C. U. Igwe

A Time-Trend Hypoglycemic Study of Ethanol and Chloroform Extracts of Strophanthus hispidus

Strophanthus hispidus Del., a plant widely distributed throughout the open African savanna, is used by ethnic, tribal people of Africa for various purposes, including the control of diabetes. To determine whether the plant was effective in the treatment of diabetes, a phytochemical screening and detailed study of ethanol and chloroform extracts of the leaf, stem, and root tissues of the plant were used to determine the effects of these extracts on blood glucose concentrations in laboratory animals. The phytochemical screening indicated the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, and cardiac and cyanogenic glycosides. Significant concentration-dependent hypoglycemic effects (p < .05) of both the ethanol and chloroform extracts were observed with the 50% extracts being more effective than the 20% extracts. The ethanol leaf extract showed a higher hypoglycemic effect (60.0%) than other extracts at 1 hour after extract administration. The 50% and 20% chloroform root extracts exhibited more prolonged hypoglycemic effects than those of other chloroform and ethanol extracts. The highest hypoglycemic activity was observed at 1.5 hours after of extract administration, with an increase in blood glucose concentrations noted by 2 hours after extract administration. This study concludes that the leaf and root extracts of this plant could be a source of a potent drug for the management of diabetes, especially in the resource-poor rural communities of Nigeria, and gives credence to the alleged folklore use of extracts of the plant in the treatment of diabetes.

Total amino acid profiles of heat-processed fresh Elaeis guineensis and Raphia hookeri wines.

Total amino acid (AA) profiles of heat-processed fresh Elaeis guineensis and Raphia hookeri wines were studied. Heating their fresh wines to 85°C, cooling and diluting to original volumes distilled off ethanol, but did not change their moisture and nitrogen contents. R. hookeri wine contained more (p<0.05) Phe, Val, Ala, Gly, Pro, Asp, Asn, His and Lys than E. guineensis wine which contained more (p<0.05) Met, Cys, Glu, Gln, Ser and Arg. Tyrosine, Leu, Ile and Thr contents did not vary (p>0.05). Glycine and Pro contents were low suggesting high globular protein concentrations. ∑basic AA/∑acidic AA ratios were >1 suggesting high basic protein contents. The E. guineensis and R. hookeri wines contained 58.25 ± 0.56% and 56.79 ± 0.4% essential AAs, respectively. Essential AA scores suggested Leu as their limiting AA. In conclusion, the wines can adequately meet daily nitrogen and essential AA needs when a 70 kg adult drinks 1425.45 ml.

Evaluation of the Amino Acid Profile and Haemoglobin Polymerization Inhibition Potential of Some Nigerian Legumes

The amino acid profile and the effects of the seed extracts of Sphenostylis sternocarpa , Monodora myristica and Mucuna sloanei were studied based on their ability to inhibit haemoglobin polymerization and improve the Fe 2+ /Fe 3+ ratio of sickle cell erythrocytes. The samples were fractionated into crude aqueous extract (CAE), fat-soluble (FAS), butanol-soluble (BUS) and water-soluble (WAS) fractions. The CAEs of the samples ranked highest in amino acid content in the range of S. sternocarpa (7.12 ± 0.00 g/100g)>M. myristica (6.00 ± 0.15 g/100g)>M. sloanei (3.56 ± 0.21 g/100g). The amino acids identified in appreciable quantities in the seed samples included Phe, Leu, Val, Ile, His, Arg, Tyr, Met, among others. The extracts inhibited polymerization to varying degrees with CAE of both S. sternocarpa and M. myristica , as well as the WAS of M. myristica eliciting significantly (p<0.05) high percent inhibition of polymerization when compared with Phe standard. The extracts improved the Fe 2+ /Fe 3+ ratio of HbSS blood from 1.36% for CAE of M. sloanei to 85.04% for CAE of S. sternocarpa ; and from 11.03% for WAS of S. sternocarpa to 36.08% for WAS of M. sloanei . These legumes could, therefore, have immense nutritional and therapeutic importance in the management of sickle cell disease and other related diseases.

Atherogenic and Haematologic Indices of Paracetamol- Overdosed Albino RatsTreated With Aqueous Leaf Extracts of Euphorbia Heterophylla and JatrophaCurcas

Objective: The protective effect of aqueous leaf extracts of Euphorbia Heterophylla and Jatropha Curcas against paracetamol-induced acute changes in lipid, atherogenic and haematologic parameters of albino rats were studied. Methodology: Twenty-five adult male albino rats weighing 180 to 200 g were randomly assigned into 5 experimental groups (I-V) of five animals each. Group I animals were administered 10 ml of distilled water, while group II rats were given 1000 mg/kg paracetamol. Groups III-V were pretreated with vitamin C (500 mg/kg), E. heterophylla (200 mg/kg) and J.curcas (1000 mg/kg) respectively, 1 h before administration of 1000 mg/kg paracetamol. The animals were orally administered the extracts/drugs daily for 14 days. Result: Paracetamol administration reduced significantly (p 0.05) countered the observed effects of paracetamol overdose more than the extracts of E. heterophylla and J.curcas. Acute paracetamol overdose did not significantly (p>0.05) affect most of the atherogenic risk predictor indices and haematological parameters studied. Conclusion: The results indicate that atherogenic and haematologic indices were less responsive than lipid parameters to paracetamol-induced toxicity. Furthermore, aqueous leaf extracts of E. heterophylla and J.curcas had less protective effect than vitamin C against serum lipidaemic changes induced by paracetamol.

Effect of Ethanol Leaf Extract of Moringa oleifera on Oxidative Stress andAtherogenic Indices of Otapiapia-Exposed Albino Rats

Objective: Otapiapia is a locally produced, easily accessible, non-regulated household pesticide, which could easily contaminate human food. The ameliorative effect of ethanol leaf extract of Moringa oliefera on otapiapiainduced changes in oxidative stress, lipid profile and atherogenic indices of albino rats was investigated using standard methods. Methodology: Twenty-four apparently healthy Wister male albino rats (150-180 g) were divided into 4 groups (IIV) of 6 animals each. Group I served as the control, while group II animals were given otapiapia contaminated feed and distilled water. Group III were fed uncontaminated diet and M. oleifera extract drink. Group IV animals were also given the contaminated diet and M. oliefera extract. The feed and drinks were provided ad libitum for a period of 14 days. Result: The results show that intake of otapiapia significantly (p<0.05) reduced serum superoxide dismutase and catalase activities and HDL-c concentration but increased significantly (p<0.05) the concentrations of malondialdehyde, total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, LDL-c and VLDL-c. The derangements were significantly more pronounced in the atherogenic predictor indices than with lipid profile values. The observed effects of otapiapia were significantly (p<0.05) countered by administration of M. oliefera leaf extract. Conclusion: The results indicate that M. oleifera is a potent anti-poison with ameliorative effect against otapiapia-induced changes in biomarkers of oxidative and atherogenic damages in animals.

Detoxification potentials of an alcoholic bitter on carbon tetrachloride-induced oxidative damage in wistar albino rats

The increased demand for herbal remedies and natural quest for alcohol consumption has positioned alcoholic herbal preparations (bitters) as ideal drink. Bitters are acclaimed to have blood detoxifying and liver cleansing potentials. This study investigated the acclaimed detoxifying potentials of an alcoholic bitter (AB) on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced toxicity. Twenty five male Wistar albino rats were grouped and treated, thus: group I served as normal control, groups II, IV and V were given single dose of 1.2 ml CCl4/kg body weight (bwt). Groups IV and V were administered 1.4 and 2.8 ml AB/kg bwt, respectively, while group III animals were administered 1.4 ml AB/kg bwt. Results obtained showed significant (p<0.05) increase in lipid peroxidation and in activities of liver function enzymes, reductions in glutathione concentration and activities of catalase, glutathione peroxidase and reductase in groups administered AB and CCl4 only as well as in groups treated with AB after CCl4 exposure. These observations indicate manifestation of oxidative stress induced by excessive consumption of high percentage alcoholic content of the bitter. Similarly, the result trends of other antioxidant parameters studied indicated significant oxidative damage and thus the inability of the alcoholic bitter to ameliorate xenobiotics induced damage. Key words: Alcohol, bitters, toxicants, oxidative stress, hepatotoxicity, xenobiotics.

Renal and Hepato-Protective Effects of Irvingia gabonensis Juice on SodiumFluoride-Induced Toxicity in Wistar Rats

Objective: Renal and hepato-protective effects of Irvingia gabonensis juice on sodium fluoride-induced toxicity was assessed in twenty-four male Wistar albino rats. Methodology: The rats were divided into 4 groups of 6 animals each. All except normal control (NC), were intoxicated with 20 mg.Kg-1 body weight of sodium fluoride (NaF) daily by gavage for 35 days. Sodium fluoride control group (NaFC) received only the toxicant. Test group (IG) received I. gabonensis juice concurrently with the toxicant, while the standard control (Q+Vit. E) received concurrently, 15 mg.Kg-1 body weight of Quercetin+100 mg.Kg-1 body weight of α-tocopherol throughout the 35 days. Normal control (NC) group received only standard pelletized diet and water. Serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total protein, albumin, total cholesterol, serum creatinine and electrolyte levels were assessed among test, standard and control animals. Result: Irvingia gabonensis significantly (p<0.05) reduced AST activity in the IG group (137.68 ± 12.66 U/L) compared to NaFC group (175.12 ± 10.63 U/L). This compares to the reduction in the AST activity in standard (Q +Vit. E) group (135.69 ± 10.66 U/L). ALT activity was also reduced in the IG group. Effects of I. gabonensis on albumin and cholesterol levels were similar to that of the standard group. Administration of I. gabonensis also significantly (p<0.002) reduced elevated creatinine and Cl- concentrations, while significantly (p<0.05) elevating serum Ca2+ and Mg2+ ion levels. Conclusion: Irvingia gabonensis fruit juice has some renal and hepato-protective potential which may be due to the presence of secondary plant metabolites like flavonoids, tannins and alkaloids found in the plant. The fruit is also rich in Ca2+ and Mg2+. Increased domestication is encouraged.

Total Colony Counts of Some Microorganisms in Soil Samples Exposed to Electromagnetic Radiations from Mobile Phones

Effect of electromagnetic radiations (EMR) from mobile phones on some soil bacterial ( Bacillus, Micrococcus, Staphylococcus, Corynebacterium and Enterococcus) and fungi ( Saccharomyces, Penicillium and Geotrichum) strains were studied. At the study periods of 0, 30, 60, and 90 days, the total colony counts (CFU/g) and viability ratios of Bacteria and fungi strains were determined on both the EMR unexposed and exposed soil samples. At the exposure per iods of 30, 60, and 90 days, the mean total colony counts of all the organisms in the EMR exposed samples were statistically (p<0.05) lower than those of the EMR unexposed samples. The percentage changes in total colony counts of the EMR unexposed and expo sed soil samples between 0 to 90 days for Bacillus, Micrococcus, Staphylococcus, Corynebacterium, Enterococcus, Saccharomyces, Penicillium and Geotrichum were 2.54% and - 70.51%, 33.18% and - 75.80%, 11.79% and - 63.93%, 20.12% and - 91.96%, 30.00% and - 98.94% , 62.36% and - 61.06%, 42.40% and - 100%, and