FACULTY OF SCHOOL AND BASIC MEDICAL SCIENCES

The use of traditional medical therapy is an important method in the treatment and management of diseases in the African continent and this could be as a result of social, cultural and economic lifestyles. Pharmacologically, the active ingredients found in pyrenacantha staudtii can be extracted and used to cure and prevent numerous diseases. The aim of this research was to investigate the effect of aqueous extract of pyrenacantha staudtii on the undamaged spleen of adult wistar rats. Thirty adult wistar rats weighing between 110g and 200g were used for this experiment with five rats in each group. All rats were allowed two weeks of acclimatization and they all had equal access to feed and water. Group A was the control and was not administered with any extract. Group B was administered with a low dose of the extract(100mg). Group C was administered with a medium dose of the extract(200mg). Group D was administered with 400mg of the extract. Group E was administered with 800mg of the extract. Group F was administered with 1600mg of the extract. All the rats were administered with the extract for 35 days. On the 36th day, the rats were sacrificed via chloroform anaesthesia and the spleen were harvested immediately and preserved in 10% formal saline for tissue processing using H&E for histological analysis

Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is a major health problem in Nigeria, contributing greatly to illness and death. Nutrition and iron balance play key roles in how the disease progresses. Body mass index (BMI) affects the general health of SCA patients, while changes in iron levels, whether too low or too high, can worsen anemia and related complications. This study examined the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and iron indices among adult sickle cell anemia (SCA) patients attending the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, Lagos and to determine their association with disease severity. A cross-sectional analytical design was adopted, involving 45 confirmed HbSS patients and 45 HbAA age- and sex-matched controls. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, pain frequency, and disease severity were obtained using structured questionnaires, the Adult Sickle Cell Quality of Life
Measurement Information System (ASCQ-ME), and the Modified Disease Severity Scoring System for SCA. Anthropometric variables were measured following
standard protocols, and BMI was classified based on WHO criteria. Blood samples were analyzed for full blood count, serum iron, serum ferritin, and total iron-binding
capacity (TIBC) using standard ELISA and spectrophotometric techniques. Disease severity score was obtained for each Hbss subject by summing up the scores for crisis rate, number of complications and degree of anemia. HbSS total scores of <3 were considered to have mild anemia. Those with score of > 3 but < and =7 were taken have moderately anemia while subjects with scores > 7 were deemed to have severe
anemia. Most participants were young adults. In the SCA group, 46.7% were aged 18–25, while 40% of the control group fell within this range. Participants aged 26–35 constituted 20% of the SCA group and 17.8% of controls. Those aged 36–45
represented 22.2% of the SCA group and 28.9% of the controls. Smaller proportions were observed in the 46–55 age bracket, with both groups recording 8.9%. Only a few
participants were 56 years and above, comprising 2.2% of the SCA group and 4.4% of the control group. The SCA patients had significantly lower hemoglobin (HGB), packed cell volume (PCV), and red blood cell (RBC) counts compared to controls (p
< 0.001). Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) were significantly higher in SCA subjects (p < 0.001). Ferritin concentrations were markedly elevated (p < 0.001), whereas TIBC was significantly reduced (p < 0.001). Serum iron levels did not differ significantly between groups (p > 0.05). BMI distribution indicated that 28 (62.2%) of the SCA subjects had normal weight, 13
(28.9%) were underweight, and 4 (8.9%) overweight. Lower BMI correlated with more severe anemia and higher disease severity scores (p < 0.05). Painful crises were common, with vaso-occlusive crisis and acute chest syndrome observed in all patients, while mild to moderate anemia predominated (75.6%). In conclusion, this study demonstrates that low TIBC and elevated serum ferritin are frequent among adult
SCA patients, reflecting chronic inflammation and increased iron stores within the reticuloendothelial system. Nutritional monitoring and iron indices evaluation should be integral to routine care for SCA patients to reduce disease complications and improve quality active life.

Miracle Seed Ultima® (MSU) is widely used as a natural supplement, yet scientific evidence on its safety profile remains limited. This study therefore evaluated the sub-acute toxicity effects of MSU on liver function and lipid metabolism in male Wistar rats. Twenty rats were randomly assigned to four groups and administered 0 mg/kg (control), 100 mg/kg, 300 mg/kg, and 1000 mg/kg of MSU orally for 28 days. Liver biomarkers including ALT, AST, ALP, total protein, albumin, total bilirubin, and direct bilirubin were analysed, while lipid profile parameters (total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, LDL, and VLDL) were assessed.The results showed no statistically significant differences (P > 0.05) in AST, ALP, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, or albumin levels across all doses. However, ALT increased significantly (P < 0.05) in the 300 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg groups compared with the control, with mean values of 147.35 ± 12.9ᵃ (control), 135.00 ± 8.7ᵃᵇᵈ (300 mg/kg), and 200.56 ± 22.2ᵃᶜᵉ (1000 mg/kg), indicating a dose-related biochemical change. Total protein decreased significantly in the 100 mg/kg group 4.06 ± 0.1ᵃ (control) and 3.39 ± 0.1ᵇᶜ(100mg/kg), although values remained within physiological ranges. Lipid parameters showed no statistically significant alterations, indicating that the observed slight increase in total cholesterol in Group 3 and reduced triglycerides in Group 2 were not biologically meaningful since they were not statistically supported.Overall, the findings indicate that MSU did not produce broad hepatic or lipid toxicity within the 28-day period. Although ALT increased at higher doses, a single enzyme elevation without corresponding changes in other hepatic markers does not conclusively indicate liver damage. Nevertheless, the dose-dependent rise suggests a potential early biochemical response that warrants further attention. The study highlights the need for additional investigations involving histopathology, oxidative stress markers, and long-term exposure to more conclusively establish the safety profile of MSU

Aseptic technique is maintaining a sterile environment to stop the spread of infections in medical settings (Carrisa, 2018). For patients to be protected from healthcare-associated infections (HAI), aseptic technique is a critical infection prevention capability (Stephen and Simon, 2018). The use of surgical gloves, surgical attire, preoperative aseptic skin preparation, aseptic instrument
preparation, and aseptic environment management are all examples of aseptic method practices

Medicinal plants and the bioactive substances they contain have drawn the interest of various researchers over the past ten years due to their ability to cure different illnesses. Ocimum gratissimum is a member of the Lamiaceae family. It is cultivated in several gardens surrounding village huts in Nigeria under the popular name "scent leaf" for both medicinal and culinary purposes. The aim of this study is to elucidate the effect of ocimum gratissimum on some hematological parameters in male wistar rats. The
effect of methanolic extract of Ocimum gratissimum on some red blood indices of Wister rats was studied using fifteen healthy adult wistar rats with weights ranging between 140-160g. The rats were divided into three groups; control group, low dose group and high dose group. Increasing doses (100mg and 300mgkg-1 body weight) of the extract were administered orally to the other two groups for a period of four weeks. Sample collection was done via cardiac puncture using 5ml syringes. The extract displayed a significant increase (p<0.05) difference in platelet levels when compared with the normal control and a non significant difference (p<0.05) in the other parameters were observed. In conclusion, the extract of gratissimum might be a panacea in the management of anaemic conditions due to its erythropoietic, and/or haematopoietic effects, and beneficial to the blood’s - 5 -
oxygen supporting ability and thrombopoietin, putting into consideration that there were no alteration in the morphology and fragility of the RBCs.

Sales outlets that have poor sanitary conditions can present health risks to consumers. The direct consumption of drinks in their container can expose consumers to serious foodborne diseases, thus increasing the risk of toxi-infection and its transmission constituting a serious public health problem. This present study is aimed at evaluating the possible contamination and determination of the prevalence of Bacteria found on canned drinks and their antimicrobial susceptibility in some selected distributing and retail points in Benin-city, Edo State. The microbiological analysis was performed from the collection of beverage cans sold in distributing and retail points Benin city. The cans were stored in sterile plastic bags and introduced into individual thermal bags for temperature maintenance. Samples were taken from the surface of beverage cans with a sterile swab and transferred to vials containing 10mL of BHI broth. After 24 hours, the same swabs were used for seeding on selective culture media. The results showed that out of the hundred (100) samples examined, only 34 (34%) was positive for bacterial contamination, showing a general prevalence of 34%. Of the 39 sample collected from retailers, 15.38% (6/39) showed contamination while 54.09% (28/61) of samples collected from distributors showed contamination. The highest bacterial count was 7.0 × 105 while the lowest bacterial count was found to be 1.9 × 102.Escherichia coli has the most prevalence with 12 (35.3%) different isolates from the 34 positive samples followed by Klebsiella spp. and Enterococcus faecalis with 8 (23.5%) different isolates each. Four (11.8%) different isolates of Staphylococcus aureus were gotten while just 2 (5.9%) isolates of Streptococcus spp. were observed in this study. Most of the isolates were sensitive to the three different antibiotics used in this study. Five isolates were resistant to Piperacillin, while one isolate was resistant to both Gentamycin and Cefoxitin. The implications of antibiotic resistance on healthcare systems are enormous as resistance leads to the limitation of treatment options. Considering a significant p-value of ≤0.05, statistical analysis shows significant relationship between refrigeration and prevalence of bacterial contamination (p=0.015). Moreso, this research shows a significant relationship between purchase site and prevalence of bacterial contamination. More contamination was observed among canned drinks gotten from retailers when compared to distributors. This was found to be statistically significant (p=0.048). However, no statistically significant relationship existed between location from which canned drinks were gotten and the prevalence of bacterial contamination (p-value= 0.068).

Sales outlets that have poor sanitary conditions can present health risks to consumers. The direct consumption of drinks in their container can expose consumers to serious foodborne diseases, thus increasing the risk of toxi-infection and its transmission constituting a serious public health problem. This present study is aimed at evaluating the possible contamination
and determination of the prevalence of Bacteria found on canned drinks and their antimicrobial susceptibility in some selected distributing and retail points in Benin-city, Edo State. The microbiological analysis was performed from the collection of beverage cans sold in distributing and retail points Benin city. The cans were stored in sterile plastic bags and introduced into individual thermal bags for temperature maintenance. Samples were taken from the surface of beverage cans with a sterile swab and transferred to vials containing 10mL of BHI broth. After 24 hours, the same swabs were used for seeding on selective
culture media. The results showed that out of the hundred (100) samples examined, only 34 (34%) was positive for bacterial contamination, showing a general prevalence of 34%. Of the 39 sample collected from retailers, 15.38% (6/39) showed contamination while 54.09% (28/61) of samples collected from distributors showed contamination. The highest bacterial count was 7.0 × 105 while the lowest bacterial count was found to be 1.9 × 102.Escherichia coli has the most prevalence with 12 (35.3%) different isolates from the 34 positive samples followed by Klebsiella spp. and Enterococcus faecalis with 8 (23.5%) different isolates each. Four (11.8%) different isolates of Staphylococcus aureus were gotten while just 2 (5.9%) isolates of Streptococcus spp. were observed in this study. Most of the isolates were sensitive to the three different antibiotics used in this study. Five isolates were resistant to Piperacillin, while one isolate was resistant to both Gentamycin and Cefoxitin. The implications of
antibiotic resistance on healthcare systems are enormous as resistance leads to the limitation of treatment options. Considering a significant p-value of ≤0.05, statistical analysis shows significant relationship between refrigeration and prevalence of bacterial contamination (p=0.015). Moreso, this research shows a significant relationship between purchase site and prevalence of bacterial contamination. More contamination was observed among canned drinks gotten from retailers when compared to distributors. This was found to be statistically significant (p=0.048). However, no statistically significant relationship existed between location from which canned drinks were gotten and the prevalence of bacterial contamination (p-value= 0.068)

Diabetes mellitus is a long-lasting metabolic condition that is marked by high blood sugar levels due to problems with insulin release, its effectiveness, or both. Blocking carbohydrate-breaking enzymes like alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase has been recognized as a useful technique for controlling high blood sugar after meals. This research was conducted to assess the effects of Vernonia amygdalina (bitter leaf) extract on the activities of alpha-amylase and alpha glucosidase in a lab setting and to determine its potential as a natural treatment for diabetes. The leaves of the plant were gathered, dried in the air, and then oaked in ethanol to create the extract. Tests for enzyme inhibition were performed, and the IC₅₀ values were calculated to see
how the extract's effectiveness compared to the standard medication acarbose. The outcomes showed that Vernonia amygdalina effectively inhibited both enzymes in a way that depended on the concentration used. The IC₅₀ for blocking alpha-amylase was 0. 036 ± 0. 005 mg/mL, which is similar to acarbose (0. 031 ± 0. 005 mg/mL), indicating strong blocking ability. On the other hand, the extract showed a weaker effect against alpha-glucosidase, with an IC₅₀ of 0. 122 ± 0. 05 mg/mL compared to 0. 081 ± 0. 005 mg/mL for acarbose. These results imply that Vernonia amygdalina could slow down the digestion and absorption of carbohydrates, thus helping to control blood sugar levels after meals. The findings support the traditional uses of Vernonia
amygdalina for managing diabetes and emphasize its potential as a plant-based treatment option. Additional studies in living organisms and clinical research are suggested to confirm its effectiveness and safety in treating diabetes