Sustainability in our contemporary society

Sustainability originates from the word, sustain- the ability to preserve. Both are alike but differ in their own way. Sustainability is based on one principle: Things that enable people survive and attain better living conditions directly or indirectly from their natural environment. The natural environment is a foundation to any other definition of sustainability. This is because the environment determines people’s association with the world. Here also, Le Chatelier’s principle is used to illustrate the nature at which the categories of sustainability affect themselves. Keywords: Sustainable development, environmental sustainability, agricultural sustainability, economic sustainability, cultural sustainability, socio-political sustainability, life sustainability, Le Chatelier’s principle

Anti-Diabetic Activities of the Methanol Leaf Extracts of Hymenocardia acida (Tul.) in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats

The effect of methanolic extract of Hymenocardia acida leaves on diabetes and associated lipidemia were investigated on experimentally-induced diabetic rats. The extract did not demonstrate any acutely toxic effect in rats within the dose range (250 mg/kg - 2000 mg/kg) employed in the study; hence it was well tolerated by the rats. In all experiments, the anti-diabetic effects were dose-dependent and comparable to that of glibenclamide (2 mg/kg) standard. At a dose of 500 mg/kg, lipid profile markers such as the serum total cholesterol (TC) levels, LDL-C, triglycerides and HDL-C were significantly lower (p <0.05) than those of both the treated and untreated controls.Keywords: Hymenocardia acida, Diabetes mellitus, Lipid profile, Glibenclamide, Alloxan monohydrat

Analgesic Activity of the Methanol Leaf Extract of Delonix Regia

The analgesic activity of the methanolic leaf extract of Delonix regia in albino Wistar mice using acetic acid –induced writhing reflex, tail immersion and hot plate experimental models was evaluated. Three test doses (200, 400 and 800 mg/kg body weight) of the extract were used while 400 mg/kg of acetylsalicyclic acid (aspirin) was used as reference drug all administered by gastric gavage. In acetic acid-induced writhing reflex model, the extract and acetylsalicyclic acid dose dependently and significantly (p< 0.0001) decreased the abdominal constriction or writhing. The extract also increased the percentage inhibition of abdominal constriction from 0% in the negative group to 80% in the highest dose of the extract (800 mg/kg) treated group. In the tail immersion model, the extract at the doses of 400 and 800 mg/kg significantly (p<0.03) increased the pain reaction time (PRT) while in the hot plate model there was no significant difference in the pre-drug pain reaction time (PRT) but the extract at the dose of 800 mg/kg significantly (p< 0.05) increased the post- drug PRT. In the tail immersion and the hot plate models, the extract at the dose of 200 mg/kg had no analgesic effect. In conclusion, the methanolic leaf extract of Delonix regia demonstrated significant analgesic activity that may be mediated through peripheral and central mechanisms.Keywords: Delonix regia, analgesic, aspirin, writhing, hot plateNigerian Veterinary Journal, VOL:33 (2) 515-52

GROUND WATER POTENTIALS OF NUMAN AND ENVIRONS, ADAMAWA STATE, NORTH-EASTERN, NIGERIA

Numan town is situated along the confluence of rivers Benue and Gongola and is a road junction town about some 60 km west of Yola. Lithologic logs of 7 boreholes, field measurement data, stream flow and meteorological data and hydrochemical data generated from sampling and analysis of groundwater from 17 points (7boreholes and 10 handdug wells) were evaluated to establish the potentials of groundwater in Numan area. The area receives about 800mm of rainfall annually out of which 80% is lost through surface runoff and evapotranspiration while about 20% goes to recharge the groundwater system. Groundwater in the area is hosted in three aquifer systems all tapping from three geologic formations- the Bima Formation, the Yolde Formation and the Quaternary river course alluvium. Handdug wells tap their water from mainly the upper unconfined aquifer whose depth ranges from 0- 40m and the boreholes are completed in either the middle semi confined aquifer 40 -75m or the lower confined aquifer 75-240m (depth range of 0-240m). The computed aquifer parameters gave a mean hydraulic conductivity of 5.6 x10 -1m/day, a Transmissivity of 65.67m2/day groundwater velocity of 2.43m/yr, groundwater discharge of 612.69m3/yr, a groundwater reserve of 1.01x1010m3 which is capable of supporting a population of 1.4m for one year on an average of 220/l/day/head and a mean borehole yield of 20 m3/hr. Results of the hydrochemical analysis indicate that most of the water samples agreed with both the WHO 2006 and the NIS 2007 drinking water quality standards. However isolated samples especially from the upper unconfined aquifer tested moderately hard to very hard (106-421mg/L). Few cases of high NO3- (88-132mg/L) in HW6 HW10 HW11, high Fe2+ (1-2mg/L) in HW1 and HW2, were recorded. Two dominant water types were recorded; Ca2+-HCO3- (from four boreholes and seven handdug wells) and Na++K+-HCO3- (from three boreholes and three handdug wells). This study suggests that Numan and environs could be considered as a potential source of sustainable groundwater supply as a good alternative to the existing sources of supply. It would however require an improved waste management system and proper well completion methods to check the encroachment of surface generated pollution

Impact Assessment of Repeated Mass Ivermectin Treatment on Onchocerciasis in Abia State, Nigeria

The impact assessment of repeated mass ivermectin treatment on onchocerciasis in Abia state, south eastern Nigeria was carried out between June and September 2011, using skin snipping method. Abia state is made up of 17 Local Government Areas, eight of which are endemic for onchocerciasis (2 hyper-endemic and 6 meso-endemic LGAs). The study captured the two LGAs of the state that were rated as hyper-endemic by REMO assessment and had been receiving treatment since 1995. Out of 547 individuals skin snipped, only 3 (0.55%) were infected with microfilariae of Onchocerca volvulus, and this occurred in one community Amiyi-Obilohia. The distribution of infection showed that 0.50% of the infected were males while 0.58% were females. The overall age specific prevalence showed that infection only occurred in individuals 60 years and above, who were low compliers and were not treated during the last treatment period. A CMFL of 0.28 mf/mg obtained is an indication that ivermectin is an effective microfilaricide. Key words: Impact assessment, Repeated, mass, ivermectin, treatment, Onchocerciasis

ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTIDIARRHOEAL ACTIVITY OF Manniophyton africanum LEAF EXTRACT IN MICE

The antidiarrhoeic activity of the methanolic leaf extract of Manniophyton africanum (MEMA) has been evaluated out in mice using different models (Castor oil-induced diarrhoea, effects on gastrointestinal motility, and castor oil-induced gastric enteropooling). MEMA (200,400 and 600 mg/kg, p.o.) inhibited at 5% significance level, the frequency of defecation and reduced the wetness of faecal droppings in castor oil-induced diarrhoea, markedly inhibited the movement of charcoal meal plug through the gastrointestinal tract, in a dose dependent manner, comparable to diphenoxylate and atropine. It however had no effect in the intra luminal fluid content in the castor oil-induced gastric enteropooling. Diphenoxylate (5 mg/kg) and atropine (3 mg/kg) were used as the reference drugs. MEMA were also found to be possessing marginal (52-66%) free radical scavenging activities in vitro using the DPPH and FRAP models. The remarkable antidiarrhoeal property of MEMA in vivo gives credence to its use in the management of a wide range of diarrhoeal state