Justus Nweze
I am an ambitious young researcher trying to meet my life goals.
Address: Department of Science Laboratory Technology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka
Address: Department of Science Laboratory Technology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka
less
InterestsView All (11)
Uploads
Papers
methanol-dichloromethane extract (MDE) from the stem bark of the plant in rodents were evaluated. Methods. +e carrageenaninduced
rat paw oedema, cotton pellet-induced granuloma in rat, and xylene-induced ear oedema in mice were used to study the
anti-inflammatory activity of methanol-dichloromethane extract of Stemonocoleus micranthus (MDESm) (100, 200, and 400 mg/
kg). +e effects of MDESm (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) on cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression, neutrophil adhesion,
carbon clearance, and haematological and biochemical parameters were carried out to study its immunomodulatory activity in
mice. Result. MDESm (100 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly (p < 0.05) inhibited carrageenan-induced oedema by 57.1% at 5th h posttreatment
compared with control. At 100 mg/kg, p.o., MDESm significantly (p < 0.05) reduced cotton pellet-induced granuloma
by 39.28% and nonsignificantly reduced xylene-induced ear oedema by 34.1%. Treatment with MDESm (100 and 400 mg/kg)
nonsignificantly abolished the neutropenia caused by cyclophosphamide with a percentage neutrophil reduction of 0 and
−14.86%, respectively, while MDESm (200 mg/kg) and levamisole (50 mg/kg) had a nonsignificant reduction in neutrophil count
(10.16 and 31.40%), respectively, all compared to the distilled water-treated group with a neutrophil count of −9.82%. MDESm at
doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg increased phagocytic index by 0.0447 ± 0.00762 and 0.0466 ± 0.00703, respectively, although not
significantly when compared to the control group with a value of 0.0226 ± 0.02117. +ere was a decrease in WBC and lymphocyte
counts in MDESm- (200 mg/kg) treated group, suggesting immunosuppressive potential at this dose. MDESm caused a dosedependent
decrease in ALT and core liver enzymes, suggesting a hepatoprotective effect. +e acute toxicity test revealed that
MDESm is safe in mice with an oral lethal dose (LD50) of >5 g/kg. Conclusion. +e methanol-dichloromethane extract of
Stemonocoleus micranthus Harms possesses mild anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities which may be more
pronounced upon fractionation and purification. +erefore, more investigations are needed to explore these activities further.
antimicrobial compounds isolated from marine sources, including some of their chemical structures and tests performed against drug‐resistant pathogens.
disorder was scientifically confirmed. Today, HIV/AIDS has continued to be a serious
international health concern, and sub-Saharan Africa remains the most affected region. Over
25.6 million persons are currently living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa. This accounts for
two-thirds of the recent overall world HIV infections and more than 70 percent of all AIDSrelated
deaths. In 2015, Eastern and Southern Africa had about 7.1% adult HIV prevalence rate
(about 19 million HIV patients), while Western and Central Africa accounted for about 2.2%
(about 6.5 million HIV patients). Few countries now boast of numerous signs of gradual to
moderate declines in HIV occurrence. However, HIV prevalence rate has continued to increase
in countries like Lesotho (22.7%), Botswana (22.2%) and South Africa (19.2%). The nature,
procedure and result of the scourge in this region have been fashioned by a mind-boggling
interaction of traditional, behavioural, social and material factors. Even if there are notably
strong prevention, treatment and care programmes, too many sexual partners are engaging
in risky sexual practices. The aim of this article is to discuss the current trends of HIV/AIDS
in sub-Saharan Africa, the factors that might have contributed to high prevalence of the virus
in the region, the effect of the HIV/AIDS scourge, the prevention programmes and the way
forward.
The antimicrobial activity of honey depends on many factors, including its botanical origin, geographical and entomological source. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the antimicrobial potential of honey varieties from Apis mellifera, Hypotrigona sp. and Melipona sp. against MDR Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 25783, Candida tropicalis, Candida albicans SC 5314 and Cryptococcus neoformans. By using standard microbiological procedure, the agar-well diffusion and broth microdilution methods were used to evaluate honey samples for their antimicrobial and non-peroxidase activity. Different concentrations of the honey samples showed inhibition zones diameter (mm) against the test isolates. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MICs) of the honey varieties from A. mellifera, Hypotrigona sp. and Melipona sp. ranged from 6.3–25.0%, 3.1–12.5% and 6.3–25.0% (v/v) respectively. There were no statistically significant differences between the mean MICs of honey varieties against E. coli, P. aeruginosa (ATCC 25783) and C. neoformans. Hypotrigona sp. honey had the least mean MICs (4.15 ± 1.58–11.11 ± 2.76 % v/v) against most of the test organisms. The Minimum Biocidal Concentration (MBC) of the honey varieties from A. mellifera, Hypotrigona sp. and Melipona sp. against the test organisms varied from 6.3–50%, 3.1–25% and 12–50% (v/v) respectively. There were no significant differences between the mean MBCs of the honeys against MDR S. aureus (p=0.179), E. coli (p=0.564), P. aeruginosa (ATCC 25783) (p=0.846), and C. albicans (SC5314) (p=0.264). The honeys had some levels of non-peroxidase activity against E. coli, P. aeruginosa (ATCC 25783) and C. neoformans. This study has scientifically authenticated the potential use of stingless bee honeys from “Okotobo and Ifufu” as complementary therapeutic agents.
Books
methanol-dichloromethane extract (MDE) from the stem bark of the plant in rodents were evaluated. Methods. +e carrageenaninduced
rat paw oedema, cotton pellet-induced granuloma in rat, and xylene-induced ear oedema in mice were used to study the
anti-inflammatory activity of methanol-dichloromethane extract of Stemonocoleus micranthus (MDESm) (100, 200, and 400 mg/
kg). +e effects of MDESm (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) on cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression, neutrophil adhesion,
carbon clearance, and haematological and biochemical parameters were carried out to study its immunomodulatory activity in
mice. Result. MDESm (100 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly (p < 0.05) inhibited carrageenan-induced oedema by 57.1% at 5th h posttreatment
compared with control. At 100 mg/kg, p.o., MDESm significantly (p < 0.05) reduced cotton pellet-induced granuloma
by 39.28% and nonsignificantly reduced xylene-induced ear oedema by 34.1%. Treatment with MDESm (100 and 400 mg/kg)
nonsignificantly abolished the neutropenia caused by cyclophosphamide with a percentage neutrophil reduction of 0 and
−14.86%, respectively, while MDESm (200 mg/kg) and levamisole (50 mg/kg) had a nonsignificant reduction in neutrophil count
(10.16 and 31.40%), respectively, all compared to the distilled water-treated group with a neutrophil count of −9.82%. MDESm at
doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg increased phagocytic index by 0.0447 ± 0.00762 and 0.0466 ± 0.00703, respectively, although not
significantly when compared to the control group with a value of 0.0226 ± 0.02117. +ere was a decrease in WBC and lymphocyte
counts in MDESm- (200 mg/kg) treated group, suggesting immunosuppressive potential at this dose. MDESm caused a dosedependent
decrease in ALT and core liver enzymes, suggesting a hepatoprotective effect. +e acute toxicity test revealed that
MDESm is safe in mice with an oral lethal dose (LD50) of >5 g/kg. Conclusion. +e methanol-dichloromethane extract of
Stemonocoleus micranthus Harms possesses mild anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities which may be more
pronounced upon fractionation and purification. +erefore, more investigations are needed to explore these activities further.
antimicrobial compounds isolated from marine sources, including some of their chemical structures and tests performed against drug‐resistant pathogens.
disorder was scientifically confirmed. Today, HIV/AIDS has continued to be a serious
international health concern, and sub-Saharan Africa remains the most affected region. Over
25.6 million persons are currently living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa. This accounts for
two-thirds of the recent overall world HIV infections and more than 70 percent of all AIDSrelated
deaths. In 2015, Eastern and Southern Africa had about 7.1% adult HIV prevalence rate
(about 19 million HIV patients), while Western and Central Africa accounted for about 2.2%
(about 6.5 million HIV patients). Few countries now boast of numerous signs of gradual to
moderate declines in HIV occurrence. However, HIV prevalence rate has continued to increase
in countries like Lesotho (22.7%), Botswana (22.2%) and South Africa (19.2%). The nature,
procedure and result of the scourge in this region have been fashioned by a mind-boggling
interaction of traditional, behavioural, social and material factors. Even if there are notably
strong prevention, treatment and care programmes, too many sexual partners are engaging
in risky sexual practices. The aim of this article is to discuss the current trends of HIV/AIDS
in sub-Saharan Africa, the factors that might have contributed to high prevalence of the virus
in the region, the effect of the HIV/AIDS scourge, the prevention programmes and the way
forward.
The antimicrobial activity of honey depends on many factors, including its botanical origin, geographical and entomological source. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the antimicrobial potential of honey varieties from Apis mellifera, Hypotrigona sp. and Melipona sp. against MDR Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 25783, Candida tropicalis, Candida albicans SC 5314 and Cryptococcus neoformans. By using standard microbiological procedure, the agar-well diffusion and broth microdilution methods were used to evaluate honey samples for their antimicrobial and non-peroxidase activity. Different concentrations of the honey samples showed inhibition zones diameter (mm) against the test isolates. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MICs) of the honey varieties from A. mellifera, Hypotrigona sp. and Melipona sp. ranged from 6.3–25.0%, 3.1–12.5% and 6.3–25.0% (v/v) respectively. There were no statistically significant differences between the mean MICs of honey varieties against E. coli, P. aeruginosa (ATCC 25783) and C. neoformans. Hypotrigona sp. honey had the least mean MICs (4.15 ± 1.58–11.11 ± 2.76 % v/v) against most of the test organisms. The Minimum Biocidal Concentration (MBC) of the honey varieties from A. mellifera, Hypotrigona sp. and Melipona sp. against the test organisms varied from 6.3–50%, 3.1–25% and 12–50% (v/v) respectively. There were no significant differences between the mean MBCs of the honeys against MDR S. aureus (p=0.179), E. coli (p=0.564), P. aeruginosa (ATCC 25783) (p=0.846), and C. albicans (SC5314) (p=0.264). The honeys had some levels of non-peroxidase activity against E. coli, P. aeruginosa (ATCC 25783) and C. neoformans. This study has scientifically authenticated the potential use of stingless bee honeys from “Okotobo and Ifufu” as complementary therapeutic agents.