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Publication Open Access Cognitive-enhancing and antioxidant activities of the aqueous root extract of hypericum revolutum subspecies keniense (schweinf.)(Mount Kenya University, 2020-11) Yego, Sabul K. SimonCognitive deficit is linked to the brain dysfunction mostly manifested by loss or distortion of Learning, memory, attention and many other symptoms. These cognitive functions are normally Controlled by acetylcholine a neurotransmitter present in the amagdala, hippocampus and striatal Parts of the brain. Therefore, any damage to these parts or the inefficient activity of Acetylcholine results into cognitive deficit. Oxidative damage of the brain occurs due to the Imbalance between the reactive oxygen species and the antioxidants and has been implicated in The development of cognitive impairment. The management of cognitive deficits in Alzheimer’s Disease involves the use of conventional drugs such as rivastigmine, donezepil, tacrine and Galantamine. However, these drugs only relief symptoms without curing the impairment. In Addition, they are associated with adverse effects, are less efficacious and though not costly, the Cost of managing patients with cognitive impairment and related conditions is high. Therefore, There is an urgent need for an alternative that is potent, efficacious, safe, accessible, affordable in Terms of cost and curative. Plants are a potential source for such drugs with the desired Properties. Various plants including Hypericum revolutum subspecies keniense have been used In traditional medicine to manage cognitive deficits and related disorders. However, the efficacy Of such plants have not been scientifically investigated. Therefore, this present study was Designed to investigate the cognitive – enhancing and antioxidant activities of the aqueous root Extract of Hypericum revolutum subspecies keniense (Schweinf) as a potential alternative source Of cognitive deficit curing agent. In this study, the Morris water maze technique was adopted to Investigate the cognitive enhancing activities of the aqueous root extract of Hypericum Revolutum subspecies keniense (Schweinf) in the scopolamine induced cognitively impaired Mice. In addition, ex-vivo antioxidant efficacy in the brain tissue of the cognitively impaired Mice was determined following the MWM test. The mice which were treated with hrkaq 250mg/kg bwt took a significantly shorter latency time compared to the negative control (p<0.05) in the MWM test. Similarly, the mice treated with hrkaq 250mg/kg bwt showed Increased % activity of SOD and Glutathione antioxidants as compared to all the other groups (p<0.05). Moreover, the mice treated with hrkaq 10mg/kg bwt showed significantly low Concentration of hydrogen peroxide (catalase enzyme activity increased) as compared to all the Other groups (p<0.05). From the results, it is evident that the aqueous root extract of Hypericum Revolutum subspecies keniense has both the cognitive enhancing and antioxidant properties. The Cognitive enhancing effects of this plant could be attributed to the presence of antioxidant Phytochemicals which quench oxidative stress and promote health. Further studies aimed at Investigating agents that; inhibits fast iron accumulation in the brain in oxidative stress, Inhibitors of tau plaques, inhibitors of mediators of neuroinflammation and anti-Parkinson’s Disease should be done.Publication Open Access Antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of acetone leaf extract of Senna Singueana(Mount Kenya University, 2021-09) Mwarasi, Mwanamwinyi JumaEmergence of resistance among many commercially available antibiotics has dimmed all the efforts made in the antibacterial agent development. Many infections that results from bacteria exposure have as well resulted into development of other complications. The multidrug resistance has been ignited by misuse and improper use of the antibiotics. On the other hand the oxidation reaction in the body results into free radicals that have deleterious impact on the body. The increased concentration of these free radicals which are very reactive tend to attack the biomolecules resulting into damage and in some instances result into death of the cells or tissues. The increase free radicals results into a state of oxidative stress which is trigger in many conditions such as cancer, diabetes, neurodegenerative disorders and aging. The conventional medicines used in management of the bacterial infections and oxidative stress related conditions are expensive and in some cases have side effects and are less potent. Alternatives from plants have been identified as the savior to the current problems. Plants synthesized secondary metabolites that are pharmacologically active among many conditions. This has seen many plant being explored for their medicinal properties. Senna singueana has been widely used as an antimalarial agent in many countries including Kenya and Tanzania. This antimalarial property has been widely investigated by many researchers. However its antimicrobial and antioxidant activity is not well known. This study aimed at evaluating the antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of acetone leaves extract of Senna singueana. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated by the diffusion method employing the disc diffusion technique. The antimicrobial activity was investigated against four bacteria strains; three gram negative; Escherichia coli, Acinetobactor baumanni and Salmonella enteritidis and one gram positive Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureas. The antioxidant property was investigated by monitoring its free radical scavenging property using the DPPH free radical. The zones of inhibition at 100 mg/ml concentration levels were 14.00±0.00 mm, 12.33±0.577 mm, 12.00±0.00 mm and 13.00±1.00 mm for Acinetobactor baumanni, Salmonella enteritidis, Escherichia coli and Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureas respectively. Ciprofloxacin at 10 ug/ml recorded 30.00± 1.00 mm, 37.33±0.577 mm, 39.667±0.577 mm and 30.667±0.577 mm for Acinetobactor baumanni, Salmonella enteritidis, Escherichia coli and Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureas. The antioxidant results showed that the acetone extract was significantly scavenged the DPPH free radicals at concentration levels 500 ug/ml, 250 ug/ml and 125 ug/ml. The activity at tis particular concentration levels was was comparaeble to L-ascorbic acid and no significant difference was noted between them (p>0.05). The antioxidant activity of the acetone extract at lower concentrations of 62.5 ug/ml, 41.25 ug/ml and 15.625 ug/ml was lower than the L-ascorbic acid. In conclusion Senna singueana is a potential antioxidant and antimicrobial agent and can be taken as an alternative to the conventional drugsPublication Open Access A case study of antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of methanol rhizome extract of Beta Vulgaris (Beet Roots)(Mount Kenya University, 2021-09) Francline, Cheptoo AnastaciaThe huge cost of medication and treatment of many chronic conditions that are caused by bacteria and the oxidative stress as a result of imbalance between the antioxidant and excess free radicals continue to be a major hindrance to better health for many people. Addition to the cost, the increased side effects and toxicity of modern medicine and reduced efficacy that has seen many bacteria strains gain resistance are some of demerits of the conventional drugs. The increased use of medicinal plants has been witnessed recently. The aim of this has been to be able to get alternatives that are potent and safer at the same time. Recent studies have weighed in and shown that vegetables and fruits play a great role in disease prevention. The health benefits of these products has been nailed at the many biologically active compounds synthesized by these plants. Beta vulgaris is a common vegetable in many countries and many pharmacological activities have been reported. Based on its beneficial claims from various sources, the baseline of this study aims to investigate the antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of methanol rhizome extracts of Beta vulgaris. Standard methods for antioxidant and antimicrobial assays were used and the extract was evaluated at different concentration. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by DPPH radical scavenging method while the antimicrobial activity was evaluated by the disc diffusion method. L-ascorbic acid and Ciprofloxacin was used as the standard antioxidant and antibiotic respectively. Three bacteria strains; Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were used. The methanol rhizome extract showed antimicrobial activity against both the gram negative and gram positive bacteria. The extract inhibited more the positive bacteria; Staphylococcus aureus with zone of 14.5±0.5 mm followed by the gram negative bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa and E. coli with zones of 12.0±1.0 and 11.0±0.00 mm respectively. Ciprofloxacin recorded the highest inhibition against E. coli with zone of 38.5±0.5 mm, followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa with zone of 31.5±0.5 mm and Staphylococcus aureus had the least inhibition with zone of 30.0±0.0 mm. The antioxidant activity of the methanol rhizome extract recorded percentage radical scavenging activity of 88.983±0.141, 72.310±3.299, 20.007±4.366, 6.040± .317, 4.713±1.431 and 3.269±0.385 %. The antioxidant activity was high at 100 ug/ml and 200 ug/ml concentration level. The antioxidant activity of the Beta vulgaris extract was however, lower than that of the standard at all concentration levels. In conclusion the present study revealed that Beta vulgaris is a potent antioxidant and antimicrobial agentPublication Open Access Cervical cancer: Perceptions and barriers to screening among Somali women in Eastleigh, Nairobi(Mount Kenya University, 2013-09) Mohamud, Abdihakim