Olubanke Olujoke Ogunlana

Biochemical Characterisation of the Leaf of Morinda Lucida : Prospects for Environmentally-Friendly Steel-Rebar Corrosion-Protection in Aggressive Medium

This paper employs atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and phytochemical screening methods for biochemical characterisation of the inorganic and organic constituents of the leaf of Morinda lucida. AAS results showed that this well-known medicinal-plant is high in iron (Fe = 5143.54 µg/g), low in cadmium (Cd = 2.9506 µg/g) and does not contain chromium (Cr). Also, Euclidean hit-list from the FT-IR instrument suggests Morinda lucida leaf-extract contains S-, N-, Br- and O- containing heteroatoms. The phytochemical analyses indicated presence of tannins, phlobatannins, saponins, flavonoids and terpenoids. These results bare prospects on suitability of leaf-extract from Morinda lucida for environmentally-friendly steel-rebar corrosion-protection in aggressive medium. Preliminary tests based on this showed that use of 0.083 wt% cement of Morinda lucida retarded steel-rebar total-corrosion and eventually reduced corrosion rate as admixture in duplicated 3.5% NaCl-immersed concretes, relative to control samples in the same medium.

Correlation between body mass index and waist circumference in Nigerian adults: implication as indicators of health status

Background Anthropometric measures have been widely used for body weight classification in humans. Waist circumference has been advanced as a useful parameter for measuring adiposity. This study evaluated the correlation between body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference and examined their significance as indicators of health status in adults. Design and methods The subject included 489 healthy adults from Ota, Nigeria, aged between 20 and 75 years, grouped into early adulthood (20-39 years), middle adulthood (40-59 years) and advanced adulthood (60 years and above). Weight, height and abdominal circumference were measured. BMI was calculated as weight kg/height2 (m2) and World Health Organization cut-offs were used to categorize them into normal, underweight, overweight and obese. Results Abnormal weight categories accounted for 60 % of the subjects (underweight 11 %, overweight 31%, and obese 18%). The waist circumference of overweight and obese categories were significantly (P<0.05) higher than the normal weight category. There was no significant difference between waist circumference of underweight and normal subjects. The correlation coefficient values of BMI with waist circumference (r=0.63), body weight (r=0.76) and height (r=-0.31) were significant (P<0.01) for the total subjects. Conclusions The study indicates that waist circumference can serve as a positive indicator of overweight and obesity in the selected communities; however, it may not be used to determine underweight in adults. Regular BMI and waist circumference screening is recommended as an easy and effective means of assessing body weight and in the prevention of weight related diseases in adults. Significance for public health This manuscript describes the correlation between body mass index, waist circumference and body weight of two communities in Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria and the use of these anthropometric measures for body weight classification in human populations of the selected communities. This was carried out to evaluate the health status of the indigenes of the two communities for proper health awareness and public health intervention programmes.

Antiplasmodial activity of quinine-zinc complex and chloroquine: A comparative in vitro assessment

The evolving and complicating drug resistance exhibited by strains of Plasmodium falciparum to existing antimalarials like chloroquine and quinine (which are relatively more affordable than recent drugs) and advances in metal-drug complex research instigated this work. The antiplasmodial activity of the Quinine-Zinc complex (QZ) synthesized by a modification of the method of Singla and Wadhwa was assessed relative to that of Chloroquine diphosphate (C) in vitro. Measurement of antiplasmodial activity was carried out based on the inhibition of parasite growth measured by the inhibition of schizont formation in freshly collected infected blood samples from malaria patients. A comparative analysis of the antiplasmodial activity of QZ against C showed that its antiplasmodial activity was significantly better than that of C (p < 0.05). The result of this study suggests that the QZ could have a better therapeutic activity against malaria than C.

Investigating Solanum Aethiopicum Leaf-Extract and Sodium-Dichromate Effects on Steel-Rebar Corrosion in Saline/Marine Simulating-Environment: Implications on Sustainable Alternative for Environmentally-Hazardous Inhibitor

This paper investigates Solanum aethiopicum leaf-extract and the well-known but environmentally-hazardous sodium-dichromate inhibitor effects on concrete steel-rebar corrosion in 3.5% NaCl medium (simulating saline/marine environment). Different equal-concentration models (wt% cement) of the natural-plant leaf-extract and of sodium-dichromate were admixed in steel-reinforced concrete slabs from which electrochemical test-measurements were obtained for comparing admixture performance. Test-results, analyzed as per ASTM G16-95 R04, showed that only the 0.083% sodium-dichromate admixture outperformed the 0.083% Solanum aethiopicum leaf-extract in corrosion-inhibition effectiveness. The other natural-plant leaf-extract exhibited better inhibition-efficiency performance than their equal-concentration models of sodium-dichromate. The 0.25% Solanum aethiopicum leaf-extract exhibited optimal performance, η = 98.28%, at inhibiting steel-rebar corrosion among the also effective different concentrations of the plant-extract and of sodium-dichromate admixtures employed. These and phytochemical test-results bare indications that Solanum aethiopicum leaf-extract is a suitable, sustainable and eco-friendly alternative for the environmentally-hazardous sodium-dichromate inhibitor of steel-rebar corrosion in concrete designed for saline/marine environments.

Investigating Biochemical Constituents of Cymbopogon citratus Leaf: Prospects on Total Corrosion of Concrete Steel-Reinforcement in Acidic-Sulphate Medium

In this paper, the biochemical constituents of Cymbopogon citratus leaf were investigated by atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and phytochemical screening analyses for assessing its steel-rebar corrosion-protection prospects. AAS results showed that the leaf contained Fe = 4,641.025 μg/g, Mn = 849.5069 μg/g, Cu = 171.045 μg/g, Pb = 13.2938 μg/g, Ni = 11.5187 μg/g, Cd = 4.9310 μg/g, but Cr = 0.0 μg/g. FT-IR indicates the leaf-extract contained S-, N-, O-containing heteroatoms and aromatic compounds, which are rich in π-electrons and that are known to inhibit steel-rebar corrosion. Phytochemical screening results showed that Cymbopogon citratus leaf-extract contains tannins, phlobatannins, saponins, glycosides, flavonoids, steroids and terpenoids. Macrocell corrosion tests, as per ASTM G109-99a, showed that the plant reduced total corrosion in 0.5 M H2SO4-immersed steel-reinforced concrete samples. These indicated positive prospects of Cymbopogon citratus as an eco-friendly inhibitor of steel-reinforcement corrosion in concretes designed for acidic sulphate service-environment.

Body mass index and random blood glucose levels in a semi urban Nigerian community

Body mass index (BMI) is a measure of adiposity. A raised BMI is a risk factor for several diseases such as type 2 diabetes mellitus. Generally, prevalence and complications of diabetes is more pronounced in females than males as result of gender associated obesity. Our multi-disciplinary research group is involved in assessment and study of diseases and associated issues of public health concern in South western Nigeria. In this study, the occurrence of diabetes in a sub urban Nigerian Community and its relationship with BMI and random blood glucose (RBG) was assessed. In conclusion, we report a direct increase in BMI with RBG and age in the female subjects when compared to the males. The prevalence of obesity and diabetes is rising all over the world including developing countries such as Nigeria due to unhealthy lifestyles and dietary habits. Hence the need to discourage lifestyle patterns especially in women that predispose to obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Estimate of the incidence of bladder cancer in Africa: A systematic review and Bayesian meta-analysis

To quantify the epidemiology of bladder cancer in Africa to guide a targeted public health response and support research initiatives.

Assessment of the hepatoprotective activity of the seeds of Hunteria umbellata (Hallier F.) on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced liver damage in Wistar albino rats

This study was designed to evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of the seeds of Hunteria umbellata (HU) on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced rats. Rats of groups 1 (normal control), 3 and 5 were not treated with CCl4 while rats of groups 2 (negative control), 4 and 6 rats were treated with single dose of CCl4 (2 ml/kg) by intraperitoneal administration. Normal control group 1 rats were given distilled water, groups 3 and 4 rats were given 50 mg/kg of silymarin while groups 5 and 6 rats were given 500 mg/kg of HU. Treatment was administered orally for 28 days and sacrificed on the 29th day after an overnight fast. The weights of the rats were taken before and after the treatment. Blood samples were collected in heparinized tubes and biochemical analysis of liver functions and lipid profile tests were carried out on plasma. There was a significant change (p<0.05) in the levels of alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, high density lipoprotein and triglycerides of the CCl4 induced group treated with HU compared to the CCl4 untreated group 2 animals. The results obtained showed that the ethanolic extract of HU has hepatoprotective property.

Bioactive screening and in vitro antioxidant assessment of Nauclea latifolia leaf decoction

The phytochemical constituents and antioxidant properties of Nauclea latifolia leaf decoction were investigated. Dried leaves were extracted in ethanol. Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analysis was determined spectrometrically. The antioxidant activities were examined in vitro using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical, total antioxidant capacity and ferric reducing antioxidant power assays. Phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, anthocyanins, betacyanins, phenols, saponins, terpenoids, cardiac glycosides and quinones. The total lycopene, β-carotene, phenolics, flavonoid and alkaloid content were found to be 0.038 ± 0.01 mg CAE/g, 0.120 ± 0.04 mg CAE/g, 58.08 ± 0.58 mg GAE/g, 10.75 ± 0.17 mg RE/g and 0.32 ± 0.08% respectively. N. latifolia ethanol leaf extract demonstrated effective antioxidant activity against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl with an IC50 of 2.58 ± 0.08 mg/mL compared to 0.86 ± 0.02 mg/mL and < 0.01 ± 0.01 mg/mL for butylated hydroxytoluene and ascorbic acid respectively. Total antioxidant capacity and ferric reducing antioxidant power of the extract were 73.81 ± 2.27 and 1314.45 ± 197.64 mg AAE/g respectively. Excellent positive correlations between the phenolic content and antioxidant activities of the extract were observed. The leaf of N. latifolia is of therapeutic value and may be exploited for its rich antioxidant components.The phytochemical constituents and antioxidant properties of Nauclea latifolia leaf decoction were investigated. Dried leaves were extracted in ethanol. Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analysis was determined spectrometrically. The antioxidant activities were examined in vitro using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical, total antioxidant capacity and ferric reducing antioxidant power assays. Phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, anthocyanins, betacyanins, phenols, saponins, terpenoids, cardiac glycosides and quinones. The total lycopene, β-carotene, phenolics, flavonoid and alkaloid content were found to be 0.038 ± 0.01 mg CAE/g, 0.120 ± 0.04 mg CAE/g, 58.08 ± 0.58 mg GAE/g, 10.75 ± 0.17 mg RE/g and 0.32 ± 0.08% respectively. N. latifolia ethanol leaf extract demonstrated effective antioxidant activity against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl with an IC50 of 2.58 ± 0.08 mg/mL compared to 0.86 ± 0.02 mg/mL and < 0.01 ± 0.01 mg/mL for butylated hydroxytoluene and ...

The interplay of post-translational modification and gene therapy

Several proteins interact either to activate or repress the expression of other genes during transcription. Based on the impact of these activities, the proteins can be classified into readers, modifier writers, and modifier erasers depending on whether histone marks are read, added, or removed, respectively, from a specific amino acid. Transcription is controlled by dynamic epigenetic marks with serious health implications in certain complex diseases, whose understanding may be useful in gene therapy. This work highlights traditional and current advances in post-translational modifications with relevance to gene therapy delivery. We report that enhanced understanding of epigenetic machinery provides clues to functional implication of certain genes/gene products and may facilitate transition toward revision of our clinical treatment procedure with effective fortification of gene therapy delivery.