Assessment of oral safety profile of aqueous extract blend of three medicinal spices in Wistar rats

Purpose: To evaluate the possible toxicity of a blend of three spices, namely, garlic (Allium sativum), ginger (Zingiber officinale) and cayenne pepper (Capsicum frutescens) in Wistar ratsMethods: For acute toxicity test, five females and five male rats were given a single oral dose of 5000 mg/kg body weight of aqueous extract of the spice blend and observed for 14 days. Sub-acute toxicity was assessed by giving male and female rats 200, 500 and 1000 mg/kg body weight oral doses of the spice blend on a daily basis for 28 days, while controls were administered distilled water. At the end of the experiment, blood and tissues were collected for haematological, biochemical and histological evaluations.Results: The haematological indices of treated rats did not reveal any significant (p > 0.05) differences from those of control except for elevation in lymphocyte count which was significant (p < 0.05) in the 500 and 1000 mg/kg treated male groups. Activities of serum alkaline phosphatise (ALP), gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST) and creatine kinase (CK), as well as concentration of total cholesterol and triglycerides were significantly reduced (p < 0.05) following treatment with the extract of the spice blend. Histological examinations of the liver did not reveal any pathological changes attributable to treatment with the spice blend extract.Conclusions: These findings indicate that oral consumption of a spice blend of garlic, ginger and cayenne pepper in humans may be safe.Keywords: Spice blend, Toxicity, Histology, Marker enzymes, Medicinal, Safety profil

A Review of the Antidiabetic Activities of Ginger

Diabetes mellitus, a chronic metabolic disorder with major health care burden worldwide, is increasing, with 173 million adults being diabetic and over 8 million deaths recorded annually. Undesirable pathological conditions and high rates of secondary failure limit the use of current antidiabetic agents, thus, the need for more effective antidiabetic agents. Medicinal plants such as spices, rich in bioactive components that promote prevention and treatment of chronic conditions such as heart disease, cancer and Type-2 diabetes, are inexpensive with no side effects. The Zingiberaceae family, of which ginger is a member, consists of many species frequently cited for their antidiabetic and hypoglycemic properties. All important scientific literatures from 2000 to 2018 on the antidiabetic potentials of Zingiber officinale were evaluated. According to these studies, ginger exerts its antidiabetic effects through restorative effects on pancreatic β-cells, increasing insulin sensitivity, action and peripheral utilization of glucose. Other mechanisms include increased synthesis of hepatic glycogen through the enhancement of glycogen regulatory enzyme expression in the liver, inhibition of carbohydrate metabolizing enzymes, stimulation of pancreatic insulin release and inhibition of hepatic glucose production. Further studies, especially in humans are needed, more so, since ginger is one of the spices generally regarded as safe

Evaluation of the polyphenolic contents and antioxidant properties of aqueous extracts of garlic, ginger, cayenne pepper and their mixture

Garlic (Allium sativum), Ginger (Zingiber officinale), and Cayenne Pepper (Capsicum fructences) are common culinary spices that are used singly or combined in the diet of many populations of the world and there is a long-held belief of their health-enhancing properties.  This study investigated the aqueous extracts each of garlic, ginger, cayenne pepper and a combination of the three for polyphenolic and antioxidant properties that might justify such claims. Aqueous extracts of garlic, ginger, pepper and a combination of the three was evaluated for polyphenolic and antioxidant activities using DPPH, ABTS, nitric oxide radical scavenging activities and reducing power assay. Each of the spice extracts showed high content of phenolics, flavonoids, flavonols and proanthocyanidin, with the pepper extract exhibiting the highest concentration of each polyphenol investigated. The antioxidant activities of the spices and their mixture was concentration dependent, though positively comparable with the standards used. Among the extracts, the mixture exhibited the highest antioxidant activity compared to the individual spices and standards probably due to a synergistic effect of combining the spices. The present study confirmed that the aqueous extracts of garlic, ginger and pepper exhibited significant polyphenolic content and antioxidant potentials. Also, that a mixture of the three spices potentially exhibits more powerful synergistic antioxidant activity than the individual spices, making a strong case for their combined use

The BRT and the danfo: a case study of Lagos’ transport reforms from 1999-2019

Over the last 20 years, Lagos has had to make large-scale investments in transport infrastructure to keep up with its growing population. Most notably, in 2008, Lagos opened the first ever Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system on the African continent. Today, the system boasts two different lines which cover over 35.5 km of track and transport over 350,000 commuters on a daily basis. Through the BRT and wider reforms, Lagos has been able to achieve reductions in travel times of up to one-third since 2008, relieving an estimated USD$240M in economic loss each year. This case study provides a detailed account of the Lagos experience, highlighting key factors behind its successful reforms as well as important lessons for other cities looking to improve their public transport systems

Effect of Fermentation on Antinutritional Factors and in Vitro Protein Digestibility of Bambara Nut (Voandzeia subterranean L.)

Bambara nut (Voandzeia subterranean L.) has better nutritive values than most other legumes. However, it is being underutilized due to long cooking time, antinutritional constituents and dehulling constraints. Fermentation as a unit operation has been able to address most of the factors responsible for the underutilization of some legumes. In this study, a full factorial block design comprising of time (0, 12, 24, 36, 48, 60 and 72 h) and Rhizopus combinations (A, B, C, AB, AC, BC and ABC) were used. Three species of Rhizopus (R. oligosporus (A), R. oryzae (B) and R. nigricans (C)) and their combinations were used in the fermentation for 3 days. Fermented samples that were collected at 12 hourly intervals were blanched, dried and milled to Bambara Flour (BF).  The BF was evaluated for tannin, oxalate, phytate, trypsin inhibitors and in vitro protein digestibility (IVPD). The results show that fermentation significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the antinutritional factors and enhanced IVPD of bambara nut. Ranges of values for antinutritional factors were tannin (0.35 – 0.02), oxalate (1.54 – 0.39), phytate (35.20 – 10.70) and trypsin inhibitor (3.22 – 0.49mg/g) while in vitro protein digestibility were 21.70 – 66.14%. Therefore, fermented bambara nut flour could be useful to supplement starchy foods. Key words: Antinutritional factors, in vitro protein digestibility, Rhizopus, bambara flou

Assessment and biological treatment of effluent from textile industry

The assessment of effluent generated from international textile industry (Nig) Ltd. Odongunyan Industrial Estate Ikorodu Lagos was carried out. The effluent was analyzed for biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total solid (TS), suspended solid (SS), dissolved solid (DS), odour and colour intensity prior to biological treatment with mixed culture of Aspergillus  niger and Aspergillus wentil. The product of biological treatment was analyzed after 5 days of treatment. The result revealed that the effluent was initially of high BOD, COD, TS, DS, SS and colour intensity. The method used in this work has significantly reduced COD to well below 250 mg/l and BOD < 30 mg/l, TSS < 30 mg/l which are the upper limit for disposal into surface water. The result indicates remarkable overall COD reduction from 800 mg/l to 200 mg/l (75%), BOD (97.3%) from 750 mg/l to 20 mg/l and bioremediation of TSS < 30 mg/l (99.5%), DS (99.6%) and SS (99.3%).Key words: Textile industrial effluent, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus wentil

Effect of Accessibility on Commercial Property Rental Values Performance in Oja Oba Market, Ilorin Metropolis

The value of a commercial property is mainly determined by its inter-accessibility to other land uses; accessibility is a critical component in determining the costs and rewards of any investment. The study is being conducted to investigate the impact of accessibility on the rental values of retail premises. The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which accessibility affects the rental value of retail premises. The following goals were established: to assess the rent in various locations inside the market from the primary major route. The stratified random sample approach was employed to acquire the data to evaluate if there is a variance in rent and the link between rental value and distance. Data were examined using descriptive statistics and linear regression using SPSS. The data indicated that rent varies within the market as distance increases. It was found that as distance increases to the market, the rental prices of store premises fall, and there is a strong positive linear relationship between distance and rental value. The report also advised that the government establish market parking space. The government should also give private shop property investors appropriate loans at cheap interest rates to boost investment in this sector

Foliar micromorphology of Lippia javanica (Burm.F) Spreng

Background: Lippia javanica (Burm.F.) Spreng is an aromatic indigenous South African plant with culinary and medicinal values. This study investigated the foliar morphology and elemental composition of the plant because not much data concerning the anatomical and micro-morphological features can be found in literatureMaterials and Methods: Fresh leaves of the plant were investigated using light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The elemental composition of the leaf was determined by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy.Results: The leaves of L. javanica were amphitrichomic while the stomata distribution was amphistomatic. These stomata were more or less randomly distributed over the epidermis lying almost close to each other and were fewer in number in between the veins and over the finer veins. The major constituents of crystals found in the plant were Ca, Na, S, Al, P, Cl, K, Mg and Fe. The presence of long glandular trichomes on the leaf surfaces of the plant could indicate secretory sites where secondary metabolites are produced.Conclusion: Secretions from the glandular trichomes and the presence of these elements, which are vital in maintaining good health, are probably responsible for the culinary and medicinal properties of L. javanica.Key words: Lippia javanica, electron dispersive x-ray, scanning electron microscope, amphitrichomic lea

Comparative analysis of the chemical composition of three spices – Allium sativum L. Zingiber officinale Rosc. and Capsicum frutescens L. commonly consumed in Nigeria

The beneficial health effects of spices against common chronic systemic diseases have been well documented. Comparative study of the proximate, mineral and phytochemical components of three spices namely garlic (Allium sativum L.), ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) and pepper (Capsicum frutescens L.) were investigated. Analysis of the proximate composition revealed that the spices had considerable carbohydrate and crude protein content, but low ash, fibre, moisture and fat except pepper which has high crude fat content. The spices were also characterized by the presence of mineral elements such as calcium, iron, potassium, phosphorus, sodium, magnesium, copper and zinc which are very important to human nutrition. Phytochemical screening indicated that these spices are also rich in phytonutrients including alkaloid, tannin, carotenoids, saponin and flavonoids. The spices had low concentrations of steroids and cardenolides. Overall, the findings indicate that the spices are good sources of nutrients, mineral elements and phytochemicals which could be exploited as great potentials for drugs and/or nutritional supplements.Key words: Comparative, nutritional, supplements, spices

ULTRASTRUCTURE AND ELEMENTAL ANALYSIS OF HYPOXIS HEMEROCALLIDEA: A MULTIPURPOSE MEDICINAL PLANT

Background: Herbal medicine is a popular means of medical management in some parts of the world especially in Africa. Hypoxis hemerocallidea Fisch.C.A.Mey. & Avé-Lall, also known as African potato of the Hypoxidaecae family, is one of the medicinal plants that have enjoyed long usage as an herbal medicine in South Africa. In this study, the morphology and elemental constituents of H. hemerocallidea leaf was investigated to correlate the functional role of the ultrastructure in the production of therapeutic compounds. Materials and Methods: Fresh leaves of H. hemerocallidea were prepared for analysis using standard methods. The ultrastructure and crystal deposits of the plant were assessed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive x-ray (EDX). Results: It was observed that the leaves were characterised by multicelullar glandular and non glandular trichomes which are sparsely distributed over the entire surfaces. The glandular trichomes (GTs) in H. hemerocallidea leaf have boulbous heads which are probably filled with secretions, while the non glandular trichomes were long, fibrous and sparse. EDX-SEM of Hypoxis hemerocallidea leaf revealed that carbon, oxygen, nitrogen and silicon are the major components of the deposits, while other elements such as iron, sulphur, sodium, calcium, magnesium, potassium, manganese, iodine, chromium and iodine were present in small but variable amounts. Conclusion: The presence of these elements which are crucial to maintaining good health, in addition to other bioactive constituents might be accountable for the multipurpose therapeutic uses of Hypoxis hemerocallidea in the treatment of cancers, HIV/AIDS related diseases, urinary tract infections, cardiovascular disorders, diabetes and other chronic ailments of human