Dr Royhaan-Folarin

Drosophila melanogaster is a holometabolous frugivorous fly, with neurobiological and neurogenetic modelling importance owed to its small size, short life cycle, fast reproductive rate, low cost in maintenance and small tetra-chromosomal genome. Nigella sativa (Black seed) is a widely researched medicinal plant with numerous reported therapeutic activities in humans and rodents. Being the most abundant neurotransmitter in Drosophila, glutamate plays an important role in learning and memory, neuro-excitation but also neuro-inhibition. This research thus investigated the impacts of Nigella sativa on the survival rate, glutamate level and negative geotactical abilities in Harwich strains of Drosophila melanogaster. The experimental flies were exposed to varied concentrations of Nigella sativa oil for five days. The results showed a higher survival rate, glutamate level and negative geotactic ability for the lower dose flies, while the higher Nigella sativa dose flies recorded significantly lesser values in the trio. This indicates that Nigella sativa administered at 2.4ml/4ml (60%) of feed may be lethal to the general survival and physiological functions of adult Drosophila. The lower dose however shows a high potential of improving locomotive and neurochemical activities in flies, as further studies are on to further identify the most therapeutic dose of Nigella sativa in Drosophila melanogaster, with a range suggested based on the findings of this research

Drosophila melanogaster is a holometabolous frugivorous fly, with neurobiological and neurogenetic modelling importance owed to its small size, short life cycle, fast reproductive rate, low cost in maintenance and small tetra-chromosomal genome. Nigella sativa (Black seed) is a widely researched medicinal plant with numerous reported therapeutic activities in humans and rodents. Being the most abundant neurotransmitter in Drosophila, glutamate plays an important role in learning and memory, neuro-excitation but also neuro-inhibition. This research thus investigated the impacts of Nigella sativa on the survival rate, glutamate level and negative geotactical abilities in Harwich strains of Drosophila melanogaster. The experimental flies were exposed to varied concentrations of Nigella sativa oil for five days. The results showed a higher survival rate, glutamate level and negative geotactic ability for the lower dose flies, while the higher Nigella sativa dose flies recorded significantly lesser values in the trio. This indicates that Nigella sativa administered at 2.4ml/4ml (60%) of feed may be lethal to the general survival and physiological functions of adult Drosophila. The lower dose however shows a high potential of improving locomotive and neurochemical activities in flies, as further studies are on to further identify the most therapeutic dose of Nigella sativa in Drosophila melanogaster, with a range suggested based on the findings of this research

Parkinsonism is a degenerative neurological syndrome characterised by dopamine deficiency in the basal ganglia. Despite ages of research, there is still lack of holistic and side-effect-free therapy for the disease. Nigella sativa is a multi-potent plant known for its historical and scientifically proven therapeutic potentials in the brain and other body organs. Despite the validity debates on the use of BALB/c mice strains in the modelling of Parkinsonism using MPTP, this study re-appraised the sensitivity versus resistance of the BALB/c mice strain to MPTP and further investigated the possible neuro-thrapeutic role of Nigella sativa oil (NSO) in the Parkinsonic endophenotypes elicited by MPTP in the BALB/c strain. Body weights, relative brain weights, striatal dopamine, striatal neuron density and recognition memory were studied in thirty-two (32) male albino mice, weighing between 18g -25g. They were divided equally into Control (administered with normal feed for 5 days), MPTP (administered with 18mg/kg MPTP i.p for 5 days), NS (administered with 1ml/kgbw NSO p.o. for 5 days), and NS+MPTP (administered with 1ml/kgbw NSO p.o. followed by 18mg/kg MPTP i.p for 5 days). Recognition memory was assayed through Novel Object Recognition test (NORT), and the animals were weighed and euthanised 24 hours after last administration. The brains were excised and the striatum assayed neurochemically for dopamine and illustrated histologically for neuronal density using the H&E stain. Parkinsonic traits such as mild tremor, significant down-regulation of dopamine and striatal neurons (p<0.05) were recorded in the BALB/c mice administered with MPTP only, confirming MPTP-sensitivity for these features. However, significant increase (p<0.05) in appetite, body weight, brain-body weight ratio, and recognition memory was also recorded in the MPTP-administered mice, though Nigella sativa was significantly prophylactic against the negative Parkinsonic features, and ‘moderative’ of the up-regulations induced by MPTP. While this suggests selective MPTP sensitivity and resistance in BALB/c strains, this study recommends the investigation of possible beneficial potentials of MPTP as observed. The research was conducted in conformance with the Animal Research Ethics Committee (AREC) guidelines of the Olabisi Onabanjo University.

Background Parkinsonism is a neurological disease characterised by dopaminergic neuron degeneration in the substantial nigra and dopamine deficiency in the brain, with motor and psycho-cognitive implications, while limitations masked the efficacy of the available drugs, thus the need to find alternatives with less side effects are essential. Nigella sativa is a multi-potent plant with therapeutic potentials in the brain and other body organs. This study investigated the effects of Nigella sativa oil (NSO) on the cognitive and other Parkinsonism endophenotypes elicited by MPTP in the BALB/c strain mice. Materials and Methods Body weights, brain-body ratios, recognition memory (through novel object recognition test), as well as fronto-cortical, striatal and cerebellar dopamine and neuronal density were assayed in thirty-two (32) male BALB/c mice (18 g − 25 g). They were randomized into four groups exposed to; normal feed, 18 mg/kg MPTP i.p, 1 ml/kgbw NSO p.o., and NSO + MPTP respectively, for 5 consecutive days. Behaviours were analysed 24 hours after the last exposure, subsequently euthanized, the brains removed and processed for biomarkers analysis and histochemistry. Results Parkinsonism-like traits such as mild tremor, down-regulation of striatal and fronto-cortical dopamine and neurons were recorded in the BALB/c mice administered with MPTP only. However, significant increase (p < 0.05) in appetite, body weight, brain-body weight ratio, and recognition memory was also recorded in the MPTP-administered mice, though Nigella sativa was significantly prophylactic against the negative Parkinsonic features, and ‘moderative’ of the up-regulations induced by MPTP. Conclusion While this suggests selective MPTP sensitivity and resistance in BALB/c strains, this study recommends the investigation of possible (though ironic) beneficial potentials of MPTP.

Background:Personal protective equipment (PPE) supply shortages were a big issue in the fight against COVID-19 around the world at the onset of the pandemic, requiring all communities to find innovative ways to make and supply PPE for health workers, vulnerable people and the general public. To this end and in line with the WHO’s call for 40% raise in PPE production across the world, we sought to alleviate the PPE shortage and to support our local communities using 3D printing (additive manufacturing) and free and open-source hardware (FOSH). Methods:Utilising a 3D printer and off-the-shelf components, reusable face shields and face masks were produced based on open source designs. Off-the-shelf components included transparent polyvinyl chloride (PVC) visor, ribbon tapings and elastic bands for the face shields, as well as cushioning pads (clothed foams) and filters (sensitive tissues) for the face masks. Hygienic measures employed during fabrication included the assembly following safety protocols, disinfection of products with ultraviolet bactericidal lamps, ensuring hygiene during collection and distribution. Users’ real-life experience and feedback were utilised to modify and improve on quality and adaptability of the designs.Results:In a period of three months, over 400 reusable 3D-printed face shields and face masks were produced by a team of academics, for health practitioners, other professionals and people across the Olabisi Onabanjo University community and other cities within Ogun and Lagos states. Conclusions:More awareness is generally required on the potentials of 3D printing and FOSH in the global south, particularly in universities and research institutions where innovative alternatives to expensive equipment remain vital. Our feat corroborated and advocated these potentials in a low-income setting like Nigeria, where the immediate response and synergy between academics, and researchers yielded a substantial number of PPE to front line workers, in a timely manner at the peak of the viral transmission and lockdowns- a period wherein manufacturers of PPEs struggled to establish their commercial logistics. We emphasize the need for university managements to support academics and researchers strongly to deliver on much needed community support in crises time, and encourage governmental and non-governmental bodies to consider investing in this innovative self-reliant perspective through their research funding and managemnt programmes in a bid to achieving a lot more with the less funds.Trial registration:Not applicable.