Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon, Haematological and Oxidative Stress Levels in Commercial Photocopier Operators In Lagos, Nigeria

Background: Human exposure to hazardous substances in the environment has been known to play an important role in the pathogenesis of some diseases. Photocopying machines have become a cheap source of self-employment in Nigeria. For obvious reasons the highest level of patronage is encountered in the campuses of educational institutions. However, the persons who operate the machines are always exposed to possible hazards associated with the job without protective devices.Objective: This study investigated the levels of oxidative stress, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) and haematological parameters in blood samples of photocopier operators.Methods: The experimental procedure involved 50 consented subjects selected based on some criteria. The haematological parameters, oxidative stress and PAH levels were determined using standard methods.Results: The results showed no significant difference (p ≥ 0.05) in the haematological parameters between the test subjects and the controls. However, there were duration on the job (yrs) dependent significant decrease in the level of superoxide dismutase (SOD) of the photocopier operators compared with the controls (> 5 years p≤ 0.0001; 4-5 years p≤0.001). The level of reduced glutathione (GSH) was significantly decreased across all lengths of duration on the job compared with the controls.Conclusion: The findings in this study revealed increased level of oxidative stress in photocopier operators with no significant change in haematological parameters. The health implication of operating photocopiers call for quick health education and intervention tailored to monitoring and guiding the photocopier operators. This will help to prevent or manage continuous exposure to the hazards of photocopying machines.Keywords: Photocopier operators, oxidative stress, PAH, haematology, Nigeria

Gastroprotective Effects of DAS-77 (a Phytomedicine) in Ulcer Models in Rats

Purpose: DAS-77 is a phytomedicine that contains the dried bark of Mangifera indica and root of Carica papaya. This study investigated the antiulcer effects of DAS-77 in rats.Methods: DAS-77 was administered orally twice daily for five consecutive days at doses of 50 - 400 mg/kg. Ulcer was induced in rats with ethanol, indomethacin, pylorus ligation (PL) and cold restraint stress (CRS). Ulcer scores were recorded based on examination of excised stomachs. Estimations of gastric content volume, pH and titratable acidity in the PL model and determination of the levels of antioxidants and malondialdehyde (MDA) in gastric tissues in the CRS model were also done.Results: In all the models, DAS-77 produced significant dose-dependent reductions in ulcer score. Peak effects were produced at the dose of 400 mg/kg with ulcer inhibition values of 98.57, 76.23, 99.28 and 96.70 % compared to 100.00, 93.79, 98.92 and 96.79 % for  misoprostol/cimetidine, respectively, for the ethanol, indomethacin, PL and CRS models. In the PL model, DAS-77 caused a significant increasein pH of gastric content but a reduction in volume and titratable acidity. At doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg in the CRS model, DAS-77 significantly increased the level of reduced glutathione (GSH) and diminishedMDA.Conclusion: The results obtained in this study suggest that DAS-77 possesses gastroprotective activity possibly due to reduced gastric secretion and acidity, and antioxidant activity.Keywords: DAS-77, Phytomedicine, Mangifera indica, Carica papaya, Gastroprotective effects, Ulcer

Analgesic activity of the aqueous leaf extract of Byrsocarpus coccineus

Byrsocarpus coccineus (Schum. and Thonn.) is used as an herbal remedy for earache, muscular and rheumatic pains in West Africa. To validate the claim of the users, the analgesic effect of the aqueous leaf extract of the plant was studied in mice and rats using acetic acid-induced writhing, formalin, tail immersion, and cold-water tail flick pain tests. The extract (50 - 400mg/kg; p.o) showed a dose dependent and significant (