EFFECTS OF ETHANOLIC /POTASH EXTRACT OF SORGHUM BICOLOR LEAF SHEATH ON SERUM ELECTROLYTES, LIVER AND KIDNEY INDICATIVE ON ALBINO RATS

Toxicity profile on serum electrolytes, hepatic and renal function indices on rats administered with mixture of ethanol/potash extract of sorghum bicolor leaf sheath were investigated. The ethanol/potash extract was dried and re-suspended in distilled water and the following quantities were administered orally to the albino rat per kg body weight: 1000, 2000 and 3000mg; while 0.9% normal saline was served to the control group. The blood was collected through cardiac puncture under chloroform anesthesia after 14 days. There after, the sera were analyzed for sodium (Na+), potassium, (K+),chloride (Cl-) ion, urea, creatinine, total protein, total bilirubin and cholesterol levels. Serum sodium levels, (176-297  mmol/L) were significantly (p<0.05) increased following extract treatments, while potassium ion decreased (6.54-4.00mmol/L). The extract increased chloride ion concentration (95.8-99.0mmol/L). The serum value for creatinine (0.08-0.32mmol/L) and urea (3.16-38mmol/L) increased progressively; while cholesterol (0.96-0.19mmol/L) and total protein (54.13-17.27g/L) levels, decreased significantly (p<0.05) when compared to the control values. No significant change was observed in the value obtained for bilirubin except at dose level of 3000mg/kg body weight. There was a progressive decrease in body weight after 14days administration of the extract. The result showed that the mixture of ethanol/potash extract of sorghum bicolor leaf sheath has been observed in rats under the conditions of this study to be toxic.   Keyword: Sorghum bicolor, ethanol/potash, electrolytes, kidney, liver

Nutrient composition of Dacryodes edulis seed and seed coat mixture

This study investigated the nutrient composition of D. edulis seed and seed coat mixture. Qualitative and quantitative phytochemicals, proximate, and vitamin compositions were evaluated using standard methods. Saponins were very high, alkaloids, flavonoids, and tannins were high, while terpenoids were low, and glycosides, aldehydes, and steroids were absent. The quantitative phytochemical determination followed the order; saponin > kaempferol > rutin > catechin > tannin > sapogenin > lunamarine > phenol > ribalinidine > anthocyanin > oxalate > phytate. For the proximate composition, carbohydrates had the highest concentration, followed by lipids and fibre, while, protein concentration was the lowest. Vitamin E (5.42 mg/100g), vitamin C (3.24 mg/100g), and vitamin A (2.84 mg/100g) were the highest occurring constituent vitamins while vitamin B12 (0.035 mg/100g) and vitamin B2 (0.075 mg/100g) were the least occurring vitamins. This study has shown the rich phytochemical composition of D. edulis seed and seed coat mixture while showing deficiencies in proteins, distinct vitamins, and ash contents