Possible Changes in Heavy metals Bioaccumulation in Fish Liver in selected Rivers of Ebonyi state

This study examined possible changes in fish liver caused by heavy metals bioaccumulation in selected rivers of Ebonyi State. The livers of sampled fishes were dissected and cleaned with HNO3 and washed with de-ionized water, dried at 1050C for about 12 hours. Samples for metal bioaccumulation were taken from each fish and delivered for analyses at 11TA laboratory. Data collected were subjected to line graphs analysis. The result showed a considerable fluctuation of cadmium in varying magnitudes. Chromium bioaccumulation varied in fish liver from month to month and increased as age of fish increased. Mkpuma fish liver showed highest lead bioaccumulation from 10.5 – 24.5ppm followed by Ameka Dam 10.8 – 9.6ppm with the two controls lying between the ranges of 5.0 – 9.6ppm. Arsenic accumulation in the liver of fishes harvested from the five locations showed bioaccumulation from April to December before encroachment. This dropped as encroachment took place between January – March 2011 and took the same trend in 2012 with the exception of Mkpuma fish liver that did not witness any encroachment. Among the recommendations of the researcher was that; there should be periodic monitoring of the rivers to avoid waste disposal which could lead to heavy metals bioaccumulation.keywords: heavy, metals, bioaccumulation, fish, river, live

ANTIDIARRHEAL POTENTIALS OF SCHWENCKIA AMERICANA L. (SOLANACEAE): A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE AERIAL PART AND ROOT EXTRACTS

Objective: Schwenckia americana L. (Solanaceae) is employed as a decoction of either the leaves, roots or the whole plant in the treatment of diarrhoea in most West African countries. Using a comparative study approach, the antidiarrheal potentials of its aerial part and root extracts were evaluated to substantiate its local use in diarrhoea management.Methods: In vivo effects of the extracts on rodent models of diarrhea, enteropooling and gastric motility induced by castor oil were investigated as well as their effects on acetylcholine and histamine-induced guinea pig ileal contractions in vitro. Phytochemical analyses of both extracts were also carried out for tentative identification of constituents and quantitative estimation of total saponin and phenolic contents using standard methods.Results: S. americana L. gave a significant (P<0.001) reduction in the number of fecal droppings and fecal watery texture over 4 h. Gastrointestinal motility and the volume of intestinal content were also significantly (P<0.001) reduced. In vitro studies revealed potent inhibition of guinea pig ileal contractions induced by acetylcholine and histamine by the extracts. However, the anti-diarrheal potentials in the root extract were higher than the aerial part extract, with the root extract exhibiting complete blockade of acetylcholine and histamine-induced ileal contractions and up to 100% inhibition of diarrheic feces passage at 400 mg/kg. The phytochemical analysis also revealed a higher relative abundance of phenols and saponins in the root extract.Conclusion: This research has therefore pioneered the establishment of a scientific proof for the acclaimed anti-diarrheal potentials and hence the ethnomedicinal use of this herb. The existence of higher anti-diarrheal potentials in the root has also been established which could possibly be linked to a higher relative abundance of phenols and saponins in this part.Â