A-21 Day Safety Evaluation Of Methanol Extract Of Stem Bark of Artocarpus Altilis (Parkinson) Fosberg (Moraceae) in Wistar Rats

Background: Medicinal plants have been used as therapeutic agents since prehistoric era. Artocarpus altilis (Breadfruit) is used in African traditional medicine to treat hypertension with scanty information on its safety profile in animals.Objectives: This study was designed to evaluate the toxicological effects of oral administration of methanol extract of Artocarpus altilis (MEAA) in rats.Materials and Methods: Thirty male Wistar rats were divided into 6 groups of 5 animals each and were treated orally with corn oil (control), 100, 250, 500, 1000 and 2000 mg/kg of MEAA for twenty one days.Results: MEAA caused insignificant (p>0.05) changes in the activities of serum alanine and aspartate aminotransferases (ALT and AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) relative to the control. Cardiac and hepatic AST (114.8±4.8 and (111.0±1.0) serum urea (1.1±0.2), creatinine (0.3±0.1), lactate dehydrogenase (17.3±5.8) and creatinine kinase (15.5±4.4) were significantly decreased (p<0.05) in rats treated with 2000 mg/kg of MEAA when compared to control [(134.8±5.8 and 129.7±5.0), 2.94±0.3, 0.4±0.1, 38.5±13.3 and 41.3±2.9]. The MEAA significantly decreased (p<0.05) serum total cholesterol and triglyceride while high density lipoprotein- cholesterol (HDL-c) level was increased. Histopathological examination of liver, kidney and aorta slides from MEAA- treated rats showed little alteration from the control.Conclusions: The MEAA could be safe when used over a long period for therapeutic purposes.Keywords: Artocarpus altilis, biochemical indices, lipid parameters, toxicity profile

Comparative study on the effects of aqueous extracts of viscum album (mistletoe) from three host plants on hematological parameters in albino rats.

Background: The extract of the leaves of Viscum album (mistletoe) has been used for centuries in traditional medicine in many parts of the world. However, like many medicinal plants, the belief that things of natural origin are safe may not be entirely true. The blood is a good indicator of health and pathological mirror of the entire body.Objective: Therefore, in this study, the acute effects of extracts of mistletoe, harvested from three hosts, on haematology indices of wistar albino rats was investigated.Methods: Graded doses (400, 800, 1600 and 3200mg/kg body weight) of aqueous extracts of mistletoe from three different host plants, coffee (Coffee arabica), kola (Kola nitida), cocoa (Theobromae cacao), were administered orally to wistar albino rats for 14 days. Full haematological parameters were evaluated on whole blood collected from rats twenty four hours after the administration of the last dose.Results: Mistletoe from kola caused a concentration dependent and statistically significant (p<0.05) reduction in platelets count in rats. Administration of mistletoe extract from cocoa and coffee led to reduction in hemoglobin concentration. Reductions in packed cell volume (PCV) and red blood cell (RBC) and increase in white blood cells (WBC) were also observed in rats administered all the extracts.Conclusion: Increase in the WBC count observed in rats administered mistletoe suggests that mistletoe extract contains agents that could stimulate the production of leucocytes and could serve as immune booster. However, there is need to be cautious in administration at high doses to prevent the risk of anaemia.Key words: Viscum album, coffee arabica, kola nitida, theobromae cacao, haematology

VARIABILITY AND CO-RELATIONSHIP OF BODY TRAITS IN WEST AFRICAN DWARF GOATS IN A TROPICAL HUMID ENVIRONMENT

To understand variability and phenotypic association among body traits in West African Dwarf goats, morphological traits were examined based on location and sex. Two hundred and twenty-seven (227) goats in two Nigerian states were surveyed. Randomized complete block with Factorial treatment design, GLM, Pearson’s phenotypic correlation procedures of SAS® was employed. Morphological and index traits examined were body weight (BWT), hearth girth (HGH), diagonal trunk length (DTL), height at the withers (HWT), height at the rump (HRP); and Trunk length index (TLI), over-building index (OBI), body depth index (BDI), body breath index (BBI), withers-girth index (WGI), body-length index (BLI)and Weight-height index (WHI). BWT, DTL, TLI, OBI, BLI and WHI were influenced (P<0.05) by location, while DTL, TLI, OBI, BDI, BBI and BLI were influenced (P<0.05) by interaction of Location and Sex. Does recorded higher (P<0.05) BWT, TLI and BLI (27.75, 183.62 and 156.33), while Bucks had higher (P<0.05) DTL, HGH, HWT, HRP, OBI, BDI, BBI, WGI and WHI (80.57, 58.78, 46.89, 46.36, 99.29, 126.01, 127.01, -26.02 and 45.83). Ekiti goats recorded higher OBI, while Osun goats were higher on DTL, TLI, BLI and WHI (P<0.05). Highest correlation for females and males were between BWT/WHI (r =0.952/0.967, P<0.0001); for BWT/WHI were (r =0.969/0.972, 0.0001); and between HRP/HWT (r =0.953/0.929, P<0.0001) on Ekiti and Osun goats respectively. Between Ekiti and Osun goats BWT/WHI (r =0.969/0.972, P<0.0001) and HRP/HWT (r =0.953/0.929, P<0.0001) were obtained. CVs were highest on WGI (-69.65/-45.16); BWT (31.89/43.79), and WHI (29.25/35.54) for Does and Bucks; while WGI (-56.72/57.42), BWT (53.51/46.78) and WHI (42.09/36.76) were higher for Ekiti and Osun goats. Significant (P<0.0001) phenotypic correlation were obtained between BWT, DTL, HWT, HGH individually, and many other traits (r =0.336-0.957)

Intergovernmental Grant Transfers from Central to Local Levels of Government in Ghana: Does Formula Allocation Prevents Political Influences?

This study examines how the district assemblies’ common fund grant is distributed among the local governments in Ghana to ascertain the objectivity of the sharing formula scheme created under the 1992 Constitution. The dynamic GMM panel estimation approach is employed for the empirical analysis with focus on new versus mature democracy and how swing and aligned districts tend to benefit from the distribution. Annual data on the fund disbursements and the election outcomes from 1994 to 2018 for 216 district assemblies is used. The findings reveal that average transfers to each district was Gh?7.54 million which generally increased by 9.4 percent in election years reflecting the opportunistic behavior of incumbent governments. Swing districts benefited more from the increase than non-swing districts, as the former received 4.3 percent more than the latter. Aligned districts in new democracy received, 2 percent more than non-aligned ones, while it was 4.3 percent more for swing districts in mature democracy. Therefore, the allocation formula is subject to political manipulations hence it is recommended that the unilateral appointment of the fund’s administrator by incumbent Presidents be reviewed in addition to creating autonomous public agencies to be responsible for the allocation formula and the fund administration independently

Hypercholesterolaemia in pregnancy as a predictor of adverse pregnancy outcome

Background: Prevention of viable spontaneous preterm birth and low birth weight through screening is one of the key aims of antenatal care as these have implications for the child, mother and society. If women can be identified to be at high risk of these adverse birth outcomes in early pregnancy, they can be targeted for more intensive antenatal surveillance and prophylactic interventions.Objectives: This study is therefore aimed to determine the association between elevated maternal serum cholesterol level in pregnancy and adverse pregnancy outcome.Methods: It was a prospective observational cohort study in which eligible participants were enrolled at gestational age of 14 to 20 weeks. Blood samples were obtained to measure total serum cholesterol concentrations and the sera were then analyzed enzymatically by the cholesterol oxidase: p-aminophenazone (CHOD PAP) method. Pregnancy outcomes were obtained by extraction from medical records and the labour ward register.Results: The incidences of the two adverse pregnancy outcomes examined in the study (preterm births and low birth weight (LBW) in term neonates) were 8.0% and 14.4% respectively. Preterm birth was 6.89-times more common in mothers with high cholesterol than in control mothers with normal total cholesterol level (38.5% versus 5.4%, P=0.029) while LBW was 7.99-times more common in mothers with high total maternal cholesterol than in mothers with normal cholesterol (87.5% versus 10.5%, P=0.019).Conclusion: We can infer that the high maternal serum cholesterol hypercholesterolaemia) is associated with preterm delivery/ low birth weight (LBW) in term infants. However, further validation of these findings with more robust prospective and longitudinal characterization of maternal serum cholesterol profiles is required in subsequent investigations.Keywords: Adverse birth outcome, cholesterol, hypercholesterolaemia, LBW, preterm birth

Interaction of Psychological Variables on Residents Attitude towards Solid Waste Management in an Urban Centre of Nigeria

The study examined the interaction influence between self-monitoring and locus of control on attitude towards solid waste management among residents in Lagos metropolis of Nigeria. The study adopted the survey design. The study population consisted of residents in Lagos State. The study sample consisted of 375 residents in two local government areas of Lagos State. Three psychological measures namely: Self - Monitoring Scale (SMS), Locus of Control Scale (LOCS) and Attitude Towards Solid Waste Management Scale (ATSWMS) were used to collect data. The data collected were analyzed using appropriate descriptive and inferential statistics. The results showed a significant interaction influence of self -monitoring and locus of control on attitude towards solid waste management of residents (F (1 ,371) =7.056 ,p&lt;0.05).This indicates that psychological factors are very important precursor in the self-reported positive attitude towards solid waste management practices in the study area. The study has implication for policymakers and stakeholders to put into consideration the psychological attributes of residents in the design and formulation of intervention programme and strategies in changing people’s negative orientation and belief in the observation of a desirable solid waste management practices. Keywords: Self-Monitoring, Locus of control, Interaction , Attitude towards Solid Waste managemen

Urinary Schistosomiasis and Its Potential for Cancer and Hepato-Renal Function Alterations among the Residents of Asejire Dam, South-Western Nigeria

Urinary schistosomiasis is of public health significance in sub-Saharan Africa with its prevalence being linked to carcinogenesis. However, there is a paucity of data to support this relationship. This study explored the prevalence and intensity of Schistosoma haematobium infections and its associations with cancer and hepatorenal function alterations in villages along the Asejire dam in the State of Osun, Nigeria. Urine samples from 152 consented participants (aged 18–75 years) from four communities were collected and examined for Schistosoma haematobium using the microscopy method. The blood serum of randomly selected infected and non-infected individuals (10 per group) was screened for tumor, inflammatory and hepato-renal function biomarkers. From the results, only one out of the four communities recorded cases of schistosomiasis with a prevalence of 26.5% (22/83) and overall infection prevalence was 14.47% (22/152). There was no statistical difference (p ˃ 0.05) in kidney, liver antioxidants, and lipid peroxidation markers in the infected and non–infected participants. The concentrations of antioxidants, inflammatory, and tumor markers were higher in Schistosoma infected individuals as compared with non-infected individuals. This justifies the need to monitor schistosomiasis-infected individuals for tumor, inflammatory and hepato-renal function biomarkers before they develop into cancer, liver, and kidney failure. Keywords:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Urinary Schistosomiasis; tumor; and inflammatory markers; antioxidants; hepato-renal function; Asejire dam Nigeri

Phytochemical screening, antioxidant, antiulcer and toxicity studies on Desmodium adscendens (Sw) DC Fabaceae leaf and stem

Purpose: To assess the phytochemical profile, toxicity, as well as the antioxidant, and antiulcer activities of the methanol extracts of Desmodium adscendens stem and leaf.Methods: Maceration procedure was employed in the preparation of the methanol extracts. Phytochemical characterization of the extracts was carried out according to standard methods. In vitro antioxidant activity was evaluated using 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picryhyldrazy (DPPH l) and ferric reducing antioxidant power assay (FRAP). Antiulcer activity was investigated using ethanol-induced ulcer model, while toxicity was assessed by observing the mice for mortality.Results: Phytochemical analysis indicate the presence of glycosides, alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, and saponins in the stem and leaf. Methanol extracts of the plant exhibited antioxidant activity, with DPPH assay results showing median inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 87.59 (leaf), 108.87 (stem), 28.52 (alpha-tocopherol), and 5.05 μg/mL (ascorbic acid). The FRAP assay results for the stem and leaf extracts were 1483 and 1953 μM Fe2+/g dry plant, respectively, while for ascorbic acid it was 3463 μMFe2+/g. The extracts showed significant antiulcer activity, with 14.27 and 15.18 % ulceration inhibition for the leaf extract, and 12.31 and 13.36 % for the stem extract at administered doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg, respectively. Cimetidine and omeprazole (standards) showed ulceration inhibition of 5.53, and 8.26 % at 5.7 and 0.57 mg/kg doses, respectively.Conclusion: The methanol extracts of Desmodium adscendens stem and leaf offer significant protective activity against ethanol-induced gastric ulceration in rats, and the activity may be related to their antioxidant effect.Keywords: Antioxidant, Antiulcer, Toxicity, Desmodium adscenden

Ameliorative Activity of Ethanol Extract of Artocarpus heterophyllusStem Bark on Pancreaticb-Cell Dysfunction in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats

This study sought to investigate the ameliorative effects of ethanol extractArtocarpus heterophyllus(EAH) in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. The rats were divided into 6 groups, with groups 1 and 2 serving as nondiabetic and diabetic control, respectively; group 3 serving as diabetic rats treated with 5 mg/kg glibenclamide; and groups 4 to 6 were diabetic rats treated with 50, 100, and 150 mg/kg of EAH, respectively. Assays determined were serum insulin, lipid peroxidation, and antioxidant enzyme activities. EAH stem bark reduced fasting blood glucose and lipid peroxidation levels and increased serum insulin levels and activities of antioxidant enzymes. Data obtained demonstrated the ability of EAH stem bark to ameliorate pancreaticb-cell dysfunction in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

Sperm abnormalities and libido assessment of West African dwarf rams fed diets containing Tetrapleura tetraptera (African Porridge) fruit meal

The effect of Tetrapleura tetraptera fruit meal (TTFM) on the sperm abnormalities and libido test of West African Dwarf rams was assessed in a 20 week study. Thirty five (35) West African dwarf rams weighing between 12.80 and 13.20kg were randomly allotted to five dietary treatments in a completely randomized design. The diets formulated: 0% TTFM, 0.5% TTFM, 1.0% TTFM, 1.5% TTFM and 2.0% TTFM as treatments 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively. Libido assessment was carried out at 0, 4, 8, 12 and 16th weeks of the experiment. Semen was collected twice at the beginning and at the end of the experiment from five replicates in each treatment using electro- ejaculator. The results showed that the libido increased progressively with the inclusion of TTFM which was only significantly different (p&lt;0.05) at 16th week. The best libido was observed with rams fed diets containing 1.5 and 2.0% TTFM. The sperm abnormalities were minimal in all parameters except in abnormal head which ranged from 0.4-1.20% with diet 4 exhibited the most abnormal head. It was therefore concluded that the TTFM can be incorporated between 1.5% and 2.0% into diet of rams to improve the sex drive and reduced sperm abnormalities