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AbstractThis study was focused to synthesize silver nanoparticles (AgNps) from the aqueous extract of Bistorta amplexicaule and to evaluate their antimicrobial, antifungal, and 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) degradation potential. The AgNps from B. amplexicaule were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies. The biological activity of the AgNps was checked against the three bacterial and two fungal strains. The inhibition activities of the synthesized nanoparticles on pathogenic bacteria and fungi were equally studied using the colony-forming unit method. The AgNps synthesized showed excellent bactericidal and fungicidal activities against pathogenic Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Candida albicans, and Candida tropicalis. The removal of nitrophenols is one of the most demanding tasks, due to their injurious impact on the health of the living organisms. The AgNps showed superior performance compared with the pure plant extract. The AgNps also displayed efficient catalytic ability in reducing toxic 4-NP into harmless 4-aminophenol in the presence of NaBH4 solution. Hence, the synthesized AgNps can be effectively used against bacterial and fungal infections and in the decontamination of 4-NP polluted water.

Background: The practice of self-medication is a global phenomenon. The prevalence of self-medication varies globally from 60-90%. There are many reasons for the increase in self-medication practices across the world, like poor diagnostic and management ability of health care workers that lead to low utilisation of health care services. Objectives: This study assessed the prevalence and practices of self-medication among university students. Method: The total number of respondents was 215 and were selected using a multi-stage sampling technique. A semi, structured self-administered adapted questionnaire was used to collect data for the study. Data was first entered into Excel and analysed using SPSS v.20 software. Results: The response rate was 96% (n=206) and the prevalence of self-medication practice was found to be 88.3% (n=182). Headache 73.8% (n=152) and Fever 57.3% (n=118) were the commonest reasons for self-medication. There was no association between self-medication and availability of professional medical service (χ2 = 0.79, P = 078), sex (χ2 = 0.26, P = 0.61), and marital status (χ2 = 0.04, P = 0.81). However, a significant association was observed between self-medication and knowledge (χ2 = 6.10, P = 0.02), smoking (χ2 = 9.71, P = 0.01) and having a medical insurance (χ2 = 7.11 and P = 0.01). The common medications used for self-medications are analgesics (98.9%), antibiotics (58.3%) and cough mixture (46.7%). Conclusion: The prevalence of self -medication observed among students is high. There is a need to increase awareness of the dangers associated with self-medication.