BackgroundEmbelia schimperi has been used for the treatment of intestinal parasites especially tapeworm infestations for centuries in Ethiopia. However, there is lack of scientific based evidences regarding the efficacy, safety and phytochemical analysis of this plant despite its frequent use as an anthelmintic. This study has therefore evaluated the efficacy and acute toxicity of E. schimperi thereby generating relevant preclinical information.MethodsThe anthelmintic activities of the crude hydroalcoholic extract of E. schimperi and the isolated compound, embelin, were conducted using in vivo and in vitro models against the dwarf tapeworm, Hymenolepis nana, and the hookworm, Necator americanus, respectively. LD50 of the crude hydroalcoholic extract was determined using Swiss albino mice following the OECD guidelines. Chemical characterization of the isolated embelin was conducted using UV-spectroscopy, HPLC and NMR.ResultsIn the acute toxicity study no prominent signs of toxicity and mortality were recorded among the experimental animals at the highest administered dose. Hence the LD50 of the plant was found to be higher than 5000 mg/kg. In vivo cestocidal activity of the crude hydroalcoholic extract of E. schimperi showed 100 % parasite clearance at 1000 mg/kg, while the diammonium salt of embelin showed 85.3 % parasite clearance at 750 mg/kg. The in vitro anthelminthic activity study revealed that the LC50 value of the crude extract and albendazole were 228.7 and 51.33 μg/mL, respectively.ConclusionThe results clearly indicated that the hydroalcoholic extract of E. schimperi and the diammonium salt of the isolated compound embelin had anthelmintic activity against hookworm larva in vitro and H. nana in vivo. Hence the findings of this study showed Embelia schimperi appears to possess some anthelmintic activity that may support the usage of these plants by local traditional healers to treat helminthic infestations.

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The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between school factors (STRA, &PLC) with teachers’ self-regulated science teaching in secondary schools. Self-report questionnaires for PLC and SR were adapted and for STRA it was developed by the researcher. To make the instruments’ valid and reliable, it was checked by experts and pilot study was conducted. Nine (14.3%) secondary schools out of a total of 63 secondary schools found in South Gondar Zone of the Amhara Region, Ethiopia were selected randomly. After selecting the schools, all science teachers, 322 (chemistry, biology and physics) in the selected schools were taken as participants using comprehensive sampling techniques.302/322=93.8% (of which 71(23.5%) were females, 231(76.5%) were males; 32.5% chemistry;34.4% physics and 33.1% biology teachers successfully responded to the three questionnaires. Pearson correlation coefficient, multiple regression analysis and structural equation modeling analysis methods were employed. The result showed that the model was adequately fit to the data; PLC only was found a significant positive correlation, predictor and effect with teachers’ self-regulated science teaching. Whereas STRA showed low correlation and non-significant predictor and has no significant effect on teacher’s self-regulation. Implications and recommendations are indicated