ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Phytochemical Screening and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of the Hydroethanolic Leaf Extract of Calotropis procera (Ait). R. Br. (Apocynaceae)

Aims: Inflammation has been implicated in many disorders and currently available therapies elicit adverse effects. The coarse shrub of Calotropis procera has been used in folk medicine to treat several ailments such as asthma, rheumatism and also fever. The anti-inflammatory potential of Calotropis procera was assessed in this study to evaluate its effectiveness. Place and Duration of Study: University of Cape Coast, Ghana between June 2016 and March 2017. Methodology: This study was carried out to screen for the phytochemical constituents and investigate the anti-inflammatory properties of Calotropis procera extract (CPE) using four in vitro assays (heat-induced haemolysis, hypotonic-induced haemolysis, albumin denaturation and the bovine serum albumin assay (BSA)) and, two in vivo models (carrageenan and formalin-induced paw oedema models). Three graded concentrations of the plant extract (CPE) and a standard antiinflammatory agent, diclofenac: 100, 300 and 1000 μg/mL were used in the in vitro models while 30, 100 and 300 mg/kg were used in the in vivo experiments. Qualitative tests for tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids, carbohydrates, triterpenoids, steroids, proteins, reducing sugars, glycosides, saponins and amino acids were performed to determine the phytochemical constituents of the extract. Results: The phytochemical screening revealed presence of alkaloids, tannins and triterpenes, reducing sugars, sterols, amino acids, and glycosides. CPE 1000μg/mL demonstrated antiinflammatory characteristics by significantly stabilizing RBCs exposed to heat and hypotonic solution and also inhibiting protein denaturation in heat-induced denaturation (69.24%); hypotonic-induced (85.09%); albumin denaturation (87.80%) and BSA (96.86% assays). Similar results were observed for the two lower doses of CPE as well as diclofenac. In the in vivo tests, CPE was able to significantly reduce both carrageenan-induced (P=0.0105) and formalin-induced inflammation (P<0.0001) in rats. Diclofenac the reference anti-inflammatory agent also showed similar effects in both tests. The percentage inhibition of paw oedema produced by CPE 30, 100, and 300 mg/kg in the formalin test were 19.61% 35.88% and 47.66% respectively while diclofenac (10 mg/kg) produced 85.16% inhibition of paw oedema. Conclusion: From the present study, it can be observed that CPE possessed anti-inflammatory properties and thus vindicates the folkloric use of this plant in inflammatory conditions.

Source: UCC
Phytochemical screening and antimicrobial effect of ethanolic leaf extract of alstonia boonei de wild (apocynaceae) on some selected pathogenic micro-organisms

Antibiotics usage in animal production has been restricted by World Health Organization (WHO) due to their negative effects leading to the development of antibiotics resistant bacteria (superbugs) in animals and humans. The search for alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters has led to various researches in phytomedicine. An in-vitro experiment was therefore conducted to evaluate the antibacterial effect of ethanolic leaf extract of Alstonia boonei De Wild (Apocynaceae) on the following selected bacterial isolates: Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Proteus mirabilis, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The antimicrobial effect was performed by agar well diffusion method. Preliminary phytochemical screening of the extract of Alstonia boonei indicated the presence of tannins, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, saponnins, steroids and terpenoids while phlobatannins and anthraquinones were absent. The extract produced significant inhibitory effect on S. aureus and P. aeruginosa with inhibition zones of 19mm, 16mm, Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of 6.25mg/ml and 12.50mg/ml respectively. E. coli, S. typhi and P. mirabilis were not sensitive to the extract. It was concluded that Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were highly sensitive to ethanolic leaf extract of Alstonia boonei

Source: UCC
Phytochemical screening and assessment of wound healing activity of the leaves of Anogeissus leiocarpus

Wound healing disorders present a serious clinical problem of medical health care in Africa and in Ghana; most of these disorders lead to complications, high morbidity and mortality rates. However, most of the synthetic drugs currently used for the treatment of wounds are not only expensive but also pose problems such as allergy and drug resistance. Anogeissus leiocarpus (Combretaceae (combretoideae)) is a well known plant in Ghana and because of its use in Ghanaian folk medicine as a wound-healing agent; the present study was carried out to investigate its wound healing activities. The parameters studied included rate of % wound contraction, days of complete wound healing and the antimicrobial activity of the plant extract. The crude methanol extract was also screened for Total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, antioxidant ability using ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay and the presence of phytoconstituents. From the FRAP assay, absorbance increased with increasing concentration of plant extract indicating a significant reduction potential of the plant. Similarly, high values were recorded for the total phenolic and flavonoid contents, the secondary metabolites synthesize in plants known to posses antioxidant activities. The result of the study relative to wound healing was very interesting. There was a progressive decrease in wound area with time, indicating an efficacy of the formulations in healing the induced wounds. By the 15 the day, the mixture containing 100 mg / ml of aqueous extract and 10 % w / w of powdered ointment of A. leiocarpus showed 100 % healing similar to the standard antibiotic ( 2% w/w penicillin). The plant A. leiocarpus topically possesses wound healing activity in a dose dependent manner and thus provides a scientific rationale for the traditional use of this plant in the management of wounds. As such could be developed into an alternative drug in wound healing

Source: UCC
Phytochemical screening and assessment of wound healing activity of the leaves of Anogeissus leiocarpus

Wound healing disorders present a serious clinical problem of medical health care in Africa and in Ghana; most of these disorders lead to complications, high morbidity and mortality rates. However, most of the synthetic drugs currently used for the treatment of wounds are not only expensive but also pose problems such as allergy and drug resistance. Anogeissus leiocarpus (Combretaceae (combretoideae)) is a well known plant in Ghana and because of its use in Ghanaian folk medicine as a wound-healing agent; the present study was carried out to investigate its wound healing activities. The parameters studied included rate of % wound contraction, days of complete wound healing and the antimicrobial activity of the plant extract. The crude methanol extract was also screened for Total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, antioxidant ability using ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay and the presence of phytoconstituents. From the FRAP assay, absorbance increased with increasing concentration of plant extract indicating a significant reduction potential of the plant. Similarly, high values were recorded for the total phenolic and flavonoid contents, the secondary metabolites synthesize in plants known to posses antioxidant activities. The result of the study relative to wound healing was very interesting. There was a progressive decrease in wound area with time, indicating an efficacy of the formulations in healing the induced wounds. By the 15th day, the mixture containing 100 mg / ml of aqueous extract and 10 % w / w of powdered ointment of A. leiocarpus showed 100 % healing similar to the standard antibiotic ( 2% w/w penicillin). The plant A. leiocarpus topically possesses wound healing activity in a dose dependent manner and thus provides a scientific rationale for the traditional use of this plant in the management of wounds. As such could be developed into an alternative drug in wound healing.

Source: UCC
Phytochemical screening of some indigenous medicinal plant species used in the management of diabetes mellitus in Ghana

This study was conducted to screen the phytochemical constituents and determine the levels of the major and trace elements of three medicinal plants used for the treatment of diabetes mellitus namely; Bridelia ferruginea, Lagerstroemia speciosa and Morus Alba. The air dried leaves of the plants were subjected to soxhlet extraction using ethanol. The crude extracts obtained were subjected to screening for their phytochemical constituents such as alkaloids, tannins, terpenoids, reducing sugars, flavonoids, saponins, anthraquiones, coumarins, emodols, carotenoids and steroids using various standard methods and reagents. Trace metals in the three medicinal plants were also quantitatively analyzed using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. A wet digestion procedure involving the use of 4 ml of perchloric acid and 10 ml of aquaregia was adopted to digest the medicinal plants. Anthraquinones, sterols, tannins, terpenoids, flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, coumarins and reducing sugars were identified in the leaves of all the three plants. However, emodols were absent in all the plants but carotenoids were absent in only B. ferruginea. Elemental concentrations of some of the elements were obtained from the leafy materials in varying quantities. Ten heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Co, Cu, Fe, Pb, Mn, Ni, Zn, and V), two alkali metals (K and Na) and three alkaline earth metals (Ca, Mg and Al) and two halogens (Cl and Br) were quantitatively analysed. The anti-diabetic properties of the plant extracts could be attributed to the presence of steroids, triterpenes and alkaloids. In general the order of concentration of toxic metals in the medicinal plants was found to follow the order Fe > Mn > Zn > Cu > Ni > V > Pb > Co > Cr > Cd. Sodium content was found to be very high in L. speciosa while chlorine content was found to be very high in B. ferruginea

Source: UCC
Phytochemical studies and antioxidant properties of methanolic and aqueous extracts of the leaves of mallotus oppositifolius

Mallotus oppositifolius is a tropical plant used to treat many medical conditions in Africa. Preliminary phytochemical screening conducted on the crude methanol and aqueous extracts of the plant revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, steroids, cardiac glycosides and terpenoids in both extracts of the plant. However, only the aqueous extract showed the absence of anthraquinones. The research also used DPPH (1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) free radical as a substrate to determine the scavenging ability (antioxidant property) of the extracts. Antioxidant activity was further investigated quantitatively for flavonoid and total phenolic contents in the two extracts, using spectrophotometry. Both the methanol and aqueous extracts of the plant were observed to have exhibited antioxidant activity, with the aqueous extract having the higher scavenging ability (% inhibition) of 49.02± 0.16 than the methanol extract of 9.04± 0.07. Similarly, the aqueous extract had a higher flavonoid content of 206.8 ± 31.06 µg/g than the methanol extract 84.00 ± 33.96 µg/g. Also, the aqueous extract had its total phenolic content to be 1066.97±26.42 µg/g while the methanol extract had 672.0±20.07µg/g as its total phenolic content. The percentage alkaloid content in methanol and aqueous extracts were measured to be 8.6 % and 4.3% respectively

Source: UCC
Phytochemical studies, in-vitro antibacterial activities and antioxidant properties of the methanolic and ethyl acetate extracts of theleaves of anogeissus leiocarpus

Aims: To conduct a study on the antibacterial activity, phytochemical constituents and antioxidant properties that identify the medicinal potency of medicinal plants on the methanolic and ethyl acetate extracts of the leaves of Anogeissus leiocarpus. Antibacterial activity was determined by well diffusion method against four bacterial strains commonly associated with wound infections. Study Design: Standard Phytochemical quantitative and qualitative test, DPPH radical scavenging activity and well diffusion method. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Chemistry (Natural Products Laboratory), University of Cape Coast and Department of Microbiology, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, University of Ghana, between March 2012 and January 2013. Methodology: Standard chemical procedures were used to identify phytoconstituents present in the plant extracts. DPPH radical scavenging assay and well diffusion method were used to determine antioxidant and antibacterial activity respectively. UV spectrophotometry was employed to further quantify the phenolic and flavonoid content Results: The extracts showed pronounced activity against all the bacterial strains tested. Ethyl acetate exhibited the maximum zone of inhibition against Klebsiella pneumonia while the Methanol extract exhibited the maximum zone of inhibition against Citrobacter sp. All the extracts showed higher sensitivity against Gram negative bacterial strains than the Gram positive bacterial strain used in this study. Phytochemical study was performed by using standard methods. Quantitative estimation of bioactive phytoconstituents showed that the plant contains alkaloids (152.0 ± 0.1 mg/g), phenolics (1294.81 ± 3.0 mg/g), flavonoids (330.7 ± 3.0 mg/g) in the methanol extract and alkaloids (80.20 ± 0.0 mg/g), phenolics (616.5 ± 4.4 mg/g), flavonoids (202.5 ± 4.0 mg/g) in the ethyl acetate extract respectively. In similar fashion, the results from the scavenging activity against 1,1- diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl radical (DPPH) and the Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay for both extracts were high and concentration dependent. Conclusion: The study clearly indicates that A. leiocarpus possesses significant antioxidant activity and antibacterial activity against the tested wound infectious bacterial strains. Hence constituents of the plant could be studied in the aim to be used in chemotherapy

Source: UCC
Phytomedicines Used for Diabetes Mellitus in Ghana: A Systematic Search and Review of Preclinical and Clinical Evidence

Background. Available data indicate that diabetes mellitus leads to elevated cost of healthcare. This imposes a huge economic burden on households, societies, and nations. As a result many Ghanaians, especially rural folks, resort to the use of phytomedicine, which is relatively less expensive. This paper aims at obtaining information on plants used in Ghana to treat diabetes mellitus, gather and present evidence-based data available to support their uses and their mechanisms of action, and identify areas for future research. Method. A catalogue of published textbooks, monographs, theses, and peer-reviewed articles of plants used in Ghanaian traditional medicine between 1987 and July 2018 for managing diabetes mellitus was obtained and used. Results. The review identified 76 plant species belonging to 45 families that are used to manage diabetes mellitus. Leaves were the part of the plants frequently used for most preparation (63.8%) and were mostly used as decoctions. Majority of the plants belonged to the Euphorbiaceae, Lamiaceae, Asteraceae, and Apocynaceae families. Pharmacological data were available on 23 species that have undergone in vitro studies. Forty species have been studied using in vivo animal models. Only twelve plants and their bioactive compounds were found with data on both preclinical and clinical studies. The records further indicate that medicinal plants showing antidiabetic effects did so via biochemical mechanisms such as restitution of pancreatic 𝛽-cell function, improvement in insulin sensitivity by receptors, stimulating rate of insulin secretion, inhibition of liver gluconeogenesis, enhanced glucose absorption, and inhibition of G-6-Pase, 𝛼-amylase, and 𝛼-glucosidase activities. Conclusion. This review contains information on medicinal plants used to manage diabetes mellitus, including their pharmacological properties and mechanisms of action as well as models used to investigate them. It also provides gaps that can form the basis for further investigations and development into useful medications for effective treatment of diabetes mellitus.

Source: UCC
Phytoremediation potential of indigenous Ghanaian grass and grass-like species grown on used motor oil contaminated soils

This study investigated the ability of Bothriochloa bladhii (Retz.) S.T. Blake (Poaceae), Cyperus ligularis L. (Cyperaceae), Commelina erecta L. (Commelinaceae), Mariscus umbellatus (Rottb.) Vahl (Cyperaceae), Fimbistylis miliacea L. (Cyperaceae) and Torulinium odoratum L. (Cyperaceae) to clean up various levels of used motor oil (UMO) contaminated soils. The plants were grown in 2 kg garden soils treated to 0%, 1%, 5% and 10% levels of UMO contamination. The plant growth parameters, chlorophyll contents and dry weight of test plants were measured. The phytoremediation ability of these test plants were assessed by measuring the uptake of hydrocarbons in terms of total hydrocarbon content (THC) as well as their percentage degradation values. There was significant (P < 0.05) reduction in leaf chlorophyll contents and dry weights of the test plant species planted in UMO contaminated soils. THC as well as the percentage uptake (or degradation) of hydrocarbons were both lowest in C. ligularis but highest in T. odoratum in all cases. The phytoremediation potential of test plants was highest in soils contaminated with 5% UMO. Based on the results of this study, all test plants with the exception of C. ligularis were potentially capable of undertaking phytoremediation. However, B. bladhii and T. odoratum proved most effective in the uptake and degradation of UMO

Source: UCC
The Place of Information Technology in art Education and Creativity in the SHS in the Tamale Metropolitan Area

This study examined the place of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in education, factors that militate against its integration into the teaching of Visual Art in Senior High School in the Tamale Metropolitan area. The descriptive survey design was employed where questionnaire was used to collect data. The sample size was 166 comprising 157 students and 9 teachers. All the 157 students were sampled from Tamale, Kalpohin and Vitting Senior High Schools. The data were analysed using the Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Software to translate the data into percentages and frequencies for interpretation and findings. The study revealed that most schools were not connected to internet. Majority of teachers did not use computers in their teaching. Teachers did not get the needed support from their schools in the use of computers. Majority of teachers had no training in computer. Students were aware of the potential of ICT in improving their learning but spent little time on the few computers available in their schools. Based on the findings from the study, it is recommended that refresher courses are organised for art teachers so as to be able to handle current emerging challenges in the industry. Art Teachers should regularly develop oriented policies that would support ICT-related teaching models to encourage students and teachers. It also recommended that “The Impact of ICT on The Performance of Visual Art Students in Internal and External examinations” and “The Place of ICT in The Current Visual Art Curriculum for JHS in Ghana” require further research.

Source: UCC
Placental peptides metabolism and maternal factors as predictors of risk of gestational diabetes in pregnant women. A case-control study

Background Gestational diabetes is a risk factor for perinatal complications; include shoulder dystocia, birth injuries such as bone fractures and nerve palsies. It is associated with later development of type 2 diabetes, the risk of macrosomia and other long-term health effects of infants born to diabetic mothers. The study assesses placental peptides and maternal factors as potential predictors of gestational diabetes among pregnant women.

Source: UCC
Placental peptides metabolism and maternal factors as predictors of risk of gestational diabetes in pregnant women. A case-control study

Background Gestational diabetes is a risk factor for perinatal complications; include shoulder dystocia, birth injuries such as bone fractures and nerve palsies. It is associated with later development of type 2 diabetes, the risk of macrosomia and other long-term health effects of infants born to diabetic mothers. The study assesses placental peptides and maternal factors as potential predictors of gestational diabetes among pregnant women. Material and methods A total of 200 pregnant women were recruited for the study, 150 pregnant women without pre gestational diabetes including 50 women with low risk factors of diabetes as controls and 50 other pregnant women with pregestational diabetes as control. Fasting blood glucose and the lipid profile were determined by enzymatic methods using Envoy® 500 reagents (Vital Diagnostics, USA). Glycated haemoglobin was assessed using the Cation Exchange resin method. Leptin and the Human Placenta Lactogen were assayed using the Sandwich-ELISA technique. Beta chorionic gonadotrophin, insulin, progesterone and estradiol were determined using chemilumiscence imunoassay technique on MAGLUMI 600 analyzer. Anthropometry, including BMI and blood pressure were also measured. Results Fasting plasma glucose (FBG), insulin, insulin resistance, glycated haemoglobin and Human Placenta Lactogen(HPL)were significantly (p<0.0001) increased in the pregestational diabetic women whereas progesterone and estradiol were significantly decreased. In the second trimester however, there was no significant difference (p>0.05) in estradiol, insulin, insulin resistance and HPL between the pregnant women who developed gestational diabetes and those who did not. Leptin, progesterone and FBG were significantly increased in those who developed GDM. The risk of developing gestational diabetes increased with overweight (OR = 1.76, P = 0.370) and family history of diabetes (OR = 2.18, P = 0.282). Conclusion Leptin, progesterone, estradiol estimated in this study were increased in the gestational diabetes mellitus women and fairly predicted gestational diabetes in the non-diabetics pregnant women. Obesity, aging and family history of diabetes were strongly predictive of gestational diabetes.

Source: UCC
Plant litter turnover, soil chemical and physical properties in a Ghanaian gold- mined soil revegetated with Acacia species

The effects of stand-age of Acacia sp on plant litter turnover and decomposition, soil physical properties and nutrient elements were studied in revegetated gold-mined soils. Litter in the 3- and 6-year plantation soils were significantly lower (P < 0.05) than the forest soil, whilst 9- and 12-year old revegetated soils had litter significantly higher (P < 0.05) than the forest soil. Biomass decomposition constants measured in all treatments were statistically similar, ranging from 1.03 in the forest soil to 0.94 in the revegetated treatments. Total N concentrations were higher in the forest, 12- year and 9- year revegetated treatments and varied from 0.20% to 0.50%. Organic carbon concentrations followed the increasing trend 3- year < 6- year < 9-year < 12- year < forest. Exchangeable K concentrations measured in all the soils were lower than 0.6 cmol kg,-1. Field moisture capacity (12.6 – 20.3 %) and infiltration rates (25.2 – 31.1 cm h-1) in the 3-year, 6-year and 9-year stands were significantly lower than in the forest and 12-year stand whilst soil bulk density values were higher in the 3-year, 6-year and 9-year than in the forest and 12- year stands. The study indicates that after 12 years of revegetation with Acacia sp, soil physical characteristics such as bulk density, moisture holding capacity and infiltration rates improved to levels comparable to those found under un-mined soils and that revegetation is a good strategy for restoring the fertility of gold-mined soils

Source: UCC