Igbinedion University Okada Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Susceptibility profiles of biofilm-forming bacterial isolates from armpits to antibiotics and selected roll-on deodorants marketed in Nigeria

Michael Oluwole Osungunna — 2024-10-30

Background and Aim: Armpit malodor has been associated with bacteria capable of converting nonvolatile apocrine secretions into volatile and odoriferous compounds and can be treated by the use of topical antibiotics, deodorants and antiperspirants. This work is aimed at evaluating the bacterial isolates from armpits of some students in a tertiary institution in southwestern Nigeria for their ability to form biofilm and their susceptibilities to antibiotics, and selected deodorants marketed in Nigeria.
Methods: Bacteria associated with armpit swabs of 50 students were isolated and characterised using conventional biochemical tests. The biofilm-forming capacity of the isolates was determined using the Congo red agar (CRA) method. Susceptibility profiles of the CRA- positive isolates to antibiotics and four selected roll-on deodorants were determined using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion and agar well diffusion methods, respectively.
Results: A total of 110 bacterial isolates obtained were basically Staphylococcus spp. (55.45%), Bacillus spp. (41.82%) and Micrococcus spp (2.73%). The CRA-positive isolates were 24 with significant resistance to penicillin G, fosfomycin, cefuroxime and meropenem. Of these, Staphylococcus aureus displayed highest level of antibiotic resistance and highest susceptibility to the selected roll-on deodorants. Conclusion: The study concluded that roll-on deodorants could be effective in the management of body odour associated with biofilm- forming bacteria.

Adverse effects of anaesthetic drug combinations in a complete cycle of anaesthesia in albino rats

Sylvester Erhunmwonsere Aghahowa — 2024-10-30

Background and aim: Drugs used in anaesthesia span through pre-medication, induction, muscle relaxation, maintenance and reversal phases in achieving adequate surgical procedures. Due to lack of information in adverse effects of combined anaesthetic drugs, the study assessed the adverse effects pattern in albino rats to ensure safety in a complete cycle of anaesthesia.

Methods: This study was carried out using sixty-six albino rats that were randomly selected grouped into eleven according to different stages of drug use in anaesthesia. The anaesthetic drugs (Diazepam, Atropine, Neostigmine, Propofol, Atracurium, Fentanyl, Thiopentone, Pentazocine, Midazolam, Suxamethonium, Pethidine, Ketamine, Bupivacaine, Pancuronium and Pethidine) were grouped as in the categories of pre- medication, induction, muscle relaxation, maintenance and reversal stages. They were administered intraperitoneally at 30 minutes interval for a period of twenty-eight days in computed standard doses. The albino rats were sacrificed under chloroform anaesthesia, blood samples collected and assayed for glucose, lipids, liver, renal and haematological indices as toxicity markers. Results were computed and analysed statistically.

Results: Out of the thirty-six toxicity markers assessed, the thirteen parameters that changed significantly were: glucose, total cholesterol, urea, creatinine, white blood cells, lymphocytes, red blood cells, platelets, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine amino transferase, potassium, and bicarbonate (P<0.05). Group 5 rats dosed with Diazepam, Thiopentone, Atracurium, Pentazocine, Neostigmine and Atropine, and Group 6 rats administered with Diazepam, Midazolam, Suxamethonium, Pethidine and Atropine, the toxicity parameters least significantly. However, group 7 rats that received Diazepam, Ketamine, Suxamethonium, Pentazocine and Atropine combinations changed the toxicity parameters most significantly. All the animals in group 8 died after the first two weeks of drug administration.

Conclusion: The results in this study, showed variable adverse effects pattern of anaesthetic agents at various stages of anaesthesia. It is therefore recommended that adequate precaution should be exercised in the selection to ensure safety in a complete cycle of anaesthesia during surgical procedures.

Evaluation of co-polymer based granulated metformin hydrochloride for encapsulation in hard gelatin capsule: An in vitro study

Nnabuike Didacus Nnamani — 2024-10-30

Background and aim: This study explores copolymer combination with the sole aim of improving the release profile of encapsulated metformin hydrochloride.
Methods: Varied ratios (1:1, 2:1, and 1:2) of hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) and guargum were used as copolymer matrix to encapsulate granulated metformin. Thereafter the final granules were manually filled in a hard gelatine capsule size 00. Evaluation such as thermal behaviour using differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), drug entrapment efficacy (DEE) using dialysis membrane, and flow properties using cone-funnel methods were carried out.
Results: The DSC shows a transient, but no obvious peak due to heat of absorption, and there was no obvious peak of the polymers noted. This is a possible indication of no incompatibility. The DEE result showed good granule entrapment of > 97.46 %. Micromeritics analysis showed Carrs’ indices 8.55 – 23.08 %, Hausner ratio 1.094 – 1.300 and angle of repose 27.54 – 41.54o , all these are indication of good flow properties. The capsules showed passable disintegration of < 9.10 min, with correlation-coefficient in the range of 0.91-0.97. The mechanism of release was found to be Korsemeyer-Peppas with n-value release exponent of > 1.0 for super case II diffusion. Conclusion: The drug release properties of encapsulated metformin in HPMC and guar gum was found to be highest in the formulation consisting of 2.0 % HPMC and 4.0 % guar gum.

Antifungal evaluation of multidrug-resistant nondermatophytic moulds of bovine origin

Chioma Nnenna Nwofor — 2024-10-30

Background and aim: Fungi are eukaryotic, non- chlorophyllous saprophytic organisms that are ubiquitous in nature. They are observed to cause infections called mycosis, especially in animals for which antifungals are usually recommended. Though, unproductive treatment kept increasing, it leads to drug resistance or tolerance. In this study, the antifungal activities of four oxoid brand conventional antifungal drugs were evaluated for multi drug resistance on some selected fungal isolates recovered from bovine sources.

Methods: Fungal isolates were recovered from bovine and cultured using standard techniques, identified by direct microscopy and molecular techniques. Susceptibility test was evaluated using disc diffusion method. The oxoid brand discs of Ketoconazole 10 µg/ml, Fluconazole 25 µg/ml, Voriconazole 1 µg/ml and Amphotericin B 20 µg/ml were used for the analysis, incubated at 28 °C and zone of inhibition measured after 3-5 days.

Results: Seven fungal genera were identified from the bovine skin samples, out of which eleven species were used for susceptibility test. Ketoconazole was highly effective against some fungal isolates such as Penicillium citrinum, Fusarium succisae, Cladosporium tenussimum, Curvularia kusanol, Fusarium solani, Voriconazole could not clear the moulds tested completely and were tagged to be resistant mutant, all moulds tested were resistant to Fluconazole while Amphotericin B showed minimal inhibitory zones on the moulds.

Conclusion: This study has shown that several fungal isolates respond differently to antifungal drugs. The different non-dermatophytic moulds tested were highly susceptible to Ketoconazole when compared with other antifungals employed in this study and as such may be best recommended for the treatment of infections caused by these moulds.

Bio-efficacy of Croton hirtus leaf and stem powders against Callosobruchus maculatus infestation on stored cowpea

Adebayo Anthony Gbolade — 2024-10-30

Background and aim: Croton hirtus L’Her (Euphorbiaceae), known as hairy croton, is popular in traditional medicine for the treatment of hypertension, fever, inflammation, diabetes, amongst others.

Methods: Leaf and stem powders at concentration range of 0.2 – 2.0 g per 50 cowpea seeds, and standard insecticide, permethrin at 3.0 mg were used to dress cowpea seeds using standard method to determine their effectiveness in protecting cowpeas from attack by weevils, Callosobruchus maculatus. Oviposition deterrency at 15 days after treatment (DAT) and inhibition of adult insect emergence at 50 DAT were assessed. Other parameters of seed damage were also investigated.

Result: Study indicated differences in the protective ability of the leaf and stem powders on stored cowpeas. Both powders produced oviposition deterrency (greater for leaf, 73.6% at peak concentration) and adult insect emergence inhibition (greater for leaf, 84.61%) in a concentrationdependent manner. Efficiency of C. hirtus powders was comparable to that of permethrin. All indices of seed damage witnessed diminution in a concentration-dependent manner, and the leaf powder elicited greater percentage protective ability (48.7%) which was comparable with permethrin.

Conclusion: Leaf and stem powders of C. hirtus examined for the first time, proved to be effective in protecting stored cowpea seeds from weevil attack.