University of Nigeria, Nsukka

About: University of Nigeria, Nsukka is a education organization based out in Nsukka, Nigeria. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Health care. The organization has 10211 authors who have published 13685 publications receiving 138922 citations.

Anticonvulsant effect of kaurenoic acid isolated from the root bark of Annona senegalensis.

Abstract: Context The herbal preparations of Annona senegalensis Pers. (Annonaceae) root bark are used in Nigerian ethnomedicine for the treatment of epilepsy and febrile seizures. The scientific evidence for this effect has been reported. Objective The aim of this study was to identify and characterize the active constituent responsible for the anticonvulsant effect. Materials and methods Bioactive-guided fractionation of the methanol-methylene chloride root bark extract (MME) of A. senegalensis using pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizures in mice, afforded a potent anticonvulsant ethyl-acetate fraction (EF). Further fractionation of the EF yielded eight sub-fractions (F 1 –F 8 ) which were tested for anticonvulsant activity. The sub-fraction F 2 yielded white crystals that were purified to obtain A. senegalensis crystals, AS2. The AS2, which exhibited potent anticonvulsant effects, was characterized by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy, mass spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. Results The AS2 was characterized as kaur-16-en-19-oic acid (KA), a diterpenoid. The AS2 indicated an oral LD 50 of 3800 mg/kg. The results showed that the MME, EF and AS2 significantly ( P Discussion and conclusion Kaurenoic acid was identified as the anticonvulsant principle in the root bark extract of A. senegalensis . The anticonvulsant effect of the MME, EF and AS2 is most likely being mediated through central inhibitory mechanisms.

Assessment of disposal practices of expired and unused medications among community pharmacies in Anambra State southeast Nigeria: a mixed study design.

Abstract: Expired or unused medicines are potentially toxic substances that should be managed effectively to avoid accumulation of potentially toxic pharmaceuticals in the environment. In Nigeria, there is currently limited literature on the methods and protocols used by community pharmacists in the disposal of expired drugs. This study assessed disposal practices of expired and unused medications by pharmacists in Anambra State and compared them to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) guideline on disposal of expired drugs. A questionnaire survey and key informant interview (KII) was used for the study. The pre-tested revised and adapted questionnaires were sent to all the 103 community pharmacies in Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) 2015 record of registered pharmacies in Anambra State. The participants were asked questions about how they disposed of expired and unused medications. The respondents that used NAFDAC or drug wholesalers were asked questions on how the third party destroys their expired drugs. In addition to the use of a questionnaire, KII was conducted to assess relevant professionals and stakeholders in this area. The study recorded 77 successfully returned questionnaires out of the 103 distributed and a response rate of 74.8%. The various disposal methods were: through NAFDAC 28.0 (31.8%), drug distributors 21.0 (23.9%), rubbish bins 8.0 (9.1%); this was mainly for solid dosage forms. However, 6.0(7.1%) reported that they used the sink to dispose of their liquid dosage forms and 24.0 (29.6%) noted they do not stock Class B controlled drugs. A lesser proportion of respondents 18.0 (23.4%) complied fully with the national guideline on disposal of expired drugs, while 17.0 (22.1%) complied partially and 42.0 (54.5%) did not comply. Some of the respondents 17.0 (22.1%) reported that NAFDAC uses incineration or other forms of heat to dispose of expired drugs, but 19.0 (24.7%) reported they do not know how NAFDAC dispose of their expired drugs. Majority of the respondents 55.0 (71.4%) suggested the state-run disposal system. Poor compliance with the national guideline for medication disposal increases the potential risk of contamination of our environment and increases the possibility of ingesting toxic pharmaceutical wastes by humans and animals. This underscores the need for improvement on expired drugs management protocols to prevent contaminations and the attendant health hazards.

Acceptability and Willingness-to-Pay for a Hypothetical Ebola Virus Vaccine in Nigeria

Abstract: Background Ebola virus disease is a highly virulent and transmissible disease. The largest recorded fatality from Ebola virus disease epidemic is ongoing in a few countries in West Africa, and this poses a health risk to the entire population of the world because arresting the transmission has been challenging. Vaccination is considered a key intervention that is capable of arresting further spread of the disease and preventing future outbreak. However, no vaccine has yet been approved for public use, although various recombinant vaccines are undergoing trials and approval for public use is imminent. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the acceptability of and willingness-to-pay for Ebola virus vaccine by the public.