Browsing by Author "Eboyu, Thomas"

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Antimicrobial activity of crude methanolic extract fractions from balanites aegyptiaca (L.) delile
(African Journal of Education Science and Technology (AJEST), 2025-12-15) Asio, Santa Maria; Gumula, Ivan; Lulago, Zedde Muwanguzi; Kigozi, Stephen; Ekakoro, Newton; Eboyu, Thomas
Microbial infections remain a major global health concern, with mortality rates continuing to rise each decade. Projections estimate that by 2050, antimicrobial resistance could account for up to 10 million deaths annually. This study investigated the antimicrobial potential of phytochemical groups present in crude extracts of B.aegyptiacaas a possible alternative for managing microbial infections. Plant materials (leaves, stem bark, and root bark) were collected from two local varieties of B. aegyptica which are tentatively referred to as the “sweet” and “sour” varieties growing in Ajeluk village, Katakwi District, North-Eastern Uganda. The dried and pulverized samples (100 g each) were subjected to successive extraction with n-hexane, dichloromethane, and methanol. The resulting crude extracts were concentrated using a rotary evaporator, followed by fractionation through silica gel column chromatography. Fractions were further purified using preparative thin-layer chromatography, with separated bands visualized under Ultra Violet(UV)light, eluted, and tested for antimicrobial activity. Test organisms included multidrug-resistant AmericanType Culture Collection (ATCC) Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Candida albicans ATCC 10231, and Aspergillus flavus ATCC 6275. The methanolic fractions demonstrated notable antimicrobial activity, with inhibition zones greater than 8 mm. Among the phytochemical groups, phenolics exhibited the strongest activity(23.67 ± 1.15 mm), while coumarin-containing fractions displayed the lowest activity (7.00 ± 0.00 mm). Statistical analysis revealed significant differences between inhibition zones of the phytochemical groups and the positive control (p < 0.05). Phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of phenolics, flavonoids, alkaloids, cardiac glycosides,and coumarins in the extracts. Overall, the findings suggest that B. aegypticacontains diverse bioactive compounds with antimicrobial potential, particularly against fungal pathogens. C. albicansand A. flavuswere more susceptible to these extracts than E. coli, highlighting the plant’s promise as a source of antifungal agents.
Determinants of antiretroviral therapy uptake by people living with hiv/aids during covid-19 lockdown at Soroti regional referral hospital
(Kyambogo University (Unpublised work), 2025-10) Eboyu, Thomas
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is still one of the diseases that has a severe impact on public health and economic development worldwide. The outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic in 2019 disrupted several services including health sector among others. Any interruption in the fight against HIV and AIDS leads to detrimental effects such as lowering the CD4 count level that may subsequently lead to an increase in new infections and death of patients, thereby hindering the achievement of the UNAID’s target of 95% of infected persons knowing their status, 95% acquiring treatment and 95% of patients being suppressed of the virus by 2030 in Uganda.. This study examined the factors that influenced uptake of Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) during the first Covid-19 lockdown in Soroti referral hospital catchment area in Eastern Uganda. Open ended questionnaires were used in a cross-sectional study to investigate the factors that influenced the uptake of ART. Patients’ records at the ART clinic were reviewed to obtain information on their ages and the number of ARV refills. Descriptive, bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify factors that influenced uptake of ART services. A total of 179 (91.3%) participants aged 18 years and above who visited the ART clinic three month before and three months during the first total lockdown participated in the survey. Of the 179 participants, 92(51.4%) were males while 87(48.6%) were females. Participants who mentioned services were available were more likely to take up the ART services than those who said services were not available (AOR = 2.039; 95%CI = 0.850 - 4.886). The study showed that females had the highest number of tests than males. Despite females, testing more than males it was found out that females (62.4%) missed more appointments than males (37.6%) during first total lockdown. The study found out that the access and availability of the HIV/AIDS services were reduced during the first total lockdown of COVID-19 period than before the COVID 19 period. There was reduced acquisition of treatment from 86.35% before the COVID 19 pandemic to 72.02% during the COVID-19 pandemic. Implementation of decentralized ART distribution mechanisms, such as community-based ART groups and home deliveries, to ensure uninterrupted access to medication during emergencies should be put in place.
Phytochemical screening and in-vitro antifungal activity of balanites aegyptiaca extracts against candida albicans and aspergillus flavus
(African Journal of Education Science and Technology (AJEST), 2025-12-15) Asio, Santa Maria; Gumula, Ivan; Lulago, Muwanguzi Zedde; Kigozi, Stephen; Ekakoro, Newton; Eboyu, Thomas
Fungal infections caused by Candida albicans and Aspergillus flavus pose major public health challenges, particularly in regions with limited access to effective antifungal drugs and increasing resistance to existing therapies. Although Balanites aegyptiaca is widely used in traditional medicine, its antifungal potential remains insufficiently studied. The study evaluated extracts against C. albicans, a causative agent of candidiasis, and A. flavus, a mycotoxin-producing fungus, to determine their therapeutic potential and relevance in managing fungal infections. Leaves stem bark, and root bark of B. aegyptiaca were collected from disease-free trees in Katakwi District, Uganda, washed, air-dried, pulverized, and stored under sterile conditions. Crude extracts were prepared via successive maceration using methanol, dichloromethane, and n-hexane. Qualitative phytochemical screening detected saponins, tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids, anthraquinones, coumarins, cardiac glycosides, terpenoids, and starch. Antifungal activity against C. albicans and A. flavus was evaluated using the agar-well diffusion method. Experiments were conducted in triplicate, and zones of inhibition were measured. Data were analysed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s post hoc test in STATA 14.0, with P < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Methanol proved the most effective solvent for extracting phytochemicals from B. aegyptiaca, yielding higher crude extract quantities than dichloromethane and n-hexane. Phytochemical screening identified alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolics, tannins, coumarins, cardiac glycosides, and phytosterols in leaves, stem bark, and root bark, with methanolic extracts containing the broadest range of compounds. Sour varieties generally had higher phenolic content than sweet ones. Antifungal assays showed methanolic extracts had the strongest activity, producing inhibition zones up to 23.67 mm against C. albicans and 23.00 mm against A. flavus, particularly in stem and root bark. Dichloromethane (DCM) extracts exhibited moderate antifungal activity, while n-hexane was least effective, except for some moderate inhibition of A. flavus by non-polar compounds. Polar solvents, particularly methanol, efficiently extracted bioactive compounds from B. aegyptiaca, with the sweet variety yielding more than the sour. Crude extracts inhibited C. albicans and A. flavus, suggesting combined plant parts may enhance antifungal efficacy.