Phytochemical composition and acute toxicity evaluation of aqueous root bark extract of Securidaca longipedunculata (Linn)

This study was carried out to determine the phytochemical constituents and acute toxicity of the aqueous root bark extract of Securidaca longipedunculata Linn. The result of phytochemical screening revealed the presence of some secondary metabolites of pharmacological significance in the aqueous root bark extract including alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, saponins and tannins with saponins and tannins in larger quantities. The extract was found to have an LD50 value of 771mg/kg body weight when it was orally administered to rats, which indicate the root bark to be slightly toxic to the experimental animals. The toxicity of the root bark is attributed to some of the phytochemicals present in the plant.Key words: Securidaca longipedunculata, root bark, aqueous extract, phytochemicals, acute toxicity

Antibacterial and haematological activity of Moringa oleifera aqueous seed extract in Wistar albino rats

The phytochemical, antibacterial and haematologic activity of aqueous seed extract of Moringa oleifera (Moringaceae) were evaluated. Phytochemicals such as tannins, carbohydrates, alkaloids, cardiac  glycosides, anthraquinones and flavonoids in low, moderate and high concentrations were present in the seeds. The extract exhibited significant In vitro antibacterial and In vivo haematologic effects. Bacterial isolates such as Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Bacillus subtilis, Corynebacterium pyogenes, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeroginosa were inhibited. The  minimum inhibitory concentration of the extract for all the sensitive isolates is 100 mg/ml and 50 mg/ml as minimum bactericidal  concentration of the extract on Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi and Escherichia coli. The extract administered per os at 100-400 mg / kg body weight significantly (P<0.05) increased, neutrophil, eosinophil, basophil and monocytes counts at second and third week of administration except for lymphocyte that significantly (P<0.05) decreased throughout the period of administration when compared to the rats in control group. The study supports the folkloric application of Moringa oleifera seed extract in the management of various forms of bacterial infection, anaemia and immuno – modulation in north eastern Nigeria.Keywords: Antibacterial effect, Haematology, Moringa olifera, Phytochemical analysis, Wistar albino rats

Global, regional, and national prevalence of adult overweight and obesity, 1990–2021, with forecasts to 2050: a forecasting study for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

Background: Overweight and obesity is a global epidemic. Forecasting future trajectories of the epidemic is crucial for providing an evidence base for policy change. In this study, we examine the historical trends of the global, regional, and national prevalence of adult overweight and obesity from 1990 to 2021 and forecast the future trajectories to 2050. Methods: Leveraging established methodology from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study, we estimated the prevalence of overweight and obesity among individuals aged 25 years and older by age and sex for 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2050. Retrospective and current prevalence trends were derived based on both self-reported and measured anthropometric data extracted from 1350 unique sources, which include survey microdata and reports, as well as published literature. Specific adjustment was applied to correct for self-report bias. Spatiotemporal Gaussian process regression models were used to synthesise data, leveraging both spatial and temporal correlation in epidemiological trends, to optimise the comparability of results across time and geographies. To generate forecast estimates, we used forecasts of the Socio-demographic Index and temporal correlation patterns presented as annualised rate of change to inform future trajectories. We considered a reference scenario assuming the continuation of historical trends. Findings: Rates of overweight and obesity increased at the global and regional levels, and in all nations, between 1990 and 2021. In 2021, an estimated 1·00 billion (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 0·989–1·01) adult males and 1·11 billion (1·10–1·12) adult females had overweight and obesity. China had the largest population of adults with overweight and obesity (402 million [397–407] individuals), followed by India (180 million [167–194]) and the USA (172 million [169–174]). The highest age-standardised prevalence of overweight and obesity was observed in countries in Oceania and north Africa and the Middle East, with many of these countries reporting prevalence of more than 80% in adults. Compared with 1990, the global prevalence of obesity had increased by 155·1% (149·8–160·3) in males and 104·9% (95% UI 100·9–108·8) in females. The most rapid rise in obesity prevalence was observed in the north Africa and the Middle East super-region, where age-standardised prevalence rates in males more than tripled and in females more than doubled. Assuming the continuation of historical trends, by 2050, we forecast that the total number of adults living with overweight and obesity will reach 3·80 billion (95% UI 3·39–4·04), over half of the likely global adult population at that time. While China, India, and the USA will continue to constitute a large proportion of the global population with overweight and obesity, the number in the sub-Saharan Africa super-region is forecasted to increase by 254·8% (234·4–269·5). In Nigeria specifically, the number of adults with overweight and obesity is forecasted to rise to 141 million (121–162) by 2050, making it the country with the fourth-largest population with overweight and obesity. Interpretation: No country to date has successfully curbed the rising rates of adult overweight and obesity. Without immediate and effective intervention, overweight and obesity will continue to increase globally. Particularly in Asia and Africa, driven by growing populations, the number of individuals with overweight and obesity is forecast to rise substantially. These regions will face a considerable increase in obesity-related disease burden. Merely acknowledging obesity as a global health issue would be negligent on the part of global health and public health practitioners; more aggressive and targeted measures are required to address this crisis, as obesity is one of the foremost avertible risks to health now and in the future and poses an unparalleled threat of premature disease and death at local, national, and global levels. Funding: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Isolation and characterisation of Listeria species from ruminants in Maiduguri north–eastern Nigeria

A cross sectional study was carried out to determine the prevalence of Listeria species in ruminants in Maiduguri. Three hundred faecal samples were randomly collected from ruminants at the Maiduguri central abattoir from January – March, 2011. One hundred faecal samples each were collected from cattle, sheep and goat at ante mortem by balloting comprising of fifty samples each from male and female animals. Forty (13%) of the three faecal samples were identified as positive Listeria species.  Out of the forty positive samples, 15(37.5%) were from cattle, 16(40%) from sheep and 9(22.5%) were from goats, the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The sex distribution of the animals positive for Listeria species showed that 21(7%) of the positive samples were from males and 19 (6%) were from females. The sex specific prevalence in the animal species sampled was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Biochemical characterisation of the Listeria isolates showed Listeria monocytogenes 4(10%), Listeria innocua 17 (42.5%), Listeria ivanovii 12 (30%), Listeria seeligeri4(10%), and Listeria welshimeri 3(7.5%). This study affirms the isolation of Listeria species in the faeces of ruminants brought for slaughter at the abattoir which could serve as a source of contamination of meat meant for human consumption.Keywords: Listeria species, ruminants, north-eastern Nigeria Afr. J. Biotechnol. Vol. 12 No. 5

Prevalence of Brucella,/i> antibodies in donkeys (Equus asinus) in Borno and Yobe states, Nigeria

A cross-sectional study was designed to study the serological prevalence of antibodies against Brucella spp by using Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) and Microtitre Serum Agglutination Test (MSAT). A total of six hundred (600) adult donkeys comprising of 393 males and 207 females were sampled from three local government areas each, of Konduga, Monguno and Ngala in Borno state and Bursari, Geidam and Machina in Yobe state. Overall prevalence of brucellosis was 33 (5.50%), out of which 14 (2.33%) male and 19 (3.17%) female donkeys were positive by both RBPT and MSAT. There was statistically significant association between female sex of donkeys and positive serological reaction (p<0.05). Out of the 300 sera sampled from Borno state, comprising of 193 male and 107 female donkeys, 18 (6.0%) tested positive. Whereas, 15 (5.0%) of the 300 (200 males and 100 females) sera sampled from Yobe state were positive. It can be concluded that the overall prevalence of brucellosis among donkeys in Borno and Yobe states in north eastern Nigeria in this study was 5.5%. The prevalence rate was higher among female donkeys than in males.Keywords: Borno, Brucellosis, Donkey, Nigeria, Yobe