Phytochemical analysis and antioxidants activities of aqueous stem bark extract of Schotia latifolia Jacq

Objective:To evaluate the phytochemical constituents and antioxidant activities of aqueous extract of Scholia latifolia(S.latifolia)bark locally used for the treatment of oxidative stress-induced ailments in South Africa.Methods:The antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity of aqueous extract of the plant was assessed against 1,1-diphenyl-2-pierylhydrazyl(DPPH),nitric oxide(NO),2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)diammonium salt(ABTS)and the ferric reducing agent.Total phenolics,flavonoids,flavonols and proanthocyanidins were also determined to assess their corresponding effect on the antioxidant activity of this plant.Results:The activities of plant extract against DPPH,ABTS and NO radicals were concentration dependent with IC_(50)value of 0.06,0.05 and 0.05 mg/mL,respectively.The reducing power of the extract was greater than that of butylated hydroxyl toluene(BHT)and ascorbic acid which were used as standard drugs in a concentration dependent manner.The total phenolics content of the aqueous bark extract was(193.33±0.03 TE/g),followed by flavonoids(72.70±0.01 QE/g),proanthocyanidins|48.76±0.00 CE/g)and flavonols(47.76±0.21 QE/g).Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of percentage tannin(11.40±0.02),alkaloid(9.80±0.01),steroids(18.20±0.01),glycosides(29.80±0.01)and saponins(6.80±0.00).The results exhibited a positive linear correlation between these polyphenols and the free radical scavenging activities.Conclusions:Our findings provide evidence that the crude aqueous extract of S.latifolia is a potential source of natural antioxidants and this justifies its uses in folkloric medicines.

Plasmodium Parasitaemia among Pregnant Women in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria

Introduction: Malaria is a febrile illness caused by the Plasmodium species. The mangrove swamp forest vegetation and high annual rainfall characteristic of the Niger Delta region of Nigeria encourage all year round transmission of malaria. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and speciation of Plasmodium parasitaemia among pregnant women in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Methodology: Cross-sectional study carried out in three states of the Niger Delta region;Akwa-Ibom, Delta and Rivers between April and June 2019. Study Sites were chosen by stratified random sampling. Demographic information was collected using pretested interviewer-administered questionnaires via the Open Data Kit application on android mobile phones. Diagnosis was by rapid diagnostic test (RDT) and Microscopy. Ethical approval and informed consent were obtained. Data was analyzed using the SPSS v25 software. Chi-square statistic and Fischer’s exact test were used to compare data, all at a 95% confidence interval and significance level of 0.05. Results: Two thousand, eight hundred and twenty (2820) pregnant women were studied;948, 992 and 880 from Akwa-Ibom, Delta and Rivers respectively. Overall prevalence of parasitaemia using RDT and Microscopy was 6.8% and 6.7% respectively. All except 1% of malaria was attributed to falciparum species. The other species were plasmodium ovale and plasmodium malariae. Conclusion: The prevalence of Plasmodium parasitaemia among pregnant women in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria has reduced considerably, giving credence to the malaria preventive strategies applied in antenatal care. When properly stored and used as recommended, malaria RDTs compare favorably with microscopy;therefore, no case of malaria should be missed due to a facility’s incapability to carry out microscopic diagnosis.