Assessment of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) Levels in Two Commercially Important Fish Species from crude oil polluted Waters of Ogoniland and Their Carcinogenic Health Risks

This work was carried out to assess the levels of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAHs) in selected fish species. Concentrations of PAHs were determined in edible tissues of selected important seafood’s (Tilapia queneesis and Liza falcipinis) collected from three coastal water of OgoniLand, namely, Kaa, B-Dere and Bodo City. PAHs levels in the samples were measured by gas chromatography with flame ionization detector (GC/FID). The Average concentrations of these PAHs ranged from below detection limit of 0.0001 to 120 ± 1.18 µg/kg wet wt. in Tilapia queneesis and from 0.0001 to 78.6 ± 1.28 µg/kg wet wt. in Liza falcipinis. The highest average concentration of 120±1.18 µg/kg wet wt. was recorded for Benzo[b] Fluoranthene from Bodo City. Total PAH concentrations in Tilapia queneesis from Kaa were significantly lower (P < 0.05) than total PAHs concentrations in fish from B-Dere. Between the two fish species, Tilapia queneesis accumulated significantly higher concentrations (P < 0.05) of total PAHs.  High molecular weight PAHs (HMW-PAHs) were generally predominant compared to low molecular weight PAHs (LMW-PAHs). The LMW- PAH/HMW-PAH ratio was < 1 for species, indicating anthropogenic, and origin of PAHs in the OgoniLand coastal environment. With the exception of Tilapia queneesis from Kaa, Bodo City and Liza falcipinis from Kaa, benzo[a]pyrene concentrations in the fish samples analyzed exceeded the EU recommended limit of 2 µg/kg wet wt. for fish. The estimated carcinogenic potency equivalent concentrations exceeded the screening value for both species from all the study areas, indicating significant carcinogenic health risks associated with the consumption of these fishes. Key words: carcinogenic, Liza falcipinis, OgoniLand, PAHs, Tilapia queneesis

Hepatotoxicological evaluation of water-soluble fraction (WSF) of Bonny Light crude oil (BLCO) in Wistar albino rats

Background: It is common practice to pay more attention to the clearing of visible surface petroleum spills in streams and rivers which serve as the main source of drinking water in polluted sites in the Niger Delta area rather than taking cognizance of dissolved aromatic hydrocarbons and metallic ions which are major components of petroleum products. For this reason, the toxicological effect of the water soluble fraction (WSF) of Bonny light crude oil (BLCO) was evaluated. Methods: The range finding test was determined to be higher than 100% and showed no mortality or physical changes after 7 days. Wistar albino rats were exposed to three different concentrations (25, 50 and 100%) of WSF (BLCO) for a period of 28days. Results: Data from the study showed a significant (p 640.05) increase in liver marker enzymes [aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP)] and biochemical parameters (cholesterol, urea, total and direct bilirubin) in rats exposed to WSF (BLCO). Generally, the increase in the level of biochemical parameters was concentration dependent with rats in the group treated with 100% concentration showing the highest activity when compared with control. There was a marginal decrease in the level of packed cell volume (PCV) and haemoglobin (Hb) in rats exposed to WSF (BLCO). White blood cell (WBC) of rats exposed to 25 and 50 % WSF (BLCO) increased marginally whereas a significant (p 64 0.05) increase was observed in the group exposed to 100% of WSF (BLCO). The histological examination of rats exposed to different concentrations (25, 50 and 100%) of WSF (BLCO) were characterized by fatty change, inflammation of the cell whereas rats in the control group showed normal architecture. Conclusion: The findings of this study highlights the deleterious and toxicological effects of exposure to water polluted by dissolved aromatic hydrocarbons probably present in WSF (BLCO)

Co-administration of caffeine and hydromethanolic fraction of Citrullus lanatus seeds improved testicular functions in alloxan-induced diabetic male Wistar rats

Objective: To investigate the effect of Citrillus lanatus (C. lanatus) seeds and caffeine on blood glucose levels and testicular functions of alloxan-induced diabetic male Wistar rats. Methods: Alloxan was administered at a single dose of 150 mg/kg BW to induce diabetes. A dose of either 200 mg/kg C. lanatus or 100 mg/kg caffeine or both was administered daily to alloxan-induced diabetic rats for three weeks, after which results were compared with a normal control group and a positive control group that received both alloxan and glybenclamide. Results: C. lanatus seeds extract significantly decreases (P < 0.05) blood glucose level and significantly (P < 0.05) increased sperm motility, sperm count, normal sperm morphology, sperm viable cells and testosterone in plasma level of alloxan-induced diabetic rats treated with C. lanatus seed extract and caffeine. Conclusions: The present study showed that co-administration of caffeine and hydromethanolic fraction of C. lanatus seed extract have hypoglycemic effect and may consequently ameliorate the impaired testicular general architecture and inhibits sperm death or testicular damage caused by alloxan-induced diabetes

Toxicity effect of sub-chronic oral administration of class bitters® - a polyherbal formula on serum electrolytes and hematological indices in male Wistar albino rats

The indiscriminate administration of readyto- use herbal formulations has become a major concern due to their potential health risk. The study investigated the effect of class bitters® (CB) - a polyherbal formula prepared with <em>Mondia whitei</em>, <em>Khaya</em> <em>senegalensis</em>, <em>Capparis</em> <em>erythrocarpus</em>, <em>Thoningia</em> <em>sanguinea</em> and <em>Xylopia</em> <em>aethiopica</em> on serum electrolytes and hematological parameters in male Wistar albino rats. Two doses (500 and 1000 mg kg^–1) of the polyherbal drugs were administered orally to male Wistar albino rats for a period of 9 weeks. The results showed that administration of 500 and 1000 mg kg^–1 body weight of CB recorded a marked increase in the levels of sodium and chlorum when compared with control. However, there was a marked reduction in the levels of potassium and hydrogen carbonate. The results of the study also showed a significant (P≤0.05) decrease in the level of hematological parameters such as hemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cells (RBCs) and platelets levels in the male Wistar albino rats, when compared with control. The marked decrease in Hb, PCV, RBCs and platelets concentrations observed in experimental rats in this study suggest that CB may have an adverse effect on erythropoiesis. These observations therefore showed that long-term administration of CB might cause renal disease and anemia

Hepatotoxicological evaluation of water-soluble fraction (WSF) of Bonny Light crude oil (BLCO) in Wistar albino rats

Background: It is common practice to pay more attention to the clearing of visible surface petroleum spills in streams and rivers which serve as the main source of drinking water in polluted sites in the Niger Delta area rather than taking cognizance of dissolved aromatic hydrocarbons and metallic ions which are major components of petroleum products. For this reason, the toxicological effect of the water soluble fraction (WSF) of Bonny light crude oil (BLCO) was evaluated. Methods: The range finding test was determined to be higher than 100% and showed no mortality or physical changes after 7 days. Wistar albino rats were exposed to three different concentrations (25, 50 and 100%) of WSF (BLCO) for a period of 28days. Results: Data from the study showed a significant (p≤0.05) increase in liver marker enzymes [aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP)] and biochemical parameters (cholesterol, urea, total and direct bilirubin) in rats exposed to WSF (BLCO). Generally, the increase in the level of biochemical parameters was concentration dependent with rats in the group treated with 100% concentration showing the highest activity when compared with control. There was a marginal decrease in the level of packed cell volume (PCV) and haemoglobin (Hb) in rats exposed to WSF (BLCO). White blood cell (WBC) of rats exposed to 25 and 50 % WSF (BLCO) increased marginally whereas a significant (p≤ 0.05) increase was observed in the group exposed to 100% of WSF (BLCO). The histological examination of rats exposed to different concentrations (25, 50 and 100%) of WSF (BLCO) were characterized by fatty change, inflammation of the cell whereas rats in the control group showed normal architecture. Conclusion: The findings of this study highlights the deleterious and toxicological effects of exposure to water polluted by dissolved aromatic hydrocarbons probably present in WSF (BLCO)