Maternal consumption of an aqueous extract of hibiscus Sabdariffa during lactation accelerates postnatal weight and delays onset of puberty in female offspring

The present study was designed to investigate whether maternal consumption of aqueous extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa (HS) during lactation will affect the postnatal growth and onset of puberty in the femaleoffspring. Eighteen in-bred virgin female Sprague-Dawley rats aged between 10-12 weeks and weighing 125 ± 5.5g (mean ± SEM) with two consecutive regular 4-day estrus cycles were randomly assigned to one of three groups of 6rats/group. One group had tap water (Control); another had 0.6g/100ml while the third group had 1.8g/100ml in their drinking water throughout lactation (21 days). Results showed that HS consumption during lactation significantly (

Mechanism of the delayed puberty onset in offspring of rats that consumed aqueous extract of hibiscus sabdariffa during pregnancy

Consumption of extracts of Hibiscus sabdariffa (family: malvaceae) during pregnancy has been shown to cause maternal malnutrition which has been linked to various adverse conditions like increasedpostnatal weight gain, delayed puberty onset and elevated body weight and body mass index at onset of puberty in the female offspring. The present study was designed to investigate the possible mechanism underlying this. Eighteen in-bred pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were on day 1 of pregnancy, randomly divided into three groups of six animals each. Group A (control) was given tap water to drink. Group B was given 0.6g extract/100ml while Group C was given 1.8g extract/100ml as their drinking solution. All groups received normal rat chow and their drinking solution ad libitum. Fluid and food intake and dam weights were measured daily throughout pregnancy. On gestational day 18, blood sample was withdrawn from each rat for estimation of plasma Na ionand corticosterone levels. On the day of delivery, the solutions of the extracts of Hibiscus sabdariffa were withdrawn and replaced with tap water. After 21 days, the pups were weaned to tap water and food ad libitum. Pups weight and age and body mass index at onset of puberty were measured. The results of the present study showed that the increased postnatal weight gain, delayed puberty onset and elevated body mass index at onset of puberty in the offspring of rats that consumed HS during pregnancy was associated with elevated maternalplasma Na ion and corticosterone levels during pregnancy

Novel manganese colorimetric chemosensing investigations of Indigofera macrophylla Schum (Thonn.) stem and leaf dye extracts

Purpose: To determine the chemosensor ability of dye extracts obtained from the stem and leaves of Indigofera macrophylla Schum (Thonn.), a scandent or climbing shrub belonging to the family Fabaceae.Method: The dye extracts were obtained from the stem and leaves of the plant after optimizing the method of extraction, the concentration of base for precipitation as well as the contact time between base and aqueous plant extracts. The dyes were investigated for their colorimetric chemosensor properties using procedures such as screening of metals and non-metals, selection of analytical wavelengths, optimization of solvents, reaction temperature and time. Validation was carried out for the determination of manganese from aqueous solution by preparation of calibration curve, accuracy and reproducibility. Interference liabilities of the new method for manganese were studied in the presence of common cation and anions.Results: The dyes were obtained in good yield and gave pink colours. Spot tests revealed the selective detection of manganese from the two dye extracts. These two dyes; the stems (DS and leaves (DL) dyes of Indigofera macrophylla) proved to be excellent colorimetric chemosensors for manganese in an aqueous solution. Linearity in Beer’s law plot were obtained within the concentration range of 10-50 μg/mL (r2 = 0.996 and 0.999 for DS and DL respectively). Accuracy gave relative errors generally less than 2.0% while for the precision, the relative standard deviations were less than 0.8%. There was no interference with common cations such as Cr3+, Cu2+, Zn2+ and anions such as CN-and NO2-Conclusion: The natural dyes obtained from Indigofera macrophylla could be excellent sources of chemical principles for the detection and determination of manganese in aqueous solutions.Keywords: Indigofera macrophylla, Natural dyes, Manganese, Colorimetric chemosensor, Interference studie

Phytochemical and antimicrobial screening of Hybanthus enneaspermus and Paquetina nigricense

Phytochemical screening was carried out on aqueous leaf extracts of Hybanthus-enneaspermus [HE], Oldenlandia Carymbosa L [OL] and Paquetina-nigricense [PN], while antimicrobial screening was carried out on both methanolic and aqueous leaf extracts of the two plants. The result revealed the presence of Alkaloids [Flavonoids, Cyanogenic-glycosides among others], Tannin and reducing substances. The antimicrobial results showed that methanolic and aqueous leaf extract of OL possessed antimicrobial and antifungal activity as it inhibited B. subtilis, Proteus, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus albus and Candida. The methanolic and aqueous leaf extracts of PN, on the other hand also have similar effects like OL but at a different concentration. In addition, the antimicrobial activity of the two plants extracts decreases with increasing shelf life. The plants are usually used for several reasons in antenatal care by  Traditional Birth attendants in South west Nigeria

Improving Hydrophobicity of Tropical Hardwood along Axial Positions

Wood is hygroscopic and is considered dimensionally unstable materials when exposed to wet conditions. To increase the hydrophobicity of wood, this study focused on the modification of tropical hardwood (Triplochiton scleroxylon) along different positions of the stem using acetic anhydride The weight percent gain (WPG) was determined and acetylation reaction was confirmed with FTIR. The dimensional stability of the wood was characterized by water absorption (WA), volumetric swelling (VS), anti-swelling efficiency (ASE), and water repellent efficiency (WRE). Data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance at α0.05. It was observed that the weight gain (WG) by acetylation increases along the axial position (base to top) of T. scleroxylon wood. IR-spectra confirmed properly the substitution of the acetyl group. The treatment resulted in a marked improvement in the WA and VS, ASE, and WRE of acetylated T. scleroxylon wood were also found to improve considerably from base to top of the wood. It could be said that the WPG and hydrophobicity increased, but the percentage of water absorption and volumetric swelling diminished. Hence, the modified wood showed good hydrophobicity and improved dimensional stability

Insulin receptor and glucose transporter-4 expression in the skeletal muscle of chronically stressed rats

Background: Stress defined as a disruption in the normal homeostatic functions of an organism caused by stressor (a physiological or psychological challenge) is an unavoidable normal component of life. Previous studies suggest that stress hormones have acute adverse effects on glycaemic control. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of chronic psychological and physical stress on the expression of insulin receptor and GLUT4 transporters in male Sprague-Dawley rats.Methods: Male rats (12 weeks old) were randomly distributed into 3 groups: control, water avoidance stress (WAS), forced swimming stress (FSS). The stress procedures were performed between 9:00 and 11:00 am to minimize the effect of circadian rhythm and lasted for 28 consecutive days. Levels of insulin and corticosterone in the blood were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Glucose metabolism was assessed by glucose tolerance test (GTT) and insulin tolerance test (ITT), and expression of insulin receptor (INSR) and glucose transporter-4 (GLUT4) in skeletal muscle.Results: The FSS rats had decreased food intake as well as final body weight and without adverse changes in GTT, stress worsened insulin sensitivity in FSS rats and increased insulin in the blood. Stress also increased corticosterone, decreased INSR and GLUT4 in the skeletal muscle of both groups.Conclusion: Chronic stress evokes insulin insensitivity and impairs glucose metabolism through the down-regulation of INSR and GLUT4 in skeletal muscles.Keywords: Chronic Stress, Glucose Tolerance, Glucose Transporter, Insulin Sensitivity, Corticosteron

Assessment of pests control methods and its perceived effect on agricultural production among farmers in Kwara state, Nigeria

The study examined the usage of chemical and biological pests control methods among the farmers in Kwara State, Nigeria. A three-stage random sampling technique was used to select 120 respondents. A well structure questionnaire was used to collect the data for the study. Descriptive statistics and partial correlation were used in analyzing the data. The study revealed that all the farmers were aware of the cultural pest control method, while 73.3 and 17.5% were aware of chemical and biological methods, respectively. Also, it revealed that 44.2% of the respondents use the chemical method of pest control, 7.5% use the biological method while all use the cultural method of pest control. Television remains the major means of accessing information by the respondents. The perceived effect of pest control methods on shelf life, marketability, productivity and profitability of the agricultural product ranked 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th most ranked effect with weighted mean score of 4.26, 3.44, 3.39 and 3.20, respectively while perceived effect on pollution, loss of soil fertility and ecosystem imbalance were ranked 7th, 8th and 9th, respectively. There is a significant (p < 0.05) relationship between age, educational level, household size, farm size and the perceived effect of both chemical and biological pest control methods. The study therefore concludes that majority of the respondents have adopted the use of chemical method over biological method of pest control and that farmers have been using integrated pest control management. The pest control methods used were believed to have a positive effect on shelf life, marketability and productivity of their agricultural products. The study recommends the need to sensitize famers on the use and benefits of biological pest control methods as well as the adverse effect that might result from the excessive usage of chemical pest control method given the growing rate of its adoption. Key words: cultural, chemical, biological, integrated management, shelf life, marketabilit

Effect of stem bark hydroalcoholic extract of cocoa (T. Cacao) on liver function of Wistar albino rats induced with anaemia

The study investigated the effect of stem bark hydroalcoholic extract of cocoa (Theobroma cacao) on liver function of phenlyhydrazine (PHZ)-induced forty anaemic (treated) and normal albino rats divided into 8 groups of five rats each in the study. The activities of marker enzymes such as aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), were assayed. In addition serum total protein, total bilirubin, albumin were determined. There was a significantly (p<0.05) decrease in AST of anaemic not treated rats compared to normal control rats with the exception of serum total protein, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, albumin, ALT and ALP where no significant (p>0.005) change was recorded. In the group (anaemic rats) treated with bark extract of Theobroma cacao at the doses of 100, 200, and 500mg/kg, AST was significantly (p<0.05) reduced while there was significant (p>0.05) increase in serum total protein, total bilirubin, albumin, ALT and ALP. In the group (non anaemic rats) treated with graded doses of the extract 200mg, 500mg and 1000mg, there was a significant (p<0.05) of total bilirubin diect bilirubin, and AST while no significant (p>0.05) change was recorded. The study illustrate that the bark extract of Theobroma cacao possess antioxidant and membrane permeability properties. Dose of Theobroma cacao at 500mg does not have antianaemic potentials

Antioxidant Capacities and Phytoconstituents of Fractions of Ethanol Extract of Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf: Inhibition of Iron II (Fe2+) - Induced Lipid Peroxidation in Rat Colon Homogenate

Oxidative stress is associated with the generation of excess free radicals and reduction in the levels of antioxidant enzymes. It is also implicated in the initiation and progression of colorectal cancer. Cymbopogon citratus, commonly called ‘lemon grass,’ is widely distributed in the tropics and it is known for its therapeutic applications. In this study, the antioxidant activities of the crude ethanol extract of Cymbopogon citratus and its fractions were determined using total antioxidant capacity (TAC), 2-2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, Fe3+ reducing ability, total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC). The phytocomponents were determined through Gas Chromatography - Mass Spectrometry and lipid peroxidation was induced in rat colon homogenate. TFC and TPC were highest in the ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) > crude extract (CE) > ethanol fraction (EF) > chloroform fraction (CF). Both DPPH scavenging activity and Fe3+ reducing ability exhibited similar trend; EAF > EF > CF > CE. In addition, the ability to inhibit lipid peroxidation in rat colon is as follows; EAF> CF > CE > EF. The EAF and CF of the ethanol extract of C. citratus contain most of the compounds that could be responsible for its activity against reactive oxygen species

Carryover effect on carcass characteristics of growing rabbits from does subjected to feed restriction during pregnancy with or without vitamin E inclusion

Several studies have been carried out on quantitative feed restriction and its impact on carcass characteristics of growing rabbits and findings concluded that feed restriction helps in reducing carcass fat deposition in growing rabbits. Feed restriction during breeding periods have been carried out extensively in pregnant rabbit does, however, the carryover effect on the carcass characteristics of growing rabbits from does subjected to such feeding regimen have not been examined. A total of one hundred and eighty (180) weaned rabbits harvested from rabbit does subjected to maternal feed restriction (0% and 15% feed restriction) at three pregnancy periods (15-19 days, 20-24 days and 25-29 days) with or without (+/-) vitamin E were profiled for this study. Kits were randomly assigned to 12 treatments of 5 replicates, each consisting of 3 rabbits per replicate. Data obtained for carcass weight, dressed weight, chest, back, hindlimb, forelimbs, loin, back, kidney, liver, spleen, lungs and heart; these were arranged in a 2×3×2 factorial arrangement. Significantly (p<0.05) higher carcass weight and dressing percentage were obtained for growing rabbit from does fed ad libitum during pregnancy. However, significant influence recorded for carcass and dressing percentage cannot be attributed solely to the treatment during gestation since all results obtained were within acceptable or recommended ranges for healthy rabbits. Therefore, it can be concluded that maternal feed restriction during pregnancy positively influence carcass yield and dressing percentage of growing rabbits from does subjected to feed restriction between 20 – 24 days with or without Vitamin E was influenced (p<0.05)