Abdominal tuberculosis in surgical practice in northern Nigeria

BACKGROUND

Abdominal tuberculosis is a common complication of pulmonary tuberculosis. With the rising incidence of HIV, tuberculosis has become a major public health problem particularly in developing countries.

METHODS

This is a retrospective study involving patients whose surgical specimens were processed at the central histopathology laboratory of the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH) Zaria--Nigeria, between January 1975 to December 2006.

RESULTS

There were 68 males and 49 females, aged 12-70 years (mean 28.6 yrs 11 yrs). While paroxysmal dry cough was present in about 20 patients, abdominal pain and distension were very common. Concomitant pulmonary tuberculosis was confirmed in 15 patients (14%). The findings at Surgery in 66 patients are presented in fig. 2. Multiple deposits on the peritoneum and omentum were the commonest findings (48.7% and 26.2%) respectively

CONCLUSION

Abdominal tuberculosis is not uncommon and there is need to establish an early less invasive diagnostic protocol.

Antidiabetic activity of an ethanol extract obtained from the stem bark of Psidium guajava (Myrtaceae)

This study analyzed the antidiabetic properties of an ethanol extract of the stem bark of Psidium guajava, an indigenous medicinal plant used to control diabetes in Indian System of Medicine. The anti-hyperglycaemic activity of this plant on blood glucose levels of normal, normal glucose loaded (OGTT) and alloxan-induced hyperglycaemic rats was evaluated. The results showed that ethanol stem bark extract exhibited statistically significant hypoglycaemic activity in alloxan-induced hyperglycaemic rats but was devoid of significant hypoglycaemic effect in normal and normal glucose loaded rats (OGTT).

Effect of Aralia cachemirica Decne root extracts on blood glucose level in normal and glucose loaded rats

An aqueous and alcoholic extract of the roots of Aralia cachemirica (Araliaceae) were evaluated for hypoglycemic activity in normal fasted and glucose induced hyperglycemic rats. The aqueous and alcoholic extracts at a dose of 250 mg/kg showed statistically significant (p < 0.01) hypoglycemic activity in glucose loaded animals however no effect was observed in normal fasted rats.

Effect of aqueous extract of Pterocarpus marsupium wood on alloxan-induced diabetic rats

An aqueous extract of Pterocarpus marsupium wood was screened for hypoglycemic activity on alloxan-induced diabetic rats. During both acute and sub-acute tests, the water extract, at an oral dose of 250 mg/kg, showed statistically significant hypoglycemic activity.

Effect of water extract of Psidium guajava leaves on alloxan-induced diabetic rats

A water extract of Psidium guajava leaves was screened for hypoglycemic activity on alloxan-induced diabetic rats. In both acute and sub-acute tests, the water extract, at an oral dose of 250 mg/kg, showed statistically significant hypoglycemic activity.

New oleanene and fernane-type triterpenes from the stem bark of Betula pendula roth

A new oleanene-type triterpene, named betuloleanolic acid acetate and fernane-type triterpenes, namely betufernanediol A and betufernanediol B (isomers) have been isolated from the stem bark of Betula pendula. Their structures have been established as olean-12-en-3beta-ylacetate-29-oic acid, fern-22(29)-en-3beta,12beta-diol and fem-22(29)-en-3alpha,12beta-diol, respectively, on the basis of spectral data analysis and chemical reactions.