Matthias Agbo | University of Nigeria, Nsukka (original) (raw)

Papers by Matthias Agbo

Pharmaceutical Sciences, May 27, 2021

Newbouldia laevis (P. Beauv.) Seem. (Family, Bignoniaceae), commonly known as tree of life, is a ... more Newbouldia laevis (P. Beauv.) Seem. (Family, Bignoniaceae), commonly known as tree of life, is a purple-flowering plant that is widely distributed in many parts of Africa. Different parts of the plant, including the leaves, flower, stems and roots are prevalently used in African traditional medicine for the management of many diseases and conditions like diabetes, hypertension, skin diseases, ulcer, tumors, pains, infectious diseases, inflammation, dysentery, sickle cell disease and impotency. This review discusses the trado-medical uses, chemical constituents, and biological activities of N. laevis. Based on information generated from scientific investigations deposited in PubMed and SCOPUS, the chemical constituents of the plant include glycosides, anthraquinolones, volatile oils, tannins, steroids, alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids and sterols. Extracts different parts of the plant and compounds isolated from them have been reported to have several health-promoting potentials such as antioxidant, antimalarial, trypanocidal, antimicrobial, anthelmintic, analgesic, antiinflammatory, antidiabetic, anti-arthritic, anti-thrombotic, cytoprotective, anti-hypertensive, central nervous system modulatory, male reproduction enhancing and oxytocic properties. These scientific investigations have led credence to the ethnobotanical uses of the plant in folkloric practice. In addition, the presence of phytochemical constituents in the plant might be responsible for the wide biological potentials.

Jordan Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sep 1, 2022

Streptomyces species are the most prolific producers of antibiotics within the group actinobacter... more Streptomyces species are the most prolific producers of antibiotics within the group actinobacteria. The in-vitro antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of the methanol (MeOH) extract and vacuum liquid chromatography (VLC) fractions of a soil bacteria Streptomyces canus ATCC 12647 were evaluated. Agar well diffusion method was used for the antimicrobial assay, while phosphomolybdate and DPPH radical scavenging methods were used for the antioxidant assay. The antimicrobial assay showed remarkable activities against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans. Also, the extract and fractions showed good in-vitro antioxidant activities in both models. Our results showed that extract and VLC fractions from bacterial isolate had good antimicrobial and antioxidant activities.

International Journal of Health Research, Oct 3, 2011

and full-text of published articles. The journal is devoted to the promotion of health sciences a... more and full-text of published articles. The journal is devoted to the promotion of health sciences and related disciplines (including medicine, pharmacy, nursing, biotechnology, cell and molecular biology, and related engineering fields). It seeks particularly (but not exclusively) to encourage multidisciplinary research and collaboration among scientists, the industry and the healthcare professionals. It will also provide an international forum for the communication and evaluation of data, methods and findings in health sciences and related disciplines. The journal welcomes original research papers, reviews and case reports on current topics of special interest and relevance. All manuscripts will be subject to rapid peer review. Those of high quality (not previously published and not under consideration for publication) will be published without delay. The maximum length of manuscripts should normally be 10,000 words (20 single-spaced typewritten pages) for review, 6,000 words for research articles, 3,000 for technical notes, case reports, commentaries and short communications.

PubMed, 2014

The present study was carried out to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activities of polyphenols iso... more The present study was carried out to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activities of polyphenols isolated from the leaves of mistletoe (Loranthus micranthus Linn.) parasitic on Hevea brasiliensis. The anti-inflammatory properties of the isolated compounds were evaluated on the basis of their ability to inhibit the production of nitric oxide (NO) and tumuor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) activated RAW 264.7 mouse macrophages. Semi-preparative HPLC separation of the ethyl acetate (EtOAc) and butanol (n-BuOH) fractions of the leaves of mistletoe (Loranthus micranthus Linn) parasitic on Hevea brasiliensis led to the isolation of four polyphenols: 3-O-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoyl)-(-)-epicatechin (TMECG) (1); (-)-epicatechin-3-O-(3″-O-methyl)-gallate (ECG3″Me) (2); rutin (3) and peltatoside (4). Compounds 1-4 were isolated for the first time from this plant while 1 was isolated for the first time in nature. These compounds (1-4) were readily identified by comparison of their spectroscopic data with those reported in the literature. The polyphenols proved to have anti-inflammatory activity as evidenced by the suppression of inducible nitric oxide (iNO) and cytokine (TNF-α) levels in the culture supernatant of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 murine macrophages. However, the study showed that the quercetin diglycosides showed stronger inhibition of proinflammatory mediators than the epicatechin derivates. These data provide evidence that polyphenolic compounds isolated from the mistletoe parasitic on Hevea brasiliensis may contribute to its anti-inflammatory properties by inhibiting the expression of inducible nitric oxide and proinflammatory cytokines such as tumour necrosis factor-α.

Pakistan journal of analytical & environmental chemistry, Jun 23, 2021

Zinc as its citrate or sulphate salt is added to some toothpaste as a bactericide to reduce the p... more Zinc as its citrate or sulphate salt is added to some toothpaste as a bactericide to reduce the presence of bacteria in the mouth. These bacteria can form plaque or produce acids which cause dental decay and halitosis. Zinc salt is added at amounts which are enough to show activity against oral bacteria without causing toxicity to the user. Five commercial samples of different brands of toothpaste (TP-A, TP-B, TP-C, TP-D and TP-E) were purchased from different pharmacy stores in Ogige and Eko markets, Nigeria and analysed for the presence of zinc using atomic absorption spectrophotometric method. The samples were digested with deionized water and HNO 3 , centrifuged and filtered. The absorbance of the supernatants obtained was read with a spectrophotometer. Calibration curves for zinc sulphate and zinc citrate were obtained with regression (R 2) values of 0.9992 and 0.9973, respectively. The equation obtained from the curves used in determining the content of zinc in the samples. The zinc content (% w/w) of samples was determined to be 0.8467%, 0.8127%, 0.0119%, 0.0188% and 0.0305%, respectively. These values were well below the maximum permissible level of zinc in toothpaste samples but were within the upper limit for daily zinc intake.

The present study was carried out to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activities of polyphenols iso... more The present study was carried out to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activities of polyphenols isolated from the leaves of mistletoe (Loranthus micranthus Linn.) parasitic on Hevea brasiliensis. The anti-inflammatory properties of the isolated compounds were evaluated on the basis of their ability to inhibit the production of nitric oxide (NO) and tumuor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) activated RAW 264.7 mouse macrophages. Semipreparative HPLC separation of the ethyl acetate (EtOAc) and butanol (n-BuOH) fractions of the leaves of mistletoe (Loranthus micranthus Linn) parasitic on Hevea brasiliensis led to the isolation of four polyphenols: 3-O-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoyl)-(-)-epicatechin (TMECG) (1); (-)-epicatechin-3-O-(3″-O-methyl)-gallate (ECG3″Me) (2); rutin (3) and peltatoside (4). Compounds 1-4 were isolated for the first time from this plant while 1 was isolated for the first time in nature. These compounds (1-4) were readily identified by comparison of their spectroscopic data with those reported in the literature. The polyphenols proved to have antiinflammatory activity as evidenced by the suppression of inducible nitric oxide (iNO) and cytokine (TNF-α) levels in the culture supernatant of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 murine macrophages. However, the study showed that the quercetin diglycosides showed stronger inhibition of proinflammatory mediators than the epicatechin derivates. These data provide evidence that polyphenolic compounds isolated from the mistletoe parasitic on Hevea brasiliensis may contribute to its anti-inflammatory properties by inhibiting the expression of inducible nitric oxide and proinflammatory cytokines such as tumour necrosis factor-α.

British journal of pharmaceutical research, Jan 10, 2014

A previous surveillance study conducted in 12 hospitals in New York City in 1996 identified a uni... more A previous surveillance study conducted in 12 hospitals in New York City in 1996 identified a unique multidrug-resistant genetic lineage of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) that was widespread and accounted for as much as 42% of all the MRSA isolates. The purpose of the study described here was to determine possible geographic spread of this New York clone of MRSA to neighboring states. Single-patient MRSA isolates (258) from 29 health care facilities in Connecticut (CT), New Jersey (NJ), and Pennsylvania (PA) were collected during the calendar year 1998. DNA typing, consisting of fingerprinting of chromosomal macrorestriction patterns generated by Smal digestion followed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), identified 22 patterns. PFGE type A, closely related to the PFGE type of the previously identified New York clone, accounted for 154 (60%) of 258 isolates. The clone was detected in all facilities, was predominant in 19 of the 29 health care centers, and accounted for 92% of the MRSA isolates collected in PA. The overwhelming majority of MRSA with PFGE type A was also resistant to erythromycin, ciprofloxacin, and clindamycin. One of the two most common PFGE subtypes detected in the three states sampled (PFGE subtype Al) had an identical PFGE pattern to that of the previously described vancomycin-resistant strain of S. aureus (VISA) recently detected in a hospital in Westchester, NY. The second most frequent MRSA clone with PFGE type E and accounting for 26% (68/258 isolates), also described earlier in the 12 New York City hospitals, was resistant not only to erythromycin, ciprofloxacin, and clindamycin, but also to gentamicin and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim as well. The unique multidrug resistance pattern of this second clone and its geographic distribution accounted for the differences observed in the frequency of multidrug resistance among MRSA isolates recovered in the three states. The pandemic Iberian clone recently detected in New York City was not detected among the 258 MRSA isolates recovered in CT, NJ, and PA.

Pharmacia

Over the years, medicinal plants have been employed in the treatment of inflammation and related ... more Over the years, medicinal plants have been employed in the treatment of inflammation and related ailments. This study evaluated the anti-inflammatory potential of the aerial parts of S. brevipes. The extracts and fractions were further evaluated for anti-inflammatory activity in carrageenan-induced rat model at varying doses (200 and 400 mg/kg doses, orally) for 5 h of treatment. The result of the phytochemical screening showed the presence of alkaloids, terpenoids, glycosides, flavonoids and tannins in the aerial parts of the plant. The in vivo anti-inflammatory study exhibited inhibition of 42% and 44%, 47% and 36%, 33% and 31%, and 43% and 42% for methanol extract n-hexane fraction, ethyl acetate fraction, and methanol fraction, at 200 and 400 mg/kg doses, respectively. The positive control (diclofenac sodium) showed an inhibition value of 51% at 5 mg/kg dose. Finally, it is concluded that S. brevipes possesses anti-inflammatory potential which validates the enthnomedicinal claim...

Pakistan Journal of Analytical & Environmental Chemistry, 2021

Zinc as its citrate or sulphate salt is added to some toothpaste as a bactericide to reduce the p... more Zinc as its citrate or sulphate salt is added to some toothpaste as a bactericide to reduce the presence of bacteria in the mouth. These bacteria can form plaque or produce acids which cause dental decay and halitosis. Zinc salt is added at amounts which are enough to show activity against oral bacteria without causing toxicity to the user. Five commercial samples of different brands of toothpaste (TP-A, TP-B, TP-C, TP-D and TP-E) were purchased from different pharmacy stores in Ogige and Eko markets, Nigeria and analysed for the presence of zinc using atomic absorption spectrophotometric method. The samples were digested with deionized water and HNO3, centrifuged and filtered. The absorbance of the supernatants obtained was read with a spectrophotometer. Calibration curves for zinc sulphate and zinc citrate were obtained with regression (R2) values of 0.9992 and 0.9973, respectively. The equation obtained from the curves used in determining the content of zinc in the samples. The z...

Transactions of the Royal Society of South Africa, 2019

The pharmacognostic, phytochemical, antimicrobial and mosquito repellent properties of the leaf e... more The pharmacognostic, phytochemical, antimicrobial and mosquito repellent properties of the leaf extract of Acalypha fimbriata (Euphorbiaceae) are reported. The pharmacognostic study revealed the transverse section of the leaf has a dorsiventral nature and diagnostic features such as paracytic stomata, multicellular, uniseriate covering trichomes, calcium oxalates of crystal type and starch grains of oval shape. Physicochemical analysis and quantitative leaf microscopy gave distinctive values of interest. The phytochemical screening of the crude extracts and fractions revealed the presence of alkaloids, steroids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, glycosides, reducing sugars and phenols. The quantitative estimation of the secondary metabolites of the methanolic extract showed the highest level to be tannins (299.96 ± 0.00 mg/g) compared with phenols (209.963 ± 0.00 mg/g) and flavonoids (162.97 ± 0.00 mg/g). GC-MS analysis identified trans-4-tetradecene (35.18%) as the major constituent. The crude extract and fractions showed a significant broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity. The repellency study of the leaf oil of Acalypha fimbriata against Aedes aegypti mosquitoes showed significant differences in repellency (p < 0.05). This study confirms that the leaves of Acalypha fimbriata contain potential antimicrobial phytochemicals and oil for mosquito repellent.

Annals of Medical and Health Sciences Research, 2015

Fungi are unusually rare causes of gastric perforation, with most cases of gastric perforation oc... more Fungi are unusually rare causes of gastric perforation, with most cases of gastric perforation occurring as complications of peptic ulcer disease (PUD), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and gastric neoplasms. Here, we report the case of a 70-year-old Nigerian male who presented with severe epigastric pain, with no associated history of PUD, NSAIDs use or gastric neoplasm. An emergency exploratory laparotomy was performed and a gastric perforation was discovered and repaired. Histopathological examination of the gastric perforation edge biopsy revealed an intense Candida growth consisting of numerous fungal spores and hyphae invading and destroying the gastric wall. He was subsequently treated with fluconazole antifungal and discharged home after an uneventful postoperative period.

Phytomedicine, 2019

The objective of this systematic review is to evaluate the influence of aqueous mistletoe extract... more The objective of this systematic review is to evaluate the influence of aqueous mistletoe extract (ME) treatment on conventional antineoplastic therapies (chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, surgery and hormone-therapy). It provides a comprehensive evaluative report of clinical and preclinical studies on the impact of ME on the efficacy and safety of these therapies in patients with solid tumours, and also addresses the issue of metabolism-based interactions, such as enzyme induction or inhibition.

African Journal of Microbiology Research, 2015

The bacteriological quality and levels of essential mineral elements and organic acids were evalu... more The bacteriological quality and levels of essential mineral elements and organic acids were evaluated in 33 randomly selected bottled/packaged water samples produced and marketed in Southeastern Nigeria. The microbiological assay, essential mineral elements and organic acids were determined using American Public Health Association (APHA) standard methods. The distinguishing characteristics of the microorganisms identified were their psychotropic growth capabilities, motility at 37C, growth in air, negative phenylalanine, deaminase, positive urease, catalase, oxidase and coagulase activities. Data obtained were compared with the accepted standards for safe drinking water as recommended by WHO/UNICEF. Some of the bacteria species recovered from the water samples included Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus. The results show that only 9% of the samples investigated met the WHO/UNICEF standard of zero microbial load, 73% of the samples fell within 10 3-10 4 colony forming units (CFU)/100 ml, while 18% had the poorest with 10 6 CFU/100 ml. Major essential minerals found were calcium, sulphate, chloride, nitrate, bicarbonate and phosphate. Furthermore, the levels of these essential minerals were within the acceptable range in 76% of the samples while in others (24%) they were below the standard range recommended by WHO/UNICEF/APHA. There is need to maintain the approved standard level of chlorination in bottled /packaged water produced and sold in Southeastern Nigeria. Moreover, routine bacteriological quality assay by companies producing bottled/packaged drinking water should be enforced in Nigeria in particular and other developing countries in view of the findings in our study.

The leaves of Loranthus micranthus (Linn.) parasitic on Alstonia boonei were extracted with metha... more The leaves of Loranthus micranthus (Linn.) parasitic on Alstonia boonei were extracted with methanol by cold maceration method. The extract was purified further by column chromatographic technique with n-hexane and chloroform respectively. The extract was investigated for phytochemical constituents while the antimicrobial study of the n-hexane and chloroform fractions were evaluated using Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The phytochemical study showed tannins, alkaloids, steroids and terpenoids to be moderately present while glycosides, flavonoids and saponins are fairly present. The antimicrobial study of the n-hexane and chloroform fractions showed activities on both bacteria. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the n-hexane fraction was 12.42 and 0.49 mg/ml against E. coli and Staph. aureus respectively while the MIC of the chloroform fraction was 23.82 and 0.09 mg/ml against E. coli and Staph. aureus respectively.

Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine, 2012

Fitoterapia, 2013

Two new phenolic glycosides, linamarin gallate (1) and walsuraside B (2), together with nine know... more Two new phenolic glycosides, linamarin gallate (1) and walsuraside B (2), together with nine known compounds, catechin (3), epicatechin (4), epicatechin 3-O-gallate (5), epicatechin 3-O-(3-O-methyl) gallate (6), epicatechin 3-O-(3,5-O-dimethyl)gallate (7), epicatechin 3-O-(3,4,5-O-trimethyl)gallate (8), quercetin 3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (9), rutin (10), and peltatoside (11), were isolated from the leafy twigs of Nigerian mistletoe Loranthus micranthus (Linn.) parasitic on Hevea brasiliensis. Compound 1 was characterized as an unusual cyanogenic glycoside, while compound 8 was isolated for the first time from a natural source. This is the first report of a cyanogenic glycoside from mistletoes. The structures of the new compounds were unambiguously elucidated by 1D (1 H, 13 C), 2D NMR (COSY, HSQC, and HMBC) and by mass spectroscopy. The antioxidant activities of the isolated compounds (1-11) were evaluated using the 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay.

FEMS Immunology & Medical Microbiology, 2010

Investigating circulating methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains and identify... more Investigating circulating methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains and identifying their accumulations in society are important in the search for strategies for eradicating the pathogen. The aim of this study was to describe the distribution of MRSA in a low-prevalence area where MRSA could be establishing endemicity. MRSA isolates from 802 patients (803 isolates) were included and placed into a timeline (1991-2006) under different categories: hospital (n = 270), long-term care facility (LTCF) (n = 175) and general practitioner (GP) (n = 358). MRSA isolates had been characterized using multilocus sequence-typing, staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec-typing and detection of Panton-Valentine leukocidin-encoding genes (lukS/F-PVL), and were placed in exotoxin-encoding gene clusters. The GP category increased mainly in a cluster with few exotoxin-encoding genes (r = 0.760), the LTCF (r = 0.804) and the hospital category (r = 0.876) mainly in clusters with more exotoxin-encoding genes. ST8-IV, lukS/F-PVL present, increased in the community (1-41 isolates) in the time period 2002-2006, later in the hospital (1-8 isolates, 2004-2006), and finally reached the LTCF (1 isolate, 2006). ST8-IV, lukS/F-PVL absent, could have attained endemicity in LTCFs, where 51 isolates were isolated in 2006. ST125-IV, lukS/F-PVL absent, showing epidemic qualities abroad, caused outbreaks at five LTCFs.

Jordan Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Streptomyces species are the most prolific producers of antibiotics within the group actinobacter... more Streptomyces species are the most prolific producers of antibiotics within the group actinobacteria. The in-vitro antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of the methanol (MeOH) extract and vacuum liquid chromatography (VLC) fractions of a soil bacteria Streptomyces canus ATCC 12647 were evaluated. Agar well diffusion method was used for the antimicrobial assay, while phosphomolybdate and DPPH radical scavenging methods were used for the antioxidant assay. The antimicrobial assay showed remarkable activities against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans. Also, the extract and fractions showed good in-vitro antioxidant activities in both models. Our results showed that extract and VLC fractions from bacterial isolate had good antimicrobial and antioxidant activities.

EXCLI Journal : Experimental and Clinical Sciences, Aug 20, 2014

The present study was carried out to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activities of polyphenols iso... more The present study was carried out to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activities of polyphenols isolated from the leaves of mistletoe (Loranthus micranthus Linn.) parasitic on Hevea brasiliensis. The anti-inflammatory properties of the isolated compounds were evaluated on the basis of their ability to inhibit the production of nitric oxide (NO) and tumuor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) activated RAW 264.7 mouse macrophages. Semi-preparative HPLC separation of the ethyl acetate (EtOAc) and butanol (n-BuOH) fractions of the leaves of mistletoe (Loranthus micranthus Linn) parasitic on Hevea brasiliensis led to the isolation of four polyphenols: 3-O-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoyl)-(-)-epicatechin (TMECG) (1); (-)-epicatechin-3-O-(3″-O-methyl)-gallate (ECG3″Me) (2); rutin (3) and peltatoside (4). Compounds 1-4 were isolated for the first time from this plant while 1 was isolated for the first time in nature. These compounds (1-4) were readily identified by comparison of th...

Purpose: To investigate the hypoglycemic effect of the methanol extract and fractions of Anthocle... more Purpose: To investigate the hypoglycemic effect of the methanol extract and fractions of Anthocleista vogelii stem bark. Methods: The methanol extract of A. vogelii stem bark (ME) was subjected to gradient chromatographic separation using four solvents- chloroform, ethyl acetate, acetone and water- to afford the respective fractions- CF, EF, AF and WF. ME was administered orally to normoglycemic rats at 200 and 400 mg/kg and fasting blood glucose (FBG) monitored for 6 h. Alloxan-induced diabetic rats were also treated orally with ME and the various fractions (each at 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg), with glibenclamide (0.2 mg/kg) and normal saline (2 ml/kg) serving as standard and control, respectively. ME and the fractions were also subjected to phytochemical analysis following standard procedures. Results: The extract possessed comparable hypoglycemic effect to glibenclamide in healthy rats. The extract and its fractions also exhibited significant (p < 0.05) antidiabetic effect. ME, C...

Pharmaceutical Sciences, May 27, 2021

Newbouldia laevis (P. Beauv.) Seem. (Family, Bignoniaceae), commonly known as tree of life, is a ... more Newbouldia laevis (P. Beauv.) Seem. (Family, Bignoniaceae), commonly known as tree of life, is a purple-flowering plant that is widely distributed in many parts of Africa. Different parts of the plant, including the leaves, flower, stems and roots are prevalently used in African traditional medicine for the management of many diseases and conditions like diabetes, hypertension, skin diseases, ulcer, tumors, pains, infectious diseases, inflammation, dysentery, sickle cell disease and impotency. This review discusses the trado-medical uses, chemical constituents, and biological activities of N. laevis. Based on information generated from scientific investigations deposited in PubMed and SCOPUS, the chemical constituents of the plant include glycosides, anthraquinolones, volatile oils, tannins, steroids, alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids and sterols. Extracts different parts of the plant and compounds isolated from them have been reported to have several health-promoting potentials such as antioxidant, antimalarial, trypanocidal, antimicrobial, anthelmintic, analgesic, antiinflammatory, antidiabetic, anti-arthritic, anti-thrombotic, cytoprotective, anti-hypertensive, central nervous system modulatory, male reproduction enhancing and oxytocic properties. These scientific investigations have led credence to the ethnobotanical uses of the plant in folkloric practice. In addition, the presence of phytochemical constituents in the plant might be responsible for the wide biological potentials.

Jordan Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sep 1, 2022

Streptomyces species are the most prolific producers of antibiotics within the group actinobacter... more Streptomyces species are the most prolific producers of antibiotics within the group actinobacteria. The in-vitro antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of the methanol (MeOH) extract and vacuum liquid chromatography (VLC) fractions of a soil bacteria Streptomyces canus ATCC 12647 were evaluated. Agar well diffusion method was used for the antimicrobial assay, while phosphomolybdate and DPPH radical scavenging methods were used for the antioxidant assay. The antimicrobial assay showed remarkable activities against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans. Also, the extract and fractions showed good in-vitro antioxidant activities in both models. Our results showed that extract and VLC fractions from bacterial isolate had good antimicrobial and antioxidant activities.

International Journal of Health Research, Oct 3, 2011

and full-text of published articles. The journal is devoted to the promotion of health sciences a... more and full-text of published articles. The journal is devoted to the promotion of health sciences and related disciplines (including medicine, pharmacy, nursing, biotechnology, cell and molecular biology, and related engineering fields). It seeks particularly (but not exclusively) to encourage multidisciplinary research and collaboration among scientists, the industry and the healthcare professionals. It will also provide an international forum for the communication and evaluation of data, methods and findings in health sciences and related disciplines. The journal welcomes original research papers, reviews and case reports on current topics of special interest and relevance. All manuscripts will be subject to rapid peer review. Those of high quality (not previously published and not under consideration for publication) will be published without delay. The maximum length of manuscripts should normally be 10,000 words (20 single-spaced typewritten pages) for review, 6,000 words for research articles, 3,000 for technical notes, case reports, commentaries and short communications.

PubMed, 2014

The present study was carried out to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activities of polyphenols iso... more The present study was carried out to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activities of polyphenols isolated from the leaves of mistletoe (Loranthus micranthus Linn.) parasitic on Hevea brasiliensis. The anti-inflammatory properties of the isolated compounds were evaluated on the basis of their ability to inhibit the production of nitric oxide (NO) and tumuor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) activated RAW 264.7 mouse macrophages. Semi-preparative HPLC separation of the ethyl acetate (EtOAc) and butanol (n-BuOH) fractions of the leaves of mistletoe (Loranthus micranthus Linn) parasitic on Hevea brasiliensis led to the isolation of four polyphenols: 3-O-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoyl)-(-)-epicatechin (TMECG) (1); (-)-epicatechin-3-O-(3″-O-methyl)-gallate (ECG3″Me) (2); rutin (3) and peltatoside (4). Compounds 1-4 were isolated for the first time from this plant while 1 was isolated for the first time in nature. These compounds (1-4) were readily identified by comparison of their spectroscopic data with those reported in the literature. The polyphenols proved to have anti-inflammatory activity as evidenced by the suppression of inducible nitric oxide (iNO) and cytokine (TNF-α) levels in the culture supernatant of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 murine macrophages. However, the study showed that the quercetin diglycosides showed stronger inhibition of proinflammatory mediators than the epicatechin derivates. These data provide evidence that polyphenolic compounds isolated from the mistletoe parasitic on Hevea brasiliensis may contribute to its anti-inflammatory properties by inhibiting the expression of inducible nitric oxide and proinflammatory cytokines such as tumour necrosis factor-α.

Pakistan journal of analytical & environmental chemistry, Jun 23, 2021

Zinc as its citrate or sulphate salt is added to some toothpaste as a bactericide to reduce the p... more Zinc as its citrate or sulphate salt is added to some toothpaste as a bactericide to reduce the presence of bacteria in the mouth. These bacteria can form plaque or produce acids which cause dental decay and halitosis. Zinc salt is added at amounts which are enough to show activity against oral bacteria without causing toxicity to the user. Five commercial samples of different brands of toothpaste (TP-A, TP-B, TP-C, TP-D and TP-E) were purchased from different pharmacy stores in Ogige and Eko markets, Nigeria and analysed for the presence of zinc using atomic absorption spectrophotometric method. The samples were digested with deionized water and HNO 3 , centrifuged and filtered. The absorbance of the supernatants obtained was read with a spectrophotometer. Calibration curves for zinc sulphate and zinc citrate were obtained with regression (R 2) values of 0.9992 and 0.9973, respectively. The equation obtained from the curves used in determining the content of zinc in the samples. The zinc content (% w/w) of samples was determined to be 0.8467%, 0.8127%, 0.0119%, 0.0188% and 0.0305%, respectively. These values were well below the maximum permissible level of zinc in toothpaste samples but were within the upper limit for daily zinc intake.

The present study was carried out to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activities of polyphenols iso... more The present study was carried out to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activities of polyphenols isolated from the leaves of mistletoe (Loranthus micranthus Linn.) parasitic on Hevea brasiliensis. The anti-inflammatory properties of the isolated compounds were evaluated on the basis of their ability to inhibit the production of nitric oxide (NO) and tumuor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) activated RAW 264.7 mouse macrophages. Semipreparative HPLC separation of the ethyl acetate (EtOAc) and butanol (n-BuOH) fractions of the leaves of mistletoe (Loranthus micranthus Linn) parasitic on Hevea brasiliensis led to the isolation of four polyphenols: 3-O-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoyl)-(-)-epicatechin (TMECG) (1); (-)-epicatechin-3-O-(3″-O-methyl)-gallate (ECG3″Me) (2); rutin (3) and peltatoside (4). Compounds 1-4 were isolated for the first time from this plant while 1 was isolated for the first time in nature. These compounds (1-4) were readily identified by comparison of their spectroscopic data with those reported in the literature. The polyphenols proved to have antiinflammatory activity as evidenced by the suppression of inducible nitric oxide (iNO) and cytokine (TNF-α) levels in the culture supernatant of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 murine macrophages. However, the study showed that the quercetin diglycosides showed stronger inhibition of proinflammatory mediators than the epicatechin derivates. These data provide evidence that polyphenolic compounds isolated from the mistletoe parasitic on Hevea brasiliensis may contribute to its anti-inflammatory properties by inhibiting the expression of inducible nitric oxide and proinflammatory cytokines such as tumour necrosis factor-α.

British journal of pharmaceutical research, Jan 10, 2014

A previous surveillance study conducted in 12 hospitals in New York City in 1996 identified a uni... more A previous surveillance study conducted in 12 hospitals in New York City in 1996 identified a unique multidrug-resistant genetic lineage of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) that was widespread and accounted for as much as 42% of all the MRSA isolates. The purpose of the study described here was to determine possible geographic spread of this New York clone of MRSA to neighboring states. Single-patient MRSA isolates (258) from 29 health care facilities in Connecticut (CT), New Jersey (NJ), and Pennsylvania (PA) were collected during the calendar year 1998. DNA typing, consisting of fingerprinting of chromosomal macrorestriction patterns generated by Smal digestion followed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), identified 22 patterns. PFGE type A, closely related to the PFGE type of the previously identified New York clone, accounted for 154 (60%) of 258 isolates. The clone was detected in all facilities, was predominant in 19 of the 29 health care centers, and accounted for 92% of the MRSA isolates collected in PA. The overwhelming majority of MRSA with PFGE type A was also resistant to erythromycin, ciprofloxacin, and clindamycin. One of the two most common PFGE subtypes detected in the three states sampled (PFGE subtype Al) had an identical PFGE pattern to that of the previously described vancomycin-resistant strain of S. aureus (VISA) recently detected in a hospital in Westchester, NY. The second most frequent MRSA clone with PFGE type E and accounting for 26% (68/258 isolates), also described earlier in the 12 New York City hospitals, was resistant not only to erythromycin, ciprofloxacin, and clindamycin, but also to gentamicin and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim as well. The unique multidrug resistance pattern of this second clone and its geographic distribution accounted for the differences observed in the frequency of multidrug resistance among MRSA isolates recovered in the three states. The pandemic Iberian clone recently detected in New York City was not detected among the 258 MRSA isolates recovered in CT, NJ, and PA.

Pharmacia

Over the years, medicinal plants have been employed in the treatment of inflammation and related ... more Over the years, medicinal plants have been employed in the treatment of inflammation and related ailments. This study evaluated the anti-inflammatory potential of the aerial parts of S. brevipes. The extracts and fractions were further evaluated for anti-inflammatory activity in carrageenan-induced rat model at varying doses (200 and 400 mg/kg doses, orally) for 5 h of treatment. The result of the phytochemical screening showed the presence of alkaloids, terpenoids, glycosides, flavonoids and tannins in the aerial parts of the plant. The in vivo anti-inflammatory study exhibited inhibition of 42% and 44%, 47% and 36%, 33% and 31%, and 43% and 42% for methanol extract n-hexane fraction, ethyl acetate fraction, and methanol fraction, at 200 and 400 mg/kg doses, respectively. The positive control (diclofenac sodium) showed an inhibition value of 51% at 5 mg/kg dose. Finally, it is concluded that S. brevipes possesses anti-inflammatory potential which validates the enthnomedicinal claim...

Pakistan Journal of Analytical & Environmental Chemistry, 2021

Zinc as its citrate or sulphate salt is added to some toothpaste as a bactericide to reduce the p... more Zinc as its citrate or sulphate salt is added to some toothpaste as a bactericide to reduce the presence of bacteria in the mouth. These bacteria can form plaque or produce acids which cause dental decay and halitosis. Zinc salt is added at amounts which are enough to show activity against oral bacteria without causing toxicity to the user. Five commercial samples of different brands of toothpaste (TP-A, TP-B, TP-C, TP-D and TP-E) were purchased from different pharmacy stores in Ogige and Eko markets, Nigeria and analysed for the presence of zinc using atomic absorption spectrophotometric method. The samples were digested with deionized water and HNO3, centrifuged and filtered. The absorbance of the supernatants obtained was read with a spectrophotometer. Calibration curves for zinc sulphate and zinc citrate were obtained with regression (R2) values of 0.9992 and 0.9973, respectively. The equation obtained from the curves used in determining the content of zinc in the samples. The z...

Transactions of the Royal Society of South Africa, 2019

The pharmacognostic, phytochemical, antimicrobial and mosquito repellent properties of the leaf e... more The pharmacognostic, phytochemical, antimicrobial and mosquito repellent properties of the leaf extract of Acalypha fimbriata (Euphorbiaceae) are reported. The pharmacognostic study revealed the transverse section of the leaf has a dorsiventral nature and diagnostic features such as paracytic stomata, multicellular, uniseriate covering trichomes, calcium oxalates of crystal type and starch grains of oval shape. Physicochemical analysis and quantitative leaf microscopy gave distinctive values of interest. The phytochemical screening of the crude extracts and fractions revealed the presence of alkaloids, steroids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, glycosides, reducing sugars and phenols. The quantitative estimation of the secondary metabolites of the methanolic extract showed the highest level to be tannins (299.96 ± 0.00 mg/g) compared with phenols (209.963 ± 0.00 mg/g) and flavonoids (162.97 ± 0.00 mg/g). GC-MS analysis identified trans-4-tetradecene (35.18%) as the major constituent. The crude extract and fractions showed a significant broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity. The repellency study of the leaf oil of Acalypha fimbriata against Aedes aegypti mosquitoes showed significant differences in repellency (p < 0.05). This study confirms that the leaves of Acalypha fimbriata contain potential antimicrobial phytochemicals and oil for mosquito repellent.

Annals of Medical and Health Sciences Research, 2015

Fungi are unusually rare causes of gastric perforation, with most cases of gastric perforation oc... more Fungi are unusually rare causes of gastric perforation, with most cases of gastric perforation occurring as complications of peptic ulcer disease (PUD), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and gastric neoplasms. Here, we report the case of a 70-year-old Nigerian male who presented with severe epigastric pain, with no associated history of PUD, NSAIDs use or gastric neoplasm. An emergency exploratory laparotomy was performed and a gastric perforation was discovered and repaired. Histopathological examination of the gastric perforation edge biopsy revealed an intense Candida growth consisting of numerous fungal spores and hyphae invading and destroying the gastric wall. He was subsequently treated with fluconazole antifungal and discharged home after an uneventful postoperative period.

Phytomedicine, 2019

The objective of this systematic review is to evaluate the influence of aqueous mistletoe extract... more The objective of this systematic review is to evaluate the influence of aqueous mistletoe extract (ME) treatment on conventional antineoplastic therapies (chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, surgery and hormone-therapy). It provides a comprehensive evaluative report of clinical and preclinical studies on the impact of ME on the efficacy and safety of these therapies in patients with solid tumours, and also addresses the issue of metabolism-based interactions, such as enzyme induction or inhibition.

African Journal of Microbiology Research, 2015

The bacteriological quality and levels of essential mineral elements and organic acids were evalu... more The bacteriological quality and levels of essential mineral elements and organic acids were evaluated in 33 randomly selected bottled/packaged water samples produced and marketed in Southeastern Nigeria. The microbiological assay, essential mineral elements and organic acids were determined using American Public Health Association (APHA) standard methods. The distinguishing characteristics of the microorganisms identified were their psychotropic growth capabilities, motility at 37C, growth in air, negative phenylalanine, deaminase, positive urease, catalase, oxidase and coagulase activities. Data obtained were compared with the accepted standards for safe drinking water as recommended by WHO/UNICEF. Some of the bacteria species recovered from the water samples included Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus. The results show that only 9% of the samples investigated met the WHO/UNICEF standard of zero microbial load, 73% of the samples fell within 10 3-10 4 colony forming units (CFU)/100 ml, while 18% had the poorest with 10 6 CFU/100 ml. Major essential minerals found were calcium, sulphate, chloride, nitrate, bicarbonate and phosphate. Furthermore, the levels of these essential minerals were within the acceptable range in 76% of the samples while in others (24%) they were below the standard range recommended by WHO/UNICEF/APHA. There is need to maintain the approved standard level of chlorination in bottled /packaged water produced and sold in Southeastern Nigeria. Moreover, routine bacteriological quality assay by companies producing bottled/packaged drinking water should be enforced in Nigeria in particular and other developing countries in view of the findings in our study.

The leaves of Loranthus micranthus (Linn.) parasitic on Alstonia boonei were extracted with metha... more The leaves of Loranthus micranthus (Linn.) parasitic on Alstonia boonei were extracted with methanol by cold maceration method. The extract was purified further by column chromatographic technique with n-hexane and chloroform respectively. The extract was investigated for phytochemical constituents while the antimicrobial study of the n-hexane and chloroform fractions were evaluated using Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The phytochemical study showed tannins, alkaloids, steroids and terpenoids to be moderately present while glycosides, flavonoids and saponins are fairly present. The antimicrobial study of the n-hexane and chloroform fractions showed activities on both bacteria. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the n-hexane fraction was 12.42 and 0.49 mg/ml against E. coli and Staph. aureus respectively while the MIC of the chloroform fraction was 23.82 and 0.09 mg/ml against E. coli and Staph. aureus respectively.

Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine, 2012

Fitoterapia, 2013

Two new phenolic glycosides, linamarin gallate (1) and walsuraside B (2), together with nine know... more Two new phenolic glycosides, linamarin gallate (1) and walsuraside B (2), together with nine known compounds, catechin (3), epicatechin (4), epicatechin 3-O-gallate (5), epicatechin 3-O-(3-O-methyl) gallate (6), epicatechin 3-O-(3,5-O-dimethyl)gallate (7), epicatechin 3-O-(3,4,5-O-trimethyl)gallate (8), quercetin 3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (9), rutin (10), and peltatoside (11), were isolated from the leafy twigs of Nigerian mistletoe Loranthus micranthus (Linn.) parasitic on Hevea brasiliensis. Compound 1 was characterized as an unusual cyanogenic glycoside, while compound 8 was isolated for the first time from a natural source. This is the first report of a cyanogenic glycoside from mistletoes. The structures of the new compounds were unambiguously elucidated by 1D (1 H, 13 C), 2D NMR (COSY, HSQC, and HMBC) and by mass spectroscopy. The antioxidant activities of the isolated compounds (1-11) were evaluated using the 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay.

FEMS Immunology & Medical Microbiology, 2010

Investigating circulating methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains and identify... more Investigating circulating methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains and identifying their accumulations in society are important in the search for strategies for eradicating the pathogen. The aim of this study was to describe the distribution of MRSA in a low-prevalence area where MRSA could be establishing endemicity. MRSA isolates from 802 patients (803 isolates) were included and placed into a timeline (1991-2006) under different categories: hospital (n = 270), long-term care facility (LTCF) (n = 175) and general practitioner (GP) (n = 358). MRSA isolates had been characterized using multilocus sequence-typing, staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec-typing and detection of Panton-Valentine leukocidin-encoding genes (lukS/F-PVL), and were placed in exotoxin-encoding gene clusters. The GP category increased mainly in a cluster with few exotoxin-encoding genes (r = 0.760), the LTCF (r = 0.804) and the hospital category (r = 0.876) mainly in clusters with more exotoxin-encoding genes. ST8-IV, lukS/F-PVL present, increased in the community (1-41 isolates) in the time period 2002-2006, later in the hospital (1-8 isolates, 2004-2006), and finally reached the LTCF (1 isolate, 2006). ST8-IV, lukS/F-PVL absent, could have attained endemicity in LTCFs, where 51 isolates were isolated in 2006. ST125-IV, lukS/F-PVL absent, showing epidemic qualities abroad, caused outbreaks at five LTCFs.

Jordan Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Streptomyces species are the most prolific producers of antibiotics within the group actinobacter... more Streptomyces species are the most prolific producers of antibiotics within the group actinobacteria. The in-vitro antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of the methanol (MeOH) extract and vacuum liquid chromatography (VLC) fractions of a soil bacteria Streptomyces canus ATCC 12647 were evaluated. Agar well diffusion method was used for the antimicrobial assay, while phosphomolybdate and DPPH radical scavenging methods were used for the antioxidant assay. The antimicrobial assay showed remarkable activities against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans. Also, the extract and fractions showed good in-vitro antioxidant activities in both models. Our results showed that extract and VLC fractions from bacterial isolate had good antimicrobial and antioxidant activities.

EXCLI Journal : Experimental and Clinical Sciences, Aug 20, 2014

The present study was carried out to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activities of polyphenols iso... more The present study was carried out to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activities of polyphenols isolated from the leaves of mistletoe (Loranthus micranthus Linn.) parasitic on Hevea brasiliensis. The anti-inflammatory properties of the isolated compounds were evaluated on the basis of their ability to inhibit the production of nitric oxide (NO) and tumuor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) activated RAW 264.7 mouse macrophages. Semi-preparative HPLC separation of the ethyl acetate (EtOAc) and butanol (n-BuOH) fractions of the leaves of mistletoe (Loranthus micranthus Linn) parasitic on Hevea brasiliensis led to the isolation of four polyphenols: 3-O-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoyl)-(-)-epicatechin (TMECG) (1); (-)-epicatechin-3-O-(3″-O-methyl)-gallate (ECG3″Me) (2); rutin (3) and peltatoside (4). Compounds 1-4 were isolated for the first time from this plant while 1 was isolated for the first time in nature. These compounds (1-4) were readily identified by comparison of th...

Purpose: To investigate the hypoglycemic effect of the methanol extract and fractions of Anthocle... more Purpose: To investigate the hypoglycemic effect of the methanol extract and fractions of Anthocleista vogelii stem bark. Methods: The methanol extract of A. vogelii stem bark (ME) was subjected to gradient chromatographic separation using four solvents- chloroform, ethyl acetate, acetone and water- to afford the respective fractions- CF, EF, AF and WF. ME was administered orally to normoglycemic rats at 200 and 400 mg/kg and fasting blood glucose (FBG) monitored for 6 h. Alloxan-induced diabetic rats were also treated orally with ME and the various fractions (each at 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg), with glibenclamide (0.2 mg/kg) and normal saline (2 ml/kg) serving as standard and control, respectively. ME and the fractions were also subjected to phytochemical analysis following standard procedures. Results: The extract possessed comparable hypoglycemic effect to glibenclamide in healthy rats. The extract and its fractions also exhibited significant (p < 0.05) antidiabetic effect. ME, C...