Aqueous extract of Terminalia avicennioides (Guillperr) ameliorates some pathological conditions in T. bruceibrucei-infected rats

The study was designed to investigate the ability of the aqueous extract ofthe stem bark of Terminaliaavicennioides(ATA) to alleviate some pathological conditions in rats experimentally infected with Trypanosomabruceibrucei. The treatment groupsconsisted: Extract treated group [rats (n=9) were infected (104 parasite per rat) intraperitoneally (i.p.) with the parasite and treated with 200 mg/kg b.w. of ATAfor six consecutive days; Negative control [rats (n=9) were not infected but administered 300 μL 100mM phosphate buffer saline pH 7.2, for six consecutive days]; Positive control group [rats (n=9) were infected with about 104 T. bruceibrucei and left untreated but given 300 μL 100mM phosphate buffer saline pH 7.2, as placebo for six consecutive days]; Standard drug group [rats (n=9) were infected (104 parasite per rat) and given (i.p.) 3.5 mg/kg b.w. Diminazineaceturate] and the Extract control group [rats (n=9) in this group were not infected but were treated (i.m.) with 200 mg/kg b.w. of ATA for six consecutive days].Both extract and standard drug were administered intramuscularly (i.m.) and the mean values of the haematological and organ parameters in ATA/drug groups were compared with those of the control groups. Results revealed significant (p<0.05) suppression of parasitaemia by the extract. Comparative analysis of PCV, Red Cells and White Cells counts showed slight alleviation of anaemia and leucopenia. There was no variation seen with respect to the Mean ratios of kidneys and liver obtained from experimental rats relative to animals’ body weights when compared among all experimental groups.However, splenomegaly seen to accompany the infection were alleviated in the extract-treated group as well as the group of infected rats treated with the standard trypanocide. Distortion of parasite morphology was seen in Giemsa-stained thin film smear of blood obtained from extract treated rats as seen via oil immersion microscopy. The findings suggest that interactionwith parasite membrane could be an early step in the mechanism of action of ATA when used as component of herbal concoction in the traditional management of African Trypanosomiasis.Keywords: Terminaliaavicennioides, Trypanosomabruceibrucei, Albino Rats, Anaemia, Leucopenia, Splenomegaly, Traditional medicine

Effect of Combined Millet and Cabbage Balanced Diet on Thyroid Function in Albino Rats

Goitrogens impair thyroid hormone synthesis but is not known if the goitrogen in millet will have antagonistic or synergistic effect on the goitrogen in cabbage. Hence the interactions between millet and cabbage was evaluated using different millet cabbage diet combination in rats. Millet (30%, 60% and 100%), Cabbage juice (30% and 60%), Standard diet were combined to give (10) feedings in three replicates with (2) rats per replicate, using a Randomized Block Design. At the end of 90 day, Serum TSH (mIU/ml) level was found to be significantly elevated (p<0.001) while Serum T4 (ng/ml) levels was significantly reduced (p<0.001). Serum TSH and T­4 showed similar pattern for 30% cabbage juice and 30% millet diet on day 90 and day 45. Serum thiocyanate (ng/ml) levels in the treatment groups were not significantly altered (p>0.01). Histopathological analysis of the thyroid gland revealed hyperplasia in rats with 100% millet, while those on 60% and 30% millet were less affected. The results showed no induction of goiter by millet and cabbage but clear evidence of hypothyroidism as shown by elevated serum TSH and decreased serum T4 levels. Keywords: Millet, Cabbage, Thyroid Function, Albino Rat

Effects of Caranium schweinfurthii fruit cake supplemented diet on growth characteristics in male Wistar rats

No Abstract

In vitro methaemoglobin reducing capacity of the methanolic extract of the root, stem and leaf of Sclerocaya birrea on human hemoglobin S

Red blood cells frrom individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD) are more susceptible with in vivo oxidative damage than are RBC from normal individuals. RBC oxidative damage in SCD is due to the inherent instabilty of hemoglobin S (HBS) as well as the impaired anti-oxidant defense system. The ability of the methanolic extract of S birrea to reduce the level of oxidative stress were eveluated in vitro. The results obtained shown that, the root methanolic extract significantly (p>0.05) decrease in the methamoglobin level at 0.8g/ml from 15.00±0.21% to 7.0±0.26%, while the stem bark significantly(p>0.05) decrease the level of methamoglobin concentration from 15.00±0.1% to 2.96±0.37%, at concentration of 0.8g/ml. The leaves extract gave a significant decrease in methamoglobin concentration from 15.00±0.1% to 3.63±0.05%. The findings suggest that different parts of S birrea possess antioxidant capacity by reducing the methamoglobin concentration to justify its uses in tradtional medicine againts sickle cell diseasesKeywords: Hemoglobin S; Methaemoglobin; Sclerocaya Birrea; sickle cell diseas

Proximate and Amino Acid Compositions of Commonly Consumed Native Soups among Nupe People of Niger State, Nigeria

Background: Soups usually accompany major Nigerian staple foods (swallow) and it is very essential to Nigerian food recipes.Objective: This study aims at evaluating the proximate and amino acid compositions of commonly consumed native soups among Nupe people of Niger state, Nigeria.Methods: A cross sectional survey was conducted to document the commonly consumed native soups among Nupe people residing in Bida and Lavun Local Government Areas of Niger state using stratified sampling method. The ingredients for the recipes of six (6)  commonly consumed soups were standardized in the laboratory, prepared and evaluated for some nutrient contents using standard  procedures for proximate and amino acids analyses.Results: The result shows that ash content of the soups ranged from 1.90±0.37 to 3.46±0.61 g/100g, crude fat content was from  8.17±0.28 to 16.49±1.95 g/100g, and the protein contents was between 4.43±0.59 to 7.81±1.23 g/100g. The carbohydrate ranged from 1.5±0.80 – 15.30±2.58 g/100g and the estimated energy value for the soups was between 109.35±2.21 – 188.97±14.74 kcal. Level of leucine ranged from 6.05±0.19 – 8.01±0.09 g/100g, lysine (3.44±0.06 – 7.05±0.06 g/100g), isoleucine (3.60±0.08 – 4.37±0.04 g/100g), and threonine ranged from 3.03±0.11 to 3.90±0.03 g/100g.Conclusion: The consumption of these soups could help contribute to daily nutrient intake and prevent protein deficiency related diseases in the people. Keywords: Amino Acids, Native Soup, Nutrient, Vegetable and Protei