. The widespread use of pesticides for agricultural and disease control purposes ensures a generous level of residues in foodstuffs. The presence of these and other chemical carcinogens in Nigerian foods and drinks may be associated with environmental factors, processing and handling practices and may account for the prevalence of certain types of cancers in the population.