Heavy metal concentrations in water, sediment and periwinkle (Tympanotonus fuscastus) samples harvested from the Niger Delta region of Nigeria

Heavy metal pollution of terrestrial and aquatic environments in Niger-delta region of Nigeria is on the increase due to increased urbanization and crude oil exploration. Tympanotonus fuscastus are mud dwellers and could bioaccumulate heavy metals; therefore consumption of heavy metal contaminated sea foods like periwinkle may breed lots of health problems. Heavy metal concentration in water, sediment and Periwinkle samples from three locations (Itu-River, Abuloma River and Oron River) in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria were evaluated using atomic absorption flame photometry. Result showed that cadmium (Cd) concentration was highest in water samples from Abuloma River (0.106 mg/l) while lead (Pb) concentration was highest (0.01mg/l) in the water samples from Itu River. Cd and Pb concentrations (0.127 and 0.08 mg/kg, respectively) in sediment samples were highest in Abuloma River. The concentration of Cd in T. fuscastus samples was 0.11 mg/kg in Abuloma River, while concentration was 0.27 mg/kg in Oron River. Copper (Cu) was generally low in the water samples; the highest concentration (0.011 mg/kg) was obtained in water samples from Oron River. Sediment concentration of Cu was high (0.088 mg/kg) in Itu River, while its concentration in the periwinkle samples was 0.54 mg/kg in Abuloma River. The results also showed that Cr, As and Hg were below detectable concentration in tissues, soil and water samples from Itu and Abuloma Rivers, while Hg concentration in Oron River sediment was 64.2 mg/kg.Key words: Sea foods, heavy metals, pollution, environment, nutrition, bioaccumulatio

Oxidative stress and superoxide dismutase activity in brain of rats fed with diet containing permethrin

Many pesticides have been reported to cause a lot of health problems in workers, users and non-target organisms in the environment. Permethrin containing insect pesticide has been reported to be toxic to non-target organisms. However, the underlying mechanism involved inthe toxicity is not well understood. The present study was envisaged to investigate the possible role of oxidative stress in permethrin neurotoxicity and to evaluate the protective effect of superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in brain homogenates of Wistar rats. Oxidative stress measured as thiobarbituric acid reacting substances (TBARS) was found to significantly increase (p < 0.05) in all the experimental groups compared with their parallel controls. Concomitantly, the activity of SOD was found to decrease or increase significantly (p < 0.05) in the experimental groups compared with their controls. Our result also showed that activity of SOD was aged and concentration dependent. Hence, the newly weaned ratsappear to be more susceptible to the pesticide contaminated diet because the SOD activity decreased more in the brain homogenates compared with the middle aged rats or aged rats. Observed aggressive behaviour was noticed in the pesticide exposed rats, hence a possibleneurobehavioral effect. The result demonstrated that the pyrethroid insect powder exerts its toxic effect by promoting oxidative stress in the brain and this may affect normal brain functioning and growth

Chemical composition and anti-diabetic properties of Jatropha curcas leaves extract on alloxan induced diabetic wistar rats

This study evaluates the chemical composition and anti-diabetic properties of fresh and shade dried Jatropha curcas aqueous leaves extracts (JCLE) on alloxan induced diabetic female wistar rats. Seven (7) kg of J. curcas leaves were pulverized and aqueous extracts produced. Thirty five (35) mature female rats were grouped into seven of five animals per group according to their body weights. Blood samples were collected for baseline data before inducing diabetes. Various groups of rats were fed graded doses (100, 200 and 300 mg of JCLE, respectively. Blood glucose was tested every seven days using glucometer. The animals were treated for 21 days with JCLE, blood samples were collected for liver enzyme function test, liver and pancreas tissues collected for histopathology. The results obtained were analysed statistically using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Duncan Multiple range student test. Result shows that proximate composition of JCLE had higher protein, fat and carbohydrate concentrations in shade dried than the fresh samples. The vitamin, mineral and phytochemical compositions varied but higher in shade dried JCLE also than the fresh. Rats treated had significant (p&lt;0.05) reduction in blood glucose level. Liver enzymes was higher with shade dried JCLE. The current study provides some useful insight into the anti-hyperglycemic potency of JCLE in alloxan induced diabetics and seems to repair some organs damages.Key words: Blood glucose, Jatropha curcus, liver enzymes, diabetic

Effects of Moringa oleifera Lam. aqueous leaf extracts on follicle stimulating hormone and serum cholesterol in Wistar rats

The study evaluated the effect of Moringa oleifera aqueous leaf extracts on follicle stimulating hormone and serum cholesterol in Wistar rats. Thirty six (36) mature Wistar rats (20 male and 16 female rats) were used. The male rats were grouped into four groups with five animals each, while the female animals were grouped into four made up of four animals per group, on the basis of their body weights. Graded doses (1, 5 and 10 g) aqueous extract were prepared from the Mo leaves as the test samples. In the first phase: The test extract was administered orally after acclimatization to individual groups: A-male and E-female rats, 1%; groups B-male and F-female rats, 5%; and groups C-male and F-female rats, 10%. These test groups also had rat chow and water ad libitum. The second phase of the experiment involved mating the male and female animals that had the same dose of M. oleifera extract. The results show that the mean body weights of the male rats increased significantly after treatment (p&lt;0.05). The study also reveals that the administration of M. oleifera extract at different doses for the male and female rats differed significantly (p&lt;0.05) with that of the control in raising the level of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). A-1% increased by 38.52% while B-5% decreased (-21.20%); E-1% decreased (-12.96%) and F-5% (-25.64%). After mating, the % increase in FSH concentration was observed to be significantly (p&lt;0.05) difference. Administration of Mo extract at different levels for the male and female rats differed significantly (p&lt;0.05) in this study as compared with the control in lowering the total serum cholesterol of the rats. A-1% increased total cholesterol by 1.10%, while B-5% revealed a decrease of (-10.99%). Key words: Moringa oleifera, follicle stimulating hormone, serum cholesterol, Wistar rats