Background: cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) is one of the cellular transcription fac... more Background: cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) is one of the cellular transcription factors found in neurons. CREB is also important for the survival of neurons, and has an important role in the development of drug addiction. Datura stramonium (DS) is a tropical ubiquitous plant commonly used to increase the intoxication of certain beverages for recreational purposes. The seeds of this plant are very toxic and may produce addiction on prolong usage. This research investigated the effects of administration of high doses of DS seeds on the expression of CREB protein in both male and female rats' frontal cortices and its implication in addiction and neurodegeneration. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted with a total of 24 male and female Wistar rats weighing 200 g-250 g. The rats were divided into three groups of 8 rats each. Each group was further divided into four subgroups of 2 rats each. Ethanolic dried seed extract of DS was diluted in normal saline and administered intraperitoneally (i.p.) to the treatment groups. The treated subgroups received 750 mg/kg of DS extract once in group 1, twice in group 2 and thrice in group 3 daily for 4 weeks respectively, while the control subgroups received i.p. normal saline concurrently for the same duration of time. The rats were euthanized and an analysis of variance (ANOVA) was computed to detect a significant main difference of DS effect on CREB expression for each group, while post hoc Bonferroni Test compared CREB protein expression between male and female groups. Result: There were significant differences in the expression of CREB protein between the subgroups and between the male and female rats of treated subgroup (p < 0.05) compared to the controls. There was a decrease in the female treated subgroups and an increase in the male treated subgroups compared to the respective controls. Conclusion: High
This study aims at investigating the differences if any, in the olfactory discrematory ability of... more This study aims at investigating the differences if any, in the olfactory discrematory ability of wild type drosophila and mutated Or83b type and also if these differences exists between male and females of both species. Insect and mammalian olfactory systems are strikingly similar. Therefore, Drosophila can be used as a simple model for olfaction. The olfactory system has evolved the capacity to recognize and discriminate an inordinate number of chemically distinct odors that signal the presence of food, predators, or mating partners. Most organisms including humans rely on their olfactory system to detect and analyze olfactory cues in the environment, cues that are subsequently utilized in the context of behavior. Several works have been done on the olfactory system of the insect drosophila, attraction of various strain of drosophila to different odors but no work has been done to investigate sexual differences in this attraction to odorants. In this research we try investigating ...
African journal of medicine and medical sciences, 2014
Ocimum gratissimum has been reported in several ethnopharmacological surveys as a plant readily a... more Ocimum gratissimum has been reported in several ethnopharmacological surveys as a plant readily accessible to the communities and widely used with a lot of therapeutic potentials. In this study, we aimed to experimentally evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of hydro-ethanolic extract in animal models of inflammation and nociception and membrane stabilization assay. O gratissimum leaves hydroethanolic extract was subjected to phytochemical screening and spectrophotometric quantification of polyphenolics. The extract was investigated for anti-inflammatory effects in carrageenan -induced paw oedema and cotton pellet - induced granuloma in rats. The antinociceptive effects were investigated in acetic acid -induced writhing in mice and formalin test in rats. Animals were randomly divided into groups; negative control, extract treated (200 -800 mg/kg) and indomethacin (10 mg/kg) standard reference groups. In- vitro anti-inflammatory activity was performed by testing for membrane stabil...
Background: cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) is one of the cellular transcription fac... more Background: cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) is one of the cellular transcription factors found in neurons. CREB is also important for the survival of neurons, and has an important role in the development of drug addiction. Datura stramonium (DS) is a tropical ubiquitous plant commonly used to increase the intoxication of certain beverages for recreational purposes. The seeds of this plant are very toxic and may produce addiction on prolong usage. This research investigated the effects of administration of high doses of DS seeds on the expression of CREB protein in both male and female rats' frontal cortices and its implication in addiction and neurodegeneration. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted with a total of 24 male and female Wistar rats weighing 200 g-250 g. The rats were divided into three groups of 8 rats each. Each group was further divided into four subgroups of 2 rats each. Ethanolic dried seed extract of DS was diluted in normal saline and administered intraperitoneally (i.p.) to the treatment groups. The treated subgroups received 750 mg/kg of DS extract once in group 1, twice in group 2 and thrice in group 3 daily for 4 weeks respectively, while the control subgroups received i.p. normal saline concurrently for the same duration of time. The rats were euthanized and an analysis of variance (ANOVA) was computed to detect a significant main difference of DS effect on CREB expression for each group, while post hoc Bonferroni Test compared CREB protein expression between male and female groups. Result: There were significant differences in the expression of CREB protein between the subgroups and between the male and female rats of treated subgroup (p < 0.05) compared to the controls. There was a decrease in the female treated subgroups and an increase in the male treated subgroups compared to the respective controls. Conclusion: High
This study aims at investigating the differences if any, in the olfactory discrematory ability of... more This study aims at investigating the differences if any, in the olfactory discrematory ability of wild type drosophila and mutated Or83b type and also if these differences exists between male and females of both species. Insect and mammalian olfactory systems are strikingly similar. Therefore, Drosophila can be used as a simple model for olfaction. The olfactory system has evolved the capacity to recognize and discriminate an inordinate number of chemically distinct odors that signal the presence of food, predators, or mating partners. Most organisms including humans rely on their olfactory system to detect and analyze olfactory cues in the environment, cues that are subsequently utilized in the context of behavior. Several works have been done on the olfactory system of the insect drosophila, attraction of various strain of drosophila to different odors but no work has been done to investigate sexual differences in this attraction to odorants. In this research we try investigating ...
African journal of medicine and medical sciences, 2014
Ocimum gratissimum has been reported in several ethnopharmacological surveys as a plant readily a... more Ocimum gratissimum has been reported in several ethnopharmacological surveys as a plant readily accessible to the communities and widely used with a lot of therapeutic potentials. In this study, we aimed to experimentally evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of hydro-ethanolic extract in animal models of inflammation and nociception and membrane stabilization assay. O gratissimum leaves hydroethanolic extract was subjected to phytochemical screening and spectrophotometric quantification of polyphenolics. The extract was investigated for anti-inflammatory effects in carrageenan -induced paw oedema and cotton pellet - induced granuloma in rats. The antinociceptive effects were investigated in acetic acid -induced writhing in mice and formalin test in rats. Animals were randomly divided into groups; negative control, extract treated (200 -800 mg/kg) and indomethacin (10 mg/kg) standard reference groups. In- vitro anti-inflammatory activity was performed by testing for membrane stabil...
Datura Stramonium (DS) is a tropical shrub which is available worldwide. It has various uses and ... more Datura Stramonium (DS) is a tropical shrub which is available worldwide. It has various uses and is often used to increase the intoxication of certain beverages. The seeds of this plant are very toxic but are commonly smoked in like manner as tobacco. The present study investigated the potential harmful effects of DS on pyramidal cells and CREB protein in the hippocampus of Wistar rats in order to further elucidate the effects of DS seed extract on hippocampal structure. The study was conducted on both male and female Wistar rats (200-250 g). They were first divided into three batches, which were further subdivided into four groups in each batch with eight animals per group. Ethanolic extract of dried seeds of DS was diluted in normal saline and given to the treatment groups. The treated groups received intraperitoneal administration (i.p.) of 750 mg kg −1 (Bania et al., 2004) of diluted DS seed extracts, once in batch 1, twice in batch 2 and thrice in batch 3 per day respectively for 4 weeks while the control groups received an equivalent of normal saline. The rats were euthanized and Western blot analysis used to evaluate the levels of CREB protein in the rats' hippocampi. Sections of each hippocampus were histologically processed in all the groups and silver impregnation stain for degenerating axons and neurons was used to elucidate the actions of DS on the pyramidal neurons of the hippocampus. The result of i.p. administration of DS extract (750 mg kg −1) given three times per day to the treated rats showed significant histological changes such as axonal atrophy, cytoplasmic vacuolation and neuronal necrosis of the pyramidal cells of the hippocampus, as well as an increase in CREB protein levels in both male and female rats. Excessive ingestion of DS seeds, therefore, may lead to hippocampal pyramidal cell losses and an increase in CREB protein levels in the hippocampus. This may be implicated in neurological disorders.
Datura Stramonium (DS) is a tropical shrub which is available worldwide. It has various uses and ... more Datura Stramonium (DS) is a tropical shrub which is available worldwide. It has various uses and is often used to increase the intoxication of certain beverages. The seeds of this plant are very toxic but are commonly smoked in like manner as tobacco. The present study investigated the potential harmful effects of DS on pyramidal cells and CREB protein in the hippocampus of Wistar rats in order to further elucidate the effects of DS seed extract on hippocampal structure. The study was conducted on both male and female Wistar rats (200-250 g). They were first divided into three batches, which were further subdivided into four groups in each batch with eight animals per group. Ethanolic extract of dried seeds of DS was diluted in normal saline and given to the treatment groups. The treated groups received intraperitoneal administration (i.p.) of 750 mg kg −1 (Bania et al., 2004) of diluted DS seed extracts, once in batch 1, twice in batch 2 and thrice in batch 3 per day respectively for 4 weeks while the control groups received an equivalent of normal saline. The rats were euthanized and Western blot analysis used to evaluate the levels of CREB protein in the rats' hippocampi. Sections of each hippocampus were histologically processed in all the groups and silver impregnation stain for degenerating axons and neurons was used to elucidate the actions of DS on the pyramidal neurons of the hippocampus. The result of i.p. administration of DS extract (750 mg kg −1) given three times per day to the treated rats showed significant histological changes such as axonal atrophy, cytoplasmic vacuolation and neuronal necrosis of the pyramidal cells of the hippocampus, as well as an increase in CREB protein levels in both male and female rats. Excessive ingestion of DS seeds, therefore, may lead to hippocampal pyramidal cell losses and an increase in CREB protein levels in the hippocampus. This may be implicated in neurological disorders.
Imperata cylindrica is a globally distributed plant known for its antiepileptic attributes, but t... more Imperata cylindrica is a globally distributed plant known for its antiepileptic attributes, but there is a scarcity of robust evidence for its efficacy. The study investigated neuroprotective attributes of Imperata cylindrica root extract on neuropathological features of epilepsy in a Drosophila melanogaster mutant model of epilepsy. It was conducted on 10-day-old (at the initiation of study) male post-eclosion bang-senseless paralytic Drosophila ( parabss1) involved acute (1-3 h) and chronic (6-18 days) experiments; n = 50 flies per group (convulsions tests); n = 100 flies per group (learning/memory tests and histological examination). Administrations were done in 1 g standard fly food, per os. The mutant flies of study ( parabss1) showed marked age-dependent progressive brain neurodegeneration and axonal degeneration, significant (P < 0.05) bang sensitivity and convulsions, and cognitive deficits due to up-regulation of the paralytic gene in our mutants. The neuropathological f...
International Journal of Anatomy and Research, 2015
Datura stramonium (DS) is a tropical ubiquitous shrub which is often used to increase intoxicatio... more Datura stramonium (DS) is a tropical ubiquitous shrub which is often used to increase intoxication in some beverages and is also freely used as a hallucinogen. It is a depressant of the central nervous system, yet commonly smoked in like manner tobacco. The present study investigated changes induced by intoxication with DS on the purkinje cells and parallel fibres of the cerebellum in Wistar rats to further elucidate the effects of this drug on cerebellar structure. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on both male and female Wistar rats (200-250 g). They were placed into three batches and four groups were derived from each batch, with eight animals per group. Ethanolic dried seed extract of DS was diluted in normal saline and administered intraperitoneally (I.P.) at a dose of 750mg/kg and given to the treatment groups: once in batch 1, twice in batch 2, twelve hourly and thrice in batch 3, eight hourly per day respectively for 4 weeks, while the control groups received an equivalent of normal saline. The rats were euthanized and sections of the cerebellum were histologically processed in all groups. Silver impregnation stain for degenerating axons and neurons was used to elucidate the actions of DS on purkinje cells and the parallel fibres of the cerebellum. Results: The result of IP administration of DS extract (750 mg/kg) given three times daily to the treated rats showed significant histological changes, which included atrophy of the parallel fibres but no significant changes in the purkinje cells of the cerebellum. Conclusions: Intoxication of DS seed as a result of excessive ingestion may have a selective degenerative effect on the parallel fibres of the granule cells of the cerebellum while the purkinje cells are spared; the implication being motor dysfunction.
Supplemental material, Supplement_File for University Lecturers and Students Could Help in Commun... more Supplemental material, Supplement_File for University Lecturers and Students Could Help in Community Education About SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Uganda by Isaac Echoru, Keneth Iceland Kasozi, Ibe Michael Usman, Irene Mukenya Mutuku, Robinson Ssebuufu, Patricia Decanar Ajambo, Fred Ssempijja, Regan Mujinya, Kevin Matama, Grace Henry Musoke, Emmanuel Tiyo Ayikobua, Herbert Izo Ninsiima, Samuel Sunday Dare, Ejike Daniel Eze, Edmund Eriya Bukenya, Grace Keyune Nambatya, Ewan MacLeod and Susan Christina Welburn in Health Services Insights
Background: Self-medication has become a serious public health problem posing great risks, especi... more Background: Self-medication has become a serious public health problem posing great risks, especially with the increasing number of cases of COVID-19 disease globally and in Uganda. This may be partly because of the absence of a recognized treatment for the disease, however, the differing prevalence and nature from country to country may influence human behavioral responses. Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the behavioral response to self-medication practices during the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown in comparison to the pre-COVID period in Western Uganda. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted from June to August 2020 in western Uganda using online Google forms and printed questionnaires to investigate the level of self-medication practice before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. This included 280 participants, aged 18 and above who consented to participate in the study. Participants were selected using a convenience sampling technique, and sampling was done by sending a structured online questionnaire via Google forms and printed questionnaires to participants who did not use the online Google forms. Results: Respondents that knew about self-medication were 97% of the 272 participants. Those that are aware of self-medication, have heard about it either through different avenues. Respondents who practiced self-medication before the COVID-19 pandemic were 239 (88%); those who practiced self-medication during the COVID-19 pandemic were 156 (57%); those that did not were 115 (43%). There was a statistically significant decrease in the number of respondents who practice self-medication during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown compared to the practice before the pandemic lockdown. p < 0.05 at 95% confidence interval (OR = 5.39, 95% CI = 3.48, 8.32). Conclusion: Our investigation showed adequate knowledge of self-medication and a high level of self-medication practice with a decrease in self-medication practices during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown compared to the practice before the lockdown.
ABSTRACTBackgroundSelf-medication has become is a serious public health problem globally posing g... more ABSTRACTBackgroundSelf-medication has become is a serious public health problem globally posing great risks, especially with the increasing number of cases of COVID-19 disease in Uganda. This is may be partly because of the absence of a recognized treatment for the disease, however, the prevalence and nature differ from country to country which may influence human behavioural responses.AimThis study aimed to investigated the beharioural response of the community towards self- medication practices during this COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown.MethodsA cross sectional household and online survey was conducted during the months of June-to- August. The study was conducted among adult between age 18 above in communities of western Uganda who consented to participate in the study. Study participants were selected using a convenience sampling technique and sampling was done by sending a structured online questionnaire via Google forms and a printed copies questionnaire made available to other...
Epilepsy is among the most common serious neurological disorders and affects around 50 million pe... more Epilepsy is among the most common serious neurological disorders and affects around 50 million people worldwide, 80% of which live in developing countries. Despite the introduction of several new Anti-Epileptic Drugs (AEDs) in the last two decades, one third of treated patients have seizures refractory to pharmacotherapy. This highlights the need to develop new treatments with drugs targeting alternative seizure-induction mechanisms. Traditional medicine (TM) is used for the treatment of epilepsy in many developing countries and could constitute an affordable and accessible alternative to AEDs, but a lack of pre-clinical and clinical testing has so far prevented its wider acceptance worldwide. In this study we usedDrosophila melanogaster paralyticbangsensitive(parabss)mutants as a model for epileptic seizure screening and tested, for the first time, the anti-seizure effect of a non-commercial AED. We evaluated the effect of the African custard-apple,Annona senegalensis, which is com...
Background: The World Health Organization has placed a lot of attention on vulnerable communities... more Background: The World Health Organization has placed a lot of attention on vulnerable communities of Africa due to their chronically weak health care systems. Recent findings from Uganda show that medical staff members have sufficient knowledge but poor attitudes toward coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the knowledge, attitudes, and preparedness/practices of lecturers and students in the fight against COVID-19. Method: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study of 103 lecturers and students both men and women of age group 18 to 69 years in western Uganda. Data were obtained through a pretested questionnaire availed online. Results: Knowledge on COVID-19 symptoms was highest in this order: fever > dry cough > difficulty breathing > fatigue > headache with no significant differences between lecturers and students. Knowledge of participants on transmission of COVID-19 was highest in the order of cough drops > cont...
ABSTRACTSeveral studies have established a relationship between morphological and behavioural asy... more ABSTRACTSeveral studies have established a relationship between morphological and behavioural asymmetry making investigations of bilateral bone asymmetry an attractive and important research area. The purpose of this study was to investigate bilateral asymmetry patterns of skeletal specimen from five geographical locations (Rwanda, Burundi, Congo, Kenya and Uganda) at Galloway Osteological Collection, Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, Makerere University College of Health Sciences at Makerere University.The angle of torsion and retroversion, mid shaft circumference, length and weight of 232 pairs of humeri were determined. A Torsiometer was used to measure the angle of torsion in degrees according to Krahl and Evans 1945, a tape was used to measure the mid shaft circumference at the level of the apex of the deltoid V and the length in cm was determined. An osteomeric board was used to measure the length of the humerus in centimeters. A weighing balance was used t...
Plectranthus barbatus is a popular tropical perennial plant with a wide variety of traditional me... more Plectranthus barbatus is a popular tropical perennial plant with a wide variety of traditional medicinal uses in tropical Africa, Hindu, Ayurvedic and traditional medicines of Brazil and China. The whole plant and the leaves have many folkloric uses for diverse ailments including pain, heart disease, convulsions, coughs and colds, asthma, bronchitis and tonsillitis among others. This study investigated the phytochemical components, acute toxicity, analgesic and anti-pyretic activities of the aqueous leaf extract of Plectranthus barbatus locally known as Ekizeera in Uganda. The plant leaves were authenticated, collected and decoction was done according to local method. Phytochemical screening was conducted using methods outlined by Trease and Evans and Harborne to determine the components of the extract. Acute toxicity tests were conducted in rats using modified Lorke's method to determine the safety of the plant material. Analgesic studies were carried out using both a mechanical method (thermally induced pain by tail-flick) and a chemical method (formalin induced pain) in rats by administering extracts orally at 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg of body weight. The method of Al-Ghamdi, modified for How to cite this paper: Ezeonwumelu,
Ibnosina Journal of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, 2013
Introduction: Flueggea virosa (Roxb. ex Willd.) belongs to the family of Euphorbiaceae and grows ... more Introduction: Flueggea virosa (Roxb. ex Willd.) belongs to the family of Euphorbiaceae and grows wild in tropical Africa and most parts of the world; but can also be domesticated. Different parts of the plant have been claimed to have many folkloric usages for treatment of diverse ailments. Therefore, the aqueous extract of the Flueggea virosa's root was investigated to ascertain its total yield, phytochemical components, acute toxicity and analgesic activity in groups of Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: Extraction was by the locally employed decoction method. Phytochemical screening was done by standard methods. Acute toxicity was evaluated by the modified Lorke's method in one phase and analgesic activity was tested using Tail-Flick and Formalin models using rats. Results: The percentage yield of the extract was 9.1%. Tannins, saponins, terpenoids, steroids, cardiac glycosides, and reducing sugars were evident. Acute toxicity tests indicated that it is generally safe; w...
Skeleton models are important in facilitating a student's easy retention and recollection of info... more Skeleton models are important in facilitating a student's easy retention and recollection of information in the future. These may assist students carry out hands-on practice in order to acquire and practice new skills that are relevant to first aid. The increasing number of medical institutions and medical students attracts the challenge of inadequate facilitation of the teaching and learning processes. This warrants a study and/or an exploration of an alternative solution such as wooden models in order to solve the problem of scarce and ethically restricted human teaching aids. Wooden pieces (50 cm length × 20 cm diameter) from a Jacaranda mimosifolia tree were prepared for the carving process, and wooden replicas of human skulls were made. Two experimental groups of randomly selected medical students (60: active and 60: control) were separately taught using wooden and natural skull models, respectively. The two groups were assessed and evaluated using the natural skull models to compare their understanding of the anatomy of the skull. Additionally, opinion statements were collected from participants in the active group during the oral examination. Six (6) wooden skull models were produced and used for experimental study. Comparisons of academic scores (mean and median) between active (students using the wooden skull) and control (students using natural skull) groups showed no statistically significant difference (P ≥ 0:05). Concerning the enhancement of learning skills, the wooden model was constructed in a way that would be able to enhance learning as it would be the natural skull. The wooden skull model, with more improvement in structural formation, can adequately facilitate the teaching and learning of anatomy of the human skull. This project and the experimental study about utilization of the wooden skull model provide a good potential of using the wooden models to supplement the use of the natural human skull.
Background: cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) is one of the cellular transcription fac... more Background: cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) is one of the cellular transcription factors found in neurons. CREB is also important for the survival of neurons, and has an important role in the development of drug addiction. Datura stramonium (DS) is a tropical ubiquitous plant commonly used to increase the intoxication of certain beverages for recreational purposes. The seeds of this plant are very toxic and may produce addiction on prolong usage. This research investigated the effects of administration of high doses of DS seeds on the expression of CREB protein in both male and female rats' frontal cortices and its implication in addiction and neurodegeneration. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted with a total of 24 male and female Wistar rats weighing 200 g-250 g. The rats were divided into three groups of 8 rats each. Each group was further divided into four subgroups of 2 rats each. Ethanolic dried seed extract of DS was diluted in normal saline and administered intraperitoneally (i.p.) to the treatment groups. The treated subgroups received 750 mg/kg of DS extract once in group 1, twice in group 2 and thrice in group 3 daily for 4 weeks respectively, while the control subgroups received i.p. normal saline concurrently for the same duration of time. The rats were euthanized and an analysis of variance (ANOVA) was computed to detect a significant main difference of DS effect on CREB expression for each group, while post hoc Bonferroni Test compared CREB protein expression between male and female groups. Result: There were significant differences in the expression of CREB protein between the subgroups and between the male and female rats of treated subgroup (p < 0.05) compared to the controls. There was a decrease in the female treated subgroups and an increase in the male treated subgroups compared to the respective controls. Conclusion: High
This study aims at investigating the differences if any, in the olfactory discrematory ability of... more This study aims at investigating the differences if any, in the olfactory discrematory ability of wild type drosophila and mutated Or83b type and also if these differences exists between male and females of both species. Insect and mammalian olfactory systems are strikingly similar. Therefore, Drosophila can be used as a simple model for olfaction. The olfactory system has evolved the capacity to recognize and discriminate an inordinate number of chemically distinct odors that signal the presence of food, predators, or mating partners. Most organisms including humans rely on their olfactory system to detect and analyze olfactory cues in the environment, cues that are subsequently utilized in the context of behavior. Several works have been done on the olfactory system of the insect drosophila, attraction of various strain of drosophila to different odors but no work has been done to investigate sexual differences in this attraction to odorants. In this research we try investigating ...
African journal of medicine and medical sciences, 2014
Ocimum gratissimum has been reported in several ethnopharmacological surveys as a plant readily a... more Ocimum gratissimum has been reported in several ethnopharmacological surveys as a plant readily accessible to the communities and widely used with a lot of therapeutic potentials. In this study, we aimed to experimentally evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of hydro-ethanolic extract in animal models of inflammation and nociception and membrane stabilization assay. O gratissimum leaves hydroethanolic extract was subjected to phytochemical screening and spectrophotometric quantification of polyphenolics. The extract was investigated for anti-inflammatory effects in carrageenan -induced paw oedema and cotton pellet - induced granuloma in rats. The antinociceptive effects were investigated in acetic acid -induced writhing in mice and formalin test in rats. Animals were randomly divided into groups; negative control, extract treated (200 -800 mg/kg) and indomethacin (10 mg/kg) standard reference groups. In- vitro anti-inflammatory activity was performed by testing for membrane stabil...
Background: cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) is one of the cellular transcription fac... more Background: cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) is one of the cellular transcription factors found in neurons. CREB is also important for the survival of neurons, and has an important role in the development of drug addiction. Datura stramonium (DS) is a tropical ubiquitous plant commonly used to increase the intoxication of certain beverages for recreational purposes. The seeds of this plant are very toxic and may produce addiction on prolong usage. This research investigated the effects of administration of high doses of DS seeds on the expression of CREB protein in both male and female rats' frontal cortices and its implication in addiction and neurodegeneration. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted with a total of 24 male and female Wistar rats weighing 200 g-250 g. The rats were divided into three groups of 8 rats each. Each group was further divided into four subgroups of 2 rats each. Ethanolic dried seed extract of DS was diluted in normal saline and administered intraperitoneally (i.p.) to the treatment groups. The treated subgroups received 750 mg/kg of DS extract once in group 1, twice in group 2 and thrice in group 3 daily for 4 weeks respectively, while the control subgroups received i.p. normal saline concurrently for the same duration of time. The rats were euthanized and an analysis of variance (ANOVA) was computed to detect a significant main difference of DS effect on CREB expression for each group, while post hoc Bonferroni Test compared CREB protein expression between male and female groups. Result: There were significant differences in the expression of CREB protein between the subgroups and between the male and female rats of treated subgroup (p < 0.05) compared to the controls. There was a decrease in the female treated subgroups and an increase in the male treated subgroups compared to the respective controls. Conclusion: High
This study aims at investigating the differences if any, in the olfactory discrematory ability of... more This study aims at investigating the differences if any, in the olfactory discrematory ability of wild type drosophila and mutated Or83b type and also if these differences exists between male and females of both species. Insect and mammalian olfactory systems are strikingly similar. Therefore, Drosophila can be used as a simple model for olfaction. The olfactory system has evolved the capacity to recognize and discriminate an inordinate number of chemically distinct odors that signal the presence of food, predators, or mating partners. Most organisms including humans rely on their olfactory system to detect and analyze olfactory cues in the environment, cues that are subsequently utilized in the context of behavior. Several works have been done on the olfactory system of the insect drosophila, attraction of various strain of drosophila to different odors but no work has been done to investigate sexual differences in this attraction to odorants. In this research we try investigating ...
African journal of medicine and medical sciences, 2014
Ocimum gratissimum has been reported in several ethnopharmacological surveys as a plant readily a... more Ocimum gratissimum has been reported in several ethnopharmacological surveys as a plant readily accessible to the communities and widely used with a lot of therapeutic potentials. In this study, we aimed to experimentally evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of hydro-ethanolic extract in animal models of inflammation and nociception and membrane stabilization assay. O gratissimum leaves hydroethanolic extract was subjected to phytochemical screening and spectrophotometric quantification of polyphenolics. The extract was investigated for anti-inflammatory effects in carrageenan -induced paw oedema and cotton pellet - induced granuloma in rats. The antinociceptive effects were investigated in acetic acid -induced writhing in mice and formalin test in rats. Animals were randomly divided into groups; negative control, extract treated (200 -800 mg/kg) and indomethacin (10 mg/kg) standard reference groups. In- vitro anti-inflammatory activity was performed by testing for membrane stabil...
Datura Stramonium (DS) is a tropical shrub which is available worldwide. It has various uses and ... more Datura Stramonium (DS) is a tropical shrub which is available worldwide. It has various uses and is often used to increase the intoxication of certain beverages. The seeds of this plant are very toxic but are commonly smoked in like manner as tobacco. The present study investigated the potential harmful effects of DS on pyramidal cells and CREB protein in the hippocampus of Wistar rats in order to further elucidate the effects of DS seed extract on hippocampal structure. The study was conducted on both male and female Wistar rats (200-250 g). They were first divided into three batches, which were further subdivided into four groups in each batch with eight animals per group. Ethanolic extract of dried seeds of DS was diluted in normal saline and given to the treatment groups. The treated groups received intraperitoneal administration (i.p.) of 750 mg kg −1 (Bania et al., 2004) of diluted DS seed extracts, once in batch 1, twice in batch 2 and thrice in batch 3 per day respectively for 4 weeks while the control groups received an equivalent of normal saline. The rats were euthanized and Western blot analysis used to evaluate the levels of CREB protein in the rats' hippocampi. Sections of each hippocampus were histologically processed in all the groups and silver impregnation stain for degenerating axons and neurons was used to elucidate the actions of DS on the pyramidal neurons of the hippocampus. The result of i.p. administration of DS extract (750 mg kg −1) given three times per day to the treated rats showed significant histological changes such as axonal atrophy, cytoplasmic vacuolation and neuronal necrosis of the pyramidal cells of the hippocampus, as well as an increase in CREB protein levels in both male and female rats. Excessive ingestion of DS seeds, therefore, may lead to hippocampal pyramidal cell losses and an increase in CREB protein levels in the hippocampus. This may be implicated in neurological disorders.
Datura Stramonium (DS) is a tropical shrub which is available worldwide. It has various uses and ... more Datura Stramonium (DS) is a tropical shrub which is available worldwide. It has various uses and is often used to increase the intoxication of certain beverages. The seeds of this plant are very toxic but are commonly smoked in like manner as tobacco. The present study investigated the potential harmful effects of DS on pyramidal cells and CREB protein in the hippocampus of Wistar rats in order to further elucidate the effects of DS seed extract on hippocampal structure. The study was conducted on both male and female Wistar rats (200-250 g). They were first divided into three batches, which were further subdivided into four groups in each batch with eight animals per group. Ethanolic extract of dried seeds of DS was diluted in normal saline and given to the treatment groups. The treated groups received intraperitoneal administration (i.p.) of 750 mg kg −1 (Bania et al., 2004) of diluted DS seed extracts, once in batch 1, twice in batch 2 and thrice in batch 3 per day respectively for 4 weeks while the control groups received an equivalent of normal saline. The rats were euthanized and Western blot analysis used to evaluate the levels of CREB protein in the rats' hippocampi. Sections of each hippocampus were histologically processed in all the groups and silver impregnation stain for degenerating axons and neurons was used to elucidate the actions of DS on the pyramidal neurons of the hippocampus. The result of i.p. administration of DS extract (750 mg kg −1) given three times per day to the treated rats showed significant histological changes such as axonal atrophy, cytoplasmic vacuolation and neuronal necrosis of the pyramidal cells of the hippocampus, as well as an increase in CREB protein levels in both male and female rats. Excessive ingestion of DS seeds, therefore, may lead to hippocampal pyramidal cell losses and an increase in CREB protein levels in the hippocampus. This may be implicated in neurological disorders.
Imperata cylindrica is a globally distributed plant known for its antiepileptic attributes, but t... more Imperata cylindrica is a globally distributed plant known for its antiepileptic attributes, but there is a scarcity of robust evidence for its efficacy. The study investigated neuroprotective attributes of Imperata cylindrica root extract on neuropathological features of epilepsy in a Drosophila melanogaster mutant model of epilepsy. It was conducted on 10-day-old (at the initiation of study) male post-eclosion bang-senseless paralytic Drosophila ( parabss1) involved acute (1-3 h) and chronic (6-18 days) experiments; n = 50 flies per group (convulsions tests); n = 100 flies per group (learning/memory tests and histological examination). Administrations were done in 1 g standard fly food, per os. The mutant flies of study ( parabss1) showed marked age-dependent progressive brain neurodegeneration and axonal degeneration, significant (P < 0.05) bang sensitivity and convulsions, and cognitive deficits due to up-regulation of the paralytic gene in our mutants. The neuropathological f...
International Journal of Anatomy and Research, 2015
Datura stramonium (DS) is a tropical ubiquitous shrub which is often used to increase intoxicatio... more Datura stramonium (DS) is a tropical ubiquitous shrub which is often used to increase intoxication in some beverages and is also freely used as a hallucinogen. It is a depressant of the central nervous system, yet commonly smoked in like manner tobacco. The present study investigated changes induced by intoxication with DS on the purkinje cells and parallel fibres of the cerebellum in Wistar rats to further elucidate the effects of this drug on cerebellar structure. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on both male and female Wistar rats (200-250 g). They were placed into three batches and four groups were derived from each batch, with eight animals per group. Ethanolic dried seed extract of DS was diluted in normal saline and administered intraperitoneally (I.P.) at a dose of 750mg/kg and given to the treatment groups: once in batch 1, twice in batch 2, twelve hourly and thrice in batch 3, eight hourly per day respectively for 4 weeks, while the control groups received an equivalent of normal saline. The rats were euthanized and sections of the cerebellum were histologically processed in all groups. Silver impregnation stain for degenerating axons and neurons was used to elucidate the actions of DS on purkinje cells and the parallel fibres of the cerebellum. Results: The result of IP administration of DS extract (750 mg/kg) given three times daily to the treated rats showed significant histological changes, which included atrophy of the parallel fibres but no significant changes in the purkinje cells of the cerebellum. Conclusions: Intoxication of DS seed as a result of excessive ingestion may have a selective degenerative effect on the parallel fibres of the granule cells of the cerebellum while the purkinje cells are spared; the implication being motor dysfunction.
Supplemental material, Supplement_File for University Lecturers and Students Could Help in Commun... more Supplemental material, Supplement_File for University Lecturers and Students Could Help in Community Education About SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Uganda by Isaac Echoru, Keneth Iceland Kasozi, Ibe Michael Usman, Irene Mukenya Mutuku, Robinson Ssebuufu, Patricia Decanar Ajambo, Fred Ssempijja, Regan Mujinya, Kevin Matama, Grace Henry Musoke, Emmanuel Tiyo Ayikobua, Herbert Izo Ninsiima, Samuel Sunday Dare, Ejike Daniel Eze, Edmund Eriya Bukenya, Grace Keyune Nambatya, Ewan MacLeod and Susan Christina Welburn in Health Services Insights
Background: Self-medication has become a serious public health problem posing great risks, especi... more Background: Self-medication has become a serious public health problem posing great risks, especially with the increasing number of cases of COVID-19 disease globally and in Uganda. This may be partly because of the absence of a recognized treatment for the disease, however, the differing prevalence and nature from country to country may influence human behavioral responses. Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the behavioral response to self-medication practices during the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown in comparison to the pre-COVID period in Western Uganda. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted from June to August 2020 in western Uganda using online Google forms and printed questionnaires to investigate the level of self-medication practice before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. This included 280 participants, aged 18 and above who consented to participate in the study. Participants were selected using a convenience sampling technique, and sampling was done by sending a structured online questionnaire via Google forms and printed questionnaires to participants who did not use the online Google forms. Results: Respondents that knew about self-medication were 97% of the 272 participants. Those that are aware of self-medication, have heard about it either through different avenues. Respondents who practiced self-medication before the COVID-19 pandemic were 239 (88%); those who practiced self-medication during the COVID-19 pandemic were 156 (57%); those that did not were 115 (43%). There was a statistically significant decrease in the number of respondents who practice self-medication during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown compared to the practice before the pandemic lockdown. p < 0.05 at 95% confidence interval (OR = 5.39, 95% CI = 3.48, 8.32). Conclusion: Our investigation showed adequate knowledge of self-medication and a high level of self-medication practice with a decrease in self-medication practices during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown compared to the practice before the lockdown.
ABSTRACTBackgroundSelf-medication has become is a serious public health problem globally posing g... more ABSTRACTBackgroundSelf-medication has become is a serious public health problem globally posing great risks, especially with the increasing number of cases of COVID-19 disease in Uganda. This is may be partly because of the absence of a recognized treatment for the disease, however, the prevalence and nature differ from country to country which may influence human behavioural responses.AimThis study aimed to investigated the beharioural response of the community towards self- medication practices during this COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown.MethodsA cross sectional household and online survey was conducted during the months of June-to- August. The study was conducted among adult between age 18 above in communities of western Uganda who consented to participate in the study. Study participants were selected using a convenience sampling technique and sampling was done by sending a structured online questionnaire via Google forms and a printed copies questionnaire made available to other...
Epilepsy is among the most common serious neurological disorders and affects around 50 million pe... more Epilepsy is among the most common serious neurological disorders and affects around 50 million people worldwide, 80% of which live in developing countries. Despite the introduction of several new Anti-Epileptic Drugs (AEDs) in the last two decades, one third of treated patients have seizures refractory to pharmacotherapy. This highlights the need to develop new treatments with drugs targeting alternative seizure-induction mechanisms. Traditional medicine (TM) is used for the treatment of epilepsy in many developing countries and could constitute an affordable and accessible alternative to AEDs, but a lack of pre-clinical and clinical testing has so far prevented its wider acceptance worldwide. In this study we usedDrosophila melanogaster paralyticbangsensitive(parabss)mutants as a model for epileptic seizure screening and tested, for the first time, the anti-seizure effect of a non-commercial AED. We evaluated the effect of the African custard-apple,Annona senegalensis, which is com...
Background: The World Health Organization has placed a lot of attention on vulnerable communities... more Background: The World Health Organization has placed a lot of attention on vulnerable communities of Africa due to their chronically weak health care systems. Recent findings from Uganda show that medical staff members have sufficient knowledge but poor attitudes toward coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the knowledge, attitudes, and preparedness/practices of lecturers and students in the fight against COVID-19. Method: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study of 103 lecturers and students both men and women of age group 18 to 69 years in western Uganda. Data were obtained through a pretested questionnaire availed online. Results: Knowledge on COVID-19 symptoms was highest in this order: fever > dry cough > difficulty breathing > fatigue > headache with no significant differences between lecturers and students. Knowledge of participants on transmission of COVID-19 was highest in the order of cough drops > cont...
ABSTRACTSeveral studies have established a relationship between morphological and behavioural asy... more ABSTRACTSeveral studies have established a relationship between morphological and behavioural asymmetry making investigations of bilateral bone asymmetry an attractive and important research area. The purpose of this study was to investigate bilateral asymmetry patterns of skeletal specimen from five geographical locations (Rwanda, Burundi, Congo, Kenya and Uganda) at Galloway Osteological Collection, Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, Makerere University College of Health Sciences at Makerere University.The angle of torsion and retroversion, mid shaft circumference, length and weight of 232 pairs of humeri were determined. A Torsiometer was used to measure the angle of torsion in degrees according to Krahl and Evans 1945, a tape was used to measure the mid shaft circumference at the level of the apex of the deltoid V and the length in cm was determined. An osteomeric board was used to measure the length of the humerus in centimeters. A weighing balance was used t...
Plectranthus barbatus is a popular tropical perennial plant with a wide variety of traditional me... more Plectranthus barbatus is a popular tropical perennial plant with a wide variety of traditional medicinal uses in tropical Africa, Hindu, Ayurvedic and traditional medicines of Brazil and China. The whole plant and the leaves have many folkloric uses for diverse ailments including pain, heart disease, convulsions, coughs and colds, asthma, bronchitis and tonsillitis among others. This study investigated the phytochemical components, acute toxicity, analgesic and anti-pyretic activities of the aqueous leaf extract of Plectranthus barbatus locally known as Ekizeera in Uganda. The plant leaves were authenticated, collected and decoction was done according to local method. Phytochemical screening was conducted using methods outlined by Trease and Evans and Harborne to determine the components of the extract. Acute toxicity tests were conducted in rats using modified Lorke's method to determine the safety of the plant material. Analgesic studies were carried out using both a mechanical method (thermally induced pain by tail-flick) and a chemical method (formalin induced pain) in rats by administering extracts orally at 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg of body weight. The method of Al-Ghamdi, modified for How to cite this paper: Ezeonwumelu,
Ibnosina Journal of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, 2013
Introduction: Flueggea virosa (Roxb. ex Willd.) belongs to the family of Euphorbiaceae and grows ... more Introduction: Flueggea virosa (Roxb. ex Willd.) belongs to the family of Euphorbiaceae and grows wild in tropical Africa and most parts of the world; but can also be domesticated. Different parts of the plant have been claimed to have many folkloric usages for treatment of diverse ailments. Therefore, the aqueous extract of the Flueggea virosa's root was investigated to ascertain its total yield, phytochemical components, acute toxicity and analgesic activity in groups of Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: Extraction was by the locally employed decoction method. Phytochemical screening was done by standard methods. Acute toxicity was evaluated by the modified Lorke's method in one phase and analgesic activity was tested using Tail-Flick and Formalin models using rats. Results: The percentage yield of the extract was 9.1%. Tannins, saponins, terpenoids, steroids, cardiac glycosides, and reducing sugars were evident. Acute toxicity tests indicated that it is generally safe; w...
Skeleton models are important in facilitating a student's easy retention and recollection of info... more Skeleton models are important in facilitating a student's easy retention and recollection of information in the future. These may assist students carry out hands-on practice in order to acquire and practice new skills that are relevant to first aid. The increasing number of medical institutions and medical students attracts the challenge of inadequate facilitation of the teaching and learning processes. This warrants a study and/or an exploration of an alternative solution such as wooden models in order to solve the problem of scarce and ethically restricted human teaching aids. Wooden pieces (50 cm length × 20 cm diameter) from a Jacaranda mimosifolia tree were prepared for the carving process, and wooden replicas of human skulls were made. Two experimental groups of randomly selected medical students (60: active and 60: control) were separately taught using wooden and natural skull models, respectively. The two groups were assessed and evaluated using the natural skull models to compare their understanding of the anatomy of the skull. Additionally, opinion statements were collected from participants in the active group during the oral examination. Six (6) wooden skull models were produced and used for experimental study. Comparisons of academic scores (mean and median) between active (students using the wooden skull) and control (students using natural skull) groups showed no statistically significant difference (P ≥ 0:05). Concerning the enhancement of learning skills, the wooden model was constructed in a way that would be able to enhance learning as it would be the natural skull. The wooden skull model, with more improvement in structural formation, can adequately facilitate the teaching and learning of anatomy of the human skull. This project and the experimental study about utilization of the wooden skull model provide a good potential of using the wooden models to supplement the use of the natural human skull.
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