The major health problems affecting pregnant women in sub-Saharan African are anaemia, malaria and HIV. A case-control study aimed at determining the prevalence of malaria, anaemia and HIV status among women of reproductive age between 20-49 years attending General Hospital, Onitsha was conducted. Blood samples of three hundred and sixty-two apparently healthy gravid women attending antenatal and 181 non-gravid apparently healthy women in Onitsha were recruited using random sampling method. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Haemoglobin was estimated using automated method, Malaria, diagnosed microscopically using gold standard staining method and HIV screened using qualitative immunochromatographic method, confirmed molecularly. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 21. Results revealed that out of the 362 pregnant test groups,125 (34.5%) had malaria parasite (mp) in their blood and were anaemic 53(37.6%)  though fewer in control groups ;23,14 (12.7%; 16.1%)  (p = 0.195; p =0.055). Out of 347 HIV sero-negative pregnant women, 110 (31.7%) tested HIV positive when confirmed by PCR molecular method while only 1(0.6%) sero-negative controls were confirmed positive with molecular method with statistical significance observed in the test and control groups (p = 0.000; p = 0.000). However, as pregnancy affects HIV serology testing, it is necessary to use molecular method to increase its sensitivity and more enlightment  programmes on the importance of balanced diet, compliance to Malaria control and routine gynecological drugs intake in pregnant women.

Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) is a sore in the lining of the stomach or duodenal mucosa. This study was aimed at evaluating the antiulcer activity of the aqueous extract of Nigella sativa (black seed) and its constitutents. The pharmacognostic properties of the dry seeds were determined. The seeds were extracted using two methods digestion and hydro-distillation. The acute toxicity, phytochemical constituents and the antiulcer evaluation were performed on ethanol-induced ulcer in wistar rats using a standard method. FTIR and GC-MS analysis of the aqueous seed extract was also determined using standard methods. Nigella sativa seed shows the presence of starch grains, lignified tissues, tannins, cellulose, protein and oil globules. The aqueous extract has a high safety margin. The phytochemical studies revealed the presence of saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, glycosides, fats and oil. The black seed aqueous and oil extract at 500 mg/kg significantly reduced the acidity, total acidity, and ulcer index, and pH of gastric content when compared with the positive control (Famotidine). The FTIR analysis identified the presence of the following functional groups chloro, ether, amine, carboxylic acid, nitriles, methylene, alcohol, while the GC-MS identified five compounds such as glycerin, n-Hexadecanoic acid, 9, 12-octadecadienoic acid-methyl ester, 9, 12-octadecadienoic acid and 9, 12-octadecadienoyl chloride. The pharmacognostic properties can act as a reliable tool for the standardization of the plant part. This study suggests that aqueous and oil extract possess antiulcer properties. Thus the aqueous and oil extract of black seed can be considered as antiulcer medication traditionally. Keywords: Nigella sativa, Black seed, Pharmacognostic, Phytochemical, Acute toxicity (LD50), Antiulcer.

Moringa oleifera leaf have been used for treatment of diabetes, in this work we studied pancreatic gene expression, trace elements, enzymatic antioxidants, kidney injury biomarkers in streptozocin induced diabetic rats treated with M. oleifera  leaf powder and molecular ducking of M. oleifera  leaf ethanolic, ethyl acetate, hexane and aqueous extracts phytochemicals into protein bank, focusing on the ligands that possesses inhibitory affinity closer to the co-crystalline ligands of alpha amylase, alpha glucosidase and dipeptidyl peptidase-4, for detection of active polyphenols that aid glucose reduction. Molecular docking methods used for predicting binding modes to proteins and energies of ligands [1]. Using the Autodock vina program compiled under Ubuntu 14.04 LTS, the compounds were docked into the target protein to get the respective binding affinity.  The proteins were viewed on pymol to show the amino acid sequence and the co-crystallized ligandsStevioside Stigmaste, γ-Sitosterol and Campesterol has affinity energy (-6.893,-5.500, -5.294, -5.260) respectively, close to the co-ligand of α-amylase (-7.811). 2-Butyloxycarbonyloxy-1 has affinity energy (-5.583) closer to the co-ligand of DPP-4 (-6.102). Butanoic acid has affinity energy (-4.239) close to the co-ligand of α-glucosidase (-6.488). Ethanolic and ethyl acetate extract contains 24 compounds; hexane extract contains 22 compounds while aqueous extract contains only 6 compounds.

The study was done to evaluate the variations of haematological parameters of patients with asymptomatic malaria based on gender. The study is a cross-sectional study among asymptomatic malaria patients and patients who are apparently healthy individuals. The subjects were selected using a well-structured questionnaire who were age and sex matched. This study was conducted on asymptomatic malaria patients and apparently healthy individuals in the Oda Road area of Akure, Ondo State. Two hundred (200) asymptomatic malaria patients, 100 subjects each for males and females were recruited for this study. 5ml of venous blood was collected from each participant into an EDTA bottle which was then used for the determination of full blood count and Malaria. The results showed increase in PCV (p=0.000), RBC (p=0.000), Hb (p=0.000) and no significant difference in WBC (p=0.180), LYM (p=0.841), GRAN (p=0.986), MID (p=0.395), MCV (p=0.111), MCH (p=0.191), MCHC (p=0.791), Plt (p=0.959) when compared between male and female respectively. The study showed increase in packed cell volume, haemoglobin and red blood cells of male compared to females of asymptomatic malaria patients. There were no variations in other haematological parameters studied. The changes in the red cell line may be associated to bone marrow activity difference in the patients and effects of hormonal difference on the males and females.