Phytochemical and nutrient compositions of the leaves of Ocimum canum Sims

Ocimum canum Sims is an underutilized medicinal plant that grows in south-western Nigeria. The leaf is used for the treatment of gastrointestinal problems and also for the preparation of local soups. The phytochemical and nutrient compositions of its leaves were investigated using established analytical procedures. The phytochemical analysis of the plant revealed high concentrations of flavonoids (10.00%), saponins and tannins, but low levels of phenolics and alkaloids. The leaves showed high carbohydrate content (639.6 g/kg), ash, crude fat and crude fiber, but very low in protein content. The study reveals high concentration of calcium (50.72 g/kg) with appreciable levels of potassium, sodium, phosphorous and magnesium. In addition, the plant was found to be a good source of iron, zinc and manganese. Furthermore, the concentrations of cadmium (0.01 g/kg) and lead (0.02 g/kg), which are toxic metals were very low, while the vitamin C content of the leaves was found to be high (0.05 g/kg). The result of this study therefore revealed that the leaves of O. canum are a good source of phytochemicals and nutrients that can be harnessed to combat nutritional deficiencies, especially in the rural communities.Keywords: Ocimum canum, phytochemicals, proximate, mineral and nutrient compositio

ANTAGONISTIC POTENTIALS OF TALINUM\ud TRIANGULARE EXTRACTS AGAINST IRON II –\ud INDUCED OXIDATIVE STRESS IN TISSUE\ud HOMOGENATES OF WISTAR ALBINO RAT -IN\ud VITRO

This studies show the inhibitory effects of an aqueous and ethanolic\ud extracts of Talinum triangulare (Tt) on tissue homogenates of matured\ud male albino rat (Rattus norvegicus) incubated with iron II (60 µM\ud FeSO4) to induced oxidative stress by thiobarbituric acid reactive\ud species (TBARS). The aqueous extract caused significant (p < 0.05)\ud increase in the inhibition against malondialdehyde (MDA) produced in\ud the brain (with IC50 value = 2.45 ± 0.04 µg/ml) and testes homogenates\ud (with IC50 = 0.75 ± 0.02 µg/ml) but significant (p > 0.05) decreased\ud was observed in the treated liver homogenate in dose-dependent\ud manner (0.33-3.33 µg/ml). However, the level of MDA produced was\ud significantly (p < 0.05) increased in the Talinum triangulare ethanolic\ud extract treated rat’s brain (with IC50 value = 1.63 ± 0.01 µg/ml) but\ud significant (p > 0.05) difference was observed in both the liver and the\ud testes homogenates when incubated with Iron II in the in vitro assay. Therefore, it could be\ud concluded that the plant is potentially active against iron II - induced oxidative stress in the\ud brain and testes as it has been implicated in the assay

Knowledge And Experience Of Work-Related Hazards And Utilization Of Safety Practices Among Solid Waste Scavengers In Ilorin Metropolis, Kwara State, Nigeria

Waste collection is considered one of the most dangerous job in the world since it exposes the workers to hazards as well as to certain occupation related morbidities. Health status of scavengers is therefore a public health concern, as they could be potential pathways for the transmission of various communicable diseases to the general public. This study assessed the awareness of work-related hazards and utilization of safety practices among Solid waste scavengers in Ilorin Metropolis. The study was a descriptive cross-sectional by design involving solid wastes Scavengers in Ilorin metropolis, North-central Nigeria. A total of 410 solid waste scavengers were recruited following a multi stage sampling method from all the 20 clusters of Scrap dealers. Data was obtained through the use of interviewer administered semi-structured questionnaire. Data was analyzed using SPSS Version 20. P-value of &lt;0.05 at 95% confidence limits were considered statistically significant. More than half (57.3%) of the respondents had awareness of work-related hazards. Similarly, more than half of the respondents have good knowledge of safety boots and hand gloves as ways of preventing work hazards with 58.3% and 56.8% respectively while poor knowledge was recorded for nose guard, face mask and overall/apron with 43.2%, 39.3% and 9.3% respectively. About two-thirds of the respondents, 65.1% have hand gloves however, only 33.2% were making use of it, 52.7% were willing to use it, 57.3% used it always, 74.2% used it for protection while 42.3% were not using it because they felt it was not important. Despite having fair knowledge on the importance of practicing safety measures, only few of the respondents practice these measures. The waste scavengers should be educated on the utilization of PPE and safety measure.Key words: waste scavengers, hazards, PPE, solid waste, Ilorin