Study links water pollution to declining male fertility

NEW research strengthens the link between water pollution and rising male fertility problems. The study, by Brunel University, the Universities of Exeter and Reading and the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, shows for the first time how a group of testosterone-blocking chemicals is finding its way into UK rivers, affecting wildlife and potentially humans.

The research was supported by the Natural Environment Research Council and is now published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives.

The study identified a new group of chemicals that act as 'anti-androgens'. This means that they inhibit the function of the male hormone, testosterone, reducing male fertility. Some of these are contained in medicines, including cancer treatments, pharmaceutical treatments, and pesticides used in agriculture. The research suggests that when they get into the water system, these chemicals may play a pivotal role in causing feminising effects in male fish.

Earlier research by Brunel University and the University of Exeter has shown how female sex hormones (estrogens), and chemicals that mimic estrogens, are leading to 'feminisation' of male fish. Found in some industrial chemicals and the contraceptive pill, they enter rivers via sewage treatment works. This causes reproductive problems by reducing fish breeding capability and in some cases can lead to male fish changing sex.

Other studies have also suggested that there may be a link between this phenomenon and the increase in human male fertility problems caused by testicular dysgenesis syndrome. Until now, this link lacked credence because the list of suspects causing effects in fish was limited to estrogenic chemicals whilst testicular dysgenesis is known to be caused by exposure to a range of anti-androgens.

Lead author on the research paper, Dr Susan Jobling at Brunel University's Institute for the Environment, said: "We have been working intensively in this field for over ten years. The new research findings illustrate the complexities in unravelling chemical causation of adverse health effects in wildlife populations and re-open the possibility of a human - wildlife connection in which effects seen in wild fish and in humans are caused by similar combinations of chemicals. We have identified a new group of chemicals in our study on fish, but do not know where they are coming from. A principal aim of our work is now to identify the source of these pollutants and work with regulators and relevant industry to test the effects of a mixture of these chemicals and the already known environmental estrogens and help protect environmental health."

Senior author Professor Charles Tyler of the University of Exeter said: "Our research shows that a much wider range of chemicals than we previously thought is leading to hormone disruption in fish. This means that the pollutants causing these problems are likely to be coming from a wide variety of sources. Our findings also strengthen the argument for the cocktail of chemicals in our water leading to hormone disruption in fish, and contributing to the rise in male reproductive problems. There are likely to be many reasons behind the rise in male fertility problems in humans, but these findings could reveal one, previously unknown, factor."

Bob Burn, Principal Statistician in the Statistical Services Centre at the University of Reading, said: "State-of-the-art statistical hierarchical modelling has allowed us to explore the complex associations between the exposure and potential effects seen in over 1000 fish sampled from 30 rivers in various parts of England."

The research took more than three years to complete and was conducted by the University of Exeter, Brunel University, University of Reading and the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology. Statistical modelling was supported by Beyond the Basics Limited.

The research team is now focusing on identifying the source of anti-androgenic chemicals, as well as continuing to study their impact on reproductive health in wildlife and humans.

Things men won’t take from women

WOMEN are the backbone of the family, I am sure readers will agree with me without prejudice. Although, we are referred to as the weaker sex, I agree but I think the phrase the "stronger weaker sex" will be more appropriate.

Because of our nature and our God-given task, we are duty -bound to keep our homes, make our kids and spouses happy. It is a new year and as wives and mothers, we must make resolutions that will affect our homes positively. When your husband is happy with you, of course, you know what it does to your morale and that of everybody in the household, when the situation is otherwise, as a woman you know that the ripple effect will affect everyone in the home and even beyond.

Because we want a good and peaceful home this year and even beyond, it is good as wives and mothers to know what our men do not like. When you know these things, you will be conscious of them and avoid them.

Below are some things our men dislike, although these may be relative, but it could serve as guidelines for us.

•Gossip: Although some people say that men are the worst gossips, but I tell you, some men just can't stand women who gossip. Aside from this do you know that gossips end up being shamed?. Why do some women say things they are not sure of?

Of course some gossips could be true with some elements of facts in them, but most of the things some women engage in and peddle are false, majority of women who do this know that the stories they peddle are wrong but they just take delight in peddling falsehood.

For men, flippant and talkative women, who move from house to house in the guise of socialising but actually talking out of line, could be a pain in the neck to their husbands.

How do you think your husband would feel, if other women come over to your house to confront you about the falsehood you helped to spread or a frivolous talk you engaged in that destroyed other people?.

If you are one of those women who peddle rumours in the name of socialising, please make a resolution to stop this year. The outcome won't only disgrace you but your entire family.

•Nagging: Just like gossip, men have been accused of being the worst nags but, why don't you try to be less -nagging this year? Nobody likes to be nagged at.

A lot of men would prefer that their women make their points once and give them time to act on them. When you begin to say things often it could become irritating. Do you know that a man with a nagging wife would prefer to stay out or hang out with his friends instead of coming home to a nagging wife?

Nagging could be very offensive. Men hate to hear words that are not lifting, boring and unproductive.

Beware of nagging, instead praise and encourage your spouse. If you want him to do something for you, talk to him at the best time. I am sure as a wife and lover you know when best to communicate with your spouse. Don't be a dictator, be respectful and submissive.

•Lack of intelligence: There is more to intelligence than formal education. It is the ability to think and understand issues. Men like women who can stand up to them in argument and who can discuss issues intelligibly. Aside from that, men love women who are intelligent because it is generally believed that a child inherits the mother's intelligence.

Work on yourself, read, have an open mind to develop your intelligence, I am sure your husband will appreciate your ability to behave intelligibly.

•Lack of ambition: Some women suffer from lack of ambition, and some have misplaced priorities or ambitions. While some women are busy going after things that will add to their homes and husbands, some spend their time talking about clothes, shoes and any fashion in vogue. These are some of the things men don't enjoy.

They want women who will support them intelligibly and women with good ambition.

•Weaker sex syndrome: Because women are referred to as the weaker sex, some of them capitalise on this and are mischievous about it, especially when it comes to the issue of hard work. Men get irritated by this show of "the weaker sex."

Most men feel women should be able to do some things on their own, I quite agree with them because we are supposed to be the "stronger weaken sex".

•Being possessive: Most men don't like women who cling. Women who cling only exhibit a feeling of inferiority complex.

If you are confident of yourself and what you do, you need not cling to your husband or be over possessive. Be confident of yourself that you have that quality that other women don't possess. A quality that is unique to you and your husband won't want any other woman.

Different ways with beans

THIS New Year, make a resolve to add protein to your diet. Beans is a
very good source. Enjoy it in different ways with these tasty ethnic
recipes .

Beans are an often-overlooked source of incredible health benefits.
They have a lot of carbohydrates, leading people to believe they
should be avoided and seen as a weight gain risk only. Nothing could
be farther from the truth though, as research has shown that the
carbohydrates found in most beans are of the complex variety. Complex
carbohydrates are not contributors to any sort of weight gain,
instead, they provide the brain and muscles with a lot of good, stable
energy supplies.

Beans actually contain a wider variety of healthy nutrients than most
foods. These include calcium, potassium, vitamin B6, magnesium,
folate, and alpha-linolenic acid. These nutrients work together on
several key areas of the body promoting total health. Beans also
happen to be good sources of complete proteins, which is rare in
plants.

Plants, while having many different nutrients, often lack complete
proteins of any kind. This is unfortunate, as protein is a vital
ingredient to the healthy and normal functioning of the human body,
and the most readily available sources of protein have negative
effects on the heart. Beans, however, are plentiful in protein.

Beans are recognized as an important food because it is loaded with
nutrients. It is also considered as a well- rounded healthy food
because it falls into the category of the vegetable group, meat group
and bean group. Beans are a vegetable, but contain the valuable
protein that is often associated with meat. This makes them an ideal
alternative to meat for vegetarians or for those who want to limit
intake of meat products. One of the reasons why beans should be part
of our daily diet is that beans are full of both soluble and insoluble
fibre. They contain the most fibre of any vegetable.

Beans can help prevent anemia because it is rich in vitamins and
minerals, especially iron. It is very helpful in constipation,
one-half cup serving of most beans contain 15 to 20 grams of
carbohydrate and up to an incredible 8 grams of fibre.

It is recommended for people who want to build their muscles and make
their body stronger because beans contain at least 20 per cent protein
and are high in carbohydrates.

Studies have also shown that all kinds of beans can help lower serum
cholesterol and triglyceride level in the body because most beans
contain only 2 to 3 per cent fat.

Beans are excellent to prevent and treat diabetes. Beans have a low
glycemic index (rate at which a food raises the blood sugar), and it
provide sustained energy while slowly being released into the blood
stream.

According to studies, the consumption of legumes especially beans is
the most important dietary predictor of survival among the elderly
ones as beans serves as a key to their longevity in life.

Beans also contains health boosting resistant starches as
carbohydrates do not break down the way other starches do and in many
ways acts like fiber.

Beans increase the bulk of stool in the large intestine, speed up
transit time and provide food for friendly bacteria, which promotes
intestinal health.


Ewa aganyin beans with fried pepper sauce
Recipe for 3 servings:

2 cups beans

1 medium size onion

Small amount grounded fresh pepper

1 boiled frozen fish or canned sardine

75ml palm oil

Seasoning and salt to taste

Pick beans and pour into already boiling water add diced onion and
preferably some seasoning too, allow to cook until very soft and
sticky.

In a separate skillet, heat the palm oil, add the fresh pepper and
onion, leave to fry for 10minutes, add the boiled fish in bits and
without bones seasonings and salt to taste. Leave to fry for 10 more
minutes and then serve.


Akara bean cake
Recipe for 6 servings:

1derica beans

1big bulb onion

Ground fresh pepper

2 fresh eggs

1/2 bottle groundnut oil

Salt and seasoning to taste

Soak, squeeze, rinse and sieve beans ground with pepper and onion,
stir very well add your fresh egg, seasoning and salt to taste mix and
add in bit the heated ground nut oil on the fire. Allow to fry for
about eight minutes before adding another batch. Serve with either
bread, hot or cold pap.


Moi -moi

Recipe for 8 servings:

1derica beans

Fresh pepper

1big bulb onion

1 tin Corn beef

5 boiled and ring egg

70ml groundnut oil

Seasonings and salt to taste

Soak and squeeze the beans to remove chaffs, sieve and rinse well, and
add pepper and onion then grind add groundnut oil other seasonings and
salt to taste pour in bit to into preferred container add your egg and
corn beef arrange in a pot of boiling water and leave to cook for 30
minutes and serve depending on choice either alone or with other
foods.


Baked beans with Nigerian seasoning

Recipe for 4 servings:

180g dried beans

62ml groundnut oil

1 medium onion, (peeled, halved and thinly sliced)

4 garlic cloves, peeled and finely chopped

1 teaspoon hot curry powder

2 teaspoons mild curry powder

2 large tomatoes, peeled and finely chopped

11/2 tablespoons smooth peanut butter

11/4 tablespoons salt

Very generous grind of black pepper

45g of your favourite green leafy vegetable, finely chopped

Soak the beans overnight in plenty of water, then drain. The following
day, put the beans in a pot with 875ml of water and bring to a boil,
skimming off the foam that rises to the top. Cover partially, turn the
heat down to medium-low, and simmer gently for 40 to 60 minutes until
the beans are just tender.

Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large fry pan over medium-high heat. Add
the onion and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until the onion has just wilted,
stirring almost constantly to ensure it doesn't burn. Add the garlic,
stir and cook for another 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Add the
curry powders and stir, then add the tomatoes and stir again. Cook for
a further 7 to 10 minutes, until the tomatoes have softened. Transfer
this mixture into a medium casserole dish.

Spoon the peanut butter into a small bowl. When the beans are ready,
remove 6 tablespoons of the cooking water from the pot and slowly add
it to the peanut butter, stirring as you go. Pour the beans and the
remaining liquid into the casserole dish. Stir in the peanut butter
mixture, salt and pepper.

Place the casserole dish in an oven pre-heated to 160�C and bake,
uncovered, for two hours until most of the liquid has evaporated and
the beans are very tender. Add the greens just after you remove the
dish from the oven, and stir them around until they wilt. Serve hot.


Gbegiri (beans soup)

Recipe for 4 servings:

2cups beans

3oz tomato paste

Chili powder to taste

Seasonings and salt, to taste

2 teaspoons olive oil

1 fresh onion (chopped)

3oo grams mackerel fish

Soak the beans for about 5minutes, remove the skin very well and cook
the cleaned beans until it is very soft. You may blend the cooked
beans if you want a very creamy soup. Add as much water as you want to
make the soup either thick or light depending on your preference. Do
not cover the pot again from this point. Clean your fish and cut into
desired sizes. Then add all ingredients and the fish into the cream
and cook until the fish is properly cooked. Remember not to cover the
pot after you have added water and other ingredients to avoid foaming.


Adalu (beans and sweet corn pottage)

Recipe for 4 servings:

225g beans

225g corn (picked from the cob)

I onion (sliced)

3 fresh tomatoes (sliced)

2 tablespoons ground crayfish

2 Sawa (smoked dry fish)

1 litre water

3 tablespoons palm-oil

Salt to taste.

Pick over the beans and sweet corn, throwing out any stones or pieces
of grit. Wash and cook the corn in water till soft, add the beans and
salt to taste. Cook until soft and pulpy approximately 40 minutes
adding more water if necessary. Add the sliced peppers, onions and
tomatoes, stirring frequently to avoid burning. Remove skin and bones
from sawa and flake into small pieces. Add to the beans together with
the ground crayfish and palm oil. Check seasoning and stir well. Allow
to simmer for 10 minutes. Serve with fried pepper sauce

Researchers employ four local plants to treat drug resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Nigerian researchers have found four local plants used traditionally
to cure skin and upper respiratory tract infections such as pneumonia,
carbuncle, purple, impetigo and tonsillitis to be effective in
treating drug resistant microbial infections. CHUKWUMA MUANYA reports.

IT has been blamed for skin, respiratory and genital tract infections
with symptoms of persistent itching of the affected areas. It is no
respecter of person- it affects both the young and old. Available
conventional drugs have failed in containing this dreaded infection.

Drug resistant Staphylococcus aureus is indeed on rampage. However, a
recent discovery by Nigerian scientists suggests that the bug could be
beaten after all.

Researchers at the Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, have
investigated six Nigerian medicinal plants used by traditional medical
practitioners in Western Nigeria for the treatment of several ailments
of microbial and non-microbial origins for in vitro anti-Methicillin
Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) activity. Methicillin is a
conventional antibiotic.

The six plants include: Terminalia avicennioides, Phylantus
discoideus, Bridella ferruginea, Ageratum conyzoides, Ocimum
gratissimum and Acalypha wilkesiana.

The results of the study published in the journal, BMC Complementary
and Alternative Medicine, indicated that four out of six medicinal
plants commonly used by traditional medical practitioners to cure skin
and upper respiratory tract infections such as pneumonia, carbuncle,
purple, impetigo and tonsillitis were active against hospital strains
of MRSA. The four plants include: Terminalia avicennioides, Phylantus
discoideus, Ocimum gratissimum and Acalypha wilkesiana.

The study is titled "Screening of crude extracts of six medicinal
plants used in Southwest Nigerian unorthodox medicine for
anti-methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus activity". The
researchers include Kabir O. Akinyemi, Olukayode Oladapo, Chidi E.
Okwara , Christopher C. Ibe and Kehinde A. Fasure of the Department of
Microbiology, LASU.

Staphylococcus aureus (literally the "golden cluster seed" or "the
seed gold" and also known as golden staph) is the most common cause of
staph infections. It is a spherical bacterium, frequently found in the
nose and skin of a person.

About 20 per cent of the population are long-term carriers of S.
aureus. S. aureus can cause a range of illnesses from minor skin
infections, such as pimples, impetigo (may also be caused by
Streptococcus pyogenes), boils, cellulitis folliculitis, furuncles,
carbuncles, scalded skin syndrome and abscesses, to life-threatening
diseases such as pneumonia, meningitis, osteomyelitis endocarditis,
Toxic shock syndrome (TSS), and septicemia. Its incidence is from
skin, soft tissue, respiratory, bone, joint, endovascular to wound
infections. It is still one of the four most common causes of
nosocomial infections, often causing postsurgical wound infections.

MRSA is a bacterium responsible for difficult-to-treat infections in
humans. It may also be referred to as multiple-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus or oxacillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
(ORSA). MRSA is by definition a strain of Staphylococcus aureus that
is resistant to a large group of antibiotics called the beta-lactams,
which include the penicillins and the cephalosporins.

Over the last three decades, MRSA had caused major problems in
hospitals throughout the world. The first outbreak caused by MRSA
occurred in European hospitals in the early 1960's. During the late
1970's, strains of S. aureus resistant to multiple antibiotics
including methicillin and gentamycin were increasingly responsible for
many outbreaks in the United States and United Kingdom, and by 1980's
MRSA was considered a major clinical and epidemiological pathogen in
human hospitals. Since then strains of MRSA and coagulase-negative
Staphylococci had spread worldwide. Recent reports indicated that MRSA
strains account for 10 to 40 per cent of S. aureus isolated from some
European hospitals.

In many parts of the globe, particularly the developed countries,
fluoroquinolones (pefloxacin, ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin) are
recommended for serious infections associated with Staphylococci,
although, occasional resistance among MRSA has been documented.

Furthermore, in spite of recent reports of vancomycin resistant
strains MRSA in some parts of the globe, vancomycin still remains the
drug of choice for most MRSA-associated diseases.

The use of medicinal plants all over the world predates the
introduction of antibiotics and other modern drugs into Africa
continent. Herbal medicine has been widely used and formed an integral
part of primary health care in China, Ethiopia, Argentina and Papau
New Guinea. Traditional medical practitioners in Southwest, Nigeria,
use a variety of herbal preparations to treat different kinds of
microbial diseases including MRSA-associated diseases.

In recent times, the number of traditional healers claiming the
efficacies of six medicinal plants; namely, Terminalia avicennioides,
Bridella ferruginea, Ageratum conyzoides, Ocimum gratissimum, Acalypha
wilkesiana and Phylantus discoideus for the cure of patients with
Staphylococcus aureus-associated diseases such as, eczema, carbuncles
and osteomyelitis is on the increase.

Terminalia avicennioides belongs to the plant family Combretaceae. It
is called kpaca in Nupe, kpayi in Gwari, baushe in Hausa, igiodan in
Yoruba and edo in Igbo. Terminalia avicennioides is a yellowish brown,
hard and durable wood. The roots, which are used as chewing sticks
have been claimed to cure dental caries and skin infections. Previous
studies showed that the bark extract of Terminalia avicennioides
exhibited both vibrocidal and typhoidal activities.

Like other Ocimum species of Lamiaceae family, Ocimum gratissimum,
traditionally called efirin-aja in Yoruba and nchuanwu or arigbe in
Igbo has been reported to have medicinal properties. The leaf extracts
are popularly used for the treatment of diarrhoea while the cold leaf
infusions are used for the relief of stomach upset and haemorrhoids.
The thymol-riched leaf has been reported to have antimicrobial
properties.

Commonly called Red acalypha and Popose pupa locally, Acalypha
wilkesiana, belongs to the plant family Euphorbiaceae. It is called
aworoso in Yoruba (Ijebu). It is popularly used for the treatment of
malaria, dermatological and gastrointestinal disorders. The leaf
decoction is used for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders and
fungal infection particularly impetigo contagiosa and Tinea
versicolour which affect the back, chest and axillae of many babies in
Nigeria.

Phyllathus discoideus, of plant family Euphorbiaceae, is a small tree
widely used in tropical West Africa. In Southwest part of Nigeria, the
bark extract is used locally to cure stomachache and lumbago. It is
also useful in the treatment of helminthes infections. The bark
extract of Phyllanthus discoideus is used locally to cure stomachache
and lumbago.

Ageratum conyzoides is of plant family Compositae. It is called
�b�gh�-d�r� in Edo, �k� �fu �y�n (leaf of the excreta of a child) in
Efik, �g�d-�s�-awa (old person with grey hair) or �g�d-�s�-�w-�och�
(old person with white hair) in Igbo (Asaba), oso angweri ngwa in Igbo
(Onitsha), �h h �-nw�-�sh� n'�k� (grass that smells in the hand) in
Igbo (Owerri), f r �t�k� (smelling herb) in Ijaw; h�h� in Tiv; �k�
y�ny�n in Yoruba. It is an annual herb abundant in preclusive forests
and farmland in southern part of Nigeria. Previous study showed that
methanolic leaf extracts corrected fibrinogaemia in poultry chicks.
Also both methanol and water extracts of the leaves exhibited
anti-bacterial effect.

According to The Useful Plants of West Tropical Africa by H. M.
Burkill, the leaves are considered to be antiseptic. Preparations are
commonly applied to craw-craw in the West Africa, and to itch in
Southeast Asia.

In Congo the sap is put onto prurient affections of the skin. The
leaves are cicitrisant. They are applied to chronic ulcers, to
bruises, cuts and sores, and circumcision wounds in Nigeria, to cuts
and sores in Gabon, Tanzania (formerly Tanganyika) and in Ethiopia, as
a haemostatic topically on wounds and haemorrhoids and intravaginally
for uterine bleeding in Ivory Coast. The sap or the plant, dried and
powdered, is a wound dressing in Tanganyika, and is valued especially
for burns, similar uses are recorded in South East Asia.

Bridellia ferruginea, which belongs to the plant family Euphorbiaceae
is used for treatment of insomnia. The bark in combination with other
herbs is used to cure pile in western part of Nigeria.

The reputed efficacies of these plants have been experienced and
passed on from one generation to the other. Apparently, lack of
scientific proof of efficacies claimed by traditional medical
practitioners in Nigeria called for the LASU study.

The results of the LASU study offer a scientific basis for the
traditional use of water and ethanol extracts of A. wilkesiana, O.
gratissimum, T. avicennioides and P. discoideus against
MRSA-associated diseases. However, B. ferruginea and A. conyzoides
were ineffective in vitro in this study. The researchers, therefore,
suggest the immediate stoppage of their traditional use against
MRSA-associated diseases.

The researchers wrote: "The crude extracts of B. ferruginea and A.
conyzoides were weakly active against MRSA strains with ethanol
extract of both plants exerting stronger antibacterial activity than
water extracts. Previous studies indicated that the crude extracts of
these plants were effective against S. aureus. The present study was
slightly conformed to their findings but the only area of concern is
that while their studies only dealt with the effect of crude extracts
on S. aureus, the study focused on the effect of crude extract on the
MRSA, and determination of both MIC & MBC values of the extracts.

"For example, the MIC values of 30.6 and 43.0 mcg/ml obtained for
ethanol extracts of B. ferruginea and A. conyzoides in this study were
lower than their corresponding water extracts of 55.4 and 71.0 mcg/ml.
Similarly, MBC values of 63.6 and 84.2 mcg/ml were recorded for
ethanol extract of B. ferruginea and A. conyzoides respectively. These
values were too high to be considered active against the pathogen. It
is worthy of note that traditional medical practitioners used these
plant extracts solely without combining with other plant extracts for
the treatment of MRSA-associated skin and respiratory diseases. This
finding may disagree with the traditional therapeutic indications
claimed on these plants we, therefore, suggest the immediate stoppage
of their traditional use against MRSA-associated diseases in Lagos,
Nigeria.

" However, the in-vitro inactivity of these plants on MRSA may not
necessarily translate to their in-vivo inactivity but the extracts may
probably be playing immuno-modulatory roles in the body system. Bever
had documented immunodulation of chemical compounds from medicinal
plants many of which have been proved to be inactive or weakly active
in-vitro against pathogens. In this study, we are unable to determine
immuno-modulating action of these plants due to lack of facilities.

"Our investigation further showed that both water and ethanol extracts
of T. avicennioides, P. discoideus, O. gratissimum and A. wilkessiana
were active against S. aureus and MRSA. The MIC value of the four
active plant extracts obtained in this study were lower than the MBC
values suggesting that the plant extracts were bacteriostatic at lower
concentration and bactericidal at higher concentration. The ethanol
extract of the four plants exerted greater antibacterial activity than
corresponding water extract at the same concentrations. These
observations may be attributed to two reasons; firstly, the nature of
biological active components (saponins, tannins, alkaloids and
anthraquinone) which could be enhanced in the presence of ethanol. It
has been documented that tannins, saponins and alkaloids are plants
metabolites well known for antimicrobial activity. Secondly, the
stronger extraction capacity of ethanol could have produced greater
number of active constituents responsible for antibacterial activity.

"Traditionally, leaves of O. gratissimum and A. wilkesiana and barks
of T. avicenniodes and P. discoideus are soaked in ethanol or water
(in case of patients forbidding alcoholic intake due to religious
belief) for days, large quantities of these extracts, which lack
specific concentration are usually administered to patients. Our
results therefore tend to support the traditional claim that these
four medicinal plants are preferably extracted in ethanol. Strong
vibriocidal activity of water and ethanol extracts of T. avicennioides
and typhoidal activity of aqueous extracts of O. gratissimum had been
reported in Lagos, Nigeria.

"The result of phytochemical screening of six plants indicated the
presence of tannins, alkaloids and saponins. Interestingly, only the
four plant extracts that were active against MRSA in this study
contained at least trace amount of anthraquinone. It is, therefore,
most probable that the presence of anthraquinone contributed to
anti-MRSA activity observed. We were unable to carry out bioautography
of the extracts due to lack of facilities."

The researchers said that the results offer a scientific basis for the
traditional use of both water and ethanol extracts of A. wilkesiana,
O. gratissimum, T. avicennioides and P. discoideus separately against
MRSA-associated skin and respiratory diseases. But said in vivo
studies on these medicinal plants are necessary and should seek to
determine toxicity of the active constituents, their side effects,
serum-attainable levels, pharmacokinetic properties and diffusion in
different body sites.

They said that the antimicrobial activities could be enhanced if the
active components were purified and adequate dosage determined for
proper administration. "This may go a long way in curbing
administration of inappropriate concentration, a common practice among
many traditional medical practitioners in Nigeria. This study
represents the first preliminary report on anti-methicillin resistant
Staphylococcus aureus activity of the crude extracts of these
medicinal plants in Lagos, Nigeria," they concluded.

Reasons some men collapse during sexual activities

Many people have, at one time or the other, heard news of men
collapsing and dying on top of women during sexual intercourse, but
only a few often bother to know the reasons such things happen. Many
of us even believe that such occurrences have spiritual undertones,
whereas, this is not always the case. Seye Adeniyi writes on many the
issues involved.

A man in his mid 30s recently collapsed on top of a woman while having
sexual intercourse with her. He was gasping for breath before people
rushed to the scene.

An eye witness, who was one of the people who took the man to hospital
and who also happened to be one of the neighbours to the female lover,
said the man finally gave up the ghost on their way to hospital. But
when an autopsy was carried out on the deceased, the medical report
revealed that the man died as a result of exhaustion because he ran
out of energy and strength during the marathon sex.

Speaking with Your Health, one of the neighbours of the dead lover
said he could not believe all the explanations given by the doctor
that led to the collapse and eventual death of the executive officer,
because the man was hale and healthy when he got to Warri four days
before the ugly incident.

According to the witness, the late executive officer drove in his
Mercedez Benz car from Lagos to Warri, Delta State, without any sign
of illness.

"So how could that young looking, handsome man have just died like
that during love making? I personally believe that the female lover
must have either charmed the man or she must have done something to
the man that eventually led to his untimely death. Therefore, I don't
believe the doctor's explanation of hidden ailments or underlying
diseases being responsible for the man's death," the witness stated.

Narrating her experience with her late lover during police
interrogation, the accused lover said she did not know what happened
to her lover, although she claimed that she saw the man taking some
medications prior to the love making and one of the drugs had an
inscription "manpower" (i.e. viagra) boldly written on it. Ngozi (the
young woman) also explained that there was a picture of a white man
having sexual intercourse with another white woman on the pack of the
drug and her late lover took the drug everytime he wanted to have
sexual intercourse with her.

The case is still with the police and Ngozi is still being detained by
the police, but she will soon be taken to court for prosecution.

But apart from this incident, several other cases of men collapsing
and dying on top of women during sexual intercourse had also been
reported on several occasions in different newspapers.

The big question then is: What could make a man or woman collapse
during sexual intercourse? What are the medical factors that could
make such a thing happen? Does such type of incident or occurrences
have any other interpretation (like spiritual interpretation) since it
is also believed in certain quarters, especially among the
traditionalists, that a juju called Magun in Yoruba (don't climb)
which some men often placed on women, especially those with an history
of promiscuity or infidelity, could also be a major factor of untimely
death for men who engage in sexual intercourse with such "ready"
women?

Your Health sought the opinion of medical doctors, natural medicine
practitioners, as well as spiritualists and herbal drugsellers and
several reasons were given as factors that could be responsible for
such an ugly incidenct.

In Dr. Akin-Odukogbe's opinion, during a chat with him in his office
recently at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Oyo State,
the importance of sexual intercourse between a couple cannot be
overemphasised because this is the highest expression of physical love
that two mature individuals, especially a couple, can enjoy. He also
said a satisfactory sexual relationship is expected between couples
because of the fact that satisfactory sexual intercourse makes a lot
of demand on the individual/couples' time, resources and energy.

The consultant obstetrist and gynaecologist said he would rather
prefer the issue to be discussed or X-rayed under the topic: "The
demand of satisfactory sexual intercourse" because of the ethics of
medical profession and for better explanation.

He however explained that sexual activities should not be seen as a
mere issue or joke because satisfactory sexual intercourse requires a
lot of time, resources, as well as deep concentration and anybody who
does not possess these qualities or attributes is advised not to be
involved.

Men, he said, get aroused more easily than women and it means a lot of
energy is required for this exercise. He declared that not having
sexual intercourse has not been found to have any medical effect,
contrary to the belief of some people that not having regular sexual
intercourse or not having it at all cause some discomfort, including
certain illnesses.

"But deprivation of sexual intercourse, especially in a sexually
active individual, either a man or woman, can however cause certain
psychological and social problems. Deprivation or lack of sexual
intercourse between a legally married couple can also lead to
"misbehaviour" in some individuals, but cannot cause any physical
disease or ailment," he further affirmed.

Sexual activities require a spirit of give and take and contributes a
lot to the well-being of individuals and their relationships. Also,
there could be profound physical changes that could happen to the
organs of the body such as the heart, resulting in some health
problems in those individuals who have some ailments in their body and
certain organs.

On how sexual intercourse can affect a man, to the extent of leading
to death, Dr. Akin-Odukogbe said, for instance, heart attacks and
possible death or fatal heart problem/attack can result at the height
of sexual activity because of the strain on the heart, which can be
likened to a person running an olympic 100-meter race without adequate
preparation or training.

Other factors that can make a person collapse and die during sexual
activity, as explained by the doctor, include breathing or bleeding
into the brain, stroke, among others. An individual with a
heart-related problem or illness who engages in marathon sexual
intercourse can also experience fatal heart failure and that is why
those with heart problem or hypertension should be careful to avoid
sexual intercourse/activities that could exhaust their energy.

According to other doctors like Dr. Kayode Akinyemi, Dr. Akin Dairo of
the Faculty of Public Health, University of Ibadan and Dr. Oye
Babatunde, the use of sex-enhancing drugs (e.g viagra) which many
people often referred to as manpower, which can be in various forms,
either orthodox and herbal, portends danger for the users, especially
men with high blood pressure or other heart-related-diseases. The
doctors said it has now become common in our society today to see men,
including the big executives, using sex-enhancing drugs to boost their
weak libido anytime they want to "meet" a woman.

"The truth is that many people today are experiencing or battling with
low libido which is affecting their sexual performance because of many
reasons among which are stress, fatigue and overwork. Some men are
losing their strength, there are high cases of low or weak penile
erection among men; there is an increasing rate of frigidity (sexual
coldness) among some women, as well as cases of erectile dysfunction,
all of which are traceable to many factors.

Men should be careful about the rate at which they use "manpower" or
sex-enhancing drugs because regular use of such drugs can overwork the
heart, exhaust their energy and lead to sudden collapse, heart failure
and brain stroke during intensive sexual activity.

It should also be noted that not eating well before engaging in sexual
activities can have serious effects on the body organs, especially the
brain and heart because sexual intercourse involves the brain to a
greater extent.

The use of alcohol to enhance sexual performance is also dangerous,
just as hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) can also lead to collapse
during sexual intercourse. Many people believe that drinking great
quantities of alcohol before sexual intercourse will help them. Such
people should know that it is a lie, hence they should choose between
their heart (life) and enjoyment.

The same thing goes for some herbal products which many people are
fond of drinking. Apart from their effects on the heart and brain, the
alcohol used in their preparation can also cause kidney and liver
problems like liver cirrhosis, kidney failure, among others.

Sexual activities require a light and health body, devoid of any
disease or energy-boosting drugs or sex-enhancing medication. "It is
also true that certain herbal concoctions are meant for libido
boosting. There is no point denying this fact, but the truth is that
their abuse can have serious effects because any sex-enhancing drug is
an aphrodisiac which can affect the heart as well," advised Dr.
Nurudeen Animasaun and other herbal doctors.

Moreover, it is not only those with heart problems that should be
careful to avoid vigorous sexual intercourse. People living with
diseases like diabetes, kidney disorder and other serious medical
problems, including those with the blood genotype of SS, should also
be careful to avoid vigorous, energy-sapping, marathon, sexual
intercourse. Their conditions can predispose them to exhaustion and
this may affect their heart and brain.

Professor Femi Soyinka, a medical expert and a HIV/AIDS prevention
crusader, once said 80 per cent of men lose their sense; when it comes
to sexual intercourse and anything can happen to a man on top of a
woman, including contraction of the Human Immuno Deficiency Virus
(HIV), especially in the case of those with multiple sexual partners.
Explaining further, he said "there are some men who lose their senses
when it comes to sexual activities or intercourse, to the extent that
they may even forget to wear condoms to perform the act, forgetting
that HIV/AIDS is real. Therefore, anything can happen to a man when it
comes to sexual intercourse," he stated.

Above all, men should be careful not to lose their life on top of
women and so should women. We should know that our state of health
matters most before we engage in marathon sexual intercourse. May we
never go back to our Creator through the same "canal" from which we
came to the world.