Toxicological Effects of Cigarette Smoke on Some Biochemical Parameters of Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats

It is believed that while normal people may suffer complications of active and passive cigarette smoking, diabetes patients may suffer more. This study therefore aimed at investigating the toxicological effects of cigarette smoke on some biochemical parameters of alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Adult male Wistar rats (n = 8/group) were divided into three groups, 2 experimental groups group 1 was diabetic and exposed to cigarette smoke while group 2 was diabetic but unexposed and one control (group 3). Animals were sacrificed after 2 weeks of exposure to cigarette smoke and the blood glucose, total protein, total (cholesterol, vitamin C and malondialdehyde concentrations were determined. Diabetic rats exposed to cigarette smoke (group 1) showed significant increases (p < 0.05) in the blood glucose and MDA concentrations and significant decreases (p < 0.05) in the total protein, total cholesterol and vitamin C concentrations compared to groups 2 and 3. From the results, it could be deduced that exposure to cigarette smoke may increase diabetic complications.Key words: Cigarette smoke, glucose, diabetes, lipid peroxidatio

Inequality and female labour force participation in West Africa

This study examined the impact of income inequality on female labour force participation in West Africa for the period 2004 to 2016. The study employed the Gini coefficient, the Atkinson index and the Palma ratio as measures of income inequality. For robustness, the study also utilises female employment and female unemployment as measures of female labour force participation. The study employed the instrumental variable fixed effects model with Driscoll and Kraay standard errors to account for simultaneity/reverse causality, serial correlation, groupwise heteroskedasticity and cross-sectional dependence. The empirical results reveal that the three measures of income inequality significantly reduce the participation of women in the labour force in West Africa. The study also revealed that domestic credit, remittances and female education are positively associated with female labour force participation in the sub-region. Further findings reveal that economic development reduces the participation of women in the labour force in West Africa with the U-shaped feminisation theory not valid for the West African region. The study, however, revealed an inverted U-shaped relationship between inequality and female unemployment. Policy recommendations based on these findings are discussed

Antioxidant activity of Carica Papaya juice in diabetic rats

Diabetes the Killer disease known worldwide has been implicated to generate oxidative stress and Carica papaya has been suggested to manage this effect. This study was therefore aimed at evaluating the antioxidant activity of C. papaya juice in diabetic rats with a view of proposing a management scheme. Adult male Wister rats (n = 8) were divided into three groups: Two experimental groups; group 1(diabetic treated with C. papaya juice), group 2 (diabetic untreated) and control (group 3). Animals were sacrificed 14 days after treatment with C. papaya juice. The blood glucose, total protein, total cholesterol, vitamin C and MDA concentrations were estimated. The results showed that the blood glucose concentration significantly increased (p<0.05) in group 1 (diabetic treated with C. papaya juice) compared to group 2 and 3. The total protein, total cholesterol and vitamin C concentrations were highest in the control group compared to the experimental groups (1 and 2). Group 1 showed significant increase (p<0.05) in the total protein, total cholesterol and vitamin C  concentrations compared to group 2 (diabetic untreated). Group 1 (diabetic and treated with C. papaya juice had the highest MDA concentration compared to groups 2 and 3). The present study suggests that C. papaya juice has antioxidant activity that could be beneficial in the management of diabetes. However, C. papaya intake must be rationed since its consumption increases blood glucose concentration and invariably lipid peroxidation.Keywords: Antioxidant, Carica papaya, Diabetes, Lipid peroxidation, Oxidative stres

Investigation of some important phytochemical, nutritional properties and toxicological potentials of ethanol extracts of Newbouldia laevis leaf and stem

The pytochemicals, nutritional and toxicological potentials of the ethanol extracts of the leaf and stem of Newbouldia laevis was investigated in this study. The percentage yields of N. laevis ethanol leaf and stem extracts were found to be 7.44 and 3.30% (w/w), respectively. The preliminary phytochemical screening showed that ethanol leaf and stem extracts contains alkaloids, flavonoids and tannins. The quantitative phytochemical analysis showed that the leaf and stem extracts contained respectively: alkaloids (14.74 ± 0.06 and 6.27 ± 0.0 mg/g), flavonoids (15.51 ± 0.04 and 5.18 ± 0.04 mg/g), cardiac glycosides (6.77 ± 0.02 mg/g), tannins (1.74 ± 0.11 mg/g), saponins (4.07 ± 0.06 mg/g), steroids (41.72 ± 0.02 mg/g) and terpenoids (8.67 ± 0.09 mg/g). The following amounts of vitamins and minerals were found in the leave and stem-bark extracts, respectively; vitamin A (5.19 ± 0.00 and 3.01 ± 0.00 mg/100 g), vitamin C (2.35 ± 0.55 and 1.05 ± 0.08 mg/100 g) and vitamin E (9.33 ± 0.02 and 4.08 ± 0.11 mg/100 g); minerals: Mg (76.12 ± 0.04 and 54.25 ± 0.04 mg/100 g), Fe (16.84 ± 0.06 and 1.19 ± 0.03 mg/100 g) and Se (3.08 ± 0.03 and 0.29 ± 0.07 mg/100 g). The acute toxicity test of the ethanol leaf and stem extracts showed no toxicity up to 5000 mg/kg body weight.Keywords: Newbouldia laevis, phytochemical properties, vitamins, minerals, toxicityAfrican Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(40), pp. 5941-594

The Universal Basic Education (UBE) Programme in Nigeria: Problems and Prospects

This paper looked at the role of education in the development of a nation, noting among others that education enables people to be good citizens. It therefore saw the need for a qualitative education in Nigeria as such education is what empowers its recipients to be useful members of the society and prepares them for success in life. The paper traced educational development in Nigeria from Independence to the launching of the Universal Basic Education (UBE) in September 1999. The UBE was launched in Nigeria to address the problems that brought about the failures of the previous educational policies and programmes that existed before it. The aim was to address the agitations and yearnings of the Nigerian people for an educational system that would be more relevant to the socioeconomic, political and cultural background of the country. However, the UBE itself is also being bedeviled by a lot of problems. The paper examines these problems and considers the benefits of proper implementation of the UBE programme. Suggestions were made for a way forward

HYPOGLYCAEMIC AND HAEMATINIC PROPERTIES OF ETHANOL LEAF EXTRACT OF ARTOCARPUS HETEROPHYLLUS IN ALLOXAN INDUCED DIABETIC RATS.

Background: Anaemia is known to be associated with diabetes; moreover, with the increasing cases of diabetes there is need for the use of more affordable alternative herbal medicines for the treatment of diabetes and anaemia. The aim of this work was to evaluate the hypoglycaemic and haematinic properties of Artocarpus heteropyllus on diabetic rats. Materials and Methods: Ethanol leaf extract of Artocarpus heteropyllus was screened for phytochemicals and its acute toxicity was tested on mice. Induction of diabetes was done at a dose of 150 mg/kg body weight (b.w) (with exception of the control group). The extract was administered to rats for a period of 7 days at 100, 300 and 500 mg/kg b.w, respectively, following induction. Blood samples of rats were tested for fasting blood sugar (FBS), packed cell volume (PCV), white blood cell (WBC), red blood cell (RBC), haemoglobin, neutrophil lymphocyte and eosinophil counts. Results: The ethanol leaf extract of A. heterophyllus showed no mortality up to a dose of 5000 mg/kg b.w. Administration of the extract to diabetic rats resulted in a decrease in the FBS of diabetic rat, and significant increases (p< 0.05) in RBC, PCV, WBC and haemoglobin levels. Conclusion: The ethanol leaf extract of A. heterophyllus increased the haematological indices of diabetic rats. Our findings support the use of this plant as an herbal alternative in the treatment of diabetes and anaemia associated diabetes

An overview of anti-diabetic plants used in Gabon: Pharmacology and Toxicology

© 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Ethnopharmacological relevance: The management of diabetes mellitus management in African communities, especially in Gabon, is not well established as more than 60% of population rely on traditional treatments as primary healthcare. The aim of this review was to collect and present the scientific evidence for the use of medicinal plants that are in currect by Gabonese traditional healers to manage diabetes or hyperglycaemia based here on the pharmacological and toxicological profiles of plants with anti-diabetic activity. There are presented in order to promote their therapeutic value, ensure a safer use by population and provide some bases for further study on high potential plants reviewed. Materials and methods: Ethnobotanical studies were sourced using databases such as Online Wiley library, Pubmed, Google Scholar, PROTA, books and unpublished data including Ph.D. and Master thesis, African and Asian journals. Keywords including ‘Diabetes’ ‘Gabon’ ‘Toxicity’ ‘Constituents’ ‘hyperglycaemia’ were used. Results: A total of 69 plants currently used in Gabon with potential anti-diabetic activity have been identified in the literature, all of which have been used in in vivo or in vitro studies. Most of the plants have been studied in human or animal models for their ability to reduce blood glucose, stimulate insulin secretion or inhibit carbohydrates enzymes. Active substances have been identified in 12 out of 69 plants outlined in this review, these include Allium cepa and Tabernanthe iboga. Only eight plants have their active substances tested for anti-diabetic activity and are suitables for further investigation. Toxicological data is scarce and is dose-related to the functional parameters of major organs such as kidney and liver. Conclusion: An in-depth understanding on the pharmacology and toxicology of Gabonese anti-diabetic plants is lacking yet there is a great scope for new treatments. With further research, the use of Gabonese anti-diabetic plants is important to ensure the safety of the diabetic patients in Gabon.Peer reviewedFinal Accepted Versio