Banana is one of the most widely distributed and consumed fruit in tropical and subtropical countries. In this study, six Musa acuminata varieties locally available in Zaria, Nigeria, were evaluated to determine their nutritional composition. Results from proximate composition demonstrated that lipid content was profoundly (p<0.05) lower in Musa acuminata Red, calorie value was statistically (p<0.05) lower in Musa acuminata AAB (Omini white) compared to all other species analyzed. Amino acid analysis indicated that histidine, isoleucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan and valine were significantly (p<0.05) higher in the M. acuminata Red compared to other varieties in this study. Vitamin study showed that Musa acuminata Red had significant (p<0.05) higher contents of vitamins A, B3, C and E but significantly (p<0.05) lower in B1. Vitamin B1 was significantly (p<0.05) higher in M. acuminata AAA (Saro), while M. acuminata AAB (Omini white) was significantly (p<0.05) lower in Vitamin A. Mineral analysis showed that Musa acuminata Red was statistical (p<0.05) higher in potassium, iron, magnesium, calcium in comparison to other varieties of Musa acuminata pulp analyzed. In conclusion, high nutrient composition of Musa acuminata Red may be more advantageous over other varieties for use as functional food.

This study evaluated the antiplasmodial, hepatic and nephritic effects of fractions of Glyphaea brevis methanol leaf extract in P. berghei infected mice. Mice weighing between 15-30 g were infested intraperitoneally with 0.2ml plasmodium infected blood and left for 3 hours before treatment. Infected test groups were treated via oral route of administration with varying doses (200, 300 and 400 mg/kg body weight) of ethylacetate, N-butanol and residual aqueous portion fractions of the Glyphaea brevis methanol extract and Artemisinin (5 mg/kg b.wt) for four days. N-butanol fraction showed the highest antiplasmodial activity (76.64%), followed by residual aqueous portion (73.25%) and ethylacetate (72.99%); Artemisinin has 86.13%. Serum bilirubin (total and conjugated) concentrations of the untreated group (0.82 ± 0.20, 0.51 ± 0.12) were significantly lower (P<0.05) than those in the infected group treated with 300 mg/kg of the residual aqueous portion (1.36 ± 0.20, 0.76 ± 0.05) respectively. Serum albumin levels showed significant (P<0.05) increase in all the groups treated compared to the positive control. Serum total protein, urea and creatinine levels of test groups were not significantly (P>0.05) different from the positive control group. Conclusively, Glyphaea brevis has substantial antiplasmodial activity and could provide a lead for new antimalarial drug development.

Oxidative stress and inflammation have been proven to be implicated in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes. Recent studies showed that Ethulia conyzoides had in-vitro antioxidant activity. This study investigated the in-vivo antidiabetic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory potential of the residual aqueous fraction of Ethulia conyzoides in type 2 diabetic-induced male Wistar rats. Sub-acute antidiabetic studies were done with varying doses (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg body weight) of residual aqueous fraction for 21 days. Blood glucose levels, serum insulin, and in vivo antioxidant and pro-inflammatory cytokines— tumour necrosis factor- ? (TNF-?) and interleukin-1? (IL-1?) —were measured at the end of the treatment. When rats were given different concentrations of residual aqueous fraction, there was a significant (p < 0.05) reduction in blood glucose, malondialdehyde (MDA), IL-1?, and TNF-? levels, as well as a significant (p < 0.05) increase in SOD (superoxide dismutase), catalase and insulin levels when compared to the diabetic control group. Furthermore, the 400 mg/kg body weight dosage concentration was found to be the most effective. This result suggests that the residual aqueous fraction of Ethulia conyzoides possesses significant antidiabetic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.

Malaria still remains a life-threatening parasitic disease with universal targets set for control and elimination. This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro antimalarial susceptibility of Plasmodium falciparum isolates and Plasmodium berghei to selected antimalarial agents and column chromatographic subfractions of Glyphaea brevis leaves extract and FTIR and GCMS of SF8. Trager and Jensen as well as World Health Organisation (WHO) standardised in vitro micro-test system methods were used to determine susceptibility on the patients’ blood samples; Column chromatographic procedure was carried out to obtain 11 pooled fractions; FTIR and GCMS were used to determine functional groups and phytochemicals respectively. In vitro anti-plasmodial activity against P. falciparum clinical isolates had IC50 range of 1.03 ?g/mL–7.63 ?g/mL while their IC50 against P. berghei ranges from 4.32 ?g/mL–7.89 ?g/mL. Subfraction 8 (SF8) had the least IC50 of 4.32 ?g/mL. The FTIR spectrum showed the presence of isoprenoid, alcohol, phenol, alkane, alkenes, ester, carboxylic acids, aromatics and nitro compounds while GCMS identified dodecanoic acid, methyl ester; carotol; hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester; 9-octadecenoic acid (Z)-, methyl ester (oleic acid); methyl stearate; heptadecanoic acid, 16-methyl-, methyl ester; all with their antimalarial reported activities. In conclusion, G. brevis has a great potential for drug development against malaria parasite since it inhibited schizont growth and possesses phytocompounds with antimalarial report.

Objective: The study assessed the knowledge, attitude and management practices of diabetes patients attending medical outpatient department in Federal Capital Territory Abuja. Materials and Methods: A total of 120 randomly selected respondents between 18 - 65 years were assessed using standard methods in a cross-sectional survey involving the use of validated semi-structured questionnaires. Results: The findings revealed that 60% of patients were without health insurance despite the fact that they are educated; 53% have been diagnosed and began their treatment between 2 and 5 years. For the knowledge indicators, 50% of the patients know two types of diabetes, 35% were able to list two types of diabetes while 56.70% could not list any type of diabetes. Attitude assessment among the diabetic patients revealed that 79.17%, 62.50%, 68.33% and 51.67% visit a physician; do monitor their blood glucose, have altered their eating habit and agreed that sedentary lifestyle is not good respectively; 41.67% of the respondents read health materials. In the area of lifestyle, changes made by the diabetic patients include check-up (3.33%), diet (18.33%) and exercise (20.00); 40.00% and 14.17% made a combination of two and three lifestyle changes respectively. Majority of the respondents do have their blood glucose level checked monthly. Conclusion: Based on the research findings, the diabetic patients’ knowledge, attitude and dietary practices are contributing factors to their high fasting blood glucose and poor nutrition status.