Comparative study of artesunate, ACTs and their combinants on the biochemical parameters of male guinea-pigs

In this study, the effects of different doses of artesunate, artesunate/sulfadoxine/ pyrimethamine, artesunate/amodiaquine and their combinants (sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine and artesunate/amodiaquine) on the biochemical parameters- alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total acid phosphatase (ACPT), prostatic acid phosphatase (ACPP), urea, creatinine, uric acid and total cholesterol of the male guinea-pig were investigated. Basal serum ACPP value was increased from 3.50 ± 0.42 to 4.75 ± 0.85 and 4.75 ± 0.48 IU/L by amodiaquine and  sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine respectively at their subclinicaldoses. These values were significant at p < 0.05. Furthermore, the agents caused no significant effects (p < 0.05) on serum ALP and ACPT. Artesunate/sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine significantly increased (

Comparative study of artesunate, acts and their combinants on the hormonal parameters of the male guinea-pig

In this study, the effects of half, normal and double clinical doses of artesunate; artesunate/sulfadoxine/ pyrimethamine; artesunate/amodiaquine and their combinants (sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine and amodiaquine) on the basal serum levels of testosterone, FSH, LH and prolactin of the guinea-pig were investigated. The results of this study showed that the agents caused significant decreases (

Effects of vitamins C and E pretreatments on cadmiuminduced serum levels of some biochemical and hormonal parameters in the female guinea pig

Cadmium is a widely distributed environmental pollutant and toxicant. The present study was carried out to evaluate the effects of vitamins C and E on cadmium-induced serum levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), urea, creatinine, progesterone, LH and FSH in the female guinea pig. Animals were given single doses of vitamins C (1.5 mg/kg) and E (50 mg/kg) per oral and (0 - 8 mg Cd/kg ip) for 24 h. Animals were sacrificed and the serum levels of the above parameters were measured. Also, the effects of pretreatments with vitamins C and E on Cd-induced serum levels of the parameters were determined. Serum levels of all parameters were significantly (p ≤ 0.05) decreased in a dose-dependent manner in vitamins-treated animals, while they were increased in cadmium-treated animals, compared to the control animals. Furthermore, pretreatments with vitamins C, E and combination of both vitamins reduced the cadmium-induced serum levels of all parameters, which was most pronounced in animals pretreated with a combination of both vitamins, especially on ALP and progesterone levels. These results may be due to the oxidative and anti-oxidative properties of cadmium and the vitamins (C and E) respectively, acting through calcium and protein kinase C signal transduction pathways.Key words: Antioxidants, cadmium, pretreatment and vitamins

Perception of Morphological Dynamics and Planning Policies in State Capitals in South-South, Nigeria.

The importance of perceptive study in urban geography is to have a more holistic understanding of certain urban realities. This study therefore aims to determine the perception of morphological dynamics and planning policies  in the state capitals of the south- south. The study used semi structured questionnaire as a tool  to obtain data from the study population(house hold heads). The Taro Yamane formula was used in determining the sample size of the study. In all, 400 copies of questionnaire were distributed in the six state capitals in the study area with 393 copies recovered for analysis. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze the data. The result showed strong perception of changes in the structure of the study area and therefore recommended that the city dwellers be involved in the planning processes and implementation of planning laws. Keywords: perception, morphological, dynamics,  planning processes, state capitals

Antioxidant Activity of the Aqueous Crude Extract of Ocimum gratissimum LINN. Leaf on Basal and Cadmium-induced Serum Levels of Phosphatases in Male Guinea-pigs.

The antioxidant activity of the aqueous crude extract of Ocimum gratissimum Linn. leaf on the basal and traumatized (cadmium-induced) serum levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total acid phosphatase (ACPT) and prostatic acid phosphatase (ACPP) of the male guinea-pig (GP) were evaluated. Preliminary experimentation showed that the effects of the aqueous crude extract of O. gratissimum on basal serum phosphatases were slightly more in the oral than the intraperitoneal (i.p) route. Oral administration of 20mg of O. gratissimum caused a timedependent decrease in the basal serum levels of ACPT and ACPP without an effect on ALP values. The inhibitory effects compared to the control were maximum at 4 hours. Furthermore, O. gratissimum given orally, caused significant dose-dependent decreases (p<0.05) of the basal serum levels of ACPT and ACPP at p<0.05. Basal serum concentrations of ACPT and ACPP changed from 23.50±1.04 and 7.50±0.29 to 8.25±0.75 and 2.25±0.29 IU at 20mg, representing 65 and 70 % decreases respectively. In contrast, 0.25-8mg/kg of cadmium (Cd) given intraperitoneally, caused significant dose-dependent increases (p<0.05) in the phosphatase enzymes. However pretreatment with 5mg of the crude extract, which on its own had little effect on basal serum phosphatase levels, followed by i.p administration of Cd, caused a reversal of the Cd-induced dose-response curves on the various phosphatase levels to negative values. These results may be due to the oxidative and the antioxidative biochemical antagonistic properties of the agents used in these experiments. They may also be due to enzyme conformational changes and effects of eugenols and flavonoids in the crude extract of O. gratissimum

The Phytochemical Constituents, Analgesic and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Methanol Extract of Jatropha Curcas Leaves in Mice and Wister Albino Rats.

The analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of the methanolic extract of the leaves of Jatropha Curcas were investigated in mice and rats respectively. The phytochemical screening of the extract was also carried out. The analgesic effect was determined by acetic acid – induced writhing test in mice. While the anti- inflammatory activity was determined by egg albumin – induced oedema of the rat paw. Phytochemical screening was done by standard procedures. Jatropha curcas leaf extract (10-80mg/kg) caused a statistically significant inhibition on the egg albumin – induced eodema or inflammation in Wister albino rats with P < 0.001 (ANOVA). This effect was comparable to the observed effect with Piroxicam (0.5mg/kg) which was used as a standard. The effect was also dose- dependent. Furthermore, Jatropha curcas extract caused a statistically significant reduction in the number of acetic acid- induced writhing in mice, with P < 0.001 (ANOVA). These effects were also dose- dependent and comparable to the analgesic effects obtained with paracetamol which was used as a reference drug. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of Flavonoids, steroids, triterpenoids Alkaloids, tannins and saponins in Jatropha curcas leaf extract. Jatropha curcas can be recommended for acute inflammatory disorders and diseases associated with pains. This also supports its use traditionally as an anti-snake bite, rheumatism and anti- cancer or anti-tumor agent. Further study is on the way to find out the mechanism of its action and also to isolate, identify and characterize the active agent responsible for these effects in this plant

The Phytochemical Constituents, Analgesic and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Methanol Extract of Jatropha Curcas Leaves in Mice and Wister Albino Rats.

The analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of the methanolic extract of the leaves of Jatropha Curcas were investigated in mice and rats respectively. The phytochemical screening of the extract was also carried out. The analgesic effect was determined by acetic acid \u2013 induced writhing test in mice. While the anti- inflammatory activity was determined by egg albumin \u2013 induced oedema of the rat paw. Phytochemical screening was done by standard procedures. Jatropha curcas leaf extract (10-80mg/kg) caused a statistically significant inhibition on the egg albumin \u2013 induced eodema or inflammation in Wister albino rats with P &lt; 0.001 (ANOVA). This effect was comparable to the observed effect with Piroxicam (0.5mg/kg) which was used as a standard. The effect was also dose- dependent. Furthermore, Jatropha curcas extract caused a statistically significant reduction in the number of acetic acid- induced writhing in mice, with P &lt; 0.001 (ANOVA). These effects were also dose- dependent and comparable to the analgesic effects obtained with paracetamol which was used as a reference drug. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of Flavonoids, steroids, triterpenoids Alkaloids, tannins and saponins in Jatropha curcas leaf extract. Jatropha curcas can be recommended for acute inflammatory disorders and diseases associated with pains. This also supports its use traditionally as an anti-snake bite, rheumatism and anti- cancer or anti-tumor agent. Further study is on the way to find out the mechanism of its action and also to isolate, identify and characterize the active agent responsible for these effects in this plant

Antioxidant Activity of the Aqueous Crude Extract of Ocimum gratissimum LINN. Leaf on Basal and Cadmium-induced Serum Levels of Phosphatases in Male Guinea-pigs.

The antioxidant activity of the aqueous crude extract of Ocimum gratissimum Linn. leaf on the basal and traumatized (cadmium-induced) serum levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total acid phosphatase (ACPT) and prostatic acid phosphatase (ACPP) of the male guinea-pig (GP) were evaluated. Preliminary experimentation showed that the effects of the aqueous crude extract of O. gratissimum on basal serum phosphatases were slightly more in the oral than the intraperitoneal (i.p) route. Oral administration of 20mg of O. gratissimum caused a timedependent decrease in the basal serum levels of ACPT and ACPP without an effect on ALP values. The inhibitory effects compared to the control were maximum at 4 hours. Furthermore, O. gratissimum given orally, caused significant dose-dependent decreases (p&lt;0.05) of the basal serum levels of ACPT and ACPP at p&lt;0.05. Basal serum concentrations of ACPT and ACPP changed from 23.50\ub11.04 and 7.50\ub10.29 to 8.25\ub10.75 and 2.25\ub10.29 IU at 20mg, representing 65 and 70 % decreases respectively. In contrast, 0.25-8mg/kg of cadmium (Cd) given intraperitoneally, caused significant dose-dependent increases (p&lt;0.05) in the phosphatase enzymes. However pretreatment with 5mg of the crude extract, which on its own had little effect on basal serum phosphatase levels, followed by i.p administration of Cd, caused a reversal of the Cd-induced dose-response curves on the various phosphatase levels to negative values. These results may be due to the oxidative and the antioxidative biochemical antagonistic properties of the agents used in these experiments. They may also be due to enzyme conformational changes and effects of eugenols and flavonoids in the crude extract of O. gratissimum

Comparative and Interactive Studies of Aqueous Leaf Extracts of Ocimum gratissimum Linn. (Lamiaeceae),Vitamins C and E on the Basal Serum Phosphatase Levels of Male Guinea Pigs

The present study was designed to investigate the comparative effects of aqueous leaf extract of Ocimum gratissimum Linn. (Lamiaceae), vitamin C and vitamin E on the basal serum phosphatases- alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total acid phosphatase (ACPT) and prostatic acid phosphatase (ACPP) of the male guinea-pig. Also investigated were theinteractive effects of these agents on the biochemical parameters. Adult male guinea-pigs were divided into nineteen groups of five animals each and orally administered with different doses of O. gratissimum (11-352 mg/kg), vitamin C (1.25-80 mg/kg), vitamin E (75-2400mg/kg) and the last group (control) was given distilled water. Animals were sacrificed after 4h and blood samples collected and analyzed for ALP, ACPT, and ACPP. In another set of animals, O. gratissimum was administered 1h before obtaining the dose-responses of vitamins C and E and vice versa. O. gratissimum (11-352mg/kg), vitamin C (1.25-80mg/kg) and vitamin E (75-2400mg/kg) caused significant (

Cyanogenic content of "Gari" from some processing centres in Rivers State, Nigeria

No Abstract. Nigerian Food Journal Vol. 24(1) 2006: 135-13