Given the high exposure rate of humans to Aluminum (Al) and it toxic effects, this study examined changes in haematological parameters of aluminium-exposed rats treated with natural bee honey. Thirty Wistar rats weighing 150±5.50g were... more
Given the high exposure rate of humans to Aluminum (Al) and it toxic effects, this study examined changes in haematological parameters of aluminium-exposed rats treated with natural bee honey. Thirty Wistar rats weighing 150±5.50g were used for this study. They were randomly divided into 6 groups, (n=5): Group 1 (control), Group 2: Al(NO 3) 3 only; group 3, 4, 5 and 6 were also given Al(NO 3) 3 and then treated with 10 %, 25 %, 50 % and 100 % bee honey daily respectively. Al(NO 3) 3 was administered, intraperitoneally at a dose of 6.5 mg/kg. The treatment lasted for 14 days. Al-induced anemia was manifested via significant reduction in heamoglobin (Hb), Red Blood Cell (RBC) and Packed Cell Volume (PCV). Conversely, exposure to Al caused significant increase in White Blood Cell (WBC) count compared to control. However, treatment of Al-exposed rats with natural bee honey reversed the anaemic condition as evidenced by significant improvement in the values of haemoglobin, RBC and PCV and brought about significant reduction in WBCC. The antioxidant effect of bee honey was higher at 50% formulation. The result point to the potent antioxidant effects of honey against Al toxicity and strongly suggests that bee honey can be used to ameliorate Al-induced anemia.
The local population of Niger-Delta in the Southern part of Nigeria have used bonny light crude oil (BLCO) as a remedy for various ailments and are exposed to some extent to this widespread environmental contaminant or its metabolites... more
The local population of Niger-Delta in the Southern part of Nigeria have used bonny light crude oil (BLCO) as a remedy for various ailments and are exposed to some extent to this widespread environmental contaminant or its metabolites through the food chain. BLCO's hepatorenal toxicity was studied using oxidative stress indices to elucidate the precise nature and mechanism of action. BLCO was orally administered at concentrations of 0, 200, 400, and 800 mg kg 21 to adult male rats for 7 days. After exposure, kidney weight was unaffected, but liver weight decreased significantly at 800 mg kg 21 only compared with control. BLCO exposure resulted in dose-dependent elevation of serum aminotrans-ferases, total bilirubin, urea, and creatinine. Activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase decreased significantly, whereas c-glutamyltransferase activity and the level of glutathione increased significantly in BLCO-treated animals compared with control in both liver and kidney of rat. Renal activities of glucose-6-phosphatase and 5 0-nucleotidase markedly decreased in a dose-dependent manner in BLCO-exposed rats. In addition, the levels of hydrogen peroxide and lipid peroxidation significantly increased, dose dependently, in liver and kidney of BLCO-treated rats compared with control. BLCO-treated rats showed marked degeneration of kidney evident in cortical hemorrhages, tubular necrosis, protein casts, and cellular infiltration. However, no treatment-related liver histopathology was observed. The results suggested that BLCO elicits disruption of antioxidant status and concomitant elevation of hydrogen peroxide and lipid peroxidation differentially in liver and kidney of rats. The hepatorenal toxicity of BLCO could be due to induction of oxidative stress in liver and kidney.
Nigerian Bonny light crude oil (BLCO) is commonly used by the local population in folklore medicine for the management of various forms of gastrointes-tinal problems and male reproductive capacity. The study investigated the effects of... more
Nigerian Bonny light crude oil (BLCO) is commonly used by the local population in folklore medicine for the management of various forms of gastrointes-tinal problems and male reproductive capacity. The study investigated the effects of BLCO on the antioxidant systems of the testes and epidydimal sperm in rats by oral exposure to 0, 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg BLCO for 7 days. In testes and sperm, BLCO treatment at all doses significantly (p \ 0.05) decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activities, whereas it markedly increased glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) and gamma glutamyl trans-ferase (GGT) activities as well as increased glutathione (GSH), hydrogen peroxide, and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in all treatment groups. Although epididymal sperm number (ESN), daily spermatozoa production (DSP), and sperm motility were significantly decreased, total sperm abnormalities were significantly increased without affecting sperm viability at all dose levels compared with controls. The adverse effect of BLCO on TSN was noted at the 800 mg/kg dose only. Histopathology results showed treatment-related lesions of the testes characterized by severe congestion of interstitial vessels, decreased germinal epithelium, and increased number of vacuolization. These results suggest that exposure to BLCO, such as its use in ailment management, may promote infertility by altering the function of the testes and sperm, particularly by way of induction of oxidative stress.
A great number of production sectors in Africa that make use of maize, rice and wheat starches have carried out several experiments on cassava (Manihot esculenta) flour and starch, and found them to be potentially valuable substitutes.... more
A great number of production sectors in Africa that make use of maize, rice and wheat starches have carried out several experiments on cassava (Manihot esculenta) flour and starch, and found them to be potentially valuable substitutes. The benefits ranged from being a human staple food, constituent of animal feeds, and raw material in food processing, textile, pharmaceutical, detergent , alcohol and plastic industries to production of confectioneries like bread, spaghetti and chin-chin. The vast availability of this " white gold " in most African countries can be explored in order to fully maximize its potential as an industrial base for interested entrepreneurs.
The aim of this research was to determine the suitability of cassava (Manihot esculenta) and poultry manure (locally available resources) as substrates for the production of raffia and palm wine yeasts. Yeast growth was estimated as a... more
The aim of this research was to determine the suitability of cassava (Manihot esculenta) and poultry manure (locally available resources) as substrates for the production of raffia and palm wine yeasts. Yeast growth was estimated as a measure of their medium's optical density at 600 nm (OD 600 nm) after 36 h of growth. The various media used were formed from different combinations of cassava flour and poultry manure. The results obtained showed that the growth of the palm wine (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) yeast in the locally formulated media 3:2, 4:1, 5:0 [poultry manure (PM)(g)/ cassava flour (CS)(g)], and yeast extract-peptone dextrose medium (YPD) was 2.101, 2.830, 3.131 and 2.057 respectively. The OD 600 nm measurement of the growth of the raffia wine (Raphia farinifera) yeast was 2.912, 2.859, 4.000, and 2.110 respectively in the same media above. This shows that formulations 3:2, 4:1, and 5:0 [PM (g)/CS (g)] are highly suitable for the growth of palm wine and raffia wine yeasts when compared with their growth in the standard medium (YPD). It was also an indication that they contain adequate amounts of reducing sugar and protein which served as sources of carbon and nitrogen respectively, for the growth of the two yeasts (palm wine and raffia wine yeasts). The results of this study indicate that cassava and poultry manure are suitable substrates for yeast production.
Vernonia amygdalina Del. is one of the leafy vegetables that can be used in an attempt to alleviate the problem of micronutrient malnutrition, prominent in tropical Africa. In order to ensure availability in non-growing areas or seasons,... more
Vernonia amygdalina Del. is one of the leafy vegetables that can be used in an attempt to alleviate the problem of micronutrient malnutrition, prominent in tropical Africa. In order to ensure availability in non-growing areas or seasons, the vegetable needs to be preserved. Processing and preservation methods influence the nutrient content of vegetables. The present study was aimed at determining the effects of preservation on two different varieties of V. amygdalina (bitter) leaves (broad and small leaves). To this effect, evaluations were made on the chlorophyll content, phyto-chemicals, and antioxidant capacity of the two varieties of bitter leaf (V. amygdalina Del.) stored at 4˚C and −20˚C over a period of two weeks. Results showed a significant decrease in all parameters studied for both varieties at −20˚C except for the free radical reducing power (FRAP), DPPH radical scavenging activity (%RSA) and nitric oxide radical scavenging activity (%RSA) of V. amygda-lina broad leaves where increase in scavenging activity was observed. Thus, it was concluded that to preserve the chlorophyll, phenol, total soluble proteins and reducing sugar levels, preservation at 4˚C is recommended. The present study finding would be useful during short-term preservation of bitter leaves for soup preparation and/or its aqueous extract for ethnomedicinal purposes, especially the small leaf variety.
The exciting discipline of biotechnology has drawn the interests of traditional biologists, biochemists, microbiologists, medical and agricultural scientists into applying mathematical and engineering models to understanding biology.... more
The exciting discipline of biotechnology has drawn the interests of traditional biologists, biochemists, microbiologists, medical and agricultural scientists into applying mathematical and engineering models to understanding biology. Also, the biopharmaceutical, biochemical and agricultural industries are rapidly drawing from and applying the research results of biotechnology. Still, new industries relying on genomics are springing up daily to challenge the way things have been done.
The present study aims to assess the effects of the two kinds of farmyard manure (poultry and pig manures) as amendments for soil on cadmium (Cd) toxicity in plants using cowpea seedlings as plant model. Cd toxicity was evaluated by... more
The present study aims to assess the effects of the two kinds of farmyard manure (poultry and pig manures) as amendments for soil on cadmium (Cd) toxicity in plants using cowpea seedlings as plant model. Cd toxicity was evaluated by assessing the effect of the metal on the growth rate and antioxidant status as well as the ability of the plant to metabolise xenobiotic. There was a significantly (p < 0.05) increased concentration of Cd in the root, stem and leaves of cowpea seedlings grown in all the treated soils relative to control. Addition of poultry manure to the soil significantly (p < 0.05) decreased the level of Cd in these component parts of the seedlings and their corresponding bioaccumulation factor in a dose-dependent manner as compared with treatments with Cd pollution without manure addition and Cd pollution with pig manure addition. There was restoration of Cd-induced effect on growth rate parameters to levels comparable to controls in cowpea seedlings grown in Cd...
Background Our environment is filled with a mixture of toxic elements. Objectives This study seeks to assess the effects of exposure to cadmium and arsenic through the food chain on the liver and kidney of rats. Methodology Adult male... more
Background Our environment is filled with a mixture of toxic elements. Objectives This study seeks to assess the effects of exposure to cadmium and arsenic through the food chain on the liver and kidney of rats. Methodology Adult male albino rats were exposed to experimental feed of which the protein composition was made of fish exposed to cadmium and arsenic for 1 month at a concentration of 0.4 mg cadmium or/and arsenic/100 ml water for 1 and 3 months. Samples of feed and tissue were assayed for cadmium and arsenic load. Tissue homogenates were used for biochemical analysis and the estimation of the expression levels of mRNA of Bax and Bcl2 genes in the liver and kidney of rats were carried out. Samples of tissues were also used for histological analysis. Results Results show a greater accumulation of metals in the liver than kidney of rats after the 1-month exposure of which the trend changed after the 3-month exposure. Alterations in enzymatic activities and levels of MDA and GS...
Medicinal plants usage in traditional medicine has risen over the years. Musa paradisiaca has been reported that it possesses various therapeutic efficacies. This study is aimed at evaluating the effect of parts of the ethanol fruit... more
Medicinal plants usage in traditional medicine has risen over the years. Musa paradisiaca has been reported that it possesses various therapeutic efficacies. This study is aimed at evaluating the effect of parts of the ethanol fruit extracts of Musa paradisiaca on haematological indices and serum liver enzymes. Thirty Wistar rats were grouped into five groups of six animals each which were administered 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg of Musa paradisiac fruit (MPF) pulp extract or peel extract. Haematological indices and liver enzymes were assayed for at the end of the 14-days experimental period. MPF pulp and MPF peel at 400 mg/kg showed a significant (P<0.05) increase in red cell count and haematocrit level as compared to the control. There was a non-significant (P>0.05) increase in haemoglobin concentration in the treated rats as compared to the control. There was also a non-significant (P>0.05) change in AST, ALT, and ALP level of the treated rats as compared to the control. Fru...
