Objective:Effectively addressing poultry farmers' antibiotic use and its role in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) presents a significant challenge, but improving their knowledge and practices is crucial for mitigating AMR risks and safeguarding public health. This study aimed to assess farmers' understanding and behaviors to identify public health risks and inform targeted interventions. Design:Survey-based cross-sectional study. Setting:200 poultry farms in Enugu State, Nigeria. Participants:Poultry farmers. Methods:A cross-sectional survey of 200 poultry farms in Enugu State, Nigeria, was conducted using a validated questionnaire targeting farmers responsible for key farm decisions. The questionnaire covered sociodemographic data, AMR knowledge, and antibiotic use practices. Ethical approval was obtained, and participants provided oral consent. Results:Findings showed that 90.5% of farmers used antibiotics, primarily for treating infections (80.5%) and for growth promotion or prophylaxis (61%). Ampicillin (75%), ciprofloxacin (71.5%), and doxycycline (71%) were the most commonly used antibiotics, with monthly administration being prevalent (48%). Additionally, 89% of respondents believed antibiotics promote poultry growth. Alarmingly, 65% were unaware of AMR, and only 16% recognized its health risks. Conclusion:The heavy reliance on antibiotics, particularly ampicillin, raises concerns about beta-lactamase selection amid Nigeria's carbapenem resistance issues. The significant knowledge gap among farmers highlights the urgent need for targeted education and stricter antibiotic regulation to mitigate AMR risks in poultry farming.

Background:The irrational use of antibiotics in poultry production has far-reaching consequences and continues to impact the fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Africa. In Nigeria, antibiotics are available over-the-counter and are widely used in food animal production for various reasons, including prophylaxis and growth promotion. While this practice may support animal production, it also drives the spread of AMR, posing serious health challenges due to close human-livestock interactions and the country's high disease burden. This study examined poultry farmers' knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding antibiotic use and AMR, aiming to highlight the public health risks and challenges in combating AMR in Nigeria. Methods:A cross-sectional survey of 200 poultry farms in Enugu State, Southeast Nigeria, was conducted to evaluate farmers' KAP towards antibiotic usage and AMR. Using a validated, standardized, and self-administered questionnaire, data were collected from farmers responsible for key farm decisions, including input and feed management. The questionnaire comprised three sections: socio-demographic data, knowledge of AMR, and knowledge and practices regarding antibiotic use. Ethical approval was obtained, and participants gave oral consent based on their professional capacity. Results:The evaluation of poultry's farmers KAP regarding antibiotic usage and AMR revealed that the majority of farmers (90.5%) reported using antibiotics, primarily for treating infections (80.5%) or for feed enhancement, growth promotion, and prophylaxis (61%). Ampicillin (75%), ciprofloxacin (71.5%), and doxycycline (71%) were the most commonly administered antibiotics. Monthly administration was the most common (48%), and 89% of respondents believed that antibiotics promote poultry growth. Interestingly, a substantial proportion of respondents (65%) were unaware of AMR, highlighting a significant knowledge gap, with only 16% recognizing the risk of AMR infections. Conclusion:Our study revealed that the surveyed poultry farmers heavily rely on antibiotics, primarily for treating infections and, to a significant extent, for growth promotion, despite their limited awareness of AMR. Ampicillin was identified as the most commonly used antibiotic, raising concerns due to its potential link to beta-lactamase selection amid the country's carbapenem resistance issues. These findings underscore the urgent need for targeted education to address the AMR knowledge gap and reduce the misuse of antibiotics in poultry farming settings in Nigeria.

Endophytic microorganisms have been recognized as potential sources of new chemical entities with applications in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, agricultural, and other industries. This study investigated the secondary metabolites produced by an endophytic Nigrospora sp. isolated from the Nigerian plant, Gongronema latifolium. Standard procedures were followed for fungal isolation, taxonomic identification, fermentation, and extraction of secondary metabolites. The antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of the fungal extract were assessed using the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) antioxidant assay and the agar-well diffusion assay, respectively. Various chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques were used to isolate, purify, and characterize compounds from the fungal extract. At 500 μg/mL, the fungal crude extract showed average antioxidant activity with a 48% inhibition. The extract also demonstrated moderate antimicrobial activity at 1 mg/mL against Bacillus subtilis and Salmonella typhi, with an inhibition zone diameter of 2 mm produced against both test strains. The fungal extract yielded six compounds, including the rare, chlorinated metabolite, acrodontiolamide (1), and five α-pyrone derivatives: hydroxypestalopyrone (2), pestalopyrone (3), pestalotiopyrone D (4), cis-4-hydroxymellein (5), and its trans-isomer (6). Interestingly, this is the second report of acrodontiolamide (1) in nature, after its first report in 1993. These compounds possess a wide range of known biological activities, including antimicrobial, antitumor, and cytotoxic effects, valorizing their potential in drug development.

Background:Broad and unregulated antibiotic use in livestock production, particularly poultry farming, has increased the development and persistence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial strains in animals. These resistant pathogens and their antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) can spread to humans through environmental exposure and the food chain, posing serious public health risks. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS), alongside phenotypic antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST), enables a comprehensive understanding of resistance mechanisms and informs antimicrobial stewardship strategies, particularly in resource-limited settings. Aim:This study aimed to characterize the phenotypic and genotypic antimicrobial resistance profiles, plasmid content, and virulence factors of an MDR E. coli strain (S3) isolated from a poultry farm in Enugu State, Nigeria, to elucidate potential risks to public health and the role of poultry as a reservoir for resistance determinants. Methods:E. coli strain S3 was isolated from chicken droppings using standard microbiological methods and confirmed by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. AST was assessed using disc diffusion and broth microdilution to determine minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for ten antibiotics across multiple classes. WGS was performed with a hybrid approach combining Illumina and Nanopore platforms, followed by genome assembly and annotation. ARGs, plasmid replicons, and virulence factors were identified in silico using AMRFinderPlus, starAMR, RGI/CARD, PlasmidFinder, MOB-suite, and the Virulence Factor Database (VFDB). Results:Phenotypic testing revealed extensive resistance, with complete resistance to six of seven tested antibiotics (cefotaxime, ampicillin, erythromycin, gentamicin, ciprofloxacin, and doxycycline). MICs exceeded clinical breakpoints for multiple classes, confirming an MDR phenotype. Genome analysis indicated a 5.33 Mb genome distributed across five contigs, including one chromosome and four plasmid-associated contigs. The strain harboured numerous ARGs, including bla CTX-M-15, bla OXA-1, bla TEM-1, aac(6')-Ib-cr, aadA5, aph(3")-Ib, sul1/sul2, tet(A), dfrA17, and mph(A), co-localized on plasmids indicative of horizontal gene transfer (HGT) potential. Plasmid types included Col156, IncF, and two rep clusters. Virulence profiling revealed genes associated with adhesion (pap cluster, ECP), iron acquisition (enterobactin, yersiniabactin, aerobactin, heme uptake), and toxins (sat, senB), highlighting the isolate's potential for urinary tract and intestinal infections. Conclusion:This study highlights the significant role of poultry-associated bacteria as reservoirs of AMR genes, particularly those harboured on mobile plasmids with potential for HGT. E. coli strain S3 exhibits extensive multidrug resistance and carries a complex plasmid repertoire facilitating horizontal transfer of ARGs. Coupled with a rich virulence gene profile, this strain underscores the public health risk posed by poultry-associated E. coli in Nigeria. These findings demonstrate the urgent need for stringent antimicrobial stewardship, regulatory oversight, and genomic surveillance in poultry production milieus to mitigate the dissemination of MDR pathogens.

Several studies have reported on the antimalarial properties of Anthoclestia djalonensis. This study was therefore conducted to validate this report and identify the phytocomponents of the plant that might be responsible for its antimalarial activity. The crude methanol extract of the plant was fractionated into ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions using the liquid-liquid fractionation method. After a 5-day curative study, the plant's crude extract and fractions at 200 mg/kg showed varying levels of antimalarial properties, with the n-butanol fraction showing the highest parasite clearance (86.8%), followed by the crude extract (77.3%), and the ethyl acetate fraction (49.32%). HPLC analysis of the ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions revealed isovitexin and its derivative as the plant's major phytoconstituents, and these compounds may be responsible for the plant's antimalarial property.

Background: Water pollution poses a significant threat to public health globally, with negligent disposal of industrial effluents and waste contributing to water quality degradation, particularly in metropolitan regions like Umudim Nnewi, Nigeria. Aim: To evaluate the physicochemical parameters (Total Dissolved Solids, pH, Temperature, and Electrical Conductivity) of rivers surrounding the industrial estate in Umudim Nnewi. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional quantitative study employed convenience sampling, collecting water samples from five rivers. Measurements were taken using a Four Parameter water quality analyzer to determine Total Dissolved Solids, pH, Temperature, and Electrical Conductivity. Descriptive statistics summarized the data, and paired sample t-tests analyzed the results (α = 0.05). Results: Total Dissolved Solids ranged from 9.50-59.50 mg/L, pH from 4.10-5.65, Temperature from 27.45°C-28.70°C, and Electrical Conductivity from 51.67 µS/cm. Physicochemical parameters significantly deviated from World Health Organization standards (p < 0.05), with pH showing the most significant variation. Conclusion: This study highlights the significant variation in physicochemical parameters, emphasizing the need for effective wastewater management and pollution control measures to protect public health and the environment.

Antioxidants serve as defense mechanisms which protects against oxidative damage through preventing or retarding oxidation caused by free radicals. Free radicals are highly reactive molecules with an odd number of electrons generated from oxygen capable of damaging various cellular structures. Endophytes have shown capacity to create beneficial biologically active molecules with a wide range of pharmacological properties usually identical to those of the host plant. Their feature has continued to gain fame due to their ability to produce metabolites within the host system without causing harm to the host while sequestering reactive oxygen species within the host systems. Endophytic fungal isolation, fungal fermentation, extraction of secondary metabolites, antioxidant and cytotoxicity studies were carried out using standard laboratory methods. Therefore, this study evaluated the antioxidant and cytotoxicity activity of fusarium equiseti previously isolated from Ocimum gratissimum. The findings revealed that the crude extract of an endophyte associated with O. gratissimum called F. equiseti produced substances that have strong antioxidant and cytotoxic properties. The antioxidant and cytotoxic potential were due to presence of compounds previously reported for cytotoxic activity, such as Enniatins and Sarasinoside H1 and while the antioxidant activity was due to presence of Orientin a compound known to have shown antioxidant property. Therefore, this endophyte may serve as a source of new substances with potential for use in pharmaceutical applications for diseases associated with reactive oxygen species.

Ethnomedicinal plants are thought to have better prospects of harboring endophytes that produce natural products with pharmacological activities. This study aimed to investigate the antiplasmodial and anticancer properties of secondary metabolites of endophytic fungi from three medicinal plants. The endophytic fungi included Lasiodiplodia theobromae isolated from Cola acuminata, Curvularia lunata Bv4 isolated from Bambusa vulgaris, and Curvularia lunata Eg7 isolated from Elaeis guineensis. The identification of the fungi was based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS-rDNA) sequence. The fungi were subjected to solid-state fermentation and the secondary metabolites were extracted with ethyl acetate. In vitro antiplasmodial screening of extracts was performed using the SYBR green I-based fluorescence assay on the chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium falciparum strain DD2. The cytotoxicity of the extracts on human red blood cells and Jurkat (leukemia) cells was assessed using the tetrazolium-based colorimetric MTT assay. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis was used to identify the constituents of the fungal extracts. The extract of L. theobromae showed the best antiplasmodial activity against chloroquine-resistant P. falciparum (IC50 = 5.4 µg/mL) and was not harmful to erythrocytes (CC50 > 100 µg/mL). All three fungal extracts showed a weak cytotoxic effect against Jukart cell lines (CC50 > 100 µg/mL). GC–MS analysis of the three endophytic fungal extracts revealed the presence of forty major bioactive compounds, including: oxalic acid, isobutyl nonyl ester, 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol, and hexadecanoic acid, among others. The endophytic fungi from the medicinal plants in this study were promising sources of bioactive compounds that could be further evaluated as novel drugs for the treatment of malaria caused by P. falciparum-resistant strains.

This study demonstrated that the extraction solvents play an important role in the extraction of important bioactive compounds with antioxidant properties from the leaves of Anthocleista djalonensis. Anthocleista djalonensis, a plant native to tropical Africa, is believed to have antioxidant properties due to its bioactive composition. The powdered leaves were macerated using local gin, hot distilled water, and analytical ethanol to extract bioactive compounds. The in vitro antioxidant activity of these extracts was assessed using 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging assays, nitric oxide scavenging assay, and hydrogen peroxide scavenging assay. Ascorbic acid was used as a reference. The DPPH and hydrogen peroxide scavenging tests showed concentration-dependent responses. Distilled water had the lowest IC50 value of 0.079 mg/ml and showed the most antioxidant potential in DPPH. Local gin demonstrated significant hydrogen peroxide scavenging ability with an IC50 value of 0.12 mg/ml, surpassing the standard drug. The nitric oxide scavenging assay showed a concentration-dependent increase in both ethanol and local gin extracts. Ethanol and local gin extracts showed maximum antioxidant activity, with ethanol extract showing 22.84% inhibition and local gin extract showing a higher activity of 46.29% inhibition. However, ascorbic acid showed the highest inhibition of nitric oxide production at 57.10%. The study highlights the importance of solvent selection in herbal preparation for optimal health benefits regarding antioxidant activity.

ABSTRACT Background and Aim(s) This study retrospectively assessed the prevalence of TB and HIV/AIDS co-infection among patients that attended the Directly Observed Treatment Short-course (DOTS) centers in Anambra State, Southeast, Nigeria, between 2013 and 2017. Methods The study adopted a descriptive and retrospective epidemiological survey design. A total of 1443 case files of patients aged 15 to 60 who were treated in DOTS centers selected from Anambra State’s 21 Local Government Areas between 2013 and 2017 were investigated. The uniform data form, a standardized instrument used in Anambra State’s health facilities for data collection, was used to collect data from case files of all those identified as co-infected with TB and HIV/AIDS. Results The mean prevalence rate of TB and HIV/AIDS co-infection in the state during the five-year period (2013–2017) was 20%. The highest annual prevalence of TB and HIV/AIDS co-infection was recorded in 2014 (23.84%). The state’s prevalence of TB and HIV/AIDS co-infection increased dramatically from 13.17% in 2013 to 23.84% in 2014, followed by a slight downward trend to 22.80% in 2015, 20.17% in 2016, and 20.03% in 2017. In terms of gender, age, marital status, and occupation, females (59.5%), those aged 15 to 25 years (30.7%), married people (43.9%), and traders/business owners (50.7%), respectively, had the highest rates of tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS co-infection during the study period. Conclusion The findings of this study show that young people, females, married people, and traders/business owners appear to be the most vulnerable groups affected by TB and HIV/AIDS co-infection, accounting for the majority of the disease burden in the state. To address the high prevalence of TB and HIV/AIDS co-infection in the Anambra State, novel intervention and control programs should be developed and implemented, and existing intervention frameworks should be strengthened.

A new siderophore, serratiochelin D (1), was isolated from a soil-derived, non-pigmented strain of Serratia marcescens along with two previously reported siderophores, serratiochelins A and B. Siderophores were obtained after cultivating the bacterium in an iron-deficient medium, and the chemical structures were elucidated based on HPLC-UV, mass spectrometry, and extensive 1D and 2D NMR spectral analyses. The iron-chelating, growth-promoting, and cytotoxic activities were evaluated using standard methods. Serratiochelin D (1) demonstrated xenosiderophoric activity by promoting the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis in iron-limited media and thus has the potential to be developed into a sideromycin against pathogens in these genera and other MDR bacteria.

Background and Aims: Tuberculosis (TB) and HIV/AIDS have become major public health problems in many countries, including Nigeria. A serious concern is that the TB situation in Nigeria has been worsened by the prevalence of HIV and AIDS. The condition has given rise to a new epidemic of TB and HIV/AIDS coinfection, a combination of two lethal diseases already occurring in epidemic proportions. Aim: This study retrospectively assessed the prevalence of TB and HIV/AIDS co-infection among patients that attended the Directly Observed Treatment Short-course (DOTS) centers in Anambra State, Southeast, Nigeria, between 2013 and 2017. Methods: The study adopted a descriptive and retrospective epidemiological survey design. A total of 1443 case files of patients aged 15 to 60 who were treated in DOTS centers selected from Anambra State's 21 Local Government Areas between 2013 and 2017 were investigated. The uniform data form, a standardized instrument used in Anambra State's health facilities for data collection, was used to collect data from case files of all those identified as co-infected with TB and HIV/AIDS. Results: The mean prevalence rate of TB and HIV/AIDS co-infection in the state during the five-year period (2013-2017) was 20%. The highest annual prevalence of TB and HIV/AIDS co-infection was recorded in 2014 (23.84%). The state's prevalence of TB and HIV/AIDS co-infection increased dramatically from 13.17% in 2013 to 23.84% in 2014, followed by a slight downward trend to 22.80% in 2015, 20.17% in 2016, and 20.03% in 2017. The annual prevalence rate of TB and HIV/AIDS co-infection was significantly different (p<0.05) over the five-year period. However, there was no statistical difference in the annual prevalence rate between 2014 and 2017 (p>0.05). In terms of gender, age, marital status, and occupation, females (59.5%), those aged 15 to 25 years (30.7%), married people (43.9%), and traders/business owners (50.7%), respectively, had the highest rates of tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS co-infection during the study period. Conclusion: The findings of this study show that young people, females, married people, and traders/business owners appear to be the most vulnerable groups affected by TB and HIV/AIDS co-infection. This accounts for the vast majority of the disease burden in Anambra State, Southeast, Nigeria. To address the high prevalence of TB and HIV/AIDS co-infection in Anambra State, novel intervention and control programs should be developed and implemented. Existing interventions should be strengthened to achieve more robust and effective preventive measures to address the state's high prevalence of TB and HIV/AIDS co-infection rates.

Abstract Background During the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, there was considerable uncertainty surrounding epidemiological and clinical aspects of SARS-CoV-2. Governments around the world, starting from varying levels of pandemic preparedness, needed to make decisions about how to respond to SARS-CoV-2 with only limited information about transmission rates, disease severity and the likely effectiveness of public health interventions. In the face of such uncertainties, formal approaches to quantifying the value of information can help decision makers to prioritise research efforts. Methods In this study we use Value of Information (VoI) analysis to quantify the likely benefit associated with reducing three key uncertainties present in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic: the basic reproduction number ( $$R_0$$ R 0 ), case severity (CS), and the relative infectiousness of children compared to adults (CI). The specific decision problem we consider is the optimal level of investment in intensive care unit (ICU) beds. Our analysis incorporates mathematical models of disease transmission and clinical pathways in order to estimate ICU demand and disease outcomes across a range of scenarios. Results We found that VoI analysis enabled us to estimate the relative benefit of resolving different uncertainties about epidemiological and clinical aspects of SARS-CoV-2. Given the initial beliefs of an expert, obtaining more information about case severity had the highest parameter value of information, followed by the basic reproduction number $$R_0$$ R 0 . Resolving uncertainty about the relative infectiousness of children did not affect the decision about the number of ICU beds to be purchased for any COVID-19 outbreak scenarios defined by these three parameters. Conclusion For the scenarios where the value of information was high enough to justify monitoring, if CS and $$R_0$$ R 0 are known, management actions will not change when we learn about child infectiousness. VoI is an important tool for understanding the importance of each disease factor during outbreak preparedness and can help to prioritise the allocation of resources for relevant information.

Background: Several studies have identified endophytic fungi associated with Nigerian plants as potential sources of new drug discovery. Aim: This study was carried out to investigate the antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of secondary metabolites isolated from an endophytic Cunninghamella sp. associated with leaves of Chrysophyllum albidum, a Nigerian indigenous plant. Method: The plant material was collected in Agulu, Anambra State, South-East Nigeria. Endophytic fungal isolation and identification, as well as fermentation and extraction of fungal secondary metabolites, were carried out using standard methods. The antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of the fungal extract were evaluated using the agar well diffusion method and the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydraxyl (DPPH) free radical assay, respectively. Result: An endophytic fungus was isolated from the leaves of C. albidum. Following a molecular identification protocol of DNA amplification and sequencing of the fungal ITS region, the fungus was identified as Cunninghamella sp. The fungal extract exhibited antimicrobial activity against the test bacteria and fungus. At concentrations ranging from 2.5 - 20 mg/mL, the extract produced inhibition zone diameters (IZD) ranging from 2 - 11 mm against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Antibacterial activity was also observed against Staphylococcus aureus at concentrations ranging from 10 - 20 mg/mL, with IZD ranging from 3 - 6 mm. Antifungal activity was observed against Candida albicans at concentrations ranging from 1.25 - 20 mg/mL, with IZD ranging from 2 - 7 mm. The fungal extract demonstrated significant antioxidant activity in the DPPH assay when compared to the standard control, quercetin. The extract showed a percentage inhibition range of 95 - 98% at concentrations ranging from 20 to 100 µg/mL. Conclusion: The findings of this study highlight the potential of endophytic Cunninghamella sp. and other endophytic microorganisms of indigenous Nigerian plants as sources of bioactive compounds with antimicrobial and antioxidant properties for pharmaceutical and industrial applications.

Co-culturing of fungi and bacteria proved to be an efficient tool for inducing the expression of silent biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs). This study reports the isolation of a new meroterpenoid derivative, andrastin I (1), from a marine-derived fungus Penicillium ochrochloron. Co-cultivation of the fungus with Bacillus subtilis yielded another new natural product, a butyrolactone congener, ochrochloronic acid (2) and the known fungal metabolite striatisporolide A. Chemical structures of all isolated compounds were confirmed based on HRESIMS as well as, extensive 1D and 2D NMR spectral analyses. Absolute configuration of 1 was established by comparing the experimental ECD with those of known analogues. Results of this study highlight the potential of marine fungi as sources of new natural products and demonstrates the efficiency of fungal-bacterial co-cultivation as a promising tool to induce the immense biosynthetic capabilities of silent BGCs.

In Nigeria, tea infused with locally distilled gin is often sold as a tea-alcohol blend and consumed as a recreational beverage, which has been linked to substance abuse. The purpose of this research is to assess the effects of solvents on the phytochemical compositions of tea-infused gin and hot water tea infusion. A commercial tea was extracted with locally distilled gin as well as hot distilled water. After drying, the extracts were subjected to HPLC fingerprinting analysis at a UV detection wavelength of 254 nm. HPLC analysis showed that hot water extracted 28 metabolites and locally distilled gin extracted 24 metabolites. Both extracts had two significant main peaks with similar retention times. The results of this study show that hot water tea contains similar phytocomponents as alcoholic blended tea. This implies that aqueous tea infusions and tea-alcohol blends may both provide health benefits from tea. Those with alcohol addiction and alcohol-related health problems should avoid tea-alcohol mixtures and enjoy aqueous tea infusions instead

In the science of drug discovery, ultraviolet (UV) irradiation has been applied to induce mutagenesis in fungi to provide possibilities for the stimulation or enhancement of fungal biosynthetic capabilities. This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of UV radiation on the biosynthesis of antibacterial secondary metabolites in an endophytic Lasiodiplodia theobromae. Using standard methods, the fungus was isolated from healthy leaves of Cola acuminata and identified based on PCR amplification and genomic sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. Cultures of L. theobromae were exposed to UV radiation at different time intervals of 1, 2 and 5 min. The fungus was subjected to solid-state fermentation in rice medium before and after UV treatments. The fungal secondary metabolites were extracted and tested for antibacterial activity using the agar diffusion method. Compounds present in the obtained extracts were identified by HPLC and GC-MS analysis. At a concentration of 1 mg/ml, the extract of the wild type L. theobromae (untreated) was observed to only inhibit Staphylococcus aureus, with an IZD of 12 mm. However, the extract of UV-treated L. theobromae (2 min) inhibited S. aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa with an IZD of 10 and 4 mm respectively. A wide array of compounds in the phenolics, fatty acids, alkaloids and alkanes classes were identified in the UV-treated and untreated fungal extracts. Overall, UV treatments of L. theobromae stimulated the production of seventeen (17) new compounds that were not detected in the untreated strain. The study confirms UV irradiation as an effective method for stimulating microbial biosynthesis of new bioactive compounds, indicating a promising and potentially abundant source of new drug compounds from microorganisms.

Endophytic fungi remain an unexplored reservoir of chemical diversity, and have become the primary focus is several bio-prospecting programs. This study was carried out to detect the constituents and bioactivity of the secondary metabolites of an endophytic Lasiodiplodia theobromae associated with Musa paradisiaca. Following standard protocols, the axenic fungus was isolated from healthy leaves of Musa paradisiaca harvested from Agulu, Anambra State, Nigeria. The isolated fungus was characterized using a standard taxonomic identification procedure involving the amplification and sequencing of the ITS region of the DNA. The fungus was subjected to solid state fermentation in rice medium, followed by extraction, chromatographic separation and chemical characterization of its secondary metabolites. The antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiviral and cytotoxic activities of fungal extract was evaluated using standard methods. At a 1 mg/mL, the fungal extract demonstrated inhibitory potentials against Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli with inhibition zone diameters that ranged from 3-7 mm. The extract, at 100 μg/mL, exhibited antioxidant effect having an IC50 of 65.8 µg/mL. The extract showed dose-dependent antiviral properties during the in vitro antiviral assay with 54% and 60% inhibition of reverse transcriptase observed at 0.5 and 1 mg/mL concentrations respectively. Following chromatographic separation and chemical analyses of the fungal metabolite, orthosporin was isolated. This widely known phytotoxic compound, together with other constituents of the fungal secondary metabolites, may have exhibited the observed bioactivities of the fungal extract recorded. Thus, our findings provide additional data on the potentials of endophytic fungi as producers of interesting bio-molecules.

Background: In Africa, Piliostigma thonningii is utilized traditionally for the treatment of dysentery, diarrhea, and various stomach complications. Purpose: The study's aim is the screening of the extract/fractions of P. thonningii for antioxidant activities and isolation of some of the components. Methods: The root bark was extracted with methanol and subjected to further purification using liquid-liquid partitioning and chromatographic techniques. The isolated compounds were characterized by utilizing HPLC-DAD and 1D NMR spectroscopy. Results: The ethyl acetate fraction displayed best activity with total phenol content of 270 mgGAE/g, IC50 of 60.24 µg/ml (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay) and EC50 of 653.4 µg/ml (ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay). For the in vivo antioxidant assay at 200 and 400 mg/kg, the ethyl acetate fraction produced significant (p < 0.05) inhibition of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) enzyme and lipid peroxidation activities just like 100 mg/kg silymarin, and also showed significant (p < 0.05) increase in serum antioxidant enzymes catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Five known compounds, which include 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid, (2E)-3-(4‑hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)prop‑2-enoic acid, 8-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)-4′,5,7-trihyroxyflavone and (3αR,9R,9αs)-7‑hydroxy-9(4‑hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-6‑methoxy-3α,4,9,9α-tetrahydro-1H-benzo[f][2]benzofuran-3-one were detected from HPLC-DAD analysis of the active fractions. Compound 6 (anabellamide) and 7 (9-desoxy-α-conidendrin) were isolated and they showed lower inhibition of DPPH radical compared to the extract and ethyl acetate fraction from where they were isolated. Conclusion: This study revealed the potential of the P. thonningii root bark as a source of antioxidant molecules which can be applied in therapy.

Introduction: Fungal endophytes of medicinal plants origin are gaining increasing interest as sources of novel bioactive agents with therapeutic capacity. This study was designed to identify and evaluate secondary metabolites isolated from Fusarium equiseti; an endophytic fungus isolated from leaves of Ocimum gratissimum for their antimicrobial potentials. Methods: The isolation and molecular identification of the endophytic fungus, as well as fermentation, and extraction of secondary metabolites were carried out following standard laboratory procedures. The crude extract was partially purified by partitioning into different fractions using column chromatographic techniques and the fractions were tested for antimicrobial activity. The phytoconstituents in the bioactive fractions were detected by dereplication using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography linked with Diode Array Detection (HPLC-DAD). Results: Our findings showed that fraction 4 (DCM/ Methanol fraction 95:5) exhibited moderate to strong inhibition against the test micro-organisms namely, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans with MIC values in the range of 0.03 to 1 mg/mL but had no inhibition against Aspergillus niger and Salmonella typhi. The compounds detected in the HPLC assay include Phomoxanthone A, Scalarolide, equisetin, epi-equisetin an episomer of equisetin, Naamine A, Carbonarone A, destruxin B, cytosporin G, and WLIP (β-hydroxydecanoyl-Leu1-D Glu-De-Thr-Dval-DLeu3 DSer-Leu-Dser-Ile). These compounds have been reported to possess antimicrobial activity. Conclusion: The detection of these metabolites further confirms the potential of the endophytic fungus, Fusarium equiseti isolated from leaves of Ocimum gratissimum as a potential source of bioactive molecules for treatment of infectious diseases.