Suitability of the leaf extract of Jatropha gossypifolia as an anticoagulant for biochemical and haematological analyses

The extract of Jatropha gossypifolia leaf was obtained by crushing the leaf in a mortal and the fluid expressed out. The suitability of the leaf extract as an anticoagulant for biochemical and haematological analyses was determined. The anticoagulant effect of the extract was found to be highest at a concentration of 0.1 ml per ml of blood. Blood tubes with dried leaf extract at the stated concentration were used for obtaining plasma. Mean plasma glucose values obtained from fluoride oxalate plasma were compared with values obtained from dried leaf extract plasma. The values obtained for biochemical parameters with the exception of bicarbonate from the leaf extract plasma samples were significantly higher (

The effect of some fixatives on the staining ability of Sorghum bicolor extracts on tissue sections

The effect of some fixatives on the staining reactions of the extracts of Sorghum bicolor on tissue sections was studied in order to identify the most appropriate fixative for the stain. Tissue sections taken at postmortem were fixed in 10% formol saline, Carnoy’s fluid, Bouin’s fluid, Formol sublimate, Heidenhain’s susa and Zenker’s fixative. The sections were subsequently stained with Weigert’s haematoxylin and counterstained in acidified and neutral alcoholic extracts of S. bicolor. The stainingreactions after the use of all fixatives were the same; collagen fibres, muscles and red blood cells were stained in shades of pinkish-yellow. The active staining constituent of S. bicolor had previously been described as apigeninidin, a type of flavonoid

Extracts of Pterocarpus osun as a histological stain for collagen fibres

The staining ability of Pterocarpus osun extract on tissue sections was determined. 2 kg of P. osun stem was dried, milled to obtain a fine powder and a red pigment extracted from the powder with 1 L of 70% ethanol at 78°C for 24 h. The alcoholic and acidic extracts were used to stain tissue sections. Collagen fibres, red blood cells and muscles were stained in shades of reddish brown. Preliminary phytochemical screening of this extract revealed that it contained alkaloids, steroid ring, cardiac glycosides and reducing sugar.African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 4 (5), pp. 460-462, 200

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in sediments and fish from dredged tributaries and creeks of river Ethiope, South-South, Nigeria: sources, risk assessment and bioaccumulation

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are persistent organic pollutants that are ubiquitous in nature. In this study, the levels of PCBs were evaluated in sediments and fish samples obtained from dredged tributaries and creeks of River Ethiope. The work also assessed the possible relationship between the parameters and risks posed by polychlorinated biphenyls via several pollution indices. The mean concentrations of PPCBs on the sediments spanned from 645 – 3,977 µg/kg (wet season) to 252 – 1,219 µg/kg (dry season) dry weight. The concentrations of PCBs in fishes were 1,688 µg/kg (wet season) and 557 µg/kg (dry season). Higher bioaccumulation factors were observed with lower molecular weight PCBs than the higher ones (9 – Hexa – PCB, 8- Tetra- PCB). The results of the ecological risk (160 \leq Eri < 320), and human health risk (\geq 10-4 to 10-3-\leq 10-6), showed moderately to very high contamination and also moderately to very high cancer risk for children and adults. The strong positive correlation between PCB-114 and PCB-77, PCB-81, PCB-105 (r2 = 1.00, 0.99 & 1.00, p < 0.01) and the risks assessment values which ranged from 6.10 × 10-3 to 1.47 × 10-2 for children and 6.30 × 10-4 to 1.11 × 10-3 for adults (wet season), 1.04 × 10-3 to 2.99 × 10-2 for children and 7.80 × 10-5 to 5.61 × 10-1 for adults (dry season), showed rarely to adversely high potential ecological risk, biological effect and human health risk across the environment. The data show that higher levels of PCBs were observed in sediments and fish samples when compared with available standards. Considering the ILCR, hazard index, toxic equivalent, the sediments and fish obtained from these sites would be considered risky for humans. Dredging activities are majorly responsible for the high levels of PCBs across the sites. These have contributed significantly to the environmental status of the studied area

Histological and biochemical markers of the liver of Wistar rats on subchronic oral administration of green tea

Background: Few articles have linked the consumption of green tea to certain liver diseases but several articles have disputed these assertions and the consumption of green tea has been on the increase. Aims: The effects of oral administration of green tea on the liver of Wistar rats were studied in order to compare biochemical findings with histological findings. Materials and Methods: 36 male and female Wistar albino rats were grouped into 6, consisting of 6 rats in each group. They were given 1%, 2%, 3%, 4% and 5% concentration of green tea in tap water for 42 days. The 6 th group was on normal diet and received 0% of the tea. Their blood samples were analyzed for total and conjugated bilirubin, total protein, albumin, globulin, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase. The liver tissues were also processed for histological examination. Results: The liver tissues were essentially normal and similar to the control tissues. The biochemical parameters studied were also normal and similar to the results obtained from the control animals. Conclusion: Sub chronic consumption of green tea has no injurious effects on the liver of Wistar rats

Prelimnary observations on trace element contents of the skin and pelage of west African dwarf (wad) goat

Studies in the content of magnesium [Mg], copper [Cu] and zinc [Zn] were carried in the skin andhair of4 West African Dwarf goats. Each of the elements was found to be more abundant in the hair than in the skin. For each of the elements also there were differences in quantity from one region of the body to another. Some of these differences were significant at the 95% confidence level. On the whole magnesium was the most abundant followed by zinc and copper in that order. These findings are discussed in relation to the roles these elements play in ensuring the integrity and normal functioning of the skin and pelage of the animal