ISSN 2736-173X
Short Communication
African Journal of Malaria and Tropical Diseases ISSN 4123-0981 Vol. 3 (4), pp. 137-138, April, 2015. © International Scholars Journals
Short Communication
An evaluation of vegetative propagation on some key medicinal plants for malaria treatment in Nigeria
Adebayo B. Alade
Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria.
E-mail: [email protected]
Accepted 9 March, 2015
Abstract
Vegetative propagation studies on some key medicinal plants for malaria treatment in Nigeria were carried out. The identified plants are Azadirachta indica, venonia amygdalina and Ageratum conyzoides. Methods of harvesting plant parts by the enthomedicinal practitioners were observed to be injurious and could create enabling environment for plant pathogens. Result from vegetative propagation using 50 ppm indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) showed significant difference in response to the effect of IBA in rooting stem cuttings. From A. indica 70% cuttings rooted, 30% died in treatment and in the control 10% rooted, while 90% died. From A. conyzoides 23.3% rooted and 76.7% died in treatment while none rooted in the control. V. amygdalina had 60% rooted and 40% died in treatment respectively. The control had 13.3%.
Key words: Malaria, medicinal plants, conservation, Vernonia amygdalina, Ageratum conyzoides, Azadirachta indica.
Adebayo B. Alade
Page: 137 - 138
Research Article
African Journal of Malaria and Tropical Diseases ISSN 4123-0981 Vol. 3 (4), pp. 131-136, April, 2015. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
A study of the incidence of malaria parasitaemia and associated anaemia among pregnant women in Otukpo, Benue state, Nigeria
*1Jombo T. Afam, Ubaka E. Micheal2, Adebesi A. Sunday2 and Iraoye J. Amen3
1Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Kaduna State University, Nigeria.
2Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Kaduna State University, Kaduna, Nigeria.
3Department of Internal Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Kaduna State University, Kaduna, Nigeria.
*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]
Accepted 11 March, 2015
Abstract
The study was carried out to ascertain the incidence of malaria parasitaemia and associated anaemia among pregnant women in a semi-urban community nine years after commencement of roll back malaria (RBM) initiative. The study was hospital-based among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at a central hospital. Structured questionnaires were administered containing relevant information on age, educational level, number of previous pregnancies and methods used for malaria control. Thick and thin blood films from capillary blood were stained with Giema’s stain and examined microscopically for malaria parasites. Packed cell volume (PCV) and blood groups were also carried out while body temperatures were measured using mercurial thermometers. Ethical clearance and informed consents were appropriately obtained. Data was analysed using Epi info 6 statistical software. The incidence of malaria parasitaemia was found to be 308 (42.4%); Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium malariae accounted for 302 (98%) and 6 (2%) of the isolates respectively. Anaemia was detected in 221 (71.6%) of the subjects with malaria parasites (P< 0.001). The rate of use of insecticide treated bed nets (ITNs) was 165 (22.7%) with a significantly lower rate of infection (22.2%) among them compared to other control methods (P< 0.001); there was a corresponding significantly higher rate of infection 253 (67.1%) among the uneducated compared to the educated (P< 0.001). Malaria is still a major health problem among pregnant women in Otukpo. Efforts should be intensified towards provision of insecticide treated bed nets (ITNs) and provision of adequate facilities for formal and informal adult education.
Key words: Malaria, parasitaemia, insecticide treated bed nets, pregnant women, Nigeria.
Adebesi A. Sunday and Iraoye J. Amen, *Jombo T. Afam, Ubaka E. Micheal
Page: 131 - 136
Research Article
African Journal of Malaria and Tropical Diseases ISSN 4123-0981 Vol. 3 (8), pp. 215-220, August, 2015. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
An investigation on the haematologic and biochemical indices of moderately P. falciparum infected male inhabitants of Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria
Ejeagha Ike Humphrey1 and Onwenu Mike Nwosu2
1Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University in Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
2Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.
*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]
Accepted 18 July, 2015
Abstract
In spite of threats malaria pose to public health, specific records on alterations in some haematologic and biochemical indices of inhabitants of Owerri Municipality infected with P. falciparum malaria have not received wide reports and documentation. Accordingly, the present study sought to investigate alterations in haematologic and biochemical indices of moderately P. falciparum infected male inhabitants of Owerri Municipality. Haematologic and biochemical indices were estimated by spectrophotometric methods. Haemoglobin concentrations of malarious subjects within age brackets of 11 to 20 and 21 to 31 years were below reference interval; [Hb]M;11-21 years = 10.53 ± 0.23 g/dl (p < 0.05); [Hb] M; 21-31 years = 11.51 ± 1.10 g/dl (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) between the two malarious groups; ESRM; 11-20 years = 29.80 ± 0.74 mm/h; ESRM; = 26.51 ± 1.42 mm/h. Packed cell volume (PCV) of malarious subject gave the following values: PCV%M; 11-20 years = 26.82 ± 0.78; PCV%M; 21-31 years = 25.82 ± 0.78; p > 0.05. Serum white blood cell count (WBC) was raised in malarious subjects compared to control groups (p > 0.05) except with WBC × 103M; 21-30 years = 13.77 ± 3.95; p > 0.05. Serum albumin was lower in malarious subjects; [Albumin]M; 11-20 years = 4.70 ± 0.05 mg/dl and [Albumin]M; 1-21-31 years 31 years = 4.31 ± 0.09 mg/dl; p > 0.05, whereas, serum creatinine concentrations of malarious subjects gave higher values: [Creatinine]M; 11-20 years = 0.88 ± 0.71 mg/dl and [Creatinine]M; 21-31 years = 1.14 ± 0.42 mg/dl; p > 0.05. Serum urea concentrations of malarious subjects were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than the corresponding non-malarious age group. Serum fasting blood sugar (FBS) was significantly (p < 0.05) lower in malarious groups compared to corresponding non-malarious subjects. Specifically, [FBS]M; 11-20 years = 63.34 ± 1.66 mg/dl and [FBS]M; 21-31 years = 69.45 ± 1.25 mg/dl; p < 0.05. Subjects with moderate malaria infection showed symptoms of anaemia, alterations in nitrogen and carbohydrate metabolism, exemplified by raised serum level of urea and low level of FBS.
Key words: Haemoglobin, packed cell volume, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, fasting blood sugar, malaria, Plasmodium falciparum.
Ejeagha Ike Humphrey, Onwenu Mike Nwosu
Page: 215 - 220
Research Article
African Journal of Malaria and Tropical Diseases ISSN 4123-0981 Vol. 3 (3), pp. 104-109, March, 2015. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
An assessment of the effect of malaria on the indices of anaemia of Plasmodium parasitized pregnant women in the Niger Delta of Nigeria
*1Erhabor A. Kelvin, Amus G. Dickson2 and Shart O. Austine2
1Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Nigeria.
2Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Federal University of Science and Technology, Yola, Adamawa, Nigeria.
*Corresponding author. E-mail:[email protected]
Accepted 17 February, 2015
Abstract
Malaria infection during pregnancy is a major public health problem in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. This study evaluated the effect of malaria on the indices of anaemia of 50 Plasmodium parasitized pregnant subjects. Fifty non- malaria parasitized pregnant and fifty non- pregnant and non-parasitized subjects served as control. The mean haematological values was significantly lower among parasitized pregnant women compared to non–parasitized pregnant and non pregnant subjects (p = 0.001) . The incidence of anaemia among parasitized and non parasitized pregnant subjects was (66 and 48%). A positive correlation was observed between the level of parasitaemia and anaemia (r = 0.67, p = 0.04). Microcytic and hypochromic anaemia was significantly higher in pregnant and parasitized subjects (p = 0.001). Burden of malaria infection and anaemia was higher in primgravidae compared with multigravidae subjects. Preventative strategies including regular chemoprophylaxis, intermittent preventative treatment with antimalarials, provision of iron supplementation and insecticide-treated bed nets should be implemented.
Key words: Plasmodium parasitaemia, anaemia, pregnancy, Niger Delta, Nigeria.
*Erhabor A. Kelvin, Amus G. Dickson and Shart O. Austine
Page: 104 - 109
Research Article
African Journal of Malaria and Tropical Diseases ISSN 4123-0981 Vol. 3 (1), pp. 096-099, January, 2015. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
A study of the abundance, composition and vectoral competence of Anopheles species in six areas of Lagos in Nigeria
*Ukwa O. Orji, Akin A. Adegoke, Ladoja M. Rafin, Fayemi D. Dorcas and Ogun A. Ola
Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria.
*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]
Accepted 24 December, 2014
Abstract
Malaria is a problem in Nigeria and the risk exists throughout the country. Anopheles mosquitoes have been incriminated as the major malaria vectors. Vectors competence, however, differs from one species to another and from place to place. The present study reports the species abundance, composition and vectoral competence of Anopheles species in six areas of Lagos in Nigeria. The human blood index (HBI) and sporozoite rates (SR) were the components of vectoral competence. Human landing catches was used in collection. Species identification morphologically and by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was carried out on mosquitoes. Enzyme linked immuno- arsorbent assay (ELISA) was used to examine – sporozoite infected Anopheles and their blood meal origin. Anopheles gambiae s.s. was found to be most widespread and competent vector in all the six areas. The highest proportions of female Anopheles caught were from Alimosho area (49.8%), but they were mainly with no blood meal (47.9%). In Ajeromi, 85.7% of the female Anopheles had blood meals. Anopheles in Agege area, however, had the highest HBI. Sporozoite rate was highest in Mushin but lowest in Agege. The other Anopheles species were less relatively competent compared to Anopheles gambiae s.s, Anopheles funestus s.s was the second predominant and competent vector in all the areas. Anopheles moucheti nigeriensis was collected from Ajeromi and Amuwo Odofin areas alone and carried sporozoites in the two areas. Ojo area was identified as the most endemic because of the HBI 61.6% and SR of 62.9%. The present study has provided baseline data for formulating control programmes in Lagos State, Nigeria.
Key words: Anopheles Species, vectoral competence, mosquitoes, malaria, Lagos–Nigeria, Human blood index, sporozoite rate.
Akin A. Adegoke, *Ukwa O. Orji, Fayemi D. Dorcas and Ogun A. Ola, Ladoja M. Rafin
Page: 96 - 99
Research Article
African Journal of Malaria and Tropical Diseases ISSN 4123-0981 Vol. 3 (8), pp. 232-236, August, 2015. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
An evaluation of the effects of pre-treatment with vitamin C and folic acid on the hepatotoxic effect of artemisinin combination
*Bankole O. Ladipo1, Olatunji O. Alabi2, Adeola A. Oladipo1 and Ajaro E. Navison2
1School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Leeds, England, UK.
2Department of Biosciences and Biotechnology, College of Pure and Applied Sciences, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria.
*Corresponding Authors. E-mail: [email protected]
Accepted 15 July, 2015
Abstract
Artemisinin and its derivatives are among the most effective antimalarial drugs used today. This study compared the effects of pre-treatment with vitamin C and folic acid on the hepatotoxic effect of artemisinin combination. Thirty male wistar rats randomly assigned to six groups of five rats each were used in the study. Group A was the normal control; groups B, C, D, E and F were placed on therapeutic doses of leonart, leonart+vitamin C, leonart + folic acid, vitamin C and folic acid respectively. They were pretreated with the respective supplements for 28 days while administration of leonart was carried out for four days starting from the 24th day of supplements administration. The rats were thereafter sacrificed by cervical dislocation after an overnight fasting. Serum prepared from the whole blood and homogenized liver were then used for analysis. The result indicates that leonart administration raised the level of malaondialdehyde, serum total, conjugated bilirubin and the activities of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). It however decreases the activities of liver catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH) level. Combined administration of leonart with vitamin C restored these parameters to pretreatment levels. Neither separate nor combined administration of folic acid with leonart altered any of these parameters.
Key words: Leonart, hepatotoxicity, artemisinin, antimalarial, oxidative stress.
Olatunji O. Alabi, *Bankole O. Ladipo, Adeola A. Oladipo and Ajaro E. Navison
Page: 232 - 236