Study of Correlation Between Heavy Metal Concentration, Street Dust and Level of Traffic in Major Roads of Kano Metropolis, Nigeria

This study was aimed at evaluating heavy metal contents in street dust of five major roads within the trunk of Kano metropolis. The dust were collected from heavy traffic roads of the city which include Zaria road (ZR), Maiduguri road (MR), Katsina road (KR), Hadejia road (HR) and Bayero University Kano road (BR). Triplicates samples were collected and the number of vehicles that pass through each road was recorded for one hour. The metal concentration of the dust was determined using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). Strong positive correlation exist between the amount of dust collected and the number of vehicles that passed in all the roads except for Hadejia road with r2 = 0.32 which is less positive. The metal contents in dust of the five streets were higher than the WHO reference value. The positive correlation between the number of vehicles and metal type was significant (P<0.05) for Zn, Fe, and Mg in ZR, Pb and Fe in HR; Fe and Mn in BR, while between street dust and metal type was significant (p<0.05) for Zn and Fe in ZR; Fe and Cu in KR; Ca in HR and Fe in BR. The high positive correlation observed in this study may mean that the metals in the street dust originate from common anthropogenic sources. Higher than reference values of the heavy metals in street dust, indicate hazard associated with residing or conducting business along the major street in the city. The finding is in support of government effort in protecting its citizenries by prohibiting road site business

Effect of Calitropis Procera Aqueous Root Extract Against CCL4 Induced Liver Toxicity in Rabbits

The hepatocurative effect of aqueous root extract of Calitropis Procera on CCl4 induced hepatotoxicity in rabbits was studied in groups of rabbit and the levels of liver enzymes; aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Serum concentrations of total bilirubin and direct bilirubin were found to be significantly (p<0.05) higher in group induced with hepatotoxicity, with significantly (p<0.05) lower total protein and urea compared to the control group. These findings confirmed induction of hepatotoxicity. Three different dosages were orally administred (1.0g/kg, 2.5g/kg and 3.6 g/kg) twice daily for 9 days. The C. Procera root extract was found to significantly (p<0.05) reduce the serum levels of AST, ALT, and ALP, serum concentration of total bilirubin in rats with hepatotoxicity compared to the the control group and significantly (p<0.05) incerased the serum concentration of total protein and urea. These indicates the possible hepatocurative effects of aqueous root extract of C. Procera on CCl4 induced liver toxicity