Hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activity of methanolic leaf extract of Morinda lucida on alloxan induced diabetic rats

Healthy male wistar rats(30) of average weight of 150 – 190gm were randomly distributed into 5 gr. oups of six each. Group 1, normal control; each given only 0.2ml distilled water throughout the period of study; group 2 diabetic control, induced 150mg/kg b.w., i.p., administration of alloxan monohydrate and thereafter given 0.2ml distilled water throughout the period of study; group 3 and 4 diabetic (i.p., 150mg/kg b.w. alloxan), rats were orally administered methanolic leaf extract of Morinda lucida at 100mg/kg and 200mg/kg respectively for 15 days. Group 5 diabetic rat (i.p., 150mg/kg b.w. alloxan) were treated with 84mg/kg /b.w. of chlorpropamide once daily for 15 days. Serum glucose levels were found to decrease significantly (p<0.05) both in groups 3 and 4 compared to the control groups. Hypolipidemic status was found to improved significantly (p<0.05) by decreasing the levels of serum total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TGs) and low density hypoprotein (LDL) in both the treated groups compared to the control groups. These reductions were dose dependant and compared well with the values obtained in the standard drug control group. Thus, results of the study indicate that Morinda lucida methanolic leaf extract can be potentially used for diabetics to control glucose and lipid levels.Keywords: Morinda lucida, Diabetes mellitus, hypoglycemic effect, hypolipidemic effect, chlorpropamide, alloxan monohydrat

Value Added Tax (VAT) and Its Impact on Growth of Adamawa State

The paper investigates the impact of value added tax (VAT) economic growth and development of Adamawa state from 2001 to 2014. Data for the study were sourced through CBN statistical Bulletin and Adamawa state Annual budget report and analyzed through the use of Ordinary Least Square Technique. The results of OLS revealed that increase in total actual revenue and value added tax (VAT) raised economic growth of Adamawa state. The coefficient of total actual revenue and value added tax (VAT) were statistically significant and consistent with the theoretical expectation. The F-statistics values in this study indicated that total actual revenue and value added tax (VAT) were jointly and significantly affecting economic growth of Adamawa state at 1 percent significant level. It can be seen from the result that economic growth of Adamawa state was highly susceptible to change in VAT than change in total actual revenue as shown by their coefficients in Table 4.0.1. This study also found that the major factor affecting economic growth of Adamawa state was value added tax (VAT) administration. This study, therefore, recommended that more attention should be directed towards effective administration of VAT in order that meaningful growth and development can be achieved in the state. This study also recommended that government and its relevant authorities should provide conducive environment for effective revenue generation in the state. Keywords: VAT, expenditure, economic growt

Antimicrobial properties of the leaf extract of Loranthus Bengwensis (specie of African Mistletoe)

Studies were conducted on the antimicrobial activity of the leaf extracts of Loranthus bengwensis (A specie of African Mistletoe), a medicinal plant used in the treatment of several ailments. The leaves of this semi-parasitic plant were obtained from three different host plants at different locations within Kaduna metropolis. The leaf extracts were obtained by soxhlet extraction. Using the in vitro cup plate method of agar diffusion technique, the activity of the leaf extracts was evaluated against viable pure cultures of Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella spp and Escherichia coli. The results showed slight antimicrobial activity of the medicinal plant extract irrespective of the host plant.Keywords: Loranthus bengwensis, Staphylococcus aureus, Zone of inhibition, Cup-plate method, Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC)Journal of Pharmaceutical and Allied Sciences, Vol. 9 No. 2 (2012

Comparative Phytochemical screening and Physicochemical characterization of coconut (Cocos nucifera) oils from two different locations in Kaduna State, Nigeria

The phytochemical constituents and characterization of coconut (Cocos nucifera) oils obtained from coconut samples in two different locations in Kaduna State were investigated. The coconut shells were removed and the fleshy parts chopped into tiny pieces, dried at room temperature and milled into a paste using an electric blender. The oil was extracted using soxhlet extractor/apparatus. The phytochemical constituents were determined using standard methods. Physicochemical characterization was carried out to determine the saponification value, refractive index, specific gravity, peroxide value and acid value of the oil. The results of the phytochemical screening showed that alkaloid, carbohydrate, saponins, glycosides were present in the sample obtained from Romi New Extension junction (sample 4), while flavonoids, tannins, steroids, anthraquinones, resins and cardiac glycosides were absent. For the sample obtained from Mando Market, flavonoids, alkaloids, steroids, carbohydrate, saponin, glycosides were present while tannins, anthraquinones, resins and cardiac glycosides were absent. Similarly, the results of the characterization revealed the following values for the two different samples, respectively: saponification value (263+ 1.05, 260+ 0.01), refractive index (1.47+ 0.01, 1.478+0.002), acid value (1.00+, 1.30+0.5), specific gravity (0.84+ 0.04, 0.86+0.07) and peroxide value (4.1+ 0.41, 3.7+0.57).Keywords: Cocos nucifera, phytochemical properties, physic-chemical characterizationJournal of Pharmaceutical and Allied Sciences Vol. 9 No. 3 (2012

Extraction and Characterization of Pectin from Peels of Lemon (Citrus limon), Grape Fruit (Citrus paradisi) and Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis)

Abstract: This research study aimed at comparing the characteristics of three different pectins and to see which one is more suitable for industrial applications. Pectin, which is a family of complex polysaccharides that contains 1, 4-linked x and β galactosyluronic acid residues was extracted using alcohol precipitation method from peels of lemon, grape and sweet orange after which it was characterized using both qualitative and quantitative analysis to determine and compare the color equivalent weight methoxyl content, each content solubility in cold and hot alkali, pH as well as sugar and organic acid. The result showed that the colors of the pectin from these 3 sources were the same i.e., Brown they were all soluble in hot and cold alkali and water, the moisture content, the methoxyl content and the ash were all higher in the pectin extracted from peels of sweet orange with 95.25, 5.79 and 35%, respectively. However, the equivalent weight of the pectin extracted from peels of grape was higher with 793.6 mg/mol. The overall results showed that the pectin from these sources were suitable for industrial use

Nutritional content of roasted Anacardium Occidentae (Cashew) nut

This research work was aimed at determining the nutritional content of roasted cashew nut namely moisture, ash, lipids, crude fibre, protein, carbohydrate and minerals. Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS) was used to determine the metals, while Kjeldahl and Soxhlet extractions were used for protein and lipids respectively. The cashew nut was found to contain protein 22.6%, lipids 34%, moisture 12%, ash 8%, crude fibre 10% and carbohydrate 11.4%. The mineral contents were: Mg 2.25, Cu 0.25, Ca 0.60, Mn 0.05, Zn 0.350, Fe 2.00 and Na 3.80 ppm.Keywords: Cashew Nut, Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry, Kjeldahl flask, Protein, Crude FibreJournal of Pharmaceutical and Allied Sciences Vol. 9 No. 2 (2012

Effects and Implications of Drug Abuse on Students’ Attitude to Learning in Federal College of Education Technical, Gombe, Nigeria

Drug Abuse is a physical and physiological disorder often resulting from persistent and excessive self-administration of drugs without regard to medically and culturally acceptable patterns. This research focuses on the effects and implications of drug abuse on students' attitudes to learning in the Federal College of Education Technical, Gombe. The resultant effects of this menace could be physical, social, psychological, and mental, while the implication reflects mainly the student's cognitive, psychomotor, and affective domains of learning. The most commonly abused drugs by students are types of Amphetamine, one of which is tramadol, popularly known as Tramol, and types of Inhalants. The effect is pervasive among adolescent and middle-late childhood youth. The common causes of this menace include peer group, lack of proper parental care and supervision, coping with the pressure of life, and making forget problems. In comparison, some of the signs and symptoms are the unusual use of dark glasses, odor neutralizers such as perfume, air fresheners, and chewing gum. There is a significant relationship between drug abuse and students' attitude to learning. Therefore, it recommends that the college authorities organize periodic or routine seminars and workshops for students on campus. The topic should include health education and counseling, among others, and to request the Government to impose heavy tax on any industry involved in producing such illicit drugs

Carcass characteristics and meat quality of Red Sokoto Bucks fed treated and untreated bagasse with or without enzyme supplementation

study was conducted to evaluate the effect of feeding treated or untreated bagasse with or without enzyme supplementation on the carcass characteristics and meat quality of Red Sokoto bucks. Sixteen Red Sokoto bucks averaging one year and weighing 10 ± 2 kg were used for the study. Four bucks were assigned per treatment and allotted to two dietary treatments with two level of supplementation in a completely randomized design. The enzyme was included based on the manufactures recommendation. The bucks were slaughtered and dressed according to normal dressing procedure and meat samples were analysed for moisture, protein and ash content. The result of the trial showed that there was no significant difference (p>0.05) in hot carcass weight and protein content between bucks fed bagasse with enzyme and bucks fed bagasse without enzyme. Bucks fed untreated bagasse without enzyme had significantly (p<0.05) higher dressing percentage (44.11 %) when compared to bucks fed treated bagasse with enzyme (42.58 %). The study concluded that treated and untreated bagasse with or without enzyme has no adverse effect on carcass and meat quality of Red Sokoto bucks